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	great_a	sin_n	2,789	5	5.0653	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62629	Sermons preach'd upon several occasions By John Tillotson, D.D. Dean of Canterbury, preacher to the Honourable Society of Lincolns-Inn, and one of His Majesties chaplains in ordinary. The second volume.	Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.	1678 (1678)	Wing T1260BA; ESTC R222222	128,450	338

and_o outward_a expression_n of_o it_o 3._o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o evil_a and_o unreasonableness_n of_o a_o sinful_a course_n that_o sin_n be_v the_o stain_n and_o blemish_n of_o our_o nature_n the_o reproach_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o understanding_n the_o disease_n and_o the_o deformity_n of_o our_o soul_n the_o great_a enemy_n of_o our_o peace_n the_o cause_n of_o all_o our_o fear_n and_o trouble_n that_o whenever_o we_o do_v a_o wicked_a action_n we_o go_v contrary_a to_o the_o clear_a dictate_v of_o our_o reason_n and_o conscience_n to_o our_o plain_a and_o true_a interest_n and_o to_o the_o strong_a tie_n and_o obligation_n of_o duty_n and_o gratitude_n and_o which_o render_v it_o yet_o more_o unreasonable_a sin_n be_v a_o voluntary_a evil_n which_o man_n wilful_o bring_v upon_o themselves_o other_o evil_n may_v be_v force_v upon_o we_o whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o a_o man_n may_v be_v poor_a or_o sick_a by_o misfortune_n but_o no_o man_n be_v wicked_a and_o vicious_a but_o by_o his_o own_o choice_n how_o do_v we_o betray_v our_o folly_n and_o weakness_n by_o suffer_v ourselves_o to_o be_v hurry_v away_o by_o every_o foolish_a lust_n and_o passion_n to_o do_v thing_n which_o we_o know_v to_o be_v prejudicial_a and_o hurtful_a to_o ourselves_o and_o so_o base_a and_o unworthy_a in_o themselves_o that_o we_o be_v ashamed_a to_o do_v they_o not_o only_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o wise_a man_n but_o even_o of_o a_o child_n or_o a_o fool_n so_o that_o if_o sin_n be_v follow_v with_o no_o other_o punishment_n beside_o the_o guilt_n of_o have_v do_v a_o shameful_a thing_n a_o man_n will_v not_o by_o intemperance_n make_v himself_o a_o fool_n and_o a_o beast_n one_o will_v not_o be_v false_a and_o unjust_a treacherous_a or_o unthankful_a if_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n yet_o out_o of_o mere_a greatness_n and_o generosity_n of_o mind_n out_o of_o respect_n to_o the_o dignity_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o out_o of_o very_a reverence_n to_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o understanding_n for_o let_v witty_a man_n say_v what_o they_o will_v in_o defence_n of_o their_o vice_n there_o be_v so_o many_o natural_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o evil_a and_o unreasonableness_n of_o sin_n that_o the_o matter_n be_v pass_v all_o denial_n man_n be_v general_o gall_v and_o uneasy_a at_o the_o thought_n of_o a_o evil_a action_n both_o before_o and_o after_o they_o have_v commit_v it_o they_o be_v ashamed_a to_o be_v take_v in_o a_o crime_n and_o hearty_o vex_v and_o provoke_v whenever_o they_o be_v upbraid_v with_o it_o and_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o though_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v always_o bad_a and_o vice_n have_v ever_o have_v more_o servant_n and_o follower_n to_o cry_v it_o up_o yet_o never_o be_v there_o any_o age_n so_o degenerate_a in_o which_o vice_n can_v get_v the_o better_a of_o virtue_n in_o point_n of_o general_a esteem_n and_o reputation_n even_o they_o who_o will_n have_v be_v most_o enslave_v to_o sin_n can_v never_o yet_o so_o far_o bribe_v and_o corrupt_v their_o understanding_n as_o to_o make_v they_o give_v full_a approbation_n to_o it_o 4._o a_o due_a sense_n of_o the_o fearful_a and_o fatal_a consequence_n of_o a_o wicked_a life_n and_o these_o be_v so_o sad_a and_o dreadful_a and_o the_o danger_n of_o they_o so_o evident_a and_o so_o perpetual_o threaten_v we_o that_o no_o temptation_n can_v be_v sufficient_a to_o excuse_v a_o man_n to_o himself_o and_o his_o own_o reason_n for_o venture_v upon_o they_o a_o principal_a point_n of_o wisdom_n be_v to_o look_v to_o the_o end_n of_o thing_n not_o only_o to_o consider_v the_o present_a pleasure_n and_o advantage_n of_o any_o thing_n but_o also_o the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o it_o for_o the_o future_a and_o to_o balance_v they_o one_o against_o the_o other_o now_o sin_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n tend_v to_o make_v man_n miserable_a it_o certain_o cause_v trouble_v and_o disquiet_v of_o mind_n and_o to_o a_o considerate_a man_n that_o know_v how_o to_o value_v the_o ease_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a argument_n against_o sin_n than_o to_o consider_v that_o the_o forsake_v of_o it_o be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o find_v rest_n to_o our_o soul_n beside_o this_o every_o vice_n be_v natural_o attend_v with_o some_o particular_a mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n which_o make_v it_o even_o in_o this_o life_n a_o punishment_n to_o itself_o and_o common_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o his_o just_a judgement_n upon_o sinner_n strike_v in_o to_o heighten_v the_o mischievous_a consequence_n of_o a_o sinful_a course_n this_o we_o have_v represent_v in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o prodigal_n his_o riotous_a course_n of_o life_n do_v natural_o and_o of_o itself_o bring_v he_o to_o want_v but_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n likewise_o concur_v to_o render_v his_o condition_n more_o miserable_a at_o the_o same_o time_n there_o arise_v a_o mighty_a famine_n in_o the_o land_n so_o that_o he_o do_v not_o only_o want_v wherewithal_o to_o supply_v himself_o but_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o all_o hope_n of_o relief_n from_o the_o abundance_n and_o superfluity_n of_o other_o sin_n bring_v many_o misery_n upon_o we_o and_o god_n many_o time_n send_v more_o and_o great_a than_o sin_n bring_v and_o the_o further_o we_o go_v on_o in_o a_o sinful_a course_n the_o more_o misery_n and_o the_o great_a difficulty_n we_o involve_v ourselves_o in_o but_o all_o these_o be_v but_o light_n and_o inconsiderable_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o dreadful_a misery_n of_o another_o world_n to_o the_o danger_n whereof_o every_o man_n that_o live_v a_o wicked_a life_n do_v every_o moment_n expose_v himself_o so_o that_o if_o we_o can_v conquer_v shame_n and_o have_v stupidity_n enough_o to_o bear_v the_o infamy_n and_o reproach_n of_o our_o vice_n and_o the_o upbraid_n of_o our_o conscience_n for_o they_o and_o the_o temporal_a mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n of_o they_o though_o for_o the_o present_a gratify_n of_o our_o lust_n we_o can_v brook_v and_o dispense_v with_o all_o these_o yet_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o end_n and_o issue_n of_o a_o sinful_a course_n be_v a_o invincible_a objection_n against_o it_o and_o never_o to_o be_v answer_v though_o the_o violence_n of_o our_o sensual_a appetity_n and_o inclination_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o bear_v down_o all_o temporal_a consideration_n whatsoever_o yet_o methinks_v the_o interest_n of_o our_o everlasting_a happiness_n shall_v lie_v near_o our_o heart_n the_o consideration_n of_o another_o world_n shall_v mighty_o amaze_v and_o startle_v we_o the_o horror_n of_o eternal_a darkness_n and_o the_o dismal_a thought_n of_o be_v miserable_a for_o ever_o shall_v effectual_o discourage_v any_o man_n from_o a_o wicked_a life_n and_o this_o danger_n continual_o threaten_v the_o sinner_n and_o may_v if_o god_n be_v not_o merciful_a to_o he_o happen_v to_o surprise_v he_o the_o next_o moment_n and_o can_v we_o make_v too_o much_o haste_n to_o fly_v from_o so_o great_a and_o apparent_a a_o danger_n when_o will_v we_o think_v of_o save_v ourselves_o if_o not_o when_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v we_o be_v upon_o the_o very_a brink_n of_o ruin_n and_o just_o ready_a to_o drop_v into_o destruction_n 5._o upon_o this_o natural_o follow_v a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o quit_v this_o wicked_a course_n and_o necessity_n be_v always_o a_o powerful_a and_o overrule_a argument_n and_o do_v rather_o compel_v than_o persuade_v and_o after_o it_o be_v once_o evident_a leaf_n no_o place_n for_o further_a deliberation_n and_o the_o great_a the_o necessity_n be_v it_o be_v still_o the_o more_o cogent_a argument_n for_o whatever_o be_v necessary_a be_v so_o in_o order_n to_o some_o end_n and_o the_o great_a the_o end_n the_o great_a be_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o mean_n without_o which_o that_o end_n can_v be_v obtain_v now_o the_o chief_a and_o last_o end_n of_o all_o reasonable_a creature_n be_v happiness_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o that_o have_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o rational_a and_o moral_a necessity_n we_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o happiness_n till_o we_o have_v leave_v our_o sin_n for_o without_o holiness_n no_o man_n shall_v see_v the_o lord_n but_o though_o man_n be_v convince_v of_o this_o necessity_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o always_o enforce_v a_o present_a change_n because_o man_n hope_v they_o may_v continue_v in_o their_o sin_n and_o remedy_n all_o at_o last_o by_o repentance_n but_o this_o be_v so_o great_a a_o hazard_n in_o all_o respect_n that_o there_o be_v no_o venture_v upon_o it_o and_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a concernment_n wise_a man_n will_v run_v no_o hazard_n if_o they_o can_v help_v it_o david_n be_v so_o sensible_a of_o this_o danger_n that_o he_o will_v not_o

to_o it_o but_o they_o hope_v hereafter_o to_o be_v in_o a_o better_a temper_n and_o disposition_n and_o then_o they_o resolve_v by_o god_n grace_n to_o set_v about_o this_o work_n in_o good_a earnest_n and_o to_o go_v through_o with_o it_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o call_v this_o a_o reason_n i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v the_o great_a cheat_n and_o delusion_n that_o any_o man_n can_v put_v upon_o himself_o for_o this_o plain_o show_v that_o thou_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o do_v this_o which_o thou_o be_v convince_v be_v so_o necessary_a but_o to_o put_v it_o off_o from_o day_n to_o day_n for_o there_o be_v no_o great_a evidence_n that_o a_o man_n do_v not_o real_o intend_v to_o do_v a_o thing_n than_o when_o notwithstanding_o he_o ought_v upon_o all_o account_n and_o may_v in_o all_o respect_v better_a do_v it_o at_o present_a than_o hereafter_o yet_o he_o still_o put_v it_o off_o whatever_o thou_o pretend_v this_o be_v a_o mere_a shift_n to_o get_v rid_v of_o a_o present_a trouble_n it_o be_v like_o give_v good_a word_n and_o make_v fair_a promise_n to_o a_o clamorous_a and_o importunate_a creditor_n and_o appoint_v he_o to_o come_v another_o day_n when_o the_o man_n know_v in_o his_o conscience_n that_o he_o intend_v not_o to_o pay_v he_o and_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v less_o able_a to_o discharge_v the_o debt_n then_o than_o he_o be_v at_o present_a whatever_o reason_n thou_o have_v against_o reform_v thy_o life_n now_o will_v still_o remain_v and_o be_v in_o as_o full_a force_n hereafter_o nay_o probable_o strong_a than_o they_o be_v at_o present_a thou_o be_v unwilling_a now_o and_o so_o thou_o will_v be_v hereafter_o and_o in_o all_o likelihood_n much_o more_o unwilling_a so_o that_o this_o reason_n will_v every_o day_n improve_v upon_o thy_o hand_n and_o have_v so_o much_o the_o more_o strength_n by_o how_o much_o the_o long_o thou_o continue_v in_o thy_o sin_n thou_o have_v no_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n against_o the_o present_a time_n but_o only_o that_o it_o be_v present_a why_o when_o hereafter_o come_v to_o be_v present_a the_o reason_n will_v be_v just_o the_o same_o so_o that_o thy_o present_a unwillingness_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o just_a reason_n against_o it_o that_o it_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n the_o other_o way_n because_o thou_o be_v unwilling_a now_o and_o like_a to_o be_v so_o nay_o more_o so_o hereafter_o if_o thou_o intenden_a to_o do_v it_o at_o all_o thou_o shall_v set_v about_o it_o immediate_o and_o without_o delay_n 2._o another_o reason_n which_o man_n pretend_v for_o the_o delay_n of_o this_o work_n be_v the_o great_a difficulty_n and_o unpleasantness_n of_o it_o and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o there_o will_v be_v some_o bitterness_n and_o uneasiness_n in_o it_o proportionable_o to_o the_o growth_n of_o evil_a habit_n and_o the_o strength_n of_o our_o lust_n and_o our_o great_a or_o less_o progress_n and_o continuance_n in_o a_o sinful_a course_n so_o that_o we_o must_v make_v account_n of_o a_o sharp_a conflict_n of_o some_o pain_n and_o trouble_v in_o the_o make_n of_o this_o change_n that_o it_o will_v cost_v we_o some_o pang_n and_o throw_n before_o we_o be_v bear_v again_o for_o when_o nature_n have_v be_v long_o bend_v another_o way_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v reduce_v and_o bring_v back_o to_o its_o first_o strenghtness_n without_o pain_n and_o violence_n but_o than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o how_o difficult_a and_o painful_a soever_o this_o work_n be_v it_o be_v necessary_a and_o that_o shall_v over-rule_v all_o other_o consideration_n whatsoever_o that_o if_o we_o will_v not_o be_v at_o this_o pain_n and_o trouble_n we_o must_v one_o time_n or_o other_o endure_v far_o great_a than_o those_o which_o we_o now_o seek_v to_o avoid_v that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o difficult_a as_o we_o imagine_v but_o our_o fear_n of_o it_o be_v great_a than_o the_o trouble_n will_v prove_v if_o we_o be_v but_o once_o resolve_v upon_o the_o work_n and_o serious_o engage_v in_o it_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o trouble_n be_v over_o it_o be_v like_o the_o fear_n of_o child_n to_o go_v into_o the_o cold_a water_n a_o faint_a trial_n increase_v their_o fear_n and_o apprehension_n of_o it_o but_o so_o soon_o as_o they_o have_v plunge_v into_o it_o the_o trouble_n be_v over_o and_o then_o they_o wonder_v why_o they_o be_v so_o much_o afraid_a the_o main_a difficulty_n and_o unpleasantness_n be_v in_o our_o first_o entrance_n into_o religion_n it_o present_o grow_v tolerable_a and_o soon_o after_o easy_a and_o after_o that_o by_o degree_n so_o pleasant_a and_o delightful_a that_o the_o man_n will_v not_o for_o all_o the_o world_n return_v to_o his_o former_a evil_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o life_n we_o shall_v consider_v likewise_o what_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o all_o this_o trouble_n and_o difficulty_n it_o be_v our_o long_a continuance_n in_o a_o sinful_a course_n that_o have_v make_v we_o so_o loath_a to_o leave_v it_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o sin_v that_o render_v it_o so_o troublesome_a and_o uneasy_a to_o man_n to_o do_v otherwise_o it_o be_v the_o greatness_n of_o our_o guilt_n heighten_v and_o inflame_v by_o many_o and_o repeat_v provocation_n that_o do_v so_o gall_v our_o conscience_n and_o fill_v our_o soul_n with_o so_o much_o terror_n it_o be_v because_o we_o have_v go_v so_o far_o in_o a_o evil_a way_n that_o our_o retreat_n be_v become_v so_o difficult_a and_o because_o we_o have_v delay_v this_o work_n so_o long_o that_o we_o be_v now_o so_o unwilling_a to_o go_v about_o it_o and_o consequent_o the_o long_o we_o delay_v it_o the_o trouble_n and_o difficulty_n of_o a_o change_n will_v increase_v daily_o upon_o we_o and_o all_o these_o consideration_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n for_o more_o delay_n that_o they_o be_v a_o strong_a argument_n to_o the_o contrary_a because_o the_o work_n be_v difficult_a now_o therefore_o do_v not_o make_v it_o more_o so_o and_o because_o your_o delay_n have_v increase_v the_o difficulty_n of_o it_o and_o will_v do_v more_o and_o more_o therefore_o delay_v no_o long_o 3._o another_o pretend_a encouragement_n to_o these_o delay_n be_v the_o great_a mercy_n and_o patience_n of_o god_n he_o common_o bear_v long_o with_o sinner_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o such_o absolute_a and_o urgent_a necessity_n of_o a_o speedy_a repentance_n and_o reformation_n of_o our_o life_n man_n have_v not_o the_o face_n to_o give_v this_o for_o a_o reason_n but_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o it_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o many_o man_n heart_n so_o solomon_n tell_v we_o eccles_n 8.11_o because_o sentence_n against_o a_o evil_a work_n be_v not_o execute_v speedy_o therefore_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v full_o set_v in_o they_o to_o do_v evil_a but_o it_o be_v not_o always_o thus_o there_o be_v few_o of_o we_o but_o have_v see_v several_a instance_n of_o god_n severity_n to_o sinner_n and_o have_v know_v several_a person_n surprise_v by_o a_o sudden_a hand_n of_o god_n and_o cut_v off_o in_o the_o very_a act_n of_o sin_n without_o have_v the_o least_o respite_n give_v they_o without_o time_n or_o liberty_n so_o much_o as_o to_o ask_v god_n forgiveness_n and_o to_o consider_v either_o what_o they_o have_v do_v or_o whither_o they_o be_v go_v and_o this_o may_v be_v the_o case_n of_o any_o sinner_n and_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o likely_a to_o be_v thy_o case_n because_o thou_o do_v so_o bold_o presume_v upon_o the_o mercy_n and_o patience_n of_o god_n but_o if_o it_o be_v always_o thus_o and_o thou_o be_v sure_a to_o be_v spare_v yet_o awhile_o long_o what_o can_v be_v more_o unreasonable_a and_o disingenuous_a than_o to_o resolve_v to_o be_v evil_a because_o god_n be_v good_a and_o because_o he_o suffer_v so_o long_o to_o sin_v so_o much_o the_o long_o and_o because_o he_o afford_v thou_o a_o space_n of_o repentance_n therefore_o to_o delay_v it_o and_o put_v it_o off_o to_o the_o last_o the_o proper_a design_n of_o god_n goodness_n be_v to_o lead_v man_n to_o repentance_n and_o he_o never_o intend_v his_o patience_n for_o a_o encouragement_n to_o man_n to_o continue_v in_o their_o sin_n but_o for_o a_o opportunity_n and_o a_o argument_n to_o break_v they_o off_o by_o repentance_n these_o be_v the_o pretend_a reason_n and_o encouragement_n to_o man_n to_o delay_v their_o repentance_n and_o the_o reformation_n of_o their_o life_n and_o you_o see_v how_o groundless_a and_o unreasonable_a they_o be_v which_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n i_o propound_v to_o speak_v to_o ii_o i_o shall_v add_v some_o far_a consideration_n to_o engage_v man_n effectual_o to_o set_v about_o this_o work_n speedy_o