Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	evil_a	good_a	know_v	2,974	5	4.2147	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62587	A sermon concerning the unity of the divine nature and the B. Trinity by John, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.	Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.	1693 (1693)	Wing T1222; ESTC R6941	17,786	42

sensible_a being_n and_o bid_v fair_a for_o a_o deity_n especial_o if_o he_o be_v as_o they_o suppose_v animate_v by_o a_o spirit_n endue_v with_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n and_o if_o a_o man_n who_o have_v be_v breed_v in_o a_o dark_a cave_n shall_v all_o on_o the_o sudden_a be_v bring_v out_o at_o noonday_n to_o behold_v this_o visible_a world_n after_o he_o have_v view_v and_o consider_v it_o awhile_o he_o will_v in_o all_o probability_n pitch_v upon_o the_o sun_n as_o the_o most_o likely_a of_o all_o the_o thing_n he_o have_v see_v to_o be_v a_o deity_n for_o if_o such_o a_o man_n have_v any_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o be_v to_o choose_v one_o upon_o sight_n he_o will_v without_o dispute_n fix_v upon_o the_o sun_n and_o fall_v down_o before_o he_o and_o worship_n he_o and_o macrobius_n manage_v this_o as_o his_o main_a plea_n for_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o heathen_a that_o under_o all_o the_o several_a name_n of_o their_o god_n they_o worship_v the_o sun_n and_o this_o diversity_n of_o name_n be_v but_o a_o more_o distinct_a conception_n and_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o many_o blessing_n and_o advantage_n which_o mankind_n receive_v from_o he_o and_o a_o more_o particular_a and_o express_a adoration_n of_o the_o several_a power_n and_o perfection_n which_o be_v in_o he_o and_o this_o be_v the_o very_o best_a defence_n and_o all_o the_o tolerable_a sense_n which_o the_o wise_a among_o the_o heathen_a can_v make_v of_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o deity_n and_o yet_o whilst_o they_o general_o own_v one_o supreme_a be_v that_o be_v the_o principle_n and_o original_a of_o all_o thing_n they_o worship_v several_a subordinate_a deity_n as_o real_o distinct_a from_o one_o another_o some_o of_o these_o they_o fancy_v to_o be_v superior_a to_o the_o rest_n and_o to_o have_v their_o residence_n in_o heaven_n by_o which_o marsilius_n ficinus_fw-la suppose_n plato_n to_o mean_v no_o more_o but_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o angel_n these_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dij_fw-la superi_fw-la and_o dij_fw-la caelestes_fw-la superior_a and_o heavenly_a god_n the_o scripture_n term_v they_o the_o host_n of_o heaven_n mean_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n which_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v animate_v or_o at_o least_o to_o be_v inhabit_v by_o angel_n or_o glorious_a spirit_n who_o they_o call_v go_n other_o of_o their_o deity_n be_v account_v much_o inferior_a to_o these_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o soul_n of_o their_o decease_a hero_n who_o for_o their_o great_a and_o worthy_a deed_n when_o they_o live_v upon_o earth_n be_v suppose_v after_o death_n to_o be_v translate_v into_o the_o number_n of_o their_o go_n and_o these_o be_v call_v semidei_fw-la and_o deastri_fw-la that_o be_v half_a god_n and_o a_o sort_n of_o god_n and_o as_o the_o other_o be_v celestial_a so_o these_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o kind_n of_o terrestrial_a spirit_n that_o be_v precedent_n and_o procurator_n of_o human_a affair_n here_o below_o that_o be_v a_o middle_a sort_n of_o divine_a power_n that_o be_v mediator_n and_o agent_n between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o do_v carry_v the_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n of_o man_n to_o god_n and_o bring_v down_o the_o command_v and_o blessing_n of_o god_n to_o men._n but_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o this_o crowd_n and_o confusion_n of_o deity_n and_o the_o various_a superstition_n about_o they_o the_o wise_a heathen_a as_o thales_n pythagoras_n socrates_n plato_n aristotle_n tully_n plutarch_n and_o other_o preserve_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o one_o supreme_a god_n who_o they_o define_v a_o infinite_a spirit_n pure_a from_o all_o matter_n and_o free_a from_o all_o imperfection_n and_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o their_o worship_n be_v as_o they_o pretend_v in_o excuse_n of_o it_o but_o a_o more_o particular_a own_n of_o the_o various_a representation_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o excellency_n which_o manifest_v themselves_o in_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o several_a communication_n of_o blessing_n and_o favour_n by_o they_o impart_v to_o man_n 10._o nay_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o that_o even_o when_o idolatry_n have_v very_o much_o obscure_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o sovereign_a deity_n yet_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n do_v still_o in_o their_o common_a form_n of_o speech_n appropriate_v the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o a_o more_o especial_a and_o peculiar_a manner_n to_o one_o say_v if_o god_n grant_v if_o god_n please_v and_o the_o like_a so_o that_o there_o be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n or_o the_o notion_n of_o one_o supreme_a god_n creator_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o primitive_a and_o general_a belief_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o polytheism_n and_o idolatry_n be_v a_o corruption_n and_o degeneracy_n from_o the_o original_a notion_n which_o mankind_n have_v concern_v god_n as_o the_o scripture-history_n do_v declare_v and_o testify_v and_o this_o account_n which_o i_o have_v give_v of_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n excuse_v it_o for_o whatever_o may_v be_v say_v by_o way_n of_o extenuation_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o more_o devout_a among_o they_o the_o generality_n be_v gross_o guilty_a both_o of_o believe_v more_o god_n and_o of_o worship_v false_a go_n and_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o very_a great_a crime_n since_o the_o scripture_n every_o where_o declare_v god_n to_o be_v particular_o jealous_a in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o he_o will_v not_o give_v his_o glory_n to_o another_o nor_o his_o praise_n to_o grave_a image_n nay_o we_o may_v not_o so_o much_o as_o make_v use_n of_o sensible_a image_n to_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o god_n lest_o devout_a ignorance_n see_v the_o worship_n which_o wise_a man_n pay_v towards_o a_o idol_n shall_v be_v draw_v to_o terminate_v their_o worship_n there_o as_o be_v the_o very_a deity_n itself_o which_o be_v certain_o the_o case_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o sure_o those_o christian_n be_v in_o no_o less_o danger_n of_o idolatry_n who_o pay_v a_o veneration_n to_o image_n by_o kneel_v down_o and_o pray_v before_o they_o and_o in_o this_o they_o be_v much_o more_o inexcusable_a because_o they_o offend_v against_o a_o much_o clear_a light_n and_o yet_o when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o justify_v this_o practice_n be_v able_a to_o bring_v no_o other_o nor_o better_a plea_n for_o themselves_o than_o the_o heathen_a do_v for_o their_o worship_v of_o image_n and_o for_o pray_v to_o their_o inferior_a deity_n who_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o mediator_n between_o the_o god_n in_o heaven_n and_o man_n upon_o earth_n there_o be_v but_o one_o objection_n that_o i_o know_v of_o against_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o mankind_n concern_v the_o unity_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v a_o ancient_a doctrine_n of_o some_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a nation_n that_o there_o be_v two_o first_o cause_n or_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n the_o one_o the_o cause_n of_o all_o good_a and_o the_o other_o of_o all_o the_o evil_a that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n the_o reason_n whereof_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v that_o they_o can_v not_o apprehend_v how_o thing_n of_o so_o contrary_a a_o nature_n as_o good_a and_o evil_a can_v proceed_v from_o one_o and_o the_o same_o cause_n and_o these_o two_o principle_n in_o several_a nation_n be_v call_v by_o several_a name_n plutarch_n say_v that_o among_o the_o greek_n the_o good_a principle_n be_v call_v god_n and_o the_o evil_a principle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o devil_n in_o conformity_n to_o which_o ancient_a tradition_n the_o manichee_n a_o sect_n which_o call_v themselves_o christian_n do_v advance_v two_o principle_n the_o one_o infinite_o good_a which_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v the_o original_a cause_n of_o all_o the_o good_a which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n the_o other_o infinite_o evil_a to_o which_o they_o ascribe_v all_o the_o evil_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o all_o this_o be_v very_o plain_o a_o corruption_n of_o a_o much_o more_o ancient_a tradition_n concern_v that_o old_a serpent_n the_o devil_n the_o head_n of_o the_o fall_v angel_n who_o by_o tempt_v our_o first_o parent_n to_o transgress_v a_o positive_a and_o express_a law_n of_o god_n bring_v sin_n first_o into_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o evil_n consequent_a upon_o it_o of_o which_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o a_o most_o express_a and_o particular_a account_n and_o as_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o be_v infinite_o evil_a into_o which_o this_o tradition_n be_v corrupt_v after_o idolatry_n have_v prevail_v in_o the_o world_n beside_o that_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n it_o will_v likewise_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o assert_v two_o opposite_a principle_n of_o infinite_a that_o be_v

to_o admit_v as_o we_o ourselves_o be_v and_o if_o either_o council_n or_o father_n or_o schoolman_n have_v so_o explain_v this_o mystery_n as_o to_o give_v any_o just_a ground_n or_o so_o much_o as_o a_o plausible_a colour_n for_o such_o a_o inference_n let_v the_o blame_v fall_v where_o it_o be_v due_a and_o let_v it_o not_o be_v charge_v on_o the_o h._n scripture_n but_o rather_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v in_o another_o case_n let_v god_n be_v true_a and_o every_o man_n a_o liar_n viithly_fw-mi and_o last_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n to_o believe_v some_o thing_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a by_o our_o reason_n provide_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n and_o reason_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v concern_v god_n who_o be_v in_o his_o nature_n incomprehensible_a and_o we_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o he_o have_v reveal_v they_o and_o therefore_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o offend_v we_o that_o these_o difference_n in_o the_o deity_n be_v incomprehensible_a by_o our_o finite_a understanding_n because_o the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o be_v so_o and_o yet_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n in_o nature_n which_o we_o can_v comprehend_v how_o they_o either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v as_o the_o continuity_n of_o matter_n that_o be_v how_o the_o part_n of_o it_o do_v hang_v so_o fast_o together_o that_o they_o be_v many_o time_n very_o hard_o to_o be_v part_v and_o yet_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o it_o be_v so_o because_o we_o see_v it_o every_o day_n so_o likewise_o how_o the_o small_a seed_n of_o thing_n contain_v the_o whole_a form_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n from_o which_o they_o proceed_v and_o into_o which_o by_o degree_n they_o grow_v and_o yet_o we_o plain_o see_v this_o every_o year_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n likewise_o in_o our_o self_n which_o no_o man_n be_v able_a in_o any_o measure_n to_o comprehend_v as_o to_o the_o manner_n how_o they_o be_v do_v and_o perform_v as_o the_o vital_a union_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n who_o can_v imagine_v by_o what_o device_n or_o mean_v a_o spirit_n come_v to_o be_v so_o close_o unite_v and_o so_o firm_o link_v to_o a_o material_a body_n that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v part_v without_o great_a force_n and_o violence_n offer_v to_o nature_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o operation_n of_o our_o several_a faculty_n of_o sense_n and_o imagination_n of_o memory_n and_o reason_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o liberty_n of_o our_o will_n and_o yet_o we_o certain_o find_v all_o these_o faculty_n in_o ourselves_o though_o we_o can_v either_o comprehend_v or_o explain_v the_o particular_a manner_n in_o which_o the_o several_a operation_n of_o they_o be_v perform_v and_o if_o we_o can_v comprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o those_o operation_n which_o we_o plain_o perceive_v and_o feel_v to_o be_v be_v in_o our_o self_n much_o less_o can_v we_o expect_v to_o comprehend_v thing_n without_o we_o and_o least_o of_o all_o can_v we_o pretend_v to_o comprehend_v the_o infinite_a nature_n and_o perfection_n of_o god_n and_o every_o thing_n belong_v to_o he_o for_o god_n himself_o be_v certain_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o all_o other_o and_o acknowledge_v by_o mankind_n to_o be_v in_o his_o nature_n and_o in_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o his_o existence_n incomprehensible_a by_o human_a understanding_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v very_o evident_a because_o god_n be_v infinite_a and_o our_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n be_v but_o finite_a and_o yet_o no_o sober_a man_n ever_o think_v this_o a_o good_a reason_n to_o call_v the_o be_v of_o god_n in_o question_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o god_n certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o future_a contingency_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o uncertain_a will_n of_o free_a agent_n it_o be_v utter_o inconceivable_a how_o any_o understanding_n how_o large_a and_o perfect_a soever_o can_v certain_o know_v beforehand_o that_o which_o depend_v upon_o the_o free_a will_n of_o another_o which_o be_v a_o arbitrary_a and_o uncertain_a cause_n and_o yet_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o only_o attribute_v this_o foreknowledge_n to_o god_n but_o give_v we_o also_o plain_a instance_n of_o god_n foretell_v such_o thing_n many_o age_n before_o they_o happen_v as_o can_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o by_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n in_o which_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o god_n can_v have_v no_o hand_n though_o nothing_o can_v happen_v without_o his_o permission_n such_o be_v that_o most_o memorable_a event_n of_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n who_o as_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o be_v by_o wicked_a hand_n crucify_v and_o slay_v and_o yet_o even_o this_o be_v say_v to_o have_v happen_v according_a to_o the_o determinate_a foreknowledge_n of_o god_n and_o be_v punctual_o foretell_v by_o he_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o nay_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o only_o ascribe_v this_o power_n and_o perfection_n to_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n but_o natural_a reason_n have_v be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v it_o as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o some_o of_o the_o wise_a of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o yet_o it_o will_v puzzle_v the_o great_a philosopher_n that_o ever_o be_v to_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n how_o any_o knowledge_n whatsoever_o can_v certain_o and_o infallible_o foresee_v a_o event_n through_o uncertain_a and_o contingent_a cause_n all_o the_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n that_o can_v be_v have_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o infinite_a knowledge_n may_v have_v way_n of_o know_v thing_n which_o our_o finite_a understanding_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n comprehend_v how_o they_o can_v possible_o be_v know_v again_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n more_o inconceivable_a than_o how_o a_o thing_n shall_v be_v of_o itself_o and_o without_o any_o cause_n of_o its_o be_v and_o yet_o our_o reason_n compel_v we_o to_o acknowledge_v this_o because_o we_o certain_o see_v that_o something_o be_v which_o must_v either_o have_v be_v of_o itself_o and_o without_o a_o cause_n or_o else_o something_o that_o we_o do_v not_o see_v must_v have_v be_v of_o itself_o and_o have_v make_v all_o other_o thing_n and_o by_o this_o reason_n we_o be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v a_o deity_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v able_a to_o find_v no_o rest_n but_o in_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o one_o eternal_a and_o wise_a mind_n as_o the_o principle_n and_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o other_o thing_n and_o this_o principle_n be_v that_o which_o mankind_n do_v by_o general_a consent_n call_v god_n so_o that_o god_n have_v lay_v a_o sure_a foundation_n of_o our_o acknowledgement_n of_o his_o be_v in_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n and_o though_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o hard_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o conceive_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v of_o itself_o yet_o necessity_n drive_v we_o to_o acknowledge_v it_o whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o and_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v our_o reason_n be_v tire_v in_o try_v all_o other_o way_n will_v for_o its_o own_o quiet_a and_o ease_n force_v we_o at_o last_o to_o fall_v in_o with_o the_o general_a apprehension_n and_o belief_n of_o mankind_n concern_v a_o deity_n to_o give_v but_o one_o instance_n more_o there_o be_v the_o like_a difficulty_n in_o conceive_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v make_v out_o of_o nothing_o and_o yet_o our_o reason_n do_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v it_o because_o matter_n which_o be_v a_o very_a imperfect_a be_v and_o mere_o passive_a must_v either_o always_o have_v be_v of_o itself_o or_o else_o by_o the_o infinite_a power_n of_o a_o most_o perfect_a and_o active_a be_v must_v have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o nothing_o which_o be_v much_o more_o credible_a than_o that_o any_o thing_n so_o imperfect_a as_o matter_n be_v shall_v be_v of_o itself_o because_o that_o which_o be_v of_o itself_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o have_v any_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o its_o be_v and_o perfection_n for_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o it_o necessary_o be_v and_o of_o itself_o it_o must_v necessary_o have_v all_o perfection_n which_o it_o be_v certain_a matter_n have_v not_o and_o yet_o necessary_a existence_n be_v so_o great_a a_o perfection_n that_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v any_o thing_n that_o have_v this_o perfection_n to_o want_v any_o other_o thus_o you_o see_v by_o these_o instance_n that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n to_o believe_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n to_o be_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o who_o existence_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o give_v a_o particular_a and_o distinct_a account_n and_o much_o less_o be_v it_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n to_o believe_v those_o