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	way_n	2,901	5	4.3688	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52162	A discourse concerning the love of God	Masham, Damaris, Lady, 1658-1708.	1696 (1696)	Wing M905; ESTC R3455	44,516	134

intelligible_a only_o by_o sentiment_n not_o to_o reason_n of_o which_o perhaps_o some_o of_o the_o mystical_a divine_n be_v a_o example_n but_o to_o what_o extravagance_n soever_o this_o may_v be_v carry_v it_o be_v not_o therefore_o to_o be_v believe_v that_o he_o who_o require_v the_o service_n of_o the_o whole_a man_n reject_v the_o passion_n from_o bear_v a_o part_n whilst_o we_o suffer_v they_o neither_o to_o impose_v upon_o ourselves_o nor_o other_o to_o the_o admit_v of_o wrong_a notion_n prejudicial_a to_o true_a religion_n and_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o many_o people_n of_o weak_a understanding_n may_v owe_v most_o of_o their_o religion_n to_o their_o passion_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o some_o man_n have_v no_o more_o religion_n than_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o have_v by_o a_o rational_a disquisition_n it_o must_v be_v exceed_o little_a but_o whenever_o any_o one_o pretend_v to_o prescribe_v measure_n of_o duty_n not_o suit_v to_o a_o popular_a audience_n but_o such_o as_o shall_v challenge_v the_o strict_a attention_n and_o scrutiny_n of_o reason_n he_o ought_v to_o exclude_v all_o metaphor_n and_o hyperbole_n for_o those_o notion_n will_n deserve_o be_v suspect_v of_o some_o defect_n which_o be_v usher_v in_o or_o attend_v with_o flight_n not_o only_o out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o common_a sense_n but_o which_o oppose_v the_o experience_n of_o mankind_n as_o all_o such_o do_v that_o have_v for_o foundation_n the_o creature_n be_v be_v uncapable_a to_o procure_v we_o any_o good_a there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o perhaps_o that_o we_o approach_v which_o either_o do_v not_o or_o may_v not_o contribute_v to_o our_o good_a or_o ill_o and_o which_o true_o be_v not_o in_o effect_n allow_v to_o do_v so_o by_o those_o who_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v efficient_a cause_n for_o it_o will_v be_v find_v to_o amount_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o regard_n of_o we_o and_o our_o obligation_n to_o desire_v they_o whether_o they_o be_v efficient_a or_o occasional_a cause_n of_o our_o please_a sensation_n the_o proof_n of_o which_o last_o opinion_n take_v from_o their_o own_o ignorance_n of_o any_o other_o way_n to_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o our_o idea_n and_o perception_n they_o can_v hardly_o feel_v the_o force_n of_o without_o have_v a_o great_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o faculty_n or_o a_o very_a small_a one_o of_o the_o power_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o they_o must_v also_o be_v very_o clear_a sight_v if_o they_o can_v discern_v how_o this_o hypothesis_n of_o see_v all_o thing_n in_o god_n help_v we_o one_o jot_n further_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o idea_n and_o perception_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n it_o be_v primary_o pretend_v to_o be_v design_v for_o they_o who_o advance_v this_o notion_n do_v only_o fetch_v a_o circuit_n and_o then_o return_v where_o they_o be_v before_o without_o gain_v any_o advantage_n by_o derogate_a as_o they_o do_v from_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o frame_v his_o creature_n like_o the_o idol_n of_o the_o heathen_a that_o have_v eye_n and_o see_v not_o ear_n and_o hear_v not_o etc._n etc._n but_o we_o be_v only_o now_o concern_v to_o inquire_v of_o what_o use_v this_o opinion_n be_v in_o morality_n that_o any_o one_o shall_v be_v zealous_a in_o assert_v it_o on_o that_o account_n the_o creature_n they_o say_v be_v occasional_a cause_n of_o our_o please_a sensation_n then_o however_o they_o be_v cause_n of_o they_o they_o deny_v not_o also_o that_o they_o be_v such_o cause_n as_o be_v always_o accompany_v with_o the_o effect_n and_o without_o which_o the_o effect_n be_v not_o produce_v and_o be_v they_o not_o then_o consider_v as_o good_n to_o we_o just_o the_o same_o as_o if_o they_o be_v efficient_a cause_n or_o must_v we_o think_v a_o beautiful_a flower_n have_v not_o the_o same_o appearance_n whether_o it_o be_v believe_v that_o god_n have_v lodge_v a_o power_n in_o the_o flower_n to_o excite_v the_o idea_n of_o its_o colour_n in_o we_o or_o that_o he_o himself_o exhibit_v the_o idea_n of_o its_o colour_n at_o the_o presence_n of_o that_o object_n if_o the_o flower_n be_v either_o way_n equal_o please_v as_o certain_o it_o be_v than_o it_o be_v also_o equal_o desirable_a but_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n can_v herein_o be_v equal_o admire_v because_o it_o be_v not_o equal_o conspicuous_a for_o if_o god_n immediate_o exhibit_v to_o i_o all_o my_o idea_n and_o that_o i_o do_v not_o true_o see_v with_o my_o eye_n and_o hear_v with_o my_o ear_n then_o all_o that_o wonderful_a exactness_n and_o curious_a workmanship_n in_o frame_v the_o organ_n of_o sense_n seem_v superfluous_a and_o vain_a which_o be_v no_o small_a reflection_n upon_o infinite_a wisdom_n we_o be_v moreover_o tell_v that_o the_o whole_a of_o our_o duty_n and_o happiness_n consist_v in_o make_v god_n the_o sole_a object_n of_o our_o desire_n the_o least_o spark_n of_o which_o sacred_a fire_n can_v light_v upon_o the_o creature_n without_o so_o far_o defraud_v he_o and_o that_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v because_o the_o creature_n be_v not_o the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o our_o sensation_n if_o this_o be_v so_o this_o seem_v also_o to_o lay_v a_o imputation_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n who_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o duty_n in_o a_o reason_n which_o he_o have_v conceal_v from_o we_o for_o this_o great_a cause_n why_o we_o shall_v love_v he_o alone_o viz._n because_o the_o creature_n be_v not_o the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o our_o sensation_n be_v so_o hide_a from_o we_o by_o all_o the_o art_n and_o contrivance_n observable_a in_o nature_n that_o if_o it_o be_v purposely_o design_v to_o be_v conceal_v and_o we_o purposely_o intend_v to_o be_v mislead_v it_o can_v not_o be_v more_o so_o for_o in_o effect_n till_o this_o last_o age_n it_o have_v not_o be_v discover_v or_o at_o least_o very_o spare_o and_o even_o still_o as_o it_o seem_v only_a head_n cast_v in_o metaphysical_a mould_v be_v capable_a of_o it_o this_o i_o say_v one_o will_v think_v be_v some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n yet_o no_o less_o than_o this_o be_v say_v for_o the_o whole_a of_o our_o duty_n be_v place_v in_o a_o right_a regulation_n of_o our_o love_n the_o whole_a of_o that_o regulation_n in_o make_v god_n the_o sole_a object_n of_o our_o desire_n and_o have_v only_a charity_n or_o benevolence_n for_o his_o creature_n and_o this_o distribution_n be_v ground_v on_o no_o clear_a text_n of_o scripture_n nor_o on_o other_o foundation_n from_o reason_n than_o this_o only_a that_o the_o creature_n be_v not_o the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o our_o please_a sensation_n indeed_o sometime_o the_o severity_n of_o some_o precept_n of_o morality_n may_v well_o be_v think_v to_o have_v be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o the_o discovery_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o this_o of_o centre_v all_o our_o affection_n upon_o god_n and_o not_o permit_v the_o least_o part_n of_o our_o desire_n to_o run_v out_o after_o sensible_a good_n carry_v at_o first_o sight_n a_o specious_a pretence_n of_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n and_o doubtless_o with_o many_o plain_n well-meaning_a people_n who_o understand_v not_o the_o metaphysical_a ground_n of_o it_o but_o endeavour_v to_o practice_v it_o without_o pretend_v to_o prove_v it_o it_o tend_v to_o great_a austerity_n sometime_o perhaps_o useful_a but_o most_o common_o superstitious_a and_o pernicious_a to_o true_a religion_n but_o a_o late_a teacher_n of_o this_o doctrine_n though_o he_o have_v advance_v the_o theory_n be_v more_o favourable_a in_o the_o practical_a part_n than_o to_o recommend_v by_o it_o any_o such_o popish_a mortification_n and_o severity_n and_o he_o with_o great_a reason_n seem_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n be_v give_v to_o be_v enjoy_v by_o we_o no_o creature_n he_o say_v indeed_o can_v be_v love_v or_o desire_v without_o defraud_v god_n and_o even_o commit_v the_o sin_n of_o idolatry_n vol._n iii_o practical_a discourse_n p._n 62.67_o consequent_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o hateful_a sin_n to_o the_o almighty_a than_o feel_v cold_a or_o hunger_n to_o desire_v fire_n or_o food_n as_o any_o good_a to_o we_o but_o he_o tell_v we_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o though_o the_o thing_n which_o satisfy_v these_o natural_a crave_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v desire_v as_o good_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v secure_o seek_v for_o as_o such_o and_o enjoy_v p._n 73_o 74._o he_o who_o head_n be_v cast_v in_o a_o metaphysical_a mould_n have_v it_o may_v be_v privilege_n of_o nature_n which_o accompany_v it_o that_o ordinary_a mortal_n be_v stranger_n to_o who_o though_o they_o can_v conceive_v indeed_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v love_v without_o be_v seek_v or_o to_o be_v seek_v without_o be_v love_v yet_o from_o the_o frailty_n

become_v the_o standard_n of_o devotion_n no_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n will_v ever_o set_v themselves_o about_o it_o but_o leave_v it_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o mad_a man_n and_o practise_v by_o fool_n which_o be_v a_o reflection_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v all_o will_v make_v who_o may_v be_v tempt_v by_o affectation_n of_o novelty_n fondness_n of_o a_o hypothesis_n or_o any_o other_o better_a reason_n to_o build_v their_o practical_a and_o devotional_a discourse_n upon_o principle_n which_o not_o only_o will_v not_o bear_v the_o test_n but_o which_o oblige_v they_o to_o lay_v down_o such_o assertion_n in_o morality_n as_o sober_a and_o well_o dispose_v christian_n can_v understand_v to_o be_v practicable_a than_o which_o i_o think_v there_o never_o be_v any_o more_o evident_o so_o than_o that_o mankind_n be_v oblige_v strict_o as_o their_o duty_n to_o love_v with_o desire_n nothing_o but_o god_n only_o every_o degree_n of_o desire_n of_o any_o creature_n whatsoever_o be_v sin_n this_o assertion_n though_o not_o altogether_o new_a yet_o have_v be_v but_o late_o bring_v into_o our_o pulpit_n and_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v set_v on_o foot_n upon_o a_o philosophical_a or_o natural_a ground_n viz._n that_o god_n not_o the_o creature_n be_v the_o immediate_a efficient_a cause_n of_o our_o sensation_n for_o whatever_o give_v we_o pleasure_n say_v they_o who_o hold_v this_o hypothesis_n have_v a_o right_a to_o our_o love_n but_o god_n only_o give_v we_o pleasure_n therefore_o he_o only_o have_v a_o right_a to_o our_o love_n indeed_o in_o a_o sermon_n upon_o this_o subject_a matt._n xxij_o 37._o the_o author_n pretend_v to_o establish_v his_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n upon_o a_o double_a basis_n 1._o that_o god_n be_v the_o only_a cause_n of_o our_o love_n 2._o that_o he_o be_v also_o the_o only_a proper_a object_n of_o it_o but_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o first_o he_o do_v no_o more_o to_o this_o purpose_n but_o prove_v what_o plain_o express_v can_v be_v contest_v viz._n that_o we_o receive_v the_o power_n which_o we_o have_v of_o desire_v from_o god_n and_o then_o ask_v himself_o several_a question_n as_o can_v god_n act_v for_o a_o creature_n do_v not_o god_n make_v all_o thing_n for_o himself_o etc._n etc._n which_o amount_v only_o to_o thus_o much_o that_o they_o signify_v it_o be_v his_o opinion_n that_o god_n who_o doubtless_o make_v all_o thing_n for_o himself_o because_o his_o own_o glory_n be_v his_o primary_n end_v in_o create_v all_o thing_n have_v not_o therefore_o secondary_a and_o intermediate_v end_n for_o which_o he_o make_v the_o creature_n to_o operate_v one_o upon_o another_o which_o be_v but_o in_o a_o tacit_n way_n to_o beg_v the_o question_n but_o he_o confess_v right_o that_o the_o stress_n of_o this_o business_n lie_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o second_o proposition_n upon_o this_o hinge_v say_v he_o the_o whole_a weight_n of_o the_o theory_n turn_v viz._n that_o god_n be_v the_o only_a proper_a object_n of_o our_o love_n as_o be_v the_o only_a cause_n of_o all_o our_o please_a sensation_n the_o creature_n have_v no_o efficiency_n at_o all_o to_o operate_v upon_o we_o they_o be_v only_o occasional_a cause_n of_o those_o sentiment_n which_o god_n produce_v in_o we_o and_o on_o this_o foundation_n it_o then_o be_v that_o he_o assert_n that_o every_o act_n that_o carry_v our_o desire_n towards_o the_o creature_n be_v sinful_a which_o opinion_n if_o receive_v and_o follow_v must_v necessary_o bring_v in_o the_o like_o unintelligible_a way_n of_o practical_a religion_n which_o the_o bishop_n of_o worcester_n have_v just_o censure_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o however_o persuade_v either_o the_o author_n himself_o or_o this_o great_a assertor_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n be_v of_o its_o truth_n or_o reasonableness_n as_o there_o be_v no_o need_n at_o all_o of_o interess_a religion_n and_o morality_n in_o the_o matter_n so_o it_o be_v also_o very_o unserviceable_a to_o they_o since_o that_o which_o they_o will_v infer_v from_o it_o be_v manifest_o no_o just_a consequence_n any_o more_o than_o a_o useful_a or_o practicable_a doctrine_n and_o a_o man_n that_o have_v not_o be_v mighty_a fond_a of_o a_o hypothesis_n will_v never_o have_v attempt_v from_o the_o pulpit_n to_o fortify_v by_o scripture_n a_o opinion_n so_o opposite_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o it_o as_o well_o as_o to_o that_o morality_n which_o have_v be_v so_o excellent_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o divine_n of_o his_o own_o church_n who_o discourse_n be_v general_o if_o not_o universal_o found_v upon_o this_o supposition_n or_o at_o least_o imply_v it_o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o lawful_a love_n of_o the_o creature_n and_o be_v herein_o conform_v to_o right_a reason_n and_o consequent_o adapt_v to_o humane_a life_n they_o have_v help_v to_o make_v some_o opposition_n to_o that_o irreligion_n which_o by_o looseness_n of_o manner_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o uncharitable_a zeal_n on_o the_o other_o have_v spread_v itself_o among_o we_o in_o this_o last_o age_n but_o must_v doubtless_o have_v prevail_v further_o have_v not_o more_o reasonable_a principle_n of_o morality_n be_v inculcate_v into_o man_n than_o can_v be_v ground_v upon_o see_v all_o thing_n in_o god_n etc._n etc._n for_o apparent_o if_o the_o practical_a duty_n of_o religion_n have_v not_o be_v better_o account_v for_o and_o enforce_v than_o by_o the_o so_o much_o boast_v of_o spiritual_a book_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n religion_n and_o virtue_n have_v before_o this_o time_n be_v dispute_v or_o ridicule_v out_o of_o our_o world_n and_o yet_o any_o of_o these_o book_n of_o mystical_a divinity_n will_v be_v find_v as_o well_o able_a to_o support_v they_o as_o some_o of_o the_o late_a practical_a discourse_n of_o mr._n n._n or_o as_o any_o man_n be_v else_o can_v be_v upon_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v no_o love_n of_o desire_n for_o any_o of_o the_o creature_n which_o be_v particular_o endeavour_v to_o be_v make_v good_a in_o the_o forementioned_a sermon_n upon_o the_o great_a commandment_n of_o the_o law_n matt._n xxij_o 37._o thou_o shall_v love_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n with_o all_o thy_o heart_n with_o all_o thy_o soul_n and_o with_o all_o thy_o mind_n wherein_o the_o author_n pretend_v to_o show_v that_o all_o our_o love_n be_v to_o be_v so_o entire_o centre_v upon_o god_n that_o not_o any_o part_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v allow_v to_o the_o creature_n but_o least_o the_o enlarge_n this_o first_o commandment_n to_o such_o a_o magnitude_n shall_v make_v it_o seem_v to_o swallow_v up_o the_o second_o he_o prevent_v that_o objection_n by_o show_v that_o these_o two_o commandment_n clash_v not_o at_o all_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o of_o our_o neighbour_n as_o he_o say_v be_v different_a love_n for_o we_o love_v god_n with_o love_n of_o desire_n and_o love_v or_o shall_v love_v our_o neighbour_n only_o with_o love_n of_o benevolence_n which_o distinction_n in_o other_o discourse_n of_o he_o he_o be_v more_o large_a upon_o and_o seem_v to_o believe_v the_o latter_a part_n of_o it_o confirm_v by_o these_o word_n thou_o shall_v love_v thy_o neighbour_n as_o thyself_o moses_n in_o levit_fw-la xix_o repeat_v to_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n sundry_a law_n and_o among_o other_o several_a special_a duty_n towards_o their_o neighbour_n thus_o conclude_v the_o last_o ver_fw-la the_o 18_o thou_o shall_v love_v thy_o neighbour_n as_o thyself_o which_o conclusion_n be_v comprehensive_a of_o all_o that_o precede_v it_o or_o that_o have_v be_v omit_v and_o in_o a_o short_a rule_n better_a teach_v the_o extent_n of_o what_o we_o owe_v to_o our_o neighbour_n than_o it_o be_v possible_a any_o enumeration_n of_o particular_n can_v this_o duty_n be_v indeed_o so_o full_o express_v herein_o that_o we_o can_v conceive_v any_o addition_n can_v be_v make_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o this_o precept_n by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n who_o come_v to_o teach_v we_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o the_o father_n and_o to_o give_v we_o the_o most_o perfect_a rule_n of_o life_n that_o have_v yet_o be_v deliver_v to_o mankind_n and_o according_o luke_n the_o four_o ch_n v._o 25._o be_v ask_v master_n what_o shall_v i_o do_v to_o inherit_v eternal_a life_n he_o say_v how_o read_v thou_o in_o the_o law_n it_o be_v answer_v thou_o shall_v love_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n with_o all_o thy_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o thy_o soul_n with_o all_o thy_o mind_n and_o with_o all_o thy_o strength_n and_o thy_o neighbour_n as_o thyself_o he_o reply_v thou_o have_v answer_v right_o this_o do_v and_o thou_o shall_v live_v he_o have_v answer_v right_a in_o join_v together_o these_o two_o commandment_n in_o the_o law_n on_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n do_v depend_v matt._n xxij_o