Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	call_v	know_v	time_n	1,768	5	3.3110	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A49908	A treatise of the causes of incredulity wherein are examin'd the general motives and occasions which dispose unbelievers to reject the Christian religion : with two letters, containing a direct proof of the truth of Christianity / translated from the French of Monsieur Le Clerc.; De l'incredulité. English	Le Clerc, Jean, 1657-1736.	1697 (1697)	Wing L827; ESTC R19200	151,596	339

prove_v the_o apostle_n sincerity_n they_o be_v content_v to_o offer_v some_o objection_n concern_v the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n and_o so_o confine_v themselves_o to_o the_o second_o way_n of_o know_v the_o falsity_n of_o a_o fact_n which_o consist_v in_o discover_v that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n absolute_o impossible_a but_o i_o shall_v speak_v of_o this_o in_o another_o letter_n wherein_o i_o shall_v explain_v the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o letter_n ii_o wherein_o be_v show_v what_o a_o miracle_n be_v and_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o conclude_v from_o those_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v true_o send_v of_o god_n 1._o sir_n i_o promise_v you_o to_o discourse_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n and_o i_o must_v perform_v my_o promise_n see_v without_o it_o i_o shall_v but_o half_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o general_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v true_a and_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n we_o must_v be_v also_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o this_o we_o learn_v from_o the_o miracle_n of_o those_o who_o first_o preach_v they_o that_o be_v the_o seal_n whereby_o we_o clear_o discover_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o the_o same_o god_n who_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o give_v to_o nature_n the_o law_n according_a to_o which_o natural_a cause_n act_v they_o have_v often_o desire_v he_o to_o suspend_v the_o effect_n of_o those_o law_n though_o unavoidable_a at_o their_o prayer_n they_o be_v suspend_v and_o the_o contrary_a of_o what_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n have_v observe_v hitherto_o and_o of_o what_o we_o still_o see_v happen_v then_o that_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n not_o only_o of_o their_o doctrine_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n and_o design_n of_o the_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n as_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v if_o it_o be_v mere_o consider_v in_o itself_o but_o also_o of_o their_o have_v a_o express_a order_n from_o god_n to_o publish_v it_o among_o men._n wherefore_o i_o will_v show_v first_o what_o a_o miracle_n be_v and_o how_o true_a miracle_n may_v be_v distinguish_v from_o false_a one_o second_o i_o will_v inquire_v into_o the_o author_n of_o they_o and_o what_o consequence_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o they_o last_o i_o shall_v say_v something_o concern_v the_o extent_n of_o miracle_n and_o their_o different_a kind_n i_o will_v show_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o i_o shall_v answer_v some_o objection_n of_o unbeliever_n 2._o to_o look_v upon_o a_o extraordinary_a effect_n as_o a_o miracle_n and_o draw_v any_o consequence_n from_o it_o first_o it_o must_v be_v a_o thing_n above_o the_o power_n of_o men._n second_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v above_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n or_o corporeal_a cause_n and_o above_o the_o strength_n of_o humane_a soul_n for_o nature_n or_o natural_a cause_n and_o the_o order_n or_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o man_n other_o body_n and_o the_o law_n according_a to_o which_o they_o constant_o act_v without_o be_v able_a to_o violate_v they_o three_o he_o in_o who_o behalf_n that_o thing_n be_v do_v aught_o to_o know_v it_o beforehand_o or_o at_o least_o it_o must_v happen_v when_o he_o want_v it_o i_o shall_v examine_v those_o three_o thing_n one_o after_o another_o for_o the_o whole_a strength_n of_o the_o proof_n which_o can_v be_v fetch_v from_o miracle_n depend_v upon_o it_o 3._o there_o be_v some_o divine_n who_o maintain_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v only_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o infinite_a power_n and_o consequent_o that_o god_n only_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o above_o the_o power_n of_o man_n but_o also_o above_o that_o of_o all_o other_o creature_n i_o shall_v speak_v of_o that_o hereafter_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o observe_v here_o that_o nothing_o which_o man_n be_v able_a to_o do_v can_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o miraculous_a thing_n wherefore_o to_o be_v sure_a whether_o what_o be_v vent_v as_o a_o miracle_n be_v real_o so_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v be_v whether_o man_n can_v do_v it_o for_o if_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o above_o the_o power_n of_o man_n there_o will_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a effect_n of_o god_n power_n or_o of_o some_o other_o intelligent_a be_v thus_o if_o a_o man_n show_v a_o usual_a skill_n in_o swim_v and_o boast_v of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o miraculous_a thing_n he_o may_v be_v just_o account_v a_o impostor_n because_o one_o may_v by_o use_n get_v a_o skill_n in_o swim_v which_o seem_v wonderful_a to_o those_o who_o have_v it_o not_o but_o if_o any_o body_n walk_v upon_o the_o water_n as_o upon_o the_o land_n without_o sink_v in_o the_o least_o it_o can_v not_o be_v doubt_v that_o he_o do_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v above_o all_o the_o strength_n and_o skill_n of_o man_n provide_v he_o have_v nothing_o under_o his_o foot_n that_o may_v be_v see_v or_o elsewhere_o to_o uphold_v he_o every_o one_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a relation_n of_o gravity_n between_o humane_a body_n and_o water_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n allow_v not_o that_o a_o man_n shall_v stand_v upon_o the_o water_n so_o that_o if_o it_o appear_v that_o any_o body_n walk_v upon_o the_o water_n as_o upon_o the_o land_n without_o have_v under_o his_o foot_n or_o elsewhere_o any_o thing_n to_o hold_v he_o so_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o a_o power_n great_a than_o that_o of_o man_n act_v in_o his_o behalf_n 4._o but_o because_o there_o be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o natural_a cause_n which_o man_n make_v use_v of_o to_o produce_v some_o effect_n which_o they_o themselves_o can_v produce_v by_o their_o mere_a skill_n and_o strength_n a_o thing_n to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o miraculous_a ought_v not_o to_o be_v do_v by_o any_o other_o natural_a cause_n such_o as_o be_v the_o body_n which_o surround_v we_o for_o example_n great_a weight_n which_o will_v present_o sink_v if_o they_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o water_n will_v lie_v upon_o it_o without_o sink_v if_o a_o body_n much_o light_a than_o water_n as_o wood_n be_v put_v between_o the_o water_n and_o those_o weight_n there_o be_v nothing_o miraculous_a in_o that_o because_o it_o be_v do_v by_o a_o corporeal_a and_o know_a cause_n but_o it_o can_v not_o be_v deny_v to_o be_v a_o miraculous_a thing_n if_o a_o man_n shall_v walk_v upon_o the_o water_n as_o i_o have_v say_v when_o a_o learned_a physician_n cure_v a_o sick_a person_n with_o some_o remedy_n after_o he_o have_v spend_v a_o long_a time_n in_o study_v the_o nature_n of_o disease_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o remedy_n that_o cure_n be_v not_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o miracle_n it_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o natural_a effect_n of_o the_o remedy_n which_o have_v be_v well_o apply_v but_o if_o we_o shall_v see_v a_o man_n who_o only_o by_o touch_v all_o sort_n of_o sick_a person_n or_o by_o speak_v to_o they_o without_o use_v any_o sensible_a remedy_n cure_v they_o upon_o the_o spot_n that_o effect_n can_v be_v ascribe_v only_o to_o some_o supernatural_a cause_n some_o 6._o some_o spinosa_n in_o tract_n theologico-polit_a cap._n 6._o unbeliever_n have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v that_o character_n of_o miracle_n uncertain_a by_o say_v that_o we_o know_v not_o so_o perfect_o natural_a cause_n and_o their_o effect_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v what_o they_o can_v produce_v from_o what_o be_v above_o their_o strength_n nay_o they_o pretend_v that_o what_o be_v call_v miraculous_a shall_v only_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o extraordinary_a or_o rare_a accident_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o natural_a cause_n which_o be_v not_o well_o know_v but_o though_o it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o we_o be_v very_o far_o from_o have_v a_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o natural_a cause_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o less_o certain_a that_o we_o know_v most_o certain_o some_o thing_n by_o experience_n especial_o when_o that_o experience_n be_v common_a and_o easy_a for_o example_n we_o perfect_o know_v that_o no_o man_n can_v stand_v upon_o the_o water_n so_o as_o to_o touch_v it_o only_o with_o the_o sole_a of_o his_o foot_n without_o use_v the_o help_n of_o any_o other_o body_n for_o it_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v say_v that_o it_o may_v be_v such_o a_o thing_n happen_v sometime_o by_o a_o extraordinary_a effect_n of_o some_o natural_a cause_n which_o we_o know_v not_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o such_o a_o conjecture_n can_v only_o be_v

or_o infidel_n from_o give_v they_o the_o hear_n when_o they_o exhort_v they_o to_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v that_o all_o christian_n notwithstanding_o their_o division_n be_v agree_v about_o certain_a article_n by_o the_o examination_n whereof_o unbeliever_n must_v necessary_o begin_v and_o not_o by_o those_o particular_a controversy_n which_o divide_v christian_n all_o christian_n be_v agree_v about_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n about_o revelation_n in_o general_n the_o moral_a precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n annex_v to_o they_o they_o agree_v likewise_o about_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o divine_a mission_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o resurrection_n and_o last_o judgement_n these_o be_v the_o thing_n they_o undertake_v to_o prove_v first_o when_o they_o deal_v with_o infidel_n or_o unbeliever_n and_o this_o be_v what_o with_o common_a consent_n they_o call_v the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n which_o they_o prove_v all_o with_o like_a reason_n it_o be_v just_a with_o religion_n as_o with_o several_a other_o science_n in_o which_o the_o learned_a be_v not_o less_o divide_v there_o be_v very_o great_a dispute_n for_o example_n among_o the_o physician_n about_o the_o cause_n of_o disease_n the_o virtue_n of_o remedy_n and_o the_o way_n of_o apply_v they_o but_o maugre_o all_o their_o contest_v there_o be_v certain_a thing_n wherein_o in_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o anatomy_n in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o symptom_n of_o disease_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o simple_n and_o in_o chemistry_n there_o be_v a_o thousand_o thing_n whereof_o no_o body_n doubt_n and_o which_o be_v the_o most_o important_a part_n of_o physic_n with_o which_o a_o learner_n of_o this_o science_n must_v first_o begin_v and_o it_o be_v so_o as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v with_o the_o different_a sect_n of_o christianity_n as_o the_o diversity_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o physician_n keep_v none_o that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o it_o from_o examine_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o art_n so_o the_o difference_n of_o sentiment_n in_o religion_n can_v discourage_v the_o lover_n of_o truth_n and_o indeed_o as_o we_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o part_n they_o be_v other_o sort_n of_o motive_n which_o take_v off_o the_o incredulous_a from_o examine_v it_o what_o i_o have_v call_v the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o what_o we_o may_v name_v christianity_n in_o general_n although_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a society_n that_o comprehend_v all_o its_o belief_n within_o those_o idea_n only_o about_o which_o all_o christian_n be_v agree_v yet_o this_o hinder_v not_o but_o that_o those_o idea_n may_v include_v the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o we_o must_v be_v determine_v about_o these_o before_o we_o examine_v any_o particular_a doctrine_n of_o those_o society_n which_o profess_v our_o religion_n this_o be_v also_o what_o i_o undertake_v to_o defend_v in_o this_o work_n and_o from_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n whereof_o depend_v all_o the_o rest_n if_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v for_o instance_n that_o these_o general_a doctrine_n be_v true_a we_o must_v then_o examine_v in_o what_o society_n they_o be_v most_o pure_o teach_v but_o be_v they_o find_v to_o be_v false_a than_o we_o need_v not_o examine_v any_o particular_a sect_n see_v that_o all_o defend_v the_o same_o general_a principle_n if_o they_o be_v not_o true_a than_o all_o the_o sect_n will_v be_v all_o equal_o false_a it_o be_v manifest_a then_o that_o the_o division_n of_o christian_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v any_o prejudice_n against_o christianity_n in_o general_n nor_o hinder_v the_o incredulous_a from_o examine_v it_o nor_o be_v it_o less_o certain_a that_o they_o can_v take_v any_o person_n off_o from_o this_o examen_fw-la that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o embrace_v any_o one_o sect._n the_o division_n indeed_o render_v this_o disquisition_n somewhat_o difficult_a but_o by_o no_o mean_n impossible_a i_o shall_v be_v tell_v no_o doubt_n that_o this_o be_v true_a with_o respect_n to_o man_n of_o letter_n or_o understand_a person_n but_o the_o question_n be_v what_o the_o ignorant_a populace_n must_v do_v in_o these_o division_n as_o they_o be_v common_o judge_v incapable_a of_o this_o disquisition_n so_o the_o sure_a way_n for_o they_o some_o think_v be_v to_o engage_v with_o the_o first_o party_n that_o offer_v itself_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o to_o pass_v for_o a_o good_a christian_a one_o must_v know_v at_o least_o those_o general_a principle_n we_o speak_v of_o if_o there_o be_v people_n so_o stupid_a as_o to_o comprehend_v nothing_o of_o they_o though_o otherwise_o man_n of_o good_a moral_n we_o leave_v the_o disposal_n of_o they_o to_o god_n but_o as_o i_o say_v in_o another_o place_n they_o differ_v very_o little_a from_o the_o savage_n of_o america_n or_o africa_n second_o if_o such_o as_o have_v part_n enough_o to_o comprehend_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o virtue_n enough_o to_o frame_v their_o moral_n according_a to_o this_o model_n be_v not_o able_a however_o to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o those_o difference_n which_o divide_v christian_n it_o be_v not_o very_o difficult_a to_o determine_v what_o they_o must_v do_v both_o in_o equity_n and_o prudence_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_n of_o what_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v they_o ought_v neither_o to_o approve_v or_o condemn_v any_o party_n concern_v the_o doctrine_n in_o dispute_n he_o that_o require_v more_o of_o they_o make_v they_o pass_v the_o limit_n of_o their_o understanding_n and_o oblige_v they_o to_o form_v a_o unjust_a and_o hasty_a judgement_n while_o they_o find_v themselves_o uncapable_a to_o receive_v true_a information_n of_o the_o reason_n on_o all_o side_n or_o to_o distinguish_v certain_o which_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n they_o ought_v to_o suspend_v their_o judgement_n about_o controversy_n it_o be_v a_o rule_n authorise_a by_o common_a sense_n not_o to_o judge_n of_o what_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v nor_o can_v we_o believe_v without_o renounce_v common_a sense_n that_o god_n will_v have_v any_o body_n acquiesce_v without_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 14.23_o rom._n 14.23_o that_o whatever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n or_o persuasion_n be_v sin_n that_o be_v that_o before_o we_o resolve_v to_o act_v in_o point_n of_o religion_n for_o this_o be_v what_o he_o there_o treat_v of_o we_o must_v be_v persuade_v that_o we_o be_v in_o the_o right_n but_o this_o we_o can_v be_v unless_o we_o evident_o know_v why_o it_o will_v be_v say_v perhaps_o that_o god_n may_v be_v please_v with_o this_o cautiousness_n and_o moderation_n but_o that_o man_n will_v not_o bear_v it_o since_o they_o common_o oblige_v those_o that_o live_v in_o the_o same_o society_n with_o they_o to_o declare_v for_o all_o their_o doctrine_n notwithstanding_o whatever_n be_v require_v of_o man_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o keep_v to_o this_o wariness_n whereof_o i_o speak_v because_o they_o be_v lucky_o uncapable_a of_o understand_v such_o controversy_n as_o divide_v christian_n although_o they_o easy_o comprehend_v the_o ground_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v suit_v to_o all_o sort_n of_o capacity_n that_o be_v not_o quite_o destitute_a of_o their_o reason_a faculty_n about_o what_o make_v no_o impression_n upon_o the_o sense_n those_o people_n give_v little_a attention_n to_o what_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v apply_v themselves_o whole_o to_o what_o they_o comprehend_v thus_o they_o leave_v their_o controversy_n to_o divine_n whilst_o they_o mind_v only_o the_o essential_o of_o christianity_n such_o as_o be_v not_o more_o know_v and_o yet_o venture_v further_o in_o their_o opinion_n and_o act_v according_o do_v judge_n and_o act_v manifest_o against_o common_a prudence_n and_o natural_a equity_n to_o imagine_v that_o god_n will_v have_v any_o regard_v to_o so_o unreasonable_a a_o conduct_n be_v to_o extinguish_v the_o most_o certain_a light_n of_o reason_n or_o religion_n in_o the_o three_o place_n if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o such_o as_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o detail_n of_o controversy_n have_v nevertheless_o a_o little_a more_o knowledge_n than_o those_o i_o have_v describe_v than_o they_o may_v easy_o determine_v themselves_o after_o this_o manner_n without_o run_v any_o risk_a at_o all_o by_o read_v confession_n of_o faith_n they_o may_v learn_v wherein_o all_o party_n in_o christendom_n agree_v and_o take_v that_o for_o the_o foundation_n and_o ground_n of_o religion_n because_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o so_o many_o different_a party_n who_o dispute_v so_o eager_o against_o one_o another_o shall_v agree_v in_o acknowledge_v certain_a head_n as_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n if_o they_o be_v not_o such_o in_o effect_n by_o the_o different_a party_n of_o christendom_n i_o understand_v