Selected quad for the lemma: faith_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
faith_n	believe_v	devil_n	tremble_v	4,708	5	9.5781	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A51679	The mystery of atheism, or, The devices made use of to countenance and propagate it together with the evil and danger of them, set forth in several letters to a friend : wherein is made appear, that 'tis not want of evidence, but sincerity that makes men atheists / by the author of the Mystery of phanaticism.	A. B.	1699 (1699)	Wing M3183; ESTC R32115	53,436	138

93_o letter_n 13._o of_o scoff_v at_o religion_n p._n 99_o letter_n 14._o his_o charge_v religion_n with_o a_o foolish_a bargain_n p._n 106_o letter_n 15._o the_o close_a contain_v some_o direction_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o atheism_n p._n 113_o letter_n i._n sir_n i_o receive_v you_o wherein_o i_o find_v you_o passionate_o bewail_v the_o growth_n of_o atheism_n and_o very_o desirous_a to_o know_v something_o of_o the_o cause_n and_o cure_n of_o it_o i_o be_o sufficient_o sensible_a of_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o complaint_n and_o because_o this_o evil_n have_v so_o malign_v a_o influence_n not_o only_o on_o the_o private_a but_o public_a welfare_n can_v but_o commend_v the_o charity_n of_o your_o request_n and_o therefore_o shall_v endeavour_v something_o towards_o your_o satisfaction_n one_a and_o here_o the_o first_o and_o grand_a device_n of_o the_o atheist_n that_o occur_v to_o our_o view_n be_v the_o cast_v off_o the_o awe_n and_o dread_n of_o a_o deity_n the_o more_o secure_o to_o enjoy_v and_o indulge_v his_o lust_n this_o be_v indeed_o the_o great_a depth_n of_o this_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o must_v therefore_o be_v a_o little_a search_v into_o and_o unravel_v that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o see_v the_o malignity_n of_o it_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o the_o looseness_n and_o debauchery_n of_o man_n life_n be_v the_o prime_n fundamental_a cause_n of_o all_o atheism_n for_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n make_v a_o party_n against_o religion_n who_o chief_a design_n it_o be_v to_o check_v and_o control_v they_o and_o where_o religion_n be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o subdue_v man_n lust_n their_o man_n lust_n will_v be_v strong_a enough_o to_o subdue_v their_o religion_n these_o be_v contrary_a one_o to_o the_o other_o and_o as_o the_o one_o get_v ground_n the_o other_o lose_v it_o when_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n have_v take_v possession_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o prevail_v over_o the_o affection_n they_o soon_o draw_v the_o mind_n over_o to_o their_o party_n and_o engage_v it_o against_o all_o religion_n corrupt_a practice_n natural_o lead_v to_o corrupt_v principle_n and_o the_o debauchery_n of_o manner_n of_o course_n bring_v on_o the_o debauchery_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o there_o be_v strong_a propensity_n and_o inclination_n in_o man_n nature_n to_o wickedness_n and_o vice_n be_v a_o thing_n too_o sensible_o feel_v to_o need_v any_o proof_n and_o that_o these_o may_v and_o frequent_o do_v wear_v off_o and_o obliterate_v the_o natural_a impression_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a the_o course_n of_o man_n life_n too_o sad_o verify_v and_o what_o a_o natural_a tendency_n this_o have_v to_o atheism_n half_o a_o eye_n may_v discover_v for_o whilst_o man_n retain_v any_o love_n to_o virtue_n and_o keep_v the_o mastery_n over_o their_o lust_n and_o vile_a affection_n so_o long_o they_o retain_v their_o religion_n and_o keep_v up_o a_o due_a sense_n and_o veneration_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n but_o when_o they_o strike_v off_o from_o the_o love_n and_o practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o let_v loose_v the_o reins_o to_o their_o vicious_a inclination_n they_o natural_o run_v into_o irreligion_n and_o atheism_n for_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n be_v the_o only_a curb_n to_o restrain_v this_o extravagance_n when_o that_o be_v go_v they_o have_v nothing_o leave_v to_o stop_v they_o in_o the_o career_n and_o so_o be_v hurry_v on_o headlong_o into_o the_o gulf_n of_o atheism_n if_o you_o observe_v it_o good_a man_n be_v never_o dispose_v to_o atheism_n it_o be_v the_o grief_n and_o abhorrence_n but_o never_o the_o choice_n of_o such_o person_n it_o be_v only_o the_o profligate_n and_o profane_v who_o have_v sin_v away_o the_o sense_n of_o a_o deity_n that_o fly_v to_o it_o for_o shelter_n and_o to_o give_v their_o lust_n the_o free_a scope_n make_v their_o last_o resort_n to_o it_o yea_o these_o too_o must_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n unman_n themselves_o before_o they_o can_v so_o far_o degenerate_a and_o in_o a_o manner_n turn_v beast_n before_o they_o can_v turn_v atheist_n but_o what_o influence_n have_v the_o looseness_n and_o debauchery_n of_o man_n life_n upon_o the_o produce_v of_o atheism_n why_o great_a every_o way_n as_o first_o man_n wicked_a life_n make_v it_o their_o interest_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o god_n and_o this_o give_v a_o bias_n to_o the_o mind_n that_o strong_o draw_v it_o into_o atheism_n all_o siin_n and_o wickedness_n be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o purity_n and_o perfection_n of_o a_o supreme_a be_v and_o contrary_a to_o the_o express_a declaration_n of_o his_o will_n must_v necessary_o incur_v his_o displeasure_n and_o though_o infinite_a goodness_n may_v warn_v sinner_n of_o the_o danger_n yet_o infinite_a justice_n can_v suffer_v the_o wilful_a violation_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o law_n to_o go_v unpunished_a now_o resolute_a and_o obstinate_a sinner_n be_v conscious_a how_o they_o have_v affront_v such_o a_o be_v and_o thereby_o render_v themselves_o obnoxious_a to_o his_o just_a indignation_n and_o vengeance_n have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o dread_v he_o and_o if_o they_o can_v to_o fly_v from_o he_o from_o who_o they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o than_o fearful_a expectation_n of_o wrath_n and_o the_o revelation_n of_o righteous_a judgement_n and_o have_v thus_o make_v he_o their_o enemy_n it_o be_v plain_o become_v their_o interest_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o such_o be_v now_o interest_n you_o know_v have_v a_o mighty_a influence_n on_o man_n inclination_n and_o as_o they_o easy_o believe_v what_o make_v for_o they_o so_o they_o be_v hardly_o persuade_v to_o that_o which_o make_v against_o they_o hence_o we_o see_v that_o good_a man_n easy_o believe_v a_o god_n from_o who_o they_o have_v wellgrounded_n hope_n of_o happiness_n and_o a_o future_a reward_n whereas_o wicked_a man_n be_v very_o hardly_o bring_v to_o it_o because_o they_o have_v reason_n only_o to_o fear_v he_o and_o can_v look_v for_o nothing_o but_o eternal_a misery_n and_o destruction_n from_o he_o and_o if_o at_o any_o time_n they_o have_v any_o faith_n in_o he_o it_o be_v but_o like_o that_o of_o the_o devil_n to_o believe_v and_o tremble_v again_o two_o man_n wicked_a life_n have_v make_v it_o their_o interest_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o god_n their_o next_o step_n be_v to_o make_v it_o their_o wish_n that_o there_o be_v none_o this_o be_v another_o piece_n of_o this_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n and_o a_o far_o advance_v to_o atheism_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o incense_v deity_n must_v needs_o sit_v very_o uneasy_a upon_o the_o mind_n it_o can_v but_o fret_v and_o gall_n and_o fill_v it_o with_o continual_a horror_n and_o perplexity_n the_o sense_n of_o this_o serve_v to_o embitter_v the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n to_o put_v a_o check_n upon_o man_n vice_n and_o will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o enjoy_v their_o lust_n in_o quiet_a which_o be_v resolve_v to_o do_v they_o grow_v impatient_a under_o this_o check_n and_o this_o make_v they_o desirous_a to_o rid_v themselves_o of_o the_o awe_n and_o sense_n of_o such_o a_o uneasy_a be_v the_o good_a man_n find_v that_o ease_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o a_o deity_n that_o he_o will_v not_o for_o any_o thing_n be_v without_o it_o for_o it_o fill_v he_o with_o joy_n and_o content_v now_o and_o give_v he_o peace_n and_o happiness_n at_o the_o last_o insomuch_o that_o be_v he_o to_o wisn_a himself_o the_o chief_a good_a it_o will_v be_v in_o the_o comfort_n and_o complacence_n he_o feel_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n whereas_o the_o loose_a and_o wicked_a person_n be_v haunt_v with_o perpetual_a fear_n and_o terror_n and_o the_o disquietude_n he_o feel_v from_o the_o apprehension_n of_o a_o god_n drive_v he_o to_o wish_v there_o be_v no_o such_o be_v to_o observe_v and_o punish_v he_o and_o then_o a_o small_a matter_n will_v persuade_v he_o to_o it_o for_o facilè_fw-la credimus_fw-la quod_fw-la volumus_fw-la we_o easy_o believe_v what_o we_o long_a and_o desire_n shall_v be_v true_a three_o and_o this_o lead_v to_o the_o three_o and_o last_o step_n to_o atheism_n which_o be_v from_o wish_v there_o be_v no_o god_n to_o endeavour_v to_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o there_o be_v none_o there_o be_v a_o easy_a and_o natural_a transition_n from_o the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o for_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n have_v a_o great_a sway_n on_o the_o understanding_n and_o when_o interest_n have_v engage_v the_o former_a they_o soon_o draw_v the_o latter_a to_o their_o side_n so_o that_o what_o man_n make_v their_o wish_n quick_o become_v their_o choice_n and_o from_o a_o desire_n to_o discard_v the_o deity_n easy_o come_v to_o deny_v and_o disbelieve_v he_o but_o by_o what_o mean_n do_v they_o endeavour_v and_o effect_v this_o why_o 1._o first_o they_o muster_v up_o all_o their_o

mean_v they_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o the_o benefit_n and_o assistance_n of_o other_o man_n understanding_n and_o lean_v whole_o upon_o their_o own_o be_v thereby_o often_o betray_v into_o great_a error_n and_o miscarriage_n it_o be_v true_a we_o be_v forbid_v to_o follow_v a_o multitude_n in_o do_v evil_a but_o not_o in_o receive_v truth_n which_o be_v the_o great_a good_a we_o can_v do_v to_o ourselves_o or_o other_o and_o though_o we_o be_v bid_v to_o try_v all_o thing_n yet_o we_o be_v require_v to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o not_o to_o start_v aside_o from_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o which_o have_v past_o the_o trial_n and_o approbation_n of_o all_o time_n and_o age_n there_o be_v as_o one_o have_v well_o observe_v a_o reverence_n due_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o which_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o all_o or_o most_o man_n have_v be_v ever_o think_v most_o worthy_a of_o acceptation_n yea_o the_o law_n of_o modesty_n require_v we_o to_o think_v other_o better_a than_o ourselves_o and_o to_o suspect_v our_o own_o judgement_n when_o it_o cross_v they_o for_o though_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n may_v be_v sometime_o mistake_v which_o shall_v therefore_o put_v we_o upon_o the_o strict_a search_n and_o enquiry_n into_o truth_n yet_o to_o be_v over_o positive_a and_o confident_a against_o the_o universal_a sense_n and_o belief_n of_o mankind_n be_v to_o resist_v the_o clear_a evidence_n we_o can_v have_v and_o to_o run_v counter_a to_o the_o great_a probability_n but_o what_o if_o these_o great_a master_n of_o wit_n shall_v all_o this_o while_n be_v find_v the_o most_o credulous_a and_o easy_a of_o belief_n of_o all_o man_n what_o then_o will_v become_v of_o all_o these_o vain_a boast_n and_o pretension_n to_o reason_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o sun_n at_o noonday_n for_o they_o believe_v many_o thing_n without_o the_o least_o colour_n and_o shadow_n of_o reason_n and_o deny_v other_o that_o have_v all_o possible_a evidence_n of_o truth_n both_o which_o be_v apparent_a instance_n of_o a_o gross_a and_o absurd_a credulity_n they_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v one_o a_o thing_n which_o no_o art_n of_o man_n ever_o can_v or_o pretend_v to_o demonstrate_v again_o they_o believe_v either_o that_o the_o world_n be_v never_o make_v or_o if_o it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v make_v by_o chance_n and_o that_o all_o thing_n in_o it_o come_v into_o that_o excellent_a order_n they_o now_o be_v by_o mere_a fortune_n which_o show_v that_o they_o can_v believe_v at_o random_n and_o take_v up_o the_o most_o absurd_a hypothesis_n at_o a_o venture_n again_o they_o believe_v that_o though_o matter_n be_v in_o itself_o a_o dull_a and_o senseless_a thing_n utter_o incapable_a of_o reason_n and_o understanding_n yet_o there_o can_v be_v no_o spiritual_a or_o immaterial_a be_v to_o influence_n or_o actuate_v it_o in_o a_o word_n the_o atheist_n can_v believe_v against_o all_o the_o sense_n and_o reason_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o think_v all_o the_o world_n beside_o himself_o to_o consist_v only_o of_o fool_n and_o knave_n a_o bold_a britain_n and_o yet_o those_o and_o many_o other_o be_v the_o goodly_a article_n of_o the_o atheist_n creed_n which_o he_o that_o can_v swallow_v must_v be_v a_o man_n of_o strong_a faith_n or_o vast_a credulity_n and_o must_v believe_v with_o his_o will_n not_o with_o his_o understanding_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n letter_n v._n sir_n another_o device_n of_o the_o atheist_n be_v to_o resolve_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n into_o the_o principle_n and_o prejudices_fw-la of_o education_n this_o device_n be_v near_o akin_a to_o and_o ground_v upon_o the_o former_a and_o pretend_v to_o give_v some_o account_n of_o the_o spring_n and_o rise_v of_o this_o credulity_n which_o he_o take_v to_o be_v from_o the_o first_o impression_n of_o education_n this_o be_v the_o first_o notion_n instill_a by_o parent_n into_o their_o child_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o come_v to_o understand_v any_o thing_n and_o be_v improve_v by_o those_o who_o have_v the_o education_n and_o management_n of_o they_o ever_o after_o and_o here_o they_o observe_v what_o deep_a impression_n be_v make_v upon_o the_o mind_n by_o the_o first_o thing_n we_o hear_v or_o learn_v how_o long_o they_o be_v wont_v to_o continue_v with_o we_o and_o how_o ready_a man_n be_v to_o communicate_v they_o to_o one_o another_o and_o more_o especial_o to_o derive_v they_o to_o their_o offspring_n from_o whence_o they_o think_v such_o a_o general_a belief_n of_o a_o deity_n may_v easy_o be_v suppose_v in_o time_n to_o obtain_v and_o be_v transmit_v down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n through_o all_o generation_n now_o here_o the_o question_n may_v be_v ask_v again_o who_o be_v the_o first_o person_n that_o invent_v and_o convey_v down_o this_o notion_n what_o be_v his_o name_n or_o his_o son_n name_n that_o we_o may_v know_v he_o how_o come_v he_o to_o entertain_v it_o himself_o who_o teach_v it_o he_o and_o how_o come_v he_o so_o ready_o to_o believe_v and_o propagate_v it_o to_o posterity_n why_o of_o all_o this_o the_o atheist_n can_v give_v no_o manner_n of_o account_n unless_o he_o will_v fly_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o say_v that_o adam_n the_o first_o man_n have_v it_o from_o god_n and_o teach_v it_o to_o his_o child_n and_o so_o convey_v it_o down_o to_o all_o generation_n but_o this_o will_v be_v to_o yield_v up_o the_o cause_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v a_o first_o be_v and_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o yet_o he_o be_v very_o unwilling_a to_o grant_v beside_o that_o this_o be_v a_o precarious_a and_o groundless_a hypothesis_n may_v plain_o appear_v from_o this_o that_o man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v know_v to_o be_v of_o different_a temper_n and_o to_o have_v have_v various_a and_o different_a way_n and_o method_n of_o education_n by_o which_o mean_n they_o have_v receive_v different_a impression_n and_o entertain_v various_a sentiment_n of_o thing_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v all_o man_n in_o all_o time_n and_o of_o all_o temper_n though_o differ_v never_o so_o much_o in_o other_o thing_n to_o agree_v and_o concentre_v in_o this_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n which_o show_v it_o to_o have_v another_o and_o high_a principle_n than_o that_o of_o education_n again_o if_o we_o consult_v the_o frame_n and_o make_v of_o our_o be_v we_o shall_v find_v this_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n stamp_v upon_o our_o very_a nature_n and_o that_o in_o such_o plain_a and_o legible_a character_n as_o may_v easy_o show_v who_o workmanship_n we_o be_v and_o out_o of_o what_o hand_n we_o come_v and_o this_o too_o in_o person_n of_o no_o education_n and_o before_o any_o thing_n be_v instill_a into_o they_o by_o it_o which_o far_o prove_v it_o to_o proceed_v from_o a_o high_a cause_n to_o all_o which_o if_o we_o add_v moreover_o that_o strong_a and_o powerful_a inclination_n that_o be_v find_v in_o all_o man_n to_o worship_v a_o god_n we_o shall_v find_v this_o to_o go_v before_o and_o not_o to_o be_v plant_v in_o they_o by_o education_n if_o we_o survey_v the_o world_n we_o may_v observe_v a_o natural_a proneness_n and_o propensity_n to_o religion_n even_o in_o the_o most_o barbarous_a and_o uncultivated_a part_n of_o it_o all_o of_o they_o every_o where_o conspire_v together_o to_o worship_v something_o or_o other_o as_o a_o god_n now_o this_o can_v possible_o be_v owe_v only_o to_o education_n which_o may_v indeed_o direct_v but_o can_v infuse_v these_o inclination_n he_o that_o create_v the_o soul_n can_v alone_o put_v that_o bias_n into_o it_o that_o draw_v so_o strong_a to_o the_o adoration_n of_o he_o for_o the_o best_a nurture_n can_v no_o more_o put_v such_o new_a inclination_n than_o it_o can_v put_v a_o new_a nature_n into_o we_o so_o that_o this_o universal_a inclination_n to_o religious_a worship_n must_v proceed_v from_o something_o within_o that_o be_v bear_v with_o we_o and_o be_v connatural_a to_o our_o be_v and_o can_v no_o more_o flow_v from_o any_o thing_n imprint_v on_o our_o mind_n from_o without_o than_o the_o natural_a passion_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_n be_v owe_v to_o the_o impression_n of_o outward_a object_n but_o here_o the_o atheist_n tell_v we_o that_o this_o argument_n take_v from_o a_o universal_a inclination_n to_o worship_v a_o deity_n will_v hold_v as_o strong_a for_o polytheism_n and_o idolatry_n as_o for_o a_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n there_o be_v as_o great_a if_o not_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n lead_v by_o it_o to_o worship_v many_o false_a god_n than_o one_o true_a one_o now_o to_o this_o which_o be_v all_o the_o atheist_n have_v to_o say_v in_o this_o case_n sundry_a answer_n may_v