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	union_n	unite_v	3,428	5	9.3828	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60331	Christian practice described by way of essay upon the life of our Saviour by Stephen Skynner ...	Skynner, Stephen.	1693 (1693)	Wing S3946; ESTC R1647	46,475	162

the_o different_a temper_n betwixt_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n for_o john_n the_o baptist_n be_v the_o last_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a law_n in_o who_o god_n will_v show_v we_o the_o severity_n of_o those_o precept_n which_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o hold_v the_o jew_n under_o but_o which_o he_o be_v please_v now_o to_o hold_v his_o church_n no_o long_o to_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o son_n who_o way_n of_o life_n therefore_o be_v a_o perfect_a reverse_n to_o that_o of_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o indeed_o such_o austerity_n as_o these_o when_o man_n take_v they_o upon_o themselves_o of_o their_o own_o head_n or_o when_o they_o pretend_v to_o impose_v they_o upon_o other_o be_v no_o other_o than_o such_o observance_n as_o our_o saviour_n point_v at_o when_o he_o tell_v the_o pharisee_n 15.9_o mat._n 15.9_o that_o in_o vain_a they_o worship_v god_n teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n the_o pharisee_n pretend_v no_o ground_n for_o they_o in_o their_o law_n no_o more_o than_o the_o papist_n can_v well_o do_v in_o we_o and_o though_o in_o charity_n therefore_o we_o condemn_v they_o not_o for_o such_o extravagant_a will-worship_n as_o this_o yet_o we_o rather_o pity_v than_o commend_v they_o such_o be_v our_o saviour_n life_n and_o doctrine_n in_o respect_n of_o ceremony_n 9_o consider_v our_o saviour_n life_n in_o respect_n of_o piety_n towards_o god_n and_o you_o will_v find_v as_o little_a of_o enthusiasm_n in_o it_o in_o that_o as_o of_o scrupulousness_n or_o superstition_n in_o the_o other_o respect_n faith_n be_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o piety_n and_o this_o be_v a_o duty_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a nature_n in_o one_o respect_n as_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n depend_v upon_o it_o though_o in_o this_o respect_n our_o saviour_n faith_n be_v not_o enthusiastic_a for_o our_o saviour_n real_o show_v the_o just_a pretence_n he_o make_v to_o a_o extraordinary_a faith_n by_o the_o mighty_a work_n he_o do_v whereas_o the_o faith_n of_o enthusiast_n produce_v nothing_o above_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o neither_o be_v our_o saviour_n faith_n attend_v with_o those_o violent_a perturbation_n of_o mind_n and_o body_n which_o enthusiast_n be_v ever_o possess_v with_o in_o their_o pretension_n to_o revelation_n and_o prophecy_n but_o as_o faith_n be_v a_o ordinary_a duty_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v only_o a_o firm_a belief_n in_o and_o reliance_n upon_o the_o promise_n and_o declaration_n of_o god_n whether_o with_o respect_n to_o spiritual_a or_o temporal_a concern_v as_o to_o both_o which_o there_o be_v nothing_o our_o saviour_n recommend_v but_o what_o every_o wise_a and_o sober_a man_n both_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o subscribe_v to_o as_o to_o spiritual_a conceern_n the_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v to_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v reward_v such_o in_o another_o life_n who_o diligent_o seek_v he_o in_o this_o and_o what_o be_v there_o in_o that_o more_o than_o what_o the_o most_o barbarous_a nation_n have_v ever_o consent_v in_o and_o which_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o dishonourable_a to_o our_o nature_n than_o to_o deny_v if_o we_o be_v bind_v also_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n propose_v the_o safe_a and_o best_a way_n of_o seek_v god_n and_o so_o of_o obtain_v a_o future_a reward_n i_o suppose_v no_o one_o that_o call_v himself_o a_o christian_n will_v think_v much_o of_o have_v that_o add_v to_o his_o creed_n nay_o and_o consider_v the_o excellency_n of_o that_o testimony_n with_o which_o the_o gospel_n be_v confirm_v if_o christian_n be_v also_o require_v to_o give_v their_o consent_n to_o some_o truth_n therein_o reveal_v which_o be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o humane_a reason_n to_o comprehend_v i_o think_v no_o man_n in_o common_a modesty_n can_v object_v against_o this_o especial_o whilst_o he_o consider_v withal_o the_o vast_a disproportion_n betwixt_o god_n and_o we_o together_o with_o the_o weakness_n of_o humane_a faculty_n in_o discern_v the_o nature_n cand_n ause_v even_o of_o the_o most_o common_a accident_n here_o below_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o nature_n which_o we_o believe_v though_o we_o see_v they_o not_o and_o though_o they_o seem_v somewhat_o contrary_a to_o reason_n such_o be_v the_o earth_n hang_v upon_o nothing_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o air_n which_o we_o have_v nothing_o but_o the_o power_n of_o a_o almighty_a architect_n to_o fly_v to_o for_o the_o solution_n of_o but_o sure_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o deny_v that_o faith_n to_o supernatural_a which_o we_o give_v to_o natural_a thing_n as_o to_o temporal_a concern_v the_o sum_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v that_o god_n govern_v the_o world_n with_o the_o great_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o so_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o rely_v upon_o his_o providence_n in_o the_o use_n of_o lawful_a mean_n without_o anxious_a fear_n or_o trouble_n and_o this_o be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o natural_a principle_n and_o such_o as_o be_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o happiness_n in_o this_o life_n he_o that_o believe_v this_o hearty_o be_v at_o peace_n with_o himself_o in_o every_o condition_n and_o the_o same_o peace_n which_o he_o bring_v to_o himself_o by_o it_o he_o suffer_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n to_o enjoy_v whilst_o some_o whine_a hypocrite_n that_o talk_v of_o nothing_o more_o than_o faith_n and_o practice_v nothing_o less_o than_o what_o faith_n direct_v be_v a_o continual_a plague_n to_o themselves_o and_o all_o about_o they_o by_o needless_a complaint_n and_o jealousy_n it_o be_v a_o noble_a strain_n of_o philosophy_n that_o our_o saviour_n express_v himself_o in_o about_o that_o undisturbed_a content_n which_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o quiet_v his_o soul_n with_o in_o consideration_n of_o god_n providence_n 6.34_o mat._n 6.34_o take_v no_o thought_n for_o the_o morrow_n but_o let_v the_o morrow_n take_v think_v for_o itself_o sufficient_a for_o the_o day_n be_v the_o evil_a thereof_o 10._o i_o ove_fw-la of_o god_n be_v the_o most_o genuine_a effect_n of_o true_a faith_n and_o the_o love_n of_o the_o eternal_a beget_v son_n towards_o his_o father_n we_o may_v well_o think_v be_v so_o great_a as_o to_o leave_v infinite_o behind_o it_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n yet_o do_v we_o see_v little_a of_o those_o transport_v of_o passion_n in_o his_o love_n which_o mystical_a people_n talk_v so_o much_o of_o and_o which_o make_v the_o love_n of_o god_n a_o duty_n no_o less_o difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v than_o practise_v he_o tell_v we_o indeed_o in_o one_o place_n 14.11_o john_n 10.30_o john_n 14.11_o that_o he_o and_o the_o father_n be_v one_o and_o in_o another_o that_o the_o father_n be_v in_o he_o and_o he_o in_o the_o father_n but_o such_o place_n relate_v to_o his_o hypostatical_a union_n with_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o it_o be_v blasphemy_n for_o any_o to_o pretend_v to_o beside_o himself_o and_o there_o be_v little_a ground_n therefore_o from_o hence_o for_o those_o extravagant_a expression_n which_o contemplative_a rhapsodists_n love_v to_o speak_v in_o of_o be_v unite_v by_o love_n to_o the_o divine_a essence_n and_o be_v transfuse_v into_o god_n when_o christ_n speak_v of_o love_n as_o a_o duty_n incumbent_n on_o we_o we_o have_v no_o such_o expression_n as_o these_o and_o to_o love_n god_n then_o be_v no_o more_o than_o to_o keep_v his_o commandment_n out_o of_o a_o principle_n of_o duty_n and_o choice_n 14.21_o john_n 14.21_o as_o we_o count_v he_o a_o be_v high_o worthy_a to_o be_v serve_v by_o we_o before_o all_o thing_n and_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o strain_v our_o faculty_n to_o such_o romantic_a height_n as_o the_o people_n i_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o talk_n of_o to_o do_v this_o for_o though_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o that_o we_o must_v love_v the_o lord_n our_o god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n 12.30_o mark_v 12.30_o and_o all_o our_o soul_n and_o all_o our_o mind_n and_o all_o our_o strength_n what_o be_v this_o more_o than_o to_o express_v our_o love_n towards_o he_o in_o obey_v his_o command_n with_o readiness_n and_o sincerity_n as_o we_o usual_o mean_v in_o common_a speech_n when_o we_o cry_v we_o will_v do_v such_o a_o thing_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n that_o we_o be_v dispose_v with_o willingness_n and_o affection_n to_o do_v it_o there_o be_v no_o notion_n of_o divine_a love_n more_o sublime_a than_o those_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o plato_n and_o his_o heathen_a follower_n from_o who_o it_o be_v plain_a our_o mystical_a divinity_n take_v its_o rise_n but_o such_o aught_o to_o have_v strong_a head_n that_o soar_v aloft_o as_o they_o do_v and_o if_o vulgar_a soul_n be_v bind_v to_o aim_v at_o such_o contemplative_a perfection_n as_o these_o talk_n of_o we_o shall_v want_v more_o bedlam_n than_o church_n nor_o

can_v i_o think_v that_o to_o be_v a_o perfection_n in_o religion_n which_o none_o but_o philosopher_n and_o man_n that_o lead_v the_o life_n of_o such_o i_o mean_v sedentary_a contemplative_a life_n be_v capable_a of_o arrive_v at_o as_o if_o god_n have_v not_o the_o same_o regard_n to_o a_o poor_a labour_a man_n that_o study_v diligent_o to_o serve_v he_o in_o a_o plain_a well_o mean_v way_n as_o to_o the_o most_o speculative_a person_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v the_o meek_a and_o humble_a soul_n that_o christ_n delight_v most_o in_o and_o it_o be_v well_o therefore_o if_o these_o high_a notion_n do_v not_o puff_v man_n mind_n up_o with_o too_o much_o spiritual_a pride_n to_o make_v they_o deserve_v the_o character_n of_o such_o person_n 11._o i_o never_o meet_v any_o people_n in_o my_o life_n that_o be_v more_o unwilling_a to_o leave_v the_o world_n than_o those_o who_o make_v a_o long_a desire_n of_o enjoy_v god_n in_o heaven_n to_o be_v a_o necessary_a part_n of_o our_o love_n towards_o he_o you_o shall_v find_v these_o cling_v as_o close_o to_o the_o earth_n as_o other_o people_n when_o death_n give_v they_o warning_n to_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o part_v with_o it_o they_o be_v as_o peevish_a as_o other_o and_o inquisitive_a after_o remedy_n and_o desirous_a to_o be_v flatter_v into_o good_a hope_n of_o do_v well_o again_o which_o be_v certain_o no_o sign_n of_o any_o extraordinary_a forwardness_n to_o go_v to_o their_o long_a home_n nor_o can_v i_o see_v ground_n of_o condemn_v man_n of_o this_o as_o long_o as_o we_o find_v our_o saviour_n himself_o sympathize_v with_o humane_a nature_n in_o it_o be_v there_o any_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o instance_n to_o prove_v our_o love_n towards_o god_n to_o be_v sincere_a we_o may_v just_o have_v expect_v from_o christ_n a_o desire_n of_o leave_v this_o world_n and_o be_v unite_v to_o god_n upon_o any_o term_n for_o what_o be_v the_o suffering_n he_o be_v to_o endure_v compare_v with_o the_o joy_n that_o be_v set_v before_o he_o but_o our_o saviour_n desire_v not_o to_o make_v himself_o a_o example_n of_o such_o height_n of_o love_n which_o though_o visible_a in_o some_o prophet_n and_o divine_o inspire_a person_n from_o their_o intimate_a converse_n with_o god_n as_o well_o as_o in_o some_o saint_n and_o martyr_n immediate_o before_o their_o death_n for_o confirmation_n of_o they_o and_o other_o people_n faith_n yet_o in_o the_o ordinary_a dispensation_n of_o grace_n be_v little_o less_o than_o impracticable_a and_o therefore_o when_o the_o cup_n of_o his_o passion_n be_v present_v to_o he_o 26.39_o mat._n 26.39_o he_o shrink_v back_o from_o it_o in_o a_o natural_a abhorrence_n and_o he_o choose_v rather_o to_o receive_v the_o irrevocable_a sentence_n with_o a_o act_n of_o bare_a submission_n to_o god_n will_n father_n not_o as_o i_o will_v but_o as_o thou_o will_v than_o any_o rapturous_a expression_n of_o long_v after_o god_n the_o same_o which_o be_v observable_a in_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o his_o death_n but_o if_o christ_n behave_v himself_o at_o this_o rate_n who_o faith_n be_v so_o strong_a and_o consequent_o his_o love_n of_o god_n so_o ardent_a what_o more_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o we_o weak_a creature_n indeed_o the_o glass_n we_o see_v through_o here_o be_v so_o dark_a as_o to_o heavenly_a thing_n compare_v with_o that_o which_o present_v earthly_a object_n to_o we_o that_o if_o our_o bodily_a welfare_n affect_v we_o more_o than_o the_o hope_n of_o future_a happiness_n it_o may_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n be_v excuse_v by_o the_o different_a force_n of_o the_o object_n strike_v upon_o our_o faculty_n and_o therefore_o it_o require_v all_o the_o argument_n and_o exhortation_n that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n as_o it_o be_v can_v invent_v to_o raise_v our_o thought_n to_o a_o tolerable_a relish_n and_o apprehension_n of_o those_o glorious_a thing_n reveal_v in_o his_o word_n wherefore_o in_o short_a though_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n in_o heaven_n be_v certain_o the_o great_a end_n of_o a_o christian_n hope_n and_o that_o which_o all_o his_o action_n ought_v in_o some_o measure_n to_o be_v direct_v towards_o yet_o to_o propose_v this_o to_o ourselves_o with_o passion_n and_o eagerness_n of_o desire_n or_o so_o as_o utter_o to_o despise_v the_o comfort_n of_o this_o world_n may_v well_o be_v think_v a_o little_a above_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o imperfect_a estate_n of_o a_o christian_a in_o this_o life_n be_v reserve_v by_o god_n as_o a_o main_a part_n of_o that_o happiness_n which_o we_o must_v expect_v in_o the_o bless_a vision_n above_o 12._o prayer_n be_v a_o excellent_a expression_n of_o piety_n towards_o god_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o recommend_v this_o duty_n so_o effectual_o to_o he_o as_o fervour_n of_o devotion_n in_o it_o but_o then_o our_o saviour_n show_v we_o that_o this_o fervour_n consist_v not_o as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o think_v in_o wild_a gesture_n or_o loud_a and_o passionare_fw-la exclamation_n when_o he_o himself_o pray_v in_o the_o garden_n he_o pray_v earnest_o it_o be_v say_v 22.44_o luke_n 22.44_o and_o we_o may_v well_o think_v his_o heart_n be_v never_o full_a than_o in_o that_o bitter_a agony_n nor_o consequent_o his_o affection_n more_o raise_v than_o at_o that_o time_n and_o yet_o what_o be_v the_o result_n of_o this_o but_o that_o he_o fall_v meek_o upon_o his_o knee_n three_o time_n 44._o mat._n 26.39_o 42_o 44._o and_o utter_v these_o few_o gentle_a word_n father_n if_o it_o be_v thy_o will_n let_v this_o cup_n pass_v from_o i_o and_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o prayer_n of_o he_o which_o he_o prescribe_v to_o his_o disciple_n both_o as_o a_o pattern_n to_o pray_v by_o and_o a_o form_n to_o be_v constant_o use_v by_o they_o it_o may_v seem_v contrive_v on_o purpose_n to_o answer_v the_o enthusiast_n pretence_n about_o this_o duty_n for_o not_o to_o insist_v upon_o its_o be_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o the_o first_o place_n it_o be_v such_o a_o form_n as_o be_v very_o short_a consist_v of_o but_o six_o petition_n and_o those_o comprehend_v in_o few_o word_n he_o be_v not_o for_o the_o way_n of_o some_o people_n who_o measure_n their_o prayer_n more_o by_o the_o hourglass_n than_o their_o want_n he_o expose_v it_o as_o a_o heathenish_a custom_n to_o use_v vain_a repetition_n 6.7_o mat._n 6.7_o and_o impertinent_a length_n in_o prayer_n beside_o this_o it_o be_v calm_a and_o meek_a suitable_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o its_o author_n no_o heat_n of_o passion_n in_o it_o no_o vehement_a outcry_n or_o exaggeration_n nothing_o to_o raise_v those_o wild_a spirit_n in_o man_n which_o make_v they_o rave_v and_o foam_n and_o toss_v about_o as_o if_o they_o be_v possess_v not_o that_o length_n of_o prayer_n be_v blameworthy_a in_o itself_o nor_o yet_o vehemence_n of_o action_n or_o speech_n which_o in_o a_o sober_a sense_n be_v commendable_a in_o prayer_n upon_o some_o occasion_n but_o to_o show_v that_o fervour_n of_o devotion_n be_v no_o way_n inconsistent_a with_o cool_a blood_n or_o fewness_n of_o word_n and_o that_o god_n be_v as_o often_o at_o least_o in_o the_o still_o small_a voice_n as_o in_o the_o earthquake_n or_o fire_n 13._o it_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o piety_n to_o bestow_v due_a portion_n of_o time_n upon_o god_n service_n 14.49_o mark_v 14.49_o and_o we_o find_v our_o saviour_n therefore_o often_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n worship_v god_n in_o public_a as_o well_o as_o frequent_o retire_v with_o his_o disciple_n and_o by_o himself_o 1.35_o john_n 18.20_o mark_v 1.35_o to_o his_o private_a devotion_n though_o all_o this_o while_n our_o saviour_n be_v no_o such_o euchite_a as_o to_o think_v the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o life_n ought_v to_o be_v spend_v in_o prayer_n but_o he_o bestow_v considerable_a portion_n of_o his_o time_n upon_o his_o own_o refreshment_n 22.39_o john_n 2.1_o luke_n 22.39_o and_o upon_o the_o office_n of_o humanity_n and_o friendship_n beside_o what_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o take_v up_o the_o main_a bulk_n of_o his_o life_n his_o work_a as_o it_o be_v think_v till_o thirty_o year_n of_o age_n at_o his_o father_n trade_n and_o neither_o therefore_o be_v he_o for_o that_o way_n of_o practice_n which_o prevail_v so_o much_o in_o after-age_n of_o people_n retire_v from_o the_o world_n and_o mew_v themselves_o up_o in_o cell_n and_o cloister_n that_o they_o may_v have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o to_o meditate_v and_o worship_n god_n the_o romanist_n look_v upon_o this_o as_o the_o great_a perfection_n in_o religion_n and_o what_o be_v begin_v therefore_o in_o primitive_a time_n out_o of_o necessity_n when_o man_n be_v force_v to_o fly_v into_o desert_n to_o avoid_v persecution_n these_o take_v upon_o themselves_o of_o choice_n some_o few_o