Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	heart_n	law_n	write_v	15,886	5	7.0259	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61603	A sermon preached before the King, March 13, 1666/7 by Edward Stillingfleet ...	Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.	1667 (1667)	Wing S5641; ESTC R14240	17,312	42

will_v forgive_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o gospel_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o suffer_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n there_o be_v very_o few_o among_o we_o but_o will_v say_v they_o do_v all_o these_o thing_n already_o and_o therefore_o sure_o they_o do_v not_o think_v they_o impossible_a the_o like_a answer_n i_o may_v give_v to_o all_o the_o other_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n till_o we_o come_v to_o the_o deny_v ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n and_o as_o to_o these_o too_o if_o we_o charge_v man_n with_o they_o they_o either_o deny_v their_o commit_v they_o and_o then_o say_v they_o have_v keep_v the_o command_n or_o if_o they_o confess_v it_o they_o promise_v amendment_n for_o the_o furture_n but_o in_o neither_o respect_n can_v they_o be_v say_v to_o think_v the_o command_n impossible_a thus_o we_o see_v their_o own_o mouth_n will_v condemn_v they_o when_o they_o charge_v god_n with_o lay_v impossible_a law_n on_o mankind_n but_o then_o if_o we_o inquire_v further_o into_o the_o judgement_n of_o those_o who_o it_o may_v be_v never_o concern_v themselves_o so_o much_o about_o the_o precept_n of_o christian_a religion_n as_o to_o try_v whether_o they_o have_v any_o power_n to_o observe_v they_o or_o not_o nay_o if_o we_o yield_v they_o more_o than_o it_o may_v be_v they_o be_v willing_a to_o inquire_v after_o though_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o viz._n that_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a grace_n they_o can_v never_o do_v it_o yet_o such_o be_v the_o unlimited_a nature_n of_o divine_a goodness_n and_o the_o exceed_a riches_n of_o god_n grace_n that_o know_v the_o weakness_n and_o degeneracy_n of_o humane_a nature_n when_o he_o give_v these_o command_n to_o man_n he_o make_v a_o large_a and_o free_a offer_n of_o assistance_n to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v so_o sensible_a of_o their_o own_o infirmity_n as_o to_o beg_v it_o of_o he_o and_o can_v man_n then_o say_v the_o command_n be_v impossible_a when_o he_o have_v promise_v a_o assistance_n suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n &_o the_o infirmity_n of_o man_n if_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o some_o of_o the_o duty_n of_o christianity_n be_v very_o difficult_a to_o we_o now_o let_v we_o consider_v by_o what_o mean_v he_o have_v sweeten_v the_o performance_n of_o they_o will_v not_o the_o proposal_n of_o so_o excellent_a a_o reward_n make_v we_o swallow_v some_o more_o than_o ordinary_a hardship_n that_o we_o may_v enjoy_v it_o have_v he_o not_o make_v use_n of_o the_o most_o oblige_a motive_n to_o persuade_v we_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o what_o he_o require_v by_o the_o infinite_a discovery_n of_o his_o own_o love_n the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n and_o the_o promise_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o what_o then_o be_v want_v but_o only_o set_v ourselves_o to_o the_o serious_a obedience_n of_o they_o to_o make_v his_o command_n not_o only_o not_o impossible_a but_o easy_a to_o we_o but_o our_o grand_a fault_n be_v we_o make_v impossibility_n ourselves_o where_o we_o find_v none_o and_o then_o we_o complain_v of_o they_o we_o be_v first_o resolve_v not_o to_o practice_v the_o command_n and_o then_o nothing_o more_o easy_a than_o to_o find_v fault_n with_o they_o we_o first_o pass_v sentence_n and_o then_o examine_v evidence_n first_o condemn_v and_o then_o inquire_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n yet_o sure_o none_o of_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v account_v impossible_a which_o have_v be_v do_v by_o all_o those_o who_o have_v be_v sincere_a and_o hearty_a christian_n and_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v think_v all_o guilty_a of_o hypocrisy_n who_o have_v profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o to_o this_o day_n nay_o more_o than_o so_o they_o have_v not_o only_o do_v they_o but_o profess_v to_o have_v that_o joy_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o mind_n in_o the_o do_n of_o they_o which_o they_o will_v not_o exchange_v for_o all_o the_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n of_o the_o world_n these_o be_v the_o man_n who_o not_o only_o be_v patient_a but_o rejoice_v in_o suffering_n who_o account_v it_o their_o honour_n and_o glory_n to_o endure_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o so_o excellent_a a_o religion_n who_o be_v so_o assure_v of_o a_o future_a happiness_n by_o it_o that_o they_o value_v martyrdom_n above_o crown_n and_o sceptre_n but_o god_n be_v thank_v we_o may_v hope_v to_o come_v to_o heaven_n on_o easy_a term_n than_o these_o or_o else_o many_o other_o may_v nevercome_v thither_o beside_o those_o who_o think_v to_o make_v this_o a_o pretence_n for_o their_o sin_n that_o now_o when_o with_o encouragement_n and_o honour_n we_o may_v practice_v our_o religion_n the_o command_n of_o it_o be_v think_v impossible_a by_o they_o thus_o we_o have_v make_v good_a the_o general_a charge_n here_o employ_v against_o wicked_a man_n in_o that_o they_o be_v call_v fool_n by_o examine_v the_o most_o plausible_a pretence_n they_o bring_v for_o themselves_o i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o particular_a impeachment_n of_o their_o folly_n because_o they_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n and_o that_o i_o shall_v prove_v especial_o by_o two_o thing_n 1._o because_o this_o argue_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o wickedness_n 2._o because_o it_o betray_v the_o great_a weakness_n of_o judgement_n and_o want_n of_o consideration_n 1._o because_o it_o argue_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o wickedness_n if_o to_o sin_n be_v folly_n to_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o it_o be_v little_a short_a of_o madness_n it_o be_v such_o a_o height_n of_o impiety_n that_o few_o but_o those_o who_o be_v of_o very_o profligate_v consciencience_n can_v attain_v to_o without_o a_o long_a custom_n in_o sin_v for_o conscience_n be_v at_o first_o modest_a and_o start_v and_o boggle_v at_o the_o appearance_n of_o a_o great_a wickedness_n till_o it_o be_v use_v to_o it_o &_o grow_v familiar_a with_o it_o it_o be_v no_o such_o easy_a matter_n for_o a_o man_n to_o get_v the_o mastery_n of_o his_o conscience_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o force_n and_o violence_n must_v be_v use_v to_o one_o self_n before_o he_o do_v it_o the_o natural_a impression_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n the_o fear_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o the_o apprehension_n of_o a_o future_a state_n be_v such_o curb_n and_o check_n in_o a_o sinner_n way_n that_o he_o must_v first_o sin_v himself_o beyond_o all_o feel_n of_o these_o before_o he_o can_v attain_v to_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o scorner_n and_o we_o may_v just_o wonder_v how_o any_o shall_v ever_o come_v thither_o when_o they_o must_v break_v through_o all_o that_o be_v ingenuous_a and_o modest_a all_o that_o be_v virtuous_a and_o good_a all_o that_o be_v tender_a and_o apprehensive_a in_o humane_a nature_n before_o they_o can_v arrive_v at_o it_o they_o must_v first_o deny_v a_o god_n and_o despise_v a_o immortal_a soul_n they_o must_v conquer_v their_o own_o reason_n and_o cancel_v the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n they_o must_v hate_v all_o that_o be_v serious_a and_o yet_o sober_o believe_v themselves_o to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o the_o beast_n that_o perish_v before_o man_n can_v come_v to_o make_v a_o scoff_n at_o religion_n and_o a_o mock_n at_o sin_n and_o who_o now_o can_v ever_o imagine_v that_o in_o a_o nation_n profess_v christianity_n among_o a_o people_n who_o genius_n incline_v they_o to_o civility_n and_o religion_n yea_o among_o those_o who_o have_v the_o great_a advantage_n of_o behaviour_n and_o education_n and_o who_o be_v to_o give_v the_o law_n of_o civility_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o nation_n there_o shall_v any_o be_v find_v who_o shall_v deride_v religion_n make_v sport_n with_o their_o own_o profaneness_n and_o make_v so_o light_a of_o nothing_o as_o be_v damn_v i_o come_v not_o here_o to_o accuse_v any_o and_o least_o of_o all_o those_o who_o show_v so_o much_o regard_n of_o religion_n as_o to_o be_v present_a in_o the_o place_n devote_v to_o sacred_a purpose_n but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o here_o who_o conscience_n accuse_v themselves_o for_o any_o degree_n of_o so_o great_a impiety_n i_o beseech_v they_o by_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a and_o precious_a to_o they_o by_o all_o that_o be_v sacred_a and_o serious_a by_o the_o vow_n of_o their_o baptism_n and_o their_o participation_n of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n by_o all_o the_o kindness_n of_o heaven_n which_o they_o either_o enjoy_v or_o hope_v for_o by_o the_o death_n and_o suffering_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o they_o will_v now_o consider_v how_o great_a folly_n and_o wickedness_n they_o betray_v in_o it_o and_o what_o the_o dreadful_a consequence_n of_o it_o will_v be_v if_o they_o do_v not_o timely_o repent_v of_o it_o if_o it_o be_v a_o doubt_n as_o i_o hope_v it_o be_v not_o among_o any_o here_o whether_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v true_a or_o

vary_v with_o the_o humour_n of_o man_n sin_n become_v not_o at_o all_o the_o less_o dangerous_a because_o man_n have_v so_o little_a wit_n to_o think_v it_o so_o nor_o religion_n the_o less_o excellent_a and_o advantageous_a to_o the_o world_n because_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o that_o be_v so_o much_o to_o themselves_o too_o that_o they_o have_v learn_v to_o despise_v it_o but_o although_o that_o scorn_n to_o be_v defend_v by_o such_o weapon_n whereby_o her_o enemy_n assault_v she_o nothing_o more_o unbecoming_a the_o majesty_n of_o religion_n than_o to_o make_v itself_o cheap_a by_o make_v other_o laugh_v yet_o if_o they_o can_v but_o obtain_v so_o much_o of_o themselves_o to_o attend_v with_o patience_n to_o what_o be_v serious_a there_o may_v be_v yet_o a_o possibility_n of_o persuade_v they_o that_o no_o fool_n be_v so_o great_a as_o those_o who_o laugh_v themselves_o into_o misery_n and_o none_o so_o certain_o do_v so_o as_o those_o who_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n but_o if_o our_o authority_n be_v too_o mean_a and_o contemptible_a to_o be_v rely_v on_o in_o a_o matter_n wherein_o they_o think_v we_o so_o much_o concern_v and_o so_o i_o hope_v we_o be_v to_o prevent_v the_o ruin_n of_o man_n soul_n we_o dare_v with_o confidence_n appeal_v to_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o present_a debate_n let_v they_o name_n but_o any_o one_o person_n in_o all_o the_o monument_n of_o former_a age_n to_o who_o but_o the_o bare_a suspicion_n of_o vice_n be_v not_o a_o diminution_n to_o a_o esteem_n that_o may_v otherwise_o have_v be_v great_a in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o the_o bare_a suspicion_n will_v do_v so_o much_o among_o even_o the_o more_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a nation_n what_o will_v open_v and_o profess_a wickedness_n do_v among_o the_o more_o know_v and_o civil_a humane_a nature_n retain_v a_o abhorrency_n of_o sin_n so_o far_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o have_v the_o same_o esteem_n of_o those_o who_o be_v give_v over_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n though_o otherwise_o of_o great_a sharpness_n of_o wit_n and_o of_o such_o who_o natural_a ability_n may_v not_o exceed_v the_o other_o but_o yet_o do_v govern_v their_o action_n according_a to_o the_o strict_a rule_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n and_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n can_v be_v by_o any_o thing_n better_o know_v than_o by_o a_o universal_a consent_n of_o man_n as_o to_o the_o way_n whereby_o they_o express_v their_o value_n and_o esteem_v of_o other_o what_o they_o all_o agree_v on_o as_o the_o best_a character_n of_o a_o person_n worthy_a to_o be_v love_v and_o honour_v we_o may_v well_o think_v be_v the_o most_o agreeable_a to_o humane_a nature_n and_o what_o be_v universal_o think_v a_o disparagement_n to_o the_o high_a accomplishment_n aught_o to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o the_o disgrace_n and_o imperfection_n of_o it_o do_v ever_o any_o yet_o though_o never_o so_o wicked_a and_o profane_a themselves_o serious_o commend_v another_o person_n for_o his_o rudeness_n and_o debauchery_n be_v any_o man_n lust_n or_o intemperance_n ever_o reckon_v among_o the_o title_n of_o his_o honour_n who_o ever_o yet_o raise_v trophy_n to_o his_o vice_n or_o think_v to_o perpetuate_v his_o memory_n by_o the_o glory_n of_o they_o where_o be_v it_o ever_o know_v that_o sobriety_n and_o temperance_n justice_n and_o charity_n be_v think_v the_o mark_n of_o reproach_n and_o infamy_n who_o ever_o suffer_v in_o their_o reputation_n by_o be_v think_v to_o be_v real_o good_a nay_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o it_o that_o the_o most_o wicked_a person_n do_v inward_o esteem_v they_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o no._n by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o even_o in_o this_o lapse_v and_o degenerate_a condition_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v only_a goodness_n which_o gain_v true_a honour_n and_o esteem_v and_o nothing_o do_v so_o effectual_o blast_v a_o grow_a reputation_n as_o wickedness_n and_o vice_n but_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o with_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n who_o be_v never_o yet_o think_v to_o have_v too_o much_o partiality_n towards_o goodness_n we_o may_v much_o more_o easy_o find_v it_o among_o those_o who_o have_v have_v a_o better_a ground_n for_o the_o reputation_n of_o their_o wisdom_n than_o the_o mere_a vogue_n of_o the_o people_n he_o who_o be_v pronounce_v by_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n to_o be_v the_o wise_a among_o the_o greek_n be_v the_o person_n who_o bring_v down_o philosophy_n from_o the_o obscure_a and_o uncertain_a speculation_n of_o nature_n and_o in_o all_o his_o discourse_n recommend_v virtue_n as_o the_o true_a wisdom_n and_o he_o among_o the_o jew_n 31._o who_o soul_n be_v as_o large_a as_o the_o sand_n on_o the_o sea_n shore_n who_o wisdom_n outgo_v that_o of_o all_o the_o person_n of_o his_o own_o or_o future_a age_n write_v a_o book_n on_o purpose_n to_o persuade_v man_n that_o there_o be_v no_o real_a wisdom_n but_o to_o fear_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n that_o sin_n be_v the_o great_a folly_n and_o the_o mean_a apprehension_n man_n have_v of_o it_o the_o more_o they_o be_v infatuate_v by_o the_o temptation_n to_o it_o but_o as_o there_o be_v degree_n of_o sin_v so_o there_o be_v of_o folly_n in_o it_o some_o sin_n with_o a_o blush_a countenance_n and_o a_o tremble_a conscience_n they_o sin_n but_o yet_o they_o be_v afraid_a to_o sin_n they_o sin_n but_o in_o the_o act_n of_o it_o they_o condemn_v themselves_o for_o what_o they_o do_v they_o sin_n but_o with_o confusion_n in_o their_o face_n with_o horror_n in_o their_o mind_n and_o a_o earthquake_n in_o their_o conscience_n though_o the_o condition_n of_o such_o person_n be_v dangerous_a and_o their_o unquietness_n show_v the_o greatness_n of_o their_o folly_n yet_o because_o these_o twitch_n of_o conscience_n argue_v there_o be_v some_o quick_a touch_n leave_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n their_o case_n be_v not_o desperate_a nor_o their_o condition_n incurable_a but_o there_o be_v other_o who_o despise_v these_o as_o the_o reproach_n of_o the_o school_n of_o wickedness_n because_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o attain_v to_o those_o height_n of_o impiety_n which_o they_o glory_n in_o such_o who_o have_v subdue_v their_o conscience_n much_o easy_a than_o other_o do_v their_o sin_n who_o have_v almost_o wear_v out_o all_o the_o impression_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n who_o not_o only_o make_v a_o practice_n but_o a_o boast_n of_o sin_n and_o defend_v it_o with_o as_o much_o greediness_n as_o they_o commit_v it_o these_o be_v the_o man_n who_o folly_n be_v manifest_a to_o all_o man_n but_o themselves_o and_o sure_o since_o these_o be_v the_o man_n who_o solomon_n in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n describe_v 1._o by_o their_o character_n as_o fool_n and_o 2._o by_o the_o instance_n of_o their_o folly_n in_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n we_o may_v have_v not_o only_o the_o liberty_n to_o use_v but_o to_o prove_v that_o name_n of_o reproach_n to_o be_v due_a unto_o they_o and_o 2._o to_o show_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o fasten_v it_o upon_o they_o because_o they_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n but_o before_o i_o come_v more_o close_o to_o pursue_v that_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o consider_v another_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n cause_v by_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n verb_n which_o sometime_o signify_v to_o deride_v and_o scorn_v sometime_o to_o plead_v for_o and_o excuse_v a_o thing_n with_o all_o the_o art_n of_o rhetoric_n thence_o the_o word_n for_o rhetoric_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o verb_n here_o use_v according_a to_o which_o sense_n it_o note_v all_o the_o plausible_a pretence_n and_o subtle_a extenuation_n which_o wicked_a man_n use_v in_o defence_n of_o their_o evil_a action_n for_o as_o if_o man_n intend_v to_o make_v some_o recompense_n for_o the_o folly_n they_o betray_v in_o the_o act_n of_o sin_n by_o the_o wit_n they_o employ_v in_o the_o plead_n for_o they_o there_o be_v nothing_o they_o show_v more_o industry_n and_o care_n in_o than_o in_o endeavour_v to_o baffle_v their_o own_o conscience_n and_o please_v themselves_o in_o their_o folly_n till_o death_n and_o eternal_a flame_n awaken_v they_o that_o we_o may_v not_o therefore_o seem_v to_o beg_v all_o wicked_a man_n for_o fool_n till_o we_o have_v hear_v what_o they_o have_v to_o say_v for_o themselves_o we_o shall_v first_o examine_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o their_o fair_a plea_n for_o their_o evil_a action_n before_o we_o make_v good_a the_o particular_a impeachment_n of_o folly_n against_o they_o there_o be_v three_o way_n especial_o whereby_o they_o seek_v to_o justify_v themselves_o by_o lay_v the_o blame_n of_o all_o their_o evil_a action_n either_o upon_o the_o fatal_a necessity_n of_o all_o event_n