Selected quad for the lemma: reason_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
reason_n	church_n	faith_n	infallible_a	3,610	5	9.7555	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44651	The history of religion written by a person of quality.	Howard, Robert, Sir, 1626-1698.	1694 (1694)	Wing H2998; ESTC R13393	42,440	146

the_o history_n of_o religion_n write_a by_o a_o person_n of_o quality_n quae_fw-la quidem_fw-la disquisitio_n &_o ad_fw-la animi_fw-la institutionem_fw-la pulcherrima_fw-la &_o ad_fw-la moderandam_fw-la religionem_fw-la necessaria_fw-la cic._n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n l._n 1._o london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n mdcxciv_o the_o preface_n since_o preface_n be_v so_o much_o in_o fashion_n i_o presume_v it_o will_v not_o be_v judge_v improper_a that_o i_o set_v one_o before_o this_o history_n of_o religion_n to_o clear_v the_o design_n of_o it_o and_o prevent_v misapprehension_n though_o the_o title_n be_v the_o history_n of_o religion_n yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o contain_v in_o it_o of_o a_o polemical_a or_o controversial_a nature_n no_o dispute_n or_o argument_n upon_o any_o controversy_n the_o world_n have_v be_v stuff_v with_o too_o many_o useless_a wrangling_n of_o that_o kind_n already_o the_o subject_a of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n arise_v from_o matter_n of_o fact_n how_o religion_n have_v from_o the_o beginning_n be_v manage_v by_o priest-craft_n of_o the_o heathen_n to_o mislead_v the_o vulgar_a and_o profane_a as_o they_o be_v please_v to_o term_v they_o into_o a_o blind_a implicit_a obedience_n to_o their_o inspire_a and_o divine_a authority_n teach_v the_o belief_n of_o many_o god_n or_o divine_a power_n and_o appoint_v so_o many_o various_a way_n of_o superstitious_a devotion_n such_o as_o the_o worship_v of_o idol_n of_o pillar_n and_o column_n consecrate_v by_o they_o adoration_n of_o sepulcher_n and_o dead_a man_n all_o artificial_o calculate_v and_o contrive_v so_o as_o they_o find_v will_v most_o easy_o make_v impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n so_o also_o the_o notion_n they_o teach_v concern_v the_o other_o world_n be_v make_v suitable_a to_o what_o be_v see_v and_o familiar_a to_o we_o in_o this_o that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o easy_a for_o man_n digestion_n by_o these_o mean_v the_o priest_n make_v themselves_o and_o their_o daily_a increase_a number_n be_v think_v absolute_o useful_a to_o other_o but_o yet_o to_o confirm_v and_o preserve_v themselves_o in_o the_o authority_n and_o dominion_n they_o have_v get_v they_o invent_v two_o great_a assistance_n mystery_n and_o persecution_n by_o mystery_n to_o prevent_v the_o use_n of_o understanding_n and_o by_o persecution_n to_o punish_v any_o that_o shall_v attempt_v to_o break_v out_o of_o the_o brutal_a pound_n and_o use_v their_o reason_n essay_n montaigne_n say_v that_o persecution_n be_v a_o trial_n full_a of_o uncertainty_n and_o danger_n for_o what_o will_v not_o a_o man_n say_v what_o will_v not_o a_o man_n do_v to_o avoid_v intolerable_a torment_n etiam_fw-la innocent_n cogit_fw-la mentiri_fw-la dolour_n many_o nation_n less_o barbarous_a than_o the_o greek_n or_o roman_n that_o call_v they_o so_o esteem_v it_o cruel_a and_o horrible_a to_o torment_v and_o pull_v man_n in_o piece_n for_o doubtful_a and_o questionable_a fault_n he_o say_v further_a that_o julian_n call_v the_o apostate_n have_v experiment_a by_o the_o cruelty_n of_o some_o christian_n that_o there_o be_v no_o beast_n in_o the_o world_n so_o much_o to_o be_v fear_v by_o man_n as_o man._n all_o these_o practice_n of_o the_o heathen_n i_o have_v endeavour_v and_o i_o believe_v very_o plain_o to_o make_v appear_v that_o they_o be_v retain_v and_o follow_v to_o this_o day_n in_o what_o be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n where_o dissemble_a priest-craft_n under_o pretence_n of_o humble_v and_o guide_v the_o understanding_n of_o the_o vulgar_a and_o unlearned_a have_v usurp_v a_o power_n over_o both_o faith_n and_o conscience_n they_o have_v make_v it_o a_o terrible_a thing_n for_o man_n to_o trust_v themselves_o or_o their_o own_o reason_n in_o any_o thing_n relate_v to_o religion_n it_o be_v with_o they_o a_o equal_a crime_n for_o the_o profane_a vulgar_a as_o the_o heathen_n also_o call_v they_o not_o to_o submit_v their_o understanding_n to_o god_n and_o their_o priest_n not_o consider_v that_o no_o dictate_v of_o any_o superior_n or_o learned_a man_n can_v engage_v a_o man_n faith_n without_o he_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o god_n have_v teach_v what_o they_o prescribe_v but_o than_o not_o to_o believe_v be_v not_o oppose_v the_o humane_a but_o the_o divine_a authority_n so_o that_o in_o truth_n the_o business_n of_o submit_v our_o understanding_n to_o humane_a authority_n be_v but_o a_o chimerical_a notion_n and_o come_v to_o nothing_o but_o be_v aware_a of_o this_o reason_n which_o be_v so_o obvious_a and_o plain_a they_o clamour_v like_o demetrius_n and_o the_o silversmith_n great_a be_v the_o church_n which_o if_o fair_o examine_v not_o any_o thing_n appear_v more_o unintelligible_a or_o ridiculous_a i_o confess_v some_o of_o our_o own_o learned_a man_n with_o too_o much_o imitation_n of_o the_o roman_a clamour_n when_o they_o write_v with_o presumption_n enough_o on_o some_o dark_a and_o difficult_a point_n insert_v a_o submission_n to_o the_o judgement_n and_o correction_n of_o their_o holy_a mother_n the_o church_n when_o they_o themselves_o neither_o pretend_v to_o tell_v we_o nor_o indeed_o know_v when_o or_o from_o whence_o this_o infallible_a judgement_n shall_v come_v and_o until_o it_o do_v they_o assume_v to_o themselves_o the_o dictating_a and_o prescribe_v power_n and_o submit_v themselves_o to_o nothing_o less_o than_o that_o great_a nothing_o for_o if_o any_o shall_v pretend_v to_o show_v it_o or_o expect_v it_o from_o tradition_n or_o father_n or_o council_n or_o the_o pope_n there_o be_v no_o one_o almost_o so_o mean_o learned_a as_o not_o to_o know_v how_o fallible_a and_o contradictory_n to_o one_o another_o all_o these_o have_v be_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v no_o question_n in_o believer_n the_o household_n of_o nymphas_n be_v call_v a_o church_n and_o many_o other_o place_n and_o family_n where_o believer_n be_v much_o more_o must_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n consist_v of_o believer_n in_o general_a in_o which_o diffusive_a capacity_n she_o can_v judge_v of_o particular_a question_n and_o controversy_n because_o of_o the_o division_n into_o sect_n and_o party_n the_o division_n among_o we_o into_o contrary_a party_n and_o opinion_n make_v it_o necessary_a to_o judge_n of_o what_o we_o may_v call_v the_o church_n by_o the_o doctrine_n not_o of_o the_o doctrine_n by_o the_o pretend_v church_n to_o supply_v all_o possible_a defect_n they_o chief_o follow_v the_o method_n and_o pretence_n of_o mystery_n as_o the_o sure_a way_n to_o keep_v up_o their_o authority_n they_o frame_v most_o of_o their_o article_n upon_o dark_a place_n affect_v to_o make_v religion_n become_v a_o art_n and_o themselves_o the_o sole_a master_n of_o it_o plutarch_n tell_v we_o that_o alexander_n the_o great_a write_v a_o letter_n to_o aristotle_n complain_v of_o he_o that_o he_o have_v set_v forth_o his_o book_n of_o select_a knowledge_n to_o instruct_v other_o as_o well_o as_o himself_o but_o aristotle_n answer_v that_o those_o treatise_n which_o be_v his_o metaphysic_n be_v indeed_o publish_v but_o so_o write_v as_o not_o to_o be_v expose_v to_o common_a capacity_n so_o that_o in_o effect_n alexander_n be_v indeed_o the_o only_a person_n to_o who_o he_o have_v yet_o communicate_v they_o i_o suppose_v he_o have_v the_o like_a reason_n to_o write_v out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o common_a capacity_n that_o the_o learned_a now_o a_o day_n have_v for_o their_o obscure_a write_n and_o dark_a gibberish_n even_o to_o keep_v the_o profane_a vulgar_a from_o dare_v to_o use_v their_o own_o understanding_n about_o matter_n which_o they_o see_v to_o be_v so_o perplex_v and_o intricate_a unless_o they_o will_v enter_v into_o their_o society_n and_o so_o become_v free_a of_o the_o trade_n in_o my_o opinion_n it_o ought_v to_o beget_v admiration_n to_o see_v with_o what_o boldness_n those_o that_o pretend_v to_o extraordinary_a share_n in_o learning_n and_o divinity_n write_v upon_o the_o most_o hide_a and_o never_o to_o be_v determine_v point_n with_o what_o confidence_n and_o furious_a difference_n some_o have_v write_v of_o the_o trinity_n assert_v their_o opinion_n to_o be_v plain_a and_o easy_a and_o almost_o demonstrable_a while_o other_o as_o learned_a call_v they_o ridiculous_a absurdity_n and_o heresy_n nor_o have_v the_o sacred_a particular_a providence_n escape_v the_o impious_a temerity_n of_o the_o learned_a wrest_v the_o intention_n of_o it_o to_o their_o own_o corrupt_a private_a interest_n make_v it_o a_o sanctifier_n of_o any_o successful_a mischief_n or_o murder_n of_o any_o side_n of_o contrary_a party_n and_o to_o patronize_v man_n worst_a imperfection_n i_o will_v not_o enlarge_v into_o a_o dispute_n but_o if_o possible_a make_v they_o blush_v with_o a_o character_n of_o divine_a providence_n give_v they_o by_o a_o heathen_a writer_n the_o excellent_a plutarch_n in_o his_o life_n of_o pompey_n by_o occasion_n of_o some_o discourse_n of_o that_o nature_n say_v providence_n be_v a_o point_n of_o

cause_n of_o persecution_n the_o sect_n of_o philosopher_n that_o have_v great_a difference_n and_o teach_v various_a philosophy_n never_o think_v it_o worth_a the_o combination_n of_o a_o prevail_a opinion_n or_o party_n to_o persecute_v the_o other_o because_o no_o interest_n or_o power_n can_v be_v the_o produce_v of_o such_o a_o method_n plato_n and_o aristotle_n successor_n teach_v in_o athens_n and_o have_v their_o sect_n and_o follower_n but_o it_o never_o become_v worth_a persecution_n on_o either_o side_n but_o when_o aristotle_n philosophy_n become_v useful_a for_o priest-craft_n where_o power_n and_o interest_n be_v design_v than_o it_o grow_v fit_a to_o be_v mingle_v with_o the_o cause_n of_o persecution_n persecution_n therefore_o begin_v from_o the_o insatiate_a desire_n of_o secular_a power_n and_o interest_n to_o preserve_v that_o dominion_n over_o soul_n and_o estate_n which_o mystery_n bring_v the_o priesthood_n into_o for_o when_o by_o their_o subtle_a and_o dark_a imposition_n they_o have_v subject_v man_n to_o a_o implicit_a belief_n of_o and_o subjection_n to_o their_o divine_a and_o infallible_a inspiration_n and_o authority_n they_o then_o find_v it_o necessary_a to_o fortify_v and_o preserve_v that_o interest_n by_o persecution_n and_o thereby_o to_o prevent_v the_o examination_n of_o the_o unnecessary_a folly_n and_o cheat_n impose_v by_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o naked_a truth_n and_o plainness_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o secure_v their_o subject_n from_o desert_v they_o or_o declare_v against_o they_o they_o take_v care_v that_o ecclesiastical_a dragoon_n be_v prepare_v not_o to_o convert_v but_o destroy_v they_o there_o can_v be_v any_o who_o be_v for_o persecution_n so_o dull_a as_o to_o believe_v it_o the_o mean_n for_o what_o they_o will_v seem_v to_o intend_v it_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o erroneous_a for_o in_o persecution_n there_o be_v no_o rational_a persuasion_n in_o the_o torment_n or_o other_o punishment_n that_o which_o can_v move_v a_o alteration_n of_o opinion_n be_v reason_n and_o argument_n gentle_o and_o friendly_o propose_v error_n must_v be_v show_v by_o argument_n not_o by_o power_n or_o barbarity_n if_o that_o be_v the_o true_a way_n which_o the_o infallible_a follow_v then_o if_o a_o man_n be_v know_v to_o differ_v in_o a_o particular_a opinion_n he_o shall_v be_v convert_v by_o break_v a_o limb_n for_o that_o opinion_n and_o so_o another_o limb_n for_o another_o such_o dissent_v opinion_n and_o not_o by_o argument_n till_o the_o sum_n total_a of_o his_o heresy_n grow_v big_a enough_o for_o the_o fire_n but_o than_o it_o will_v appear_v also_o that_o what_o they_o pretend_v be_v for_o conversion_n in_o very_a deed_n be_v only_o for_o destruction_n and_o the_o service_n and_o punishment_n be_v whole_o for_o themselves_o not_o the_o person_n punish_v if_o a_o man_n see_v light_a or_o any_o other_o object_n can_v punishment_n make_v he_o not_o believe_v what_o he_o see_v torment_v perhaps_o may_v make_v he_o say_v that_o he_o do_v not_o see_v what_o he_o do_v or_o any_o thing_n else_o from_o the_o force_n of_o his_o prevail_a misery_n so_o perhaps_o persecution_n in_o its_o various_a and_o skilful_a invention_n of_o several_a punishment_n and_o torment_n may_v force_v the_o wretched_a sufferer_n verbal_o to_o renounce_v their_o respective_a faith_n and_o opinion_n though_o they_o be_v not_o at_o all_o alter_v in_o their_o belief_n which_o victory_n be_v indeed_o a_o service_n to_o the_o priest_n power_n but_o none_o to_o god_n or_o the_o suffer_a person_n if_o a_o man_n shall_v say_v prayer_n for_o a_o show_n in_o this_o world_n and_o yet_o not_o believe_v in_o the_o god_n he_o pray_v to_o but_o only_a design_n to_o keep_v himself_o from_o trouble_n and_o disturbance_n will_v not_o such_o prayer_n be_v bantr_v sin_n be_v there_o not_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o those_o who_o persecute_v and_o by_o torment_n or_o fear_n force_v suffer_v wretch_n to_o declare_v against_o their_o own_o conscience_n shall_v be_v esteem_v and_o judge_v guilty_a of_o the_o sin_n which_o their_o cruelty_n cause_v or_o be_v there_o perhaps_o any_o great_a sin_n than_o to_o sin_n against_o a_o man_n own_o conscience_n shall_v any_o one_o force_n a_o man_n to_o murder_v himself_o will_v not_o such_o a_o one_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o murder_n do_v not_o the_o law_n make_v the_o accessary_a equal_o guilty_a with_o the_o principal_a by_o the_o same_o reason_n those_o that_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o violence_n or_o terror_n be_v guilty_a of_o the_o unconscionable_a and_o therefore_o impious_a renunciation_n that_o be_v cause_v by_o such_o terror_n or_o violence_n persecution_n can_v be_v no_o argument_n to_o persuade_v nor_o destruction_n the_o way_n to_o conversion_n and_o to_o force_v any_o to_o sin_n against_o their_o conscience_n be_v no_o rule_n of_o christianity_n the_o late_a unexampled_a persecution_n in_o france_n have_v by_o strange_a invent_v way_n of_o several_a torment_n and_o vexation_n force_v many_o to_o renounce_v verbal_o their_o opinion_n and_o conscience_n a_o sin_n which_o god_n hate_v it_o be_v true_a man_n shall_v undergo_v all_o suffering_n for_o their_o conscience_n but_o if_o torment_v prevail_v over_o the_o weakness_n of_o a_o distract_a sufferer_n those_o that_o inflict_v the_o cruelty_n be_v certain_o the_o cause_n of_o what_o god_n hate_v and_o their_o reward_n will_v be_v according_o persecution_n therefore_o can_v be_v use_v out_o of_o no_o respect_n to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n but_o be_v a_o defiance_n of_o he_o and_o only_o a_o service_n to_o priest-craft_n and_o priest_n who_o like_o other_o plunderer_n preserve_v ill-got_a good_n by_o force_n the_o prescription_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v of_o another_o nature_n even_o to_o be_v gentle_a in_o all_o thing_n and_o to_o have_v charity_n for_o those_o that_o offend_v st._n john_n epistle_n who_o subject-matter_n be_v only_a love_n will_v be_v a_o cheat_n rather_o than_o a_o true_a gospel-direction_n if_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o persecution_n can_v be_v approve_v in_o the_o gospel-state_n if_o love_n can_v spring_v from_o loss_n of_o estate_n torment_n and_o death_n if_o the_o advice_n and_o gospel-command_a of_o catholic_n love_n be_v not_o make_v perfect_o ridiculous_a by_o the_o contrary_a command_n of_o persecution_n and_o hatred_n we_o may_v allow_v of_o the_o priestly_a expedient_a of_o persecution_n but_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o persuade_v those_o that_o suffer_v that_o their_o persecutor_n do_v not_o hate_v they_o and_o as_o impossible_a to_o love_v such_o persecutor_n any_o better_a than_o they_o love_v their_o suffering_n themselves_o but_o woe_n be_v to_o they_o by_o who_o the_o offence_n come_v what_o condemnation_n must_v it_o carry_v with_o it_o that_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v teacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n instead_o of_o the_o way_n of_o love_n search_v after_o those_o of_o blood_n and_o instead_o of_o gentleness_n pursue_v with_o fury_n and_o that_o too_o for_o as_o little_a reason_n as_o if_o they_o go_v about_o to_o punish_v those_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o taste_n for_o opinion_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v help_v than_o a_o man_n relish_n it_o be_v as_o reasonable_a to_o punish_v any_o one_o for_o a_o vitiate_a palate_n as_o for_o think_v what_o he_o must_v think_v it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n who_o know_v our_o infirmity_n will_v punish_v error_n which_o be_v no_o sin_n because_o it_o come_v not_o from_o the_o will_n and_o intention_n one_o man_n may_v be_v weak_a than_o another_o and_o both_o may_v mistake_v more_o or_o less_o according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o capacity_n but_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v thereby_o guilty_a because_o the_o mistake_v and_o opinion_n proceed_v from_o their_o innoscence_n which_o be_v to_o say_v their_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n there_o have_v be_v very_o warm_a and_o fierce_a dispute_n upon_o subject-matter_n that_o can_v have_v have_v no_o good_a effect_n if_o the_o decision_n have_v be_v according_a to_o the_o desire_n and_o fancy_n of_o either_o of_o the_o contend_a party_n and_o yet_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v charge_v with_o heresy_n in_o the_o dispute_n concern_v freewill_n one_o party_n deny_v it_o believe_v that_o such_o denial_n magnify_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n the_o other_o affirm_v it_o because_o he_o believe_v it_o engage_v man_n in_o pious_a endeavour_n therefore_o absolute_o to_o determine_v the_o question_n in_o direct_a favour_n of_o either_o party_n will_v not_o be_v useful_a st._n paul_n reckon_v heresy_n among_o the_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n indeed_o it_o be_v in_o holy_a scripture_n every_o where_o reckon_v among_o practical_a impiety_n matter_n of_o fact_n in_o direct_a sin_n can_v only_o be_v ascertain_v to_o be_v heresy_n if_o a_o man_n do_v not_o mix_v a_o vice_n with_o his_o opinion_n and_o that_o his_o life_n according_o be_v not_o lead_v in_o