Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	fruit_n	good_a	tree_n	4,830	5	9.4106	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A30899	Quakerism confirmed, or, A vindication of the chief doctrines and principles of the people called Qvakers from the arguments and objections of the students of divinity (so called) of Aberdeen in their book entituled Quakerism convassed [sic] by Robert Barclay and George Keith.	Barclay, Robert, 1648-1690.; Keith, George, 1639?-1716.	1676 (1676)	Wing B733; ESTC R37061	83,121	93

goe forth into the words without hurt or prejudice and at other times although it be able and strong yet it will not answer the motion of mans will so as to be drawne forth thereby but it only abideth or goeth forth into the vocall prayer according to the will of God as he pleaseth to move it therefore the free motion of the life it selfe as it pleaseth God to bring it forth is to be attended in all outward spirituall performances But here let the Reader note that we have said Uocall prayer requires more life then some mentall prayer we do not say then all for some mentall prayer may be stronger then that which is a complex of mentall and vocall as gathering the whole strength of the complex into that which is solely and intirely mentall according unto that common saying aboundantly confirmed by experience vis unita fortior united strength is the stronger as when the beams of the sun are united into a small point they have more force then when they are diffused and for this cause it is that we are so much for mentall prayer as knowing the great good of it in our experience And from what is above said it is clear that we need another influence wherewith to pray vocally then to eat plow walk c. becaus these naturall actions may be done sufficienty in a spirituall manner by the help of that generall influence which doth alwayes attend good men to feare and love God for the principle of divine life which is the living and powerfull word of God in mens hearts is never idle but is alwayes operative and at work especially more aboundantly in them who joyne with it being as a most rich and living spring that is continually flowing and sending forth its streames according to Joh. 4 14. but to pray vocally requireth an influence of life to flow forth into the words that it may in a liveing and powerfull way reach the hearers but that plowing eating walking c. need no such emanating influence is certain and will be acknowledged by our adversaries But perhaps also they will deny that any life or virtue doth flow forth into mentall praying and preaching even when these duties are acceptably performed But this is contrary both to the certaine experience of many thousands and also to the Scripturs testimony in many places I. It is contrary to the experience of many thousands who can declare whereof we are some that the declarations testimonies and words of the servants of God in preaching and praying have a reall life and living vertue in them whereby their souls are exceedingly refreshed quickened and strengthened which life and living virtue is a thing as distinct from the bare outward words which the naturall ear can hear as wine is distinct from the vessell that carrieth it therfor if another man that hath not this Spirituall ability should pronounce the same words they have not any life or virtue at all and that God had given this Spirituall discerning to many before the people called Q. were raised up is manifest from divers in our owne nation who cared not to hear men who could speak never so good words if they wanted life and in that day they could and did distinguish betwixt dead and living preachers as also betwixt a living testimony and preaching and a dry discourse see for this the book called The fulfilling of the Scriptures And this was the expresse testimony of that Philosopher who was converted by the means of a few words spoke by a certain old man who was a Christian at the Councill of Nice out of the mouth that old man said he there went forth a virtue which I could not resist these were his very words as Lucas Osiander relats them in his Epitome of the Church history Cent. 4. lin 2. cap. 5. II. It is contrary to the Scriptures testimony in many places The mouth of the righteous is a well of life Prov. 10 11. this must be understood in respect of the influence of life that cometh out of his mouth as water doth out of a well and not barely in respect of the good words which a wicked man may speak according to this Christ said to his disciples The words that I speak unto you are spirit and life and as it was then so it is now for at this day he speaketh in his servants and will to the end of the world and it is he only who hath the words of eternall life which he speaketh in his servants and as in the dayes of his flesh he was said to speak with authority or power and not as the scribes and the people wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth all which import a liveing influence and vertue in the words of Christ which the words of the Scribes and Pharisees had not so it is at this day for Christ doth as really speake by his Spirit in his servants as he did in his body of flesh so that Paul said he spak in him and therefore his preaching was in demonstrtion of the Spirit and power And for this cause true Preachers and Prophets are called good trees of which men gather good fruit whereas bad men or evil trees haveing no good fruit although they have the Prophets and Apostles words also they are compared to wit the false Prophets to clouds without rain and wells without water although they have good words yet they have no rain nor water their whole ministry is dry and empty of life and virtue but the true Prophets ministry is as a shower of rain Deut. 32 2. and sometimes it is compared unto fire as it is said in the Psalme he maketh his angels or messengers spirits and his ministers a flamme of fire and fire was said to goe out of the mouths of the two witnesses Also the influences of life that go forth through the true prophets in their ministry are compared to golden oil the men are compared unto golden pipes Zech. 4 12. And therefore the Apostle Peter exhorted the ministers in his day to minister of the ability which God giveth as good stewards of the manifold grace of God so they ministred not only words but grace many other testimonies might be cited to prove this truth Another instance brought by the Students is that an haeretick forbearing prayer a year or two or his whole life time may justifie himselfe by this doctrine To this it was answered that though he may pretend yet he hath no just ground from our principle for we believe that all men are bound to pray often unto God yea daily and that God doth inwardly call and move all men often unto prayer during the day of their visitation and when that is expired or when at any other time they want that inward call or influence through unfaithfulnesse they are still bound and if they pray not they sin becaus they ought to have an influence But that our Account saith