Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
religion_n believe_v faith_n true_a 5,505 5 5.0466 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61625 A sermon preached before the King & Queen at White-Hall on Christmas-Day, 1693 by the Right Reverend Father in God, Edward Lord Bishop of Worcester. Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. 1694 (1694) Wing S5665; ESTC R8161 16,121 37

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take_v no_o notice_n of_o they_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n to_o insist_v too_o much_o upon_o they_o be_v to_o make_v they_o appear_v much_o more_o considerable_a than_o they_o be_v therefore_o i_o shall_v pass_v over_o all_o the_o trifle_a and_o impertinent_a talk_n of_o such_o man_n which_o be_v not_o whisper_v in_o corner_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a be_v become_v a_o matter_n of_o too_o common_a and_o public_a discourse_n and_o i_o shall_v single_a out_o that_o which_o seem_v to_o have_v the_o great_a weight_n in_o it_o viz._n suppose_v god_n shall_v have_v a_o intention_n to_o offer_v term_n of_o salvation_n to_o mankind_n yet_o what_o need_n be_v there_o that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n shall_v come_v into_o the_o world_n for_o that_o end_n have_v not_o god_n easy_a method_n of_o do_v it_o than_o by_o the_o incarnation_n and_o crucifixion_n of_o his_o son_n be_v it_o not_o more_o credible_a that_o god_n shall_v forgive_v sin_n without_o any_o atonement_n than_o that_o he_o shall_v send_v his_o son_n to_o be_v a_o sacrifice_n of_o propitiation_n to_o himself_o be_v it_o not_o enough_o for_o we_o to_o believe_v all_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n to_o be_v true_a for_o we_o own_o a_o god_n and_o providence_n and_o a_o life_n to_o come_v and_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o mankind_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o action_n but_o why_o shall_v our_o faith_n be_v cramp_v by_o such_o incredible_a mystery_n as_o these_o concern_v the_o son_n of_o god_n come_v into_o the_o world_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o the_o evangelist_n describe_v it_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o kindness_n to_o the_o world_n that_o it_o make_v the_o condition_n of_o salvation_n so_o much_o hard_a if_o we_o must_v believe_v thing_n which_o seem_v so_o impossible_a to_o we_o and_o so_o hard_a to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o natural_a principle_n of_o reason_n and_o religion_n i_o shall_v not_o dispute_v it_o with_o such_o man_n whether_o these_o late_a pretender_n to_o natural_a religion_n have_v at_o the_o bottom_n any_o real_a kindness_n for_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o or_o not_o i_o be_o willing_a to_o hope_v the_o best_a and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a dissatisfaction_n in_o they_o as_o to_o our_o reveal_v religion_n and_o that_o this_o pretend_a zeal_n for_o natural_a religion_n be_v little_o more_o than_o a_o mere_a shame_n and_o disguise_n to_o avoid_v a_o more_o odious_a imputation_n but_o let_v it_o be_v as_o great_a and_o real_a as_o they_o pretend_v what_o i_o at_o present_a undertake_v be_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o none_o who_o do_v embrace_v the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n can_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o reject_v the_o christian_n even_o as_o to_o this_o article_n of_o god_n send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n which_o they_o seem_v most_o to_o stumble_v at_o i_o shall_v not_o go_v about_o to_o show_v how_o the_o christian_a religion_n not_o only_a suppose_n but_o improve_v refine_v establish_v and_o enforce_v the_o most_o note_a and_o allow_v principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n as_o to_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o providence_n the_o most_o agreeable_a way_n of_o worship_n the_o nature_n and_o kind_n of_o moral_a duty_n the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o another_o world_n since_o no_o one_o of_o common_a sense_n can_v deny_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v very_o exact_a and_o particular_a in_o these_o thing_n above_o any_o other_o institution_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o in_o pass_v take_v notice_n that_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v any_o one_o institution_n in_o the_o world_n with_o respect_n to_o religion_n except_o that_o which_o we_o have_v by_o revelation_n which_o have_v not_o some_o notorious_a blunder_n in_o it_o as_o to_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o virtue_n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v far_o less_o reason_n to_o quarrel_v with_o christianity_n than_o any_o other_o religion_n if_o their_o 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the_o preservation_n of_o mankind_n or_o they_o give_v such_o a_o pitiful_a representation_n of_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o another_o life_n as_o if_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o have_v they_o look_v on_o as_o fable_n or_o despise_v as_o unworthy_a our_o regard_v they_o above_o the_o present_a pleasure_n of_o life_n but_o i_o dare_v challenge_v the_o most_o cavil_v sceptic_a to_o find_v any_o just_a fault_n with_o the_o duty_n of_o christianity_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n require_v therein_o be_v pure_a holy_a spiritual_n very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n the_o moral_a precept_n of_o it_o be_v clear_a weighty_a and_o comprehensive_a and_o those_o who_o have_v deliver_v they_o to_o we_o neither_o commend_v any_o vice_n nor_o sink_v the_o reputation_n of_o any_o virtue_n they_o never_o lessen_v our_o duty_n to_o god_n or_o to_o one_o another_o all_o the_o just_a complaint_n be_v that_o the_o precept_n be_v too_o strict_a and_o severe_a too_o good_a and_o too_o hard_o for_o mankind_n to_o practice_v they_o but_o be_v this_o a_o objection_n against_o our_o religion_n or_o against_o mankind_n if_o they_o think_v that_o let_v our_o religion_n require_v what_o it_o will_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n will_v still_o live_v and_o act_v like_o brute_n and_o go_v against_o all_o reason_n and_o religion_n how_o can_v we_o help_v it_o but_o we_o hope_v the_o blame_n be_v not_o to_o be_v lay_v on_o reason_n or_o religion_n that_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n be_v either_o fool_n or_o madman_n i_o e._n either_o want_n sense_n to_o understand_v their_o duty_n or_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o practise_v it_o especial_o consider_v that_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o another_o life_n be_v set_v forth_o in_o the_o gospel_n with_o that_o clearness_n that_o force_n that_o authority_n that_o if_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n will_v work_v upon_o mankind_n these_o must_v but_o all_o these_o thing_n i_o pass_v over_o and_o come_v to_o that_o which_o i_o propose_v as_o my_o chief_a design_n which_o be_v to_o prove_v that_o none_o who_o true_o believe_v the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n can_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o reject_v this_o fundamental_a article_n of_o it_o as_o to_o god_n send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o upon_o two_o account_n i._o that_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n make_v this_o design_n appear_v very_o credible_a or_o fit_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o understanding_n ii_o that_o the_o principle_n on_o which_o this_o fundamental_a article_n of_o our_o reveal_v religion_n stand_v afford_v sufficient_a evidence_n to_o prove_v it_o true_a and_o therefore_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v it_o as_o to_o the_o former_a the_o ground_n or_o principle_n which_o i_o go_v upon_o be_v these_o i._o that_o the_o great_a end_n of_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n viz._n the_o 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in_o this_o world_n and_o another_o but_o our_o soul_n be_v of_o a_o immortal_a nature_n that_o will_v subsist_v in_o happiness_n or_o misery_n after_o this_o life_n otherwise_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o another_o world_n signify_v nothing_o the_o question_n than_o be_v if_o it_o can_v be_v make_v a_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o wellbeing_a of_o mankind_n in_o such_o a_o low_a and_o gloomy_a a_o region_n as_o this_o earth_n be_v or_o to_o advance_v they_o into_o a_o far_o better_a place_n and_o better_a company_n and_o more_o noble_a and_o divine_a delight_n and_o those_o not_o depend_v on_o a_o fade_a droop_a die_a life_n but_o on_o the_o perpetual_a enjoyment_n of_o a_o complete_a happiness_n both_o of_o soul_n and_o body_n no_o one_o that_o ever_o dare_v to_o think_v or_o consider_v of_o these_o thing_n can_v believe_v there_o be_v any_o comparison_n between_o 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thought_n of_o they_o make_v man_n mind_n very_o uneasy_a for_o the_o most_o tempt_a pleasure_n of_o sin_n leave_v no_o grateful_a relish_n behind_o they_o how_o then_o shall_v the_o mind_n bear_v up_o itself_o in_o another_o state_n when_o its_o reflection_n must_v be_v far_o more_o constant_a and_o severe_a what_o then_o can_v the_o mind_n lay_v itself_o asleep_a and_o put_v itself_o into_o a_o state_n of_o unthinking_a that_o be_v all_o one_o as_o a_o kind_n of_o self-annihilation_a if_o it_o be_v of_o a_o think_v nature_n there_o be_v a_o state_n of_o unthinking_a in_o this_o world_n which_o be_v too_o common_a when_o the_o mind_n be_v as_o it_o be_v overlay_v and_o stifle_v with_o feather_n i_o mean_v be_v so_o take_v up_o with_o trifle_v and_o vain_a imagination_n as_o hardly_o give_v way_n to_o one_o serious_a thought_n
there_o have_v be_v mistake_v and_o dispute_v about_o some_o thing_n account_v good_a and_o evil_a be_v as_o absurd_a as_o to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o day_n and_o night_n because_o in_o the_o twilight_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o distinguish_v they_o but_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o real_a difference_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o human_a action_n and_o god_n be_v a_o strict_a observer_n of_o they_o he_o be_v a_o god_n of_o infinite_a holiness_n and_o justice_n can_v but_o be_v offend_v with_o mankind_n wilful_a omission_n of_o what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v good_a and_o commission_n of_o what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v evil._n but_o here_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o god_n displeasure_n against_o the_o action_n and_o against_o the_o person_n who_o commit_v they_o the_o former_a be_v a_o necessary_a consequent_a upon_o the_o evil_a of_o sin_n and_o can_v never_o be_v remove_v for_o god_n be_v irreconcilable_a to_o sin_n but_o those_o who_o commit_v sin_n be_v his_o creature_n and_o therefore_o capable_a of_o mercy_n and_o forgiveness_n there_o be_v always_o a_o desert_n of_o punishment_n follow_v upon_o sin_n but_o there_o be_v no_o inseparable_a connection_n between_o the_o sin_n and_o the_o punishment_n for_o the_o great_a and_o wise_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n act_v not_o by_o necessity_n of_o nature_n in_o punish_v sinner_n but_o by_o the_o method_n of_o wisdom_n and_o justice_n and_o if_o the_o save_n of_o sinner_n upon_o their_o repentance_n can_v be_v make_v agreeable_a to_o these_o such_o be_v the_o mercy_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o his_o creature_n that_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n to_o hope_v for_o a_o reconciliation_n for_o although_o god_n be_v displease_v he_o be_v not_o implacable_a although_o he_o be_v just_o provoke_v to_o punish_v sinner_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o absolute_a necessity_n that_o he_o shall_v nor_o any_o irreversible_a decree_n that_o he_o will_v do_v it_o and_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o this_o displeasure_n of_o god_n there_o be_v a_o way_n still_o leave_v open_a for_o reconciliation_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o next_o iv._o the_o four_o principle_n be_v that_o if_o god_n be_v thus_o displease_v with_o the_o sin_n of_o mankind_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o possibility_n of_o reconciliation_n between_o god_n and_o they_o he_o alone_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a and_o competent_a judge_n on_o what_o term_n this_o reconciliation_n may_v be_v obtain_v for_o be_v both_o the_o offend_a party_n and_o the_o supreme_a governor_n he_o have_v the_o sole_a right_n on_o both_o account_n of_o fix_v those_o term_n and_o condition_n upon_o which_o he_o will_v forgive_v sin_n and_o receive_v the_o offender_n into_o favour_n it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n for_o any_o to_o argue_v from_o one_o attribute_n of_o god_n against_o another_o some_o be_v apt_a to_o flatter_v themselves_o that_o god_n will_v easy_o forgive_v sin_n because_o he_o be_v merciful_a but_o they_o ought_v to_o consider_v that_o he_o be_v just_a and_o holy_a as_o well_o as_o merciful_a and_o there_o be_v as_o much_o ground_n to_o fear_v that_o he_o will_v not_o forgive_v because_o he_o be_v just_a as_o there_o can_v be_v to_o hope_v that_o he_o will_v because_o he_o be_v merciful_a and_o thus_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o consider_a man_n to_o satisfy_v his_o own_o mind_n as_o to_o god_n forgive_n his_o sin_n unless_o he_o be_v some_o way_n assure_v from_o himself_o that_o he_o will_v do_v it_o and_o therefore_o a_o particular_a revelation_n in_o this_o case_n must_v be_v make_v if_o god_n design_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o repentance_n by_o the_o hope_n of_o forgiveness_n but_o mere_a repentance_n can_v never_o make_v any_o satisfaction_n to_o god_n for_o the_o breach_n of_o his_o law_n suppose_v a_o sinner_n come_v to_o himself_o and_o be_v hearty_o sorry_a that_o he_o have_v offend_v god_n so_o many_o way_n and_o with_o such_o aggravate_v circumstance_n as_o he_o have_v do_v and_o now_o resolve_v in_o the_o anguish_n of_o his_o soul_n never_o more_o to_o return_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v far_o more_o please_a to_o god_n than_o go_v on_o to_o offend_v still_o but_o all_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o man_n in_o justice_n to_o god_n and_o to_o himself_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v for_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o vindicate_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n law_n and_o to_o condemn_v himself_o for_o his_o own_o folly_n and_o to_o return_v no_o more_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o but_o what_o amends_o be_v make_v by_o all_o this_o for_o the_o infinite_a dishonour_n which_o have_v be_v do_v to_o god_n and_o his_o law_n by_o the_o violation_n of_o they_o the_o court_n of_o justice_n among_o man_n take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o malefactor_n repentance_n however_o he_o be_v affect_v the_o law_n must_v be_v observe_v and_o offender_n punish_v how_o then_o can_v any_o person_n be_v assure_v from_o mere_a natural_a reason_n that_o god_n will_v not_o be_v as_o tender_v of_o the_o honour_n and_o justice_n of_o his_o law_n as_o mankind_n be_v allow_v to_o be_v without_o any_o imputation_n of_o cruelty_n or_o injustice_n if_o god_n shall_v be_v exact_a in_o punish_v offender_n who_o can_v complain_v for_o who_o can_v plead_v not-guilty_a before_o his_o maker_n and_o when_o a_o man_n be_v own_o conscience_n condemn_v he_o that_o he_o have_v deserve_v punishment_n what_o reason_n can_v he_o have_v from_o himself_o not_o to_o expect_v it_o and_o if_o he_o do_v just_o expect_v to_o be_v punish_v what_o reason_n can_v he_o have_v to_o hope_v for_o forgiveness_n since_o he_o know_v that_o he_o deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v and_o therefore_o can_v never_o deserve_v to_o be_v forgive_v it_o must_v be_v therefore_o a_o free_a act_n of_o grace_n and_o mercy_n in_o god_n to_o forgive_v even_o penitent_a sinner_n and_o upon_o what_o term_n and_o in_o what_o manner_n he_o will_v do_v it_o depend_v whole_o upon_o his_o own_o good_a will._n he_o may_v forgive_v sin_n if_o he_o please_v and_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o nature_n to_o do_v it_o if_o sinner_n do_v repent_v and_o forsake_v their_o sin_n but_o whether_o god_n have_v actual_o make_v know_v to_o we_o the_o way_n of_o reconciliation_n can_v be_v know_v by_o any_o principle_n of_o nature_n because_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o must_v have_v such_o proof_n as_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o ii_o have_v thus_o show_v how_o strong_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n do_v make_v way_n for_o entertain_v this_o point_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o to_o god_n send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o our_o reconciliation_n with_o he_o and_o our_o salvation_n by_o he_o it_o remain_v now_o to_o show_v how_o just_o god_n do_v require_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o from_o we_o as_o true_a for_o the_o next_o word_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o that_o believe_v on_o he_o be_v not_o condemn_v but_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o be_v condemn_v already_o because_o he_o have_v not_o believe_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o only_o beget_v son_n of_o god_n v_o 18._o this_o some_o may_v say_v be_v very_o hard_a doctrine_n for_o they_o believe_v as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v and_o if_o they_o can_v believe_v no_o more_o it_o be_v no_o fault_n for_o no_o man_n can_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v more_o than_o he_o can_v i_o do_v not_o question_v but_o nicodemus_n to_o who_o these_o word_n be_v general_o suppose_v to_o be_v speak_v by_o our_o saviour_n think_v he_o have_v go_v a_o great_a way_n when_o he_o use_v those_o word_n to_o christ_n v_o 2._o rabbi_n we_o know_v that_o thou_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n for_o no_o man_n can_v do_v these_o miracle_n that_o thou_o do_v except_o god_n be_v with_o he_o i_o e._n he_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v he_o some_o great_a prophet_n who_o god_n have_v send_v and_o this_o be_v a_o fair_a step_n for_o a_o ruler_n among_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v general_o very_o unreasonable_a unbeliever_n but_o christ_n tell_v he_o plain_o this_o will_v not_o do_v for_o unless_o he_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o only_o beget_v son_n of_o god_n he_o can_v not_o be_v save_v and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a point_n that_o god_n so_o love_v the_o world_n that_o he_o give_v his_o only_a beget_v son_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v in_o he_o shall_v not_o perish_v but_o have_v everlasting_a life_n v_o 16._o not_o as_o though_o mere_a believe_v this_o be_v sufficient_a for_o this_o carry_v a_o great_a many_o other_o thing_n along_o with_o it_o but_o that_o since_o god_n have_v send_v his_o only_o beget_v son_n into_o the_o world_n upon_o such_o a_o message_n he_o do_v expect_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v receive_v and_o