Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	authority_n	church_n	office_n	1,059	5	7.1206	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59222	Five Catholick letters concerning the means of knowing with absolute certainty what faith now held was taught by Jesus Christ written by J. Sergeant upon occasion of a conference between Dr. Stillingfleet and Mr. Peter Gooden.	Sergeant, John, 1622-1707.; Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.; Gooden, Peter, d. 1695.	1688 (1688)	Wing S2568; ESTC R28132	302,336	458

profess_v to_o hold_v the_o yesterday_n faith_n when_o all_o the_o world_n must_v see_v and_o every_o man_n be_v own_o heart_n must_v tell_v he_o the_o contrary_a which_o be_v the_o high_a impossibility_n luther_n alter_v calvin_n alter_v so_o do_v many_o other_o but_o none_o of_o they_o have_v the_o face_n to_o say_v they_o still_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n or_o the_o faith_n deliver_v immediate_o before_o and_o that_o they_o have_v not_o alter_v 4._o man_n fall_v into_o sin_n through_o temptation_n and_o temptation_n be_v various_a according_a to_o man_n temper_n and_o circumstance_n whence_o it_o happen_v that_o one_o fall_v into_o one_o sort_n of_o sin_n other_o into_o another_o as_o thing_n light_a but_o it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v have_v be_v cause_n lay_v in_o the_o world_n so_o universal_a as_o to_o reach_v a_o whole_a body_n of_o man_n consist_v of_o so_o many_o million_o of_o different_a country_n temper_n and_o circumstance_n so_o as_o to_o impel_v they_o effectual_o to_o fall_v into_o the_o same_o individual_a sort_n of_o sin_n and_o this_o such_o a_o horrid_a and_o shameful_a one_o viz._n the_o alter_a the_o faith_n they_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v by_o and_o this_o so_o sudden_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n show_v evident_o it_o be_v above_o chance_n and_o the_o very_a interest_n of_o the_o world_n will_v forbid_v such_o a_o conspiracy_n be_v there_o neither_o religion_n conscience_n nor_o common_a humanity_n in_o it_o their_o very_a passion_n disaffection_n and_o enmity_n to_o one_o another_o will_v make_v they_o disagree_v in_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o wicked_a project_n their_o natural_a temper_n abstract_v from_o their_o common_a propension_n to_o truth_n and_o the_o care_n of_o preserve_v their_o credit_n utter_o lose_v by_o speak_v such_o open_a and_o pernicious_a falsehood_n will_v render_v they_o apt_a out_o of_o a_o mere_a antipathy_n of_o humour_n to_o oppose_v one_o another_o and_o all_o this_o suppose_v there_o be_v no_o goodness_n at_o all_o in_o the_o world_n to_o suppose_v which_o evacuate_v all_o christian_a motive_n and_o their_o efficacy_n and_o make_v our_o dear_a saviour_n preach_v and_o die_v in_o vain_a especial_o since_o there_o never_o want_v no_o not_o even_o in_o the_o worst_a time_n a_o fair_a degree_n of_o discipline_n to_o apply_v those_o motive_n nay_o state-interest_n or_o the_o quarrel_n of_o prince_n will_v make_v they_o glad_a to_o take_v hence_o a_o advantage_n against_o their_o emulous_a neighbour_n and_o to_o think_v it_o the_o best_a policy_n to_o lay_v hold_n on_o such_o a_o occasion_n to_o fight_v in_o behalf_n of_o faith_n and_o common_a honesty_n against_o a_o pack_n of_o shameless_a liar_n and_o deserter_n both_o of_o religion_n and_o human_a nature_n who_o care_v not_o what_o become_v of_o their_o own_o salvation_n or_o that_o of_o other_o last_o th●se_o cause_n thwart_v the_o universal_a alteration_n of_o faith_n while_o christian_n proceed_v on_o the_o former_a rule_n of_o tradition_n and_o full_a as_o much_o hinder_v the_o take_n up_o a_o new_a rule_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o there_o can_v be_v no_o cause_n to_o make_v man_n conspire_v to_o alter_v the_o yesterday_n faith_n so_o christian_a motive_n which_o contain_v the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n imaginable_a the_o hope_n of_o never-ending_a bliss_n and_o fear_n of_o eternal_a and_o intolerable_a misery_n which_o be_v believe_v and_o apply_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n can_v not_o on_o the_o contrary_a side_n but_o influence_n they_o most_o powerful_o to_o preserve_v unchanged_a and_o inviolate_a both_o the_o rule_n and_o the_o faith._n it_o be_v as_o certain_a then_o that_o a_o very_a great_a body_n of_o adherer_n to_o tradition_n and_o consequent_o to_o the_o first_o deliver_v faith_n will_v still_o remain_v on_o foot_n in_o the_o world_n as_o that_o effect_n can_v not_o be_v without_o proper_a cause_n or_o that_o motive_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a cause_n to_o work_v upon_o rational_a nature_n will_v produce_v their_o effect_n i_o mean_v such_o motive_n as_o engage_v their_o very_a nature_n add_v that_o such_o a_o change_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v public_o know_v and_o so_o have_v excite_v the_o pen_n tongue_n interest_n perhaps_o sword_n too_o of_o the_o traditionary_a and_o innovate_a party_n one_o against_o another_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o change_n as_o we_o see_v have_v happen_v in_o our_o late_a alteration_n or_o reformation_n yet_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v ever_o mention_v in_o history_n or_o come_v to_o we_o by_o tradition_n or_o any_o thing_n allege_v but_o some_o difference_n among_o particular_a spectator_n and_o their_o adherent_n side_v with_o they_o which_o amount_v to_o nothing_o comparable_a to_o that_o universal_a and_o most_o memorable_a concussion_n such_o a_o vast_a change_n as_o this_o we_o speak_v of_o must_v needs_o have_v make_v in_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o church_n 46._o sum_v up_o then_o this_o discourse_n it_o be_v manifest_a you_o have_v no_o way_n to_o answer_v our_o argument_n but_o by_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o time_n the_o lord_n know_v when_o in_o which_o there_o be_v no_o considerable_a body_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n either_o good_a christian_n honest_a man_n or_o value_v their_o credit_n but_o only_o a_o company_n of_o brutish_a godless_a lie_v ruffian_n without_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o grace_n or_o shame_n in_o they_o unfortunate_a confuter_n aristotle_n look_v upon_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v plato_n on_o thing_n as_o they_o shall_v be_v but_o to_o make_v a_o show_n of_o a_o answer_n to_o our_o argument_n you_o will_v have_v your_o reader_n look_v upon_o the_o christian_a world_n as_o it_o neither_o be_v be_v shall_v be_v or_o can_v be_v 47._o but_o you_o object_n what_o if_o all_o son_n do_v not_o understand_v aright_o all_o that_o father_n have_v teach_v they_o 23._o answer_n if_o all_o do_v not_o most_o of_o the_o intelligent_a and_o pastor_n who_o be_v of_o great_a authority_n than_o those_o some_o less-understanding_n person_n and_o tie_v by_o their_o duty_n and_o office_n to_o instruct_v their_o ignorance_n will_v and_o can_v easy_o do_v it_o when_o the_o doctrine_n open_a practice_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v settle_v and_o make_v it_o both_o so_o obligatory_a and_o so_o easy_a 2._o what_o if_o some_o son_n be_v so_o negligent_a as_o to_o take_v no_o care_n either_o to_o remember_v or_o teach_v what_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v by_o their_o father_n answ._n if_o only_o some_o be_v so_o than_o those_o who_o be_v diligent_a to_o do_v this_o will_v reprehend_v they_o and_o see_v to_o have_v thing_n amend_v and_o those_o careless_a person_n especial_o if_o pastor_n reduce_v to_o their_o duty_n there_o be_v order_n on_o foot_n in_o the_o world_n to_o oblige_v they_o to_o it_o beside_o it_o be_v a_o unheard-of_a negligence_n not_o to_o know_v or_o remember_v the_o next_o day_n the_o faith_n they_o hold_v the_o day_n before_o nor_o do_v it_o require_v that_o care_n you_o pretend_v to_o retain_v the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o four_o and_o twenty_o hour_n 3._o what_o if_o some_o through_o ambition_n vainglory_n and_o popularity_n 24._o set_v a_o broach_n new_a doctrine_n and_o teach_v they_o for_o apostolical_a tradition_n answ._n if_o only_o some_o be_v so_o than_o those_o other_o who_o be_v good_a man_n and_o free_a from_o those_o vice_n will_v set_v themselves_o to_o oppose_v they_o make_v know_v their_o false_a pretence_n and_o lay_v open_a their_o novelty_n both_o reason_n assure_v we_o that_o good_a man_n use_v not_o to_o be_v so_o stupid_o careless_a in_o such_o sacred_a concern_v and_o history_n inform_v we_o they_o be_v ever_o very_o zealous_o vigilant_a to_o oppose_v heretic_n when_o ever_o they_o begin_v to_o vent_v their_o pestilent_a doctrine_n 4._o what_o if_o other_o to_o save_v themselves_o from_o persecution_n conceal_v part_n and_o corrupt_a more_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n by_o their_o own_o tradition_n take_v not_o from_o christ_n but_o from_o their_o forefather_n jew_n or_o gentile_n then_o those_o who_o be_v out_o of_o persecution_n or_o value_v it_o not_o so_o much_o as_o they_o do_v their_o conscience_n will_v oppose_v their_o unchristian_a proceed_n then_o the_o father_n doctor_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n will_v reveal_v what_o they_o have_v conceal_v restore_v what_o they_o have_v corrupt_v and_o manifest_a that_o their_o pretence_n and_o subterfuge_n be_v false_a and_o that_o the_o doctrine_n they_o subintroduce_v have_v not_o descend_v by_o the_o open_a channel_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n tradition_n 5._o what_o if_o some_o through_o a_o blind_a zeal_n ignorant_a devotion_n superstitious_a rigour_n and_o vain_a credulity_n add_v many_o thing_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o by_o degree_n grow_v into_o more_o general_a esteem_n

truth_n be_v behalf_n i_o be_o engage_v with_o a_o adversary_n to_o who_o no_o personal_a insufficiency_n can_v be_v object_v nothing_o can_v make_v the_o victory_n come_v more_o clear_a to_o the_o cause_n i_o be_o defend_v and_o the_o more_o dr_n st._n be_v raise_v above_o the_o common_a level_n of_o writer_n the_o more_o evident_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o nothing_o but_o the_o pure_a force_n of_o truth_n can_v drive_v a_o man_n of_o his_o ability_n to_o such_o unparalleled_a shift_n and_o subterfuge_n to_o palliate_v that_o error_n the_o patronage_n of_o which_o he_o have_v so_o unfortunate_o espouse_v nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o even_o the_o best_a wit_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v baffle_v while_o it_o maintain_v such_o a_o cause_n for_o be_v it_o some_o error_n of_o a_o ordinary_a size_n that_o he_o defend_v or_o be_v the_o truth_n which_o he_o oppose_v of_o a_o trivial_a importance_n rhetoric_n and_o misuse_v wit_n may_v perhaps_o bear_v it_o down_o and_o gain_v a_o seem_a victory_n over_o it_o but_o when_o the_o sole_a point_n be_v whether_o even_o what_o we_o all_o hold_v to_o have_v be_v the_o faith_n teach_v by_o christ_n may_v for_o aught_o any_o man_n live_v know_v be_v perhaps_o none_o of_o he_o and_o so_o a_o falsehood_n and_o a_o lie_a story_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o any_o trick_n of_o human_a skill_n can_v prevail_v against_o a_o point_n of_o that_o sacred_a concern_v it_o belong_v to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o good_a god_n to_o settle_v those_o thing_n most_o firm_o which_o be_v of_o the_o great_a weight_n and_o therefore_o the_o certainty_n we_o be_v to_o have_v that_o christ_n be_v indeed_o the_o author_n of_o the_o faith_n we_o profess_v be_v such_o a_o incomparable_a good_a and_o the_o basis_n of_o all_o our_o spiritual_a building_n must_v be_v by_o far_o more_o unremovable_o establish_v and_o more_o sure_o place_v above_o a_o totter_a contingency_n than_o the_o strong_a pillar_n of_o this_o material_a world_n whence_o all_o attempt_v to_o undermine_v and_o weaken_v this_o certainty_n which_o as_o shall_v be_v see_v be_v the_o chief_a endeavour_n of_o dr_n st._n must_v be_v proportionable_o weak_a and_o ruinous_a to_o give_v you_o a_o map_n of_o his_o main_a performance_n take_v from_o his_o book_n in_o short_a and_o prove_v upon_o he_o in_o this_o reply_n first_o whereas_o it_o be_v the_o principal_a duty_n of_o a_o controvertist_n especial_o write_v about_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n to_o justify_v that_o be_v to_o prove_v faith_n to_o be_v true_a the_o dr_n be_v so_o far_o from_o do_v or_o allow_v this_o good_a office_n to_o be_v do_v to_o faith_n that_o he_o maintain_v the_o direct_a contrary_n nay_o he_o will_v not_o grant_v so_o much_o honour_n to_o any_o particular_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o our_o whole_a faith_n be_v make_v up_o of_o such_o particular_n as_o to_o let_v it_o enjoy_v even_o his_o own_o kind_n of_o absolute_a certainty_n though_o that_o fall_v short_a of_o prove_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v above_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o true_a but_o say_v over_o and_o over_o in_o perfect_o equivalent_a term_n that_o the_o sense_n which_o himself_o or_o any_o man_n or_o church_n either_o have_v of_o scripture_n in_o particular_a point_n may_v not_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o that_o be_v may_v not_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o it_o may_v not_o be_v true_a and_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o what_o may_v not_o be_v true_a can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v true_a that_o be_v be_v it_o possible_a that_o truth_n may_v not_o be_v its_o self_n second_o we_o be_v write_v controversy_n and_o consequent_o treat_v of_o faith_n precise_o according_a to_o a_o particular_a consideration_n belong_v to_o it_o which_o be_v by_o what_o way_n it_o be_v with_o absolute_a certainty_n derivable_a from_o christ._n this_o have_v be_v repeat_v and_o echo_a to_o he_o over_o and_o over_o even_o to_o surfeit_v this_o be_v the_o scope_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o conference_n this_o be_v express_v in_o my_o short_a discourse_n against_o his_o way_n of_o have_v certainty_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n and_o clear_o aim_v at_o in_o mr_n g_n demonstration_n nay_o this_o have_v be_v tell_v he_o fifteen_o year_n ago_o in_o error_n nonplus_v p._n 44._o where_o i_o in_o these_o plain_a word_n thus_o state_v the_o question_n it_o be_v then_o agree_v among_o we_o all_o that_o what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v be_v god_n word_n or_o his_o will_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o salvation_n all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o we_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o know_v with_o absolute_a certainty_n what_o be_v the_o first-taught_a doctrine_n or_o christ_n sense_n and_o whatever_o can_v thus_o assure_v we_o of_o that_o be_v deserve_o call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith._n yet_o though_o we_o shall_v trumpet_v this_o into_o his_o ear_n every_o moment_n he_o be_v still_o deaf_a and_o never_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o or_o regard_v it_o in_o his_o whole_a reply_n nay_o he_o divert_v from_o it_o with_o all_o the_o have_v he_o can_v make_v when_o our_o express_a word_n force_v he_o to_o it_o to_o do_v this_o with_o the_o great_a formality_n and_o solemnity_n he_o entitle_v his_o book_n he_o discourse_v concern_v the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith._n which_o expression_n be_v so_o large_a that_o it_o leave_v it_o indifferent_a for_o he_o under_o that_o head_n either_o to_o treat_v of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v in_o its_o self_n viz._n as_o it_o be_v divine_a or_o of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v controvert_v between_o we_o that_o be_v of_o our_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v ascertainable_a to_o we_o to_o be_v christ_n true_a doctrine_n and_o that_o we_o may_v see_v this_o be_v do_v by_o design_n when_o he_o come_v to_o determine_v the_o sense_n of_o those_o equivocal_a word_n he_o pitch_v upon_o that_o mean_v of_o they_o which_o be_v quite_o beside_o our_o purpose_n and_o nothing_o at_o all_o to_o our_o question_n viz._n upon_o christ_n faith_n as_o it_o be_v divine_a which_o be_v not_o dispute_v but_o agree_v to_o be_v such_o and_o this_o whether_o the_o faith_n come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n by_o tradition_n attest_v it_o or_o by_o a_o absolute_o certain_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o sole_a question_n be_v whether_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n interpret_v by_o any_o way_n his_o principle_n afford_v we_o be_v the_o more_o certain_a and_o more_o clear_a way_n to_o give_v we_o christ_n sense_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o our_o faith._n how_o untoward_a a_o procedure_n be_v it_o then_o to_o stand_v quote_v our_o school-divines_a against_o i_o whenas_o the_o object_n of_o controversy_n and_o of_o school-divinity_n be_v so_o vast_o different_a the_o one_o treat_v of_o faith_n as_o make_v know_v to_o the_o world_n at_o first_o by_o divinerevelation_n the_o other_o of_o the_o way_n to_o know_v now_o what_o be_v at_o first_o divine_o reveal_v by_o human_a motive_n induce_v man_n to_o the_o acceptation_n of_o it_o of_o for_o the_o same_o doctrine_n hence_o also_o when_o he_o be_v to_o bring_v argument_n which_o shall_v evince_v by_o his_o principle_n that_o the_o faith_n hold_v now_o be_v the_o same_o that_o be_v reveal_v at_o first_o to_o avoid_v that_o impossible_a task_n he_o fall_v unreasonable_o to_o allege_v god_n grace_n and_o invisible_a moral_a qualification_n which_o though_o absolute_o requisite_a in_o many_o regard_v to_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v formal_o divine_a yet_o be_v they_o most_o improper_a to_o be_v allege_v in_o controversy_n against_o a_o adversary_n for_o a_o proof_n that_o what_o he_o hold_v be_v the_o first-taught_a doctrine_n since_o only_o god_n himself_o can_v know_v whether_o the_o alledger_n or_o any_o man_n else_o have_v those_o supernatural_a mean_n or_o no._n to_o put_v a_o stop_v once_o for_o all_o to_o this_o impertinent_a topick_n and_o to_o show_v how_o he_o trifle_n while_o he_o quote_v our_o school-divines_a i_o allege_v first_o that_o the_o plain_a state_n of_o the_o question_n late_o give_v which_o run_v through_o our_o whole_a controversy_n have_v forestall_v all_o he_o can_v object_v from_o they_o unless_o he_o can_v show_v that_o they_o state_v the_o question_n and_o treat_v of_o faith_n under_o the_o same_o consideration_n as_o we_o do_v in_o our_o controversy_n which_o i_o be_o certain_a he_o can_v instance_n in_o so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o of_o they_o and_o in_o case_n they_o do_v not_o state_n it_o after_o the_o same_o manner_n we_o do_v in_o our_o controversy_n with_o what_o sense_n can_v it_o be_v pretend_v that_o i_o contradict_v they_o or_o they_o i_o whenas_o we_o do_v not_o