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	sin_n	world_n	5,072	5	5.7392	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A07348	Ecclesiastica interpretatio: or The expositions vpon the difficult and doubtful passages of the seuen Epistles called catholike, and the Reuelation Collected out of the best esteemed, both old and new writers, together with the authors examinations, determinations, and short annotations. The texts in the seuen Epistles of Iames, Peter, Iohn and Iude are six and forty. The expositions vpon the Reuelation are set forth by way of question and answer. Here is also a briefe commentary vpon euery verse of each chapter, setting forth the coherence and sense, and the authors, and time of writing euery of these bookes. Hereunto is also annexed an antidot against popery. By Iohn Mayer, B. of D. and pastor of the Church of Little Wratting in Suffolke.	Mayer, John, 1583-1664.	1627 (1627)	STC 17731; ESTC S112551	448,008	564

riches and therefore the poore here is one poore and brought lowe in the world This would be noted Note that we may not be carried on according to the manner of the world to be ouerwhelmed with sorrow in time of aduersity and neuer to be so merry as when worldly wealth floweth in as though happinesse consisted in these things For this is a meere delusion The onely true and solid ioy is in the future exaltation in heauen the way vnto which is by poeurty and crosses in this world and in an humble minde here in the middest of worldly wealth CHAP. I. VERS 13.14 Let no man being tempted say I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted of euill he tempteth no man 14 But euery one is tempted being drawne away by his owne concupiscence and inticed 15. Then lust hauing conceiued bringeth forth sinne but sinne perfected breedeth death Tho. Aqui. in Iacob Gorran Hauing spoken hitherto of externall temptations now hee speaketh of internall that is euill cogitations suggested to the minde whereby a man is enticed and drawne to euill these come not from God but from our spirituall enemies God indeed is said to tempt Abraham Genes 22. Deut. 12. and likewise to tempt the people of Israel but it is to be vnderstood that there is a twofold temptation the one of triall the other of deceit by the first God tempteth that men may be more purified as the gold being tried in the fire but not by the other The Deuill tempteth thus that he may deceiue vs the flesh that it may allure vs and the world that it may draw vs away Concupiscence within a man as originall tinder Rom. 7. Gal. 5. otherwise called the law of the members and the flesh lusting against the spirit that tempteth by drawing away from good and enticing to euill for by these two words are set forth the two termes the terme from which and the terme vnto which the right way from which and the wrong way vnto which Aug. Peccatum est spreto incommutabili bono commutabili bono adhaerere or the immutable good from which and the mutable good vnto which Ob. The deuill tempteth sometimes and therefore not concupiscence onely Sol. Although the deuill tempteth yet he can doe nothing if concupiscence were not euen as wood is not kindled by blowing vnlesse there be fire Concupiscence when it hath conceiued bringeth forth sinne c. The degrees of temptation are here noted out first there is delight alluring secondly consent conceiuing thirdly worke performing fourthly custome perfecting Lust conceiueth by the deuill who is as it were the father and lust the mother this conception is by the consent of the will or by delight Bringeth forth sinne that is into act Psal 7. It is perfected by custome and then death commeth that is it becommeth guilty of eternall damnation Rom. 6. for the wages of sin is death But why is death assigned only to custome doth not sinne delighted in or consented vnto and acted bring forth death also Answ Yes doubtlesse but it is most properly said thus of custome in sin because in such there appeare no signes of life there is little hope of his returne but in such as sometime fall into sin there are signes of life though more in the consenter vers 17. fewer in the acter of sinne Euery best guift and euery perfect guift This is added further to proue that no euill temptation is from God because good onely commeth from him which hee sheweth first from the copiousnesse of his guifts secondly from his immutable goodnesse thirdly from his liberality towards vs in begetting vs fourthly from their own iudgement Touching the degrees here set forth the good are temporall guifts the better naturall the best gracious The best guift of grace and the perfect guift of glory The first is called a thing giuen because it is in the way the other a guift without end in our Countrey The father of lights that is the author of all graces which are the lights of the soules Occum in Iac. By temptation here vnderstand that which ariseth from a mans owne sinnes and intemperance whereby trouble is brought vpon him and fluctuation of the minde now when trouble is brought thus vpon a man it is not a temptation from God but from his owne concupiscence Mayer August de verbis Domini Est temptatio inducens peccatum qua Deus nominem tentat est tentatio probans fidem qua tentare Deus hominem dignatur Pareus Faber Piscator Gagneus and all others that I haue seene follow Tho. Aquinas vnderstanding here that inward temptation that is to euill of which it seemed good to the Apostle to speake because he had commended temptations before For of outward temptations of trouble comming vpon a man by his own default it cannot be meant as Oecum would haue it because it is temptation to euill of which it is spoken here as is expressed when it is added God is not tempted of euill and the sequell of this temptation is plainly said to be sin not outward trouble in the world If it be demanded in what sense God is said to be vntemptible of euill Pareus the Latins reade it intentator malorum Pareus some others take it both actiuely and passiuely but because the actiue immediatly followeth He tempteth no man I thinke that it is to be vnderstood passiuely only The meaning is that our malice cānot stir vp euil in him neither doth he tempt any man to euill as Occum hath noted was the saying of an Heathen Numen De●s neque ips● molestias habet neque alijs exhibel 2 Sam. 24. God the diuine Maiesty neither is himselfe troubled nor bringeth troubles vpon others Ob. He hardened Pharaohs heart whō he will hee hardeneth and hee moued Dauid to number the people Sol. With Pareus I say that God doth not by tempting make any man euill but vpon such as are already euill he sendeth the iudgement of being hardened to the doing of more euill that hee may in the end receiue the greater damnation Reade more touching this point vpon Rom. 9. and August de bone perseuerantiae Epist 146. ad Consentium 2 If it be demanded what concupiscence is and whether it be not a sinne because hee seemeth here to make it but the cause of sinne and how temptation is ascribed onely to concupiscence when as the deuill also tempteth and so doth the world too I answer to the first that concupiscence is generally agreed vpon to be that originall inclination vnto euill which we draw from the loines of our first Parents To the second that S. Paul himselfe being the teacher it is sinne Rom. 7. and such a sinne as is condemned in the tenth Commandement though Popish Writers mince it and say that it is not truely and properly sinne but the cause of sinne and by the Apostle Paul

called sinne therefore figuratiuely and improperly But I haue spoken of this before in the proper place To the third Aquinas hath answered well already wherein it is generally consented that lust is the next and immediate cause of sinne alwaies other tempters worke but by our lust The deuill could not haue preuailed against Eue had she not been drawn by her owne desire and stirred vp when she looked vpon the forbidden fruit Faber addeth Faber that the Apostle speaketh of men void of all grace and liuing onely by sense like the brute beast whom to carry away to sinne lust alone is sufficient for so much as the soule lieth dead as it were in such and so they are carried any whither by sense euen as a dead Marriner in a ship tossed by the waues of the Sea 3 If it be demanded in what manner lust worketh vnto sin and whether death be not due till sinne is perfected by custome because hee saith sinne being perfected bringeth forth death I answer that it worketh by a false perswasion and delight as the fish is drawne by the bait and therefore the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taken from a bait is vsed he is drawne away from good by thinking it not good and hauing in him a kinde of auersnesse there-from and allured to euill through the sweet and good apprehended to be therein Touching death Tho. Aquin. the issue of sinne being perfected Tho. Aquinas hath answered it well already that sinne perfected is said to bring forth death because there is not that likelihood of being conuerted and turned from sinne in such as are growne to a custome of sinning as in these that haue sometime sinned onely Ier. 13.23 yea the Prophet speaketh of it as impossible Can a Blackmore put away his blacknesse or a Leopard his spots so they that haue accustomed to doe euill cannot learne to doe well Pareus Pareus saith that it is said so because that euen in the iudgement of men sinne comming into act deserueth death Faber Faber because it is not deadly if in the conception it be disliked and withstood Popish Writers gather from hence that lust is no sinne and that the first motions vnto sinne are not sinne and that motions vnto sinne with some consent are not mortall sinnes that is worthy of death but veniall But that lust is sinne is plaine first because the Law saith Thou shalt not lust secondly because S. Paul calleth it sinne Rom. 7.12 thirdly because it is the cause of sinne and by the Law of God not onely sinne but the cause and the degrees of it are forbidden Secondly that the first motions are sinne is plaine also because they draw a man from good and intice him to euill and so are the materiall and efficient cause of sinne and censured therefore by Saint Paul as sinne Rom. 7.8 17. And therefore thirdly much more motions with some consent are sinne and worthy of death seeing this is the wages of euery sinne yea Rom. 5.13 euen of the mother of sinne Lust before that it breaketh forth into act 4 If it be demanded what is meant by euery good gift and by euery perfect gift It is to bee vnderstood that there are two different words vsed to expresse these gifts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Latine translation datum donum and for good there it is read euery best gift which also pleaseth Beza best I doe not finde any distinction to be made amongst Expositors betwixt these two but onely in Thomas Aquinas Beza Piscat Tho Aquin. Gorran Faber which hath beene already set downe Most hold that spirituall gifts only are meant here which alone are truly good and perfect and this is most agreeable to the scope of the place which is to teach that no euill is suggested to the minde by God For he that is the Author of all good and grace vnto vs cannot be the Author of euill also Pareus Pareus vnderstandeth all other good things of this life also and so the infinite goodnesse of God is yet more set forth The gifts of grace according to some are said to bee perfect because they tend to the perfecting of the new man but I thinke rather that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is turned into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shew Gods vnchangeablenesse in his gifts and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shew that his gifts are altogether good for vs and not euill or hurtfull any way as the gifts of men are The Father of Lights God is said to be Light Faber and so is the Sonne and so is the holy Ghost and according to this we confesse him in the Church to be Light of Light and here the Father of Lights not because hee begetteth these Lights but amongst the Lights he is Father August de speculo and an effect of this light is grace seasoning the hearts of the faithfull He may also be said to be the Father of Lights Deus omnipotens cursus temporis dici nocti que alternatione apud te nequaquam variatur hoc vere est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so per conuers solis reciprocat a tropico in tropicum hoc autem in d●o non fit quia● pud cum nulla nox est dies autem perpetua quia lux est ind fi●●e●s Aug. l. b. 1. de Ciuit. dei with reference to the Sunne Moone and Starres by the influence whereof the earth is made fruitfull With whom there is no mutation or shadow of change This S. Augustine hath notably expounded saying Almighty God is no whit varied towards thee by the change of the course of the time of the night and of the day There is indeed a shadow of change in the Sunne when it returneth from tropicke to tropicke but it is not so with God who is a neuer-failing light and in whom is no darknesse for in alluding to the Sun mouing between the Tropicks no doubt but the Apostle vseth the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And this serueth to answer an obiection But God may vary though now all good commeth from him Sol. No there is no variation or shadow of changing in him Augustine elsewhere turneth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a moment saying that there is not any change in God not for a moment of time If such places of Scripture be obiected as wherein God is said to repent and not to do what he had threatned It is answered that herein change is attributed vnto him per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in regard of the euent and in threatning and not doing accordingly he changed not because his threatnings are alwaies conditionall If it be said further that he altered the seruice sometime constituted by him in the time of Moses Ans It was constituted but till the comming of the Messiah as is plaine Dan. 9.24 Note that

manner of persons we are that abuse vs as namely that wee are Citizens of Heauen reckoned to the Countrey aboue and fellowes of the Cherubims So also Wisd 5.3 4 5. Secondly how it is said It appeareth not yet what we shall be hath not God set forth in his word the vnspeakable glory and felicity to come I answer with Thomas that though it be set forth yet the glorious and happy estate of Gods children appeareth not now but they liue after a poore and contemptible fashion which is the cause that the world maketh no reckoning of this Sonne-ship Thirdly wherein shall wee be like vnto God and what knowledge shall wee haue of him and how doth this proue that we shall be like vnto him because we shall know him To the first it is commonly answered that wee shall be like vnto him in heauenly glory euen as children doe partake of the glory of their father as Oecumenius speaketh Oecumen Scholia Graeca the minde being sanctified and inlightened and the body being glorified as the body of the Lord Iesus Phil. 3 20. August To the second some as Thomas Aquinas say that we shall see his essence but others deny this affirming that we shall see him onely in his qualities being pure as he is pure and being iust wee shall behold him iust Oecumen Faber Stapul Beza as Oecumenius But I assent rather to those that expound this of seeing the Lord Iesus Christ in his glory and the maiesty of God the Father for now we see onely darkly and as it were in a glasse as we are capable but then being present with him wee shall immediatly behold his glory And this very beholding of him present doth argue that wee shall be like vnto him because this seeing of him is not granted to any but to the children of God who are holy as he is holy For Mat. 5. Esa 26.10 according to the 70. blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God And let the wicked be taken away saith the Prophet that they may not see the glory of God Note Note that wicked men that make no reckoning of the state of grace are so farre from being true Christians that they know not what a Christian is they know not Christ for did they but know they would admire and be in loue with this condition whereas now they despise it and vilipend the children of God and beare an hatred against them Note againe Note that the glory of the faithfull shall be the highest degree of glory like vnto that of God himselfe we shall bee present where the glory of his Maiesty doth most appeare To heare of him and to behold him in his Word and workes must suffice vs whilst we are in this world and for such as liued then to see God in the flesh but the time shall come when we shall behold him immediatly The present comfort in God and ioy in the holy Ghost is nothing in comparison of that comfort which we shall haue CHAP. 3. VER 5. Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sinnes and in him is no sinne Vers 6. Whosoeuer abideth in him finneth not c. Seeing Christ came into the world to destroy sinne Oecumen in 1 Iohn 3. we that are borne of him and confirmed in the Faith of him may not sinne any more He that abideth in him is said not to sinne because he neuer ceaseth from the exercise of vertue He that doth sinne is said to be of the Deuill not he that hath done sin because when a man hath repented him he is no longer of the Deuill The workes of the Deuill are sinnes which God hauing a care of his came into this world to destroy To commit sinne vers 9. is to admit of sinne in the minde and will so the children of God cannot sinne that is will to sinne in any thing They commit not wickednesse voluntarily and purposely or by yeelding to corruption till they be subdued and brought into seruitude hereby There is but little difference here amongst other Expositors from this of Oecumenius Mayer The Sonne of God was manifested Tho. Aquinas Tollit dimittendo sacta adiuuando ne fiant ducendo ad vitam vbi omnino si●ri nequeunt saith Thomas Aquinas when he tooke flesh to take away our sinnes that is by forgiuing them being commited by helping vs against sinne that we commit it not and by bringing to such a life as where sinne cannot bee committed any more and therefore he is thrice said to bee the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world Faber Stapul Faber saith that he tooke away sinne by destroying the seed of the Deuill sowne in Adam at the beginning and growing vp in his of-spring euen vntill Christ who was without all sinne which if he had not done none could haue remained in God But he being a seed contrary to the seed of the Deuill destroied it which is darknesse and would haue made otherwise that we could not haue beene in God who is light He also inferreth the sanctity of the mother of Christ affirming her to be without sinne or else shee could not haue brought forth such seed contrary to the seed of the Deuill But by the same reason her father and mother must haue beene without sinne also and consequently the Line of which shee was descended I hold with Faber that Christs taking away of our sinnes here spoken of is by the grace and vertue of his Spirit sanctifying vs to leade an holy life for by the comming of Christ the Spirit of grace is communicated more plentifully the man Christ being as it were the head of the spring where the Spirit rested and we the chanels into which it floweth whereas in times past though the faithfull amongst the Iewes were not destitute of the Spirit yet they being but a handfull in comparison of the rest of the world the bestowing hereof was not so notable and few there were that were deliuered from their sinnes According to this sense it agreeth best with the words following therefore they which are in Christ sinne not seeing that in him there is no sinne yea he came into the world to take away our sinnes A like place vnto this is Rom. 8.3 And so I come to the greater question arising both from hence and from the next words wherein the regenerate are said not to sinne neither can they sinne In what sense doth hee thus often so much pressing it also speake of our immunity from sinne seeing there is no man liuing that sinneth not It is agreed by all that the regenerate sinneth not purposely or by the sinne of infidelity or so farre forth as he is borne of God Tho. Aquinas or he sinneth not vnto the end for all these expositions are mentioned by Thomas Aquinas It seemeth to me to be most plaine that trading in sinne is only meant here The true