Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	believe_v	faith_n	object_n	6,980	5	9.0206	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A32889	The Christian belief wherein is asserted and proved, that as there is nothing in the Gospel contrary to reason, yet there are some doctrines in it above reason, and these being necessarily enjoyn'd us to believe, are properly call'd mysteries : in answer to a book intituled, Christianity not mysterious.	Cheynell, Francis, 1608-1665.	1696 (1696)	Wing C3941; ESTC R212988	55,473	162

tolerable_a idea_n of_o and_o yet_o without_o any_o material_n to_o work_n upon_o can_v never_o be_v comprehend_v the_o platonist_n suppose_v a_o soul_n to_o the_o world_n and_o the_o aristotelian_a a_n first_o mover_n but_o can_v never_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o the_o rise_v of_o mundane_a matter_n without_o make_v it_o eternal_a in_o short_a they_o always_o teach_v that_o a_o agent_n necessary_o suppose_v a_o patient_n real_o distinct_a from_o the_o patient_n especial_o in_o external_a action_n and_o we_o know_v in_o number_n it_o be_v universal_o true_a exit_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la est_fw-la and_o we_o can_v conceive_v no_o otherwise_o in_o nature_n at_o least_o the_o reasoner_n can_v on_o his_o principle_n pretend_v to_o it_o for_o he_o tell_v we_o we_o can_v form_v no_o manner_n of_o idea_n of_o nothing_o and_o therefore_o how_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o form_v a_o idea_n of_o the_o creation_n by_o common_a idea_n when_o all_o our_o idea_n take_v their_o rise_n from_o create_a being_n even_o that_o of_o the_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a be_v be_v resemble_v by_o object_n of_o his_o own_o production_n it_o be_v true_a we_o say_v this_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o infinite_a power_n but_o we_o have_v no_o notion_n of_o the_o thing_n unless_o we_o apply_v infinite_a power_n to_o that_o which_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o it_o which_o be_v nothing_o into_o every_o thing_n and_o when_o all_o be_v do_v we_o form_v a_o idea_n of_o this_o infinite_a power_n pure_o by_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o in_o finite_a being_n so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a it_o be_v evident_a the_o belief_n of_o the_o creation_n that_o imply_v a_o production_n of_o all_o thing_n out_o of_o nothing_o be_v a_o object_n that_o exceed_v humane_a comprehension_n and_o consequent_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o faith_n which_o yield_v a_o assent_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o creation_n often_o imply_v a_o assent_n to_o a_o thing_n that_o contain_v something_o in_o it_o that_o be_v incomprehensible_a and_o indeed_o that_o object_n of_o faith_n contain_v thing_n that_o exceed_v humane_a comprehension_n be_v a_o truth_n so_o indisputable_a that_o faith_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o primitive_a church-writer_n be_v on_o this_o account_n distinguish_v from_o knowledge_n or_o science_n it_o be_v true_a in_o all_o object_n of_o faith_n we_o be_v to_o know_v so_o much_o of_o they_o as_o to_o direct_v we_o what_o it_o be_v god_n propose_v to_o our_o belief_n and_o second_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v god_n that_o propose_v '_o they_o three_o in_o all_o act_n of_o faith_n we_o be_v to_o yield_v a_o assent_n to_o the_o truth_n or_o be_v of_o thing_n and_o this_o suppose_n that_o we_o have_v form_v at_o least_o a_o imperfect_a idea_n of_o their_o nature_n but_o for_o the_o quomodo_fw-la sint_fw-la that_o be_v for_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o be_v or_o existence_n that_o may_v be_v a_o act_n of_o knowledge_n or_o science_n but_o not_o of_o faith_n so_o that_o if_o seem_a contradiction_n or_o absurdity_n arise_v on_o this_o account_n and_o consequent_o be_v thus_o far_o just_o incomprehensible_a faith_n throw_v we_o upon_o the_o infinite_a veracity_n of_o god_n all_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o confirm_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o first_o the_o passage_n already_o cite_v from_o irenaeus_n manifest_o instruct_v we_o that_o there_o be_v difficulty_n and_o mystery_n in_o reveal_v truth_n which_o humane_a reason_n can_v comprehend_v and_o oblige_v we_o to_o commit_v all_o such_o matter_n to_o god_n because_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n and_o what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o embrace_v and_o believe_v upon_o his_o infinite_a veracity_n and_o at_o last_o conclude_v that_o if_o we_o observe_v the_o method_n fidem_fw-la nostram_fw-la servabimus_fw-la &_o omnis_fw-la scriptura_fw-la à_fw-la deo_fw-la nobis_fw-la data_fw-la consonans_fw-la nobis_fw-la invenietur_fw-la do_v not_o this_o imply_v that_o there_o be_v thing_n contain_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v incomprehensible_a yea_o rather_o that_o all_o seem_a difficulty_n or_o absurdity_n that_o arise_v from_o they_o when_o scan_v by_o common_a notion_n or_o idea_n be_v to_o be_v commit_v to_o god_n as_o the_o best_a expedient_a to_o preserve_v a_o right_a faith_n see_v pag._n 64._o but_o second_o clemens_n alexand._n seem_v to_o state_n the_o notion_n of_o faith_n more_o clear_o in_o opposition_n to_o science_n and_o first_o he_o fix_v the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o represent_v it_o as_o a_o irrefragible_a foundation_n that_o carry_v the_o high_a demonstration_n in_o it_o and_o that_o we_o be_v to_o inquire_v no_o further_o than_o ipse_fw-la dixit_fw-la upon_o which_o he_o advance_v this_o maxim_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o let_v we_o see_v how_o far_o he_o extend_v it_o he_o instance_n in_o the_o forecited_n passage_n to_o the_o heb._n cap._n twelve_o v_o 12._o and_o thence_o proceed_v to_o state_n the_o difference_n between_o science_n and_o faith_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vid._n stro._n lib._n 2._o p._n 362_o 3_o 4._o and_o in_o his_o 5_o book_n he_o be_v more_o full_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o we_o see_v faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o the_o infinite_a power_n and_o veracity_n of_o god_n insomuch_o that_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v as_o soon_o as_o we_o know_v it_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o as_o soon_o as_o we_o know_v god_n propose_v any_o thing_n to_o our_o belief_n here_o we_o find_v science_n and_o faith_n oppose_v the_o one_o require_v demonstration_n or_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n the_o other_o not_o so_o therefore_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o if_o god_n propose_v any_o thing_n to_o our_o belief_n that_o contain_v matter_n incomprehensible_a or_o not_o reconcileable_a with_o common_a notion_n faith_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o this_o father_n will_v command_v a_o assent_n insomuch_o that_o his_o infinite_a power_n and_o veracity_n must_v overbalance_n all_o seem_a absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n but_o to_o conclude_v this_o argument_n i_o shall_v produce_v the_o judgement_n of_o st._n chrysostom_n thus_o he_o assign_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o natural_a man_n can_v receive_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o god_n 1_o cor._n two_o v_o 14._o viz._n for_o the_o immensity_n of_o the_o thing_n '_o emselve_n far_o exceed_v the_o comprehension_n of_o the_o most_o improve_v reason_n and_o for_o the_o want_n of_o faith_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hom._n 7._o and_o upon_o the_o article_n of_o the_o creation_n heb._n xi_o v_o 3._o he_o tell_v we_o the_o mind_n that_o be_v prepare_v for_o the_o reception_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d she_o must_v be_v elevate_v above_o sense_n and_o all_o sensible_a object_n and_o pass_v over_o the_o weakness_n of_o humane_a reason_n and_o afterward_o whereas_o say_v he_o faith_n be_v vilify_v as_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v void_a of_o demonstration_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o rather_o a_o thing_n full_a of_o folly_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o apostle_n show_v we_o in_o this_o one_o instance_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o very_a article_n say_v he_o be_v not_o establish_v by_o reason_n but_o rather_o the_o contrary_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hom._n 22._o in_o epist._n heb._n again_o we_o find_v he_o describe_v faith_n under_o the_o very_a same_o notion_n hom._n 23._o in_o ter._n johan._n where_o upon_o nichodemus_n word_n how_o can_v a_o man_n be_v bear_v when_o he_o be_v old_a v_o 4._o he_o observe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d upon_o which_o he_o enlarge_v and_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v the_o question_n of_o heretic_n upon_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n demand_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o by_o the_o weakness_n of_o common_a notion_n or_o reason_v destroy_v his_o immense_a nature_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o at_o last_o conclude_v that_o such_o practice_n or_o question_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o on_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o question_n about_o enter_v the_o womb_n a_o second_o time_n he_o observe_v when_o a_o man_n proceed_v upon_o common_a notion_n or_o reason_v in_o spiritual_a matter_n and_o do_v not_o receive_v the_o dictate_v of_o faith_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o talk_v like_o a_o drunken_a or_o madman_n utter_v the_o most_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a thing_n and_o now_o certain_o we_o may_v conclude_v what_o st._n chrysostom_n notion_n of_o faith_n be_v without_o draw_v inference_n and_o that_o it_o every_o way_n agree_v with_o that_o of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n it_o be_v therefore_o manifest_a faith_n be_v distinguish_v from_o knowledge_n or_o science_n not_o only_o

attempt_v of_o this_o heretic_n in_o endeavour_v to_o subvert_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n incarnation_n and_o style_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o to_o prove_v it_o such_o cite_v this_o very_a place_n of_o our_o apostle_n second_o he_o represent_v the_o danger_n in_o attempt_v to_o unfold_v such_o profound_a difficulty_n that_o be_v only_o with_o safety_n to_o we_o believe_v and_o in_o a_o word_n enjoin_v we_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o apostolic_a faith_n without_o admit_v new_a term_n or_o notion_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o above_o all_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o dread_v the_o disquisition_n of_o such_o a_o mystery_n but_o beside_o the_o opinion_n of_o this_o great_a man_n we_o have_v the_o comment_n of_o isiodore_n the_o pelusiote_n and_o theophilact_fw-mi fix_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n in_o the_o incomprehensibleness_n of_o it_o thus_o the_o former_a lib._n 2._o ep._n 192._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o pursuant_n to_o this_o expostulate_v who_o can_v comprehend_v the_o miracle_n of_o his_o conception_n transact_v without_o coition_n or_o imagine_v how_o the_o divine_a nature_n can_v be_v circumscribe_v that_o be_v immense_a and_o not_o to_o be_v circumscribe_v and_o theophilact_v proceed_v in_o the_o same_o strain_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o locum_fw-la and_o now_o this_o be_v something_o more_o certain_o than_o calling_n it_o a_o mystery_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o age_n precede_v the_o gospel_n for_o i_o think_v this_o passage_n in_o itself_o admit_v of_o the_o exposition_n before_o we_o more_o natural_o than_o that_o our_o adversary_n contend_v for_o beside_o we_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o learned_a in_o past_a age_n and_o since_o i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v he_o have_v no_o advantage_n over_o we_o in_o his_o whole_a hypothesis_n i_o know_v not_o why_o we_o may_v not_o in_o his_o own_o language_n pronounce_v against_o he_o that_o mystery_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v sometime_o put_v for_o a_o thing_n inconceivable_a in_o itself_o and_o not_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o our_o ordinary_a notion_n however_o reveal_v this_o likewise_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o triumph_n of_o our_o adversary_n upon_o a_o passage_n which_o as_o we_o allow_v style_v the_o gospel_n a_o mystery_n under_o this_o notion_n it_o be_v rom._n 16._o 25._o but_o be_v now_o make_v manifest_a whereupon_o he_o expostulate_v in_o what_o sense_n can_v this_o secret_n be_v make_v manifest_a if_o it_o remain_v still_o incomprehensible_a a_o mighty_a favour_n indeed_o to_o bless_v the_o world_n with_o a_o parcel_n of_o unintelligible_a notion_n i_o confess_v i_o incline_v to_o the_o former_a sense_n i_o mean_v a_o mystery_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o age_n precede_v the_o gospel_n but_o can_v see_v no_o foundation_n for_o absurdity_n no_o more_o than_o for_o his_o vain_a triumph_n if_o we_o take_v it_o in_o the_o sense_n he_o pretend_v to_o explode_v for_o this_o reasoner_n have_v he_o not_o be_v too_o much_o use_v to_o confound_v thing_n together_o may_v have_v learn_v that_o the_o high_a mystery_n be_v not_o whole_o unintelligible_a and_o it_o may_v be_v proper_o say_v to_o be_v manifest_v in_o as_o much_o as_o god_n have_v communicate_v by_o the_o apostle_n preach_v what_o be_v useful_a and_o necessary_a and_o as_o much_o as_o will_v inform_v we_o what_o god_n propose_v to_o our_o belief_n again_o it_o be_v manifest_v and_o that_o too_o to_o our_o unspeakable_a comfort_n since_o the_o vast_a design_n of_o divine_a love_n and_o the_o unexpressible_a benefit_n to_o us-ward_n in_o it_o be_v abundant_o lay_v open_a and_o i_o think_v these_o be_v favour_n or_o blessing_n too_o rich_a to_o be_v expose_v in_o ridicule_n or_o burlesque_fw-la but_o further_a if_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n in_o scripture_n will_v not_o prove_v the_o thing_n we_o contend_v for_o there_o be_v sufficient_a hint_n in_o scripture_n to_o prove_v it_o i_o shall_v first_o insist_v on_o st._n paul_n account_v the_o preach_n of_o christ_n unto_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n but_o unto_o they_o which_o be_v call_v the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 23_o 24._o now_o this_o place_n be_v general_o interpret_v of_o the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n or_o the_o union_n of_o the_o two_o nature_n into_o to_o one_o divine_a person_n and_o those_o that_o embrace_v and_o believe_v it_o must_v resolve_v it_o into_o the_o infinite_a power_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n not_o as_o a_o common_a but_o special_a act_n and_o consequent_o a_o thing_n incomprehensible_a as_o they_o be_v and_o on_o this_o account_n it_o be_v to_o the_o greek_n the_o great_a master_n of_o reason_n foolishness_n because_o as_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o it_o contain_v in_o it_o thing_n that_o can_v never_o be_v reconcile_v with_o common_a notion_n or_o idea_n what_o common_a idea_n can_v satisfy_v we_o that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n shall_v speak_v by_o a_o man_n or_o as_o the_o sacred_a canon_n have_v it_o in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o man_n that_o god_n shall_v have_v a_o son_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v suffer_v as_o the_o son_n of_o god_n what_o common_a idea_n can_v represent_v to_o we_o that_o christ_n can_v have_v a_o be_v before_o the_o world_n as_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v a_o man_n and_o exist_v as_o such_o and_o yet_o not_o as_o a_o man_n beget_v of_o a_o man_n these_o thing_n the_o most_o improve_a notice_n of_o natural_a reason_n can_v confirm_v or_o warrant_v no_o not_o our_o adversary_n with_o all_o his_o reason_n if_o any_o thing_n it_o be_v the_o arian_n or_o socinian_n hypothesis_n though_o advance_v contrary_a to_o the_o current_n of_o scripture_n that_o may_v pretend_v most_o to_o be_v a_o rationale_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o yet_o our_o adversary_n seem_v to_o explode_v this_o as_o much_o as_o that_o of_o the_o trinitarian_n because_o they_o be_v force_v to_o allow_v divine_a worship_n to_o be_v pay_v he_o cap._n 1._o sect._n 2._o n._n 2._o i_o be_o mistake_v if_o either_o they_o or_o the_o arian_n can_v make_v their_o notion_n of_o a_o dignify_v and_o creature-god_n capable_a of_o divine_a worship_n appear_v more_o reasonable_a than_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o other_o sect_n touch_v the_o article_n of_o the_o trinity_n but_o to_o return_v it_o be_v manifest_a here_o we_o learn_v how_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n come_v to_o be_v brand_v with_o the_o imputation_n of_o foolishness_n viz._n because_o they_o will_v not_o comport_v with_o common_a notice_n or_o the_o receive_a principle_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n for_o i_o have_v evince_v it_o upon_o the_o objection_n of_o trypho_n against_o justin_n and_o st._n clement_n comment_n on_o the_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dial._n cum_fw-la trypho_n p._n 269._o and_o st._n clement_n in_o locum_fw-la thus_o lib._n 1._o stromat_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o we_o see_v this_o great_a man_n do_v not_o charge_v the_o greek_n with_o false_a principle_n of_o philosophy_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o error_n for_o he_o represent_v the_o thing_n as_o much_o inconsistent_a with_o such_o principle_n as_o they_o can_v and_o make_v this_o the_o foundation_n of_o their_o unjust_a charge_n i_o mean_v in_o pronounce_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n foolishness_n and_o indeed_o he_o call_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o it_o can_v be_v on_o no_o other_o account_n than_o because_o they_o will_v admit_v of_o nothing_o but_o natural_a reason_n and_o philosophy_n and_o thereupon_o will_v try_v all_o reveal_v truth_n by_o common_a notion_n or_o principle_n of_o philosophy_n and_o reject_v they_o as_o absurd_a and_o foolish_a because_o they_o can_v not_o make_v these_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n to_o comport_v with_o common_a idea_n of_o object_n of_o sense_n indeed_o celsus_n object_n much_o the_o same_o thing_n against_o origen_n for_o upon_o every_o turn_n he_o endeavour_v to_o ridicule_n the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n by_o represent_v it_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o now_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o make_v one_o single_a remark_n since_o it_o occur_v so_o natural_o be_v not_o these_o the_o very_a principle_n which_o our_o advocate_n for_o reason_n move_v upon_o so_o that_o a_o unprejudiced_a person_n may_v suspect_v that_o i_o be_o deal_v with_o a_o celsus_n or_o a_o trypho_n or_o that_o they_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a but_o to_o conclude_v this_o argument_n it_o be_v manifest_a st._n clemens_n must_v believe_v that_o the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n still_o contain_v in_o it_o something_o that_o can_v be_v comprehend_v by_o natural_a reason_n that_o can_v be_v reconcile_v to_o common_a idea_n or_o principle_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n and_o consequent_o something_o that_o be_v mysterious_a and_o