Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	great_a	punishment_n	sin_n	3,068	5	5.1724	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35317	The churches plea for the divine presence to prosper humane force in a sermon preached June 5, 1689, being the day appointed for a general fast and to implore the blessing of almighty God upon Their Majesties arms / by T. Cruso.	Cruso, Timothy, 1656?-1697.	1689 (1689)	Wing C7435; ESTC R30284	18,661	36

to apprehend Elisha but in confounding and perplexing of all their Counsels and Designs and bereaving them of the use of that Wisdom and cunning which they have When Absalom's Conspiracy was grown strong against his Father God secured David by turning the subtle and politick advices of Achitophel into foolishness 2 Sam. 15.31 and this was the way of Escape which David himself sought for because if Absalom had follow'd that course which Achitophel chalk't out David in all probability had lost the Kingdom God first infatuates those whom he intends to overthrow he shuts their Eyes that they may not find their hands he throws their reason and judgment into a dead sleep and so hurries their distracted thoughts that they cannot think one thought to their advantage If God be on our side he will make those that are against us to take those methods whereby they shall destroy themselves Secondly In the terrifying of them There are many Instances of this in Scripture The Egyptians had their Chariot wheels taken off in the Red Sea by Gods troubling of them Exod. 14.24 25. and the dreadful apprehension of his fighting for Israel And so it was prophesied many years after this that Egypt should tremble Isa 19.16 because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord of hosts The Philistims were scared with the sense of Gods coming into the Israelitish camp 1 Sam. 4.7 when they shouted at the arrival of the Ark. Saul was perfectly disanimated and lost the Spirit which he once had when God was departed from him chap. 31.4 and in the end became his own murderer for fear of dying by another So easie a matter is it for God to change the very tempers of men from the greatest Courage to the most sordid and shameful cowardise as is said in the Prophet the mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight Jer. 51.30 they have remained in their holds their might hath failed they became as women An Omnipotent God can in a moment take away the hearts of the stoutest Enemies and by that means dis-able them from making that opposition which they would Fourthly By Ordering and Governing of those things which appear most casual and contingent unto us Those things which are wholly out of our power God can make to serve his and our purpose As the same Waters which stood up like a Wall for the Israelites of old and fell down again for a Grave to the Egyptians so God can now cause the same Sea to bear our Ships and to bury theirs A storm when he pleases can bring about his end and our desire and with this breath of his mouth in the twinkling of an eye he can do that which many united hands cannot in the compass of weeks or months Every bullet that 's shot shall enter where God directs it and the steadiest aims of men signifie nothing in comparison of the Eye of God. He that covers the heads of his Friends and Favorites can lay open the bodies of his Enemies as an appointed mark for Instruments of Cruelty The Man that drew a bow at a venture smote the King of Israel though in a disguise 1 King. 22.34 between the joints of the Harness because it was God that guided the Arrow So when the stone out of David's sling sunk into Goliah's forehead which prov'd his mortal wound and the routing of the whole Host of the Philistims we read it was God that gave him into his peoples Hands 5 Sam. 17.47 Accidents seemingly most uncertain as well as minute and inconsiderable carry a great stroke in determining of Victories when God goes forth with our Armies Well might therefore the Psalmist conclude this Psalm after such a manner ver 12 13. Give us help from trouble for vain is the help of man not vain in conjunction with God but vain without him Through God we shall do valiantly we are the immediate Agents but he furnishes with the active power and brings forth the happy effect for he it is that shall tread down our Enemies Vse Having thus finished the Doctrinal matter contained in these words I come now to make some Practical Improvement of it with a special reference to the Occasion of this Day This may be best done in the Answering of Two Questions one of which tends to inform us of our present Duty the other will supply us with Arguments to back it Quest. I. The first Question is What shall we do that our Pleadings with God in such a Case for his Conduct of us into Edom and his Presence with our Hosts may be effectual Answ In six particulars First A necessary Rule to be observed is to seek first the pardon of our past sins and Reconciliation to our offended God. This is the inlet and introduction to all other Mercies which are Mercies indeed therefore the Psalmist does not onely take notice of God's bringing back the captivity of Jacob Ps 85.1 2 3. but that he had forgiven the iniquity of his people and taken away all his wrath There is no true temporal Blessing but what is the fruit of this spiritual one A displeased God may providentially deliver an unpardoned People but 't is a Curse to them rather than a Blessing their escape out of Calamity is a greater snare than if they had fallen into it Job 19.29 Wrath brings the punishment of the Sword if wrath therefore abides after the Sword is put up the Nation will be miserable still if sin the cause of Wrath as Wrath is of the Sword lye at our doors we are in a woful condition though our houses be safe from the fear of Enemies But peace with God is the foundation of abundance of Comfort in the most troublous times and causes the soul to return unto its rest though the Ears be fill'd with the Alarms of War for if God heal the Iniquities of a Land we may confidently pray for the healing of its breaches and having regain'd his favour we are entitled to his protection Secondly Put away those Sins which would continue or revive the Enmity betwixt God and you Remission is beg'd and hoped for in vain where Reformation is not both resolv'd and practis'd All your pleadings with God will be insignificant while your sins do so loudly plead against you their cry will be heard and make God absolutely deaf to yours Complain not that your Enemies are lively while your Lusts are so If you would be delivered from the one you must not deliver your selves up to the other So long as the Idols are standing in your hearts your Idolatrous Adversaries are not like to be blown down by your prayers It is a faithful saying that God neither hears a sinner for himself nor for the community which he belongs to Sin will make both our supplications and swords to return empty Therefore Moses warns the Jews Deut. 23.9 When the host goeth forth against thine Enemies then keep