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	life_n	lord_n	2,530	5	3.6552	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A23710	A discourse concerning the beauty of holiness by the author of The duty of man, laid down in express words of Scripture.	Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.	1679 (1679)	Wing A1109; ESTC R22680	56,782	148

godliness_n be_v great_a gain_n have_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o life_n that_o now_o be_v as_o well_o as_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o indeed_o any_o man_n who_o consider_v the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n can_v but_o be_v incline_v to_o think_v it_o must_v be_v so_o for_o how_o can_v that_o man_n be_v expose_v to_o trouble_v and_o disquietment_n who_o have_v get_v the_o mastery_n over_o his_o passion_n and_o i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o the_o sinner_n own_o experience_n whether_o vice_n have_v not_o be_v prejudicial_a to_o his_o health_n macerate_v his_o body_n and_o fill_v he_o with_o torture_n and_o pain_n whether_o some_o sin_n have_v not_o bring_v he_o to_o poverty_n and_o disgrace_n ruin_v both_o his_o estate_n and_o fame_n can_v any_o man_n produce_v any_o good_a effect_n that_o ever_o sin_v cause_v sure_o if_o man_n will_v speak_v impartial_o they_o shall_v acknowledge_v all_o this_o to_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o more_o pleasure_n in_o the_o way_n of_o holiness_n than_o in_o the_o commission_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v the_o four_o thing_n propose_v to_o be_v consider_v need_v not_o puzzle_v any_o man_n to_o prove_v it_o how_o delightful_a be_v all_o act_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n how_o unexpressible_a be_v that_o comfort_n that_o the_o devout_a soul_n find_v in_o converse_v with_o god_n well_o may_v the_o psalmist_n say_v light_n be_v sow_v for_o the_o righteous_a and_o gladness_n for_o the_o upright_a in_o heart_n psal._n 97.11_o he_o often_o experience_v that_o sweetness_n and_o satisfaction_n that_o be_v the_o result_n of_o obedience_n whileas_o solomon_n who_o can_v pass_v the_o best_a verdict_n of_o sensual_a pleasure_n yet_o conclude_v they_o to_o be_v but_o vanity_n and_o vexation_n of_o spirit_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n that_o allay_v the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n first_o the_o unruliness_n of_o immoderate_a passion_n which_o fret_v and_o vex_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o hinder_v the_o sinner_n from_o taste_v its_o pleasure_n second_o the_o fear_n of_o a_o invisible_a be_v arm_v to_o punish_v they_o for_o their_o misdemeanour_n conscience_n upon_o the_o apprehension_n of_o guilt_n recoil_v upon_o the_o sinner_n and_o mar_v all_o the_o pleasure_n he_o promise_v himself_o to_o enjoy_v this_o make_a belshazzer_n a_o king_n and_o environ_v with_o his_o noble_n tremble_v and_o quake_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o cup_n but_o suppose_v vice_n do_v bring_v as_o much_o pleasure_n along_o with_o they_o as_o they_o pretend_v yet_o upon_o two_o account_n they_o be_v not_o half_a so_o delicious_a as_o the_o pleasure_n that_o spring_v from_o a_o good_a life_n first_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n be_v so_o interrupt_v of_o a_o short_a duration_n or_o as_o the_o apostle_n express_v they_o they_o be_v but_o for_o a_o season_n how_o quick_o will_v a_o period_n be_v put_v to_o all_o these_o pleasure_n which_o now_o make_v so_o much_o noise_n they_o be_v very_o fit_o compare_v by_o solomon_n to_o the_o crackle_n of_o thorn_n under_o a_o pot_n which_o be_v scarce_o soon_o in_o a_o blaze_n than_o they_o vanish_v but_o the_o joy_n that_o spring_v from_o a_o good_a conversation_n be_v at_o their_o low_a ebb_n here_o they_o do_v indeed_o continue_v for_o no_o man_n take_v away_o this_o joy_n but_o heaven_n be_v the_o design_a place_n for_o the_o good_a soul_n to_o feed_v upon_o those_o river_n of_o pleasure_n that_o be_v at_o god_n right_a hand_n for_o evermore_o second_o sensual_a pleasure_n do_v soon_o cloy_v man_n appetite_n we_o can_v enjoy_v long_o any_o sensual_a delight_n but_o we_o be_v quick_o weary_a of_o it_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o spiritual_a delight_n it_o be_v only_o the_o absence_n of_o they_o when_o suspend_v for_o our_o sin_n that_o trouble_v and_o molest_v we_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o sensual_a pleasure_n can_v satisfy_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o be_v never_o frame_v for_o a_o mahometan_a paradise_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v rational_o expect_v that_o he_o who_o be_v conscious_a to_o himself_o of_o guilt_n shall_v be_v free_a from_o fear_n which_o be_v so_o torment_v can_v never_o permit_v man_n to_o enjoy_v pleasure_n free_o but_o let_v we_o descend_v to_o sensual_a pleasure_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o he_o who_o be_v temperate_a and_o moderate_a be_v more_o likely_a to_o relish_v the_o pleasantness_n of_o meat_n drink_v and_o pastime_n than_o the_o intemperate_a and_o immoderate_a he_o who_o relieve_v the_o poor_a and_o refresh_v the_o needy_a can_v but_o find_v more_o real_a sweetness_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o do_v so_o than_o he_o who_o drink_v away_o his_o estate_n he_o who_o speak_v the_o truth_n find_v not_o those_o torment_a check_n of_o conscience_n which_o be_v the_o just_a reward_n of_o lie_v but_o all_o this_o will_v more_o plain_o appear_v by_o the_o solution_n of_o the_o next_o objection_n the_o second_o imputation_n be_v bring_v from_o experience_n namely_o that_o wicked_a man_n be_v for_o ordinary_a very_o jovial_a and_o cheerful_a and_o enjoy_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o satisfaction_n in_o their_o way_n whereas_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o piety_n and_o holiness_n be_v very_o sad_a and_o disconsolate_a to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o wicked_a man_n have_v some_o pleasure_n in_o their_o sin_n or_o not_o but_o whether_o that_o pleasure_n that_o arise_v from_o a_o good_a life_n be_v not_o infinite_o preferable_a to_o these_o alas_o the_o most_o promise_a sensual_a pleasure_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v lawful_a be_v much_o inferior_a to_o the_o satisfaction_n and_o comfort_n that_o spring_v from_o a_o good_a conscience_n how_o much_o more_o inconsiderable_a must_v sinful_a pleasure_n be_v which_o be_v attend_v with_o so_o black_a and_o dismal_a consequence_n indignation_n and_o wrath_n tribulation_n and_o anguish_n upon_o every_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o do_v evil_a sinful_a pleasure_n be_v at_o the_o best_a but_o short_a and_o sure_o this_o consideration_n contribute_v very_o much_o to_o lessen_v their_o value_n but_o that_o which_o make_v they_o so_o mean_v and_o not_o worth_a the_o enjoy_n be_v the_o painful_a eternity_n that_o succeed_v to_o they_o however_o than_o the_o wicked_a may_v appear_v jovial_a and_o merry_a yet_o their_o inward_a thought_n if_o we_o can_v discover_v they_o can_v be_v at_o quiet_a and_o ease_v whatever_o pleasure_n they_o may_v reap_v in_o the_o present_a act_n yet_o they_o can_v afterward_o look_v unto_o themselves_o without_o horror_n and_o amazement_n the_o after-sting_n of_o sin_n be_v so_o painful_a that_o he_o buy_v those_o present_a pleasure_n at_o a_o rate_n no_o reasonable_a man_n will_v purchase_v they_o but_o that_o wicked_a man_n can_v real_o enjoy_v that_o pleasure_n and_o contentment_n they_o pretend_v to_o seem_v very_o plain_a from_o reason_n for_o first_o how_o can_v any_o man_n be_v satisfy_v with_o those_o action_n which_o be_v so_o cross_a to_o his_o very_a nature_n and_o opposite_a to_o reason_n as_o every_o sin_n be_v can_v a_o man_n find_v pleasure_n in_o do_v that_o which_o he_o know_v he_o ought_v not_o to_o do_v sure_o the_o rebounding_n of_o conscience_n upon_o the_o apprehension_n of_o do_v amiss_o will_v soon_o raze_v out_o any_o pleasure_n that_o sin_n afford_v and_o a_o sick_a man_n may_v more_o rational_o expect_v rest_n than_o those_o man_n pleasure_n and_o contentment_n second_o it_o can_v afford_v little_a pleasure_n to_o man_n to_o act_v quite_o contrary_a to_o their_o own_o interest_n it_o be_v rather_o like_o the_o laughter_n of_o fool_n and_o mad_a man_n than_o a_o real_a pleasure_n that_o such_o man_n can_v pretend_v to_o now_o every_o sinner_n quite_o ruin_v his_o interest_n and_o happiness_n while_o he_o run_v headlong_o to_o destruction_n and_o for_o a_o present_a pleasure_n which_o be_v only_o grateful_a to_o the_o sensual_a appetite_n lose_v those_o last_a river_n of_o pleasure_n which_o though_o future_a be_v yet_o certain_a and_o which_o be_v calculate_v for_o the_o soul_n three_o what_o pleasure_n can_v any_o man_n enjoy_v who_o be_v sure_a to_o be_v eternal_o torment_v as_o there_o be_v no_o peace_n so_o no_o pleasure_n to_o the_o wicked_a who_o be_v at_o odds_n with_o god_n who_o favour_n be_v better_a than_o life_n but_o what_o reason_n have_v good_a man_n to_o be_v sad_a and_o disconsolate_a since_o all_o the_o cause_n of_o grief_n be_v remove_v from_o they_o light_n be_v sow_v for_o the_o righteous_a and_o gladness_n for_o the_o upright_a in_o heart_n so_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v good_a reason_n to_o double_v that_o exhortation_n rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n again_o i_o say_v rejoice_v o_o how_o satisfy_n and_o pleasant_a be_v it_o for_o man_n to_o act_v reasonable_o and_o to_o be_v assure_v that_o they_o have_v do_v their_o duty_n and_o have_v act_v for_o their_o own_o

interest_n our_o rejoice_v be_v this_o say_v the_o apostle_n the_o testimony_n of_o our_o conscience_n that_o in_o all_o simplicity_n and_o godly_a sincerity_n we_o have_v have_v our_o conversation_n in_o the_o world_n sure_o there_o be_v never_o any_o man_n who_o be_v trouble_v for_o live_v holy_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o any_o shall_v it_o be_v true_a good_a man_n may_v be_v of_o a_o melancholy_a disposition_n and_o natural_o incline_v to_o sadness_n but_o this_o can_v be_v no_o reflection_n on_o holiness_n as_o if_o it_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o melancholy_a temper_n nay_o the_o best_a of_o man_n have_v their_o own_o fail_n and_o no_o wonder_n though_o these_o breed_v some_o trouble_n and_o disquiet_v but_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v disconsolate_a for_o be_v good_a but_o for_o do_v evil_a and_o indeed_o i_o may_v add_v that_o the_o great_a abomination_n and_o profanity_n the_o contempt_n of_o religion_n and_o dishonour_n that_o be_v do_v to_o god_n that_o abound_v may_v very_o rational_o make_v good_a man_n with_o the_o psalmist_n say_v rivers_z of_o tear_n run_v down_o my_o eye_n because_o man_n observe_v not_o thy_o law_n and_o thus_o this_o imputation_n cast_v upon_o holiness_n be_v easy_o wipe_v off_o grief_n and_o sadness_n be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o good_a life_n but_o of_o a_o imperfect_a obedience_n and_o while_o our_o sin_n call_v for_o mourning_n and_o fast_v it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o madness_n for_o man_n to_o be_v jovial_a and_o merry_a and_o entertain_v themselves_o with_o those_o deceitful_a melody_n which_o will_v end_v in_o weep_v and_o gnash_n of_o tooth_n and_o yet_o the_o sorrow_n of_o true_o good_a man_n be_v not_o so_o obvious_a to_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n as_o it_o be_v to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o searcher_n of_o the_o heart_n it_o be_v rather_o the_o artifice_n of_o the_o formal_a penitent_n and_o hypocritical_a professor_n than_o the_o character_n of_o the_o righteous_a to_o disfigure_v their_o face_n and_o appear_v sad_a and_o demure_a a_o good_a man_n choose_v rather_o with_o david_n to_o mourn_v in_o secret_a and_o when_o he_o appear_v in_o public_a to_o wash_v his_o face_n than_o with_o those_o hypocrite_n of_o who_o isaiah_n speak_v who_o bow_v down_o their_o head_n like_o a_o bulrush_n who_o have_v choose_v affliction_n rather_o than_o innocence_n the_o next_o imputation_n cast_v upon_o holiness_n be_v that_o it_o be_v but_o a_o piece_n of_o singularity_n and_o a_o vain_a ambition_n to_o walk_v alone_o ans._n i_o be_o hearty_o sorry_a that_o the_o universal_a deluge_n of_o impiety_n shall_v make_v good_a man_n say_v as_o once_o elijah_n do_v in_o another_o case_n i_o be_o only_o leave_v the_o few_o number_n of_o good_a man_n compare_v with_o the_o vast_a multitude_n and_o army_n of_o transgressor_n make_v they_o to_o be_v esteem_v singular_a and_o precise_a and_o bring_v upon_o they_o the_o wrath_n and_o fury_n of_o ungodly_a sinner_n because_o they_o will_v not_o run_v with_o they_o to_o the_o same_o excess_n of_o riot_n and_o wallow_v in_o the_o mire_n as_o they_o do_v but_o true_o this_o charge_n be_v not_o more_o rational_a than_o if_o a_o company_n of_o mad_a man_n shall_v call_v one_o a_o singular_a fool_n because_o he_o do_v not_o comply_v with_o they_o in_o all_o their_o extravagant_a act_n which_o do_v real_o rather_o require_v pity_n and_o compassion_n than_o imitation_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o singularity_n in_o some_o case_n be_v a_o very_a intolerable_a temper_n and_o unbecoming_a any_o man_n who_o pretend_v wisdom_n but_o yet_o if_o it_o be_v universal_o condemn_v and_o in_o no_o case_n admit_v as_o reasonable_a i_o do_v see_v but_o the_o charge_n will_v rebound_v upon_o the_o sinner_n who_o in_o this_o degenerate_a age_n think_v the_o worse_a of_o himself_o if_o he_o exceed_v not_o other_o in_o wickedness_n but_o since_o holiness_n be_v so_o conformable_a to_o humane_a reason_n so_o advantageous_a and_o beneficial_a to_o every_o man_n what_o madness_n be_v it_o to_o condemn_v it_o as_o singular_a sure_o he_o who_o intend_v to_o walk_v as_o a_o man_n who_o be_v of_o a_o good_a understanding_n as_o good_a man_n be_v say_v to_o be_v who_o intend_v to_o mind_v his_o interest_n and_o happiness_n will_v never_o be_v fright_v from_o holiness_n because_o may_v be_v it_o be_v not_o in_o vogue_n nor_o become_v the_o mode_n of_o the_o kingdom_n if_o a_o whole_a kingdom_n except_v a_o few_o shall_v rebel_v against_o their_o prince_n will_v it_o be_v any_o blot_n upon_o these_o few_o loyal_a subject_n that_o they_o affect_v singularity_n but_o this_o cavil_n be_v so_o insignificant_a and_o silly_a that_o i_o need_v not_o enlarge_v sure_o since_o holiness_n be_v the_o peculiar_a excellency_n and_o noble_a embellishment_n of_o humane_a nature_n since_o it_o be_v so_o venerable_a and_o lovely_a and_o of_o all_o perfection_n the_o most_o excellent_a he_o must_v be_v degenerate_a to_o the_o brutal_a nature_n who_o condemn_v singularity_n in_o holiness_n for_o this_o be_v in_o truth_n a_o condemn_v a_o man_n because_o he_o be_v more_o excellent_a than_o his_o neghbour_n as_o the_o righteous_a be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o scripture_n the_o last_o heavy_a charge_n be_v that_o it_o be_v folly_n and_o madness_n for_o man_n to_o quit_v with_o their_o present_a pleasure_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o grievous_a trouble_n for_o a_o future_a reward_n which_o be_v uncertain_a and_o which_o no_o body_n ever_o see_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n to_o think_v that_o holiness_n expose_v man_n to_o relinquish_v temporal_a and_o sensual_a pleasure_n there_o be_v no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n so_o qualify_v to_o experiment_n the_o sweetness_n of_o these_o none_o who_o live_v in_o so_o happy_a and_o flourish_a condition_n who_o be_v more_o healthful_a and_o enjoy_v a_o great_a measure_n of_o peace_n and_o quietness_n than_o good_a man_n the_o only_a inconveniency_n they_o be_v expose_v to_o be_v affliction_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o religion_n which_o when_o christianity_n do_v commence_v be_v no_o rare_a thing_n but_o now_o be_v not_o so_o ordinary_a but_o suppose_v good_a man_n be_v expose_v to_o great_a affliction_n than_o other_o man_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o satisfaction_n in_o submit_v to_o they_o since_o they_o be_v but_o light_a affliction_n and_o momentary_a too_o which_o work_n for_o we_o a_o far_o more_o exceee_a and_o eternal_a weight_n of_o glory_n these_o small_a evil_n be_v rather_o to_o be_v endure_v than_o last_a pain_n and_o torment_n sure_o of_o two_o evil_n the_o least_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v second_o although_o the_o reward_n of_o holiness_n be_v future_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o uncertain_a we_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o reward_n for_o the_o righteous_a in_o another_o world_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o sure_o he_o be_v a_o unwise_a man_n that_o ask_v any_o other_o demonstration_n or_o proof_n now_o that_o there_o be_v a_o reward_n lay_v up_o for_o good_a man_n which_o though_o unseen_a be_v yet_o as_o certain_a as_o if_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o sense_n we_o have_v the_o great_a rational_a evidence_n and_o the_o best_a moral_a argument_n to_o confirm_v it_o for_o first_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n second_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n then_o there_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n more_o certain_a than_o that_o there_o be_v a_o state_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n after_o this_o life_n first_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n than_o we_o can_v have_v no_o reasonable_a scruple_n about_o the_o future_a reward_n for_o since_o god_n be_v holy_a and_o just_a perfection_n essential_a to_o a_o deity_n then_o certain_o he_o will_v as_o the_o great_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n reward_n virtue_n and_o punish_v vice_n but_o this_o do_v not_o always_o fall_v out_o so_o here_o therefore_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o he_o have_v reserve_v the_o wicked_a till_o that_o great_a day_n of_o wrath_n and_o prepare_v a_o reward_n for_o the_o righteous_a second_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n than_o he_o who_o run_v may_v read_v this_o truth_n we_o have_v then_o the_o great_a moral_a assurance_n possible_a that_o there_o be_v a_o future_a reward_n which_o may_v sufficient_o encourage_v man_n to_o hazard_v all_o they_o enjoy_v here_o for_o the_o expectation_n of_o it_o but_o i_o shall_v only_o suppose_v that_o the_o future_a reward_n be_v possible_a which_o i_o think_v few_o will_v deny_v or_o can_v prove_v it_o to_o be_v impossible_a yet_o even_o upon_o this_o supposition_n good_a man_n who_o part_n with_o the_o transitory_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n prove_v a_o great_a deal_n wise_a than_o those_o who_o condemn_v they_o for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o life_n