Selected quad for the lemma: opinion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
opinion_n	good_a	great_a	see_v	2,232	5	3.1314	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A28445	Religio laici written in a letter to John Dryden, Esq.	Blount, Charles, 1654-1693.; Dryden, John, 1631-1700. Religio laici.; Herbert of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, Baron, 1583-1648. De religione laici.	1683 (1683)	Wing B3314; ESTC R2743	24,729	118

principal_a end_n for_o the_o which_o those_o rite_n be_v ordain_v five_o and_o last_o that_o i_o think_v the_o do_v some_o good_a deed_n speak_v some_o good_a word_n or_o think_v some_o good_a thought_n be_v more_o necessary_a exercise_n of_o my_o life_n than_o that_o i_o shall_v omit_v they_o for_o any_o consideration_n whatsoever_o have_v thus_o therefore_o settle_v these_o five_o point_n as_o fundamental_a and_o together_o demonstrate_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o give_v they_o the_o first_o place_n in_o our_o religion_n i_o shall_v come_v to_o that_o supplemental_a part_n call_v faith_n which_o word_n as_o i_o find_v among_o author_n be_v use_v in_o two_o divers_a sense_n and_o thus_o distinguish_v first_o as_o it_o be_v understand_v to_o be_v a_o firm_a assent_n give_v to_o thing_n past_a upon_o the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o other_o and_o second_o as_o it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n lay_v hold_n and_o fix_v itself_o on_o god_n providence_n and_o goodness_n hereafter_o if_o we_o do_v the_o best_a we_o can_v where_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o as_o the_o first_o faith_n have_v its_o next_o or_o most_o immediate_a testimoney_n from_o man_n and_o consequent_o be_v true_a or_o false_a as_o they_o who_o first_o affirm_v it_o be_v so_o the_o second_o faith_n be_v by_o all_o church_n hold_v necessary_a to_o be_v use_v as_o the_o best_a mean_n for_o the_o unite_n of_o our_o soul_n with_o god_n when_o true_a piety_n and_o a_o good_a life_n do_v concur_v insomuch_o as_o i_o be_o confident_a this_o latter_a kind_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v find_v in_o good_a man_n though_o no_o tradition_n of_o former_a time_n ever_o come_v to_o their_o knowledge_n whereas_o the_o other_o faith_n depend_v chief_o on_o revelation_n miracle_n and_o prophecy_n have_v in_o it_o many_o difficulty_n as_o i_o have_v say_v before_o and_o be_v not_o only_o controvert_v among_o the_o strict_a proselyte_n of_o it_o but_o in_o a_o manner_n reject_v by_o those_o nation_n among_o who_o other_o faith_n have_v be_v teach_v by_o their_o lawgiver_n for_o all_o faith_n have_v be_v shake_v but_o those_o only_o which_o stand_v upon_o the_o basis_n of_o common_a reason_n notwithstanding_o all_o which_o as_o i_o think_v it_o concern_v i_o among_o those_o several_a and_o miraculous_a tradition_n which_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o have_v be_v true_a if_o god_n so_o please_v not_o to_o distrust_v and_o doubt_n of_o all_o wherefore_o i_o apply_v myself_o chief_o to_o the_o christian_a faith_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a bible_n as_o have_v in_o it_o more_o exact_a precept_n for_o the_o teach_v we_o a_o good_a life_n and_o repentance_n than_o any_o other_o book_n whatsoever_o that_o i_o can_v meet_v with_o and_o beside_o i_o find_v myself_o through_o god_n providence_n bear_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o instruct_v even_o from_o my_o infancy_n in_o the_o holy_a doctrine_n draw_v from_o thence_o but_o as_o together_o i_o observe_v many_o thing_n teach_v in_o the_o say_a church_n which_o be_v not_o only_o vehement_o oppose_v by_o other_o christian_a church_n but_o also_o repudiate_v in_o their_o chief_a part_n among_o other_o nation_n so_o i_o find_v no_o such_o solid_a foundation_n to_o build_v this_o my_o faith_n upon_o as_o the_o authority_n in_o general_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n resolve_v according_o to_o the_o say_n of_o a_o learned_a father_n that_o those_o thing_n i_o never_o have_v know_v without_o the_o church_n i_o never_o have_v believe_v without_o it_o neither_o do_v the_o controversy_n among_o they_o much_o move_v i_o since_o be_v a_o mere_a laic_a i_o have_v neither_o will_n nor_o leisure_n to_o engage_v myself_o in_o the_o clear_n of_o those_o doubt_n the_o scruple_n of_o those_o various_o agitate_a dispute_n by_o man_n equal_o learned_a be_v of_o such_o intricacy_n that_o i_o see_v more_o and_o more_o may_v be_v say_v about_o they_o than_o that_o i_o shall_v presume_v to_o determine_v any_o thing_n by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o best_a author_n i_o can_v peruse_v on_o either_o side_n so_o that_o for_o my_o final_a resolution_n i_o think_v the_o best_a ground_n of_o my_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v from_o those_o point_n which_o be_v pious_o assent_v to_o by_o all_o christian_n and_o may_v apt_o consist_v with_o my_o aforementioned_a five_o article_n but_o for_o the_o dispute_v and_o controversy_n of_o learned_a man_n to_o lay_v they_o aside_o until_o they_o be_v agree_v among_o themselves_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n to_o attend_v a_o good_a life_n and_o repentance_n assure_v myself_o that_o in_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o laic_a or_o secular_a person_n my_o time_n be_v better_o employ_v so_o than_o in_o the_o inexplicable_a subtlety_n of_o the_o schoolman_n to_o conclude_v i_o embrace_v the_o five_o catholic_n article_n for_o the_o reason_n above_o mention_v from_o whence_o come_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n i_o believe_v pious_o upon_o the_o reverend_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o which_o be_v unanimous_o teach_v by_o they_o without_o any_o contradiction_n all_o which_o i_o have_v here_o set_v down_o with_o no_o intention_n to_o scandalize_v any_o but_o only_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n as_o well_o of_o those_o point_n which_o may_v be_v know_v as_o of_o those_o which_o be_v already_o believe_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o also_o to_o induce_v man_n by_o these_o principle_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o bless_a concord_n among_o themselves_o since_o have_v joint_o receive_v these_o five_o catholic_n point_n there_o will_v be_v less_o occasion_n of_o hate_n and_o dissension_n about_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o the_o different_a opinion_n among_o they_o may_v be_v argue_v with_o less_o violence_n and_o passion_n the_o point_n wherein_o they_o be_v agree_v being_n great_a bond_n of_o love_n and_o amity_n among_o they_o than_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v dissolve_v on_o any_o lesser_a occasion_n and_o certain_o unless_o the_o method_n i_o have_v here_o propose_v be_v effectual_a to_o this_o purpose_n i_o see_v no_o hope_n that_o any_o good_a reconciliation_n can_v follow_v among_o the_o principal_a sect_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n since_o the_o one_o affirm_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o sole_a judge_n of_o controversy_n and_o the_o other_o say_v that_o the_o church_n alone_o shall_v determine_v they_o they_o seem_v like_o person_n in_o variance_n who_o disagree_v about_o their_o arbitrator_n or_o judge_n be_v hopeless_a that_o the_o business_n in_o question_n between_o they_o shall_v ever_o come_v to_o a_o just_a trial_n and_o find_v a_o indifferent_a or_o equal_a decision_n now_o upon_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o raise_v these_o few_o query_n and_o so_o conclude_v query_n prove_v the_o validity_n of_o the_o five_o article_n 1._o whether_o there_o be_v any_o true_a god_n but_o he_o that_o use_v universal_a providence_n concern_v the_o mean_n of_o come_v to_o he_o 2._o whether_o these_o mean_n appear_v universal_o otherwise_o than_o in_o our_o aforesaid_a five_a catholic_n article_n 3._o whether_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v add_v to_o these_o five_o principle_n that_o may_v tend_v to_o make_v a_o man_n more_o honest_a virtuous_a or_o a_o better_a man_n 4._o whether_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v add_v to_o these_o five_o principle_n from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o uncertain_a in_o their_o original_a 5._o suppose_v the_o original_n true_a whether_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o uncertain_a in_o their_o explication_n so_o that_o unless_o a_o man_n read_v all_o author_n speak_v with_o all_o learned_a man_n and_o know_v all_o language_n it_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o come_v to_o a_o clear_a solution_n of_o all_o doubt_n 6._o suppose_v all_o true_a in_o their_o original_n and_o in_o their_o explication_n whether_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o good_a for_o the_o instruct_n of_o mankind_n that_o bring_v pardon_n of_o sin_n upon_o such_o easy_a term_n as_o to_o believe_v the_o business_n be_v do_v to_o our_o hand_n and_o 7._o whether_o this_o doctrine_n do_v not_o derogate_v from_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n whilst_o our_o best_a action_n be_v represent_v as_o imperfect_a and_o sinful_a and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o keep_v the_o ten_o commandment_n so_o as_o god_n will_v accept_v our_o action_n do_v the_o best_a we_o can_v 8._o whether_o speak_v good_a word_n think_v good_a thought_n and_o do_v good_a action_n be_v not_o the_o just_a exercise_n of_o a_o man_n life_n or_o that_o without_o embrace_v of_o the_o foresay_a five_o principle_n or_o fundamental_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o keep_v peace_n among_o man_n that_o god_n may_v be_v well_o serve_v 9_o whether_o the_o foresay_a five_o principle_n do_v not_o best_o agree_v with_o the_o precept_n give_v in_o the_o ten_o commandment_n and_o with_o the_o two_o precept_n of_o jesus_n christ_n viz._n to_o love_n god_n above_o all_o and_o our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o as_o well_o as_o with_o the_o word_n of_o st._n peter_n that_o in_o every_o nation_n he_o which_o fear_v god_n and_o work_v righteousness_n be_v accept_v of_o god_n 10._o whether_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n can_v by_o humane_a reason_n be_v suppose_v or_o grant_v to_o be_v infallible_a unless_o we_o be_v infallible_o assure_v that_o those_o who_o teach_v this_o doctrine_n do_v know_v the_o secret_a counsel_n of_o god_n 11._o whether_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n beside_o the_o moral_a part_n which_o agree_v with_o our_o five_o principle_n such_o as_o prophecy_n miracle_n and_o revelation_n depend_v on_o the_o history_n may_v not_o be_v so_o far_o examine_v as_o to_o be_v make_v appear_v by_o what_o authority_n they_o be_v or_o may_v be_v receive_v 12._o whether_o in_o humane_a reason_n any_o one_o may_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v convince_v by_o one_o single_a testimony_n so_o far_o as_o to_o believe_v thing_n contrary_a to_o or_o beside_o reason_n 13._o and_o last_o whether_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v they_o have_v revelation_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o accept_v of_o another_o revelation_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n especial_o if_o it_o do_v any_o way_n oppose_v these_o five_o article_n that_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n unalterable_a which_o be_v god_n universal_a magna_fw-la charta_fw-la enact_v by_o the_o alwise_a and_o supreme_a be_v from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v destroy_v or_o alter_v by_o every_o whiffle_a proclamation_n of_o a_o enthusiast_n final_o submit_v this_o discourse_n to_o my_o impartial_a and_o judicious_a reader_n i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o the_o say_v of_o justin_n martyr_n p._n 83._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n that_o all_o those_o who_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o reason_n be_v christian_n notwithstanding_o that_o they_o may_v have_v be_v account_v as_o atheist_n such_o as_o among_o the_o greek_n be_v socrates_n heraclitus_n and_o the_o like_a and_o among_o the_o barbarian_n abraham_n and_o azarias_n for_o all_o those_o who_o live_v or_o do_v now_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o reason_n be_v christian_n and_o in_o a_o assure_a quiet_a condition_n apol._n cont_n tryph._n finis_fw-la of_o good_a and_o evil._n of_o predestination_n and_o free_a will_n of_o repentance_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n unalterable_a

do_v send_v i_o a_o message_n or_o command_n by_o some_o one_o of_o his_o know_a officer_n i_o will_v not_o then_o presume_v to_o make_v all_o these_o question_n they_o be_v not_o only_o uncivil_a but_o also_o impertinent_a and_o derogatory_n to_o the_o supreme_a authority_n and_o therefore_o that_o they_o who_o be_v know_v minister_n of_o god_n do_v without_o give_v further_o account_n require_v obeence_n from_o i_o in_o his_o name_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o i_o shall_v again_o take_v the_o boldness_n to_o ask_v they_o suppose_v they_o hear_v such_o word_n how_o yet_o they_o can_v know_v that_o god_n speak_v they_o and_o whether_o they_o be_v so_o familiar_a with_o the_o person_n of_o that_o god_n as_o to_o know_v he_o by_o his_o voice_n and_o distinguish_v he_o from_o all_o other_o how_o they_o can_v assure_v themselves_o firm_o that_o it_o be_v no_o inferior_a spirit_n that_o give_v they_o this_o revelation_n there_o be_v spirit_n of_o both_o sort_n both_o good_a and_o bad_a which_o use_v to_o deliver_v oracle_n and_o revelation_n according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o manichee_n who_o found_v their_o opinion_n upon_o that_o sentence_n viz._n that_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n but_o again_o suppose_v it_o be_v a_o good_a spirit_n that_o speak_v whether_o camillus_n or_o his_o boy_n who_o wait_v on_o he_o in_o the_o temple_n do_v hear_v or_o understand_v the_o voice_n as_o well_o as_o himself_o here_o i_o know_v the_o priest_n answer_v will_v be_v that_o neither_o himself_n nor_o any_o else_o can_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n will_n but_o by_o their_o mean_n and_o conveyance_n and_o for_o the_o rest_n will_v again_o require_v my_o obedience_n on_o peril_n of_o my_o be_v condemn_v as_o a_o infidel_n think_v by_o these_o word_n at_o least_o to_o overawe_v i_o but_o this_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o terrify_v i_o that_o it_o will_v but_o put_v into_o my_o head_n more_o scruple_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o revelation_n when_o pursue_v my_o way_n i_o shall_v glad_o demand_v of_o he_o how_o yet_o i_o can_v be_v assure_v that_o in_o the_o repeat_n of_o this_o their_o oracle_n or_o revelation_n they_o have_v omit_v no_o part_n thereof_o through_o forgetfulness_n or_o add_v any_o thing_n to_o it_o by_o a_o paraphrase_n or_o explication_n and_o brief_o whether_o nothing_o be_v interweave_v or_o change_v therein_o the_o priest_n will_v here_o assure_o reply_n that_o it_o be_v but_o a_o profane_a part_n in_o i_o to_o doubt_v any_o thing_n be_v either_o add_v to_o or_o take_v from_o the_o divine_a revelation_n much_o less_o any_o thing_n mix_v or_o interweave_v with_o it_o and_o that_o the_o same_o god_n who_o give_v they_o this_o revelation_n do_v and_o will_v preserve_v it_o entire_a in_o their_o memory_n for_o further_a proof_n whereof_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o set_v it_o down_o and_o sign_n it_o under_o their_o hand_n and_o seal_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v transmit_v to_o posterity_n as_o a_o authentic_a record_n to_o which_o also_o the_o amanuensis_n or_o coppier_n of_o it_o may_v repair_v to_o correct_v all_o that_o shall_v be_v deprave_v either_o by_o their_o carelessness_n or_o wilful_a perversion_n of_o the_o sense_n thereof_o that_o so_o their_o error_n may_v afterward_o be_v rectify_v attest_v and_o subscribe_v by_o sufficient_a witness_n as_o agree_v with_o the_o original_a there_o be_v no_o other_o mean_n so_o good_a to_o ascertain_v we_o laic_n that_o nothing_o therein_o be_v counterfeit_a etc._n etc._n which_o method_n i_o confess_v if_o it_o have_v be_v use_v in_o all_o age_n and_o country_n where_o revelation_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v make_v in_o private_a to_o priest_n will_v have_v be_v much_o approve_v since_o copy_n of_o copy_n through_o many_o descent_n may_v be_v subject_a to_o many_o corruption_n especial_o among_o those_o who_o will_v draw_v all_o thing_n to_o their_o own_o interest_n which_o may_v as_o well_o have_v become_v these_o latter_a time_n as_o the_o former_a since_o our_o modern_a priest_n for_o the_o most_o part_n turn_v religion_n into_o faction_n strive_v to_o render_v all_o other_o of_o different_a persuasion_n though_o in_o the_o least_o matter_n odious_a which_o bitterness_n of_o spirit_n we_o find_v not_o evident_o remark_v among_o the_o heathen_a priest_n so_o that_o how_o ignorant_a and_o false_a soever_o they_o be_v yet_o be_v they_o not_o record_v to_o have_v be_v incendiary_n and_o persecutor_n of_o one_o another_o even_o unto_o death_n for_o religion_n and_o conscience_n sake_n no_o they_o have_v no_o such_o hellish_a contrivance_n as_o the_o parisian_a and_o hibernian_a massacre_n no_o such_o instrument_n of_o the_o devil_n as_o ravilliac_n clement_n and_o the_o priest_n that_o poison_v our_o english_a monarch_n in_o the_o eucharist_n no_o such_o traitorous_a conspiracy_n as_o the_o powder-plot_n nor_o do_v they_o use_v to_o convert_v one_o another_o to_o their_o opinion_n by_o fire_n and_o faggot_n and_o roast_a king_n alive_a as_o the_o spaniard_n do_v in_o the_o indies_n he_o that_o compare_v but_o the_o behaviour_n of_o those_o of_o the_o religious_a among_o the_o heathen_n with_o the_o carriage_n of_o our_o popish_a bishop_n here_o in_o england_n before_o the_o reformation_n as_o relate_v by_o our_o own_o christian_a writer_n will_v take_v the_o heathen_a priest_n for_o much_o the_o better_a christian_n of_o the_o two_o so_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o give_v the_o priest_n over_o so_o but_o at_o least_o tell_v they_o i_o can_v have_v wish_v they_o have_v proceed_v more_o clear_o with_o i_o since_o the_o more_o they_o debase_v my_o understanding_n in_o divine_a mystery_n the_o more_o be_v i_o oblige_v to_o stand_v to_o my_o common_a reason_n until_o they_o have_v make_v all_o thing_n manifest_a or_o intelligible_a to_o i_o without_o go_v about_o to_o convince_v i_o of_o infidelity_n because_o i_o believe_v not_o more_o than_o i_o understand_v or_o when_o a_o further_a belief_n be_v require_v i_o hope_v they_o will_v not_o charge_v i_o to_o believe_v it_o any_o otherwise_o than_o as_o a_o thing_n possible_a or_o at_o most_o but_o likely_a since_o this_o be_v all_o i_o can_v do_v when_o god_n have_v give_v i_o no_o sufficient_a revelation_n for_o the_o confirm_v of_o they_o and_o to_o affirm_v it_o a_o good_a plea_n in_o the_o court_n of_o heaven_n to_o say_v that_o a_o man_n begin_v at_o the_o faith_n that_o be_v teach_v in_o his_o native_a country_n who_o may_v not_o then_o excuse_v himself_o for_o adhere_v to_o the_o gross_a superstition_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v in_o any_o age_n or_o country_n whatever_o where_o no_o less_o esteem_n and_o veneration_n be_v give_v public_o to_o their_o sacerdotal_a college_n than_o be_v now_o pay_v to_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n in_o italy_n and_o spain_n final_o therefore_o i_o shall_v ask_v they_o how_o any_o priest_n can_v assure_v and_o satisfy_v my_o conscience_n that_o the_o revelation_n make_v to_o he_o do_v so_o concern_v i_o that_o i_o must_v embrace_v it_o as_o a_o undoubted_a axiom_n or_o truth_n to_o which_o i_o be_o confident_a they_o will_v answer_v as_o formerly_z that_o they_o have_v discharge_v their_o duty_n in_o deliver_v god_n word_n and_o that_o i_o ought_v to_o take_v heed_n lest_o i_o be_v severe_o punish_v for_o want_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o leave_v i_o after_o have_v with_o much_o gravity_n express_v their_o sorrow_n for_o my_o incorrigible_a stubborn_a heart_n etc._n etc._n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o i_o do_v not_o yet_o deny_v but_o that_o revelation_n may_v be_v make_v to_o man_n either_o sleep_v or_o wake_v but_o where_o i_o suppose_v as_o we_o find_v in_o holy_a writ_n earnest_a prayer_n have_v be_v make_v beforehand_o and_o some_o public_a and_o miraculous_a confirmation_n of_o the_o thing_n reveal_v have_v follow_v however_o unless_o the_o thing_n in_o itself_o be_v right_o good_a and_o honest_a i_o shall_v not_o conceive_v it_o be_v god_n that_o speak_v but_o some_o evil_a spirit_n that_o will_v deceive_v i_o it_o have_v please_v god_n so_o to_o implant_v the_o love_n of_o goodness_n and_o truth_n in_o the_o soul_n that_o he_o have_v make_v they_o a_o part_n of_o common_a reason_n and_o conspicuous_a by_o their_o own_o light_n from_o which_o therefore_o if_o we_o recede_v we_o shall_v find_v ourselves_o cast_v not_o only_o into_o much_o error_n and_o darkness_n but_o even_o in_o the_o court_n of_o our_o own_o conscience_n criminal_a and_o condemn_v for_o which_o cause_n also_o i_o believe_v god_n be_v so_o spare_v in_o make_v public_a relation_n because_o if_o man_n do_v whole_o trust_v to_o they_o it_o may_v be_v a_o mean_n of_o make_v they_o neglect_v their_o proper_a duty_n it_o will_v be_v as_o the_o learned_a gregory_n in_o his_o