Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	body_n	life_n	spirit_n	1,763	5	5.2732	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96884	The cause use cure of feare. Or, strong consolations (the consolations of God) cordiall at all times, but most comfortable now in these uncomfortable times, to fixe, quiet, and stablish the heart, though the earth shake, and make it stand stil, to see the salvation of the Lord. Taken from Gods mouth, and penned by Hezekiah VVoodward, that all his servants may have assured confidence for ever.	Woodward, Ezekias, 1590-1675.	1643 (1643)	Wing W3481; Thomason E90_23; ESTC R1487	71,096	87

layne so long above ground in the street of the great Citty nor had the Adversary any Cause to rejoyce over them indeed he hath not but I speake with respect to the offence of a dead body lying uncovered or hinder their bodies to be put in the graves (c) Rev. 11. 9. They were mystically dead sure for such also is their resurrection their coming to life again I think thus it was and yet I cannot expresse it in words what Antichristian Rome far more cruel then heathenish Rome She was a Dragon fell and Cruell but not so Cruell as a Lamb with hornes as Shee is that looks like a sheepe and is so in her clothing but inwardly is a greevous wolfe O beware of her and her Religion she is MYSTERY BABYLON the GREAT The mother of Harlots And abominations of the earth Rev. 17. 5. and hath no more good in her then what can be found in the bottomlesse pit from whence her Power and Authority ascendeth Rev. 11. 7. I was saying That death there is not properly so called but mystically thus I thinke it was Rome with her sworne servants hath done and will doe all the indignities that are Imaginable against these witnesses suspending putting out of office Defaming Defacing Degrading Truly I know not what but what Rome that delights in proud wrath could doe shee hath done and will doe against these witnesses And how far doth their malice reach To the Body no farther And that was Dead in law before the Body is dead because of sin The Body It is GODS building we must thinke and esteeme honourably of it for it shall be a Glorious body but as it is here and in comparison the people of GOD put little or no account upon it and it is according to the Spirits allowance The Body is not mentioned in the Scripture but with this addition a Dead a vile a corruptible Bodie The Soule stands for All and indeed it is All that we might put esteeme upon it more then upon all the world We see Bodies and dead bodies there then the Adversary can but kill the Bodie their proud wrath can reach no farther They can but take downe that Tabernacle which had it stood a little longer would have fel of its self God has never given a man His security That his Body shall be kept from perishing The streame of the promise runs still towards the Soule I was in the very mouth of Danger sayes Paul almost swallowed up there I was delivered at that time Nero he was the Lyon had not power over me at that time And the 2 Tim. 4. 17. LORD shall deliver me there is his security from what from Nero No hee sayes not so for at length when Paul had finished his testimony he was given up to that devourer The Lord shall deliver me from every evill worke An evil worke a complying with the workers of iniquity and with their wicked wayes that is worse then the Devourers mouth a thousand times worse so nor Paul nor the witnesses did doe Now take all will preserve me to His heavenly Kingdome That 's all indeed and makes amends for all will preserve me to His heavenly Kingdom where the dead bodies now that have all the dishonours put upon them that are conceivable shall be glorious Bodies We have viewed the Bodies now we consider where they lie 2 Where lye they In the street All the disgrace that can bee imagined shall be put upon them that will doe their Duty if they come into their Adversaries hand and it shall be done against them in the openest place where the Adversary may glut his eye in the exercise of proud wrath wherewith his heart is filled To expresse it as we read The Adversary having made himselfe drunke with blood will make these witnesses a GAZIMG-STOCK by reproches and afflictions a spectacle to the world Angels and men (d) Heb. 10. 13. 1 Cor. 4. 9. Why then who is on Gods side who he that is resolved to take Gods part must expect such usage but then he may expect such an exceeding and superlative comfort as will countervail and make amends for all If all the comforts in the world were distilled into one elixir put into these witnesses hands it would not be so cordiall as this which follows All this villanous usage upon these Bodies shall bee done where where also our LORD CHRIST was Crucified That was without the Gates of Jerusalem True and without the territories too by a Law not their own for the Iews could put no man to Death but from Caesar Tiberius he was the Emperour in Rome It is very comfortable what follows There also our Lord was Crucified But rejoyce in as much as ye 1 Pet. 4. 13. are partakers of Christs sufferings that when His glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy Who would not rejoyce to be put to open shame for Christ where Christ was put to open shame for him A great Commander refused a Crowne of gold in that place where the Lord Christ had put upon him a Crowne of thornes There is a continuall spring of comfort from thence which abundantly makes amends for all the proud wrath put forth against these Bodies in the street of the great City There also our Lord was crucified They shall suffer no more but what their Lord hath suffered before them and in that He hath 1 Pet. 4. 13. suffered that shame He suffered it for them that their shame now might be their glory Truly there is a comfort contained in these words that is not expressible but by the mouthes of these witnesses And they felt it then even a joy unspeakable I say then when that wicked woman that abominable strumpet with her Rev. 11. 10. lovers were so jocund and joyfull over them making merry and sending gifts one to another for this is a conclusion of experience That GOD leaves not His Servants Orphanes comfortlesse John 14. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 At such a time as this when they are in the eyes of man fatherlesse friendlesse helplesse in the hands of proud wrath exercising all the indignities that are imaginable upon them and glutting their eye therewith then they are orphans you will say for all have left them and there they lie as you see But now marke the promise I will not leave you Orphans comfortlesse I will come to you nay He is come it is in the present tense now He is come in for all the creature-comforts are gone forth then God comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in in that season and nick of time And if there be any comfort in His presence as sure there is for He is The God of comforts and God speaks to His people most comfortably in a Wildernesse The sweetest comforts come forth of the greatest straits the Father not of some but of all consolations then they are sure to find it

Accommodation which was never in the adversaries thoughts for they THOUGHT to doe him MISCHIEFE Then the Adversary sent his servant the fift time with an open ver 5. letter in his hand and a loud lye a Blasphemie rather in his mouth which was as we finde it written a And all this to ver 6 7. make the Builders afraid and the worke to cease which prevailed so far with Shemajah I will mention no more of the false brethren ver 10 That he pent himselfe up like a wise man who was resolved to save one in a place which had gates Doores and Barres which the City had not at that time and he perswaded Nehemiah so to doe also by a Spirit as he said of Revelation To slinke aside from the worke letting that cease till the brunt of opposition were over and in the meane time provide for his life Let us meete together in the house of GOD within the Temple and let us shut the doores of the Temple for they will come to ver 10. slay thee And Nehemiah said No man being as I am would goe into the Temple to save his life I will not goe in No truly being as ver 11 I am I will trust to an open place that hath neither Walls nor Bulwarks I am doing my duty upon my Masters worke in His way I am doing a great worke which must not rest It is not necessary that I must live though I know my times are my life is in my GODS hands not at the dispose of the Adversary but the worke must be done that is necessary at this time Being as I am upon This worke and in This way I will not goe into the Temple to save my life not I. Should such a man as I flee and being as I am No I Will doe my Worke my Duty I will walke in the way boldly wherein never man miscarried yet and for my poore life well hazarded in such a worke and such a way and all my concernements about it all these I have committed into His hands Who is as a strong City Salvation will Esay 26. 1. GOD appoint for walls and Bulwarke There is an end of that dispute That I am in Gods way upon His work answers all doubts silenceth all gainsayers A man may be reproached and persecuted c. in this way but he cannot be distressed there nor forsaken The experience of all times of all the faithfull in all times will give cleare evidence hereunto The practise of Luther runs parallel with this of Nehemiah Hell gates opened upon him when he opened his mouth for God and for His cause and to promote His Glory It is notable to reade how Luther encouraged Melanchthon against his oppressing feares and himselfe also in The LORD The enemy lives said Melanchthon and is strong GOD lives for ever answered Luther and is Almighty We cannot beare up against the tide of such opposition said Melanchthon an excellent man but his spirit was fallen at that time quite Nor men nor Devils can hinder now we are in Gods way and upon His worke said Luther We carry GOD along with us His cause is in our ship though the storm riseth high yet God is above The floods of ungodlinesse shall not make us afraid That God is with us He is with us while we are with Him that it is His cause we are engaged upon answereth all doubts silenceth the reasoning of a timerous spirit and fortifies it mightily against all disputes and debates from within the soule or from without The great question is now will God restore Ierusalem shall her breaches be made up shall her wall be raised even now This is the question and it is much doubted and the very best have carefull thoughts about it But surely they doe not well to be so carefull neither do they wisely inquire into the matter It is true Jerusalems wall and her breaches there should take up the first-borne of our thoughts but not the time when nor the manner how these breaches shall be stopped and the walls set up The times and seasons for the accomplishing hereof the meanes too and the manner how The Father hath put in His own power The work goes on a pace Blessed be His Name for all those that have offered themselves willingly to this worke I say it goes on with the encrease of God and the times are TROUBLOUS (d) Dan. 9. 25. which is a good signe too But whether this be the SET time when GOD will perfect this work it is not for us to enquire Think we of doing our duty and upon our COST It shall be done and perfected in GODS time that is the best time and for the Church the very season of Time and that we may resolve upon The LORD is wise in counsell and mighty in worke and there the Church resteth He may not do all this this yeer or the next or the third year for This work Temple-work the restoreing the Kingdom of Israel goes on surely but slowly mighty Adversaries set themselves against it and decree against it and will hinder as long as God pleaseth till His set time comes Truly we wonder He hath done so much for a people at this time who have done so much against Him now and in all times But Now sets a mark upon our frowardnesse and makes it exceeding sinfull And yet His patience is not wearied though at every difficulty and crosse way we are at a stand He works gloriously every day and reviveth still his servants hopes And yet He may not make the earth to bring forth in one day nor a Nation to be ●sa● 66. 8. borne at once and what are a few yeares in His account not so much as a few minutes in ours The earth shall bring forth even to our largest expectation That is certaine And the manchilde shall be borne perfect and compleate that 's out of doubt perhaps not so soone as we would have it we are too hasty It may seeme to stick even at the birth so long that the Adversary may lift up his horne with faire hopes That it will never come forth But it shall come forth in due time that 's Gods time and it is His promise when they that see it shall the more rejoyce the more their sorrow and anguish was because it stuck at the birth so long And the bones of the Righteous shall flourish like an Herbe ver 14. Why like an Herbe Because they were dried like an hearth with long expectation for now The hand of the Lord shal be known the more gloriously the longer the stop was towards his servants and His Indignation towards His enemies for God hath given His servants leave to make this conclusion from His owne words kind and gratious He hath brought to the Birth He will give strength to bring forth in his appointed time And there His people set up their rest doing their

Duty walking in Gods way and doing His work And this sustains them in their fainting fitts quiets and settles them in troublous times They do their duty They are upon their worke This I say for it cannot be said too often is as comfortable to them and cordiall as this remembrance was to the good king when he heard the sentence of Death Behold Lord I have walked before Thee in Truth and with 2 Kings 20. 3. a perfect heart and have done that which is good in Thy sight I may not conclude yet for there is a great difficulty behind but Let every man according to his measure and proportion of gifts and power God hath put into his hand offer himself with a willing mind wholly up to God in His way and work so doing his Duty and committing the issue and successe to God in assurance hereof That The Lord does all things well orders all for the advancing His own Glory and His Churches good He will in His own good time performe His whole work upon mount Zion and on Ierusalem and then He will punish the Esai 10. 12. stout-hearted and bring down the Glory of their lookes And in the meane time for this man that attends his Duty minds that wholly is onely carefull at that point The Lord will guide him with His eye will uphold him with His hand so as he shall not dash his foot against a stone Now the difficulty follows and that will make us dash and fall too if we look not to our bottome and our standing there upon We shall heare now of sad and grievous things that befell them which have stood to the cause of Christ and done their duty But blessed be God though wee shall heare such things which shall make some eares tingle yet we shall not heare That the righteous have forsaken their way or their duty though they have been sore broken in the place of dragons and covered with the shadow of death YET no not YET shall we heare That their heart turned back nor that their feet have declined from THY WAY No though all this which we b Psal 44. 17. 18. 19. shall heare is or may come upon them what though YET they are resolved as their Fathers before them The resolution of a gracious spirit ever To keep close to GOD and to Duty To stir ●p themselves against the hypocrite (c) Job 17. 8. 9. To hold on their way for they have cleane hands and cleane hearts washed white in the bloud of the Lambe What followes We need not make it a Question They shall be stronger and stronger Having now premised this I come to that which is said against it to scare the fearfull-hearted mentioning onely that first which occasioneth it I had said rather The Lord hath said it for me He that keeps close with GOD holds on his way doth his duty is resolved at that point The LORD hath sworne by His holinesse He will uphold this man he shall not dash his foot I will be bold to say This is good Divinity and as comfortable as any you can meet with in all your readings Now hearken what is said to scare the Israel of GOD out of it all His Antipasses that they may let-in feare and let goe Duty The Adversary shall never effect this while hee breathes with Gods help I shall be able to beat him with his owne weapons and fetch comfort and light and glory for the righteous from out of his darknesse and most ignominious usages of Gods people doing their duty and holding to His way and work But the fearfull have looked upon all this already and they object He that does his duty keeping to Gods way and worke may Ob. dash his foote and fall too and rise no more in this world if he be resolute upon that way and to doe his duty therein as like to dash upon danger and to be swallowed up of it too in no way more likely then in GODS way and when we doe our Duty Take we for example the Patirarchs Prophets Apostles that 1 Cor. 11. cloude of witnesses in the little booke of Martyrs they walked in Gods way and did their Duty and did they not dash upon danger To come neerer to our own times Looke upon those TWO WITNESSES those few * Vocatur Antipas non ficto sed vero nomine tot pene literis syllabis Martyres hujus temporis declarat fore Antipapas Revel 2. 13. Antipasses faithful Magistrates and faithfull Ministers and faithfull people opposing in all ages of the world upward to this day and so will all their Dayes Roome and their abominable Idolatries and then you will say they doe their Duty and are in Gods way But see I pray you and marke well how they are used you would not use a Dog so And see where they lye A goodly recompence for doing their Duty and walking in Gods way will the world say No matter what the world saies not a pin matter nor how they Answ use the servants of God They are vile and refuse with the world because they doe their Duty and are the excellent there not of the world A sure Testimony of perdition to the world of ungodly men whose superstitions may be out of ignorance but their cruelty is out of malice But to the point It is granted That if ever the Devil that Legion for I mean with him all his servants stand with open mouth and out-stretched arme against a man it is then when he walks in GODS way and doth his Duty The wicked are carryed with an indignation against no way no work but that onely because it is an holy way and a godly work Therefore a way of suffering it may be a way of perishing it cannot be Not a perishing way See yonder The Beast shall make war Ob. against them shall overcome them and kill them Then see where Rev. 11. 7. their bodies lye and how long and how merry the Adversary is over them very jocund and glad when he hath done such an exploit upon those that tormented them We have a proverbe he that laughs after laughs too and more Ans heartily he that laughs before is as he that girdeth-on his harnes he knows not what may happen to damp his mirth But he that laughes after sees all clear before him and is as he that putteth his harnesse off Certainly for It was never questioned yet These witnesses shall have their time again to laugh when the Adversaries shall gnaw their tongues for paine But to the point We have seene the worst that can befall the men of GOD in GODS way and upon His worke and how small a thing do we see Some Dead bodies I must take leave now To speake according to my understanding and to his capacity also who if he meets with a Dead body takes it to be a Carkesse all life is gone Doubtlesse these are not carkesses for if so They had not