Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	answer_v	word_n	write_v	1,797	5	5.2534	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96362	A true relation of the conversion and baptism of Isuf the Turkish chaous, named Richard Christophilus In the presence of a full congregation, Jan. 30. 1658. in Covent-Garden, where Mr. Manton is minister. Imprimatur, Edm. Calamy.	White, Thomas, 1628-1698.; Dury, John, 1596-1680.	1659 (1659)	Wing W1807; Thomason E2141_1; ESTC R204020	32,885	117

but that we should lay aside the malign and sinful use of these parts I asked him what he thought of the Turkish Alcoran now he had read the Scriptures Sir sayes he why should we go about to compare the word of God with a Comedy Having some occasion to speak of wicked men he said that God is far from them but recalling himself he said they rather were far from God secretly as I took it intimating that we rather depart from God than God from us I understanding that he was much offended at the wicked lives of Christians did much endeavour to Antidote him against that poyson telling him that the small number of true Christians was so far from giving just cause of offence that it did establish the truth of the Gospel since Christ plainly tells us that there are few that shall be saved and that many are called and few are chosen but that withall I doubted not but hereafter he should meet with and be acquainted with abundance who truly feared God and lived suitable to the doctrine of Christ whose acquaintance would as much rejoyce him as the others did scandalize him His Answer was with much gravity thus Sir I judge not of the Word of God by men but of men by the Word of God And that there was but one Lot in Sodom but that it was true that he was much offended and it yet troubled him to see the wicked lives of those that call themselves Christians I thought to try him with something a more intricate question I asked him how it came to pass that he reading of such high points as of the Trinity c. in the Bible he should not rather judge that Book not to be Gods Word that spake of things so much above reason rather than to judge these things to be true because he found them written in the Bible To this purpose he answered That he was much satisfied of the Truth of Christian Religion before he came out of his own Country and finding that all Christians did agree that their Religion was set down in that Book he had a reverend esteem of it and said the spiritual love of God in the heart prepares it to the understanding of spiritual truths I asking him what reasons moved him to embrace Christianity he used this expression As a man at a feast takes one bit here and another there till at last he is so satisfied that he can eat no more So there were several reasons that from time to time affected him that at last he could stand out no longer He told me moreover that he went several times on Pilgrimage to Mahomets Tomb and the last time was resolved to see what was in it The Priest at first was very unwilling to shew it saying that there were divers there and such a thing was not to be publickly seen Upon which he told him he would stay till they were gone and so did Then he being a man of power and authority the Priest durst not deny him but opened the Tomb where he saw nothing but a few scattered black bones which much incensed him against Mahomet insomuch saith he that had I spoke what I then thought I had not gone alive out of that place I having read in the Turkish History a Relation much conducing to the advantage of Christian Religion and knowing that it was in his remembrance enquired of him of the truth of it He told me that it was very true and related some other passages which are not set down in the printed story which he said with other things did much affect him but that the Grand Signior charged that upon pain of death none should speak of it The Story was this About the year 1620. upon the 10th of September There came Newes to Constantinople of a strange Apparition or Vision which was seen at Medina Talnabi in Arabia whereas Mahomet their great Prophet was buried to visit whose Tomb the Turks use to go in Pilgrimage but they must first go to Mecha which is some few dayes journey off and there they take a ticket from the Grand Seigniors Beglerbeg else they are not allowed to go to Medina This Vision continued three weeks together which terrified the whole Countrey for that no man could discover the truth thereof About the 20th of September there fell so great a tempest and so fearful thunder about midnight as the Heavens were darkened and those that were awake almost distracted but the vapours being dispersed and the element clear the people might read in Arabian Characters these words in the Firmament O why will ye believe in lyes Between two and three in the morning there was seen a woman in white compassed about with the Sun having a cheerful countenance and holding in her hand a Book coming from the North-west opposite against her were armies of Turks Persians Arabians and other Mahometans ranged in order of battel and ready to charge her but she kept her standing and only opened the Book at the sight whereof those Armies fled and presently all the lamps about Mahomets Tomb went out for as soon as ever the Vision vanished which was commonly an hour before Sun-rising a murmuring wind was heard whereunto they imputed the extinguishing of the lamps The ancient Pilgrims of Mahomets race who after they have visited this place never use to cut their hair were much amazed for that they could not conceive the meaning of this Vision only one of the Dervices which is a strict religious Order among the Turks like unto the Capuchins among the Papists and live in contemplation stepped up very boldly and made a Speech unto the company which incensed them much against him so as this poor Priest for his plain dealing lost his life as you shall hear The summe of his speech was this That the World had never but three true Religions every one of which had a Prophet first God chose the Jewes and did wonders for them in Egypt and brought them forth by their Prophet Moses who prescribed them a Law wherein he would have maintained them if they had not been obstinate and rebellious and fallen to Idolatry whereupon he gave them over and scattered them upon the face of the earth Then presently after he raised a new Prophet who taught the Christian Religion This good man the Jewes condemned and crucified for a Seducer of the people not moved with the piety of his life his great Miracles nor his Doctrine Yet after his death the preaching of a few fishermen did so move the hearts of men as the greatest Monarchs of the world bowed to his very Title and yielded to the command of his Ministers But it seems they grew as corrupt as the Jewes their Church being dismembred with the distinction of the East and West committing Idolatry again by setting up of Images with many other idle ceremonies besides the corruption of their lives so as God was weary of them too and not only sent divisions