Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	person_n	son_n	trinity_n	5,863	5	10.0529	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61545	A discourse concerning the nature and grounds of the certainty of faith in answer to J.S., his Catholick letters / by Edw. Stillingfleet ...	Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.	1688 (1688)	Wing S5582; ESTC R14787	74,966	133

mr._n s._n be_v always_o mr._n s._n pretend_v demonstration_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o like_o it_o if_o man_n be_v always_o man_n they_o be_v always_o apt_a to_o be_v deceive_v and_o unless_o christian_n by_o be_v such_o be_v infallible_a they_o be_v liable_a to_o mistake_v but_o the_o high_a mean_n to_o convey_v the_o sense_n of_o word_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o tradition_n i_o be_o quite_o of_o another_o opinion_n i_o think_v it_o the_o most_o uncertain_a way_n in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o evident_a proof_n of_o it_o when_o there_o be_v all_o possible_a advantage_n of_o tradition_n and_o yet_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n be_v strange_o corrupt_v although_o they_o be_v plain_a easy_a few_o of_o the_o high_a importance_n and_o man_n live_v so_o long_o to_o inculcate_v they_o into_o the_o mind_n of_o their_o child_n if_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o tradition_n the_o world_n may_v then_o degenerate_v into_o polytheism_n and_o idolatry_n what_o absurdity_n be_v it_o to_o suppose_v that_o notwithstanding_o tradition_n the_o christian_a doctrine_n may_v be_v corrupt_v likewise_o but_o mr._n s._n allege_v not_o only_a word_n but_o action_n to_o determine_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o as_o that_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n by_o pray_v to_o he_o and_o give_v divine_a reverence_n to_o christ_n without_o stint_v they_o or_o make_v they_o scruple_n lest_o they_o give_v too_o much_o or_o commit_v idolatry_n by_o give_v that_o to_o a_o creature_n which_o be_v due_a only_a to_o god._n and_o do_v not_o this_o practice_n beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n insinuate_v into_o they_o that_o he_o be_v equal_o to_o be_v adore_v with_o god_n the_o father_n or_o coequal_a to_o he_o and_o so_o not_o a_o creature_n but_o very_o god_n of_o very_o god_n i_o answer_v i._o will_v not_o the_o very_a same_o reason_v have_v make_v the_o come_n in_o of_o idolatry_n impossible_a for_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o true_a god_n be_v evident_a from_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n be_v give_v only_o to_o he_o as_o the_o proper_a object_n of_o it_o how_o then_o can_v man_n so_o foul_o mistake_v as_o to_o give_v proper_a divine_a worship_n to_o any_o creature_n there_o be_v a_o infinite_a distance_n between_o god_n and_o his_o creature_n which_o every_o child_n can_v not_o but_o know_v by_o a_o constant_a tradition_n from_o adam_n ii_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o external_n act_v of_o worship_n shall_v so_o infallible_o prove_v christ_n to_o be_v true_a god_n if_o all_o external_n act_n of_o worship_n be_v of_o a_o equivocal_a nature_n and_o receive_v their_o determination_n from_o the_o inward_a sense_n of_o the_o mind_n do_v not_o the_o arian_n use_v the_o same_o external_n act_n of_o worship_n with_o other_o with_o respect_n to_o christ_n where_o do_v they_o ever_o separate_v from_o the_o christian_a assembly_n on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o worship_n give_v to_o christ_n if_o not_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a from_o thence_o to_o prove_v christ_n not_o to_o be_v a_o creature_n so_o that_o this_o be_v very_o far_o from_o put_v the_o point_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n beyond_o the_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n especial_o when_o solemn_a invocation_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o natural_a part_n of_o divine_a worship_n come_v to_o be_v allow_v to_o mere_a creature_n all_o the_o difference_n that_o can_v be_v assign_v then_o must_v be_v from_o man_n word_n and_o profession_n and_o not_o from_o their_o external_n action_n iii_o the_o same_o divine_a reverence_n be_v give_v to_o christ_n in_o the_o apostolical_a time_n and_o the_o utmost_a care_n use_v to_o instruct_v people_n in_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o yet_o then_o we_o find_v that_o person_n do_v err_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o that_o proposition_n that_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god._n for_o even_o then_o the_o ebionite_n and_o cerinthian_o understand_v it_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o nature_n but_o adoption_n and_o so_o do_v the_o artemonite_n and_o samosatenian_o afterward_o and_o how_o can_v that_o be_v prove_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v which_o we_o show_v be_v actual_o do_v man_n do_v notorious_o mistake_v the_o sense_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n when_o it_o be_v receive_v by_o tradition_n and_o yet_o mr._n s._n pretend_v it_o can_v be_v mistake_v if_o it_o be_v so_o receive_v 14._o mr._n s._n still_o urge_v that_o faith_n have_v sense_n in_o it_o and_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n not_o to_o hold_v some_o sense_n or_o other_o and_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o christian_n not_o to_o instruct_v their_o child_n in_o that_o sense_n and_o i_o think_v word_n write_v have_v as_o much_o sense_n in_o they_o as_o word_n speak_v and_o less_o liable_a to_o mistake_v there_o be_v no_o such_o mixture_n of_o the_o infirmity_n of_o man_n in_o a_o write_a rule_n as_o in_o oral_a tradition_n but_o instance_n be_v unlucky_a thing_n to_o be_v bring_v against_o demonstration_n and_o such_o be_v that_o of_o the_o cerinthian_o and_o artemonite_n who_o plead_v tradition_n for_o their_o sense_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v man_n and_o pretend_v to_o deliver_v the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o their_o disciple_n i_o allege_v another_o instance_n how_o the_o sense_n of_o tradition_n may_v be_v mistake_v and_o that_o be_v about_o a_o real_a presence_n in_o the_o eucharist_n which_o may_v be_v understand_v in_o very_o different_a sense_n no_o say_v mr._n s._n that_o can_v be_v for_o faith_n work_v on_o our_o devout_a affection_n which_o must_v either_o oblige_v we_o to_o pay_v a_o infinite_a veneration_n to_o a_o creature_n if_o christ_n real_a body_n and_o consequent_o god_n be_v not_o there_o or_o if_o christ_n be_v not_o god_n which_o be_v the_o great_a deviation_n from_o true_a religion_n that_o be_v possible_a or_o else_o to_o be_v high_o irreverent_a and_o to_o want_v the_o most_o efficacious_a motive_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v to_o excite_v and_o elevate_v our_o devotion_n if_o he_o be_v there_o or_o christ_n be_v indeed_o god._n truly_n mr._n s_n way_n of_o write_v be_v the_o most_o effectual_a mean_n i_o know_v to_o make_v i_o question_v whether_o write_a word_n be_v a_o good_a way_n to_o convey_v a_o certain_a sense_n to_o our_o mind_n for_o i_o can_v understand_v how_o faith_n work_v on_o our_o devout_a affection_n shall_v oblige_v we_o either_o to_o pay_v a_o infinite_a veneration_n to_o a_o creature_n or_o else_o to_o be_v high_o irreverent_a for_o suppose_v i_o believe_v christ_n body_n not_o to_o be_v real_o in_o the_o eucharist_n but_o yet_o that_o christ_n himself_o be_v god_n i_o think_v myself_o bind_v to_o show_v the_o utmost_a reverence_n to_o christ_n as_o god_n even_o in_o the_o act_n of_o receive_v the_o eucharist_n and_o i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o the_o just_a apprehension_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n be_v as_o apt_a to_o excite_v and_o elevate_v our_o devotion_n as_o the_o believe_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v there_o real_o present_a but_o it_o be_v observable_a what_o mr._n s._n here_o grant_v that_o if_o christ_n body_n be_v not_o there_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o pay_v a_o infinite_a veneration_n to_o a_o creature_n which_o be_v the_o great_a deviation_n from_o true_a religion_n that_o be_v possible_a and_o upon_o my_o word_n then_o they_o have_v need_n have_v better_a assurance_n than_o what_o he_o offer_v to_o prove_v christ_n real_a body_n to_o be_v there_o for_o if_o as_o great_a reverence_n may_v be_v pay_v to_o christ_n in_o heaven_n as_o if_o he_o be_v in_o the_o element_n i_o can_v see_v how_o the_o posture_n of_o adoration_n can_v any_o way_n determine_v the_o sense_n of_o tradition_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o thus_o mr._n s._n have_v leave_v the_o sense_n of_o tradition_n as_o uncertain_a as_o he_o pretend_v that_o of_o scripture_n to_o be_v and_o if_o his_o argument_n will_v hold_v against_o the_o one_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o will_v do_v as_o great_a a_o kindness_n for_o the_o other_o also_o thus_o i_o have_v full_o answer_v his_o main_a argument_n against_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o he_o have_v be_v so_o free_a with_o i_o as_o to_o tell_v i_o i_o can_v answer_v 32._o and_o he_o and_o i_o must_v now_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n be_v judgement_n the_o sum_n of_o it_o be_v i._o we_o distinguish_v necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n from_o matter_n of_o speculation_n ii_o we_o distinguish_v certainty_n of_o faith_n in_o order_n to_o salvation_n and_o certainty_n of_o opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o controversy_n iii_o we_o distinguish_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n from_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o application_n of_o that_o rule_n

and_o then_o my_o answer_n lie_v in_o these_o thing_n i._o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o certain_a rule_n of_o faith_n as_o to_o all_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n to_o all_o such_o as_o make_v use_n of_o it_o as_o such_o and_o do_v not_o through_o their_o own_o fault_n make_v a_o wrong_a application_n thereof_o ii_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o design_v for_o a_o certain_a rule_n as_o to_o unnecessary_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o man_n not_o arrive_v at_o a_o certainty_n in_o they_o do_v not_o hinder_v its_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith._n iii_o that_o scripture_n be_v our_o rule_n of_o faith_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o reject_v all_o pretend_a article_n of_o faith_n which_o can_v with_o certainty_n be_v prove_v from_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o so_o the_o proof_n of_o certainty_n lie_v upon_o those_o who_o affirm_v such_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o not_o upon_o we_o who_o deny_v they_o this_o argument_n be_v mr._n s_n goliath_n and_o now_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o his_o lesser_a man_n at_o arm_n soon_o quit_v the_o field_n but_o i_o must_v take_v some_o notice_n of_o they_o lest_o they_o be_v magnify_v by_o be_v slight_v his_o next_o argument_n be_v that_o i_o contradict_v myself_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v in_o the_o beginning_n make_v he_o unwilling_a to_o repeat_v such_o a_o charge_n against_o i_o till_o he_o have_v clear_v himself_o but_o wherein_o be_v it_o in_o another_o place_n he_o say_v i_o deny_v any_o absolute_a certainty_n as_o to_o tradition_n attest_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o in_o the_o conference_n i_o assert_v i_o have_v look_v in_o the_o place_n he_o refer_v to_o and_o there_o i_o find_v nothing_o like_o it_o i_o deny_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n either_o to_o attest_v or_o explain_v the_o scripture_n where_o by_o a_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n i_o mean_v such_o as_o have_v a_o divine_a assistance_n to_o that_o purpose_n and_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n we_o have_v of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n by_o universal_a tradition_n but_o he_o urge_v it_o further_o if_o this_o society_n be_v not_o infallible_a than_o it_o be_v fallible_a and_o if_o it_o be_v fallible_a than_o we_o can_v be_v more_o than_o fallible_o certain_a and_o so_o we_o can_v have_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n from_o a_o fallible_a testimony_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a force_n of_o what_o he_o say_v to_o which_o i_o answer_v i._o i_o understand_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o infallibility_n in_o mankind_n but_o by_o immediate_a divine_a assistance_n i_o grant_v that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n may_v where_o he_o please_v preserve_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n from_o any_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n as_o to_o those_o thing_n wherein_o it_o do_v enlighten_v they_o but_o set_v aside_o this_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o infallibility_n the_o utmost_a be_v a_o rational_a certainty_n build_v on_o clear_a and_o convince_a motive_n where_o the_o motive_n be_v mere_o probable_a there_o may_v be_v opinion_n but_o no_o certainty_n where_o the_o evidence_n be_v think_v so_o strong_a as_o to_o determine_v assent_n there_o be_v a_o certainty_n as_o to_o the_o mind_n as_o when_o we_o common_o say_v we_o be_v certain_a of_o such_o thing_n we_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o that_o we_o firm_o believe_v they_o but_o when_o the_o evidence_n be_v the_o high_a which_o in_o point_n of_o reason_n the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o then_o there_o be_v that_o which_o i_o call_v absolute_a certainty_n i._n e._n such_o as_o depend_v not_o mere_o on_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o the_o evidence_n which_o justify_v that_o assent_n two_o if_o by_o be_v fallible_o certain_a he_o mean_v any_o suspicion_n that_o notwithstanding_o such_o evidence_n in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n i_o may_v be_v deceive_v than_o i_o utter_o deny_v it_o for_o otherwise_o i_o can_v not_o be_v absolute_o certain_a but_o if_o he_o mean_v only_o that_o there_o be_v no_o divine_a infallibility_n and_o i_o know_v no_o other_o than_o i_o own_o that_o there_o be_v still_o human_a fallibility_n consistent_a with_o this_o absolute_a certainty_n but_o mr._n s._n will_v have_v absolute_a certainty_n to_o be_v infallible_a if_o nothing_o will_v satisfy_v he_o but_o human_a i._n e._n fallible_a infallibility_n much_o good_a may_v it_o do_v he_o but_o i_o much_o rather_o choose_v proper_a term_n which_o i_o know_v the_o certain_a meaning_n of_o than_o improper_a though_o they_o make_v a_o far_o great_a noise_n i_o do_v own_o a_o absolute_a certainty_n in_o some_o act_n of_o the_o mind_n by_o inward_a perception_n as_o that_o i_o think_v i_o doubt_v and_o that_o i_o be_o i_o do_v own_o a_o absolute_a certainty_n as_o to_o common_a object_n of_o sense_n and_o as_o to_o some_o deduction_n of_o reason_n i_o do_v own_o a_o absolute_a certainty_n as_o to_o some_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o a_o concurrence_n of_o circumstance_n but_o for_o all_o that_o i_o do_v not_o account_v human_a nature_n infallible_a nor_o this_o a_o infallible_a certainty_n unless_o it_o be_v take_v in_o another_o sense_n than_o divine_v take_v it_o in_o for_o even_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o well_o as_o we_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o a_o human_a and_o acquisite_a certainty_n and_o that_o which_o be_v divine_a and_o infallible_a and_o if_o mr._n s._n by_o divine_a mean_n human_a and_o by_o infallible_a no_o more_o than_o certain_a he_o must_v not_o think_v he_o have_v gain_v any_o great_a matter_n when_o he_o have_v make_v use_n of_o word_n in_o a_o improper_a and_o unusual_a sense_n 25._o iii_o his_o next_o argument_n be_v that_o our_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v common_a to_o all_o the_o heresy_n in_o the_o world_n which_o pretend_v scripture_n as_o well_o as_o we_o this_o be_v just_a the_o old_a sceptical_a argument_n against_o certainty_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o certainty_n you_o must_v assign_v such_o a_o criterion_n which_o be_v not_o common_a to_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n but_o if_o you_o can_v assign_v any_o such_o mark_n of_o truth_n which_o may_v not_o as_o well_o agree_v to_o what_o be_v false_a then_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o certainty_n to_o be_v have_v in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n the_o proof_n must_v not_o lie_v in_o general_n but_o we_o must_v come_v to_o particular_n to_o show_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o certainty_n viz._n as_o to_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o if_o we_o can_v show_v why_o we_o believe_v those_o point_n and_o reject_v the_o opposite_a heresy_n as_o arianism_n sabellianism_n eutychianism_n etc._n etc._n then_o we_o be_v to_o be_v blame_v for_o want_v of_o certainty_n in_o these_o point_n but_o not_o before_o but_o this_o he_o say_v be_v to_o make_v light_a and_o darkness_n very_o consistent_a and_o christ_n and_o belial_n very_o good_a friend_n it_o seem_v then_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n to_o be_v find_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o scripture_n between_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v this_o in_o truth_n your_o avow_a principle_n do_v you_o in_o earnest_n believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v such_o a_o chaos_n where_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n of_o light_n and_o darkness_n and_o that_o nothing_o but_o confusion_n can_v be_v find_v in_o it_o and_o we_o can_v tell_v by_o it_o whether_o we_o be_v to_o worship_n god_n or_o the_o devil_n if_o mr._n s._n grant_v that_o there_o be_v enough_o in_o scripture_n to_o distinguish_v these_o two_o than_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n so_o far_o as_o to_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o light_n and_o darkness_n between_o christ_n and_o belial_n and_o so_o these_o expression_n must_v be_v disow_v as_o little_o less_o than_o blasphemous_a for_o all_o his_o pitiful_a defence_n of_o they_o in_o his_o second_o letter_n which_o be_v 74._o that_o he_o never_o say_v that_o christ_n and_o belial_n can_v be_v reconcile_v or_o advance_v any_o position_n that_o imply_v it_o but_o he_o say_v that_o to_o make_v scripture_n our_o rule_n be_v to_o make_v light_a and_o darkness_n consistent_a and_o christ_n and_o belial_n very_o good_a friend_n and_o be_v not_o this_o blasphemy_n against_o scripture_n and_o imply_v that_o if_o we_o go_v by_o that_o rule_n only_o they_o may_v be_v very_o good_a friend_n how_o can_v this_o be_v unless_o he_o assert_n that_o by_o scripture_n alone_o we_o can_v find_v no_o certain_a difference_n between_o light_n and_o darkness_n between_o christ_n and_o belial_n let_v mr._n s._n answer_v to_o this_o and_o not_o think_v to_o escape_v with_o such_o a_o poor_a evasion_n if_o he_o own_v the_o scripture_n a_o certain_a rule_n as_o to_o the_o difference_n of_o christ_n and_o belial_n and_o light_n and_o darkness_n than_o we_o have_v gain_v thus_o