Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	effect_n	punishment_n	sin_n	3,729	5	5.7335	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

that_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v necessary_o according_a to_o god_n eternal_a decree_n they_o shall_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o any_o other_o place_n or_o time_n than_o he_o have_v ordain_v but_o yet_o this_o decree_n of_o god_n do_v not_o infer_v a_o necessity_n of_o constraint_n but_o only_o of_o immutability_n nor_o do_v the_o decree_n take_v away_o either_o liberty_n from_o the_o reasonable_a creature_n or_o contingency_n from_o second_o cause_n but_o only_o bring_v they_o into_o a_o certain_a order_n that_o be_v direct_v they_o to_o the_o determine_a end_n whereupon_o the_o effect_n and_o event_n of_o thing_n be_v contingent_a or_o necessary_a as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o second_o cause_n be_v thus_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o divine_a decree_n die_v necessary_o act._n 4.28_o act._n 17.3_o but_o yet_o willing_o if_o we_o respect_v the_o temperature_n of_o christ_n body_n he_o may_v have_v live_v long_o and_o therefore_o in_o this_o respect_n may_v be_v say_v to_o have_v die_v contingent_o sect._n 5._o the_o doctrine_n of_o god's-eternal_a predestination_n right_o understand_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o prejudice_n or_o hindrance_n to_o the_o use_v of_o mean_n tend_v to_o holiness_n and_o sanctification_n as_o that_o the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_n be_v the_o proper_a effect_n and_o fruit_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n the_o right_a knowledge_n and_o consideration_n whereof_o be_v a_o most_o effectual_a motive_n to_o a_o constant_a and_o conscionable_a use_n of_o the_o mean_n and_o therefore_o that_o be_v a_o most_o wicked_a speech_n which_o impli_v a_o mere_a contradiction_n if_o i_o be_v elect_v howsoever_o i_o live_v i_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o if_o i_o be_v not_o elect_v live_v i_o never_o so_o well_o i_o shall_v be_v damn_v satan_n by_o this_o wicked_a suggestion_n divide_v the_o end_n and_o the_o mean_n asunder_o which_o god_n have_v join_v together_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n consist_v not_o only_o of_o the_o end_n without_o the_o mean_n nor_o of_o the_o mean_n without_o the_o end_n but_o of_o both_o together_o god_n have_v choose_v we_o to_o salvation_n through_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n 2_o thes_n 1.13_o sect._n 6._o the_o command_n and_o invitation_n of_o god_n in_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o obedience_n and_o not_o the_o secret_a decree_n of_o god._n nor_o must_v we_o confound_v the_o decree_n of_o predestination_n with_o the_o precept_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n god_n reveal_v preceptive_a will_n show_v what_o the_o lord_n approve_v as_o good_a in_o itself_o and_o what_o ought_v to_o be_v perform_v by_o we_o not_o that_o every_o one_o that_o hear_v the_o gospel_n preach_v shall_v have_v effectual_a grace_n to_o perform_v it_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o every_o one_o to_o repent_v and_o believe_v on_o jesus_n christ_n and_o obey_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n in_o the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o gospel_n the_o doctrine_n of_o predestination_n as_o set_v forth_o in_o the_o scripture_n be_v command_v to_o be_v teach_v and_o learn_v and_o be_v sober_o and_o wise_o handle_v be_v very_o useful_a both_o to_o the_o godly_a and_o the_o wicked_a but_o the_o personal_a application_n thereof_o before_o faith_n in_o point_n of_o election_n or_o during_o this_o life_n in_o point_n of_o reprobation_n be_v unwarrantable_a and_o many_o way_n hurtful_a and_o true_o it_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n against_o the_o grace_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o the_o gospel_n for_o any_o man_n or_o woman_n to_o conclude_v that_o he_o or_o she_o be_v a_o reprobate_n because_o final_a unbelief_n and_o disobedience_n the_o consequent_a of_o reprobation_n can_v be_v know_v before_o death_n no_o man_n know_v who_o be_v reprobate_a but_o god_n and_o those_o to_o who_o god_n reveal_v it_o in_o his_o word_n but_o the_o reprobation_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n now_o live_a be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n nor_o be_v it_o reveal_v in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n to_o we_o sect._n 7._o all_o the_o elect_a of_o god_n first_o or_o last_o shall_v true_o believe_v on_o christ_n and_o be_v convert_v to_o he_o save_v faith_n be_v the_o effect_n or_o fruit_n of_o election_n all_o that_o the_o father_n have_v give_v to_o christ_n shall_v come_v to_o he_o joh._n 6.37_o joh._n 10.36_o who_o he_o do_v predestinate_a they_o he_o also_o call_v rom._n 8.30_o the_o election_n have_v obtain_v it_o rom._n 11.7_o and_o as_o many_o as_o be_v ordain_v to_o eternal_a life_n believe_v act._n 13.48_o it_o be_v call_v the_o faith_n of_o god_n elect._n tit._n 1.1_o it_o be_v according_a to_o election_n rom._n 11.5_o in_o which_o respect_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o all_o the_o elect_a of_o god_n though_o many_o of_o they_o be_v yet_o unbeliever_n shall_v believe_v and_o be_v save_v as_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o be_v save_v who_o be_v already_o in_o heaven_n as_o for_o other_o god_n who_o may_v do_v with_o his_o own_o what_o he_o please_v just_o withold_v from_o they_o grace_n to_o cure_v their_o unbelief_n and_o impenitency_n to_o they_o it_o be_v not_o give_v matth._n 13.11_o moral_a impenitency_n and_o enmity_n of_o man_n will_n against_o god_n be_v common_a both_o to_o the_o elect_a and_o reprobate_n they_o be_v alike_o sinful_a and_o corrupt_a by_o nature_n only_a god_n be_v please_v to_o cure_v the_o one_o and_o not_o the_o other_o of_o their_o natural_a unbelief_n and_o impenitency_n touch_v the_o latter_a sort_n god_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o physical_a cause_n not_o of_o their_o unbelief_n but_o why_o their_o unbelief_n remain_v uncured_a as_o a_o physician_n able_a to_o cure_v a_o disease_n which_o yet_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o cure_v be_v the_o cause_n not_o of_o the_o disease_n itself_o but_o why_o the_o disease_n be_v not_o cure_v yet_o be_v he_o not_o the_o moral_a and_o unblamable_a but_o the_o physical_a and_o unblameable_a cause_n thereof_o because_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o cure_v it_o this_o cure_n can_v be_v effect_v in_o the_o unregenerate_a only_o by_o outward_a mean_n without_o the_o internal_a efficatious_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god._n the_o israelite_n have_v see_v with_o their_o eye_n the_o great_a sign_n and_o miracle_n which_o god_n have_v wrought_v for_o they_o yet_o withal_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n have_v not_o give_v they_o a_o heart_n to_o perceive_v nor_o eye_n to_o see_v nor_o ear_n to_o hear_v unto_o this_o day_n deut._n 29.3_o 4._o that_o be_v he_o have_v not_o cure_v they_o of_o their_o spiritual_a blindness_n and_o unbelief_n by_o the_o inward_a illumination_n and_o operation_n of_o his_o spirit_n for_o as_o augustine_n say_v well_o 4._o quantam_fw-la libet_fw-la praebuerit_fw-la patientiam_fw-la nisi_fw-la deus_fw-la dederit_fw-la quis_fw-la apat_z penitentiam_fw-la contr._n julian_n pelag_n lib._n 5._o c_o p._n 4._o though_o god_n afford_v never_o so_o great_a patience_n in_o respect_n of_o outward_a mean_n yet_o unless_o god_n give_v grace_n who_o can_v true_o repent_v of_o his_o sin_n and_o this_o grace_n he_o give_v to_o one_o and_o not_o to_o another_o according_a to_o his_o good_a pleasure_n the_o bless_a apostle_n in_o answer_v that_o great_a objection_n rom._n 9.19_o why_o do_v god_n yet_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o hardness_n and_o rebellion_n of_o man_n heart_n see_v no_o man_n can_v resist_v the_o divine_a will_n nor_o can_v he_o cure_v himself_o of_o this_o hardness_n of_o heart_n have_v recourse_n for_o satisfaction_n not_o to_o the_o ill_a desert_n and_o sinfulness_n of_o man_n but_o to_o the_o sovereignty_n and_o dominion_n of_o god_n over_o his_o creature_n which_o sure_o be_v as_o great_a and_o absolute_a as_o that_o which_o the_o potter_n have_v over_o the_o clay_n who_o make_v vessel_n of_o what_o fashion_n he_o will_v and_o for_o what_o end_n he_o will._n so_o god_n have_v mercy_n on_o who_o he_o will_v have_v mercy_n and_o who_o he_o will_v he_o harden_v and_o who_o be_v thou_o o_o man_n that_o reply_v against_o god_n shall_v the_o thing_n form_v say_v to_o he_o that_o form_v it_o why_o have_v thou_o make_v i_o thus_o it_o become_v not_o the_o creature_n to_o quarrel_v with_o god_n or_o dispute_v with_o he_o concern_v this_o matter_n though_o the_o creature_n can_v comprehend_v the_o reasonableness_n thereof_o this_o may_v well_o satisfy_v and_o silence_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o go_v about_o to_o justify_v god_n course_n here_o mention_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o man_n sinfulness_n but_o only_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o god_n sovereignty_n and_o supreme_a dominion_n over_o his_o creature_n and_o as_o god_n free_o give_v the_o grace_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n to_o some_o man_n and_o not_o to_o other_o to_o raise_v they_o out_o of_o