Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	let_v	lord_n	see_v	4,698	5	3.6890	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

generality_n be_v there_o the_o same_o application_n of_o mind_n use_v to_o improve_v spirituality_n as_o be_v employ_v in_o acquire_v temporal_a thing_n i_o can_v also_o avail_v myself_o of_o the_o example_n of_o a_o neighbour_a nation_n which_o put_v even_o those_o author_n that_o treat_v deep_a point_n father_n among_o the_o rest_n into_o the_o common_a language_n of_o the_o country_n as_o for_o the_o manner_n i_o observe_v in_o handle_v my_o matter_n i_o guide_v myself_o much_o by_o the_o experience_n i_o have_v of_o what_o be_v needful_a for_o the_o temper_n of_o divers_a spirit_n i_o observe_v some_o exceed_a scrupulous_a they_o be_v not_o devout_a and_o yet_o they_o not_o only_o intend_v but_o strain_n with_o all_o their_o power_n to_o be_v so_o lest_o such_o well-meaning_a soul_n conscious_a to_o themselves_o they_o do_v their_o utmost_a and_o yet_o fear_v they_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o duty_n they_o aim_v at_o shall_v as_o there_o be_v danger_n lose_v their_o hope_n i_o endeavour_v to_o up-hold_a it_o by_o show_v they_o that_o a_o intention_n firm_o bend_v to_o god_n service_n can_v fail_v of_o render_v they_o true_o devout_a other_o conceit_n they_o want_v knowledge_n requisite_a to_o attain_v it_o wherefore_o to_o humble_v the_o pride_n of_o humane_a wit_n and_o comfort_v their_o honest_a simplicity_n i_o show_v how_o their_o frequent_a application_n to_o pious_a duty_n join_v with_o a_o sincere_a well-meaning_n go_v beyond_o all_o the_o high_a knowledge_n of_o the_o acute_a understanding_n if_o the_o will_v be_v never_o so_o little_o less_o perfect_a other_o be_v to_o seek_v in_o the_o mean_n to_o attain_v devotion_n which_o therefore_o i_o propose_v suitable_o to_o every_o one_o respective_a pitch_n last_o i_o have_v observe_v many_o either_o neglect_v total_o or_o less_o use_v prayer_n and_o that_o too_o but_o faint_o out_o of_o a_o apprehension_n ground_v on_o a_o ill-principled_n humility_n that_o they_o deserve_v not_o to_o be_v hear_v and_o so_o all_o they_o do_v in_o that_o kind_n be_v in_o vain_a as_o be_v once_o s._n teresa_n case_n which_o she_o afterward_o so_o feel_o bewail_v in_o herself_o and_o of_o which_o she_o so_o charitable_o forewarned_a other_o such_o person_n therefore_o i_o strive_v to_o encourage_v by_o lay_v open_a the_o excellency_n and_o utility_n of_o prayer_n and_o how_o connatural_o prayer_n for_o our_o true_a good_a virtue_n be_v the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o attain_v it_o and_o so_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o render_v we_o worthy_a to_o be_v hear_v at_o once_o let_v they_o see_v that_o no_o address_n to_o our_o infinite_o bountiful_a lord_n can_v be_v put_v up_o in_o vain_a and_o also_o thence_o exhort_v they_o to_o that_o devout_a importunity_n and_o struggle_v with_o heaven_n so_o much_o recommend_v by_o our_o saviour_n which_o by_o the_o constant_a and_o ordinary_a course_n of_o supernatural_a cause_n lay_v by_o providence_n can_v fail_v of_o obtain_v the_o blessing_n pray_v for_o and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o injure_v faith_n or_o abate_v its_o efficacy_n that_o it_o exceed_o comfort_n and_o strengthen_v it_o by_o let_v we_o see_v how_o certain_o god_n unchanged_a in_o himself_o perform_v his_o promise_n to_o those_o who_o use_v the_o mean_n he_o have_v lay_v and_o command_v to_o be_v use_v to_o effect_v those_o happy_a change_n in_o us._n hence_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o remark_n that_o in_o this_o treatise_n i_o meddle_v not_o with_o the_o efficaciousness_n of_o prayer_n for_o other_o nor_o with_o other_o strange_a effect_n of_o it_o nay_o sometime_o even_o miraculous_a one_o which_o by_o mean_n of_o a_o firm_a faith_n and_o reliance_n on_o god_n be_v bring_v to_o pass_v nor_o last_o do_v i_o treat_v of_o prayer_n or_o devotion_n as_o they_o depend_v on_o god_n '_o be_v grace_n or_o the_o secret_a work_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n as_o i_o hint_n also_o in_o the_o treatise_n itself_o p._n 60._o which_o i_o from_o my_o heart_n acknowledge_v to_o give_v we_o ability_n to_o begin_v continue_v and_o consummate_v both_o prayer_n and_o every_o good_a act_n that_o be_v supernatural_a though_o a_o imbitter_v adversary_n of_o i_o will_v needs_o throw_v that_o scandal_n upon_o i_o to_o deny_v it_o what_o i_o concern_v myself_o with_o be_v that_o part_n of_o our_o christian_a action_n or_o that_o co-operation_n of_o we_o with_o god_n grace_n that_o stand_v under_o our_o endeavour_n which_o i_o strive_v through_o the_o whole_a to_o encourage_v and_o particular_o in_o discourse_v of_o prayer_n i_o meddle_v only_o with_o those_o effect_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o ordinary_a and_o necessary_a consequent_n of_o a_o fervent_a and_o constant_a address_n to_o god_n for_o our_o soul_n be_v true_a good_a virtue_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v many_o and_o various_a temper_n of_o spirit_n in_o god_n church_n among_o which_o my_o experience_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n tell_v i_o there_o be_v not_o a_o few_o so_o natural_o speculative_a and_o give_v to_o look_v into_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o thing_n that_o they_o find_v most_o comfort_n and_o improvement_n in_o these_o discourse_n that_o go_v to_o the_o bottom_n and_o give_v a_o account_n of_o they_o from_o their_o principle_n to_o such_o person_n as_o those_o i_o hope_v i_o may_v when_o call_v upon_o write_z agreeable_o to_o their_o genius_n and_o pitch_n not_o blame_v but_o hearty_o applaud_v those_o pious_a man_n who_o accommodate_v themselves_o to_o other_o for_o as_o it_o be_v a_o great_a weakness_n to_o imagine_v or_o expect_v that_o every_o manner_n of_o handle_v a_o subject_a will_v suit_v with_o every_o capacity_n so_o it_o be_v no_o less_o to_o conceit_n that_o any_o kind_n of_o discourse_v so_o it_o be_v true_a and_o agree_v with_o christian_a principle_n can_v be_v such_o as_o suit_n with_o none_o chap._n i._n of_o devotion_n in_o common_a its_o kind_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o attain_v it_o sect_n i._o of_o the_o nature_n of_o devotion_n in_o common_a devotion_n be_v a_o word_n transplant_v into_o our_o language_n from_o the_o latin_a and_o derive_v from_o the_o primitive_a vovere_fw-la to_o vow_n it_o import_v among_o the_o heathen_n a_o steady_a and_o fix_a resolution_n or_o rather_o tie_v obligatory_a but_o yet_o voluntary_a and_o that_o of_o unusual_a strength_n such_o as_o carry_v they_o to_o the_o most_o difficult_a action_n it_o keep_v the_o same_o notion_n among_o christian_n the_o object_n only_o or_o motive_n of_o the_o resolution_n change_v for_o whereas_o false_a glory_n be_v heretofore_o the_o most_o dazzle_a and_o most_o prize_a end_n of_o the_o action_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o nothing_o be_v think_v more_o glorious_a than_o to_o die_v for_o their_o country_n they_o be_v say_v devote_v who_o voluntary_o in_o circumstance_n particular_o remarkable_a throw_v themselves_o for_o its_o sake_n upon_o a_o certain_a death_n so_o codrus_n among_o the_o athenian_n curtius_n and_o the_o decci_n among_o the_o roman_n be_v remember_v for_o devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o their_o several_a country_n perhaps_o their_o resolution_n have_v be_v confirm_v by_o some_o solemn_a vow_n to_o their_o idol_n but_o since_o we_o come_v to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o notion_n and_o incline_v to_o the_o pursuit_n of_o true_a glory_n and_o true_a good_a devotion_n have_v get_v another_o object_n and_o keep_v the_o same_o steadiness_n and_o promptness_n and_o strength_n in_o its_o notion_n as_o heretofore_o be_v apply_v only_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n it_o signify_v then_o a_o resolution_n or_o addiction_n to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n but_o strong_a and_o prompt_a such_o as_o set_v all_o the_o power_n of_o man_n efficacious_o a_o work_n in_o all_o occasion_n that_o occur_v it_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o any_o one_o kind_a for_o we_o say_v a_o man_n give_v alm_n fast_n visit_v the_o sick_a or_o afflict_a go_v on_o pilgrimage_n etc._n etc._n out_o of_o devotion_n that_o be_v exercise_n devotion_n in_o all_o these_o action_n but_o prayer_n be_v the_o most_o ordinary_a and_o most_o frequent_a act_n by_o which_o man_n use_v to_o serve_v god_n devotion_n be_v most_o ordinary_o understand_v of_o prayer_n and_o when_o we_o hear_v of_o a_o devout_a man_n we_o general_o apprehend_v a_o man_n who_o pray_v frequent_o and_o well_o for_o these_o two_o quality_n enter_v too_o into_o the_o notion_n of_o devotion_n we_o not_o think_v he_o devout_a who_o pray_v but_o seldom_o or_o careless_o §_o 2._o by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v the_o nature_n of_o devotion_n may_v be_v understand_v and_o we_o may_v perceive_v it_o be_v a_o quality_n or_o disposition_n in_o man_n strong_a and_o always_o efficacious_a which_o move_v all_o his_o power_n to_o act_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n ac-according_a to_o their_o several_a nature_n both_o with_o frequency_n and_o perfection_n §_o 3._o hence_o may_v be_v gather_v first_o that_o

strive_v by_o continual_a prayer_n make_v after_o that_o weak_a manner_n at_o least_o as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o improve_v those_o imperfect_a will_n into_o perfect_a one_o and_o groan_v under_o the_o slavery_n they_o now_o full_o experience_n at_o once_o sigh_n and_o tremble_v before_o their_o just_o offend_a god_n which_o kind_n of_o exercise_n in_o this_o case_n be_v more_o profitable_a and_o proper_a for_o they_o to_o use_v than_o love_n of_o god_n of_o which_o their_o heart_n yet_o full_a of_o filth_n be_v at_o present_a uncapable_a yet_o their_o utmost_a industry_n must_v be_v employ_v by_o faith_n and_o some_o degree_n of_o hope_n which_o be_v here_o the_o only_a actor_n to_o promote_v and_o advance_v these_o good_a motion_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n not_o yet_o within_o they_o but_o only_o move_v they_o to_o towards_o that_o grace_n by_o which_o the_o same_o holy-ghost_n enter_v into_o their_o heart_n and_o inhabit_v there_o the_o hard_a struggle_n be_v at_o first_o till_o the_o scale_n begin_v to_o turn_v which_o do_v all_o be_v easy_a to_o we_o if_o we_o pursue_v our_o victory_n but_o for_o those_o who_o be_v in_o this_o state_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o mortification_n go_v along_o with_o prayer_n to_o wean_v deter_v and_o divert_v the_o soul_n from_o the_o noxious_a gust_n she_o take_v in_o sinful_a object_n 14._o last_o we_o may_v hence_o admire_v the_o wise_a method_n and_o matchless_a bounty_n of_o our_o good_a god_n in_o allure_a we_o by_o so_o many_o motive_n to_o apply_v to_o he_o by_o prayer_n that_o so_o we_o may_v arrive_v at_o true_a happiness_n and_o give_v we_o by_o the_o very_a ask_n that_o be_v as_o soon_o as_o ever_o we_o ask_v all_o that_o be_v our_o certain_a and_o true_a good_a or_o all_o we_o can_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n hearty_o beg_v of_o he_o you_o will_v say_v it_o will_v follow_v hence_o that_o if_o one_o immediate_o ask_v heaven_n he_o shall_v have_v it_o i_o answer_v that_o this_o be_v the_o same_o manner_n of_o fond_a petition_n but_o far_o more_o high_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o ask_v the_o virtue_n of_o our_o lady_n or_o the_o apostle_n without_o think_v of_o put_v first_o the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o have_v it_o which_o be_v to_o press_v god_n to_o do_v a_o miracle_n for_o our_o sake_n a_o thing_n true_a humility_n &_o reverence_n the_o requisite_n to_o a_o right_o make_v prayer_n will_v scarce_o allow_v and_o so_o still_o our_o general_a principle_n remain_v firm_a to_o we_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o obtain_v what_o we_o pray_v for_o when_o we_o ask_v for_o our_o true_a good_a so_o we_o ask_v as_o we_o ought_v now_o the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o heaven_n be_v love_n of_o god_n if_o we_o pray_v for_o the_o mean_n we_o shall_v be_v sure_a both_o to_o obtain_v this_o and_o heaven_n too_o which_o be_v our_o end_n by_o it_o which_o secure_v to_o we_o the_o effect_n of_o our_o prayer_n or_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o our_o wish_n though_o it_o come_v not_o to_o we_o after_o our_o own_o foolish_a manner_n but_o according_a to_o the_o method_n our_o infinite_o wise_a god_n have_v appoint_v that_o be_v that_o all_o thing_n even_o in_o super-naturals_a except_o in_o some_o few_o case_n be_v carry_v forward_o from_o connatural_a cause_n or_o disposition_n to_o proper_a effect_n which_o consequence_n of_o the_o effect_n out_o of_o their_o proper_a cause_n be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n merit_n so_o misrepresent_v by_o our_o adversary_n only_o superad_v that_o god_n have_v promise_v this_o certain_a effect_n shall_v follow_v and_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a work_n out_o of_o that_o consideration_n or_o out_o of_o a_o reliance_n on_o god_n promise_n without_o know_v perhaps_o how_o this_o promise_n be_v bring_v about_o or_o perform_v to_o we_o which_o yet_o when_o know_v by_o those_o who_o be_v capable_a of_o understand_v it_o must_v needs_o add_v a_o strange_a degree_n of_o comfort_n and_o a_o exceed_a courage_n to_o employ_v themselves_o in_o prayer_n whence_o may_v be_v easy_o collect_v that_o i_o only_o concern_v myself_o with_o that_o kind_n of_o impetrative_a virtue_n by_o which_o right_o make_v prayer_n obtain_v certain_o of_o god_n our_o true_a spiritual_a good_a that_o by_o show_v the_o connatural_a efficacy_n of_o it_o and_o with_o how_o necessary_a a_o consequence_n the_o attainment_n of_o virtue_n spring_v from_o it_o i_o may_v excite_v my_o reader_n to_o pursue_v that_o best_a duty_n and_o withal_o by_o the_o way_n instruct_v they_o how_o to_o perform_v it_o what_o other_o virtue_n prayer_n have_v of_o obtain_v many_o thing_n of_o god_n for_o ourselves_o and_o our_o neighbour_n by_o oblige_v his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n in_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n so_o to_o contrive_v and_o order_v thing_n that_o not_o one_o prayer_n of_o the_o just_a be_v leave_v unavailable_a as_o far_o as_o can_v possible_o consist_v with_o the_o common_a good_a of_o the_o universe_n nay_o even_o so_o far_o as_o if_o the_o prayer_n be_v make_v with_o a_o perfect_a faith_n confidence_n and_o firm_a reliance_n upon_o he_o to_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n by_o miracle_n for_o such_o a_o prayer_n sake_n of_o these_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o treat_v at_o present_a it_o be_v out_o of_o my_o road_n as_o depend_v on_o principle_n which_o lie_v very_o remote_a from_o my_o present_a design_n as_o be_v say_v former_o in_o a_o like_a case_n concern_v prayer_n to_o saint_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o section_n i_o shall_v end_v this_o discourse_n with_o those_o most_o expressive_a word_n of_o st._n james_n if_o any_o one_o want_v wisdom_n let_v he_o ask_v of_o god_n who_o give_v to_o all_o abundant_o and_o without_o grudge_v and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v he_o but_o let_v he_o ask_v in_o faith_n nothing_o doubt_v for_o he_o that_o doubt_v be_v like_o a_o wave_n of_o the_o sea_n which_o be_v move_v and_o toss_v about_o by_o the_o wind._n let_v not_o then_o such_o a_o man_n think_v that_o he_o shall_v obtain_v any_o thing_n of_o our_o lord_n where_o we_o be_v to_o note_v first_o that_o by_o wisdom_n be_v not_o mean_v speculative_a knowledge_n but_o that_o wisdom_n which_o be_v our_o certain_a and_o true_a spiritual_a good_a and_o of_o which_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v the_o beginning_n as_o the_o love_n of_o god_n be_v its_o accomplishment_n or_o perfection_n next_o he_o assure_v we_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v and_o that_o without_o grudge_v or_o upbraid_v any_o that_o they_o have_v receive_v enough_o already_o but_o abundant_o without_o stint_n so_o they_o dispose_v themselves_o by_o prayer_n to_o receive_v it_o three_o he_o put_v the_o disposition_n to_o receive_v it_o to_o be_v a_o firm_a hope_n faith_n or_o confidence_n in_o god_n overflow_a goodness_n which_o be_v strengthen_v by_o know_v that_o what_o we_o ask_v be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o holy_a will._n last_o he_o declare_v that_o the_o want_n of_o this_o confidence_n in_o ask_v render_v our_o whole_a prayer_n ineffectual_a for_o the_o wish_n can_v be_v strong_a and_o efficacious_a to_o work_v the_o soul_n into_o a_o hearty_a and_o habitual_a love_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v hold_v beforehand_o as_o it_o ought_v that_o it_o can_v be_v have_v without_o god_n give_v it_o and_o the_o asker_n think_v that_o let_v he_o ask_v virtue_n how_o he_o will_v it_o be_v yet_o a_o obscure_a kind_n of_o mystery_n lie_v in_o god_n breast_n and_o depend_v on_o his_o mere_a will_n whether_o he_o will_v please_v to_o give_v he_o any_o virtue_n or_o no_o and_o that_o let_v he_o pray_v for_o it_o how_o he_o will_v there_o be_v yet_o no_o determinate_a or_o certain_a cause_n lay_v in_o the_o course_n of_o his_o supernatural_a providence_n to_o attain_v it_o and_o thence_o come_v to_o doubt_v whether_o he_o shall_v ever_o obtain_v any_o virtue_n or_o none_o at_o all_o which_o be_v very_o uncomfortable_a whereas_o be_v it_o know_v and_o well_o penetrate_v that_o god_n will_n be_v already_o as_o to_o that_o point_n determine_v by_o his_o wisdom_n govern_v and_o promote_a soul_n by_o prayer_n to_o virtue_n and_o by_o virtue_n to_o heaven_n as_o by_o proper_a disposition_n to_o those_o effect_n according_a to_o that_o say_v of_o the_o psalmist_n they_o shall_v rise_v from_o virtue_n to_o virtue_n till_o they_o see_v the_o god_n of_o god_n in_o zion_n also_o be_v it_o know_v and_o consider_v that_o a_o unwavering_a and_o thence_o efficacious_a prayer_n or_o wish_n strengthen_v by_o direct_v it_o to_o god_n be_v the_o proper_a disposition_n or_o mean_n effectual_o and_o necessary_o as_o we_o may_v say_v to_o gain_v virtue_n it_o will_v become_v impossible_a to_o want_v courage_n to_o ask_v it_o hearty_o and_o absolute_o impossible_a to_o waver_v or_o want_v assuredness_n in_o our_o ask_n it_o impossible_a our_o wish_n of_o it_o shall_v not_o become_v a_o efficacious_a mean_n to_o obtain_v it_o last_o impossible_a we_o shall_v not_o obtain_v what_o we_o ask_v soli_fw-la deo_fw-la gloria_fw-la finis_fw-la