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	lord_n	time_n	3,556	5	3.5091	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59239	Of devotion By J. S.	Sergeant, John, 1622-1707.	1678 (1678)	Wing S2585A; ESTC R220098	48,774	178

performance_n of_o prayer_n §_o 8._o freedom_n of_o spirit_n be_v another_o great_a help_n in_o this_o case_n distractedness_n for_o the_o most_o part_n proceed_v from_o worldly_a matter_n which_o our_o too_o great_a concern_v in_o they_o be_v perpetual_o suggest_v to_o our_o thought_n he_o that_o can_v contrive_v himself_o into_o circumstance_n which_o free_v he_o from_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o do_v with_o the_o world_n more_o than_o to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o mean_v it_o afford_v he_o to_o gain_v heaven_n be_v in_o the_o happy_a condition_n and_o likely_a to_o find_v least_o disturbance_n in_o prayer_n he_o that_o can_v free_v himself_o from_o business_n let_v he_o free_v himself_o from_o all_o unnecessary_a concern_v for_o it_o and_o settle_v this_o judgement_n firm_o in_o his_o soul_n that_o reason_n permit_v he_o not_o to_o be_v far_o concern_v cern_v for_o worldly_a affair_n let_v their_o importance_n be_v what_o it_o will_v than_o as_o they_o depend_v on_o he_o that_o success_n be_v out_o of_o his_o power_n and_o depend_v not_o on_o he_o but_o providence_n to_o which_o he_o shall_v content_o resign_v it_o and_o must_v whether_o he_o be_v content_a or_o no_o that_o his_o part_n and_o all_o the_o share_n he_o have_v in_o any_o action_n be_v to_o use_v his_o endeavour_n according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o skill_n that_o when_o he_o have_v allot_v the_o time_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o this_o and_o employ_v it_o as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v he_o have_v do_v all_o he_o have_v to_o do_v or_o can_v do_v in_o these_o matter_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v concern_v no_o far_o but_o be_v now_o at_o liberty_n to_o employ_v the_o time_n allot_v for_o prayer_n in_o the_o best_a manner_n likewise_o that_o there_o be_v no_o business_n which_o take_v up_o so_o much_o time_n as_o not_o to_o leave_v sufficient_a for_o prayer_n if_o negligence_n more_o than_o business_n do_v not_o hinder_v and_o the_o like_a but_o above_o all_o let_v he_o still_o remember_v that_o whatever_o other_o business_n he_o have_v or_o can_v have_v and_o i_o do_v not_o except_v any_o not_o love_n to_o parent_n care_v of_o child_n the_o strong_a and_o most_o rational_a tie_n to_o the_o near_a and_o most_o dear_a relation_n nay_o the_o pursuit_n of_o thing_n most_o necessary_a even_o of_o livelihood_n of_o clothes_n and_o meat_n be_v of_o no_o importance_n in_o comparison_n of_o this_o if_o this_o succeed_v not_o he_o be_v undo_v and_o that_o eternal_o however_o he_o thrive_v in_o other_o and_o if_o this_o succeed_v no_o miscarriage_n in_o any_o or_o all_o the_o rest_n can_v hinder_v he_o from_o be_v eternal_o happy_a he_o that_o live_v glorious_o and_o with_o full_a satisfaction_n of_o all_o his_o desire_n be_v wretched_a if_o he_o go_v at_o last_o into_o hell_n and_o after_o his_o short_a dream_n of_o happiness_n wake_v into_o a_o horrid_a and_o never_o end_v real_a misery_n and_o he_o who_o live_v despise_v and_o scorn_v and_o die_v starve_v with_o cold_a or_o hunger_n be_v happy_a if_o he_o go_v to_o heaven_n and_o find_v his_o short_a and_o now_o end_v suffering_n swallow_v up_o in_o infinite_a bliss_n so_o that_o in_o truth_n to_o amuse_v ourselves_o with_o what_o happen_v in_o this_o life_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o what_o be_v to_o come_v hereafter_o be_v a_o folly_n infinite_o more_o senseless_a than_o what_o we_o can_v fancy_v most_o ridiculous_a §_o 9_o this_o freedom_n of_o spirit_n be_v a_o disposition_n so_o high_o conducive_a to_o devotion_n that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v preserve_v even_o in_o the_o immediate_a mean_n to_o it_o i_o mean_v in_o our_o prayer_n and_o read_v devout_a book_n in_o case_n they_o be_v not_o obligagory_n or_o that_o after_o a_o deliberate_a consideration_n with_o the_o assistance_n and_o advice_n of_o our_o spiritual_a director_n it_o appear_v not_o that_o we_o have_v already_o make_v choice_n of_o the_o best_a and_o see_v that_o other_o be_v improper_a or_o less_o beneficial_a for_o there_o be_v many_o good_a soul_n so_o strange_o fix_v by_o a_o habituate_v custom_n of_o say_v such_o and_o such_o prayer_n that_o they_o fall_v into_o scruple_n if_o upon_o occasion_n they_o hap_v to_o omit_v or_o change_v they_o and_o yet_o let_v they_o examine_v their_o own_o thought_n to_o the_o bottom_n they_o can_v discover_v no_o reason_n or_o ground_n of_o such_o a_o scruple_n but_o the_o aukwardness_n of_o break_v a_o longinured_a custom_n and_o to_o such_o person_n it_o seem_v very_o advisable_v in_o my_o judgement_n that_o they_o omit_v they_o in_o very_o good_a occasion_n or_o with_o good_a advice_n change_v they_o that_o so_o free_v themselves_o thus_o from_o the_o tyrannous_a slavery_n of_o custom_n and_o the_o biggottery_n of_o irrational_a fear_n they_o may_v inure_v themselves_o still_o to_o follow_v right_a reason_n in_o what_o they_o do_v and_o no_o other_o motive_n of_o which_o they_o can_v give_v no_o account_n which_o be_v indeed_o to_o assert_v and_o preserve_v the_o just_a liberty_n of_o spirit_n due_a by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o grace_n where_o no_o contrary_a duty_n or_o obligation_n do_v restrain_v it_o §_o 10._o there_o be_v divers_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v not_o always_o use_v the_o same_o prayer_n and_o run_v still_o in_o one_o tract_n one_o be_v because_o a_o perpetual_a custom_n hinder_v our_o attention_n to_o the_o sense_n and_o due_a penetration_n of_o the_o word_n in_o which_o chief_o consist_v the_o fruit_n or_o spiritual_a advance_v by_o prayer_n another_o be_v the_o irrational_a scruple_n as_o be_v say_v of_o leave_v off_o what_o mere_a custom_n have_v addict_v one_o to_o which_o be_v a_o fault_n or_o imperfection_n and_o so_o ought_v to_o be_v amend_v a_o three_o because_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v in_o this_o state_n that_o our_o spirit_n shall_v be_v always_o in_o one_o humour_n or_o disposition_n and_o it_o be_v best_a that_o every_o thing_n be_v wrought_v upon_o according_a as_o it_o be_v dispose_v to_o have_v the_o effect_v produce_v in_o it_o a_o four_o and_o principal_a reason_n be_v because_o our_o soul_n every_o day_n grow_v or_o shall_v grow_v in_o spirituality_n at_o least_o at_o every_o competent_a distance_n season_n or_o stage_n of_o our_o life_n race_n she_o must_v needs_o by_o the_o very_a practice_n of_o a_o virtuous_a christian_a life_n have_v gain_v a_o considerable_a advance_v though_o perhaps_o she_o discern_v it_o not_o especial_o while_o it_o be_v grow_v and_o it_o be_v as_o irrational_a to_o think_v the_o same_o thought_n be_v apt_a to_o fit_v she_o in_o all_o state_n as_o to_o think_v that_o our_o body_n ought_v always_o to_o be_v feed_v with_o milk_n because_o we_o eat_v nothing_o else_o when_o we_o be_v infant_n i_o for_o my_o part_n know_v no_o one_o devotion_n suit_v all_o sort_n all_o state_n all_o time_n and_o every_o pitch_n but_o that_o which_o be_v make_v by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o eternal_a father_n who_o full_o comprehend_v they_o all_o i_o mean_v the_o lord_n prayer_n §_o 11._o but_o the_o best_a help_n of_o all_o be_v a_o good_a director_n for_o as_o in_o the_o body_n the_o same_o disease_n proceed_v sometime_o from_o different_a cause_n and_o require_v different_a way_n of_o cure_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mind_n too_o it_o may_v happen_v that_o the_o same_o indisposition_n which_o in_o some_o proceed_v from_o the_o impersection_n of_o nature_n may_v be_v cause_v by_o the_o perfection_n of_o nature_n in_o other_o a_o soul_n fit_v for_o high_a operation_n than_o these_o in_o which_o she_o be_v employ_v and_o strain_v at_o they_o by_o a_o natural_a propension_n and_o yet_o not_o reach_v they_o for_o want_v of_o instruction_n may_v fall_v into_o the_o same_o unsatisfactory_a condition_n which_o happen_v to_o other_o soul_n from_o other_o cause_n a_o good_a director_n be_v as_o necessary_a in_o such_o case_n as_o a_o good_a doctor_n where_o disease_n spring_v from_o not_o usual_a and_o not_o easy_o perceive_v cause_n however_o our_o conduct_n be_v sure_a to_o be_v so_o much_o the_o wise_a as_o he_o have_v more_o wisdom_n than_o ourselves_o in_o this_o particular_a there_o be_v but_o two_o thing_n to_o be_v observe_v to_o choose_v one_o who_o be_v true_o fit_a and_o then_o to_o treat_v free_o with_o he_o they_o be_v both_o of_o great_a importance_n but_o need_v not_o be_v far_o dilate_v sect_n iv._o of_o the_o two_o chief_a kind_n of_o devotion_n §_o 1._o because_o devotion_n be_v a_o steady_a bent_n of_o the_o will_n to_o spiritual_a operation_n and_o there_o be_v two_o way_n by_o which_o the_o will_n may_v come_v to_o this_o disposition_n those_o two_o different_a method_n make_v two_o sort_n or_o kind_n of_o devotion_n for_o the_o will_n may_v be_v wrought_v to_o this_o temper_n either_o by_o a_o habit_n get_v as_o other_o habit_n

in_o they_o than_o in_o myself_o which_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o do_v not_o it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o right_a nature_n or_o true_a reason_n oblige_v both_o they_o and_o i_o to_o assent_v that_o such_o thing_n be_v true_a and_o therefore_o that_o such_o a_o authority_n attest_v such_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v deceive_v we_o wherefore_o by_o the_o same_o and_o far_o better_a reason_n i_o be_o to_o believe_v this_o vast_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n attest_v to_o i_o that_o such_o and_o such_o doctrine_n be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n §_o 7._o far_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n in_o which_o this_o universal_a persuasion_n of_o mankind_n that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v divine_a be_v introduce_v i_o find_v the_o effect_n absolute_o impossible_a to_o nature_n the_o man_n who_o first_o begin_v to_o work_v it_o be_v inconsiderable_a in_o all_o respect_n of_o which_o the_o world_n take_v notice_n of_o mean_a birth_n of_o mean_a calling_n fisherman_n of_o no_o power_n no_o extraordinary_a natural_a endowment_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o primitive_a christian_a as_o there_o be_v many_o famous_a for_o part_n or_o quality_n he_o must_v first_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o man_n inferior_a to_o himself_o in_o all_o such_o kind_n of_o respect_n this_o be_v at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v possess_v with_o idolatry_n that_o be_v utter_a enemy_n to_o christianity_n except_v one_o poor_a corner_n of_o it_o judea_n where_o the_o change_n begin_v and_o where_o those_o who_o remain_v unchanged_a be_v great_a enemy_n to_o the_o business_n than_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o world_n at_o this_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o simple_a or_o foolish_a that_o wit_n be_v rather_o at_o the_o high_a pitch_n all_o the_o learning_n of_o athens_n and_o greece_n be_v transfer_v to_o the_o roman_n and_o there_o improve_v and_o heighten_v yet_o this_o world_n by_o these_o man_n in_o such_o circumstance_n be_v prevail_v with_o to_o cast_v off_o all_o their_o long-settled_n persuasion_n in_o religion_n and_o instead_o of_o they_o to_o entertain_v and_o that_o with_o a_o most_o unshakable_a firmness_n the_o belief_n of_o mystery_n inconceivable_a such_o at_o which_o nature_n can_v not_o choose_v but_o boggle_v extreme_o and_o not_o admit_v without_o absolute_a conviction_n for_o no_o interest_n can_v move_v they_o all_o preferment_n of_o honour_n or_o trust_v or_o profit_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o oppose_v this_o new_a doctrine_n and_o to_o embrace_v it_o be_v to_o forfeit_n whatever_o they_o possess_v or_o hope_v in_o this_o kind_n nay_o to_o change_v it_o for_o poverty_n and_o contempt_n and_o torment_n and_o death_n force_v there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v for_o all_o power_n be_v in_o those_o who_o be_v against_o christianity_n and_o be_v employ_v and_o strain_v to_o suppress_v it_o in_o learning_n and_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n and_o all_o natural_a part_n they_o have_v the_o advantage_n and_o the_o thing_n propose_v to_o their_o belief_n a_o trinity_n a_o god_n make_v man_n and_o live_v in_o obscurity_n and_o die_v in_o torment_n and_o infamy_n a_o virgin-mother_n etc._n etc._n be_v inconceivable_a and_o to_o nature_n unsolvable_a riddle_n §_o 8._o he_o that_o shall_v consider_v these_o thing_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o what_o may_v occur_v as_o they_o deserve_v will_v be_v convince_v that_o the_o effect_n viz._n a_o persuasion_n of_o such_o multitude_n of_o man_n so_o qualify_v to_o believe_v such_o strange_a thing_n so_o strong_o that_o no_o hope_n or_o fear_n can_v hinder_v they_o from_o stand_v firm_o to_o they_o even_o to_o death_n can_v not_o be_v compass_v by_o natural_a cause_n and_o thence_o conclude_v with_o absolute_a certainty_n the_o doctrine_n can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o divine_a dictate_v by_o god_n the_o author_n of_o nature_n and_o by_o his_o power_n over_o it_o introduce_v and_o settle_v in_o the_o world_n §_o 9_o again_o among_o other_o supernatural_a mean_n miracle_n be_v one_o which_o the_o christian_a party_n unanimous_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n it_o be_v impossible_a have_v they_o be_v false_a they_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v discover_v and_o the_o pretender_n and_o actor_n manifest_o show_v to_o be_v a_o company_n of_o cheat_n unless_o there_o want_v wit_n or_o power_n or_o will_v in_o the_o opposite_a party_n to_o examine_v and_o detect_v they_o for_o that_o which_o we_o know_v how_o to_o do_v and_o can_v and_o will_v do_v manifest_o be_v do_v wit_n to_o detect_v they_o there_o be_v in_o abundance_n the_o world_n be_v then_o both_o acute_a and_o withal_o sceptical_a a_o quality_n too_o which_o hinder_v they_o from_o believe_v rash_o will_v there_o want_v not_o the_o honour_n and_o interest_n of_o all_o overseer_n of_o religion_n or_o priest_n both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n engage_v they_o against_o it_o and_o the_o civil_a policy_n be_v high_o concern_v to_o look_v to_o innovation_n and_o doctrine_n contrary_a to_o the_o religion_n in_o vogue_n and_o establish_v among_o they_o beside_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o have_v a_o will_n to_o do_v what_o they_o do_v and_o they_o do_v make_v all_o the_o opposition_n they_o can_v neither_o be_v there_o any_o want_n of_o power_n which_o till_o constantin_n time_n three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n be_v all_o whether_o secular_a or_o religious_a in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n and_o often_o fruitless_o employ_v to_o the_o uttermost_a both_o by_o policy_n and_o persecution_n to_o root_v it_o out_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o over-bearing_a they_o by_o noise_n for_o that_o be_v one_o kind_a of_o power_n and_o silence_v those_o who_o cry_v down_o the_o miracle_n by_o the_o loud_a clamour_n of_o great_a multitude_n who_o cry_v they_o up_o for_o though_o christianity_n have_v make_v a_o considerable_a progress_n in_o the_o world_n during_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n yet_o in_o comparison_n of_o heathen_n christian_n be_v but_o few_o and_o very_o unable_a to_o contend_v with_o they_o in_o noise_n it_o remain_v then_o that_o the_o pretend_a miracle_n be_v true_a miracle_n and_o too_o evident_o such_o for_o any_o wit_n or_o power_n of_o man_n to_o show_v they_o otherwise_o and_o that_o those_o and_o the_o other_o mean_n use_v in_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n be_v true_o above_o nature_n since_o they_o overcome_v all_o human_a and_o natural_a mean_n conspire_v and_o bend_v to_o oppose_v they_o and_o have_v they_o not_o be_v such_o the_o persuasion_n nay_o steadfast_a belief_n of_o such_o incomprehensible_a mystery_n and_o stand_v fast_o against_o such_o a_o violent_a torrent_n nay_o turn_v the_o stream_n so_o strange_o and_o prevail_v on_o such_o vast_a portion_n of_o the_o world_n to_o embrace_v christianity_n will_v be_v a_o effect_n without_o a_o cause_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o without_o a_o proportionable_a cause_n or_o a_o cause_n able_a to_o produce_v it_o wherefore_o as_o certain_a as_o it_o be_v that_o no_o effect_n can_v be_v produce_v without_o a_o cause_n and_o that_o a_o proportionable_a cause_n or_o a_o cause_n able_a to_o produce_v it_o and_o that_o be_v so_o certain_a that_o to_o deny_v it_o be_v to_o affirm_v manifest_a contradiction_n viz._n that_o a_o thing_n can_v do_v what_o it_o can_v do_v so_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o this_o first-taught_a doctrine_n be_v both_o true_o divine_a and_o right_o derive_v from_o the_o primitive_a time_n to_o we_o therefore_o i_o be_o as_o sure_a as_o i_o live_v my_o faith_n be_v true_a and_o the_o doctrine_n i_o believe_v reveal_v to_o mankind_n by_o god_n himself_o §_o 10._o hence_o a_o rationally-pious_a soul_n will_v discourse_v on_o this_o or_o the_o like_a manner_n when_o i_o certain_o know_v any_o thing_n that_o real_o and_o high_o concern_v i_o for_o example_n that_o such_o a_o precipice_n if_o i_o leap_v into_o it_o will_v certain_o kill_v i_o such_o a_o action_n will_v certain_o ruin_v my_o estate_n such_o another_o will_v secure_v it_o and_o settle_v i_o in_o plenty_n &_o content_a and_o security_n it_o be_v plain_a madness_n not_o to_o act_v according_a to_o this_o knowledge_n and_o beware_v of_o that_o precipice_n and_o avoid_v one_o action_n and_o do_v the_o other_o but_o it_o be_v infinite_o great_a madness_n not_o to_o avoid_v such_o thing_n as_o my_o faith_n with_o much_o great_a certainty_n assure_v i_o will_v bring_v upon_o i_o infinite_o great_a mischief_n and_o not_o lay_v hold_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o it_o likewise_o assure_v i_o will_v put_v i_o into_o possession_n of_o infinite_o great_a good_n no_o less_o than_o true_a and_o perfect_a and_o never_o end_v happiness_n i_o will_v therefore_o endeavour_v by_o the_o best_a and_o all_o mean_n i_o possible_o can_v to_o avoid_v sin_n correct_v my_o passion_n and_o inordinate_a