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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n death_n life_n sin_n 9,880 5 5.5192 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A49403 Religious perfection: or, A third part of the enquiry after happiness. By the author of Practical Christianity; Enquiry after happiness. Part 3. Lucas, Richard, 1648-1715. 1696 (1696) Wing L3414; ESTC R200631 216,575 570

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part_n and_o gallantry_n bless_a god_n to_o what_o degree_n of_o madness_n and_o stupidity_n may_v man_n of_o the_o fine_a natural_a part_n sink_v when_o abandon_v by_o thou_o or_o rather_o when_o they_o themselves_o abandon_v thou_o and_o that_o light_n which_o thou_o have_v set_v up_o in_o the_o world_n our_o lord_n and_o master_n think_v the_o profit_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n a_o poor_a compensation_n for_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o soul_n what_o be_v a_o man_n profit_v if_o he_o gain_v the_o whole_a world_n etc._n etc._n matth._n 16._o but_o these_o man_n rather_o than_o it_o shall_v not_o perish_v for_o ever_o will_v charge_v through_o shame_n and_o pain_n remorse_n and_o sickness_n and_o all_o the_o obstacle_n that_o god_n have_v set_v between_o we_o and_o a_o desperate_a height_n of_o wickedness_n 4._o though_o a_o sinner_n may_v come_v to_o that_o pass_n as_o to_o suppress_v his_o conscience_n and_o master_v his_o fear_n yet_o he_o must_v ever_o be_v 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transgression_n must_v be_v a_o voluntary_a one_o and_o this_o import_v two_o thing_n 1._o a_o knowledge_n of_o law_n 2._o a_o consent_n to_o the_o breach_n of_o it_o first_o as_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n all_o that_o i_o have_v to_o say_v here_o in_o few_o word_n be_v that_o ignorance_n of_o the_o law_n excuse_v a_o transgression_n when_o it_o be_v itself_o excusable_a but_o if_o the_o ignorance_n itself_o be_v criminal_a the_o effect_n of_o it_o must_v be_v so_o too_o we_o must_v never_o think_v of_o excuse_v our_o sin_n by_o allege_v a_o ignorance_n into_o which_o not_o our_o own_o incapacity_n or_o any_o other_o reasonable_a cause_n but_o neglect_v or_o contempt_n of_o the_o truth_n or_o some_o other_o vicious_a lust_n or_o passion_n have_v betray_v we_o second_o as_o to_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o will._n this_o be_v necessary_a to_o demonstrate_v any_o action_n sinful_a or_o virtuous_a without_o this_o the_o mind_n will_v be_v no_o partner_n in_o the_o sin_n and_o by_o consequence_n can_v be_v involve_v in_o the_o gild_n of_o it_o whatever_o we_o can_v help_v be_v our_o misfortune_n not_o our_o fault_n action_n mere_o natural_a or_o mere_o force_v can_v neither_o be_v good_a nor_o evil_a the_o concurrence_n of_o reason_n and_o choice_n be_v indispensable_o necessary_a to_o the_o morality_n of_o a_o action_n all_o this_o be_v plain_o teach_v we_o by_o st._n james_n 1.14_o 15._o but_o every_o man_n be_v tempt_v when_o he_o be_v draw_v away_o of_o his_o own_o lust_n and_o entice_v then_o when_o lust_n have_v conceive_v it_o bring_v forth_o sin_n and_o sin_n when_o it_o be_v finish_v bring_v forth_o death_n which_o word_n do_v certain_o imply_v that_o the_o spring_n and_o principle_n of_o sin_n be_v within_o ourselves_o that_o it_o be_v our_o natural_a corruption_n that_o entice_v
world_n we_o project_n for_o the_o world_n and_o what_o can_v this_o produce_v but_o a_o carnal_a and_o worldly_a frame_n of_o spirit_n we_o must_v meditate_v heavenly_a thing_n we_o must_v have_v our_o conversation_n in_o heaven_n we_o must_v accustom_v ourselves_o to_o inward_a and_o heavenly_a pleasure_n if_o we_o will_v have_v heavenly_a mind_n we_o must_v let_v no_o day_n pass_v wherein_o we_o must_v not_o withdraw_v ourselves_o from_o the_o body_n and_o sequester_v ourselves_o from_o the_o world_n that_o we_o may_v converse_v with_o god_n and_o our_o own_o soul_n this_o will_v soon_o enable_v we_o to_o disdain_v the_o low_a and_o beggarly_a satisfaction_n of_o the_o outward_a man_n and_o make_v we_o long_o to_o be_v set_v free_a from_o the_o weight_n of_o this_o corruptible_a body_n to_o breath_n in_o pure_a air_n and_o take_v our_o fill_n of_o refine_a and_o spiritual_a pleasure_n i_o have_v insist_v thus_o long_o on_o the_o cure_n of_o original_a sin_n not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v the_o root_n of_o all_o our_o misery_n but_o also_o because_o there_o be_v such_o a_o affinity_n between_o this_o and_o the_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n which_o i_o be_o next_o to_o speak_v to_o that_o the_o same_o remedy_n may_v be_v prescribe_v to_o both_o so_o that_o i_o be_o already_o ease_v of_o a_o part_n of_o the_o labour_n which_o i_o must_v otherwise_o have_v under-gone_a in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n i_o be_o now_o by_o the_o law_n of_o my_o own_o method_n oblige_v to_o consider_v the_o effect_n of_o this_o branch_n of_o christian_a liberty_n in_o the_o perfect_a man_n and_o to_o show_v what_o influence_n it_o have_v upon_o his_o happiness_n but_o have_v sect._n 1_o chap._n 4._o discourse_v at_o large_a of_o the_o subserviency_n of_o perfection_n to_o our_o happiness_n and_o in_o sect._n 2._o chap._n 3._o of_o the_o happy_a effect_n of_o the_o christian_a liberty_n in_o general_n i_o have_v the_o less_o need_n to_o say_v much_o here_o on_o this_o head_n yet_o i_o can_v whole_o forbear_v say_v something_o of_o it_o the_o conquest_n over_o original_a corruption_n such_o as_o i_o have_v describe_v it_o raises_z man_z to_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o perfection_n that_o our_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o make_v he_o approach_v the_o near_a that_o mortality_n can_v to_o the_o life_n of_o angel_n and_o plant_v he_o on_o the_o mount_n of_o god_n where_o grace_n and_o joy_n and_o glory_n shine_v always_o on_o he_o with_o more_o direct_a and_o strong_a ray_n now_o be_v virtue_n true_o lovely_a and_o true_o happy_a now_o the_o assurance_n of_o the_o mind_n be_v never_o interrupt_v its_o joy_n never_o over_o cast_n it_o enjoy_v a_o perpetual_a calm_a within_o and_o sparkle_v with_o a_o peculiar_a lustre_n that_o can_v be_v counterfeit_v can_v be_v equal_v some_o faint_a and_o partial_a resemblance_n i_o confess_v of_o this_o virtue_n or_o rather_o of_o this_o state_n or_o consummation_n of_o it_o have_v i_o though_o very_o rare_o see_v in_o some_o masterly_a stroke_n of_o nature_n i_o have_v observe_v in_o some_o that_o sweetness_n of_o temper_n in_o other_o that_o coldness_n and_o absolute_a command_n over_o themselves_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o pleasure_n and_o in_o several_a that_o innate_a modesty_n and_o humility_n that_o natural_a indifference_n for_o the_o power_n honour_n and_o grandeur_n of_o life_n that_o i_o can_v scarce_o forbear_v pronounce_v that_o they_o have_v so_o far_o each_o of_o they_o escape_v the_o contagion_n of_o original_a corruption_n and_o can_v not_o but_o bless_v and_o love_v they_o but_o after_o all_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o these_o creature_n of_o nature_n and_o those_o of_o grace_n the_o perfection_n of_o the_o one_o be_v confine_v to_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a disposition_n but_o that_o of_o the_o other_o be_v in_o its_o degree_n universal_a the_o perfection_n of_o the_o one_o have_v indeed_o as_o much_o charm_n in_o it_o as_o pure_a nature_n can_v have_v but_o the_o other_o have_v a_o mixture_n of_o something_o divine_a in_o it_o it_o have_v a_o heavenly_a tincture_n which_o add_v something_o of_o sacredness_n and_o majesty_n to_o it_o that_o nature_n want_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o one_o be_v indeed_o easy_a to_o its_o self_n and_o amiable_a to_o other_o but_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o other_o be_v joy_n and_o glory_n within_o and_o command_v a_o veneration_n as_o well_o as_o love_n from_o all_o it_o converse_v with_o bless_a state_n when_o shall_v i_o attain_v thy_o lovely_a innocence_n when_o shall_v i_o enter_v into_o thy_o divine_a rest_n when_o shall_v i_o arrive_v at_o thy_o security_n thy_o pleasure_n chap._n v._o of_o liberty_n with_o respect_n to_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n this_o be_v a_o subject_a wherein_o the_o very_a be_v of_o holiness_n or_o virtue_n the_o salvation_n of_o man_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v deep_o interest_v for_o if_o we_o allow_v of_o such_o sin_n for_o venial_a as_o real_o be_v not_o so_o we_o destroy_v the_o notion_n or_o evacuate_v the_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n endanger_v the_o salvation_n of_o man_n and_o bring_v a_o reflection_n upon_o god_n as_o a_o favourer_n of_o impiety_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o we_o assert_v those_o sin_n damnable_a which_o be_v not_o real_o so_o we_o miserable_o perplex_v and_o disturb_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o be_v high_o injurious_a to_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n represent_v he_o as_o a_o severe_a and_o intolerable_a master_n but_o how_o important_a soever_o this_o subject_n be_v there_o be_v no_o other_o i_o think_v in_o the_o compass_n of_o divinity_n wherein_o so_o many_o writer_n have_v be_v so_o unfortunate_o engage_v so_o that_o it_o be_v overgrow_v with_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n with_o confusion_n and_o obscurity_n and_o numberless_a absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n this_o i_o have_v think_v necessary_a to_o observe_v in_o the_o entrance_n of_o my_o discourse_n not_o to_o insult_v the_o performance_n of_o other_o or_o to_o raise_v in_o the_o reader_n any_o great_a expectation_n for_o my_o own_o but_o indeed_o for_o a_o quite_o contrary_a reason_n namely_o to_o dispose_v he_o to_o a_o favourable_a reception_n of_o what_o i_o here_o offer_v towards_o the_o render_v the_o doctrine_n of_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n intelligible_a and_o prevent_v the_o disservice_n which_o mistake_v about_o it_o do_v to_o religion_n by_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n both_o ancient_n and_o modern_n papist_n and_o protestant_n do_v i_o think_v understand_v such_o sin_n as_o be_v consistent_a with_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o favour_n from_o which_o the_o best_a man_n be_v never_o entire_o free_v in_o this_o life_n though_o they_o be_v not_o impute_v to_o they_o this_o then_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v i_o shall_v inquire_v into_o these_o three_o thing_n 1._o whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o sin_n sin_n in_o which_o the_o most_o perfect_a live_v and_o die_v 2._o if_o there_o be_v what_o these_o be_v what_o it_o be_v that_o distinguish_v they_o from_o damnable_a or_o mortal_a one_o 3._o how_o far_o we_o be_v to_o extend_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o perfect_a man_n in_o relation_n to_o these_o 1._o whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o that_o the_o best_a man_n be_v not_o without_o error_n without_o defect_n and_o fail_n and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o their_o past_a life_n or_o unregenerate_a state_n but_o their_o best_a and_o most_o perfect_a one_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o can_v one_o will_v think_v be_v controvert_v for_o what_o understanding_n be_v there_o which_o be_v not_o liable_a to_o error_n what_o will_v that_o do_v not_o feel_v something_o of_o impotence_n something_o of_o irregularity_n what_o affection_n that_o be_v mere_o human_a be_v ever_o constant_a ever_o raise_v where_o be_v the_o faith_n that_o have_v no_o scruple_n no_o diffidence_n the_o love_n that_o have_v no_o defect_n no_o remission_n the_o hope_n that_o have_v no_o fear_n in_o it_o what_o be_v the_o state_n which_o be_v not_o liable_a to_o ignorance_n inadvertency_n surprise_v infirmity_n where_o be_v the_o obedience_n that_o have_v no_o reluctancy_n no_o remissness_n no_o deviation_n this_o be_v a_o truth_n which_o whether_o man_n will_v or_o no_o they_o can_v choose_v but_o feel_v the_o confession_n of_o the_o holy_a of_o man_n bear_v witness_n to_o it_o and_o the_o pretention_n of_o the_o quaker_n to_o a_o sinless_a and_o perfect_a state_n be_v abundant_o confute_v by_o that_o answer_n one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o they_o make_v to_o a_o objection_n which_o charge_v they_o with_o arrogate_a and_o assume_v to_o themselves_o infallibility_n and_o perfection_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o infallible_a and_o perfect_a as_o they_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n for_o what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o desert_n and_o betray_v not_o defend_v their_o cause_n it_o be_v plain_a then_o as_o to_o
matter_n of_o fact_n that_o the_o most_o perfect_a upon_o earth_n be_v not_o without_o frailty_n and_o infirmity_n and_o such_o infirmity_n as_o discover_v themselves_o in_o actual_a slip_v and_o error_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o these_o be_v to_o be_v account_v sin_n i_o must_v confess_v if_o we_o strict_o follow_v the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o shall_v rather_o call_v they_o by_o some_o other_o name_n for_o this_o do_v so_o general_o understand_v by_o sin_n a_o deliberate_a transgression_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o difficult_a to_o produce_v many_o text_n wherein_o the_o word_n sin_n be_v use_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n as_o to_o legal_a pollution_n i_o have_v not_o much_o consider_v the_o matter_n but_o as_o to_o moral_a one_o i_o be_o in_o some_o degree_n confident_a that_o the_o word_n sin_n do_v general_o signify_v such_o a_o transgression_n as_o by_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n be_v punishable_a with_o death_n and_o rare_o do_v it_o occur_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n i_o say_v rare_o for_o if_o i_o be_v not_o much_o mistake_v the_o scripture_n do_v sometime_o call_v those_o infirmity_n i_o be_o now_o talk_v of_o sin_n but_o what_o if_o it_o do_v not_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o every_o deviation_n from_o the_o law_n of_o god_n if_o it_o have_v any_o concurrence_n of_o the_o will_n in_o it_o be_v in_o strict_a speak_a sin_n and_o it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o the_o scripture_n do_v frequent_o give_v we_o such_o description_n and_o character_n and_o such_o name_n of_o these_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n as_o do_v oblige_v we_o both_o to_o strive_v and_o watch_v against_o they_o and_o repent_v of_o they_o for_o it_o call_v they_o spot_n error_n defect_n slip_v and_o the_o like_a but_o what_o be_v last_o most_o to_o my_o purpose_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o this_o distinction_n of_o sin_n into_o mortal_a and_o venial_a or_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n have_v its_o foundation_n in_o express_a text_n of_o scripture_n numerous_n be_v the_o text_n cite_v to_o this_o purpose_n but_o he_o that_o will_v deal_v fair_o must_v confess_v that_o they_o be_v most_o of_o they_o improper_o and_o impertinent_o urge_v as_o relate_v either_o to_o fall_v into_o temporal_a calamity_n or_o to_o mortal_a not_o venial_a sin_n or_o to_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o unregenerate_a state_n or_o to_o a_o comparative_a impurity_n i_o mean_v the_o impurity_n of_o man_n with_o respect_n to_o god_n a_o form_n of_o expression_n frequent_a in_o job_n i_o will_v therefore_o content_v myself_o to_o cite_v three_o or_o four_o which_o seem_v not_o liable_a to_o these_o exception_n deut_n 32.4_o they_o have_v corrupt_v themselves_o their_o spot_n be_v not_o the_o spot_n of_o his_o child_n they_o be_v a_o perverse_a and_o crooked_a generation_n here_o two_o thing_n seem_v to_o be_v point_v out_o to_o we_o plain_o first_o that_o the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v not_o without_o their_o spot_n second_o that_o these_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o those_o of_o the_o wicked_a in_o comparison_n with_o who_o wilful_a and_o perverse_a transgression_n the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v elsewhere_o pronounce_v blameless_a without_o offence_n without_o spot_n psal_n 19.12_o 13._o who_o can_v understand_v his_o error_n cleanse_v thou_o i_o from_o secret_a fault_n keep_v back_o also_o thy_o servant_n from_o presumptuous_a sin_n let_v they_o not_o have_v dominion_n over_o i_o then_o shall_v i_o be_v upright_o and_o i_o shall_v be_v innocent_a from_o the_o great_a transgression_n here_o again_o the_o psalmist_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o place_n uprightness_n in_o freedom_n from_o deliberate_a or_o mortal_a sin_n and_o to_o admit_v of_o another_o sort_n of_o transgression_n into_o which_o even_o upright_a man_n slip_v sometime_o nor_o do_v the_o psalmist_n here_o only_o assert_v venial_a sin_n but_o he_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o suggest_v the_o spring_n and_o source_n of_o they_o namely_o some_o secret_a disposition_n in_o our_o nature_n to_o folly_n and_o error_n which_o he_o pray_v god_n to_o cleanse_v and_o free_v he_o from_o more_o and_o more_o cleanse_v thou_o i_o from_o secret_a fault_n the_o word_n fault_n be_v not_o in_o the_o original_a but_o something_o of_o that_o kind_n must_v be_v supply_v to_o render_v the_o sense_n entire_a in_o our_o language_n the_o word_n of_o solomon_n prov._n 20.9_o seem_v to_o relate_v to_o this_o corruption_n lurk_v in_o we_o and_o never_o utter_o to_o be_v extirpate_v who_o can_v say_v i_o have_v make_v my_o heart_n clean_o i_o be_o pure_a from_o my_o sin_n for_o if_o this_o shall_v be_v apply_v to_o mortal_a sin_n every_o one_o see_v that_o it_o will_v contradict_v a_o hundred_o place_n in_o scripture_n which_o attribute_n to_o righteous_a man_n purity_n of_o heart_n and_o deliverance_n from_o sin_n last_o james_n 3.2_o we_o be_v tell_v plain_o that_o in_o many_o thing_n we_o offend_v all_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o sinner_n only_o but_o righteous_a and_o upright_a man_n have_v their_o defect_n and_o slip_v and_o according_o there_o be_v not_o any_o life_n which_o we_o have_v the_o history_n of_o in_o scripture_n how_o excellent_a soever_o the_o person_n be_v but_o we_o meet_v with_o some_o of_o these_o record_v as_o will_v appear_v from_o those_o several_a instance_n i_o shall_v produce_v when_o i_o come_v to_o describe_v the_o nature_n of_o these_o sin_n and_o certain_o when_o david_n say_v of_o himself_o my_o sin_n be_v more_o in_o number_n than_o the_o hair_n of_o my_o head_n he_o that_o shall_v interpret_v this_o place_n of_o mortal_a or_o presumptuous_a sin_n will_v both_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n which_o acquit_v he_o except_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o vriah_n and_o high_o wrong_v the_o memory_n of_o david_n make_v he_o a_o prodigy_n of_o wickedness_n instead_o of_o a_o saint_n nor_o do_v that_o make_v any_o thing_n against_o i_o which_o he_o add_v in_o the_o next_o word_n my_o heart_n fail_v i_o or_o that_o in_o the_o forego_n verse_n my_o iniquity_n have_v take_v hold_v upon_o i_o so_o that_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o look_v up_o for_o i_o do_v not_o affirm_v that_o the_o psalmist_n here_o have_v regard_n only_o to_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n exclusive_o of_o other_o no_o he_o reckon_v all_o together_o and_o so_o discern_v the_o one_o aggravate_v by_o the_o other_o and_o the_o gild_n of_o all_o together_o very_o far_o enhanse_v nor_o do_v i_o second_o interess_n myself_o here_o in_o that_o dispute_n between_o protestant_n and_o papist_n whether_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n be_v not_o damnable_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n though_o not_o impute_v under_o the_o covevenant_n of_o grace_n nor_o do_v i_o last_o examine_v what_o a_o vast_a heap_n of_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n may_v amount_v to_o though_o the_o gild_a of_o this_o or_o that_o alone_o be_v not_o so_o fatal_a i_o have_v then_o i_o think_v prove_v the_o matter_n in_o question_n have_v show_v both_o from_o the_o experience_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o best_a man_n have_v their_o infirmity_n and_o defect_n and_o that_o these_o may_v proper_o enough_o be_v call_v sin_n i_o think_v it_o superfluous_a to_o prove_v that_o they_o consist_v with_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n since_o it_o be_v not_o by_o any_o that_o i_o know_v of_o deny_v and_o may_v be_v easy_o enough_o make_v out_o from_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v i_o be_o now_o to_o inquire_v s._n 2._o what_o these_o sin_n be_v and_o how_o distinguish_v from_o mortal_a or_o damnable_a one_o to_o this_o purpose_n we_o may_v distinguish_v human_a action_n under_o which_o i_o comprise_v both_o internal_a and_o external_n into_o three_o sort_n voluntary_a involuntary_a and_o mixt._n §_o 1._o there_o be_v action_n proper_o and_o true_o voluntary_a such_o be_v those_o deliberate_a transgression_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n which_o man_n commit_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o direct_a remonstrance_n of_o conscience_n he_o know_v the_o action_n be_v forbid_v he_o see_v the_o turpitude_n and_o obliquity_n of_o it_o he_o be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o punishment_n denounce_v against_o it_o and_o yet_o he_o venture_v upon_o it_o this_o be_v plain_o mortal_a damnable_a sin_n and_o i_o can_v think_v that_o any_o circumstance_n or_o pretence_n whatever_o can_v render_v it_o venial_a and_o therefore_o i_o must_v be_v pardon_v if_o i_o can_v be_v of_o their_o opinion_n who_o suppose_v that_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o matter_n the_o reluctancy_n of_o conscience_n or_o the_o length_n and_o force_n of_o a_o temptation_n can_v so_o soften_v and_o mitigate_v a_o voluntary_a transgression_n as_o to_o diminish_v it_o into_o a_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o matter_n some_o can_v but_o think_v those_o transgression_n venial_a which_o be_v for_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o so_o