Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
authority_n believe_v faith_n reveal_v 2,834 5 9.4772 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59900 A vindication of Dr. Sherlock's sermon concerning The danger of corrupting the faith by philosophy in answer to some Socinian remarks / by William Sherlock ... Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1697 (1697) Wing S3371; ESTC R21027 27,441 45

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undivided_a nature_n belong_v this_o reason_n boggle_v at_o and_o socinian_o call_v a_o contradiction_n but_o it_o be_v such_o a_o contradiction_n as_o sense_n will_v judge_v the_o union_n of_o spirit_n and_o matter_n to_o be_v at_o most_o it_o be_v a_o imaginary_a contradiction_n in_o the_o subsistence_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o reason_n know_v nothing_o about_o and_o therefore_o can_v make_v no_o judgement_n of_o and_o such_o appearing-contradiction_n be_v no_o objection_n because_o they_o may_v be_v no_o contradiction_n as_o we_o be_v sure_o they_o be_v none_o when_o the_o doctrine_n charge_v with_o these_o contradiction_n be_v teach_v in_o scripture_n there_o be_v one_o distinction_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o set_v this_o matter_n in_o a_o clear_a light_n and_o to_o answer_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o contradiction_n and_o that_o be_v the_o distinction_n between_o contradiction_n in_o logic_n and_o philosophy_n a_o contradiction_n in_o logic_n be_v when_o two_o 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two_o idol_n of_o atheist_n and_o heretic_n and_o that_o make_v atheist_n to_o be_v atheist_n and_o heretic_n to_o be_v heretic_n p._n 12._o his_o second_o proposition_n ibid._n run_v thus_o that_o to_o ascertain_v the_o very_a and_o true_a faith_n we_o must_v attend_v only_o to_o that_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n which_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n do_v imply_v reject_v all_o mixture_n of_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n in_o our_o dispute_n about_o religion_n and_o our_o inquiry_n about_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n now_o let_v any_o reader_n try_v whether_o he_o can_v find_v any_o such_o proposition_n as_o this_o in_o all_o my_o sermon_n either_o in_o word_n or_o sense_n i_o can_v not_o for_o some_o time_n guess_v what_o shadow_n of_o pretence_n he_o can_v have_v for_o charge_v such_o a_o proposition_n on_o i_o i_o do_v indeed_o in_o some_o principal_a article_n distinguish_v between_o faith_n and_o philosophy_n between_o what_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o what_o 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the_o scripture_n teach_v and_o so_o far_o our_o faith_n be_v concern_v and_o these_o be_v not_o only_o justifiable_a but_o necessary_a dispute_n if_o the_o true_a faith_n be_v necessary_a and_o such_o be_v the_o dispute_n of_o the_o catholic_n father_n with_o the_o sabellian_n arian_n and_o photinian_n heretic_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o i_o allow_v of_o argue_v and_o reason_v as_o much_o as_o he_o do_v and_o add_v but_o that_o which_o we_o be_v to_o beware_v of_o be_v not_o to_o mix_v philosophy_n with_o our_o faith_n nor_o to_o admit_v of_o any_o mere_a philosophical_a objection_n against_o the_o faith_n nor_o to_o attempt_v any_o explication_n of_o these_o mystery_n beyond_o what_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o faith_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n will_v justify_v this_o distinction_n he_o know_v very_o well_o but_o very_o honest_o dissemble_v
not_o one_o word_n to_o answer_v but_o only_o say_v that_o i_o contradict_v this_o myself_o in_o my_o vindication_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n where_o i_o assert_v that_o suppose_v the_o natural_a construction_n of_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n import_v such_o a_o sense_n as_o be_v contrary_n to_o some_o evident_a principle_n of_o reason_n i_o will_v believe_v it_o of_o this_o more_o present_o but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o purpose_n be_v there_o no_o difference_n between_o what_o reason_n can_v conceive_v comprehend_v approve_v and_o what_o the_o reason_n of_o all_o mankind_n contradict_v no_o difference_n between_o believe_v what_o we_o do_v not_o see_v what_o we_o have_v no_o natural_a notion_n or_o conception_n of_o what_o be_v not_o evident_a to_o natural_a reason_n and_o believe_v in_o contradiction_n to_o sense_n and_o such_o natural_a notion_n and_o natural_a evidence_n as_o all_o mankind_n agree_v in_o but_o he_o be_v very_o much_o trouble_v according_a to_o his_o principle_n of_o believe_a scripture_n no_o far_o than_o natural_a reason_n and_o philosophy_n approve_v how_o to_o distinguish_v between_o believe_v plato_n and_o tully_n and_o believe_v a_o revelation_n he_o say_v they_o look_v upon_o plato_n and_o tully_n as_o great_a man_n but_o fallible_a p._n 15._o and_o therefore_o may_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o dissent_v from_o they_o and_o believe_v they_o no_o far_o than_o reason_n approve_v very_o right_a but_o will_v he_o believe_v the_o scripture_n any_o far_a than_o reason_n can_v conceive_v comprehend_v approve_v have_v a_o care_n of_o that_o but_o they_o will_v do_v as_o well_o if_o reason_n will_v not_o approve_v of_o such_o scripture_n doctrine_n as_o it_o can_v conceive_v and_o comprehend_v they_o will_v expound_v and_o torture_v scripture_n till_o it_o submit_v to_o reason_n for_o it_o be_v more_o congruous_a to_o think_v that_o a_o inspire_a writer_n use_v a_o figurative_a or_o it_o may_v be_v a_o catachrestical_a very_o catachrestical_a expression_n or_o phrase_n than_o that_o he_o deliver_v flat_a contradiction_n or_o downright_a impossibility_n that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o must_v by_o all_o mean_n believe_v or_o pretend_v to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n but_o then_o they_o must_v never_o own_o any_o thing_n to_o be_v in_o scripture_n which_o their_o reason_n call_v a_o flat_a contradiction_n or_o downright_a impossibility_n which_o be_v the_o very_a same_o thing_n for_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o the_o scripture_n contain_v any_o thing_n which_o their_o reason_n do_v not_o approve_v be_v because_o they_o must_v believe_v the_o scripture_n but_o must_v not_o believe_v it_o beyond_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o comprehension_n and_o the_o only_a difference_n they_o make_v between_o plato_n and_o tully_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v that_o they_o can_v safe_o reject_v their_o authority_n when_o they_o please_v but_o must_v be_v at_o the_o trouble_n of_o expound_v away_o whatever_o they_o do_v not_o approve_v in_o the_o scripture_n this_o be_v what_o i_o tell_v they_o in_o the_o vindication_n and_o as_o impious_a as_o this_o author_n think_v it_o i_o will_v venture_v to_o transcribe_v that_o whole_a paragraph_n but_o i_o have_v not_o do_v with_o our_o author_n thus_o 150._o but_o must_v give_v he_o a_o little_a more_o about_o expound_v scripture_n according_a to_o reason_n for_o i_o affirm_v that_o natural_a reason_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o expound_v scripture_n no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v of_o expound_v any_o other_o write_v the_o true_a and_o only_a way_n to_o interpret_v any_o write_n even_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o be_v to_o examine_v the_o use_n and_o propriety_n of_o word_n and_o phrase_n the_o connexion_n scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o text_n its_o allusion_n to_o ancient_a custom_n and_o usage_n or_o dispute_n etc._n etc._n for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o good_a reason_n to_o be_v give_v for_o any_o exposition_n but_o that_o the_o word_n signify_v so_o and_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o place_n and_o apparent_a scope_n of_o the_o writer_n require_v it_o but_o our_o author_n as_o many_o other_o do_v seem_v to_o confound_v the_o reason_n of_o believe_v any_o doctrine_n with_o the_o rule_n of_o expound_v a_o write_n we_o must_v believe_v nothing_o that_o contradict_v the_o plain_a and_o express_v dictate_v of_o natural_a reason_n which_o all_o mankind_n agree_v in_o whatever_o pretence_n of_o revelation_n there_o be_v for_o it_o well_o say_v they_o than_o you_o must_v expound_v scripture_n so_o as_o to_o make_v it_o agree_v with_o the_o necessary_a principle_n and_o dictate_v of_o reason_n no_o say_v i_o that_o do_v not_o follow_v i_o must_v expound_v scripture_n according_a to_o the_o use_n and_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n and_o must_v not_o force_v my_o own_o sense_n on_o it_o if_o it_o will_v not_o bear_v it_o but_o suppose_v then_o that_o the_o natural_a construction_n of_o the_o word_n import_v such_o a_o sense_n as_o be_v contrary_n to_o some_o evident_a principle_n of_o reason_n then_o i_o will_v believe_v it_o how_o not_o believe_v scripture_n no_o no._n i_o will_v believe_v no_o pretend_a revelation_n which_o contradict_v the_o plain_n dictate_v of_o reason_n which_o all_o mankind_n agree_v in_o and_o be_v i_o persuade_v that_o those_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v so_o i_o will_v not_o believe_v they_o and_o this_o be_v a_o fair_a and_o honest_a way_n than_o to_o force_v they_o to_o speak_v what_o they_o never_o intend_v and_o what_o every_o impartial_a man_n who_o read_v they_o must_v think_v be_v never_o intend_v that_o we_o may_v believe_v they_o to_o put_v our_o own_o sense_n on_o scripture_n without_o respect_n to_o the_o use_n of_o word_n and_o to_o the_o reason_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o text_n be_v not_o to_o believe_v scripture_n but_o to_o teach_v it_o to_o speak_v our_o language_n be_v not_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n but_o to_o make_v scripture_n submit_v to_o our_o reason_n even_o in_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v confess_o above_o reason_n as_o the_o infinite_a nature_n and_o essence_n of_o god_n be_v though_o i_o be_o never_o so_o well_o assure_v of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o any_o book_n yet_o i_o must_v expound_v it_o as_o i_o do_v other_o write_n for_o when_o god_n vouchsafe_v to_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o our_o own_o language_n we_o must_v understand_v his_o word_n just_a as_o we_o do_v when_o they_o be_v speak_v by_o man_n indeed_o when_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o it_o be_v a_o inspire_a write_v i_o lay_v it_o down_o for_o a_o principle_n that_o it_o contain_v nothing_o absurd_a and_o contradiction_n or_o repugnant_a to_o the_o receive_a principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n but_o this_o do_v not_o give_v i_o authority_n to_o expound_v the_o word_n of_o scripture_n to_o any_o other_o sense_n than_o what_o they_o will_v natural_o bear_v to_o reconcile_v they_o with_o such_o notion_n as_o i_o call_v reason_n for_o if_o one_o man_n have_v this_o liberty_n another_o may_v take_v it_o and_o the_o scripture_n will_v be_v tune_v to_o every_o man_n private_a conceit_n and_o therefore_o in_o case_n the_o plain_a sense_n of_o scripture_n contradict_v those_o notion_n i_o have_v of_o thing_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a i_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n if_o it_o seem_v to_o include_v a_o contradiction_n and_o impossibility_n if_o that_o contradiction_n be_v not_o plain_a and_o notorious_a and_o in_o such_o matter_n as_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o perfect_o understand_v there_o i_o submit_v again_o and_o conclude_v it_o be_v no_o contradiction_n though_o i_o can_v comprehend_v how_o it_o be_v if_o i_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n reconcile_v it_o i_o will_v confess_v i_o do_v not_o understand_v it_o and_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o give_v any_o sense_n of_o it_o much_o less_o to_o give_v such_o a_o sense_n of_o it_o as_o the_o word_n will_v not_o bear_v his_o four_o charge_n be_v that_o i_o say_v difficulty_n of_o conceive_v a_o thing_n nay_o the_o absolute_a unconceivableness_n of_o it_o must_v not_o hinder_v our_o assent_n to_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o revelation_n because_o we_o do_v not_o disbelieve_v what_o be_v make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o sense_n or_o by_o reason_n notwithstanding_o any_o difficulty_n or_o inconceivableness_n adhere_v to_o such_o thing_n these_o be_v neither_o my_o word_n nor_o my_o argument_n my_o argument_n be_v this_o that_o since_o as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o matter_n of_o pure_a revelation_n which_o can_v be_v know_v no_o other_o way_n revelation_n must_v stand_v in_o the_o place_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n we_o must_v allow_v no_o objection_n against_o reveal_v mystery_n but_o what_o we_o will_v allow_v to_o be_v good_a objection_n against_o sense_n and_o reason_n now_o no_o man_n question_n the_o truth_n of_o
a_o objection_n against_o any_o thing_n that_o it_o be_v without_o reason_n or_o as_o we_o apprehend_v contrary_a to_o reason_n we_o must_v first_o consider_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o reason_n otherwise_o it_o be_v no_o objection_n as_o it_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o sound_n that_o we_o can_v see_v they_o nor_o against_o colour_n that_o we_o can_v hear_v they_o because_o sound_n be_v not_o the_o object_n of_o sight_n nor_o colour_n of_o hear_v this_o i_o think_v be_v plain_a sense_n and_o good_a reason_n too_o but_o this_o he_o say_v be_v no_o answer_n to_o that_o objection_n why_o shall_v reasonable_a creature_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v thing_n without_o reason_n nor_o be_v it_o ever_o intend_a as_o a_o immediate_a answer_n to_o it_o the_o answer_v i_o give_v be_v that_o we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v without_o reason_n but_o when_o such_o man_n as_o this_o author_n object_n far_o that_o to_o believe_v thing_n who_o nature_n we_o do_v not_o understand_v and_o can_v account_v for_o by_o natural_a reason_n be_v to_o believe_v without_o reason_n it_o be_v a_o proper_a answer_n to_o say_v that_o reason_n be_v not_o judge_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o philosophy_n of_o thing_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v without_o reason_n or_o against_o reason_n which_o be_v not_o the_o object_n of_o reason_n as_o no_o man_n pretend_v that_o the_o pure_a nature_n and_o ●ssences_n of_o thing_n or_o their_o essential_a reason_n property_n union_n operation_n be_v serm._n p._n 19_o but_o herein_o it_o seem_v i_o be_v mistake_v for_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o a_o man_n at_o last_o who_o make_v reason_n the_o judge_n of_o all_o this_o for_o if_o these_o be_v not_o the_o object_n of_o reason_n reason_n have_v no_o object_n at_o all_o for_o our_o reason_n can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o employ_v but_o either_o about_o substance_n or_o their_o union_n essential_a reason_n operation_n or_o property_n p._n 20._o very_o right_a we_o may_v know_v something_o of_o all_o this_o but_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o philosophy_n of_o nature_n now_o can_v this_o new_a philosopher_n tell_v we_o what_o the_o pure_a simple_a essence_n and_o substance_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v what_o naked_a matter_n strip_v of_o all_o accident_n and_o quality_n be_v how_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v unite_v which_o can_v touch_v each_o other_o how_o a_o spirit_n shall_v feel_v pain_n or_o pleasure_n from_o the_o impression_n on_o the_o body_n how_o we_o think_v and_o reason_n nay_o how_o we_o see_v and_o hear_v how_o thought_n move_v our_o body_n and_o excite_v our_o passion_n and_o a_o thousand_o such_o like_a mystery_n which_o can_v he_o unriddle_v he_o will_v infinite_o gratify_v the_o inquisitive_a world_n but_o christianity_n not_o mysterious_a and_o the_o philosophy_n of_o pure_a simple_a nature_n be_v too_o great_a discovery_n for_o one_o age_n and_o yet_o if_o ever_o this_o happen_v they_o must_v go_v together_o for_o as_o i_o observe_v this_o be_v all_o the_o incomprehensibility_n man_n have_v to_o complain_v of_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n the_o first_o concern_v the_o pure_a nature_n essence_n substance_n of_o god_n and_o the_o essential_a distinction_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n which_o we_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v know_v any_o thing_n of_o for_o all_o nature_n be_v a_o secret_a and_o mystery_n to_o we_o much_o more_o the_o infinite_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o second_o concern_v the_o union_n of_o the_o divine_a and_o human_a nature_n in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v a_o mystery_n but_o what_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o complain_v of_o since_o the_o philosophy_n of_o all_o natural_a union_n be_v a_o mystery_n to_o we_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o the_o object_n of_o reason_n and_o therefore_o though_o we_o believe_v they_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o revelation_n without_o understand_v the_o mystery_n of_o they_o this_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v without_o or_o contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o what_o now_o do_v this_o socinian_n say_v to_o this_o true_o not_o one_o word_n but_o fall_v out_o with_o socinus_n and_o crellius_n and_o some_o of_o his_o best_a friend_n for_o talk_v so_o much_o of_o mystery_n which_o by_o the_o way_n show_v that_o this_o be_v not_o such_o a_o new_a and_o unheard_a of_o objection_n as_o he_o will_v pretend_v for_o now_o he_o have_v find_v out_o that_o there_o be_v no_o mystery_n at_o all_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n and_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_n if_o his_o socinian_n explication_n of_o these_o doctrine_n which_o destroy_v the_o mystery_n and_o the_o catholic_n faith_n together_o may_v pass_v for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n but_o there_o have_v be_v enough_o say_v of_o that_o in_o the_o distinction_n between_o real_a and_o nominal_a trinitarian_n examine_v which_o the_o reader_n may_v consult_v and_o this_o author_n answer_v at_o his_o leisure_n though_o i_o be_o very_o sensible_a he_o can_v never_o want_v such_o answer_n as_o this_o for_o any_o thing_n 2_o dly_z the_o second_o objection_n against_o such_o a_o revelation_n as_o contain_v matter_n which_o natural_a reason_n can_v comprehend_v be_v to_o what_o purpose_n such_o a_o revelation_n serve_v what_o merit_n there_o can_v be_v in_o believe_v such_o doctrine_n and_o of_o what_o good_a use_n such_o a_o faith_n can_v be_v to_o we_o serm._n p._n 2d_o this_o be_v another_o objection_n which_o he_o think_v no_o sect_n of_o religious_a ever_o make_v p._n 24._o but_o the_o irreligious_a m●y_n make_v this_o objection_n and_o there_o be_v more_o than_o one_o sect_n of_o these_o as_o to_o the_o usefulness_n of_o it_o i_o observe_v that_o though_o neither_o natural_a nor_o reveal_v knowledge_n extend_v to_o the_o reason_n and_o cause_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o essential_a property_n and_o operation_n yet_o both_o natural_a and_o reveal_v knowledge_n be_v of_o as_o much_o use_n to_o we_o as_o if_o we_o do_v perfect_o understand_v all_o the_o secret_a and_o incomprehensible_a mystery_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n or_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o creature_n both_o natural_a and_o reveal_v knowledge_n be_v alike_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o they_o only_o acquaint_v we_o what_o thing_n be_v and_o what_o end_v they_o serve_v and_o then_o we_o know_v what_o use_n to_o make_v of_o they_o without_o understand_v the_o secret_a mystery_n of_o nature_n this_o i_o show_v both_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o god_n and_o add_v we_o may_v make_v all_o the_o use_n that_o can_v be_v make_v of_o this_o world_n and_o of_o every_o thing_n in_o it_o without_o understand_v the_o essential_a reason_n and_o cause_n or_o internal_a nature_n of_o any_o thing_n this_o last_o clause_n he_o fix_v his_o remark_n on_o and_o that_o he_o may_v have_v something_o to_o remark_n he_o change_v my_o word_n thus_o we_o may_v use_v the_o world_n as_o full_o and_o every_o thing_n in_o it_o to_o as_o good_a purpose_n as_o if_o we_o understand_v the_o reason_n and_o internal_a nature_n of_o thing_n and_o then_o add_v no_o trisler_n not_o so_o full_o nor_o to_o so_o good_a purpose_n as_o if_o we_o better_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n now_o this_o full_o and_o to_o as_o good_a purpose_n be_v not_o my_o word_n but_o his_o own_o nay_o we_o can_v make_v no_o use_n at_o all_o of_o it_o but_o only_o so_o far_o forth_o as_o we_o understand_v the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o thing_n in_o it_o we_o can_v use_v nothing_o to_o any_o purpose_n till_o we_o know_v or_o understand_v something_o of_o its_o nature_n and_o no_o far_o can_v we_o apply_v it_o and_o use_v it_o than_o we_o understand_v its_o nature_n and_o know_v its_o property_n and_o power_n now_o this_o be_v not_o mere_o trifle_v but_o knavery_n he_o represent_v i_o very_o ridiculous_o assert_v that_o we_o may_v as_o full_o and_o to_o as_o good_a purpose_n use_v every_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n without_o know_v its_o nature_n virtue_n and_o property_n as_o if_o we_o know_v they_o whereas_o i_o express_o assert_v that_o we_o must_v first_o know_v what_o thing_n be_v and_o what_o end_v they_o serve_v and_o the_o better_a we_o know_v this_o to_o be_v sure_o the_o better_a and_o then_o we_o know_v what_o use_n to_o make_v of_o they_o without_o understand_v the_o secret_a mystery_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v when_o by_o experience_n and_o observation_n we_o know_v what_o thing_n be_v good_a for_o we_o know_v how_o to_o use_v they_o without_o understand_v the_o secret_a mystery_n and_o philosophy_n of_o nature_n as_o how_o god_n create_v all_o thing_n out_o of_o nothing_o how_o the_o corn_n grow_v or_o our_o food_n nourish_v we_o and_o the_o like_a and_o thus_o i_o show_v it_o be_v as_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o