Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	death_n	law_n	sin_n	5,839	5	5.9889	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A34242	The confession of faith ; and, The larger and shorter catechism first agreed upon by the Westminster Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and now approved by the General Assembly of the kirk of Scotland to be a part of uniformity in religion between the kirks of Christ in the three kingdoms.; Westminster Confession of Faith.	Dickson, David, 1583?-1663. Summe of saving knowledge.; Church of Scotland. General Assembly.; Westminster Assembly (1643-1652). Larger catechism.; Westminster Assembly (1643-1652). Shorter catechism.	1671 (1671)	Wing C5769; ESTC R27273	112,419	253

imbrace not this righteousness 〈◊〉 is pronounced Iohn 3.18 He that be●●●veth not is condemned already because he hath 〈◊〉 believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of 〈◊〉 And this is the condemnation that light is 〈◊〉 into the World ●nd men love darkness rather 〈◊〉 light Hence let the penitent desiring to believe ●●ason thus What doth suffice to convince all the Elect 〈◊〉 the world of the greatness of the sin of not ●●lieving in Christ or refusing to flee to him 〈◊〉 relief from sins done against the Law and ●●om wrath due thereto and what sufficeth 〈◊〉 convince them that righteousness and eter●●l life is to be had by Faith in Jesus Christ or 〈◊〉 consenting to the Covenant of Grace in him and what sufficeth to convince them of Judgement to be exercised by Christ for destroying the works of the Devil in a man and sanctifying and saving all that believe in him may suffice to convince me also But what the Spirit hath said in these or other like Scriptures sufficeth to convince the Elect world of the foresaid sin and righteousness and Judgment Therefore what the Spirit hath said in these and other like Scriptures serveth to convince me thereof also Whereupon let the penitent desiring to believe take with him words and say heartily to the Lord Seeing thou saye●t seek ye my Face my soul answereth unto thee thy face Lor● will I seek I have hearkned unto the offer of an everlasting Covenant of all saving mercies to be had in Christ and I do heartily embrace thy offer Lord let it be a bargain Lord I believe help my unbelief Behold I give my self to thee to serve thee in all things for ever and I hope they right ●and shall save me the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me Thy mercy O Lord endureth for ever forsake not the works of thy own hands Thus may a m●n be made an unfained believer in Christ. For strengthning the mans Faith who hath agreed unto the Covenant of Grace BEcause many true believers are weak and do much doubt if ever they shall be sure of the soundness of their own Faith and Effectual calling or made certain of their Justification and Salvation when they see that many who profess faith are found to deceive themselves let us see how every believer may be made strong in the faith and sure of his own Election and Salvation upon solid grounds by sure warrants and true evidences of faith To this end among many other Scriptures take these following 1. For laying solid grounds of faith consider 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather brethren give diligence to make sure your calling and election for if ye do these things ye shall never fall In which words the Apostle teacheth us these four things for help and direction how to be made strong in the faith 1. That such as believe in Christ Jesus and are fled to him for relief from sin and wrath albeit they be weak in the faith yet they are indeed Children of the same Father with the Apostles for so he accounteth of them while he called them brethren 2. That albeit we be not sure for the time of our effectual calling and election yet we may be made sure of both if we use diligence for this he presupposeth saying Give diligence to make your calling and election sure 2. That we must not be discouraged when we see many seeming believers prove rotten branches and make defection but we must the rather take the better heed to our selves Wherefore the rather brethren saith he give all diligence 4. That the way to be sure both of our effectual calling and Election is to make sure work of our Faith by laying the grounds of it solidly and bringing forth the fruits of our faith in new obedience constantly For if ye do these thing● saith he ye shall never fall understand by these things what he had said of sound faith ver 1 2 3 4. And what he had said of the bringing out of the fruits of faith ver 5 6 7 8. To this same purpose consider Rom. 1.8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit ver 2. For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death ver 3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh ver 4. That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Wherein the Apostle teacheth us these four things for laying of the ground of faith solidly 1. That every one is a true believer who in the sense of his sin and fear of Gods wrath doth flee for full relief from both unto Jesus Christ alone as the only Mediator and all-sufficient Redeemer of men and being fled to Christ doth strive against his own flesh or corrupt inclination of nature and studieth to follow the rule of Gods Spirit set down in his Word for the man whom the Apostle doth here bless as a true believer is a man in Christ Jesus who doth not walk after the flesh but after ●he Spirit 2. That all such persons as are fled to Christ ●nd do strive against sin howsoever they may ●e possibly exercised under the sense of wrath ●nd fear of condemnation yet they are in no ●anger for there is no condemnation saith he ●o them that are in Christ Iesus who walk not ●fter the flesh but after the Spirit 3. That albeit the Apostle himself brought 〈◊〉 here for examples cause and all other true ●elievers in Christ be by nature under the ●aw of sin and death or under the Covenant ●f Works called the Law of sin and death ●ecause it bindeth sin and death upon us till ●hrist set us free yet the Law of the spirit of ●●e in Christ Jesus or the Covenant of Grace ●o called because it doth inable and quicken man to a spiritual life through Christ doth set the apostle and all true believers free from the Covenant of Work● or the Law of sin and death so that every man may say with him The Law of the Spirit of life or the Covenant of Grace hath freed me from the Law of sin and death or Covenant of Works 4. That the fountain and first ground from whence our freedom from the curse of the Law doth flow is the Covenant of Redemption past betwixt God and God the Son as incarnate wherein Christ takes the Curse of the Law upon him for sin that the believer who could not otherwise be delivered from the Covenant of Works may be delivered from it And this Doctrine the Apostle holdeth forth in these four branches 1. That it was utterly impossible for the Law or Covenant of works to bring righteousness and

are not justified untill the holy spirit doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them V. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified and although they can never fall from the state of justification yet they may by their sins fall under Gods fatherly displeasure and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them until they humble themselves confess their sins beg pardon and renew their Faith and Repentance VI. The justification of Believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects one and the same with the justification of Believers under the New Testament CHAP. XII Of Adoption ALl those that are justified God vouchsafeth in and for his only Son Jesus Christ to make partakers of the grace of Adoption by which they are taken into the number and enjoy the liberties and priviledges of the children of God have his Name put upon them c receive the spirit of Adoption have access to the throne of grace with boldness are inabled to cry Abba Father are pitied protected provided for and chastned by him as by a Father yet never cast off but sealed to the day of redemption and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting Salvation CHAP. XIII Of Sanctification THey who are effectually called and regenerated having a new heart a new spirit created in them are further sanctified really personally through the vertue of Christs death resurrection by his word and spirit dwelling in them the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed and the several lusts thereof are more more weakned and mortified and they more and more quickned and strengthned in all saving graces to the practice of true holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. II. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man yet imperfect in this life there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war the flesh lusting against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh III. In which war although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ the regenerate part doth overcome so the Saints grow in grace perfecting holiness in the fear of God CHAP. XIV Of saving Faith THe grace of Faith whereby the Elect are inabled to believe to the saving of their Souls is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the Word by which also and by the administration of the Sacraments and Prayer it is increased and strengthned II. By this Faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the word for the authority of God himself speaking therein and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth yielding obedience to the Commands trembling at the threatnings and imbracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come But the principal acts of saving faith are Accepting Receiving and resting upon Christ alone for Justification Sanctification and Eternal life by vertue of the Covenant of grace III. This faith is different in degrees weak or strong may be often and many waies assailed and weakned but gets the victory growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ who is both the Author and finisher of our Faith CHAP. XV. Of Repentance unto life REpentance unto life is an Evangelical grace the doctrine whereof is to be Preached by every Minister of the Gospel as well as that of Faith in Christ II. By it a sinner out of the sight and sense not only of the danger but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins as contrary to the holy nature and righteous Law of God and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent so grieves for hates his sin● as to turn from them all unto God purposing endeavoring to walk with him in all the waies of his Commandments III. Although Repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin or any cause of the pardon thereof which is the act of Gods free grace in Christ yet is it of such necessity to all sinners that none may expect pardon without it IV. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation on those who truly repent V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance but it is every mans duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins particularly VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God praying for the pardon thereof upon which and the forsaking of them he shall find mercy so he that scandalizeth his brother or the Church of Christ ought to be willing by a private or publick confess●on and sorrow for his sin to declare his repentance to th●se that are offended who are thereupon to be recon●●●ed to him and in love to receive him CHAP. XVI Of good Woorks GOod Works are onely such as God hath commanded in his holy Word and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal or upon any pretence of good intention II. These good works done in obedience to Gods Commandments are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith and by them Believers manifest their thankfulness strengthen their assurance edifie their Brethren adorn the profession of the Gospel stop the mouths of the adversaries and glorifie God whose workmanship they are created in Christ Jesus thereunto that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves but wholly from the Spirit of Christ And that they may be inabled thereunto besides the graces they have already received there is required an actual influence of the same holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them IV. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest hight which is possible in this life are so far from being able to supererogate and to do more than God requires as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do V. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the

this request and do not yield when they hear Ministers with Commission saying We are Embassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God 9. To make it appear how it cometh to pass that the Covenant of Reconciliation should be so easily made up betwixt God and a humble sinner fleeing to Christ the Apostle leads us unto the cause of it holden forth in the Covenant of Redemption the sum whereof is this It is agreed betwixt God and the mediator Iesus Christ the Son of God Surety for the redeemed as parties contractors that the sins of the redeemed should be imputed to innocent Christ and he both condemned and put to death for them upon this very condition that whosoever heartily consents unto the Covenant of Reconciliation offered through Christ shall by the imputation of his obedience unto them be justified and holden righteous before God for God hath made Christ who knew no sin to be sin for us saith the Apostle that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him Hence may a weak believer strengthen his faith by reasoning from this ground after this manner He that upon the loving request of God and Christ made to him by the mouth of his Ministers having Commission to that effect hath embraced the offer of perpetual reconciliation through Christ and do purpose by Gods Grace as a reconciled person to strive against sin and to serve God to his power constantly may be as sure to have righteousness and eternal life given to him for the obedience of Christ imputed to him as it is sure that Christ was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him But I may the weake believer say upon the loving request of God and Christ made to me by the mouth of his Ministers have imbraced the offer of perpetual reconciliation through Christ and do purpose by Gods gra●e as a reconciled person to strive against sin and to serve God to my power constantly Therefore I may be as sure to have righteousness and ●ternal life given to me for the obedience of Christ imputed to me as it is sure that Christ was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him The third warrant and special motive to believe in Christ is the strait and awful command of God charging all the hearers of the Gospel to approach to Christ in the order set down by him and to believe in him holden forth 1 Ioh. 3.23 THis is his Commandment that we should believe on the name of his Son Iesus Christ and love one another as be gave us commandment Wherein the Apostle giveth us to understand these five Doctrines 1. That ●f any man shall not be taken with the sw●et invitation of God nor with the humb●e and loving request of God made to him to be reconciled he shall find he hath to do with the Soveraign Authority of the highest Majesty for this is his commandment that we believe in him saith he 2. That if any man look upon this Command as he hath looked heretofore upon the neglected Commandments of the Law he must consider that this is a command of the Gospel posterior to the Law given for making use of the remedy of all sins which if it be disobeyed there is no other Command to follow but this Go ye cursed into everlasting fire of Hell for this is his commandment the obedience of which is most pleasant in his sight ver 22. And without which it is impossible to please him Heb. 11.6 3. That every one who heareth the Gospel must make conscience of the duty of lively faith in Christ the weak believer must not think it presumption to do what is commanded the person inclined to despiration must take up himself and think upon obedience unto this sweet and saving command the strong believer must dip yet more in the sense of his need he hath of Jesus Christ and more and more grow in the obedience of this command yea the most impenitent prophane and wicked person must not thrust out himself or be thrust out by others from orderly aiming at this duty how desperate soever his condition seem to be for he that commands all men to believe in Christ doth thereby command all men to believe that they are damned and lost without Christ he thereby commands all men to acknowledge their sins and their need of Christ and in effect commands all men to repent that they may believe in him And whosoever do refuse to repent of their by-gone sins are guilty of disobedience to this Command given to all hearers but especially to those that are within the visible Church for this is his commandment that we should believe in the name of his Son Iesus Christ saith he 4. That he who ob●yeth this Commandment hath built his salvation on a solid ground For first he hath found the promised Messiah compleatly furnished with all perfections unto the perfect execution of the Offices of Prophet Priest and King for he is that Christ in whom the man doth believe 2. He hath embraced a Saviour who is able to save to the uttermost yea and who doth effectually save every one that cometh to God through him for he is Jesus the true Saviour of his people from their sins 3. He that obeyeth this command hath bui●t his salvation on the Rock that is on the Son of God to whom it is no robbery to be called equal to the Father and who is worthy to be the object of saving Faith and of Spiritual Worship for this is his command saith he that we believe in the Name of his Son Iesus Christ. 5. That he who hath believed on Jesus Christ though he be freed from the curse of the Law is not freed from the Command and obedience of the Law but tyed thereunto by a new obligation and a new command from Christ Which new command from Christ importeth help to obey the command unto which command from Christ the Father addeth his authority and command also for this i● his commandment saith John that we believe on the Name of his Son Iesus Christ and love one another as he hath Commandded us The first part of which command enjoyning belief in him necessarily implyeth love to God and so obedience to the first tab●e for believing in God and loving God are inseparable And the second part of the command injoyneth love to our neighbour especially to the houshold of faith and so obedience unto the second Table of the Law Hence may a weak believer strengthen himself by reasoning from this ground after this manner Whosoever in the sense of his own sinfulness and fear of Gods wrath at the command of God is fled to Iesus Christ the only remedy of sin and mis●ry and hath ingaged his heart to the obedience of the Law of Love his Faith is not presumptuous or dead but true and