Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
doctrine_n	church_n	faith_n	unity_n	4,187	5	9.2413	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42447	Some considerations concerning the Trinity and the ways of managing that controversie	Gastrell, Francis, 1662-1725.	1696 (1696)	Wing G303; ESTC R14599	33,473	64

distinction_n which_o we_o have_v but_o a_o confuse_a perception_n of_o and_o can_v comprehend_v or_o explain_v by_o any_o particular_a idea_n which_o unknown_a inexplicable_a distinction_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o these_o difference_n express_o conceive_v by_o we_o and_o since_o the_o church_n have_v think_v fit_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o unity_n and_o peace_n and_o for_o the_o suppress_v all_o private_a dispute_n and_o interpretation_n to_o appoint_v set_v form_n to_o express_v this_o our_o faith_n in_o i_o think_v the_o athanasian_n creed_n as_o rational_a a_o explication_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o can_v well_o be_v make_v the_o worst_a that_o the_o enemy_n of_o this_o doctrine_n can_v say_v of_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o unnecessary_a multiplication_n of_o term_n and_o too_o nice_a a_o endeavour_n to_o explain_v what_o can_v be_v explain_v but_o not_o that_o it_o be_v false_a or_o absurd_a nothing_o be_v there_o assert_v in_o any_o sense_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n or_o the_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n all_o such_o meaning_n and_o signification_n of_o any_o term_n or_o expression_n in_o that_o creed_n be_v very_o improper_a as_o they_o be_v there_o apply_v and_o utter_o disclaim_v by_o the_o church_n that_o enjoin_v the_o use_n of_o it_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v esteem_v a_o unreasonable_a imposition_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v our_o faith_n of_o something_o which_o can_v be_v conceive_v but_o confuse_o and_o indistinct_o nor_o express_v but_o in_o general_a and_o obscure_a term_n for_o where_o be_v the_o hardship_n of_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v believe_v god_n be_v incomprehensible_a in_o his_o nature_n and_o perfection_n but_o be_v we_o not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o be_v incomprehensible_a be_v we_o not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v there_o be_v joy_n in_o heaven_n which_o it_o have_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v and_o to_o repeat_v a_o former_a instance_n may_v not_o a_o blind_a man_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v what_o a_o friend_n of_o unsuspected_a integrity_n tell_v he_o of_o the_o general_a nature_n of_o colour_n though_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o form_v a_o particular_a idea_n of_o it_o and_o if_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v deny_v what_o difference_n can_v be_v assign_v why_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v under_o as_o great_a a_o obligation_n of_o believe_v the_o trinity_n though_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceive_v it_o distinct_o a_o threefold_a distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n consistent_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n be_v as_o plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n as_o any_o other_o article_n of_o faith_n nor_o be_v those_o general_a abstract_a term_n we_o find_v in_o our_o creed_n to_o be_v condemn_v as_o mere_a useless_a and_o perplex_v nicety_n for_o though_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v we_o understand_v the_o trinity_n full_o and_o distinct_o yet_o they_o be_v proper_a limitation_n to_o exclude_v all_o the_o false_a and_o unworthy_a apprehension_n of_o this_o doctrine_n which_o pretender_n to_o a_o more_o particular_a explication_n may_v introduce_v iii_o and_o now_o what_o dangerous_a consequence_n can_v possible_o attend_v such_o a_o faith_n as_o this_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o trinity_n have_v draw_v up_o a_o heavy_a charge_n against_o this_o doctrine_n and_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o liberty_n in_o their_o discourse_n about_o it_o but_o the_o principal_a objection_n that_o have_v be_v make_v by_o any_o of_o they_o be_v but_o three_o to_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n may_v be_v reduce_v and_o these_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v by_o the_o account_n before_o give_v be_v very_o frivolous_a and_o unjust_a 1._o the_o first_o pernicious_a consequence_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n stand_v charge_v with_o be_v the_o introduction_n of_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n but_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a from_o what_o we_o have_v say_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a to_o believe_v a_o trinity_n in_o any_o such_o sense_n as_o imply_v a_o plurality_n of_o god_n for_o according_a to_o the_o notion_n i_o have_v there_o show_v we_o have_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n it_o be_v undeniable_o certain_a to_o every_o man_n experience_n that_o we_o can_v conceive_v more_o than_o one_o god_n all_o our_o endeavour_n to_o comprehend_v more_o be_v only_a repetition_n of_o the_o same_o idea_n let_v those_o therefore_o take_v care_n to_o answer_v this_o accusation_n who_o under_o pretence_n of_o give_v a_o more_o rational_a account_n of_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v in_o this_o point_n set_v up_o create_v subordinate_a god_n to_o be_v partner_n with_o their_o maker_n in_o the_o glory_n and_o worship_n due_a to_o he_o beside_o we_o do_v explicit_o declare_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o make_v profession_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o a_o trinity_n or_o three_o person_n 2._o in_o the_o next_o place_n therefore_o we_o be_v accuse_v of_o believe_a contradiction_n and_o consequent_o of_o destroy_v all_o the_o certainty_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n which_o fence_n be_v down_o there_o be_v no_o error_n so_o gross_a or_o absurd_a but_o may_v be_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o and_o transubstantiation_n have_v as_o good_a a_o pretence_n to_o be_v a_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o the_o trinity_n but_o i_o need_v not_o make_v any_o particular_a answer_n to_o this_o objection_n have_v prove_v at_o large_a already_o that_o we_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v believe_v a_o trinity_n in_o any_o sense_n that_o contradict_v the_o plain_a and_o evident_a principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n we_o do_v not_o believe_v there_o can_v be_v more_o god_n than_o one_o that_o one_o can_v be_v three_o in_o the_o same_o respect_n it_o be_v one_o or_o that_o one_o god_n can_v be_v three_o person_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n three_o man_n be_v three_o person_n or_o any_o other_o proposition_n that_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o those_o natural_a notion_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o our_o other_o knowledge_n but_o the_o patron_n of_o transubstantiation_n can_v make_v this_o plea_n who_o in_o this_o one_o particular_a deny_v those_o very_a principle_n which_o upon_o all_o other_o occasion_n they_o rely_v upon_o with_o the_o great_a assurance_n do_v they_o only_o affirm_v that_o christ_n be_v present_a in_o that_o sacrament_n in_o some_o way_n or_o manner_n they_o can_v not_o comprehend_v but_o in_o no_o way_n repugnant_a to_o the_o plain_a and_o necessary_a dictate_v of_o well-informed_n sense_n and_o right_a reason_n there_o may_v be_v then_o some_o resemblance_n find_v betwixt_o this_o doctrine_n and_o that_o of_o the_o trinity_n but_o at_o present_a the_o comparison_n be_v palpable_o and_o notorious_o unjust_a 3._o but_o three_o it_o be_v further_o object_v that_o though_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o we_o explain_v it_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v to_o contain_v downright_a contradiction_n yet_o at_o least_o it_o must_v be_v count_v and_o esteem_v as_o a_o mystery_n and_o the_o imposition_n of_o mystery_n for_o article_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o very_o ill_a consequence_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o charge_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o as_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n so_o in_o most_o other_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n there_o be_v something_o that_o we_o plain_o and_o certain_o understand_v and_o something_o that_o we_o can_v possible_o comprehend_v thus_o a_o man_n by_o inward_a reflection_n be_v infallible_o conscious_a of_o his_o own_o thought_n and_o he_o judge_n whatever_o he_o perceive_v within_o himself_o to_o proceed_v from_o one_o common_a principle_n which_o he_o call_v his_o soul_n and_o which_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o its_o operation_n he_o be_v full_o persuade_v be_v something_o of_o a_o different_a kind_n from_o his_o body_n though_o it_o always_o act_n in_o consent_n with_o it_o but_o what_o this_o soul_n be_v or_o in_o what_o manner_n unite_v to_o his_o body_n he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceive_v and_o therefore_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o human_a soul_n take_v all_o together_o may_v as_o just_o be_v style_v a_o mystery_n as_o the_o trinity_n we_o ought_v not_o then_o to_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o word_n mystery_n since_o if_o we_o strict_o examine_v our_o thought_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o almost_o every_o thing_n we_o pretend_v to_o know_v come_v under_o that_o name_n even_o those_o thing_n we_o have_v the_o great_a assurance_n of_o our_o very_a soul_n and_o being_n this_o be_v observe_v we_o may_v consider_v the_o trinity_n either_o with_o respect_n to_o what_o may_v be_v understand_v of_o it_o or_o what_o can_v so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o

some_o consideration_n concern_v the_o trinity_n and_o the_o way_n of_o manage_n that_o controversy_n london_n print_v and_o sell_v by_o e._n whitlock_n near_o stationers-hall_n mdcxcvi_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n this_o discourse_n be_v write_v some_o time_n ago_o for_o the_o private_a satisfaction_n of_o the_o author_n who_o think_v that_o a_o proper_a season_n for_o a_o impartial_a enquiry_n into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n when_o several_a person_n of_o different_a opinion_n in_o that_o point_n have_v just_a before_o appear_v in_o the_o controversy_n about_o it_o and_o their_o print_a paper_n be_v canvas_v over_o again_o in_o conversation_n have_v produce_v many_o new_a remark_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a which_o advantage_n together_o with_o what_o he_o have_v former_o read_v have_v as_o he_o judge_v give_v he_o a_o pretty_a full_a comprehension_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o dispute_n he_o take_v the_o follow_a method_n of_o re-examining_a that_o part_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o justify_v what_o he_o believe_v to_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o conscience_n some_o person_n to_o who_o he_o communicate_v what_o he_o have_v write_v advise_v he_o to_o print_v which_o he_o have_v do_v before_o now_o upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o great_a and_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o church_n late_o dead_a who_o be_v please_v to_o approve_v the_o paper_n without_o know_v to_o who_o they_o belong_v but_o occasion_n be_v give_v he_o to_o foresee_v some_o little_a objection_n which_o may_v probable_o at_o that_o particular_a time_n have_v in_o some_o measure_n obstruct_v his_o good_a intention_n in_o print_v they_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o defer_v the_o publication_n of_o they_o till_o a_o more_o convenient_a opportunity_n such_o as_o he_o judge_v this_o to_o be_v when_o the_o controversy_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v manage_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o offend_v a_o great_a many_o and_o satisfy_v very_o few_o and_o the_o church_n be_v like_a to_o suffer_v very_o much_o by_o the_o too_o adventurous_a attempt_n make_v by_o some_o to_o vindicate_v her_o doctrine_n those_o who_o pretend_v to_o explain_v the_o distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n by_o modes_n office_n relation_n and_o the_o like_a be_v censure_v as_o say_v too_o little_a and_o come_v much_o below_o the_o character_n of_o distinction_n to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o use_v these_o term_n they_o acquaint_v we_o that_o they_o use_v they_o in_o a_o different_a sense_n from_o any_o they_o be_v take_v in_o when_o apply_v to_o creature_n and_o in_o a_o sense_n import_v great_a difference_n but_o such_o as_o be_v not_o conceivable_a by_o human_a understanding_n and_o some_o of_o those_o who_o call_v the_o three_o divine_a person_n three_o infinite_a mind_n spirit_n or_o substance_n will_v not_o be_v think_v to_o mean_v by_o these_o expression_n that_o the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o godhead_n be_v as_o much_o distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o as_o three_o man_n or_o three_o angel_n be_v but_o that_o the_o distinction_n betwixt_o they_o be_v so_o great_a that_o no_o other_o term_n can_v reach_v it_o though_o these_o do_v somewhat_o exceed_v what_o they_o will_v signify_v by_o they_o which_o distinction_n less_o than_o these_o expression_n in_o the_o common_a use_n of_o they_o do_v import_n and_o high_a than_o any_o other_o can_v come_v up_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v likewise_o to_o be_v inconceivable_a which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o author_n of_o this_o discourse_n he_o think_v it_o more_o advisable_a to_o use_v no_o new_a term_n with_o a_o design_n of_o explain_v what_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o person_n of_o different_a side_n in_o the_o dispute_n be_v not_o to_o be_v render_v more_o conceivable_a and_o to_o justify_v his_o opinion_n in_o this_o matter_n he_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o no_o new_a term_n can_v be_v use_v to_o any_o such_o purpose_n and_o this_o he_o think_v he_o have_v make_v very_o evident_a by_o the_o account_n he_o have_v give_v of_o what_o we_o can_v distinct_o conceive_v and_o what_o we_o can_v confuse_o believe_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n which_o ought_v careful_o to_o be_v distinguish_v in_o all_o disquisition_n upon_o subject_n of_o this_o nature_n as_o for_o those_o who_o will_v allow_v only_o a_o pure_a nominal_a distinction_n in_o the_o godhead_n or_o that_o apply_v the_o term_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n to_o mere_a create_a being_n he_o have_v only_o the_o language_n and_o design_n of_o scripture_n to_o oppose_v to_o they_o which_o seem_v to_o he_o utter_o irreconcilable_a to_o such_o notion_n and_o he_o hope_v those_o general_a reflection_n he_o have_v draw_v from_o thence_o will_v make_v this_o appear_v so_o to_o other_o but_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o make_v the_o person_n in_o the_o godhead_n as_o distinct_a as_o three_o man_n or_o three_o angel_n he_o be_v sure_a both_o from_o revelation_n and_o reason_n be_v false_a and_o that_o advance_v any_o such_o explication_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o will_v fair_o bear_v this_o construction_n be_v of_o such_o dangerous_a consequence_n that_o he_o hope_v he_o have_v do_v some_o service_n to_o religion_n by_o prove_v that_o three_o person_n in_o the_o godhead_n as_o distinct_a as_o three_o man_n or_o three_o angel_n be_v not_o only_o a_o incomprehensible_a notion_n but_o a_o impossible_a thing_n which_o imply_v a_o manifest_a contradiction_n to_o the_o plain_a and_o sure_a principle_n of_o knowledge_n have_v give_v this_o short_a account_n of_o the_o author_n and_o his_o performance_n in_o this_o discourse_n i_o have_v only_o this_o further_a to_o acquaint_v his_o reader_n with_o that_o he_o desire_v they_o will_v believe_v he_o to_o be_v a_o sincere_a man_n that_o have_v a_o serious_a regard_n for_o religion_n and_o no_o other_o aim_n behind_o what_o he_o profess_v for_o whatever_o his_o argument_n be_v he_o be_v sure_a his_o design_n be_v good_a and_o that_o his_o reason_v may_v appear_v so_o too_o he_o will_v be_v glad_a that_o they_o who_o take_v up_o these_o paper_n will_v give_v they_o the_o read_n over_o before_o they_o pass_v any_o judgement_n upon_o what_o be_v advance_v in_o they_o for_o the_o discourse_n be_v write_v in_o the_o demonstrative_a way_n where_o the_o main_a conclusion_n be_v establish_v by_o a_o long_a train_n of_o preparatory_a proof_n no_o true_a judgement_n can_v be_v make_v but_o upon_o the_o whole_a together_o may_v it_o please_v god_n to_o make_v these_o endeavour_n of_o the_o author_n successful_a to_o satisfy_v and_o unite_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n in_o their_o belief_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n or_o may_v he_o direct_v some_o able_a person_n to_o find_v out_o more_o effectual_a method_n of_o establish_v the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o settle_v the_o present_a peace_n of_o the_o church_n some_o consideration_n concern_v the_o trinity_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n have_v produce_v so_o many_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n such_o a_o numerous_a variety_n of_o opinion_n and_o sect_n as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n if_o we_o consult_v the_o large_a catalogue_n of_o primitive_a heresy_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o far_o great_a number_n of_o they_o nothing_o else_o but_o so_o many_o several_a modes_n and_o way_n of_o explain_v the_o common_a undivided_a nature_n and_o essence_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o the_o different_a office_n and_o operation_n of_o each_o person_n how_o far_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o these_o point_n the_o many_o absurd_a and_o blasphemous_a exposition_n that_o have_v be_v make_v of_o they_o and_o the_o warm_a and_o indiscreet_a management_n of_o contrary_a party_n have_v contribute_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o scandal_n of_o its_o professor_n have_v be_v a_o common_a observation_n and_o complaint_n in_o all_o christian_a age_n and_o several_a expedient_n have_v be_v propose_v for_o the_o redress_v of_o this_o mischief_n but_o all_o attempt_n of_o this_o kind_n have_v hitherto_o miscarry_v the_o principal_a reason_n of_o which_o i_o humble_o conceive_v to_o be_v this_o that_o those_o who_o have_v labour_v in_o this_o good_a design_n have_v for_o the_o most_o part_n proceed_v upon_o wrong_a measure_n now_o the_o method_n that_o have_v be_v general_o and_o chief_o insist_v upon_o be_v three_o which_o be_v all_o improper_a or_o insufficient_a and_o have_v therefore_o prove_v ineffectual_a as_o will_v plain_o appear_v upon_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o each_o 1._o first_o then_o there_o be_v some_o who_o be_v for_o reverence_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o trinity_n without_o ever_o look_v into_o it_o at_o all_o who_o think_v it_o not_o to_o be_v the_o subject_a either_o of_o dispute_n or_o enquiry_n imagine_v every_o thing_n of_o this_o high_a and_o transcendent_a nature_n be_v propose_v to_o we_o