Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	authority_n	church_n	truth_n	2,214	5	6.2511	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A54944	A discourse concerning the trial of spirits wherein inquiry is made into mens pretences to inspiration for publishing doctrines, in the name of God beyond the rules of the sacred scriptures : in opposition to some principles and practices of papists and fanaticks, as they contradict the doctrines of the Church of England, defined in her Articles of Religion, established by her ecclesiastical canons, and confirmed by acts of Parliament / by Thomas Pittis ...	Pittis, Thomas, 1636-1687.	1683 (1683)	Wing P2313; ESTC R33964	135,179	370

my_o understanding_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o my_o sense_n concern_v their_o own_o proper_a object_n where_o there_o be_v a_o true_a medium_n and_o a_o just_a distance_n if_o this_o which_o thus_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v bread_n and_o wine_n may_v yet_o not_o be_v so_o but_o the_o substantial_a body_n and_o blood_n of_o our_o lord_n then_o i_o can_v have_v no_o sufficient_a evidence_n that_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v reveal_v from_o heaven_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o depend_v upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v at_o the_o first_o wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o and_o these_o depend_v upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o sense_n who_o be_v then_o eyewitness_n to_o the_o miracle_n and_o if_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o mankind_n may_v together_o be_v deceive_v about_o this_o sacrament_n the_o same_o possibility_n may_v make_v they_o so_o when_o the_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o prove_v the_o gospel_n and_o then_o we_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o our_o religion_n but_o the_o whole_a gospel_n may_v prove_v a_o fable_n and_o its_o great_a confirmation_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o imposture_n this_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o be_v introduce_v into_o the_o world_n with_o pomp_n and_o ceremony_n and_o to_o render_v it_o authentic_a by_o a_o infallible_a authority_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o first_o confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n our_o sense_n be_v free_a and_o then_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v but_o that_o now_o since_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v sufficient_o authorize_v this_o very_a doctrine_n thus_o confirm_v tie_v up_o our_o sense_n since_o it_o be_v rational_a to_o submit_v they_o to_o divine_a revelation_n i_o answer_v that_o if_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v any_o where_o thus_o impose_v upon_o the_o faculty_n of_o man_n it_o will_v 1._o be_v difficult_a upon_o the_o same_o ground_n for_o i_o to_o believe_v that_o my_o eye_n be_v not_o impose_v upon_o when_o i_o read_v the_o word_n 2._o suppose_v that_o i_o do_v read_v they_o true_a and_o that_o be_v sufficient_o confirm_v that_o i_o understand_v what_o i_o read_v yet_o since_o no_o other_o text_n can_v be_v plead_v for_o transubstantiation_n beside_o this_o be_v my_o body_n why_o must_v i_o of_o necessity_n understand_v that_o by_o these_o word_n i_o be_o command_v to_o believe_v contrary_a to_o my_o sense_n when_o by_o a_o plain_a and_o easy_a construction_n agreeable_a to_o the_o usual_a sacramental_a phrase_n particular_o those_o which_o be_v use_v about_o the_o passeover_n my_o sense_n be_v still_o leave_v unto_o their_o liberty_n and_o no_o more_o than_o say_v this_o be_v my_o body_n that_o be_v this_o bread_n represent_v or_o signify_v my_o body_n will_v express_v the_o sense_n and_o baffle_v the_o objection_n it_o be_v so_o common_a to_o parallel_v this_o expression_n with_o i_o be_o the_o vine_n the_o way_n the_o door_n and_o that_o rock_n be_v christ_n this_o be_v my_o covenant_n this_o cup_n be_v the_o new_a testament_n etc._n etc._n where_o the_o verb_n be_v construe_v by_o represent_v signify_v and_o the_o like_a that_o i_o be_o ashamed_a we_o shall_v be_v put_v to_o continue_a repetition_n by_o the_o daily_a appearance_n of_o a_o baffle_a adversary_n thus_o we_o see_v by_o these_o three_o instance_n of_o erroneous_a determination_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o if_o ever_o they_o have_v infallibility_n they_o have_v lose_v it_o unless_o truth_n and_o error_n be_v reconcile_v and_o infallible_a falsehood_n be_v a_o proper_a expression_n seven_o if_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o premise_n the_o romanist_n will_v yet_o hold_v the_o conclusion_n and_o affirm_v themselves_o to_o be_v infallible_a we_o must_v call_v upon_o they_o to_o prove_v it_o by_o miracle_n for_o this_o can_v no_o way_n become_v the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o by_o immediate_a inspiration_n to_o those_o that_o pretend_v it_o and_o whoever_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n aught_o to_o prove_v it_o by_o miracle_n when_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o command_v we_o to_o believe_v it_o the_o apostle_n prove_v their_o infallibility_n by_o miracle_n we_o must_v demand_v therefore_o the_o same_o from_o those_o that_o will_v pretend_v to_o the_o same_o privilege_n since_o the_o promise_n they_o challenge_v to_o themselves_o be_v complete_v in_o the_o apostle_n nay_o it_o will_v not_o be_v enough_o to_o tell_v story_n instead_o of_o miracle_n nor_o to_o produce_v something_o do_v among_o they_o of_o which_o the_o cause_n be_v behind_o the_o curtain_n no_o natural_a account_n can_v be_v give_v but_o they_o must_v be_v attend_v with_o such_o circumstance_n as_o may_v sufficient_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v divine_a and_o when_o this_o be_v accomplish_v which_o be_v impossible_a the_o infallibility_n pretend_v must_v be_v prove_v necessary_a to_o the_o salvation_n and_o conduct_n of_o man_n otherwise_o we_o shall_v doubt_v of_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o because_o they_o confirm_v a_o unnecessary_a thing_n and_o what_o suppose_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o may_v add_v more_o head_n of_o argument_n but_o these_o be_v sufficient_a to_o baffle_v the_o strength_n of_o this_o proud_a capitol_n chap._n viii_o have_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n spend_v a_o very_a large_a parenthesis_n upon_o the_o roman_a infallibility_n for_o fear_n that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v well_o understand_v by_o some_o who_o unthinking_a honesty_n may_v make_v they_o jealous_a of_o their_o power_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o conclude_v that_o i_o allow_v not_o authority_n enough_o to_o synod_n and_o council_n and_o that_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o private_a minister_n i_o assume_v too_o much_o judgement_n to_o myself_o in_o make_v use_n of_o my_o faculty_n without_o leave_n i_o answer_v that_o i_o have_v sufficient_a leave_n from_o the_o article_n and_o canon_n establish_v in_o the_o protestant_a church_n of_o england_n for_o what_o i_o have_v already_o write_v concern_v this_o matter_n yet_o i_o shall_v far_o explain_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o show_v that_o i_o be_o willing_a to_o attribute_v as_o much_o authority_n and_o honour_n to_o the_o best_a establish_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o governor_n of_o it_o as_o any_o man_n can_v possible_o do_v who_o do_v not_o pluck_v out_o his_o eye_n to_o do_v they_o service_n therefore_o notwithstanding_o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o the_o roman_a infallibility_n i_o ready_o yield_v that_o father_n and_o council_n and_o all_o congregation_n of_o holy_a and_o judicious_a christian_n much_o more_o the_o bishop_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n solemn_o assemble_v to_o treat_v concern_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o any_o point_n introduce_v into_o religion_n be_v reverent_o to_o be_v attend_v to_o reason_n urge_v a_o regard_n to_o those_o who_o by_o the_o advantage_n of_o study_n or_o the_o prospect_n they_o have_v obtain_v from_o a_o high_a ground_n and_o according_a to_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o live_v be_v probable_o capacitate_v to_o assist_v our_o judgement_n and_o to_o determine_v a_o controversy_n better_o than_o ourselves_o when_o person_n of_o learning_n piety_n and_o authority_n also_o in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n shall_v assemble_v in_o his_o name_n with_o a_o real_a intention_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o difficult_a and_o dispute_v proposition_n humble_o beg_v the_o divine_a assistance_n and_o blessing_n on_o their_o endeavour_n we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o incline_v to_o their_o determination_n when_o neither_o secular_a interest_n or_o a_o blind_a passion_n or_o the_o force_n of_o other_o gain_v their_o vote_n and_o procure_v their_o assent_n nay_o when_o these_o be_v our_o own_o lawful_a governor_n though_o nothing_o can_v force_v our_o belief_n we_o may_v in_o a_o improper_a sense_n call_v their_o determination_n infallible_a quoad_fw-la nos_fw-la because_o for_o the_o peace_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o avoid_v schism_n and_o to_o preserve_v a_o ecclesiastical_a union_n among_o we_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a that_o they_o bind_v we_o not_o to_o contradict_v they_o public_o by_o any_o external_a solemn_a act_n since_o we_o ourselves_o have_v our_o assent_n virtual_o imply_v in_o canon_n or_o law_n make_v by_o those_o who_o public_o represent_v we_o although_o we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v every_o proposition_n thus_o determine_v to_o be_v exact_o true_a unless_o it_o be_v propound_v to_o we_o with_o sufficient_a evidence_n to_o convince_v our_o judgement_n if_o we_o have_v ability_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o proof_n themselves_o to_o restrain_v the_o external_a act_n and_o discourse_n of_o man_n when_o they_o oppose_v the_o public_a sanction_n and_o constitution_n of_o those_o who_o be_v fix_v in_o such_o place_n of_o authority_n be_v plain_o necessary_a to_o keep_v peace_n and_o order_n in_o any_o

unity_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n to_o increase_v our_o knowledge_n in_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o prevent_v our_o be_v deceive_v and_o lead_v into_o error_n hence_o be_v timothy_n office_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v by_o the_o ordination_n of_o s._n paul_n style_v a_o gift_n 2_o tim._n 1.6_o and_o lest_o these_o appointment_n shall_v not_o be_v account_v the_o product_n and_o designation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n these_o gift_n be_v attribute_v to_o the_o spirit_n who_o be_v in_o himself_o one_o uniform_a be_v though_o these_o be_v divers_a according_a to_o the_o variety_n of_o time_n and_o season_n and_o they_o be_v all_o such_o manifestation_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o be_v give_v to_o man_n to_o profit_v withal_o 1_o cor._n 12._o now_o as_o god_n providence_n rule_v the_o world_n though_o we_o can_v neither_o discover_v his_o counsel_n nor_o be_v able_a to_o account_v for_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o operation_n as_o he_o dispose_v of_o crown_n and_o kingdom_n determine_v our_o day_n and_o dispose_v our_o habitation_n though_o these_o thing_n be_v accomplish_v by_o a_o order_n and_o train_n of_o second_o cause_n several_o design_v and_o concur_v to_o the_o end_n so_o do_v the_o holy_a spirit_n dispose_v the_o way_n of_o the_o education_n of_o some_o and_o incline_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o office_n of_o minister_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n that_o god_n people_n may_v not_o perish_v for_o want_v of_o knowledge_n but_o there_o may_v be_v some_o always_o to_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o to_o convey_v christ_n doctrine_n from_o generation_n to_o generation_n that_o his_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o true_a confession_n of_o a_o holy_a faith_n as_o on_o a_o firm_a and_o well_o fix_a rock_n the_o gate_n of_o hell_n may_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o it_o matth._n 16.16_o and_o 18._o now_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o such_o man_n distinguish_v by_o their_o education_n and_o manner_n of_o live_v from_o those_o that_o be_v more_o encompass_v with_o the_o noise_n and_o disturb_v affair_n of_o this_o life_n be_v prepare_v by_o a_o previous_a train_n of_o circumstance_n and_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o their_o own_o part_n and_o understanding_n and_o be_v by_o such_o mean_v able_a to_o see_v into_o the_o notion_n of_o those_o that_o have_v go_v before_o they_o have_v be_v use_v more_o to_o read_v consideration_n and_o retirement_n than_o other_o man_n and_o to_o weigh_v the_o just_a consequence_n of_o thing_n they_o must_v needs_o attain_v a_o competent_a ability_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o which_o they_o most_o apply_v themselves_o and_o they_o may_v be_v capable_a through_o the_o assistance_n of_o that_o spirit_n who_o call_v and_o give_v they_o authority_n in_o their_o office_n to_o become_v instrument_n in_o his_o hand_n to_o guide_v man_n into_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n in_o all_o the_o art_n and_o mystery_n of_o the_o world_n we_o deem_v it_o a_o natural_a way_n to_o learn_v by_o obtain_v one_o that_o be_v skilful_a himself_o to_o teach_v we_o the_o principle_n and_o ground_n of_o his_o knowledge_n and_o we_o more_o certain_o and_o easy_o obtain_v our_o design_n when_o we_o have_v such_o a_o one_o to_o instruct_v we_o so_o be_v it_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o natural_a way_n to_o inform_v ourselves_o in_o those_o thing_n that_o concern_v our_o salvation_n when_o we_o have_v not_o only_o a_o a_o inspire_a rule_n but_o man_n educate_v into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o understanding_n the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n and_o be_v afterward_o appoint_v by_o due_a ceremony_n and_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o guide_v we_o into_o all_o truth_n especial_o if_o in_o the_o last_o place_n we_o consider_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n confirm_v those_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n unto_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n by_o cooperate_a with_o the_o external_a appoint_a ministration_n by_o a_o internal_a work_n upon_o the_o understanding_n and_o affection_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o divine_a illumination_n yet_o continue_v among_o christian_n as_o our_o church_n own_v it_o by_o her_o prayer_n so_o no_o man_n can_v reasonable_o contradict_v it_o not_o that_o it_o do_v render_v any_o man_n infallible_a as_o the_o romanist_n affirm_v nor_o inspire_v man_n with_o any_o new_a doctrine_n or_o rule_n of_o life_n beside_o what_o it_o have_v reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n as_o some_o enthusiast_n adventure_v to_o determine_v yet_o we_o must_v not_o to_o avoid_v the_o extreme_n forsake_v so_o useful_a a_o article_n of_o belief_n that_o give_v god_n the_o glory_n of_o his_o power_n and_o keep_v we_o dependent_a upon_o he_o and_o be_v so_o great_a a_o foundation_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o praise_n truth_n be_v not_o to_o be_v forsake_v by_o the_o jew_n because_o the_o samaritan_n may_v be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n nor_o shall_v i_o like_o the_o jew_n in_o barbary_n refuse_v to_o eat_v of_o that_o meat_n which_o be_v dress_v by_o one_o of_o a_o different_a persuasion_n or_o to_o drink_v in_o the_o same_o cup_n with_o a_o moor_n when_o he_o be_v a_o person_n of_o a_o wholesome_a constitution_n until_o it_o have_v undergo_v the_o ceremony_n of_o wash_v truth_n in_o this_o world_n will_v be_v blend_v with_o error_n and_o it_o be_v the_o prudence_n as_o well_o as_o piety_n of_o a_o christian_a to_o make_v a_o separation_n of_o the_o wheat_n from_o the_o chaff_n and_o not_o to_o slight_v and_o refuse_v the_o one_o because_o the_o other_o have_v be_v mix_v with_o it_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o as_o mr._n hales_n express_v it_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o the_o apostle_n which_o shall_v lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n be_v make_v good_a unto_o they_o by_o private_a and_o secret_a inform_v their_o understanding_n with_o high_a and_o heavenly_a mystery_n which_o never_o enter_v into_o the_o conceit_n of_o man_n and_o to_o we_o this_o promise_n be_v make_v good_a because_o what_o be_v write_v by_o revelation_n in_o their_o heart_n for_o our_o instruction_n they_o have_v write_v in_o their_o book_n but_o yet_o this_o be_v not_o all_o the_o assistance_n the_o spirit_n give_v we_o for_o though_o he_o do_v not_o inspire_v we_o with_o any_o new_a doctrine_n you_o he_o open_v our_o understanding_n to_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o old_a i_o be_o far_o from_o admit_v the_o conceit_n of_o a_o impulse_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o our_o life_n because_o we_o know_v what_o mischief_n have_v overspread_v the_o world_n when_o proposition_n have_v be_v veil_v with_o such_o a_o pretence_n and_o it_o may_v be_v our_o own_o as_o well_o as_o s._n augustine_n observation_n tanto_fw-la sunt_fw-la ad_fw-la seditionem_fw-la faciliores_fw-la quanto_fw-la sibi_fw-la videntur_fw-la spiritu_fw-la excellere_fw-la man_n be_v the_o more_o prone_a to_o sedition_n by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o they_o seem_v to_o excel_v in_o their_o inspiration_n yet_o there_o can_v appear_v the_o same_o danger_n where_o the_o spirit_n only_o assist_v our_o understanding_n to_o apprehend_v those_o truth_n which_o be_v already_o deliver_v and_o incline_v our_o will_n and_o affection_n to_o embrace_v they_o when_o according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o s._n john_n we_o be_v not_o so_o credulous_a as_o to_o believe_v every_o spirit_n but_o to_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n or_o no_o 1_o john_n 4.1_o now_o then_o only_o may_v we_o reasonable_o conclude_v our_o understanding_n to_o be_v influence_v by_o the_o spirit_n when_o our_o notion_n agree_v with_o the_o write_a word_n for_o to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n say_v the_o prophet_n if_o they_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o word_n it_o be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o morning_n or_o light_n in_o they_o isa_n 8.20_o there_o be_v divers_a mean_n natural_a in_o themselves_o and_o rational_o appoint_v by_o almighty_a god_n for_o the_o inform_a man_n in_o the_o truth_n that_o concern_v they_o read_v meditation_n and_o hear_v the_o word_n be_v proper_a method_n to_o inform_v our_o understanding_n and_o to_o guide_v we_o into_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n but_o prayer_n be_v therefore_o wont_a to_o be_v superad_v not_o only_o to_o compose_v our_o mind_n and_o make_v they_o fit_a for_o divine_a contemplation_n by_o a_o sequestration_n of_o our_o thought_n from_o those_o external_a object_n that_o by_o intermix_v themselves_o with_o those_o that_o be_v more_o spiritual_a confound_v our_o idea_n and_o notice_n of_o thing_n and_o render_v our_o mind_n more_o loose_a and_o extravagant_a but_o because_o prayer_n supplicate_v those_o aid_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o facilitate_v our_o apprehension_n of_o truth_n by_o remove_v object_n that_o crumble_v and_o disorder_v they_o and_o it_o