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	person_n	son_n	20,479	5	6.2429	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61275	The perfection of Scripture stated, and its sufficiency argued in a sermon preached at the publick commencement at Cambridge, Sunday July iv, 1697 / by George Stanhope ...	Stanhope, George, 1660-1728.	1697 (1697)	Wing S5226; ESTC R16475	18,590	36

while_o they_o continue_v the_o dark_a controversy_n in_o all_o religion_n we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v blame_v for_o not_o admit_v they_o into_o competition_n and_o shall_v do_v better_a to_o suspect_v these_o pretence_n of_o vanity_n and_o enthusiasm_n and_o project_n than_o by_o admit_v they_o to_o draw_v such_o a_o meaning_n upon_o the_o word_n of_o this_o text_n as_o may_v easy_o be_v show_v to_o introduce_v a_o inspire_a apostle_n talk_v neither_o good_a argument_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o coherent_a and_o common_a sense_n the_o sum_n then_o of_o my_o second_o head_n be_v this_o that_o according_a to_o all_o we_o can_v reasonable_o conceive_v of_o god_n he_o must_v needs_o have_v make_v some_o competent_a provision_n for_o man_n understanding_n their_o duty_n they_o can_v escape_v eternal_a ruin_n without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o this_o knowledge_n in_o the_o point_n peculiarly_a christian_n can_v come_v to_o they_o by_o divine_a revelation_n only_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o god_n have_v signalise_v and_o distinguish_v any_o method_n or_o rule_n of_o this_o kind_n in_o so_o eminent_a a_o manner_n as_o he_o have_v do_v the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v and_o to_o respect_v the_o scripture_n as_o that_o competent_a provision_n and_o now_o have_v go_v through_o such_o general_a argument_n as_o seem_v most_o necessary_a i_o come_v to_o the_o three_o and_o last_o thing_n which_o be_v iii_o to_o show_n in_o particular_a as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v how_o the_o scripture_n answer_v this_o character_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o several_a instance_n of_o their_o usefulness_n mention_v in_o the_o text._n 1._o first_o st._n paul_n say_v the_o scripture_n be_v profitable_a for_o doctrine_n by_o which_o be_v common_o understand_v a_o declaration_n of_o such_o truth_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o be_v requisite_a in_o this_o point_n consistt_v of_o a_o right_a information_n concern_v god_n and_o ourselves_o what_o he_o be_v and_o what_o we_o be_v and_o hope_v to_o be_v what_o he_o have_v do_v for_o our_o sake_n and_o how_o we_o may_v reap_v the_o benefit_n of_o it_o in_o our_o own_o person_n and_o become_v acceptable_a in_o his_o sight_n and_o of_o this_o the_o scripture_n give_v a_o large_a and_o clear_a account_n it_o trace_n we_o up_o to_o our_o first_o head_n point_n to_o the_o rock_n whence_o we_o be_v hew_v describe_v our_o happy_a and_o our_o healthful_a state_n tell_v when_o and_o how_o our_o innocence_n be_v lose_v and_o set_v forth_o both_o the_o sickness_n and_o the_o cure_n it_o present_v we_o with_o the_o leisurely_o advances_n towards_o it_o the_o personal_a revelation_n to_o the_o patriarch_n the_o rite_n and_o figure_n of_o moses_n law_n the_o clear_a prediction_n and_o more_o refine_a precept_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o these_o accommodate_v to_o the_o several_a stage_n of_o the_o world_n and_o temper_v all_o in_o such_o proportion_n as_o the_o body_n disease_v gather_v strength_n to_o digest_v they_o at_o last_o when_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n be_v come_v and_o matter_n ripe_a for_o the_o last_o and_o most_o perfect_a revelation_n it_o show_v we_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o in_o he_o all_o those_o shadow_n and_o rough_a imperfect_a stroke_n finish_v and_o fill_v up_o all_o those_o prophecy_n centre_v together_o with_o marvellous_a harmony_n and_o consent_n to_o these_o i_o may_v add_v the_o significant_a providence_n of_o god_n to_o his_o people_n the_o jew_n whereby_o st._n paul_n say_v they_o become_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pattern_n and_o image_n of_o the_o christian_a age_n no_o less_o than_o in_o their_o law_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n i_o may_v observe_v the_o mighty_a care_n and_o art_n of_o fill_v every_o book_n with_o signification_n of_o the_o messiah_n his_o character_n and_o his_o approach_n sometime_o by_o prophecy_n aim_v direct_o at_o he_o sometime_o by_o mix_v and_o more_o obscure_a intimation_n and_o those_o break_n out_o of_o the_o spirit_n from_o other_o subject_n and_o person_n into_o expression_n too_o lofty_a and_o magnificent_a to_o be_v literal_o and_o strict_o true_a of_o any_o but_o of_o he_o but_o which_o come_v near_a home_n here_o we_o have_v our_o soul_n raise_v to_o high_a and_o just_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o goodness_n we_o be_v teach_v to_o worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n a_o service_n most_o suitable_a to_o the_o majesty_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o the_o dignity_n of_o our_o own_o we_o see_v the_o adorable_a mystery_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o flesh_n and_o a_o human_a body_n exalt_v to_o the_o right-hand_n of_o the_o majesty_n on_o high_a a_o person_n true_o divine_a converse_v with_o man_n court_v they_o to_o their_o happiness_n press_v importune_v nay_o which_o be_v most_o of_o all_o die_v for_o they_o that_o they_o may_v live_v for_o ever_o and_o whatever_o mysterious_a and_o intricate_a passage_n the_o scripture_n may_v contain_v for_o the_o exercise_n shall_v i_o say_v or_o for_o the_o humiliation_n of_o man_n wise_a in_o their_o own_o conceit_n yet_o these_o matter_n which_o make_v the_o historical_a account_n of_o our_o redemption_n be_v relate_v in_o circumstance_n so_o natural_a and_o yet_o so_o move_v in_o language_n so_o easy_a and_o so_o expressive_a too_o that_o the_o most_o scrupulous_a if_o a_o fair_a and_o honest_a reader_n may_v be_v settle_v and_o convince_v and_o the_o plain_a and_o gross_a understanding_n may_v be_v enlighten_v and_o edify_v by_o they_o for_o whatever_o darkness_n and_o mist_n may_v now_o obscure_v these_o save_a truth_n it_o be_v not_o from_o themselves_o or_o their_o original_a ambiguity_n so_o much_o as_o from_o the_o study_a nicety_n of_o subtle_a and_o design_v man_n who_o under_o pretence_n of_o distinguish_v and_o explain_v have_v rather_o confound_v and_o render_v they_o unintelligible_a and_o many_o time_n distinguish_v away_o even_a truth_n and_o piety_n itself_o but_o bless_a be_v god_n we_o be_v not_o utter_o at_o these_o man_n mercy_n for_o to_o our_o comfort_n the_o apostle_n observe_v 2._o second_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v likewise_o profitable_a for_o reproof_n by_o which_o be_v common_o understand_v the_o confute_v of_o error_n and_o corrupt_a opinion_n which_o oppose_v or_o impair_v the_o truth_n xl._n truth_n isai_n viij_o 20._o matt._n xxii_o 29._o mar._n twelve_o 24._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d seu_fw-la ut_fw-la alii_fw-la legunt_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrysost_n in_o johan_n hom._n xl._n thus_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n be_v the_o touch_n and_o trial_n to_o which_o all_o new_a pretender_n be_v to_o be_v bring_v thus_o our_o saviour_n express_o attribute_n the_o sadducee_n error_n concern_v the_o resurrection_n and_o a_o future_a state_n to_z their_z not_o know_v the_o scripture_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_v the_o apostle_n here_o send_v timothy_n to_o the_o scripture_n as_o a_o defence_n against_o those_o corrupt_a and_o perilous_a time_n foretell_v in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o chapter_n the_o earnest_a exhortation_n of_o all_o the_o primitive_a father_n to_o be_v much_o conversant_a in_o these_o holy_a book_n their_o place_v all_o the_o mischief_n of_o their_o division_n to_o the_o account_n of_o neglect_v so_o to_o do_v the_o set_v the_o two_o testament_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o pure_a council_n as_o a_o common_a umpire_n between_o all_o contend_a party_n and_o infinite_a testimony_n and_o commendation_n to_o this_o purpose_n show_v most_o evident_o that_o the_o write_a word_n be_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o standard_n of_o doctrine_n and_o faith_n that_o to_o which_o all_o aught_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o submit_v to_o and_o be_v final_o conclude_v by_o traditionary_a article_n and_o infalible_a interpreter_n have_v then_o no_o place_n nor_o be_v it_o requisite_a they_o ever_o shall_v for_o though_o st._n peter_n say_v some_o scripture_n be_v wrest_v to_o man_n own_o destruction_n yet_o he_o acquaint_v we_o withal_o how_o they_o come_v to_o be_v so_o they_o be_v he_o say_v the_o unlearned_a and_o unstable_a that_o do_v it_o man_n not_o well_o principled_a and_o of_o a_o restless_a temper_n and_o if_o people_n will_v come_v to_o this_o rule_n with_o perverse_a unquiet_a mind_n with_o a_o spirit_n of_o frowardness_n and_o cavil_v and_o contention_n they_o may_v no_o doubt_n confound_v the_o clear_a thing_n beside_o which_o make_v the_o objection_n much_o less_o formidable_a st._n peter_n say_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d passage_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v be_v principal_o concern_v in_o this_o rack_a of_o the_o sense_n and_o so_o long_o as_o captious_a wit_n exercise_v upon_o these_o only_a the_o consequence_n be_v not_o so_o very_o

of_o human_a life_n be_v infinite_a and_o depend_v upon_o a_o multitude_n of_o accident_n not_o to_o be_v foresee_v and_o consequent_o not_o to_o be_v provide_v against_o hence_o law_n must_v run_v in_o general_a term_n and_o sometime_o the_o intent_n of_o the_o law_n be_v best_a fulfil_v by_o go_v counter_a to_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o in_o all_o such_o case_n therefore_o reason_n and_o honesty_n must_v guide_v we_o to_o the_o fitness_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o great_a scope_n be_v necessary_o leave_v to_o equity_n and_o discretion_n i_o allow_v indeed_o that_o god_n who_o have_v content_v himself_o with_o general_a rule_n can_v have_v describe_v all_o the_o accident_n and_o circumstance_n which_o he_o can_v but_o foresee_v and_o know_v exact_o but_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o he_o shall_v and_o a_o great_a deal_n why_o he_o shall_v not_o it_o be_v much_o better_a that_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o to_o draw_v general_a rule_n into_o particular_a practice_n and_o put_v we_o upon_o the_o trial_n of_o do_v this_o fair_o of_o discharge_v a_o good_a conscience_n in_o positive_a obedience_n where_o he_o have_v determine_v thing_n to_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a and_o of_o follow_v the_o measure_n of_o integrity_n and_o expediency_n where_o he_o have_v leave_v they_o indifferent_a and_o at_o large_a the_o sum_n then_o of_o this_o first_o head_n may_v be_v easy_o draw_v together_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o these_o few_o short_a conclusion_n 1._o first_o as_o to_o the_o mystery_n and_o doctrine_n peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a faith_n such_o as_o the_o incarnation_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n the_o justification_n of_o sinner_n by_o faith_n the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n the_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o the_o divine_a essence_n which_o i_o make_v no_o scruple_n to_o call_v a_o necessary_a and_o distinguish_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o these_o the_o scripture_n be_v our_o absolute_a and_o only_a rule_n for_o they_o be_v branch_n of_o a_o new_a covenant_n revelation_n of_o stupendous_a and_o important_a concern_v set_v forth_o free_a act_n of_o mercy_n such_o as_o depend_v upon_o no_o necessary_a cause_n in_o nature_n such_o as_o concern_v not_o man_n in_o his_o primitive_a state_n and_o therefore_o not_o within_o the_o ken_n of_o reason_n these_o can_v come_v only_o from_o god_n and_o upon_o he_o we_o be_v therefore_o to_o depend_v entire_o for_o they_o so_o that_o when_o there_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o have_v deliver_v any_o matter_n of_o this_o kind_n all_o the_o rest_n be_v to_o be_v take_v upon_o content_a and_o his_o truth_n and_o infinite_a wisdom_n be_v a_o just_a foundation_n of_o our_o belief_n how_o far_o soever_o the_o matter_n reveal_v may_v exceed_v our_o comprehension_n 2._o second_o in_o matter_n of_o practice_n the_o scripture_n be_v our_o supreme_a though_o not_o our_o only_a rule_n those_o thing_n which_o reason_n and_o nature_n teach_v this_o enlarge_n and_o refine_v upon_o and_o oftentimes_o confirm_v with_o a_o fresh_a sanction_n it_o exalt_v our_o virtue_n and_o direct_v we_o to_o proceed_v upon_o noble_a principle_n teach_v some_o duty_n not_o to_o be_v know_v without_o it_o give_v clear_a conviction_n of_o such_o as_o be_v know_v imperfect_o lead_v we_o to_o end_n above_o nature_n furnish_v mean_n above_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n propose_v reward_n heavenly_a and_o divine_a and_o help_v we_o to_o do_v more_o than_o mere_a man_n by_o their_o own_o discourse_n can_v ever_o have_v do_v so_o that_o revelation_n do_v not_o quench_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n but_o add_v fresh_a oil_n and_o make_v it_o burn_v the_o bright_a and_o by_o be_v more_o perfect_a help_v our_o dimness_n and_o dark_a sight_n and_o take_v place_n above_o all_o other_o authority_n it_o be_v proper_o style_v by_o david_n a_o candle_n to_o our_o foot_n and_o a_o lantern_n to_o our_o path_n psal_n cxix_o 105._o so_o that_o whatever_o this_o word_n teach_v which_o we_o may_v otherwise_o have_v know_v have_v a_o double_a tie_n upon_o we_o and_o that_o which_o either_o want_n of_o understanding_n or_o corruption_n of_o mind_n will_v have_v keep_v we_o in_o ignorance_n of_o when_o find_v here_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v with_o submission_n and_o reverence_n as_o a_o inviolable_a law_n whatever_o flesh_n and_o sense_n and_o worldly_a wisdom_n may_v suggest_v or_o object_v to_o the_o contrary_n 3._o three_o the_o perfection_n of_o scripture_n do_v not_o confine_v itself_o to_o such_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o it_o be_v liberal_a and_o well_o fraught_v with_o excellent_a rule_n both_o for_o improve_n our_o knowledge_n and_o adorn_v our_o profession_n it_o consult_v the_o beauty_n and_o gracefulness_n as_o well_o as_o the_o life_n and_o be_v of_o christianity_n it_o direct_v the_o shine_a of_o our_o light_n and_o the_o win_n over_o other_o by_o our_o prudence_n and_o good_a example_n and_o leave_v we_o general_a hint_n the_o efficacy_n of_o which_o will_v depend_v upon_o the_o honesty_n and_o discretion_n of_o particular_a application_n to_o our_o own_o personal_a exigency_n and_o condition_n 4._o but_o four_o there_o be_v many_o case_n where_o scripture_n can_v have_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o do_v except_o by_o very_o remote_a consequence_n and_o so_o far_o only_o as_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o forego_n particular_a ten_o thousand_o action_n of_o humane_a life_n there_o be_v so_o trivial_a as_o scare_v to_o deserve_v the_o deliberation_n of_o a_o single_a thought_n and_o to_o expect_v law_n and_o decision_n from_o almighty_a god_n in_o thing_n of_o no_o importance_n or_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a be_v to_o bring_v his_o majesty_n into_o contempt_n and_o therefore_o here_o discretion_n be_v our_o only_a guide_n in_o short_a and_o to_o conclude_v this_o argument_n the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v esteem_v sufficient_a and_o perfect_a but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o have_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o mean_n to_o the_o end_n and_o what_o may_v serve_v the_o purpose_n to_o which_o it_o be_v ordain_v the_o perfection_n be_v that_o of_o a_o instrument_n but_o then_o this_o like_o all_o other_o instrument_n require_v a_o honest_a skilful_a and_o diligent_a hand_n to_o manage_v and_o apply_v it_o successful_o and_o it_o be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o the_o scripture_n character_n that_o some_o by_o neglect_v and_o other_o by_o abuse_v it_o still_o want_v that_o save_v wisdom_n it_o may_v give_v nor_o do_v it_o at_o all_o take_v off_o from_o the_o perfection_n of_o this_o rule_n that_o some_o case_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o obvious_a as_o not_o to_o need_v its_o particular_a direction_n and_o that_o other_o be_v of_o so_o little_a moment_n as_o not_o to_o deserve_v they_o ii_o second_o the_o way_n be_v thus_o make_v plain_a by_o right_o state_v the_o perfection_n of_o scripture_n let_v we_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o our_o business_n which_o be_v to_o instance_n in_o some_o general_a argument_n which_o the_o protestant_a opinion_n of_o the_o scripture_n sufficiency_n may_v very_o reasonable_o allege_v for_o its_o self_n now_o in_o order_n to_o make_v scripture_n a_o competent_a guide_n in_o the_o case_n that_o proper_o concern_v it_o two_o thing_n only_o be_v neeessary_a that_o it_o be_v sufficient_o particular_a and_o express_a and_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a that_o as_o much_o be_v deliver_v there_o as_o the_o occasion_n require_v and_o that_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o that_o man_n may_v improve_v by_o it_o and_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o both_o which_o to_o any_o man_n who_o consider_v the_o uses_n of_o scripture_n appear_v to_o be_v so_o necessary_o require_v and_o so_o great_o relate_v to_o that_o the_o same_o general_a argument_n will_v prove_v both_o and_o these_o that_o follow_v if_o i_o mistake_v not_o may_v contribute_v something_o towards_o it_o first_o a_o consideration_n of_o the_o author_n every_o imperfection_n in_o the_o effect_n be_v owe_v to_o some_o failure_n in_o the_o cause_n a_o want_n of_o power_n if_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a cause_n or_o a_o want_n of_o will_n if_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a and_o free_a cause_n there_o be_v therefore_o excellent_a reason_n why_o st._n paul_n shall_v begin_v his_o character_n of_o the_o scripture_n perfection_n with_o a_o account_n of_o its_o be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n this_o introduction_n carry_v in_o it_o a_o very_a significant_a argument_n to_o enforce_v what_o follow_v for_o where_o indeed_o shall_v we_o expect_v perfection_n if_o not_o from_o he_o who_o be_v the_o source_n and_o sum_n of_o all_o perfection_n he_o who_o power_n and_o wisdom_n be_v infinite_a be_v most_o likely_a to_o impress_v upon_o his_o own_o ordinance_n such_o