Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	body_n	motion_n	nature_n	2,722	5	5.9141	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A29845	A letter in answer to a book entitled, Christianity not mysterious as also, to all those who set up for reason and evidence in opposition to revelation & mysteries / by Peter Browne ...	Browne, Peter, ca. 1666-1735.	1697 (1697)	Wing B5134; ESTC R19095	82,171	238

and_o what_o it_o be_v for_o a_o small_a quantity_n of_o bread_n to_o be_v increase_v to_o a_o mighty_a bulk_n but_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n how_o this_o be_v perform_v we_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o it_o tho'_o we_o know_v well_o how_o corn_n be_v increase_v in_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o nature_n but_o he_o will_v object_v here_o as_o he_o do_v concern_v the_o doctrine_n viz._n that_o at_o this_o rate_n all_o the_o phenomena_n of_o nature_n be_v miraculous_a for_o we_o know_v not_o the_o true_a manner_n of_o any_o one_o of_o they_o and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a drift_n of_o this_o chapter_n to_o give_v we_o a_o wrong_a notion_n of_o a_o miracle_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v nothing_o more_o 150._o than_o the_o dextrous_a management_n of_o second_o cause_n and_o not_o any_o immediate_a effect_n of_o almighty_a god_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o close_a he_o tell_v we_o that_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n tho'_o above_o its_o ordinary_a operation_n which_o be_v therefore_o supernatural_o assist_v and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o that_o bold_a and_o arrogant_a expression_n of_o he_o that_o can_v he_o tell_v how_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v he_o believe_v he_o may_v do_v as_o much_o himself_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o in_o it_o than_o in_o a_o chemical_a operation_n and_o if_o he_o be_v philosopher_n enough_o he_o will_v work_v any_o miracle_n of_o they_o all_o but_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o miracle_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o operation_n wrought_v by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n not_o by_o assist_v only_o but_o overrule_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n not_o only_o by_o hasten_v and_o accelerate_v its_o operation_n but_o sometime_o by_o a_o instantaneous_a production_n of_o what_o be_v never_o to_o be_v effect_v by_o the_o unite_a force_n of_o all_o natural_a cause_n as_o to_o instance_n in_o the_o raise_v a_o body_n from_o the_o dead_a all_o the_o unite_a force_n of_o nature_n with_o the_o most_o dextrous_a management_n will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o effect_v this_o all_o the_o extract_a mollify_a mix_v infuse_v consolidate_v etc._n etc._n and_o the_o ministry_n not_o only_o of_o thousand_o but_o of_o million_o at_o once_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o unite_v a_o soul_n and_o body_n again_o when_o once_o they_o be_v separate_v nothing_o less_o than_o the_o almighty_a immediate_a act_n of_o god_n be_v able_a to_o effect_v this_o and_o that_o without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o any_o natural_a cause_n again_o there_o be_v some_o miraculous_a operation_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o they_o as_o that_o of_o the_o sun_n be_v go_v back_n or_o stand_v still_o all_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v dispose_v for_o its_o motion_n or_o at_o least_o for_o the_o motion_n of_o our_o earth_n which_o make_v it_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o move_v again_o the_o make_v iron_n to_o swim_v 6._o be_v this_o effect_n produce_v by_o mollify_a consolidating_a etc._n etc._n or_o any_o operation_n which_o shall_v convert_v the_o substance_n of_o iron_n into_o that_o of_o wood_n than_o we_o can_v not_o say_v that_o iron_n swim_v but_o something_o else_o or_o if_o the_o water_n be_v condense_v to_o support_v it_o than_o it_o will_v be_v ice_n and_o not_o water_n and_o if_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v do_v of_o a_o sudden'st_a will_v however_o be_v miraculous_a but_o not_o contrary_a to_o nature_n but_o for_o a_o solid_a piece_n of_o iron_n while_o it_o remain_v such_o to_o swim_v in_o water_n no_o way_n condense_v this_o be_v not_o only_o above_o but_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o likewise_o for_o fire_n not_o to_o burn_v be_v contrary_a to_o nature_n indeed_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o in_o it_o than_o what_o this_o man_n suppose_v that_o it_o be_v do_v by_o repel_v the_o heat_n and_o keep_v off_o the_o flame_n than_o it_o may_v be_v according_a to_o 145._o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o by_o a_o instantaneous_a application_n may_v extinguish_v the_o fire_n but_o to_o hinder_v fire_n from_o burn_a while_o it_o remain_v such_o and_o combustible_a matter_n actual_o in_o it_o this_o be_v contrary_n to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o all_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v not_o so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o nature_n can_v however_o be_v say_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o i_o take_v these_o two_o expression_n to_o be_v direct_o opposite_a which_o he_o make_v the_o same_o miracle_n be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o they_o be_v above_o the_o operation_n of_o it_o for_o to_o instance_n in_o the_o first_o miracle_n our_o saviour_n wrought_v that_o of_o turn_v water_n into_o wine_n the_o production_n of_o wine_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n must_v have_v be_v by_o accelerate_v the_o growth_n of_o the_o vine_n and_o ripen_v the_o grape_n sudden_o by_o application_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n in_o nature_n which_o can_v forward_o it_o but_o to_o turn_v water_n immediate_o into_o wine_n without_o any_o of_o these_o method_n be_v to_o produce_v it_o afer_fw-la a_o manner_n whole_o different_a from_o all_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n upon_o his_o principle_n we_o have_v no_o way_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n of_o distinguish_v between_o the_o delusion_n of_o the_o 147_o devil_n those_o celebrate_a feat_n of_o goblin_n and_o witch_n and_o conjurer_n which_o he_o speak_v of_o and_o those_o which_o be_v wrought_v by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n for_o without_o doubt_v the_o devil_n be_v a_o great_a philosopher_n and_o can_v manag●_n second_v cause_n so_o as_o to_o produce_v effect_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o shall_v appear_v very_o strange_a to_o we_o but_o we_o be_v sure_a nothing_o less_o than_o that_o power_n which_o be_v the_o author_n of_o nature_n can_v work_v any_o real_a effect_n contrary_a to_o it_o or_o above_o it_o the_o devil_n indeed_o may_v delude_v man_n sense_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o think_v that_o real_a which_o be_v only_o a_o appearance_n as_o it_o be_v likely_a he_o do_v to_o mimic_n that_o miracle_n of_o turn_v aaron_n rod_n into_o a_o serpent_n for_o that_o of_o the_o magicine_n be_v not_o a_o real_a conversion_n but_o effect_v by_o their_o enchantment_n or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o original_n by_o their_o wiles_n and_o juggle_a for_o we_o find_v when_o they_o endeavour_v to_o imitate_v moses_n in_o the_o instantaneous_a production_n of_o any_o real_a thing_n with_o life_n there_o the_o devil_n fail_v they_o and_o they_o be_v force_v to_o own_o it_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v plain_o how_o this_o man_n strike_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o reveal_v religion_n by_o undermine_v one_o of_o the_o main_a pillar_n on_o which_o the_o faith_n and_o credit_n of_o it_o be_v found_v you_o see_v his_o drift_n all_o along_o in_o every_o thing_n he_o say_v be_v to_o take_v away_o all_o operation_n above_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o doctrine_n above_o the_o reach_n of_o reason_n and_o then_o all_o the_o religion_n of_o man_n be_v consequent_o resolve_v into_o infidelity_n a_o heathenism_n so_o that_o any_o one_o who_o wish_v christianity_n to_o be_v true_a must_v hope_v at_o least_o that_o this_o man_n principle_n be_v false_a since_o they_o be_v so_o utter_o inconsistent_a 2._o but_o two_o as_o miracle_n be_v in_o a_o great_a degree_n mysterious_a be_v a_o unanswerable_a objection_n against_o he_o so_o they_o be_v altogether_o useless_a and_o impertinent_a upon_o his_o principle_n he_o own_v 146._o that_o god_n do_v not_o work_v they_o at_o random_n but_o for_o some_o end_n and_o this_o end_n he_o own_v be_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o some_o divine_a 150._o doctrine_n but_o why_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o doctrine_n for_o he_o have_v tell_v we_o over_o and_o over_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o evidence_n or_o immediate_a knowledge_n of_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o can_v persuade_v we_o that_o faith_n be_v nothing_o more_o than_o the_o know_v what_o be_v believe_v etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o all_o miracle_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o any_o doctrine_n be_v needless_a and_o superfluous_a if_o they_o be_v so_o evident_a to_o our_o sense_n or_o our_o reason_n that_o we_o know_v they_o to_o be_v true_a what_o necessity_n be_v there_o of_o far_a conviction_n if_o a_o thing_n be_v so_o evident_a to_o m●_n sense_n or_o reason_n that_o i_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a nothing_o can_v make_v i_o sure_a of_o it_o so_o that_o we_o see_v the_o reason_n of_o miracle_n be_v that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o proof_n of_o something_o that_o we_o can_v

the_o eternal_a generation_n of_o the_o son_n the_o change_n of_o our_o body_n the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n of_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n etc._n etc._n because_o if_o god_n have_v reveal_v they_o he_o will_v have_v make_v you_o conceive_v the_o manner_n of_o all_o these_o perfect_o and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o it_o be_v certain_o want_v of_o sincerity_n or_o ability_n in_o he_o but_o let_v this_o blasphemer_n know_v that_o it_o be_v neither_o want_n of_o veracity_n nor_o ability_n in_o god_n that_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o do_v conceive_v these_o thing_n but_o the_o weakness_n and_o imperfection_n of_o our_o present_a state_n who_o have_v no_o capacity_n for_o they_o as_o yet_o and_o therefore_o as_o we_o now_o give_v our_o assent_n to_o the_o reality_n and_o existence_n of_o what_o we_o can_v conceive_v upon_o that_o veracity_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v thus_o endeavour_v to_o rob_v of_o all_o its_o authority_n and_o influence_n upon_o our_o assent_n so_o god_n will_v one_o day_n manifest_v his_o power_n in_o bring_v all_o those_o thing_n to_o pass_v which_o we_o can_v now_o conceive_v and_o will_v so_o enlarge_v our_o soul_n that_o we_o shall_v clear_o apprehend_v they_o and_o all_o the_o object_n of_o another_o world_n he_o proceed_v and_o say_v that_o god_n will_v loose_v his_o end_n if_o what_o he_o say_v 12●_n do_v not_o agree_v with_o our_o common_a notion_n i._n e._n i●_n god_n shall_v speak_v nonsense_n to_o you_o in_o his_o revelation_n you_o will_v be_v never_o the_o wise_a for_o if_o he_o shall_v reveal_v to_o you_o that_o a_o thing_n call_v blictri_n have_v a_o be_v in_o nature_n and_o not_o inform_v you_o what_o this_o blictri_n be_v you_o can_v not_o believe_v it_o now_o this_o very_a instance_n which_o he_o intend_v by_o way_n of_o ridicule_n of_o all_o the_o object_n of_o our_o holy_a faith_n do_v happy_o show_v the_o true_a difference_n between_o a_o rational_a assent_n and_o a_o blind_a credulity_n and_o be_v a_o sufficient_a confutation_n of_o his_o whole_a book_n let_v we_o therefore_o compare_v these_o two_o word_n blictri_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o first_o i_o know_v nothing_o more_o than_o that_o it_o be_v make_v up_o of_o seven_o letter_n and_o therefore_o he_o that_o speak_v it_o be_v a_o barbarian_a to_o i_o and_o as_o i_o know_v nothing_o of_o it_o so_o i_o can_v believe_v nothing_o concern_v it_o but_o the_o uncertain_a find_v it_o make_v to_o my_o ●●t_n and_o that_o seven_o letter_n make_v two_o syllable_n in_o write_v as_o to_o the_o other_o word_n glory_n i_o grant_v i_o know_v as_o little_a of_o the_o real_a nature_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o saint_n in_o heaven_n as_o i_o do_v what_o that_o blictri_n mean_v and_o yet_o god_n do_v not_o speak_v nonsense_n when_o he_o reveal_v to_o m●_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n in_o heaven_n as_o glory_n for_o one_a tho'_o i_o have_v no_o notion_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o yet_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o i_o by_o the_o brightness_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o glory_n of_o a_o kingdom_n the_o great_a image_n i_o now_o be_o able_a to_o frame_v of_o it_o 2._o i_o be_o make_v acquaint_v with_o the_o relation_n this_o glory_n have_v to_o i_o viz._n that_o it_o expect_v i_o in_o the_o heaven_n that_o i_o shall_v enjoy_v it_o and_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o it_o and_o that_o it_o will_v render_v i_o happy_a beyond_o all_o imagination_n but_o i_o be_o no_o more_o able_a to_o conceive_v that_o happiness_n than_o that_o glory_n of_o god_n which_o shall_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o and_o 3._o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n with_o this_o design_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o prevail_a motive_n of_o my_o obedience_n and_o a_o incitement_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n 4._o i_o have_v not_o capacity_n at_o present_a to_o apprehend_v the_o real_a nature_n of_o it_o as_o perfect_o as_o i_o can_v apprehend_v any_o thing_n in_o nature_n if_o it_o be_v discover_v to_o i_o and_o thus_o we_o see_v how_o god_n in_o all_o his_o revelation_n do_v not_o speak_v nonsense_n to_o we_o tho'_o we_o have_v not_o clear_a and_o distinct_a idea_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v nay_o tho'_o we_o have_v no_o more_o idea_n of_o they_o as_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o than_o we_o have_v of_o what_o blictri_n be_v beside_o the_o text_n he_o bring_v to_o back_v 129._o this_o sophism_n of_o he_o explain_v the_o matter_n far_o and_o lay_v open_v the_o fallacy_n heb._n 11_o 6._o he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o by_o which_o we_o see_v all_o that_o be_v knowable_a of_o god_n by_o we_o now_o be_v his_o existence_n and_o the_o relation_n he_o have_v to_o we_o viz_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o for_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v own_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v all_o we_o know_v of_o god_n tho'_o he_o flat_o deny_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n more_o in_o he_o than_o what_o we_o know_v as_o well_o at_o least_o as_o we_o do_v any_o thing_n else_o he_o go_v on_o and_o ask_v without_o conceive_v 130._o faith_n after_o this_o manner_n i._n e._n without_o make_v it_o nothing_o else_o but_o knowledge_n how_o can_v christ_n be_v term_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n and_o how_o can_v we_o be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n i._n e_fw-la unless_o he_o give_v you_o as_o clear_v and_o distinct_a idea_n of_o every_o thing_n he_o reveal_v as_o you_o have_v of_o a_o stock_n or_o a_o stone_n i_o answer_v by_o give_v we_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a revelation_n of_o their_o existence_n of_o which_o we_o shall_v have_v be_v whole_o ignorant_a but_o for_o he_o for_o thus_o he_o have_v make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n since_o he_o have_v give_v we_o a_o clear_a knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o back_v his_o precept_n with_o the_o promise_n of_o future_a reward_n which_o we_o have_v no_o notion_n of_o and_o the_o best_a thought_n we_o can_v frame_v of_o they_o be_v that_o they_o exceed_v all_o that_o we_o can_v think_v or_o speak_v but_o say_v he_o that_o remarkable_a instance_n 131._o of_o abraham_n faith_n will_v be_v object_v yes_o it_o be_v object_v and_o the_o way_n he_o answer_v it_o be_v by_o say_v as_o we_o do_v and_o leave_v his_o own_o opinion_n to_o shift_v for_o itself_o god_n promise_v abraham_n to_o give_v he_o a_o numerous_a progeny_n in_o isaac_n after_o this_o before_o isaac_n have_v a_o child_n god_n command_v he_o to_o sacrifice_v his_o only_a son_n he_o obey_v upon_o this_o consideration_n that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o up_o again_o by_o the_o same_o power_n that_o he_o at_o first_o raise_v he_o out_o of_o the_o deadness_n of_o sarah_n womb._n now_o the_o question_n between_o he_o and_o i_o be_v not_o whether_o this_o faith_n be_v a_o firm_a persuasion_n build_v upon_o 132._o substantial_a reason_n which_o we_o allow_v and_o contend_v for_o and_o therefore_o he_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o abraham_n give_v his_o assent_n to_o what_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v which_o he_o must_v own_v unless_o he_o prove_v that_o abraham_n know_v as_o perfect_o the_o whole_a manner_n of_o god_n raise_v a_o body_n from_o the_o dead_a or_o from_o a_o womb_n past_o child_n bear_v as_o he_o do_v the_o procreation_n of_o it_o in_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o nature_n have_v abraham_n be_v able_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o god_n will_v raise_v his_o son_n &_o to_o conceive_v exact_o the_o manner_n how_o this_o be_v to_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v then_o indeed_o it_o be_v no_o faith_n but_o knowledge_n but_o instead_o of_o this_o he_o have_v only_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n for_o it_o and_o know_v no_o more_o how_o god_n will_v raise_v he_o than_o he_o know_v how_o he_o make_v the_o world_n after_o this_o he_o lay_v down_o several_a observation_n 133._o to_o prove_v there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o faith_n i._n e._n a_o assent_n distinct_a from_o knowledge_n 1._o if_o faith_n be_v not_o a_o persuasion_n result_v from_o a_o comprehension_n of_o the_o thing_n believe_v there_o can_v be_v no_o degree_n in_o it_o i_o answer_v this_o be_v false_a like_o all_o the_o rest_n for_o tho'_o i_o know_v nothing_o more_o of_o a_o thing_n than_o its_o existence_n and_o the_o relation_n it_o have_v to_o i_o and_o therefore_o be_o fat_a from_o comprehend_v it_o yet_o my_o assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o shall_v vary_v in_o degree_n either_o according_a to_o the_o proof_n