Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n
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A49463
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The life of faith Wherein is shewed the general use of faith in all the passages of a Christians life. Together with a discourse of right judgment on Joh.7.24. By H. Lukin.
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Lukin, H. (Henry), 1628-1719.
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1660
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Wing L3477; ESTC R213826
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80,145
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275
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5.4 God leads us by his good spirit Psal 143.10 not by dictating to us as to Philip Acts 8.29 though I will not deny but the Spirit may sometimes powerfully determine a man to some particular act We read in the life of Mr. Dod that he was strongly inclined one night to go to his neighbours house and knew not why but God thereby saved a mans life So we read of one Aventroot who in very old age against the perswasion of his friends went from Utrect in the Low-Countreys to Madrid in Spain to tell the King of Spain that the Pope was Antichrist and to perswade him to destroy him for which he was burnt These are extraordinary cases and do not favour the ordinary pretences of Enthusiasme especially in things contrary to the Word of God see Voetites de probationibus spirituum p. 2 ap 1124. where you have the forementioned Story and what we are to judge in such cases Ordinarily the Spirit directs Christians by filling them with the knowledg of Gods will in all wisdome and spiritual understanding though it may sometimes awaken conscience to be as a voice behinde us saying this is the way walk in it when we turn to the right hand or to the left Isa 30.21 or direct us to such places of Scripture as may be for our turn or best serve our purpose as Austin to Rom. 13.13 Junius to John 1. see Austine's Confessions l. 8. c. 11. and Junius his life written by himself He that desires to read more concerning divine impulses or the voyce of Providence may consult Geo. Wither's cordial Confection p. 12. and Edw. Gee of the Right and Original of Magistrates cap. 3. to whom I had rather referre than determine any thing in so nice a point 3. Let us here also labour for an honest sincere heart otherwise it is as hard to judge of Actions as of Opinions Corrupt affections will blinde the judgement and turn desire into opinion so as a man shall believe that to be true which he desires to be true Hence it is that every mans way is right in his own eyes Prov. 16.2 Passions and Lusts endeavour to draw the judgement on their own side that so they may not be controled or interrupted thereby Reynolds on the Passions cap. 8. And for this cause some Philosophers have not thought young men especially such as were addicted to youthfull lusts to be fit for the study of Ethicks Wendelini Philosoph Moral l. 1.0.1 But further when men come to enquire of God with their idols in their hearts he will answer them according to their Idols Ezek. 14.4 7. that is When men like young people who ask their friends consent in marriage but are resolved beforehand what to do whether their friends will consent or no pretend to inquire the mind of God and have beforehand fixed their desires if not their resolutions God will answer such to their cost The Jews pretended a desire and willingness to know the minde of God and to be ruled thereby but they had before resolved to go down into Egypt and he tells them what should befall them if they went thither the sword and famine which they fled from should follow close after them Jerem. 42. read that Chapter throughout So Ahab had a minde to go to Ramoth Gilead yet he would enquire of God whether he should go God suffers the Devil by his Prophets to seduce him to go thither to his ruine 1 Kings 22. If we enquire of God it must be with an honest heart and sincere Resolution to follow his Counsel God will not be mocked we must seek to God an licet not ut liceat whether a thing be lawfull or no not that it may be lawfull 4. Let us take heed of rashnesse and precipitancy With the well advised is wisdome Proverb 13.10 We must ponder the paths of our feet Prov. 4.26 We are not of such present and comprehensive understandings as to make sudden Resolutions We see how oft we are put to change our Resolutions and make them give place to second wiser thoughts Gods immutability is an Argument of his perfection and is founded in his omnisciency his perfect understanding of all things by one single view directing him to such purposes as are not capable of any perfective alteration only consideration must not take up the time that should be spent in execution 5. Let us consult with those who are wholly unconcerned in what we would judge of such are like to make the best judgment How doth David pass sentence on himself when a case was represented to him only in thesi not as his own 2 Sam. 12.5 6. So the Jews Matth. 21.41 but change the persons and they are of Ploydon's minde That the case is alterred fo doth Interest corrupt mens mindes We see dayly proof of this hence the common saying That a good Arbitrator must displease both parties because interest makes them both think their own case right when a third person sees that both must yield Hence so many complaints of Oppression Interest makes both Plaintiffe and Defendant think himself wronged Hence is it so hard to finde a good Historian if he stand in the croud affection to causes or parties swayes him if he stand too farre off he cannot see well what is done Finally Hence it comes to pass that the present age seldome judges right but the succeeding age must judge of the actions of the age going before most men being some way concerned in publick affairs Matth. 23.30 Thirdly We must judge aright concerning persons I shall not here speak of judging our selves having elsewhere said something of it Now I shall speak only of our judgement concerning others we are not indeed rashly to condemn others this is the judgement which Christ forbids Mat. 7.1 Neither are we to usurp a peremptory judgment concerning mens final estate yet there is a private judgement of Prudence that we may yea must pass upon men 1. That we may know how to carry our selves towards them to some we owe only a common charity to others brotherly kindness or a more entire affection 2 Pet. 1.7 1 Pet. 2.17 Some are to be carefully avoided Rom. 16.17 Some there are of whom we may hope well yet are to carry our selves towards them as if we had a suspition of them 2 Thes 3.14 15. 2. That we may beware of men Mat. 10.17 Paul amongst other dangers that he was in reckons up false brethren 2 Cor. 11.26 Gal. 2.4 These indeed are the most wretched sort of men and an abhorring to all flesh Perditissimi hominis est illum fallere qui nou deceptus esset nisi credidisset Abundance of instances I could easily give of those who have very much suffered by their credulity and putting themselves too much into their power who have proved perfidious to them Christ would not trust all that trusted him Joh. 2.24 And some think it was Alexander that was like to lose his life