Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	godhead_n	person_n	unity_n	2,445	5	9.3406	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A38031	Sermons on special occasions and subjects ... by John Edwards ...	Edwards, John, 1637-1716.	1698 (1698)	Wing E211; ESTC R39657	221,769	511

thing_n in_o nature_n yet_o it_o have_v be_v long_o controvert_v where_o it_o be_v in_o what_o part_n of_o the_o body_n it_o be_v place_v though_o it_o be_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o be_v as_o the_o rational_a soul_n and_o that_o it_o be_v real_o distinct_a from_o matter_n and_o that_o this_o latter_a be_v uncapable_a of_o cogitation_n as_o be_v never_o more_o nervous_o prove_v than_o of_o late_a by_o a_o great_a and_o eminent_a person_n of_o our_o church_n against_o one_o that_o show_v himself_o incline_v to_o believe_v that_o matter_n can_v think_v though_o i_o say_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o distinct_a be_v as_o be_v the_o sovereign_a empress_n of_o all_o our_o function_n and_o action_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o certain_o know_v where_o her_o throne_n be_v for_o some_o give_v she_o the_o whole_a body_n for_o her_o seat_n other_o believe_v she_o circulate_v in_o the_o blood_n and_o other_o assign_v she_o the_o heart_n as_o her_o particular_a chair_n of_o state_n and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a the_o most_o pierce_v philosopher_n of_o late_a have_v confine_v she_o to_o the_o brain_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o agree_v in_o what_o part_n of_o it_o her_o residence_n be_v many_o other_o instance_n indeed_o almost_o as_o many_o as_o there_o be_v phaenom●na_n in_o the_o world_n of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o natural_a speculation_n may_v be_v produce_v a_o great_a part_n of_o that_o which_o pass_v for_o knowledge_n be_v ingenious_a guess_v and_o surmise_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o the_o scruple_n and_o difficulty_n which_o attend_v all_o these_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v ready_o own_a and_o assent_v to_o so_o that_o these_o several_a particular_n which_o i_o have_v name_v be_v clear_a demonstration_n of_o these_o two_o thing_n first_o that_o proposition_n may_v be_v true_a and_o consequent_o that_o we_o may_v give_v our_o assent_n to_o they_o though_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o surpass_v our_o reason_n yea_o though_o it_o be_v not_o only_o hard_a but_o impossible_a to_o explain_v it_o and_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o second_o the_o foresay_a example_n plain_o show_v that_o some_o thing_n even_o in_o nature_n may_v be_v above_o reason_n and_o yet_o not_o contrary_a to_o it_o for_o if_o they_o be_v the_o latter_a no_o man_n will_v yield_v assent_n to_o they_o but_o whole_o reject_v they_o as_o inconsistent_a and_o impossible_a but_o even_o the_o very_a person_n with_o who_o our_o business_n be_v at_o present_a profess_v their_o ready_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o all_o these_o thing_n though_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o explain_v they_o and_o solve_v the_o right_a manner_n of_o they_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o disbelieve_v a_o thing_n mere_o because_o it_o surmount_v our_o reason_n and_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o infer_v from_o a_o thing_n be_v be_v above_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o it_o for_o after_o this_o rate_n we_o must_v discard_v all_o natural_a philosophy_n and_o believe_v nothing_o of_o the_o most_o ordinary_a occurrence_n in_o nature_n and_o what_o hinder_v now_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o make_v the_o like_a deduction_n with_o reference_n to_o those_o high_a matter_n which_o i_o before_o mention_v may_v we_o not_o on_o much_o better_a ground_n make_v these_o two_o inference_n viz._n that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o disbelieve_v those_o thing_n because_o they_o exceed_v our_o reason_n and_o that_o though_o they_o do_v so_o yet_o it_o follow_v not_o thence_o that_o they_o be_v repugnant_a to_o reason_n such_o inference_n as_o these_o be_v very_o good_a and_o valid_a because_o of_o the_o difficult_a and_o recondite_v nature_n of_o these_o spiritual_a and_o divine_a matter_n which_o far_o outdo_v that_o of_o bodily_a and_o sensible_a thing_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o this_o be_v the_o way_n of_o reason_v which_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_a and_o learnede_a of_o the_o primitive_a writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n make_v use_v of_o against_o the_o heretic_n and_o seducer_n of_o he_o and_o the_o immediate_o forego_v time_n 47._o he_o argue_v from_o the_o obscurity_n in_o matter_n of_o sense_n to_o those_o that_o be_v spiritual_a and_o of_o a_o sublime_a nature_n thus_o then_o in_o imitation_n of_o that_o great_a man_n we_o may_v solid_o argue_v with_o relation_n to_o the_o forego_n disquisition_n in_o philosophy_n if_o in_o thing_n of_o a_o inferior_a nature_n there_o be_v such_o obscurity_n and_o difficulty_n which_o yet_o be_v no_o impediment_n to_o our_o assent_n how_o much_o more_o than_o in_o high_a thing_n may_v we_o expect_v there_o shall_v be_v great_a difficulty_n and_o amaze_a obscurity_n if_o natural_a knowledge_n be_v so_o cloudy_a be_v there_o not_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a to_o be_v much_o more_o so_o if_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a system_n of_o the_o material_a world_n how_o can_v we_o apprehend_v the_o unspeakable_a nature_n of_o the_o spiritual_a one_o if_o there_o be_v mystery_n in_o philosophy_n sure_o there_o be_v great_a one_o in_o the_o gospel_n if_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o grovel_v plant_n confound_v we_o how_o shall_v we_o be_v able_a to_o solve_v all_o the_o difficult_a problem_n in_o christianity_n if_o a_o man_n can_v attain_v all_o his_o life_n time_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o a_o single_a mineral_n be_v it_o probable_a that_o he_o can_v in_o a_o much_o less_o time_n know_v full_o the_o secret_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n if_o he_o can_v give_v a_o account_n of_o a_o sorry_a insect_n how_o shall_v he_o be_v able_a to_o unravel_v the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n if_o we_o can_v tell_v with_o all_o our_o reason_n and_o argumentation_n how_o the_o soul_n be_v unite_v to_o and_o act_n upon_o the_o body_n how_o be_v i●_n possible_a to_o tell_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v join_v to_o the_o humane_a nature_n or_o how_o can_v it_o be_v expect_v we_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o godhead_n or_o of_o other_o the_o like_o surprise_v doctrine_n in_o our_o religion_n if_o we_o have_v so_o mean_v a_o discovery_n of_o what_o be_v within_o we_o and_o so_o near_o to_o we_o and_o be_v the_o best_a part_n of_o we_o yea_o be_v ourselves_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o we_o can_v arrive_v to_o a_o full_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v without_o we_o and_o be_v remote_a from_o we_o and_o which_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o limit_a nature_n with_o ourselves_o but_o be_v boundless_a and_o infinite_a if_o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o a_o great_a philosophic_a wit_n that_o the_o material_a world_n be_v indefinite_o extend_v that_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o universe_n be_v beyond_o all_o that_o we_o can_v imagine_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o frame_v a_o conception_n of_o the_o limit_n and_o bound_n of_o it_o then_o may_v we_o not_o with_o more_o reason_n hold_v the_o intellectual_a world_n to_o be_v a_o boundless_a expanse_n such_o as_o we_o can_v possible_o reach_v to_o the_o extremity_n of_o a_o endless_a unlimited_a and_o as_o it_o be_v infinite_a system_n especial_o if_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a thing_n belong_v to_o it_o we_o must_v be_v force_v to_o own_o this_o truth_n and_o to_o confess_v that_o what_o we_o know_v of_o they_o be_v the_o least_o part_n of_o what_o be_v keep_v from_o our_o knowledge_n and_o that_o we_o can_v possible_o with_o the_o great_a art_n and_o wit_n attain_v to_o a_o great_a insight_n for_o if_o there_o be_v apocrypha_fw-la in_o nature_n as_o have_v be_v show_v it_o be_v not_o strange_a that_o there_o be_v mystery_n in_o divinity_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a whatever_o some_o pretend_v to_o solve_v by_o reason_n of_o their_o profound_a and_o immense_a nature_n these_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o a_o accurate_a inquisition_n and_o therefore_o all_o our_o knowledge_n concern_v they_o be_v defective_a and_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o we_o be_v present_o beyond_o our_o depth_n we_o be_v soon_o plunge_v when_o we_o venture_v into_o this_o fathomless_a ocean_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n can_v have_v no_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v of_o so_o transcendent_a a_o nature_n especial_o it_o can_v attain_v to_o a_o complete_a notion_n and_o perception_n of_o what_o be_v infinite_a this_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o decide_v the_o dispute_n between_o the_o antitrinitarians_a and_o we_o if_o they_o will_v put_v the_o whole_a controversy_n upon_o this_o issue_n it_o will_v soon_o have_v a_o period_n i_o wish_v they_o will_v well_o consider_v of_o it_o and_o show_v themselves_o what_o they_o so_o

this_o be_v the_o christian_a truth_n our_o singular_a glory_n whereby_o we_o be_v distinguish_v from_o all_o those_o who_o profess_v any_o other_o religion_n whatsoever_o whether_o of_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n or_o the_o idolatrous_a gentile_n or_o the_o delude_v saracen_n and_o turk_n or_o downright_a atheist_n and_o other_o of_o a_o like_a perverse_a persuasion_n these_o all_o err_v especial_o the_o three_o first_o rank_n of_o man_n by_o not_o know_v or_o not_o embrace_v the_o scripture_n which_o be_v deserve_o style_v 15._o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o be_v the_o only_a supreme_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n we_o then_o who_o embrace_v this_o christian_a rule_n be_v bless_v with_o that_o institution_n which_o be_v pure_a and_o undefiled_a which_o be_v ground_v on_o undoubted_a revelation_n which_o be_v back_v by_o a_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n which_o have_v a_o divine_a impress_n stamp_v upon_o it_o so_o that_o our_o religion_n as_o far_o surmount_v all_o other_o as_o the_o gold_n which_o have_v pass_v the_o refiner_n fire_n and_o have_v the_o royal_a stamp_n upon_o it_o outbid_v the_o common_a ore_n and_o shame_v its_o dross_n and_o mean_a alloy_n you_o see_v then_o which_o be_v the_o unalterable_a standard_n of_o truth_n viz._n reason_n and_o revelation_n the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o scripture_n and_o i_o dare_v confident_o aver_v that_o if_o our_o inquiry_n and_o determination_n in_o religion_n be_v faithful_o manage_v by_o these_o two_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o fail_v of_o truth_n if_o we_o will_v but_o act_v thus_o as_o man_n and_o christian_n and_o that_o be_v as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v we_o can_v miss_v of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v certain_o the_o purchase_n of_o all_o those_o who_o make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o their_o rational_a power_n and_o also_o help_v and_o direct_v those_o power_n by_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o sacred_a spirit_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o these_o two_o we_o may_v examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o it_o will_v abide_v the_o test._n by_o these_o standard_n of_o truth_n we_o may_v examine_v the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o seducer_n that_o be_v abroad_o in_o the_o world_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v they_o to_o be_v false_a and_o adulterate_a if_o we_o will_v sincere_o follow_v these_o rule_n the_o great_a diversity_n of_o opinion_n and_o sentiment_n among_o we_o will_v soon_o be_v reconcile_v if_o we_o will_v faithful_o take_v these_o measure_n i.e._n always_o be_v rule_v and_o conduct_v by_o reason_n and_o scripture_n we_o shall_v easy_o agree_v upon_o what_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v and_o assert_v in_o religion_n and_o all_o our_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n will_v vanish_v now_o from_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o discourse_v we_o may_v in_o some_o good_a measure_n be_v able_a not_o only_o to_o return_v a_o answer_n to_o pilate_n question_n what_o be_v truth_n but_o to_o another_o near_o a_o kin_n to_o it_o viz._n what_o be_v error_n and_o falsehood_n all_o proposition_n which_o contradict_v the_o common_a notice_n and_o first_o principle_n in_o our_o mind_n and_o which_o affront_n right_a reason_n and_o the_o plain_a deduction_n make_v from_o it_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o false_a and_o on_o the_o same_o account_n those_o assertion_n which_o overthrow_v the_o verdict_n of_o our_o sense_n and_o much_o more_o those_o that_o imply_v contradiction_n in_o they_o and_o consequent_o impossibility_n can_v be_v true_a and_o on_o these_o ground_n i_o may_v show_v that_o the_o divinity_n of_o some_o high-flown_a enthusiast_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n concern_v transubstantiation_n be_v just_o to_o be_v impeach_v of_o falsehood_n again_o whatsoever_o assertion_n in_o any_o religion_n be_v repugnant_a to_o divine_a revelation_n to_o god_n will_n declare_v by_o some_o positive_a law_n to_o such_o discovery_n as_o be_v know_v to_o be_v immediate_o from_o heaven_n these_o must_v necessary_o be_v false_a and_o on_o this_o ground_n the_o religion_n of_o the_o pagan_n jew_n and_o mahometan_n must_v be_v vote_v to_o be_v such_o because_o they_o oppose_v a_o infallible_a revelation_n and_o that_o confirm_v by_o unparallelled_a miracle_n and_o semblable_o in_o christianity_n all_o those_o tenant_n of_o several_a sect_n which_o bid_v defiance_n to_o any_o part_n of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n which_o be_v leave_v we_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o roman_a opinion_n the_o doctrine_n of_o pelagian_n socinian_o anabaptist_n antinomian_o libertine_n quaker_n hobbians_n etc._n etc._n be_v false_a and_o erroneous_a thus_o far_o then_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o premise_n we_o have_v advance_v that_o when_o there_o be_v several_a claim_n and_o pretence_n to_o truth_n and_o it_o be_v inquire_v what_o judge_n shall_v decide_v the_o controversy_n the_o answer_n must_v be_v that_o right_a reason_n and_o inspire_a scripture_n be_v the_o only_a judge_n they_o be_v the_o fix_a standard_n and_o measure_n of_o truth_n but_o then_o here_o will_v lie_v the_o main_a difficulty_n of_o all_o that_o in_o the_o question_n and_o debate_n of_o religion_n scripture_n be_v quote_v with_o equal_a vigour_n and_o confidence_n on_o all_o side_n as_o if_o what_o the_o jewish_a rabbi_n say_v of_o scripture_n that_o it_o have_v seventy-two_a face_n be_v the_o receive_a opinion_n of_o christian_n nay_o some_o of_o these_o seem_v to_o acknowledge_v by_o their_o strange_a way_n of_o interpret_n it_o that_o it_o have_v not_o only_o different_a but_o contrary_a aspect_n when_o therefore_o there_o be_v dispute_n about_o scripture-interpretation_n what_o must_v we_o do_v how_o can_v we_o discern_v what_o be_v truth_n by_o consult_v of_o scripture_n when_o as_o that_o be_v dubious_a and_o uncertain_a if_o contrary_a sect_n and_o party_n quote_v it_o and_o plead_v it_o how_o can_v it_o be_v a_o fix_a standard_n of_o truth_n how_o be_v it_o a_o unerring_a guide_n it_o may_v suffice_v to_o say_v in_o general_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o all_o opinionist_n even_o the_o wild_a of_o they_o make_v use_n of_o scripture_n yea_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o turk_n alcoran_n be_v express_a word_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n i_o say_v since_o scripture_n be_v quote_v by_o satan_n himself_o who_o when_o he_o tempt_v our_o saviour_n misapply_v it_o to_o the_o vile_a purpose_n but_o particular_o to_o satisfy_v this_o great_a and_o affright_v difficulty_n we_o may_v inform_v ourselves_o that_o in_o religion_n there_o be_v five_o sort_n of_o inquiry_n and_o doctrine_n now_o i_o will_v brief_o show_v how_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o and_o when_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o apply_v it_o to_o any_o of_o these_o particular_n i._o some_o point_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v in_o themselves_o mystical_a and_o profound_a and_o the_o sacred_a write_n have_v not_o explain_v they_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o we_o shall_v ever_o do_v it_o such_o difficult_a and_o sublime_a doctrine_n as_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o sacred_a trinity_n i.e._n a_o trinity_n of_o divine_a person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n the_o union_n of_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n in_o one_o person_n the_o manner_n of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o the_o like_a be_v not_o to_o be_v thorough_o know_v by_o we_o as_o long_o as_o we_o sojourn_v on_o earth_n these_o be_v like_o the_o book_n in_o the_o revelation_n 6._o which_o none_o be_v able_a to_o open_v in_o heaven_n or_o in_o earth_n but_o the_o lamb._n and_o see_v he_o be_v not_o please_v to_o unfold_v they_o to_o we_o we_o must_v admire_v and_o adore_v they_o but_o not_o be_v solicitous_a to_o comprehend_v they_o we_o be_v to_o remember_v this_o that_o some_o thing_n must_v be_v believe_v on_o the_o mere_a authority_n of_o the_o speaker_n and_o it_o argue_v infidelity_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o be_v inquisitive_a about_o they_o the_o thing_n be_v speak_v by_o god_n therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o give_v credit_n to_o they_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o they_o be_v not_o discover_v therefore_o i_o be_o oblige_v not_o to_o pry_v into_o they_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n as_o we_o may_v learn_v from_o origen_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o believe_v some_o article_n of_o faith_n on_o the_o bare_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v object_v to_o the_o christian_n by_o the_o heathen_n their_o complaint_n against_o they_o be_v that_o they_o will_v neither_o give_v nor_o receive_v a_o reason_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o be_v wont_a to_o cry_v out_o ●_o examine_v not_o but_o believe_v here_o likewise_o i_o may_v rank_v some_o insuperable_a problem_n concern_v the_o divine_a decree_n and_o predestination_n the_o abstruseness_n of_o which_o forbid_v