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	holy_a	work_n	2,920	5	5.8290	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A88892	The sacramental stumbling-block removed. Or a brief discourse concerning examination by the congregational eldership, before admittance to the sacrament. Wherein all contrary scruples are silenced : the equity and necessity of that duty vindicated, both by scripture, and undenyable arguments. Set forth for, 1. The satisfaction of the weake. 2. The information of the ignorant. 3. The conviction of the obstinate. 4. The edification of the Church of God. / by W.L.	L. W.	1648 (1648)	Wing L96; Thomason E425_16; ESTC R204558	31,401	51

work_n shall_v be_v a_o strong_a persuasion_n to_o we_o that_o it_o be_v of_o god_n 2._o that_o although_o the_o confine_n be_v large_a and_o populous_a and_o but_o few_o come_v in_o know_v its_o a_o mercy_n rather_o than_o any_o cause_n of_o discouragement_n for_o as_o many_o be_v call_v and_o but_o few_o choose_v so_o many_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o but_o few_o fit_n for_o sacramental_a communion_n and_o so_o long_o as_o those_o that_o do_v come_v in_o be_v such_o as_o we_o may_v comfortable_o have_v fellowship_n withal_o be_v not_o trouble_v god_n have_v ever_o the_o small_a number_n and_o for_o my_o part_n if_o the_o work_n be_v once_o in_o any_o good_a forwardness_n i_o believe_v there_o be_v more_o cause_n to_o fear_v too_o many_o will_v lay_v claim_n to_o it_o than_o too_o few_o and_o will_v come_v in_o fast_o enough_o if_o they_o may_v be_v receive_v 3._o consider_v the_o condition_n of_o those_o that_o reject_v the_o ordinance_n and_o those_o that_o with_o humble_a and_o holy_a heart_n offer_v themselves_o to_o the_o work_n those_o receive_v be_v godly_a let_v that_o comfort_n and_o despise_v not_o the_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n no_o matter_n how_o mean_a in_o the_o world_n account_n and_o let_v not_o those_o poor_a soul_n be_v deprive_v of_o their_o desire_a spiritual_a nutriment_n by_o any_o causeless_a obstruction_n 3._o for_o that_o fear_n of_o violence_n etc._n etc._n it_o can_v enter_v into_o my_o heart_n that_o man_n will_v be_v so_o impudent_o guilty_a of_o this_o high_a piece_n of_o spiritual_a sacrilege_n to_o lay_v violent_a and_o foul_a hand_n upon_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n such_o must_v especial_o hale_v the_o guilt_n of_o his_o blood_n upon_o their_o own_o head_n and_o yet_o if_o any_o such_o be_v it_o concern_v those_o entrust_v with_o the_o holy_a ordnance_n to_o oppose_v they_o by_o do_v all_o in_o they_o lie_v either_o by_o persuasion_n admonition_n complaint_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n who_o in_o such_o case_n bear_v not_o the_o swear_v in_o vain_a and_o who_o i_o be_o confident_a if_o apply_v to_o will_v not_o be_v want_v to_o punish_v such_o according_a to_o demerit_n and_o to_o encourage_v those_o concern_v and_o if_o neither_o admonition_n or_o christian_a persuasion_n will_v serve_v it_o be_v very_o lawful_a to_o reprove_v they_o sharp_o and_o to_o make_v open_a opposition_n to_o they_o let_v they_o be_v never_o so_o great_a a_o notable_a example_n of_o this_o we_o have_v in_o azariah_n the_o priest_n who_o when_o vzziah_n the_o king_n will_v burn_v incense_n upon_o the_o altar_n 19_o 2_o chron._n 26.18_o 19_o the_o priest_n be_v commend_v for_o withstand_v he_o and_o thrust_v he_o out_o of_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o lord_n leave_v he_o not_o unrewarded_a for_o he_o be_v a_o leper_n from_o that_o very_a hour_n to_o his_o die_a day_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o god_n be_v present_a in_o his_o ordnance_n and_o will_v undoubted_o avenge_v abuse_n offer_v to_o he_o in_o their_o dispensation_n and_o without_o speedy_a repentance_n and_o god_n wonderful_a mercy_n such_o man_n may_v just_o expect_v the_o reward_n of_o corah_n etc._n etc._n 4._o whereas_o some_o expect_v either_o independency_n or_o a_o general_a toleration_n i_o answer_v for_o general_a toleration_n there_o be_v no_o great_a fear_n and_o if_o their_o shall_v the_o presbyterian_a government_n i_o hope_v will_v have_v its_o freedom_n as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o as_o for_o independency_n there_o be_v no_o such_o difference_n between_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n and_o that_o as_o can_v any_o way_n give_v a_o nullity_n or_o change_n to_o church_n ordinance_n for_o they_o must_v have_v both_o pastor_n teacher_n elder_n deacon_n etc._n etc._n the_o same_o ordnance_n only_o differ_v in_o point_n of_o appeal_n the_o truth_n be_v independent_a church_n be_v presbyterian_a only_o presbyterian_a as_o now_o state_v not_o independent_a i_o look_v upon_o the_o independent_a government_n as_o a_o presbyterian_a tree_n with_o one_o branch_n cut_v off_o by_o reason_n there_o be_v not_o that_o provision_n make_v in_o point_n of_o error_n or_o injury_n as_o in_o presbyterian_a government_n but_o in_o neither_o none_o can_v communicate_v without_o be_v examine_v before_o admittance_n nay_o episcopal_a government_n reform_v will_v not_o admit_v of_o promiscuous_a dispensation_n 19_o ob._n but_o what_o if_o the_o king_n come_v home_o think_v you_o this_o government_n will_v stand_v a._n i_o believe_v many_o in_o our_o day_n there_o be_v that_o despise_v the_o day_n of_o small_a thing_n and_o with_o sanballet_n and_o tobiah_n say_v what_o will_v these_o weak_a jew_n do_v and_o who_o as_o i_o say_v be_v lust_a after_o their_o old_a egyptian_a fleshpot_n not_o care_v at_o all_o for_o the_o milk_n and_o honey_n of_o canaan_n who_o hope_v to_o see_v the_o wheel_n turn_v but_o let_v such_o know_v their_o hope_n be_v as_o the_o crackle_n of_o therne_n the_o foundation_n of_o god_n stnad_n sure_a and_o he_o that_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n will_v also_o lay_v the_o top-stone_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v not_o ground_v upon_o the_o king_n but_o upon_o jesus_n christ_n 9.6_o isa_n 9.6_o that_o rock_n against_o which_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v and_o consider_v the_o wonderful_a work_n god_n have_v wrought_v for_o we_o of_o late_a year_n in_o order_n to_o reformation_n he_o know_v little_a of_o god_n that_o doubt_n of_o his_o assistance_n for_o future_a much_o less_o such_o as_o hope_v for_o any_o obstruction_n 20._o object_n do_v you_o not_o see_v how_o parish_n be_v divide_v about_o this_o business_n in_o divers_a place_n they_o be_v altogether_o by_o the_o ear_n a._n 1._o you_o may_v easy_o perceive_v by_o the_o person_n that_o make_v opposition_n that_o the_o government_n be_v of_o god_n carnal_a and_o profane_a man_n can_v endure_v it_o they_o can_v subject_v to_o the_o yoke_n of_o christ_n the_o cause_n be_v not_o in_o reformation_n but_o in_o our_o own_o corrupt_a heart_n and_o hence_o be_v it_o man_n band_n themselves_o against_o the_o lord_n christ_n say_v let_v we_o break_v his_o band_n asunder_o and_o cast_v his_o cord_n from_o we_o but_o the_o lord_n have_v they_o in_o derision_n he_o laugh_v they_o to_o scorn_v and_o he_o will_v in_o due_a time_n make_v his_o stout_a foe_n his_o footstool_n 2._o it_o be_v say_v by_o christ_n himself_o that_o he_o come_v in_o the_o flesh_n to_o make_v division_n to_o set_v the_o father_n against_o the_o son_n son_n against_o father_n mother_n in_o law_n against_o the_o daughter_n in_o law_n etc._n etc._n and_o although_o this_o be_v not_o the_o intent_n of_o his_o come_n yet_o it_o be_v so_o accidental_o so_o it_o ever_o be_v and_o will_v be_v so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v seed_n of_o woman_n and_o seed_n of_o the_o serpent_n there_o will_v be_v if_o a_o church_n millitant_a a_o church_n malignant_a and_o so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v flesh_n and_o spirit_n 21._o ob._n but_o what_o be_v the_o reason_n so_o many_o elder_n be_v choose_v in_o divers_a place_n and_o so_o few_o hold_n not_o half_n in_o some_o place_n a._n many_o man_n that_o be_v choose_v be_v as_o unwilling_a to_o undergo_v that_o trouble_n as_o many_o other_o be_v to_o come_v in_o to_o communion_n and_o refuse_v to_o hold_v from_o divers_a ground_n some_o for_o that_o they_o fear_v they_o shall_v reap_v displeasure_n of_o their_o neighbour_n not_o have_v learned_a to_o go_v through_o good_a and_o evil_a report_n for_o christ_n other_o fear_v they_o shall_v spend_v too_o much_o time_n from_o the_o world_n some_o out_o of_o fear_n of_o opposition_n and_o difficulty_n they_o shall_v meet_v withal_o in_o the_o work_n be_v as_o unwilling_a to_o enter_v upon_o the_o office_n by_o examination_n or_o trial_n as_o other_o to_o come_v to_o sacrament_n but_o to_o decline_v their_o trust_n from_o such_o sinister_a end_n be_v a_o unworthy_a thing_n neither_o ought_v those_o that_o do_v embrace_v that_o office_n be_v discourage_v although_o the_o son_n of_o anak_n be_v many_o and_o great_a it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o as_o the_o lord_n christ_n say_v in_o a_o other_o case_n to_o his_o disciple_n it_n be_v i_o be_v not_o afraid_a so_o say_v i_o to_o all_o that_o god_n have_v call_v to_o the_o work_n be_v not_o afraid_a its_o god_n work_n and_o he_o will_v give_v all_o suitable_a assistance_n and_o will_v in_o despite_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n set_v his_o son_n upon_o his_o holy_a hill_n 2._o no_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v discourage_v for_o that_o the_o half_a of_o those_o choose_a hold_v not_o for_o doubtless_o many_o that_o have_v decline_v after_o choose_v have_v do_v it_o out_o of_o a_o sense_n of_o their_o own_o unfitnesse_n who_o if_o they_o have_v hold_v

bless_v be_v god_n we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o he_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o pass_v by_o the_o weakness_n of_o his_o servant_n and_o be_v also_o able_a to_o furnish_v all_o such_o who_o he_o call_v to_o his_o work_n with_o suitable_a ability_n and_o qualification_n and_o herein_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n have_v find_v much_o comfort_n and_o with_o the_o apostle_n have_v have_v occasion_n to_o say_v and_o that_o true_o that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o do_v all_o thing_n through_o christ_n that_o strengthen_v they_o and_o although_o none_o call_v to_o the_o work_n can_v be_v in_o every_o degree_n fit_a or_o peradventure_o many_o call_v may_v have_v mean_a part_n than_o some_o other_o not_o call_v and_o notwithstanding_o all_o choose_a be_v not_o alike_o qualify_v yet_o where_o the_o call_n be_v good_a the_o heart_n upright_o to_o the_o work_n there_o will_v not_o want_v a_o competent_a supply_n from_o he_o that_o give_v to_o all_o liberal_o and_o several_o quality_n for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n and_o indeed_o those_o that_o be_v most_o able_a if_o they_o think_v themselves_o sufficient_a know_v nothing_o therefore_o it_o become_v the_o best_a to_o see_v and_o say_v with_o the_o apostle_n etc._n etc._n 2._o cor._n 3.5_o not_o that_o we_o be_v sufficient_a of_o ourselves_o to_o think_v any_o thing_n as_o of_o ourselves_o but_o our_o sufficiency_n be_v of_o god_n neither_o will_v i_o have_v man_n too_o much_o stumble_v at_o their_o own_o insufficiency_n so_o as_o to_o despair_v either_o of_o supply_n or_o success_n if_o right_o call_v and_o of_o upright_a heart_n but_o in_o midst_n of_o all_o discouragement_n sincere_o endeavour_v to_o improve_v the_o small_a talon_n receive_v rest_v upon_o god_n for_o he_o that_o have_v say_v 2_o cor._n 12.9_o my_o grace_n be_v sufficient_a have_v also_o say_v i_o will_v never_o fail_v thou_o nor_o forsake_v thou_o heb._n 13.5_o 2._o we_o have_v experience_n that_o through_o mercy_n many_o able_a and_o honest_a man_n be_v call_v to_o this_o work_n and_o have_v love_o accept_v the_o trust_n who_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o will_v receive_v sufficient_a testimony_n of_o god_n presence_n with_o they_o by_o their_o daily_a improvement_n 3._o there_o be_v this_o remedy_n if_o man_n unfit_a or_o unable_a be_v choose_v they_o be_v to_o pass_v through_o examination_n and_o if_o find_v unfit_a be_v in_o a_o competent_a time_n to_o be_v except_v against_o whether_o it_o be_v for_o ignorance_n or_o scandal_n they_o be_v to_o be_v remedy_v and_o sitter_n choose_v 8._o object_n but_o why_o do_v they_o choose_v such_o young_a man_n as_o in_o many_o place_n they_o have_v and_o some_o of_o the_o mean_a sort_n i_o think_v they_o shall_v choose_v the_o most_o ancient_a and_o able_a man_n in_o the_o parish_n who_o will_v better_o become_v both_o the_o title_n and_o office_n of_o elder_n a._n they_o be_v not_o call_v elder_n with_o respect_n to_o their_o age_n but_o office_n and_o although_o it_o be_v very_o commendable_a if_o man_n can_v every_o where_o be_v get_v both_o grave_a and_o godly_a to_o deal_v in_o so_o weighty_a affair_n and_o no_o doubt_n but_o in_o all_o place_n care_n be_v and_o will_v be_v not_o to_o neglect_v such_o as_o be_v well_o ground_v in_o religion_n sound_v in_o faith_n and_o of_o good_a understanding_n yet_o if_o it_o so_o fall_v out_o that_o young_a man_n be_v choose_v if_o thus_o qualify_v we_o must_v take_v heed_n of_o stumble_v at_o their_o youth_n timothy_n be_v a_o very_a young_a man_n but_o paul_n give_v command_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v despise_v his_o youth_n 1_o tim._n 4.12_o it_o be_v not_o age_n but_o honesty_n and_o understanding_n make_v man_n fit_a for_o such_o employment_n and_o we_o know_v it_o be_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o very_o ordinary_a for_o man_n of_o 30._o or_o 40._o year_n to_o out-step_n many_o twice_o their_o age_n both_o in_o grace_n and_o wisdom_n neither_o shall_v man_n stumble_v if_o here_o and_o there_o man_n of_o ordinary_a rank_n be_v choose_v if_o well_o qualify_v although_o bless_v be_v god_n our_o time_n afford_v as_o many_o that_o be_v both_o great_a and_o good_a as_o any_o age_n since_o the_o world_n begin_v and_o many_o very_a able_a for_o estate_n as_o otherways_o be_v choose_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v question_v but_o man_n of_o a_o low_a rank_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v and_o have_v be_v very_o serviceable_a to_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o none_o ought_v to_o be_v offend_v thereat_o for_o 1._o we_o know_v man_n ordinary_o wise_a for_o the_o world_n be_v not_o wise_a to_o god-ward_o the_o lord_n have_v hide_v the_o secret_n of_o his_o kingdom_n from_o the_o wise_a and_o prudent_a and_o reveal_v they_o to_o babe_n mat._n 11.25_o luk._n 10.21_o 2._o when_o the_o lord_n christ_n who_o know_v best_o who_o to_o make_v choice_n of_o will_v pick_v and_o choose_v man_n out_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o advance_v his_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n he_o count_v it_o no_o policy_n to_o entertain_v the_o great_a man_n but_o a_o company_n of_o poor_a fisherman_n against_o who_o the_o world_n may_v as_o easy_o be_v offend_v it_o be_v as_o easy_a with_o he_o to_o have_v call_v great_a and_o rich_a man_n and_o have_v enable_v they_o for_o his_o work_n as_o those_o despicable_a one_o yet_o he_o choose_v the_o poor_a jam._n 2.5_o have_v not_o god_n choose_v the_o poor_a in_o this_o world_n rich_a in_o faith_n so_o 1_o cor._n 1.26_o not_o many_o wise_a man_n after_o the_o flesh_n not_o many_o mighty_a not_o many_o noble_a be_v call_v etc._n etc._n and_o true_o as_o not_o many_o such_o man_n be_v effectual_o call_v to_o god_n in_o christ_n so_o very_a few_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v employ_v in_o church_n dispensation_n for_o rich_a and_o man_n great_a in_o the_o world_n will_v not_o take_v upon_o they_o care_n and_o trouble_v which_o bring_v no_o outward_a advantage_n they_o cry_v out_o who_o will_v show_v we_o any_o good_a 4._o psal_n 4._o alas_o they_o have_v their_o farm_n to_o see_v their_o ox_n to_o prove_v their_o wife_n to_o marry_v etc._n etc._n when_o they_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v they_o will_v come_v to_o christ_n look_v all_o their_o life_n with_o felix_n for_o a_o more_o convenient_a time_n act._n 24.25_o till_o time_n be_v no_o more_o 3._o mean_a man_n in_o the_o world_n account_n as_o before_o be_v ordinary_o wise_a to_o god-ward_o and_o we_o be_v better_o have_v no_o governor_n at_o all_o in_o the_o church_n though_o never_o so_o age_a or_o rich_a if_o ignorant_a of_o god_n and_o in_o those_o thing_n about_o which_o they_o be_v especial_o conversant_a certain_o if_o ignorance_n and_o scandal_n make_v man_n incapable_a of_o sacramental_a communion_n much_o more_o of_o judicature_n in_o divine_a mystery_n yet_o as_o i_o say_v before_o it_o be_v not_o unpossible_a for_o rich_a man_n and_o great_a man_n to_o be_v good_a and_o i_o doubt_v not_o we_o have_v our_o abraham_n lot_n noah_n job_n david_n daniel_n etc._n etc._n man_n both_o great_a in_o the_o world_n and_o rich_a in_o grace_n but_o these_o be_v rare_a as_o they_o be_v in_o their_o time_n 4._o although_o in_o civil_a thing_n man_n be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v and_o respect_v for_o their_o age_n and_o other_o outward_a accommodation_n yet_o religion_n make_v no_o such_o difference_n but_o before_o god_n and_o good_a man_n a_o honest_a understanding_n christian_n be_v esteem_v above_o man_n great_a in_o the_o world_n desolute_a of_o save_a grace_n this_o worldly_a partiality_n the_o apostle_n james_n utter_o condemn_v james_n 2.1.2_o my_o brethren_n have_v not_o the_o faith_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n in_o respect_n of_o person_n read_v the_o 2.3_o and_o 4._o verse_n beside_o in_o point_n of_o policy_n if_o we_o will_v not_o befool_v ourselves_o and_o miss_v of_o heaven_n we_o shall_v be_v very_o careful_a to_o intrust_v those_o that_o be_v pious_a and_o prudent_a with_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n though_o never_o so_o mean_a outward_o certain_o a_o skilful_a pilot_n with_o a_o homely_a handkerchief_n about_o his_o neck_n will_v better_o conduct_v a_o ship_n to_o his_o right_a port_n than_o the_o lord_n major_a with_o his_o chain_n of_o gold_n riches_n avail_v not_o in_o the_o day_n of_o wrath_n friend_n it_o be_v not_o a_o ruff-band_n a_o beaver_n hat_n a_o gelding_n a_o grey_a beard_n or_o thousand_o per_fw-la annum_fw-la can_v do_v thy_o soul_n good_a thou_o may_v perish_v for_o all_o that_o i_o believe_v he_o that_o be_v disease_v in_o his_o body_n or_o have_v a_o limb_n out_o of_o joint_n will_v rather_o listen_v to_o a_o skilful_a physician_n or_o chirurgeon_n in_o a_o threadbare_a coat_n then_o to_o a_o unskilful_a quack-salv_a in_o a_o velvet_n suit_n and_o certain_o it_o will_v be_v our_o shame_n to_o