Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	evil_a	good_a	know_v	2,974	5	4.2147	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76312	The grounds and foundation of natural religion, discover'd, in the principal branches of it in opposition to the prevailing notions of the modern scepticks and latitudinarians. With an introduction concerning the necessity of revealed religion. By Tho. Beconsall, B.D. and fellow of Brasenose Colledge, in Oxford.	Becconsall, Thomas, d. 1709.	1698 (1698)	Wing B1657aA; ESTC R223530	119,538	326

paradise_n may_v just_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o terrestrial_a state_n of_o vision_n and_o therefore_o god_n no_o doubt_n discover_v himself_o in_o frequent_a adumbration_n of_o his_o divine_a presence_n and_o vouchsafe_v several_a special_a revelation_n and_o his_o divine_a succour_n these_o may_v perhaps_o be_v think_v unnecessary_a dispensation_n in_o a_o state_n of_o unspotted_a innocence_n and_o integrity_n but_o certain_o though_o man_n in_o his_o original_a frame_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o sufficiency_n of_o power_n to_o decipher_v the_o line_n of_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o propension_n and_o disposition_n to_o observe_v and_o walk_v up_o to_o it_o yet_o such_o gracious_a communication_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n necessary_a to_o maintain_v a_o deep_a sense_n of_o the_o majesty_n and_o authority_n of_o our_o maker_n and_o consequent_o a_o deep_a sense_n of_o duty_n and_o obedience_n to_o maintain_v a_o deep_a sense_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o purity_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o possess_v the_o mind_n with_o a_o incessant_a desire_n to_o act_v in_o conformity_n to_o his_o most_o sacred_a will._n again_o necessary_a they_o be_v to_o arm_v those_o native_a power_n and_o propension_n with_o double_a force_n and_o activity_n to_o unite_v and_o fix_v they_o on_o their_o proper_a object_n the_o glory_n and_o perfection_n of_o their_o maker_n the_o pursuit_n of_o truth_n and_o divine_a knowledge_n and_o consequent_o to_o engage_v a_o perseverance_n in_o the_o line_n of_o duty_n with_o the_o utmost_a constancy_n and_o resolution_n these_o be_v nodoubt_v the_o surprise_v felicity_n of_o paradise_n and_o they_o be_v such_o as_o almost_o place_v he_o out_o of_o the_o possibility_n of_o a_o miscarriage_n have_v he_o not_o in_o some_o unguarded_a minute_n fall_v in_o with_o a_o subtle_a indefatigable_a impostor_n for_o without_o some_o such_o misfortune_n he_o can_v not_o have_v fail_v in_o retain_v a_o perpetual_a sense_n of_o duty_n and_o obedience_n and_o persevere_v in_o it_o any_o more_o than_o in_o a_o discovery_n of_o the_o full_a line_n of_o duty_n §_o 2._o but_o now_o experience_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n too_o fatal_o assure_v we_o there_o be_v a_o powerful_a and_o almost_o irresistible_a bias_n on_o the_o animal_n part_n that_o bear_v a_o old_a date_n than_o custom_n or_o education_n can_v pretend_v to_o give_v a_o bias_n that_o discover_v itself_o in_o the_o first_o effort_n of_o infancy_n a_o bias_n that_o can_v never_o be_v perfect_o regulate_v or_o correct_v even_o by_o the_o most_o exquisite_a art_n of_o education_n when_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n seem_v to_o exist_v as_o it_o be_v in_o sieri_fw-la fold_v up_o in_o impotency_n and_o imperfection_n and_o consequent_o one_o will_v think_v liable_a to_o be_v mould_v at_o pleasure_n yet_o we_o find_v this_o bias_n endue_v as_o it_o be_v with_o a_o gygantick_a strength_n able_a to_o resist_v the_o most_o powerful_a antidote_n obstinate_a under_o command_n and_o untractable_a under_o counsel_n or_o persuasive_n in_o a_o word_n it_o have_v introduce_v a_o internal_a rupture_n in_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o man_n render_v he_o a_o kind_n of_o unnatural_a production_n act_v by_o two_o opposite_a principle_n contend_v for_o two_o different_a end_n and_o interest_n and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sacred_a language_n it_o have_v raise_v a_o intestine_a and_o eternal_a war_n for_o its_o a_o law_n in_o our_o member_n war_a against_o the_o law_n of_o our_o mind_n rom._n 7.23_o so_o that_o man_n be_v certain_o sink_v in_o his_o original_a frame_n and_o lapse_v into_o a_o state_n of_o corruption_n and_o degeneracy_n this_o be_v truth_n so_o clear_a and_o unquestionable_a that_o the_o most_o discern_a heathen_n have_v give_v testimony_n to_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o they_o all_o find_v it_o weave_v in_o with_o their_o nature_n and_o discover_v itself_o not_o only_o in_o inward_a motion_n and_o propension_n but_o mix_v itself_o in_o their_o most_o exalt_a action_n it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v perplex_v in_o account_v for_o its_o original_a yet_o they_o all_o see_v it_o in_o its_o effect_n and_o consequence_n their_o opinion_n be_v various_a however_o i_o shall_v mention_v the_o chief_a of_o they_o plutarch_n charge_v the_o stoic_n with_o ascribe_v evil_a as_o well_o as_o good_a to_o god_n providence_n and_o arraign_v it_o as_o the_o height_n of_o absurdity_n see_v his_n tract_n adversus_fw-la stoicos_fw-la 1624._o stoicos_fw-la p._n 1065._o ed._n par._n 1624._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o this_o be_v true_a why_o shall_v they_o be_v more_o concern_v to_o dispense_v good_a rather_o than_o evil_n or_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o evil_n shall_v be_v hateful_a to_o '_o they_o this_o indeed_o be_v a_o opinion_n extreme_o gross_a and_o consequent_o reject_v by_o the_o most_o discern_a sage_n however_o gellius_n pursuant_n to_o this_o deliver_v it_o as_o the_o opinion_n of_o chrysippus_n this_n be_v the_o very_a opinion_n which_o plutarch_n ingenious_o expose_v ib._n that_o vice_n spring_v from_o virtue_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dum_fw-la virtus_fw-la hominibus_fw-la per_fw-la consilium_fw-la naturae_fw-la gignitur_fw-la vitia_fw-la ibidem_fw-la per_fw-la affinitatem_fw-la contraria_fw-la nata_fw-la sunt_fw-la but_o the_o most_o general_a opinion_n be_v that_o good_a and_o evil_a proceed_v from_o two_o distinct_a principle_n hence_o plutarch_n give_v it_o as_o a_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n recite_v by_o divine_n and_o lawgiver_n and_o transmit_v to_o poet_n and_o philosopher_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o authority_n be_v not_o to_o be_v trace_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o only_a supreme_a govern_v principle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o from_o the_o eternal_a mixture_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a as_o well_o as_o the_o imperfection_n and_o alloy_n of_o good_a conclude_v we_o be_v act_v by_o two_o contrary_a principle_n the_o one_o conduct_v or_o toll_v we_o on_o in_o a_o true_a and_o direct_a path_n and_o the_o other_o hale_v we_o back_o again_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nay_o he_o further_o argue_v if_o nothing_o can_v exist_v without_o a_o cause_n and_o good_a can_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o evil_a there_o must_v be_v a_o peculiar_a principle_n of_o evil_a as_o well_o as_o good_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d de_fw-fr iside_n &_o osyride_n page_n 369._o but_o further_a not_o to_o dwell_v too_o long_o upon_o authority_n it_o be_v well_o know_v it_o be_v a_o ancient_a doctrine_n among_o the_o heathen_n to_o ascribe_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a to_o certain_a malevolent_a spirit_n call_v daemon_n or_o manes_n that_o can_v exercise_v a_o power_n over_o the_o mind_n as_o well_o as_o body_n of_o man_n and_o dispose_v and_o incline_v they_o to_o evil_a action_n plutarch_n in_o this_o very_a treatise_n give_v a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o notion_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o nay_o he_o deliver_v it_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o plato_n pythagoras_n zenocrates_n and_o chrysippus_n follow_v that_o of_o the_o ancient_a divine_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ib._n p._n 360._o the_o opinion_n of_o zenocrates_n be_v very_o remarkable_a who_o attribute_n obsceneness_n irreligion_n and_o other_o evil_n to_o certain_a powerful_a malevolent_a spirit_n inhabit_v the_o region_n of_o the_o air_n that_o take_v delight_n in_o such_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v well_o know_v the_o roman_n constant_o ascribe_v the_o regimen_n of_o their_o action_n to_o their_o proper_a genius_n assign_v two_o to_o every_o particular_a person_n these_o do_v not_o only_o attend_v they_o from_o their_o birth_n and_o suggest_v thing_n to_o the_o mind_n but_o contribute_v to_o the_o form_v their_o very_a constitution_n indeed_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a these_o be_v tradition_n transmit_v from_o the_o greek_n to_o the_o roman_n and_o from_o the_o egyptian_n to_o the_o greek_n and_o all_o found_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o man._n and_o true_o hierocles_n agreeable_o to_o his_o other_o divine_a flight_n describe_v the_o degeneracy_n of_o mankind_n in_o such_o a_o lively_a manner_n as_o if_o he_o have_v take_v it_o from_o the_o reveal_v canon_n in_o the_o first_o place_n he_o describe_v man_n in_o his_o original_a composition_n to_o be_v pure_a and_o uncorrupt_a in_o both_o part_n of_o he_o and_o the_o express_a image_n of_o his_o maker_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hier._n comment_n in_o pythag._n carm._n p._n 17._o ed._n lond._n 1673._o after_o this_o in_o his_o comment_n on_o the_o nature_n and_o frame_n of_o man_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o rise_v or_o origine_fw-la of_o good_a and_o evil_a he_o represent_v with_o what_o a_o powerful_a impulse_n we_o be_v carry_v into_o evil_n and_o pronounce_v it_o to_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o wilful_a apostasy_n and_o revolt_n from_o god_n and_o his_o society_n even_o a_o society_n which_o we_o once_o enjoy_v in_o pure_a light_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d

for_o first_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v whilst_o lust_n and_o exorbitant_a appetite_n maintain_v their_o ground_n a_o biased_a judgement_n at_o lest_o can_v escape_v be_v chain_v to_o their_o interest_n but_o these_o seem_v to_o depend_v upon_o the_o health_n and_o vigour_n of_o the_o animal_n part_n as_o this_o be_v shocked_a or_o enervate_v whether_o through_o age_n or_o sickness_n so_o these_o must_v decline_v and_o suffer_v disgrace_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o hear_v of_o lust_n expire_v so_o the_o judgement_n or_o understanding_n will_v in_o proportion_n be_v discharge_v from_o her_o fetter_n she_o will_v view_v thing_n with_o a_o new_a aspect_n not_o through_o the_o steam_n of_o lust_n and_o as_o it_o be_v through_o a_o glass_n dark_o but_o face_n to_o face_n and_o in_o their_o naked_a shape_v and_o feature_n and_o consequent_o our_o reflection_n on_o past_a action_n will_v be_v form_v upon_o new_a measure_n and_o principle_n she_o will_v be_v able_a to_o discern_v the_o true_a end_n and_o interest_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o thereupon_o bring_v all_o her_o action_n to_o the_o test_n of_o this_o rule_n and_o this_o can_v fail_v to_o beget_v new_a persuasion_n and_o conviction_n according_a to_o the_o primitive_a oeconomy_n of_o conscience_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o fit_a of_o melancholy_a the_o effect_n of_o depauperated_a spirit_n no_o otherwise_o than_o a_o a_o expire_a vapour_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o light_n which_o before_o it_o obstruct_v but_o the_o return_n of_o natural_a conscience_n act_v upon_o a_o right_a basis_n and_o exert_v itself_o according_a to_o that_o frame_n in_o which_o it_o be_v create_v thus_o much_o the_o latitudinarian_a may_v discern_v from_o the_o natural_a efficacy_n of_o thing_n but_o beside_o all_o this_o he_o may_v very_o well_o allow_v this_o wonderful_a change_n to_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n complete_v by_o the_o concurrence_n of_o supernatural_a cause_n if_o god_n upon_o a_o long_a train_n of_o unrelenting_a impiety_n have_v at_o last_o consign_v a_o man_n over_o to_o irretrievable_a destruction_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v why_o he_o may_v not_o suffer_v the_o devil_n or_o some_o of_o his_o spiritual_a crew_n to_o display_v before_o his_o mind_n a_o scheme_n of_o his_o past_a action_n no_o one_o can_v question_v but_o that_o order_n of_o spirit_n can_v converse_v with_o spirit_n or_o make_v their_o application_n to_o a_o spiritual_a be_v and_o consequent_o that_o he_o can_v if_o permit_v excite_v such_o motion_n and_o suggest_v such_o idea_n as_o will_v revive_v the_o most_o considerable_a minute_n of_o our_o whole_a life_n and_o enable_v we_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o new_a test_n and_o view_v they_o in_o their_o proper_a lineament_n and_o proportion_n and_o consequent_o as_o they_o appear_v to_o clash_v with_o the_o line_n of_o duty_n plunge_v a_o soul_n into_o the_o most_o direful_a agony_n and_o convulsion_n this_o be_v but_o a_o kind_n of_o anticipation_n of_o that_o future_a misery_n which_o i_o be_o confident_a he_o will_v be_v the_o instrument_n to_o enhance_v upon_o all_o reprobate_a sinner_n but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o the_o patience_n and_o long-suffering_a of_o god_n extend_v to_o the_o lead_v a_o soul_n to_o repentance_n who_o can_v dispute_v the_o divine_a influence_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n in_o bring_v all_o past_a action_n to_o our_o remembrance_n he_o can_v discover_v such_o minute_n circumstance_n as_o will_v recover_v lose_v idea_n he_o can_v excite_v such_o meditation_n and_o thought_n as_o will_v suggest_v the_o true_a rule_n of_o action_n and_o line_n of_o duty_n and_o consequent_o such_o as_o will_v necessitate_v the_o mind_n to_o pass_v sentence_n on_o every_o action_n pursuant_n to_o it_o it_o be_v a_o undisputed_a truth_n that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n can_v move_v and_o excite_v the_o power_n of_o the_o soul_n by_o a_o spiritual_a kind_n of_o converse_n as_o effectual_o as_o the_o rhetoric_n and_o persuasive_n of_o fellow_n creature_n that_o must_v be_v transmit_v by_o sound_n through_o material_a organ_n and_o vehicles_n this_o be_v a_o assertion_n so_o clear_a and_o indisputable_a that_o i_o can_v see_v no_o reason_n why_o those_o minister_a spirit_n the_o bless_a angel_n by_o the_o divine_a appointment_n may_v not_o be_v allow_v capable_a of_o maintain_v intercourse_n of_o this_o nature_n even_o with_o this_o low_a world_n since_o it_o only_o place_n their_o power_n upon_o a_o level_n with_o accurse_a spirit_n who_o have_v on_o all_o hand_n a_o power_n attribute_v to_o they_o of_o influence_v the_o soul_n as_o well_o as_o body_n of_o men._n and_o certain_o god_n who_o infinite_a knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n enable_v he_o to_o adapt_v all_o his_o divine_a succour_n to_o suitable_a season_n and_o opportunity_n can_v not_o exert_v they_o better_o than_o when_o the_o animal_n part_n be_v disable_v by_o age_n sickness_n or_o other_o humane_a calamity_n and_o certain_o be_v high_o agreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n when_o a_o change_n of_o mind_n and_o conscience_n be_v wrought_v to_o give_v they_o a_o deep_a sense_n of_o their_o folly_n and_o error_n and_o consequent_o to_o throw_v they_o into_o the_o severe_a agony_n and_o convulsion_n before_o he_o raise_v they_o up_o by_o his_o special_a restorative_n the_o refresh_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o now_o certain_o we_o have_v foundation_n enough_o to_o answer_v for_o the_o contradiction_n of_o conscience_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n assert_v the_o divine_a oeconomy_n of_o it_o this_o be_v a_o hypothesis_n can_v be_v dispute_v in_o a_o state_n of_o revelation_n and_o though_o in_o a_o state_n of_o nature_n god_n have_v not_o covenant_v to_o govern_v mankind_n by_o spiritual_a succour_n or_o the_o effusion_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n on_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o find_v he_o have_v any_o where_o bind_v himself_o to_o the_o contrary_a and_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n may_v sometime_o incline_v he_o to_o dispense_v his_o favour_n on_o this_o part_n of_o his_o offspring_n and_o consequent_o contribute_v to_o the_o establishment_n of_o conscience_n upon_o its_o true_a foundation_n i_o mean_v according_a to_o the_o primitive_a model_n and_o oeconomy_n of_o it_o chap._n xxi_o of_o the_o evidence_n of_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n from_o the_o presage_n of_o natural_a conscience_n that_o mankind_n be_v original_o form_v and_o create_v under_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o law_n and_o that_o reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v ascertain_v to_o the_o observance_n or_o violation_n of_o this_o law_n have_v already_o be_v prove_v beyond_o any_o just_a colour_n of_o dispute_n that_o which_o remain_v be_v to_o fix_v the_o stage_n where_o this_o great_a scene_n shall_v be_v display_v and_o a_o formal_a distribution_n transact_v now_o i_o be_o persuade_v it_o will_v be_v easy_o grant_v that_o reward_n and_o punishment_n can_v well_o be_v execute_v in_o this_o state_n of_o life_n for_o first_o the_o establish_v coercive_a power_n of_o this_o world_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n pretend_v to_o it_o they_o can_v determine_v nothing_o beyond_o the_o surface_n or_o external_n part_n of_o the_o action_n and_o these_o must_v be_v hand_v to_o they_o upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n the_o authority_n of_o circumstance_n and_o the_o veracity_n of_o man_n and_o sinner_n so_o that_o very_o often_o the_o innocent_a be_v sentence_v to_o act_n his_o part_n in_o suffering_n in_o the_o room_n of_o the_o guilty_a by_o this_o mean_n the_o substantial_a part_n of_o the_o action_n lie_v dormant_n and_o escape_v the_o most_o subtle_a remark_n and_o censure_n of_o mankind_n so_o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o thousand_o white_v sepulcher_n which_o indeed_o appear_v beautiful_a outward_a but_o be_v within_o full_a of_o dead_a man_n bone_n and_o of_o all_o uncleanness_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o must_v we_o not_o admit_v a_o vast_a scroul_n of_o enormity_n that_o the_o nice_a observation_n can_v never_o pretend_v to_o reach_v or_o fathom_n some_o that_o be_v shelter_v by_o study_a retreat_n and_o privacy_n other_o by_o pass_v no_o further_o than_o think_v or_o intention_n and_o the_o inward_a working_n of_o the_o mind_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o a_o infinite_a power_n or_o a_o searcher_n of_o heart_n and_o reins_o can_v pretend_v to_o state_n the_o deserve_n of_o man_n and_o adjust_a a_o allotment_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o proportion_n to_o they_o indeed_o a_o alwise_a creator_n that_o know_v the_o very_a thought_n long_o before_o be_v abundant_o qualify_v to_o finish_v his_o dispensation_n of_o this_o kind_n even_o in_o this_o life_n but_o yet_o in_o crime_n that_o be_v public_a and_o notorious_a we_o sometime_o see_v the_o author_n pass_v off_o the_o stage_n of_o the_o world_n without_o any_o visible_a mark_n of_o divine_a vengeance_n at_o least_o