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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n effect_n nature_n reason_n 3,109 5 5.1421 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A26785 The divinity of the Christian religion, proved by the evidence of reason and divine revelation by William Bates ... Bates, William, 1625-1699. 1677 (1677) Wing B1104; ESTC R33149 60,636 228

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proof_n to_o we_o than_o that_o oracular_a revelation_n for_o god_n speak_v but_o once_o in_o that_o voice_n but_o he_o speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n to_o the_o end_n of_o time_n that_o be_v more_o astonish_a but_o less_o instructive_a to_o we_o than_o prophecy_n that_o be_v continual_o unfold_v and_o verify_v by_o event_n before_o i_o finish_v this_o argument_n i_o will_v brief_o consider_v what_o be_v object_v against_o some_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n viz._n the_o trinity_n the_o divine_a incarnation_n the_o mean_a state_n and_o suffering_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n these_o point_n have_v be_v oppose_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o other_o infidel_n as_o mere_a impossibility_n direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o what_o be_v incomprehensible_a to_o humane_a reason_n and_o what_o be_v repugnant_a to_o it_o between_o the_o thing_n which_o reason_n can_v perfect_o understand_v how_o they_o 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error_n do_v not_o lessen_v its_o benign_a influence_n still_o it_o shine_v and_o cause_v the_o spring_n and_o autumn_n it_o be_v of_o little_a importance_n that_o a_o philosopher_n be_v deceive_v in_o his_o search_n after_o the_o principle_n of_o mix_a body_n for_o notwithstanding_o his_o mistake_n animal_n still_o live_v and_o move_v and_o perform_v all_o the_o function_n suitable_a to_o their_o nature_n but_o in_o judgement_n that_o respect_v matter_n of_o fact_n if_o the_o truth_n can_v be_v know_v by_o testimony_n the_o civil_a felicity_n can_v long_o subsist_v for_o the_o unjust_a distribution_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v necessary_o ruinous_a to_o the_o be_v of_o the_o state_n and_o be_v it_o credible_a the_o divine_a providence_n that_o reach_v to_o the_o small_a part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o such_o a_o admirable_a manner_n shall_v leave_v the_o conduct_n of_o humane_a affair_n even_o of_o the_o great_a moment_n to_o a_o deceitful_a light_n and_o that_o after_o the_o most_o diligent_a search_n and_o caution_n have_v be_v use_v the_o result_n shall_v be_v only_o waver_v conjecture_n this_o imagination_n be_v extreme_o injurious_a to_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n in_o particular_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o number_n and_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n and_o the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o testimony_n we_o shall_v have_v so_o clear_a conviction_n of_o its_o truth_n as_o may_v induce_v we_o most_o firm_o to_o believe_v it_o i_o do_v not_o now_o speak_v of_o a_o divine_a faith_n that_o supernatural_a light_n that_o make_v we_o acquiesce_v in_o thing_n because_o god_n have_v reveal_v they_o but_o of_o a_o rational_a humane_a faith_n ground_v on_o just_a and_o powerful_a motive_n which_o be_v preparatory_a for_o the_o divine_a 1._o the_o law_n admit_v two_o witness_n as_o a_o competent_a number_n in_o cause_n of_o great_a moment_n of_o this_o there_o be_v many_o the_o approve_a integrity_n of_o a_o witness_n give_v weight_n to_o his_o testimony_n as_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o know_a liar_n forfeit_v his_o credit_n so_o entire_o that_o he_o be_v not_o believe_v when_o he_o speak_v true_a when_o demades_n the_o orator_n address_v himself_o to_o the_o athenian_n i_o call_v all_o the_o god_n and_o goddess_n to_o witness_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o shall_v say_v the_o athenian_n often_o abuse_v by_o his_o impudent_a lie_n present_o interrupt_v he_o and_o we_o call_v all_o the_o god_n and_o goddess_n to_o witness_v we_o will_v not_o believe_v you_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o a_o honest_a man_n in_o a_o important_a matter_n persuade_v more_o than_o the_o most_o exquisite_a oath_n and_o far-fetched_a imprecation_n by_o which_o a_o liar_n will_v give_v credit_n to_o his_o imposture_n now_o we_o have_v strong_a proof_n of_o the_o integrity_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o a_o inflexible_a fidelity_n and_o constant_a truth_n be_v quality_n so_o remarkable_a in_o the_o community_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n that_o the_o pagan_a epist._n judge_n themselves_o be_v constrain_v to_o acknowledge_v it_o certain_o they_o be_v find_v more_o eminent_o in_o those_o by_o who_o doctrine_n and_o example_n they_o form_v themselves_o and_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o possess_v this_o virtue_n so_o strict_o unite_v to_o justice_n in_o a_o excellent_a degree_n without_o have_v all_o the_o other_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o be_v adorn_v with_o all_o moral_a virtue_n for_o their_o life_n be_v above_o the_o least_o reproach_n and_o charge_n of_o their_o implacable_a enemy_n so_o that_o they_o be_v fain_o to_o make_v express_a law_n against_o their_o profession_n to_o render_v they_o guilty_a in_o appearance_n beside_o the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o testimony_n make_v it_o very_o valuable_a 1._o it_o be_v not_o build_v on_o the_o report_n of_o other_o mere_a hear-say_n be_v very_o deceitful_a and_o often_o like_o a_o contagion_n pass_v from_o ear_n to_o ear_n and_o blast_v the_o reputation_n of_o the_o innocent_a with_o easy_a and_o credulous_a person_n but_o a_o testimony_n from_o sight_n make_v impression_n on_o the_o belief_n of_o wise_a consider_v men._n now_o we_o have_v undoubted_a assurance_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n from_o the_o clear_a and_o concurrent_a deposition_n of_o their_o sense_n what_o we_o have_v hear_v and_o what_o we_o have_v see_v with_o our_o eye_n and_o what_o we_o have_v handle_v of_o the_o word_n of_o life_n say_v the_o apostle_n st._n john_n 2._o the_o uniformity_n of_o their_o testimony_n render_v it_o convince_a if_o any_o material_a contradiction_n be_v between_o witness_n it_o be_v a_o infallible_a mark_n of_o their_o forgery_n but_o the_o apostle_n agree_v not_o only_o in_o the_o substance_n but_o in_o the_o particularity_n of_o the_o fact_n in_o vain_a porphiry_n and_o julian_n rack_v their_o wit_n to_o find_v some_o contrariety_n in_o their_o relation_n a_o impartial_a inquirer_n must_v acknowledge_v all_o their_o objection_n to_o be_v mere_a cavil_n and_o effect_n of_o malice_n 3._o there_o be_v no_o motive_n to_o corrupt_v they_o for_o the_o humane_a will_n be_v natural_o move_v either_o by_o attraction_n of_o some_o good_a or_o aversion_n from_o some_o evil._n a_o fiction_n be_v not_o maintain_v for_o pure_a love_n of_o itself_o but_o with_o respect_n to_o either_o of_o those_o object_n whether_o real_a or_o in_o appearance_n the_o roman_a history_n report_n that_o julius_n proculus_n solemn_o swear_v that_o he_o see_v romulus_n ascend_v to_o heaven_n but_o the_o motive_n of_o his_o imposture_n be_v visible_a for_o it_o be_v to_o prevent_v a_o great_a disorder_n among_o the_o people_n but_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o nothing_o desirable_a in_o the_o world_n have_v the_o least_o influence_n upon_o the_o apostle_n nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a whatever_o be_v terrible_a to_o nature_n discourage_v they_o they_o suffer_v all_o temporal_a evil_n even_o death_n itself_o for_o this_o testimony_n and_o this_o last_o proof_n confirm_v all_o the_o other_o they_o be_v call_v martyr_n by_o way_n of_o excellency_n who_o have_v seal_v the_o truth_n with_o their_o blood_n now_o what_o can_v be_v add_v to_o give_v we_o full_a and_o entire_a faith_n in_o their_o testimony_n in_o great_a and_o difficult_a case_n suspect_a person_n be_v put_v to_o torture_n for_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n the_o apostle_n be_v try_v by_o the_o sharp_a suffering_n yet_o declare_v the_o resurrection_n of_o their_o divine_a master_n with_o unfainting_a perseverance_n what_o shadow_n of_o doubt_n can_v remain_v after_o such_o clear_a evidence_n of_o their_o sincerity_n let_v sober_a reason_n judge_v whether_o the_o matter_n be_v capable_a of_o proof_n more_o strong_a and_o convince_a if_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v deceive_v with_o a_o illusion_n either_o be_v distemper_v or_o in_o a_o dream_n both_o the_o pretence_n be_v most_o absurd_a and_o incredible_a for_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o external_n sense_n may_v be_v infallible_o discern_v by_o their_o proper_a character_n from_o those_o of_o the_o imagination_n indeed_o if_o the_o mind_n be_v in_o disorder_n either_o from_o some_o more_o fix_v and_o tenacious_a cause_n or_o from_o sleep_n the_o influence_n of_o reason_n be_v suspend_v or_o only_o some_o faint_a ray_n appear_v and_o be_v sudden_o extingush_v so_o that_o it_o can_v make_v no_o true_a judgement_n of_o thing_n in_o this_o state_n the_o imagination_n draw_v all_o the_o vigour_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o itself_o and_o the_o phantasm_n be_v make_v so_o bright_a by_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o brain_n that_o those_o paint_a scene_n seem_v to_o be_v as_o real_a as_o the_o substantial_a object_n we_o see_v hear_v and_o touch_v but_o sound_a reason_n can_v reflect_v upon_o itself_o and_o extend_v its_o view_n to_o the_o operation_n of_o all_o the_o other_o faculty_n and_o observe_v the_o just_a and_o certain_a difference_n between_o chimera_n in_o the_o imagination_n and_o thing_n real_o existant_fw-la it_o comprehend_v distinct_o and_o with_o assurance_n that_o it_o be_v not_o disturb_v and_o that_o the_o internal_a and_o external_n sense_n be_v dispose_v for_o their_o regular_a operation_n it_o consider_v that_o the_o pageant_n of_o fancy_n move_v in_o a_o dream_n vanish_v in_o a_o moment_n upon_o wake_v but_o real_a effect_n perceive_v by_o the_o sense_n in_o their_o full_a exercise_n be_v more_o constant_a and_o durable_a one_o may_v be_v wound_v in_o a_o dream_n yet_o feel_v not_o loss_n of_o blood_n or_o strength_n when_o he_o be_v awake_a but_o the_o wound_n receive_v in_o a_o combat_n be_v sometime_o rebellious_a against_o the_o most_o potent_a remedy_n now_o to_o apply_v this_o to_o the_o present_a subject_n be_v it_o in_o the_o least_o degree_n probable_a that_o a_o vain_a shadow_n in_o a_o dream_n shall_v make_v a_o indelible_a impression_n on_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o wake_a thought_n shall_v
the_o spectator_n of_o his_o death_n all_o that_o see_v i_o laugh_v i_o to_o scorn_v they_o shoot_v out_o the_o lip_n they_o shake_v the_o head_n say_v he_o trust_v in_o the_o lord_n that_o he_o will_v deliver_v he_o let_v he_o deliver_v he_o see_v he_o delight_v in_o he_o his_o word_n speak_v in_o the_o height_n of_o his_o distress_n my_o god_n my_o god_n why_o have_v thou_o forsake_v i_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n represent_v the_o ignominy_n and_o torment_n of_o his_o passion_n i_o give_v my_o back_n to_o the_o 53._o smiter_n and_o my_o cheek_n to_o they_o that_o pluck_v off_o the_o hair_n i_o hide_v not_o my_o face_n from_o shame_n and_o spit_v and_o by_o the_o eye_n of_o his_o mind_n see_v he_o crucify_v between_o two_o thief_n he_o be_v name_v with_o transgressor_n and_o as_o present_v at_o his_o most_o affectionate_a die_a prayer_n for_o his_o enemy_n father_n forgive_v they_o they_o know_v not_o what_o they_o do_v observe_v that_o he_o make_v intercession_n for_o transgressor_n thus_o as_o several_a painter_n that_o will_v draw_v divers_a copy_n from_o the_o same_o excellent_a original_a be_v intent_n to_o view_v its_o various_a aspect_n some_o direct_o some_o on_o this_o and_o the_o other_o side_n so_o the_o prophet_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v the_o spectator_n of_o his_o cruel_a suffering_n copy_v from_o the_o life_n every_o one_o that_o part_n that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n assign_v to_o they_o now_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a if_o not_o instruct_v by_o omniscience_n that_o be_v so_o distant_a in_o time_n and_o place_n and_o so_o long_o before_o the_o accomplishment_n they_o shall_v concur_v in_o such_o a_o exact_a description_n of_o what_o shall_v befall_v the_o messiah_n man_n be_v not_o prophet_n by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n as_o nature_n be_v not_o subject_v to_o their_o power_n to_o work_v miracle_n neither_o be_v futurity_n open_a to_o their_o view_n to_o compose_v a_o history_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v the_o death_n of_o christ_n depend_v on_o several_a cause_n man_n devil_n and_o god_n himself_o concur_v for_o divers_a end_n in_o the_o same_o event_n the_o two_o prime_a conspirator_n against_o his_o life_n lucifer_n and_o caiphas_n be_v move_v both_o from_o reason_n of_o state_n to_o secure_v their_o own_o the_o devil_n to_o maintain_v his_o cruel_a empire_n which_o for_o so_o many_o age_n he_o have_v usurp_v in_o the_o world_n for_o our_o saviour_n have_v with_o authority_n cast_v out_o legion_n of_o his_o minister_a spirit_n from_o those_o who_o be_v miserable_o possess_v by_o they_o he_o be_v in_o fear_n of_o lose_v his_o power_n beside_o he_o foresee_v that_o if_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o kill_n of_o he_o will_v bring_v such_o a_o crimson_a guilt_n upon_o the_o jew_n that_o no_o less_o punishment_n than_o their_o rejection_n will_v follow_v and_o so_o god_n shall_v lose_v his_o peculiar_a people_n caiaphas_n excite_v the_o council_n to_o devote_v he_o as_o a_o sacrifice_n to_o preserve_v their_o nation_n from_o ruin_n for_o their_o safety_n depend_v on_o their_o homage_n to_o the_o roman_n to_o prevent_v the_o jealousy_n that_o may_v arise_v by_o the_o fame_n of_o his_o mighty_a work_n and_o by_o the_o people_n attendance_n on_o he_o that_o be_v feed_v by_o his_o miracle_n they_o conclude_v on_o it_o as_o a_o necessary_a expedient_a that_o christ_n shall_v die_v and_o all_o suspicion_n be_v remove_v with_o he_o thus_o man_n and_o devil_n be_v the_o instrument_n but_o god_n appoint_v that_o great_a event_n the_o storm_n fall_v from_o heaven_n upon_o he_o for_o our_o sin_n it_o be_v therefore_o express_o say_v he_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o determinate_a counsel_n and_o foreknowledge_n of_o god_n who_o overrule_v the_o train_n of_o disorder_n the_o work_n of_o their_o cruel_a malice_n for_o contrary_a end_n than_o be_v design_v by_o they_o for_o the_o devil_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o their_o kingdom_n the_o jew_n deprive_v of_o their_o liberty_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n establish_v for_o ever_o now_o who_o can_v read_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n his_o free_a decree_n even_o the_o angel_n of_o light_n that_o always_o see_v his_o face_n can_v without_o a_o revelation_n of_o they_o none_o but_o the_o spirit_n that_o search_v the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n can_v make_v the_o discovery_n and_o who_o can_v foresee_v that_o the_o messiah_n so_o often_o promise_v to_o the_o jew_n so_o impatient_o expect_v and_o ardent_o desire_v shall_v be_v so_o fierce_o reject_v by_o they_o that_o his_o death_n shall_v be_v the_o effect_n as_o of_o his_o own_o love_n so_o of_o their_o hatred_n none_o but_o god_n to_o who_o all_o the_o period_n of_o time_n be_v equal_o present_a and_o who_o be_v more_o intimate_a with_o the_o counsel_n and_o passion_n of_o man_n than_o their_o own_o soul_n be_v can_v predict_v it_o he_o communicate_v some_o ray_n of_o his_o prescience_n to_o holy_a man_n who_o foretell_v that_o obscure_a contingency_n from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o clear_a testimony_n of_o the_o prophet_n exact_o fulfil_v in_o jesus_n christ_n be_v a_o unanswerable_a demonstration_n that_o he_o be_v the_o expect_a deliverer_n to_o restore_v the_o world_n 2._o the_o universal_a and_o irreparable_a destruction_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jew_n foretell_v as_o the_o just_a punishment_n of_o their_o reject_v the_o messiah_n be_v another_o illustrious_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o his_o person_n and_o doctrine_n to_o represent_v all_o the_o character_n of_o that_o vengeance_n as_o they_o be_v set_v down_o by_o josephus_n a_o eye-witness_n and_o historian_n of_o it_o will_v lengthen_v this_o discourse_n beyond_o the_o limit_n intend_v it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o observe_v 1._o that_o all_o the_o severe_a scourge_v of_o god_n meet_v in_o a_o direful_a conjunction_n against_o they_o the_o most_o affright_a prodigy_n be_v his_o forerunner_n a_o flaming-sword_n brandish_v in_o the_o heaven_n and_o monster_n bear_v on_o the_o earth_n and_o war_n famine_n pestilence_n and_o fire_n be_v his_o attendant_n those_o who_o escape_v the_o sword_n be_v consume_v by_o famine_n and_o those_o who_o be_v preserve_v from_o cruel_a war_n and_o famine_n be_v sweep_v away_o by_o the_o pestilence_n or_o devour_v by_o the_o merciless_a flame_n wherever_o they_o turn_v their_o eye_n death_n in_o terrible_a shape_n appear_v 2._o all_o these_o judgement_n be_v inflict_v at_o once_o upon_o they_o in_o the_o heavy_a degree_n the_o sword_n never_o make_v a_o great_a destruction_n of_o man_n than_o in_o jerusalem_n here_o be_v river_n of_o blood_n there_o mountain_n of_o carcase_n in_o some_o place_n nothing_o but_o silence_n and_o horror_n among_o the_o dead_a in_o other_o the_o cry_v and_o groan_n of_o the_o die_a innumerable_a be_v massacre_v by_o the_o rage_n of_o sedition_n among_o themselves_o and_o when_o the_o mild_a conqueror_n will_v have_v spare_v they_o yet_o by_o a_o unparalleled_a fierceness_n they_o will_v rather_o perish_v in_o a_o obstinate_a resistance_n the_o famine_n be_v so_o extreme_a as_o compel_v even_o tender_a mother_n to_o eat_v the_o flesh_n of_o their_o miserable_a child_n the_o fire_n consume_v the_o city_n from_o one_o end_n to_o the_o other_o without_o leave_v any_o part_n entire_a the_o temple_n the_o sanctuary_n of_o religion_n and_o image_n of_o heaven_n where_o god_n so_o long_o have_v dwell_v have_v be_v serve_v and_o praise_v and_o render_v his_o oracle_n be_v not_o exempt_v from_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o fire_n 3._o their_o calamity_n be_v extreme_a and_o irreparable_a the_o first_o desolation_n by_o the_o chaldean_n so_o compassionate_o record_v by_o jeremiah_n be_v not_o comparable_a in_o the_o degree_n and_o continuance_n to_o this_o second_o by_o the_o roman_n of_o which_o christ_n himself_o be_v the_o chief_a mourner_n and_o make_v lamentation_n then_o they_o be_v transport_v together_o and_o not_o to_o a_o very_a rigorous_a nor_o perpetual_a servitude_n in_o babylon_n after_o seventy_o year_n they_o recover_v their_o liberty_n and_o be_v restore_v to_o their_o native_a land_n but_o in_o the_o last_o the_o captive_n be_v disperse_v among_o divers_a people_n a_o sad_a prognostic_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v join_v again_o in_o one_o society_n the_o ruin_n of_o the_o nation_n be_v so_o great_a that_o the_o piece_n of_o it_o be_v scatter_v all_o over_o the_o world_n where_o ever_o a_o jew_n be_v find_v there_o be_v a_o stone_n of_o ruine_a jerusalem_n never_o to_o be_v rebuilt_a in_o short_a that_o wretched_a nation_n be_v rend_v into_o innumerable_a part_n and_o expose_v to_o the_o contempt_n and_o hatred_n of_o all_o as_o the_o body_n of_o a_o traitor_n be_v quarter_v and_o the_o part_n hang_v up_o in_o several_a place_n of_o public_a view_n to_o signify_v the_o horror_n of_o his_o crime_n in_o the_o severity_n of_o his_o