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

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60717	A sober letter, touching predestination and obduration Sent to a minister in the city of Bristol.		1679 (1679)	Wing S4411; ESTC R219110	8,859	14

a_o sober_a letter_n touch_v predestination_n and_o obduration_n send_v to_o a_o minister_n in_o the_o city_n of_o bristol_n london_n print_v for_o jonathan_n robinson_n at_o the_o golden_a lion_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1679._o a_o sober_a letter_n touch_v predestination_n and_o obduration_n sect._n 1_o sir_n although_o the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n eternal_a predestination_n be_v a_o offence_n to_o many_o some_o abuse_v it_o to_o carnal_a liberty_n and_o other_o to_o despair_v yet_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a and_o useful_a doctrine_n which_o upon_o all_o occasion_n ought_v to_o be_v utter_v with_o much_o reverence_n and_o circumspection_n to_o the_o praise_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n as_o the_o same_o be_v hold_v forth_o in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n without_o some_o taste_n of_o this_o divine_a doctrine_n of_o predestination_n there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a faith_n but_o either_o a_o doubtful_a and_o waver_a opinion_n lead_v to_o despair_n or_o else_o a_o vain_a presumption_n of_o feign_a holiness_n whilst_o man_n rest_v upon_o their_o own_o work_n and_o performance_n and_o not_o upon_o the_o free_a grace_n of_o god._n there_o be_v no_o doctrine_n that_o do_v more_o beat_v down_o the_o pride_n of_o the_o flesh_n that_o do_v more_o exalt_v the_o riches_n of_o god_n grace_n or_o more_o establish_v and_o support_v the_o saint_n in_o the_o assurance_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n than_o this_o doctrine_n of_o god_n eternal_a predestination_n if_o right_o apprehend_v and_o improve_v the_o scripture_n do_v usual_o allege_v the_o eternal_a purpose_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n for_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v our_o faith_n and_o hope_n of_o salvation_n and_o do_v not_o rest_n in_o second_o cause_n or_o in_o the_o fruit_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o vocation_n but_o ascend_v up_o to_o christ_n himself_o in_o who_o as_o in_o the_o head_n we_o be_v elect_v and_o predestinate_v to_o grace_n and_o glory_n yea_o it_o raise_v we_o up_o to_o that_o everlasting_a purpose_n and_o decree_n which_o be_v in_o god_n himself_o before_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n ephes_n 1.4_o 5._o matth._n 11.25_o 26._o rom._n 8.29_o 30._o rom._n 9.11_o 16_o 18_o 23.2_o tim._n 1.9.2_o tim._n 2.19.1_o pet._n 1.20_o sect._n 2._o as_o in_o other_o point_n of_o divinity_n so_o more_o especial_o in_o this_o great_a mystery_n of_o predestination_n we_o shall_v avoid_v vain_a and_o curious_a question_n and_o speculation_n use_v such_o word_n and_o expression_n concern_v the_o same_o as_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o who_o so_o fit_a to_o reveal_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o this_o great_a mystery_n as_o god_n himself_o and_o not_o according_a to_o our_o corrupt_a fancy_n and_o imagination_n in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v best_a and_o safe_a for_o we_o to_o ascend_v from_o the_o low_a degree_n to_o the_o high_a as_o st._n paul_n do_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n speak_v first_o of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n nature_n and_o so_o proceed_v on_o to_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o justification_n by_o christ_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o the_o sublime_a mystery_n of_o god_n eternal_a predestination_n whether_o we_o go_v up_o from_o the_o low_a step_n to_o the_o high_a or_o descend_v from_o the_o high_a to_o the_o low_a we_o must_v take_v heed_n that_o we_o run_v not_o from_o one_o extreme_a to_o another_o omit_v and_o pass_v by_o the_o middle_a cause_n or_o mean_n of_o salvation_n and_o damnation_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v due_o consider_v and_o place_v between_o god_n eternal_a decree_n and_o the_o final_a execution_n thereof_o nor_o shall_v the_o decree_n of_o preterition_n or_o reprobation_n be_v apply_v to_o any_o sinner_n in_o particular_a so_o long_o as_o he_o live_v without_o special_a extraordinary_a revelation_n see_v god_n who_o grace_n and_o mercy_n be_v infinite_a and_o boundless_a may_v call_v and_o convert_v he_o even_o at_o the_o eleven_o hour_n though_o his_o sin_n be_v never_o so_o great_a and_o heinous_a it_o be_v observable_a that_o all_o those_o act_n in_o god_n which_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o reprobation_n go_v before_o sin_n be_v describe_v rather_o after_o a_o negative_a than_o positive_a manner_n in_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o not_o write_v their_o name_n in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n rev._n 13.8_o they_o be_v not_o find_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n rev._n 20.15_o you_o be_v not_o of_o my_o sheep_n joh._n 10.26_o i_o never_o know_v you_o matth._n 7.23_o the_o election_n have_v obtain_v it_o the_o rest_n i_o e._n those_o who_o be_v not_o elect_v be_v blind_v rom._n 11.7_o sect._n 3_o god_n decree_n of_o reprobation_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o sin_n but_o man_n himself_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o sin_n eccles_n 7.29_o ezek._n 36.31_o 32._o jam._n 1.14_o reprobation_n be_v part_n of_o the_o decree_n and_o the_o decree_n nothing_o else_o but_o god_n himself_o decree_a can_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o god_n who_o be_v holiness_n itself_o his_o decree_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o antecedent_n of_o sin_n and_o sin_n to_o be_v the_o consequent_a of_o the_o decree_n not_o the_o effect_n of_o the_o decree_n upon_o this_o occasion_n we_o shall_v always_o remember_v that_o approve_a distinction_n between_o a_o proper_a cause_n and_o a_o antecedent_n life_n be_v the_o antecedent_n of_o death_n and_o sight_n of_o blindness_n and_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v death_n where_o there_o have_v not_o be_v life_n or_o blindness_n where_o there_o have_v not_o be_v sight_n forego_v so_o it_o be_v as_o impossible_a that_o either_o life_n shall_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o death_n or_o sight_n the_o cause_n of_o blindness_n follow_v god_n will_v not_o sin_n as_o sin_n therefore_o reprobation_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o sin_n god_n will_v the_o permission_n of_o sin_n therefore_o reprobation_n be_v the_o antecedent_n thereof_o for_o the_o better_a guide_n and_o regulate_v our_o judgement_n in_o this_o great_a point_n we_o must_v consider_v three_o distinction_n 1._o between_o god_n willing_a sin_n as_o sin_n and_o his_o will_v the_o be_v or_o permission_n or_o the_o order_n of_o sin_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o divine_a justice_n and_o mercy_n 2._o between_o a_o cause_n and_o a_o antecedent_n 3._o between_o a_o consequent_a and_o a_o effect_n sect._n 4._o sin_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o punishment_n and_o damnation_n god_n punish_v no_o man_n condemn_v no_o man_n but_o for_o sin_n original_a or_o actual_a or_o both_o gen._n 2.17_o rom._n 5.12_o ezek._n 18.20_o 25_o 28._o though_o sin_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n for_o that_o which_o be_v temporal_a can_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o which_o be_v eternal_a yet_o it_o be_v the_o only_a proper_a cause_n of_o punishment_n and_o damnation_n we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o god_n decree_n of_o nonelection_n or_o reprobation_n and_o his_o destinate_v man_n to_o punishment_n or_o preparation_n to_o punishment_n which_o be_v usual_o call_v praedamnation_n as_o for_o the_o former_a it_o depend_v sole_o upon_o the_o sovereign_a will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o god_n but_o the_o latter_a be_v a_o act_n of_o god_n justice_n the_o one_o flow_v from_o god_n as_o he_o be_v a_o god_n of_o absolute_a power_n and_o sovereignty_n the_o other_o flow_v from_o god_n as_o he_o be_v a_o god_n of_o justice_n the_o decree_n of_o election_n and_o reprobation_n be_v a_o immanent_a act_n in_o god_n alone_o as_o in_o the_o subject_a and_o from_o god_n alone_o as_o from_o the_o original_a cause_n but_o damnation_n be_v neither_o original_o from_o god_n nor_o subjective_o in_o god_n but_o be_v a_o transient_a act_n of_o his_o justice_n god_n be_v infinite_o wise_a propound_v to_o himself_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o own_o glory_n as_o a_o most_o certain_a and_o infallible_a end_n appoint_v and_o make_v all_o thing_n to_o be_v subservient_fw-fr thereunto_o the_o lord_n have_v make_v all_o thing_n for_o himself_o yea_o even_o the_o wicked_a for_o the_o day_n of_o evil_n prov._n 16.4_o and_o thus_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o learned_a bishop_n usher_n and_o other_o protestant_a divine_n to_o be_v that_o act_n whereby_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n according_a to_o his_o free_a will_n do_v by_o his_o unchangeable_a counsel_n and_o purpose_n fore-appoint_a and_o certain_o determine_v of_o all_o thing_n together_o with_o their_o cause_n effect_n circumstance_n and_o manner_n of_o be_v for_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o own_fw-mi glory_n nor_o shall_v we_o go_v about_o to_o subject_a this_o divine_a decree_n to_o our_o shallow_a capacity_n or_o measure_v it_o by_o our_o deprave_a reason_n consider_v that_o the_o will_n of_o god_n from_o whence_o the_o decree_n come_v be_v unsearchable_a it_o be_v true_a

influence_n of_o his_o spirit_n from_o they_o for_o a_o moment_n to_o try_v and_o humble_v they_o under_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o corruption_n yet_o with_o everlasting_a kindness_n he_o will_v embrace_v they_o isa_n 54.8_o god_n be_v say_v to_o harden_v in_o withdraw_v his_o grace_n and_o order_v and_o dispose_v even_a man_n evil_a action_n to_o that_o end_n which_o he_o have_v propound_v to_o himself_o and_o in_o use_v the_o mean_n which_o the_o corruption_n and_o malignity_n of_o man_n heart_n and_o nature_n pervert_v to_o his_o own_o destruction_n thus_o god_n in_o his_o wise_a providence_n order_v and_o over-ruleth_a the_o action_n of_o harden_v but_o man_n himself_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o obliquity_n and_o sinfulness_n of_o the_o action_n in_o scripture_n we_o find_v that_o god_n harden_v satan_n harden_v and_o man_n harden_v his_o own_o heart_n man_n as_o the_o instrument_n satan_n as_o the_o worker_n and_o efficient_a god_n as_o the_o supreme_a judge_n overrule_a every_o action_n and_o dispose_v of_o it_o to_o his_o own_o glory_n either_o in_o a_o way_n of_o mercy_n or_o justice_n as_o in_o a_o ship_n man_n be_v as_o the_o mariner_n that_o work_v satan_n the_o evil_a spirit_n as_o the_o wind_n and_o wether_n that_o tempt_v and_o move_v and_o god_n as_o the_o steersman_n that_o direct_v and_o govern_v all_o like_a as_o then_o the_o sun_n harden_v the_o clay_n and_o the_o rain_n bring_v forth_o weed_n not_o of_o itself_o but_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o soil_n which_o it_o influence_v so_o by_o the_o providence_n and_o operation_n of_o god_n after_o a_o most_o secret_a yet_o just_a and_o holy_a manner_n the_o heart_n of_o wicked_a man_n come_v to_o be_v harden_v more_o and_o more_o but_o the_o only_a culpable_a cause_n thereof_o be_v in_o themselves_o and_o in_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o not_o in_o god._n sect._n 10._o hardness_n of_o heart_n be_v either_o natural_a and_o inbred_a which_o we_o bring_v with_o we_o into_o the_o world_n or_o else_o it_o be_v acquire_v and_o voluntary_a and_o this_o be_v a_o extinguish_n of_o that_o common_a light_n and_o knowledge_n and_o ingenuity_n which_o be_v in_o man_n whereby_o they_o make_v their_o heart_n as_o hard_o as_o a_o adamant_n stone_n and_o wilful_o estrange_v themselves_o from_o god_n or_o else_o it_o be_v a_o additional_a hardness_n inflict_v by_o the_o just_a hand_n of_o god_n upon_o they_o as_o a_o punishment_n of_o their_o sin_n thus_o god_n harden_v the_o heart_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o other_o give_v they_o up_o to_o a_o reprobate_a sense_n and_o the_o vile_a lust_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n rom._n 1.24_o 28._o again_o hardness_n of_o heart_n be_v either_o feel_v or_o not_o feel_v the_o reprobate_n who_o be_v give_v up_o to_o hardness_n of_o heart_n and_o searedness_n of_o conscience_n be_v not_o sensible_a of_o that_o dreadful_a spiritual_a judgement_n which_o he_o lie_v under_o nor_o do_v he_o bewail_v it_o but_o hardness_n feel_v when_o a_o man_n see_v and_o feel_v with_o grief_n and_o sorrow_n the_o deadness_n and_o hardness_n and_o benummedness_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n which_o do_v not_o relent_v as_o it_o shall_v do_v at_o the_o threaten_n and_o promise_n of_o god_n nor_o be_v it_o thaw_v and_o melt_v with_o the_o mercy_n and_o love_a kindness_n of_o god_n such_o a_o sensible_a hardness_n be_v incident_a to_o god_n own_o child_n who_o often_o complain_v of_o it_o and_o groan_v under_o it_o as_o a_o great_a and_o heavy_a burden_n o_o lord_n say_v they_o why_o have_v thou_o make_v we_o to_o err_v from_o thy_o way_n and_o harden_v our_o heart_n from_o thy_o fear_n isa_n 63.17_o sect._n 11._o be_v we_o sensible_a of_o the_o hardness_n and_o stonyness_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o will_v we_o be_v cure_v of_o this_o great_a evil_n then_o 1._o let_v we_o diligent_o search_v and_o examine_v whether_o we_o do_v not_o indulge_v ourselves_o in_o some_o secret_a sin_n or_o other_o which_o be_v unrepented_a of_o will_v harden_v the_o heart_n 2._o let_v we_o consider_v the_o greatness_n and_o goodness_n of_o that_o divine_a majesty_n against_o who_o our_o heart_n be_v harden_v this_o will_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o soften_v they_o deut._n 10.16_o 17_o 18._o job_n 23.15_o 16._o psal_n 95.3_o 8_o 9.2_o chron._n 30.8_o 9.3_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n let_v we_o meditate_v on_o christ_n crucify_v and_o lay_v our_o hard_a and_o freeze_a heart_n before_o the_o hot_a beam_n of_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n mal._n 4.2_o that_o they_o may_v sensible_o feel_v the_o force_n of_o his_o gracious_a influence_n and_o so_o look_v up_o to_o he_o by_o faith_n who_o we_o have_v pierce_v with_o our_o sin_n we_o may_v thereupon_o melt_v and_o mourn_v for_o our_o sin_n as_o one_o that_o mourn_v for_o his_o only_a child_n zach._n 12.10_o it_o be_v observe_v of_o the_o diamond_n who_o extreme_a hardness_n can_v be_v mollify_v either_o by_o the_o force_n of_o iron_n or_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o fire_n that_o if_o it_o be_v steep_v in_o the_o hot_a blood_n of_o a_o goat_n it_o present_o dissolve_v the_o iron_n hammer_n of_o the_o law_n will_v not_o melt_v and_o soften_v our_o hard_a and_o stubborn_a heart_n but_o if_o by_o true_a faith_n and_o meditation_n we_o bath_n and_o plunge_v then_o in_o the_o precious_a blood_n of_o the_o true_a scape-goat_n the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n this_o will_v break_v and_o melt_v the_o heart_n though_o it_o be_v as_o hard_a as_o a_o adamant_n the_o sacred_a blood_n of_o the_o physician_n cure_v the_o disease_n of_o the_o patient_n o_o rare_a physician_n thou_o that_o shed_v thy_o blood_n and_o give_v thy_o life_n to_o do_v poor_a sinner_n good._n finis_fw-la