Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	according_a	action_n	agent_n	85	3	9.3986	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A28945	The Christian virtuoso shewing that by being addicted to experimental philosophy, a man is rather assisted than indisposed to be a good Christian / by T.H.R.B., Fellow of the Royal Society ; to which are subjoyn'd, I. a discourse about the distinction that represents some things as above reason, but not contrary to reason, II. the first chapters of a discourse entituled, Greatness of mind promoted by Christianity, by the same author.	Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. Reflections upon a theological distinction.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. Greatness of mind promoted by Christianity.	1690 (1690)	Wing B3931; ESTC R19536	74,134	240

cartesian_a principle_n which_o you_o know_v be_v embrace_v by_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o modern_a virtuoso_n i_o think_v i_o may_v draw_v a_o double_a argument_n for_o divine_a providence_n for_o first_o according_a to_o the_o cartesian_o all_o local_a motion_n which_o be_v under_o god_n the_o grand_a principle_n of_o all_o action_n among_o thing_n corporeal_a be_v adventitious_a to_o matter_n and_o be_v at_o first_o produce_v in_o it_o and_o be_v still_o every_o moment_n continue_v and_o preserve_v immediate_o by_o god_n whence_o may_v be_v infer_v that_o he_o concur_v to_o the_o action_n of_o each_o particular_a agent_n as_o they_o be_v physical_a and_o consequent_o that_o his_o providence_n reach_v to_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o they_o and_o second_o the_o same_o cartesian_o believe_v the_o rational_a soul_n to_o be_v a_o immaterial_a substance_n real_o distinct_a and_o separable_a from_o the_o body_n whence_o i_o infer_v that_o the_o divine_a providence_n extend_v to_o every_o particular_a man_n since_o when_o ever_o a_o embryo_n or_o little_a human_a body_n form_v in_o the_o womb_n be_v by_o be_v due_o organise_v fit_v to_o receive_v a_o rational_a mind_n god_n be_v please_v to_o create_v one_o and_o unite_v it_o with_o that_o body_n in_o which_o transaction_n there_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o necessity_n of_o a_o direct_a and_o particular_a intervention_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n since_o i_o understand_v not_o by_o what_o physical_a charm_n or_o spell_v a_o immaterial_a substance_n can_v be_v allure_v into_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a embryo_n of_o many_o that_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n fit_v to_o receive_v a_o human_a soul_n nor_o by_o what_o mere_o mechanical_a tie_v or_o band_n a_o immaterial_a substance_n can_v be_v so_o durable_o perhaps_o for_o 80_o or_o 100_o year_n join_v and_o unite_v with_o a_o corporeal_a in_o which_o it_o find_v no_o part_n that_o it_o have_v organ_n to_o take_v hold_n of_o and_o to_o which_o it_o can_v furnish_v no_o part_n to_o be_v fasten_v upon_o by_o they_o nor_o do_v i_o better_o conceive_v how_o a_o mere_a body_n can_v produce_v pain_n pleasure_n etc._n etc._n by_o its_o own_o mere_a action_n or_o rather_o endeavour_v to_o act_v on_o a_o immaterial_a spirit_n nor_o will_v the_o force_n of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v for_o god_n special_a providence_n be_v elude_v by_o say_v with_o some_o deist_n that_o after_o the_o first_o formation_n of_o the_o universe_n all_o thing_n be_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o the_o settle_a law_n of_o nature_n for_o though_o this_o be_v confident_o and_o not_o without_o colour_n pretend_v yet_o i_o confess_v it_o do_v not_o satisfy_v i_o for_o beside_o the_o insuperable_a difficulty_n there_o be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o first_o formation_n of_o thing_n which_o many_o especial_o aristotelian_a deist_n will_v not_o ascribe_v to_o god_n and_o beside_o that_o the_o law_n of_o motion_n without_o which_o the_o present_a state_n and_o course_n of_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v maintain_v do_v not_o necessary_o spring_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o matter_n but_o depend_v upon_o the_o will_n of_o the_o divine_a author_n of_o thing_n beside_o this_o i_o say_v i_o look_v upon_o a_o law_n as_o a_o moral_a not_o a_o physical_a cause_n as_o be_v indeed_o but_o a_o notional_a thing_n according_a to_o which_o a_o intelligent_a and_o free_a agent_n be_v bind_v to_o regulate_v its_o action_n but_o inanimate_a body_n be_v utter_o incapable_a of_o understanding_n what_o a_o law_n be_v or_o what_o it_o enjoin_v or_o when_o they_o act_v conformable_o or_o unconformable_o to_o it_o and_o therefore_o the_o action_n of_o inanimate_a body_n which_o can_v incite_v or_o moderate_v their_o own_o action_n be_v produce_v by_o real_a power_n not_o by_o law_n though_o the_o agent_n if_o intelligent_a may_v regulate_v the_o exertion_n of_o their_o power_n by_o settle_a rule_n iv._o i_o have_v take_v notice_n of_o two_o other_o account_n upon_o which_o the_o experimental_a knowledge_n of_o god_n work_n may_v in_o a_o well-disposed_a mind_n conduce_v to_o establish_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o therefore_o though_o i_o shall_v not_o dwell_v long_o upon_o they_o i_o must_v not_o altogether_o pretermit_v they_o first_o then_o when_o our_o virtuoso_fw-la see_v how_o many_o and_o how_o various_a and_o oftentimes_o how_o strange_a and_o how_o admirable_a structure_n instinct_n and_o other_o artifices_fw-la the_o wise_a opificer_n have_v furnish_v even_o brute_n and_o plant_n withal_o to_o purchase_v and_o assimilate_v their_o food_n to_o defend_v or_o otherwise_o secure_v themselves_o from_o hostile_a thing_n and_o to_o be_v short_a to_o maintain_v their_o life_n and_o propagate_v their_o species_n it_o will_v very_o much_o conduce_v to_o persuade_v he_o that_o so_o wise_a a_o agent_n who_o have_v at_o command_n so_o many_o differ_v and_o excellent_a method_n and_o tool_n to_o accomplish_v what_o he_o design_n and_o do_v oftentimes_o actual_o employ_v they_o for_o the_o preservation_n and_o welfare_n of_o beast_n and_o even_o of_o plant_n can_v never_o want_v mean_n to_o compass_v his_o most_o wise_a and_o just_a end_n in_o relation_n to_o mankind_n be_v able_a by_o way_n that_o we_o shall_v never_o dream_v of_o to_o execute_v his_o menace_n and_o fulfil_v his_o promise_n but_o of_o these_o rare_a structure_n instinct_n and_o other_o method_n and_o if_o i_o may_v so_o style_v some_o of_o they_o with_o reverence_n stratagem_n and_o fetch_n of_o divine_a skill_n that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o employ_v in_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o visible_a world_n especial_o animal_n i_o have_v already_o elsewhere_o purposely_o discourse_v and_o therefore_o shall_v now_o proceed_v and_o observe_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o when_o we_o due_o consider_v the_o very_a differ_a end_n to_o which_o many_o of_o god_n particular_a work_n especial_o those_o that_o be_v animate_v seem_v design_v in_o reference_n both_o to_o their_o own_o welfare_n and_o the_o utility_n of_o man_n and_o with_o how_o much_o wisdom_n and_o i_o have_v almost_o say_v care_n the_o glorious_a creator_n have_v be_v please_v to_o supply_v they_o with_o mean_n admirable_o fit_a for_o the_o attainment_n of_o these_o respective_a end_n we_o can_v but_o think_v it_o high_o probable_a that_o so_o wise_a and_o so_o benign_a a_o be_v have_v not_o leave_v his_o noble_a visible_a creature_n man_n unfurnish_a with_o mean_n to_o procure_v his_o own_o welfare_n and_o obtain_v his_o true_a end_n if_o he_o be_v not_o culpable_o want_v to_o himself_o and_o since_o man_n be_v endow_v with_o reason_n which_o may_v convince_v he_o of_o what_o neither_o a_o plant_n nor_o brute_n animal_n be_v capable_a of_o know_v namely_o that_o god_n be_v both_o his_o maker_n and_o his_o continual_a benefactor_n since_o his_o reason_n likewise_o teach_v he_o that_o upon_o both_o those_o account_n beside_o other_o god_n may_v just_o expect_v and_o require_v worship_n and_o obedience_n from_o he_o since_o also_o the_o same_o rational_a faculty_n may_v persuade_v he_o that_o it_o may_v well_o become_v the_o majesty_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n as_o the_o sovereign_a rector_n of_o the_o world_n t●…_n give_v a_o law_n to_o man_n who_o be_v a_o rational_a creature_n capable_a of_o understanding_n and_o obey_v it_o and_o thereby_o glorify_v the_o author_n of_o it_o since_o farthermore_o find_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n if_o it_o be_v not_o deprave_v by_o vice_n or_o lust_n a_o principle_n that_o dict●●●●…_n to_o he_o that_o he_o owe_v a_o veneration_n and_o other_o suitable_a sentiment_n to_o the_o divine_o excellent_a author_n of_o his_o be_v and_o his_o continual_a and_o munificent_a benefactor_n since_o on_o these_o score_n his_o conscience_n will_v convince_v he_o of_o his_o obligation_n to_o all_o the_o essential_a duty_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o since_o last_o his_o reason_n may_v convince_v he_o that_o his_o soul_n be_v immortal_a and_o be_v therefore_o capable_a as_o well_o as_o desirous_a to_o be_v everlasting_o happy_a after_o it_o have_v leave_v the_o body_n he_o must_v in_o reason_n be_v strong_o incline_v to_o wish_v for_o a_o supernatural_a discovery_n of_o what_o god_n will_v have_v he_o believe_v and_o do._n and_o therefore_o if_o be_v thus_o prepare_v he_o shall_v be_v very_o credible_o inform_v that_o god_n have_v actual_o be_v please_v to_o discover_v by_o supernatural_a revelation_n what_o by_o reason_n without_o it_o he_o can_v either_o not_o at_o all_o or_o but_o rove_o guess_v at_o what_o kind_n of_o worship_n and_o obedience_n will_v be_v most_o acceptable_a to_o he_o and_o to_o encourage_v man_n to_o both_o these_o by_o explicit_a promise_n of_o that_o felicity_n that_o man_n without_o they_o can_v but_o faint_o hope_v for_o he_o will_v be_v ready_a then_o thankful_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o way_n of_o proceed_v beseem_v the_o transcendent_a

acquaint_v we_o with_o many_o surprise_v particular_n that_o we_o shall_v never_o otherwise_o have_v discover_v or_o perchance_o so_o much_o as_o dream_v of_o and_o peradventure_o it_o may_v be_v no_o hyperbole_n to_o say_v that_o the_o information_n of_o a_o plummet_n which_o reach_v not_o to_o some_o depth_n and_o bring_v but_o a_o very_a slender_a account_n of_o soil_n that_o lie_v in_o any_o be_v not_o more_o short_a of_o those_o of_o a_o diver_n than_o the_o information_n philosophy_n give_v we_o of_o some_o divine_a thing_n be_v of_o those_o complete_a one_o that_o may_v be_v have_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o when_o i_o remember_v how_o many_o opinion_n about_o the_o submarine_n part_n that_o i_o among_o many_o other_o man_n think_v probable_a i_o find_v cause_n to_o change_n upon_o the_o conversation_n i_o have_v with_o a_o famous_a diver_n that_o sometime_o by_o the_o help_n of_o a_o engine_n stay_v several_a hour_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o sea_n i_o find_v the_o less_o reluctancy_n to_o suffer_v opinion_n about_o divine_a matter_n that_o before_o seem_v probable_a to_o i_o to_o be_v rectify_v by_o the_o full_a discovery_n make_v of_o those_o thing_n by_o the_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n you_o may_v find_v some_o thing_n applyable_a to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o what_o have_v be_v new_o deliver_v in_o a_o essay_n which_o you_o may_v see_v when_o you_o please_v that_o consider_v the_o bound_n and_o use_v of_o experience_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n wherefore_o remember_v that_o before_o this_o late_a excursion_n i_o be_v speak_v of_o miracle_n i_o shall_v now_o resume_v the_o subject_a and_o proceed_v to_o tell_v you_o that_o i_o have_v the_o more_o insist_v upon_o the_o miracle_n that_o may_v be_v plead_v to_o recommend_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o i_o think_v that_o a_o argument_n ground_v on_o they_o be_v little_o less_o than_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o evince_v that_o any_o religion_n that_o man_n believe_v to_o be_v supernatural_o reveal_v and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_n do_v real_o proceed_v from_o god_n for_o though_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o other_o concurrent_a motive_n may_v just_o persuade_v i_o that_o it_o be_v worthy_a and_o likely_a to_o be_v give_v by_o god_n yet_o that_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la this_o doctrine_n come_v from_o he_o by_o way_n of_o supernatural_a revelation_n i_o can_v scarce_o be_v sufficient_o ascertain_v but_o by_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n to_o evince_v that_o the_o doctrine_n they_o preach_v as_o commission_v by_o god_n to_o do_v so_o be_v indeed_o he_o be_v as_o such_o own_a by_o he_o but_o these_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v when_o it_o be_v most_o fit_a and_o needful_a they_o shall_v be_v wrought_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n we_o that_o live_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o they_o can_v have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o they_o by_o our_o own_o sense_n or_o immediate_a observation_n but_o must_v believe_v they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o former_o mention_v historical_a or_o vicarious_a experience_n which_o be_v afford_v we_o by_o the_o due_o transmit_v testimony_n of_o those_o that_o be_v themselves_o to_o speak_v once_o more_o in_o a_o evangelist_n phrase_n 2._o eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o relate_v and_o since_o we_o scruple_n not_o to_o believe_v such_o strange_a prodigy_n as_o celestial_a comet_n vanish_v and_o reappear_v star_n island_n found_v by_o subterraneal_a fire_n in_o the_o sea_n darken_n of_o the_o sun_n for_o many_o month_n together_o earthquake_n reach_v above_o a_o thousand_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o the_o like_a amaze_a anomaly_n of_o nature_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o human_a history_n i_o see_v not_o why_o that_o vicarious_a experience_n shall_v not_o more_o be_v trust_v which_o have_v divers_a peculiar_a and_o concurrent_a circumstance_n to_o confirm_v it_o and_o particular_o the_o death_n that_o most_o of_o the_o first_o promulgator_n cheerful_o suffer_v to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o the_o success_n and_o spread_v of_o the_o doctrine_n authorise_a by_o those_o miracle_n and_o receive_v chief_o upon_o their_o account_n to_o which_o thing_n some_o perhaps_o will_v add_v that_o it_o be_v less_o incredible_a that_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n shall_v for_o most_o weighty_a purpose_n make_v stupendous_a alteration_n of_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n than_o that_o nature_n herself_o for_o no_o such_o end_n shall_v by_o such_o prodigy_n as_o be_v new_o mention_v as_o it_o be_v throw_v herself_o out_o of_o her_o own_o course_n miracle_n be_v so_o necessary_a to_o the_o establishment_n of_o reveal_v religion_n in_o general_n it_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o far_a disposition_n in_o our_o virtuoso_fw-la to_o receive_v the_o christian_a religion_n that_o the_o philosophy_n he_o cultivate_v do_v much_o conduce_v to_o enable_v he_o to_o judge_v aright_o of_o those_o strange_a thing_n that_o be_v by_o many_o propose_v as_o miracle_n and_o believe_v to_o be_v so_o for_o first_o the_o knowledge_n he_o have_v of_o the_o various_a and_o sometime_o very_o wonderful_a operation_n of_o some_o natural_a thing_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v skilful_o improve_v and_o dexterous_o apply_v by_o art_n particular_o mathematics_n mechanic_n and_o chemistry_n will_v qualify_v he_o to_o distinguish_v between_o thing_n that_o be_v only_o strange_a and_o surprise_v and_o those_o that_o be_v true_o miraculous_a so_o that_o he_o will_v not_o mistake_v the_o effect_n of_o natural_a magic_n for_o those_o of_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o by_o this_o well-instructed_n wariness_n he_o will_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v the_o subtle_a cheat_n and_o collusion_n of_o impostor_n by_o which_o not_o only_o multitude_n of_o all_o religion_n especial_o heathen_a but_o even_o learned_a man_n of_o most_o religion_n for_o want_v of_o a_o insight_n into_o real_a philosophy_n have_v former_o be_v or_o be_v at_o this_o day_n delude_v and_o draw_v into_o idolatrous_a superstitious_a or_o otherwise_o erroneous_a tenant_n or_o practice_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o knowledge_n our_o virtuoso_fw-la may_v have_v of_o what_o can_v be_v just_o expect_v or_o pretend_v from_o the_o mechanical_a power_n of_o matter_n will_v enable_v he_o to_o discern_v that_o divers_a thing_n be_v not_o produceable_a by_o they_o without_o the_o intervention_n of_o a_o intelligent_a superior_a power_n on_o which_o score_n he_o will_v frank_o acknowledge_v and_o hearty_o believe_v divers_a effect_n to_o be_v true_o miraculous_a that_o may_v be_v plausible_o enough_o ascribe_v to_o other_o cause_n in_o the_o vulgar_a philosophy_n where_o man_n be_v teach_v and_o wont_a to_o attribute_v stupendous_a unaccountable_a effect_n to_o sympathy_n antipathy_n fuga_fw-la vacui_fw-la substantial_a form_n and_o especial_o to_o a_o certain_a be_v presume_v to_o be_v almost_o infinite_o potent_a and_o wise_a which_o they_o call_v nature_n for_o this_o be_v represent_v as_o a_o king_n of_o goddess_n who_o power_n may_v be_v little_o less_o than_o boundless_a as_o i_o remember_v galen_n himself_o compare_v it_o to_o that_o of_o god_n and_o say_v that_o he_o can_v not_o do_v such_o a_o thing_n because_o nature_n can_v and_o censure_v moses_n for_o speak_v as_o if_o he_o be_v of_o another_o mind_n the_o whole_a passage_n be_v so_o weighty_a that_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o direct_v you_o to_o it_o in_o the_o margin_n fourteen_o though_o to_o comply_v with_o my_o haste_n i_o forbear_v to_o transcribe_v and_o descant_v upon_o so_o prolix_a a_o one_o and_o add_v to_o it_o divers_a other_o passage_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o in_o famous_a author_n who_o for_o want_v of_o know_v the_o true_a extent_n of_o the_o power_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n leave_v to_o themselves_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n ascribe_v to_o natural_a cause_n as_o they_o call_v they_o such_o effect_n as_o be_v beyond_o their_o reach_n unless_o they_o be_v elevate_v by_o agent_n of_o a_o superior_a order_n i_o know_v it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o the_o hitherto-mentioned_a disposition_n that_o experimental_a knowledge_n may_v give_v a_o man_n to_o admit_v the_o history_n of_o the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o likewise_o to_o expect_v that_o god_n will_v be_v able_a to_o perform_v the_o promise_n and_o menace_n that_o be_v in_o his_o name_n deliver_v there_o may_v be_v countervail_v by_o this_o that_o those_o who_o be_v so_o much_o acquaint_v with_o the_o mystery_n of_o nature_n and_o her_o various_a and_o strange_a way_n of_o work_v as_o a_o virtuoso_fw-la may_v well_o be_v may_v by_o that_o knowledge_n be_v strong_o tempt_v to_o think_v that_o those_o surprise_v thing_n that_o other_o man_n call_v miracle_n be_v but_o effect_n of_o her_o power_n the_o extent_n of_o which_o be_v not_o easy_o discern_v by_o ordinary_a man_n