Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	ghost_n	holy_a	person_n	12,588	5	5.5848	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

mark_n of_o excellency_n as_o may_v distinguish_v they_o plain_o and_o convince_v the_o world_n they_o be_v his_o by_o be_v worthy_a of_o he_o and_o he_o who_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n be_v the_o eminent_a shine_a attribute_n of_o the_o divinity_n may_v reasonable_o be_v presume_v to_o exercise_v that_o power_n and_o wisdom_n when_o a_o occasion_n so_o important_a as_o the_o salvation_n of_o a_o whole_a world_n call_v for_o it_o his_o own_o mere_a bounty_n put_v he_o upon_o the_o mysterious_a work_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o the_o very_a term_n upon_o which_o the_o success_n and_o efficacy_n of_o that_o work_n depend_v be_v not_o sufficient_o state_v and_o make_v know_v we_o be_v tell_v indeed_o no_o write_n can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a rule_n because_o capable_a of_o different_a coustruction_n and_o that_o some_o live_a interpreter_n be_v necessary_a upon_o who_o sense_n we_o may_v secure_o rely_v but_o what_o understanding_n be_v so_o short_a as_o not_o to_o see_v the_o weakness_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o be_v any_o thing_n speak_v which_o may_v not_o be_v write_v and_o will_v not_o the_o same_o word_n when_o write_v continue_v to_o be_v as_o full_a as_o clear_v as_o plain_a and_o distinct_a as_o when_o speak_v only_o be_v not_o any_o man_n discourse_n from_o his_o tongue_n as_o liable_a to_o be_v wrest_v and_o pervert_v as_o that_o from_o his_o pen_n if_o then_o that_o live_a interpreter_n whoever_o he_o be_v may_v have_v his_o sense_n commit_v to_o writing_n and_o if_o that_o sense_n when_v not_o write_v lie_v open_a to_o the_o same_o danger_n of_o be_v misunderstand_v as_o when_o it_o be_v write_v than_o a_o write_a word_n may_v be_v as_o plain_a and_o sufficient_a a_o rule_n as_o a_o oral_a one_o and_o if_o almighty_a god_n can_v express_v himself_o as_o plain_o and_o clear_o as_o man_n which_o to_o deny_v be_v most_o absurd_a and_o impious_a than_o nothing_o hinder_v why_o the_o dictate_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n write_v in_o the_o bible_n may_v not_o be_v as_o safe_a as_o full_a as_o intelligible_a a_o direction_n as_o any_o interpretation_n or_o decree_n compose_v by_o any_o live_a person_n or_o society_n of_o person_n whatsoever_o they_o may_v be_v so_o i_o say_v which_o prove_v a_o write_a rule_n capable_a of_o equal_a perfection_n with_o a_o oral_a one_o and_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n show_v it_o capable_a so_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n give_v just_a presumption_n of_o its_o actual_o be_v so_o we_o be_v able_a indeed_o to_o give_v some_o account_n why_o humane_a law_n shall_v be_v obscure_a man_n may_v not_o be_v always_o happy_a in_o their_o expression_n or_o they_o may_v leave_v they_o intricate_a and_o dark_a and_o studious_o contrive_v some_o profitable_a ambiguity_n but_o god_n have_v neither_o frailty_n nor_o interest_n to_o dispose_v he_o thus_o he_o speak_v on_o purpose_n to_o be_v understand_v and_o what_o be_v speak_v so_o as_o not_o to_o be_v understand_v be_v so_o far_o forth_o as_o if_o not_o speak_v at_o all_o to_o leave_v man_n in_o darkness_n and_o distress_n unfurnished_v with_o help_n the_o want_n of_o which_o must_v be_v their_o eternal_a ruin_n this_o be_v what_o we_o think_v but_o ill_o agree_v with_o the_o kind_a inclination_n he_o have_v otherwise_o express_v for_o our_o happiness_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v yet_o more_o improbable_a if_o we_o consider_v second_o what_o the_o particular_a matter_n be_v of_o which_o the_o scripture_n chief_o consist_v and_o be_v intend_v to_o instruct_v we_o in_o this_o i_o have_v already_o say_v be_v the_o second_o covenant_n with_o fall_v man_n and_o that_o what_o other_o thing_n be_v add_v there_o be_v with_o subservience_n to_o this_o great_a design_n and_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o these_o great_a charter_n and_o indenture_n be_v draw_v imperfect_o in_o other_o science_n there_o may_v be_v many_o common_a principle_n and_o help_n derive_v from_o abroad_o and_o these_o be_v such_o as_o shine_v in_o some_o measure_n by_o each_o other_o be_v light_n but_o the_o doctrine_n and_o mystery_n of_o christianity_n be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n or_o art_n to_o define_v we_o have_v no_o further_a insight_n here_o than_o what_o the_o light_n from_o heaven_n direct_v we_o to_o and_o whatever_o of_o this_o kind_n god_n have_v not_o make_v know_v to_o we_o we_o be_v condemn_v to_o doubt_n and_o difficulty_n invincible_a and_o can_v never_o bring_v ourselves_o to_o know_v it_o at_o all_o three_o the_o sufficiency_n and_o plainness_n of_o scripture_n be_v both_o of_o they_o strong_o imply_v in_o faith_n and_o obedience_n be_v make_v the_o condition_n of_o everlasting_a salvation_n and_o unbelief_n and_o disobedience_n threaten_v with_o hell_n and_o damnation_n to_o as_o many_o as_o live_v under_o the_o knowledge_n and_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o if_o belief_n and_o practice_n must_v bring_v we_o to_o heaven_n then_o sure_a god_n have_v leave_v a_o complete_a system_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o do_v and_o if_o man_n shall_v be_v damn_v for_o not_o believe_v and_o not_o practise_v then_o sure_a those_o direction_n be_v sufficient_o plain_a especial_o too_o if_o we_o remember_v that_o these_o condition_n be_v not_o calculate_v for_o the_o wise_a or_o the_o learned_a or_o the_o great_a only_a but_o impose_v indifferent_o upon_o all_o degree_n and_o capacity_n of_o man_n of_o what_o size_n soever_o their_o understanding_n or_o their_o attainment_n be_v for_o in_o regard_n no_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o believe_v or_o do_v what_o he_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o know_v the_o sense_n and_o mean_v of_o it_o must_v needs_o follow_v that_o in_o the_o term_n of_o salvation_n god_n have_v descend_v to_o the_o weak_a and_o the_o common_a man_n and_o make_v that_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o all_o easy_a and_o plain_a to_o all_o the_o extremity_n of_o mark_v what_o be_v do_v amiss_o who_o say_v the_o psalmist_n may_v abide_v but_o will_v not_o the_o mark_v and_o punish_v what_o can_v not_o but_o be_v do_v amiss_o be_v a_o much_o more_o insupportable_a extremity_n and_o yet_o admit_v that_o man_n be_v condemn_v to_o everlasting_a torment_n for_o failure_n in_o that_o duty_n of_o which_o god_n never_o give_v they_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o information_n i_o can_v apprehend_v but_o that_o this_o be_v the_o case_n with_o they_o the_o force_n of_o which_o argument_n in_o general_n that_o god_n must_v needs_o have_v make_v sufficient_a discovery_n of_o his_o will_n be_v so_o confess_o evident_a that_o the_o only_a fault_n our_o adversary_n find_v with_o we_o for_o allege_v it_o be_v the_o confine_v these_o discovery_n to_o scripture_n only_o to_o justify_v which_o inference_n i_o add_v in_o the_o four_o place_n that_o we_o have_v no_o equal_a evidence_n for_o any_o other_o supplementary_a declaration_n of_o god_n will_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o look_v upon_o the_o scripture_n as_o a_o full_a and_o sufficient_a one_o 9_o in_o his_o quae_fw-la apertè_fw-la in_o scripturâ_fw-la posi●a_fw-la sunt_fw-la inveniuntur_fw-la illa_fw-la omne_fw-la quae_fw-la continent_n fidem_fw-la moresque_fw-la vivendi_fw-la spem_fw-la scilicet_fw-la atque_fw-la charitatem_fw-la augustin_n de_fw-fr doctrine_n christian_n lib._n ii_o cap._n 9_o now_o that_o such_o evidence_n be_v absolute_o needful_a appear_v from_o hence_o that_o whatsoever_o mend_v and_o fill_v up_o the_o measure_n of_o any_o other_o law_n and_o to_o which_o we_o must_v have_v our_o last_o recourse_n and_o appeal_n do_v by_o that_o mean_n acquire_v not_o only_o equal_a but_o in_o some_o sort_n a_o superior_a authority_n to_o what_o go_v before_o and_o therefore_o to_o be_v sure_a it_o ought_v to_o have_v it_o be_v own_o authority_n at_o least_o as_o well_o confirm_v as_o that_o which_o it_o pretend_v to_o perfect_v now_o the_o scripture_n command_v our_o assent_n and_o obedience_n as_o come_v from_o god_n that_o they_o come_v from_o he_o we_o be_v assure_v by_o their_o author_n be_v give_v proper_a and_o authentic_a testimony_n of_o a_o commission_n and_o inspiration_n true_o divine_a that_o the_o miracle_n in_o which_o that_o testimony_n consist_v be_v real_o perform_v we_o have_v the_o report_n of_o enemy_n as_o well_o as_o friend_n to_o their_o doctrine_n the_o proof_n of_o infinite_a convert_v win_v over_o by_o they_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o interest_n and_o inclination_n of_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o last_o the_o concur_v consent_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a in_o all_o age_n which_o alone_o all_o circumstance_n consider_v be_v a_o evidence_n even_o credible_a in_o itself_o till_o therefore_o the_o advancer_n of_o tradition_n and_o a_o infallible_a guide_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o till_o the_o pretender_n to_o private_a illumination_n on_o the_o other_o can_v bring_v equal_a evidence_n for_o themselves_o but_o especial_o

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