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	love_n	1,510	5	5.7755	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17419	The light of faith: and, way of holinesse Shewing what to belieue, and for what to striue together, earnestly contend, and suffer for in this contending age. And how to liue in all estates, conditions, and degrees of relation, according to this faith. In both, deliuering (as neere as might be, in the life of Scripture phrase:) only things necessary, as we meane to be saued, and auoiding vtterly things arbitrary, that distract, rather then direct a Christian. Collected out of holy Scripture by an vnworthy labourer in Gods vineyard, Richard Bifield pastor in Long-Ditton, in Surrey.	Byfield, Richard, 1598?-1664.	1630 (1630)	STC 4239; ESTC S107158	133,233	536

him doe not indure to spend thy time without God in the world this is done 1 By remembring him in thy waies and setting him euer before thine eyes walking before him as Abraham with him as Henoch and Noah did Gen. 17. 1. 2 By vsing thy selfe to soliloquies and meditations and to this end beseeching the Lord to open thine eyes that thou mightst see his glory in his word and works that thence thou mightst extract matter of frequent meditation 3 By seeking after him in the meanes wherein hee vseth to reueale himselfe familiarly vnto men for we know but in part and wee haue the promise that then we shall know if we follow on to know the Lord now these meanes are two 1. Gods Ordinances Hos 6. 3. 2. Houshold 1 Ioh. 1. 3. Hitherto of the knowledge of God the worship of God followes §. VI. Of the worship of God THe worship of God is either 2 To worship him inward or outward the inward is the life and soule of the outward the acts whereof no tyrannicall force can hinder no du●geon can intercept it is that whereby we come nearest vnto God and which is most acceptable to him who is a spirit That thou maist know how to set vp this worship of the true God in thy heart and spirit these rules direct 1 Thou must with full purpose of heart cleaue vnto the Lord placing all the affections of thy soule vpon him Act. 11. 23. Iosh 23. 8. and f●llow hard after God Psal 63. 8. by the helpe of these feet of thy soule 1 By beleeuing in him receiuing euery part of his word so as to feele the power of it in thine heart of the Commandements to incite thee of the threats to t●rrifie and humble thee of the promises to comfort thee the promises both of heauenly and of earthly things no comming to God but by this beleeuing Heb. 11. 6. 2 Chro. 20. 20. 2 By affiance and trust in God resting on him and making him our portion shewed 1 In committing our selues and our waies to him at all times Psal 37. 5. 10. 14. And in distresse 2 In rowling our cares and burdens on him Psal 55. 22. 3 In relying vpon his aide not Trusting to our owne hearts Pro. 3. 5. Hasting to ill meanes Esa 28. 16. Fretting at the prosperity of the wicked Psal 37. 1. But marke if thou wouldest haue God take the care of thee commit the keeping of thy soule to him in wel-doing and then is not hee the faithfull Creator 1 Pet. 4. 1● 3 By hope in God which is a patient looking for the performance of good things to come which God hath promised and faith beleeued expr●ssed in a quiet and constant waiting vpon God encouraging the heart in him Lam. 3. 26. Psal 27. 14. Hos 12. 6. and then doe our soules waite when denying our selues wee resigne vp our selues keepe silence to him abide his leisure expect his saluation and the waies of escape which he shall offer without limiting tempting presuming or staying in second causes 4 By the loue of God aboue all testified in honouring him Mal. 1. 6. Longing after his presence both in his ordinances Ps 42. 1. glory to come 2 Cor. 5. 8 5 By delight in God Psal 37. 4. which hath in it 1 A sweetnesse in the meditation of his mercies and prouidence Psal 104. 34. 2 A ioyfull entertainement of all passages of his loue especially in the vse of his ordinances Cant. 1. 2. As being the very kisses of his mouth whose loue is better then wine 3 A spirituall replenishing and satiating arising from the sense of his loue and allowance in which the heart of the Christian resteth when all others disallow As a childe thinkes it enough if the father commends him cares not then for others dislike or cheeke Psal 63 5. 4 The extolling and commending of his praises and mighty acts by discourse and by singing of Psalmes Psal 105. 1. 2 5 A glorying in him 1 Cor. 1. 31. The height of this grace when the soule can climbe so high aboue all inferiour things and delights as to make her boast in the Lord all the day Psal 34. 1. 2. 6 By the feare of God which Timor Cu●t●s Culpae is two-fold 1 the feare reuerentiall whereby wee beare awfull regard to his name Deut. 28. 58. his iudgements and iustice Psal 90. 11. his goodnesse Hos 3. 5. his word Esa 66. 2. his mighty and meruailous acts Reu. 15. 3. 4. Ier. 5. 22. his maiesty in all his worship Psal 5 7. 2 the feare to offend Pro. 8. 13. 7 By humbling our soules Gen. 32. 1● continually in his sight Mic. 6 8. as lesse then the least of all his mercie● and all the truth he sheweth to vs. 8 By powring out our hearts before him on all occasions Psal 62. 8. In prayers praises Confessions and complaints Psal 142 2. 9 By obeying him the soule euer yeelded vp to submissiue obedience to what he shall command 2 Thou must abhorre all Idols as being the images of iealousie Ezek. 8 5. and the abomination of Desolation oh neuer set them vp in head or heart 3 The affections of thy soule must bee placed on him onely and on no creature any otherwise then as thou se●st God in it and by it mayst be brought to cleaue to him the more be it father or mother brother or sister wife or childe 4 The affections of thy soule Deut. 6. 4. 5. must bee set on him in the full and vtmost vigor and force of them Thou must loue him with all thine heart with all thy soule with all thy might §. VII Of the seruice of God in generall HIth●rto of the inward worship 3 To serue him of God or how thou maist aright worship him for the inward affections of thy heart The outward worship may bee called the seruice of God and it is charged vpon thee in Deut. 10. 20. and in Mat. 4. 10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serue Now God is serued with thy person and goods first with thy person and for direction herein the Lord in his word hath laid downe certaine rules some generall which guide thee in all his seruice some speciall these pertaine to the seuerall parts of his seruice or to a special time of With our persons his seruice The generall are rules of Preparation Execution 1 For preparation the approach Where rules of preparation in all seruice to Gods holinesse needs particular addresses our hearts are naturally auerse from holy duties and require a speciall fitting and preparing when wee come to the ordinances of God Which is done when before all seruice of God whatsoeuer 1 Wee commune with our owne hearts and cast out the loue of all sinne washing our hands in innocency and preseruing our vprightnesse Psal 26. 6. 24. 4. 66. 18. Otherwise our solemne meetings our prayers all we doe

what once we were Tit. 3. 2 3. That walketh not wisely to them that are without Col. 4. 5. That walketh scandalously or offensiuely 1 Cor. 10. 32. That neglecteth those things that in their eyes are winning and may adorne his profession Tit. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 3. 2. That neglecteth the study of those things that will preserue the honour of his person Phil 4. 8. Thus for our obedience in 3 Rules about thy hope which we abide with God as Christians Moreouer in asmuch as in our calling to be Christians our new birth entitleth vs to the inheritance of heauen when wee dye so that the Lord knoweth all such for no lesse then his sons and heires in Christ all the dayes of their life That the Christian may abide with God hee must bee rightly ordered about his hope And here 1 Thou must study the promises Psal 119. 49. 16. 9. 10. that concerne the glory of heauen and the resurrection of thy body at the last day for hope is of good things to come which God hath promised and faith beleeued Behold then the saluation promised and pray that the Lord would open the eyes of thy vnderstanding to see the hope of thy calling Eph. 1 18. so shall thy hope of glory cause exceeding ioyes and admired patience in greatest miseries when thou shalt vpon wise computation conclude that the sufferi●gs of this present time are not worthy to bee compared with the glory that shall be reuealed in vs Rom. 8 18. I le giue you but a few places for taste for the glory of the resurrection 1 Cor. 15 42 43. Phil. 3 21 for the glory of heauen Ioh. 15. 24. Psal 16 11. 1 Ioh. 3. 2. 2 Doe all diligence to the full assurance of hope vnto the end Heb. 6 11. in the labours of loue ministring to the Saints out of that loue wee beare to Christs name verse 10. and in setting before vs the faith patience and good works of those which now inherite the promise of heauen verse 12. The ground of a liuely and good hope is Christ in vs Col. 1 27. and wee may be assured our hope abuseth vs not if it presse vs to purifie our selues as Christ is pure 1 Ioh. 3 3. Desiring further conformity to his image with and through whom we are heires of glory and if it leaue vs more humble in our selues and more diligent in the vse of the meanes of grace 3 Forme in thee frequent meditations of heauen the loue of Christs appearing and the patient waiting for his comming To these the Lord direct all our hearts 2 Thes 3 4. In this manner abide with God all thy life mourning for thy failings and pressing on towards the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus §. XXIX The order of our liues in the seuerall changes of our fading condition NOw for the seuerall changes To abide with God of thy mortall condition the Apostles rule in generall is Therein abide with God as 1 In thy wealth 1 Remember that thou neither 1 In wealth ascribe to thy selfe the power to get riches but acknowledge them to come from God nor forget God in thy abundance that therewith thou shouldest make prouision to fulfill the lusts of the flesh but that thou serue the Lord with more gladnesse and cheerefulnesse of heart for the abundance of things thou possessest nor yet trust in thy riches but in the liuing God who giueth richly all things to enioy and seeing the vanity and danger of riches and the vncertainty of thy life be humbled in thy selfe and carry low thoughts and diuorced affections in the midst of thy welfare It is vsuall with rich men to be swolne with pride to thinke themselues the happiest vnder Sunne to reckon they are in Gods fauour because they prosper in the world and to award all reproofes in the ministery and checkes of their consciences and thoughts of examination of their estate with God with the view of their large possessions and full bags but that prosperity is a curse which thus affecteth vs Let the brother of high degree reioyce in that hee is made low Deut. 8. 11. 12. 18. 28. 47. Hos 2. 8. Iam. 1. 10. Take h●ed of pride and carnall confidence 2 See that thy heart be not set on them thou maist not loue them for the loue of money is the roote of all euill but possesse the things of this world as if thou possessedst them not Psal 62. 10. 1 Cor. 7. 29. 30. Thou maiest both buy and possesse but not forget that thy abiding city is aboue nor set vp thy rest in these momentany things Psal 49. 11 So to doe were couetousnesse and doth proue vs vnder the power of folly as was that foole in the Gospell that said to his soule Soule thou hast goods laid vp for many a yeere eate drinke and bee merry Luk. 12. 19. 20. 3 Make you friends of the mammon of iniquity that when ye faile they may receiue you into euerlasting habitations Luk. 16. 9. How is this done Be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate this is to lay vp in store for our selues a good foundation against the time to come that wee may lay hold on eternall life 1 Tim. 6. 18 19. Againe buy the truth and sell it not Pro 23. 23. Aduantage thy spirituall estate hereby That dwelling is not well situated that wants the water-courses and riuers of diuine Scripture flowing by it this is the riuer that maketh glad the city of God Psal 1. 3. 46. 4. 2 In afflictions of any sort 1 Pray and cast out perplexed 2 ●● afflictions cares role them on God who careth for thee The name of the Lord called vpon is a strong tower the righteous flee to it and are safe Psal 50. 15 55 22. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Pro. 18. 10. And in There is a voice in euery worke of God whereby God speaketh to man thy prayer 1. desire to know the meaning of the rod and to heare Gods voice sp●aking in it Iob 34. 31. 32. Surely it is meet to bee said vnto God I haue borne chastifement I will not offend any more that which I see not ●each thou me if I haue done iniquity I will doe no more Mic. 6. 9. The Prophet teacheth that in euery affliction the Lords voyce cryeth to vs so that our wisedome is to see his name and to heare the rod and who hath appointed it 2. Aske wisedome how to behaue thy selfe vnder it Iam. 1. 5. 2 Beare it with patience and subm●ssion taking in good part the Lords chastisement Leu. 26. 41. 1 Pet. 5 6. Humble thy selfe vnder the mighty hand of God that hee may ex●lt thee in due time and that patience may haue her perfect worke in thee watch against ●re●ting at God or man Psal 37 1 7 8 39 9. ●ea●inesse vnder the chastising hand Pro. 3 11. the lifting vp of

is not mercy 〈◊〉 in nee●lesse entertainment on the rich whereby thou ●r 〈…〉 bled to g●ue to the poore 〈◊〉 14. 13. He that oppresseth the po●re to encrease his riches ●●d he that giueth to the rich shall surely come to want Pro. 22. 16. Nor is it mercy to lash out in prodigall ma●ner on riotous ●u●e persons by se●ti●g open thy seller doores when the ne●dy haue least share and sharkers abuse themselues and thee and thy prouision Nor is it mercy to giue to vagabonds that liue vp and downe and keepe not their place walking inordinatly against the lawes of God and the King vnlesse it be to preserue life in case of extremitie and then with admonition or correction according to the power intrusted to vs. 3 For the nature of the action not the mercy of the cruell as the mercy of the vsurer who doth good deeds in lending as the debtors call them when he garbiges and pluckes out the bowells of a mans estate but true mercy which indeed releiues and comforts Secondly we must Loue mercy it is not enough to acceptation with God that thou doe mercy which yet may releiue the distressed but thou must loue it this loue hath in it these things 1 Cheerefulnesse hearty answerable to our power and the opportunity of doing good that it may come as a matter of bounty not of couetousnesse 1 Tim 6. 18. 2 Cor. 9. 4. 5. 6. 7. Luk. 12. 33. Pro. 22. 13. 23. 2 Compassion sympathie and fellowfeeling wee should haue in vs bowells of mercy Col. 3. 12. Iob. 30. 25 1 Ioh. 3. 18. Rom. 12. 16. it may not be as a matter of vaine glory or of beholdingnesse Pro. 22. 7. 3 Seruice and labour Gal. 5. 13. Heb. 6. 10. 2 Cor. 8. 16. 22. 4 Liberality a bountifull eye Pro. 22. 9. Opening the hand wide Deut. 15 8. sowing bountifully 2 Cor. 9 6. and 8 9. and at all seasons casting our bread vpon the waters for after many dayes we shall find it giuing to seuen and also to eight Eccles 11. 2. 3. c. Luk. 6. 8. 5 The inlarging our selues to the highest degree both for liberality and compassion that we can possi●ly work our hearts vnto This is the powring out of the soule to the needy Esa 58. 10. 6 Speedinesse Pro. 3. 28. not hiding our selues from our own flesh Esa 58. 7. 7 Constancy in what wee purposed willed or prom●sed 8 Continuance remembring the poore Heb. 13. 16. 9 The casting out all wicked thoughts not doing mercy with griefe of heart Deut. 7. 7. 8. to 12. Now because our corruption of nature is such that it maketh insurrection against euery good motion and breaketh forth to the defiling of euery good action we must in shewing mercy remember two rules more 1 To shew mercy with repentance which may both breake vp the fallow ground of our hard hearts that they may bee more fruitfull in this grace and may also wash away the pollution that cl●aueth to vs euen in our best desire to distribute and communicate 2 To shew mercy with faith both beleeuing Gods gracious acceptation and the successe and reward according to those promises in Eccles 11 1. 2 Cor. 9. 9. 10. Luk. 12. 33. Pro. 22. 21. Luk 11. 41. To them that giue almes in a true faith all things are cleane without any ceremony of washing such as the hypocrisie of the couetuous pharises had invented for purification and clensing of Gods creatures §. XXIIII Of the loue of the godly OF the duties of holy life The loue of the brotherhood which wee owe to all men hitherto therē remaine some duties of a right ordered conuersation which besides all the former we stand bound to practise towards men as considered to be nearer or farther off from God such are in Scripture cast into these two rankes godly men and wicked men these we are next to handle And for godly men all that bindeth vs to holy carriage respects them in generall or in some particular case or state In generall to all Saints wee haue our duty comprehended in one word in 1 Pet. 2. 17. Loue the brotherhood the word brotherhood directs vs to the right persons vpon whom the duty is to bee conferred and the right cause or ground why we should doe this duty because they are the brotherhood the word loue chargeth vs with the duty it selfe Loue respects the affection and the offices that expresse that affection the nature of which affection and the seuerall offices that manifest the truth thereof it is bootlesse and vnprofitable to enquire after till first we haue vnfolded the terme brotherhood which tels vs to whom we owe the same The brotherhood doth not containe all men with whom wee conuerse in societies who yet are brethren by creation for haue we not all one father did not one God make vs If so how is it that in the former words wee are commanded to honour all men and in these next words required to loue the brotherhood as a sort of men not ●●ckoned with the rest but claiming a greater dearenesse of affections and declaration of respect then other By this is therefore meant the company of so many as are true Christians in the places of our abode and acquaintance the communion of Saints on earth the new borne who are the adopted sonnes and daughters of the Almighty which are borne not of bloud nor of the will of flesh nor of the will of man but of God resembling the image of the father in knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse of truth who are allyed one to another in a farre greater and better bond then that of naturall consanguinity Q. But how shall I know who are of this brotherhood A. By the iudgement of infallibility none can know anothers estate herein onely euery one that is of this brotherhood may know it for himselfe but by the iudgement of charity it may bee knowne such markes I now point at as helpe thee herein 1 By their fruits thou shalt know them their fruit is to holinesse and innocency in their owne way of life Rom. 6. 22. Phil 2 25. 2 By their desire after the sincere milke of Gods word and loue to the house of God 1 Pet. 2. 2. Psal 26. 8 3 By their language if pure if the language of Canaan if nor corrupt nor rotten true and pure religion is to bridle the tongue Iam. 1. 26. 3. ●1 2. 4 By the opposition of the world that is of men giuen to the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye and pride of life Ioh. 15. 19. These must thou cleaue to as thy brethren and to all whom thou canst not without breach of charity iudge or discerne from these Euery of these as well as some few with whom thou art more inward nor maiest thou thinke that thou hast not violated the bonds of this holy brotherhood when thou clea●est to some of them onely with a manifest disregard of the rest in