Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	good_a	great_a	law_n	2,790	5	4.4124	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64242	A sermon preach'd in the parish church of Burcester in the county of Oxford, on the second day of December, 1697 being the day appointed for a thanksgiving to Almighty God, for His Majesty's safe return, and for the happy and honourable peace, of which God has made him the glorious instrument.	Taylor, Thomas, 1669 or 70-1735.	1697 (1697)	Wing T558; ESTC R23456	15,877	27

second_o cause_n in_o the_o constant_a and_o regular_a production_n of_o their_o effect_n yet_o the_o law_n of_o they_o like_o the_o law_n of_o nation_n be_v of_o great_a simplicity_n and_o constitute_v for_o the_o general_a good_a of_o the_o universe_n can_v not_o always_o bend_v and_o comply_v to_o those_o particular_a moral_a exigency_n which_o man_n may_v create_v by_o the_o perverse_a use_n of_o their_o liberty_n and_o therefore_o god_n have_v reserve_v to_o himself_o a_o transcendent_a right_n as_o it_o be_v a_o court_n of_o equity_n of_o suspend_v or_o postponing_a their_o execution_n to_o mitigate_v that_o rigorous_a procedure_n and_o redress_v those_o unequal_a judgement_n which_o may_v otherwise_o reflect_v upon_o his_o wisdom_n or_o his_o justice_n for_o why_o shall_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o god_n who_o be_v the_o free_a agent_n shall_v prescribe_v himself_o such_o fatal_a and_o unalterable_a law_n as_o may_v any_o way_n control_v the_o exercise_n of_o his_o power_n or_o tie_v the_o hand_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o his_o merciful_a and_o bounteous_a design_n to_o his_o creature_n he_o that_o make_v those_o law_n for_o the_o good_a order_n of_o the_o natural_a world_n may_v well_o be_v allow_v to_o suspend_v revoke_v or_o alter_v they_o to_o serve_v a_o high_a end_n i._n e._n for_o the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o his_o church_n and_o people_n all_o the_o miracle_n which_o have_v ever_o be_v wrought_v be_v so_o many_o demonstration_n of_o this_o sovereign_a and_o free_a power_n which_o he_o have_v employ_v for_o the_o manifestation_n of_o himself_o and_o the_o service_n of_o his_o worshipper_n etc._n as_o when_o the_o fire_n have_v power_n in_o the_o water_n forget_v its_o own_o virtue_n and_o the_o water_n forget_v its_o own_o quench_a nature_n and_o when_o the_o flame_n waste_v not_o the_o flesh_n of_o corruptible_a live_a thing_n in_o all_o which_o and_o the_o like_a instance_n god_n magnify_v his_o people_n and_o glorify_v they_o and_o assist_v they_o in_o every_o time_n and_o place_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o age_n of_o miracle_n be_v pass_v and_o that_o the_o lord_n no_o long_o deal_v by_o such_o extraordinary_a method_n with_o mankind_n we_o own_o that_o the_o sign_n and_o the_o wonder_n the_o ostentatious_a part_n of_o miracle_n be_v cease_v the_o sun_n do_v not_o stand_v still_o in_o gibeon_n nor_o the_o moon_n in_o the_o valley_n of_o ajalon_n god_n do_v not_o work_v prodigy_n to_o amaze_v and_o confound_v his_o enemy_n or_o to_o convince_v his_o own_o people_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o revelation_n which_o have_v already_o be_v so_o abundant_o attest_v by_o those_o powerful_a credential_n but_o whoever_o from_o hence_o will_v conclude_v that_o he_o never_o supersede_v the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n that_o he_o do_v not_o sometime_o withhold_v or_o promote_v or_o stop_v and_o revolt_v the_o wheel_n of_o nature_n in_o their_o roats_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o good_a and_o righteous_a or_o the_o punishment_n of_o atheistical_a and_o wicked_a man_n must_v be_v drive_v to_o this_o conclusion_n that_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v less_o dear_a to_o he_o than_o that_o of_o moses_n and_o that_o a_o christian_n have_v not_o equal_a pretension_n to_o the_o care_n of_o providence_n with_o a_o jew_n but_o if_o this_o be_v so_o what_o imaginable_a encouragement_n can_v be_v leave_v to_o our_o prayer_n in_o our_o difficulty_n or_o distress_n which_o yet_o god_n have_v command_v we_o to_o make_v and_o have_v promise_v to_o hear_v and_o grant_v when_o our_o blood_n boil_v within_o we_o and_o a_o rage_a fever_n drink_v up_o our_o spirit_n to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v we_o have_v recourse_n to_o god_n for_o help_v if_o the_o disease_n must_v equal_o spend_v its_o force_n and_o the_o remedy_n be_v as_o ineffectual_a as_o if_o instead_o of_o pray_v we_o have_v blaspheme_v they_o that_o go_v down_o to_o the_o sea_n in_o ship_n say_v the_o psalmist_n and_o do_v business_n in_o great_a water_n etc._n these_o see_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o wonder_n in_o the_o deep_a for_o he_o command_v and_o raise_v the_o stormy_a wind_n which_o lift_v up_o the_o wave_n thereof_o they_o mount_v up_o to_o the_o heaven_n they_o go_v down_o to_o the_o depth_n their_o soul_n be_v melt_v because_o of_o trouble_n they_o reel_v to_o and_o fro_o and_o stagger_v like_o a_o drunken_a man_n and_o be_v at_o their_o wit_n end_n as_o he_o elegant_o describe_v their_o condition_n in_o a_o tempest_n then_o they_o cry_v unto_o the_o lord_n in_o their_o trouble_n and_o he_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o their_o distress_n but_o to_o little_a purpose_n it_o will_v be_v for_o the_o mariner_n to_o cry_v unto_o the_o lord_n in_o hope_n of_o deliverance_n if_o he_o suffer_v the_o wind_n and_o wave_n to_o take_v their_o full_a swinge_n in_o wreck_v their_o fury_n upon_o the_o defenceless_a vessel_n and_o he_o vouchsafe_v not_o to_o rebuke_v the_o wind_n and_o to_o say_v unto_o the_o sea_n peace_n be_v still_o such_o miracle_n as_o these_o we_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o god_n work_v every_o day_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o those_o who_o in_o their_o trouble_n hearty_o and_o devout_o call_v upon_o he_o yet_o if_o any_o shall_v still_o contend_v as_o some_o have_v do_v that_o it_o be_v below_o the_o dignity_n and_o nature_n of_o a_o universal_a and_o immutable_a be_v to_o deviate_v from_o his_o general_a will_n in_o these_o particular_a exception_n and_o contradiction_n to_o it_o these_o may_v be_v also_o satisfy_v without_o recee_v from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v by_o consider_v four_o that_o god_n interess_n his_o angel_n in_o affair_n here_o below_o and_o make_v they_o minister_n to_o the_o necessity_n and_o advantage_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o infancy_n and_o uninlightn_v age_n of_o the_o world_n if_o god_n have_v any_o special_a message_n to_o reveal_v or_o business_n to_o transact_v with_o the_o son_n of_o man_n his_o angel_n be_v his_o ambassador_n commission_v to_o perform_v it_o in_o his_o name_n and_o as_o they_o themselves_o appear_v with_o a_o visible_a pomp_n and_o authority_n so_o they_o discharge_v their_o office_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n and_o thereby_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o the_o sovereign_a power_n of_o the_o revealer_n but_o since_o those_o minister_n have_v withdraw_v themselves_o from_o that_o manifest_a commerce_n we_o be_v more_o in_o the_o dark_a concern_v the_o extent_n of_o their_o province_n and_o the_o actual_a exercise_n of_o their_o power_n nevertheless_o since_o in_o scripture_n we_o read_v of_o kingdom_n commit_v to_o the_o care_n of_o angel_n and_o hear_v of_o the_o prince_n of_o persia_n and_o of_o greece_n 1._o and_o of_o michael_n the_o prince_n that_o protect_v israel_n since_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o they_o be_v all_o minister_a spirit_n 14._o send_v forth_o to_o minister_n for_o they_o who_o shall_v be_v heir_n of_o salvation_n we_o can_v doubt_v but_o they_o still_o mingle_v themselves_o with_o humane_a interest_n and_o by_o the_o appointment_n of_o their_o almighty_a lord_n engage_v their_o power_n in_o influence_v both_o the_o public_a policy_n and_o private_a transaction_n of_o the_o world_n we_o be_v apt_a enough_o to_o believe_v there_o be_v evil_a and_o lie_a spirit_n which_o diligent_o wait_v to_o betray_v we_o into_o sin_n and_o misery_n and_o why_o shall_v we_o so_o reproach_v the_o mercy_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n as_o to_o think_v he_o have_v not_o counterpoise_v those_o evil_a design_n with_o the_o auspicious_a protection_n of_o more_o charitable_a and_o benevolent_a nature_n which_o be_v so_o we_o need_v not_o nice_o dispute_v how_o far_o god_n himself_o may_v personal_o operate_v in_o the_o suspension_n or_o application_n of_o his_o general_a law_n to_o our_o particular_a necessity_n there_o be_v the_o same_o mercy_n of_o providence_n on_o god_n part_n and_o the_o same_o obligation_n to_o gratitude_n and_o adoration_n on_o we_o whether_o he_o in_o person_n take_v this_o immediate_a care_n of_o we_o or_o in_o subservience_n to_o his_o will_n have_v appoint_v deputy_n to_o this_o purpose_n and_o give_v his_o angel_n charge_v over_o we_o to_o keep_v we_o in_o all_o our_o way_n 11._o i_o shall_v add_v but_o one_o consideration_n more_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n providential_a proceed_v and_o that_o be_v last_o that_o he_o mannage_n the_o whole_a result_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o power_n and_o motion_n both_o in_o the_o natural_a and_o moral_a world_n so_o as_o to_o make_v all_o thing_n however_o repugnant_a to_o his_o will_n or_o inconsistent_a with_o one_o another_o harmonious_o conspire_v in_o the_o produce_v those_o effect_n which_o his_o wisdom_n have_v predetermined_a which_o consideration_n i_o do_v not_o mention_v as_o distinct_a from_o the_o rest_n but_o as_o the_o

of_o counsel_n and_o action_n they_o will_v quick_o perceive_v that_o the_o train_n of_o consequence_n be_v lay_v by_o a_o divine_a artist_n and_o that_o it_o be_v god_n who_o by_o some_o secret_a energy_n touch_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o thereby_o put_v all_o the_o wheel_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o motion_n and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o anticipate_v my_o method_n in_o mention_v that_o memorable_a act_n of_o providence_n manifest_v but_o the_o other_o day_n in_o the_o person_n of_o our_o royal_a sovereign_n for_o what_o less_o than_o a_o divine_a impulse_n can_v have_v force_v he_o upon_o that_o seem_a impracticable_a attempt_n of_o rescue_v the_o metropolis_n of_o a_o country_n from_o immediate_a ruin_n and_o desolation_n which_o oblige_v he_o to_o break_v through_o the_o impend_a danger_n of_o twice_o as_o numerous_a a_o enemy_n the_o difficulty_n of_o a_o precipitate_a march_n and_o the_o discouragement_n of_o his_o army_n a_o attempt_n more_o glorious_a than_o the_o compleat_a victory_n as_o be_v plain_a by_o the_o success_n which_o be_v speedy_o follow_v with_o a_o happy_a conclusion_n of_o a_o general_n peace_n and_o the_o security_n of_o europe_n but_o this_o method_n of_o god_n influence_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n will_v be_v more_o conspicuous_a when_o illustrate_v with_o a_o second_o consideration_n second_o that_o he_o employ_v the_o general_n efficacy_n and_o power_n of_o natural_a cause_n and_o make_v they_o subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o end_n and_o purpose_n of_o his_o providence_n the_o fix_v and_o stand_a law_n of_o nature_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o general_n will_v of_o a_o alwise_a and_o universal_a be_v who_o hold_v the_o reins_o of_o the_o universe_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o turn_v they_o which_o way_n he_o please_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o this_o world_n except_o man_n that_o he_o have_v make_v the_o arbiter_n of_o its_o own_o action_n all_o other_o thing_n do_v not_o so_o proper_o act_v as_o suffer_v his_o agency_n upon_o they_o body_n be_v continual_o move_v by_o those_o impression_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o as_o he_o speak_v the_o word_n and_o they_o be_v make_v he_o command_v and_o they_o be_v create_v so_o the_o same_o power_n which_o create_v they_o still_o govern_v and_o determine_v they_o fire_n and_o hail_n snow_n and_o vapour_n wind_n and_o storm_n fullfil_v his_o word_n he_o make_v the_o wind_n his_o minister_n and_o flame_n of_o fire_n his_o messenger_n life_n and_o death_n health_n and_o sickness_n riches_n and_o poverty_n plenty_n and_o famine_n and_o the_o whole_a retinue_n of_o nature_n be_v all_o the_o attendant_n of_o his_o pleasure_n and_o the_o instrument_n of_o his_o power_n and_o if_o so_o what_o a_o infinite_a scope_n be_v here_o for_o the_o compass_v his_o design_n in_o the_o free_a government_n of_o a_o rational_a world_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o natural_a and_o necessary_a cause_n for_o what_o be_v there_o in_o the_o whole_a circle_n of_o humane_a action_n and_o sublunary_a occurrence_n but_o fall_v under_o the_o influence_n of_o some_o of_o these_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v have_v it_o so_o please_a god_n he_o may_v have_v bring_v about_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o great_a providential_a dispensation_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o without_o make_v one_o irregular_a or_o unequal_a step_n or_o depart_v out_o of_o the_o common_a road_n of_o nature_n if_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o degenerate_a race_n of_o man_n be_v ripen_v into_o a_o harvest_n for_o divine_a vengeance_n there_o be_v no_o need_n that_o the_o almighty_a shall_v create_v thunder_n bolt_n to_o execute_v his_o wrath_n he_o can_v quick_o draw_v a_o artillery_n out_o of_o the_o store_n of_o nature_n sufficient_a to_o overthrow_v a_o lustful_a city_n or_o a_o lewd_a and_o vicious_a world_n for_o even_o that_o exemplary_a judgement_n on_o mankind_n in_o a_o universal_a deluge_n which_o seem_v to_o abound_v with_o miracle_n and_o which_o moses_n describe_v by_o the_o rupture_n of_o the_o abyss_n and_o the_o descend_a cataract_n of_o heaven_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o most_o think_v person_n to_o have_v be_v effect_v by_o a_o providential_a use_v of_o second_o cause_n and_o that_o it_o will_v very_o well_o bear_v a_o natural_a explication_n and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a but_o that_o other_o destruction_n which_o the_o earth_n still_o wait_v by_o fire_n will_v be_v wrought_v by_o the_o concurrence_n of_o natural_a principle_n and_o power_n in_o subservience_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n when_o he_o shall_v think_v sit_v to_o permit_v that_o rage_a element_n to_o accomplish_v the_o great_a and_o fatal_a revolution_n nor_o do_v this_o at_o all_o derogate_a from_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n but_o exalt_v and_o vindicate_v it_o in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o like_o a_o mortal_a understanding_n at_o a_o pause_n what_o extraordinary_a course_n to_o take_v in_o the_o exigency_n of_o affair_n but_o still_o make_v its_o providence_n keep_v pace_n with_o nature_n and_o leisurely_o produce_v those_o signal_n change_n and_o alteration_n which_o be_v subject_n for_o wonder_n and_o admiration_n to_o all_o age_n but_o to_o place_v this_o pourtraicture_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o a_o clear_a light_n let_v we_o only_o consider_v that_o these_o two_o instrument_n of_o it_o life_n and_o death_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o observe_v how_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o world_n in_o a_o great_a measure_n turn_v upon_o these_o two_o hinge_n for_o example_n how_o do_v a_o nation_n thrive_v and_o prosper_v under_o the_o gentle_a life_n and_o government_n of_o a_o wise_a a_o pious_a and_o a_o valiant_a prince_n he_o be_v the_o soul_n that_o animate_v the_o body_n politic_a that_o give_v it_o health_n and_o vigour_n and_o succour_n every_o member_n with_o a_o generous_a warmth_n and_o activity_n under_o such_o a_o reign_n how_o thankful_o will_v the_o people_n enjoy_v the_o blessing_n of_o peace_n or_o strenuous_o prosecute_v a_o lawful_a war_n for_o their_o mutual_a defence_n and_o vindication_n their_o reputation_n will_v improve_v their_o commerce_n and_o their_o industry_n make_v plenty_n flow_v in_o their_o street_n their_o church_n and_o religion_n will_v erect_v its_o head_n and_o by_o return_v the_o joyful_a offering_n of_o praise_n and_o gratitude_n for_o all_o the_o mercy_n it_o receive_v engage_v the_o favour_n of_o heaven_n still_o on_o in_o its_o support_n and_o preservation_n and_o now_o if_o it_o please_v god_n to_o continue_v these_o blessing_n to_o they_o he_o need_v but_o lengthen_v the_o day_n of_o such_o a_o governor_n as_o he_o do_v hezekiah_n and_o then_o the_o design_n of_o providence_n will_v be_v answer_v by_o the_o very_a intention_n of_o nature_n without_o recurrence_n to_o miracle_n or_o bring_v prodigy_n on_o the_o stage_n but_o oh_o then_o the_o death_n of_o this_o great_a and_o good_a man_n be_v as_o tragical_o lament_v as_o his_o life_n be_v admire_v and_o dote_v on_o and_o unless_o the_o same_o kind_a providence_n have_v otherwise_o design_v it_o strange_a change_n and_o decay_n must_v likely_o happen_v both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n just_o the_o reverse_n of_o this_o both_o as_o to_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n god_n intend_v the_o world_n in_o the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o a_o wicked_a a_o foolish_a a_o tyrannical_a and_o degenerous_a prince_n for_o as_o he_o can_v deserve_v the_o love_n of_o his_o own_o people_n he_o consequent_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o procure_v the_o fear_n of_o his_o neighbour_n either_o he_o will_v suffer_v himself_o and_o his_o subject_n to_o dissolve_v in_o sloth_n and_o luxury_n or_o he_o will_v dispirit_v they_o with_o violence_n and_o oppression_n or_o betray_v they_o by_o his_o cowardice_n and_o folly_n a_o people_n will_v droop_v as_o if_o under_o the_o reign_n and_o guidance_n of_o some_o malignant_a planet_n have_v neither_o courage_n to_o oppose_v their_o enemy_n nor_o spirit_n to_o enrich_v and_o advance_v themselves_o it_o be_v only_o the_o exit_fw-la to_o such_o a_o inglorious_a life_n and_o reign_n can_v reinstate_v they_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o their_o hope_n and_o capacitate_v they_o for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o those_o mercy_n which_o heaven_n may_v design_v they_o i_o may_v produce_v innumerable_a instance_n of_o this_o sort_n to_o confirm_v what_o i_o be_o prove_v viz._n that_o god_n serve_v his_o providence_n of_o the_o efficacy_n and_o power_n of_o natural_a cause_n in_o his_o presidency_n over_o the_o world_n but_o i_o hasten_v to_o another_o consideration_n viz._n three_o that_o he_o suspend_v or_o alter_v the_o settle_a course_n of_o natural_a law_n when_o they_o happen_v to_o obstruct_v or_o at_o least_o do_v not_o forward_o the_o purpose_n and_o end_n of_o his_o government_n though_o nothing_o can_v be_v wise_a or_o better_o order_v than_o the_o settle_a course_n of_o