Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	law_n	moral_a	precept_n	2,880	5	9.5945	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62600	A sermon preach'd before the Queen at White-Hall, March the 8th, 1688/9 by John Tillotson ...	Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.	1689 (1689)	Wing T1237; ESTC R4814	16,700	44

dr._n tillotson_n sermon_n before_o the_o queen_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n march_v the_o 8_o 1688_o 9_o by_o john_n tillotson_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o canterbury_n london_n print_v for_o brabazon_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n and_o will._n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n mdclxxxix_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o white-hall_n matth_n 5._o 44._o but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o love_v your_o enemy_n bless_v they_o that_o curse_v you_o do_v good_a to_o they_o that_o hate_v you_o pray_v for_o they_o that_o despiteful_o use_v you_o and_o persecute_v you_o the_o gospel_n have_v promise_v forgiveness_n of_o sin_n to_o we_o upon_o two_o condition_n that_o we_o sincere_o repent_v of_o the_o sin_n which_o we_o have_v commit_v against_o god_n and_o that_o we_o hearty_o forgive_v to_o man_n the_o injury_n and_o offence_n which_o they_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o towards_o we_o i_o shall_v at_o this_o time_n by_o god_n assistance_n treat_v of_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o from_o the_o word_n which_o i_o have_v recite_v to_o you_o which_o be_v part_n of_o our_o saviour_n excellent_a sermon_n upon_o the_o mount._n in_o which_o he_o do_v not_o only_o explain_v but_o enlarge_v and_o perfect_v the_o moral_a and_o natural_a law_n by_o add_v to_o it_o precept_n and_o prohibition_n of_o great_a perfection_n than_o either_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n or_o the_o natural_a law_n in_o their_o large_a extent_n do_v contain_v he_o forbid_v polygamy_n and_o divorce_n except_o only_o in_o case_n of_o adultery_n and_o likewise_o revenge_n none_o of_o which_o be_v forbid_v either_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o by_o the_o law_n which_o be_v give_v by_o moses_n and_o to_o these_o prohibition_n our_o bless_a saviour_n add_v several_a new_a precept_n of_o great_a perfection_n than_o any_o law_n that_o be_v extant_a before_o but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o love_v your_o enemy_n the_o jewish_a law_n command_v they_o to_o love_v their_o neighbour_n mean_v their_o brethren_n and_o those_o of_o their_o own_o nation_n but_o our_o saviour_n by_o command_v we_o to_o love_v our_o enemy_n have_v in_o the_o most_o emphatical_a manner_n that_o can_v be_v command_v we_o to_o love_v all_o man_n for_o if_o any_o be_v to_o be_v exclude_v from_o our_o charity_n none_o so_o likely_a to_o be_v so_o as_o our_o enemy_n so_o that_o after_o a_o command_n to_o love_v our_o enemy_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o name_v any_o other_o because_o man_n be_v natural_o apt_a to_o love_v those_o that_o love_v they_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o love_v your_o enemy_n here_o the_o inward_a affection_n be_v require_v bless_v they_o that_o curse_v you_o here_o outward_a civility_n and_o affability_n be_v require_v in_o opposition_n to_o rude_a and_o uncivil_a language_n for_o so_o blessing_n and_o curse_v do_v in_o scripture_n frequent_o signify_v do_v good_a to_o they_o that_o hate_v you_o here_o real_a act_n of_o kindness_n be_v command_v to_o be_v do_v by_o we_o to_o our_o bitter_a and_o most_o malicious_a enemy_n pray_v for_o they_o that_o despiteful_o use_v you_o and_o persecute_v you_o these_o be_v the_o high_a expression_n of_o enmity_n that_o can_v be_v calumny_n and_o cruelty_n and_o yet_o we_o be_v command_v to_o pray_v for_o those_o that_o touch_v we_o in_o these_o two_o tender_a point_n of_o all_o other_o our_o reputation_n and_o our_o life_n and_o to_o secure_v the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o charity_n towards_o our_o enemy_n we_o be_v require_v to_o express_v it_o by_o our_o hearty_a prayer_n to_o god_n for_o they_o to_o god_n i_o say_v before_o who_o it_o be_v both_o impious_a and_o dangerous_a to_o dissemble_v and_o from_o who_o we_o can_v expect_v no_o mercy_n for_o ourselves_o if_o with_o feign_a lip_n we_o beg_v it_o of_o he_o for_o other_o you_o see_v what_o be_v the_o duty_n here_o require_v that_o we_o bear_v a_o sincere_a affection_n to_o our_o most_o malicious_a and_o implacable_a enemy_n and_o be_v ready_a upon_o occasion_n to_o give_v real_a testimony_n of_o it_o and_o because_o this_o may_v seem_v a_o hard_a duty_n and_o not_o so_o easy_a to_o be_v reconcile_v either_o to_o our_o inclination_n or_o our_o reason_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o this_o law_n be_v not_o only_o reasonable_a but_o much_o more_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o more_o easy_a and_o delightful_a and_o upon_o all_o account_n much_o more_o for_o our_o benefit_n and_o advantage_n than_o the_o contrary_n and_o that_o upon_o four_o consideration_n which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o represent_v with_o their_o just_a advantage_n and_o so_o as_o may_v i_o hope_v not_o only_o convince_v our_o judgement_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o precept_n but_o likewise_o bend_v and_o sway_v our_o will_n to_o the_o obedience_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o i._o if_o we_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o act_n here_o require_v which_o be_v to_o love_n which_o when_o it_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a passion_n but_o under_o the_o government_n of_o our_o reason_n be_v the_o most_o natural_a and_o easy_a and_o delightful_a of_o all_o the_o affection_n which_o god_n have_v plant_v in_o humane_a nature_n whereas_o ill-will_n and_o hatred_n and_o revenge_n be_v very_o troublesome_a and_o vexatious_a passion_n both_o the_o devise_v of_o mischief_n and_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o and_o the_o reflection_n upon_o it_o afterward_o be_v all_o uneasy_a and_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o many_o time_n pernicious_a to_o ourselves_o the_o very_a design_n of_o revenge_n be_v troublesome_a and_o put_v the_o spirit_n into_o a_o unnatural_a fermentation_n and_o tumult_n the_o man_n that_o meditate_v it_o be_v always_o restless_a his_o very_a soul_n be_v sting_v swell_v and_o boil_v be_v in_o pain_n and_o anguish_n have_v no_o ease_n no_o enjoyment_n of_o itself_o so_o long_o as_o this_o passion_n reign_v the_o execution_n of_o it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v attend_v with_o some_o present_a pleasure_n but_o that_o pleasure_n be_v unreasonable_a and_o brutish_a momentany_a and_o short_a like_o a_o flash_n of_o lightning_n which_o vanish_v in_o the_o twinkle_n of_o a_o eye_n it_o be_v common_o say_v that_o revenge_n be_v sweet_a but_o to_o a_o calm_a and_o considerate_a mind_n patience_n and_o forgiveness_n be_v sweet_a and_o do_v afford_v a_o much_o more_o rational_a and_o solid_a and_o durable_a pleasure_n than_o revenge_n the_o monument_n of_o our_o mercy_n and_o goodness_n be_v a_o far_o more_o please_a and_o delightful_a spectacle_n than_o of_o our_o rage_n and_o cruelty_n and_o no_o sort_n of_o thought_n do_v usual_o haunt_v man_n with_o more_o terror_n than_o the_o reflection_n upon_o what_o they_o have_v do_v in_o way_n of_o revenge_n beside_o that_o the_o consequence_n of_o this_o passion_n do_v common_o prove_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o ourselves_o for_o the_o revenge_n of_o one_o injury_n do_v natural_o draw_v on_o more_o and_o will_v oblige_v we_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n to_o a_o new_a revenge_n of_o they_o and_o this_o bring_v on_o a_o perpetual_a and_o endless_a circulation_n of_o injury_n and_o revenge_n so_o that_o whoever_o seek_v revenge_n upon_o another_o do_v common_o in_o the_o issue_n take_v it_o upon_o himself_o and_o whilst_o he_o think_v to_o transfer_v the_o injury_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v upon_o he_o that_o do_v it_o he_o double_v it_o upon_o himself_o such_o and_o so_o great_a be_v the_o trouble_n and_o inconvenience_n of_o a_o malicious_a and_o revengeful_a temper_n but_o there_o be_v no_o torment_n in_o love_n as_o st._n john_n excellent_o say_v to_o be_v kind_o affection_a towards_o all_o to_o bear_v no_o grudge_n or_o ill-will_n no_o thought_n of_o displeasure_n or_o revenge_n towards_o any_o man_n be_v the_o easy_a posture_n the_o most_o pleasant_a state_n of_o the_o mind_n so_o that_o if_o not_o for_o their_o sake_n yet_o for_o our_o own_o we_o shall_v love_v our_o enemy_n and_o do_v good_a to_o they_o that_o hate_v we_o because_o to_o be_v thus_o affect_v towards_o all_o man_n be_v as_o great_a kindness_n to_o ourselves_o as_o it_o be_v charity_n to_o other_o ii_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o qualification_n of_o the_o object_n it_o be_v our_o enemy_n who_o we_o be_v require_v to_o love._n in_o who_o though_o there_o be_v something_o that_o be_v just_o disgustful_a yet_o there_o be_v something_o also_o that_o be_v lovely_a and_o if_o we_o persist_v in_o our_o kindness_n to_o he_o notwithstanding_o his_o enmity_n to_o we_o the_o enmity_n may_v wear_v off_o and_o perhaps_o at_o length_n be_v change_v into_o a_o sincere_a and_o firm_a friendship_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o with_o regard_n to_o ourselves_o personal_a enmity_n towards_o we_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o inconvenient_a

very_a weighty_a reason_n the_o first_o i_o have_v already_o intimate_v because_o it_o be_v so_o very_o hard_o to_o behave_v ourselves_o towards_o enemy_n as_o we_o ought_v this_o we_o shall_v find_v to_o be_v a_o difficult_a duty_n to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o it_o will_v require_v great_a wisdom_n and_o consideration_n and_o humility_n of_o mind_n for_o a_o man_n to_o bring_v down_o his_o spirit_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o this_o command_n for_o the_o few_o enemy_n we_o have_v the_o less_o occasion_n will_v there_o be_v of_o contest_v this_o hard_a point_n with_o ourselves_o and_o the_o other_o reason_n be_v i_o think_v yet_o plain_o and_o more_o convince_a because_o enemy_n will_v come_v of_o themselves_o and_o let_v a_o man_n do_v what_o he_o can_v he_o shall_v have_v some_o friendship_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o need_v to_o be_v cultivate_v if_o we_o will_v have_v it_o come_v to_o any_o thing_n but_o enemy_n like_o ill_a weed_n will_v spring_v up_o of_o themselves_o without_o our_o care_n and_o toil_n the_o enemy_n as_o our_o saviour_n call_v the_o devil_n will_v sow_v these_o tare_n in_o the_o night_n and_o when_o we_o least_o discern_v it_o will_v scatter_v the_o seed_n of_o discord_n and_o enmity_n among_o man_n and_o will_v take_v a_o advantage_n either_o from_o the_o envy_n or_o the_o malice_n or_o the_o mistake_v of_o man_n to_o make_v they_o enemy_n to_o one_o another_o which_o will_v make_v one_o wonder_v to_o see_v what_o care_n and_o pain_n some_o man_n will_v take_v to_o provoke_v mankind_n against_o they_o how_o they_o will_v lay_v about_o they_o and_o snatch_v at_o opportunity_n to_o make_v themselves_o enemy_n as_o if_o they_o be_v afraid_a to_o let_v the_o happy_a occasion_n slip_v by_o they_o but_o all_o this_o care_n and_o fear_v sure_o be_v needless_a we_o may_v safe_o trust_v a_o ill-natured_a world_n that_o we_o shall_v have_v enemy_n enough_o without_o our_o do_v thing_n on_o our_o part_n to_o provoke_v and_o procure_v they_o but_o above_o all_o it_o concern_v every_o man_n in_o prudence_n to_o take_v great_a care_n not_o to_o make_v personal_a enemy_n to_o himself_o for_o these_o be_v the_o sore_a and_o the_o sure_a of_o all_o other_o and_o when_o there_o be_v a_o opportunity_n for_o it_o will_v sit_v hard_a upon_o we_o injury_n do_v to_o the_o public_a be_v certain_o the_o great_a and_o yet_o they_o be_v many_o time_n more_o easy_o forgive_v than_o those_o which_o be_v do_v to_o particular_a person_n for_o when_o revenge_n be_v every_o body_n work_n it_o may_v prove_v to_o be_v no_o body_n the_o general_a wrong_n which_o be_v do_v to_o humane_a society_n do_v not_o so_o sensible_o touch_v and_o sting_v man_n as_o personal_a injury_n and_o provocation_n the_o law_n be_v never_o angry_a or_o in_o passion_n and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o great_a indecency_n but_o a_o fault_n when_o the_o judge_n of_o it_o be_v so_o heat_v of_o prosecution_n belong_v to_o particular_a person_n and_o it_o be_v their_o memory_n of_o injury_n and_o desire_v to_o revenge_v they_o and_o diligence_n to_o set_v on_o and_o sharpen_v the_o law_n that_o be_v chief_o to_o be_v dread_v and_o if_o the_o truth_n be_v know_v it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o there_o be_v almost_o as_o few_o private_a as_o public_a act_n of_o oblivion_n pass_v in_o the_o world_n and_o they_o common_o pass_v as_o slow_o and_o with_o as_o much_o difficulty_n and_o not_o till_o the_o grace_n and_o good_a effect_n of_o they_o be_v almost_o quite_o lose_v ii_o second_o if_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v thus_o affect_v towards_o our_o enemy_n how_o great_a ought_v our_o kindness_n and_o the_o expression_n of_o it_o to_o be_v to_o other_o to_o those_o who_o never_o disoblige_v we_o nor_o do_v we_o any_o injury_n by_o word_n or_o deed_n to_o those_o more_o especial_o who_o stand_v in_o a_o near_a relation_n to_o we_o to_o our_o natural_a kindred_n and_o to_o our_o spiritual_a brethren_n to_o who_o we_o be_v so_o strong_o link_v and_o unite_v by_o common_a bond_n of_o christianity_n and_o last_o to_o our_o benefactor_n and_o those_o who_o have_v be_v beforehand_o with_o we_o in_o obligation_n for_o all_o these_o be_v so_o many_o special_a tie_n and_o endearment_n of_o man_n to_o one_o another_o found_v either_o in_o nature_n or_o religion_n or_o in_o common_a justice_n and_o gratitude_n and_o therefore_o between_o all_o these_o and_o our_o enemy_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v a_o very_a wide_a and_o sensible_a difference_n in_o our_o carriage_n and_o kindness_n towards_o they_o and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o do_v so_o we_o represent_v our_o saviour_n as_o a_o unreasonable_a lawgiver_n and_o do_v perverse_o interpret_v this_o precept_n of_o his_o contrary_n to_o the_o reasonable_a and_o equitable_a meaning_n of_o it_o for_o whatever_o degree_n of_o kindness_n be_v here_o require_v towards_o our_o enemy_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o so_o much_o more_o be_v due_a to_o other_o as_o according_a to_o the_o true_a proportion_n of_o our_o tie_n and_o obligation_n to_o they_o they_o have_v deserve_v at_o our_o hand_n nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a than_o that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n the_o founder_n of_o our_o religion_n do_v never_o intend_v by_o any_o precept_n of_o it_o to_o cancel_v any_o real_a obligation_n of_o nature_n or_o justice_n or_o gratitude_n or_o to_o offer_v violence_n in_o the_o least_o to_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n iii_o three_o hence_o we_o learn_v the_o excellency_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o have_v carry_v our_o duty_n so_o high_a in_o thing_n which_o do_v so_o direct_o tend_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o to_o the_o peace_n of_o humane_a society_n and_o which_o if_o all_o thing_n be_v right_o consider_v be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o clear_a and_o best_a reason_n of_o mankind_n so_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v heretofore_o look_v upon_o and_o that_o only_a by_o some_o few_o of_o the_o wise_a sort_n as_o heroical_a instance_n of_o goodness_n and_o above_o the_o common_a rate_n of_o humanity_n be_v now_o by_o the_o christian_a religion_n make_v the_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o the_o precept_n of_o no_o other_o religion_n that_o ever_o yet_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n have_v advance_v humane_a nature_n so_o much_o above_o itself_o and_o be_v so_o well_o calculate_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v for_o they_o strict_o forbid_v the_o do_n of_o injury_n by_o way_n of_o prevention_n and_o in_o case_n they_o happen_v they_o endeavour_v to_o put_v a_o present_a stop_n to_o the_o progress_n of_o they_o by_o so_o severe_o forbid_v the_o revenge_a of_o they_o and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o it_o must_v be_v aknowledge_v to_o be_v a_o very_a untoward_a objection_n against_o the_o excellency_n and_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o the_o practice_n of_o so_o many_o christian_n be_v so_o unequal_a to_o the_o perfection_n of_o these_o precept_n for_o who_o be_v there_o in_o the_o change_n and_o revolution_n of_o humane_a affair_n and_o when_o the_o wheel_n of_o providence_n turn_v they_o uppermost_o and_o lay_v their_o enemy_n at_o their_o foot_n that_o will_v give_v they_o any_o quarter_n nay_o that_o do_v not_o greedy_o seize_v upon_o the_o first_o opportunity_n of_o revenge_n and_o like_o a_o eagle_n hungry_a for_o his_o prey_n make_v a_o sudden_a stoop_n upon_o they_o with_o all_o his_o force_n and_o violence_n and_o when_o he_o have_v they_o in_o his_o pounce_n and_o at_o his_o mercy_n be_v not_o ready_a to_o tear_v they_o in_o piece_n so_o that_o after_o all_o our_o boast_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o our_o religion_n where_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o this_o i_o confess_v be_v a_o terrible_a objection_n indeed_o and_o i_o must_v entreat_v of_o you_o my_o brethren_n to_o help_v i_o to_o the_o best_a answer_n to_o it_o not_o by_o any_o nice_a distinction_n and_o speculation_n about_o it_o but_o by_o the_o careful_a and_o honest_a practice_n of_o this_o precept_n of_o our_o religion_n this_o be_v the_o old_a objection_n against_o philosophy_n that_o many_o that_o be_v philosopher_n in_o their_o opinion_n be_v faulty_a in_o their_o life_n but_o yet_o this_o be_v never_o think_v by_o wise_a man_n to_o be_v a_o good_a objection_n against_o philosophy_n and_o unless_o we_o will_v lay_v more_o weight_n upon_o the_o objection_n against_o religion_n and_o press_v they_o hard_o than_o we_o think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o do_v in_o any_o other_o case_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v likewise_o that_o this_o objection_n against_o religion_n be_v of_o no_o force_n man_n do_v not_o cast_v off_o the_o art_n of_o physic_n because_o many_o physician_n do_v not_o