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	nature_n	power_n	3,155	5	5.1866	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42446	The certainty of the Christian revelation, and the necessity of believing it, established in opposition to all the cavils and insinuations of such as pretend to allow natural religion, and reject the Gospel / by Francis Gastrell ...	Gastrell, Francis, 1662-1725.	1699 (1699)	Wing G301; ESTC R14557	148,794	394

the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v it_o establish_v in_o opposition_n to_o all_o the_o cavil_n and_o insinuation_n of_o such_o as_o pretend_v to_o allow_v natural_a religion_n and_o reject_v the_o gospel_n by_o francis_n gastrell_n b._n d._n and_o student_n of_o christ-church_n oxon._n you_o believe_v in_o god_n believe_v also_o in_o i_o john_n 14._o v._o 1._o london_n print_v for_o thomas_n bennet_n at_o the_o half-moon_n in_o st._n pauls-church-yard_n 1699._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a sir_n john_n holt_n lord_n chief_a justice_n of_o england_n and_o one_o of_o his_o majesty_n most_o honourable_a privy-council_n my_o lord_n the_o design_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o most_o unexceptionable_a manner_n i_o can_v i_o be_v resolve_v to_o give_v the_o enemy_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o little_a advantage_n against_o i_o in_o my_o dedication_n as_o in_o my_o proof_n and_o it_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n i_o have_v presume_v to_o offer_v these_o paper_n to_o your_o lordship_n as_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o your_o lordship_n name_n and_o character_n will_v not_o only_o justify_v this_o address_n but_o recommend_v the_o cause_n i_o be_o defend_v for_o to_o who_o can_v a_o advocate_n for_o christianity_n better_o direct_v his_o defence_n than_o to_o a_o serious_a believer_n and_o a_o great_a example_n place_v in_o a_o high_a station_n who_o profound_a knowledge_n of_o law_n and_o government_n have_v full_o convince_v he_o of_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o wisdom_n of_o the_o christian_a institution_n and_o who_o in_o a_o long_a diligent_a and_o impartial_a administration_n of_o justice_n must_v be_v very_o well_o acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o prove_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o nice_o understand_v the_o force_n and_o proportion_n of_o every_o proof_n i_o shall_v not_o take_v upon_o i_o in_o this_o place_n to_o set_v forth_o all_o the_o extraordinary_a qualification_n your_o lordship_n be_v master_n of_o because_o most_o of_o they_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o service_n of_o your_o country_n they_o have_v already_o procure_v you_o the_o just_a return_n of_o gratitude_n and_o esteem_n from_o the_o public_a which_o have_v receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o they_o but_o this_o i_o think_v myself_o more_o particular_o oblige_v to_o mention_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o it_o be_v to_o the_o influence_n of_o that_o holy_a doctrine_n your_o lordship_n owe_v the_o most_o advantageous_a distinction_n in_o your_o character_n what_o other_o account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o that_o firmness_n and_o steadiness_n of_o mind_n which_o your_o lordship_n have_v preserve_v in_o all_o the_o difficult_a and_o try_v circumstance_n that_o different_a turn_v of_o state_n and_o different_a measure_n of_o policy_n have_v engage_v you_o in_o when_o new_a interest_n and_o new_a danger_n arise_v and_o every_o thing_n change_v about_o you_o it_o must_v be_v whole_o owe_v to_o christian_a principle_n that_o your_o lordship_n always_o keep_v your_o ground_n and_o your_o posture_n to_o the_o same_o cause_v it_o must_v be_v ascribe_v that_o your_o lordship_n have_v never_o stain_v your_o public_a character_n with_o private_a immorality_n notion_n of_o honour_n and_o reputation_n may_v preserve_v a_o man_n dignity_n upon_o the_o bench_n but_o it_o be_v only_o a_o just_a and_o awful_a sense_n of_o religion_n that_o can_v make_v he_o reverence_n himself_o at_o home_n and_o in_o a_o corrupt_a age_n where_o impiety_n be_v grow_v fashionable_a and_o have_v quality_n and_o title_n to_o countenance_v it_o it_o be_v no_o small_a sign_n of_o your_o lordship_n regard_n for_o religion_n that_o you_o judge_v it_o for_o your_o honour_n to_o have_v it_o know_v that_o you_o make_v the_o scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o your_o own_o life_n and_o think_v it_o the_o high_a concern_v of_o all_o humane_a law_n and_o constitution_n to_o support_v their_o authority_n and_o obligation_n for_o all_o these_o reason_n my_o lord_n it_o must_v be_v very_o proper_a for_o any_o person_n that_o appear_v in_o the_o christian_a cause_n to_o address_v his_o endeavour_n to_o your_o lordship_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o beside_o your_o great_a capacity_n to_o make_v a_o right_a judgement_n of_o the_o proof_n allege_v for_o it_o you_o have_v no_o other_o consideration_n to_o engage_v you_o in_o the_o interest_n of_o christianity_n but_o those_o of_o truth_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n it_o can_v be_v say_v of_o your_o lordship_n that_o the_o credit_n or_o advantage_n of_o your_o profession_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o gospel_n you_o derive_v none_o of_o the_o honour_n and_o greatness_n you_o possess_v from_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o your_o lordship_n example_n be_v a_o very_a good_a argument_n to_o unbeliever_n that_o those_o who_o be_v peculiar_o set_v apart_o for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n be_v not_o carry_v on_o a_o separate_a interest_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n but_o be_v promote_a all_o they_o can_v the_o universal_a good_a of_o mankind_n i_o may_v among_o other_o inducement_n to_o the_o present_a dedication_n reckon_v personal_a favour_n but_o i_o must_v own_v that_o though_o i_o have_v all_o the_o gratitude_n imaginable_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o your_o lordship_n good_a opinion_n and_o kind_a intention_n and_o though_o i_o have_v no_o great_a obligation_n to_o any_o man_n live_v than_o to_o your_o lordship_n yet_o nothing_o of_o that_o nature_n will_v have_v produce_v such_o a_o address_n as_o this_o if_o i_o have_v not_o be_v determine_v by_o more_o public_a consideration_n to_o interest_n your_o lordship_n in_o the_o cause_n i_o have_v undertake_v i_o be_o my_o lord_n your_o lordship_n be_v most_o oblige_v and_o most_o humble_a servant_n francis_z gastrell_n the_o preface_n when_o christianity_n first_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n the_o light_n and_o influence_n of_o it_o be_v so_o strong_a that_o it_o bear_v down_o all_o the_o power_n of_o vice_n and_o falsehood_n and_o make_v one_o of_o the_o worst_a generation_n of_o man_n that_o perhaps_o ever_o live_v since_o the_o flood_n a_o most_o astonish_a example_n of_o the_o great_a virtue_n and_o piety_n that_o humane_a nature_n have_v yet_o reach_v but_o now_o the_o spirit_n of_o wickedness_n seem_v to_o have_v recover_v itself_o and_o to_o threaten_v revenge_n to_o that_o religion_n which_o have_v so_o often_o triumph_v over_o it_o and_o deism_n be_v employ_v by_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o mankind_n to_o do_v what_o atheism_n superstition_n and_o idolatry_n never_o can_v effect_v and_o indeed_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o suffer_v irreligion_n to_o spread_v so_o far_o under_o this_o new_a title_n that_o one_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v it_o have_v like_o the_o lie_a spirit_n we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ahab_n a_o solemn_a permission_n from_o the_o lord_n to_o go_v forth_o persuade_v and_o prevail_v for_o what_o other_o account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o the_o original_a and_o growth_n of_o such_o a_o delusion_n which_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o foundation_n either_o in_o reason_n or_o fact_n to_o support_v it_o it_o be_v true_a deism_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o more_o defensible_a post_n than_o atheism_n and_o when_o we_o observe_v with_o what_o seem_a calmness_n and_o serenity_n some_o deny_v the_o christian_a religion_n with_o what_o contempt_n they_o treat_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o with_o what_o boldness_n they_o ridicule_n the_o history_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o be_v tempt_v to_o suppose_v that_o these_o man_n must_v certain_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n to_o say_v for_o themselves_o or_o otherwise_o they_o dare_v not_o thus_o despise_v what_o they_o can_v not_o prove_v to_o be_v false_a nor_o bear_v up_o against_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v true_a but_o whoever_o have_v that_o regard_n for_o truth_n and_o happiness_n as_o to_o consider_v the_o pretence_n of_o christianity_n and_o to_o examine_v careful_o the_o proof_n it_o stand_v upon_o will_v be_v thorough_o and_o effectual_o convince_v that_o those_o who_o deny_v revelation_n have_v as_o little_a ground_n for_o their_o infidelity_n as_o those_o that_o disclaim_v all_o religion_n and_o that_o the_o confidence_n of_o the_o one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o be_v only_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o desperate_a not_o a_o well-defended_a cause_n for_o if_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o any_o proof_n if_o we_o can_v have_v any_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v or_o hear_v by_o we_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v as_o sure_a a_o establishment_n as_o any_o other_o part_n of_o our_o knowledge_n which_o do_v not_o confist_n in_o pure_a abstract_n idea_n or_o immediate_a sensation_n this_o upon_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n ay_o

prognostic_n ground_v upon_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n and_o dependence_n of_o natural_a cause_n and_o effect_n which_o be_v all_o the_o way_n of_o foretell_v thing_n that_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o some_o general_a common_a event_n may_v sometime_o by_o a_o lucky_o turn_v of_o imagination_n be_v foretell_v such_o as_o life_n or_o death_n peace_n or_o war_n prosperity_n or_o adversity_n and_o the_o like_a and_o therefore_o have_v christ_n speak_v no_o other_o prophecy_n but_o such_o as_o these_o that_o peter_n shall_v be_v crucify_a and_o john_n shall_v out_o live_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o ground_n to_o think_v they_o casual_a conjectural_a prediction_n though_o a_o great_a many_o true_a prediction_n even_o of_o this_o nature_n without_o one_o mistake_v guess_n can_v not_o with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n or_o probability_n have_v be_v attribute_v to_o chance_v several_a other_o event_n likewise_o there_o be_v which_o by_o a_o skill_n in_o this_o or_o that_o part_n of_o knowledge_n and_o by_o a_o immediate_a information_n concern_v several_a antecedent_n circumstance_n may_v be_v foretell_v thus_o do_v a_o astronomer_n foretell_v a_o eclipse_n a_o physician_n the_o death_n of_o some_o particular_a person_n a_o politician_n a_o national_a calamity_n or_o advantage_n and_o thus_o do_v a_o wise_a man_n understand_v how_o such_o a_o person_n who_o temper_n and_o principle_n he_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o will_v behave_v himself_o upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n and_o many_o other_o the_o like_a instance_n may_v be_v give_v but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o christ_n and_o other_o ancient_a prophet_n before_o he_o concern_v the_o whole_a dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v mere_a guess_n and_o conjecture_n because_o the_o thing_n foretell_v be_v most_o of_o they_o such_o as_o the_o person_n who_o foretell_v they_o have_v never_o see_v or_o hear_v of_o any_o instance_n of_o before_o and_o so_o can_v have_v nothing_o to_o lead_v or_o determine_v their_o thought_n that_o way_n and_o if_o the_o idea_n of_o such_o fact_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v enter_v their_o mind_n they_o can_v not_o have_v positive_o and_o confident_o affirm_v that_o those_o fact_n will_v real_o happen_v without_o think_v it_o probable_a that_o they_o may_v so_o happen_v and_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o man_n in_o their_o sense_n shall_v look_v upon_o such_o event_n as_o probable_a which_o they_o have_v have_v no_o manner_n of_o experience_n of_o before_o without_o a_o deep_a insight_n into_o the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o thing_n by_o which_o they_o be_v enable_v to_o see_v such_o a_o train_n and_o connexion_n of_o cause_n as_o will_v very_o likely_o produce_v such_o effect_n but_o this_o can_v be_v pretend_v in_o the_o case_n before_o we_o for_o several_a reason_n for_o first_o of_o all_o our_o knowledge_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o thing_n be_v so_o very_o scanty_a and_o imperfect_a that_o hardly_o any_o thing_n be_v ever_o foreknow_v by_o man_n without_o a_o antecedent_n experience_n of_o something_o of_o the_o same_o kind_a or_o nature_n that_o have_v already_o happen_v some_o eclipse_n be_v observe_v before_o any_o be_v foretell_v such_o a_o complexion_n of_o symptom_n have_v actual_o prove_v fatal_a before_o it_o be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o certain_a cause_n or_o sign_n of_o approach_a death_n and_o the_o like_a will_v hold_v in_o all_o other_o instance_n of_o humane_a prediction_n by_o virtue_n of_o any_o natural_a or_o acquire_v knowledge_n beside_o in_o none_o of_o these_o case_n can_v any_o particular_a event_n be_v foresee_v by_o the_o most_o certain_a comprehension_n of_o all_o the_o cause_n produce_v it_o without_o a_o true_a and_o particular_a information_n concern_v the_o punctual_a and_o determinate_a existence_n of_o those_o cause_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n requisite_a to_o make_v their_o influence_n effectual_a if_o a_o man_n be_v never_o so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o motion_n and_o revolution_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n he_o can_v tell_v that_o a_o eclipse_n will_v happen_v at_o such_o a_o time_n without_o know_v the_o particular_a position_n of_o the_o body_n contribute_v to_o a_o eclipse_n at_o that_o time_n nor_o can_v a_o physician_n by_o all_o his_o skill_n in_o the_o frame_n and_o structure_n of_o humane_a body_n foretell_v that_o such_o a_o particular_a man_n who_o constitution_n and_o circumstance_n of_o health_n he_o know_v nothing_o of_o shall_v at_o such_o a_o determinate_a time_n die_v or_o recover_v of_o such_o a_o disease_n but_o suppose_v a_o man_n know_v the_o whole_a oeconomy_n of_o the_o corporeal_a world_n be_v acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o law_n of_o motion_n and_o see_v the_o necessary_a dependence_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o matter_n upon_o one_o another_o he_o can_v not_o be_v enable_v from_o hence_o to_o foretell_v such_o thing_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o free_a resolution_n and_o determination_n of_o intellectual_a being_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o by_o what_o we_o know_v of_o the_o temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o all_o the_o person_n we_o converse_v with_o to_o foretell_v what_o man_n will_v live_v and_o what_o particular_a action_n will_v be_v do_v by_o they_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o we_o the_o connexion_n of_o all_o humane_a action_n be_v nor_o discoverable_a from_o the_o clear_a view_n we_o can_v have_v of_o humane_a nature_n and_o all_o the_o principle_n and_o motive_n man_n act_v upon_o now_o for_o all_o these_o reason_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o those_o great_a and_o wonderful_a event_n foretell_v by_o christ_n and_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n which_o we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n can_v be_v foretell_v by_o any_o humane_a skill_n or_o learning_n the_o same_o way_n that_o we_o have_v see_v other_o natural_a truth_n predict_v for_o several_a of_o they_o it_o be_v plain_a be_v such_o as_o the_o prophet_n have_v never_o see_v or_o hear_v of_o any_o instance_n of_o before_o as_o for_o example_n that_o a_o person_n shall_v come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o save_v mankind_n from_o their_o sin_n that_o a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v &_o bear_v a_o son_n etc._n etc._n and_o indeed_o all_o those_o fact_n we_o call_v miraculous_a may_v be_v refer_v to_o this_o head_n 〈◊〉_d though_o some_o of_o the_o same_o or_o alike_o kind_a be_v know_v to_o have_v happen_v before_o yet_o the_o prophet_n who_o know_v and_o believe_v they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o exceed_v all_o humane_a power_n and_o cognizance_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o foresee_v the_o like_a by_o any_o ordinary_a natural_a way_n of_o knowledge_n because_o they_o have_v never_o have_v any_o experience_n of_o such_o thing_n happen_v according_a to_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n several_a of_o the_o matter_n prophesy_v of_o if_o they_o have_v depend_v upon_o certain_a necessary_a cause_n and_o that_o dependence_n have_v be_v very_o well_o know_v to_o the_o prophet_n yet_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v foretell_v by_o they_o for_o want_v of_o know_v some_o particular_a circumstance_n which_o must_v concur_v to_o their_o existence_n thus_o for_o instance_n suppose_v a_o man_n be_v able_a by_o his_o extraordinary_a skill_n in_o nature_n to_o explain_v how_o a_o virgin_n may_v conceive_v or_o the_o dead_a rise_n the_o lame_a be_v make_v to_o walk_v and_o the_o sick_a be_v cure_v he_o can_v not_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o this_o knowledge_n foretell_v that_o at_o such_o a_o certain_a time_n hereafter_o such_o fact_n as_o these_o shall_v happen_v because_o he_o can_v not_o understand_v when_o there_o the_o state_n and_o disposition_n of_o thing_n at_o that_o time_n will_v certain_o be_v such_o that_o those_o fact_n must_v ensue_v but_o these_o reason_n chief_o concern_v corporeal_a agent_n whereas_o beside_o the_o difficulty_n arise_v from_o hence_o all_o the_o prophecy_n we_o be_v concern_v to_o defend_v can_v not_o be_v fulfil_v without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o a_o infinite_a variety_n of_o humane_a action_n which_o be_v not_o the_o result_v of_o irresistible_a motive_n when_o they_o be_v do_v nor_o be_v the_o application_n of_o any_o motive_n for_o the_o do_v of_o they_o nor_o even_o the_o existence_n of_o the_o person_n that_o do_v they_o necessary_a that_o such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n shall_v at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o place_n be_v bear_v depend_v upon_o ten_o thousand_o million_o of_o the_o most_o contingent_a determination_n humane_a nature_n be_v ever_o sensible_a of_o which_o must_v all_o happen_v in_o sucha_fw-mi manner_n betwixt_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o the_o completion_n or_o else_o the_o event_n have_v never_o be_v and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v show_v in_o all_o the_o other_o christian_a fact_n and_o event_n prophesy_v of_o all_o which_o be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v