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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
lord_n believe_v faith_n jesus_n 17,223 5 6.3565 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A62844 Christianity not mysterious, or, A treatise shewing that there is nothing in the Gospel contrary to reason, nor above it and that no Christian doctrine can be properly call'd a mystery / by John Toland. Toland, John, 1670-1722. 1696 (1696) Wing T1763; ESTC R7180 73,824 208

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agree_v with_o natural_a reason_n and_o our_o own_o ordinary_a idea_n this_o every_o considerate_a and_o well-disposed_a person_n will_v find_v by_o the_o careful_a perusal_n of_o it_o and_o whoever_o undertake_v this_o task_n will_v confess_v the_o gospel_n not_o to_o be_v hide_v from_o we_o nor_o afar_o off_o but_o very_o nigh_o we_o in_o our_o 14._o mouth_n and_o in_o our_o heart_n it_o asford_v the_o most_o illustrious_a example_n of_o close_a and_o perspicuous_a ratiocination_n conceivable_a which_o be_v incumbent_n on_o i_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o its_o mystery_n to_o demonstrate_v and_o though_o the_o evidence_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n may_v claim_v the_o approbation_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o its_o conformity_n with_o the_o type_n and_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n with_o all_o the_o mark_n of_o the_o messiah_n concur_v in_o his_o person_n may_v just_o challenge_v the_o assent_n of_o his_o countryman_n yet_o to_o leave_v no_o room_n for_o doubt_n he_o prove_v his_o authority_n and_o gospel_n by_o such_o work_n and_o miracle_n as_o the_o stiffnecked_a jew_n themselves_o can_v not_o deny_v to_o be_v divine_a nicodemus_n say_v to_o he_o no_o man_n can_v do_v these_o miracle_n which_o thou_o 2._o do_v except_o god_n be_v with_o he_o some_o of_o the_o pharisee_n acknowledge_v no_o sinner_n 16._o can_v do_v such_o thing_n and_o other_o that_o they_o exceedeá_fw-la the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n 21._o 20._o jesus_n himself_o appeal_v to_o his_o very_a enemy_n ready_a to_o stone_n he_o for_o pretend_a blasphemy_n say_v if_o i_o do_v 38._o not_o the_o work_v of_o my_o father_n believe_v i_o not_o but_o if_o i_o do_v believe_v not_o i_o believe_v the_o work_n that_o you_o may_v know_v and_o believe_v that_o the_o father_n be_v in_o i_o and_o i_o in_o he_o that_o be_v believe_v not_o rash_o on_o i_o and_o so_o give_v a_o testimony_n to_o my_o work_n but_o search_v the_o scripture_n which_o testify_v of_o the_o messiah_n consider_v the_o work_n i_o do_v whether_o they_o be_v such_o as_o become_v god_n and_o be_v attribute_v to_o he_o if_o they_o be_v then_o conclude_v and_o believe_v that_o i_o be_o he_o etc._n etc._n in_o effect_n several_a of_o the_o people_n say_v that_o christ_n when_o he_o shall_v come_v 31._o can_v do_v no_o great_a wonder_n and_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n believe_v when_o they_o see_v the_o 23._o miracle_n which_o he_o do_v 21._o how_o shall_v we_o escape_v say_v the_o apostle_n 4._o if_o we_o neglect_v so_o great_a a_o salvation_n which_o at_o the_o first_o begin_v to_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v confirm_v unto_o we_o by_o they_o that_o hear_v he_o god_n also_o bear_v they_o witness_n with_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n according_a to_o his_o own_o will_n those_o who_o hear_v christ_n the_o author_n of_o our_o religion_n speak_v and_o see_v the_o wonder_n which_o he_o wrought_v renounce_v all_o the_o hide_a thing_n of_o dishonesty_n all_o craftiness_n and_o deceitful_a handle_n of_o the_o 2._o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o they_o manifest_v nothing_o but_o truth_n they_o commend_v themselves_o to_o every_o man_n conscience_n that_o be_v they_o appeal_v to_o every_o man_n reason_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n peter_n exhort_v christian_n to_o be_v ready_a always_o to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o one_o that_o ask_v they_o a_o 15._o reason_n of_o their_o hope_n now_o to_o what_o purpose_n serve_v all_o these_o miracle_n all_o these_o appeal_n if_o no_o regard_n be_v to_o be_v have_v of_o man_n understanding_n if_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v incomprehensible_a contradictory_n or_o be_v we_o oblige_v to_o believe_v reveal_v non-jense_a now_o if_o these_o miracle_n be_v true_a christianity_n must_v consequent_o be_v intelligible_a and_o if_o false_a which_o our_o adversary_n will_v not_o grant_v they_o can_v be_v then_o no_o argument_n against_o we_o 22._o but_o to_o insist_v no_o long_o upon_o such_o passage_n all_o man_n will_v own_v the_o verity_n i_o defend_v if_o they_o read_v the_o sacred_a write_n with_o that_o equity_n and_o attention_n that_o be_v due_a to_o mere_a humane_a work_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o different_a rule_n to_o be_v follow_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n from_o what_o be_v common_a to_o all_o other_o book_n whatever_o unprejudiced_a person_n shall_v use_v those_o mean_n will_v find_v they_o notorious_a deceiver_n or_o much_o deceive_v themselves_o who_o maintain_v the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v without_o any_o order_n or_o certain_a scope_n but_o just_a as_o matter_n come_v into_o the_o apostle_n head_n whether_o transport_v with_o enthusiastic_a fit_n as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o or_o according_a to_o other_o for_o lack_v of_o good_a sense_n and_o a_o liberal_a education_n i_o think_v i_o may_v just_o say_v that_o they_o be_v stranger_n to_o true_a method_n who_o complain_v of_o this_o confusion_n and_o disorder_n but_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o case_n depend_v not_o upon_o generality_n though_o whenever_o it_o be_v prove_v i_o will_v not_o promise_v that_o every_o one_o shall_v find_v a_o justification_n of_o the_o particular_a method_n he_o be_v teach_v or_o he_o have_v choose_v to_o follow_v to_o defend_v any_o party_n be_v not_o my_o business_n but_o to_o discover_v the_o truth_n 23._o the_o facility_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o confine_v only_o to_o method_n for_o the_o style_n be_v also_o most_o easy_a most_o natural_a and_o in_o the_o common_a dialect_n of_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v immediate_o consign_v shall_v any_o preach_v in_o xenophon_n strain_n to_o the_o present_a greek_n or_o in_o correct_v english_a to_o the_o countrypeople_n in_o scotland_n it_o will_v cost_v they_o much_o more_o time_n and_o pain_n to_o learn_v the_o very_a word_n than_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n denote_v by_o they_o of_o old_a as_o well_o as_o in_o our_o time_n the_o jew_n understand_v hebrew_a worse_n than_o the_o tongue_n of_o those_o region_n where_o they_o dwell_v no_o pretcnce_n therefore_o can_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o language_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o irrational_a hypothesis_n for_o all_o man_n be_v suppose_v to_o understand_v the_o daily_a use_n of_o their_o mother-tongue_n whereas_o the_o style_n of_o the_o learned_a be_v unintelligible_a to_o the_o vulgar_a and_o the_o plain_a author_n that_o write_v as_o they_o speak_v without_o the_o disguise_n of_o pompous_a elegance_n have_v ever_o be_v account_v the_o best_a by_o all_o good_a judge_n it_o be_v a_o visible_a effect_n of_o providence_n that_o we_o have_v in_o our_o hand_n the_o monument_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o in_o the_o new_a be_v always_o suppose_v quote_v or_o allude_v to_o nor_o be_v that_o all_o for_o the_o jewish_a service_n and_o custom_n continue_v to_o this_o day_n if_o this_o have_v be_v true_a of_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n we_o shall_v be_v furnish_v with_o those_o help_n to_o understand_v aright_o many_o unknown_a particular_n of_o their_o religion_n which_o make_v we_o ruler_n and_o teacher_n in_o israel_n beside_o we_o have_v the_o talmud_n and_o other_o work_n of_o the_o rabbin_n which_o however_o otherwise_o useless_a give_v we_o no_o small_a light_n into_o the_o ancient_a rite_n and_o language_n and_o if_o after_o all_o we_o shall_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n about_o the_o mean_v of_o any_o expression_n we_o ought_v rather_o to_o charge_v it_o upon_o distance_n of_o time_n and_o the_o want_n of_o more_o book_n in_o the_o same_o tongue_n than_o to_o attribute_v it_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o author_n who_o may_v be_v easy_o understand_v by_o his_o countryman_n and_o contemporary_n but_o no_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v establish_v nor_o falsehood_n confute_v from_o such_o passage_n no_o more_o than_o any_o can_v certain_o divine_v his_o
kindred_n with_o the_o scarlet_a whore_n the_o only_a remain_a text_n be_v in_o chap._n 10._o 5_o 6_o 7._o and_o the_o angel_n which_o i_o see_v stand_v upon_o the_o sea_n and_o upon_o the_o earth_n lift_v up_o his_o hand_n to_o heaven_n and_o swear_v by_o he_o that_o live_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o who_o create_v heaven_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o therein_o be_v and_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o therein_o be_v and_o the_o sea_n and_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v therein_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v time_n no_o long_o but_o that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n when_o he_o shall_v begin_v to_o sound_v the_o mystery_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v finish_v that_o be_v that_o all_o the_o thing_n figurative_o deliver_v in_o this_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o gospel_n which_o be_v show_v above_o to_o signify_v the_o same_o with_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n shall_v have_v their_o final_a accomplishment_n and_o so_o end_v with_o this_o globe_n and_o all_o therein_o contain_v 35._o i_o appeal_v now_o to_o all_o equitable_a person_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a to_o any_o that_o can_v read_v that_o mystery_n in_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n be_v never_o put_v for_o any_o thing_n inconceivable_a in_o itself_o or_o not_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o our_o ordinary_a notion_n and_o faculty_n however_o clear_o reveal_v and_o whither_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o do_v not_o always_o signify_v some_o thing_n natural_o intelligible_a enough_o but_o either_o so_o veil_v by_o figurative_a word_n and_o rite_n or_o so_o lodge_v in_o god_n sole_a knowledge_n and_o decree_n that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v discover_v without_o special_a revelation_n whoever_o retain_v any_o real_a veneration_n for_o the_o scripture_n and_o sincere_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n must_v be_v ever_o conclude_v by_o its_o authority_n and_o render_v himself_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o prejudices_fw-la to_o its_o evidence_n he_o that_o say_v the_o gospel_n be_v his_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o believe_v any_o thing_n not_o warrant_v by_o it_o he_o be_v a_o arrant_a hypocrite_n and_o do_v but_o sly_o bant_a all_o the_o world_n 36._o nor_o can_v a_o more_o favourable_a opinion_n be_v harbour_v of_o those_o who_o instead_o of_o submission_n to_o the_o dictate_v of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n straight_o have_v recourse_n to_o such_o person_n as_o they_o special_o follow_v or_o admire_v and_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v or_o refuse_v a_o opinion_n as_o these_o shall_v please_v to_o direct_v they_o pray_v doctor_n say_v one_o of_o his_o parishioner_n what_o think_v you_o of_o such_o a_o book_n it_o seem_v to_o make_v thing_n plain_a ah_o dear_a sir_n answer_v the_o doctor_n it_o be_v a_o very_a bad_a book_n he_o be_v a_o dangerous_a man_n that_o write_v it_o he_o be_v for_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o agree_v with_o his_o own_o purblind_a proud_a and_o carnal_a reason_n p._n say_v you_o so_o doctor_n then_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o read_v no_o more_o of_o it_o for_o i_o hear_v you_o often_o preach_v against_o humane_a reason_n i_o be_o sorry_a true_o it_o shall_v unhappy_o fall_v into_o my_o hand_n but_o i_o will_v take_v care_n that_o none_o of_o our_o family_n set_v their_o eye_n upon_o it_o d._n you_o will_v do_v very_o well_o sir_n beside_o this_o book_n be_v still_o worse_o than_o i_o tell_v you_o for_o it_o destroy_v a_o great_a many_o point_n which_o we_o teach_v and_o shall_v this_o doctrine_n take_v which_o god_n forbid_v most_o of_o the_o good_a book_n you_o have_v at_o home_n and_o which_o cost_v you_o no_o less_o pain_n to_o read_v than_o money_n to_o purchase_v will_v signify_v not_o a_o straw_n and_o serve_v only_o for_o waste-paper_n to_o put_v under_o pie_n or_o for_o other_o mean_a uses_n p._n bless_v i_o good_a doctor_n i_o pray_v god_n forgive_v i_o read_v such_o a_o vile_a treatise_n he_o be_v a_o abominable_a man_n that_o can_v write_v it_o but_o what_o my_o book_n worth_a nothing_o say_v you_o dr._n h_n sermon_n and_o mr._n c_n discourse_n waste-paper_n i_o will_v never_o believe_v it_o let_v who_o will_v say_v the_o contrary_a lord_n why_o do_v you_o excommunicate_v the_o author_n and_o seize_v upon_o his_o book_n d._n ay_o sir_n time_n be_v but_o now_o it_o seem_v a_o man_n may_v believe_v according_a to_o his_o own_o sense_n and_o not_o as_o the_o church_n direct_v there_o be_v a_o toleration_n establish_v you_o know_v p._n that_o toleration_n doctor_n will_n d._n whist_o sir_n say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o i_o be_o as_o much_o concern_v as_o you_o can_v be_v but_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a nor_o expedient_a at_o this_o time_n of_o day_n to_o find_v fault_n 37._o there_o be_v other_o far_a from_o this_o simplicity_n but_o as_o firm_o resolve_v to_o stand_v fast_o by_o their_o old_a system_n when_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o mystery_n we_o must_v believe_v they_o and_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n for_o it_o it_o be_v not_o the_o force_n of_o reason_v that_o make_v these_o for_o mystery_n but_o some_o by-interest_n and_o they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o applaud_v and_o defend_v any_o author_n that_o write_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o cause_n whether_o he_o support_v it_o with_o reason_n or_o not_o but_o i_o be_o not_o half_a so_o angry_a with_o these_o man_n as_o with_o a_o sort_n of_o people_n that_o will_v not_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n of_o examine_v any_o thing_n lest_o they_o shall_v become_v more_o clear-sighted_a or_o betterinform_v and_o so_o be_v tempt_v to_o take_v up_o a_o new_a road._n such_o person_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o indifferent_a indeed_o or_o they_o make_v religion_n come_v into_o their_o scutcheon_n 38._o the_o mention_n of_o scutcheon_n natural_o put_v i_o in_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o be_v little_o move_v with_o any_o reason_n when_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n come_v in_o competition_n the_o father_n as_o they_o love_v to_o speak_v be_v to_o they_o the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n and_o what_o those_o honest_a man_n say_v a_o very_a ingenious_a oracle_n person_n can_v not_o make_v good_a themselves_o by_o sufficient_a reason_n be_v now_o prove_v by_o their_o sole_a authority_n if_o the_o father_n foresee_v this_o add_v the_o same_o author_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v blame_v for_o spare_v themselves_o the_o labour_n of_o reason_v more_o exact_o than_o we_o find_v they_o common_o do_v that_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n shall_v be_v determine_v by_o a_o majority_n of_o voice_n or_o certain_a period_n of_o time_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a of_o all_o folly_n 39_o but_o if_o antiquity_n can_v in_o good_a earnest_n add_v any_o worth_n to_o a_o opinion_n i_o think_v i_o need_v not_o fear_v to_o stand_v to_o its_o decision_n for_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o duration_n of_o the_o world_n say_v another_o celebrate_a modern_n writer_n as_o we_o do_v that_o of_o man_n life_n consist_v of_o infancy_n youth_n manhood_n and_o old_a age_n then_o certain_o such_o as_o live_v before_o we_o be_v the_o child_n or_o the_o youth_n and_o we_o be_v the_o true_a ancient_n of_o the_o world_n and_o if_o experience_n continue_v he_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a advantage_n which_o grow_v person_n have_v over_o the_o young_a sort_n then_o questionless_a the_o experience_n of_o such_o as_o come_v last_o into_o the_o world_n must_v be_v incomparable_o great_a than_o of_o those_o that_o be_v bear_v long_o before_o they_o for_o the_o last_o comer_n enjoy_v not_o only_o all_o the_o stock_n of_o their_o predecessor_n but_o to_o it_o have_v likewise_o add_v their_o own_o observation_n these_o thought_n be_v no_o less_o ingenious_a than_o they_o be_v just_a and_o solid_a but_o if_o antiquity_n be_v understand_v in_o the_o vulgar_a sense_n i_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o despair_v however_o for_o my_o assertion_n too_o will_v become_v ancient_a to_o posterity_n and_o so_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o support_v itself_o by_o this_o commodious_a privilege_n of_o prescription_n 40._o yet_o see_v i_o be_o not_o likely_a to_o live_v till_o that_o time_n it_o can_v be_v amiss_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o same_o father_n who_o have_v the_o good_a luck_n to_o be_v at_o once_o both_o the_o young_a and_o the_o old_a of_o the_o world_n be_v on_o my_o side_n it_o be_v not_o out_o of_o any_o deference_n to_o their_o judgement_n i_o confess_v that_o i_o take_v these_o pain_n i_o have_v free_o declare_v what_o value_n i_o set_v upon_o their_o authority_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o book_n but_o my_o design_n be_v to_o show_v the_o disingenuity_n of_o those_o who_o pretend_v the_o high_a veneration_n for_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n never_o fail_v to_o decline_v