Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	justification_n	meritorious_a	righteousness_n	3,361	5	7.8167	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41173	The interest of reason in religion with the import & use of scripture-metaphors, and the nature of the union betwixt Christ & believers : (with reflections on several late writings, especially Mr. Sherlocks Discourse concerning the knowledg of Jesus Christ, &c.) modestly enquired into and stated / by Robert Ferguson.	Ferguson, Robert, d. 1714.	1675 (1675)	Wing F740; ESTC R20488	279,521	698

suppose_v this_o be_v true_a the_o inference_n of_o his_o be_v only_o a_o metaphorick_n priest_n be_v not_o to_o be_v avoid_v and_o consequent_o all_o the_o text_n where_o he_o be_v any_o way_n style_v a_o priest_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v only_o metaphorical_o for_o if_o his_o priestly_a and_o kingly_a office_n be_v not_o distinct_a either_o his_o regal_a office_n must_v be_v reduce_v to_o and_o include_v in_o his_o sacerdotal_a which_o our_o author_n will_v not_o affirm_v and_o if_o he_o shall_v he_o will_v only_o gain_v by_o it_o the_o make_v christ_n a_o metaphorick_n king_n instead_o of_o a_o metaphorick_n priest_n or_o else_o his_o sacerdotal_a office_n must_v belong_v to_o and_o be_v include_v in_o his_o regal_a be_v only_o a_o readiness_n to_o exercise_v that_o authority_n and_o power_n for_o his_o church_n which_o as_o a_o king_n appertain_v to_o he_o and_o if_o so_o than_o those_o innumerable_a place_n of_o scripture_n which_o report_n christ_n to_o be_v a_o priest_n to_o have_v give_v himself_o a_o sacrifice_n to_o god_n for_o we_o to_o have_v expiate_v sin_n to_o have_v make_v atonement_n and_o to_o have_v render_v god_n propitious_a be_v every_o one_o of_o they_o metaphorical_a i_o have_v insist_v the_o long_a on_o this_o opinion_n of_o mr._n sherlock_n concern_v christ_n priestly_a office_n be_v only_o a_o different_a part_n and_o administration_n of_o his_o mediatory_a kingdom_n 1_o st_z to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o by_o charge_v socinianism_n upon_o some_o of_o our_o late_a pretend_a rational_a divine_n we_o do_v not_o transform_v they_o into_o any_o thing_n but_o what_o they_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o imputation_n rather_o than_o the_o foulness_n seem_v to_o be_v that_o which_o make_v they_o angry_a as_o the_o historian_n tell_v we_o of_o tiberius_n that_o he_o be_v both_o the_o ready_a to_o believe_v &_o the_o more_o offend_v at_o something_o which_o be_v say_v of_o he_o because_o it_o be_v the_o true_a report_n of_o his_o guilt_n so_o i_o wish_v it_o be_v not_o as_o much_o the_o justness_n as_o the_o odiousness_n of_o the_o character_n of_o socinian_n which_o render_v some_o man_n stingy_a but_o 2_o lie_v the_o main_a reason_n of_o my_o insist_v upon_o these_o passage_n be_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o whereas_o they_o arraign_v the_o nonconformist_n for_o turn_v the_o plain_a scripture_n into_o metaphor_n the_o crime_n lodge_v especial_o with_o themselves_o and_o that_o the_o principle_n which_o they_o have_v espouse_v be_v not_o otherwise_o defensible_a but_o by_o turn_v the_o plain_a scripture_n into_o metaphor_n so_o that_o here_o clodius_n accusat_fw-la maechos_fw-fr and_o provide_v mr._n sherlock_n will_v abide_v by_o his_o notion_n that_o the_o office_n of_o prophet_n priest_n and_o king_n be_v not_o proper_o distinct_a office_n in_o christ_n i_o do_v here_o undertake_v to_o prove_v by_o easy_a train_n of_o deduction_n that_o for_o one_o text_n capable_a of_o a_o proper_a sense_n which_o the_o fanatic_n pervert_v by_o impose_v a_o metaphorick_n one_o upon_o it_o he_o lie_v under_o a_o necessity_n if_o he_o will_v preach_v or_o write_v consequential_o to_o his_o tenet_n of_o wrest_v twenty_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n §_o 10._o but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o only_a opinion_n imbibe_v by_o our_o author_n which_o i_o impeach_v as_o pregnant_a with_o this_o mischief_n his_o notion_n of_o justification_n be_v attend_v with_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n nor_o be_v it_o any_o way_n maintainable_a but_o by_o pervert_v innumerable_a text_n from_o their_o plain_a and_o natural_a sense_n to_o a_o metaphorick_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o charge_n i_o shall_v first_o give_v a_o true_a representation_n of_o his_o thought_n about_o justification_n and_o then_o endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o beside_o what_o else_o lie_v against_o he_o it_o be_v accompany_v with_o this_o fatal_a unhappiness_n of_o turn_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n into_o mere_a insignificant_a and_o empty_a metaphor_n his_o sentiment_n then_o in_o reference_n to_o justification_n be_v these_o 322._o that_o we_o be_v only_o justify_v by_o our_o believe_v and_o obey_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ._n 320._o that_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o christ_n death_n and_o the_o righteousness_n of_o his_o life_n have_v no_o other_o influence_n upon_o our_o acceptance_n with_o god_n but_o that_o to_o they_o we_o owe_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n that_o be_v god_n be_v well_o please_v with_o the_o obedience_n of_o christ_n life_n and_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o his_o death_n for_o his_o sake_n enter_v into_o a_o new_a covenant_n with_o mankind_n wherein_o he_o promise_v pardon_n of_o sin_n and_o eternal_a life_n to_o those_o who_o believe_v and_o obey_v the_o gospel_n so_o that_o the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o the_o formal_a cause_n of_o our_o justification_n 324._o but_o the_o righteousness_n of_o his_o life_n &_o death_n be_v the_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o that_o covenant_n whereby_o we_o be_v declare_v righteous_a &_o reward_v as_o righteous_a person_n the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o god_n for_o christ_n sake_n have_v make_v pardon_v our_o past_a sin_n &_o folly_n and_o reward_v a_o sincere_a though_o imperfect_a obedience_n the_o gospel_n by_o its_o great_a argument_n &_o motive_n and_o powerful_a assistance_n form_n our_o mind_n to_o the_o love_n and_o practice_n of_o holiness_n and_o so_o make_v we_o inherent_o righteous_a and_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n accept_v and_o reward_v that_o sincere_a obedience_n which_o according_a to_o the_o rigour_n and_o severity_n of_o the_o law_n can_v deserve_v no_o reward_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o true_a account_n of_o mr._n sherlock_n judgement_n about_o justification_n and_o i_o have_v quote_v it_o in_o his_o own_o word_n that_o he_o may_v neither_o complain_v of_o his_o be_v impose_v upon_o nor_o the_o reader_n question_v the_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n of_o this_o representation_n and_o as_o whosoever_o consult_v the_o page_n i_o refer_v to_o will_v find_v that_o i_o treat_v my_o adversary_n with_o faithfulness_n so_o if_o they_o compare_v they_o with_o some_o other_o place_n where_o he_o have_v declare_v himself_o with_o less_o modesty_n they_o will_v have_v reason_n to_o say_v that_o i_o have_v expose_v his_o opinion_n in_o the_o favourabl_a manner_n i_o can_v now_o i_o design_v not_o any_o accurate_a ventilation_n of_o this_o great_a theme_n nor_o any_o severe_a research_n into_o mr._n sherlock_n faileurs_fw-fr in_fw-la the_o manage_n of_o it_o nor_o a_o critical_a survey_n of_o his_o neglect_n of_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o modesty_n in_o treat_v his_o adversary_n about_o it_o nor_o yet_o his_o partiality_n in_o arraign_v only_o the_o nonconformist_n when_o he_o can_v not_o but_o know_v that_o the_o most_o eminent_a person_n that_o ever_o the_o church_n of_o england_n breed_v as_o well_o as_o the_o generality_n of_o protestant_a divine_n be_v equal_o involve_v have_v appear_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o that_o very_a notion_n of_o justification_n which_o he_o so_o invidious_o represent_v and_o tragical_o declaime_n against_o those_o for_o the_o full_a handle_n of_o justification_n stand_v reserve_v for_o other_o hand_n who_o in_o due_a time_n will_v retrieve_v the_o spoil_n wherewith_o our_o author_n have_v enrich_v his_o wardrobe_n and_o strip_v he_o of_o the_o laurel_n wherewith_o he_o have_v adorn_v his_o temple_n i_o shall_v only_o bestow_v one_o stricture_n upon_o he_o and_o then_o apply_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o inconvenience_n i_o have_v already_o charge_v his_o opinion_n with_o and_o for_o which_o in_o this_o place_n i_o cite_v it_o in_o brief_a then_o i_o see_v not_o how_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v any_o way_n owe_v to_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o christ_n death_n and_o the_o righteousness_n of_o his_o life_n provide_v that_o mr._n sherlock_n will_v be_v constant_a to_o and_o write_v consonant_o to_o some_o of_o his_o other_o principle_n for_o if_o the_o natural_a notion_n which_o man_n have_v of_o god_n assure_v they_o that_o he_o be_v very_o good_a and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o understand_v what_o goodness_n be_v without_o pardon_v grace_n 44._o as_o our_o author_n elsewhere_o tell_v we_o i_o say_v suppose_v this_o to_o be_v true_a i_o see_v not_o how_o the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n life_n and_o death_n can_v be_v the_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o god_n forgive_a our_o sin_n and_o folly_n for_o as_o much_o as_o his_o essential_a goodness_n oblige_v he_o to_o it_o i_o take_v it_o for_o a_o principle_n of_o reason_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v merit_v which_o be_v due_a upon_o a_o antecedent_n title_n merit_n in_o its_o essential_a notion_n import_v a_o acquisition_n of_o a_o right_n which_o we_o have_v not_o before_o there_o can_v be_v no_o room_n for_o it_o in_o reference_n to_o that_o which_o we_o stand_v entitle_v to_o by_o the_o natural_a goodness_n of_o

be_v in_o he_o can_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o be_v member_n of_o his_o visible_a church_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o hypocrite_n as_o well_o as_o sincere_a christian_n but_o neither_o do_v this_o nor_o any_o other_o text_n in_o the_o bible_n militate_v in_o behalf_n of_o such_o a_o impious_a notion_n however_o it_o or_o they_o may_v be_v press_v wrest_a and_o distort_v to_o such_o a_o service_n shall_v we_o allow_v mr._n sherlock_n read_v of_o the_o word_n refer_v to_o joh._n 15.2_o which_o our_o present_a english_a translation_n have_v precede_v he_o in_o yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o they_o towards_o the_o patronage_n of_o the_o cause_n they_o be_v bring_v for_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o place_n be_v not_o that_o there_o be_v any_o real_o in_o christ_n who_o bear_v not_o fruit_n but_o only_o that_o there_o be_v some_o void_a of_o all_o fruit_n of_o righteousness_n who_o make_v profession_n of_o their_o be_v so_o who_o be_v therefore_o in_o a_o equivocal_a sense_n style_v branch_n hoc_fw-la because_o they_o be_v number_v among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v usual_a to_o speak_v of_o person_n and_o thing_n as_o if_o they_o be_v that_o which_o they_o appear_v to_o be_v but_o withal_o the_o place_n be_v capable_a of_o another_o lection_n which_o if_o admit_v our_o author_n hypothesis_n be_v far_o from_o be_v befriend_v by_o it_o for_o the_o word_n may_v be_v as_o well_o read_v every_o branch_n that_o bear_v not_o fruit_n in_o i_o he_o take_v away_o as_o every_o branch_n in_o i_o that_o bear_v not_o fruit._n and_o then_o the_o true_a import_n of_o it_o be_v that_o unless_o we_o be_v in_o christ_n we_o can_v bring_v forth_o no_o fruit_n to_o god_n and_o that_o what_o show_v of_o be_v branch_n we_o make_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o external_n member-ship_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o that_o shall_v be_v no_o obex_fw-la to_o christ_n disclaim_v and_o renounce_v our_o work_n nothing_o have_v the_o true_a denomination_n of_o holiness_n but_o what_o proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n in_o we_o and_o principle_n of_o grace_n by_o infusion_n communicate_v to_o we_o which_o be_v the_o foundation_n matter_n and_o bond_n of_o our_o union_n with_o he_o and_o under_o whatever_o gloss_n or_o varnish_n we_o or_o our_o work_n appear_v to_o the_o world_n yet_o without_o such_o a_o relation_n to_o christ_n we_o be_v none_o of_o he_o nor_o be_v our_o duty_n as_o to_o the_o principle_n and_o circumstance_n of_o they_o acceptable_a to_o god_n the_o obligation_n upon_o man_n to_o obedience_n in_o what_o state_n soever_o we_o suppose_v they_o the_o consistency_n of_o god_n right_o of_o command_v with_o our_o contract_a inability_n to_o the_o yield_n of_o due_a obedience_n the_o capacity_n that_o all_o man_n remain_v in_o notwithstanding_o any_o congenite_fw-la impotency_n for_o the_o perform_v many_o external_n duty_n good_a in_o themselves_o and_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o with_o the_o subservience_n of_o these_o performance_n to_o conversion_n as_o they_o be_v mean_v appoint_v of_o god_n in_o order_n thereunto_o all_o these_o i_o in_o some_o measure_n understand_v and_o can_v reconcile_v with_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o that_o our_o life_n can_v be_v holy_a till_o our_o heart_n be_v so_o through_o the_o renew_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o that_o our_o work_n can_v be_v adequate_o good_a antecedent_o to_o our_o reception_n of_o supernatural_a grace_n i_o do_v no_o wise_n understand_v and_o i_o shall_v account_v myself_o oblige_v to_o mr._n sherlock_n will_v he_o unfold_v these_o thing_n to_o i_o without_o obtrude_a pelagianism_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o this_o conduct_n i_o to_o a_o second_o thing_n wherein_o our_o author_n notion_n of_o union_n with_o christ_n disserve_v and_o undermine_v gospel-holiness_n beyond_o what_o the_o high_a malice_n steel_v with_o a_o proportionate_a confidence_n can_v by_o any_o law_n of_o reason_n fasten_v upon_o his_o adversary_n of_o such_o a_o tendency_n for_o as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o have_v say_v that_o man_n be_v in_o a_o sense_n unite_v to_o christ_n before_o they_o either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v holy_a 349._o even_o that_o very_a obedience_n in_o which_o he_o state_v the_o compleatness_n of_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n and_o by_o which_o he_o declare_v it_o to_o be_v perfect_v be_v not_o owe_v to_o a_o infuse_v principle_n derive_v from_o jesus_n by_o the_o effectual_a operation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o be_v only_o the_o result_n &_o effect_v of_o our_o natural_a ability_n awaken_v and_o excite_v by_o the_o gospel_n hence_o that_o i_o may_v not_o again_o repeat_v what_o we_o have_v hear_v from_o he_o before_o sect._n 2._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o a_o holy_a life_n must_v at_o least_o in_o order_n of_o nature_n go_v before_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n 349._o because_o by_o this_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o and_o that_o we_o be_v not_o real_a and_o live_a member_n of_o christ_n till_o we_o first_o sincere_o obey_v he_o now_o i_o say_v that_o this_o obedience_n wherein_o our_o author_n place_v the_o very_a perfection_n of_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n be_v not_o only_o formal_o distinct_a from_o true_a gospel-holiness_n but_o indeed_o lie_v in_o a_o contrariety_n to_o it_o the_o gospel_n acknowledge_v no_o act_n of_o true_a holiness_n perform_v by_o any_o where_o there_o be_v not_o antecedent_o at_o least_o in_o order_n of_o nature_n a_o principle_n of_o true_a holiness_n in_o the_o person_n perform_v they_o no_o act_n operation_n or_o duty_n of_o we_o be_v in_o the_o esteem_n of_o the_o gospel_n holy_a but_o what_o proceed_v from_o and_o be_v do_v in_o the_o virtue_n power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o grace_n previous_o derive_v from_o and_o communicate_v to_o we_o by_o jesus_n christ._n there_o be_v pre-required_n to_o all_o act_n of_o gospel-obedience_n a_o new_a real_a spiritual_a principle_n by_o which_o our_o nature_n be_v renew_v &_o our_o soul_n render_v habitual_o and_o subjective_o holy_a grace_n be_v not_o the_o effect_n and_o product_v of_o any_o previous_a good_a action_n of_o we_o what_o ever_o subserviency_n through_o the_o appointment_n and_o dispose_n of_o god_n they_o may_v lie_v in_o as_o to_o his_o bestow_n of_o it_o but_o all_o act_n &_o operation_n true_o good_a be_v the_o fruit_n and_o efflorescency_n of_o grace_n to_o talk_v of_o sincere_a obedience_n preclude_v our_o antecedaneous_a adeption_n of_o a_o new_a principle_n and_o the_o communication_n of_o a_o divine_a vital_a seed_n to_o we_o be_v to_o impose_v pelagianism_n upon_o we_o and_o that_o in_o a_o more_o fulsome_a way_n and_o in_o cruder_n term_n than_o many_o of_o the_o follower_n of_o pelagius_n use_v to_o declare_v themselves_o exclude_v our_o be_v furnish_v with_o a_o active_a supernatural_a infuse_v subjective_a principle_n the_o utmost_a influence_n the_o gospel_n have_v upon_o obedience_n be_v only_o by_o the_o equity_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o its_o law_n the_o nobleness_n and_o certainty_n of_o its_o promise_n to_o solicit_v our_o mind_n and_o to_o awaken_v the_o strength_n we_o have_v but_o as_o to_o the_o confer_v any_o real_a strength_n or_o the_o beget_n a_o vital_a form_n in_o our_o heart_n thereby_o repair_v and_o restore_v the_o image_n of_o god_n which_o we_o have_v lose_v it_o be_v altogether_o incompetent_a and_o ineffectual_a so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a that_o very_a obedience_n wherein_o mr._n sherlock_n state_n the_o nature_n and_o perfection_n of_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n to_o consist_v be_v not_o only_o contra-distinct_a from_o but_o subversive_a of_o the_o holiness_n which_o the_o gospel_n require_v be_v a_o obedience_n educe_v mere_o out_o of_o our_o natural_a ability_n and_o no_o way_n owe_v to_o any_o antecedent_n renovation_n of_o our_o nature_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v that_o alone_a that_o the_o gospel_n honour_v with_o the_o name_n of_o holiness_n nor_o be_v this_o either_o all_o the_o invasion_n which_o our_o author_n by_o the_o idea_n he_o give_v of_o union_n with_o christ_n have_v make_v upon_o gospel-holiness_n but_o admit_v once_o his_o account_n of_o it_o to_o be_v true_a that_o which_o god_n alone_o do_v entitle_v by_o the_o name_n of_o holiness_n be_v whole_o shut_v out_o of_o the_o religion_n of_o christian_n so_o that_o a_o three_o reason_n why_o i_o except_v against_o his_o notion_n of_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n as_o pernicious_a to_o holiness_n beyond_o what_o the_o opinion_n of_o any_o other_o be_v who_o he_o so_o tragical_o declame'_v against_o be_v this_o that_o it_o render_v all_o true_a holiness_n even_o in_o person_n actual_o and_o complete_o unite_v to_o christ_n impossible_a for_o the_o future_a for_o as_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n be_v perfect_v without_o any_o communication_n of_o new_a principle_n by_o a_o real_a physical_a and_o