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	power_n	produce_v	4,222	5	8.3674	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A29845	A letter in answer to a book entitled, Christianity not mysterious as also, to all those who set up for reason and evidence in opposition to revelation & mysteries / by Peter Browne ...	Browne, Peter, ca. 1666-1735.	1697 (1697)	Wing B5134; ESTC R19095	82,171	238

and_o what_o it_o be_v for_o a_o small_a quantity_n of_o bread_n to_o be_v increase_v to_o a_o mighty_a bulk_n but_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n how_o this_o be_v perform_v we_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o it_o tho'_o we_o know_v well_o how_o corn_n be_v increase_v in_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o nature_n but_o he_o will_v object_v here_o as_o he_o do_v concern_v the_o doctrine_n viz._n that_o at_o this_o rate_n all_o the_o phenomena_n of_o nature_n be_v miraculous_a for_o we_o know_v not_o the_o true_a manner_n of_o any_o one_o of_o they_o and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a drift_n of_o this_o chapter_n to_o give_v we_o a_o wrong_a notion_n of_o a_o miracle_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v nothing_o more_o 150._o than_o the_o dextrous_a management_n of_o second_o cause_n and_o not_o any_o immediate_a effect_n of_o almighty_a god_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o close_a he_o tell_v we_o that_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n tho'_o above_o its_o ordinary_a operation_n which_o be_v therefore_o supernatural_o assist_v and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o that_o bold_a and_o arrogant_a expression_n of_o he_o that_o can_v he_o tell_v how_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v he_o believe_v he_o may_v do_v as_o much_o himself_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o in_o it_o than_o in_o a_o chemical_a operation_n and_o if_o he_o be_v philosopher_n enough_o he_o will_v work_v any_o miracle_n of_o they_o all_o but_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o miracle_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o operation_n wrought_v by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n not_o by_o assist_v only_o but_o overrule_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n not_o only_o by_o hasten_v and_o accelerate_v its_o operation_n but_o sometime_o by_o a_o instantaneous_a production_n of_o what_o be_v never_o to_o be_v effect_v by_o the_o unite_a force_n of_o all_o natural_a cause_n as_o to_o instance_n in_o the_o raise_v a_o body_n from_o the_o dead_a all_o the_o unite_a force_n of_o nature_n with_o the_o most_o dextrous_a management_n will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o effect_v this_o all_o the_o extract_a mollify_a mix_v infuse_v consolidate_v etc._n etc._n and_o the_o ministry_n not_o only_o of_o thousand_o but_o of_o million_o at_o once_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o unite_v a_o soul_n and_o body_n again_o when_o once_o they_o be_v separate_v nothing_o less_o than_o the_o almighty_a immediate_a act_n of_o god_n be_v able_a to_o effect_v this_o and_o that_o without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o any_o natural_a cause_n again_o there_o be_v some_o miraculous_a operation_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o they_o as_o that_o of_o the_o sun_n be_v go_v back_n or_o stand_v still_o all_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v dispose_v for_o its_o motion_n or_o at_o least_o for_o the_o motion_n of_o our_o earth_n which_o make_v it_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o move_v again_o the_o make_v iron_n to_o swim_v 6._o be_v this_o effect_n produce_v by_o mollify_a consolidating_a etc._n etc._n or_o any_o operation_n which_o shall_v convert_v the_o substance_n of_o iron_n into_o that_o of_o wood_n than_o we_o can_v not_o say_v that_o iron_n swim_v but_o something_o else_o or_o if_o the_o water_n be_v condense_v to_o support_v it_o than_o it_o will_v be_v ice_n and_o not_o water_n and_o if_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v do_v of_o a_o sudden'st_a will_v however_o be_v miraculous_a but_o not_o contrary_a to_o nature_n but_o for_o a_o solid_a piece_n of_o iron_n while_o it_o remain_v such_o to_o swim_v in_o water_n no_o way_n condense_v this_o be_v not_o only_o above_o but_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o likewise_o for_o fire_n not_o to_o burn_v be_v contrary_a to_o nature_n indeed_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o in_o it_o than_o what_o this_o man_n suppose_v that_o it_o be_v do_v by_o repel_v the_o heat_n and_o keep_v off_o the_o flame_n than_o it_o may_v be_v according_a to_o 145._o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o by_o a_o instantaneous_a application_n may_v extinguish_v the_o fire_n but_o to_o hinder_v fire_n from_o burn_a while_o it_o remain_v such_o and_o combustible_a matter_n actual_o in_o it_o this_o be_v contrary_n to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o all_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v not_o so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o nature_n can_v however_o be_v say_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o i_o take_v these_o two_o expression_n to_o be_v direct_o opposite_a which_o he_o make_v the_o same_o miracle_n be_v according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o they_o be_v above_o the_o operation_n of_o it_o for_o to_o instance_n in_o the_o first_o miracle_n our_o saviour_n wrought_v that_o of_o turn_v water_n into_o wine_n the_o production_n of_o wine_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n must_v have_v be_v by_o accelerate_v the_o growth_n of_o the_o vine_n and_o ripen_v the_o grape_n sudden_o by_o application_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n in_o nature_n which_o can_v forward_o it_o but_o to_o turn_v water_n immediate_o into_o wine_n without_o any_o of_o these_o method_n be_v to_o produce_v it_o afer_fw-la a_o manner_n whole_o different_a from_o all_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n upon_o his_o principle_n we_o have_v no_o way_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n of_o distinguish_v between_o the_o delusion_n of_o the_o 147_o devil_n those_o celebrate_a feat_n of_o goblin_n and_o witch_n and_o conjurer_n which_o he_o speak_v of_o and_o those_o which_o be_v wrought_v by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n for_o without_o doubt_v the_o devil_n be_v a_o great_a philosopher_n and_o can_v manag●_n second_v cause_n so_o as_o to_o produce_v effect_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o shall_v appear_v very_o strange_a to_o we_o but_o we_o be_v sure_a nothing_o less_o than_o that_o power_n which_o be_v the_o author_n of_o nature_n can_v work_v any_o real_a effect_n contrary_a to_o it_o or_o above_o it_o the_o devil_n indeed_o may_v delude_v man_n sense_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o think_v that_o real_a which_o be_v only_o a_o appearance_n as_o it_o be_v likely_a he_o do_v to_o mimic_n that_o miracle_n of_o turn_v aaron_n rod_n into_o a_o serpent_n for_o that_o of_o the_o magicine_n be_v not_o a_o real_a conversion_n but_o effect_v by_o their_o enchantment_n or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o original_n by_o their_o wiles_n and_o juggle_a for_o we_o find_v when_o they_o endeavour_v to_o imitate_v moses_n in_o the_o instantaneous_a production_n of_o any_o real_a thing_n with_o life_n there_o the_o devil_n fail_v they_o and_o they_o be_v force_v to_o own_o it_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v plain_o how_o this_o man_n strike_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o reveal_v religion_n by_o undermine_v one_o of_o the_o main_a pillar_n on_o which_o the_o faith_n and_o credit_n of_o it_o be_v found_v you_o see_v his_o drift_n all_o along_o in_o every_o thing_n he_o say_v be_v to_o take_v away_o all_o operation_n above_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o doctrine_n above_o the_o reach_n of_o reason_n and_o then_o all_o the_o religion_n of_o man_n be_v consequent_o resolve_v into_o infidelity_n a_o heathenism_n so_o that_o any_o one_o who_o wish_v christianity_n to_o be_v true_a must_v hope_v at_o least_o that_o this_o man_n principle_n be_v false_a since_o they_o be_v so_o utter_o inconsistent_a 2._o but_o two_o as_o miracle_n be_v in_o a_o great_a degree_n mysterious_a be_v a_o unanswerable_a objection_n against_o he_o so_o they_o be_v altogether_o useless_a and_o impertinent_a upon_o his_o principle_n he_o own_v 146._o that_o god_n do_v not_o work_v they_o at_o random_n but_o for_o some_o end_n and_o this_o end_n he_o own_v be_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o some_o divine_a 150._o doctrine_n but_o why_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o doctrine_n for_o he_o have_v tell_v we_o over_o and_o over_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o evidence_n or_o immediate_a knowledge_n of_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o can_v persuade_v we_o that_o faith_n be_v nothing_o more_o than_o the_o know_v what_o be_v believe_v etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o all_o miracle_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o any_o doctrine_n be_v needless_a and_o superfluous_a if_o they_o be_v so_o evident_a to_o our_o sense_n or_o our_o reason_n that_o we_o know_v they_o to_o be_v true_a what_o necessity_n be_v there_o of_o far_a conviction_n if_o a_o thing_n be_v so_o evident_a to_o m●_n sense_n or_o reason_n that_o i_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a nothing_o can_v make_v i_o sure_a of_o it_o so_o that_o we_o see_v the_o reason_n of_o miracle_n be_v that_o they_o may_v be_v a_o proof_n of_o something_o that_o we_o can_v

therefore_o authority_n consider_v in_o the_o revealer_n be_v the_o only_a ground_n of_o my_o assent_n to_o the_o substance_n of_o this_o proposition_n but_o to_o make_v this_o plain_a we_o must_v consider_v that_o all_o natural_a truth_n which_o do_v not_o necessary_o require_v revelation_n need_v no_o other_o ground_n of_o persuasion_n but_o evidence_n but_o those_o which_o do_v have_v both_o these_o ground_n of_o persuasion_n evidence_n and_o authority_n as_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o distinguish_v the_o three_o thing_n in_o every_o relation_n 1._o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n 2._o the_o relation_n itself_o or_o the_o very_a act_n of_o revelation_n 3._o the_o they_o substance_n of_o the_o thing_n intend_v by_o the_o revelation_n as_o to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n and_o truth_n of_o the_o revelation_n in_o any_o proposition_n evidence_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o persuasion_n for_o why_o do_v i_o believe_v this_o proposition_n when_o christ_n appear_v we_o shall_v be_v like_o he_o because_o i_o know_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n and_o because_o there_o be_v a_o evidence_n in_o my_o mind_n of_o its_o come_n from_o god_n from_o those_o proof_n to_o my_o sense_n and_o reason_n which_o argue_v the_o divine_a mission_n of_o the_o person_n who_o relate_v it_o and_o consequent_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o relation_n itself_o but_o as_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o that_o proposition_n authority_n be_v the_o only_a ground_n of_o persuasion_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v in_o all_o relation_n whatsoever_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v now_o plain_a how_o 128._o divine_a and_o human_a authority_n differ_v as_o well_o in_o degree_n of_o perspicuity_n as_o of_o certitude_n and_o why_o because_o when_o a_o mere_a man_n relate_v any_o thing_n to_o i_o tho'_o i_o allow_v the_o veracity_n of_o the_o man_n yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o give_v such_o proof_n to_o my_o sense_n and_o my_o reason_n of_o the_o reality_n and_o substance_n of_o what_o he_o relate_v as_o god_n can_v and_o therefore_o can_v raise_v so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o evidence_n in_o my_o mind_n though_o i_o suppose_v this_o man_n relation_n to_o be_v true_a so_o that_o this_o relation_n of_o he_o and_o one_o of_o god_n shall_v be_v upon_o equal_a term_n as_o to_o certitude_n be_v both_o alike_o true_a yet_o this_o assent_n of_o i_o to_o what_o the_o man_n relate_v be_v more_o precarious_a and_o worse_o found_v than_o my_o faith_n of_o any_o divine_a proposition_n because_o this_o be_v more_o clear_a and_o distinct_a as_o have_v a_o degree_n of_o evidence_n in_o the_o mind_n which_o the_o other_o want_v it_o i_o shall_v make_v this_o plain_a by_o a_o instance_n a_o man_n tell_v i_o that_o rome_n be_v swallow_v up_o by_o a_o earthquake_n i_o have_v such_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o veracity_n of_o the_o man_n that_o i_o give_v my_o assent_n to_o it_o and_o believe_v it_o firm_o let_v we_o suppose_v afterward_o that_o god_n reveal_v this_o same_o to_o i_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v the_o same_o degree_n of_o perspicuity_n allow_v the_o ability_n and_o veracity_n of_o the_o man_n for_o then_o both_o god_n and_o he_o tell_v truth_n in_o this_o but_o if_o god_n confirm_v the_o relation_n by_o a_o miracle_n this_o shall_v raise_v a_o evidence_n or_o degree_n of_o knowledge_n in_o my_o mind_n beyond_o any_o thing_n the_o man_n be_v able_a to_o effect_v and_o consequent_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o same_o thing_n from_o god_n make_v it_o clear_a and_o give_v it_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o perspicuity_n than_o it_o have_v before_o but_o it_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o clear_a that_o authority_n be_v a_o ground_n of_o persuasion_n if_o we_o consider_v that_o all_o evidence_n in_o the_o mind_n proceed_v from_o evidence_n in_o the_o thing_n now_o all_o truth_n in_o themselves_o be_v equal_o evident_a but_o in_o respect_n of_o we_o they_o be_v not_o so_o for_o some_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v distinct_o and_o some_o we_o be_v not_o because_o they_o be_v not_o suit_v to_o our_o present_a capacity_n in_o respect_n of_o those_o divine_a truth_n or_o of_o that_o part_n of_o they_o which_o be_v suit_v to_o our_o present_a capacity_n evidence_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o persuasion_n but_o in_o respect_n of_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v not_o suit_v to_o our_o capacity_n as_o we_o have_v see_v authority_n be_v and_o thus_o we_o see_v how_o we_o may_v give_v our_o assent_n to_o many_o proposition_n for_o the_o substance_n of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o evidence_n in_o the_o mind_n why_o then_o say_v he_o a_o man_n shall_v believe_v what_o he_o do_v not_o know_v and_o that_o be_v give_v his_o assent_n to_o nothing_o but_o this_o be_v a_o quibble_n and_o to_o remove_v it_o effectual_o let_v we_o take_v up_o the_o same_o proposition_n again_o the_o three_o angle_n of_o a_o triangle_n be_v equal_a to_o two_o right_a one_o it_o be_v plain_a a_o man_n who_o know_v what_o a_o triangle_n be_v and_o what_o it_o be_v for_o one_o angle_n to_o be_v equal_a to_o another_o may_v give_v his_o assent_n to_o this_o proposition_n though_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v utter_o impossible_a ever_o to_o beat_v the_o demonstration_n into_o his_o head_n and_o though_o he_o do_v not_o comprehend_v it_o yet_o he_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o and_o the_o only_a ground_n of_o his_o assent_n be_v the_o authority_n of_o some_o person_n who_o be_v able_a to_o demonstrate_v it_o and_o thus_o it_o be_v with_o a_o divine_a proposition_n when_o christ_n appear_v we_o shall_v be_v like_o he_o any_o one_o who_o know_v what_o it_o be_v for_o a_o body_n to_o be_v raise_v and_o for_o one_o thing_n to_o be_v like_o another_o may_v give_v his_o assent_n to_o this_o proposition_n though_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o know_v wherein_o this_o likeness_n will_v consist_v or_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o it_o will_v certain_o be_v so_o and_o therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n be_v the_o only_a ground_n of_o persuasion_n in_o this_o proposition_n and_o no_o evidence_n be_v necessary_a any_o far_a than_o to_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o revelation_n itself_o so_o groundless_a be_v that_o main_a principle_n of_o he_o that_o a_o man_n can_v give_v his_o assent_n to_o nothing_o but_o what_o he_o comprehend_v whereas_o the_o contrary_a be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o light_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v but_o far_o from_o this_o supposition_n of_o he_o that_o authority_n be_v only_o a_o mean_n of_o information_n and_o evidence_n the_o only_a ground_n of_o persuasion_n these_o two_o absurdity_n will_v direct_o follow_v 1._o that_o a_o man_n can_v never_o be_v deceive_v in_o any_o thing_n for_o if_o evidence_n in_o the_o mind_n be_v the_o only_a ground_n of_o perwasion_n a_o man_n can_v never_o give_v his_o assent_n but_o where_o there_o be_v this_o evidence_n for_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o only_a cause_n the_o effect_n can_v never_o proceed_v but_o from_o that_o cause_n and_o what_o be_v evident_a ay_o e_o what_o be_v true_o know_v can_v never_o deceive_v he_o have_v no_o way_n of_o evade_n this_v but_o by_o say_v that_o the_o cause_n of_o error_n be_v the_o give_v assent_n where_o there_o be_v none_o or_o not_o sufficient_a evidence_n in_o the_o mind_n which_o destroy_v every_o thing_n he_o say_v upon_o this_o head_n for_o this_o suppose_n that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o other_o cause_n of_o assent_n beside_o evidence_n but_o if_o we_o suppose_v evidence_n to_o be_v the_o only_a cause_n of_o assent_n than_o it_o must_v vary_v in_o degree_n together_o with_o its_o cause_n so_o that_o a_o clear_a evidence_n shall_v have_v a_o firm_a assent_n and_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o evidence_n shall_v have_v but_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o assent_n so_o that_o still_o a_o man_n can_v never_o be_v deceive_v in_o any_o thing_n or_o in_o any_o degree_n and_o for_o he_o to_o say_v that_o we_o may_v think_v we_o have_v this_o evidence_n when_o we_o have_v it_o not_o be_v still_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v some_o other_o ground_n of_o assent_n nay_o worse_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v evident_a to_o we_o and_o not_o evident_a at_o the_o same_o time_n 2._o it_o will_v follow_v that_o no_o person_n either_o god_n or_o man_n can_v be_v believe_v on_o their_o word_n for_o what_o they_o relate_v be_v evident_a to_o the_o mind_n or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o they_o give_v their_o assent_n to_o that_o evidence_n and_o not_o to_o the_o person_n who_o relate_v it_o if_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a ay_o e_o according_a to_o he_o if_o he_o do_v not_o know_v it_o perfect_o he_o must_v utter_o reject_v it_o and_o thus_o in_o a_o few_o word_n he_o destroy_v