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	divine_a	revelation_n	7,143	5	9.8233	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A26785	The divinity of the Christian religion, proved by the evidence of reason and divine revelation by William Bates ...	Bates, William, 1625-1699.	1677 (1677)	Wing B1104; ESTC R33149	60,636	228

world_n otherwise_o than_o they_o receive_v they_o this_o be_v to_o charge_v they_o with_o the_o most_o supine_n carelessness_n and_o unnatural_a cruelty_n beside_o the_o great_a number_n of_o copy_n disperse_v through_o all_o place_n and_o translate_v into_o many_o language_n and_o read_v in_o all_o christian_a assembly_n make_v the_o attempt_n to_o falsify_v they_o in_o thing_n of_o moment_n to_o be_v moral_o impossible_a this_o will_v be_v more_o clear_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o among_o christian_n there_o have_v be_v so_o many_o person_n wise_a and_o good_a of_o excellent_a learning_n and_o virtue_n and_o of_o diverse_a country_n that_o by_o their_o office_n be_v establish_v the_o depository_n of_o those_o precious_a write_n and_o be_v there_o any_o colourable_a pretence_n to_o imagine_v that_o they_o shall_v suffer_v any_o notable_a alteration_n in_o they_o much_o less_o conspire_v to_o make_v a_o change_n in_o any_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n or_o life_n therein_o deliver_v to_o give_v reputation_n and_o credit_n to_o a_o lie_n intitle_v it_o to_o divine_a revelation_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o eternal_a consequence_n be_v such_o a_o black_a crime_n that_o none_o can_v be_v presume_v capable_a of_o but_o one_o that_o have_v utter_o lose_v his_o conscience_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o urge_v that_o the_o immortal_a providence_n of_o god_n be_v eminent_o interest_v in_o preserve_v the_o scripture_n in_o sufficient_a purity_n it_o be_v a_o vile_a imputation_n upon_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v permit_v they_o to_o be_v undiscernable_o corrupt_v in_o point_n important_a to_o his_o own_o glory_n and_o man_n salvation_n thus_o a_o snare_n will_v be_v lay_v without_o possibility_n of_o prevention_n and_o the_o embrace_a error_n instead_o of_o truth_n will_v be_v innocent_a but_o this_o argument_n though_o incomparable_o the_o best_a suppose_v that_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n descend_v from_o heaven_n the_o proof_n of_o which_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v 3._o i_o will_v not_o insist_v on_o the_o proof_n of_o all_o the_o mysterious_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n single_o consider_v but_o propound_v the_o argument_n that_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o religion_n wherein_o they_o be_v express_o and_o clear_o contain_v and_o from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v they_o as_o in_o besiege_v a_o town_n the_o assailant_n do_v not_o attack_v every_o particular_a house_n but_o vigorous_o press_v on_o to_o possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o citadel_n that_o command_v the_o whole_a and_o with_o that_o all_o the_o house_n be_v conquer_v that_o divine_a revelation_n be_v infallible_a be_v a_o acknowledge_a principle_n by_o all_o man_n for_o natural_a reason_n dictate_v that_o unerring_a wisdom_n and_o infinite_a goodness_n be_v essential_a perfection_n of_o god_n so_o that_o he_o can_v be_v deceive_v nor_o deceive_v those_o that_o trust_v in_o his_o word_n 4._o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v of_o a_o moral_a nature_n and_o though_o not_o of_o equal_a clearness_n with_o the_o testimony_n of_o sense_n or_o a_o mathematical_a demonstration_n yet_o be_v so_o pregnant_a and_o convince_a that_o the_o consider_v dispassionate_a spirit_n full_o acquiesce_n in_o they_o a_o mathematical_a demonstration_n bring_v so_o strong_a a_o light_n that_o the_o mind_n can_v suspend_v its_o assent_n but_o be_v present_o overcome_v by_o the_o naked_a propound_v of_o the_o object_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o in_o mathematical_a matter_n there_o be_v neither_o infidel_n nor_o heretic_n but_o the_o motive_n of_o faith_n be_v such_o that_o although_o the_o object_n be_v most_o certain_a yet_o the_o evidence_n be_v not_o so_o clear_a and_o irresistible_a as_o that_o which_o flow_v from_o sense_n or_o a_o demonstration_n and_o it_o be_v the_o excellent_a observation_n christ._n of_o ‖_o grotius_n god_n have_v wise_o appoint_v this_o way_n of_o persuade_v man_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o faith_n may_v be_v accept_v as_o a_o act_n of_o obedience_n from_o the_o reasonable_a creature_n for_o the_o argument_n to_o induce_v belief_n though_o of_o sufficient_a certainty_n yet_o do_v not_o so_o constrain_v the_o mind_n to_o give_v its_o assent_n but_o there_o be_v prudence_n and_o choice_n in_o it_o not_o that_o the_o will_n can_v make_v a_o direct_a impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n that_o it_o shall_v comply_v with_o its_o desire_n and_o see_v what_o it_o do_v not_o see_v it_o can_v make_v a_o obscure_a object_n to_o be_v clear_a to_o its_o perception_n no_o more_o than_o it_o can_v change_v the_o colour_n of_o visible_a thing_n and_o make_v what_o appear_v green_a to_o the_o eye_n to_o seem_v red_a but_o the_o mind_n enlighten_v by_o sufficient_a reason_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v from_o god_n represent_v it_o so_o to_o the_o will_n and_o the_o will_n if_o sincere_a and_o unbiased_a by_o carnal_a affection_n command_v the_o mind_n not_o to_o disguise_v the_o truth_n to_o make_v it_o less_o credible_a nor_o to_o palliate_v with_o spetion_n colour_n the_o pretence_n of_o infidelity_n and_o thus_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o result_v from_o conviction_n and_o love_n this_o moral_a evidence_n be_v as_o convince_a as_n be_v requisite_a to_o make_v we_o steadfast_o believe_v and_o obey_v the_o gospel_n moral_a argument_n produce_v as_o satisfy_a certainty_n though_o not_o so_o palpable_a as_o those_o draw_v from_o sense_n when_o there_o be_v a_o concurrence_n of_o reason_n proper_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o strong_a they_o be_v capable_a of_o by_o their_o unite_a light_n they_o dispel_v all_o doubt_n and_o fear_n of_o the_o contrary_n for_o after_o the_o understanding_n have_v deliberate_o and_o impartial_o compare_v the_o motive_n and_o argument_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n and_o those_o that_o contradict_v it_o and_o find_v the_o most_o weighty_a moment_n of_o reason_n in_o one_o scale_n for_o it_o and_o in_o the_o other_o nothing_o but_o air_n and_o emptiness_n it_o conclude_v without_o hesitation_n or_o suspense_n that_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v real_a and_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o physical_a demonstration_n concern_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o thing_n shall_v be_v deceitful_a because_o the_o two_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n as_o of_o the_o be_v and_o not_o be_v of_o a_o thing_n can_v be_v true_a so_o there_o be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o equal_a repugnance_n that_o a_o moral_a demonstration_n form_v upon_o the_o best_a argument_n the_o matter_n will_v admit_v shall_v deceive_v the_o mind_n it_o present_v the_o object_n without_o a_o cloud_n so_o that_o the_o understanding_n have_v a_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o it_o to_o proceed_v the_o intrinsic_a excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v appear_v by_o consider_v the_o doctrine_n precept_n and_o promise_v it_o contain_v which_o be_v the_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o they_o in_o general_n we_o may_v observe_v 1._o the_o gospel_n illustrate_v and_o establish_v all_o the_o natural_a principle_n of_o truth_n and_o goodness_n that_o be_v common_a to_o mankind_n the_o rule_n of_o moral_a action_n and_o reveal_v all_o supernatural_a thing_n requisite_a for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o supreme_a happiness_n of_o man_n that_o rectify_v reason_n upon_o the_o discovery_n must_v acknowledge_v it_o come_v from_o heaven_n and_o infallible_o lead_v those_o who_o believe_v and_o obey_v it_o to_o heaven_n 2._o there_o be_v such_o a_o entire_a agreement_n between_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o the_o accomplish_n its_o great_a end_n as_o afford_v a_o clear_a conviction_n it_o be_v no_o humane_a invention_n but_o from_o god_n as_o the_o harmonious_a composition_n the_o beautiful_a order_n and_o uniform_a preservation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o sensible_a demonstration_n that_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o most_o wise_a powerful_a and_o good_a cause_n in_o particular_a the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n contain_v beside_o what_o may_v be_v know_v of_o god_n and_o of_o man_n by_o natural_a light_n two_o principal_a point_n a_o account_n of_o the_o corruption_n and_o misery_n of_o mankind_n in_o its_o first_o cause_n and_o his_o redemption_n effectual_o accomplish_v by_o the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o discovery_n of_o both_o be_v equal_o necessary_a to_o man._n the_o first_o make_v he_o understand_v the_o depth_n of_o his_o guiltiness_n that_o he_o be_v incomparable_o more_o wretched_a than_o he_o feel_v himself_o clear_v the_o purity_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n in_o his_o deal_n with_o man_n and_o prepare_v he_o by_o the_o afflict_a sense_n of_o his_o condition_n for_o mercy_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o divine_a redeemer_n powerful_a to_o restore_v he_o be_v as_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o his_o duty_n and_o happiness_n for_o without_o it_o he_o will_v be_v always_o torment_v with_o

error_n do_v not_o lessen_v its_o benign_a influence_n still_o it_o shine_v and_o cause_v the_o spring_n and_o autumn_n it_o be_v of_o little_a importance_n that_o a_o philosopher_n be_v deceive_v in_o his_o search_n after_o the_o principle_n of_o mix_a body_n for_o notwithstanding_o his_o mistake_n animal_n still_o live_v and_o move_v and_o perform_v all_o the_o function_n suitable_a to_o their_o nature_n but_o in_o judgement_n that_o respect_v matter_n of_o fact_n if_o the_o truth_n can_v be_v know_v by_o testimony_n the_o civil_a felicity_n can_v long_o subsist_v for_o the_o unjust_a distribution_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v necessary_o ruinous_a to_o the_o be_v of_o the_o state_n and_o be_v it_o credible_a the_o divine_a providence_n that_o reach_v to_o the_o small_a part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o such_o a_o admirable_a manner_n shall_v leave_v the_o conduct_n of_o humane_a affair_n even_o of_o the_o great_a moment_n to_o a_o deceitful_a light_n and_o that_o after_o the_o most_o diligent_a search_n and_o caution_n have_v be_v use_v the_o result_n shall_v be_v only_o waver_v conjecture_n this_o imagination_n be_v extreme_o injurious_a to_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n in_o particular_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o number_n and_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o witness_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n and_o the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o testimony_n we_o shall_v have_v so_o clear_a conviction_n of_o its_o truth_n as_o may_v induce_v we_o most_o firm_o to_o believe_v it_o i_o do_v not_o now_o speak_v of_o a_o divine_a faith_n that_o supernatural_a light_n that_o make_v we_o acquiesce_v in_o thing_n because_o god_n have_v reveal_v they_o but_o of_o a_o rational_a humane_a faith_n ground_v on_o just_a and_o powerful_a motive_n which_o be_v preparatory_a for_o the_o divine_a 1._o the_o law_n admit_v two_o witness_n as_o a_o competent_a number_n in_o cause_n of_o great_a moment_n of_o this_o there_o be_v many_o the_o approve_a integrity_n of_o a_o witness_n give_v weight_n to_o his_o testimony_n as_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o know_a liar_n forfeit_v his_o credit_n so_o entire_o that_o he_o be_v not_o believe_v when_o he_o speak_v true_a when_o demades_n the_o orator_n address_v himself_o to_o the_o athenian_n i_o call_v all_o the_o god_n and_o goddess_n to_o witness_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o i_o shall_v say_v the_o athenian_n often_o abuse_v by_o his_o impudent_a lie_n present_o interrupt_v he_o and_o we_o call_v all_o the_o god_n and_o goddess_n to_o witness_v we_o will_v not_o believe_v you_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o a_o honest_a man_n in_o a_o important_a matter_n persuade_v more_o than_o the_o most_o exquisite_a oath_n and_o far-fetched_a imprecation_n by_o which_o a_o liar_n will_v give_v credit_n to_o his_o imposture_n now_o we_o have_v strong_a proof_n of_o the_o integrity_n of_o the_o apostle_n if_o a_o inflexible_a fidelity_n and_o constant_a truth_n be_v quality_n so_o remarkable_a in_o the_o community_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n that_o the_o pagan_a epist._n judge_n themselves_o be_v constrain_v to_o acknowledge_v it_o certain_o they_o be_v find_v more_o eminent_o in_o those_o by_o who_o doctrine_n and_o example_n they_o form_v themselves_o and_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o possess_v this_o virtue_n so_o strict_o unite_v to_o justice_n in_o a_o excellent_a degree_n without_o have_v all_o the_o other_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o be_v adorn_v with_o all_o moral_a virtue_n for_o their_o life_n be_v above_o the_o least_o reproach_n and_o charge_n of_o their_o implacable_a enemy_n so_o that_o they_o be_v fain_o to_o make_v express_a law_n against_o their_o profession_n to_o render_v they_o guilty_a in_o appearance_n beside_o the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o testimony_n make_v it_o very_o valuable_a 1._o it_o be_v not_o build_v on_o the_o report_n of_o other_o mere_a hear-say_n be_v very_o deceitful_a and_o often_o like_o a_o contagion_n pass_v from_o ear_n to_o ear_n and_o blast_v the_o reputation_n of_o the_o innocent_a with_o easy_a and_o credulous_a person_n but_o a_o testimony_n from_o sight_n make_v impression_n on_o the_o belief_n of_o wise_a consider_v men._n now_o we_o have_v undoubted_a assurance_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n from_o the_o clear_a and_o concurrent_a deposition_n of_o their_o sense_n what_o we_o have_v hear_v and_o what_o we_o have_v see_v with_o our_o eye_n and_o what_o we_o have_v handle_v of_o the_o word_n of_o life_n say_v the_o apostle_n st._n john_n 2._o the_o uniformity_n of_o their_o testimony_n render_v it_o convince_a if_o any_o material_a contradiction_n be_v between_o witness_n it_o be_v a_o infallible_a mark_n of_o their_o forgery_n but_o the_o apostle_n agree_v not_o only_o in_o the_o substance_n but_o in_o the_o particularity_n of_o the_o fact_n in_o vain_a porphiry_n and_o julian_n rack_v their_o wit_n to_o find_v some_o contrariety_n in_o their_o relation_n a_o impartial_a inquirer_n must_v acknowledge_v all_o their_o objection_n to_o be_v mere_a cavil_n and_o effect_n of_o malice_n 3._o there_o be_v no_o motive_n to_o corrupt_v they_o for_o the_o humane_a will_n be_v natural_o move_v either_o by_o attraction_n of_o some_o good_a or_o aversion_n from_o some_o evil._n a_o fiction_n be_v not_o maintain_v for_o pure_a love_n of_o itself_o but_o with_o respect_n to_o either_o of_o those_o object_n whether_o real_a or_o in_o appearance_n the_o roman_a history_n report_n that_o julius_n proculus_n solemn_o swear_v that_o he_o see_v romulus_n ascend_v to_o heaven_n but_o the_o motive_n of_o his_o imposture_n be_v visible_a for_o it_o be_v to_o prevent_v a_o great_a disorder_n among_o the_o people_n but_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o nothing_o desirable_a in_o the_o world_n have_v the_o least_o influence_n upon_o the_o apostle_n nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a whatever_o be_v terrible_a to_o nature_n discourage_v they_o they_o suffer_v all_o temporal_a evil_n even_o death_n itself_o for_o this_o testimony_n and_o this_o last_o proof_n confirm_v all_o the_o other_o they_o be_v call_v martyr_n by_o way_n of_o excellency_n who_o have_v seal_v the_o truth_n with_o their_o blood_n now_o what_o can_v be_v add_v to_o give_v we_o full_a and_o entire_a faith_n in_o their_o testimony_n in_o great_a and_o difficult_a case_n suspect_a person_n be_v put_v to_o torture_n for_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n the_o apostle_n be_v try_v by_o the_o sharp_a suffering_n yet_o declare_v the_o resurrection_n of_o their_o divine_a master_n with_o unfainting_a perseverance_n what_o shadow_n of_o doubt_n can_v remain_v after_o such_o clear_a evidence_n of_o their_o sincerity_n let_v sober_a reason_n judge_v whether_o the_o matter_n be_v capable_a of_o proof_n more_o strong_a and_o convince_a if_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v deceive_v with_o a_o illusion_n either_o be_v distemper_v or_o in_o a_o dream_n both_o the_o pretence_n be_v most_o absurd_a and_o incredible_a for_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o external_n sense_n may_v be_v infallible_o discern_v by_o their_o proper_a character_n from_o those_o of_o the_o imagination_n indeed_o if_o the_o mind_n be_v in_o disorder_n either_o from_o some_o more_o fix_v and_o tenacious_a cause_n or_o from_o sleep_n the_o influence_n of_o reason_n be_v suspend_v or_o only_o some_o faint_a ray_n appear_v and_o be_v sudden_o extingush_v so_o that_o it_o can_v make_v no_o true_a judgement_n of_o thing_n in_o this_o state_n the_o imagination_n draw_v all_o the_o vigour_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o itself_o and_o the_o phantasm_n be_v make_v so_o bright_a by_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o brain_n that_o those_o paint_a scene_n seem_v to_o be_v as_o real_a as_o the_o substantial_a object_n we_o see_v hear_v and_o touch_v but_o sound_a reason_n can_v reflect_v upon_o itself_o and_o extend_v its_o view_n to_o the_o operation_n of_o all_o the_o other_o faculty_n and_o observe_v the_o just_a and_o certain_a difference_n between_o chimera_n in_o the_o imagination_n and_o thing_n real_o existant_fw-la it_o comprehend_v distinct_o and_o with_o assurance_n that_o it_o be_v not_o disturb_v and_o that_o the_o internal_a and_o external_n sense_n be_v dispose_v for_o their_o regular_a operation_n it_o consider_v that_o the_o pageant_n of_o fancy_n move_v in_o a_o dream_n vanish_v in_o a_o moment_n upon_o wake_v but_o real_a effect_n perceive_v by_o the_o sense_n in_o their_o full_a exercise_n be_v more_o constant_a and_o durable_a one_o may_v be_v wound_v in_o a_o dream_n yet_o feel_v not_o loss_n of_o blood_n or_o strength_n when_o he_o be_v awake_a but_o the_o wound_n receive_v in_o a_o combat_n be_v sometime_o rebellious_a against_o the_o most_o potent_a remedy_n now_o to_o apply_v this_o to_o the_o present_a subject_n be_v it_o in_o the_o least_o degree_n probable_a that_o a_o vain_a shadow_n in_o a_o dream_n shall_v make_v a_o indelible_a impression_n on_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o wake_a thought_n shall_v