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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
ground_n good_a heart_n word_n 6,783 5 5.4992 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A69762 A perswasive to an ingenuous tryal of opinions in religion Clagett, Nicholas, 1654-1727. 1685 (1685) Wing C4370; ESTC R927 37,500 66

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in_o search_v for_o truth_n we_o must_v implore_v his_o help_n who_o be_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n who_o word_n be_v the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o who_o spirit_n be_v the_o guide_n into_o truth_n that_o he_o will_v free_v our_o mind_n from_o all_o prejudices_fw-la and_o corrupt_a affection_n and_o from_o every_o thing_n which_o obstruct_v a_o right_a understanding_n if_o we_o lack_v wisdom_n we_o must_v ask_v it_o of_o god_n who_o give_v his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v he_o and_o now_o i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o all_o that_o read_v these_o paper_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v to_o the_o unspeakable_a advantage_n of_o god_n church_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n if_o all_o that_o profess_v christianity_n have_v inquire_v into_o the_o controversy_n of_o religion_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v concern_v in_o they_o with_o these_o disposition_n that_o i_o have_v recommend_v and_o therefore_o i_o do_v the_o more_o earnest_o desire_v they_o to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o their_o breast_n and_o in_o good_a earnest_n to_o ask_v themselves_o if_o they_o have_v in_o this_o manner_n seek_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n with_o a_o mind_n thus_o prepare_v with_o impartiality_n and_o diligence_n and_o constant_a prayer_n for_o god_n blessing_n and_o direction_n §_o 8._o iv._o my_o next_o business_n be_v to_o offer_v some_o consideration_n to_o persuade_v our_o people_n to_o a_o honest_a and_o impartial_a trial_n of_o opinion_n in_o religion_n this_o indeed_o can_v be_v do_v by_o all_o with_o equal_a advantage_n because_o of_o the_o difference_n of_o man_n ability_n but_o something_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o all_o and_o every_o one_o be_v to_o do_v what_o he_o can_v and_o god_n expect_v no_o more_o if_o we_o choose_v a_o way_n of_o religion_n at_o random_n or_o without_o honest_a care_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n we_o be_v in_o great_a danger_n of_o fall_v into_o delusion_n because_o there_o be_v false_a religion_n and_o damnable_a error_n in_o the_o world_n say_v st._n john_n try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n there_o be_v danger_n of_o run_v into_o grievous_a error_n in_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n if_o christian_n be_v not_o careful_a to_o examine_v thing_n and_o sure_o the_o danger_n be_v great_a in_o this_o corrupt_a age_n and_o this_o extremely-divided_n state_n of_o christendom_n it_o often_o happen_v also_o i_o doubt_v for_o the_o most_o part_n that_o seducer_n be_v more_o diligent_a and_o wise_a to_o propagate_v error_n than_o good_a man_n be_v to_o gain_v proselyte_n to_o the_o truth_n the_o former_a be_v evermore_o too_o hard_o for_o the_o latter_a in_o confidence_n peremptoriness_n threaten_v of_o damnation_n magnificent_a and_o lofty_a pretence_n and_o where_o the_o case_n call_v for_o it_o in_o artificial_a address_n and_o insinuation_n and_o this_o make_v our_o danger_n the_o great_a if_o we_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o try_v before_o we_o trust_v nay_o if_o we_o be_v secure_a from_o impostor_n yet_o because_o no_o man_n be_v infallible_a we_o shall_v not_o surrender_v up_o our_o belief_n whole_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o man_n but_o judge_n of_o his_o doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v because_o there_o can_v be_v a_o strong_a ground_n for_o our_o assent_n to_o any_o thing_n than_o that_o god_n have_v say_v it_o we_o be_v to_o be_v very_o careful_a how_o we_o receive_v a_o opinion_n for_o which_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v multiply_v one_o upon_o another_o i._n e._n we_o must_v see_v whether_o they_o do_v indeed_o prove_v the_o thing_n in_o question_n for_o otherwise_o we_o may_v by_o the_o pretence_n of_o so_o great_a authority_n be_v the_o more_o fasten_v in_o some_o dangerous_a error_n we_o be_v expose_v to_o manifest_a hazard_n if_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o admire_v a_o man_n for_o bring_v much_o scripture_n to_o serve_v his_o purpose_n but_o not_o to_o think_v it_o needful_a to_o see_v whether_o those_o passage_n of_o holy_a writ_n be_v pertinent_o apply_v or_o not_o to_o this_o i_o must_v add_v that_o the_o error_n we_o may_v fall_v into_o for_o want_v of_o enquiry_n and_o examination_n may_v for_o aught_o we_o know_v be_v of_o dangerous_a consequence_n to_o our_o own_o soul_n some_o there_o be_v that_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n and_o if_o we_o be_v in_o their_o way_n they_o may_v wrest_v they_o to_o we_o too_o we_o may_v inconsiderate_o take_v up_o principle_n that_o will_v by_o degree_n debauch_v our_o conscience_n and_o reconcile_v we_o to_o wicked_a practice_n and_o in_o many_o instance_n eat_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n sin_n and_o duty_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n by_o consider_v thing_n as_o impartial_o and_o judicious_o as_o we_o can_v we_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v secure_a from_o run_v into_o great_a error_n but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o true_a religion_n will_v become_v more_o plain_a to_o we_o and_o we_o shall_v have_v a_o more_o clear_a and_o distinct_a apprehension_n of_o they_o which_o will_v reward_v our_o endeavour_n with_o great_a pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n for_o next_o to_o the_o delight_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n gain_v by_o do_v what_o we_o know_v to_o be_v our_o duty_n there_o be_v no_o pleasure_n more_o pure_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o best_a part_n of_o our_o nature_n than_o that_o which_o arise_v from_o a_o improve_a knowledge_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n and_o have_v well_o weigh_v and_o consider_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o persuasion_n we_o shall_v adhere_v more_o steadfast_o to_o that_o truth_n which_o we_o have_v learn_v and_o not_o be_v easy_o unsettle_a by_o the_o sophistry_n or_o the_o confidence_n of_o ill_a man_n be_v prepare_v to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o sound_a reason_n in_o the_o former_a and_o no_o just_a cause_n for_o the_o latter_a and_o when_o seducer_n perceive_v that_o we_o have_v inquire_v too_o far_o into_o thing_n to_o be_v bear_v down_o with_o peremptoriness_n or_o to_o be_v delude_v with_o colour_n they_o will_v be_v discourage_v from_o attempt_v to_o draw_v we_o into_o their_o net_n moreover_o it_o will_v be_v no_o little_a satisfaction_n to_o we_o when_o we_o be_v go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n that_o we_o have_v all_o along_o take_v due_a pain_n to_o inform_v ourselves_o in_o thing_n of_o the_o great_a concernment_n to_o we_o viz._n those_o which_o regard_v our_o everlasting_a salvation_n and_o that_o the_o error_n into_o which_o we_o may_v have_v fall_v be_v not_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o want_v of_o honest_a diligence_n in_o inquire_v after_o the_o truth_n but_o only_o to_o humane_a infirmity_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o can_v have_v the_o conscience_n of_o sincerity_n upon_o good_a ground_n if_o we_o do_v not_o with_o diligence_n apply_v ourselves_o to_o know_v all_o our_o duty_n and_o consequent_o all_o that_o divine_a truth_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o it_o or_o which_o lead_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o one_o character_n of_o that_o good_a and_o honest_a heart_n which_o our_o saviour_n compare_v to_o the_o good_a ground_n be_v to_o understand_v the_o word_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o pharisee_n do_v not_o understand_v be_v because_o they_o be_v not_o of_o god_n but_o of_o their_o father_n the_o devil_n who_o lust_n they_o do_v one_o reason_n why_o god_n in_o his_o wisdom_n permit_v imposture_n and_o error_n to_o go_v up_o and_o down_o in_o the_o world_n be_v because_o this_o serve_v to_o make_v a_o more_o evident_a difference_n between_o those_o that_o be_v sincere_a and_o honest_a and_o those_o that_o be_v not_o so_o for_o in_o these_o circumstance_n good_a man_n will_v take_v the_o more_o pain_n to_o distinguish_v between_o truth_n and_o error_n while_o the_o insincere_a either_o take_v up_o that_o profession_n which_o serve_v best_a for_o their_o worldly_a end_n or_o take_v occasion_n by_o the_o difference_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n about_o religion_n to_o throw_v off_o all_o pretence_n to_o religion_n itself_o there_o must_v be_v heresy_n among_o you_o say_v st._n paul_n that_o they_o which_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v make_v manifest_a to_o which_o we_o may_v add_v that_o by_o honest_a endeavour_n to_o be_v right_o inform_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n we_o do_v in_o some_o measure_n qualify_v ourselves_o for_o the_o happiness_n of_o another_o life_n and_o show_v that_o we_o be_v dispose_v heavenwards_o and_o desirous_a of_o that_o infinitely-bet_a state_n of_o thing_n where_o darkness_n and_o error_n shall_v be_v do_v away_o for_o one_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reward_n promise_v in_o a_o better_a life_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v know_v divine_a thing_n more_o perfect_o there_o than_o we_o can_v do_v in_o this_o world_n but_o this_o can_v be_v
while_o they_o perceive_v it_o not_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n reasonable_a that_o the_o state_n under_o which_o we_o live_v shall_v leave_v we_o lawless_a and_o free_a from_o all_o obligation_n of_o temporal_a penalty_n what_o religion_n we_o profess_v and_o what_o communion_n we_o observe_v for_o the_o most_o dangerous_a pretence_n for_o the_o ●●●rying_n on_o of_o seditious_a and_o rebellious_a design_n against_o the_o government_n be_v that_o of_o religion_n and_o a_o few_o man_n that_o mean_v nothing_o but_o their_o own_o greatness_n and_o power_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o manage_v the_o zeal_n of_o a_o superstitious_a multitude_n against_o the_o government_n for_o their_o own_o private_a end_n while_o they_o scorn_v the_o superstition_n of_o their_o follower_n and_o perhaps_o all_o pretence_n to_o religion_n in_o their_o own_o heart_n and_o therefore_o it_o concern_v the_o government_n to_o take_v care_n that_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v protect_v by_o the_o law_n and_o then_o to_o provide_v by_o the_o most_o prudent_a method_n that_o no_o other_o be_v profess_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o end_n of_o all_o liberty_n to_o inquire_v and_o judge_v for_o ourselves_o be_v destroy_v if_o at_o last_o we_o must_v conform_v to_o the_o law_n or_o be_v punish_v for_o our_o refusal_n the_o contrary_n will_v be_v easy_o show_v to_o any_o one_o who_o believe_v that_o we_o be_v infinite_o more_o concern_v what_o will_v become_v of_o we_o in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v than_o in_o our_o present_a fortune_n for_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v error_n which_o authority_n require_v we_o to_o profess_v and_o that_o they_o be_v unlawful_a thing_n which_o it_o require_v we_o to_o do_v in_o divine_a service_n and_o that_o by_o a_o due_a and_o diligent_a examination_n of_o thing_n i_o come_v to_o know_v this_o do_v i_o get_v nothing_o by_o my_o enquiry_n but_o the_o severity_n of_o those_o humane_a law_n that_o be_v against_o i_o do_v not_o i_o 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conviction_n that_o be_v upon_o their_o mind_n and_o to_o reconcile_v their_o apostasy_n to_o their_o credit_n and_o conscience_n so_o the_o honest_a inquire_v into_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o faith_n more_o diligent_o and_o be_v desirous_a to_o strengthen_v themselves_o under_o suffering_n by_o a_o full_a assurance_n that_o they_o suffer_v for_o righteousness_n sake_n they_o search_v into_o all_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o persuasion_n more_o narrow_o than_o if_o they_o have_v never_o come_v under_o this_o temptation_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o true_a doctrine_n come_v to_o be_v propound_v to_o the_o world_n with_o the_o advantage_n of_o strong_a argument_n and_o those_o better_o manage_v than_o if_o it_o have_v never_o meet_v with_o opposition_n but_o if_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n be_v establish_v by_o law_n and_o the_o penalty_n of_o nonconformity_n be_v strict_o require_v this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o hinder_v man_n from_o inquire_v that_o it_o lay_v a_o 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wrong_a way_n while_o they_o never_o use_v that_o liberty_n of_o examine_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o persuasion_n to_o which_o the_o church_n so_o vehement_o persuade_v they_o by_o her_o minister_n if_o it_o be_v urge_v that_o when_o a_o man_n set_v himself_o with_o honesty_n and_o diligence_n to_o examine_v the_o case_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n and_o do_v all_o that_o he_o can_v to_o inform_v himself_o aright_o in_o this_o matter_n but_o can_v be_v satisfy_v that_o he_o may_v lawful_o conform_v and_o this_o through_o mere_a weakness_n of_o understanding_n it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a that_o he_o shall_v suffer_v any_o thing_n for_o that_o it_o may_v be_v say_v on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o there_o be_v many_o more_o who_o fail_v of_o understand_v their_o duty_n in_o this_o kind_n for_o want_v of_o examination_n and_o inquiry_n and_o through_o the_o prevalency_n of_o prejudice_n and_o passion_n than_o there_o be_v of_o those_o who_o continue_v erroneous_o persuade_v 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and_o for_o this_o reason_n any_o man_n be_v to_o be_v excuse_v that_o dismiss_v the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n without_o take_v much_o pain_n about_o it_o because_o upon_o a_o very_a little_a consideration_n there_o appear_v so_o many_o gross_a contradiction_n and_o inconsistency_n in_o it_o that_o i_o can_v have_v no_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v any_o thing_n be_v true_a than_o i_o have_v to_o believe_v that_o be_v false_a 3._o some_o thing_n be_v hardly_o worth_a the_o examine_n and_o it_o signify_v little_a or_o nothing_o to_o understand_v the_o right_a side_n of_o the_o question_n if_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o immaculate_a conception_n of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n be_v true_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o worth_a a_o quarter_n of_o the_o pain_n they_o have_v take_v about_o it_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n true_a that_o a_o infallible_a live_a judge_n be_v necessary_a upon_o earth_n and_o that_o for_o the_o decide_n of_o all_o controversy_n in_o religion_n since_o all_o such_o controversy_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o be_v decide_v some_o of_o they_o be_v of_o so_o little_o concern_v to_o we_o that_o it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n if_o they_o remain_v controversy_n to_o the_o world_n end_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o use_v our_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n in_o all_o those_o case_n wherein_o it_o will_v be_v dangerous_a to_o be_v deceive_v and_o therefore_o in_o these_o four_o first_o when_o any_o man_n or_o company_n of_o man_n will_v gain_v we_o over_o to_o their_o way_n by_o lofty_a and_o extraordinary_a pretence_n second_o when_o doctrine_n be_v propound_v to_o we_o with_o considerable_a authority_n which_o seem_v to_o encourage_v licentiousness_n and_o to_o render_v all_o care_n of_o live_v well_o needless_a three_o when_o we_o be_v tempt_v to_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o establish_a church_n where_o we_o live_v or_o if_o we_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o 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their_o opinion_n who_o person_n they_o admire_v and_o most_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o not_o to_o hear_v with_o any_o patience_n a_o argument_n against_o they_o such_o a_o precious_a man_n say_v this_o or_o that_o and_o therefore_o no_o body_n must_v say_v otherwise_o but_o it_o be_v at_o once_o disingenuous_a and_o silly_a to_o entertain_v such_o a_o opinion_n of_o any_o man_n as_o to_o take_v all_o that_o he_o say_v for_o gospel_n for_o the_o best_a man_n be_v fallible_a and_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o a_o hypocrite_n to_o make_v himself_o pass_v for_o a_o saint_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o ordinary_a people_n and_o therefore_o man_n may_v be_v lead_v into_o great_a error_n who_o judgement_n be_v captivate_v in_o this_o manner_n to_o this_o we_o may_v add_v that_o prejudice_n which_o arise_v from_o conceive_v hard_a thing_n of_o man_n person_n which_o a_o ingenuous_a man_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n yield_v to_o but_o will_v consider_v what_o another_o say_v though_o he_o do_v not_o 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truth_n of_o that_o doctrine_n by_o which_o he_o stand_v condemn_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v uneasy_a to_o he_o it_o be_v not_o for_o his_o interest_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v true_a this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o fool_n say_v in_o his_o heart_n there_o be_v no_o god_n the_o worldly_a interest_n of_o man_n do_v strange_o bias_n and_o fashion_n their_o judgement_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n never_o enough_o to_o be_v admire_v that_o so_o many_o man_n of_o part_n and_o learning_n shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a of_o those_o pitiful_a ground_n upon_o which_o they_o maintain_v the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o pope_n the_o doctrine_n of_o purgatory_n the_o half_a communion_n the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n the_o invocation_n of_o saint_n and_o the_o like_a but_o that_o those_o thing_n do_v notorious_o serve_v the_o wealth_n and_o grandeur_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n if_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o go_v to_o a_o conventicle_n for_o the_o get_n of_o a_o rich_a fortune_n or_o the_o better_n of_o a_o man_n trade_n a_o little_a enquiry_n will_v for_o the_o most_o part_n serve_v his_o turn_n and_o satisfy_v he_o that_o the_o separation_n be_v lawful_a and_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o be_v just_a a_o man_n ought_v to_o set_v aside_o all_o consideration_n of_o his_o worldly_a interest_n and_o to_o propound_v eternal_a life_n to_o himself_o as_o the_o end_n of_o his_o inquiry_n when_o he_o labour_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n the_o affectation_n of_o popularity_n and_o the_o love_n of_o praise_n and_o flattery_n can_v consist_v with_o a_o sincere_a love_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o do_v very_o often_o hinder_v the_o attainment_n of_o it_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o convince_v man_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o check_v their_o vainglorious_a end_n and_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o say_v our_o saviour_n how_o can_v you_o believe_v in_o i_o that_o receive_v honour_v one_o of_o another_o and_o seek_v not_o that_o honour_n which_o come_v of_o god_n only_o the_o wise_a man_n exhort_v we_o to_o buy_v the_o truth_n intimate_v thereby_o that_o we_o must_v quit_v all_o our_o sinful_a lust_n and_o affection_n and_o our_o carnal_a interest_n in_o prosecute_a of_o it_o in_o a_o word_n we_o must_v be_v in_o mind_n prepare_v to_o believe_v all_o truth_n by_o be_v resolve_v to_o do_v whatsoever_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n let_v what_o will_v come_v of_o it_o in_o this_o world_n have_v our_o heart_n evermore_o fix_v upon_o the_o great_a concernment_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o this_o be_v more_o necessary_a for_o the_o best_a knowledge_n than_o vastness_n of_o part_n and_o learning_n where_o the_o mind_n be_v thus_o prepare_v there_o will_v be_v little_a need_n to_o press_v the_o two_o remain_a disposition_n whereof_o the_o former_a be_v 2._o competent_a diligence_n error_n be_v sometime_o make_v to_o look_v so_o like_o the_o truth_n that_o a_o superficial_a examination_n will_v not_o serve_v to_o distinguish_v one_o from_o the_o other_o sometime_o the_o 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of_o this_o several_z have_v miscarry_v in_o their_o first_o entrance_n upon_o this_o work_n and_o the_o error_n of_o man_n of_o name_n and_o authority_n have_v be_v propagate_v it_o will_v also_o be_v very_o happy_a for_o this_o church_n and_o for_o themselves_o too_o if_o the_o dissent_v people_n will_v not_o present_o conclude_v that_o what_o they_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o their_o own_o way_n be_v all_o agreeable_a to_o god_n word_n because_o they_o see_v abundance_n of_o scripture_n in_o they_o but_o will_v use_v some_o diligence_n to_o judge_v whether_o that_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v there_o understand_v it_o be_v doubtless_o with_o design_n to_o catch_v such_o slothful_a people_n that_o the_o catechism_n of_o h._n t._n be_v publish_v in_o our_o language_n wherein_o douai_n he_o pretend_v to_o prove_v all_o the_o lewd_a doctrine_n of_o the_o romish_a religion_n by_o text_n of_o scripture_n but_o if_o any_o man_n will_v take_v the_o 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