Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	believe_v	divine_a	revelation_n	3,126	5	9.6340	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62596	A sermon preached at White-hall, April the 4th, 1679 by John Tillotson ...	Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.	1679 (1679)	Wing T1233; ESTC R10423	16,980	46

a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o white-hall_n april_n the_o four_o 1679._o by_o john_n tillotson_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o canterbury_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n publish_a by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n london_n print_v for_o brabazon_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n over_o against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n and_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o maidenhead_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n mdclxxix_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o whitehall_n april_n the_o four_o 1679._o i_o john_n iu.i._n belove_a believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n this_o caution_n and_o counsel_n be_v give_v upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n and_o teacher_n that_o be_v rise_v up_o in_o the_o church_n who_o endeavour_v to_o seduce_v man_n from_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n and_o these_o teach_n contrary_a thing_n can_v not_o both_o be_v from_o god_n and_o therefore_o st._n john_n call_v upon_o christian_n to_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n and_o pretence_n of_o those_o new_a teacher_n whether_o they_o be_v from_o god_n or_o not_o believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n that_o be_v not_o every_o one_o that_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o be_v inspire_v and_o to_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n that_o be_v examine_v those_o that_o make_v this_o pretence_n whether_o it_o be_v real_a or_o not_o and_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o bring_v because_o there_o be_v many_o impostor_n abroad_o in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n in_o which_o there_o be_v contain_v these_o four_o proposition_n first_o that_o man_n may_v and_o often_o do_v false_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n upon_o which_o the_o apostle_n ground_n this_o exhortation_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n therefore_o we_o shall_v try_v who_o be_v true_a and_o who_o be_v false_a second_o we_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v every_o one_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v inspire_v and_o to_o teach_v a_o divine_a doctrine_n this_o follow_v upon_o the_o former_a because_o man_n may_v false_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v every_o one_o that_o make_v this_o pretence_n for_o any_o man_n that_o have_v but_o confidence_n enough_o and_o conscience_n little_a enough_o may_v pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o if_o we_o admit_v all_o pretence_n of_o this_o kind_n we_o lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o every_o crafty_a and_o confident_a man_n to_o be_v lead_v by_o he_o into_o what_o delusion_n he_o please_v three_o neither_o be_v we_o to_o reject_v all_o that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n this_o be_v sufficient_o imply_v in_o the_o text_n for_o where_o the_o apostle_n say_v believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n he_o suppose_v we_o be_v to_o believe_v some_o and_o when_o he_o say_v try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n he_o suppose_v some_o to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o that_o those_o which_o be_v so_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v these_o three_o observation_n be_v so_o plain_a that_o i_o need_v only_o to_o name_v they_o to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o four_o which_o i_o principal_o design_v to_o insist_v upon_o from_o these_o word_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v some_o way_n to_o discern_v mere_a pretender_n to_o inspiration_n from_o those_o who_o be_v true_o and_o divine_o inspire_v and_o this_o be_v necessary_o imply_v in_o the_o apostle_n bid_v we_o to_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n for_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o make_v any_o trial_n if_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o discern_v between_o pretend_a and_o real_a inspiration_n now_o the_o handle_n of_o this_o will_v give_v occasion_n to_o two_o very_a material_a inquiry_n and_o useful_a to_o be_v resolve_v i._o how_o we_o may_v discern_v between_o true_a and_o counterfeit_a doctrine_n those_o which_o real_o be_v from_o god_n and_o those_o which_o only_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o ii_o to_o who_o this_o judgement_n of_o discern_v do_v appertain_v i._o how_o we_o may_v discern_v between_o true_a and_o counterfeit_a doctrine_n and_o revelation_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o these_o follow_a proposition_n 1._o that_o reason_n be_v the_o faculty_n whereby_o revelation_n be_v to_o be_v discern_v or_o to_o use_v the_o phrase_n in_o the_o text_n it_o be_v that_o whereby_o we_o be_v to_o judge_n what_o spirit_n be_v of_o god_n and_o what_o not_o for_o all_o revelation_n from_o god_n suppose_v we_o to_o be_v man_n and_o to_o be_v endue_v with_o reason_n and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o create_v new_a faculty_n in_o we_o but_o propound_v new_a object_n to_o that_o faculty_n which_o be_v in_o we_o before_o whatever_o doctrine_n god_n reveal_v to_o man_n be_v propound_v to_o their_o understanding_n and_o by_o this_o faculty_n we_o be_v to_o examine_v all_o doctrine_n which_o pretend_v to_o be_v from_o god_n and_o upon_o examination_n to_o judge_n whether_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o receive_v they_o as_o divine_a or_o to_o reject_v they_o as_o imposture_n 2._o all_o supernatural_a revelation_n suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n we_o must_v first_o be_v assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n before_o we_o can_v know_v that_o he_o have_v make_v any_o revelation_n of_o himself_o and_o we_o must_v know_v that_o all_o his_o word_n be_v true_a otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o revelation_n which_o he_o make_v to_o we_o and_o we_o must_v believe_v his_o authority_n over_o we_o and_o that_o he_o will_v reward_v our_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n and_o punish_v our_o breach_n of_o they_o otherwise_o there_o will_v neither_o be_v sufficient_a obligation_n nor_o encouragement_n to_o obedience_n these_o and_o many_o other_o thing_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v true_a and_o natural_o know_v to_o we_o antecedent_o to_o all_o supernatural_a revelation_n otherwise_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n will_v signify_v nothing_o to_o we_o nor_o be_v of_o any_o force_n with_o we_o 3._o all_o reason_v about_o divine_a revelation_n must_v necessary_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o be_v by_o those_o apprehension_n which_o man_n natural_o have_v of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n and_o by_o the_o clear_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n which_o be_v imprint_v upon_o our_o nature_n because_o we_o have_v no_o other_o way_n to_o judge_n what_o be_v worthy_a of_o god_n and_o credible_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o he_o and_o what_o not_o but_o by_o the_o natural_a notion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o essential_a perfection_n which_o because_o we_o know_v he_o to_o be_v immutable_a we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v he_o will_v never_o contradict_v and_o by_o these_o principle_n likewise_o we_o be_v to_o interpret_v what_o god_n have_v reveal_v and_o when_o any_o doubt_n arise_v concern_v the_o meaning_n of_o any_o divine_a revelation_n as_o that_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o be_v to_o govern_v ourselves_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o it_o by_o what_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o those_o natural_a notion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o god_n and_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o reject_v that_o sense_n which_o be_v contrary_a thereto_o for_o instance_n when_o god_n be_v represent_v in_o scripture_n as_o have_v a_o humane_a shape_n eye_n ear_n and_o hand_n the_o notion_n which_o man_n natural_o have_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n do_v sufficient_o direct_v we_o to_o interpret_v these_o expression_n in_o a_o sense_n worthy_a of_o god_n and_o agreeable_a to_o his_o perfection_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o understand_v they_o as_o rather_o speak_v to_o our_o capacity_n and_o in_o a_o figure_n than_o to_o be_v literal_o intend_v and_o this_o will_v proportionable_o hold_v in_o many_o other_o case_n 4._o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o revelation_n from_o god_n which_o plain_o contradict_v the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n or_o overthrow_v the_o certainty_n of_o they_o for_o instance_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n because_o this_o be_v a_o contradiction_n in_o term_n so_o likewise_o to_o pretend_v a_o command_n from_o god_n that_o we_o be_v to_o hate_v and_o despise_v he_o because_o it_o be_v not_o credible_a that_o god_n shall_v require_v any_o thing_n of_o reasonable_a creature_n so_o unsuitable_a to_o their_o nature_n and_o to_o their_o obligation_n to_o he_o beside_o that_o such_o a_o law_n

be_v their_o best_a security_n and_o if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v place_v they_o under_o such_o guide_n as_o do_v seduce_v they_o into_o error_n their_o ignorance_n be_v invincible_a and_o god_n will_v not_o condemn_v they_o for_o it_o so_o long_o as_o they_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n so_o far_o as_o they_o know_v it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o many_o especial_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n where_o ignorance_n be_v so_o industrious_o cherish_v i_o have_v so_o much_o charity_n as_o to_o hope_v well_o concern_v many_o of_o they_o and_o see_v that_o church_n teach_v and_o enjoin_v the_o people_n to_o worship_v image_n it_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n charitable_o do_v of_o they_o not_o to_o let_v they_o know_v the_o second_o commandment_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v guilty_a of_o sin_v against_o so_o plain_a a_o law_n have_v premise_v these_o caution_n i_o proceed_v in_o the_o ii_o place_n to_o represent_v to_o you_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o principle_n of_o our_o religion_n viz._n that_o we_o allow_v private_a person_n to_o judge_n for_o themselves_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n first_o because_o many_o thing_n in_o religion_n especial_o those_o which_o be_v most_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o practise_v be_v so_o plain_a that_o every_o man_n of_o ordinary_a capacity_n after_o competent_a instruction_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v always_o to_o be_v suppose_v can_v as_o well_o judge_v of_o they_o for_o himself_o as_o any_o man_n or_o company_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v judge_v for_o he_o because_o in_o these_o he_o have_v a_o plain_a rule_n to_o go_v by_o natural_a light_n and_o clear_a revelation_n of_o scripture_n and_o this_o be_v no_o new_a principle_n of_o the_o protestant_n but_o most_o express_o own_v by_o the_o ancient_a father_n whatever_o thing_n be_v necessary_a be_v plain_a say_v st._n chrysostom_n all_o thing_n be_v plain_o contain_v in_o scripture_n which_o concern_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a life_n say_v st._n austin_n and_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o reasonable_a than_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v plain_a to_o every_o man_n shall_v be_v leave_v to_o every_o man_n judgement_n for_o every_o man_n can_v judge_n of_o what_o be_v plain_a of_o evident_a truth_n and_o falsehood_n virtue_n and_o vice_n of_o doctrine_n and_o law_n plain_o deliver_v in_o scripture_n if_o we_o believe_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v so_o which_o it_o be_v next_o to_o madness_n to_o deny_v i_o will_v refer_v it_o to_o no_o man_n judgement_n upon_o earth_n to_o determine_v for_o i_o whether_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o not_o whether_o murder_n and_o perjury_n be_v sin_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o plain_a in_o scripture_n that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o he_o become_v man_n and_o die_v for_o we_o and_o rise_v again_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o judge_n in_o these_o case_n nor_o can_v i_o possiby_o believe_v any_o man_n to_o be_v so_o absolute_o infallible_a as_o not_o to_o call_v his_o infallibility_n into_o question_n if_o he_o determin_n any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o what_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a to_o all_o mankind_n for_o if_o he_o shall_v determine_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n or_o that_o he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v worship_v or_o that_o he_o will_v not_o punish_v and_o reward_v man_n or_o which_o be_v the_o case_n that_o bellarmine_n put_v that_o virtue_n be_v vice_n and_o vice_n virtue_n he_o will_v hereby_o take_v away_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o religion_n and_o how_o can_v i_o look_v upon_o he_o any_o long_o as_o a_o judge_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n when_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o religion_n if_o he_o have_v judge_v and_o determine_v right_o second_o the_o scripture_n plain_o allow_v this_o liberty_n to_o particular_a and_o private_a person_n to_o judge_n for_o themselves_o and_o for_o this_o i_o need_v go_v no_o far_o than_o my_o text_n which_o bid_v man_n try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n i_o do_v not_o think_v this_o be_v speak_v only_o to_o the_o pope_n or_o a_o general_n council_n but_o to_o christian_n in_o general_a for_o to_o these_o the_o apostle_n write_v now_o if_o st._n john_n have_v believe_v that_o god_n have_v constitute_v a_o infallible_a judge_n in_o his_o church_n to_o who_o sentence_n and_o determination_n all_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o submit_v he_o ought_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o have_v refer_v christian_n to_o he_o for_o the_o trial_n of_o spirit_n and_o not_o have_v leave_v it_o to_o every_o man_n private_a judgement_n to_o examine_v and_o to_o determine_v these_o thing_n but_o it_o seem_v st._n paul_n be_v likewise_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o though_o he_o be_v guide_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o expect_v that_o man_n shall_v blind_o submit_v to_o his_o doctrine_n nay_o so_o far_o be_v he_o from_o that_o that_o he_o commend_v the_o berean_o for_o that_o very_a thing_n for_o which_o i_o dare_v say_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v have_v check_v they_o most_o severe_o namely_o for_o search_v the_o scripture_n to_o see_v whether_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v be_v so_o or_o not_o this_o liberty_n st._n paul_n allow_v and_o though_o he_o be_v inspire_v by_o god_n yet_o he_o treat_v those_o who_o he_o teach_v like_o man_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a case_n that_o a_o necessity_n of_o believe_v divine_a revelation_n and_o reject_v imposture_n shall_v be_v impose_v upon_o christian_n and_o yet_o the_o liberty_n of_o judge_v whether_o a_o doctrine_n be_v from_o god_n or_o not_o shall_v be_v take_v away_o from_o they_o three_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o be_v force_v to_o grant_v that_o which_o in_o effect_n be_v as_o much_o as_o we_o contend_v for_o for_o though_o they_o deny_v a_o liberty_n of_o judge_v in_o particular_a point_n of_o religion_n yet_o they_o be_v force_v to_o grant_v man_n a_o liberty_n of_o judge_v upon_o the_o whole_a when_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v persuade_v a_o jew_n or_o a_o heathen_a to_o become_v a_o christian_a or_o a_o heretic_n as_o they_o be_v please_v to_o call_v we_o to_o come_v over_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o their_o church_n and_o offer_v argument_n to_o induce_v they_o thereto_o they_o do_v by_o this_o very_a thing_n whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o make_v that_o man_n judge_v which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o the_o true_a religion_n because_o it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o persuade_v a_o man_n to_o turn_v to_o their_o religion_n and_o to_o urge_v he_o with_o reason_n to_o do_v so_o and_o yet_o to_o deny_v he_o the_o use_n of_o his_o own_o judgement_n whether_o their_o reason_n be_v sufficient_a to_o move_v he_o to_o make_v such_o a_o change_n now_o as_o the_o apostle_n reason_n in_o another_o case_n if_o man_n be_v fit_a to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o in_o so_o great_a and_o important_a a_o matter_n as_o the_o choice_n of_o their_o religion_n why_o shall_v they_o be_v think_v unworthy_a to_o judge_v in_o lesser_a matter_n they_o tell_v we_o indeed_o that_o a_o man_n may_v use_v his_o judgement_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o his_o religion_n but_o when_o he_o have_v once_o choose_v he_o be_v then_o for_o ever_o to_o resign_v up_o his_o judgement_n to_o their_o church_n but_o what_o tolerable_a reason_n can_v any_o man_n give_v why_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v fit_a to_o judge_v upon_o the_o whole_a and_o yet_o unfit_a to_o judge_v upon_o particular_a point_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o no_o man_n can_v make_v a_o discreet_a judgement_n of_o any_o religion_n before_o he_o have_v examine_v the_o particular_a doctrine_n of_o it_o and_o make_v a_o judgement_n concern_v they_o ●s_v it_o credible_a that_o god_n shall_v give_v a_o man_n judgement_n in_o the_o most_o fundamental_a and_o important_a matter_n of_o all_o viz._n to_o discern_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o true_a church_n from_o the_o false_a for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o enable_v he_o to_o choose_v once_o for_o all_o to_o who_o he_o shall_v resign_v and_o enslave_v his_o judgement_n for_o ever_o which_o be_v just_a as_o reasonable_a as_o if_o one_o shall_v say_v that_o god_n have_v give_v a_o man_n eye_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o look_v out_o once_o for_o all_o and_o to_o pitch_v upon_o a_o discreet_a person_n to_o lead_v he_o about_o blindfold_a all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o iii_o thing_n i_o propound_v which_o be_v to_o answer_v the_o main_a objection_n of_o our_o adversary_n against_o this_o principle_n and_o likewise_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o reason_n and_o necessity_n for_o a_o universal_a infallible_a judge_n as_o