Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	great_a	know_v	see_v	5,670	5	3.0830	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A45639	The atheist's objection that we can have no idea of God refuted a sermon preach'd at the cathedral-church of St. Paul, February the 7th 1697/8 : being the second of the lecture for that year, founded by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq. / by John Harris ...	Harris, John, 1667?-1719.	1698 (1698)	Wing H846; ESTC R15272	15,871	30

at_o other_o but_o in_o short_a if_o they_o set_v up_o such_o a_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n as_o be_v essential_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o idea_n that_o all_o mankind_n have_v of_o such_o a_o be_v if_o they_o make_v he_o either_o a_o necessary_a agent_n or_o a_o blind_a idle_a and_o unactive_a one_o if_o they_o divest_v he_o of_o his_o providence_n or_o cramp_v he_o in_o his_o attribute_n as_o those_o that_o call_v themselves_o deist_n general_o do_v in_o a_o word_n if_o they_o make_v he_o such_o a_o impotent_a and_o careless_a be_v as_o either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o govern_v the_o world_n give_v law_n to_o his_o people_n vindicate_v his_o own_o honour_n and_o punish_v and_o reward_v man_n according_a to_o their_o action_n it_o be_v plain_a i_o say_v that_o though_o in_o word_n they_o may_v profess_v to_o believe_v and_o honour_v a_o god_n yet_o in_o reality_n they_o deny_v he_o and_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o notion_n of_o his_o true_a nature_n and_o perfection_n but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o name_n only_o nor_o the_o empty_a sound_n of_o the_o word_n deity_n but_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v want_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v the_o true_a knowledge_n and_o belief_n of_o this_o only_a that_o can_v clear_v a_o man_n from_o the_o imputation_n of_o atheism_n if_o he_o be_v not_o right_a in_o this_o point_n i._n e._n if_o he_o have_v not_o such_o a_o belief_n of_o god_n as_o imply_v in_o it_o a_o knowledge_n of_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n he_o may_v call_v himself_o by_o as_o fine_a and_o fashionable_a name_n as_o he_o please_v and_o pretend_v to_o deism_n and_o natural_a religion_n but_o in_o reality_n he_o be_v a_o atheist_n and_o so_o ought_v to_o be_v esteem_v by_o all_o mankind_n for_o as_o one_o say_v pref._n that_o know_v very_o well_o what_o a_o atheist_n be_v such_o be_v atheist_n as_o deny_v god_n providence_n or_o who_o restrain_v it_o in_o some_o particular_n and_o exclude_v it_o in_o reference_n to_o other_o as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o direct_o deny_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o vaninus_n 124._o call_v tully_n atheist_n on_o this_o very_a account_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o say_v 152._o that_o to_o deny_v a_o providence_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o deny_v a_o god_n this_o therefore_o be_v return_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o atheist_n let_v we_o now_o go_v about_o to_o examine_v and_o consider_v the_o argument_n and_o objection_n that_o be_v usual_o bring_v by_o atheistical_a man_n against_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o these_o one_o will_v think_v shall_v be_v exceed_o weighty_a one_o and_o no_o less_o than_o direct_a demonstration_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o such_o strenuous_a proof_n as_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v refute_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o atheist_n ought_v to_o pass_v for_o the_o most_o senseless_a and_o stupid_a of_o all_o mankind_n he_o slight_v and_o despise_v that_o inestimable_a offer_n of_o be_v happy_a for_o ever_o he_o run_v the_o risk_a of_o be_v eternal_o miserable_a he_o bid_v open_a defiance_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n and_o he_o oppose_v his_o own_o opinion_n and_o judgement_n to_o the_o sober_a and_o considerate_a sentiment_n of_o the_o judicious_a part_n of_o mankind_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n now_o sure_o in_o such_o a_o case_n he_o ought_v to_o be_v very_o sure_o that_o he_o can_v be_v mistake_v and_o to_o be_v as_o demonstrative_o certain_a as_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o theorem_fw-la in_o euclid_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n no_o moral_a good_a nor_o evil_a no_o reveal_v religion_n nor_o any_o future_a state_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n but_o can_v any_o man_n have_v the_o face_n to_o pretend_v to_o this_o will_v not_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o all_o mankind_n pronounce_v this_o impossible_a and_o that_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o nonexistence_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o to_o be_v obtain_v can_v any_o one_o be_v direct_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o possibility_n that_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v true_a and_o if_o so_o then_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o for_o any_o thing_n he_o can_v direct_o prove_v to_o the_o contrary_a the_o atheist_n may_v be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o consequent_o be_v eternal_o damn_v and_o miserable_a now_o will_v any_o one_o that_o can_v think_v at_o all_o run_v this_o dreadful_a hazard_n 〈◊〉_d much_o less_o sure_a one_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o man_n of_o penetration_n and_o judgement_n and_o to_o philosophize_v above_o the_o vulgar_a and_o yet_o this_o every_o atheist_n do_v and_o that_o too_o on_o no_o other_o ground_n but_o the_o strength_n of_o some_o trifle_a objection_n against_o and_o seem_a absurdity_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o religion_n which_o the_o extravagant_a wit_n of_o wicked_a man_n have_v invent_v and_o coin_v to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o those_o that_o reprove_v they_o to_o stifle_v and_o bear_v down_o the_o sting_n of_o conscience_n and_o to_o gain_v some_o pretence_n to_o reason_n and_o principle_n in_o their_o impious_a proceed_n but_o sure_o these_o person_n must_v know_v well_o enough_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a thing_n to_o start_v objection_n against_o the_o most_o plain_a and_o obvious_a truth_n they_o know_v also_o that_o in_o other_o case_n themselves_o think_v it_o very_o unreasonable_a to_o disbelieve_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n only_o because_o they_o can_v ready_o answer_v all_o the_o objection_n a_o witty_a man_n may_v bring_v against_o it_o and_o because_o they_o can_v solve_v all_o the_o phoenomena_fw-la of_o it_o now_o why_o shall_v not_o they_o proceed_v so_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o know_v that_o all_o the_o great_a truth_n of_o it_o have_v be_v demonsrate_v over_o and_o over_o by_o those_o learned_a and_o excellent_a person_n which_o have_v write_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o nay_o they_o know_v too_o that_o most_o of_o their_o objection_n have_v be_v already_o refute_v and_o answer_v and_o that_o they_o adhere_v to_o a_o cause_n that_o have_v be_v frequent_o baffle_v they_o know_v the_o weight_n and_o importance_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o that_o if_o religion_n shall_v at_o last_o prove_v to_o be_v true_a they_o must_v be_v for_o ever_o miserable_a all_o this_o i_o say_v they_o very_o well_o know_v and_o therefore_o it_o look_v strange_o like_o a_o infatuation_n upon_o they_o that_o they_o will_v run_v this_o dreadful_a hazard_n only_o on_o the_o strength_n of_o a_o few_o objection_n and_o a_o bare_a surmise_n only_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o god_n or_o religion_n these_o objection_n be_v their_o only_a hold_n and_o pretence_n that_o they_o can_v stick_v to_o and_o abide_v by_o and_o what_o and_o how_o great_a they_o be_v i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o examine_v these_o i_o shall_v take_v in_o their_o natural_a order_n and_o 1._o consider_v such_o objection_n as_o be_v bring_v against_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n in_o general_n 2._o such_o as_o be_v allege_v against_o his_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n 3._o such_o as_o be_v advance_v against_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o reveal_v religion_n the_o groundlessness_n and_o inconclusiveness_n of_o all_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v as_o clear_o as_o i_o can_v to_o demonstrate_v and_o first_o i_o shall_v consider_v and_o refute_v the_o objection_n and_o argument_n that_o be_v bring_v against_o the_o be_v of_o god_n in_o general_n and_o these_o be_v as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v all_o reducible_a to_o these_o two_o head_n it_o be_v say_v 1._o that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o idea_n of_o god_n 2._o that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n owe_v its_o original_a either_o to_o the_o foolish_a fear_n of_o some_o man_n or_o the_o crafty_a design_n of_o other_o i_o shall_v at_o this_o time_n handle_v the_o former_a of_o these_o and_o refute_v the_o objection_n that_o be_v bring_v against_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n from_o our_o not_o be_v able_a as_o they_o say_v to_o have_v any_o idea_n or_o notion_n of_o he_o the_o atheist_n allege_v that_o whatsoever_o be_v unconceivable_a be_v real_o nothing_o at_o all_o that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o idea_n or_o possible_a notion_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o some_o how_o or_o other_o a_o object_n of_o our_o sense_n for_o all_o knowledge_n be_v sense_n and_o we_o can_v only_o judge_v of_o the_o existence_n of_o thing_n by_o its_o evidence_n and_o testimony_n now_o god_n be_v by_o divine_n say_v to_o be_v incomprehensible_a infinite_a and_o invisible_a i._n e._n something_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v any_o thing_n about_o that_o be_v every_o where_o 208._o and_o yet_o no_o where_o that_o see_v every_o

incomprehensible_a but_o if_o a_o person_n will_v candid_o own_v as_o he_o that_o have_v any_o knowledge_n and_o modesty_n must_v do_v that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o the_o history_n of_o nature_n of_o which_o he_o can_v meet_v with_o a_o satisfactory_a solution_n and_o explication_n he_o have_v certain_o no_o manner_n of_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n on_o the_o same_o account_n and_o to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n because_o his_o nature_n be_v incomprehensible_a to_o our_o finite_a and_o imperfect_a capacity_n we_o can_v by_o search_v find_v out_o god_n nor_o discover_v the_o almighty_a unto_o perfection_n job_n xi_o 7._o but_o again_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o apprehend_v and_o comprehend_v of_o a_o thing_n between_o know_v a_o thing_n real_o to_o be_v and_o know_v all_o that_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v know_v about_o that_o thing_n we_o can_v indeed_o perfect_o comprehend_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n because_o we_o have_v shallow_a limit_v finite_a and_o imperfect_a capacity_n and_o faculty_n and_o the_o deity_n contain_v in_o himself_o all_o possible_a perfection_n every_o one_o must_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o lesser_a shall_v contain_v and_o comprehend_v the_o great_a especial_o too_o when_o the_o extent_n and_o fullness_n of_o one_o infinite_o exceed_v the_o capacity_n of_o the_o other_o from_o hence_o therefore_o to_o infer_v that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o idea_n nor_o knowledge_n at_o all_o of_o god_n be_v very_o absurd_a and_o incongruous_a it_o be_v a_o strange_a method_n of_o argue_v that_o i_o can_v know_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o a_o thing_n because_o i_o can_v know_v every_o particular_a that_o belong_v to_o it_o and_o he_o will_v deserve_o be_v esteem_v a_o madman_n that_o shall_v deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o sun_n because_o he_o can_v tell_v how_o many_o mile_n he_o be_v in_o diameter_n how_o far_o he_o be_v from_o we_o and_o which_o way_n he_o come_v by_o a_o supply_n of_o matter_n to_o continue_v his_o enliven_a fire_n and_o heat_n when_o some_o great_a and_o advantageous_a revolution_n be_v bring_v about_o in_o any_o nation_n when_o the_o public_a good_a be_v secure_v the_o law_n and_o liberty_n preserve_v and_o confusion_n bloodshed_n and_o misery_n of_o all_o kind_n prevent_v by_o the_o wise_a and_o deep_a council_n and_o conduct_n of_o he_o or_o those_o that_o be_v at_o the_o helm_n of_o affair_n will_v it_o not_o be_v gross_a stupidity_n for_o a_o man_n to_o assert_v that_o all_o this_o come_v about_o by_o chance_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o wisdom_n nor_o conduct_n that_o so_o opportune_o manage_v all_o thing_n only_o because_o he_o can_v penetrate_v into_o all_o the_o secret_a step_n and_o method_n of_o it_o and_o see_v all_o the_o hide_a spring_n by_o which_o it_o be_v move_v regular_o on_o to_o its_o intend_a perfection_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n who_o existence_n it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o doubt_v of_o who_o nature_n and_o quality_n we_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v able_a perfect_o to_o comprehend_v and_o explain_v and_o among_o the_o rest_n there_o be_v nothing_o but_o our_o own_o existence_n that_o we_o can_v be_v more_o assure_v of_o than_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n for_o as_o to_o all_o object_n of_o sense_n we_o may_v as_o mounseur_fw-fr des_fw-mi cartes_n show_v have_v some_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o their_o actual_a existence_n without_o we_o till_o we_o be_v first_o satisfy_v that_o our_o sense_n do_v not_o deceive_v we_o till_o we_o know_v this_o for_o any_o thing_n we_o can_v demonstrative_o prove_v to_o the_o contrary_a all_o sensible_a object_n may_v be_v mere_a phantasm_n and_o delusion_n and_o nothing_o but_o the_o internal_a configuration_n of_o our_o own_o brain_n and_o the_o result_n of_o imagination_n and_o fancy_n but_o when_o once_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o be_v perfect_o know_v wise_a and_o good_a we_o shall_v discover_v that_o he_o can_v be_v no_o deceiver_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o it_o be_v not_o suitable_a to_o the_o idea_n we_o have_v of_o he_o that_o he_o shall_v delude_v and_o cheat_v we_o with_o false_a appearance_n and_o consequent_o we_o may_v well_o conclude_v that_o he_o have_v appoint_v our_o sense_n to_o be_v proper_a judge_n of_o their_o own_o object_n and_o that_o those_o thing_n be_v actual_o exist_v without_o we_o who_o idea_n we_o so_o plain_o perceive_v in_o ourselves_o and_o which_o we_o true_o judge_v to_o be_v so_o and_o if_o we_o will_v impartial_o consult_v our_o own_o thought_n and_o reason_n clear_o from_o those_o idea_n that_o we_o have_v within_o we_o i_o think_v we_o may_v most_o demonstrative_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v such_o a_o most_o perfect_a or_o infinite_a be_v as_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n and_o divine_n describe_v he_o to_o be_v i_o will_v allow_v that_o the_o great_a certainty_n that_o we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o existence_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v of_o our_o own_o be_v of_o which_o as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v no_o one_o can_v possible_o doubt_v for_o whatsoever_o can_v think_v reason_n doubt_v will_n and_o determine_v must_v needs_o be_v something_o and_o have_v a_o true_a and_o real_a be_v and_o because_o we_o find_v by_o this_o mean_n that_o there_o be_v certain_o something_o actual_o exist_v it_o will_v plain_o follow_v that_o something_o or_o other_o must_v always_o have_v be_v so_o for_o if_o ever_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o there_o never_o can_v have_v be_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o for_o absolute_a nothing_o can_v never_o have_v do_v or_o produce_v any_o thing_n something_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a must_v have_v be_v always_o or_o eternal_o exist_v and_o which_o never_o can_v have_v have_v any_o beginning_n for_o if_o it_o ever_o have_v any_o beginning_n though_o never_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o million_o of_o age_n ago_o it_o must_v have_v then_o begin_v from_o mere_a nothing_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o conceive_v now_o if_o we_o consider_v ourselves_o or_o any_o thing_n else_o that_o be_v round_o about_o we_o in_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v plain_o find_v that_o neither_o we_o nor_o they_o can_v be_v this_o thing_n that_o always_o be_v existent_a and_o which_o we_o have_v discover_v must_v have_v be_v without_o beginning_n for_o we_o know_v well_o enough_o that_o it_o be_v but_o a_o little_a while_n ago_o when_o we_o begin_v to_o be_v and_o that_o it_o be_v but_o a_o short_a space_n before_o we_o shall_v die_v and_o cease_v to_o be_v in_o this_o world_n any_o more_o beside_o we_o find_v in_o ourselves_o and_o discover_v in_o thing_n without_o we_o such_o defect_n limitation_n and_o imperfection_n as_o sufficient_o must_v convince_v we_o that_o neither_o we_o nor_o they_o can_v be_v independent_a being_n nor_o indeed_o the_o cause_n of_o one_o another_o existence_n we_o must_v therefore_o in_o our_o thought_n have_v recourse_n to_o some_o first_o cause_n or_o origin_n from_o whence_o all_o thing_n do_v proceed_v and_o that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o first_o cause_n or_o some_o be_v which_o produce_v both_o ourselves_o and_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v round_o about_o we_o in_o the_o world_n we_o can_v but_o be_v assure_v of_o for_o we_o know_v nothing_o can_v cause_v or_o make_v itself_o to_o be_v and_o we_o see_v that_o we_o can_v make_v or_o produce_v each_o other_o and_o we_o perceive_v that_o none_o of_o our_o form_n or_o modes_n of_o existence_n be_v indestructible_a and_o eternal_a but_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v continual_o flit_a and_o change_v some_o improve_n and_o increase_v while_o other_o be_v decrease_v and_o die_v the_o common_a matter_n indeed_o of_o all_o body_n will_v remain_v and_o we_o do_v not_o find_v it_o to_o be_v perishable_a as_o their_o form_n be_v but_o then_o this_o we_o may_v easy_o know_v can_v be_v the_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o other_o thing_n since_o we_o have_v no_o idea_n of_o its_o be_v a_o active_a intelligent_a wise_a and_o powerful_a be_v as_o that_o must_v be_v but_o the_o notion_n we_o have_v of_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pure_o passive_a and_o obsequious_o capable_a of_o all_o variety_n of_o form_n and_o motion_n as_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o more_o large_o show_v if_o we_o far_a careful_o consider_v of_o this_o be_v that_o we_o have_v thus_o find_v must_v have_v eternal_o be_v or_o exi_v we_o shall_v find_v also_o that_o it_o must_v for_o ever_o continue_v to_o be_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v for_o we_o can_v imagine_v how_o a_o be_v that_o have_v eternal_o exi_v for_o the_o time_n past_a shall_v ever_o terminate_v or_o cease_v to_o be_v