Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	believe_v	faith_n	testimony_n	1,573	5	8.5071	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52427	Practical discourses upon the Beatitudes of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Vol. I written by John Norris, M.A., Rector of Bemerton near Sarum ; to which are added, Reflections upon a late Essay concerning human understanding ; with a reply to the remarks made upon them by the Athenian Society.	Norris, John, 1657-1711.; Norris, John, 1657-1711. Cursory reflections upon a book call'd An essay concerning human understanding.	1699 (1699)	Wing N1260; ESTC R15878	122,509	273

we_o stand_v and_o look_v upon_o a_o miserable_a world_n without_o mourning_n there_o be_v some_o man_n of_o rocky_a heart_n and_o impassable_a temper_n that_o can_v stand_v by_o and_o see_v the_o whole_a world_n in_o flame_n without_o any_o concern_v be_v but_o their_o own_o little_a self_n secure_a from_o the_o ruin_n and_o this_o some_o be_v please_v to_o call_v philosophy_n but_o certain_o christian_a charity_n that_o oblige_v we_o to_o sympathize_v with_o the_o misery_n of_o each_o particular_a man_n to_o weep_v with_o those_o that_o weep_v as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v do_v much_o more_o require_v we_o to_o lament_v the_o common_a misery_n of_o human_a life_n this_o therefore_o be_v a_o very_a proper_a cause_n of_o christian_a mourn_v as_o be_v also_o in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o consideration_n of_o the_o vanity_n and_o emptiness_n of_o all_o worldly_a and_o create_v good_n the_o general_a cause_n of_o most_o of_o the_o discontent_n and_o melancholy_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v because_o man_n can_v get_v so_o much_o of_o worldly_a good_a as_o they_o desire_v not_o at_o all_o question_v its_o vanity_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a suppose_v that_o if_o they_o can_v compass_v such_o and_o such_o thing_n they_o shall_v be_v happy_a and_o their_o only_a trouble_n be_v that_o they_o can_v get_v they_o now_o this_o be_v proper_o worldly_a sorrow_n and_o come_v from_o a_o ill_a principle_n either_o from_o covetousness_n lust_n or_o ambition_n but_o now_o there_o may_v be_v a_o virtuous_a and_o laudable_a discontent_n as_o well_o as_o a_o vicious_a and_o sordid_a one_o and_o that_o be_v when_o a_o man_n mourn_v and_o be_v trouble_v not_o because_o he_o can_v compass_v such_o and_o such_o create_v good_n no_o perhaps_o he_o will_v not_o eat_v of_o the_o fruit_n if_o he_o can_v reach_v it_o but_o pure_o because_o they_o be_v all_o empty_a and_o vain_a and_o can_v satisfy_v he_o do_v not_o grieve_v because_o he_o want_v they_o for_o it_o may_v be_v he_o choose_v to_o be_v without_o they_o but_o because_o they_o be_v want_v in_o themselves_o and_o have_v not_o that_o in_o they_o which_o can_v ever_o make_v he_o happy_a and_o indeed_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o cast_v a_o damp_n upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o any_o consider_v man_n to_o think_v that_o what_o be_v substantial_a and_o satisfactory_a be_v out_o of_o his_o reach_n and_o that_o all_o be_v vanity_n and_o vexation_n that_o lie_v within_o it_o that_o the_o former_a he_o can_v enjoy_v and_o that_o the_o latter_a can_v satisfy_v to_o be_v thorough_o and_o inward_o convince_v that_o all_o fruition_n be_v a_o cheat_n and_o so_o to_o have_v nothing_o in_o expectation_n no_o one_o glimpse_n or_o prospect_n of_o enjoyment_n before_o one_o to_o invite_v one_o to_o live_v long_o this_o be_v a_o sad_a reflection_n and_o such_o as_o must_v needs_o cause_v sorrow_n and_o mourn_v but_o then_o it_o be_v a_o very_a laudable_a one_o and_o such_o as_o proceed_v from_o a_o excellent_a principle_n it_o be_v a_o sorrow_n that_o arise_v from_o increase_n of_o wisdom_n eccles_n 1._o 18._o from_o a_o right_a notion_n and_o understanding_n of_o thing_n from_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n from_o a_o due_a consciousness_n of_o our_o own_o power_n and_o capacity_n and_o from_o the_o more_o than_o ordinary_a aspire_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o god_n who_o alone_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v she_o and_o to_o be_v sorry_a upon_o such_o principle_n as_o these_o be_v to_o sorrow_n in_o a_o rational_a way_n and_o after_o a_o godly_a sort._n to_o instance_n one_o more_o another_o very_a proper_a cause_n why_o a_o christian_a shall_v mourn_v be_v the_o consideration_n of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o the_o infinite_a misery_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v miscarry_v in_o so_o momentous_a a_o concern_v as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o our_o salvation_n it_o be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o some_o be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v for_o though_o i_o can_v be_v assure_v of_o this_o proposition_n with_o a_o certainty_n of_o divine_a faith_n it_o be_v matter_n of_o express_a revelation_n that_o the_o faithful_a and_o the_o penitent_n shall_v be_v save_v yet_o that_o i_o believe_v and_o repent_v can_v be_v know_v to_o i_o only_o on_o the_o ground_n of_o experimental_a knowledge_n which_o be_v a_o human_a and_o therefore_o fallible_a testimony_n and_o consequent_o the_o conclusion_n always_o follow_v the_o weak_a part_n i_o can_v be_v assure_v of_o my_o salvation_n with_o a_o certainty_n of_o divine_a faith_n but_o only_o with_o a_o human_a and_o moral_a assurance_n which_o indeed_o to_o call_v it_o by_o a_o right_a name_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o high_a probability_n a_o strong_a presumption_n but_o yet_o if_o even_o this_o moral_a assurance_n be_v absolute_a and_o irreversible_a and_o be_v to_o take_v in_o the_o future_a as_o well_o as_o the_o present_a it_o be_v yet_o a_o considerable_a stay_n and_o security_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o we_o that_o assurance_n which_o we_o have_v be_v absolute_a only_o for_o the_o present_a and_o reach_v not_o the_o future_a but_o only_o upon_o condition_n suppose_v that_o we_o persevere_v in_o the_o present_a disposition_n which_o consider_v the_o multability_n of_o our_o will_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o our_o temptation_n and_o the_o frequent_a example_n of_o apostasy_n be_v a_o thing_n not_o only_o of_o uncertain_a but_o of_o hazardous_a consquence_n and_o as_o we_o be_v not_o can_v be_v absolute_o sure_a that_o we_o shall_v not_o miscarry_v so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o we_o shall_v be_v unspeakable_o miserable_a if_o we_o do_v for_o a_o man_n to_o fall_v off_o from_o his_o last_o end_n and_o only_o true_a good_a without_o any_o hope_n or_o possibility_n of_o recovery_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o can_v hardly_o be_v think_v of_o without_o confusion_n and_o amazement_n now_o let_v a_o man_n put_v these_o two_o thing_n together_o that_o whether_o he_o shall_v be_v save_v or_o no_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o a_o depend_v and_o uncertain_a issue_n and_o that_o if_o he_o miscarry_v his_o case_n be_v intolerable_a and_o then_o tell_v i_o whether_o this_o be_v not_o a_o just_a cause_n for_o trouble_n and_o sadness_n and_o whether_o this_o salvation_n this_o uncertain_a salvation_n be_v not_o to_o be_v wrought_v out_o with_o sorrow_n and_o mourn_a as_o well_o as_o with_o fear_n and_o tremble_v certain_o it_o be_v and_o be_v it_o not_o for_o this_o it_o will_v be_v no_o easy_a thing_n to_o give_v a_o account_n why_o gravity_n seriousness_n and_o sobriety_n of_o spirit_n shall_v be_v such_o decent_a and_o commendable_a quality_n in_o men._n for_o otherwise_o why_o shall_v not_o a_o man_n give_v himself_o up_o to_o the_o utmost_a gaity_n and_o jollity_n and_o express_v it_o in_o all_o manner_n of_o odd_a posture_n and_o gesture_n up_o to_o the_o height_n of_o a_o antic_a dissoluteness_n i_o say_v why_o shall_v not_o a_o man_n do_v this_o but_o only_o because_o this_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o part_n he_o be_v to_o act_v who_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o probation_n and_o doubtfulness_n and_o have_v so_o great_a a_o interest_n depend_v ought_v rather_o to_o temper_v and_o correct_v the_o luxuriancy_n of_o his_o spirit_n with_o some_o grain_n of_o sadness_n and_o pensiveness_n and_o beware_v of_o laugh_v too_o much_o here_o lest_o it_o shall_v be_v his_o turn_n to_o weep_v and_o mourn_v hereafter_o these_o be_v the_o principal_a cause_n of_o mourn_v and_o from_o hence_o we_o may_v gather_v who_o the_o christian-mourner_n be_v who_o be_v concern_v in_o this_o beatitude_n those_o namely_o who_o mourn_a proceed_v upon_o these_o or_o such_o like_a ground_n which_o be_v at_o last_o reducible_a to_o either_o of_o these_o two_o principle_n zeal_n for_o the_o honour_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n or_o a_o concern_v for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n they_o who_o mourn_v upon_o the_o score_n of_o piety_n or_o charity_n be_v true_a christian-mourner_n it_o remain_v that_o we_o now_o consider_v in_o the_o last_o place_n wherein_o consist_v their_o blessedness_n st._n austin_n in_o his_o confession_n and_o meditation_n very_o frequent_o speak_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o tear_n and_o as_o often_o pray_v for_o it_o and_o well_o he_o may_v since_o it_o be_v attend_v with_o such_o happy_a effect_n and_o have_v such_o a_o blessedness_n entail_v upon_o it_o it_o be_v blessedness_n be_v both_o present_a and_o to_o come_v what_o the_o present_a blessedness_n be_v we_o may_v learn_v from_o the_o wise_a man_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o by_o the_o sadness_n of_o the_o countenance_n the_o heart_n be_v make_v better_a it_o be_v so_o for_o by_o this_o it_o become_v more_o soft_a and_o tender_a for_o all_o divine_a impression_n for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n for_o devotion_n for_o charity_n to_o our_o

and_o experience_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n or_o if_o one_o be_v better_o dispose_v than_o another_o then_o in_o proportion_n one_o will_v also_o be_v more_o happy_a than_o another_o the_o consequence_n be_v plain_a and_o necessary_a if_o there_o must_v be_v a_o moral_a qualification_n of_o soul_n to_o fit_v a_o man_n for_o happiness_n then_o certain_o the_o more_o qualify_v the_o more_o happy_a which_o have_v make_v i_o often_o wonder_v at_o the_o self-inconsistency_a of_o those_o who_o allow_v a_o virtuous_a frame_n and_o temper_v of_o mind_n to_o be_v a_o natural_a disposition_n for_o happiness_n do_v yet_o deny_v great_a degree_n of_o glory_n to_o great_a degree_n of_o virtue_n indeed_o if_o a_o moral_a disposition_n of_o soul_n do_v not_o fit_v we_o for_o happiness_n the_o case_n be_v otherwise_o but_o since_o it_o be_v allow_v to_o do_v that_o i_o can_v conceive_v but_o that_o the_o degree_n of_o happiness_n must_v follow_v the_o degree_n of_o virtue_n and_o indeed_o how_o can_v he_o that_o think_v at_o all_o think_v otherwise_o but_o that_o a_o soul_n well_o purge_v and_o purify_v that_o have_v undergon_v a_o long_a course_n of_o mortification_n till_o she_o be_v thorough_o awaken_v into_o the_o divine_a life_n and_o likeness_n and_o be_v arrive_v to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n eph._n 4._o 13._o must_v find_v more_o happiness_n in_o the_o vision_n of_o god_n than_o a_o soul_n just_o pregnant_a with_o the_o divine_a form_n and_o that_o carry_v away_o with_o she_o only_o the_o first_o rudiment_n of_o spiritual_a life_n certain_o that_o soul_n which_o be_v most_o like_a god_n will_v be_v most_o happy_a in_o the_o fruition_n of_o he_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o may_v be_v conclude_v from_o the_o mere_a natural_a necessity_n of_o thing_n without_o have_v recourse_n to_o any_o positive_a order_n of_o god_n about_o it_o but_o neither_o may_v that_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v want_v for_o second_o i_o consider_v that_o the_o same_o may_v be_v conclude_v from_o the_o justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o first_o from_o his_o justice_n not_o that_o there_o lie_v a_o absolute_a and_o antecedent_n obligation_n upon_o god_n to_o bestow_v great_a reward_n upon_o great_a saint_n for_o if_o eternal_a life_n itself_o be_v as_o the_o apostle_n represent_v it_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n rom._n 6._o 23._o no_o doubt_v but_o the_o degree_n of_o it_o be_v so_o too_o god_n can_v become_v a_o debtor_n to_o man_n or_o to_o any_o other_o creature_n but_o by_o a_o free_a act_n of_o his_o own_o he_o may_v indeed_o oblige_v himself_o to_o we_o by_o a_o voluntary_a engagement_n but_o we_o can_v pass_v any_o strict_a obligation_n upon_o he_o by_o any_o thing_n we_o can_v do_v and_o to_o talk_v of_o merit_v in_o this_o sense_n be_v no_o less_o than_o blasphemy_n and_o i_o can_v hardly_o believe_v that_o any_o man_n that_o understand_v himself_o ever_o thus_o hold_v it_o but_o though_o god_n be_v not_o absolute_o oblige_v to_o his_o creature_n but_o only_o upon_o supposition_n and_o consequent_o can_v be_v absolute_o bind_v to_o reward_v great_a saint_n with_o great_a happiness_n yet_o if_o we_o once_o suppose_v he_o to_o engage_v himself_o by_o promise_n to_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o virtue_n in_o general_a there_o will_v be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o think_v that_o by_o the_o same_o promise_v he_o have_v also_o virtual_o oblige_v himself_o to_o crown_v the_o great_a virtue_n with_o the_o great_a reward_n for_o since_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o engage_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o good_a man_n be_v not_o as_o be_v already_o precaution_v any_o absolute_a merit_n of_o they_o but_o only_o to_o show_v his_o great_a love_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o by_o the_o same_o motive_n and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o same_o end_n he_o also_o engage_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o more_o liberal_a rewarder_n of_o great_a saint_n since_o this_o be_v as_o necessary_a a_o mean_n to_o show_v his_o love_n to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n as_o the_o other_o and_o therefore_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v which_o yet_o in_o the_o sequel_n will_v appear_v otherwise_o that_o god_n have_v express_o promise_v only_a to_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o virtue_n in_o general_n yet_o since_o the_o end_n and_o reason_n of_o this_o his_o engagement_n be_v to_o show_v his_o great_a love_n to_o virtue_n this_o will_v be_v warrant_n enough_o to_o conclude_v that_o he_o have_v implicit_o and_o virtual_o engage_v himself_o to_o have_v a_o equal_a regard_n to_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o virtue_n and_o to_o reward_v they_o after_o their_o respective_a proportion_n but_o to_o rise_v high_a yet_o though_o god_n can_v be_v in_o strict_a justice_n oblige_v to_o reward_v the_o best_a of_o our_o service_n but_o by_o a_o engagement_n of_o his_o own_o much_o less_o to_o reward_v they_o with_o eternal_a happiness_n yet_o i_o think_v there_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v a_o kind_n of_o congruity_n or_o becomingness_n on_o god_n part_n so_o to_o do_v even_o antecedent_o to_o any_o promise_n or_o covenant_n there_o be_v indeed_o no_o strict_a obligation_n till_o after_o some_o covenant_n but_o there_o may_v and_o i_o think_v must_v be_v a_o congurity_n even_o before_o for_o though_o there_o be_v no_o proportion_n of_o equivalence_n between_o our_o best_a work_n and_o the_o reward_n of_o heaven_n and_o consequent_o no_o possible_a room_n for_o any_o strict_a merit_n yet_o i_o can_v but_o think_v with_o a_o person_n of_o great_a judgement_n and_o moderation_n 590._o that_o there_o be_v a_o proportion_n of_o conveniency_n that_o be_v as_o he_o afterward_o explain_v it_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o strict_o due_a from_o god_n to_o the_o service_n of_o good_a man_n yet_o it_o be_v high_o worthy_a of_o god_n to_o reward_v they_o upon_o which_o account_n they_o also_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v worthy_a according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o apocalypse_n they_o shall_v walk_v with_o i_o in_o white_a for_o they_o be_v worthy_a rev._n 3._o 4._o and_o indeed_o unless_o we_o will_v admit_v of_o this_o congruity_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o to_o justify_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o apostolical_a maxim_n he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o heb._n 11._o 6._o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o apostle_n here_o speak_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o what_o shall_v move_v and_o qualify_v a_o heathen_a man_n to_o make_v his_o first_o address_n to_o god_n this_o he_o tell_v you_o be_v to_o believe_v the_o be_v and_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n but_o now_o how_o shall_v a_o heathen_a man_n believe_v that_o god_n be_v a_o rewarder_n by_o any_o revelation_n of_o he_o but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o yet_o suppose_v to_o admit_v he_o must_v therefore_o conclude_v it_o by_o his_o own_o natural_a reason_n by_o consider_v the_o idea_n and_o nature_n of_o god_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o which_o may_v natural_o be_v know_v of_o he_o and_o how_o become_n it_o be_v for_o so_o excellent_a a_o be_v to_o reward_v those_o who_o apply_v themselves_o serious_o and_o hearty_o to_o he_o well_o then_o if_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v upon_o the_o stock_n of_o natural_a principle_n that_o god_n be_v a_o rewarder_n without_o be_v assure_v of_o it_o by_o any_o revelation_n which_o be_v here_o suppose_a in_o the_o heathen_n case_n than_o it_o follow_v that_o even_o antecedent_o to_o any_o promise_n of_o god_n there_o be_v a_o great_a congruity_n though_o not_o a_o strict_a obligation_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v a_o rewarder_n for_o otherwise_o what_o ground_n can_v the_o heathen_a man_n have_v so_o to_o conclude_v or_o believe_v this_o congruity_n therefore_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v allow_v however_o apt_a some_o may_v be_v to_o startle_v at_o it_o when_o the_o word_n merit_n be_v put_v before_o it_o this_o be_v prejudice_n but_o the_o thing_n itself_o as_o i_o have_v here_o state_v and_o explain_v it_o be_v both_o innocent_a and_o necessary_a to_o be_v grant_v and_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o congruity_n that_o god_n shall_v be_v a_o rewarder_n in_o general_n then_o by_o the_o same_o proportion_n it_o follow_v that_o he_o shall_v dispense_v his_o reward_n according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o virtue_n there_o be_v certain_o at_o least_o as_o much_o congruity_n in_o this_o as_o in_o the_o other_o and_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v but_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o itself_o infinite_a and_o which_o be_v