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
A40084	The principles and practices of certain moderate divines of the Church of England (greatly mis-understood), truly represented and defended wherein ... some controversies, of no mean importance, are succinctly discussed : in a free discourse between two intimate friends : in three parts.	Fowler, Edward, 1632-1714.	1670 (1670)	Wing F1711; ESTC R17783	120,188	376

nay_o how_o then_o can_v he_o marvel_n as_o we_o read_v he_o do_v at_o their_o unbelief_n philal._n but_o they_o will_v tell_v you_o that_o to_o assent_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o the_o forementioned_a motive_n be_v no_o divine_a faith_n theoph._n but_o i_o dare_v tell_v they_o be_v that_o the_o believe_v of_o divine_a thing_n be_v a_o divine_a faith_n let_v the_o motive_n induce_v thereunto_o be_v what_o they_o will_v and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o unusual_a thing_n for_o the_o act_n to_o receive_v its_o denomination_n from_o its_o object_n but_o with_o a_o divine_a faith_n in_o their_o sense_n also_o we_o no_o less_o than_o they_o believe_v what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n true_a viz._n because_o god_n that_o can_v lie_v have_v revel_v it_o but_o that_o he_o have_v indeed_o revel_v it_o the_o miracle_n as_o be_v say_v whereby_o this_o be_v confirm_v and_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n to_o which_o i_o may_v add_v also_o the_o completion_n of_o prophecy_n as_o be_v of_o no_o less_o consideration_n than_o the_o miracle_n do_v assure_v we_o and_o again_o that_o such_o miracle_n as_o be_v record_v be_v real_o wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o likewise_o that_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o our_o book_n be_v that_o gospel_n that_o be_v confirm_v by_o they_o we_o may_v be_v convince_v by_o as_o undeniable_a argument_n as_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n man_n have_v not_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n can_v be_v prove_v by_o and_o so_o undeniable_a that_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o most_o unreasonable_a person_n that_o require_v better_a nay_o he_o must_v resolve_v if_o he_o will_v be_v consistent_a with_o himself_o to_o believe_v nothing_o he_o have_v not_o himself_o see_v i_o will_v add_v too_o that_o whoever_o he_o be_v that_o be_v dissatisfy_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n he_o do_v undoubted_o believe_v hundred_o of_o thing_n and_o think_v he_o shall_v be_v unwise_a in_o question_v they_o that_o have_v not_o the_o quarter_n part_n of_o the_o evidence_n that_o this_o have_v nay_o i_o may_v say_v not_o the_o twenty_o part_n if_o they_o please_v philalethes_n to_o call_v it_o a_o humane_a faith_n to_o believe_v matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o tradition_n i_o will_v not_o contend_v with_o they_o but_o tell_v they_o plain_o that_o i_o like_v it_o never_o a_o jot_n the_o worse_a for_o be_v so_o nor_o can_v i_o understand_v how_o any_o wise_a man_n shall_v but_o yet_o take_v notice_n too_o that_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o faith_n concern_v these_o matter_n of_o fact_n also_o as_o have_v a_o powerful_a operation_n upon_o our_o life_n and_o soul_n be_v impute_v by_o we_o no_o less_o than_o by_o they_o to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o his_o holy_a spirit_n though_o not_o as_o operate_n in_o we_o in_o a_o immediate_a manner_n as_o i_o say_v ordinary_o but_o in_o make_v the_o mean_v effectual_a and_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v acknowledge_v this_o in_o the_o best_a of_o sense_n a_o divine_a faith_n philal._n but_o they_o say_v certainty_n that_o only_o a_o moral_a certainty_n can_v result_v from_o the_o evidence_n that_o be_v in_o the_o most_o uninterrupted_a and_o universal_a tradition_n and_o therefore_o how_o close_o soever_o you_o tell_v we_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n apply_v that_o evidence_n this_o way_n of_o you_o tend_v to_o make_v man_n no_o better_o than_o moral_o certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n theoph._n what_o a_o fault_n that_o be_v ●_o our_o certainty_n thereof_o may_v be_v perfect_o undoubted_a as_o moral_a as_o it_o be_v and_o i_o fear_v not_o to_o declare_v that_o i_o do_v not_o desire_v to_o be_v more_o undoubted_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v such_o person_n as_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o perform_v such_o work_n and_o preach_v such_o doctrine_n as_o we_o have_v on_o record_n and_o that_o the_o book_n we_o call_v canonical_a be_v write_v by_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v 206._o than_o i_o have_v cause_n to_o be_v and_o be_o that_o there_o be_v such_o great_a conqueror_n as_o alexander_n and_o julius_n caesar_n which_o yet_o live_v before_o our_o saviour_n or_o that_o those_o which_o pass_v for_o tully_n oration_n be_v real_o for_o the_o substance_n of_o they_o at_o least_o his_o which_o yet_o be_v elder_a than_o the_o gospel_n but_o for_o all_o that_o my_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v no_o more_o than_o moral_a yet_o i_o do_v notwithstanding_o no_o more_o doubt_n of_o they_o than_o i_o do_v of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v plain_o object_v to_o my_o sense_n for_o i_o do_v not_o at_o all_o doubt_n of_o they_o and_o i_o shall_v be_v laugh_v at_o as_o a_o arrant_a fool_n if_o i_o do_v but_o shall_v i_o deny_v they_o i_o shall_v be_v think_v a_o madman_n by_o all_o wise_a people_n and_o yet_o let_v i_o tell_v you_o that_o we_o have_v from_o tradition_n a_o great_a certainty_n in_o some_o respect_n of_o most_o of_o those_o particular_n than_o we_o have_v of_o these_o for_o it_o have_v be_v the_o interest_n of_o many_o that_o those_o shall_v be_v false_a but_o so_o have_v it_o not_o be_v of_o any_o that_o these_o shall_v be_v so_o but_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v to_o disprove_v those_o nay_o have_v take_v all_o for_o grant_v except_o one_o or_o two_o miracle_n philal._n i_o have_v but_o a_o moral_a assurance_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o rome_n or_o venice_n or_o that_o there_o be_v such_o person_n as_o queen_n elizabeth_n and_o king_n james_n yet_o i_o shall_v be_v a_o brute_n do_v i_o more_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v such_o city_n or_o be_v such_o person_n than_o i_o do_v whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o london_n or_o bristol_n where_o i_o have_v several_a time_n be_v or_o whether_o there_o be_v such_o man_n as_o theophilus_n and_o philalethes_n theoph._n to_o be_v sure_a so_o you_o will_v well_o i_o wish_v that_o those_o man_n will_v show_v we_o a_o more_o certain_a way_n of_o conviction_n concern_v this_o matter_n of_o weighty_a importance_n and_o then_o see_v whether_o we_o will_v not_o with_o great_a thanks_o leave_v we_o for_o it_o but_o i_o fear_v i_o in_o stead_n of_o so_o do_v shall_v we_o give_v up_o ourselves_o to_o their_o conduct_n they_o will_v most_o sad_o bewilder_n we_o and_o in_o stead_n of_o settle_a and_o unshaken_a believer_n make_v mere_a sceptic_n of_o we_o or_o what_o be_v worse_o philal._n there_o be_v other_o itself_o theophilus_n that_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o able_a to_o convince_v man_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n by_o the_o witness_n it_o can_v give_v to_o itself_o or_o to_o use_v their_o own_o metaphorical_a expression_n by_o the_o resplendency_n of_o its_o own_o light_n so_o that_o he_o do_v enough_o in_o order_n to_o his_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v god_n word_n that_o do_v but_o acquaint_v himself_o with_o the_o content_n thereof_o which_o i_o think_v follow_v from_o that_o opinion_n theoph._n if_o these_o understand_v what_o they_o say_v there_o be_v no_o difference_n betwixt_o they_o and_o we_o for_o the_o miracle_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n we_o prove_v the_o scripture_n authority_n by_o we_o fetch_v only_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o suppose_v we_o believe_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n therein_o write_v we_o say_v as_o they_o do_v that_o we_o need_v no_o argument_n to_o prove_v they_o divine_a but_o what_o be_v therein_o include_v but_o if_o their_o meaning_n be_v as_o by_o their_o manner_n of_o express_v themselves_o one_o will_v think_v it_o shall_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o light_n in_o scripture_n as_o immediate_o operate_v upon_o man_n mind_n as_o proper_a light_n do_v on_o the_o optic_a nerve_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o say_v more_o inconsiderate_o for_o man_n understanding_n can_v discern_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n by_o immediate_a intuition_n but_o only_o in_o a_o discursive_a manner_n that_o be_v by_o such_o reason_n and_o argument_n as_o persuade_v to_o assent_v and_o beside_o if_o that_o be_v true_a not_o only_o what_o you_o conclude_v from_o thence_o be_v so_o also_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v enough_o in_o order_n to_o our_o believe_v it_o to_o acquaint_v our_o selus_fw-la with_o the_o content_n thereof_o but_o likewise_o that_o it_o be_v altogether_o impossible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v read_v the_o scripture_n and_o not_o believe_v they_o suppose_v he_o be_v compos_fw-la mentis_fw-la and_o understand_v what_o he_o read_v but_o to_o convince_v we_o that_o this_o be_v not_o so_o i_o fear_v there_o be_v very_o many_o sad_a instance_n &_o have_v too_o good_a ground_n for_o my_o fear_n well_o philalethes_n it_o

contradict_v humour_n i_o despise_v nothing_o more_o it_o argue_v those_o in_o who_o it_o be_v observable_a to_o have_v attain_v to_o no_o solid_a judgement_n or_o sense_n of_o thing_n and_o beside_o there_o be_v a_o deal_n of_o conceitedness_n and_o pride_n in_o it_o and_o too_o much_o ordinary_o of_o a_o cross-graind_a and_o ill_a nature_n dispute_n but_o amicable_a dispute_n sometime_o mere_o in_o order_n to_o the_o find_v out_o of_o truth_n can_v have_v no_o other_o than_o a_o good_a effect_n and_o moreover_o they_o add_v much_o to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o conversation_n peace_n and_o therefore_o let_v the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n labour_n for_o the_o true_a spirit_n and_o temper_n of_o christian_n and_o it_o will_v be_v as_o well_o with_o the_o christian_a world_n as_o if_o we_o be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n i_o mean_v let_v we_o not_o magisterial_o impose_v upon_o one_o another_o and_o be_v so_o charitable_a as_o to_o believe_v well_o of_o dissenter_n from_o we_o that_o live_v good_a life_n be_v of_o a_o modest_a and_o peaceable_a deportment_n and_o hold_v no_o opinion_n that_o direct_o oppose_v the_o design_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o make_v man_n like_v to_o god_n and_o then_o we_o shall_v see_v that_o there_o will_v be_v little_a reason_n to_o desire_v a_o infallible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n to_o make_v we_o all_o of_o one_o opinion_n so_o that_o by_o this_o plead_n for_o one_o judge_n the_o case_n stand_v as_o it_o do_v there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o have_v a_o end_n put_v to_o they_o but_o by_o this_o mean_n as_o you_o say_v well_o be_v there_o another_o controversy_n add_v to_o the_o rest_n and_o this_o alone_a except_o it_o be_v more_o plain_o decidable_a than_o it_o be_v may_v cause_v as_o much_o wrangle_n as_o the_o church_n be_v now_o disturb_v with_o so_o that_o tyrannical_a philalathes_fw-mi those_o friend_n of_o we_o can_v but_o judge_v it_o a_o piece_n of_o tyranny_n too_o near_o of_o kin_n to_o that_o of_o the_o cruel_a procrustes_n for_o any_o to_o endeavour_v to_o force_v other_o to_o be_v just_a of_o their_o pitch_n and_o size_n in_o opinion_n and_o to_o approve_v of_o their_o sentiment_n philal._n and_o well_o they_o may_v for_o by_o this_o mean_n though_o man_n may_v make_v hypocrite_n and_o cause_v some_o to_o profess_v what_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v yet_o they_o can_v never_o make_v any_o sincere_a convert_v but_o rather_o so_o much_o the_o more_o alienate_v dissenter_n both_o in_o their_o judgement_n and_o affection_n from_o their_o religion_n theoph._n there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o effectual_a course_n take_v so_o to_o do_v than_o this_o be_v and_o though_o man_n of_o some_o temper_n may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v themselves_o from_o overmuch_o warmth_n in_o manage_v a_o dispute_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o less_o unreasonable_a to_o malign_v our_o brethren_n because_o they_o be_v not_o in_o every_o thing_n or_o in_o several_a thing_n of_o our_o judgement_n than_o to_o quarrel_v with_o each_o other_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o unlikeness_n we_o observe_v in_o our_o face_n and_o constitution_n philal._n it_o be_v unwarrantable_a sure_o utter_o unwarrantable_a and_o most_o unaccountable_a to_o censure_n and_o condemn_v those_o person_n as_o heretic_n that_o dissent_n from_o we_o in_o any_o matter_n not_o very_o clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o they_o do_v so_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o where_o its_o sense_n be_v doubtful_a we_o have_v a_o liberty_n of_o think_v one_o way_n or_o other_o and_o that_o we_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o culpable_a in_o misunderstand_v such_o place_n as_o be_v capable_a of_o various_a interpretation_n if_o we_o be_v not_o want_v to_o ourselves_o in_o our_o endeavour_n to_o understand_v they_o if_o we_o suffer_v not_o ourselves_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o party_n prejudices_fw-la and_o the_o like_a in_o our_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n theoph._n our_o understanding_n be_v not_o free_a as_o be_v our_o will_n but_o the_o act_n of_o they_o be_v natural_a and_o necessary_a nor_o can_v they_o judge_v but_o according_a to_o the_o evidence_n that_o be_v present_v the_o understanding_n be_v like_o the_o the_o eye_n which_o can_v apprehend_v the_o object_n but_o as_o it_o offer_v itself_o nor_o can_v it_o otherwise_o judge_n of_o object_n than_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o reason_n that_o be_v offer_v will_v endure_v philal._n but_o theophilus_n though_o that_o faculty_n can_v never_o proper_o deserve_v blame_n when_o it_o be_v deceive_v yet_o man_n will_n may_v and_o i_o fear_v often_o do_v and_o that_o many_o suffer_v they_o to_o lie_v under_o the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n and_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o some_o inordinate_a affection_n be_v by_o that_o mean_v careless_a of_o provide_v their_o understanding_n with_o due_a help_n for_o make_v a_o true_a judgement_n theoph._n you_o say_v well_o but_o this_o no_o man_n can_v be_v a_o competent_a judge_n of_o in_o any_o one_o that_o do_v not_o declare_v it_o by_o unwarrantable_a practise_v upon_o his_o opinion_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v incense_v against_o man_n mere_o for_o not_o be_v of_o our_o mind_n and_o not_o have_v the_o same_o thought_n that_o we_o have_v in_o uncertain_a point_n may_v be_v to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o make_v of_o their_o intellectual_n and_o to_o condemn_v they_o for_o that_o which_o they_o can_v help_v philal._n if_o our_o saviour_n have_v lay_v such_o great_a weight_n as_o too_o many_o nowadays_o do_v on_o such_o thing_n if_o he_o have_v make_v a_o right_a understanding_n and_o belief_n of_o they_o a_o necessary_a condition_n of_o salvation_n we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o love_n he_o bear_v to_o mankind_n will_v have_v cause_v he_o to_o speak_v most_o plain_o and_o to_o have_v take_v a_o course_n that_o his_o apostle_n shall_v do_v so_o likewise_o where_o it_o be_v of_o such_o infinite_a importance_n not_o to_o mistake_v his_o meaning_n theoph._n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o they_o now_o than_o i_o say_v philalethes_n that_o those_o divine_n from_o these_o consideration_n and_o such_o like_a be_v not_o at_o all_o forward_a to_o conclude_v any_o man_n a_o heretic_n or_o err_v damnable_o that_o be_v of_o a_o persuasion_n contrary_a to_o they_o suppose_v his_o opinion_n do_v not_o so_o evident_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n as_o that_o it_o be_v unimaginable_a how_o any_o shall_v not_o see_v it_o that_o do_v not_o purposely_o shut_v their_o eye_n and_o can_v hope_v well_o of_o any_o one_o notwithstanding_o his_o mistake_n if_o they_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o true_a goodness_n and_o have_v no_o bad_a influence_n upon_o his_o practice_n they_o be_v so_o persuade_v of_o the_o graciousness_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n that_o they_o very_o believe_v that_o simple_a error_n shall_v be_v destructive_a to_o none_o i_o mean_v those_o which_o man_n have_v not_o contract_v by_o their_o own_o default_n and_o that_o where_o mistake_n proceed_v not_o from_o evil_a affection_n and_o a_o err_a judgement_n from_o a_o corrupt_a heart_n through_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n they_o shall_v not_o prove_v damnable_a but_o that_o he_o will_v allow_v and_o make_v abatement_n for_o the_o weakness_n of_o man_n part_n their_o complexion_n education_n and_o other_o ill_a circumstance_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v even_o fatal_o incline_v to_o certain_a false_a persuasion_n philal._n i_o remember_v to_o this_o purpose_n a_o good_a say_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o pious_a chillingworth_n in_o his_o excellent_a book_n against_o the_o papist_n i_o be_o say_v he_o very_o persuade_v that_o error_n shall_v not_o be_v impute_v to_o they_o as_o sin_n who_o use_v such_o a_o measure_n of_o industry_n in_o find_v truth_n as_o humane_a prudence_n and_o ordinary_a discretion_n their_o ability_n and_o opportunity_n their_o distraction_n and_o hindrance_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n consider_v shall_v advise_v they_o to_o theoph._n it_o be_v a_o say_n like_o one_o of_o that_o brave_a person_n who_o have_v he_o live_v till_o these_o day_n will_v most_o assure_o have_v be_v brand_v with_o the_o hateful_a long_a name_n as_o he_o be_v before_o his_o death_n with_o those_o of_o papist_n and_o socinian_n and_o which_o add_v to_o the_o wonder_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o his_o book_n philal._n i_o scarce_o ever_o more_o admire_v at_o any_o thing_n book_n then_o at_o the_o character_n i_o have_v read_v of_o that_o piece_n theoph._n as_o vile_a a_o book_n as_o not_o only_o all_o papist_n but_o some_o also_o that_o will_v be_v think_v no_o friend_n to_o they_o think_v it_o i_o be_o sure_a he_o will_v do_v a_o very_a excellent_a piece_n of_o service_n which_o all_o good_a protestant_n will_v have_v cause_n to_o thank_v he_o for_o that_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o translate_v it_o into_o