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 should be a strong perswasion to us that it s of God 2. That although the Confines are large and populous and but few come in know its a mercy rather then any cause of discouragement for as many are called and but few chosen so many heare the Word and but few fit for Sacramental Communion and so long as those that do come in are such as we may comfortably have fellowship withall be not troubled God had ever the smallest number and for my part if the work be once in any good forwardnesse I beleeve there is more cause to fear too many will lay claim to it then too few and will come in fast enough if they may be received 3. Consider the condition of those that reject the Ordinance and those that with humble and holy hearts offer themselves to the work those received are godly Let that comfort and despise not the Day of small things No matter how mean in the worlds account and let not those poore souls be deprived of their desired spirituall nutriment by any causelesse obstructions 3. For that fear of violence c. It cannot enter into my heart that men will be so impudently guilty of this high peece of spirituall sacriledge to lay violent and foul hands upon the body and bloud of Christ such must especially hale the guilt of his blood upon their own heads And yet if any such be it concerns those intrusted with the Holy Ordnance to oppose them by doing all in them lies either by perswasion admonition complaint to the civil Magistrate who in such cases bears not the swore in vain and who I am confident if applyed to will not be wanting to punish such according to demerit and to encourage those concernd And if neither admonition or Christian perswasion will serve it s very lawfull to reprove them sharply and to make open opposition to them let them be never so great A notable example of this we have in Azariah the Priest who when Vzziah the King would burn Incense upon the Altar 2 Chron. 26.18 19. the Priests are commended for withstanding him and thrusting him out of the Temple and the Lord left him not unrewarded for he was a Leper from that very houre to his dying day which plainly shews that God is present in his Ordnances and will undoubtedly avenge abuses offered to him in their dispensations and without speedy repentance and Gods wonderfull mercy such men may justly expect the reward of Corah c. 4. Whereas some expect either Independency or a generall tolleration I answer For general tolleration there is no great fear and if their should the Presbyterian government I hope will have its freedome as well as others and as for Independencie there is no such difference between the Presbyterian government and that as can any way give a nullity or change to Church Ordinances for they must have both Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons c. The same Ordnances only differ in point of appeal the truth is Independant Churches are Presbyterian only Presbyterian as now stated not Independant I look upon the Independant government as a Presbyterian tree with one branch cut off by reason there is not that provision made in point of errour or injury as in Presbyterian government but in neither none can communicate without being examined before admittance nay Episcopall government reformed will not admit of promiscuous dispensations 19. Ob. But what if the King come home think ye this government will stand A. I beleeve many in our dayes there are that dispise the day of smal things and with Sanballet and Tobiah say What will these weak Iews do and who as I said are lusting after their old Egyptian flesh-pots not caring at all for the Milk and Hony of Canaan who hope to see the wheele turn but let such know their hope is as the crackling of thernes the foundation of God stnads sure and he that hath laid the foundation will also lay the top-stone The government of the Church of God is not grounded upon the King but upon Jesus Christ Isa 9.6 that rock against which the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail and considering the wonderfull works God hath wrought for us of late years in order to Reformation hee knows little of God that doubts of his assistance for future much lesse such as hope for any obstruction 20. Object Doe yee not see how Parishes are divided about this businesse in divers places they are altogether by the ears A. 1. You may easily perceive by the persons that make opposition that the government is of God carnal and profane men cannot endure it they cannot subject to the yoak of Christ the cause is not in Reformation but in our own corrupt hearts and hence is it men band themselves against the Lord Christ saying Let us break his bands asunder and cast his cords from us but the Lord hath them in derision he laughs them to scorne and he will in due time make his stoutest foes his foot-stool 2. It was said by Christ himself that he came in the flesh to make division to set the father against the son son against father mother in law against the daughter in law c. And although this was not the intent of his coming yet it is so accidentally so it ever was and will be so long as there is seed of woman and seed of the serpent there will be if a Church millitant a Church malignant and so long as there is flesh and spirit 21. Ob. But what is the reason so many Elders are chosen in divers places and so few hold not half in some places A. Many men that are chosen are as unwilling to undergoe that trouble as many other are to come in to Communion and refuse to hold from divers grounds Some for that they feare they shall reape displeasure of their neighbours not having learned to goe thorow good and evil report for Christ Others feare they shall spend too much time from the world Some out of fear of opposition and difficulty they shall meet withall in the work being as unwilling to enter upon the Office by Examination or Tryall as others to come to Sacrament But to decline their trust from such sinister ends is an unworthy thing neither ought those that doe imbrace that office be discouraged although the sonnes of Anak be many and great it s the work of God and as the Lord Christ said in an other case to his Disciples it is I bee not afraid so say I to all that God hath called to the worke Bee not afraid its Gods worke and hee will give all suitable assistance and will in dispite of men and devils set his Sonne upon his Holy hill 2. No man ought to be discouraged for that the halfe of those chosen hold not For doubtlesse many that have declined after chosen have done it out of a sence of their own unfitnesse who if they had held

blessed be God we have to do with him that is willing to passe by the weaknesses of his servants and is also able to furnish all such whom he calls to his work with sutable abilities and qualifications And herein the servants of God have found much comfort and with the Apostle have had occasion to say and that truly that they are able to do all things through Christ that strengthens them And although none call'd to the work can be in every degree fit or peradventure many call'd may have meaner parts then some others not called and notwithstanding all chosen are not alike quallified yet where the Call is good the heart upright to the work there will not want a competent supply from him that gives to all liberally and severally qualities for the good of his Church and indeed those that are most able if they think themselves sufficient know nothing Therefore it becomes the best to see and say with the Apostle c. 2. Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Neither would I have men too much stumble at their own insufficiency so as to dispair either of supply or successe if rightly call'd and of upright hearts but in midst of all discouragements sincerely endeavour to improve the small talent received resting upon God for he that hath said 2 Cor. 12.9 My grace is sufficient Hath also said I will never fail thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 2. We have experience that through mercy many able and honest men are called to this work and have lovingly accepted the Trust who I doubt not but will receive sufficient testimony of Gods presence with them by their dayly improvement 3. There is this remedy if men unfit or unable be chosen they are to passe thorow examination and if found unfit are in a competent time to be excepted against whether it be for ignorance or scandall they are to be remedied and sitter chosen 8. Object But why doe they choose such young men as in many places they have and some of the meaner sort me thinks they should chuse the most ancient and able men in the Parish who would better become both the title and office of Elders A. They are not called Elders with respect to their age but office and although it were very comendable if men could every where be got both Grave and Godly to deal in so weighty affaires and no doubt but in all places care is and will be not to neglect such as are well grounded in Religion sound in faith and of good understanding yet if it so fall out that young men are chosen if thus qualified we must take heed of stumbling at their youth Timothy was a very young man but Paul gives command that no man should dispise his youth 1 Tim. 4.12 It s not age but honesty and understanding makes men fit for such imployment and we know it s not only possible but very ordinary for men of 30. or 40. years to out-step many twice their age both in grace and wisdom Neither should men stumble if here and there men of ordinary ranke be chosen if well quallified although blessed be God our times afford as many that are both great and good as any age since the world began and many very able for estate as otherwaies are chosen yet it s not to be questioned but men of a lower ranke in the world may be and have been very serviceable to the Church and therefore none ought to be offended thereat For 1. We know men ordinaryly wise for the world are not wisest to God-ward the Lord having hid the secrets of his Kingdom from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes Mat. 11.25 Luk. 10.21 2. When the Lord Christ who knew best whom to make choice of would pick and chuse men out of the whole world to advance his cause and Kingdom he counted it no policy to entertain the greatest men but a company of poor Fisher-men against whom the world might as easily be offended it being as easie with him to have called great and rich men and have enabled them for his work as those despicable ones yet he chose the poor Iam. 2.5 Hath not God chose the poor in this world rich in faith So 1 Cor. 1.26 Not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called c. And truly as not many such men are effectually called to God in Christ so very few are fit to be imployed in Church dispensations for rich and men great in the world will not take upon them care and trouble which brings no outward advantage they cry out Who will shew us any good Psal 4. Alas they have their Farmes to see their Oxen to prove their wives to marry c. when they have nothing else to do they 'l come to Christ looking all their life with Felix for a more convenient time Act. 24.25 till time be no more 3. Mean men in the worlds accompt as before are ordinarily wisest to God-ward and we were better have no Governours at all in the Church though never so aged or rich if ignorant of God and in those things about which they are especially conversant certainly if ignorance and scandall make men incapable of Sacramentall communion much more of judicature in divine mysteries yet as I said before it s not unpossible for rich men and great men to be good and I doubt not we have our Abrahams Lots Noahs Jobs Davids Daniels c. men both great in the world and rich in grace but these are rare as they were in their times 4. Although in civil things men are to be distinguished and respected for their age and other outward accomodations yet Religion makes no such difference but before God and good men an honest understanding Christian is esteemed above men great in the world desolute of saving grace This worldly partiallity the Apostle Iames utterly condemns Iames 2.1.2 My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons read the 2.3 and 4. verses Besides in point of policie if we would not befoole our selves and misse of heaven we should be very carefull to intrust those that are pious and prudent with the things of God though never so meane outwardly Certainly a skilfull Pilot with a homely handkerchief about his neck will better conduct a ship to his right Port then the Lord Major with his chain of Gold Riches avail not in the day of wrath Friends it s not a Ruff-band a Beaver hat a Gelding a Gray beard or thousands per Annum can do thy soul good thou mayest perish for all that I beleeve he that 's diseased in his body or hath a limb out of joynt will rather listen to a skilfull Physitian or Chirurgion in a thred-bare coat then to an unskilfull Quack-salver in a Velvet suit and certainly it will be our shame to