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	power_n	will_n	1,439	5	6.6180	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61630	Thirteen sermons preached on several occasions three of which never before printed / by the Right Reverend Father in God Edward, Lord Bishop of Worcester.; Sermons. Selections	Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.	1698 (1698)	Wing S5671; ESTC R21899	215,877	540

part_n of_o a_o man_n but_o not_o the_o power_n of_o move_v they_o and_o where_o god_n by_o his_o grace_n do_v recover_v mankind_n to_o a_o new_a life_n yet_o there_o be_v such_o remainder_n of_o the_o former_a deadness_n upon_o we_o as_o make_v we_o unable_a to_o do_v that_o which_o we_o most_o desire_v to_o do_v and_o do_v fail_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o performance_n where_o we_o be_v sincere_a as_o to_o our_o purpose_n and_o design_n but_o will_v god_n lay_v these_o moral_a defect_n or_o infirmity_n of_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n on_o we_o as_o wilful_a sin_n now_o under_o the_o gospel_n god_n forbid_v i_o do_v not_o question_v god_n right_o to_o command_v we_o all_o that_o which_o be_v just_a in_o itself_o and_o he_o have_v give_v we_o faculty_n to_o do_v but_o i_o consider_v he_o as_o a_o gracious_a lord_n towards_o a_o decay_a tenant_n of_o who_o if_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o pay_v what_o he_o be_v able_a he_o will_v not_o exact_v the_o uttermost_a farthing_n as_o a_o compassionate_a commander_n to_o a_o wound_a soldier_n who_o be_v willing_a to_o accept_v what_o service_n he_o be_v able_a to_o do_v although_o he_o fail_v in_o many_o point_n of_o his_o duty_n as_o the_o good_a samaritan_n which_o pour_v in_o wine_n and_o oil_n into_o the_o wound_n which_o he_o have_v not_o make_v and_o diseharge_v the_o debt_n which_o he_o have_v not_o contract_v if_o god_n be_v not_o infinite_o gracious_a and_o merciful_a there_o be_v little_a hope_n for_o we_o to_o avoid_v punishment_n but_o since_o he_o be_v please_v to_o deal_v with_o we_o upon_o the_o term_n of_o a_o new_a covenant_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o hope_v that_o he_o will_v not_o charge_v involuntary_a neglect_v and_o moral_a disability_n upon_o we_o as_o sin_n of_o omission_n 2._o there_o be_v duty_n of_o external_n worship_n and_o service_n owe_v to_o god_n and_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v when_o the_o omission_n of_o these_o become_v a_o sin_n to_o we_o for_o these_o be_v not_o always_o necessary_a and_o sometime_o we_o may_v be_v hinder_v from_o they_o to_o answer_v this_o i_o lay_v down_o these_o rule_n i._o a_o constant_a or_o habitual_a neglect_n of_o those_o duty_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v for_o his_o worship_n and_o service_n can_v be_v without_o a_o sin_n of_o omission_n because_o that_o must_v arise_v from_o a_o evil_a temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n when_o it_o come_v from_o a_o contempt_n of_o god_n and_o his_o service_n it_o must_v be_v a_o sin_n because_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a one_o when_o it_o come_v bare_o from_o a_o careless_a indifferent_a slothful_a temper_n which_o be_v glad_a of_o any_o excuse_n for_o the_o neglect_n or_o omission_n of_o they_o it_o argue_v very_o little_a sense_n of_o religion_n or_o regard_v to_o god_n and_o his_o service_n when_o they_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o find_v a_o excuse_n for_o their_o fault_n but_o some_o be_v ready_a to_o justify_v themselves_o in_o such_o a_o neglect_n as_o though_o all_o the_o outward_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v mere_a ceremony_n and_o only_o a_o decent_a way_n of_o entertain_v the_o people_n with_o some_o outward_a pomp_n and_o show_n of_o devotion_n towards_o a_o divine_a majesty_n i_o be_o afraid_a such_o hardly_o mention_v a_o divine_a majesty_n but_o in_o a_o compliment_n however_o we_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v that_o they_o do_v own_o such_o a_o be_v but_o they_o think_v it_o a_o vain_a thing_n to_o serve_v he_o as_o though_o he_o can_v be_v move_v by_o our_o prayer_n to_o he_o or_o praise_n of_o he_o we_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o god_n be_v infinite_o above_o all_o our_o service_n but_o be_v that_o a_o reason_n why_o we_o shall_v not_o serve_v he_o in_o the_o way_n he_o require_v it_o from_o we_o he_o do_v not_o want_v our_o service_n but_o we_o want_v his_o favour_n and_o blessing_n and_o can_v we_o expect_v they_o when_o we_o slight_v that_o little_a service_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o time_n he_o allow_v for_o other_o employment_n which_o he_o expect_v from_o we_o if_o we_o have_v nothing_o but_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n to_o direct_v we_o we_o shall_v conclude_v it_o very_o reasonable_a that_o mankind_n shall_v own_v their_o creator_n by_o some_o outward_a and_o public_a and_o state_v way_n and_o time_n of_o worship_n for_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o natural_a justice_n to_o own_o our_o maker_n and_o benefactor_n and_o can_v it_o become_v less_o necessary_a when_o he_o have_v declare_v himself_o please_v with_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o and_o make_v great_a promise_n to_o those_o who_o call_v upon_o he_o but_o this_o say_v they_o be_v the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o all_o to_o understand_v what_o effect_v our_o prayer_n can_v have_v upon_o the_o eternal_a counsel_n of_o heaven_n since_o they_o be_v already_o fix_v and_o can_v be_v reverse_v by_o our_o prayer_n as_o great_a as_o this_o difficulty_n be_v the_o true_a point_n of_o it_o be_v only_o this_o whether_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o trust_v the_o frequent_a and_o repeat_v promise_n of_o god_n although_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v how_o the_o efficacy_n of_o our_o prayer_n be_v take_v in_o as_o a_o necessary_a condition_n towards_o the_o execution_n of_o god_n eternal_a purpose_n for_o if_o they_o be_v condition_n as_o the_o scripture_n often_o tell_v we_o then_o we_o may_v easy_o understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o efficacy_n of_o prayer_n and_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o reconcile_a such_o contingent_a condition_n with_o god_n eternal_a purpose_n it_o be_v a_o difficulty_n which_o will_v afford_v perpetual_a matter_n of_o dispute_n but_o ought_v no_o more_o to_o hinder_v we_o from_o plain_a duty_n than_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v from_o go_v a_o necessary_a journey_n till_o he_o be_v satisfy_v whether_o the_o earth_n move_v about_o the_o sun_n or_o the_o sun_n about_o the_o earth_n ii_o whether_o the_o omission_n of_o such_o publ●ck_a duty_n of_o divine_a worship_n be_v a_o sin_n or_o not_o depend_v very_o much_o on_o the_o reason_n and_o occasion_n of_o it_o for_o if_o it_o be_v a_o wilful_a neglect_n it_o do_v imply_v a_o degree_n of_o contempt_n and_o that_o can_v be_v without_o sin_n and_o that_o be_v a_o wilful_a neglect_n when_o nothing_o but_o a_o act_n of_o a_o man_n be_v own_o will_n hinder_v he_o from_o serve_v god_n in_o public_a i_o do_v not_o mean_v only_o at_o the_o very_a time_n but_o if_o he_o have_v by_o some_o former_a act_n of_o his_o will_n bring_v a_o incapacity_n upon_o himself_o that_o want_v of_o power_n do_v not_o excuse_n when_o the_o impotency_n arise_v from_o a_o voluntary_a act_n of_o his_o own_o if_o it_o be_v intend_v on_o purpose_n to_o hinder_v it_o be_v as_o wilful_a in_o its_o cause_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o impediment_n for_o although_o the_o actual_a impediment_n be_v the_o immediate_a cause_n of_o the_o omission_n yet_o it_o be_v the_o design_n and_o purpose_n which_o make_v it_o wilful_a but_o if_o person_n by_o a_o act_n of_o providence_n without_o their_o own_o fault_n be_v hinder_v from_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n as_o by_o long_a sickness_n no_o one_o can_v say_v that_o this_o omission_n be_v wilful_a and_o therefore_o can_v be_v account_v a_o sin_n but_o if_o a_o person_n by_o his_o intemperance_n and_o debauchery_n have_v bring_v himself_o into_o a_o incapacity_n of_o attend_v on_o the_o service_n of_o god_n we_o can_v say_v that_o the_o actual_a omission_n be_v wilful_a but_o we_o may_v just_o say_v that_o the_o original_a cause_n be_v so_o and_o that_o it_o can_v excuse_v the_o omission_n ii_o but_o beside_o the_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n there_o be_v such_o which_o we_o owe_v to_o one_o another_o which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o sin_n but_o here_o the_o state_v of_o the_o case_n seem_v yet_o more_o difficult_a since_o there_o be_v not_o so_o plain_a a_o authority_n to_o oblige_v nor_o such_o a_o relation_n to_o each_o other_o as_o we_o stand_v in_o to_o god_n and_o beside_o the_o circumstance_n of_o humane_a affair_n be_v oftentimes_o so_o intricate_a and_o perplex_a that_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a for_o person_n to_o know_v their_o duty_n and_o much_o more_o to_o practice_v they_o but_o there_o be_v certain_o such_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v both_o to_o the_o public_a and_o to_o one_o another_o and_o it_o may_v be_v of_o some_o use_n to_o we_o to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o the_o obligation_n and_o what_o those_o be_v which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o sin_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o public_a and_o concern_v that_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o two_o rule_n 1._o those_o duty_n can_v be_v omit_v without_o sin_n which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o prejudice_n to_o the_o public_a good_n

shall_v resist_v that_o which_o they_o account_v the_o clear_a light_n they_o have_v and_o in_o so_o do_v they_o must_v cast_v off_o the_o immediate_a guidance_n of_o their_o conscience_n which_o may_v have_v very_o bad_a effect_n as_o to_o the_o force_n and_o power_n of_o conscience_n in_o other_o thing_n i_o be_o afraid_a many_o do_v not_o impartial_o weigh_v and_o consider_v thing_n as_o they_o ought_v but_o when_o or_o where_o do_v the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n do_v so_o he_o think_v such_o scruple_n be_v weak_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v lay_v aside_o but_o they_o say_v they_o can_v overcome_v they_o and_o they_o have_v pray_v and_o search_v and_o use_v the_o best_a mean_n and_o can_v be_v satisfy_v and_o what_o can_v they_o now_o do_v conscience_n be_v real_o a_o nice_a and_o tender_a thing_n and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v handle_v rough_o and_o severe_o consider_v how_o unaccountable_a sometime_o to_o other_o the_o real_a scruple_n of_o some_o conscience_n be_v although_o conscience_n be_v a_o man_n judgement_n in_o order_n to_o practice_n yet_o there_o may_v be_v a_o great_a strictness_n of_o conscience_n where_o there_o be_v no_o strictness_n of_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n in_o some_o case_n be_v more_o nice_a for_o want_v of_o judgement_n but_o what_o then_o must_v we_o condemn_v all_o those_o who_o labour_n under_o that_o distemper_n and_o that_o you_o count_v want_n of_o judgement_n in_o he_o he_o may_v look_v on_o as_o want_v of_o sincerity_n in_o you_o we_o have_v be_v so_o long_o censure_v and_o condemn_v each_o other_o for_o such_o thing_n that_o god_n seem_v by_o his_o wife_n providence_n to_o bring_v the_o plea_n of_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n round_o that_o we_o may_v learn_v more_o tenderness_n to_o each_o other_o by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o some_o may_v real_o scruple_n that_o which_o other_o wonder_v at_o and_o that_o man_n conscience_n be_v not_o to_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o same_o light_n for_o that_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o admiration_n to_o one_o which_o be_v of_o scruple_n to_o another_o the_o best_a use_n we_o can_v make_v of_o this_o be_v to_o pity_v the_o infirmity_n of_o mankind_n and_o of_o those_o most_o who_o be_v under_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o misguide_v conscience_n because_o whatever_o the_o action_n be_v their_o design_n and_o intention_n be_v honest_a and_o good_a 2._o in_o put_v the_o worst_a construction_n upon_o man_n action_n which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o that_o charity_n st._n paul_n so_o much_o commend_v for_o that_o not_o only_o bear_v the_o worst_a and_o hope_n for_o the_o best_a but_o where_o a_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v make_v better_a by_o a_o favourable_a sense_n it_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v it_o now_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n man_n do_v which_o be_v account_v good_a or_o evil_n according_a to_o the_o intention_n etc._n of_o the_o doer_n of_o they_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o action_n in_o itself_o for_o what_o god_n command_v be_v good_a and_o what_o he_o forbid_v be_v evil_n whatever_o man_n intention_n be_v but_o although_o a_o good_a intention_n can_v make_v a_o bad_a action_n good_a yet_o a_o bad_a intention_n may_v make_v a_o good_a action_n evil_a not_o in_o itself_o but_o to_o he_o that_o do_v it_o and_o so_o there_o be_v two_o way_n man_n may_v exceed_v in_o judge_v 1._o in_o make_v no_o abatement_n in_o a_o evil_a action_n as_o to_o the_o person_n for_o the_o goodness_n of_o his_o intention_n for_o although_o '_o the_o action_n be_v not_o good_a by_o it_o yet_o it_o be_v so_o much_o less_o evil_a and_o in_o doubtful_a case_n it_o take_v much_o from_o the_o gild_n although_o not_o where_o the_o command_n be_v plain_a as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o saul_n 2._o in_o charge_v person_n with_o a_o bad_a intention_n in_o a_o good_a action_n where_o there_o be_v no_o plain_a evidence_n for_o then_o it_o be_v but_o suspicion_n and_o a_o uncharitable_a judgement_n our_o saviour_n may_v just_o charge_v the_o pharisee_n with_o this_o as_o to_o their_o alm_n and_o prayer_n because_o he_o know_v their_o heart_n they_o lay_v they_o open_a enough_o to_o other_o by_o their_o asfectation_n and_o where_o that_o be_v gross_a and_o notorious_a it_o be_v weakness_n and_o not_o charity_n to_o judge_v otherwise_o but_o where_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o to_o judge_v man_n to_o act_n upon_o bad_a principle_n be_v be_v righteous_a overmuch_o or_o rather_o be_v unrighteous_a and_o uncharitable_a 3._o in_o judge_v man_n condition_n towards_o god_n from_o some_o particular_a action_n although_o contrary_a to_o the_o general_a course_n of_o they_o think_v with_o yourselves_o what_o strange_a and_o mistake_v judgement_n you_o shall_v have_v pass_v upon_o david_n and_o ahab_n if_o you_o have_v be_v privy_a to_o the_o adultery_n and_o murder_n of_o the_o one_o and_o have_v see_v the_o humiliation_n of_o the_o other_o if_o you_o have_v see_v ahab_n in_o his_o mortification_n when_o he_o fast_v and_o put_v on_o sackcloth_n and_o humble_a himself_o you_o 27._o will_v have_v think_v he_o a_o saint_n for_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v in_o good_a earnest_n for_o the_o time_n and_o if_o you_o have_v judge_v of_o david_n by_o those_o particular_a action_n you_o must_v have_v conclude_v he_o a_o very_a bad_a man_n but_o both_o these_o conclusion_n have_v be_v false_a because_o take_v up_o upon_o too_o slight_a and_o narrow_a a_o inspection_n the_o same_o case_n have_v be_v as_o to_o st._n peter_n denial_n and_o the_o repentance_n of_o judas_n we_o must_v not_o form_v our_o judgement_n of_o other_o by_o single_a and_o sudden_a action_n which_o person_n may_v fall_v into_o by_o surprise_n or_o sudden_a accident_n and_o conclude_v all_o the_o rest_n to_o be_v like_o but_o we_o be_v to_o suspend_v our_o thought_n for_o the_o present_a and_o to_o weigh_v and_o compare_v the_o course_n of_o a_o man_n action_n together_o for_o so_o god_n will_v judge_v mankind_n and_o so_o ought_v we_o to_o judge_v of_o one_o another_o 4._o in_o judge_v of_o man_n spiritual_a estate_n from_o outward_a affliction_n which_o befall_v they_o thus_o job_n friend_n be_v righteous_a overmuch_o when_o they_o charge_v he_o so_o deep_a with_o hypocrisy_n because_o his_o calamity_n be_v extraordinary_a it_o be_v natural_a for_o such_o who_o believe_v providence_n to_o interpret_v god_n action_n towards_o man_n be_v either_o as_o mark_v of_o his_o approbation_n or_o displeasure_n but_o god_n have_v no_o where_o declare_v so_o much_o and_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o pass_v such_o a_o judgement_n on_o man_n since_o the_o wise_a man_n say_v no_o man_n can_v know_v love_n or_o hatred_n by_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v before_o he_o and_o there_o be_v a_o just_a man_n who_o perish_v in_o 15._o his_o righteousness_n and_o a_o wicked_a man_n that_o prolong_v his_o life_n in_o his_o wickedness_n if_o such_o have_v see_v a_o just_a man_n suffer_v to_o such_o a_o degree_n they_o must_v have_v infer_v that_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o some_o secret_a wickedness_n which_o make_v god_n deal_v so_o hardly_o with_o he_o but_o the_o wise_a man_n say_v this_o be_v to_o be_v righteous_a overmuch_o for_o god_n be_v not_o to_o act_n according_a to_o our_o measure_n he_o know_v what_o be_v best_a and_o fit_a for_o man_n to_o undergo_v and_o he_o never_o act_v so_o as_o they_o shall_v have_v cause_n to_o complain_v at_o last_o there_o be_v a_o just_a man_n to_o who_o it_o happen_v according_a to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o wicked_a and_o there_o be_v a_o wicked_a man_n unto_o who_o it_o happen_v according_a to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o righteous_a therefore_o 14._o it_o be_v very_o unrighteous_a for_o we_o to_o pronounce_v any_o wicked_a mere_o because_o they_o undergo_v great_a suffering_n and_o more_o pinch_a calamity_n than_o other_o there_o be_v no_o judge_v a_o child_n to_o be_v out_o of_o his_o father_n love_n because_o he_o correct_v he_o for_o his_o fault_n as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v hope_n of_o amendment_n he_o will_v do_v it_o and_o when_o there_o be_v none_o he_o let_v he_o alone_o to_o take_v his_o course_n but_o he_o be_v then_o more_o displease_v than_o ever_o 5._o in_o judge_v too_o easy_o concern_v the_o fault_n and_o mis-carriage_n of_o other_o man_n show_v their_o severity_n to_o other_o and_o partiality_n to_o themselves_o this_o way_n they_o think_v themselves_o hardly_o deal_v with_o to_o be_v censure_v upon_o vain_a and_o idle_a report_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v too_o apt_a to_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o other_o there_o be_v a_o justice_n we_o ought_v to_o show_v to_o the_o reputation_n of_o other_o which_o lie_v here_o in_o do_v as_o we_o think_v reasonable_a as_o other_o shall_v do_v by_o we_o some_o can_v think_v so_o