Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
nature_n contain_v law_n moral_a 2,485 5 9.8922 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A49908 A treatise of the causes of incredulity wherein are examin'd the general motives and occasions which dispose unbelievers to reject the Christian religion : with two letters, containing a direct proof of the truth of Christianity / translated from the French of Monsieur Le Clerc.; De l'incredulité. English Le Clerc, Jean, 1657-1736. 1697 (1697) Wing L827; ESTC R19200 151,596 339

There are 2 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

several_a revelation_n and_o every_o where_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v very_o frequent_a as_o all_o those_o who_o have_v read_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n know_v very_o well_o but_o it_o appear_v that_o man_n make_v not_o a_o very_a good_a use_n of_o they_o the_o egyptian_n one_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o happy_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n be_v already_o in_o his_o time_n infect_v with_o a_o shameful_a idolatry_n 32.4_o idolatry_n see_v exod_n 8.16_o &_o 32.4_o which_o make_v they_o worship_n beast_n the_o cananean_n be_v also_o idolater_n as_o he_o say_v etc._n say_v leu._n 20._o 2._o numb_a 25.3_o etc._n etc._n in_o many_o place_n and_o live_v a_o very_a wicked_a life_n there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n that_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o those_o ancient_a revelation_n or_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n which_o god_n have_v give_v to_o all_o men._n so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o nation_n that_o can_v boast_v to_o have_v improve_v the_o talent_n it_o receive_v from_o heaven_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o do_v and_o if_o god_n have_v give_v they_o up_o to_o their_o darkness_n and_o wickedness_n none_o of_o they_o can_v have_v just_o complain_v of_o he_o notwithstanding_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o nation_n who_o history_n be_v not_o well_o know_v to_o we_o god_n be_v move_v with_o compassion_n towards_o man_n will_v not_o permit_v that_o idolatry_n and_o corrupt_a manner_n shall_v as_o it_o be_v overflow_v the_o whole_a world_n he_o continue_v to_o reveal_v himself_o more_o particular_o to_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n and_o to_o make_v those_o revelation_n more_o useful_a and_o hinder_v they_o from_o be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o mixture_n of_o the_o false_a opinion_n of_o other_o nation_n he_o order_v the_o israelite_n to_o frame_v a_o commonwealth_n by_o itself_o and_o forbid_v they_o to_o converse_v much_o with_o their_o neighbour_n to_o frame_v that_o commonwealth_n and_o enable_v it_o to_o maintain_v itself_o till_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o call_v the_o other_o nation_n to_o the_o same_o knowledge_n the_o hebrew_n have_v he_o give_v they_o some_o law_n the_o observation_n whereof_o he_o require_v under_o most_o severe_a penalty_n there_o be_v several_a thing_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o those_o law_n which_o may_v help_v we_o to_o see_v the_o wisdom_n contain_v in_o they_o but_o it_o will_v suffice_v to_o say_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o very_a constitution_n of_o nature_n and_o humane_a society_n so_o that_o all_o nation_n be_v bind_v to_o observe_v they_o at_o least_o in_o some_o measure_n and_o that_o they_o can_v be_v violate_v without_o hurt_v the_o society_n they_o be_v call_v moral_a law_n the_o other_o do_v so_o concern_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o hebrew_n in_o particular_a that_o other_o man_n be_v not_o the_o worse_a for_o not_o observe_v they_o and_o they_o be_v call_v political_a law_n last_o the_o other_o concern_v the_o ceremony_n which_o god_n will_v have_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o his_o worship_n they_o be_v style_v ceremonial_a law_n the_o first_o sort_n of_o law_n as_o those_o which_o command_v to_o acknowledge_v a_o god_n and_o to_o worship_v he_o to_o honour_v our_o parent_n and_o to_o do_v to_o our_o neighbour_n as_o we_o will_v be_v do_v by_o that_o sort_n of_o law_n i_o say_v be_v approve_v by_o the_o wise_a heathen_a legislator_n and_o philosopher_n and_o jesus_n christ_n have_v since_o confirm_v they_o the_o necessity_n of_o those_o law_n can_v be_v doubt_v of_o see_v they_o can_v be_v neglect_v without_o feel_v the_o dismal_a effect_n of_o that_o neglect_n and_o see_v the_o nature_n of_o humane_a society_n necessary_o require_v the_o observation_n of_o those_o law_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o be_v worthy_a of_o he_o to_o who_o humane_a nature_n owe_v its_o origin_n though_o this_o be_v manifest_a it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o show_v that_o several_a nation_n have_v many_o law_n contrary_a to_o they_o because_o the_o interest_n and_o passion_n of_o some_o private_a man_n prevail_v above_o the_o public_a good_n lest_o therefore_o the_o light_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o those_o ill_a custom_n shall_v be_v whole_o extinguish_v among_o man_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v at_o least_o one_o nation_n upon_o earth_n in_o which_o good_a and_o sound_a law_n shall_v be_v so_o clear_o and_o undeniable_o establish_v that_o no_o body_n can_v doubt_v of_o they_o this_o we_o find_v among_o the_o jew_n god_n himself_o deliver_v part_n of_o those_o law_n with_o his_o own_o mouth_n and_o acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o rest_n by_o a_o prophet_n who_o he_o authorise_a with_o miracle_n those_o law_n be_v as_o i_o say_v equal_o necessary_a at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n in_o order_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o humane_a society_n but_o because_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v not_o be_v mix_v with_o other_o nation_n lest_o those_o law_n shall_v be_v destroy_v god_n give_v they_o some_o other_o law_n accommodate_v to_o the_o genius_n of_o that_o people_n and_o to_o their_o state_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o they_o be_v to_o possess_v such_o be_v the_o political_a and_o ceremonial_a law_n the_o chief_a excellency_n of_o which_o consist_v in_o have_v nothing_o that_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o in_o be_v suit_v to_o the_o people_n who_o receive_v they_o one_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o political_a and_o ceremonial_a law_n of_o moses_n contain_v nothing_o that_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o moral_a one_o but_o to_o convince_v one_o self_n that_o god_n can_v give_v no_o law_n more_o suitable_a to_o the_o state_n and_o genius_n of_o the_o jew_n one_o ought_v to_o have_v a_o competent_a knowledge_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o nation_n among_o which_o they_o have_v live_v and_o with_o which_o they_o be_v then_o surround_v those_o who_o have_v apply_v themselves_o to_o that_o study_n have_v find_v out_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o law_n be_v like_o those_o of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n and_o that_o they_o be_v also_o pentateuch_n also_o see_v my_o commentary_n upon_o the_o pentateuch_n contrary_a to_o they_o in_o several_a thing_n so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o israelite_n take_v care_n so_o to_o distinguish_v the_o form_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n and_o worship_n from_o that_o of_o their_o neighbour_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v mix_v themselves_o with_o they_o as_o long_o as_o they_o shall_v observe_v those_o law_n i_o will_v not_o come_v to_o the_o particular_n of_o those_o fact_n because_o i_o have_v treat_v of_o they_o at_o large_a in_o the_o latin_a book_n which_o i_o just_a now_o quote_v in_o the_o margin_n as_o god_n have_v settle_v those_o law_n chief_o by_o his_o authority_n or_o that_o of_o a_o prophet_n authorise_a with_o miracle_n so_o he_o still_o require_v the_o observation_n of_o they_o not_o only_o by_o the_o ordinary_a magistrate_n who_o may_v themselves_o neglect_v they_o in_o time_n but_o also_o by_o several_a prophet_n who_o he_o send_v to_o the_o jew_n from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o censure_v they_o for_o their_o vice_n and_o excite_v they_o to_o obey_v he_o by_o some_o reward_n and_o punishment_n which_o they_o preach_v in_o his_o name_n all_o the_o law_n that_o have_v relation_n to_o a_o certain_a state_n of_o a_o nation_n which_o make_v they_o useful_a and_o necessary_a do_v evident_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v only_o good_a as_o long_o as_o that_o state_n last_v and_o such_o be_v the_o political_a and_o ceremonial_a law_n of_o the_o jew_n notwithstanding_o the_o lawgiver_n who_o will_v give_v no_o body_n a_o occasion_n of_o break_v his_o law_n on_o pretence_n that_o they_o be_v no_o long_o necessary_a and_o so_o of_o overthrow_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o time_n speak_v everywhere_o of_o they_o as_o of_o eternal_a law_n he_o keep_v to_o himself_o the_o power_n of_o abrogate_a they_o when_o the_o time_n shall_v come_v lest_o the_o jew_n shall_v do_v it_o unreasonable_o and_o atter_fw-la a_o manner_n contrary_n to_o his_o intention_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o prophet_n who_o he_o send_v to_o keep_v the_o jew_n to_o their_o duty_n or_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o it_o be_v order_v to_o say_v many_o thing_n which_o by_o degree_n dispose_v that_o people_n to_o what_o be_v to_o happen_v some_o time_n or_o other_o that_o be_v to_o see_v themselves_o mix_v with_o all_o the_o other_o nation_n and_o to_o observe_v only_o such_o law_n as_o be_v of_o a_o eternal_a use_n and_o ground_v on_o the_o constitution_n of_o humane_a nature_n for_o example_n jeremiah_n
disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n say_v in_o all_o place_n that_o not_o only_a jesus_n of_o nazareth_n who_o the_o jew_n have_v crucify_v do_v work_v numberless_a miracle_n whilst_o he_o dwell_v among_o man_n but_o that_o he_o also_o leave_v the_o same_o power_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o in_o effect_n they_o wrought_v miracle_n every_o day_n what_o can_v be_v say_v more_o to_o excite_v the_o curiosity_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v not_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o epicurean_o who_o think_v no_o miracle_n be_v to_o be_v wrought_v nor_o do_v they_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v send_v they_o no_o more_o prophet_n to_o work_v any_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o expect_v the_o messiah_n the_o great_a of_o all_o the_o prophet_n and_o notwithstanding_o they_o give_v so_o little_a heed_n to_o what_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o nation_n never_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o unless_o it_o be_v to_o use_v they_o ill_o without_o examine_v in_o the_o least_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o doctrine_n we_o have_v two_o jewish_a author_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n namely_o philo_n and_o joseph_n but_o nevertheless_o they_o do_v not_o vouchsafe_v to_o inform_v themselves_o about_o these_o matter_n as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o their_o write_n philo_z write_v a_o great_a many_o book_n whereof_o the_o most_o part_n be_v allegorical_a discourse_n upon_o the_o old_a testament_n now_o in_o some_o of_o these_o he_o have_v a_o thousand_o occasion_n to_o mention_v the_o gospel_n if_o he_o have_v any_o idea_n of_o it_o if_o he_o disbelieved_a the_o truth_n of_o it_o he_o shall_v at_o least_o have_v endeavour_v to_o confute_v it_o somewhere_o but_o he_o say_v not_o a_o word_n for_o or_o against_o it_o which_o be_v sign_n enough_o that_o he_o know_v not_o what_o it_o be_v i_o know_v very_o well_o how_o eusebius_n therapeutes_fw-gr eusebius_n hist_o ecclesiast_fw-la l._n 2._o c._n 17._o see_v jos_n scaliger_n l._n 7._o de_fw-la emendat_fw-la temp._n valesius_fw-la upon_o eusebius_n and_o thomas_n brown_a in_o his_o dissertation_n concern_v the_o therapeutes_fw-gr and_o some_o learned_a man_n after_o he_o pretend_v that_o the_o therapeutes_fw-gr of_o alexandria_n who_o encomium_n be_v write_v by_o philo_n in_o one_o of_o his_o piece_n be_v christian_n but_o nothing_o except_o a_o desire_n of_o confound_v the_o jew_n by_o their_o own_o author_n can_v discover_v christian_n to_o eusebius_n and_o those_o that_o follow_v he_o in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o therapeutes_fw-gr where_o one_o syllable_n be_v not_o speak_v of_o jesus_n christ_n nor_o of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o where_o all_o that_o philo_n say_v do_v perfect_o quadrate_n to_o some_o of_o the_o essean_n who_o form_v as_o it_o be_v well_o know_v a_o particular_a sect_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o desire_n of_o convince_a infidel_n shall_v not_o induce_v we_o to_o make_v use_n of_o weak_a proof_n against_o they_o for_o certain_o such_o method_n must_v needs_o render_v they_o more_o averse_a to_o christianity_n what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v will_v be_v easy_o grant_v i_o by_o man_n of_o any_o tolerable_a read_n or_o judgement_n but_o it_o may_v be_v dispute_v with_o respect_n to_o 8._o to_o antiq._n jud._n l._n 18._o c._n 4_o &_o 8._o joseph_n by_o reason_n of_o a_o passage_n or_o two_o produce_v out_o of_o he_o wherein_o he_o speak_v of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o be_v not_o the_o place_n to_o examine_v these_o passage_n which_o learned_a man_n letter_n man_n see_v le_fw-fr feure_n in_o his_o critical_a letter_n believe_v be_v insert_v by_o some_o christian_a into_o the_o text_n of_o joseph_n but_o be_v this_o as_o it_o will_v it_o be_v manifest_a that_o joseph_n say_v nothing_o of_o the_o slaughter_n of_o the_o child_n whereof_o st._n matthew_n speak_v nor_o of_o most_o part_n of_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n nor_o of_o his_o doctrine_n nor_o can_v he_o be_v suppose_v by_o any_o to_o have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o christianity_n except_o by_o such_o as_o never_o read_v his_o work_n have_v he_o know_v a_o part_n of_o the_o discourse_n and_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o will_v not_o have_v be_v content_a to_o mention_v he_o only_o en_fw-fr passant_a and_o in_o so_o few_o word_n he_o will_v be_v large_a upon_o that_o subject_a no_o doubt_n as_o it_o well_o deserve_v it_o may_v be_v therefore_o positive_o affirm_v that_o joseph_n how_o exact_a soever_o repute_v to_o be_v in_o other_o matter_n do_v shameful_o neglect_v inform_v himself_o about_o the_o christian_a religion_n although_o nothing_o can_v have_v be_v more_o easy_a for_o he_o nor_o can_v any_o excuse_v be_v plead_v on_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o heathen_n who_o live_v at_o that_o time_n or_o a_o little_a after_o and_o that_o notwithstanding_o their_o acquaintance_n with_o some_o christian_n yet_o never_o desire_v to_o know_v what_o christianity_n itself_o be_v 44._o be_v annak_n l._n 15._o c._n 44._o tacitus_n 10._o tacitus_n ep._n l._n 10._o plinius_n and_o 25._o and_o in_o claud._n c._n 25._o suetonius_n have_v speak_v of_o it_o and_o want_v not_o opportunity_n to_o understand_v it_o though_o it_o appear_v they_o do_v not_o they_o be_v polite_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o have_v spend_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o those_o age_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o time_n in_o the_o study_n of_o the_o greek_a philosophy_n now_o this_o philosophy_n be_v not_o upon_o any_o account_n comparable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n or_o moral_n of_o the_o gospel_n nor_o can_v the_o learned_a of_o rome_n neglect_v these_o thing_n only_o because_o barbarian_n as_o the_o grecian_n speak_v have_v declare_v they_o for_o they_o well_o know_v that_o the_o most_o famous_a sage_n of_o greece_n have_v undertake_v long_a voyage_n to_o the_o barbarian_n to_o learn_v their_o opinion_n what_o make_v they_o contemn_v the_o christian_n then_o we_o need_v not_o seek_v for_o any_o other_o reason_n but_o a_o scandalous_a neglect_n proceed_v from_o the_o predominant_a passion_n of_o most_o people_n for_o ordinary_o they_o apply_v themselves_o only_o to_o what_o be_v esteem_v in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o may_v contribute_v to_o have_v they_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o place_n of_o their_o abide_v the_o literature_n and_o philosophy_n of_o the_o laertius_n the_o see_v the_o preface_n of_o diogen_n laertius_n greek_n be_v for_o a_o long_a time_n in_o great_a repute_n at_o rome_n and_o person_n of_o the_o first_o quality_n do_v value_v themselves_o upon_o these_o sort_n of_o knowledge_n but_o the_o gospel_n be_v unknown_a there_o because_o it_o contain_v not_o any_o doctrine_n proper_a to_o add_v more_o lustre_n to_o such_o as_o do_v aspire_v to_o the_o great_a dignity_n something_o of_o this_o nature_n make_v the_o athenian_n neglect_v the_o opportunity_n they_o have_v in_o their_o hand_n of_o understand_v the_o gospel_n when_o st._n paul_n be_v in_o their_o city_n to_o preach_v it_o if_o they_o will_v hear_v he_o and_o questionless_a they_o will_v have_v hear_v he_o have_v they_o as_o much_o good_a sense_n as_o they_o have_v vanity_n at_o the_o very_a first_o they_o call_v he_o a_o babbler_n 22._o act_n 17.18_o 22._o and_o after_o listen_v a_o while_n to_o he_o about_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a some_o of_o they_o laugh_v at_o he_o other_o put_v he_o off_o till_o some_o other_o time_n and_o there_o be_v but_o a_o small_a number_n of_o they_o that_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o preach_v to_o they_o this_o proceed_v in_o part_n from_o a_o unblamable_a neglect_n that_o will_v not_o let_v they_o inform_v themselves_o thorough_o about_o what_o st._n paul_n declare_v although_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o athenian_n and_o the_o stranger_n who_o follow_v their_o study_n there_o be_v man_n of_o much_o leisure_n and_o great_a lover_n of_o news_n 21._o ver._n 21._o but_o the_o apostle_n not_o teach_v his_o doctrine_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o philosopher_n they_o be_v wont_a to_o hear_v whether_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o method_n or_o the_o elocution_n they_o be_v out_o of_o conceit_n with_o his_o discourse_n let_v we_o suppose_v with_o they_o that_o the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o s._n paul_n be_v not_o so_o take_v as_o that_o of_o their_o philosopher_n but_o shall_v this_o extinguish_v their_o curiosity_n be_v truth_n always_o necessary_o accompany_v with_o eloquence_n none_o of_o they_o dare_v maintain_v such_o a_o thing_n notwithstanding_o s._n paul_n be_v there_o do_v they_o no_o good_a and_o they_o neglect_v acquaint_v themselves_o with_o his_o doctrine_n which_o be_v infinite_o more_o reasonable_a than_o that_o of_o their_o philosopher_n they_o lose_v a_o world_n of_o time_n in_o the_o study_n of_o very_o ridiculous_a doctrine_n as_o be_v the_o physics_n of_o all_o their_o philosopher_n without_o except_v any_o and_o the_o moral_n of_o the_o great_a part_n