Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	divine_a	ghost_n	holy_a	10,759	5	5.1317	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A66409	The possibility, expediency, and necessity of divine revelation a sermon preached at St. Martins in the Fields, Jan. 7. 1694/5 : at the beginning of the lecture for the ensuing year, founded by the honourable Robert Boyle, Esquire / by John Williams ...	Williams, John, 1636?-1709.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.	1695 (1695)	Wing W2718; ESTC R2129	12,841	37

d_o r._n williams_n first_o sermon_n at_o m_n r._n boyle_n lecture_n 1695._o imprimatur_fw-la jan._n 26._o 1694_o 5_o guil._n lancaster_n the_o remain_a sermon_n for_o this_o year_n will_v be_v preach_v at_o st._n martin_n the_o first_o mondays_n of_o february_n march_n april_n may_n september_n october_n and_o november_n the_o possibility_n expediency_n and_o necessity_n of_o divine_a revelation_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o st._n martin_n in_o the_o field_n jan._n 7._o 1694_o 5._o at_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o lecture_n for_o the_o ensue_a year_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esquire_n by_o john_n williams_z d._n d._n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o ric._n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n and_o tho._n cockerill_n at_o the_o three_o leg_n in_o the_o poultry_n m_o dc_o xc_o v._o to_o the_o most_o reverend_a father_n in_o god_n thomas_n lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n sir_n henry_n ashhurst_n knight_n and_o baronet_n sir_n john_n rotheram_n sergeant_n at_o law_n john_n evelyn_n senior_n esquire_n trustee_n by_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esquire_n most_o honour_a have_v by_o your_o generous_a election_n enter_v this_o year_n upon_o the_o lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n the_o great_a encourager_n of_o piety_n and_o learning_n it_o become_v i_o in_o obedience_n to_o your_o order_n and_o according_a to_o the_o intent_n of_o the_o decease_a to_o present_v you_o with_o the_o first-fruit_n of_o my_o labour_n the_o subject_a i_o treat_v of_o be_v of_o universal_a concernment_n to_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o be_v to_o be_v handle_v with_o reverence_n and_o care_n the_o former_a i_o shall_v all_o along_o keep_v in_o my_o eye_n and_o the_o latter_a i_o shall_v not_o neglect_v as_o far_o as_o in_o i_o lie_v but_o whatever_o defect_n your_o better_a judgement_n shall_v espy_v throughout_o these_o composure_n i_o hope_v the_o same_o goodness_n that_o dispose_v you_o to_o place_v i_o in_o this_o sphere_n will_v incline_v you_o to_o overlook_v and_o to_o accept_v of_o the_o sincere_a endeavour_n of_o most_o honour_a your_o most_o faithful_a and_o humble_a servant_n john_n williams_z heb._n i._n 1_o 2._o god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n speak_v in_o time_n pass_v unto_o the_o father_n by_o the_o prophet_n have_v in_o these_o last_o day_n speak_v unto_o we_o by_o his_o son_n there_o be_v two_o way_n by_o which_o mankind_n may_v attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n namely_o natural_a or_o supernatural_a natural_a be_v what_o we_o have_v spring_v up_o with_o our_o faculty_n or_o what_o we_o attain_v by_o natural_a mean_n by_o sight_n observation_n and_o experience_n by_o tradition_n which_o be_v the_o history_n of_o other_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n and_o last_o by_o reason_n and_o argument_n deduce_v effect_n from_o their_o proper_a cause_n or_o find_v out_o the_o cause_n by_o its_o effect_n as_o for_o instance_n thus_o we_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n by_o observe_v the_o frame_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o series_n order_n and_o course_n of_o thing_n which_o can_v never_o be_v without_o some_o cause_n to_o produce_v they_o and_o that_o cause_v no_o less_o than_o one_o infinite_o powerful_a and_o wise_a thus_o we_o argue_v that_o there_o be_v a_o soul_n in_o man_n distinct_a from_o the_o body_n and_o survive_v a_o separation_n from_o it_o forasmuch_o as_o there_o be_v such_o operation_n as_o be_v not_o competent_a to_o matter_n and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o desire_n of_o immortality_n place_v in_o mankind_n as_o will_v make_v the_o flower_n and_o choice_a part_n of_o the_o visible_a creation_n the_o most_o miserable_a if_o there_o be_v no_o capacity_n in_o the_o soul_n for_o such_o a_o state_n or_o no_o such_o state_n for_o a_o soul_n capable_a of_o it_o such_o inference_n as_o these_o be_v as_o natural_a to_o a_o reasonable_a mind_n as_o those_o observation_n be_v which_o we_o make_v from_o the_o report_n of_o sense_n and_o be_v therefore_o deserve_o account_v branch_n of_o natural_a religion_n now_o this_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n be_v more_o or_o less_o evident_a be_v strong_a or_o weak_a according_a to_o the_o capacity_n and_o disposition_n of_o mankind_n and_o according_a to_o the_o opportunity_n and_o mean_n they_o have_v of_o information_n and_o therefore_o a_o philosopher_n that_o set_v himself_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o mystery_n of_o nature_n and_o to_o observe_v the_o curiosity_n order_n and_o beauty_n of_o its_o fabric_n may_v in_o reason_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v more_o confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o more_o dispose_v to_o serve_v and_o adore_v he_o than_o he_o that_o be_v ignorant_a as_o he_o that_o understand_v paint_v or_o carve_v can_v more_o observe_v and_o applaud_v the_o ingenuity_n and_o skill_n of_o the_o artist_n than_o he_o that_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o it_o but_o after_o all_o so_o much_o be_v the_o subject_a above_o our_o reach_n and_o so_o dark_a and_o intricate_a be_v all_o our_o reason_n upon_o it_o that_o the_o sage_a philosopher_n in_o the_o conclusion_n be_v leave_v as_o unsatisfied_a as_o the_o mean_a peasant_n and_o perhaps_o more_o unsatisfied_a with_o his_o knowledge_n and_o the_o deep_a and_o unfathomable_a abyss_n he_o see_v before_o he_o than_o the_o other_o be_v with_o his_o ignorance_n so_o far_o make_v good_a what_o solomon_n observe_v he_o that_o increase_v knowledge_n increase_v sorrow_n eccles_n 1._o 18._o so_o that_o there_o need_v some_o bright_a light_n than_o that_o of_o nature_n to_o conduct_v we_o to_o happiness_n and_o bring_v we_o to_o a_o complete_a and_o entire_a satisfaction_n and_o that_o be_v a_o supernatural_a knowledge_n a_o knowledge_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v obtain_v by_o the_o way_n aforesaid_a by_o enquiry_n and_o observation_n but_o by_o inspiration_n and_o revelation_n from_o almighty_a god_n and_o this_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o the_o text._n god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n speak_v in_o time_n pass_v by_o the_o prophet_n have_v in_o these_o last_o day_n speak_v unto_o we_o by_o his_o son_n in_o which_o word_n we_o have_v 1._o a_o description_n give_v of_o revelation_n it_o be_v god_n speak_v to_o the_o father_n etc._n etc._n that_o be_v it_o be_v god_n deliver_v his_o mind_n to_o mankind_n by_o person_n choose_v for_o that_o purpose_n and_o peculiar_o fit_v for_o it_o by_o inspiration_n such_o be_v the_o prophet_n in_o time_n past_a and_o the_o son_n in_o the_o last_o day_n 2._o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o declaration_n god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n speak_v etc._n etc._n the_o apostle_n take_v this_o for_o grant_v as_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v and_o so_o need_v no_o far_a confirmation_n so_o it_o be_v in_o time_n past_a when_o god_n speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o last_o day_n in_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_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 say_v our_o apostle_n 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 both_o with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o with_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n chap._n 2._o 3_o 4._o and_o therefore_o as_o moses_n do_v not_o think_v himself_o oblige_v at_o the_o entrance_n into_o his_o divine_a work_n to_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o god_n make_v the_o world_n when_o there_o be_v such_o a_o inbred_a knowledge_n of_o a_o deity_n implant_v in_o human_a nature_n and_o such_o clear_a and_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o it_o throughout_o the_o universe_n but_o suppose_n and_o assert_n it_o in_o the_o beginning_n god_n create_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n etc._n etc._n so_o after_o such_o manifest_a proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o both_o the_o prophetical_a and_o evangelical_n revelation_n the_o apostle_n will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o suppose_v any_o doubt_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o he_o write_v to_o but_o begin_v his_o epistle_n with_o a_o certain_a majesty_n become_v a_o inspire_a author_n god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n etc._n etc._n 3._o the_o order_n observe_v in_o deliver_v that_o revelation_n it_o be_v at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n at_o sundry_a time_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o in_o several_a part_n which_o may_v refer_v either_o to_o the_o several_a age_n and_o period_n viz._n the_o patriarchal_a moysaicall_a and_o prophetical_a or_o to_o the_o several_a manifestation_n of_o divine_a revelation_n through_o those_o age_n and_o period_n from_o the_o first_o embryo_n of_o it_o in_o adam_n to_o the_o close_a of_o it_o in_o john_n the_o baptist_n in_o

state_n who_o because_o that_o when_o they_o know_v god_n they_o glorify_v he_o not_o as_o god_n but_o become_v vain_a in_o their_o imagination_n their_o foolish_a heart_n be_v darken_v rom._n 1._o 21._o of_o which_o darkness_n and_o confusion_n in_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a importance_n the_o world_n the_o commonalty_n as_o well_o as_o the_o philosophical_a part_n of_o mankind_n be_v sensible_a and_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o revelation_n or_o somewhat_o beyond_o nature_n reason_n and_o argumentation_n to_o remove_v these_o difficulty_n to_o inform_v they_o of_o what_o they_o can_v not_o otherwise_o know_v and_o to_o clear_v up_o to_o they_o what_o they_o do_v know_v but_o imperfect_o of_o which_o i_o shall_v offer_v some_o undeniable_a instance_n 1._o they_o universal_o complain_v of_o the_o loss_n they_o be_v at_o and_o of_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o all_o their_o maxim_n and_o principle_n of_o all_o their_o inquiry_n and_o speculation_n to_o give_v they_o any_o tolerable_a satisfaction_n so_o that_o they_o be_v in_o nothing_o more_o divide_v than_o about_o what_o happiness_n be_v as_o st._n austin_n from_o varro_n have_v show_v and_o therefore_o there_o be_v somewhat_o further_o necessary_a to_o satisfy_v they_o or_o else_o they_o must_v for_o ever_o remain_v unsatisfied_a 2._o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o desire_v than_o a_o revelation_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v prone_a to_o hearken_v to_o all_o pretence_n to_o it_o and_o when_o they_o conceive_v or_o be_v make_v to_o believe_v it_o be_v a_o revelation_n they_o be_v in_o nothing_o more_o obsequious_a and_o pliable_a so_o that_o to_o gain_v authority_n to_o his_o law_n and_o to_o keep_v the_o people_n quiet_a and_o orderly_a numa_n pompilius_n do_v then_o as_o mahomet_n of_o latter_a year_n pretend_v he_o have_v all_o by_o revelation_n from_o the_o nymph_n egeria_n and_o of_o such_o authority_n be_v this_o pretence_n that_o as_o tully_n say_v there_o be_v nothing_o so_o absurd_a which_o be_v not_o maintain_v by_o some_o of_o the_o philosopher_n so_o i_o may_v say_v there_o be_v nothing_o so_o foolish_a or_o wicked_a which_o be_v not_o a_o ingredient_n in_o the_o worship_n they_o give_v to_o their_o deity_n insomuch_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n shall_v be_v pervert_v reason_n and_o humanity_n shall_v be_v abandon_v and_o god_n himself_o be_v make_v worse_a than_o those_o that_o worship_v he_o in_o compliance_n with_o their_o pretend_a revelation_n what_o beastiality_n and_o lewdness_n what_o savage_a and_o barbarous_a practice_n and_o rite_n be_v allow_v and_o require_v the_o blood_n of_o captive_n and_o of_o their_o own_o child_n must_v be_v a_o libation_n nay_o even_o suicide_n be_v not_o only_o honourable_a but_o a_o religious_a martyrdom_n if_o the_o oracle_n command_v it_o and_o they_o choose_v rather_o to_o be_v unnatural_a to_o the_o high_a degree_n than_o not_o to_o be_v obedient_a to_o divine_a revelation_n now_o of_o what_o authority_n must_v that_o be_v which_o shall_v over-rule_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o infatuate_a mankind_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o espy_v the_o imposture_n and_o what_o can_v thus_o impose_v upon_o they_o if_o they_o be_v not_o sensible_a of_o the_o imperfect_a state_n they_o be_v in_o and_o the_o need_v they_o stand_v in_o of_o some_o high_a principle_n and_o great_a light_n to_o direct_v they_o than_o that_o of_o nature_n 3._o there_o be_v no_o nation_n without_o a_o revelation_n that_o be_v without_o some_o pretence_n to_o it_o and_o which_o they_o general_o vouch_v for_o their_o rite_n and_o religious_a observance_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o people_n of_o any_o note_n in_o the_o more_o civilise_v part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o have_v not_o their_o sibyl_n such_o as_o be_v account_v to_o be_v the_o mouth_n of_o their_o god_n to_o be_v sure_a none_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o know_a world_n without_o a_o oracle_n that_o they_o repair_v to_o and_o who_o injunction_n they_o ready_o obey_v the_o use_n i_o make_v of_o all_o this_o be_v to_o show_v what_o a_o sense_n mankind_n have_v of_o a_o revelation_n and_o what_o all_o the_o world_n have_v think_v expedient_a if_o not_o necessary_a which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v we_o may_v observe_v i._n what_o a_o happiness_n it_o be_v to_o have_v a_o revelation_n by_o which_o mankind_n be_v bring_v out_o of_o darkness_n into_o a_o marvellous_a light_n and_o from_o a_o endless_a and_o fruitless_a enquiry_n who_o will_v show_v we_o my_o good_a be_v place_v in_o a_o quiet_a and_o full_a possession_n of_o it_o if_o there_o be_v no_o revelation_n we_o be_v as_o it_o be_v with_o ut_fw-la god_n in_o the_o world_n and_o know_v not_o whether_o that_o divine_a power_n be_v our_o friend_n or_o our_o enemy_n or_o whether_o it_o shall_v be_v exert_v to_o our_o good_a or_o our_o ruin_n if_o there_o be_v no_o revelation_n we_o be_v still_o in_o our_o sin_n and_o have_v no_o sanctuary_n against_o the_o accusation_n of_o our_o own_o embitter_v conscience_n the_o fear_n of_o our_o own_o guilty_a mind_n or_o the_o justice_n of_o a_o incense_a deity_n if_o there_o be_v no_o revelation_n we_o have_v no_o hope_n and_o can_v have_v no_o comfort_n in_o our_o death_n and_o no_o assurance_n of_o immortality_n after_o it_o if_o there_o be_v no_o revelation_n we_o be_v in_o a_o perpetual_a maze_n as_o if_o we_o be_v at_o sea_n without_o star_n or_o compass_n and_o know_v not_o what_o course_n to_o take_v to_o gain_v our_o harbour_n so_o thoughtful_a and_o pensive_a so_o confound_v and_o lose_v be_v mankind_n without_o this_o that_o if_o i_o be_v to_o choose_v whether_o i_o will_v have_v no_o revelation_n or_o a_o false_a one_o for_o the_o quiet_a of_o my_o own_o mind_n do_v i_o believe_v the_o false_a one_o to_o be_v true_a i_o will_v rather_o choose_v the_o content_a of_o the_o latter_a than_o the_o distraction_n of_o the_o former_a and_o leave_v it_o to_o my_o own_o reason_n to_o rectify_v the_o manifest_a mistake_n in_o it_o rather_o than_o have_v my_o hover_a reason_n to_o be_v my_o constant_a affliction_n under_o the_o want_n of_o revelation_n but_o bless_v be_v god_n that_o there_o be_v no_o cause_n for_o such_o a_o supposition_n and_o that_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o revelation_n a_o revelation_n that_o be_v such_o as_o all_o mankind_n will_v desire_v that_o touch_v upon_o all_o point_v necessary_a to_o our_o comfort_n and_o entire_a satisfaction_n as_o to_o the_o nature_n and_o will_n of_o god_n the_o present_a and_o future_a state_n of_o mankind_n the_o providence_n that_o govern_v this_o world_n and_o the_o reward_n of_o another_o a_o revelation_n where_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o agree_v together_o and_o bear_v a_o conformity_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n to_o the_o holiness_n justice_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n where_o there_o be_v a_o system_fw-la of_o the_o best_a principle_n and_o a_o scheme_n of_o the_o best_a rule_n and_o direction_n and_o which_o like_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n the_o more_o it_o be_v view_v and_o consult_v the_o more_o do_v the_o lively_a character_n of_o a_o divine_a hand_n and_o wisdom_n appear_v in_o the_o composure_n a_o character_n this_o be_v that_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n exact_o answer_v for_o what_o holy_a precept_n what_o heavenly_a promise_n what_o useful_a example_n what_o excellent_a encouragement_n do_v the_o sacred_a page_n abound_v in_o such_o as_o be_v sufficient_a to_o direct_v we_o in_o every_o point_n of_o our_o duty_n to_o inform_v we_o in_o every_o necessary_a truth_n to_o establish_v our_o heart_n in_o every_o condition_n of_o life_n to_o enable_v we_o to_o encounter_v all_o the_o difficulty_n of_o it_o with_o resolution_n and_o to_o bear_v all_o the_o evil_a of_o it_o with_o patience_n here_o behold_v god_n reconcile_v to_o mankind_n the_o tremble_a sinner_n pardon_v the_o weak_a sustain_v the_o doubtful_a satisfy_v and_o nothing_o want_v on_o god_n part_n to_o make_v we_o happy_a if_o we_o be_v not_o want_v in_o a_o fit_a disposition_n of_o mind_n to_o receive_v it_o so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o revelation_n it_o be_v the_o christian_n if_o that_o be_v not_o a_o revelation_n from_o god_n there_o be_v no_o revelation_n in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o that_o be_v a_o revelation_n that_o only_o be_v so_o and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o ii_o such_o as_o the_o revelation_n be_v such_o be_v the_o obligation_n the_o authority_n it_o receive_v from_o god_n the_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o we_o to_o obey_v as_o well_o as_o believe_v it_o the_o time_n of_o ignorance_n god_n wink_v at_o and_o overlook_v but_o now_o he_o command_v all_o man_n every_o where_o to_o repent_v act_v 17._o 30_o he_o have_v command_v they_o by_o a_o revelation_n which_o be_v of_o universal_a concernment_n and_o extend_v its_o authority_n over_o the_o world_n so_o that_o a_o bad_a man_n be_v no_o better_a or_o safe_a for_o a_o revelation_n how_o perfect_a soever_o it_o be_v and_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o advantage_n of_o it_o be_v than_o he_o that_o be_v without_o revelation_n nay_o so_o much_o the_o worse_o as_o the_o latter_a be_v a_o state_n of_o unbelief_n the_o former_a of_o disobedience_n this_o err_v without_o his_o will_n but_o the_o other_o with_o it_o and_o therefore_o if_o the_o heathen_n who_o have_v only_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n to_o read_v and_o a_o blunder_a reason_n for_o their_o guide_n be_v yet_o so_o far_o inexcusable_a because_o that_o when_o they_o know_v god_n they_o glorify_v he_o not_o as_o god_n rom._n 2._o 21._o how_o shall_v we_o escape_v if_o we_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n which_o at_o the_o first_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v confirm_v by_o those_o that_o hear_v he_o god_n also_o bear_v they_o witness_n etc._n etc._n heb._n 2._o 3_o 4._o what_o remain_v then_o but_o since_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v appear_v unto_o all_o man_n that_o we_o be_v thereby_o teach_v to_o deny_v ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n and_o to_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_o in_o this_o present_a world_n and_o then_o we_o may_v comfortable_o look_v for_o that_o bless_a hope_n and_o the_o glorious_a appear_v of_o the_o great_a god_n and_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n who_o give_v himself_o for_o we_o that_o he_o may_v redeem_v we_o from_o all_o iniquity_n and_o purify_v unto_o himself_o a_o peculiar_a people_n zealous_a of_o good_a work_n tit._n 2._o 11._o finis_fw-la book_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n and_o thomas_n cockerill_n rvshworth_n historical_a collection_n the_o three_o part_n in_o two_o volume_n contain_v the_o principal_a matter_n which_o happen_v from_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o parliament_n november_n 3_o 1640._o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o year_n 164●_n wherein_o be_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o rise_n and_o progress_n of_o the_o civil_a war_n to_o that_o period_n fol._n 1692._o dr._n john_n conant_n sermon_n octavo_fw-la publish_a by_o dr._n williams_n