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
A66427	A short discourse concerning the churches authority in matters of faith shewing that the pretenses of the Church of Rome are weak and precarious in the resolution of it.	Williams, John, 1636?-1709.	1687 (1687)	Wing W2734; ESTC R7663	18,741	33

a_o short_a discourse_n concern_v the_o church_n authority_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n show_v that_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v weak_a and_o precarious_a in_o the_o resolution_n of_o it_o license_v march_v 8._o 1686._o london_n print_v for_o randal_n tailor_n near_o stationers-hall_n 1687._o the_o preface_n find_v that_o in_o our_o modern_a controversy_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o be_v print_v and_o in_o discourse_n with_o those_o of_o that_o communion_n they_o make_v their_o retreat_n almost_o upon_o all_o account_n to_o the_o church_n authority_n either_o as_o a_o point_n that_o may_v be_v most_o colourable_o defend_v or_o which_o lazy_a and_o weak_a head_n most_o ready_o take_v up_o with_o i_o be_v induce_v to_o examine_v it_o safety_n and_o certainty_n be_v thing_n very_o valuable_a not_o only_o because_o they_o carry_v a_o delightful_a correspondency_n to_o our_o mind_n but_o also_o for_o the_o respect_n they_o have_v to_o the_o time_n before_o we_o which_o in_o prudence_n we_o must_v provide_v for_o no_o condition_n be_v so_o uneasy_a and_o disgraceful_a as_o when_o a_o man_n come_v to_o proclaim_v his_o own_o folly_n by_o say_v who_o think_v of_o this_o such_o as_o our_o interest_n at_o stake_n be_v such_o aught_o our_o care_n to_o be_v that_o we_o may_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o pretence_n it_o argue_v a_o degenerous_a mind_n that_o rest_v itself_o upon_o that_o which_o come_v next_o hand_n but_o not_o to_o enlarge_v this_o preface_n i_o will_v only_o say_v a_o very_a few_o thing_n concern_v faith_n for_o which_o church-authority_n be_v pretend_v as_o a_o ground_n faith_n be_v often_o in_o scripture_n put_v to_o signify_v religion_n and_o in_o that_o sense_n it_o imply_v not_o only_o those_o thing_n which_o a_o christian_a must_v know_v and_o believe_v but_o also_o the_o apply_v the_o mind_n to_o they_o in_o all_o obedience_n and_o humility_n not_o exclude_v the_o assistance_n of_o grace_n which_o subdue_v the_o perverseness_n of_o our_o will_n and_o thus_o with_o a_o particular_a propriety_n it_o may_v be_v style_v the_o gift_n of_o god._n but_o in_o this_o follow_a discourse_n as_o sometime_o in_o scripture_n faith_n more_o especial_o mean_n that_o act_n or_o operation_n of_o the_o mind_n whereby_o it_o embrace_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v sufficient_o propose_v to_o it_o and_o as_o truth_n be_v more_o or_o less_o apparent_a so_o the_o mind_n be_v more_o or_o less_o firm_o unite_v to_o it_o not_o that_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n have_v in_o it_o any_o uncertainty_n but_o that_o our_o prejudices_fw-la and_o passion_n our_o interest_n and_o pleasure_n by_o which_o our_o will_n be_v warp_a and_o make_v stubborn_a hinder_v the_o mind_n from_o apprehend_v truth_n these_o false_a biasses_n too_o often_o confound_v our_o reason●ngs_n and_o misguide_v our_o mind_n and_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o the_o scripture_n observe_v that_o faith_n in_o some_o be_v weak_a in_o all_o capable_a of_o increase_n it_o be_v manifest_a the_o mind_n may_v discern_v truth_n so_o as_o to_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o but_o still_o a_o corrupt_a will_n may_v as_o it_o be_v unhinge_v the_o judgement_n and_o make_v its_o adherence_n less_o firm_a this_o be_v well_o enough_o observe_v by_o he_o that_o late_o write_v the_o history_n of_o oxford_n the_o life_n of_o christ_n that_o faith_n which_o spring_v from_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n or_o from_o clear_a demonstration_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o small_a esteem_n and_o reward_n with_o god._n st._n thomas_n be_v check_v for_o not_o believe_v without_o it_o and_o the_o parable_n tell_v we_o if_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n can_v not_o convince_v neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a now_o if_o the_o church_n authority_n be_v that_o which_o our_o faith_n may_v resolve_v into_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o mind_n will_v in_o all_o point_n be_v equal_o firm_a and_o clear_a and_o so_o faith_n will_v be_v equal_a in_o all_o and_o capable_a of_o improvement_n in_o none_o plain_o it_o be_v that_o the_o design_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o bring_v man_n to_o a_o right_a apprehension_n and_o belief_n of_o god_n and_o to_o engage_v they_o to_o a_o holy_a and_o virtuous_a life_n in_o conformity_n to_o such_o a_o idea_n of_o that_o pure_a and_o perfect_a be_v he_o that_o have_v not_o a_o mind_n so_o dispose_v will_v never_o be_v influence_v by_o a_o infallible_a guide_n and_o he_o that_o have_v a_o humble_a mind_n and_o teachable_a spirit_n will_v need_v none_o however_o i_o be_o sure_a he_o that_o will_v not_o be_v satisfy_v without_o one_o must_v go_v far_o than_o rome_n to_o find_v he_o but_o this_o grow_v too_o fast_o for_o a_o preface_n therefore_o i_o will_v only_o tell_v you_o that_o i_o have_v purposely_o avoid_v a_o multitude_n of_o citation_n because_o they_o have_v more_o or_o less_o authority_n as_o people_n please_v but_o i_o have_v proceed_v by_o the_o weight_n and_o moment_n of_o reason_n which_o be_v equal_o valuable_a to_o all_o a_o short_a discourse_n concern_v the_o church_n authority_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v a_o fundamental_a maxim_n and_o of_o unquestionable_a authority_n in_o nature_n that_o truth_n be_v always_o and_o every_o where_o one_o and_o the_o same_o so_o that_o among_o the_o various_a opinion_n in_o the_o world_n but_o one_o of_o they_o can_v be_v right_a upon_o which_o account_n schism_n with_o its_o ill_a consequence_n be_v on_o all_o side_n much_o lament_v while_o every_o body_n think_v he_o have_v the_o truth_n and_o peace_n and_o unity_n in_o pretence_n at_o least_o much_o desire_v but_o the_o misery_n be_v all_o will_v have_v they_o upon_o their_o own_o term_n and_o that_o frustrate_v their_o desire_n controversy_n therefore_o still_o depend_v and_o the_o point_n under_o debate_n be_v of_o such_o importance_n that_o the_o party_n which_o affirm_v they_o make_v the_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v a_o necessary_a condition_n of_o catholick-communion_n and_o damn_v they_o that_o refuse_v they_o while_o the_o party_n that_o deny_v say_v they_o run_v a_o manifest_a hazard_n that_o embrace_v they_o it_o can_v be_v think_v unfit_a for_o any_o man_n to_o inquire_v after_o a_o method_n which_o may_v bring_v these_o dispute_n to_o a_o issue_n or_o that_o may_v keep_v in_o peace_n and_o quietness_n the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o christian_n while_o pride_n interest_n or_o prejudice_n shall_v keep_v open_a the_o breach_n or_o maintain_v the_o quarrel_n nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a and_o congenial_a to_o mankind_n than_o truth_n and_o the_o desire_n of_o it_o be_v implant_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o man_n a_o impartial_a search_n after_o it_o therefore_o be_v what_o all_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o and_o as_o salvation_n be_v the_o end_n in_o common_a aim_v at_o by_o all_o so_o it_o high_o concerns-every_a christian_n to_o examine_v the_o way_n by_o which_o he_o go_v towards_o that_o end_n and_o he_o ought_v to_o inquire_v the_o more_o cautious_o and_o diligent_o for_o that_o the_o way_n propose_v for_o attain_v salvation_n be_v many_o and_o different_n and_o those_o that_o go_v one_o way_n will_v hardly_o allow_v safety_n to_o they_o that_o take_v another_o and_o this_o at_o present_a be_v the_o case_n between_o the_o papist_n and_o the_o protestant_n which_o invite_v man_n to_o each_o other_o communion_n as_o safe_a and_o better_o for_o attain_v eternal_a happiness_n every_o man_n have_v a_o soul_n to_o be_v save_v and_o what_o must_v be_v do_v to_o inherit_v eternal_a life_n be_v a_o enquiry_n every_o one_o in_o the_o world_n ought_v and_o i_o hope_v most_o christian_n do_v make_v for_o themselves_o for_o since_o our_o first_o parent_n by_o their_o disobedience_n incur_v death_n to_o themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n salvation_n be_v what_o by_o nature_n we_o can_v neither_o claim_v nor_o expect_v but_o that_o the_o devil_n may_v not_o triumph_v in_o a_o absolute_a conquest_n over_o so_o glorious_a a_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n as_o mankind_n god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n be_v please_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o second_o covenant_n with_o man_n in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n but_o this_o upon_o condition_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n on_o our_o part_n to_o answer_v the_o salvation_n propose_v and_o offer_v on_o he_o now_o this_o covenant_n be_v a_o act_n of_o mere_a grace_n issue_v pure_o from_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n it_o be_v very_o plain_a mankind_n can_v know_v no_o more_o of_o this_o covenant_n nor_o of_o the_o condition_n of_o it_o than_o god_n himself_o have_v be_v please_v to_o reveal_v and_o discover_v so_o that_o all_o question_n and_o dispute_n about_o our_o common_a salvation_n must_v be_v bring_v to_o this_o one_o as_o the_o standard_n of_o all_o viz._n whether_o it_o be_v the_o

have_v not_o sufficient_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n in_o dispute_n betwixt_o we_o and_o that_o if_o we_o have_v no_o more_o will_v be_v authority_n enough_o for_o we_o to_o refuse_v they_o and_o depart_v from_o she_o since_o she_o will_v not_o receive_v we_o to_o communion_n but_o upon_o condition_n which_o they_o can_v make_v out_o to_o be_v reasonable_a unless_o we_o grant_v that_o false_a supposition_n of_o infallible_a authority_n they_o ask_v far_o who_o be_v to_o be_v judge_n of_o the_o controversy_n and_o reason_n between_o we_o i_o answer_v every_o man_n must_v for_o himself_o for_o as_o every_o man_n must_v believe_v so_o every_o man_n must_v have_v a_o reason_n why_o he_o believe_v and_o sure_o every_o one_o must_v be_v a_o judge_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n whether_o he_o be_v convince_v or_o no._n we_o be_v tell_v that_o then_o there_o will_v be_v heresy_n and_o schism_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v so_o and_o for_o aught_o i_o see_v will_v be_v so_o still_o but_o that_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o apostle_n tell_v the_o corinthian_n must_v be_v that_o those_o which_o be_v 19_o approve_v may_v be_v make_v manifest_a the_o church_n of_o rome_n may_v appear_v yet_o more_o unequal_a in_o her_o pretence_n for_o that_o she_o advance_v a_o doctrine_n which_o can_v be_v believe_v even_o by_o those_o who_o pay_v the_o utmost_a deference_n to_o her_o authority_n and_o that_o be_v transubstantiation_n which_o imply_v several_a contradiction_n some_o that_o own_o the_o church_n infallible_a authority_n and_o be_v resolve_v to_o rest_n upon_o it_o may_v so_o over-rule_v their_o mind_n as_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o consider_v or_o think_v upon_o that_o doctrine_n and_o so_o for_o the_o time_n do_v not_o as_o it_o be_v disbelieve_v it_o but_o whenever_o they_o come_v to_o weigh_v it_o their_o mind_n can_v embrace_v it_o because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n for_o a_o contradiction_n for_o sure_a church_n authority_n can_v go_v on_o where_o the_o power_n of_o god_n cease_v if_o it_o be_v say_v it_o be_v only_o a_o contradiction_n in_o appearance_n that_o come_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n for_o till_o it_o can_v be_v make_v not_o to_o seem_v a_o contradiction_n it_o must_v have_v the_o same_o effect_n upon_o all_o man_n mind_n as_o upon_o we_o who_o know_v it_o to_o be_v real_o a_o gross_a one_o and_o this_o make_v i_o sensible_a that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a absurdity_n to_o believe_v as_o they_o say_v implicit_o or_o indefinite_o as_o the_o church_n believe_v when_o a_o man_n consider_v not_o what_o that_o be_v than_o to_o pray_v implicit_o or_o in_o a_o general_a intention_n with_o the_o church_n when_o one_o know_v not_o what_o the_o church_n pray_v for_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o say_v a_o man_n believe_v any_o thing_n which_o the_o mind_n do_v not_o particular_o embrace_v or_o apply_v itself_o to_o and_o the_o mind_n can_v be_v say_v to_o embrace_v that_o which_o it_o think_v or_o know_v nothing_o of_o here_o it_o must_v not_o be_v forget_v that_o i_o be_o not_o speak_v of_o the_o habit_n but_o the_o act_n of_o faith._n nor_o do_v the_o principle_n i_o have_v lay_v down_o oblige_v i_o to_o think_v every_o one_o have_v always_o a_o true_a ground_n for_o his_o faith._n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o many_o believe_v upon_o inducement_n that_o will_v if_o examine_v be_v find_v slender_n and_o disproportionate_a for_o such_o it_o be_v their_o good_a fortune_n if_o they_o believe_v aright_o but_o if_o they_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n they_o must_v answer_v for_o not_o take_v great_a care._n but_o if_o they_o have_v use_v their_o utmost_a care_n and_o diligence_n and_o yet_o continue_v in_o the_o wrong_n we_o may_v leave_v they_o without_o any_o desperate_a apprehension_n to_o the_o mercy_n of_o god._n most_o of_o the_o point_n about_o which_o we_o differ_v with_o rome_n have_v be_v discuss_v in_o particular_a treatise_n and_o so_o i_o will_v meddle_v little_a with_o they_o have_v from_o the_o first_o design_v in_o chief_a to_o consider_v the_o ground_n of_o faith._n i_o will_v here_o have_v take_v leave_n but_o that_o i_o be_o stay_v with_o a_o pretence_n that_o the_o faith_n which_o we_o own_o we_o have_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n britanicae_n i_o will_v not_o here_o inquire_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o this_o pretence_n but_o examine_v what_o use_n they_o make_v of_o it_o suppose_v now_o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n and_o the_o creed_n from_o they_o what_o follow_v why_o then_o they_o will_v have_v we_o receive_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o additional_a article_n too_o indeed_o if_o we_o have_v receive_v all_o we_o believe_v upon_o their_o church_n authority_n it_o have_v be_v a_o better_a inference_n but_o they_o know_v we_o do_v not_o receive_v any_o article_n upon_o any_o authority_n but_o the_o reason_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o where_o that_o end_n our_o faith_n stop_v and_o we_o receive_v no_o more_o they_o will_v it_o seem_v prescribe_v and_o suppose_v we_o embrace_v some_o truth_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v deliver_v to_o we_o will_v have_v we_o entertain_v whatever_o else_o they_o offer_v this_o be_v very_o strange_a indeed_o if_o any_o one_o hear_v the_o devil_n declare_v jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o the_o gospel_n tell_v we_o they_o do_v shall_v have_v believe_v he_o so_o and_o 23._o tertullian_n we_o know_v make_v it_o a_o great_a argument_n and_o appeal_v to_o the_o heathen_n upon_o it_o when_o the_o devil_n make_v confession_n must_v they_o therefore_o have_v believe_v all_o the_o devil_n say_v at_o any_o time_n because_o they_o see_v reason_n to_o believe_v what_o they_o say_v some_o time_n it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o strange_a case_n with_o religion_n unless_o man_n have_v be_v assure_v the_o devil_n inclination_n to_o deceive_v shall_v have_v always_o be_v overrule_v and_o they_o like_o caiaphas_n shall_v have_v be_v make_v to_o speak_v truth_n whether_o they_o will_v or_o no._n in_o like_a manner_n to_o have_v receive_v some_o truth_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v be_v no_o reason_n why_o we_o shall_v believe_v other_o thus_o far_o i_o have_v consider_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o show_v the_o weakness_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n take_v to_o resolve_v it_o by_o i_o pray_v god_n by_o his_o grace_n so_o to_o enlighten_v the_o understanding_n and_o dispose_v the_o will_n of_o all_o christian_n that_o they_o may_v hearty_o endeavour_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o humble_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n after_o truth_n the_o only_a way_n effectual_o to_o bring_v it_o about_o popery_n have_v of_o late_o be_v expound_v to_o a_o more_o favourable_a sense_n and_o represent_v in_o a_o less_o formidable_a dress_n than_o it_o wear_v heretofore_o and_o so_o far_o be_o i_o from_o be_v angry_a at_o it_o that_o i_o be_o hearty_o glad_a hope_v it_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o scatter_v those_o thick_a mist_n of_o prejudice_n and_o ignorance_n that_o have_v obscure_v the_o truth_n and_o hinder_v many_o from_o discern_v it_o i_o only_o wish_v they_o will_v manifest_v the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o representation_n by_o a_o practice_n answerable_a to_o it_o they_o take_v away_o the_o scripture_n from_o some_o least_o in_o read_v they_o shall_v misinterpret_v it_o and_o i_o wish_v they_o will_v take_v away_o image_n which_o have_v be_v horrible_o misunderstand_v since_o they_o now_o tell_v the_o world_n they_o think_v they_o but_o as_o book_n to_o instruct_v the_o ignorant_a and_o honorary_a remembrance_n to_o the_o learned_a this_o will_v be_v one_o reasonable_a and_o fair_a step_n towards_o restore_a peace_n and_o heal_v the_o schism_n and_o since_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o no_o power_n upon_o earth_n can_v limit_v alter_v or_o annul_v any_o precept_n of_o divine_a institution_n contrary_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n a_o position_n high_o reasonable_a we_o expect_v the_o cup_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o all_o of_o the_o communion_n see_v that_o our_o saviour_n institute_v and_o give_v that_o as_o well_o as_o the_o bread._n and_o after_o his_o institution_n the_o same_o night_n that_o he_o be_v betray_v i_o can_v find_v that_o he_o make_v the_o least_o alteration_n to_o say_v our_o saviour_n have_v no_o mind_n that_o shall_v be_v do_v which_o he_o appoint_v will_v be_v very_o absurd_a therefore_o what_o he_o once_o institute_v must_v continue_v in_o force_n as_o his_o mind_n still_o unless_o they_o can_v show_v that_o he_o alter_v it_o and_o this_o will_v be_v another_o good_a step_n towards_o our_o union_n they_o have_v now_o reduce_v their_o pray_v to_o saint_n depart_v to_o a_o desire_n only_o that_o the_o bless_a will_v assist_v they_o with_o their_o prayer_n to_o god_n as_o we_o desire_v good_a