Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	believe_v	faith_n	holy_a	1,533	5	5.3032	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A43727	Apokalypsis apokalypseos, or, The revelation revealed being a practical exposition on the revelation of St. John : whereunto is annexed a small essay, entituled Quinto-Monarchiæ, cum Quarto Omologia, or, A friendly complyance between Christ's monarchy, and the magistrates / by William Hicks ...	Hicks, William, 1621-1660.	1659 (1659)	Wing H1928; ESTC R20296	349,308	358

them is charity its precedency lies in this 1. In that it perfumes and enlivens all the other graces faith it self is dead without it And to suppose a faith without love is to suppose a man without a soul The gifts of prophesies tongues and miracles are but barren and usless things without this 2. This hath for its object both God and Man we exercise our faith and hope only towards God and his promises but our charity is extended both towards God and Man And therefore love is called Rom. 13.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fulfilling of the Law it is the whole sum and hinge on which the commandements turn In this one word charity both the Tables of the decalogue are abridged 3. It excells in that it is the greatest note of our interest in God and Christ Faith is that giveth right unto the promises but love is that giveth life to faith It is the very soul of all our graces If we gave our bodies to be burnt for Christ and had not charity it will profit nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 By this we know that we are passed from death to life because we love the Brethren 1 John 3.14 and Ia. 1.12 The Crown of life is promised to them that love God and Rom. 8.28 Love is made the very discovery of effectual calling and election 4. Love excells in that it is the perfection of the Law it is the very end of the Commandments 1 Tim. 1.5 and were Love but perfect in us it would make us perfect Keepers and Observers of the Law both towards God and Man Love knits the Members of Christs Body together and so perfects his Body It unites us to God and so maketh the perfecting of divine love in us 1 John 4.12 17. and here it is we are commanded twice to put on love above all things 1 Pet. 4.8 and Col. 3.14 but once above all things to take the shield of faith 5. And lastly when faith hope patience and all other graces ceases charity abideth Love is not only a portion for the Saints in this life but in the other also then we shall love God and Christ when faith and hope ceaseth therefore justly did Christ in this place and the Apostle in 1 Cor. 13.13 give it the precedency above al other Graces of the Spirit 2. Love brings forth another grace service external worship and obedience him whom we love we obey we serve we honour and worship The service of love is most intense and effectual When Christ communed with Simon Peter John 21. and asked him thrice Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me Yea Lord thou knowest it saith Peter Christ answered feed my sheep The more love that Peter manifested the more service and duty was put upon him Services that we perform to God not out of love but formality or custome are but as scabbed or lame Sacrifices under the Law which the Lord hated Right ends in our services are First Love and zeal to God's glory Secondly Love to the obedience of God's commandments Thirdly Love to the edification of others These ends makes us a true and sincere worship love goeth through all and is the fulfilling of the Law 3. Thyatira is approved for her faith made lively and effectual by love True faith is never seperated from love they go hand in hand together but love hath the precedency for the reasons aforesaid though faith is first in order of nature for faith is that grace that gives the first being unto a christian but love is the perfection of that being There must be first a knowledge of God and assent unto his truths which is the first act of faith before we can love that God or his Truths but withal I say there is so inseperable union between these two graces no sooner hath faith a being and a body but love comes to animate it to make it sound lively and perfect Observ hence Note That it is not a bare opinion or entertainment of the truth that is a true lively faith but that that worketh by love Many will one day say we have prophesied in thy Name taught in thy Name cast out devils in thy Name professed and beleived thy truths and yet the Lord will say unto them I know you not and all for want of this grace of love towards God and his Saints A sound and true faith contains in it these three principal ingredients that gives the very form and being to it First A sound distinct knowledge of the thing believed I know and am perswaded saith Paul Rom. 14.14 Persons that are ignorant of Gods promises and of the word of eternal life can never believe aright Secondly A firm perswasion strongly assuming the heart As a sound believer must not be an ignorant soul so must he not be a wavering-minded man but must have an undeceivable certainty and truth in that he does believe Thirdly A confident resting and rejoycing with satisfaction unto the Soul surely looking to enjoy that it does beleive True faith hath these four acts and degrees in it 1. Knowledge 2. Assent 3. Adherence and 4. Assurance A believer may have the three first acts and want the latter and a sound beleiver and a justified person Though God for causes to himself known may never give the grace of Assurance yet that faith that only knows God distinctly to be a God of salvation in his promises to repentant sinners through Christ and so takes him and adheres unto him in the love and truth thereof doubtless that soul shall never be a cast-away though God's presence of assurance and joyful satisfaction be never manifested unto him If we be saved it is enough though God reserves his comfortable presence and inward love for us unto another world 4. Thyatira hath another excellent grace and that is Patience or sufferance with patience as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 carries it in the Greek A wicked man may suffer affliction but not suffer with patience without murmuring swearing or blaspheming as the godly doth The wicked may haue patience perforce and unwillingly when he cannot help it the afliction being above his reach to remedy but the godly is patient as it is an effect of love because he loveth much he is ready to suffer much with constancy and patience as Jacob served two seven years hardship for his beloved Rachel so a faithful soul is ready to suffer all afflictions chearfully and with much patience all the years of his life because he loves God and Christ and so accounts the afflictions of this life not to be valued with the glory that shall hereafter be revealed to all those that love God 5. Thyatira was a growing fruitful church her latter works were more then her first done upon better grounds and better principles From whence Note Observ That the gracious works of the more grown Christians doe exceed those of the younger sort in soundness The Neophites or young Christians may be more zealous

peace through Jesus Christ and therefore beautiful are their feet and so may rightly be represented mystically or figuratively by those lightsome and noble creatures the stars but to prevent tediousness in repetition I refer to the Notes on the precedent sixteenth verse where I have fully discussed the same subject And the mystery of the seven golden Candlesticks Christ interprets to be the seven Churches to wit in Ephes Smyrna Pergamus c. In Exodus 25. amongst the Adorements and Instruments of the Tabernacle God commanded M●ses to make a Candlestick of Beaten Gold Christ in this verse takes up the Figures and Types of seven golden Candlesticks to represent mystically his Tabernacles with men his seven famous Asian Churches wherein his glorious presence did most resplendently appear for it is said verse 13. That he appeared in the midst of them in great luster glory and splendour Golden Candlesticks are fit Types and Emblemes to represent Christ's churches First In respect of their choicest mettal they are golden Candlesticks Observ Christ's churches are of that precious allay and temper that they excel all other assemblies in the world Others of the world though never so great and eminent are but as Lead or Tin but those like precious gold Secondly Gold is the most tryed and refined mettal that is so are Christ's churches they go under seven fold refinements They have tryals from God and man Refinements by afflictions refinements by the Spirit of Grace whereby their dross is done away and so become most precious and shining gold Thirdly Gold is the most noble dearest and highest esteemed mettal amongst men so Christs churches are the most highly respected by God of all creatures the world was made for their sakes yea they are the right heirs that is that have the more especial right by blessing promise and compact unto the world and the good things thereof whether things present or things to come why all is yours if Christ be yours 1 Cor. 3.23 Fourthly It is the most extensive and ductible of all mettals so Christ's churches they have the largest bowels of true charity of any sort of people in the world for they will endeavour the conversion and pray for it even of their very enemies Fifthly Gold is the most weighty of all mettals Christ's churches are of the greatest weight with God all others are but as the dust of the ballance in comparison of them they are of such weight with God that they are to stand in the gap to stay the hand of God when he goes out to execute his judgements If two or three righteous persons be in a City God will not destroy it for their sakes Sixthly and lastly Gold is most fair and shining of all mettals so Christ's churches they are most shining in their graces they are not guilded Candlesticks but golden ones yea beaten ones as that of the Tabernacle was Thou art all fair saith Christ to his Spouse in Cant. 1. my Love behold thou art fair behold thou art fair like a Lilly among the Thorns so is my Love among the daughters Cant. 2.2 In the next place consider the Types and Figures the seven Candlesticks that are the emblemes of those seven Churches and how they suit fitly for this purpose all know The proper work of Candlesticks is to contain and hold their shining lamps or candles as in Exod. 25.37 And thou shalt make the seven Lamps thereof and the Lamps thereof shalt thou put thereon to give light toward that that is before it As the golden Candlestick of the Tabernacle was to have seven lamps or lights to give light to all that was before it so these seven golden Candlesticks those seven Asian churches have their seven Lamps or lights therein which number denotes perfection to enlighten all that was before it they have also their seven Angels seven faithful Messengers Ministers or Ambassadors of Christ's Word and Truth to enlighten every soul that comes with a teachable heart before them Hence Note Observ That every church of Christ as the candlestick of the Tabernacle Exod. 25.37 ought to have their shining Lamps in them that is Ministers and Teachers that are both godly and faithful ones Each one of the seven Asian churches had its Angel its light its Lamp within its candlestick and a church without these lights these Angels is as a candlestick without its lamp or light standing for ornament and fashion sake but wanting much of its honour life light and service which those Lamps and lights would yeild unto it for Christ hath placed in his church some Apostles some Evangelists some Prophets some Teachers some Pastors some Elders and all for the edifying and compleating of his Body the church Churches thus organized with their Angels and Ministers are most comly yea that high expression in Cant. 6.4 may be well applyed to such Thou art beautiful O my Love as Tirza comly as Jerusalem terrible as an Army with Banners Amidst those seven golden candlesticks that had their Angels or Lamps shining within them Christ made his glorious appearance in the likeness of the Son of man verse 13. The discoveries of Christ's ways and presence both in the way of grace and judgement are most clearly to be learn'd and discern'd amongst his churches that have their Angels Ministers and Teachers shining most bright in their life and doctrine in the midst amongst them and like to this was the advice which Christ himself had given to the Spouse in the Canticles chap. 1.7 8. when she had lost or could not find her Beloved Tell me O thou whom my soul loveth where thou feedest Where thou makest thy flocks to rest at Noon His answer is If thou know not thou fairest among women Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock and feed thy Kids beside the Shepherds Tents Therefore O thou the beloved of my soul cause my soul that by its wandrings have long missed thee to seek for thee among thy golden candlesticks in thy Ordinances and holy Assemblies in the midst whereof thou dost appear that my soul which languisheth may be comforted with Apples and stayed with Flaggons with spiritual comforts and refreshments from thy self who dwellest in the gardens and feedest thy flocks beside the Shepherds Tents Observ 2. That Christ's churches are his chiefest Treasuries here on earth of light and truth If souls desire to come into the true light and truth of God where should they rather repair then unto those golden candlesticks whose proper service is to hold forth light unto all comers Christ is found walking in the midst of them verse 1● and therefore where the Sun runs its course there must needs be light in that Firmament and much glory and for this reason in this place these seven famous Asian churches are represented by the figures of seven golden candlesticks and also in Zach. 4.3 c. the ancient church of the Jews is represented by a golden candlestick with seven Lamps

to the church visible as members thereof and are so justly reputed by others because they have submitted to the ordinances of the church which is sufficient nothing appearing to the contrary to denominate them Saints called elect and written in the book of life Now when God is said to blot out names names being put for persons out of the book of life it only signifies that God will manifestly declare and make it known both to the parties themselves and others that they never were true members of the church nor in the state of election and salvation nor never written in the book of life I will not blot his name out of the book of life Under this negative promise unto the conquering Saint is contained a strong Affirmation of the continuance of the contrary blessing Christ will not only not blot out his name out of the book of life that is confirm and continue his undoubted right and title unto eternal life but he will also manifestly declare and make known unto others his lawful Title and interest according as he hath ordained him thereunto in his book of life from all eternity and so the subsequent words do intimate I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels often in Scripture things are then said to be done when they are only manifested to be done according to that saying Res tum demum dicuntur fieri cum incipiantur manifestari Reg. Petrum As to instance by Heb. 1.5 Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee The Spirit in that Scripture not intending that the Son was not begotten of the Father before that day when that word was uttered but that on that day he was more eminently declared and manifested to be the only begotten Son of God then formerly So that when it is said in Scripture that God will blot their names out of the book of life it only imports That God will discover to themselves and others that their names were never written in the book of life nor had any right or interest at all in election or salvation farther then in the outward appearance From the words Note Observ That the eternal state of God's chosen ones is sealed and secured by God from everlasting Their names are written in the eternal book of God's decrees of life and he will not blot them out for being once enrolled in the book of God's election and among the catalogue of his Saints in the church invisible they can never be razed out for the foundation of God continueth sure Rom. 9.11 and hath a twofold seal 2 Tim. 2.19 First God's knowledge whereby he knoweth them that are his Secondly His Spirit of Regeneration which sealeth them unto eternal life Now if any thing would blot out those that are thus enrolled or written in the book of life it must be their sins and pollutions that would do it but the sins of God's chosen ones cannot move the Lord to raze us out of his book of life for then the fore-sight and knowledge of our sins in God's eternal counsel would much more have hindred him from chusing and enrolling us in the book of his Election seeing every one knoweth that a less cause will hinder the choice of any then move them to reject the person once chosen nay rather because the Lord hath chosen us therefore he will give us his holy Spirit whereby he will preserve us though not altogether from falling into sin yet from finally lying dormant and impenitent therein and as he hath freely chosen us to eternal life without any respect to our own worthiness so also he will freely execute this decree by giving us all the good means conducing to that end Object But some may say Though the conquering Saints are secure and their names shall not be blotted out of this book yet this doth intimate that others whose names are written therein for their sinful pollutions and iniquities unrepented of may be blotted out according to that of Exod. 32.33 Whosoever hath sinned against me saith God him will I blot out of my Book And as David prayeth Psal 69.28 Let them be put out of the book of the living and not be written with the righteous Answ First This threatning is not against the true members of Christ or his church who are enrolled in the book of life but those that are the members of the visible church only and are only seemingly written in the book of life members in shew and not in truth branches in the Vine by profession but not in practise and life of the Lord's family and in the number of his servants in their own and others opinion but not really and in truth according to God's estimation Secondly Whereas God saith he will blot such out of his book we are not to understand thereby that he would blot them out of the book of his election unto life wherein they were never written or that he would reject them whom he had chosen but that he would raze them out of the other book of life the book of the execution of his decrees to wit the book and roll ●f his visible church and that it might be manifestly declared that they who in their own opinion and in respect of their outward profession in the opinion of others might seem to be written in both books or both parts of the book of life of that of God's decrees which only relates to the invisible members and church of Christ and also of that other book or roll of the visible church yet were not in truth ever enrolled in either farther then in outward profession and appearance only And lastly Whereas David prays that the obstinate enemies of God and himself might be put out of the book of the living and not be written with the righteous is no more but as if David had said Do not O Lord write them down or reckon them in the number of thy faithful ones or if they come to be numbred among thy church and people and to be accounted written in the book of the living in respect of their outward profession and external walking with the people of God yet discover such and display them that it may manifestly appear that they were never truly written in the book of the living nor are to be accounted among the righteous that so they may be put out of the company of thy church and children that all may know that they were but hypocrites For in regard that God's decree of election is unsearchable to man those are said to be elected and written in the book of life who are outwardly called and added to the visible church professing themselves members thereof which are the outward but not the infallible signs of God's election because they are common both to hypocrites and sound believers and so likewise God is said to blot persons out of this book whose sins and hypocrisies are discovered and so thrust out of the company of