Selected quad for the lemma: faith_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
faith_n	church_n	scripture_n	tradition_n	15,184	5	9.5685	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A45744	A treatise of moral and intellectual virtues wherein their nature is fully explained and their usefulness proved, as being the best rules of life ... : with a preface shewing the vanity and deceitfulness of vice / by John Hartcliffe ...	Hartcliffe, John, 1651-1712.	1691 (1691)	Wing H971; ESTC R475	208,685	468

foundation_n in_o reason_n and_o nature_n these_o do_v depend_v whole_o upon_o instruction_n and_o memory_n and_o can_v be_v preserve_v without_o they_o but_o we_o see_v among_o the_o rude_a and_o ignorant_a upon_o who_o hardly_o any_o care_n or_o instruction_n be_v use_v man_n have_v as_o lively_a a_o sense_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n in_o many_o particular_n as_o the_o more_o learned_a part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a argument_n that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o convey_v to_o we_o by_o tradition_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v apply_v to_o humane_a policy_n for_o many_o of_o these_o thing_n be_v never_o enact_v by_o humane_a law_n and_o yet_o they_o obtain_v among_o mankind_n as_o gratitude_n charity_n and_o such_o like_a seneca_n say_v that_o gratitude_n be_v never_o enjoin_v by_o any_o law_n but_o that_o of_o the_o macedonian_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o these_o thing_n owe_v their_o original_a to_o some_o other_o cause_n and_o that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v attribute_v to_o nature_n the_o author_n of_o which_o be_v god_n and_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o mankind_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o reality_n however_o it_o be_v object_v that_o several_a person_n and_o some_o whole_a nation_n have_v differ_v about_o some_o of_o these_o thing_n so_o that_o this_o consent_n be_v not_o so_o general_a beside_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o world_n in_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n may_v seem_v to_o weaken_v this_o argument_n from_o the_o universal_a agreement_n of_o mankind_n about_o good_a and_o evil._n we_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o man_n may_v so_o vitiate_v their_o nature_n vice_n nature_n may_v be_v so_o vitiate_v as_o to_o lose_v the_o sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n as_o to_o lose_v the_o sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n yet_o it_o may_v remain_v true_a that_o mankind_n have_v a_o natural_a sense_n and_o knowledge_n of_o they_o as_o some_o by_o lust_n and_o intemperance_n may_v so_o spoil_v their_o palate_n that_o they_o may_v not_o taste_v the_o difference_n of_o meat_n and_o drink_n yet_o this_o last_o be_v never_o the_o less_o natural_a to_o mankind_n for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o natural_a and_o moral_a agent_n natural_a agent_n always_o continue_v the_o same_o but_o voluntary_a agent_n may_v vary_v in_o some_o thing_n that_o be_v natural_a especial_o where_o man_n have_v debauch_v their_o nature_n and_o have_v offer_v great_a violence_n to_o themselves_o more_o than_o this_o the_o exception_n be_v not_o so_o general_a as_o to_o infringe_v the_o universal_a consent_n of_o mankind_n the_o difference_n be_v but_o in_o few_o thing_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o be_v collect_v together_o in_o history_n they_o may_v seem_v a_o great_a many_o but_o that_o they_o be_v particular_o note_v be_v a_o sign_n they_o be_v but_o few_o what_o if_o one_o philosopher_n mention_v that_o snow_n be_v black_a and_o ten_o more_o have_v be_v of_o his_o mind_n this_o will_v have_v be_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o sense_n or_o reason_n of_o mankind_n for_o all_o man_n agree_v that_o self-preservation_n be_v a_o natural_a instinct_n notwithstanding_o some_o particular_a person_n have_v offer_v violence_n to_o their_o own_o life_n as_o to_o superstition_n or_o idolatry_n there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o agreement_n of_o mankind_n in_o that_o as_o to_o prove_v it_o to_o have_v a_o foundation_n in_o nature_n for_o it_o be_v confess_v that_o it_o be_v not_o always_o practise_v in_o the_o world_n but_o that_o it_o have_v a_o beginning_n and_o indeed_o it_o grow_v up_o by_o degree_n and_o spring_v out_o of_o the_o corruption_n of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o time_n be_v when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n so_o that_o it_o do_v not_o owe_v its_o rise_n to_o nature_n but_o to_o the_o defection_n of_o mankind_n for_o while_o idolatry_n prevail_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v condemn_v by_o several_a man_n as_o a_o stupid_a and_o sottish_a thing_n though_o they_o have_v not_o the_o courage_n to_o declare_v against_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o so_o that_o whilst_o it_o be_v use_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v censure_v as_o a_o great_a folly_n by_o those_o that_o be_v best_o able_a to_o judge_n last_o we_o know_v what_o be_v virtue_n and_o vice_n good_a and_o evil_a more_o distinct_o vice_n outward_a revelation_n discover_v to_o we_o what_o be_v virtue_n and_o what_o be_v vice_n by_o outward_a revelation_n in_o former_a age_n of_o the_o world_n god_n be_v please_v to_o reveal_v his_o will_n several_a way_n and_o more_o especial_o to_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n be_v leave_v sole_o to_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a light_n but_o in_o the_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n it_o please_v god_n to_o make_v a_o public_a and_o more_o full_a declaration_n of_o his_o mind_n by_o his_o son_n and_o this_o revelation_n be_v for_o substance_n the_o same_o with_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n our_o saviour_n comprehend_v it_o under_o these_o two_o head_n the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o of_o our_o neighbour_n the_o apostle_n reduce_v it_o to_o sobriety_n righteousness_n and_o piety_n for_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o bring_v salvation_n teach_v we_o to_o deny_v all_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n and_o to_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n so_o that_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o apostle_n the_o gospel_n teach_v we_o the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o nature_n dictate_v to_o mankind_n for_o these_o be_v the_o very_a virtue_n which_o natural_a light_n prompt_a man_n unto_o only_o we_o allow_v a_o more_o perfect_a discovery_n of_o they_o by_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o convince_v man_n of_o the_o good_a and_o evil_a that_o be_v affix_v to_o virtue_n and_o vice_n there_o be_v great_a and_o eternal_a reward_n promise_v to_o one_o and_o endless_a punishment_n threaten_v to_o the_o other_o so_o that_o now_o mankind_n have_v no_o cloak_n for_o their_o sin_n their_o duty_n be_v so_o clear_o lay_v open_a to_o they_o and_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o another_o life_n so_o plain_o reveal_v all_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o natural_a law_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o it_o through_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o mankind_n be_v full_o supply_v by_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o we_o may_v now_o much_o better_o say_v than_o the_o prophet_n can_v in_o his_o day_n mich._n 6.8_o he_o have_v show_v thou_o o_o man_n what_o be_v good_a and_o what_o do_v the_o lord_n require_v of_o thou_o but_o to_o do_v just_o and_o to_o love_v mercy_n and_o to_o walk_v humble_o with_o thy_o god_n but_o as_o to_o external_a revelation_n it_o be_v object_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o obscure_a and_o give_v we_o not_o sufficient_a direction_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n we_o answer_v that_o this_o objection_n have_v no_o colour_n of_o truth_n in_o it_o for_o if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o who_o be_v behold_v for_o this_o objection_n against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o who_o be_v ready_a upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o quarrel_n with_o it_o yet_o they_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a as_o to_o precept_n of_o life_n and_o practice_n but_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n they_o pretend_v its_o defection_n in_o as_o if_o god_n have_v not_o intend_v to_o reveal_v but_o conceal_v his_o mind_n in_o these_o thing_n indeed_o they_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o pretend_v this_o consider_v how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o find_v several_a of_o their_o doctrine_n in_o the_o scripture_n but_o as_o to_o the_o moral_a precept_n of_o a_o good_a life_n they_o all_o grant_v that_o they_o be_v clear_o deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n so_o that_o this_o objection_n about_o the_o obscurity_n thereof_o do_v not_o lie_v against_o what_o i_o have_v be_v speak_v therefore_o see_v moral_a virtue_n may_v be_v plain_o understand_v by_o natural_a instinct_n natural_a reason_n the_o consent_n of_o mankind_n and_o outward_a revelation_n we_o must_v in_o the_o next_o place_n see_v how_o easy_a and_o pleasant_a they_o be_v to_o be_v practise_v first_o they_o be_v easy_a because_o we_o be_v assist_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n against_o all_o difficulty_n whatsoever_o second_o they_o be_v both_o easy_a and_o pleasant_a because_o they_o be_v profitable_a for_o all_o thing_n improve_v our_o understanding_n and_o bring_v peace_n to_o our_o mind_n for_o our_o christian_a race_n be_v a_o warfare_n and_o we_o have_v many_o conquest_n to_o make_v over_o the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n the_o influence_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o disorder_n of_o passion_n arise_v whence_o the_o difficulty_n of_o a_o virtuous_a life_n do_v

wont_a to_o be_v lavish_a and_o profuse_a in_o their_o sacrifice_n that_o they_o may_v be_v excuse_v or_o wink_v at_o for_o the_o duty_n of_o virtue_n and_o morality_n they_o will_v offer_v the_o rich_a oblation_n a_o thousand_o ram_n and_o ten_o thousand_o river_n of_o oil_n all_o the_o first-born_a of_o their_o flock_n and_o family_n the_o fruit_n of_o the_o field_n and_o their_o body_n too_o to_o purchase_v a_o dispensation_n for_o their_o vice_n they_o will_v not_o grudge_v to_o pacify_v god_n with_o any_o sacrifice_n rather_o than_o offer_v up_o their_o lust_n they_o will_v honour_v he_o praise_v he_o flatter_v he_o give_v he_o all_o his_o due_n and_o more_o spare_v neither_o for_o cost_n nor_o charge_n in_o his_o worship_n and_o all_o this_o only_o to_o bribe_v he_o that_o he_o may_v indulge_v they_o their_o self-will_n and_o their_o passion_n and_o not_o be_v angry_a for_o their_o injustice_n cruelty_n and_o unmercifulness_n they_o be_v nice_a and_o punctual_a in_o their_o fast_n will_v spare_v for_o no_o trouble_n to_o appear_v devout_a yet_o be_v there_o never_o any_o people_n in_o the_o world_n so_o vicious_a as_o they_o the_o prophet_n every_o where_o upbraid_v they_o with_o the_o most_o notorious_a peevishness_n and_o pride_n covetousness_n and_o ambition_n for_o they_o be_v persuade_v that_o such_o zealous_a man_n as_o they_o be_v may_v be_v excuse_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o expensive_a devotion_n all_o those_o petty_a duty_n of_o justice_n and_o sobriety_n towards_o their_o neighbour_n and_o themselves_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o good_a man_n worship_n god_n because_o he_o love_v he_o and_o love_v he_o because_o he_o hate_v vice_n he_o love_v the_o eternal_a rule_n of_o equity_n and_o right_a reason_n because_o god_n love_v they_o too_o second_o the_o formalist_n be_v very_o busy_a about_o the_o mean_n and_o instrument_n of_o religion_n but_o neglect_v the_o end_n thereof_o he_o be_v very_o zealous_a in_o religious_a performance_n but_o utter_o careless_a of_o all_o inward_a virtue_n and_o goodness_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o mind_n of_o some_o man_n be_v so_o little_o possess_v with_o true_a and_o real_a virtue_n because_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n have_v be_v so_o much_o appropriate_v to_o its_o form_n which_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v take_v with_o when_o they_o may_v be_v easy_o reconcile_v with_o their_o vice_n and_o passion_n the_o pharisee_n do_v just_a so_o they_o only_o make_v great_a show_n of_o piety_n to_o cover_v their_o fraud_n and_o rapine_n virtue_n too_o great_a a_o regard_n to_o form_n disappoint_v the_o effect_n of_o real_a virtue_n they_o be_v curious_a to_o wash_v their_o hand_n but_o take_v no_o care_n to_o purify_v their_o heart_n they_o will_v fast_o and_o starve_v their_o body_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n feed_v and_o pamper_v their_o lust_n they_o will_v not_o rob_v but_o they_o do_v oppress_v their_o neighbour_n whilst_o they_o relieve_v their_o brethren_n they_o do_v at_o the_o same_o time_n hate_n and_o despise_v they_o thus_o the_o instrument_n of_o piety_n be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o mean_n to_o subvert_v that_o which_o they_o be_v ordain_v to_o advance_v and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o relative_a and_o subordinate_a duty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n if_o man_n do_v as_o constant_o commit_v as_o they_o do_v confess_v their_o sin_n they_o frustrate_v plain_o the_o purpose_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o whilst_o they_o be_v very_o officious_a to_o run_v on_o god_n errand_n they_o be_v very_o negligent_a of_o his_o business_n it_o be_v not_o every_o confession_n of_o our_o sin_n that_o he_o require_v but_o when_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o effectual_a resolution_n against_o they_o and_o therefore_o where_o it_o end_v not_o in_o reformation_n it_o end_v in_o hypocrisy_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v but_o not_o to_o mortify_v our_o lust_n be_v only_o to_o tell_v god_n we_o be_v great_a sinner_n and_o by_o his_o leave_n intend_v to_o continue_v so_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o man_n to_o present_a heaven_n with_o large_a and_o perpetual_a address_n but_o unless_o they_o be_v meek_a merciful_a humble_a charitable_a righteous_a candid_a and_o ingenuous_a as_o well_o as_o godly_a and_o devout_a they_o can_v in_o no_o wise_n enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n dwell_v not_o among_o its_o outside_n rite_n and_o solemnity_n but_o its_o proper_a temple_n be_v the_o heart_n and_o spirit_n of_o man_n it_o reside_v in_o the_o inmost_a recess_n of_o the_o soul_n now_o the_o formalist_n be_v only_o for_o the_o external_a act_n not_o for_o the_o internal_a habit_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n his_o action_n how_o good_a soever_o issue_n only_o from_o fear_n or_o custom_n or_o outward_a compliance_n not_o from_o any_o good_a temper_n or_o modification_n of_o mind_n there_o appear_v no_o spot_n nor_o blemish_n in_o his_o face_n his_o uncleanness_n lodge_v within_o and_o retire_v themselves_o to_o the_o centre_n of_o his_o soul_n thus_o his_o behaviour_n may_v be_v free_a from_o the_o common_a pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n whilst_o his_o mind_n be_v infect_v with_o the_o worst_a vice_n the_o posture_n of_o his_o soul_n be_v as_o haughty_a and_o supercilious_a as_o his_o demeanour_n be_v humble_a his_o thought_n as_o arrogant_a religion_n in_o what_o virtue_n our_o saviour_n place_v his_o religion_n as_o his_o look_n be_v lowly_a but_o our_o saviour_n ever_o tell_v his_o follower_n that_o his_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v place_v in_o a_o a_o sober_a and_o silent_a piety_n in_o candour_n mildness_n and_o humility_n in_o do_v good_a to_o all_o man_n that_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o it_o lay_v in_o a_o good_a and_o virtuous_a life_n so_o that_o all_o the_o nice_a notion_n and_o hypothesese_n concern_v faith_n justification_n election_n and_o such_o like_a article_n be_v but_o foolish_a tradition_n of_o some_o speculative_a head_n and_o those_o that_o be_v most_o earnest_a in_o these_o controversy_n be_v common_o most_o negligent_a of_o moral_a duty_n whereas_o true_a religion_n be_v a_o active_a principle_n within_o that_o serve_v the_o mind_n with_o all_o good_a and_o virtuous_a quality_n it_o be_v in_o a_o word_n a_o inward_a sense_n and_o love_n of_o goodness_n that_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o good_a action_n a_o mind_n temper_v with_o this_o principle_n suppress_v all_o manner_n of_o untoward_a passion_n be_v govern_v by_o such_o meekness_n as_o absolute_o incline_v it_o to_o pardon_v injury_n to_o delight_v in_o make_v good_a triumph_n over_o evil_n and_o to_o satisfy_v itself_o as_o much_o by_o forgiveness_n as_o other_o be_v please_v with_o revenge_n for_o where_o the_o inward_a temper_n of_o the_o mind_n be_v true_o humble_a there_o a_o man_n be_v inward_a esteem_n of_o himself_o will_v be_v sober_a and_o modest_a his_o opinion_n of_o other_o candid_a and_o ingenuous_a wherefore_o if_o man_n take_v as_o much_o care_n to_o fill_v their_o soul_n with_o goodness_n as_o well_o as_o their_o fancy_n with_o the_o notion_n of_o it_o they_o will_v be_v as_o free_v from_o passion_n self-will_a and_o all_o other_o mental_a vice_n as_o from_o drunkenness_n sensuality_n and_o the_o other_o exorbitance_n of_o their_o bodily_a appetite_n have_v thus_o set_v forth_o the_o character_n of_o formality_n i_o now_o descend_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n to_o discover_v by_o what_o way_n and_o method_n it_o defeat_v the_o practice_n of_o moral_a virtue_n that_o perceive_v its_o disguise_n we_o may_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o now_o the_o artifices_fw-la by_o which_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o delude_v themselves_o be_v main_o these_o first_o they_o think_v they_o may_v be_v dispense_v with_o in_o the_o duty_n of_o practical_a virtue_n for_o their_o extraordinary_a strictness_n in_o some_o duty_n of_o godliness_n they_o weigh_v their_o act_n of_o devotion_n against_o all_o their_o miscarriage_n in_o morality_n if_o they_o do_v but_o fast_o twice_o a_o week_n they_o present_o believe_v that_o they_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v froward_a and_o peevish_a hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o gross_a vice_n be_v sometime_o call_v sin_n of_o infirmity_n for_o when_o they_o imagine_v themselves_o in_o god_n favour_n for_o frequent_v the_o place_n of_o worship_n for_o hear_v sermon_n and_o prayer_n they_o be_v ready_a to_o conclude_v their_o most_o heinous_a sin_n to_o be_v rather_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o nature_n than_o obliquity_n of_o their_o will_n take_v the_o measure_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n not_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o action_n themselves_o but_o from_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o person_n that_o commit_v they_o believe_v that_o if_o a_o man_n be_v once_o regenerate_v all_o his_o sin_n be_v instant_o change_v into_o infirmity_n thus_o the_o stoic_n of_o old_a make_v this_o one_o of_o their_o prime_a paradox_n that_o a_o wise_a man_n