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	see_v	2,875	5	3.5208	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17419	The light of faith: and, way of holinesse Shewing what to belieue, and for what to striue together, earnestly contend, and suffer for in this contending age. And how to liue in all estates, conditions, and degrees of relation, according to this faith. In both, deliuering (as neere as might be, in the life of Scripture phrase:) only things necessary, as we meane to be saued, and auoiding vtterly things arbitrary, that distract, rather then direct a Christian. Collected out of holy Scripture by an vnworthy labourer in Gods vineyard, Richard Bifield pastor in Long-Ditton, in Surrey.	Byfield, Richard, 1598?-1664.	1630 (1630)	STC 4239; ESTC S107158	133,233	536

giue account thereof at the day of iudgement Ephes 4 29. and 5. 4. Mat. 12 36. 3 Let no guile be found in thy mouth hate lying lips and double-hearted nesse in speech Psal 34 13. Pro. 22. 23. 4 Goe not about as a Talebearer Imponens augens manisestans in mala vertens qui negat autminui●●acuit la●da●que remisse Lev. 19. 16. Pro. 20. 19. and 11. 13. receiue not an euill report against thy neighbour Psal 15. 3. Be far from all whispering and backbiting Pro. 20. 19. Detract not from his good name by imposing a false crime or reuealing a secret sault without iust cause or aggrauating too much that euill that is true by him or despising the intent but not disallowing his euill deed by denying or hiding or diminishing or but coldly praising the good that is in thy neighbour 5 Reproue thy neighbor plainly for his faults but hate him not in thy hart Lev. 19. 17. Pro. 28. 23. yet passe by meere frailties Pro. 11. 12. He that is voyd of wisedome despiseth his neighbour but a man of vndrstanding holdeth his peace 6 Auoide flattery in thy speech blesse not with a loud voice the flatterer doth lay a net for the feete of his neighbour Pro. 29. 5. 7 In others wrath and p●ssion giue thou a soft Answer Pro. 15. 1. and in thy talke speake what is acceptable and auoide all prouoking speeches Pro. 10. 13. 32 and 13. 23. 8 Be sure thou iustifie not the wicked nor condemne the righteous this is an ab●mination to the Lord Pro. 17. 15. Psal 15. 4 Amos. 5 15. 9 In discourse mispend not thy time In iudging and ce●suring others Mat 7. 1. Iam. 3. 17. In doubtfull disputations about things indifferent which may intangle the weake Rom. 14 1. In curious questions Rom. 12. 3. In vnprofitable reasonings such as were genealogies 1 Tim. 1. 4. 10 In the euill time bee silent and forbeare the Communicating of thy secrets to any Amos 5. 13. Mic. 7. 5. but when righteousnesse and charity call for thy speech know that silence is sinfull 11 Let no cursing nor swearing be in thy communication nor those excessiue speeches I protest I vow I sweare as sure I liue c but yea and nay that is barely affirme or deny as the truth requires Mat. 5. 34. 37. Iam. 5. 12. 12 Make a wise and discreet profession of Gods truth with all reuerence and meekenesse when it is required 1 Pet. 3. 15. 13 Keepe on foote the memory of Gods workes both his iudgements and mercies Psal 145 4 5 6 7. then thy tongue shall be thy glory as it is called by Dauid in Psal 30. 12. Thou hast put off my sackecloth and girded me with gladnesse to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee and not be silent O Lord my God I will giue thankes vnto thee for euer §. XXII Of the innocency of the hands The ordering of thy actions HAuing thus cured and cared for the vices and vertues of speech looke next to thy actions the innocency of thy hands that thy righteous carriage may adorne thy Christian profession and hereunto God hath directed by these rules 1 Giue no euill example but let the light of thy good workes shine before men C●ristians ought to be as lights in the world harmelesse and blamelesse the sonnes of God without ●ebuke in the midst of a crooked and peruerse nation Phil. 2. 15. 2 Be clothed with humility 1 Pet. 5. 5. this wil hide your nakednes shame from others expresse it thus 1. In giuing honor go one before another not in taking honor Rom 12. 10. 2 Do nothing through strife or vaine glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteeme other better then himself Phi. 2. 3. ● Do all without murmurings and disputings not grudging at the esta●es conditio●s wealth or o● our superiors equalls or inferiors not snarl●ng rawling behauing our selues fr●wardly to any Phil. 2. 14. but all patience gentlenesse curtesie shewed to all and in all things 4 Put not forth thy self to stand in the place of great men Pro. 25. 6. 3 Bow down thine eares and heare the words of the wise Pro. 23. ●7 Be swift to Numb 12. 3. yet was Moses no sheepe when the Glory of God l●y at the stake heare Iam. 1. 19. 4 Restraine and bridle thy passions in conuersing as the expressions of immoderate anger feare griefe ioy which shew the weakenesse of our disposition and lay vs op●n to contempt A wise man couereth shame when a foole is presently knowen meekenesse should be sought Zech. 2. 3. without which righteousnesse will hardly be found This was Moses his praise the meek●st man vpon the face of the earth 5 Auoide all scornefull lustiul rudegestures put not off Modesty and graui●y ●hey m●y be lost in glances of the eye nods of the head teachings of the feet touches of the hands kisses of the lips embraces of the a●mes dancings stage playes songs talke a●tire and gesture of the body a stretched out necke a mincing gate and tinckling of the feet 6 And that thou maiest walke honestly as in the day shun as the proper workes of darkenesse 3 couple of Sinnes Rioting and Drunkennesse Chambering and Wantonnesse Strife Enuying Rom. 13. 13 7 Looke to fidelity not deceiuing the trust of any committed to thee the worthy praise of Gaius Beloued thou doest faithfully whatsoeuer thou doest to the brethren and to strangers 3 Iohn 5. 8 Seeke contentment with thy condition and ioy at thy neighbours prosperity asmuch as at thine owne as the top and perfection of thy duty towards thy neighbour and in some kind the perfection of piety ●owa●ds God 1 Tim. 6. 6. Rom 12. 15 This is a thing most vnknowne to our nature to will and d●sire whateuer we do desire with the good of others 9 See that thou lawfully come by and lawfully keepe thy goods and possessions a right title is or t●e first finding of things not possessed by any nor that any haue right vnto or inheritance or gift or reward for labor or Gods blessing on our labour or bargaining without defrauding a lawfull keeping is by thriftinesse without couetousnesse and by spending in necessaries without prodigalitie Thus of righteousnesse §. XXIII Of Mercy THe second generall duty 2 To loue mercy which wee owe to all men is Mercy it is charged vpon vs by the Prophet Micah in this phrase that we loue mercy most of the rules that direct vs herein are comprehended vnder these two words First it must be mercy and so 1 For the kinds thereof mercy Spirituall to the soules of men Corporall to their bodily life by Lending Giuing Protecting Releasing Visiting Forgiuing clothing Not saying to the poore goe warme thy selfe and be filled when he is naked and destitute of dayly foode what doth this profit are words mercy Iam. 2. 15. 16. 2 For the persons mercy is a worke of reliefe done to men in misery therefore it

thy soule to ill meanes Esa 28 16. The resting on second causes as Asa did on the Physitian dismayednesse and deiected thoughts to say thou shalt not see God and his saluation promised he will not be so good to thee or to say my way is hid from the Lord my iudgement is passed ouer of my God Esa 40 27 31. Iob 35. 14 15. questioning whether he can doe for vs as hee hath done for his people formerly Psal 78 19. 20. and desperate resolutions to say with the stubbor●e Iewes in Ezok 33 10. If our transgressions and our sinnes be vpon vs and wee pine away in them how should we then liue Hearken what God saith as I liue saith the Lord God I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and liue turne yee turne yee from your euill wayes for why will yee dye O house of Israel verse 11. 3 Learne righteousnesse this is all the fruit God looketh aft●r to take away thy sinne Esa 26. 11. 27. His corrections are a winde to fanne and to cl●an●e Ier. 4 11. which is done 1 If thou search and try thy waies and auoide carelesnesse Pro. 14. 16. Iob 36. 8. 9. If hee smite feare and depart from euill cry when he bindeth thee l●st like an hypocrite thou heape vp wrath verse 13. Lam. 3. 40. 2 Walke in thy integrity Pro. 19. 1. 3 Watch against discouragements Pro. 24. 10. nor questioning Gods loue for the outward distresse nor fainting in thy good way the way is not to be iudged by the afflictions but the afflictions by the way Trust in carnall Friends and arme of flesh Pro. 27. 10 Sudden Feares Prou. 3. 25. Psal 1 12. The righteous is not afraid of any euill tydings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. 3 In Po●erty 1 D●ss●mble not make not ● In po 〈…〉 thy selfe poorer then thou art Salomon had obserued such a disease as this amongst men there is saith hee that maketh himselfe rich and yet hath nothing and there is that maketh himselfe poore yet hath great riches 2 But be it so thou art poore indeed seeke to be● rich in faith that Christ may liue in thee who is our riches and reioyce herein that thou art exalted to bee hei●e of the kingdome Iam. 1. 9. 2. 5. 3 Walke in thy integrity Pro. 19. 1. 4 Liue by faith Psal 34. 5. 6. 10. Mat. 4 4. Feede on the promise and depend on Gods allowance 5 Dwell in the land and bee doing good Psal 37. 3. Abide in thy place and remoue not without thou canst in a lawfull way see the Lord himselfe thy guide and leader 6 By contentation liue without couetings and desire to see therein the gaine of godlinesse that thou maiest learne to haue want and to be hungry as well as to abound and to be full Phil. 4. 12. Heb. 13. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 6. 7. 8. 4 In Sicknesse 1 Seeke first to God and 4 In sicknesse then to the Physitian as the ordinance of God and in thy seeking to God confesse against thy selfe thy sinne● to the Lord imitate Hezekiah Esa 38. 1. and doe not as did Asa 2 Chro. 16. lest a disease in the feet sooner cut off thy dayes then a griefe at the heart Psal 32. 5 2 Send for the Elders of the Church that they may pray for thee Iam. 5. 14. 3 Set thy soule in order for faith in the Lord Iesus repentance towards God loue to men hope of heauen and set thy house in order that thy last will may testifie all this 4. Let thy soule s●lace her selfe in that Psalme of Dauid the 41. to the increase of the care of duty and of the power of comfort and support of heart 5 In Persecutions 1 Let all thy sufferings from 5 In pe●secutions hand or tongue of the wicked be for the name of Christ and for wel-doing that thou maiest suffer as a Christian not as a malefactor that if any euill bee spoken of thee or obiected against thee it may be falsely spoken and obiected Mat. 5. 11. 1 Pet. 4. 15. And here see thou conscionably for the Lords sake reuerence dignities and obey authority in whatsoeuer is not repugnant to the word of God 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14. 15. 16. that it may bee said of thee as once of Daniel wee shall not finde any occasion against this Daniel except we finde it against him concerning the law of his God Dan. 6. 5. 2 Remember what it will cost thee to be a Christian thou must deny thy selfe and thine own life Lu● 14. 26. 2 Tim. 3. 12 and therefore thinke it not strange if a fiery try all should happen as if some strange thing had happened 1 Pet. 4. 12. 3 Commit the keeping of thy soule to God in wel-doing as vnto a faithfull Creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. 4 Be not afraid of the terror of the wicked neither be troubled but sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts and be ready al waies to giue an answere to euery man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in you with meekenesse and feare 1 Pet. 3. 14 15. So shall you witnesse a good confession and shall bee acknowledged by our Sauiour at the last and dreadfull day Mat. 10. 32. 33. Thou shalt Heb. 11. 27 not feare the face of a Pharaoh if thou haue seene him that is inuisible 5 Receiue the sentence of death in thy selfe that thou maiest not trust in thy selfe but God that raiseth the dead 2 Cor. 1. 8. 9. 6 Let thine eyes bee set on things that are not seene which are eternall Looke out to the better refurrection that thou maiest not passe for deliuerance thy dyings for the Lord Iesus will bee but such light afflictions as the heart may runne away with 2 Cor. 4. 17. 18. This will also keepe thee from the snares of the world● enticements as it did Moses Heb. 11. 24. 25. 35. 7 Leaue not till thou canst be in sufferings as a sheepe dumbe before the shearers yea let thy heart be filled with such loue to God and man that thou canst pray for thy persecutors and blesse them that curse thee Mat. 5. 44. Esa 5. 53. 7. and in all committhy cause to him that iudgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2. 21. 23. 8 To helpe thee herein behold the examples of all the heires of promise the whole clowde of witnesses which compasse thee in this way the worthies of the Old Testament Heb. 11. the Confessors and Martyrs of the New Testament Reu. ●2 11. and chiefely the matchlesse patterne of our Sauiour Heb. 12. 2. who for the glory set before him despised the shame and indured the gaine-sayings of sinners 9 Adde withall the consolations which are not small for consider We are made conformable to Christ in sufferings and death and therefore we shall in glory 2 Tim. 2. 11. 12. Christ accounts them the residue of his sufferings and i● all

auth●r of the action and this is when thou teachest or approouest euill doctrine whether hereticall or superstitious when thou committest grosse sinne as did Dauid and when thou abusest thy Christian liberty 1 Cor. 8. 12. and it is abused when in things indifferent left free by the Magistra●e thou vsest thy liberty and the weake are wounded and offended But if the command of the Magistrate be vpon it thou must obey though a brother be o●fended Sin may not be done to please any 1 Pet. 2. 13. §. XXV Our carriage to the Godly in som● particuler case of falling weaknesse or strength THe former rules that concerne Our duty to the brethren in cases of falling weakenesse o● strength the affection and offices of brotherly loue belong to the brethren in euery estate there remaine such directions to bee deliuered as respect our carriage towards them as set in some certaine condition as if they bee weake or strong or fallen into some offences We take the last first and for our help in so hard a taske we find our text in the Epistle of Iude verse 22. 23. of rare vse wherein the Christian is admonished that hee is set in the Church for an helpe a Phisician and an Instrumentall Sauiour of his brother if hee see him ouertaken with any fault and that hee is indowed with gifts and graces for the edification of those with whom he conuerseth and because there is required in euery one that vndertaketh so great a worke some competent skill and good affection for if ignorance to distingnish of patience and medicines and wre●chlesnesse be vnfit for a Physician to the body much more to the soule the words doe fully direct vnto the rules of cure And of so●s haue compassion and others saue with feare plucking them out of the fire The maner of vsing them Putting a difference Hating euen the garments spotted with the flesh The maner of vsing these rules of cure concerne the Christian that would recouer his brother fallen or support him in falling where he is directed How to begin the cure he must put a difference How to be disposed in the whole he must hate the garments spotted with the flesh 1 First then thou must learne to put a difference it is Christian wisedome to distinguish between sinne and sinne offender and offender For as all patients are not alike diseased so all transgressors doe not alike offend is thy brother fallen into any sinne thou art bound to put forth thy hand to saue him but first consider aright the nature of his fall obserue then that Christians offend either in opinion or in parctice In opinion and these 1. In the foundation 2. In matters of lesse moment In the foundation and that first of ignorance and blind zeale both the seducer and seduced Secondly of malice and obstinately In matters of lesse moment and there making a rent or schisme or holding the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace In practice so some sinne 1 Of ignorant and infirmity in lesse in greater points 2 Of habit and presumption grossely and so fall into foule vices or extrem omissions Some sinne publikely or priuately 2 Thou hast then rightly put a difference in thy iudgment when thou hast d●scerned hereby how thy brother is falle● Now proceed to apply the rules of cure if thy brother haue offended in matters of opinion that are of lesse moment and haue made no rent or be it he hath offended in practise of ignorance or infirmity then see the rule of meckenesse and Christian softnesse haue Compassion on him If in matters fundamentall whether of blind zeale or ●bstinate heate or in other lesser points yet making diuisions if in practise grossely whether into fowle vices or extreame omissions be his faults publike or priuate see the rule of Christian s●uerity they are in the fire in danger of burning Oh saue them with feare pulling them out Aduice right Christian and diuine behold the rules of cure and apply them againe to each part that thou maist see how to expresse thy meekenesse and seuerity putting also therein a difference aswell as to whom and when for so the words are put indifferently into the midst as being the life of the whole worke and euery part of it 3 For thy meekenesse consider 1 In what things to be expressed towards each or the rules 2 How or with what affection with compassion The rules are these If hee offend in matters of opinion which rase not the foundation and disquieteth not the peace of the Church walke with ●im in the vnity of the common faith and pathes of holy life which both haue already attained vnto and doubt not but God will reueale vnto him that thing wherein he is otherwise minded Phil. 3. 15. If ●e haue fallen in matters of holy life through ignorance or infirmity restore him by the sp●rit of meekenesse Gal. 6. 1. considering thy selfe lest thou also be tempted beare his burden and so fulfill the Law of Christ The affection with which thou must bee touched in the practice of these rules is Compassion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to vse Saint Austines words when there is compassio miseriae non simulatio misericordiae a feeling of their misery not a feigning of mercy this will giue the due ●incture to thy carriage herein 4 For thy seuerity consider 1 The rules 2 The right carriage in the practice of them for The end to saue them The affection of the heart feare The holy violence where the cause also is intimated they are in the fire plucke them out The rules are these If hee offend in the fundamentalls of blind zeale and ignorance or being seduced 1 In meekenesse instruct him if God peraduenture will giue him repentance to the acknowledging of the truth 2 Tim. 2. 25. 2 Be carefull to maintaine good work●s for necessary vses Tit. 3. 8 14. 3 Pray earnestly and heartily for him Rom 10. 1. 2. If as a seduce● 〈◊〉 or of malice and obstina●ely ●●e is then an heriticke and thy rule is that in 2 Ioh. 9. receiue him not to house neither bid him God speed in his euill work Tit. 3. 10. If the error be in matters of lesser moment and the party make a rent and scisme thy rule is that in Rom. 16. 17. marke those which cause diuisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye haue learned and auoid them If it be in practice that they are guilty of soule vices or extreame omissions such as that of Idlenesse among the Thessalonians 1 Warne them in the beginning reprooue them sharply 1 Thess 5. 14. 2 If they amend not restraine thy familiarity be no companion for them that all may see thou approouest not their vice and if the offendors may be ashamed 1 Cor. 5. 11. 2 Thes 3. 6 14. yet not counting them as enemies but esteeming them as brethren If the fault be secret obserue our Sauiours rule tell it him betweene him

is charged vpon vs concerning both these callings Concerning our particuler calling three things 1 That euery man haue some calling 2 That euery man abide in that calling not thinking that Religion and a calling cannot stand together 3 That hee abide therein with God Concerning our generall calling to be Christians 1 To abide therein with God 2 In all estates and changes of conditions in that calling of life we liue in Therein also to abide with God This is called in the old Testament walking with God the righteousnesse perfection faith and obedience of Enoch and Noah is expressed in this one word hee walked with God Gen. 5. 22 and 6. 9. Of these punctually and In thy particuler calling briefely and first for our particuler callings Where First it is a rule of a wel-ordered conuersation to haue some lawfull calling or course of life in which we are to bee employed this is charged on all Adams sonnes in the sweat of thy face thou shalt eate thy bread a painful estate of life in some imployment to the good of Church Common-wealth or family are none exempted from that come from Adams loynes though not all with the hands to take paines Gen. 3. 19. and Christianity hath determined all idle vnprofitable liuing to bee a disordered or inordinate liuing and that if any brother obey not this word that such be noted and that wee haue no companie with him that he may be ashamed 2 Thes 3. 6. 10. the greatest Dames in Israel might not eate the bread of Idlenesse and the highest Magistrates submit to this rule who are appointed of God to their places that the people may liue a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty Pro. 31. 27. 1 Tim. 2 2. how should any inferiour thinke to rage and liue without compasse as if they were exempt from the Lords gouernment A Gent●eman to whom lands The calling of a Gentleman and possessions are left whereby he needeth not put his hand to labour may not spend his time altogether in hawking hunting riding about or vpon his pastimes and sports and what he lusteth either they are called to beare office in the common-wealth or not if called to an office let them waite on their office and seeke abilities to discharge it The study therefore of the lawes of God and the Realme is their calling besides the Religious gouerning of their families the vpholding of their estate Further they are to serue then Prince and Country with body and good● aduice and Counsell both in peace and warre if they haue or haue not office here is enough to spend their houres without gaming and reuell to prepare themselues hereunto and yet they are to take notice that it is their parts to see to the prouision for the poore the good order of the place where they are the discountenancing of sinne and vice the reconciling of persons at variance and the Going before others in workes of mercy and all good duties as patter●es for imitation Here is your calling The womans calling see in Pro. 31. and 1 Tim. 5. 13. 14. The calling of disabled poore is not to runne the cursed Ca●●itish life of a vagabond but in his place to trust in God and to waite on him without fainting for that reliefe which shall bee sufficient for them looking on that in Iam. 1. 9. the brother of low degree let him reioyce in that he is exalted to bee rich in faith and heire of the kingdome but I speake not of such poore as are mentioned in Ier. 5. 4. Who are foolish that know not the way of the Lord nor the iudgement of their God God seeing how necessary this is giueth six dayes to labour one hee reserueth for his immediate worship hee hath made vs to doe good and imployment is a preseruatiue against errors in opinion weaknesse and decay in Religion and loose behauiour it is lusts extinguisher the tamer of our bodies the very schoole wherein wee improoue all our graces here we can rest on Gods blessing with comfort take vp our crosses with patience because for both we haue the promise of God who will keepe vs in all our wayes Else we our selues are theeues and all our riches Riches of vanitie Pro. 20. 4. Ephes 4. 28. 2 Secondly we must abide in our calling and keepe the stations wherein we are ranked by our Generall attend here to these rules 1 That we be diligent in our callings not hauing cunning but painfull hands not busie in other mens matters not pretending excuse or fearing the difficulties of our callings Pro. 20. 4. and 26. 13. not giuen to sleepe and sloth Pro. 26. 14. 15. and then to be obstinate in that course verse 16. not hunting Ale-houses or the company of lewd persons which is now called good-fellowship by our base drunkards Pro. 21. 17. not wandering from thine owne house though it bee not to place of ill same but diligence beseemeth Pro. 10. 4. and 13. 4. the slothfull shall be vnder tribute and this diligence extends it selfe to watchfulnesse ouer the opportunities of thy calling Pro. 10 5. and 6. 6 7 8. Eccles 9. 10. 2 That we bee aduised and prouident in all our vndertakings Pro. 21. 5. Prepare thy worke in the field and afterwards build thy house Nothing threatneth more an ill loose in all a●●aires then precipitate beginnings This hastinesse is either from leuity of minde or wilfulnesse 3 That we keepe within our compasse not meddling with those things that either our skil or our estates are not able to weld Which proceedeth from a minde greedy of gaine for the compassing whereof some hauing ventred in one action all their estates they haue at once made shipwracke of all the Lord being pleased to crosse some way vnexpected their ouer bold enterprises so that many times hauing thus desired to set vp their gates they haue come to that I cannot digge and to beg I am ashamed 4 That wee abide in our callings not fleeting or changing our course of life without some euident warrantable cause seeing the Lord first going out before vs lest wee be like a bird that wandereth from her nest Pro. 27. 8. 5 Faithfulnesse in words and dealings no defrauding deceiuing coosening lying dissimulation c. Pro. 21. 6. 1 Thes 4. 6. 6 Cheerefulnesse and contentation with our estates auoyding passion frowardnesse Pro. 11. 29 16. 32. 19. 11. 25. 28. 17. 22. Eccles 9. 7. 8. 3 Thirdly we must abide with God in our calling and diligence and other praise worthy qualities in our labour prooue vs good laborers but not good Christians Neither haue they any promise vnlesse wee adde this But dwell in the land and be doing good and verily Saith God thou shalt be fed Psa 37. 3. 128. 2 34. 9. 10. What is it to abide with God A. 1 It is to begin all in him and looke vp to him in all our wayes in the morning to a●aken