Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	act_n	action_n	adversary_n	31	3	7.9308	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59239	Of devotion By J. S.	Sergeant, John, 1622-1707.	1678 (1678)	Wing S2585A; ESTC R220098	48,774	178

nothing_o but_o true_a deliberate_a or_o reflect_a reason_n teach_v that_o contrary_n belong_v still_o to_o the_o same_o subject_a and_o therefore_o devotion_n be_v a_o affection_n of_o the_o will_n sloth_n must_v needs_o be_v so_o too_o and_o beside_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o intellectual_a vice_n be_v defect_n of_o the_o understanding-power_n that_o be_v error_n or_o ignorance_n as_o on_o the_o contrary_a all_o its_o perfection_n be_v knowledge_n of_o truth_n but_o there_o be_v no_o kind_n of_o show_n that_o sloth_n shall_v formal_o consist_v in_o ignorance_n or_o error_n or_o devotion_n in_o knowledge_n since_o they_o who_o have_v much_o knowledge_n may_v withal_o be_v very_o slothful_a and_o those_o who_o have_v very_o little_a may_v be_v very_o devout_a very_o ready_a and_o very_o constant_a in_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o christian_a duty_n to_o their_o power_n §_o 2._o hence_o follow_v in_o confirmation_n of_o the_o former_a doctrine_n that_o as_o long_o as_o the_o intention_n to_o pray_v persevere_v sincere_a there_o can_v be_v no_o sin_n of_o sloth_n nor_o ground_n of_o scruple_n of_o not_o have_v pray_v as_o one_o ought_v for_o so_o long_o the_o will_n be_v not_o faulty_a and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o moral_a defect_n nor_o sin_n at_o all_o in_o a_o prayer_n no_o better_o perform_v but_o all_o the_o imperfection_n in_o it_o spring_v either_o from_o nature_n or_o circumstance_n indispose_v the_o fancy_n or_o perhaps_o from_o want_n of_o skill_n or_o information_n in_o the_o understanding_n power_n how_o to_o go_v about_o one_o prayer_n which_o be_v so_o far_o a_o fault_n as_o there_o be_v negligence_n in_o the_o will_v to_o use_v due_a mean_n to_o attain_v so_o requisite_a a_o knowledge_n wherefore_o in_o case_n any_o one_o doubt_n whether_o he_o have_v behave_v himself_o negligent_o careless_o or_o distract_o in_o his_o prayer_n he_o must_v consider_v well_o whether_o he_o intend_v that_o carelessness_n or_o those_o distraction_n for_o if_o he_o do_v not_o it_o be_v evident_a it_o happen_v beside_o his_o intention_n and_o so_o be_v no_o moral_a fault_n §_o 3._o but_o yet_o this_o word_n intention_n be_v equivoral_a and_o may_v be_v mistake_v there_o be_v who_o think_v they_o do_v great_a matter_n if_o for_o example_n they_o make_v as_o they_o call_v it_o a_o intention_n in_o the_o morning_n of_o spend_v the_o follow_a day_n in_o virtue_n and_o the_o service_n of_o god_n when_o perhaps_o they_o never_o think_v of_o god_n or_o virtue_n after_o this_o be_v but_o deceit_n and_o it_o will_v be_v no_o better_o to_o use_v the_o formality_n of_o make_v a_o act_n fancy_v to_o be_v a_o intention_n of_o pray_v before_o prayer_n and_o then_o spend_v the_o time_n of_o prayer_n in_o a_o free_a and_o unchecked_a entertainment_n of_o distractive_a suggestion_n §_o 4._o to_o understand_v the_o business_n we_o must_v remember_v that_o every_o action_n have_v a_o final_a as_o well_o as_o a_o efficient_a or_o material_a and_o formal_a cause_n and_o that_o a_o man_n can_v no_o more_o act_n without_o a_o why_o then_o a_o what._n this_o end_n when_o we_o know_v what_o we_o do_v be_v foresee_v and_o the_o actor_n mean_v or_o intend_v it_o so_o that_o the_o intention_n be_v weave_v into_o the_o action_n and_o a_o kind_n of_o part_n of_o it_o as_o if_o i_o go_v down_o or_o up_o stair_n i_o intend_v to_o be_v at_o the_o bottom_n or_o top_n nor_o can_v it_o happen_v otherwise_o if_o the_o action_n be_v rational_a and_o accompany_v with_o knowledge_n and_o if_o any_o action_n be_v do_v otherwise_o as_o when_o people_n walk_v or_o do_v other_o thing_n in_o their_o sleep_n or_o with_o a_o perfect_a inadvertence_n it_o be_v not_o count_v a_o human_a action_n in_o this_o sense_n as_o no_o action_n can_v be_v without_o a_o intention_n no_o more_o then_o without_o a_o end_n so_o neither_o can_v the_o intention_n be_v without_o the_o action_n for_o it_o be_v as_o i_o say_v before_o a_o kind_n of_o part_n of_o it_o and_o we_o shall_v laugh_v at_o he_o who_o will_v persuade_v we_o he_o have_v a_o actual_a intention_n of_o be_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o stair_n yet_o voluntary_o stay_v at_o the_o top_n but_o as_o the_o understanding_n see_v thing_n to_o come_v as_o well_o as_o past_a and_o present_a it_o may_v see_v what_o be_v like_a to_o follow_v from_o a_o action_n before_o the_o action_n itself_o and_o from_o that_o sight_n resolve_v or_o reject_v it_o and_o may_v resolve_v for_o the_o future_a as_o well_o as_o present_v time_n and_o so_o intend_v before_o she_o act_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n intention_n may_v be_v both_o before_o and_o without_o action_n which_o before_o it_o come_v to_o be_v execute_v the_o intention_n may_v possible_o change_v intention_n be_v take_v in_o this_o notion_n by_o those_o who_o amuse_v themselves_o with_o make_v artificial_a intention_n before_o hand_n for_o plain_o they_o intend_v for_o the_o future_a and_o when_o the_o time_n come_v do_v nothing_o oftentime_o of_o what_o they_o intend_v and_o remain_v delude_v now_o i_o understand_v intention_n in_o the_o former_a sense_n that_o be_v for_o such_o a_o intention_n as_o accompany_v the_o action_n and_o needs_o no_o formal_a endeavour_n on_o our_o part_n to_o make_v it_o since_o nature_n will_v join_v it_o to_o the_o action_n though_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v never_o so_o much_o the_o contrary_n for_o it_o be_v altogether_o as_o idle_a to_o imagine_v he_o who_o know_v what_o he_o do_v can_v have_v a_o not-intention_n to_o go_v down_o stair_n who_o actual_o go_v down_o as_o that_o he_o have_v one_o i_o mean_v for_o the_o present_a who_o stay_v above_o wherefore_o since_o this_o kind_n of_o intention_n can_v be_v sever_v from_o the_o action_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o who_o thus_o intend_v to_o pray_v true_o pray_v though_o never_o so_o many_o distractive_a thought_n interrupt_v and_o confound_v his_o action_n neither_o be_v they_o unless_o he_o voluntary_o admit_v and_o mean_v to_o think_v of_o such_o thing_n proper_o action_n of_o he_o but_o rather_o passion_n or_o suffering_n for_o as_o the_o eye_n can_v choose_v but_o see_v what_o be_v represent_v to_o it_o nor_o hinder_v itself_o from_o transmit_v to_o the_o soul_n what_o it_o see_v nor_o the_o soul_n from_o perceive_v what_o be_v transmit_v so_o neither_o can_v the_o soul_n hinder_v herself_o from_o receive_v the_o impression_n make_v by_o the_o inward_a stroke_n of_o flutter_a fancy_n nor_o those_o impression_n from_o have_v their_o effect_n but_o be_v in_o both_o case_n more_o passive_a than_o active_a and_o do_v not_o so_o much_o do_v any_o thing_n as_o have_v something_o do_v upon_o she_o sect_n 3._o remedy_n against_o sloth_n §_o 1._o to_o return_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n all_z that_o can_v be_v say_v of_o this_o dryness_n and_o disgustfulness_n in_o prayer_n cause_v by_o the_o not_o comply_v of_o the_o inferior_a part_n of_o the_o soul_n with_o the_o superior_a be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v a_o disposition_n and_o indeed_o temptation_n to_o the_o sin_n of_o sloth_n §_o 2._o by_o that_o tediousness_n it_o first_o tire_v then_o discourage_v and_o after_o fright_v we_o till_o at_o last_o it_o gain_v so_o much_o upon_o we_o as_o to_o make_v we_o yield_v ourselves_o over_o to_o a_o neglect_n sometime_o omission_n of_o customary_a decent_a or_o ohligatory_a prayer_n and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v in_o some_o proportion_n of_o our_o yield_n to_o those_o difficulty_n which_o oppose_v our_o exercise_v other_o devout_a acts._n here_o then_o it_o be_v that_o a_o devout_a christian_a soul_n must_v faithful_o fight_v god_n battle_n and_o never_o consent_n for_o want_v of_o gust_n or_o for_o feel_a disgust_n to_o omit_v her_o devotition_n §_o 3._o one_o of_o the_o best_a weapon_n she_o have_v to_o defend_v herself_o be_v upon_o consideration_n of_o what_o have_v be_v and_o more_o what_o will_v be_v say_v to_o settle_v a_o firm_a judgement_n that_o this_o state_n of_o distraction_n be_v no_o way_n faulty_a this_o judgement_n will_v be_v make_v not_o at_o the_o instant_n of_o prayer_n for_o then_o it_o be_v to_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n and_o the_o prayer_n exercise_v by_o it_o and_o so_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v have_v already_o not_o then_o to_o be_v get_v but_o at_o some_o fit_a season_n before_o hand_n when_o the_o fancy_n be_v most_o calm_a '_o and_o the_o soul_n can_v act_v with_o most_o cleerne_n and_o force_n and_o when_o it_o be_v once_o make_v let_v the_o soul_n be_v sure_a to_o act_v steady_o according_a to_o it_o and_o pray_v on_o how_o strong_o soever_o disgust_v or_o dryness_n or_o whatever_o engine_n the_o devil_n choose_v to_o employ_v may_v tempt_v she_o to_o the_o contrary_n a_o little_a resolution_n will_v compass_v this_o assist_v with_o the_o reflection_n how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o

strive_v by_o continual_a prayer_n make_v after_o that_o weak_a manner_n at_o least_o as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o improve_v those_o imperfect_a will_n into_o perfect_a one_o and_o groan_v under_o the_o slavery_n they_o now_o full_o experience_n at_o once_o sigh_n and_o tremble_v before_o their_o just_o offend_a god_n which_o kind_n of_o exercise_n in_o this_o case_n be_v more_o profitable_a and_o proper_a for_o they_o to_o use_v than_o love_n of_o god_n of_o which_o their_o heart_n yet_o full_a of_o filth_n be_v at_o present_a uncapable_a yet_o their_o utmost_a industry_n must_v be_v employ_v by_o faith_n and_o some_o degree_n of_o hope_n which_o be_v here_o the_o only_a actor_n to_o promote_v and_o advance_v these_o good_a motion_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n not_o yet_o within_o they_o but_o only_o move_v they_o to_o towards_o that_o grace_n by_o which_o the_o same_o holy-ghost_n enter_v into_o their_o heart_n and_o inhabit_v there_o the_o hard_a struggle_n be_v at_o first_o till_o the_o scale_n begin_v to_o turn_v which_o do_v all_o be_v easy_a to_o we_o if_o we_o pursue_v our_o victory_n but_o for_o those_o who_o be_v in_o this_o state_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o mortification_n go_v along_o with_o prayer_n to_o wean_v deter_v and_o divert_v the_o soul_n from_o the_o noxious_a gust_n she_o take_v in_o sinful_a object_n 14._o last_o we_o may_v hence_o admire_v the_o wise_a method_n and_o matchless_a bounty_n of_o our_o good_a god_n in_o allure_a we_o by_o so_o many_o motive_n to_o apply_v to_o he_o by_o prayer_n that_o so_o we_o may_v arrive_v at_o true_a happiness_n and_o give_v we_o by_o the_o very_a ask_n that_o be_v as_o soon_o as_o ever_o we_o ask_v all_o that_o be_v our_o certain_a and_o true_a good_a or_o all_o we_o can_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n hearty_o beg_v of_o he_o you_o will_v say_v it_o will_v follow_v hence_o that_o if_o one_o immediate_o ask_v heaven_n he_o shall_v have_v it_o i_o answer_v that_o this_o be_v the_o same_o manner_n of_o fond_a petition_n but_o far_o more_o high_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o ask_v the_o virtue_n of_o our_o lady_n or_o the_o apostle_n without_o think_v of_o put_v first_o the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o have_v it_o which_o be_v to_o press_v god_n to_o do_v a_o miracle_n for_o our_o sake_n a_o thing_n true_a humility_n &_o reverence_n the_o requisite_n to_o a_o right_o make_v prayer_n will_v scarce_o allow_v and_o so_o still_o our_o general_a principle_n remain_v firm_a to_o we_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o obtain_v what_o we_o pray_v for_o when_o we_o ask_v for_o our_o true_a good_a so_o we_o ask_v as_o we_o ought_v now_o the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o heaven_n be_v love_n of_o god_n if_o we_o pray_v for_o the_o mean_n we_o shall_v be_v sure_a both_o to_o obtain_v this_o and_o heaven_n too_o which_o be_v our_o end_n by_o it_o which_o secure_v to_o we_o the_o effect_n of_o our_o prayer_n or_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o our_o wish_n though_o it_o come_v not_o to_o we_o after_o our_o own_o foolish_a manner_n but_o according_a to_o the_o method_n our_o infinite_o wise_a god_n have_v appoint_v that_o be_v that_o all_o thing_n even_o in_o super-naturals_a except_o in_o some_o few_o case_n be_v carry_v forward_o from_o connatural_a cause_n or_o disposition_n to_o proper_a effect_n which_o consequence_n of_o the_o effect_n out_o of_o their_o proper_a cause_n be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n merit_n so_o misrepresent_v by_o our_o adversary_n only_o superad_v that_o god_n have_v promise_v this_o certain_a effect_n shall_v follow_v and_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a work_n out_o of_o that_o consideration_n or_o out_o of_o a_o reliance_n on_o god_n promise_n without_o know_v perhaps_o how_o this_o promise_n be_v bring_v about_o or_o perform_v to_o we_o which_o yet_o when_o know_v by_o those_o who_o be_v capable_a of_o understand_v it_o must_v needs_o add_v a_o strange_a degree_n of_o comfort_n and_o a_o exceed_a courage_n to_o employ_v themselves_o in_o prayer_n whence_o may_v be_v easy_o collect_v that_o i_o only_o concern_v myself_o with_o that_o kind_n of_o impetrative_a virtue_n by_o which_o right_o make_v prayer_n obtain_v certain_o of_o god_n our_o true_a spiritual_a good_a that_o by_o show_v the_o connatural_a efficacy_n of_o it_o and_o with_o how_o necessary_a a_o consequence_n the_o attainment_n of_o virtue_n spring_v from_o it_o i_o may_v excite_v my_o reader_n to_o pursue_v that_o best_a duty_n and_o withal_o by_o the_o way_n instruct_v they_o how_o to_o perform_v it_o what_o other_o virtue_n prayer_n have_v of_o obtain_v many_o thing_n of_o god_n for_o ourselves_o and_o our_o neighbour_n by_o oblige_v his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n in_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n so_o to_o contrive_v and_o order_v thing_n that_o not_o one_o prayer_n of_o the_o just_a be_v leave_v unavailable_a as_o far_o as_o can_v possible_o consist_v with_o the_o common_a good_a of_o the_o universe_n nay_o even_o so_o far_o as_o if_o the_o prayer_n be_v make_v with_o a_o perfect_a faith_n confidence_n and_o firm_a reliance_n upon_o he_o to_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n by_o miracle_n for_o such_o a_o prayer_n sake_n of_o these_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o treat_v at_o present_a it_o be_v out_o of_o my_o road_n as_o depend_v on_o principle_n which_o lie_v very_o remote_a from_o my_o present_a design_n as_o be_v say_v former_o in_o a_o like_a case_n concern_v prayer_n to_o saint_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o section_n i_o shall_v end_v this_o discourse_n with_o those_o most_o expressive_a word_n of_o st._n james_n if_o any_o one_o want_v wisdom_n let_v he_o ask_v of_o god_n who_o give_v to_o all_o abundant_o and_o without_o grudge_v and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v he_o but_o let_v he_o ask_v in_o faith_n nothing_o doubt_v for_o he_o that_o doubt_v be_v like_o a_o wave_n of_o the_o sea_n which_o be_v move_v and_o toss_v about_o by_o the_o wind._n let_v not_o then_o such_o a_o man_n think_v that_o he_o shall_v obtain_v any_o thing_n of_o our_o lord_n where_o we_o be_v to_o note_v first_o that_o by_o wisdom_n be_v not_o mean_v speculative_a knowledge_n but_o that_o wisdom_n which_o be_v our_o certain_a and_o true_a spiritual_a good_a and_o of_o which_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v the_o beginning_n as_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v its_o accomplishment_n or_o perfection_n next_o he_o assure_v we_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v and_o that_o without_o grudge_v or_o upbraid_v any_o that_o they_o have_v receive_v enough_o already_o but_o abundant_o without_o stint_n so_o they_o dispose_v themselves_o by_o prayer_n to_o receive_v it_o three_o he_o put_v the_o disposition_n to_o receive_v it_o to_o be_v a_o firm_a hope_n faith_n or_o confidence_n in_o god_n overflow_a goodness_n which_o be_v strengthen_v by_o know_v that_o what_o we_o ask_v be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o holy_a will._n last_o he_o declare_v that_o the_o want_n of_o this_o confidence_n in_o ask_v render_v our_o whole_a prayer_n ineffectual_a for_o the_o wish_n can_v be_v strong_a and_o efficacious_a to_o work_v the_o soul_n into_o a_o hearty_a and_o habitual_a love_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v hold_v beforehand_o as_o it_o ought_v that_o it_o can_v be_v have_v without_o god_n give_v it_o and_o the_o asker_n think_v that_o let_v he_o ask_v virtue_n how_o he_o will_v it_o be_v yet_o a_o obscure_a kind_n of_o mystery_n lie_v in_o god_n breast_n and_o depend_v on_o his_o mere_a will_n whether_o he_o will_v please_v to_o give_v he_o any_o virtue_n or_o no_o and_o that_o let_v he_o pray_v for_o it_o how_o he_o will_v there_o be_v yet_o no_o determinate_a or_o certain_a cause_n lay_v in_o the_o course_n of_o his_o supernatural_a providence_n to_o attain_v it_o and_o thence_o come_v to_o doubt_v whether_o he_o shall_v ever_o obtain_v any_o virtue_n or_o none_o at_o all_o which_o be_v very_o uncomfortable_a whereas_o be_v it_o know_v and_o well_o penetrate_v that_o god_n will_n be_v already_o as_o to_o that_o point_n determine_v by_o his_o wisdom_n govern_v and_o promote_a soul_n by_o prayer_n to_o virtue_n and_o by_o virtue_n to_o heaven_n as_o by_o proper_a disposition_n to_o those_o effect_n according_a to_o that_o say_v of_o the_o psalmist_n they_o shall_v rise_v from_o virtue_n to_o virtue_n till_o they_o see_v the_o god_n of_o god_n in_o zion_n also_o be_v it_o know_v and_o consider_v that_o a_o unwavering_a and_o thence_o efficacious_a prayer_n or_o wish_n strengthen_v by_o direct_v it_o to_o god_n be_v the_o proper_a disposition_n or_o mean_n effectual_o and_o necessary_o as_o we_o may_v say_v to_o gain_v virtue_n it_o will_v become_v impossible_a to_o want_v courage_n to_o ask_v it_o hearty_o and_o absolute_o impossible_a to_o waver_v or_o want_v assuredness_n in_o our_o ask_n it_o impossible_a our_o wish_n of_o it_o shall_v not_o become_v a_o efficacious_a mean_n to_o obtain_v it_o last_o impossible_a we_o shall_v not_o obtain_v what_o we_o ask_v soli_fw-la deo_fw-la gloria_fw-la finis_fw-la