Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	word_n	work_n	worth_n	35	3	8.9835	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A74688	Vox Dei & hominis. God's call from heaven ecchoed [sic] by mans answer from earth. Or a survey of effectual calling. In the [brace] explication of its nature. Distribution of it into its parts. Illustration of it by its properties. Confirmation of it by reasons. Application of it by uses. Being the substance of several sermons delivered to the people of Heveningham, in Suffolk. / By J. Votier, minister of the gospel.; Vox Dei et hominis	Votier, J. (James), b. 1622.	1658 (1658)	Wing V709; Thomason E1756_1; ESTC R209691	204,151	359

these things you bestow your time you will hardly to better bend your mind Two works especially of divers and contrary natures cannot be followed to purpose and if calling be not effectual it is not of proof 5. Want of attention People set not themselves S 26 to mind what is spoken and without heart-minding there is little likelihood of heart-mending They do not hide that seed in the furrows of their heart which is sown by the Ministers hand The not heeding the word is a great cause of not having the work The word not pondered in the mind is unlike to be a means of purifying the man many think Verba Dei quae aure percipitis mente retinete it enough to give it the hearing though they refuse it entertainment Hearing without heeding will bring little good to the soul People many times give as little regard to the truth as to a tale The word is the means of effectual calling if that be not minded it is like to have little effect upon a man or woman The word is to be heard with both ears when people hear they do not hear as if it were for their life they consider not the reality of what is spoken nor the special reference it hath to them They are not careful that nothing fall to the ground of that which falleth from heaven It is said of Lydia that she heard Act. 16. 14. and attended to the things which were spoken of Paul The way to acquaintance with the Spirit 's work is attendance to the Spirit 's word But people when they hear things of concernment look upon them as customary many things of weight and worth are propounded to them which they slightly run over and do not ruminate this is the great cause of their spiritual uncleannesse because they chew not the cud There must be attention without avocation conscionable careful hearers reach to something when others sive-like let out as much and as oft as let in People are told of their condition which did they consider they would look after a restitution They hear the nature of sin the news of a Saviour of the quality of grace the necessity of Christ which were they more often in their serious meditation there were some more hopes of their spiritual mutation We see Christ so intent upon his work that the had not liberty to eat bread and every Christian Mark 3. 20 21. should be a follower of Christ I have read of one Nicias a Painter who was so earnest Plutarch in his work of painting that he forgat his meals and would ask his servants whether he had dined or no. But alas in things of an higher yea an incomparable nature people have only their bodies present while their souls are absent They do not gather up nor call in their spirits and affections and center Hoc age them upon the business in hand and to this purpose doth the Lord complain of his people under Ezekiel's Ministry that they did afford Ezek. 33. 31. a personal appearance but did not accord to a spiritual attendance that they did hear the word but did not heart it for their heart was truanting abroad after their covetousness while they tasked their bodies to an outward correspondency People give no diligent heed and hence it is that they have no dutiful hearts Quid vobis plus esse videtur verbum Dei aut corpus Christi Non minus est reus qui verbū Dei negligenter audiverit quam ille qui corpus Christi in terrā negligentia sua cadere permisit They hear only for fashion and not to be fashioned by the word otherwise they would hear not only with their heads but also with their hearts The words of the Lord are no common words no ordinary sayings that they should be so much slighted It is a great offence to God and a great obstacle to our souls good not carefully to mind what is propounded for it is delivered to us and to our use and by this means it becomes uselesse This hath been the marring of many an ones soul because they have minded the word no more hearing more for complement than for conversion for custome than for conscience If thou go on in this negligent carelesse way of hearing wherein thou art thou art not like to be converted without attention and intention of mind there is like to be no retention of memory and without both no likelihood of contrition for thy sins The word not heeded will little help thee it argueth a fatal darknesse of peoples spirits that they should fancy health from the hearing of the word when they are not watchful in waiting upon it It sheweth that delusions prevail far upon them that they can think to be saved by that which they do not savour to be savingly converted by that which they do not seriously consider If ever you would have sin let out you must see that the word be let in 6. Others conversation This is a great S. 27 hinderance to the work of effectual calling People see others neglect it and not look after it and they do so too it is too usual to follow the examples of the most and not the best Presidents are usually prevalent we are more Plus valent exempla quam praecepta Perkins Rev. 3. 4. ready to follow the ways of man than the word of God It is a foul sin saith one that keeps many from Religion and brings them to destruction when they will live after the manner of the world They see their superiours confident though they be not converted They see them footing it in the fair way of formal profession and they judge it presumption for themselves which are as inferiours to step before them and get into the strict path of fervent piety It is judged of the world a piece of incivility and want of breeding to desire or endeavour to be better then our betters our rich and wise neighbours say people have not this work upon them which Ministers so speak of and yet they are men and women of some worth They have understanding and know what they do and we hope we shall not do amisse if we tread in their steps This is a great block in the way at which many so stumble that they tumble into hell Children follow their Parents Servants their Masters the Cottager the Courtier the Tenant his Landlord the Peasant the Prince and most do write after the Copies Vivitur exemplo that their superiours set them Many are ready to say as the Samaritan woman Art thou greater then our father Jacob And did not Joh. 4. 12. the Pharisees object this to the officers that seemed to have some good inclination to Christ Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees Joh. 7. 48. believed on him But it is not safe to sail by their compasse which is not right set nor to follow them who know not the way

otiosus est sermo Doctoris the other as the Agent the one as Organical the other as Authentical as Christ said to his Disciples John 15. 5. so may the Spirit say to providences and the word without me ye can do nothing These wheeles would never go if the Spirit did not drive them these sailes would never fill if that did not blow hard these means would be but as dead carcasses if that did not enliven them Words Frustrà foris verba nostra streperent si internum magisterium S. S. deesset Ephes 6. 17. Ps ●27 1. would be but wind without the Spirits working If the word be not in the Spirits hand it will never cut down the weeds of sin nor slay the Goliah of natural rebellion therefore is it called the sword of the Spirit If the Spirit joyn not it self to the chariot it will move heavily as if the wheeles were taken off Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it Unlesse the Spirit move upon the face of the Soul nothing will be brought to ripenesse and perfection As an Heathen could say when he had done some piece of eminent service It was not I that did this exploit but the Gods used me as an Instrument So may the fore-mentioned means say It is not we that have converted but the Spirit by us and may answer as Peter if we be examined of the good Acts 4. 9 10. that sinful Soules have received Be it known unto you all that by the power of the Spirit these Soules are alive this day If the Spirit do not prosper providences and work with the word the Soul can never be changed It is his proper work to give grace to grant holinesse and therefore is he called the Holy-ghost as is his name so is his nature and as his condition is so is his operation If the Spirit sit not at the stern the Minister shall plie the oar in vain Ministers may Act secondarily but the Spirit primarily they as choice subservients but the Spirit as chief superintendent they may carry on their work artificially as Servants but the Spirit architectonically as Master they may Preach out their hearts and if the Spirit doth not put out his hand Soules may go to Hell after all Now the Spirit helpeth and carrieth on this work by these actings The Spirit 1. Perswadeth 2. Fasteneth 3. Applieth 4. Examineth 5. Concludeth 6. Disquieteth 1. The first work of the Spirit is to perswade S. 14 the Soul to believe those things that are spoken Truths heard and not believed will take no place The word Preached did not profit them not being mixt with Faith in them that heard it Heb. 4. 2. The word was propounded to many yet profited but some taught to divers yet took but a few the word the same but not the work And the cause was as perswasion in the one so misperswasion or non-perswasion in the other If we be not perswaded of the sweet of a promise of the soure of a threatning of the reality of consolations pronounced of the certainty of comminations denounced of the verity of Doctrine commended and the necessity of duty commanded they may strike our ear but they will never reach the heart If one hear of a receit for the bodies good and believe not the contents thereof it will do them no good so it is in this case the Scripture is an whole Book of receits for our restitution of remedies for our maladies which we shall never follow if we believe not the vertue and use of them An unbelieving heart is like sandy Infidelitas sicut terra arenosa barren ground Now it is the work of the Spirit to perswade The belief of the misery of our Soules the mercy of a Saviour of the willingnesse and worthinesse of Christ in reference to redemption of the nature of sin and the need of Sanctity cannot be wrought in our Soules without the power of the Spirit We cannot perswade our selves the Minister cannot perswade us without the influx of the Holy-ghost We may go down into the Waters of the word and if the Spirit move not them and us we may come up again as leprous as ever we were Let the Minister informe soundly reprove sharply examine searchingly and exhort sweetly yet all is nothing unlesse the Spirit do something But the Spirit deals and treats with the Soul propounds delivers the truth of God answers objections silenceth queries infallibly demonstrates and by such strong Mediums proves it's Divine conclusions that the Soul is non-plus'd confuted hath nothing to say and is now so clearly convinced that unlesse it would deny principles and shut it's eyes against the light of Argument it must needs come over to the Spirits part and be of it's mind You that are effectually called what say you till the Spirit perswaded you could man prevail with you till you believed indeed the writings of the Prophets and Apostles and the sayings of Ministers from thence did you getany good till then was not allspoken as to the dead 2. It fasteneth In the next place the Spirit S. 15 fasteneth and fixed some word or providence upon the Soul which it cannot forget or shake off and causeth it like Mary to keep all these things and ponder them in their heart Some Luke 2. 19. general thoughts and sence of the word believed of providences experimented do light upon the Spirit of a man or woman but are soon scared away Now the Spirit cometh and holdeth these things to the heart the sound of the word cometh and goeth and the Lord in his providences passeth by us and we take little notice of him But the Spirit as the Master of the assemblies fasteneth something like a naile in a sure place and strikes the arrow into the side the Soul would put all away and thrust all out of doors by company mirth by letting in thoughts of vanity but the Spirit striveth against this stream and now the requiring repentance pressing piety reproving iniquity in general or such a sin in particular the threatning of fury promising favour such a passage or such a phrase in the Ministery of the word and for providences the visiting with sicknesse the lessening the estate the preserving from danger the saving from wrack or the like are so tied by the Spirit to the Soul that it cannot get loose from them and come so freely into it's thoughts that it cannot avoid acquaintance with them and now saith Oh such an expression of the Minister what means it by this providence what doth the Lord intend and where ever it is going whatever it is doing almost these things and thoughts do interveen the Soul cannot but revolve and turn them up and down in it's mind 3. It applieth The Spirit helpeth the Soul S. 16 to apply to it's self in particular what is spoken in the general We are all prone to excuse our selves and are like little Children

utimur quam amicitia of it more then the Heathen Oratour said of friendship water fire and aire are needful but this more Friendship and amity with God is most necessary yea it is before meat and drink for we may live here without them as Christ saith Man liveth not by bread alone Mat. 4. 4. Sensus est homines non vivere ex solis causis physicis quum Deus non sit illis adstrictus Bez. in loc but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God For God is not tied up to natural causes but we cannot live hereafter without this for without holinesse no man shall see the Lord. Heb. 12. 14. It is one of the first steps of that Ladder which reacheth to Heaven and unlesse here thou first set footing there is no climbing the tree of life If you cannot produce new hearts my dear Friend and Christian Reader you shall never possesse the new Heavens If you have not this work upon your souls you can neither do nor have that which a Saint should do and have You cannot live to God nor upon God nor with God unlesse you live from God what though it do not purchase Heaven yet it prepares for it what though Heaven be not the deserved wages of grace yet grace is the desireable way to Heaven Oh sad it is that you should not know the need of it Tiberius Caesar said it was a shame that men of sixty years of age should reach out their hand to the Physitian to have their pulse felt because they should not be ignorant of the temper of their body themselves what a shame is it for men and women to live many years in the School of Christ and to know so little of the need of grace which is there constantly preached and pressed what Ignorantia sui initium omnis peccati a shame for men and women of yeers to have so little cognizanee of their own condition so little acquaintance with their own estate so little knowledge of their souls concernments as not rightly to apprehend the need of a change where almost is the man or woman that is truly sensible of the need of a new nature How hard a work is it to convince them thereof to work it into their heads to sink it into their hearts Did any that were bodily sick look after Christ when he was on earth for a cure but those that perceived their need thereof and we are soon brought to a sense of temporal miseries and by that to a sight of the need of a medicine but in spirituals through stupefaction we feel no pains and hence it is we care for no plaister or if people have some sense of the need of this work yet it is so faint and slighty that it makes them not fervent in seeking after and suing for it They have superficial thoughts that the thing may be good and commendable and it is well for them that are in such an estate but as for permanent and powerful thoughts thereof they have none They have not such thoughts as the Apostle had in another case of great moment A necessity is laid upon me yea and wo be unto me if I preach not the Gospel 1 Cor. 9. 16. So they cannot say a necessity is laid upon my soul yea and wo be unto me if I be not effectually called Soul thou dost not consider that without this Benjamin this child of God's right hand thou canst never see his face and that unlesse thou be regenerated and born again thou canst not enter into the Kingdom John 3. 3. of God that without the life of grace you have none of the love of God you consider not that it had been good for you not to have been born as Christ said of Judas if thou be not reborn to good that without this evidence you can have no inheritance without this wedding garment no acceptance If here you have not the communication of the Spirit 's grace you cannot have hereafter the participation of its glory if the whole world should be laid down as a pawn for you it would not prevail The Angels in Heaven that are without spot cannot stead you without this Ah if you did but know how needful it were you would grieve in spirit you would long and labour you would sigh and seek for it and find no rest in your spirit neither day nor night till God had turned your night into day you sin into sanctity you would never be quiet till you were spiritually quickned and would find no true contentation Corporis conversio si sola fuerit erit nulla in your mind till you had a total renovation of the whole man yea you would say Lord give me grace a new nature at what rate soever though it cost me all I have Thou mayst buy gold too dear but thou canst not buy grace too dear you would give all that you might have this gift bestowed upon you you would be importunate with the Lord and take no nay till you were called home into his bosome if you did but know the necessity of this work 3. Of the number of the called This is the S. 20 third thing whereabout peoples apprehensions are not right namely the number of the called those that are outwardly called indeed are numerous but those that are inwardly called are soon numbred People think that profession of Christianity and profession of Christ are of equal extent they think that all that have the word of grace in their eare have the work of grace on their heart that all are Israel that are of Israel that all that have the name of a Christian have the nature Rev. 3. 1. too not considering that the visible Church is lesse then Christendom and the invisible than the visible like a lesse circle in a greater Multi dicuntur esse in domo qui non sunt de domo There are many in the house of God who yet are not of the house It is day with many who yet did never see the sun up There are many that hear the voice of God but there are but few that obey it which made Isaiah to complain and say Who hath believed our report and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed Isa 53. 1. And S. John also saith The whole world lieth in wickednesse 1 John 5. 19. There are but a few that are up and doing the work of the Lord the most lie still in the bed of sin there are but a few that have got open their eyes and are awake the most are fast asleep on the couch of security There are but a few that have cast off the works of darknesse and put on the armour of light the most are in the region of darkness and shadow of death bordering on the confines of that Countrey which is Terra del fogo a land of nothing but fire and smoak There are but a few