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	let_v	3,168	5	4.0636	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59820	A discourse concerning the object of religious worship, or, A Scripture proof of the unlawfulness of giving any religious worship to any other being besides the one supreme God part I.	Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.	1685 (1685)	Wing S3292; ESTC R28138	52,543	82

because_o we_o can_v expect_v no_o blessing_n from_o god_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o covenant_n which_o he_o purchase_v and_o seal_v with_o his_o blood_n but_o now_o a_o mediator_n of_o pure_a intercession_n without_o regard_n to_o any_o atonement_n make_v for_o sin_n or_o any_o covenant_n of_o redemption_n such_o as_o saint_n and_o angel_n and_o the_o bless_a virgin_n be_v make_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v a_o mighty_a reproach_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n it_o clothes_v god_n with_o the_o passion_n and_o infirmity_n of_o earthly_a prince_n represent_v he_o as_o extreme_o fond_a of_o some_o of_o his_o creature_n and_o very_o regardless_o of_o other_o as_o if_o his_o kindness_n to_o some_o favourite_n saint_n be_v a_o more_o powerful_a motive_n to_o he_o to_o do_v good_a than_o his_o own_o love_n to_o goodness_n as_o if_o he_o know_v not_o when_o nor_o to_o who_o to_o show_v mercy_n without_o their_o direction_n or_o counsel_n or_o will_v not_o do_v it_o without_o their_o importunity_n as_o if_o some_o of_o his_o creature_n have_v as_o much_o the_o ascendant_n over_o he_o as_o some_o favourite_n have_v over_o their_o prince_n who_o can_v with_o a_o word_n speak_v have_v any_o thing_n of_o they_o and_o extort_v favour_n from_o they_o even_o against_o their_o will_n and_o inclination_n no_o man_n can_v think_v there_o be_v any_o need_n of_o such_o intercessor_n and_o mediator_n with_o god_n who_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v infinite_o wise_a and_o to_o be_v infinite_o good_a to_o know_v when_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o hear_v and_o to_o answer_v and_o to_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o do_v what_o his_o own_o wisdom_n judge_n fit_a to_o be_v do_v there_o can_v be_v no_o place_n for_o such_o intercession_n and_o entreaty_n to_o a_o infinite_o perfect_a be_v for_o they_o always_o suppose_v some_o great_a weakness_n or_o defect_n in_o he_o who_o want_v they_o for_o even_o a_o wise_a and_o a_o good_a man_n want_v no_o mediator_n to_o persuade_v he_o to_o do_v that_o good_a which_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v the_o objection_n against_o this_o be_v very_o obvious_a and_o the_o answer_n i_o think_v be_v as_o easy_a the_o objection_n be_v this_o if_o god_n be_v so_o good_a that_o he_o need_v not_o such_o prayer_n and_o intercession_n to_o move_v he_o to_o do_v good_a why_o do_v we_o pray_v for_o ourselves_o why_o do_v we_o pray_v for_o one_o another_o why_o do_v we_o desire_v the_o prayer_n of_o good_a man_n here_o on_o earth_n why_o be_v it_o a_o great_a reproach_n to_o the_o divine_a perfection_n to_o beg_v the_o prayer_n of_o st._n paul_n or_o st._n peter_n now_o they_o be_v in_o heaven_n than_o to_o have_v beg_v their_o prayer_n while_o they_o have_v be_v on_o earth_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v when_o we_o pray_v for_o ourselves_o i_o suppose_v we_o do_v not_o pray_v as_o mediator_n but_o as_o supplicant_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o reasonable_a than_o that_o those_o who_o want_v mercy_n or_o any_o other_o blessing_n shall_v ask_v for_o it_o it_o be_v certain_o no_o reproach_n to_o the_o divine_a goodness_n that_o god_n make_v prayer_n the_o condition_n of_o our_o receive_n which_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a condition_n and_o very_o necessary_a to_o maintain_v a_o constant_a sense_n and_o reverence_n of_o god_n and_o a_o constant_a dependence_n on_o he_o and_o when_o we_o pray_v for_o one_o another_o on_o earth_n we_o be_v as_o mere_a supplicant_n as_o when_o we_o pray_v for_o ourselves_o and_o to_o pray_v as_o supplicant_n be_v a_o very_a different_a thing_n from_o pray_v as_o advocate_n as_o mediator_n as_o patron_n the_o virtue_n of_o the_o first_o consist_v only_o in_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o prayer_n the_o second_o in_o the_o favour_n and_o interest_n of_o the_o person_n this_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o own_v when_o she_o allow_v no_o mediator_n and_o advocate_n but_o saint_n in_o heaven_n which_o be_v a_o sign_n she_o make_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o prayer_n of_o saint_n on_o earth_n and_o saint_n in_o heaven_n there_o be_v great_a and_o wise_a reason_n why_o god_n shall_v command_v and_o encourage_v our_o mutual_a prayer_n for_o each_o other_o while_o we_o be_v on_o earth_n for_o this_o be_v the_o noble_a exercise_n of_o universal_a love_n and_o charity_n which_o be_v a_o necessary_a qualification_n to_o render_v our_o prayer_n acceptable_a to_o god_n this_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o require_v a_o sympathy_n and_o fellow-feeling_n of_o each_o other_o suffering_n this_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o public_a worship_n when_o we_o meet_v together_o to_o pray_v with_o and_o for_o each_o other_o to_o our_o common_a father_n and_o it_o give_v a_o great_a reputation_n to_o virtue_n and_o religion_n in_o this_o world_n when_o god_n hear_v the_o prayer_n of_o good_a man_n for_o the_o wicked_a and_o remove_v or_o divert_v those_o judgement_n which_o they_o be_v afraid_a of_o this_o become_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o be_v no_o blemish_n to_o his_o goodness_n to_o dispense_v his_o mercy_n and_o favour_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o may_v best_o serve_v the_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n in_o this_o world_n god_n do_v not_o command_v we_o to_o pray_v for_o ourselves_o or_o other_o because_o he_o want_v our_o importunity_n and_o solicitation_n to_o do_v good_a but_o because_o it_o serve_v the_o public_a end_n of_o religion_n and_o government_n and_o be_v that_o natural_a homage_n and_o worship_n which_o creature_n owe_v to_o their_o great_a creator_n and_o benefactor_n and_o sovereign_a lord_n but_o to_o imagine_v that_o god_n need_v advocate_n and_o mediator_n to_o solicit_v our_o cause_n for_o we_o in_o the_o court_n of_o heaven_n where_o none_o of_o these_o end_n can_v be_v serve_v by_o it_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a impeachment_n of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n as_o if_o he_o want_v great_a importunity_n to_o do_v good_a and_o be_v more_o move_v by_o a_o partial_a kindness_n and_o respect_n to_o some_o powerful_a favourite_n than_o by_o the_o care_n of_o his_o creature_n or_o his_o love_n to_o goodness_n erom_n hence_o it_o evident_o appear_v how_o inconsequent_a that_o reason_n be_v from_o our_o beg_v the_o prayer_n of_o good_a man_n on_o earth_n to_o prove_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o our_o pray_v to_o the_o saint_n in_o heaven_n to_o pray_v and_o intercede_v for_o we_o the_o first_o make_v they_o our_o fellow_n supplicant_n the_o second_o make_v they_o our_o mediator_n and_o intercessor_n and_o how_o little_a the_o church_n of_o rome_n gain_v by_o that_o distinction_n between_o a_o mediator_n of_o redemption_n and_o mediator_n of_o pure_a intercession_n for_o though_o they_o pray_v to_o saint_n and_o angel_n only_o as_o mediator_n of_o intercession_n yet_o this_o be_v a_o real_a reproach_n to_o the_o nature_n and_o government_n of_o god_n a_o mediator_n of_o redemption_n be_v very_o consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a glory_n and_o perfection_n a_o mediator_n of_o pure_a intercession_n be_v not_o and_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o advance_v the_o divine_a glory_n to_o worship_n saint_n and_o angel_n together_o with_o god_n that_o it_o be_v a_o real_a reproach_n and_o dishonour_n to_o he_o and_o therefore_o this_o can_v be_v no_o law_n nor_o institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o come_v not_o to_o abrogate_v the_o divine_a law_n but_o to_o fulfil_v and_o perfect_v they_o some_o think_v there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o dishonour_v god_n by_o that_o honour_n they_o give_v to_o saint_n and_o angel_n because_o they_o honour_v they_o as_o god_n friend_n and_o favourite_n as_o those_o who_o god_n have_v honour_v and_o advance_v to_o great_a glory_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o honour_n they_o do_v to_o they_o rebound_v back_o again_o on_o god_n and_o this_o may_v be_v true_a while_o we_o give_v no_o honour_n to_o saint_n and_o angel_n but_o what_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a glory_n but_o when_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o that_o honour_n and_o worship_n we_o pay_v to_o they_o be_v a_o diminution_n of_o god_n glory_n and_o a_o reproach_n to_o his_o infinite_a perfection_n as_o i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n be_v sure_o it_o can_v be_v for_o god_n glory_n to_o advance_v his_o creature_n by_o lessen_v himself_o sect_n vii_o 2._o let_v we_o now_o consider_v whether_o the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n together_o with_o god_n be_v a_o more_o perfect_a state_n of_o religion_n than_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n alone_o with_o respect_n to_o ourselves_o whether_o it_o put_v we_o into_o a_o more_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a state_n it_o do_v indeed_o mighty_o gratify_v the_o superstition_n of_o mankind_n to_o have_v a_o multitude_n of_o advocate_n and_o

forbid_v it_o and_o therefore_o since_o god_n have_v forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o any_o be_v but_o himself_o and_o therefore_o of_o the_o most_o excellent_a saint_n and_o angel_n by_o a_o express_a law_n and_o it_o nowhere_o appear_v where_o or_o when_o or_o in_o what_o manner_n this_o law_n be_v repeal_v a_o hundred_o such_o argument_n as_o these_o can_v prove_v it_o lawful_a to_o worship_v saint_n and_o angel_n against_o a_o express_a law_n not_o to_o do_v it_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o god_n if_o he_o please_v may_v allow_v we_o to_o worship_v saint_n and_o angel_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v without_o any_o diminution_n of_o his_o own_o glory_n which_o be_v the_o most_o that_o all_o their_o argument_n can_v pretend_v to_o prove_v yet_o it_o do_v not_o hence_o follow_v that_o we_o may_v worship_v they_o when_o god_n by_o a_o express_a law_n have_v declare_v that_o he_o will_v not_o allow_v it_o no_o argument_n nor_o consequence_n can_v prove_v that_o god_n allow_v we_o to_o do_v that_o which_o by_o a_o express_a law_n he_o have_v forbid_v we_o to_o do_v no_o reason_n can_v prove_v that_o to_o be_v god_n will_v which_o he_o have_v public_o declare_v in_o his_o law_n to_o be_v against_o his_o will_n 4._o that_o no_o reason_n or_o argument_n can_v absolve_v we_o from_o our_o obedience_n to_o a_o express_a law_n till_o it_o be_v as_o express_o repeal_v appear_v from_o this_o that_o our_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n do_v not_o depend_v mere_o upon_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n but_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n shall_v cease_v yet_o while_o it_o be_v enforce_v by_o the_o same_o authority_n it_o oblige_v still_o thus_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v in_o humane_a law_n and_o it_o be_v very_o fit_v it_o shall_v be_v so_o mere_a reason_n can_v make_v a_o law_n for_o then_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v reasonable_a will_v be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n that_o which_o be_v reasonable_a may_v be_v fit_a matter_n for_o a_o law_n but_o it_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n which_o make_v the_o law_n and_o the_o same_o authority_n which_o at_o first_o make_v it_o a_o law_n continue_v it_o to_o be_v a_o law_n while_o the_o authority_n last_v though_o the_o particular_a reason_n for_o which_o it_o be_v enact_v into_o a_o law_n may_v cease_v so_o that_o though_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n now_o against_o the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n that_o all_o those_o reason_n for_o which_o god_n forbid_v the_o jew_n to_o worship_v any_o one_o but_o himself_o be_v now_o cease_v yet_o till_o the_o law_n be_v repeal_v too_o it_o be_v utter_o unlawful_a to_o worship_v any_o be_v beside_o the_o supreme_a god_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o most_o that_o all_o their_o reason_n come_v to_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o this_o law_n under_o the_o state_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o there_o be_v under_o the_o jewish_a oeconomy_n they_o suppose_v that_o god_n forbid_v the_o jew_n to_o worship_v any_o one_o but_o himself_o because_o they_o be_v in_o great_a danger_n of_o fall_v into_o pagan_a idolatry_n and_o worship_v the_o god_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o other_o neighbour-nation_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o case_n also_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n at_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o now_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o worship_v false_a god_n we_o may_v very_o secure_o worship_v the_o friend_n and_o favourite_n of_o god_n they_o suppose_v that_o all_o the_o ancient_a patriarch_n who_o live_v before_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o receive_v into_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o not_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o bliss_n and_o glory_n themselves_o be_v not_o yet_o capable_a of_o divine_a honour_n can_v neither_o know_v our_o prayer_n nor_o intercede_v for_o we_o but_o now_o at_o last_o some_o eminent_a saint_n and_o martyr_n ascend_v direct_o into_o heaven_n and_o be_v the_o beati_fw-la advance_v to_o such_o a_o state_n of_o happiness_n and_o glory_n that_o they_o be_v fit_a object_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o be_v so_o powerful_a in_o the_o court_n of_o heaven_n that_o god_n deny_v they_o nothing_o which_o they_o ask_v and_o so_o tender_a and_o compassionate_a to_o we_o that_o they_o ready_o undertake_v our_o cause_n and_o intercede_v for_o we_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o good_a and_o profitable_a now_o to_o invoke_v their_o aid_n and_o assistance_n by_o solemn_a and_o devout_a prayer_n now_o though_o the_o learn_a man_n among_o they_o be_v put_v to_o miserable_a shift_n to_o prove_v the_o least_o part_n of_o all_o this_o yet_o let_v we_o for_o argument-sake_n suppose_v all_o this_o to_o be_v true_a that_o thing_n be_v mighty_o change_v since_o the_o make_n of_o this_o law_n and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o reason_n now_o to_o confine_v all_o religious_a worship_n to_o god_n alone_o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n what_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o therefore_o we_o may_v now_o worship_v saint_n and_o angel_n notwithstanding_o this_o law_n which_o forbid_v it_o by_o no_o mean_n unless_o they_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o law_n be_v repeal_v too_o as_o well_o as_o the_o reason_n cease_v here_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n still_o though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v that_o we_o have_v lose_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n till_o the_o law_n be_v as_o express_o repeal_v as_o it_o be_v give_v it_o be_v god_n will_v still_o and_o that_o be_v reason_n enough_o to_o bind_v the_o law_n upon_o we_o though_o other_o reason_n fail_v the_o reason_n if_o we_o speak_v of_o such_o reason_n as_o these_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n assign_v for_o it_o be_v a_o different_a case_n if_o we_o speak_v of_o eternal_a and_o necessary_a reason_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o eternal_a &_o immutable_a nature_n and_o will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v a_o eternal_a law_n do_v not_o make_v the_o law_n and_o the_o change_n of_o the_o reason_n can_v repeal_v it_o and_o since_o we_o see_v that_o god_n have_v not_o repeal_v this_o law_n we_o rather_o ought_v to_o conclude_v that_o we_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o reason_n for_o which_o god_n make_v this_o law_n or_o that_o there_o be_v other_o reason_n which_o we_o know_v not_o of_o for_o which_o he_o continue_v it_o we_o may_v indeed_o reasonable_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v repeal_v a_o law_n when_o the_o reason_n for_o which_o it_o be_v give_v cease_v though_o earthly_a prince_n may_v not_o always_o do_v so_o but_o still_o the_o law_n bind_v till_o it_o be_v repeal_v and_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n continue_v while_o we_o see_v god_n do_v not_o repeal_v it_o than_o first_o to_o persuade_v ourselves_o that_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n be_v change_v and_o thence_o infer_v the_o repeal_n and_o abrogation_n of_o the_o law_n when_o we_o see_v no_o such_o thing_n do_v 5._o that_o these_o argument_n which_o the_o roman_a doctor_n urge_v to_o justify_v their_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o repeal_v that_o law_n which_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o any_o other_o be_v beside_o the_o supreme_a god_n appear_v from_o this_o that_o they_o have_v no_o force_n in_o they_o to_o prevent_v the_o make_n of_o this_o law_n and_o therefore_o much_o less_o can_v they_o repeal_v it_o now_o it_o be_v make_v the_o reason_n which_o they_o use_v have_v the_o same_o force_n then_o which_o they_o have_v now_o and_o if_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o reason_n god_n think_v fit_a to_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o all_o create_a being_n it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o imagine_v that_o these_o reason_n shall_v supersede_n the_o obligation_n of_o that_o law_n which_o be_v make_v in_o contradiction_n to_o all_o such_o reason_n as_o to_o show_v this_o brie●ly_a they_o prove_v that_o we_o may_v pray_v to_o saint_n and_o angel_n to_o pray_v for_o we_o because_o we_o may_v desire_v good_a man_n on_o earth_n to_o pray_v for_o we_o now_o suppose_v we_o can_v not_o assign_v the_o difference_n between_o pray_v to_o saint_n in_o heaven_n and_o desire_v the_o prayer_n of_o saint_n on_o earth_n yet_o i_o will_v desire_v to_o know_v whether_o good_a man_n do_v not_o pray_v for_o one_o another_o and_o desire_v each_o other_o prayer_n before_o and_o after_o god_n give_v this_o law_n on_o mount_n sinai_n which_o forbid_v the_o religious_a worship_n and_o invocation_n of_o any_o other_o be_v but_o himself_o if_o good_a man_n do_v in_o all_o age_n pray_v for_o one_o another_o and_o desire_v one_o another_o prayer_n and_o god_n allow_v and_o approve_v