Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	church_n	faith_n	just_a	1,515	5	6.5831	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39768	The true settlement of a Christians faith,bafter shaking assaults, by its own evidence; and by the internal sealing work of the spirit; pointed at, in some special inquiries thereon in a letter to a friend. With some serious reflections on the present times we are in, and those great vicissitudes of providence, wihch have been in the publick state of Britain in this last age, in a II. letter. By a minister of the Ghospel [sic].	Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694.	1692 (1692)	Wing F1277A; ESTC R215628	111,123	216

Sabath morning with an extraordinar collick which grew upon him to that height as in an ordinare way rendred it not possible to go forth upon the publick work of the day which then lay upon him and to a great Auditory at that time so that whilst he essayed to rise he was pressed to take his bed again a very few minutes before the sett time for going to Church but whilst he presented the case to God upon the interest of his service it was in a moment taken off not by any gradual abatement of such a distemper but entirely at once so as he never had more sweet access and freedome to go forth on the work of the Lord both at that dyet and in the following part of the publick work and this also was when no outward mean was concurring herein as it is clear that the passive Faith which Christ did specially require for an immediate cure from himself Matth 9 was this beleevest thou that I am able to help when no ordinare means can do so I doubt not this was in some measure acted in both these instances leaving roome for omnipotency to act in such an exigence 9. Nor hath there been wanting eminent proofs of this kind of special applications of Faith made unto God by prayer in behalf of others under diseases where ordinare means hath been laid aside and the case past all hope and of such returns by a present restoring and under such evidence as enforced the conviction hereof upon mens conscience that we may see how in some strange cases of this kind the true cause and the Lords design herein does not untill then break up according to that John 9 3. That the work of God might be t●us made manifest in them 10 I may further add if there were this day a new erection and settlement of some particular Church from amongst Infidells and the commission for this end of Ministers of Christ made evident and clear to go forth on such a service where no natural and ordinare means of conviction were attainable I doubt not but something in a more extraordinare way of the faith of miracles and immediate appearances of God herein might be expected as in the primitive times when on the same ground it was lett forth Nor can it be found there hath been any particular Church of Christ without some extraordinare seall o● this kind especially in the first entry and erection of the same nor is there any time or age of the Church wherein the clear sence of that Scripture Mark 9 23. all things are possible to them that beleeve does not take place which is that no measu●e of tryall or difficulties whither as to Churches or particular Christians in the way of their duty can be at such an height as to restrain or sett bounds to the work of Faith on an infinite divine power tho all natural or second causes should cease yea that there is no case so singular wherein the warrant of a divine Promise herein and a Christians Faith should not be of the same extent The II. Proposal that I shall breefly touch as it thus followes upon the former is whither in these last times the Lord does appear by any such extraordinare signs that are publick in the sight of the World and bring near such discoveries of his Godhead in any special acts of Providence as may bear the same evidence of miracles For Answer it is sure the Lord does not reveal himself this way but on some great and extraordinare ground who hath setled the faith of his Church absolutly on his revealed truth yet may it be said that no age is left without some witnesse of such a kind if there were not a sad inadvertence and shutting of mens eyes when the Lord is going by them in any great acts of his power but as to this Proposal I shall only point at some instances that seem to have least fuitable regard or notice and to be past by with most 1. Can there be a serious judgment and reflection on that great and amasing stroake of the Pestilence and not see an extraordinar appearance of God herein and of its beeing a judgment of that kind in some more remarkable times wherein it is lett forth as goes above all natural causes and all may see the immediate hand of God herein both in its ris● progress and swift spreading as a lightning through Cities or Countries in its passing by some more then others where no cause can appear so as men must see its beeing sent with commission from Heaven and a supernatural causality as visibly as if they had stood with David and the Elders of Israel 2 Samuel 29 17. to see the Angel that smote the People between the Heaven and the Earth upon which account David did choise rather to come under this stroak then the Sword or Famine because it was in a more immediate way the hand of the Lord and where there is a more then ordinare near approach and discovery of himself unto men 2. It is of publick and uncontroulable evidence that miraculous and immediate witness from Heaven in the bleading of the bodies of men on the touch of the murderer in such cases where no ordinare means can bear evidence I will not speak of the warrantable use of such an appeal where the revealed rule of our faith and practice is not express herein but as its undoubted in the truth and reality of the same where no humane witnesse could answer to this end so is it surely ane immediate visible and extraordinare sign from Heaven given in the sight of the World from him who maketh inquisition for blood in a most singular way and a sign which in every time is made evident 3. There is also the certainty of extraordinare Revelation and of the truth of a Prophetick Spirit imparted to some as to special events of Providence which is so known and of that evidence as no age of the Church hath been without instances hereof what I mean hereby as to that more singular way of the Lords revealing himself to some of his Servants by a more extraordinar application of his Word is such as in the truth and certainty hereof can leave no room for doubtfulness tho on the other hand as to the way and dismal trade of divination that hath got up in the World by seeking a Divinity either from the Stars above or the Powers of darkness below it may be clearly seen is one of the great designs of Satan not only to counterfite the way of the Lord herein but to bring men unto a more direct homage to himself but I mention this instance only as it is so great and unquestionable a demonstration of God and of his giving in every age some extraordinare seall of this kind I shall but mention here one remarkable passage of which I am to the furthest perswaded that may seem strange with respect to this late

briefly point at a few 1. That it is knowen and sure how most of the habitable World besides Judaea was in times past Pagan and a place of horror and darkness and these parts we now live in were once the dark places of the earth full of the Habitations of Cruelty where our Ancestors of whom we are come did Sacrifice to the Gods of the Heathens 2. It is evident and undeniable in the matter of Fact that within less then sixty Years after the Ascension of the Lord the visible extent of the Christian Church among the Nations which had been then Heathen did exceed what it is this day and since any extraordinar effect when it comes in our sight should cause a deep Inquiry upon the cause hereof is not this a matter of the highest concern that ever was even in the present day to be taken up with that made then so stupendious a change on the face of mankind and was as the bringing forth of a new World 3. And here is it possible to question that this wonderful thing which did so visibly then change the whole face of the earth was by the alone evidence and vertue of Sacred Truth and the pure Revelation of Christ in the Mystery of his Death and Sufferings wherein no humane Power could boast that their Arm or Sword did bring this about as I know it will be sweet and convincing thus to see under what influence the Christian Church was both planted and propogate in the earth and most savage parts thereof so that whatever respect Princes and visible Powers have given to the Kingdom of Christ yet is it fully demonstrable that it 's true interest and conquest was never beholden to humane assistance or that any temporal inducements made way thereto but when the World begun to smile most in the primitive times then also did the Glory and Lustre of the Christian Religion begin to darken and decline 4. As it was surely reserved to the Ghospel State of the Church to be the Theater of the greatest Wonders both of Providence and Grace bejond all that had been known to the World before and that in the times of the New Testament these great things which should be matter of highest observation and out of the ordinare road of Gods dealing with his Church then was to be expected so you can see with full evidence that this great and extraordinare appearance of God unto men had been never known on the earth before or any such outgoing of his Power since the beginning of time which was only reserved to follow the day of Christ and his Ascension as the first entry of ●hat glorious Scene which was to be acted under ●he Ghospel 5. And here also this Reflection is anavoidable how the God of this World was not easily put off his visible Throne which he had so ●ong kept over the Nations but the last strugle ●f these infernal spirits ere they were cast down was then very strong and put forth to the utmost who yet were made to fall before the Divi●ity of our Redeemer in such a manner as the ●hole frame of Paganism was then raz'd and ex●inct and their Gods after whom the earth had for so many ages wondred for when you peruse the Records of the first times you can see the enmity and rage of the World against Sacred Truth was never before raised to such a prodigious height as was then aloft upon the first display of the Ghospel 2. But it is yet a further Inquiry should be made on this Head to see not only the outgoing of the Lord Jesus in the Glory of his Power since his Ascension for setting up his visible Kingdom in the World and extent of the Christian Profession but in the reality of that vital influence on the souls of men with so great and wonderful a change thus made on them from the residue of mankind This I doubt not will be a subject of great thoughts and reflection to you and should be a matter of higher concern to any of a serious spirit then the temporal interest and transactions which are about the greatest Kingdoms on the earth 1. To see how no reality in nature or the most visible objects of sense can be more sure then that under the times of the New Testament there hath been innumerable example of the truth and power of Holiness successively from one age to another in whom it might be no more discernable that they walked in the vertue and power of a humane soull then that they did truly walk before men in the light and power of Christianity and under that visible influence of inward Grace as all might see to be above the possibility of natural causes 2. If this were more deeply search'd into to see what does estentially belong to the frame and constitution of one reall Christian and what a marvelous Power must be put forth herein it could not but be in another manner affecting and afford a Seall to the Christian Faith as does exceed the greatest external Miracles when it 's sure one example of such who is truly converted by grace and made partaker of the Divine nature is so stupendious a work as does far exceed both the power and comprehension of Angels yea that the Glory of the Godhead does more eminently shine forth in the first frame in the conduct and persiting of one Christian then either in the first frame of man in his state of perfection or of the illuminate Angels since this is to make Saints of Sinners to turn such from a state of enmity and inbred opposition to the Holy God to be Lovers of him and subdue their soulls in that manner as with inward delight can make them part with what was their predominant and endeared Interest and what hath been as their right hand and eye This is one of the great discoveries of the Ghospel to let us see how one converted Christian is a higher demonstration of the Christian Faith then a thousand ordinare Professors hereof and may fully silence such a Question why it is that the Saints are not more numerous in the World comparatively with the great bulk of mankind yea with these who go under the Christian Profession when It might be rather just matter of wonder to see that such numerous Examples yet are to be found of this kind in the earth of whom each is one of the greatest of the Works of God and infinitely becoming the exceeding greatness of his Power put forth herein yea are such Examples where the Truth and Excellency of Grace does in any eminency shine forth as may justly supply the Room of Miracles which were given in the first times to be confirming to the Christian Faith that these hath assuredly been and I hope are this day not a few who doe with desire choise to preferr their Services for God to the greatest comforts enjoyments of this earth and are helped not only to keep ground but

yea that without this the furthest of objective evidence to cause irresistably a clear and rational assurance of divine truth tho it were followed with a dispensation of miracles will not quiet the Spirit of such who under some deep exercise may be haunted with hid and dreadful temptations to infidelity until they know the truth of a power and evidence as goes above any moral influence It is true this is not expressible to others and they must come and see who would know in what manner the Spirit of God bears evidence to his own truth and what strong impression his work hath on the internal Senses of a Christian yea what piercing intelligences are betwixt such who surely know and are partakers of a divine life and their blessed Head in this state of mortality but if this were not known and sure we might say ane established Christian whose work is to follow the Lord fully and adventure with assurance upon him is such as might be sought for here in the earth but would not be found 2. If I be perswaded of the truth and Excellency of Religion I must see this to be of as undeniable evidence that it hath no true or solid interest in the Earth but in the way of tryal and experience in it's power and efficacy on mens soull and makes no reall ground or conquest by an external profession or can serve to eternal ends until once that radical principle of the life of God in the soull be understood that choise company who are now going through time to the Church triumphant upon fresh and continued supplies of divine assistance are these alone in whom the Christian Faith is kept alive this day on the earth and it is one of the things I have thought most astonishing in the publick State of Religion that in an age when reason is so much pretended men can design a tryall of the enjoyment of a Heaven for ever in another World and yet hath not the same design on a personal tryall of the enjoyments of grace here to know converse with God in the spirit and the certainty of that trade and commerce which is betwixt Heaven and Earth whilst we are yet on it that are things so highly remote from all humane sence 3. It hath prest me to insist more on this subject that this way is so visibly gathering strength and seems to have the greatest prevalence now in the Reformed Churches how to divide the moral part of our Religion in the duties and services thereof from its internal and vital part so as this mortal contagion hath got in on the light and principles of this Generation that if there were not an absolute assurance by the promise of God we might fear truth and piety should quickly perish from the earth Oh what a strange prodigious opposition is this against the whole internal work vitals of that pure and excellent Religion wherein both the comfort and glory of humane state lyes how is' t conceivable men should be here capable of converse with God in the spirit if there were not a conformity to him in the same kind by a participation of the divine nature yea if there were not so rare a being on the earth as the new man which is born of God and his immediate workmanship which hath its peculiar grouth vital acts proper thereto and in that sence as it 's contradistinguished from the old man cannot possibly sin it self tho it be formed in the heart of a sinner and hath it's being therein no more then the life of God which is a partaking of the divine nature can put forth any act of sin but hath a continued conflict therewith and thus tends to give the clear sence of that Scripture 1 John 5 18. we know that whatever is born of God sinneth not Rom 7 20. It is no more I but sin that duelleth in me nam unumquodque operatur secundum suam formam for if this stood not sure the whole frame of experimental Religion were an unaccountable riddle A SECOND LETTER Wherein some Inquiry upon the times and the work of Providence about the Church but more specially with respect to the publick State of Britain and Ireland in this last age is seriously designed SIR I may truly say it did raise a special value and esteem on my spirit to meet with one in such a day who hath so great a weight and impression of the publick State of the Church and a sense of the present times so far above the ordinare thoughts of men when they seem so rare who look further then present things either to what is past in these extraordinar times have gone over this Generation or who hath another Judgment and Prognostication of what may be near yet before us then from visible and natural causes But though I must decline an answer to what you are pleased more particularly to propose under a just sence of my unfitness herein yet so far as I have attained in the matter of light upon a more general account with respect to the Work of God in these great changes past I am free to impart my self and to offer humbly some few thoughts on such a Subject which hath had most special evidence and weight on my spirit in the present day 1. I doubt not you make the same Judgment and reckoning of this with more advantage then I can reach that one of the most choise and weighty exercises of a Christian whilst he is within time lyes in a deep and serious observation of the times he is fall'n in not only with respect to the administration of Providence in humane affairs but what does more eminently relate to the Churches of Christ and where their lott is cast since this is ane essential part of Religion as it 's also one of the most choise of humane excellencies to discern and observe wisely the ways of the Lord. But I can only shew you some of these things in a short touch which I have found most engaging to such an Inquiry in this day 1. That as each distinct age hath a proper Talent given thereto under trust for observation of such events of Providence wherein the name of God is more near unto men in any singular way then in the ordinare course of his actings so hath the great Author of time choised to put a higher Glory upon one age and period of time then another wherein it might be said that the measure of one is five Talents as to more solemn appearances of the Majesty of God in his Providential Actings when the measure of other times hath been this way but as two Talents Such a differencing marke had that age of the Churches coming out of Egypt beyond all which had gone before yet was this comparatively little with respect to that glory which was reserved to the fulness of time when our blest Redeemer did appear to the World And it's clear how

justly feared of an inordinate respect to men and concurrence of visible means above what it can bear when nothing is more effectual to cause the greatest humane succor miscarry and sink under this weight thē relyances thereon as if they could stand by them self without keeping in with God alone with that God who is of infinite Power both to hurt help whose presence is ever the highest Security of a Nation tho the whole World were against them 2. But this also looks with confidence hope that the Lord is near to give some extraordinar demonstration of himself by Providences as this Generation shall not get their eyes shut at yea that this strange piece of his work is a prelude and entry on a revolution of the publick State of the World that shall be of a higher extent then may be apprehended by most and it 's sure when he does begin he will also make an end 3. I have lookt on this remarkable silence and suspence as to any publick Decision of Providence this Year past when things seemed to be in the highest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a Crisis that hereby the Lord would yet give men time to consider his Work and take to heart his Voice by such a further warning and have still observed from the records of times past as to his Procedure that when he was to bring forth some great piece of his Work before the World there hath been as it were an interval of silence for a time like some Cessation of Providence which hath preceeded the same and made the time of his Working when it was lest mens Expectation yea the sorer a stroak hath been when it came the longer hath a tender forbearance gone before even when the hand of Justice hath been lift up the wheels sometimes stand still and the publick state of affairs is in a strange manner becalm'd when the Lord is in some eminent manner to arise according to that Isay 42 14. I have long time holden my peace I have been still I have refrained my self now will I cry as a travelling Woman c. 4. Yea it may be a special remark that when the Lord hath so signally appeared to make this great revolution in Britain effectuall and to clear the sky and coast there from visible opposition with such rare preventing Providences for that end yet is so little ground gained by the unite strength of this Confederacy but it was in the one that the Lord did act in an extraordinar way of Providence in the other things doe run more in the ordinare channel of visilbe means It looks as a sign of great Wrath that such an Instrument of Judgment hath had his chain so far let forth in this day who might be called not only Host is Ecclesiae sed humani Generis by these cruelties more then inhumane exerced in the Palatinate and other Parts of Germany but it 's fitt the World should know of what spirit and way the great Persecutor of the Protestants in this age is yea for the Nations about to see there is no possible Moral Security for their Civil Interests from one whom no establishments of Laws nor that Law of Gratitude towards such whose Fathers had brought the House of Bourbon to the Throne could bind but as there is an anointing and establishing men for judgment whose hand is made strong untill that work be perfited so is the Sin of Britain and other Reformed Churches the greatest strength of this Adversary 12. Have we not also been called to see such vicissitudes of Providence that these for whom God had sometimes most signally appeared in raising them to the highest greatness and power as all might clearly discern it was his hand alone that did the same how in a way no l●ss wonderful he hath made knowen his power in breaking and bringing them low whilst they did not know and regard God in the day of their greatness but thought to stand by themselves and gave such a requital to him as to betake themselves to another strength then that which raised them and try a new Scene of opposition to his truth and interest yea thus forgot the tempest they were once in and these engagements which were then on their soul when they had once got to the Haven It is sure this hath been writ forth as in Capital Letters once and again that men who run might read the same and know how great and terrible a party God is when he is not for a Church or People but against them and how easie it is for him by ane occurrent of Providence least feared or thought off to give a check to the greatest deeps of humane Policy and Wit and let such know when they judge themselves secure from any hazard on the earth there can be no standing when their counsels and confidence is derided from Heaven 13. It hath been in some singulare manner also that in this age we have been called to see sin and judgment meet other with such astonishing circumstances and so visible a resemblance and proportion betwixt the same as the stroke herein pointing as with a finger at the cause was unavoidable for a natural conscience to discern and see a just and Holy God thus made known and visible in such publick and tremendous instances of his Judgment as bejond the rate of former times have been set up as beacons in our sight I must join herewith this sad remark which hath had a peculiar respect to these times that as it 's sure nothing but Religion in the truth thereof can effectually take off men from sin so hath nothing so much as Religion been oft made use off as the grand Engine to secure them therein and what was spoke by one of the Ancients hath been more applicable to our day then almost any past that never was ane age more fertile of Religions under a different profession hereof and never more barren of Religion in the power and efficacy of the same on mens soul 14. It hath been in this age that such a call often and alowd hath sounded in our ears to come and see how the greatest Powers and Nations of the earth are but as a little dust in the ballance for the Soveraigne God to blow off at his pleasure and that he hath reserved to himself a dominion and preeminence over the Kingdoms of the Children of men to change the greatest Monarchies Oh what a strange reflex work might this be to have our spirits but going back on these great and marvelous shakings and utter razing hath been of publick settlements that seemd most firmly laid the bowing down and fall of the greatest of men and raising up such who had b●en low when the great God once begun to contend with the Oaks and Cedars and herewith to see the extent of his power over mens spirits and inclinations as well as their actings so as to determine their concurrence with their hand