Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	effect_n	know_v	see_v	3,073	5	3.7323	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A51679	The mystery of atheism, or, The devices made use of to countenance and propagate it together with the evil and danger of them, set forth in several letters to a friend : wherein is made appear, that 'tis not want of evidence, but sincerity that makes men atheists / by the author of the Mystery of phanaticism.	A. B.	1699 (1699)	Wing M3183; ESTC R32115	53,436	138

of_o such_o a_o thing_n but_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o we_o have_v some_o information_n of_o from_o our_o sense_n how_o then_o shall_v we_o believe_v we_o have_v a_o soul_n of_o which_o none_o of_o our_o sense_n can_v give_v we_o any_o information_n for_o if_o it_o be_v at_o all_o it_o must_v be_v a_o spiritual_a and_o immaterial_a substance_n which_o can_v incur_v into_o or_o be_v discern_v by_o any_o of_o they_o beside_o be_v there_o not_o many_o noble_a effect_n and_o operation_n that_o proceed_v from_o a_o invisible_a cause_n do_v we_o not_o find_v that_o we_o can_v reason_n judge_n and_o infer_v one_o thing_n from_o another_o though_o we_o see_v not_o the_o principle_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v have_v we_o not_o a_o understanding_n will_n and_o affection_n to_o know_v choose_v and_o affect_v thing_n though_o the_o spring_n of_o they_o occur_v not_o to_o any_o of_o our_o sense_n do_v we_o not_o find_v a_o world_n make_v and_o preserve_v though_o we_o see_v not_o that_o invisible_a hand_n that_o first_o do_v the_o one_o and_o still_o continue_v the_o other_o indeed_o have_v we_o no_o high_a principle_n of_o knowledge_n in_o we_o than_o our_o sense_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o form_v a_o notion_n of_o god_n or_o any_o spiritual_a and_o immaterial_a substance_n because_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v the_o object_n of_o sensation_n but_o have_v a_o superior_a principle_n that_o be_v a_o mind_n within_o we_o that_o can_v raise_v we_o above_o all_o gross_a and_o corporeal_a object_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o a_o spiritual_a substance_n may_v be_v discern_v by_o the_o mind_n though_o it_o can_v be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o sense_n be_v there_o not_o many_o truth_n in_o all_o art_n and_o science_n that_o fall_v not_o under_o the_o cognizance_n of_o any_o of_o our_o sense_n yea_o be_v not_o the_o essence_n of_o all_o thing_n invisible_a and_o discoverable_a only_o by_o the_o power_n and_o sagacity_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o from_o the_o outward_a effect_n can_v judge_v of_o the_o inward_a nature_n of_o the_o cause_n the_o understanding_n can_v penetrate_v much_o far_o into_o the_o inside_n of_o thing_n than_o our_o sense_n or_o fancy_n can_v enable_v we_o to_o do_v we_o find_v the_o mind_n can_v and_o frequent_o do_v correct_v the_o error_n of_o sense_n and_o imagination_n of_o which_o many_o instance_n may_v be_v give_v if_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o enlarge_v but_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v a_o high_a principle_n of_o knowledge_n within_o we_o than_o that_o of_o our_o outward_a sense_n and_o that_o many_o thing_n be_v knowable_a and_o intelligible_a by_o the_o one_o that_o be_v not_o convey_v by_o the_o other_o so_o that_o it_o be_v false_a reason_v to_o infer_v that_o the_o mind_n can_v have_v a_o notion_n or_o idea_n of_o a_o spiritual_a and_o immaterial_a substance_n because_o it_o can_v be_v the_o object_n of_o sensation_n again_o the_o atheist_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n suppose_v he_o to_o be_v infinite_a and_o incomprehensible_a and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v altogether_o unconceivable_a by_o human_a understanding_n which_o can_v grasp_v infinity_o or_o comprehend_v what_o be_v incomprehensible_a but_o may_v not_o the_o mind_n apprehend_v something_o of_o a_o deity_n though_o it_o can_v comprehend_v the_o whole_a of_o he_o be_v it_o wise_a argue_v because_o we_o have_v not_o all_o knowledge_n therefore_o we_o have_v none_o at_o all_o if_o we_o know_v as_o much_o of_o he_o as_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o object_n and_o the_o slenderness_n of_o our_o faculty_n will_v admit_v that_o be_v if_o we_o know_v he_o to_o be_v a_o be_v absolute_o and_o eminent_o perfect_a without_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o defect_n or_o imperfection_n be_v not_o this_o sufficient_a to_o create_v a_o notion_n and_o belief_n of_o he_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o inferior_a be_v that_o we_o can_v full_o comprehend_v and_o because_o we_o understand_v not_o all_o mystery_n in_o nature_n shall_v we_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o we_o be_v quite_o ignorant_a and_o can_v have_v no_o notion_n or_o idea_n of_o any_o thing_n this_o will_v lead_v to_o downright_a scepticism_n and_o make_v we_o believe_v we_o know_v nothing_o beside_o we_o may_v know_v as_o much_o of_o he_o as_o it_o be_v fit_a for_o we_o now_o to_o know_v we_o be_v not_o at_o present_a able_a to_o receive_v the_o full_a knowledge_n and_o splendour_n of_o the_o deity_n a_o great_a part_n whereof_o be_v reserve_v for_o the_o happiness_n of_o a_o future_a state_n when_o we_o shall_v see_v god_n as_o he_o be_v and_o though_o we_o here_o know_v but_o in_o part_n shall_v then_o know_v even_o as_o we_o be_v know_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v monstrous_o unreasonable_a to_o quarrel_v with_o the_o notion_n and_o idea_n of_o a_o god_n or_o think_v it_o altogether_o unconceivable_a because_o we_o can_v comprehend_v his_o infinite_a perfection_n in_o this_o present_a imperfect_a state_n wherein_o we_o know_v but_o little_a of_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o how_o do_v the_o atheist_n account_v for_o all_o these_o noble_a effect_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o mind_n without_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o spirit_n why_o by_o resolve_v all_o into_o matter_n and_o motion_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o some_o of_o the_o fine_a and_o more_o subtle_a part_n of_o matter_n call_v atom_n be_v in_o continual_a motion_n lucky_o fall_v into_o those_o configuration_n by_o which_o all_o this_o be_v perform_v without_o the_o help_n or_o direction_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o that_o some_o happen_v to_o be_v wise_a and_o more_o know_v than_o other_o proceed_v from_o some_o of_o those_o more_o refine_a part_n of_o matter_n fall_v accidental_o into_o more_o happy_a form_n and_o contexture_n in_o they_o than_o they_o do_v in_o other_o and_o so_o instead_o of_o believe_v in_o god_n they_o believe_v only_o in_o matter_n and_o motion_n a_o great_a piece_n of_o subtlety_n indeed_o to_o sublimate_v matter_n into_o spirit_n and_o to_o ascribe_v the_o noble_a act_n and_o operation_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o most_o unactive_a and_o sluggish_a of_o all_o thing_n in_o it_o but_o whence_o shall_v matter_n have_v this_o motion_n which_o neither_o be_v nor_o have_v in_o it_o any_o self-moving_a principle_n why_o of_o this_o no_o account_n can_v be_v give_v without_o some_o spiritual_a be_v that_o must_v give_v it_o all_o its_o activity_n can_v dull_a matter_n of_o itself_o infer_v one_o thing_n from_o another_o and_o perform_v those_o reflex_n act_n which_o we_o find_v in_o rational_a being_n can_v it_o range_v the_o universe_n in_o thought_n and_o contemplation_n or_o dive_v into_o profound_a speculation_n no_o these_o thing_n require_v another_o and_o high_a principle_n than_o stupid_a and_o senseless_a matter_n and_o owe_v their_o rise_n to_o some_o more_o refine_a spiritual_a and_o intelligent_a be_v in_o short_a the_o notion_n of_o a_o spirit_n be_v so_o necessary_a to_o the_o solve_v of_o these_o and_o a_o thousand_o other_o difficulty_n that_o none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v whole_o immerse_v in_o matter_n can_v doubt_v or_o disbelieve_v it_o i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n letter_n x._o sir_n another_o device_n of_o the_o atheist_n be_v his_o take_a occasion_n from_o the_o unequal_a distribution_n of_o earthly_a thing_n to_o question_v both_o the_o be_v and_o providence_n of_o a_o god_n they_o see_v good_a man_n afflict_v and_o the_o wicked_a in_o great_a prosperity_n which_o they_o think_v can_v not_o be_v if_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v by_o so_o wise_a just_a and_o excellent_a a_o be_v as_o be_v pretend_v this_o be_v a_o quarrel_n of_o a_o ancient_a date_n or_o a_o old_a stumble_a block_n that_o have_v trip_v up_o the_o heel_n of_o many_o we_o read_v of_o it_o in_o david_n day_n who_o be_v himself_o in_o great_a danger_n of_o stumble_v at_o it_o for_o himself_o tell_v we_o that_o his_o foot_n be_v almost_o go_v and_o his_o step_n have_v well_o nigh_o slip_v when_o he_o see_v the_o wicked_a in_o great_a prosperity_n that_o they_o be_v not_o in_o trouble_n like_o other_o folk_n not_o plague_v like_o other_o man_n but_o be_v lusty_a and_o strong_a their_o eye_n stand_v out_o with_o fatness_n have_v as_o much_o as_o heart_n can_v wish_v whilst_o better_a man_n than_o they_o look_v meager_a and_o thin_a be_v pinch_v with_o want_n and_o chastened_a every_o morning_n this_o make_v he_o begin_v to_o doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o wise_a and_o supreme_a be_v that_o order_v these_o thing_n i_o behold_v say_v he_o the_o ungodly_a flourish_a like_o a_o green_a bay-tree_n and_o the_o righteous_a man_n at_o the_o same_o time_n droop_v and_o hang_v the_o head_n like_o a_o wither_v leaf_n very_o i_o have_v cleanse_v my_o heart_n in_o vain_a

be_v give_v as_o first_o the_o assertion_n on_o which_o the_o objection_n be_v ground_v be_v a_o great_a mistake_n for_o the_o great_a and_o wise_a part_n of_o mankind_n have_v ever_o pay_v their_o adoration_n to_o one_o supreme_a be_v as_o for_o the_o jewish_a nation_n the_o whole_a body_n of_o they_o serve_v one_o only_a god_n know_v by_o the_o name_n jehovah_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o profane_a as_o well_o as_o sacred_a history_n and_o for_o the_o other_o nation_n that_o derive_v their_o pedigree_n and_o tradition_n from_o they_o they_o have_v always_o one_o above_o the_o rest_n who_o they_o worship_v with_o the_o high_a act_n of_o adoration_n indeed_o some_o of_o the_o grosser_n heathen_n multiply_v their_o god_n according_a to_o the_o multitude_n and_o variety_n of_o blessing_n they_o suppose_v to_o receive_v from_o they_o but_o these_o be_v deride_v by_o the_o philosopher_n and_o more_o know_v man_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o multitude_n without_o the_o opinion_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o wise_a signify_v no_o more_o as_o one_o have_v tell_v we_o in_o this_o case_n than_o many_o cipher_n without_o a_o figure_n again_o second_o the_o polytheism_n of_o the_o heathen_n be_v a_o good_a argument_n against_o atheism_n and_o their_o idolatry_n be_v a_o plain_a proof_n of_o a_o deity_n for_o the_o rude_a and_o most_o ignorant_a of_o all_o people_n have_v have_v those_o impression_n of_o he_o upon_o their_o mind_n that_o they_o will_v rather_o have_v many_o god_n than_o be_v without_o any_o and_o worship_v false_a god_n rather_o than_o none_o at_o all_o though_o they_o mistake_v the_o true_a god_n yet_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o to_o worship_v some_o god_n or_o other_o and_o this_o mistake_n of_o they_o be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o sufficient_a evidence_n but_o from_o the_o neglect_n or_o abuse_v of_o their_o natural_a reason_n which_o lead_v they_o from_o the_o true_a to_o false_a god_n for_o when_o they_o know_v god_n say_v the_o apostle_n they_o worship_v he_o not_o as_o god_n and_o therefore_o their_o foolish_a heart_n be_v darken_v moreover_o last_o the_o many_o false_a god_n of_o the_o heathen_a be_v a_o plain_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v one_o true_a one_o for_o all_o counterfeit_v suppose_v a_o reality_n there_o will_v be_v no_o false_a coin_n if_o there_o be_v none_o true_a all_o image_n be_v intend_v to_o represent_v something_o that_o be_v real_a neither_o will_v any_o idol_n be_v set_v up_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o true_a god_n to_o be_v worship_v in_o short_a then_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n must_v be_v found_v in_o nature_n because_o it_o be_v universal_a and_o can_v not_o be_v acquire_v by_o education_n it_o be_v find_v in_o those_o that_o never_o have_v any_o beside_o nothing_o be_v last_a but_o what_o be_v natural_a for_o the_o best_a thing_n acquire_v by_o instruction_n have_v in_o many_o person_n be_v lose_v and_o forget_v and_o consequent_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n will_v have_v fail_v in_o time_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o he_o cease_v in_o many_o place_n if_o it_o have_v no_o firm_a principle_n see_v then_o that_o both_o these_o have_v continue_v through_o all_o time_n and_o age_n and_o be_v still_o find_v in_o all_o person_n and_o place_n yea_o since_o the_o atheist_n himself_o can_v scarce_o wear_v off_o the_o impression_n or_o rid_v his_o mind_n of_o the_o awe_n and_o sense_n of_o a_o deity_n it_o be_v a_o poor_a shift_n to_o resolve_v the_o belief_n and_o worship_n of_o he_o into_o the_o principle_n and_o prejudices_fw-la of_o education_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n letter_n vi._n sir_n i_o show_v in_o my_o last_o that_o the_o impression_n of_o education_n can_v not_o create_v but_o must_v suppose_v a_o deity_n and_o that_o the_o knowledge_n and_o belief_n we_o have_v of_o he_o be_v owe_v not_o so_o much_o to_o the_o outward_a instruction_n we_o learn_v from_o other_o as_o the_o inward_a inclination_n implant_v in_o our_o own_o mind_n which_o be_v not_o teach_v but_o bear_v with_o we_o but_o if_o the_o atheist_n can_v solve_v this_o great_a phaenomenon_n or_o account_v for_o so_o general_a a_o credulity_n this_o way_n he_o have_v another_o device_n for_o that_o purpose_n and_o that_o be_v to_o ascribe_v the_o belief_n and_o worship_n of_o a_o god_n to_o fear_n or_o a_o superstitious_a dread_n of_o some_o invisible_a power_n and_o this_o he_o think_v can_v fail_v to_o do_v it_o for_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n he_o tell_v we_o and_o of_o some_o especial_o be_v mighty_o subject_a to_o the_o impression_n of_o fear_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o sink_v deep_a and_o continue_v long_o with_o they_o and_o these_o again_o be_v apt_a to_o imprint_v the_o same_o dread_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o other_o which_o be_v discover_v and_o communicate_v fill_v melancholy_a head_n with_o infinite_a fear_n and_o jealousy_n which_o at_o length_n increase_v into_o a_o general_a awe_n and_o dread_n of_o such_o a_o be_v so_o that_o man_n be_v fright_v into_o this_o belief_n by_o the_o frequent_a talk_n of_o a_o god_n as_o child_n be_v into_o the_o fear_n of_o spirit_n by_o the_o tale_n of_o faries_n and_o hobgoblin_n and_o for_o this_o they_o quote_v that_o note_a saying_n of_o the_o poet_n primus_fw-la in_o orb_n deos_fw-la fecit_fw-la timor_fw-la fear_v first_o make_v god_n man_n be_v scare_v with_o some_o jealousy_n arise_v in_o their_o mind_n about_o it_o and_o terrify_v with_o the_o thought_n of_o what_o may_v happen_v now_o here_o by_o this_o assertion_n the_o atheist_n grant_v that_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v general_o seize_v and_o possess_v with_o the_o fear_n and_o apprehension_n of_o a_o god_n which_o be_v too_o well_o know_v and_o feel_v to_o be_v call_v in_o question_n so_o that_o the_o main_a enquiry_n here_o be_v whether_o fear_n can_v create_v this_o be_v or_o whether_o such_o a_o be_v may_v not_o rather_o create_v these_o fear_n for_o since_o all_o other_o passion_n presuppose_v their_o object_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v how_o fear_n alone_o shall_v make_v it_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o preside_v over_o all_o thing_n and_o inspect_v our_o way_n there_o be_v great_a reason_n to_o fear_v he_o but_o if_o there_o be_v none_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v how_o fear_n shall_v make_v such_o a_o be_v or_o create_v such_o a_o universal_a belief_n in_o mankind_n that_o there_o be_v one_o but_o how_o come_v so_o many_o to_o fear_v where_o no_o fear_n be_v what_o make_v man_n endow_v with_o reason_n thus_o to_o be_v scare_v with_o their_o own_o shadow_n or_o if_o some_o such_o timorous_a creature_n may_v be_v find_v that_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v fright_v with_o the_o terror_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n how_o come_v all_o mankind_n to_o be_v seize_v with_o these_o panic_n fear_n what_o shall_v create_v such_o a_o universal_a tremble_a or_o rivet_v this_o frightful_a idea_n so_o deep_a into_o man_n mind_n that_o no_o art_n or_o endeavour_n can_v root_v it_o out_o why_o of_o this_o no_o account_n can_v be_v give_v without_o a_o deity_n which_o may_v well_o enough_o imprint_v this_o dread_n upon_o they_o from_o a_o sense_n of_o his_o infinite_a power_n and_o greatness_n indeed_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o infinite_a power_n and_o justice_n may_v cause_v a_o dread_n but_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v how_o dread_a shall_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o such_o infinite_a perfection_n again_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v whether_o this_o fear_n be_v before_o or_o after_o a_o deity_n if_o it_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v before_o as_o it_o must_v be_v if_o fear_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o he_o the_o cause_n be_v ever_o before_o the_o effect_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o something_o may_v be_v before_o that_o which_o be_v eternal_a for_o since_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n imply_v a_o be_v that_o existed_a from_o all_o eternity_n if_o fear_n precede_v and_o make_v this_o be_v it_o must_v have_v be_v before_o eternity_n and_o likewise_o give_v a_o be_v to_o that_o which_o never_o have_v or_o can_v have_v any_o beginning_n both_o which_o be_v manifest_a contradiction_n if_o this_o fear_v be_v say_v to_o be_v after_o a_o deity_n than_o it_o can_v not_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o he_o forasmuch_o as_o no_o effect_n can_v be_v before_o but_o must_v still_o come_v after_o the_o cause_n whence_o then_o shall_v this_o fear_n proceed_v by_o which_o man_n be_v awe_v into_o this_o belief_n why_o it_o must_v proceed_v either_o from_o the_o suggestion_n and_o report_n of_o other_o or_o from_o the_o inward_a suggestion_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n if_o it_o come_v from_o the_o relation_n and_o suggestion_n of_o other_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v who_o suggest_v it_o to_o they_o and_o this_o enquiry_n will_v not_o cease_v till_o it_o