Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
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A30400
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A rational method for proving the truth of the Christian religion, as it is professed in the Church of England in answer to A rational compendious way to convince without dispute all persons whatsoever dissenting from the true religion, by J.K. / by Gilbert Burnet.
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Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715.
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1675
(1675)
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Wing B5846; ESTC R32583
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48,508
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114
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a_o infallible_a judge_n and_o of_o the_o great_a and_o visible_a inconvenience_n that_o appear_v from_o the_o want_n of_o it_o in_o those_o church_n that_o have_v depart_v from_o the_o roman_a communion_n i_o have_v not_o long_o ago_o propose_v a_o great_a many_o query_n to_o one_o of_o i_o k_n brethren_n in_o which_o i_o have_v set_v before_o he_o the_o many_o difficulty_n they_o must_v needs_o be_v involve_v in_o by_o clear_v who_o this_o infallible_a judge_n must_v be_v and_o i_o shall_v here_o repeat_v nothing_o of_o what_o i_o say_v then_o but_o shall_v go_v on_o to_o show_v upon_o what_o clear_a and_o certain_a ground_n we_o may_v rest_v our_o persuasion_n about_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o divine_a truth_n all_o art_n and_o science_n must_v be_v acquire_v by_o some_o rule_n and_o method_n by_o which_o a_o progress_n may_v be_v make_v from_o plain_a thing_n to_o those_o that_o be_v more_o involve_v and_o difficult_a and_o if_o any_o will_v desire_v to_o understand_v any_o theorem_fw-la or_o problem_n in_o geometry_n without_o beginning_n at_o the_o element_n and_o advance_v by_o euclid_n or_o some_o other_o such_o method_n he_o labour_v in_o vain_a so_o also_o if_o any_o will_v without_o more_o ado_n study_v to_o know_v a_o secret_a in_o chemistry_n have_v neither_o learned_a to_o know_v the_o term_n of_o art_n nor_o the_o course_n of_o a_o process_n he_o shall_v not_o be_v the_o wise_a though_o one_o deliver_v he_o their_o best_a secret_n in_o like_a manner_n if_o a_o man_n will_v enter_v into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a truth_n without_o any_o of_o those_o preparation_n which_o be_v necessary_a he_o be_v in_o a_o wrong_a way_n and_o the_o further_o he_o engage_v he_o be_v the_o more_o out_o of_o the_o way_n nor_o can_v he_o be_v ever_o in_o the_o right_a way_n till_o he_o begin_v afresh_o it_o may_v just_o seem_v strange_a that_o christian_a religion_n be_v so_o plain_a a_o thing_n when_o the_o apostle_n first_o deliver_v it_o that_o mean_v simple_a people_n poor_a woman_n and_o a_o illiterate_a company_n shall_v have_v understand_v it_o and_o that_o it_o subdue_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n before_o man_n of_o great_a learning_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o and_o all_o the_o knowledge_n they_o then_o have_v of_o it_o be_v by_o the_o sermon_n and_o epistle_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n which_o remain_v to_o this_o day_n and_o though_o at_o this_o distance_n from_o that_o time_n we_o may_v have_v lose_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o some_o phrase_n and_o we_o have_v not_o so_o particular_a a_o history_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o first_o church_n as_o may_v help_v we_o to_o understand_v many_o passage_n that_o seem_v very_o dark_a to_o we_o yet_o for_o the_o main_a of_o those_o book_n they_o seem_v very_o easy_a and_o plain_a we_o have_v also_o still_o so_o perfect_a a_o knowledge_n of_o the_o greek_a tongue_n as_o clear_o to_o understand_v they_o but_o after_o all_o this_o christian_a religion_n be_v now_o become_v such_o a_o strange_a kind_n of_o secret_a that_o man_n with_o all_o their_o learning_n and_o study_n can_v scarce_o understand_v it_o certain_o we_o must_v have_v either_o change_a religion_n from_o what_o it_o be_v at_o first_o so_o that_o it_o have_v now_o put_v on_o a_o new_a face_n or_o we_o be_v much_o mistake_v in_o our_o method_n of_o inquire_v into_o it_o and_o examine_v what_o thing_n be_v reveal_v to_o we_o by_o god_n s._n paul_n tell_v we_o the_o natural_a man_n receive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n neither_o indeed_o can_v be_v for_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v from_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o a_o renovation_n of_o the_o mind_n from_o its_o natural_a mould_n and_o its_o be_v transform_v into_o a_o spiritual_a temper_n be_v necessary_a as_o well_o for_o the_o understanding_n and_o discern_v as_o the_o obey_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n now_o all_o natural_a man_n may_v be_v divide_v into_o three_o class_n either_o they_o be_v so_o immerse_v in_o sense_n and_o sensible_a thing_n that_o all_o their_o apprehension_n be_v tincture_v with_o the_o figure_n and_o phantasm_n which_o their_o sense_n and_o imagination_n present_a to_o they_o or_o they_o rise_v a_o little_a above_o this_o but_o be_v so_o govern_v by_o the_o heat_n of_o nature_n and_o passion_n that_o either_o their_o mind_n be_v render_v quite_o incapable_a of_o all_o serious_a thought_n or_o so_o distort_v in_o they_o that_o they_o do_v not_o discern_v they_o true_o but_o the_o high_a elevation_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n be_v reason_n which_o have_v a_o fair_a appearance_n and_o if_o right_o manage_v will_v certain_o advance_v he_o to_o a_o spiritual_a temper_n but_o be_v feed_v only_o with_o dry_a notion_n and_o try_v they_o by_o a_o false_a touchstone_n do_v strenghthen_v our_o error_n fortify_v our_o prejudices_fw-la and_o swell_v we_o with_o pride_n and_o fret_v we_o with_o the_o itch_n of_o a_o unsatisfiable_a and_o useless_a curiosity_n now_o it_o will_v not_o be_v ungrateful_a it_o be_v hope_v to_o propose_v the_o great_a hindrance_n all_o these_o several_a modification_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n have_v give_v to_o the_o right_a understanding_n divine_a truth_n and_o to_o begin_v with_o those_o of_o the_o low_a form_n one_o who_o mind_n be_v immerse_v in_o sense_n either_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o his_o sense_n propose_v to_o he_o or_o at_o least_o tincture_n all_o his_o notion_n with_o sensible_a object_n thus_o the_o atheist_n believe_v no_o god_n because_o he_o can_v see_v he_o and_o those_o of_o the_o heathen_n over_o who_o the_o power_n of_o their_o sense_n be_v strong_a yet_o not_o such_o as_o to_o overcome_v the_o impression_n of_o a_o deity_n leave_v on_o their_o soul_n do_v believe_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n be_v god_n be_v both_o dazzle_a with_o the_o bright_a splendour_n of_o the_o day_n and_o delight_v with_o the_o faint_a shining_n of_o the_o night_n and_o find_v both_o the_o pleasant_a lightsomness_n the_o warm_a benignity_n and_o fruitful_a usefulness_n of_o their_o beam_n they_o do_v adore_v they_o as_o god_n and_o see_v strange_a effect_n answer_v some_o of_o their_o position_n and_o aspect_n they_o come_v to_o imagine_v all_o humane_a thing_n be_v govern_v by_o they_o and_o so_o frame_v a_o entire_a theory_n if_o so_o ill_o ground_v a_o thing_n can_v deserve_v that_o name_n of_o astrology_n other_o much_o take_v with_o the_o greatness_n and_o glory_n of_o brave_a commander_n and_o prince_n and_o have_v some_o notion_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n on_o their_o mind_n do_v think_v that_o after_o their_o death_n they_o govern_v this_o inferior_a world_n and_o to_o those_o hero_n they_o assign_v star_n to_o dwell_v in_o and_o those_o god_n they_o represent_v either_o by_o some_o symbol_n the_o chief_a whereof_o be_v fire_n or_o by_o some_o statue_n pillar_n or_o other_o piece_n of_o sculpture_n which_o at_o least_o represent_v that_o deity_n to_o their_o sense_n if_o it_o have_v not_o some_o strange_o magical_a and_o divine_a influence_n unite_v or_o affix_v to_o it_o they_o do_v also_o prognosticate_v all_o future_a thing_n either_o by_o the_o flight_n or_o feed_n of_o bird_n or_o by_o the_o inward_o of_o animal_n here_o then_o a_o religion_n entire_o frame_v from_o the_o conception_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n in_o its_o low_a depression_n and_o their_o gross_a notion_n of_o religion_n make_v they_o both_o prejudice_v against_o the_o jew_n who_o worship_v nothing_o but_o a_o celestial_a deity_n and_o more_o against_o the_o christian_n who_o they_o call_v atheist_n because_o they_o have_v none_o of_o those_o sensible_a representation_n or_o way_n of_o worship_n but_o their_o faith_n be_v plain_a and_o simple_a but_o as_o the_o natural_a man_n do_v thus_o corrupt_a the_o notice_n of_o natural_a religion_n it_o do_v no_o less_o embase_v the_o christian_a religion_n when_o many_o natural_a man_n be_v engage_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o either_o by_o education_n custom_n or_o interest_n who_o loathe_v its_o simple_a purity_n do_v study_v so_o to_o dress_v it_o up_o that_o it_o may_v gratify_v their_o natural_a mind_n by_o bring_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o decease_a man_n and_o by_o worship_v they_o by_o image_n picture_n relic_n and_o at_o length_n make_v picture_n for_o the_o deity_n itself_o and_o by_o dress_v up_o all_o the_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n so_o as_o to_o amuse_v and_o delight_v the_o sense_n by_o affect_v a_o outward_a grandeur_n in_o procession_n and_o other_o festival_n and_o in_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o priest_n chief_o of_o their_o high_a priest_n all_o which_o be_v visible_o the_o effect_n of_o mind_n deep_o engage_v in_o sensible_a thing_n to_o who_o nothing_o appear_v sacred_a or_o solemn_a without_o it_o have_v be_v adorn_v with_o all_o the_o
propagate_v as_o it_o be_v it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v make_v out_o that_o it_o be_v true_a and_o if_o so_o what_o must_v have_v be_v the_o strong_a argument_n use_v for_o it_o before_o it_o be_v so_o propagate_v either_o these_o be_v convince_a or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v not_o convince_a than_o it_o be_v propagate_v by_o weak_a and_o unconclude_a argument_n we_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o it_o or_o believe_v it_o if_o these_o argument_n be_v convince_a we_o either_o know_v they_o or_o we_o know_v they_o not_o if_o we_o know_v they_o not_o how_o can_v we_o judge_v they_o be_v convince_a if_o we_o know_v they_o than_o we_o may_v be_v as_o well_o convince_v by_o they_o as_o those_o be_v to_o who_o they_o be_v at_o first_o propose_v the_o great_a argument_n the_o apostle_n offer_v be_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n wrought_v many_o miracle_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o he_o be_v dead_a and_o lay_v in_o the_o grave_n be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o after_o a_o long_a stay_n with_o they_o on_o earth_n they_o see_v he_o ascend_v with_o great_a glory_n to_o heaven_n of_o all_o which_o they_o be_v witness_n now_o these_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n so_o positive_o attest_v by_o so_o many_o eye-witness_n who_o be_v man_n of_o great_a probity_n that_o can_v not_o be_v cast_v on_o the_o pretence_n of_o their_o be_v hire_v or_o bribe_v there_o be_v no_o interest_n can_v lead_v they_o to_o give_v that_o testimony_n but_o only_a truth_n all_o other_o consideration_n deter_v they_o from_o it_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n then_o and_o remain_v so_o still_o to_o believe_v this_o true_a whether_o the_o world_n have_v embrace_v it_o or_o not_o and_o i_o will_v ask_v i._n k._n what_o if_o the_o gentile_n have_v reject_v their_o testimony_n as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n do_v yet_o if_o these_o sacred_a write_n have_v be_v with_o a_o most_o religious_a care_n convey_v down_o to_o we_o have_v we_o not_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n certain_o we_o have_v for_o the_o apostle_n be_v man_n who_o upon_o the_o strict_a trial_n of_o law_n must_v be_v admit_v as_o competent_a witness_n they_o be_v well_o inform_v of_o what_o they_o hear_v and_o see_v for_o a_o tract_n of_o three_o or_o four_o year_n they_o be_v plain_a simple_a man_n who_o can_v not_o in_o reason_n be_v suspect_v of_o deep_a design_n or_o contrivance_n they_o in_o the_o testimony_n they_o give_v do_v not_o only_o vouch_v private_a story_n that_o be_v transact_v in_o corner_n but_o public_a matter_n see_v and_o know_v of_o many_o hundred_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o their_o testimony_n so_o that_o the_o fume_n of_o melancholy_n can_v not_o lead_v so_o many_o into_o such_o a_o agreement_n of_o mistake_n their_o testimony_n if_o false_a may_v have_v be_v easy_o disprove_v the_o chief_a power_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n who_o neither_o want_v power_n cunning_a nor_o malice_n and_o in_o fine_a the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n appear_v in_o their_o constant_a adhere_n to_o it_o from_o which_o neither_o imprisonment_n whip_n torture_n no_o not_o death_n itself_o can_v divert_v they_o from_o all_o which_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a as_o be_v possible_a any_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v be_v that_o their_o testimony_n be_v true_a and_o this_o discourse_n must_v hold_v good_a whether_o the_o world_n have_v receive_v and_o believe_v their_o report_n or_o not_o which_o be_v the_o more_o full_o confirm_v by_o the_o miraculous_a operation_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n by_o which_o they_o do_v cast_v out_o devil_n and_o cure_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n and_o to_o this_o they_o appeal_v in_o their_o epistle_n and_o act_n which_o be_v publish_v at_o that_o time_n wherein_o have_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n not_o be_v true_a they_o have_v be_v brand_v as_o bold_a and_o impudent_a impostor_n we_o have_v also_o a_o series_n of_o book_n in_o all_o age_n cite_v the_o write_n wherein_o these_o testimony_n be_v contain_v by_o which_o we_o know_v they_o be_v write_v at_o that_o very_a time_n and_o the_o apologist_n for_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o their_o apology_n appeal_v to_o the_o wonder_n that_o be_v still_o wrought_v for_o confirmation_n of_o the_o faith_n nor_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n not_o to_o say_v modesty_n and_o ingenuity_n will_v have_v appeal_v to_o proof_n that_o be_v slender_a and_o false_a in_o matter_n of_o fact_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o great_a confirmation_n of_o our_o saviour_n from_o his_o miracle_n be_v make_v good_a by_o another_o way_n of_o proof_n than_o by_o the_o propagation_n of_o it_o which_o i_o do_v not_o deny_v do_v very_o strong_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o yet_o be_v rather_o a_o consequent_a confirmation_n of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v than_o a_o antecedent_n argument_n for_o prove_v it_o so_o though_o it_o be_v far_o from_o my_o thought_n to_o weaken_v this_o way_n of_o confirm_a christian_a religion_n yet_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o a_o extraordinary_a propagation_n will_v not_o infer_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n though_o it_o be_v allow_v it_o be_v do_v by_o miracle_n since_o we_o can_v be_v assure_v these_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o a_o good_a spirit_n till_o we_o first_o consider_v the_o doctrine_n they_o confirm_v whether_o they_o be_v good_a or_o not_o it_o do_v also_o appear_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o miracle_n be_v make_v out_o abundant_o to_o we_o abstract_v from_o the_o way_n of_o propagate_a they_o but_o in_o end_n we_o must_v a_o little_a examine_v what_o this_o way_n of_o propagate_a they_o be_v and_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o calumny_n and_o lesser_a persecution_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o derision_n of_o the_o philosopher_n of_o the_o prejudice_n carnal_a lust_n and_o appetite_n lay_v in_o the_o way_n and_o above_o all_o of_o the_o violent_a opposition_n give_v it_o by_o the_o roman_a emperor_n who_o spare_v no_o cruelty_n for_o a_o succession_n of_o three_o age_n and_o ten_o persecution_n that_o hell_n or_o hellish_a man_n can_v devise_v for_o destroy_v it_o yet_o it_o prevail_v and_o in_o a_o few_o year_n do_v spread_v to_o the_o astonishment_n of_o the_o world_n and_o all_o other_o religion_n be_v not_o only_o overthrow_v by_o the_o many_o convert_v be_v daily_o flock_v in_o to_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o by_o the_o ruin_n of_o these_o very_a religion_n judaisme_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n by_o the_o subversion_n of_o their_o temple_n and_o the_o total_a ruin_n and_o dispersion_n of_o their_o state_n begin_v by_o vespasian_n and_o titus_n and_o complete_v by_o trajan_n and_o hadrian_n nor_o can_v their_o attempt_n though_o cherish_v by_o a_o apostate_n emperor_n succeed_v for_o the_o rebuilding_n their_o temple_n heaven_n and_o earth_n combine_v to_o break_v off_o the_o work_n heathenism_n do_v also_o receive_v a_o mortal_a blow_n by_o the_o silence_v the_o oracle_n upon_o the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v the_o great_a support_n of_o that_o religion_n with_o the_o vulgar_a and_o the_o exemplary_a life_n the_o heavenly_a doctrine_n the_o mutual_a charity_n and_o the_o noble_a constancy_n of_o the_o first_o witness_n and_o martyr_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n wrought_v not_o a_o little_a on_o all_o that_o behold_v thâm_n even_o on_o such_o as_o be_v very_o partial_a and_o bias_v against_o they_o and_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v thus_o universal_o receive_v as_o it_o be_v a_o very_a full_a demonstration_n that_o these_o miracle_n be_v no_o forgery_n but_o know_v and_o approve_a truth_n so_o also_o it_o confirm_v in_o we_o a_o belief_n that_o there_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a presence_n of_o god_n in_o these_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n assist_v and_o animate_v those_o convert_v of_o all_o age_n sex_n and_o quality_n to_o adhere_v to_o it_o under_o all_o the_o discouragement_n and_o suffering_n they_o be_v to_o pass_v through_o whether_o occasion_v by_o the_o irregular_a appetite_n of_o their_o own_o carnal_a lust_n or_o by_o the_o outward_a opposition_n they_o meet_v with_o and_o thus_o far_o i_o have_v consider_v how_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n can_v be_v make_v out_o against_o the_o opposition_n of_o atheist_n infidel_n or_o deist_n hitherto_o i_o have_v wait_v on_o i._n k._n in_o the_o survey_n of_o these_o truth_n about_o which_o we_o be_v agree_v and_o i_o hope_v upon_o a_o review_n of_o what_o we_o have_v both_o perform_v he_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o i_o have_v strengthen_v his_o position_n with_o the_o accession_n of_o many_o more_o and_o better_a argument_n than_o any_o he_o bring_v so_o that_o if_o he_o be_v in_o earnest_n zealous_a for_o these_o four_o great_a truth_n he_o will_v rejoice_v to_o