Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	wisdom_n	wit_n	year_n	15	3	3.7789	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A37277	Christianity best propagated by the good lives of Christians a sermon preach'd before the gentlemen educated at Merchant Taylors School at St. Mary le Bow, Jan. 16, 1699 / by Sir William Dawes, Baronet ...	Dawes, William, Sir, 1671-1724.	1700 (1700)	Wing D455; ESTC R10124	10,588	28

plain_a because_o the_o argument_n of_o such_o man_n be_v always_o suspect_v and_o they_o themselves_o be_v manifest_a hypocrite_n their_o argument_n general_o pass_v for_o such_o too_o four_o the_o holy_a and_o exemplary_a life_n of_o christian_n will_v so_o powerful_o represent_v to_o unbeliever_n the_o reasonableness_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o usefulness_n and_o advantage_n of_o it_o towards_o the_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n and_o well-being_n of_o mankind_n that_o they_o can_v fai_o of_o engage_v their_o affection_n towards_o it_o and_o not_o only_o strong_o incline_v they_o to_o examine_v into_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o but_o even_o prejudice_n and_o prepossess_v they_o in_o favour_n of_o it_o and_o make_v they_o wish_v and_o desire_n that_o it_o may_v be_v true_a by_o show_v they_o how_o much_o it_o be_v for_o their_o interest_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o thus_o for_o instance_n when_o they_o shall_v see_v its_o precept_n all_o exemplify_v in_o the_o life_n of_o its_o disciple_n how_o capable_a they_o be_v of_o be_v practise_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o seem_a difficulty_n in_o the_o theory_n and_o how_o much_o they_o tend_v to_o exalt_v and_o ennoble_v human_a nature_n when_o practise_v by_o draw_v it_o off_o from_o the_o carnal_a and_o sensual_a to_o the_o rational_a and_o spiritual_a life_n they_o will_v be_v constrain_v to_o acknowledge_v it_o a_o reasonable_a constrain_v to_o wish_v it_o a_o divine_a service_n again_o when_o by_o compare_v the_o life_n of_o christian_n with_o those_o of_o other_o man_n they_o shall_v plain_o see_v how_o much_o they_o do_v surpass_v they_o in_o piety_n towards_o god_n justice_n and_o charity_n towards_o man_n and_o in_o a_o regular_a and_o well_o order_v government_n of_o themselves_o their_o lust_n and_o passion_n and_o this_o they_o will_v soon_o see_v if_o christian_n be_v but_o careful_a to_o direct_v their_o life_n according_a to_o their_o rule_n they_o must_v needs_o own_o that_o they_o have_v a_o more_o excellent_a rule_n of_o life_n to_o walk_v by_o than_o other_o man_n and_o earnest_o desire_v that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v the_o stand_a rule_n to_o all_o mankind_n once_o more_o when_o they_o shall_v observe_v from_o sensible_a and_o live_a proof_n how_o much_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n due_o put_v in_o execution_n tend_v to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n order_n and_o beauty_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o the_o particular_a happiness_n and_o well-being_n of_o every_o member_n of_o it_o how_o content_v and_o useful_a it_o make_v every_o man_n in_o his_o own_o station_n how_o respectful_a and_o obedient_a to_o his_o superior_n how_o humble_a kind_a and_o helpful_a to_o his_o inferior_n how_o just_a and_o beneficent_a to_o all_o how_o utter_o it_o eradicate_v from_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n every_o root_n of_o bitterness_n which_o may_v make_v they_o uneasy_a either_o to_o themselves_o or_o other_o and_o how_o plentiful_o it_o inspire_v they_o with_o all_o those_o crace_n and_o virtue_n which_o may_v serve_v to_o promote_v their_o own_o and_o their_o neighbour_n happiness_n but_o above_o all_o with_o what_o sure_a and_o glorious_a hope_n it_o fill_v they_o of_o a_o bless_a immortality_n in_o prospect_n of_o which_o they_o be_v able_a to_o triumph_v over_o all_o the_o misery_n and_o trouble_n of_o this_o present_a life_n and_o defy_v all_o manner_n of_o danger_n that_o may_v threaten_v they_o nay_o even_o death_n itself_o when_o i_o say_v they_o shall_v experimental_o and_o sensible_o find_v the_o conduciveness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n towards_o these_o admirable_a and_o desirable_a end_n how_o can_v it_o be_v conceive_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o straightway_o fall_n in_o love_n with_o it_o and_o eager_o desire_v to_o employ_v themselves_o in_o examine_v those_o reason_n and_o ready_o give_v those_o argument_n their_o full_a weight_n which_o serve_v to_o confirm_v they_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o this_o will_v put_v they_o into_o a_o excellent_a temper_n and_o disposition_n for_o receive_v last_o that_o evidence_n which_o the_o holy_a life_n of_o christian_n carry_v in_o they_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o this_o be_v very_o strong_a and_o powerful_a for_o first_o it_o be_v most_o high_o probable_a that_o that_o religion_n which_o so_o much_o tend_v to_o raise_v man_n up_o into_o a_o conformity_n and_o likeness_n to_o god_n and_o as_o st_z peter_z express_v it_o to_o make_v they_o partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o holy_a life_n of_o christian_n the_o christian_a religion_n do_v have_v that_o god_n for_o its_o author_n to_o who_o it_o be_v so_o very_o like_a be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o life_n of_o christian_n lead_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o religion_n either_o unlike_a to_o or_o unworthy_a of_o god_n this_o will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n against_o the_o divinity_n of_o it_o for_o god_n certain_o can_v do_v nothing_o either_o unlike_a to_o or_o unworthy_a of_o himself_z but_o since_o every_o line_n and_o feature_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a be_v exact_o answerable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o all_o our_o pure_a and_o most_o refine_a notion_n of_o god_n it_o seem_v high_o unreasonable_a not_o to_o acknowledge_v he_o for_o his_o father_n but_o second_o the_o holy_a life_n of_o christian_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v a_o infallible_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o appear_v utter_o impossible_a that_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o infinite_a power_n join_v together_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o raise_v man_n life_n to_o that_o perfection_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n visible_o do_v and_o consequent_o that_o must_v be_v infinite_a wisdom_n and_o infinite_a power_n in_o vain_a alas_o have_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o this_o world_n for_o about_o four_o thousand_o year_n exercise_v their_o wit_n in_o search_v out_o such_o perfect_a rule_n of_o live_v as_o shine_v so_o illustrious_o in_o the_o life_n of_o true_a christian_n and_o be_v it_o then_o imaginable_a that_o there_o shall_v come_v one_o man_n at_o last_o wise_a than_o all_o the_o world_n before_o he_o who_o shall_v be_v able_a of_o himself_o to_o achieve_v this_o mighty_a work_n no_o certain_o the_o work_n be_v more_o than_o humane_a and_o not_o to_o be_v accomplish_v but_o by_o the_o infinite_a and_o multifarious_a wisdom_n which_o so_o rich_o dwell_v in_o our_o jesus_n who_o have_v be_v in_o these_o last_o day_n the_o author_n of_o it_o nothing_o less_o than_o that_o scripture_n which_o have_v be_v give_v we_o by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n can_v have_v be_v sufficient_a for_o doctrine_n for_o reproof_n for_o correction_n for_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v as_o we_o now_o see_v he_o perfect_a and_o thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n and_o as_o our_o wisdom_n to_o find_v out_o so_o our_o power_n to_o execute_v the_o mean_n of_o arrive_v at_o this_o perfection_n be_v much_o too_o short_a for_o suppose_v that_o of_o ourselves_o we_o can_v have_v discover_v those_o excellent_a rule_n of_o life_n which_o christian_n now_o walk_v by_o yet_o consider_v how_o very_o disagreeable_a they_o be_v to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o how_o constant_o and_o how_o violent_o they_o thwart_v our_o dear_a affection_n and_o inclination_n and_o how_o many_o and_o how_o potent_a enemy_n we_o must_v have_v fight_v our_o way_n through_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o they_o we_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v it_o impossible_a for_o we_o ever_o to_o have_v keep_v they_o for_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n consider_v in_o himself_o to_o be_v continual_o fight_v against_o and_o bear_v down_o himself_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o mere_a unassisted_a man_n to_o wrestle_v with_o and_o get_v the_o victory_n over_o principality_n and_o power_n but_o what_o the_o natural_a power_n of_o man_n can_v not_o do_v that_o the_o supernatural_a grace_n of_o god_n have_v effectual_o do_v and_o by_o this_o we_o who_o of_o ourselves_o be_v weak_a and_o unable_a to_o do_v any_o good_a thing_n be_v make_v strong_a in_o the_o lord_n enable_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n and_o to_o go_v on_o unto_o all_o perfection_n this_o than_o i_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o stand_a miracle_n to_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n namely_o the_o vast_a change_n it_o have_v make_v from_o the_o carnal_a to_o the_o spiritual_a man_n visible_a in_o the_o life_n of_o all_o good_a christian_n and_o uncapable_a of_o be_v effect_v by_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o wisdom_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v plain_o how_o the_o life_n of_o good_a christian_n do_v conduce_v very_o much_o towards_o the_o conversion_n of_o unbeliever_n to_o the_o

christian_a religion_n by_o incline_v they_o to_o look_v into_o it_o gain_v opportunity_n of_o instruct_v they_o in_o it_o represent_v it_o amiable_a and_o lovely_a to_o they_o and_o by_o prepare_v they_o for_o and_o offer_v to_o they_o not_o only_o probable_a but_o even_o demonstrative_a evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o it_o i_o proceed_v to_o show_v second_o that_o they_o conduce_v every_o whit_n as_o much_o towards_o the_o conversion_n of_o wicked_a believer_n to_o a_o true_a and_o steadfast_a practice_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o first_o the_o holy_a and_o exemplary_a life_n of_o good_a christian_n will_v be_v a_o continual_a reproach_n and_o reproof_n to_o the_o bad_a one_o by_o show_v in_o themselves_o as_o in_o a_o glass_n how_o insincere_a and_o hypocritical_a they_o be_v how_o unlike_a in_o word_n and_o deed_n in_o reality_n and_o profession_n how_o inconsistent_a with_o themselves_o and_o how_o unworthy_a of_o that_o holy_a name_n by_o which_o they_o be_v call_v all_o this_o must_v evident_o appear_v from_o view_v the_o life_n of_o good_a christian_n between_o which_o and_o those_o of_o bad_a one_o there_o will_v be_v see_v at_o first_o sight_n such_o a_o monstrous_a disparity_n as_o will_v render_v wicked_a christian_n odious_a and_o contemptible_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o man_n even_o of_o such_o as_o be_v not_o christian_n themselves_o for_o all_o man_n natural_o love_v sincerity_n and_o a_o correspondence_n between_o man_n action_n and_o profession_n and_o moreover_o make_v they_o if_o they_o be_v not_o quite_o harden_v ashamed_a of_o themselves_o and_o resolve_v either_o to_o shake_v off_o their_o christian_a profession_n or_o their_o unchristian_a conversation_n the_o righteous_a say_v the_o wicked_a in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o solomon_n c._n 2._o v._n 12_o etc._n etc._n be_v not_o for_o our_o turn_n and_o he_o be_v clean_o contrary_a to_o our_o do_n he_o upbraid_v we_o with_o our_o offend_v the_o law_n and_o object_v to_o our_o infamy_n the_o transgress_a of_o our_o education_n he_o be_v make_v to_o reprove_v our_o thought_n he_o be_v grievous_a unto_o we_o even_o to_o behold_v for_o his_o life_n be_v not_o like_o other_o man_n his_o way_n be_v of_o another_o fashion_n we_o be_v esteem_v of_o he_o as_o counterfeit_v he_o abstain_v from_o our_o way_n as_o from_o filthiness_n beside_o the_o reproof_n of_o a_o good_a life_n have_v this_o peculiar_a advantage_n of_o all_o other_o sort_n of_o reproof_n that_o it_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v misconstrue_v and_o so_o neglect_v upon_o pretence_n of_o its_o proceed_n from_o personal_a malice_n particular_a pique_n and_o private_a interest_n and_o design_n as_o they_o be_v a_o good_a life_n be_v a_o reproof_n at_o large_a and_o therefore_o no_o man_n can_v say_v i_o be_o the_o person_n design_v by_o it_o it_o be_v the_o necessary_a mean_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o no_o man_n can_v be_v so_o foolish_a as_o to_o imagine_v that_o it_o proceed_v from_o any_o particular_a spite_n or_o ill_a will_n to_o he_o the_o reproof_n of_o it_o be_v the_o most_o lively_a and_o powerful_a because_o the_o most_o sensible_a that_o can_v be_v and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n most_o inoffensive_a and_o like_a to_o do_v good_a because_o it_o point_v at_o no_o particular_a person_n nor_o can_v be_v ascribe_v to_o any_o ill_a design_n second_o the_o holy_a and_o exemplary_a life_n of_o good_a christian_n will_v be_v a_o continual_a lesson_n of_o instruction_n to_o the_o wicked_a and_o have_v show_v they_o that_o they_o walk_v wrong_v direct_v they_o how_o to_o walk_v right_a by_o set_v before_o they_o in_o lively_a colour_n the_o exact_a portrait_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a sensible_o track_v out_o for_o they_o the_o path_n they_o be_v to_o walk_v in_o and_o go_v visible_o before_o they_o and_z by_o so_o do_v as_o it_o be_v lead_v they_o on_o by_o the_o hand_n in_o it_o we_o have_v such_o a_o great_a mixture_n of_o sense_n with_o our_o reason_n and_o beside_o be_v so_o natural_o prone_a to_o imitate_v those_o of_o our_o own_o kind_n that_o there_o can_v a_o great_a blessing_n befall_v we_o than_o to_o be_v surround_v with_o good_a example_n which_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o sensible_a comment_n upon_o the_o law_n of_o reason_n and_o religion_n the_o better_a to_o inform_v our_o mind_n in_o they_o and_o likewise_o to_o provoke_v we_o right_o to_o apply_v this_o natural_a inclination_n we_o have_v to_o imitate_v one_o another_o last_o the_o holy_a and_o exemplary_a life_n of_o good_a christian_n will_v be_v a_o continual_a encouragement_n to_o the_o wicked_a to_o forsake_v their_o sin_n and_o return_v to_o their_o duty_n by_o become_v to_o they_o a_o plain_a demonstration_n not_o only_o of_o the_o possibility_n of_o practise_v their_o duty_n but_o also_o of_o that_o most_o desirable_a ease_n pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n that_o most_o delightful_a hope_n and_o joyful_a expectation_n which_o constant_o attend_v upon_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o and_o what_o can_v a_o err_a christian_n possible_o need_v or_o desire_v more_o in_o order_n to_o his_o amendment_n than_o to_o be_v make_v sensible_a of_o his_o error_n and_o at_o once_o instruct_v and_o encourage_v to_o forsake_v they_o this_o will_v be_v sufficient_a for_o his_o reformation_n if_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v reform_v and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o nothing_o will_n upon_o the_o whole_a then_o consider_v the_o vast_a influence_n that_o the_o holy_a life_n of_o christian_n have_v towards_o the_o propagation_n not_o only_o of_o the_o true_a faith_n but_o also_o true_a practice_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o think_v i_o may_v very_o just_o make_v these_o follow_a inference_n first_o that_o a_o christian_n not_o only_o may_v but_o some_o time_n in_o duty_n must_v so_o do_v his_o good_a work_n that_o they_o may_v be_v see_v of_o man_n or_o with_o a_o design_n to_o have_v they_o see_v of_o man_n and_o for_o this_o plain_a reason_n because_o it_o be_v vast_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o our_o bless_a lord_n who_o to_o the_o last_o degree_n abhor_v all_o self-conceit_n and_o vainglory_n have_v command_v we_o not_o to_o do_v our_o alm_n and_o by_o parity_n of_o reason_n other_o good_a work_n before_o man_n to_o be_v see_v of_o they_o that_o be_v to_o be_v see_v of_o they_o for_o that_o end_n for_o which_o the_o pharisee_n to_o who_o our_o lord_n plain_o allude_v here_o desire_v their_o good_a work_n may_v be_v see_v namely_o pure_o that_o they_o may_v get_v the_o praise_n and_o glory_n of_o man_n and_o therewith_o feed_v and_o inflame_v their_o vanity_n and_o ostentation_n but_o as_o for_o those_o who_o have_v no_o other_o end_n in_o let_v their_o good_a work_n be_v see_v than_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o their_o brethren_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v concer_v in_o this_o prohibition_n that_o they_o have_v express_v warrant_n for_o what_o they_o do_v not_o only_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o but_o likewise_o from_o many_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o command_v they_o to_o set_v their_o candle_n on_o a_o candlestick_n to_o let_v their_o light_a shine_n before_o man_n to_o be_v like_o a_o city_n on_o a_o hill_n which_o can_v be_v hide_v etc._n etc._n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v not_o only_o a_o plain_a justification_n but_o a_o very_a high_a commendation_n of_o our_o present_a meeting_n that_o at_o a_o time_n when_o many_o have_v deny_v the_o lord_n who_o buy_v they_o and_o the_o love_n of_o almost_o all_o be_v waxen_a cold_a we_o be_v bold_a to_o make_v a_o public_a show_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o charity_n and_o both_o by_o word_n and_o deed_n open_o to_o prove_v ourselves_o the_o true_a disciple_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n that_o so_o we_o may_v by_o our_o example_n happy_o encourage_v other_o to_o become_v so_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n effectual_o propagate_v that_o true_a christian_a faith_n which_o work_v by_o love_n and_o be_v show_v by_o its_o work_n second_o hence_o i_o infer_v that_o all_o the_o atheism_n deism_n profaneness_n and_o immorality_n that_o be_v now_o so_o rife_o among_o we_o come_v very_o much_o from_o and_o be_v very_o much_o encourage_v by_o the_o ill_a life_n of_o we_o who_o profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n or_o at_o least_o from_o want_n of_o that_o exemplary_a holiness_n which_o be_v so_o strict_o require_v of_o all_o christian_n it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a as_o well_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o as_o from_o the_o justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o divine_a providence_n that_o our_o saviour_n kingdom_n shall_v not_o daily_o be_v enlarge_v if_o we_o be_v but_o due_o careful_a by_o the_o goodness_n of_o our_o life_n