Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	divine_a	faith_n	revelation_n	2,555	5	9.7977	5	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

of_o revelation_n and_o the_o messiah_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o public_a commencement_n at_o cambridge_n july_n 5_o the_o 1696._o by_o richard_n bentley_n d._n d._n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a and_o library_n keeper_n to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o i._n h._n for_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o phoenix_n in_o s._n paul_n churchyard_n 1696._o 1_o pet._n iii_o 15._o be_v ready_a always_o to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o man_n that_o ask_v you_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o you_o by_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o we_o we_o do_v understand_v here_o as_o in_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n not_o only_o the_o bare_a hope_n strict_o so_o call_v but_o the_o faith_n too_o of_o a_o christian._n whence_o it_o be_v that_o in_o the_o syriac_a version_n of_o the_o text_n and_o in_o some_o ancient_a latin_a copy_n the_o word_n faith_n be_v add_v to_o the_o other_o the_o hope_n and_o the_o faith_n that_o be_v in_o you_o and_o indeed_o if_o we_o consider_v hope_n as_o a_o natural_a passion_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o to_o be_v always_o attend_v and_o ussher_v in_o by_o faith_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o be_v no_o hope_n without_o some_o antecedent_n belief_n that_o the_o thing_n hope_v for_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v and_o the_o strength_n and_o steadiness_n of_o our_o hope_n be_v ever_o proportional_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o our_o faith_n it_o appear_v therefore_o why_o the_o word_n hope_v in_o the_o text_n may_v with_o sufficient_a propriety_n of_o speech_n comprehend_v the_o whole_a faith_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o that_o when_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v we_o to_o be_v ready_a always_o to_o answer_v every_o man_n that_o ask_v the_o reason_n of_o our_o hope_n it_o be_v the_o same_o as_o if_o he_o enjoin_v we_o to_o be_v never_o unprepared_a nor_o unwilling_a to_o reply_v to_o any_o doubt_n or_o question_n about_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n at_o the_o date_n of_o this_o epistle_n the_o whole_a world_n with_o relation_n to_o the_o text_n may_v be_v consider_v under_o one_o general_a division_n jew_n and_o gentile_n first_o the_o jew_n 2._o to_o who_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n be_v commit_v and_o who_o from_o thence_o have_v the_o information_n and_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n these_o when_o they_o ask_v a_o christian_a the_o reason_n of_o his_o hope_n be_v themselves_o already_o persuade_v that_o the_o messiah_n will_v come_v and_o the_o only_a controversy_n between_o they_o be_v whether_o jesus_n be_v he_o according_a to_o the_o message_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n 19_o be_v jesus_n he_o that_o shall_v come_v or_o must_v they_o look_v for_o another_o second_o the_o gentile_n who_o have_v no_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n beside_o mere_a natural_a reason_n can_v have_v no_o notion_n nor_o notice_n of_o this_o expect_a messiah_n these_o therefore_o when_o they_o demand_v the_o reason_n of_o a_o christian_n hope_n be_v first_o to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o purpose_n and_o promise_v of_o god_n to_o send_v the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v instruct_v about_o the_o reason_n and_o design_n of_o that_o great_a embassy_n about_o his_o quality_n and_o office_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o person_n and_o then_o be_v the_o proper_a time_n to_o show_v that_o jesus_n be_v he_o that_o the_o description_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v true_o exhibit_v and_o represent_v in_o his_o character_n and_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n all_o accomplish_a in_o his_o action_n and_o event_n it_o be_v not_o for_o nothing_o that_o the_o apostle_n so_o press_v this_o advice_n in_o the_o text_n be_v ready_a always_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o you_o as_o if_o he_o have_v foretell_v that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n wherein_o this_o preparation_n will_v be_v superfluous_a it_o have_v please_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n never_o yet_o to_o leave_v christianity_n whole_o at_o leisure_n from_o opposer_n but_o to_o give_v its_o professor_n that_o perpetual_a exercise_n of_o their_o industry_n and_o zeal_n and_o who_o can_v tell_v if_o without_o such_o adversary_n to_o rouse_v and_o quicken_v they_o they_o may_v not_o in_o long_a tract_n of_o time_n have_v grow_v remiss_a in_o the_o duty_n and_o ignorant_a in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n perhaps_o before_o this_o time_n even_o some_o of_o the_o record_n of_o it_o may_v have_v perish_v by_o man_n negligence_n as_o the_o jew_n have_v like_a to_o have_v lose_v their_o law_n if_o divine_a providence_n have_v not_o preserve_v one_o copy_n of_o it_o in_o the_o temple_n 25._o it_o be_v while_o man_n sleep_v while_o they_o live_v in_o peace_n and_o security_n and_o have_v no_o enemy_n to_o contest_v with_o that_o the_o great_a enemy_n come_v and_o sow_n tare_n among_o the_o wheat_n but_o of_o all_o the_o age_n since_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n i_o suppose_v this_o present_a have_v least_o reason_n to_o complain_v for_o want_v of_o work_n and_o employment_n in_o defence_n of_o religion_n here_o be_v not_o only_o the_o two_o party_n in_o the_o text_n jew_n and_o gentile_n still_o in_o the_o world_n to_o engage_v with_o but_o even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o christianity_n be_v the_o most_o dangerous_a design_n form_v against_o it_o as_o if_o our_o saviour_n prediction_n of_o particular_a family_n be_v to_o be_v verify_v too_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n 36._o that_o its_o worst_a enemy_n shall_v be_v they_o of_o its_o own_o household_n there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o person_n baptize_v indeed_o into_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o educate_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o but_o in_o secret_a i_o wish_v i_o may_v say_v so_o nay_o even_o open_o they_o oppose_v and_o blaspheme_v it_o repudiate_a at_n once_o the_o whole_a authority_n of_o revelation_n and_o debase_v the_o sacred_a volume_n to_o the_o rank_n of_o ordinary_a book_n of_o history_n and_o ethic_n the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n they_o profess_v to_o believe_v to_o acknowledge_v a_o difference_n between_o good_a and_o evil_a to_o be_v very_o persuade_v of_o another_o life_n to_o come_v and_o to_o have_v their_o expectation_n of_o that_o state_n as_o their_o behaviour_n be_v in_o this_o nay_o even_o the_o whole_a system_fw-la of_o christian_a moral_n they_o can_v willing_o embrace_v but_o not_o as_o a_o collection_n of_o divine_a statute_n and_o ordinance_n send_v we_o by_o a_o express_a from_o heaven_n but_o only_o as_o useful_a rule_n of_o life_n discoverable_a by_o plain_a reason_n and_o agreeable_a to_o natural_a religion_n so_o that_o they_o can_v see_v the_o mighty_a occasion_n that_o shall_v invite_v even_o the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n from_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o father_n to_o act_v so_o mean_a and_o calamitous_a a_o part_n upon_o the_o stage_n of_o this_o sorry_a world_n what_o need_v of_o so_o great_a a_o master_n to_o read_v mankind_n lecture_n of_o moral_n which_o they_o may_v easy_o learn_v without_o any_o teacher_n it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v often_o tell_v of_o some_o sublime_a mysterious_a doctrine_n deliver_v by_o he_o which_o they_o own_o will_v never_o have_v be_v think_v of_o by_o natural_a reason_n but_o then_o that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o recommend_v to_o they_o the_o importance_n of_o his_o errand_n from_o heaven_n that_o for_o that_o very_a reason_n they_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o message_n for_o whatever_o come_v imperious_o in_o the_o name_n of_o divine_a mystery_n and_o soar_v above_o the_o pitch_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n whatsoever_o thing_n they_o can_v fathom_v and_o grasp_v through_o all_o the_o cause_n design_n mode_n and_o relation_n of_o they_o as_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o messiah_n his_o incarnation_n mediation_n satisfaction_n all_o these_o they_o reject_v and_o explode_v as_o incomprehensible_a to_o pure_a reason_n which_o they_o set_v up_o as_o the_o only_a principle_n and_o measure_n of_o belief_n in_o all_o this_o these_o person_n act_v the_o part_n and_o place_n themselves_o in_o the_o condition_n of_o gentile_n who_o we_o may_v imagine_v in_o the_o text_n to_o ask_v the_o reason_n of_o a_o christian_n hope_v since_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o these_o man_n religion_n be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o even_o heathen_n attain_v to_o the_o modern_a deism_n be_v the_o very_a same_o with_o old_a philosophical_a paganism_n only_o aggravate_v and_o damn_v with_o the_o additional_a crime_n of_o apostasy_n from_o the_o faith_n but_o beside_o this_o these_o very_a person_n will_v on_o other_o occasion_n personate_v the_o jew_n too_o those_o other_o enquirer_n suppose_v in_o the_o text_n and_o dispute_v with_o jewish_a objection_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n though_o they_o no_o more_o believe_v the_o matter_n of_o those_o objection_n than_o the_o thing_n they_o object_n against_o like_v celsus_n and_o julian_n of_o old_a that_o