Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	body_n	soul_n	unite_v	6,291	5	9.7652	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62587	A sermon concerning the unity of the divine nature and the B. Trinity by John, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.	Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.	1693 (1693)	Wing T1222; ESTC R6941	17,786	42

to_o admit_v as_o we_o ourselves_o be_v and_o if_o either_o council_n or_o father_n or_o schoolman_n have_v so_o explain_v this_o mystery_n as_o to_o give_v any_o just_a ground_n or_o so_o much_o as_o a_o plausible_a colour_n for_o such_o a_o inference_n let_v the_o blame_v fall_v where_o it_o be_v due_a and_o let_v it_o not_o be_v charge_v on_o the_o h._n scripture_n but_o rather_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v in_o another_o case_n let_v god_n be_v true_a and_o every_o man_n a_o liar_n viithly_fw-mi and_o last_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n to_o believe_v some_o thing_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a by_o our_o reason_n provide_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n and_o reason_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o especial_o if_o they_o be_v concern_v god_n who_o be_v in_o his_o nature_n incomprehensible_a and_o we_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o he_o have_v reveal_v they_o and_o therefore_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o offend_v we_o that_o these_o difference_n in_o the_o deity_n be_v incomprehensible_a by_o our_o finite_a understanding_n because_o the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o be_v so_o and_o yet_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n in_o nature_n which_o we_o can_v comprehend_v how_o they_o either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v as_o the_o continuity_n of_o matter_n that_o be_v how_o the_o part_n of_o it_o do_v hang_v so_o fast_o together_o that_o they_o be_v many_o time_n very_o hard_o to_o be_v part_v and_o yet_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o it_o be_v so_o because_o we_o see_v it_o every_o day_n so_o likewise_o how_o the_o small_a seed_n of_o thing_n contain_v the_o whole_a form_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n from_o which_o they_o proceed_v and_o into_o which_o by_o degree_n they_o grow_v and_o yet_o we_o plain_o see_v this_o every_o year_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n likewise_o in_o our_o self_n which_o no_o man_n be_v able_a in_o any_o measure_n to_o comprehend_v as_o to_o the_o manner_n how_o they_o be_v do_v and_o perform_v as_o the_o vital_a union_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n who_o can_v imagine_v by_o what_o device_n or_o mean_v a_o spirit_n come_v to_o be_v so_o close_o unite_v and_o so_o firm_o link_v to_o a_o material_a body_n that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v part_v without_o great_a force_n and_o violence_n offer_v to_o nature_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o operation_n of_o our_o several_a faculty_n of_o sense_n and_o imagination_n of_o memory_n and_o reason_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o liberty_n of_o our_o will_n and_o yet_o we_o certain_o find_v all_o these_o faculty_n in_o ourselves_o though_o we_o can_v either_o comprehend_v or_o explain_v the_o particular_a manner_n in_o which_o the_o several_a operation_n of_o they_o be_v perform_v and_o if_o we_o can_v comprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o those_o operation_n which_o we_o plain_o perceive_v and_o feel_v to_o be_v be_v in_o our_o self_n much_o less_o can_v we_o expect_v to_o comprehend_v thing_n without_o we_o and_o least_o of_o all_o can_v we_o pretend_v to_o comprehend_v the_o infinite_a nature_n and_o perfection_n of_o god_n and_o every_o thing_n belong_v to_o he_o for_o god_n himself_o be_v certain_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o all_o other_o and_o acknowledge_v by_o mankind_n to_o be_v in_o his_o nature_n and_o in_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o his_o existence_n incomprehensible_a by_o human_a understanding_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v very_o evident_a because_o god_n be_v infinite_a and_o our_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n be_v but_o finite_a and_o yet_o no_o sober_a man_n ever_o think_v this_o a_o good_a reason_n to_o call_v the_o be_v of_o god_n in_o question_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o god_n certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o future_a contingency_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o uncertain_a will_n of_o free_a agent_n it_o be_v utter_o inconceivable_a how_o any_o understanding_n how_o large_a and_o perfect_a soever_o can_v certain_o know_v beforehand_o that_o which_o depend_v upon_o the_o free_a will_n of_o another_o which_o be_v a_o arbitrary_a and_o uncertain_a cause_n and_o yet_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o only_o attribute_v this_o foreknowledge_n to_o god_n but_o give_v we_o also_o plain_a instance_n of_o god_n foretell_v such_o thing_n many_o age_n before_o they_o happen_v as_o can_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o by_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n in_o which_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o god_n can_v have_v no_o hand_n though_o nothing_o can_v happen_v without_o his_o permission_n such_o be_v that_o most_o memorable_a event_n of_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n who_o as_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o be_v by_o wicked_a hand_n crucify_v and_o slay_v and_o yet_o even_o this_o be_v say_v to_o have_v happen_v according_a to_o the_o determinate_a foreknowledge_n of_o god_n and_o be_v punctual_o foretell_v by_o he_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o nay_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o only_o ascribe_v this_o power_n and_o perfection_n to_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n but_o natural_a reason_n have_v be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v it_o as_o we_o may_v see_v in_o some_o of_o the_o wise_a of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o yet_o it_o will_v puzzle_v the_o great_a philosopher_n that_o ever_o be_v to_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n how_o any_o knowledge_n whatsoever_o can_v certain_o and_o infallible_o foresee_v a_o event_n through_o uncertain_a and_o contingent_a cause_n all_o the_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n that_o can_v be_v have_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o infinite_a knowledge_n may_v have_v way_n of_o know_v thing_n which_o our_o finite_a understanding_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n comprehend_v how_o they_o can_v possible_o be_v know_v again_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n more_o inconceivable_a than_o how_o a_o thing_n shall_v be_v of_o itself_o and_o without_o any_o cause_n of_o its_o be_v and_o yet_o our_o reason_n compel_v we_o to_o acknowledge_v this_o because_o we_o certain_o see_v that_o something_o be_v which_o must_v either_o have_v be_v of_o itself_o and_o without_o a_o cause_n or_o else_o something_o that_o we_o do_v not_o see_v must_v have_v be_v of_o itself_o and_o have_v make_v all_o other_o thing_n and_o by_o this_o reason_n we_o be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v a_o deity_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v able_a to_o find_v no_o rest_n but_o in_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o one_o eternal_a and_o wise_a mind_n as_o the_o principle_n and_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o other_o thing_n and_o this_o principle_n be_v that_o which_o mankind_n do_v by_o general_a consent_n call_v god_n so_o that_o god_n have_v lay_v a_o sure_a foundation_n of_o our_o acknowledgement_n of_o his_o be_v in_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n and_o though_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o hard_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o conceive_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v of_o itself_o yet_o necessity_n drive_v we_o to_o acknowledge_v it_o whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o and_o this_o be_v once_o grant_v our_o reason_n be_v tire_v in_o try_v all_o other_o way_n will_v for_o its_o own_o quiet_a and_o ease_n force_v we_o at_o last_o to_o fall_v in_o with_o the_o general_a apprehension_n and_o belief_n of_o mankind_n concern_v a_o deity_n to_o give_v but_o one_o instance_n more_o there_o be_v the_o like_a difficulty_n in_o conceive_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v make_v out_o of_o nothing_o and_o yet_o our_o reason_n do_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v it_o because_o matter_n which_o be_v a_o very_a imperfect_a be_v and_o mere_o passive_a must_v either_o always_o have_v be_v of_o itself_o or_o else_o by_o the_o infinite_a power_n of_o a_o most_o perfect_a and_o active_a be_v must_v have_v be_v make_v out_o of_o nothing_o which_o be_v much_o more_o credible_a than_o that_o any_o thing_n so_o imperfect_a as_o matter_n be_v shall_v be_v of_o itself_o because_o that_o which_o be_v of_o itself_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o have_v any_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o its_o be_v and_o perfection_n for_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o it_o necessary_o be_v and_o of_o itself_o it_o must_v necessary_o have_v all_o perfection_n which_o it_o be_v certain_a matter_n have_v not_o and_o yet_o necessary_a existence_n be_v so_o great_a a_o perfection_n that_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v any_o thing_n that_o have_v this_o perfection_n to_o want_v any_o other_o thus_o you_o see_v by_o these_o instance_n that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n to_o believe_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n to_o be_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o who_o existence_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o give_v a_o particular_a and_o distinct_a account_n and_o much_o less_o be_v it_o repugnant_a to_o reason_n to_o believe_v those_o

of_o equal_a force_n and_o power_n for_o two_o infinite_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v equal_a to_o one_o another_o because_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o or_o great_a than_o infinite_a and_o therefore_o if_o two_o infinite_a being_n be_v possible_a they_o will_v certain_o be_v equal_a and_o can_v not_o be_v otherwise_o now_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o principle_n infinite_o evil_a be_v a_o contradiction_n will_v be_v very_o plain_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o what_o be_v infinite_o evil_a must_v in_o strict_a reason_v and_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n be_v infinite_o imperfect_a and_o therefore_o infinite_o weak_a and_o for_o that_o reason_n though_o never_o so_o malicious_a and_o mischievous_a yet_o be_v infinite_o weak_a and_o foolish_a can_v never_o be_v in_o a_o capacity_n either_o to_o contrive_v mischief_n or_o to_o execute_v it_o but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v admit_v that_o a_o be_v infinite_o mischievous_a can_v be_v infinite_o know_v and_o powerful_a yet_o it_o can_v effect_v no_o evil_a because_o the_o opposite_a principle_n of_o infinite_a goodness_n be_v also_o infinite_o wife_n and_o powerful_a they_o will_v tie_v up_o one_o another_o hand_n so_o that_o upon_o this_o supposition_n the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n must_v signify_v just_a nothing_o because_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o eternal_a opposition_n and_o equal_a conflict_n of_o these_o two_o principle_n they_o will_v keep_v one_o another_o at_o a_o perpetual_a bay_n and_o be_v just_o a_o equal_a match_n to_o one_o another_o the_o one_o have_v as_o much_o mind_n and_o power_n to_o do_v good_a as_o the_o other_o to_o do_v evil_a instead_o of_o be_v two_o deity_n they_o will_v be_v but_o two_o idol_n able_a to_o do_v neither_o good_a nor_o evil_a and_o have_v i_o hope_v now_o sufficient_o clear_v this_o objection_n i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o show_v how_o agreeable_a this_o principle_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n be_v to_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n and_o to_o the_o clear_a and_o most_o essential_a notion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o god_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v these_o two_o way_n first_o by_o consider_v the_o most_o essential_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n second_o from_o the_o repugnancy_n and_o impossibility_n the_o great_a absurdity_n and_o inconvenience_n of_o suppose_v more_o god_n than_o one._n first_o by_o consider_v the_o most_o essential_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n absolute_a perfection_n which_o we_o ascribe_v to_o god_n as_o the_o most_o essential_a notion_n which_o mankind_n have_v always_o have_v concern_v he_o do_v necessary_o suppose_v unity_n because_o this_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o be_v that_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a that_o all_o perfection_n meet_v and_o be_v unite_v in_o such_o a_o be_v but_o to_o imagine_v more_o god_n and_o some_o perfection_n to_o be_v in_o one_o and_o some_o in_o another_o do_v destroy_v the_o most_o essential_a notion_n which_o man_n have_v of_o god_n namely_o that_o he_o be_v a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a that_o be_v as_o perfect_a as_o be_v possible_a now_o to_o suppose_v some_o perfection_n in_o one_o god_n which_o be_v not_o in_o another_o be_v to_o suppose_v some_o possible_a perfection_n to_o be_v want_v in_o god_n which_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o the_o most_o natural_a and_o the_o most_o easy_a notion_n which_o all_o man_n have_v of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v a_o be_v in_o who_o all_o perfection_n do_v meet_v and_o be_v unite_v but_o if_o we_o suppose_v more_o god_n each_o of_o which_o have_v all_o perfection_n unite_v in_o he_o than_o all_o but_o one_o will_v be_v superfluous_a and_o needless_a and_o therefore_o by_o just_a and_o necessary_a consequence_n not_o only_o may_v but_o of_o necessity_n must_v be_v suppose_v not_o to_o be_v since_o necessary_a existence_n be_v essential_a to_o the_o deity_n and_o therefore_o if_o but_o one_o god_n be_v necessary_a there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o second_o from_o the_o repugnancy_n and_o impossibility_n the_o great_a absurdity_n and_o inconvenience_n of_o the_o contrary_n for_o suppose_v there_o be_v more_o god_n two_o for_o example_n and_o if_o there_o may_v be_v two_o there_o may_v be_v a_o million_o for_o we_o can_v stop_v no_o where_o i_o say_v suppose_v two_o god_n either_o these_o two_o will_v be_v in_o all_o perfection_n equal_a and_o alike_o or_o unequal_a and_o unlike_a if_o equal_a and_o alike_o in_o all_o thing_n then_o as_o i_o say_v before_o one_o of_o they_o will_v be_v needless_a and_o superfluous_a and_o if_o one_o why_o not_o as_o well_o the_o other_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o all_o thing_n perfect_o alike_o and_o then_o there_o will_v be_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o of_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o necessary_a existence_n be_v essential_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n but_o if_o they_o be_v unequal_a that_o be_v one_o of_o they_o inferior_a to_o and_o less_o perfect_a than_o the_o other_o that_o which_o be_v inferior_a and_o less_o perfect_a can_v not_o be_v god_n because_o he_o will_v not_o have_v all_o perfection_n so_o that_o which_o way_n soever_o we_o turn_v the_o thing_n and_o look_n upon_o it_o the_o notion_n of_o more_o god_n than_o one_o be_v by_o its_o own_o repugnancy_n and_o self-contradiction_n destructive_a of_o itself_o before_o i_o come_v to_o apply_v this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o god_n i_o must_v not_o pass_v by_o a_o very_a considerable_a difficulty_n which_o will_v most_o certain_o arise_v in_o every_o man_n mind_n without_o take_v particular_a notice_n of_o it_o and_o endeavour_v to_o remove_v it_o if_o i_o can_v and_o it_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o b._n trinity_n or_o of_o three_o real_a difference_n or_o distinct_a person_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o divine_a nature_n and_o though_o this_o be_v not_o a_o difficulty_n peculiar_a only_o to_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o by_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o urge_v this_o objection_n against_o christian_n have_v be_v inconsiderate_o think_v for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o long_o before_o christianity_n appear_v in_o the_o world_n there_o be_v a_o very_a ancient_a tradition_n both_o among_o jew_n and_o heathen_a concern_v three_o real_a difference_n or_o distinction_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n very_o near_o resemble_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n as_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n more_o full_o to_o show_v by_o and_o by_o yet_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o this_o difficulty_n do_v in_o a_o more_o especial_a manner_n affect_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o generality_n of_o christian_n who_o do_v most_o firm_o believe_v the_o trinity_n believe_v likewise_o at_o the_o same_o time_n more_o steadfast_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n to_o we_o 6._o say_v st._n paul_n that_o be_v to_o we_o christian_n there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n but_o how_o can_v this_o possible_o consist_v with_o the_o common_a doctrine_n of_o christian_n concern_v the_o trinity_n god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o h._n ghost_n to_o each_o of_o who_o they_o attribute_v as_o they_o very_o believe_v the_o scripture_n do_v the_o most_o incommunicable_a property_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o what_o be_v this_o less_o in_o effect_n than_o to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o god_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o difficulty_n i_o shall_v with_o all_o the_o brevity_n i_o can_v offer_v these_o follow_a consideration_n which_o i_o hope_v to_o a_o impartial_a and_o unprejudiced_a judgement_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o remove_v it_o or_o at_o least_o to_o break_v the_o main_a force_n and_o strength_n of_o it_o i._o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v well_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v a_o wide_a difference_n between_o the_o nice_a speculation_n of_o the_o school_n beyond_o what_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n concern_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o what_o the_o scripture_n only_o teach_v and_o assert_n concern_v this_o mystery_n for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o schoolman_n who_o abound_v in_o wit_n and_o leisure_n though_o very_o few_o among_o they_o have_v either_o exact_a skill_n in_o the_o h._n scripture_n or_o in_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n i_o say_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o these_o speculative_a and_o very_a acute_a man_n who_o wrought_v a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o divinity_n out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n as_o spider_n do_v cobweb_n out_o of_o their_o own_o bowel_n have_v start_v a_o thousand_o subtlety_n about_o this_o mystery_n such_o as_o no_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o trouble_v his_o head_n withal_o much_o less_o be_v it_o necessary_a for_o he_o to_o understand_v those_o nicety_n which_o we_o may_v