Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	write_n	write_v	writer_n	44	3	8.6509	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A28442	Miracles, no violations of the lavvs of nature	Blount, Charles, 1654-1693.	1683 (1683)	Wing B3310; ESTC R7329	20,726	38

absurdity_n of_o their_o doctrine_n who_o teach_v that_o in_o every_o miracle_n god_n act_v by_o a_o power_n distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o that_o of_o nature_n which_o be_v the_o universal_a law_n by_o he_o ordain_v and_o fix_v for_o government_n of_o his_o creature_n v._o to_o effect_v this_o i_o persuade_v myself_o i_o need_v do_v no_o more_o but_o convince_v the_o judicious_a reader_n of_o the_o verity_n of_o these_o four_o thing_n 1._o that_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n happen_v or_o come_v to_o pass_v contrary_a to_o nature_n but_o that_o nature_n keep_v a_o eternal_a fix_v and_o immutable_a order_n 2._o that_o from_o miracle_n we_o can_v come_v to_o understand_v and_o certain_o know_v either_o the_o essence_n or_o existence_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n but_o that_o all_o these_o may_v far_o better_o be_v collect_v from_o the_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n 3._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n itself_o by_o the_o decree_n and_o volition_n and_o consequent_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n understand_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o very_a same_o order_n of_o nature_n which_o necessary_o follow_v from_o his_o eternal_a law_n 4._o that_o most_o man_n have_v err_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o interpret_n the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v well_o prove_v i_o see_v not_o what_o can_v remain_v to_o frustrate_v my_o present_a design_n vi_o as_o for_o the_o first_o therefore_o viz._n that_o all_o event_n happen_v according_a to_o the_o eternal_a order_n of_o nature_n this_o may_v easy_o be_v infer_v even_o from_o hence_o that_o whatsoever_o god_n will_v or_o determine_v involve_v eternal_a necessity_n and_o truth_n for_o since_o the_o intellect_n of_o god_n be_v not_o distinguish_v from_o his_o will_n and_o therefore_o to_o say_v that_o god_n will_v any_o thing_n be_v all_o one_o with_o say_v that_o he_o understand_v that_o very_a thing_n by_o the_o same_o necessity_n which_o follow_v from_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n it_o be_v a_o genuine_a and_o inevitable_a consequence_n that_o for_o god_n to_o understand_v any_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v be_v for_o he_o to_o will_n or_o decree_v the_o same_o as_o it_o be_v but_o since_o nothing_o be_v necessary_o true_a but_o only_o from_o the_o divine_a decree_n hence_o it_o most_o clear_o follow_v that_o the_o universal_a law_n of_o nature_n be_v the_o mere_a decree_n of_o god_n which_o follow_v from_o the_o necessity_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n if_o therefore_o any_o thing_n shall_v be_v contingent_a in_o nature_n that_o shall_v be_v repugnant_a to_o her_o eternal_a law_n the_o same_o will_v be_v repugnant_a also_o to_o the_o divine_a decree_n intellect_n and_o nature_n or_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v affirm_v that_o god_n do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n he_o will_v be_v compel_v to_o grant_v also_o that_o god_n act_v contrary_a to_o his_o own_o nature_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a the_o same_o may_v be_v far_o prove_v also_o by_o this_o that_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o power_n and_o virtue_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o god_n no_o other_o but_o the_o very_a essence_n of_o god_n and_o certain_o that_o must_v be_v eternal_o the_o same_o or_o immutable_a nothing_o therefore_o can_v be_v contingent_a in_o nature_n that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o her_o universal_a law_n nay_o that_o be_v not_o convenient_a or_o agreeable_a to_o they_o or_o follow_v not_o from_o they_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v do_v be_v do_v by_o the_o will_n and_o eternal_a decree_n of_o god_n i._n e._n be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o rule_n which_o involve_v eternal_a necessity_n and_o truth_n and_o which_o though_o they_o be_v not_o all_o know_v to_o we_o be_v perpetual_o without_o the_o least_o omission_n or_o deviation_n strict_o observe_v by_o nature_n nor_o do_v any_o sound_a reason_n urge_v we_o to_o ascribe_v a_o limit_a power_n and_o virtue_n to_o she_o or_o to_o think_v that_o her_o law_n be_v fit_a only_o for_o some_o certain_a event_n and_o not_o for_o all_o for_o since_o the_o virtue_n and_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o virtue_n and_o power_n of_o god_n and_o her_o law_n and_o rule_n his_o decree_n as_o be_v just_a now_o prove_v we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v infinite_a and_o her_o law_n so_o make_v as_o to_o extend_v their_o force_n to_o all_o thing_n conceive_v by_o the_o divine_a understanding_n otherwise_o we_o can_v not_o avoid_v run_v into_o that_o dangerous_a error_n of_o the_o multitude_n that_o god_n have_v create_v nature_n so_o impotent_a and_o give_v her_o law_n and_o rule_n so_o barren_a as_o that_o he_o be_v compel_v sometime_o to_o help_v she_o by_o new_a ordinance_n and_o supply_n of_o virtue_n in_o order_n to_o her_o support_n and_o conservation_n and_o that_o thing_n may_v succeed_v according_a to_o his_o intention_n and_o design_n a_o error_n than_o which_o nothing_o be_v more_o alien_a from_o reason_n nothing_o more_o unworthy_a the_o majesty_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n now_o from_o these_o position_n that_o in_o nature_n nothing_o can_v happen_v or_o come_v to_o pass_v which_o do_v not_o follow_v from_o her_o law_n and_o that_o her_o law_n extend_v themselves_o to_o all_o thing_n conceive_v by_o the_o divine_a understanding_n and_o in_o fine_a that_o nature_n keep_v a_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n from_o these_o undeniable_a truth_n i_o say_v it_o most_o clear_o follow_v that_o the_o name_n of_o a_o miracle_n can_v be_v otherwise_o understand_v than_o respective_o to_o the_o opinion_n of_o man_n and_o that_o a_o miracle_n signify_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o work_n the_o natural_a cause_n of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o explicate_v by_o the_o example_n of_o another_o usual_o observe_v by_o we_o at_o least_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o explicate_v who_o write_v or_o relate_v the_o miracle_n i_o may_v say_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v that_o of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n to_o explain_v the_o cause_n from_o the_o principle_n we_o understand_v of_o natural_a thing_n but_o because_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v ad_fw-la capio_fw-la vulgi_fw-la to_o convince_v the_o vulgar_a which_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a thing_n certain_a it_o be_v the_o ancient_n take_v that_o for_o a_o miracle_n which_o they_o can_v not_o explain_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n by_o which_o the_o vulgar_a be_v wont_a to_o explain_v natural_a thing_n namely_o by_o recur_v to_o memory_n so_o as_o to_o recall_v to_o mind_v another_o like_a thing_n which_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o imagine_v without_o admiration_n for_o the_o vulgar_a always_o think_v they_o then_o sufficient_o understand_v any_o thing_n when_o they_o do_v not_o admire_v it_o nor_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o either_o the_o ancient_n in_o their_o time_n or_o any_o of_o their_o successor_n since_o even_o down_o to_o we_o have_v have_v any_o other_o criterion_n or_o rule_n whereby_o to_o discern_v miracle_n from_o other_o contingent_n i._n e._n insolite_fw-la or_o rare_a event_n from_o usual_a beside_o this_o here_o mention_v viz_o that_o these_o seem_v capable_a of_o explication_n from_o the_o know_a principle_n of_o natural_a thing_n but_o those_o not_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o vulgar_a and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o forbid_v to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o sacred_a write_n themselves_o many_o thing_n be_v relate_v as_o miracle_n of_o which_o sufficient_a cause_n may_v be_v give_v from_o the_o know_a principle_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n and_o that_o too_o without_o any_o the_o least_o derogation_n from_o either_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o writer_n or_o from_o the_o scope_n or_o end_n for_o which_o the_o thing_n be_v do_v and_o write_v as_o i_o design_v to_o prove_v when_o i_o shall_v have_v conduct_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o 4_o the_o and_o last_o head_n of_o this_o brief_a discourse_n which_o concern_v the_o interpretation_n of_o miracle_n for_o now_o the_o clew_n of_o my_o method_n bring_v we_o to_o the_o vii_o second_o position_n viz._n that_o from_o miracle_n neither_o the_o essence_n nor_o the_o existence_n nor_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n can_v be_v understand_v by_o we_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o all_o these_o may_v be_v better_o perceive_v from_o the_o fix_a and_o invariable_a order_n of_o nature_n which_o to_o demonstrate_v i_o thus_o proceed_v forasmuch_o as_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n be_v not_o per_fw-la se_fw-la know_v to_o we_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v necessary_o conclude_v from_o notion_n who_o verity_n be_v so_o evident_a firm_a and_o impregnable_a that_o no_o power_n can_v be_v give_v or_o conceive_v by_o

miracle_n no_o uiolation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n quid_fw-la non_fw-la miraculo_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la primum_fw-la in_o notitiam_fw-la venit_fw-la plinius_n histor._n nat._n lib._n 7._o cap._n 1._o london_n print_v for_o robert_n sollers_n at_o the_o king_n arm_n and_o bible_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1683._o premonition_n to_o the_o candid_a reader_n it_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o most_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a theologue_n among_o the_o modern_n that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n when_o they_o speak_v of_o natural_a thing_n do_v not_o design_n to_o instruct_v man_n in_o physical_a speculation_n and_o the_o science_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n but_o aim_v only_o to_o excite_v pious_a affection_n in_o their_o breast_n and_o to_o induce_v they_o to_o the_o worship_n and_o veneration_n of_o the_o true_a god_n who_o they_o celebrate_v in_o their_o write_n who_o power_n and_o goodness_n they_o therefore_o take_v all_o fair_a occasion_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o they_o may_v from_o as_o well_o the_o natural_a as_o civil_a order_n of_o thing_n establish_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o reader_n a_o right_a and_o firm_a belief_n thereof_o this_o then_o be_v the_o only_a end_n they_o propose_v to_o themselves_o they_o find_v themselves_o oblige_v so_o to_o explicate_v the_o visible_a work_n of_o god_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o be_v to_o relate_v as_o that_o they_o may_v not_o by_o novity_n and_o insolency_n appear_v too_o remote_a and_o abhorrent_n from_o the_o common_a sense_n and_o preconceived_a opinion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a to_o who_o narrow_a capacity_n and_o grovel_a wit_n they_o be_v always_o to_o condescend_v yea_o even_o to_o wrest_v the_o general_a cause_n and_o end_n of_o the_o whole_a creation_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o people_n prejudices_fw-la as_o if_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o universe_n be_v ordain_v only_o for_o the_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n nor_o can_v it_o conduce_v to_o this_o their_o principal_a purpose_n to_o insist_v upon_o second_o cause_n or_o defer_v much_o to_o their_o efficacy_n but_o rather_o in_o all_o contingent_n or_o event_n to_o recur_v immediate_o to_o god_n himself_o the_o first_o cause_n author_n and_o precedent_n of_o nature_n omit_v to_o give_v any_o account_n of_o that_o apparatus_fw-la and_o long_a series_n of_o cause_n which_o philosopher_n use_v to_o remark_n in_o explicate_v the_o phenomena_n of_o nature_n and_o which_o nature_n herself_o use_v in_o their_o production_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o these_o pious_a writer_n compendious_o refer_v all_o thing_n to_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n and_o to_o his_o irresistible_a will_n and_o command_n leave_v man_n to_o learn_v from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o right_a reason_n which_o alone_o be_v able_a to_o teach_v it_o that_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o and_o that_o all_o her_o law_n be_v his_o eternal_a decree_n for_o their_o business_n be_v not_o to_o treat_v of_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n as_o i_o say_v before_o but_o to_o convince_v the_o unthinking_a multitude_n that_o god_n be_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n that_o universal_a nature_n be_v obedient_a to_o his_o will_n and_o that_o his_o providence_n preside_v over_o and_o govern_v all_o thing_n as_o well_o natural_a as_o bumane_a which_o he_o so_o dispose_v and_o accommodate_n as_o to_o make_v they_o conspire_v to_o the_o good_a and_o happiness_n of_o those_o who_o follow_v piety_n and_o virtue_n and_o to_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o impious_a and_o vicious_a and_o the_o multitude_n be_v to_o be_v convince_v not_o by_o lead_v their_o reason_n with_o a_o long_a chain_n of_o premise_n and_o conclusion_n theological_a but_o by_o surprise_v their_o imagination_n and_o accommodate_v event_n to_o their_o common_a opinion_n however_o unreasonable_a in_o themselves_o this_o well_o consider_v as_o we_o be_v not_o to_o admire_v if_o we_o find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n many_o memorable_a thing_n relate_v as_o miracle_n which_o yet_o notwith_o stand_v proceed_v from_o the_o fix_a and_o immutable_a order_n of_o nature_n and_o necessary_o flow_v from_o a_o series_n of_o cause_n ordain_v according_a to_o her_o eternal_a law_n that_o be_v from_o god_n decree_n so_o ought_v we_o not_o rash_o to_o accuse_v any_o man_n of_o infidelity_n only_o because_o he_o refuse_v to_o believe_v that_o those_o miracle_n be_v effect_v by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n such_o as_o be_v not_o only_o inconsistent_a with_o but_o point_v blank_a repugnant_a to_o the_o fundamental_a law_n and_o constitution_n of_o nature_n which_o he_o in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n have_v make_v and_o make_v so_o ample_a and_o fertile_a as_o to_o extend_v to_o the_o certain_a production_n of_o whatever_o event_n he_o have_v will_v and_o decree_v for_o first_o among_o the_o many_o miracle_n relate_v to_o be_v do_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o israelite_n there_o be_v i_o think_v no_o one_o that_o can_v be_v apodictical_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o establish_a order_n of_o nature_n and_o then_o the_o power_n of_o god_n be_v infinite_a that_o of_o nature_n must_v be_v so_o too_o because_o one_o and_o the_o same_o with_o the_o power_n of_o god_n but_o humane_a understanding_n be_v finite_a and_o consequent_o incapable_a to_o know_v how_o far_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n extend_v themselves_o in_o a_o word_n therefore_o if_o by_o a_o miracle_n in_o the_o general_n you_o understand_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o certain_a work_n or_o effect_v the_o cause_n of_o which_o can_v be_v explicate_v by_o man_n ignorant_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a thing_n i_o acknowledge_v many_o such_o miracle_n to_o have_v be_v do_v in_o all_o age_n and_o among_o all_o nation_n nay_o more_o if_o by_o a_o miracle_n you_o mean_v that_o the_o cause_n whereof_o transcend_v the_o capacity_n even_o of_o the_o most_o acute_a and_o profound_a philosopher_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o among_o the_o many_o thing_n relate_v in_o the_o scripture_n as_o miracle_n some_o be_v find_v that_o in_o this_o sense_n also_o may_v deserve_v that_o name_n because_o i_o do_v not_o measure_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n by_o the_o unequal_a line_n of_o humane_a wit._n but_o if_o you_o will_v have_v a_o miracle_n to_o be_v such_o a_o rare_a effect_n which_o be_v absolute_o above_o or_o which_o real_o be_v all_o one_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o which_o can_v possible_o follow_v from_o she_o fix_v and_o immutable_a order_n then_o i_o dare_v not_o believe_v that_o any_o such_o miracle_n have_v ever_o happen_v in_o nature_n lest_o i_o oppose_v god_n to_o god_n that_o be_v admit_v that_o god_n change_v his_o own_o decree_n which_o from_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n i_o know_v to_o be_v impossible_a if_o you_o candid_a reader_n know_v so_o too_o i_o have_v already_o say_v more_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o defence_n of_o this_o innocent_a discourse_n and_o therefore_o acquiesce_v in_o hope_n of_o be_v right_o understand_v of_o miracle_n by_o miracle_n be_v understand_v the_o admirable_a or_o wonderful_a work_n of_o god_n but_o because_o man_n follow_v their_o own_o natural_a reason_n be_v wont_a to_o doubt_v whether_o what_o be_v by_o a_o prophet_n deliver_v for_o the_o command_n of_o god_n be_v true_o the_o command_n of_o god_n or_o not_o miracle_n in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n be_v call_v sign_n as_o signify_v the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o also_o in_o ethnic_a writer_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o be_v call_v ostenta_fw-la and_o portenta_fw-la as_o show_v or_o portend_v the_o divine_a will_n concern_v thing_n to_o come_v that_o we_o may_v therefore_o understand_v what_o a_o miracle_n be_v we_o must_v observe_v what_o work_v those_o be_v which_o man_n general_o admire_v or_o wonder_v at_o the_o thing_n than_o that_o cause_n man_n to_o admire_v any_o work_n or_o remarkable_a effect_n be_v only_o two_o one_o be_v if_o that_o work_n be_v rare_a the_o like_a whereof_o they_o have_v seldom_o or_o never_o see_v do_v before_o the_o other_o if_o after_o thè_z work_n be_v do_v they_o can_v conceive_v it_o to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o natural_a cause_n but_o only_o by_o the_o immediate_a operation_n of_o god_n himself_o for_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o natural_a cause_n of_o the_o fact_n however_o rare_a it_o be_v or_o if_o we_o have_v often_o see_v the_o like_a do_v before_o though_o we_o do_v not_o conceive_v the_o natural_a cause_n thereof_o we_o no_o long_o admire_v it_o nor_o call_v it_o a_o miracle_n quae_fw-la usu_fw-la quotidiano_fw-la novimus_fw-la &_o frequenti_fw-la experientia_fw-la ea_fw-la neque_fw-la admiramur_fw-la neque_fw-la ad_fw-la eorum_fw-la causas_fw-la investigandas_fw-la multum_fw-la excitari_fw-la solemus_fw-la