Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
conscience_n	law_n	sin_n	transgression_n	2,525	5	10.8527	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A49403	Religious perfection: or, A third part of the enquiry after happiness. By the author of Practical Christianity; Enquiry after happiness. Part 3.	Lucas, Richard, 1648-1715.	1696 (1696)	Wing L3414; ESTC R200631	216,575	570

matter_n of_o fact_n that_o the_o most_o perfect_a upon_o earth_n be_v not_o without_o frailty_n and_o infirmity_n and_o such_o infirmity_n as_o discover_v themselves_o in_o actual_a slip_v and_o error_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o these_o be_v to_o be_v account_v sin_n i_o must_v confess_v if_o we_o strict_o follow_v the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o shall_v rather_o call_v they_o by_o some_o other_o name_n for_o this_o do_v so_o general_o understand_v by_o sin_n a_o deliberate_a transgression_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o difficult_a to_o produce_v many_o text_n wherein_o the_o word_n sin_n be_v use_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n as_o to_o legal_a pollution_n i_o have_v not_o much_o consider_v the_o matter_n but_o as_o to_o moral_a one_o i_o be_o in_o some_o degree_n confident_a that_o the_o word_n sin_n do_v general_o signify_v such_o a_o transgression_n as_o by_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n be_v punishable_a with_o death_n and_o rare_o do_v it_o occur_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n i_o say_v rare_o for_o if_o i_o be_v not_o much_o mistake_v the_o scripture_n do_v sometime_o call_v those_o infirmity_n i_o be_o now_o talk_v of_o sin_n but_o what_o if_o it_o do_v not_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o every_o deviation_n from_o the_o law_n of_o god_n if_o it_o have_v any_o concurrence_n of_o the_o will_n in_o it_o be_v in_o strict_a speak_a sin_n and_o it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o the_o scripture_n do_v frequent_o give_v we_o such_o description_n and_o character_n and_o such_o name_n of_o these_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n as_o do_v oblige_v we_o both_o to_o strive_v and_o watch_v against_o they_o and_o repent_v of_o they_o for_o it_o call_v they_o spot_n error_n defect_n slip_v and_o the_o like_a but_o what_o be_v last_o most_o to_o my_o purpose_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o this_o distinction_n of_o sin_n into_o mortal_a and_o venial_a or_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n have_v its_o foundation_n in_o express_a text_n of_o scripture_n numerous_n be_v the_o text_n cite_v to_o this_o purpose_n but_o he_o that_o will_v deal_v fair_o must_v confess_v that_o they_o be_v most_o of_o they_o improper_o and_o impertinent_o urge_v as_o relate_v either_o to_o fall_v into_o temporal_a calamity_n or_o to_o mortal_a not_o venial_a sin_n or_o to_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o unregenerate_a state_n or_o to_o a_o comparative_a impurity_n i_o mean_v the_o impurity_n of_o man_n with_o respect_n to_o god_n a_o form_n of_o expression_n frequent_a in_o job_n i_o will_v therefore_o content_v myself_o to_o cite_v three_o or_o four_o which_o seem_v not_o liable_a to_o these_o exception_n deut_n 32.4_o they_o have_v corrupt_v themselves_o their_o spot_n be_v not_o the_o spot_n of_o his_o child_n they_o be_v a_o perverse_a and_o crooked_a generation_n here_o two_o thing_n seem_v to_o be_v point_v out_o to_o we_o plain_o first_o that_o the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v not_o without_o their_o spot_n second_o that_o these_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o those_o of_o the_o wicked_a in_o comparison_n with_o who_o wilful_a and_o perverse_a transgression_n the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v elsewhere_o pronounce_v blameless_a without_o offence_n without_o spot_n psal_n 19.12_o 13._o who_o can_v understand_v his_o error_n cleanse_v thou_o i_o from_o secret_a fault_n keep_v back_o also_o thy_o servant_n from_o presumptuous_a sin_n let_v they_o not_o have_v dominion_n over_o i_o then_o shall_v i_o be_v upright_o and_o i_o shall_v be_v innocent_a from_o the_o great_a transgression_n here_o again_o the_o psalmist_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o place_n uprightness_n in_o freedom_n from_o deliberate_a or_o mortal_a sin_n and_o to_o admit_v of_o another_o sort_n of_o transgression_n into_o which_o even_o upright_a man_n slip_v sometime_o nor_o do_v the_o psalmist_n here_o only_o assert_v venial_a sin_n but_o he_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o suggest_v the_o spring_n and_o source_n of_o they_o namely_o some_o secret_a disposition_n in_o our_o nature_n to_o folly_n and_o error_n which_o he_o pray_v god_n to_o cleanse_v and_o free_v he_o from_o more_o and_o more_o cleanse_v thou_o i_o from_o secret_a fault_n the_o word_n fault_n be_v not_o in_o the_o original_a but_o something_o of_o that_o kind_n must_v be_v supply_v to_o render_v the_o sense_n entire_a in_o our_o language_n the_o word_n of_o solomon_n prov._n 20.9_o seem_v to_o relate_v to_o this_o corruption_n lurk_v in_o we_o and_o never_o utter_o to_o be_v extirpate_v who_o can_v say_v i_o have_v make_v my_o heart_n clean_o i_o be_o pure_a from_o my_o sin_n for_o if_o this_o shall_v be_v apply_v to_o mortal_a sin_n every_o one_o see_v that_o it_o will_v contradict_v a_o hundred_o place_n in_o scripture_n which_o attribute_n to_o righteous_a man_n purity_n of_o heart_n and_o deliverance_n from_o sin_n last_o james_n 3.2_o we_o be_v tell_v plain_o that_o in_o many_o thing_n we_o offend_v all_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o sinner_n only_o but_o righteous_a and_o upright_a man_n have_v their_o defect_n and_o slip_v and_o according_o there_o be_v not_o any_o life_n which_o we_o have_v the_o history_n of_o in_o scripture_n how_o excellent_a soever_o the_o person_n be_v but_o we_o meet_v with_o some_o of_o these_o record_v as_o will_v appear_v from_o those_o several_a instance_n i_o shall_v produce_v when_o i_o come_v to_o describe_v the_o nature_n of_o these_o sin_n and_o certain_o when_o david_n say_v of_o himself_o my_o sin_n be_v more_o in_o number_n than_o the_o hair_n of_o my_o head_n he_o that_o shall_v interpret_v this_o place_n of_o mortal_a or_o presumptuous_a sin_n will_v both_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n which_o acquit_v he_o except_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o vriah_n and_o high_o wrong_v the_o memory_n of_o david_n make_v he_o a_o prodigy_n of_o wickedness_n instead_o of_o a_o saint_n nor_o do_v that_o make_v any_o thing_n against_o i_o which_o he_o add_v in_o the_o next_o word_n my_o heart_n fail_v i_o or_o that_o in_o the_o forego_n verse_n my_o iniquity_n have_v take_v hold_v upon_o i_o so_o that_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o look_v up_o for_o i_o do_v not_o affirm_v that_o the_o psalmist_n here_o have_v regard_n only_o to_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n exclusive_o of_o other_o no_o he_o reckon_v all_o together_o and_o so_o discern_v the_o one_o aggravate_v by_o the_o other_o and_o the_o gild_n of_o all_o together_o very_o far_o enhanse_v nor_o do_v i_o second_o interess_n myself_o here_o in_o that_o dispute_n between_o protestant_n and_o papist_n whether_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n be_v not_o damnable_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n though_o not_o impute_v under_o the_o covevenant_n of_o grace_n nor_o do_v i_o last_o examine_v what_o a_o vast_a heap_n of_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n may_v amount_v to_o though_o the_o gild_a of_o this_o or_o that_o alone_o be_v not_o so_o fatal_a i_o have_v then_o i_o think_v prove_v the_o matter_n in_o question_n have_v show_v both_o from_o the_o experience_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o best_a man_n have_v their_o infirmity_n and_o defect_n and_o that_o these_o may_v proper_o enough_o be_v call_v sin_n i_o think_v it_o superfluous_a to_o prove_v that_o they_o consist_v with_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n since_o it_o be_v not_o by_o any_o that_o i_o know_v of_o deny_v and_o may_v be_v easy_o enough_o make_v out_o from_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v i_o be_o now_o to_o inquire_v s._n 2._o what_o these_o sin_n be_v and_o how_o distinguish_v from_o mortal_a or_o damnable_a one_o to_o this_o purpose_n we_o may_v distinguish_v human_a action_n under_o which_o i_o comprise_v both_o internal_a and_o external_n into_o three_o sort_n voluntary_a involuntary_a and_o mixt._n §_o 1._o there_o be_v action_n proper_o and_o true_o voluntary_a such_o be_v those_o deliberate_a transgression_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n which_o man_n commit_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o direct_a remonstrance_n of_o conscience_n he_o know_v the_o action_n be_v forbid_v he_o see_v the_o turpitude_n and_o obliquity_n of_o it_o he_o be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o punishment_n denounce_v against_o it_o and_o yet_o he_o venture_v upon_o it_o this_o be_v plain_o mortal_a damnable_a sin_n and_o i_o can_v think_v that_o any_o circumstance_n or_o pretence_n whatever_o can_v render_v it_o venial_a and_o therefore_o i_o must_v be_v pardon_v if_o i_o can_v be_v of_o their_o opinion_n who_o suppose_v that_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o matter_n the_o reluctancy_n of_o conscience_n or_o the_o length_n and_o force_n of_o a_o temptation_n can_v so_o soften_v and_o mitigate_v a_o voluntary_a transgression_n as_o to_o diminish_v it_o into_o a_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o matter_n some_o can_v but_o think_v those_o transgression_n venial_a which_o be_v for_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o so_o

on_o the_o soul_n in_o its_o creation_n but_o also_o scatter_v and_o diffuse_v i_o know_v not_o what_o venom_n and_o infection_n through_o it_o that_o make_v it_o eager_o pursue_v its_o own_o misery_n it_o be_v a_o disease_n that_o produce_v more_o intolerable_a effect_n in_o the_o soul_n than_o any_o whatever_o can_v in_o the_o body_n the_o predominancy_n of_o any_o noxious_a humour_n can_v breed_v no_o pain_n no_o disturbance_n equal_a to_o that_o of_o a_o predominant_a ●_z not_o scar_n or_o ruin_n which_o the_o worst_a disease_n leave_v behind_o it_o be_v half_a so_o deform_v and_o loathsome_a as_o those_o of_o vice_n nay_o that_o last_o change_n which_o death_n itself_o produce_v when_o it_o convert_v a_o beautiful_a body_n into_o dust_n and_o rottenness_n be_v not_o half_a so_o contemptible_a or_o hateful_a as_o that_o of_o sin_n when_o it_o transform_v man_n into_o a_o beast_n or_o devil_n if_o we_o do_v not_o yet_o sufficient_o comprehend_v the_o nature_n of_o sin_n by_o view_v it_o as_o it_o exist_v in_o our_o mind_n and_o heart_n we_o may_v contemplate_v it_o in_o our_o action_n and_o here_o it_o be_v blindness_n and_o folly_n rashness_n and_o madness_n incogitance_n levity_n falsehood_n and_o cowardice_n it_o be_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v mean_a and_o base_a and_o all_o this_o aggravate_v by_o the_o most_o accurse_a ingratitude_n that_o human_a nature_n be_v capable_a of_o these_o and_o the_o like_a reflection_n on_o the_o nature_n of_o sin_n can_v choose_v but_o render_v it_o hateful_a and_o if_o second_o we_o make_v any_o serious_a one_o on_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o they_o can_v fail_v of_o render_v it_o frightful_a and_o dreadful_a to_o we_o these_o effect_n may_v be_v especial_o reduce_v to_o three_o 1._o the_o ill_a influence_n sin_n have_v upon_o our_o temporal_a concern_v 2._o gild_n and_o 3._o fear_n as_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o we_o suffer_v very_o few_o evil_n but_o what_o be_v owe_v to_o our_o own_o sin_n that_o it_o be_v very_o rare_o any_o calamity_n befall_v we_o but_o we_o may_v put_v our_o finger_n on_o the_o fountain_n the_o sin_n i_o mean_v from_o whence_o the_o mischief_n flow_v whence_o come_v war_n and_o fight_v among_o you_o say_v st._n james_n come_v they_o not_o from_o your_o lust_n which_o war_n in_o your_o member_n this_o be_v every_o jot_n as_o applicable_a to_o private_a as_o public_a contention_n and_o where_o envy_n strife_n and_o contention_n be_v no_o evil_a work_n no_o disaster_n will_v be_v long_o absent_a i_o may_v run_v through_o all_o the_o different_a kind_n of_o evil_n that_o infest_v the_o body_n or_o embroil_v the_o fortune_n that_o blast_n our_o hope_n or_o stain_v our_o desire_n and_o easy_o show_v that_o they_o all_o general_o spring_n from_o our_o vice_n nay_o what_o be_v worse_o yet_o i_o can_v show_v that_o sin_n convert_v our_o good_a thing_n into_o evil_n and_o our_o enjoyment_n into_o punishment_n that_o it_o render_v the_o slight_a evil_n intolerable_a turn_v scratch_n into_o wound_n and_o wound_n into_o gangrene_n but_o this_o be_v too_o copious_a a_o subject_n and_o will_v insensible_o render_v i_o voluminous_a when_o i_o will_v be_v as_o short_a as_o possible_o i_o can_v a_o second_o effect_v of_o sin_n be_v gild_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o consciousness_n of_o have_v do_v ill_o and_o a_o obligation_n to_o punishment_n result_v from_o it_o and_o though_o man_n often_o sin_n with_o hope_n of_o impunity_n yet_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o imagine_v even_o on_o this_o supposal_n that_o they_o shall_v sin_v without_o suffer_v the_o reproach_n of_o their_o own_o mind_n which_o sure_o must_v be_v very_o uneasy_a to_o they_o to_o be_v perpetual_o vex_v at_o one_o own_o folly_n to_o commit_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o inward_o condemn_v and_o be_v in_o continual_a pain_n lest_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o light_n to_o be_v always_o displease_v at_o one_o self_n and_o afraid_a not_o only_o of_o the_o reflection_n of_o other_o but_o our_o own_o this_o be_v methinks_v a_o great_a evil_n do_v no_o other_o attend_v our_o sin_n but_o three_o fear_n be_v almost_o inseparable_o join_v with_o gild_n for_o gild_n do_v not_o only_a damp_n the_o cheerfulness_n and_o enfeeble_v the_o vigour_n of_o the_o mind_n it_o do_v not_o only_o destroy_v that_o confidence_n man_n will_v otherwise_o natural_o have_v in_o god_n and_o render_v he_o cowardly_a and_o pusillanimous_a but_o it_o terrify_v his_o soul_n with_o melancholy_a apprehension_n and_o make_v he_o live_v continual_o in_o fear_n of_o death_n and_o punishment_n and_o thus_o the_o scripture_n represent_v the_o state_n of_o a_o sinner_n the_o wicked_a flee_v when_o none_o pursue_v but_o the_o righteous_a be_v bold_a as_o a_o lion_n prov._n 28.1_o if_o our_o heart_n condemn_v we_o god_n be_v great_a than_o our_o heart_n and_o know_v all_o thing_n 1_o john_n 3.2_o there_o be_v no_o peace_n to_o the_o wicked_a say_v the_o lord_n isa_n 48.22_o to_o deliver_v they_o who_o through_o fear_n of_o death_n be_v all_o their_o life_n time_n subject_a to_o bondage_n heb._n 2.15_o the_o sinner_n in_o zion_n be_v afraid_a fearfulness_n have_v surpise_v the_o hypocrite_n who_o among_o we_o shall_v dwell_v with_o the_o devour_a fire_n who_o among_o we_o shall_v dwell_v with_o everlasting_a burn_n isa_n 23.14_o nor_o let_v any_o one_o wonder_n that_o notwithstanding_o the_o outward_a gaiety_n of_o the_o sinner_n the_o spirit_n thus_o describe_v the_o inward_a condition_n of_o his_o soul_n as_o long_o as_o man_n retain_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v whole_o free_v themselves_o from_o the_o fear_n of_o he_o they_o may_v indeed_o forget_v he_o in_o the_o fit_v of_o lust_n or_o passion_n but_o in_o their_o intermission_n his_o terror_n will_v return_v upon_o they_o with_o more_o violence_n again_o as_o long_o as_o man_n retain_v the_o common_a principle_n of_o truth_n and_o justice_n if_o they_o acknowledge_v but_o the_o obligation_n of_o that_o universal_a law_n thou_o shall_v do_v to_o other_o as_o thou_o will_v they_o shall_v do_v unto_o thou_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v reflect_v on_o their_o sin_n without_o regret_n and_o uneasiness_n for_o there_o be_v no_o sin_n but_o have_v more_o or_o less_o repugnancy_n in_o it_o to_o truth_n justice_n and_o goodness_n final_o as_o long_o as_o man_n be_v persuade_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o faculty_n as_o conscience_n that_o god_n have_v prescribe_v they_o a_o law_n and_o that_o they_o be_v accountable_a to_o he_o the_o natural_a conscience_n can_v choose_v but_o by_o fit_n and_o upon_o occasion_n scourge_n and_o torture_n lance_n and_o gash_n they_o and_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o wear_v out_o these_o notion_n they_o be_v so_o natural_a and_o obvious_a the_o proof_n of_o they_o be_v so_o clear_a their_o reputation_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o well_o establish_v and_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n so_o frequent_o inculcate_n they_o man_n may_v easy_o wear_v out_o all_o sense_n of_o the_o beauty_n and_o of_o their_o obligation_n to_o the_o height_n and_o perfection_n of_o virtue_n but_o they_o can_v so_o easy_o do_v this_o in_o reference_n to_o virtue_n in_o general_a because_o it_o be_v temper_v and_o accommodate_v to_o human_a nature_n and_o society_n and_o necessary_a to_o the_o tolerable_a well-being_n of_o the_o world_n man_n may_v soon_o i_o confess_v extinguish_v their_o christianity_n but_o not_o humanity_n and_o while_o this_o remain_v sin_n will_v leave_v a_o stain_n and_o gild_n behind_o it_o and_o gild_n will_v be_v attend_v by_o uneasiness_n and_o fear_v the_o very_a pagan_n who_o have_v advance_v so_o far_o in_o wickedness_n as_o to_o be_v give_v up_o to_o all_o dishonourable_a passion_n and_o to_o commit_v all_o uncleanness_n with_o greediness_n have_v not_o yet_o so_o mortify_v and_o stupefy_v their_o conscience_n but_o that_o it_o give_v they_o much_o disturbance_n rom._n 1._o ver_fw-la 32._o it_o be_v say_v of_o they_o that_o they_o know_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n that_o they_o which_o commit_v such_o thing_n be_v worthy_a of_o death_n and_o rom._n 2.15_o their_o conscience_n be_v say_v to_o accuse_v and_o condemn_v they_o and_o it_o be_v of_o very_o wicked_a man_n that_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n affirm_v that_o through_o fear_n of_o death_n they_o be_v all_o their_o life_n time_n subject_a to_o bondage_n but_o be_v there_o not_o will_v some_o say_v many_o ingenious_a and_o brave_a spirit_n who_o have_v disperse_v these_o vain_a spectres_n and_o burst_v those_o superstitious_a fetter_n by_o which_o you_o labour_v to_o scare_v and_o enslave_v the_o world_n i_o do_v not_o doubt_v indeed_o but_o that_o there_o be_v too_o many_o who_o have_v vigorous_o endeavour_v to_o cashier_v all_o principle_n of_o natural_a