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	reason_n	word_n	2,354	5	4.5383	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A27438	Of revelation and the Messias a sermon preached at the publick commencement at Cambridge, July 5th, 1696 / by Richard Bentley ...	Bentley, Richard, 1662-1742.	1696 (1696)	Wing B1942; ESTC R5633	15,739	38

gather_v argument_n against_o the_o christian_n from_o all_o the_o different_a sect_n and_o hypothesis_n of_o philosophy_n though_o inconsistent_a one_o argument_n with_o another_o and_o bring_v objection_n too_o from_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v against_o the_o new_a one_o which_o they_o be_v engage_v by_o all_o method_n to_o oppose_v in_o our_o present_a discourse_n therefore_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o refute_v these_o modern_a adversary_n under_o their_o double_a shape_n and_o character_n first_o as_o they_o be_v mere_a deist_n or_o pagan_n renounce_v all_o revelation_n and_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o second_o as_o they_o fight_v under_o jewish_a colour_n so_o as_o admit_v there_o be_v a_o promise_a messiah_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o man_n ought_v to_o reject_v the_o person_n of_o jesus_n and_o still_o to_o wait_v for_o another_o and_o first_o we_o shall_v consider_v they_o in_o the_o quality_n of_o deist_n and_o disciple_n of_o mere_a natural_a reason_n we_o profess_v ourselves_o as_o much_o concern_v and_o as_o true_o as_o themselves_o be_v for_o the_o use_n and_o authority_n of_o reason_n in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n we_o look_v upon_o right_a reason_n as_o the_o native_a lamp_n of_o the_o soul_n place_v and_o kindle_v there_o by_o our_o creator_n to_o conduct_v we_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o judgement_n and_o action_n true_a reason_n like_o its_o divine_a author_n never_o be_v itself_o deceive_v nor_o ever_o deceive_v any_o man_n even_o revelation_n itself_o be_v not_o shy_a nor_o unwilling_a to_o ascribe_v its_o own_o first_o credit_n and_o fundamental_a authority_n to_o the_o test_n and_o testimony_n of_o reason_n sound_v reason_n be_v the_o touchstone_n to_o distinguish_v that_o pure_a and_o genuine_a gold_n from_o base_a metal_n revelation_n true_o divine_a from_o imposture_n and_o enthusiasm_n so_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o decline_v or_o fear_v the_o strict_a trial_n of_o reason_n that_o it_o everywhere_o appeal_n to_o it_o be_v defend_v and_o support_v by_o it_o and_o indeed_o can_v continue_v in_o the_o apostle_n description_n 27._o pure_a and_o undefiled_a without_o it_o it_o be_v the_o benefit_n of_o reason_n alone_o under_o the_o providence_n and_o spirit_n of_o god_n that_o we_o ourselves_o be_v at_o this_o day_n a_o reform_a orthodox_n church_n that_o we_o depart_v from_o the_o error_n of_o popery_n and_o that_o we_o know_v too_o where_o to_o stop_v neither_o run_v into_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o fanaticism_n nor_o slide_v into_o the_o indifferency_n of_o libertinism_n whatsoever_o therefore_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o natural_a reason_n can_v never_o be_v just_o impose_v as_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n that_o the_o same_o body_n be_v in_o many_o place_n at_o once_o that_o plain_a bread_n be_v not_o bread_n such_o thing_n though_o they_o be_v say_v with_o never_o so_o much_o pomp_n and_o claim_v to_o infallibility_n we_o have_v still_o great_a authority_n to_o reject_v they_o as_o be_v contrary_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o our_o natural_a faculty_n as_o subvert_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o faith_n even_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o own_o credit_n and_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o civil_a life_n so_o far_o be_v we_o from_o contend_v with_o our_o adversary_n about_o the_o dignity_n and_o authority_n of_o reason_n but_o then_o we_o differ_v with_o they_o about_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o the_o extent_n of_o its_o province_n for_o the_o deist_n there_o stop_v and_o set_v bound_n to_o their_o faith_n where_o reason_n their_o only_a guide_n do_v not_o lead_v the_o way_n further_o and_o walk_v along_o before_o they_o we_o on_o the_o contrary_a 34._o as_o moses_n be_v show_v by_o divine_a power_n a_o true_a sight_n of_o the_o promise_a land_n though_o himself_o can_v not_o pass_v over_o to_o it_o so_o we_o think_v reason_n may_v receive_v from_o revelation_n some_o further_a discovery_n and_o new_a prospect_n of_o thing_n and_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o they_o though_o itself_o can_v pass_v on_o nor_o travel_v those_o region_n can_v penetrate_v the_o fund_z of_o those_o truth_n nor_o advance_v to_o the_o utmost_a bound_n of_o they_o for_o there_o be_v certain_o a_o wide_a difference_n between_o what_o be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o what_o be_v superior_a to_o it_o and_o out_o of_o its_o reach_n to_o give_v a_o instance_n in_o create_a nature_n how_o many_o thing_n be_v there_o who_o be_v we_o can_v doubt_v of_o though_o unable_a to_o comprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o their_o be_v so_o that_o the_o human_a soul_n be_v vital_o unite_v to_o the_o body_n by_o a_o reciprocal_a commerce_n of_o action_n and_o passion_n this_o we_o all_o conscious_o feel_v and_o know_v and_o our_o adversary_n will_v affirm_v it_o let_v they_o tell_v we_o then_o what_o be_v the_o chain_n the_o cement_n the_o magnetism_n what_o they_o will_v call_v it_o the_o invisible_a tie_n of_o that_o union_n whereby_o matter_n and_o a_o incorporeal_a mind_n thing_n that_o have_v no_o similitude_n nor_o alliance_n to_o each_o other_o can_v so_o sympathize_v by_o a_o mutual_a league_n of_o motion_n and_o sensation_n no_o they_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o that_o for_o they_o can_v frame_v no_o conception_n of_o it_o they_o be_v sure_a there_o be_v such_o a_o union_n from_o the_o operation_n and_o effect_n but_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o be_v too_o subtle_a and_o secret_a to_o be_v discover_v by_o the_o eye_n of_o reason_n it_o be_v mystery_n it_o be_v divine_a magic_n it_o be_v natural_a miracle_n if_o then_o in_o create_a being_n they_o be_v content_a with_o we_o to_o confess_v their_o ignorance_n of_o the_o mode_n of_o existence_n without_o doubt_v of_o thing_n themselves_o have_v not_o we_o much_o more_o reason_n to_o be_v humble_a and_o modest_a in_o speculation_n about_o the_o essence_n of_o god_n about_o the_o reason_n of_o his_o counsel_n and_o the_o way_n of_o his_o action_n yes_o certain_o under_o those_o circumstance_n we_o may_v believe_v with_o reason_n even_o thing_n above_o and_o beyond_o reason_n for_o example_n if_o we_o have_v sure_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o such_o a_o book_n be_v the_o revelation_n of_o god_n and_o we_o find_v in_o it_o proposition_n express_v in_o plain_a word_n of_o a_o determinate_a sense_n without_o ambiguity_n so_o as_o they_o can_v be_v otherwise_o interpret_v by_o any_o just_a metaphor_n or_o fair_a construction_n allow_v in_o common_a language_n we_o say_v we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o assent_v to_o those_o proposition_n as_o divine_a doctrine_n and_o infallible_a truth_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v declare_v there_o though_o perhaps_o we_o can_v ourselves_o comprehend_v nor_o demonstrate_v to_o other_o the_o reason_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o they_o neither_o be_v this_o a_o easy_a credulity_n or_o unworthy_a of_o the_o most_o cautious_a and_o morose_a searcher_n of_o truth_n for_o observe_v we_o do_v not_o say_v any_o thing_n incomprehensible_a to_o reason_n be_v separate_v and_o alone_a a_o proper_a object_n of_o belief_n but_o as_o it_o be_v support_v and_o establish_v by_o some_o other_o know_v and_o comprehensible_a truth_n as_o if_o abraham_n have_v be_v tell_v by_o some_o ordinary_a man_n that_o in_o his_o and_o sarah_n decrepit_a age_n he_o shall_v be_v bless_v with_o a_o son_n this_o promise_n so_o alone_o without_o its_o basis_n to_o stand_v on_o can_v not_o have_v challenge_v his_o assent_n because_o the_o thing_n be_v impossible_a in_o the_o way_n of_o nature_n 26._o but_o since_o it_o be_v god_n almighty_a with_o who_o all_o thing_n be_v possible_a that_o be_v the_o author_n of_o that_o promise_n by_o the_o mediation_n of_o that_o certain_a truth_n the_o veracity_n and_o omnipotence_n of_o god_n without_o hesitation_n he_o believe_v and_o so_o obtain_v the_o glory_n to_o be_v father_n of_o the_o faithful_a 11._o and_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n the_o bless_a virgin_n give_v credit_n to_o the_o salutation_n of_o the_o angel_n though_o the_o message_n in_o itself_o seem_v impossible_a to_o reason_n so_o true_a it_o be_v that_o reason_n itself_o warrant_v we_o to_o proceed_v and_o advance_v by_o faith_n even_o beyond_o the_o sphere_n and_o region_n of_o reason_n we_o agree_v then_o with_o our_o adversary_n about_o the_o authority_n of_o reason_n but_o we_o dissent_v about_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o the_o bound_n of_o its_o jurisdiction_n we_o believe_v even_o the_o abstruse_a mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n of_o which_o mystery_n perhaps_o we_o can_v assign_v no_o reason_n but_o for_o our_o belief_n we_o assign_v a_o good_a one_o because_o they_o be_v plain_o teach_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n who_o can_v neither_o err_v nor_o deceive_v and_o this_o we_o affirm_v to_o be_v a_o reasonable_a conclusion_n though_o it_o carry_v

we_o even_o to_o the_o confine_n of_o heaven_n beyond_o the_o limit_n of_o reason_n but_o if_o the_o deist_n think_v to_o oblige_v we_o to_o give_v a_o natural_a account_n of_o those_o mystery_n without_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n for_o that_o we_o must_v beg_v their_o excuse_n we_o will_v argue_v from_o strict_a reason_n as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o but_o we_o must_v not_o submit_v that_o our_o adversary_n shall_v confine_v we_o to_o improper_a topic_n and_o impossible_a way_n of_o proof_n it_o appear_v therefore_o that_o though_o we_o shall_v decline_v and_o despair_v to_o give_v any_o account_n at_o all_o of_o the_o reason_n and_o method_n of_o god_n counsel_n in_o the_o mission_n of_o his_o son_n and_o only_o appeal_v to_o the_o sentence_n of_o scripture_n yet_o the_o deist_n ought_v to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o that_o proof_n since_o the_o doctrine_n be_v so_o express_o teach_v in_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n but_o beside_o this_o what_o if_o even_o natural_a light_n shall_v discover_v to_o we_o some_o faint_a but_o yet_o certain_a view_n of_o that_o mysterious_a instance_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o exhibit_v to_o we_o a_o rational_a account_n why_o the_o son_n of_o god_n shall_v condescend_v to_o be_v our_o mediator_n and_o redeemer_n but_o before_o we_o engage_v in_o this_o attempt_n let_v it_o be_v lawful_a to_o implore_v the_o candour_n of_o our_o friend_n if_o while_o we_o endeavour_v to_o win_v over_o our_o enemy_n we_o may_v seem_v to_o some_o to_o do_v too_o little_a or_o perhaps_o to_o other_o to_o venture_v too_o far_o and_o to_o advance_v beyond_o our_o line_n to_o discern_v then_o some_o reason_n of_o this_o wonderful_a mystery_n we_o must_v take_v our_o prospect_n from_o the_o high_a mountain_n of_o nature_n from_o the_o first_o creation_n and_o origin_n of_o human_a race_n god_n who_o at_o the_o beginning_n view_v all_o the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n 31._o and_o behold_v all_o thing_n be_v very_o good_a make_v man_n also_o upright_o and_o complete_a without_o any_o defect_n in_o his_o whole_a composition_n without_o any_o original_a perverseness_n of_o soul_n or_o false_a bias_n of_o will_n or_o judgement_n without_o any_o natural_a obliquity_n or_o enormity_n of_o inclination_n he_o make_v he_o a_o intelligent_a be_v to_o know_v god_n and_o himself_o to_o understand_v and_o feel_v present_a happiness_n and_o to_o secure_v it_o by_o consideration_n and_o contrivance_n for_o the_o future_a he_o endow_v he_o with_o liberty_n of_o mind_n that_o he_o may_v act_v not_o of_o necessity_n nor_o blind_a instinct_n like_o the_o brute_n but_o with_o consciousness_n and_o voluntary_a choice_n he_o implant_v in_o he_o diverse_a appetite_n and_o affection_n all_o useful_a instrument_n of_o his_o happiness_n if_o fit_o employ_v and_o none_o vicious_a and_o culpable_a radical_o and_o in_o their_o whole_a nature_n but_o then_o only_o when_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o wrong_a object_n or_o in_o right_a one_o be_v raise_v or_o sink_v beside_o their_o due_a temper_n and_o measure_n i_o say_v it_o again_o for_o the_o justification_n of_o our_o creator_n that_o not_o one_o of_o the_o simple_a affection_n of_o the_o soul_n no_o not_o concupiscence_n hatred_n anger_n revenge_n be_v in_o themselves_o criminal_a and_o sinful_a some_o of_o the_o affection_n it_o be_v true_a have_v very_o bad_a name_n but_o those_o be_v either_o mere_a excess_n of_o simple_a passion_n or_o else_o mix_v and_o compound_a one_o which_o have_v no_o proper_a real_a essence_n but_o be_v only_o notional_a term_n as_o envy_n for_o example_n a_o very_a bad_a thing_n indeed_o but_o it_o be_v a_o evil_a of_o our_o own_o product_n and_o not_o of_o god_n create_v for_o the_o real_a constituent_a part_n of_o it_o be_v hatred_n and_o grief_n very_o useful_a and_o lawful_a affection_n but_o the_o evil_a of_o it_o be_v our_o own_o when_o we_o entertain_v that_o hatred_n and_o grief_n at_o the_o good_a that_o befall_v other_o which_o be_v what_o we_o express_v by_o the_o complex_fw-la name_n of_o envy_n god_n therefore_o have_v so_o create_v man_n in_o every_o capacity_n pure_a and_o perfect_a may_v just_o require_v of_o he_o that_o he_o shall_v maintain_v and_o preserve_v this_o original_a rectitude_n that_o in_o all_o his_o desire_n design_n and_o action_n he_o shall_v constant_o adhere_v to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o nature_n so_o as_o the_o least_o deviation_n will_v make_v he_o obnoxious_a to_o god_n displeasure_n and_o nothing_o less_o than_o complete_a obedience_n recommend_v he_o to_o his_o favour_n according_a to_o the_o term_n propose_v to_o cain_n 7._o if_o thou_o do_v well_o shall_v thou_o not_o be_v accept_v and_o if_o thou_o do_v not_o well_o sin_n lie_v at_o the_o door_n god_n i_o say_v may_v expect_v and_o require_v of_o man_n such_o a_o perfect_a obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n because_o it_o be_v both_o reasonable_a and_o possible_a for_o man_n to_o perform_v it_o reasonable_a it_o be_v because_o every_o statute_n of_o that_o law_n promote_v the_o true_a interest_n and_o felicity_n of_o mankind_n even_o in_o the_o very_a performance_n it_o be_v true_a in_o the_o present_a posture_n of_o human_a affair_n a_o man_n duty_n be_v frequent_o inconsistent_a with_o his_o temporal_a interest_n but_o from_o the_o beginning_n it_o be_v not_o so_o neither_o will_v it_o be_v now_o if_o the_o whole_a world_n at_o once_o can_v be_v just_a and_o innocent_a for_o it_o be_v not_o my_o keep_v the_o law_n but_o another_o transgress_a it_o that_o involve_v i_o in_o any_o misery_n the_o scope_n and_o tendency_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o be_v always_o i_o and_o every_o man_n advantage_n for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n foreign_a and_o alien_n to_o our_o nature_n impose_v on_o we_o pure_o to_o try_v our_o obedience_n but_o it_o all_o result_v from_o our_o very_a frame_n and_o constitution_n the_o general_a preservation_n of_o man_n natural_a good_a be_v the_o sole_a root_n and_o fountain_n of_o the_o moral_a the_o universal_a profit_n and_o pleasure_n the_o public_a happiness_n of_o human_a life_n give_v be_v and_o denomination_n to_o every_o virtue_n and_o vice_n and_o the_o true_a rule_n and_o direction_n to_o preserve_v and_o secure_v that_o happiness_n make_v up_o the_o whole_a volume_n the_o code_n and_o pandect_a of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n without_o doubt_n than_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o obey_v where_o nothing_o be_v command_v we_o but_o to_o pursue_v our_o own_o interest_n nothing_o forbid_v we_o but_o not_o to_o do_v ourselves_o harm_v and_o second_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n to_o perform_v that_o entire_a obedience_n for_o since_o as_o we_o have_v prove_v before_o all_o his_o natural_a faculty_n be_v right_a and_o good_a and_o the_o law_n itself_o accommodate_v and_o proportion_v to_o those_o faculty_n there_o appear_v no_o necessary_a intrinsic_n impediment_n why_o he_o may_v not_o adequate_o observe_v it_o if_o every_o particular_a precept_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v do_v it_o be_v not_o absolute_o impossible_a to_o fulfil_v the_o universal_a and_o methinks_v they_o that_o on_o other_o account_n acknowledge_v that_o god_n require_v such_o perfect_a obedience_n upon_o the_o term_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n shall_v be_v very_o averse_a from_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a and_o fundamental_a insufficiency_n in_o man_n to_o perform_v it_o for_o certain_o the_o just_a god_n can_v be_v so_o importune_a and_o unreasonable_a a_o master_n as_o to_o enjoin_v we_o what_o be_v physical_o impossible_a to_o expect_v to_o reap_v where_o he_o have_v not_o sow_v to_o require_v brick_n without_o allowance_n of_o straw_n but_o then_o though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o original_a and_o natural_a disability_n in_o man_n yet_o there_o arise_v a_o moral_a and_o circumstantial_a one_o a_o accidental_a incapacity_n superven_a to_o his_o nature_n a_o impossibility_n from_o event_n that_o ever_o any_o person_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o last_o period_n of_o it_o always_o except_v the_o man_n christ_n jesus_n shall_v be_v whole_o pure_a and_o free_a from_o the_o contagion_n of_o sin_n for_o our_o first_o parent_n have_v fall_v from_o their_o native_a state_n of_o innocence_n the_o tincture_n of_o evil_n like_o a_o hereditary_a disease_n infect_v all_o their_o posterity_n and_o the_o leaven_n of_o sin_n have_v once_o corrupt_v the_o whole_a mass_n of_o mankind_n all_o the_o species_n ever_o after_o will_v be_v sour_v and_o taint_v with_o it_o the_o vicious_a ferment_n perpetual_o diffuse_v and_o propagate_a itself_o through_o all_o generation_n for_o let_v we_o but_o consider_v the_o state_n of_o human_a life_n first_o a_o perpetual_a conversation_n among_o evil_a example_n and_o the_o strong_a principle_n of_o our_o nature_n imitation_n and_o then_o the_o ignorance_n and_o prejudices_fw-la of_o childhood_n the_o