Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A25669
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Antiquity reviv'd, or, The government of a certain island antiently call'd Astreada in reference to religion, policy, war and peace some hundreds of years before the coming of Christ.
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1693
(1693)
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Wing A3510; ESTC R19475
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60,242
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129
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of_o other_o who_o attribute_v half_a divinity_n to_o some_o instructer_n of_o worship_n as_o well_o as_o to_o their_o repute_a heroique_n be_v no_o less_o ridiculous_a than_o absurd_a it_o be_v impossible_a that_o religion_n shall_v be_v so_o near_o ally_v to_o mortality_n or_o be_v oblige_v to_o a_o founder_n of_o human_a denomination_n and_o if_o the_o world_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o visible_a and_o constant_a providence_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v that_o religion_n be_v deducible_a from_o thence_o and_o no_o less_o manifest_a and_o perpetual_o extant_a to_o sense_n as_o palpable_o as_o we_o behold_v the_o sky_n and_o star_n above_o our_o head_n wherefore_o that_o this_o supreme_a tenent_n ought_v to_o be_v allow_v and_o reverence_v as_o the_o most_o clear_a foundation_n of_o belief_n conclude_v that_o it_o have_v be_v as_o general_o concede_v have_v not_o the_o invention_n and_o fraud_n of_o man_n oppose_v so_o clear_a and_o know_v a_o truth_n add_v that_o he_o desire_v to_o hear_v what_o can_v be_v oppose_v to_o this_o notion_n before_o he_o proceed_v to_o other_o principle_n of_o their_o worship_n the_o athenian_a philosopher_n judge_v that_o the_o method_n propose_v be_v high_o rational_a and_o of_o divine_a and_o natural_a simplicity_n and_o turn_v to_o the_o athenian_a priest_n tell_v he_o that_o it_o be_v incumbent_a on_o he_o to_o justify_v the_o reasonable_a integrity_n of_o the_o worship_n he_o profess_v if_o in_o the_o compass_n of_o his_o understanding_n lest_o his_o devotion_n be_v hold_v unrighteous_o apply_v to_o heaven_n and_o altar_n pollute_v by_o the_o cruel_a sacrifice_n of_o creature_n whereby_o the_o divine_a power_n may_v be_v rather_o incense_v than_o propitious_o implore_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o humane_a frailty_n the_o grecian_a priest_n be_v not_o a_o little_a concern_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v thus_o woo_v to_o a_o disputation_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o he_o be_v very_o prone_a to_o avoid_v but_o judge_v that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o credit_n and_o interest_n of_o his_o persuasion_n and_o function_n to_o act_v polemical_o in_o their_o defence_n he_o reply_v to_o this_o purpose_n that_o he_o will_v not_o undertake_v to_o prove_v any_o other_o evidence_n of_o the_o belief_n he_o profess_v than_o what_o redound_v from_o usage_n and_o allow_v reception_n as_o it_o have_v be_v write_v or_o traditional_o convey_v by_o such_o that_o be_v not_o manifest_o liable_a to_o the_o imputation_n of_o fraud_n in_o what_o they_o deliver_v who_o as_o they_o be_v founder_n of_o worship_n be_v likewise_o esteem_v inspire_v if_o not_o oraculous_o instruct_v from_o above_o that_o man_n from_o man_n in_o respect_n of_o outward_a rule_n and_o certainty_n have_v be_v propense_a to_o acquiesce_v in_o sueh_a notion_n though_o not_o otherwise_o demonstrative_a neither_o do_v he_o deny_v that_o general_a providence_n as_o the_o fidefendon_n allege_v be_v more_o apparent_a and_o visible_a than_o any_o particular_a tenent_n of_o religion_n however_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o maxim_n of_o worship_n be_v so_o extreme_o various_a in_o divers_a nation_n though_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o entire_a world_n and_o divine_a conduct_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o every_o article_n of_o faith_n have_v be_v as_o discernible_a as_o the_o orb_n of_o light_n nay_o write_v with_o a_o sunbeam_n on_o every_o object_n we_o behold_v but_o this_o general_a conviction_n be_v not_o to_o be_v perceive_v man_n ought_v to_o follow_v such_o doctrine_n as_o have_v gain_v most_o credit_n on_o their_o understanding_n the_o fidefendon_n tell_v he_o that_o he_o commend_v he_o for_o wish_v that_o the_o essential_o of_o divine_a worship_n have_v great_a evidence_n than_o human_a relation_n or_o tenant_n prescribe_v by_o the_o pen_n of_o man_n by_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v not_o apparent_a how_o far_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v credible_o allow_v or_o accompany_v with_o any_o sensible_a demonstration_n that_o invention_n or_o deceit_n do_v not_o manage_v the_o contrivance_n for_o though_o a_o book_n may_v with_o sufficient_a assurance_n deliver_v a_o mathematical_a certainty_n with_o a_o quod_fw-la erat_fw-la demonstrandum_fw-la it_o be_v much_o otherwise_o as_o to_o any_o fundamental_a of_o faith_n as_o it_o shall_v respect_v heaven_n which_o teach_v the_o soul_n visible_o to_o apprehend_v the_o illumination_n without_o book_n from_o above_o to_o which_o undeniable_a conviction_n all_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o what_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o every_o sense_n that_o operate_v in_o mankind_n full_o assent_v suppose_v he_o add_v that_o i_o shall_v inspect_v such_o write_n of_o your_o as_o be_v no_o less_o esteem_v by_o you_o than_o sacred_a record_n and_o shall_v find_v there_o such_o act_n of_o your_o deify_v jupiter_n as_o you_o grant_v miraculous_a be_v it_o therefore_o as_o clear_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o any_o indifferent_a understanding_n that_o your_o deity_n either_o do_v such_o wonder_n or_o delegated_a by_o inspiration_n any_o person_n to_o convey_v they_o to_o other_o when_o you_o neither_o produce_v or_o rely_v on_o any_o visible_a fact_n or_o universal_a manifestation_n of_o his_o omnipotent_a power_n together_o with_o the_o reverence_n incumbent_a from_o thence_o on_o the_o soul_n of_o man._n our_o intellect_n be_v sensible_o assure_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o pay_v adoration_n on_o our_o knee_n to_o what_o we_o see_v not_o from_o what_o we_o ocular_o behold_v in_o the_o admirable_a frame_n and_o structure_n of_o the_o universe_n in_o who_o circumference_n shall_v not_o the_o fix_a star_n stand_v at_o one_o constant_a distance_n one_o from_o another_o and_o the_o diurnal_a motion_n of_o the_o orb_n above_o perpetual_o keep_v the_o same_o time_n no_o individual_a will_v in_o probability_n last_o a_o moment_n but_o we_o reflect_v on_o you_o grecian_n no_o less_o than_o on_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o by_o invent_v denomination_n and_o belief_n presumptuous_o impose_v on_o heaven_n what_o be_v not_o to_o be_v discern_v from_o thence_o by_o any_o actual_a object_n or_o propriety_n and_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o perfect_o or_o necessary_o perceive_v than_o what_o obvious_o resultâ—_n from_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o universe_n above_o and_o below_o it_o be_v impious_a to_o concede_fw-la that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v effectual_o convey_v and_o see_v by_o our_o eye_n no_o less_o undoubted_o than_o requisite_a to_o terminate_v and_o convict_v our_o understanding_n which_o to_o deny_v be_v very_o absurd_a and_o consequent_o will_v force_v on_o providence_n a_o defect_n some_o there_o be_v who_o confident_o affirm_v that_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o universe_n do_v dependant_o subsist_v and_o guide_v in_o all_o its_o operation_n and_o effect_n by_o a_o spiritual_a be_v but_o how_o a_o spiritual_a essence_n can_v actuate_v on_o thing_n of_o a_o corporeal_a nature_n that_o be_v limit_v and_o qualify_v according_o be_v not_o intelligible_a we_o may_v imagine_v to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o purity_n that_o one_o substance_n may_v be_v more_o refine_a and_o dignify_v than_o another_o as_o we_o behold_v from_o the_o figure_n and_o beam_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o other_o of_o the_o celestial_a body_n yet_o not_o be_v able_a from_o thence_o to_o define_v a_o spirit_n or_o to_o attribute_v to_o a_o divine_a spiritual_a essence_n the_o contiguous_a order_n and_o disposal_n of_o substance_n terminate_v by_o material_a part_n and_o effect_n of_o sense_n as_o be_v our_o human_a body_n and_o whatsoever_o have_v vegetation_n or_o life_n to_o affirm_v otherwise_o be_v not_o easy_o discharge_v from_o contradiction_n in_o like_a manner_n it_o seem_v no_o less_o natural_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n in_o such_o as_o do_v maintain_v that_o spiritual_a worship_n be_v due_a from_o the_o human_a soul_n which_o as_o it_o have_v its_o be_v and_o actuate_v in_o the_o body_n of_o man_n can_v have_v no_o proper_a idea_n of_o any_o spiritual_a existence_n let_v any_o one_o that_o will_v be_v think_v to_o believe_v otherwise_o prostrate_v himself_o as_o devout_o as_o he_o can_v and_o he_o will_v find_v in_o opposition_n to_o this_o maxim_n that_o his_o contemplation_n will_v furnish_v he_o with_o something_o or_o other_o that_o resemble_v body_n and_o part_n and_o most_o likely_a such_o as_o be_v of_o human_a similitude_n suitable_a to_o the_o deity_n that_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v worship_v for_o which_o the_o fiction_n of_o the_o priesthood_n ought_v to_o be_v accountable_a this_o example_n in_o stead_n of_o other_o argument_n i_o hold_v full_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v opposer_n that_o the_o notion_n of_o spiritual_a worship_n be_v neither_o reasonable_a or_o natural_o allowable_a in_o stead_n of_o which_o i_o will_v clear_o propose_v when_o i_o touch_v that_o particular_a such_o a_o sensible_a and_o proper_a worship_n though_o annex_v to_o no_o denomination_n of_o deity_n in_o any_o kind_n as_o shall_v
remove_v after_o the_o manner_n they_o determine_v from_o the_o visible_a corporeal_a world_n to_o another_o who_o place_n they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o demonstrate_v otherwise_o than_o by_o a_o implicit_a belief_n that_o go_v far_a with_o they_o than_o real_a proof_n i_o can_v apprehend_v what_o answer_v they_o will_v return_v unless_o they_o will_v ingenious_o confess_v that_o they_o do_v not_o know_v nor_o can_v i_o guess_v on_o what_o they_o ground_n their_o notion_n of_o transport_v the_o person_n of_o all_o after_o death_n from_o one_o world_n to_o another_o pretend_a unless_o it_o be_v that_o they_o believe_v the_o compass_n of_o this_o world_n be_v not_o spacious_a enough_o to_o receive_v the_o vast_a number_n of_o both_o sex_n that_o be_v to_o say_v all_o that_o have_v and_o shall_v enter_v the_o confine_n of_o mortality_n by_o death_n and_o i_o grant_v that_o it_o may_v be_v some_o question_n whether_o the_o terrestrial_a globe_n be_v sufficient_o large_a to_o give_v entertainment_n to_o all_o of_o humane_a composition_n after_o live_v here_o or_o if_o room_n enough_o for_o they_o to_o move_v or_o stand_v foot_n by_o foot_n together_o but_o whether_o move_v sit_v stand_v or_o lie_v be_v the_o general_a suppose_a posture_n of_o such_o as_o by_o future_a life_n shall_v reside_v in_o the_o elysium_n bode_v be_v not_o derermine_v by_o your_o grecian_a dogmatist_n but_o as_o for_o the_o personal_a appearance_n of_o every_o individual_a of_o humane_a kind_n there_o i_o conceive_v they_o allow_v they_o to_o pass_v thither_o as_o naked_a as_o they_o first_o come_v to_o their_o grave_n and_o sepulcher_n and_o if_o they_o grant_v that_o bodily_a organ_n be_v restore_v to_o both_o sex_n as_o they_o survive_v again_o i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o they_o can_v deny_v our_o corporeal_a sense_n and_o appetite_n in_o the_o elysium_n they_o ordain_v neither_o do_v i_o doubt_v but_o their_o tenent_n be_v so_o indulgent_a to_o beauty_n as_o to_o concede_fw-la to_o man_n and_o woman_n such_o a_o renovation_n as_o may_v best_o refine_v the_o splendour_n of_o their_o youth_n and_o feature_n and_o who_o can_v question_v but_o this_o pleasant_a imagination_n have_v proselit_v not_o a_o few_o especial_o the_o most_o delicate_a of_o both_o sex_n in_o all_o age_n some_o i_o confess_v affirm_v that_o both_o soul_n and_o body_n shall_v not_o be_v only_o renovate_v but_o purify_v from_o the_o natural_a passion_n and_o affection_n that_o be_v they_o when_o earthly_a inhabitant_n but_o how_o they_o can_v presume_v that_o humane_a composition_n be_v capable_a of_o such_o a_o cleanse_n or_o refine_n in_o similitude_n to_o the_o practical_a effect_n of_o fire_n or_o water_n i_o do_v as_o little_o understand_v as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o inform_v i_o in_o sum_n conclude_v the_o fidefendon_n we_o be_v not_o averse_a to_o any_o of_o the_o before_o recite_v doctrine_n on_o the_o account_n that_o we_o will_v be_v think_v to_o pretend_v to_o great_a assurance_n by_o any_o notion_n of_o our_o own_o that_o relate_v to_o future_a live_n in_o another_o world_n be_v please_v therefore_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o we_o of_o this_o island_n be_v no_o such_o bigot_n for_o any_o assertion_n of_o belief_n that_o be_v rather_o problematical_a and_o discussive_a than_o evident_a to_o the_o understanding_n nothing_o be_v more_o fundamental_o repugnant_a to_o our_o creed_n than_o to_o intermix_v any_o dubious_a conjecture_n with_o maxim_n of_o our_o faith_n much_o less_o impose_v thâ—m_n on_o other_o a_o precipitate_a hazard_n or_o crime_n for_o which_o too_o many_o religion_n be_v at_o this_o day_n accountable_a if_o providence_n our_o familiar_a and_o visible_a director_n as_o have_v be_v enough_o instanced_a do_v not_o perspicuous_o guide_v our_o assent_n as_o far_o as_o the_o cursory_a doctrine_n of_o other_o extend_v it_o be_v they_o that_o dissent_v exorbitant_o fâ—om_n we_o and_o not_o we_o from_o they_o and_o whosoever_o do_v undertake_v to_o deliver_v maxim_n of_o faith_n less_o sensible_o proceed_v from_o the_o undoubted_a manifestation_n of_o providence_n or_o less_o ocular_o and_o rational_o certain_a than_o the_o order_n and_o conduct_v of_o â—he_n universe_n in_o all_o respect_n must_v grant_v his_o proposition_n as_o palpable_o deficient_a if_o compare_v with_o we_o as_o the_o shadow_n of_o night_n be_v to_o the_o illumination_n of_o the_o clear_a light_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o article_n of_o â—heir_a worship_n that_o be_v evident_a to_o sense_n nor_o any_o distribution_n of_o moral_a virtue_n or_o sincere_a esteem_n of_o pious_a conversation_n and_o life_n that_o be_v not_o entire_o embrace_v by_o we_o true_a it_o be_v that_o in_o the_o punishment_n nature_n and_o qualification_n of_o sin_n there_o may_v be_v some_o diversity_n betwixt_o their_o tenant_n and_o the_o integrity_n and_o certainty_n of_o we_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o they_o prescribe_v far_o than_o their_o understanding_n can_v accompany_v their_o creed_n let_v this_o brief_o be_v the_o example_n we_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o after_o death_n according_a to_o every_o desert_n of_o humane_a kind_n there_o shall_v be_v future_a reward_n to_o the_o good_a in_o whatsoever_o excellency_n of_o be_v the_o providential_a disposer_n of_o all_o thing_n have_v determine_v as_o likewise_o infliâ—â—ions_n on_o the_o evil_a deed_n and_o impiety_n of_o other_o which_o doctrine_n be_v not_o assert_v by_o we_o as_o a_o manifest_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o as_o our_o comfortable_a hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o felicity_n to_o come_v after_o our_o period_n of_o live_v here_o but_o not_o have_v the_o same_o familiar_a and_o open_a prospect_n of_o providence_n whereby_o we_o as_o palpable_o apprehend_v the_o place_n and_o manner_n of_o future_a life_n as_o perspicuous_o as_o we_o behold_v the_o actual_a conduct_n and_o existence_n of_o the_o universe_n in_o which_o we_o inhabit_v we_o do_v not_o dogmatical_o impose_v after_o their_o model_n the_o belief_n of_o another_o world_n nor_o can_v any_o affirm_v that_o they_o have_v the_o emphatical_a and_o visible_a assurance_n by_o any_o providential_a operation_n or_o object_n of_o a_o subsequent_a be_v reserve_v â—or_a mankind_n either_o in_o soul_n or_o body_n or_o in_o both_o conjoin_v to_o possess_v neither_o do_v we_o say_v the_o fidefendon_n as_o â—_o even_o now_o express_v in_o any_o kind_n reâ—ect_v the_o comfortable_a opinion_n of_o future_a felicity_n though_o we_o hold_v it_o not_o as_o equal_o convictive_a as_o we_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o providence_n that_o we_o be_v demonstrative_o oblige_v to_o reverence_n here_o in_o do_v of_o which_o we_o do_v not_o infer_v that_o a_o tenent_n may_v not_o be_v useful_a for_o contemplation_n and_o encouragement_n in_o order_n to_o the_o attain_n of_o humane_a perfection_n though_o it_o have_v no_o intelligible_a note_n or_o know_v assurance_n from_o proof_n however_o we_o be_v indubitable_o confirm_v that_o all_o wickedness_n be_v arraign_v by_o the_o discern_a tribunal_n that_o conscience_n do_v erect_v in_o every_o requisite_a understanding_n beside_o the_o public_a and_o outward_a ignominy_n that_o law_n inflict_v on_o enormous_a and_o presumptuous_a transgression_n of_o life_n and_o where_o there_o be_v sufficient_a capacity_n the_o sting_n of_o sin_n must_v needs_o be_v grievous_a in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o offender_n as_o â—his_v inward_a punishment_n and_o cause_v a_o deplore_a of_o his_o gild_n suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o crime_n but_o on_o the_o contraty_n where_o invinciblâ—_n ignorance_n to_o scupidity_n prevail_v that_o thâ—_n sinner_n be_v neither_o considerate_a or_o due_o capacitate_v to_o penetrate_v his_o offence_n hâ—_n may_v be_v notwithstanding_o hold_v a_o legal_a offender_n and_o punish_v as_o a_o inconveniencâ—_n and_o scandal_n to_o civil_a society_n according_a tâ—_n his_o fact_n but_o can_v be_v deem_v intelligent_a of_o his_o crime_n because_o every_o sâ—â—_n ought_v to_o proceed_v from_o the_o guilt_n anâ—_n cause_n of_o the_o understanding_n to_o preveâ—â—_n which_o imbecility_n and_o want_v of_o consideration_n in_o the_o soul_n we_o fidefendon_n anâ—_n public_o ordain_v to_o stir_v up_o in_o the_o heaâ—_n a_o suitable_a inspection_n of_o sin_n as_o also_o thâ—_n most_o thankful_a and_o devout_a return_n to_o thâ—_n supreme_a providence_n from_o who_o benignity_n and_o merciful_a effect_n we_o enjoy_v the_o comfort_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n and_o this_o be_v thâ—_n sum_n of_o our_o astreadan_n belief_n and_o worship_n the_o philosopher_n tell_v the_o fidefendon_n thaâ—_n he_o have_v nothing_o to_o object_n against_o the_o natural_a and_o manifest_a way_n of_o devotion_n whicâ—_n he_o have_v deliver_v as_o the_o common_a persuasion_n of_o his_o nation_n and_o turn_v to_o the_o astreadaâ—_n jussinedos_n or_o magistrate_n there_o present_a he_o request_v he_o to_o inform_v they_o brief_o by_o what_o political_a rule_n or_o measure_v the_o government_n of_o that_o island_n have_v be_v so_o long_o happy_a in_o not_o