Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	church_n	true_a	truth_n	4,857	5	6.5820	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A65571	Eight sermons preached on several occasions by Nathanael Whaley ...; Sermons. Selections	Whaley, Nathanael, 1637?-1709.	1675 (1675)	Wing W1532; ESTC R8028	120,489	326

sect_n in_o his_o childhood_n and_o live_v till_o he_o become_v a_o christian_a exact_o according_a to_o they_o as_o he_o tell_v king_n agrippa_n in_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o five_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n and_o therefore_o what_o he_o charge_v himself_o with_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v upon_o as_o his_o own_o private_a persuasion_n only_o but_o rather_o as_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o general_a sentiment_n of_o the_o man_n of_o his_o way_n and_o indeed_o as_o the_o natural_a brood_n and_o issue_n of_o pharisaical_a superstition_n by_o superstition_n i_o mean_v a_o groundless_a apprehension_n of_o please_a god_n by_o do_v thing_n which_o he_o never_o command_v or_o forbear_v those_o which_o he_o have_v no_o where_o forbid_v and_o this_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o great_a and_o lead_a error_n of_o the_o pharisee_n they_o add_v to_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n and_o make_v more_o duty_n and_o sin_n than_o ever_o the_o law_n have_v make_v their_o tradition_n which_o have_v nothing_o to_o recommend_v they_o but_o the_o custom_n of_o their_o father_n they_o esteem_v equal_a at_o least_o to_o the_o divine_a commandment_n nay_o our_o saviour_n express_o tell_v we_o they_o make_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n of_o no_o effect_n by_o their_o tradition_n as_o if_o they_o think_v to_o please_v he_o better_o in_o their_o own_o way_n than_o in_o his_o and_o reckon_v they_o advance_v themselves_o above_o other_o by_o what_o they_o do_v over_o and_o above_o their_o duty_n as_o much_o in_o his_o asthey_v do_v in_o their_o own_o opinion_n and_o hence_o conformity_n to_o their_o traditional_a rite_n be_v their_o measure_n of_o improvement_n and_o perfection_n in_o religion_n as_o appear_v by_o st._n paul_n character_n of_o himself_o gal._n 1.14_o i_o profit_v in_o the_o jew_n religion_n above_o many_o of_o my_o equal_n in_o my_o own_o nation_n be_v more_o exceed_o zealous_a of_o the_o tradition_n of_o my_o father_n which_o word_n if_o we_o observe_v their_o connexion_n with_o those_o immediate_o before_o they_o seem_v to_o come_v in_o as_o the_o reason_n why_o beyond_o measure_n as_o he_o there_o tell_v we_o he_o persecute_v the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o waste_v it_o i.e._n his_o mighty_a zeal_n for_o the_o unscriptural_a doctrine_n of_o the_o pharisee_n be_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o his_o bitter_a and_o furious_a zeal_n against_o the_o professor_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o this_o be_v the_o rather_o to_o be_v note_v because_o it_o show_v we_o the_o spirit_n and_o genius_n of_o that_o sect_n that_o have_v the_o chief_a hand_n in_o bring_v our_o saviour_n to_o his_o cross_n and_o first_o conspire_v the_o ruin_n of_o christianity_n from_o the_o word_n thus_o explain_v the_o matter_n i_o will_v crave_v leave_n to_o propose_v to_o your_o serious_a consideration_n be_v this_o that_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n may_v be_v so_o far_o misguide_v by_o erroneous_a principle_n and_o a_o affectation_n of_o thing_n in_o which_o religion_n do_v not_o consist_v as_o to_o encourage_v they_o to_o the_o fierce_a opposition_n to_o the_o express_a revelation_n of_o god_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o jesus_n or_o more_o brief_o thus_o that_o christianity_n be_v liable_a to_o the_o sharp_a opposition_n from_o man_n under_o the_o high_a pretence_n of_o zeal_n and_o conscience_n towards_o god_n and_o religion_n in_o speak_v to_o this_o subject_a my_o design_n be_v 1._o to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o observation_n 2._o to_o show_v whence_o it_o be_v that_o man_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v thus_o misguide_v by_o erroneous_a principle_n and_o transport_v with_o this_o extravagant_a and_o destructive_a zeal_n 3._o to_o make_v some_o inference_n that_o may_v be_v useful_a to_o our_o felve_n 1._o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o this_o truth_n that_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n may_v be_v thus_o misguide_v and_o their_o spirit_n inflame_v by_o erroneous_a principle_n against_o the_o truth_n may_v appear_v from_o our_o saviour_n character_n of_o he_o and_o his_o church_n enemy_n and_o from_o many_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a instance_n parallel_v to_o this_o of_o the_o confessor_n in_o the_o text._n 1._o from_o our_o saviour_n character_n of_o his_o and_o his_o church_n enemy_n our_o bless_a lord_n foreseeing_a what_o a_o zealous_a opposition_n his_o church_n and_o doctrine_n will_v assure_o meet_v withal_o after_o his_o decease_n take_v occasion_n a_o little_a before_o his_o passion_n to_o forewarn_a his_o disciple_n of_o it_o he_o have_v often_o tell_v they_o in_o the_o general_n that_o they_o must_v look_v for_o troulbe_n and_o persecution_n from_o men._n now_o the_o time_n of_o trial_n draw_v on_o to_o prevent_v the_o damp_n of_o a_o surprisal_n he_o describe_v the_o temper_n and_o spirit_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o show_v they_o what_o hard_a measure_n they_o and_o their_o follower_n must_v expect_v from_o they_o they_o shall_v put_v you_o out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n i.e._n excommunicate_a and_o curse_v you_o for_o heretic_n yea_o the_o time_n come_v that_o whosoever_o kill_v you_o will_v think_v that_o he_o do_v god_n service_n john_n 16.2_o it_o seem_v to_o kill_v a_o disciple_n for_o his_o religion_n be_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o these_o man_n like_o the_o worship_v of_o god_n by_o sacrifice_n they_o shall_v think_v by_o it_o say_v our_o saviour_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o perform_v a_o grateful_a service_n or_o sacrisice_n to_o god_n as_o if_o they_o know_v no_o better_a way_n of_o please_v he_o than_o by_o take_v a_o lamb_n out_o of_o his_o own_o flock_n and_o make_v it_o a_o oblation_n to_o he_o now_o this_o be_v certain_o a_o very_a strange_a way_n of_o servig_a god_n and_o such_o as_o man_n will_v never_o have_v think_v of_o if_o they_o have_v not_o deify_v something_o more_o than_o he_o and_o change_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o merciful_a god_n into_o a_o direful_a image_n of_o their_o own_o temper_n and_o complexion_n who_o they_o worship_n instead_o of_o he_o and_o as_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o jew_n be_v primary_o intend_v in_o this_o prophecy_n so_o to_o the_o infinite_a scandal_n of_o christianity_n there_o be_v unanswerable_a reason_n to_o think_v that_o many_o that_o shelter_n themselves_o under_o the_o sacred_a profession_n of_o it_o be_v very_o deep_o concern_v in_o it_o sure_o i_o be_o that_o all_o the_o mark_n of_o this_o prophecy_n the_o same_o religious_a zeal_n express_v by_o the_o same_o rage_n rancour_n and_o cruelty_n be_v very_o fresh_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v see_v upon_o they_o 2._o by_o many_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a instance_n parallel_v to_o that_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o text._n the_o apostle_n confession_n be_v indeed_o a_o sinular_a thing_n but_o for_o the_o crime_n which_o he_o tax_v himself_o with_o he_o may_v as_o just_o have_v charge_v his_o nation_n with_o they_o the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n especial_o the_o govern_v part_n of_o it_o be_v strange_o leaven_v with_o this_o sour_a and_o destructive_a zeal_n they_o have_v a_o zeal_n for_o god_n as_o st._n paul_n himself_o testify_v of_o they_o but_o not_o according_a to_o knowledge_n for_o they_o know_v not_o his_o immense_a goodness_n and_o benignity_n to_o mankind_n nor_o his_o only_a beget_v son_n when_o he_o be_v among_o they_o they_o have_v a_o zeal_n for_o the_o law_n but_o so_o they_o presume_v to_o call_v what_o ever_o they_o have_v make_v law_n by_o their_o gloss_n and_o tradition_n and_o direct_v it_o against_o those_o that_o have_v a_o zeal_n against_o they_o and_o a_o very_a fierce_a and_o fatal_a zeal_n it_o be_v a_o zeal_n that_o crucify_a the_o lord_n of_o life_n that_o throw_v the_o apostle_n into_o prison_n that_o clear_v the_o synagogue_n of_o they_o and_o their_o disciple_n that_o cramp_v and_o load_v they_o with_o chain_n and_o fetter_n and_o for_o a_o good_a work_n give_v forty_o stripe_n save_o one_o a_o zeal_n that_o suborn_v witness_n and_o breathe_v out_o threaten_n and_o slaughter_n against_o man_n of_o who_o the_o world_n be_v not_o worthy_a a_o zeal_n that_o list_v man_n into_o conspiracy_n and_o bind_v they_o under_o a_o oath_n to_o kill_v a_o innocent_a person_n a_o outrageous_a zeal_n it_o be_v that_o make_v man_n exceed_o mad_a as_o one_o that_o have_v too_o much_o experience_n of_o it_o tell_v we_o v._n 11_o of_o this_o chapter_n so_o mad_a as_o to_o think_v they_o ought_v to_o d_o many_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o clear_a revelation_n of_o god_n and_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n nor_o be_v this_o kind_n of_o zeal_n peculiar_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n there_o be_v those_o in_o the_o world_n that_o will_v be_v think_v the_o only_a good_a christian_n who_o roundly_o excommunicate_a all_o other_o church_n for_o not_o comply_v with_o their_o

and_o tranquillity_n of_o mind_n in_o this_o world_n and_o eternal_a rest_n and_o glory_n in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v then_o follow_v the_o exhortation_n of_o which_o the_o text_n be_v part_n wherefore_o lift_v up_o the_o hand_n which_o hang_v down_o and_o the_o feeble_a knee_n and_o make_v straight_a path_n for_o your_o foot_n by_o path_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o general_n course_n of_o our_o action_n which_o be_v then_o straight_o when_o they_o lie_v even_o with_o the_o rule_n that_o god_n have_v give_v we_o to_o frame_n and_o govern_v they_o by_o for_o straightness_n have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o a_o rule_n and_o consist_v in_o a_o evenness_n or_o adequate_a conformity_n to_o it_o and_o then_o we_o do_v make_v our_o path_n straight_o when_o we_o take_v due_a care_n to_o understand_v our_o rule_n and_o be_v well_o assure_v of_o the_o rectitude_n of_o it_o to_o order_v our_o action_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o answerable_a to_o it_o and_o when_o we_o have_v begin_v well_o to_o hold_v on_o our_o course_n without_o any_o stop_n or_o deviation_n from_o it_o now_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o christian_a life_n the_o meaning_n of_o the_o apostle_n exhortation_n to_o the_o hebrew_n who_o begin_v to_o waver_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o must_v be_v this_o have_v a_o straight_a and_o perfect_a rule_n before_o you_o see_v that_o your_o action_n be_v conformable_a to_o it_o do_v faint_v at_o any_o discouragement_n or_o follow_v any_o crooked_a and_o deceitful_a path_n but_o keep_v to_o they_o that_o be_v straight_o as_o the_o gospel_n lead_v you_o which_o be_v the_o direct_a and_o infallible_a way_n to_o everlasting_a bliss_n and_o happiness_n from_o the_o word_n thus_o explain_v there_o be_v three_o thing_n observable_a of_o which_o i_o shall_v speak_v in_o their_o order_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v a_o straight_a and_o direct_a way_n to_o heaven_n and_o happiness_n 2._o that_o this_o way_n may_v be_v certain_o find_v with_o due_a care_n and_o enquiry_n 3._o that_o have_v find_v the_o straight_a way_n to_o heaven_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v very_o careful_a and_o exact_a in_o walk_v in_o it_o and_o not_o yield_v to_o any_o temptation_n to_o forsake_v it_o one_a observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o straight_a and_o direct_a way_n to_o heaven_n and_o happiness_n this_o be_v suppose_v in_o the_o text_n which_o exhort_v the_o hebrew_n to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o way_n and_o imply_v that_o they_o be_v already_o in_o some_o measure_n acquaint_v with_o it_o and_o well_o may_v the_o apostle_n suppose_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o way_n without_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o prove_v it_o when_o it_o be_v universal_o own_a by_o all_o that_o believe_v there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o true_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o world_n but_o the_o atheist_n that_o be_v of_o no_o religion_n very_o many_o indeed_o be_v mistake_v in_o their_o way_n to_o heaven_n but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o straight_a and_o certain_a way_n thither_o be_v never_o deny_v by_o the_o professor_n of_o any_o religion_n for_o they_o all_o pretend_v to_o be_v in_o the_o right_a way_n how_o wide_a soever_o they_o be_v in_o opinion_n and_o practice_n from_o one_o another_o all_o the_o controversy_n be_v which_o of_o those_o several_a path_n which_o man_n take_v to_o be_v the_o straight_a and_o plain_a way_n to_o heaven_n be_v true_o so_o and_o certain_o to_o know_v this_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o very_o great_a concernment_n and_o deserve_v a_o very_a serious_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n for_o though_o a_o man_n may_v fall_v into_o the_o right_a way_n by_o chance_n that_o never_o inquire_v after_o it_o which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v the_o true_a religion_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o they_o be_v instruct_v in_o it_o from_o their_o infancy_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o virtue_n in_o such_o a_o man_n that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_n nay_o he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o know_v that_o he_o be_v and_o so_o long_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o be_v toss_v about_o and_o carry_v off_o from_o one_o church_n and_o religion_n to_o another_o according_a as_o the_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n sit_v and_o the_o tide_n of_o preferment_n turn_v he_o that_o take_v his_o religion_n upon_o trust_n and_o never_o examine_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o persuade_v that_o he_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v obstinate_a in_o it_o especial_o when_o he_o be_v like_a to_o be_v a_o loser_n by_o the_o hand_n and_o be_v fair_o offer_v another_o that_o promise_v the_o life_n that_o now_o be_v and_o pretend_v to_o give_v infallible_a security_n for_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o hence_o st._n peter_n admonish_v the_o christian_n that_o flee_v out_o of_o judea_n for_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o religion_n 3.15_o 1_o pet._n 3.15_o to_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o man_n that_o shall_v ask_v they_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o i._n e._n to_o be_v able_a to_o defend_v their_o religion_n and_o themselves_o by_o declare_v as_o often_o as_o their_o adversary_n urge_v they_o to_o it_o what_o certain_a ground_n and_o reason_n they_o have_v for_o it_o and_o in_o truth_n a_o religion_n without_o rational_a ground_n and_o motive_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o suffering_n or_o contend_v for_o but_o perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v say_v allow_v that_o there_o be_v a_o straight_a and_o sure_a way_n to_o happiness_n yet_o there_o be_v such_o variety_n of_o differ_v opinion_n and_o persuasion_n about_o it_o that_o it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a to_o be_v certain_a where_o it_o be_v or_o when_o we_o have_v find_v it_o there_o be_v so_o many_o several_a path_n each_o of_o which_o be_v take_v to_o be_v the_o right_n by_o those_o that_o be_v accustom_v to_o they_o which_o yet_o can_v never_o be_v because_o they_o apparent_o cross_v one_o another_o that_o let_v a_o man_n be_v never_o so_o confident_a of_o the_o goodness_n of_o his_o way_n there_o be_v other_o who_o be_v no_o less_o confident_a that_o he_o be_v in_o a_o wrong_a path_n and_o must_v come_v over_o to_o they_o if_o he_o will_v set_v himself_o right_a and_o timely_o prevent_v his_o eternal_a error_n and_o since_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o diversity_n of_o method_n in_o religion_n and_o so_o great_a a_o confidence_n on_o both_o side_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o a_o plain_a man_n that_o will_v fain_o go_v the_o near_a and_o the_o straight_a way_n to_o heaven_n to_o be_v sure_a to_o find_v it_o thus_o the_o sceptic_a argue_v against_o the_o certainty_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o the_o romanist_n think_v there_o be_v no_o argument_n like_o this_o to_o confound_v the_o protestant_n and_o to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o infallible_a guide_n but_o still_o i_o hope_v there_o be_v no_o great_a hurt_n in_o this_o argument_n and_o that_o a_o plain_a man_n may_v be_v sure_a of_o find_v his_o way_n to_o heaven_n after_o all_o the_o mistake_v and_o controversy_n that_o there_o be_v about_o it_o though_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o infallible_a guide_n on_o earth_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v in_o the_o handle_n of_o the_o second_o proposition_n evident_o imply_v in_o the_o text_n which_o be_v this_o 2d_o observe_v that_o the_o straight_a way_n to_o heaven_n may_v be_v certain_o find_v with_o due_a care_n and_o enquiry_n i_o mean_v by_o man_n of_o ordinary_a capacity_n sincere_o use_v the_o mean_n which_o god_n be_v please_v to_o afford_v they_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o earthly_a infallible_a guide_n otherwise_o in_o vain_a do_v the_o apostle_n admonish_v the_o hebrew_n to_o make_v straight_a path_n for_o their_o foot_n for_o suppose_v they_o uncapable_a of_o discern_v between_o straight_a and_o crooked_a path_n either_o for_o want_v of_o a_o rule_n to_o guide_v they_o or_o a_o faculty_n to_o apply_v their_o rule_n to_o the_o several_a way_n that_o be_v propose_v to_o they_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o give_v they_o any_o advice_n in_o this_o matter_n they_o that_o must_v judge_v of_o their_o guide_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o scripture_n as_o all_o christian_n be_v require_v to_o do_v must_v judge_v of_o their_o rule_n first_o and_o they_o that_o can_v judge_v of_o a_o straight_a rule_n when_o it_o lie_v before_o they_o can_v judge_v of_o a_o infallible_a guide_n as_o he_o that_o have_v not_o the_o wit_n to_o know_v when_o a_o line_n be_v straight_o can_v be_v no_o competent_a judge_n of_o a_o perfect_a mathematician_n for_o the_o full_a explication_n of_o this_o truth_n it_o may_v be_v proper_a