Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	authority_n	power_n	supreme_a	1,645	5	8.3158	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35951	An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...; Expositio analytica omnium Apostolicarum Epistolarum. English	Dickson, David, 1583?-1663.; Retchford, William.; Dickson, David, 1583?-1663. Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews.	1659 (1659)	Wing D1403; ESTC R7896	807,291	340

conscience which in every condition can inwardly give you a good testimony Therefore ought yee to follow after these virtues They may bee ashamed Argum. 8. By the following after these virtues yee will stop the mouthes of the enemies of the Gospel who lye in wait to defame you and speak ill of you as of evil doers Vers. 17. For it is better if the will of God be so that yee suffer for well doing than for evil doing Argum. 9. For it is far better that yee following after these virtues should be afflicted for well doing if the will of God be so than for doing evil For from hence ar●s●s praise and commendation from the other judgement and disgrace Therefore yee ought to follow these virtues Ve●s 18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that hee might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit Argum. 10. Christ hath once suffered for the expiating of sins Therefore yee Beleevers being exempted from the punishment of sins are obliged if God will so have it to suffer troubles for the following of these virtues Iust Argum. 11. Christ being just and innocent hath suffered for us being unjust Therefore wee being beleevers who are not altogether innocent are bound for righteousness sake not to refuse the suffering of what God will have us suffer That he might bring us Argum. 12. Christ the just one hath suffered that hee might confirm us being justified and suffering afflictions to himself and bring us to God Therefore beleevers are bound to follow him in the pursute of virtue and patience of afflictions for weldoing Quickened Argum. 13. Seeing that the issue of Christs sufferings was happy because although he is dead by reason of the infirmity of our flesh yet he rose from the dead by the virtue and power of his Spirit or Deity ye beleevers suffering afflictions for Christ and his righteousness without doubt shall also obtain a joyfull issue out of your sufferings and death it self Therefore ye ought to follow after these virtues although for that cause yee bee afflicted Vers. 19. By which also hee went and preached unto the Spirits in prison 20. Which sometimes were disobedient when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the Ark was a preparing wherein few that is eight souls were saved by water 21. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Iesus Christ. Argum. 14. The spirits or soules of those unbeleeving and disobedient men are now in prison or hell to which Christ by his spirit in times past by Noah the preacher of righteousness came and preached repentance and following after righteousness because in times past to wit in the time of Noah they were disobedient abusing Gods long suffering towards them whilst the Ark was preparing Therefore it is expedient for you Hebrews to obey this exhortation to the study of virtue lest yee bee involved in the same punishment Few Argum. 15. As those few soules which were in the Ark were saved in the deluge of waters by the Ark So all beleevers being baptized are preserved that they perish not in any afflictions by baptism which answers to the Type of the Ark Therefore yee that follow after righteousness ought to fear nothing although yee suffer for righteousness sake Not the filth of the flesh Hee explains this argument shewing that hee doth not understand the outward baptism which consists in the washing away of the filth of the body but the inward baptism which consists in the washing away of sins or the filthiness of the soul the sign and proper effect whereof is the engagement of a good conscience towards God or that confidence which a good conscience purged by Faith hath towards God by and through the resurrection of Christ. Hee also adds Argum. 16. Now yee are endued with that confidence which a good conscience purged by Faith hath towards God by and through the resurrection of Christ Therefore there is no cause that for the following after the Scriptures yee should fear afflictions Hee adds by the resurrection of Christ partly because in Christs resurrection was declared the sentence of God absolving us in Christ from sinne and death partly because Christ being raised from the dead hath powerfully perfected those things in and for beleevers which by his death hee merited and obtained for them Vers. 22. Who is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him Argum. 17. Confirming the former and also the exhortation to the following after virtue although for that cause afflictions were born Christ the Author of our salvation is lifted up into Heaven to the highest glory of ruling over all things and obtain supream and everlasting power over all Creatures not any of the Angels excepted Therefore yee Beleevers ought strongly to prosecute the study of virtue against all dangers and terrours being assured of your salvation because you have such a Saviour in Heaven CHAP. IV. HEE here prosecutes the same Argument which hee handled in the former Chapter There are two parts of the Chapter in the first are contained Exhortations to holiness to vers 12. The other is consolatory against persecutions to the end The exhortations to holiness are six The first is more general to vers 7. the rest more especial Vers. 1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh arm your selves likewise with the same mind for hee that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin The Arguments to holiness in general are seven which that they may be the better conceived wee must maintain that Christ hanging on the Cross hath after four manner of waies acted in our behalf First That hee judicially representing us and bearing our person did bear the guilt of our sins and punishment due to them 2. That hee being a Surety for us did take upon himself the mortifying or crucifying of our old man by the virtue of his crucifixion 3. Hee set forth himself an efficacious example to us whereto wee might conform our selves in the denying our selves and renouncing all things which might hinder us in our progress towards Heaven 4. As a Surety Advocate Patron Father Husband Head and common person hee did binde us with many bonds to deaden us to sin and to use all means whereby that might be effected These presupposed the following Arguments more strongly binde Argum. 2. Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh and publickly acted in our behalf after those foresaid waies Therefore yee beleeving Hebrews ought to arm your selves with this meditation of Faith against all temptations that yee may dye to the lusts of the corrupt flesh Who hath suffered Argum. 2. Confirming the former from the judicial uniting of Beleevers

the office of an Apostle that I might wholly attend to the preaching of the Gospel separated from the world to this business who is it therefore that dares detract from my authority Vers. 13. Who was before a blasphemer and a persecuter and injurious but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbeleef Reas. 4. Notwithstanding the wickedness and the evil deserts of my former life God is not hindred from taking mee into his service who was in times past an enemy Who therefore will disparage my authority upon the wickedness of my former conversation Ignorantly Hee prevents an Objection Some man might say how could so open an enemy of Christ obtain pardon Hee answers that his sin was out of ignorance and so hee proves that it was not that unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost or a malicious insurrection against Christ which the devilish enemies of the Gospel knowingly practise in opposition to the Kingdome of Christ but sin committed out of ignorance while hee was yet an unbeleever Vers. 14. And the Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and Love which is in Christ Iesus Reas. 5. God hath vouchsafed mee more than an ordinary measure of Faith and Love and hath abundantly shewed forth his Grace in the bestowing of his saving gifts Therefore there is no reason that any one should detract from my Apostolick authority from my former conversation Vers. 15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Iesus came into the world to sav● sinners of whom I am chief Reas. 6. Christ through his eminent mercy towards mee hath effected this that being taught by experience I should bee drawn first as the chief of sinners in my o●n opinion to subscribe to that sentence of the Gospel concerning the person of Christ his office comming virtue merit and efficacy to save sinners so that I cannot but declare openly to the whole world the truth and benefit of that sentence for by experience I speak It is a faithful saying c. Therefoee no disparagement ought to bee offered to my authority who not onely beleeve my self what is committed to mee but I also preach what I have experience of Vers. 16. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy that in mee first Iesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a patern to them that should hereafter beleeve on him to life everlasting Reas. 7. The Lord hath set mee for an example of his long-suffering mercy goodness and admirable grace that sinners to the end of the world who shall hear of my wonderful conversion and the bounty of God towards mee may bee abundantly confirmed in the love of Christ and expect the like goodness towards themselves looking upon mee as a type and exemplar of unspeakable mercy Therefore am I most fit to bee made a Preacher of that grace and far bee it from any one to detract from my authority because of my former conversation while I was an unbeleever Vers. 17. Now unto the King eternal immortal invisible the onely wise God bee honour and glory for ever and ever Amen Th● Apostle now affected with the greatness of the benefit not satisfying himself in the amplification of it with a pathetick thanksgiving he concludes his speech with an illustrious celebration of Christ concerning whom hee produces four Epithites which are so agreeable unto Christ that they may also bee ascribed to the Father and to the Holy Ghost 1 God or Christ as God is King of ages i. e. by an Hebraism the eternal King that hee may bee distinguished from mundane and mortal Kings 2 Immortal because God is without all alteration change and corruption and alwayes the same like himself 3 Invisible because hee cannot bee comprehended by the eyes or any senses because their faculties are corporeal and circumscribed with narrow limits 4 Hee is onely wise because hee alone knows all things not by objects nor by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ratiocination but in and by and of himself as one in whom are all things as in their first efficient and their ultimate end Hence the Apostle ascribes honour to God or a testification to his eminency Glory a celebrious fame with praise which is eternally due unto God adding Amen as a seal of his faith and willingness to glorifie God The Third Part of the Chapter Vers. 18. This charge I commit unto thee son Timothy according to the Prophecies which went before on thee that thou by them mightest war a good warfare The third part contains his Exhortation to Timothy that hee would behave himself couragiously in his Ministry viz. That hee would war a good warfare or that hee would prepare himself to fight against all enemies and all impediments and would use all diligence that the Church might receive no detriment by any one According The Arguments of his Exhortation are two Arg. 1. Because certain things are foretold Prophetically of pious men by a kinde of divine instinct which afford great hope of famous actions to bee done by thee as appears out of Act. 16.2 Therefore war a good warfare Vers. 19. Holding fast faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack Hee explains his Exhortation by shewing the manner of warring to wit that hee would defend faithfully and profess sound Doctrine and by an holy life according to the truth preached by him that hee would maintain the light and peace of a good conscience which would inwardly acquaint him with his duty towards God and men if hee would attend to it and would administer comfort to him if hee suffered for defending the truth Which being put away Arg. 2. Because ●●less thou behave thy self with a good courage and observest this law of war concerning the joyning of a good conscience with the profession of the faith there is danger upon the loss of a good conscience that thou make shipwrack of sound Doctrine or the profession of the faith as some have done Therefore war a good warfare In the mean time hee casts in no scruple here to Timothy about the uncertainty of perseverance but uses the best and most effectual argument to perswade him to it For it makes nothing in Hypothetical propositions that the parts of it taken by themselves and Categorically may bee false or impossible It is sufficient to the truth of the rule annexed that the connexion of the parts is certain Vers. 20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered unto Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme The Apostle names two Apostates for example Hymeneus and Alexander whom hee had not long before delivered unto Satan i. e. excommunicated For they that are cast out from the face of God shining in the Church fall into the kingdome of Satan as to the condition of the outward man or the enjoyment of Church priviledges The end of this Excommunication hee shews to bee this That being led to repentance they might return

inventions of men follow after godliness Living Hee amplifies this Reason and confirms it from two properties in God in whom wee trust The first is God is the Living God not onely subjectively or as to the subject Actuous but also effectually or in respect of us hee that gives life who so performs his promises that wee know him to bee the author of truth and life Secondly God is the Saviour of all men as it is said Psal. 36. Thou preservest man and beast by his general goodness nourishing and supporting all men making his Sun to rise upon the just and unjust But chiefly and upon a more special ground the Saviour of beleevers who relying upon his promises concerning the happiness of the life to come renounce and reject humane inventions and opinions even in the dangers of persecution and follow after the exercises of godliness Vers. 11. These things command and teach Hee repeats and amplifies this Exhortation Hee entreats Timothy according to his authority that hee commend this Doctrine to his Brethren to bee taught and urged and that hee himself also diligently press it Vers. 12. Let no man despise thy youth but be thou an example of Beleevers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity Exhort 3. That hee endeavour to maintain his authority and to this end Lest any one should have just cause of despising his youth hee commands him to shew himself a Pattern and as it were a speaking Rule in life and Doctrine in word and deed in whom love to God and his neighbour spiritual affection fidelity in his office chastity or purity from defilements with which they who are given to carnal pleasures use to pollute themselves may shine forth Vers. 13. Till I come give attendance to reading to exhortation to doctrine Exhort 4. That hee diligently apply himself to his office of teaching partly by diligent reading the Scripture partly in frequent exercising himself in preaching especially so long as hee may abide in one place and by name so long as hee should continue at Ephesus for such an occasion could not easily bee expected after the Apostles coming by reason of his travels with the Apostle Vers. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by Prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery The reasons of his Exhortation so often repeated and pressed are five 1. Because that holy office of an Evangelist whereunto hee was called is the gift of Gods Grace and therefore not to bee neglected Given Reas. 2. Because this office of preaching is committed to thee by a special Prophetical Revelation which God put into the Prophets that Timothy should bee taken into the Ministery of the Gospel Therefore thou oughtest not to manage it negligently Laying on of hands Reas. 3. Because thou art also called by the Church to this office by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery that is the Colledge of Presbyters Amongst whom for the time Paul himself was President who in the name of the Presbytery and together with other Presbyters laid his hands upon him as it appears by comparing 2 Tim. 1.6 By which imposition of hands they intimated that the man was consecrated and dedicated unto God Therefore the execution of thy office so solemnly committed unto thee is not to bee neglected by thee Vers. 15. Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all Reas. 4. This Ministery is to bee heeded so as that thy profiting in Doctrine and also in Life or in all the parts of thy Ministery may evidently appear unto all Therefore it is thy duty seriously to attend to thy Ministery with mature deliberation and meditation Vers. 16. Take heed unto thy self and unto the Doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee Reas. 5. Because so as an instrumental cause thou shalt bring those that hear thee to eternal salvation Therefore it behoves thee constantly to attend to thy Life and Doctrine in this thy Ministery CHAP. V. IN this Chapter hee instructs Timothy how hee ought to carry himself in private admonitions towards all and how towards Widows that distribute the Alms of the Church and how towards Presbyters The parts of the Chapter are three In the first private Admonitions are handled to vers 3. The second part concerns Widows to vers 17. The third concerns Presbyters to the end Vers. 1. Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father and the younger men as Brethren As touching the first part of the Precept concerning private admonitions there are four branches of it 1 Concerning the Elder sort whom hee would have gently dealt withall with a modest exhortation rather than a severe reprehension that honour may bee given to their age according to the fift Precept 2 That the younger sort bee admonished with the expression of brotherly love Vers. 2. The Elder Women as Mothers the Younger as Sisters with all purity 3 That the Elder Women bee admonished with due respect to their age that the admonition may bee more acceptable 4 That the Younger Women bee admonished as Sisters But hee adds with all purity or expressions of chastity left by occasion of their private discourse whilst admonishing the Devil ensnare them in their chastity or credit whether of Timothy admonishing or the woman that is admonished The Second Part. Vers. 3. Honour Widows that are Widows indeed The second part of the Chapter follows wherein hee gives seven Precepts concerning Ele●mosynary Widows who were to bee kept by the publick charges of the Church Precept 1. That hee honour Widows indeed i. e. that hee take care they bee provided for by the publick charges of the Church and so hee should preserve their reputation lest being reduced to poverty they become contemptible Vers. 4. But if any Widow have Children or Nephews let them learn first to shew piety at home and to requite their Parents for that is good and acceptable before God Precept 2. That hee should not burthen the Church in providing for those Widows who might bee provided for by their Children or Nephews but take care that the Children and Nephews performed the duty of Piety first towards their own families their Mothers and Grandmothers There are two Reasons of the Precept R. 1 Because so they should requite their Parents who had trained up their children with this hope that their Children if need were might 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the manner of Storks nourish and cherish their aged and weak Parents destitute of sustenance For that R. 2 Because this duty performed towards Parents is acceptable to God and enjoyned by him Vers. 5. Now shee that is a Widow indeed and desolate trusteth in God and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day Precept 3. That hee observe in the choice of Widows that shee which is chosen bee not without the qualifications