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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
book_n great_a holy_a write_v 2,195 5 5.2980 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A26214 The profit of believing very usefull both for all those that are not yet resolved what religion they ought to embrace, and for them that desire to know whither their religion be true or no / written by S. Augustine.; De utilitate credendi ad Honoratum. English Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo.; A. P. 1651 (1651) Wing A4213; ESTC R7850 45,294 156

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of_o million_o of_o fable_n and_o ●ales_n chap._n vii_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_v rash_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o how_o and_o with_o what_o care_n and_o diligence_n the_o true_a religion_n be_v to_o be_v seek_v for_o but_o now_o if_o i_o can_v i_o will_v accomplish_v that_o which_o i_o have_v begin_v and_o i_o will_v treat_v with_o thou_o after_o such_o a_o sort_n that_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o will_v not_o expound_v the_o catholic_n faith_n but_o i_o will_v show_v unto_o they_o that_o have_v a_o care_n of_o their_o soul_n some_o hope_n of_o divine_a fruit_n and_o of_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v search_v out_o the_o great_a mystery_n and_o secret_n of_o faith_n he_o that_o seek_v after_o the_o true_a religion_n do_v without_o doubt_n either_o believe_v already_o that_o the_o soul_n be_v immortal_a unto_o who_o that_o religion_n may_v be_v commodious_a and_o profitable_a or_o he_o desire_v to_o find_v she_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o same_o religion_n and_o therefore_o all_o religion_n be_v for_o the_o soul_n sake_n for_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o body_n howsoever_o it_o do_v put_v he_o to_o no_o care_n and_o solicitude_n especial_o after_o ●eath_n who_o soul_n have_v take_v a_o course_n by_o which_o it_o may_v become_v bless_v wherefore_o true_a religion_n if_o there_o be_v any_o be_v either_o only_a one_o chief_o institute_v for_o the_o soul_n sake_n and_o this_o soul_n err_v and_o be_v foolish_a as_o we_o see_v until_o she_o get_v and_o possess_v wisdom_n and_o that_o perhaps_o be_v the_o true_a religion_n if_o i_o seek_v out_o and_o inquire_v the_o cause_n of_o her_o err_a i_o find_v it_o to_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v extreme_o hide_a and_o obscure_a but_o do_v i_o send_v thou_o to_o fable_n or_o do_v i_o enforce_v thou_o to_o believe_v any_o thing_n rash_o i_o say_v our_o soul_n be_v entangle_v and_o drown_v in_o error_n and_o folly_n seek_v after_o the_o way_n of_o verity_n and_o truth_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o to_o be_v find_v if_o thou_o find_v not_o thyself_o thus_o incline_v and_o dispose_v pardon_v i_o and_o make_v i_o i_o pray_v thou_o partaker_n of_o thy_o wi●dome_n but_o if_o thou_o do_v let_v u●_n i_o beseech_v thou_o both_o together_o seek_v out_o the_o truth_n imagi●e_n with_o thyself_o that_o no_o no●●c●_z have_v as_o yet_o be_v give_v unto_o we_o nor_o no_o insinuation_n make_v unto_o we_o of_o any_o religion_n whatsoever_o behold_v we_o undertake_v a_o new_a work_n and_o a_o new_a business_n professor_n of_o religion_n be_v i_o believe_v to_o be_v seek_v for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n suppose_v then_o that_o we_o have_v find_v man_n of_o divers_a opinion_n and_o in_o that_o diversity_n seek_v to_o draw_v every_o one_o unto_o they_o but_o that_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n some_o among_o these_o do_v surpass_v the_o rest_n in_o renown_n of_o ●ame_n and_o in_o the_o possession_n of_o almost_o all_o people_n whether_o they_o embrace_v the_o truth_n or_o no_o it_o be_v a_o great_a question_n but_o be_v they_o not_o first_o to_o be_v examine_v and_o try_v that_o so_o long_o as_o we_o err_v for_o as_o man_n we_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n we_o may_v seem_v to_o err_v with_o mankind_n itself_o but_o thou_o will_v say_v truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v but_o among_o a_o few_o certain_a man_n if_o thou_o know_v among_o who_o it_o be_v why_o then_o thou_o know_v already_o what_o it_o be_v do_v not_o i_o say_v a_o little_a before_o that_o we_o will_v seek_v after_o the_o truth_n as_o though_o we_o be_v yet_o ignorant_a thereof_o but_o if_o by_o the_o force_n of_o truth_n thou_o do_v conjecture_v that_o there_o be_v but_o few_o that_o embrace_v it_o and_o yet_o thou_o know_v not_o who_o they_o be_v what_o if_o those_o few_o do_v lead_v and_o rule_v the_o multitude_n by_o their_o authority_n and_o can_v dive_v into_o the_o secret_n and_o mystery_n of_o faith_n and_o can_v make_v they_o in_o a_o manner_n plain_a and_o manifest_a do_v we_o not_o see_v how_o few_o attain_v to_o the_o height_n of_o eloquence_n and_o yet_o the_o school_n of_o rhetorician_n do_v make_v a_o great_a noise_n throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n wit●_n company_n of_o young_a man_n do_v all_o those_o that_o desire_v to_o become_v good_a orator_n be_v terrify_v with_o the_o multitude_n of_o unskilful_a man_n think_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o addict_v themselves_o rather_o to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o oration_n of_o co●cilius_n and_o erucius_n then_o to_o those_o of_o tullius_n cicero_n all_o man_n affect_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v strengthen_v and_o confirm_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o ancestor_n the_o simple_a sort_n of_o people_n endeavour_v to_o learn_v those_o thing_n which_o a_o few_o learned_a man_n have_v deliver_v unto_o they_o to_o be_v learn_v but_o very_o few_o there_o be_v that_o attain_v unto_o great_a eloquence_n few_o there_o be_v that_o practice_n it_o but_o few_o of_o all_o that_o grow_v eminent_a and_o be_v famous_a what_o if_o true_a religion_n be_v some_o such_o thing_n what_o if_o a_o multitude_n of_o ignorant_a people_n frequent_v the_o church_n it_o be_v no_o proof_n nor_o arg●ment_n that_o therefore_o none_o be_v make_v perfect_a by_o those_o mystery_n and_o yet_o if_o so_o f●w_o shall_v study_v eloquence_n as_o there_o be_v few_o that_o become_v ●loquent_a our_o parent_n will_v never_o think_v it_o fit_a to_o have_v we_o recommend_v unto_o such_o master_n when_o as_o therefore_o the_o multitude_n which_o abound_v with_o a_o number_n of_o unsk●lfull_a people_n invite_v we_o to_o these_o studies●_n and_o make_v we_o earnest_o to_o affect_v that_o which_o few_o do_v obtain_v why_o will_v we_o not_o admit_v that_o we_o have_v the_o like_a cause_n i●_z religion_n the_o which_o peradventure_o we_o contemn_v and_o despise_v to_o the_o great_a peril_n and_o hazard_n of_o our_o soul_n for_o if_o the_o most_o true_a and_o most_o sincere_a worship_n of_o god_n though_o it_o be_v but_o among_o a_o few_o yet_o it_o be_v among_o those_o with_o who_o the_o multitude_n though_o whole_o addict_v to_o their_o appetit●s_fw-la and_o desire_n and_o far_o from_o the_o purity_n of_o knowledge_n and_o understanding●_n do_v con●ent_a and_o agree_v which_o without_o all_o doubt_n may_v come_v to_o pass_v i_o ask_v what_o answer_n be_v we_o able_a to_o give_v if_o any_o one_o shall_v r●prove_v our_o ●ashnes_n and_o folly_n for_o that_o have_v a_o great_a care_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a religion_n we_o do_v not_o diligent_o search_v it_o out_o among_o the_o master_n and_o teacher_n thereof_o if_o i_o shall_v say_v the_o multitude_n have_v discourage_v i_o why_o then_o have_v it_o not_o dishearten_v man_n from_o the_o study_n of_o the_o liberal_a science_n which_o hardly_o yield_v any_o profit_n to_o this_o present_a life_n why_o not_o from_o seek_v after_o money_n and_o get_v wealth_n why_o not_o from_o obtain_v dignity_n and_o honour_n moreover_o why_o not_o from_o recover_v and_o preserve_v health_n final_o why_o not_o from_o the_o desire_n of_o a_o bless_a and_o a_o happy_a life_n in_o all_o which_o affair_n though_o many_o man_n be_v employ_v yet_o few_o there_o be_v that_o eat_v eminent_a and_o excel_v you_o will_v say_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n seem_v to_o contain_v absurd_a thing_n who_o be_v they_o that_o affirm_v it_o namely_o enemy_n for_o what_o cause_n or_o reason_n they_o do_v it_o be_v not_o now_o the_o question_n but_o yet_o they_o be_v enemy_n you_o will_v say_v when_o you_o read_v they_o you_o understand_v so_o much_o by_o your_o own_o read_n be_v it_o so_o indeed_o if_o thou_o have_v no_o skill_n in_o poetry_n at_o all_o thou_o dare_v not_o take_v in_o han●terentianus_n maurus_n without_o a_o master_n asper_n cornutus●_n donatus_n and_o a_o multitude_n of_o other_o author_n be_v think_v requisite_a for_o the_o understanding_n of_o any_o poet_n who_o verse_n deserve_v no_o great_a esteem_n than_o the_o approbation_n and_o applause_n of_o a_o stage_n and_o thou_o without_o a_o guide_n do_v undertake_v to_o read_v those_o book_n and_o without_o a_o master_n dare_v pass_v thy_o judgement_n upon_o they_o which_o howsoever_o they_o be_v be_v notwithstanding_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o almost_o all_o mankind_n publish_v to_o be_v holy_a and_o replenish_v with_o divine_a matter_n nor_o if_o tho●_n find_v some_o thing_n therein_o which_o seem_v unto_o th●e_n absurd_a do_v thou_o rather_o accuse_v the_o dulness_n of_o thy_o wit●_n and_o thy_o mind_n corrupt_v with_o the_o infection_n of_o this_o world_n as_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o fool_n be_v than_o those_o book_n which_o peradventure_o by_o such_o kind_n of_o man_n can_v be_v well_o conceive_v and_o understand_v thou_o
easy_o know_v for_o what_o be_v more_o obscure_a than_o the_o cause_n of_o they_o but_o for_o that_o we_o be_v accustom_v frequent_o to_o see_v them●_z those_o thing_n be_v therefore_o most_o fit_o do_v that_o a_o multitude_n of_o believer_n be_v gather_v together_o and_o propagate_v by_o them●_z profitable_a authority_n may_v be_v co●verted_v into_o custom_n themselves_o a_o observation_n s._n augustine_n in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o his_o retractation_n and_o 14._o chapter_n allege_v these_o word_n why_o say_v thou_o be_v not_o these_o thing_n do_v now_o because_o they_o will_v not_o move_v unless_o they_o be_v wonderful_a and_o if_o they_o be_v common_a and_o usual_a they_o be_v not_o wonderful_a and_o expound_v they_o thus_o this_o i_o say_v because_o not_o so_o great_a nor_o all_o miracle_n be_v do_v now_o but_o not_o that_o none_o be_v also_o now_o do_v chap._n xvii_o the_o co●sent_n of_o nation_n believe_v in_o christ_n all_o custom_n have_v such_o virtue_n power_n to_o win_v the_o love_n and_o affection_n of_o man_n that_o we_o soon_o can_v condemn_v and_o detest_v even_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v nought_o and_o wicked_a in_o they_o then_o forsake_v or_o change_v they_o and_o this_o for_o the_o most_o part_n come_v to_o pass_v when_o as_o our_o unlawful_a appetite_n and_o deseres_fw-la have_v get_v a_o dominion_n and_o predominancy_n over_o we_o do_v not_o thou_o think_v that_o great_a care_n have_v be_v take_v about_o the_o affair_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o they_o be_v put_v into_o a_o good_a state_n and_o condition_n that_o not_o only_o divin_v most_o learned_a man_n do_v argue_v and_o contend_v that_o nothing_o that_o be_v earthly_a nothing_o that_o be_v fiery_a final_o nothing_o that_o be_v perceptible_a by_o the_o corporal_a sense_n ought_v to_o be_v worship_v ●nd_v adore_v for_o god_n but_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v pray_v unto_o entreat_v and_o supplicate_v only_o by_o the_o understanding_n or_o intellectual_a power_n but_o also_o that_o the_o unskilful_a multitude_n of_o both_o sex_n do_v in_o so_o many_o and_o so_o divers_a nation_n both_o believe_v it_o and_o publish_v it_o that_o there_o be_v continency_n and_o forbearance_n of_o meat_n even_o to_o the_o most_o slender_a diet_n of_o bread_n and_o water_n and_o fast_n not_o for_o one_o day_n only_o but_o also_o continue_v for_o divers_a day_n together●_z that_o there_o be_v chastity_n even_o to_o the_o contempt_n of_o marriage_n and_o issue_n that_o there_o be_v patience_n even_o to_o the_o contemn_n of_o cross_n and_o flame_n that_o there_o be_v liberality_n even_o to_o the_o distribution_n of_o patrimony_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o final_o so_o great_a a_o disesteem_v and_o contempt_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o this_o world_n that_o even_o death_n itself_o be_v wish_v and_o desire_v few_o there_o be_v that_o do_v these_o thing_n few_o that_o do_v they_o well_o and_o prudent_o yet_o the_o people_n do_v approve_v they_o harken_v unto_o they_o and_o like_o they_o yea_o they_o love_v and_o affect_v they_o and_o not_o without_o some_o progress_n of_o their_o mind_n towards_o god_n and_o certain_a spark_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n they_o blame_v and_o reprehend_v their_o own_o weakness_n and_o imbecility_n that_o they_o can_v do_v these_o thing_n this_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o prophet_n by_o the_o humanity_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n by_o the_o voyage_n of_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o contumely_n cross_n blood_n and_o death_n of_o martyr_n by_o the_o laudable_a and_o excellent_a life_n of_o saint_n and_o by_o miracle_n do_v at_o convenient_a time_n in_o all_o these_o thing_n worthy_a of_o so_o great_a matter_n and_o virtue_n when_o as_o therefore_o we_o see_v so_o great_a help_n and_o affi●tance_n from_o god_n and_o so_o great_a fruit_n and_o entrease_v thereby_o shall_v we_o make_v any_o doubt_n or_o question_n at_o all_o of_o retire_v into_o the_o bosom_n of_o that_o church_n which_o even_o to_o the_o confession_n and_o acknowledgement_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o sea_n apostolic_a by_o succession_n of_o bishop_n have_v obtain_v the_o sove●eignty_n and_o principal_a authority_n heretic_n in_o vain_a bark_n round_o about_o it_o and_o be_v condemn_v partly_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o people_n themselves_o partly_o by_o the_o gravity_n of_o counsel_n partly_o also_o by_o the_o majesty_n and_o splendour_n of_o miracle_n unto_o which_o not_o to_o grant_v the_o chief_a place_n and_o pre-eminence_n be_v either_o indeed_o a_o extreme_a impiety_n or_o a_o very_a rash_a and_o a_o dangerous_a arrogancy_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a way_n for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o wisdom_n and_o salvation_n but_o when_o faith_n prepare_v and_o dispose_v they_o to_o reason_n what_o be_v it_o else_o to_o be_v ungraetfull_a unto_o the_o divine_a majesty_n for_o his_o aid_n and_o assistance_n but_o to_o have_v a_o will_n to_o resist_v a_o authority_n which_o be_v gain_v and_o purchase_v with_o such_o labour_n and_o pain_n and_o if_o ●very_n art_n and_o trade_n though_o but_o base_a and_o easy_a require_v a_o teacher_n or_o master_n that_o it_o may_v be_v learned_a and_o understand_v what_o great_a expression_n can_v there_o be_v of_o rash_a arrogancy_n and_o pride_n then_o both_o to_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o learn_v the_o book_n of_o the_o divine_a mystery_n from_o their_o interpreter_n and_o yet_o to_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o condemn_v the_o unknown_a chap._n xviii_o the_o conclusion_n by_o way_n of_o exhortation_n wherefore_o if_o either_o reason_n or_o our_o discourse_n have_v any_o way_n move_v thou_o and_o if_o thou_o have_v a_o true_a care_n of_o thyself_o as_o i_o believe_v thou_o have_v i_o will_v have_v thou_o to_o harken_v and_o give_v ear_n unto_o i_o and_o with_o a_o pious_a faith_n a_o cheerful_a hope_n and_o ●incere_a charity_n to_o address_v thyself_o to_o good_a master_n of_o catholic_n christianity_n and_o to_o pray_v unto_o god_n without_o cease_v and_o intermission_n by_o who_o only_a goodness_n we_o be_v make_v and_o create_v by_o who_o justice_n we_o be_v punish_v and_o chastise_v and_o by_o who_o clemency_n we_o be_v free_v and_o redeem_v by_o which_o mean_v thou_o shall_v neither_o want_v the_o instruction_n and_o disputation_n of_o most_o learned_a man_n and_o those_o that_o be_v true_o christian_a nor_o book_n nor_o clear_a and_o quiet_a thought_n whereby_o thou_o may_v easy_o find_v that_o which_o thou_o seek_v and_o as_o for_o those_o verbal_a and_o wretched_a man_n for_o how_o can_v i_o speak●_z more_o mild_o of_o they_o forsake_v they_o altogether_o who_o find_v out_o nothing_o but_o mischief_n and_o evil_a whilst_o they_o seek_v to_o much_o for_o the_o ground_n thereof_o in_o which_o question_n they_o stir_v up_o oftentimes_o their_o hearer_n to_o inquire_v and_o search_v but_o they_o teach_v they_o those_o thing_n when_o they_o be_v stir_v up_o that_o it_o be_v better_o for_o they_o always_o to_o sleep_v then_o to_o watch_v and_o take_v great_a pain_n after_o that_o manner_n for_o they_o drive_v they_o out_o of_o a_o lethargy_n or_o drowsy_a evil_a and_o make_v they_o frantic_a between_o which_o discase_n whereas_o both_o be_v most_o common_o mortal_a yet_o nevertheless_o there_o be_v this_o difference_n that_o those_o that_o be_v sick_a of_o a_o l●thargy_n do_v die_v without_o trouble_v or_o molest_v other_o but_o the_o frautike_a man_n be_v dreadful_a and_o terrible_a unto_o many_o and_o unto_o those_o especial_o that_o seek_v to_o assist_v he_o for_o neither_o be_v god_n the_o author_n of_o evil_a nor_o have_v it_o ever_o repent_v he_o to_o have_v make_v any_o thing_n nor_o be_v he_o trouble_v with_o a_o storm_n of_o any_o commotion_n or_o stir_v of_o the_o mind_n nor_o be_v a_o particle_n or_o piece_n of_o earth_n his_o kingdom_n he_o neither_o approve_v nor_o command_v any_o heinous_a crime_n or_o offence_n he_o never_o lie_v for_o these_o and_o such_o 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