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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
sense_n world_n worldly_a zeal_n 42 3 9.3895 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A51679 The mystery of atheism, or, The devices made use of to countenance and propagate it together with the evil and danger of them, set forth in several letters to a friend : wherein is made appear, that 'tis not want of evidence, but sincerity that makes men atheists / by the author of the Mystery of phanaticism. A. B. 1699 (1699) Wing M3183; ESTC R32115 53,436 138

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off_o from_o the_o reverence_n that_o be_v due_a to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n and_o the_o lewd_a talk_n and_o example_n of_o bad_a company_n gradual_o wear_v off_o all_o impression_n of_o virtue_n vice_n be_v infectious_a and_o communicate_v its_o venom_n and_o malignity_n to_o such_o as_o come_v near_o it_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v to_o keep_v at_o a_o distance_n from_o it_o and_o to_o have_v no_o fellowship_n with_o the_o unfruitful_a work_n of_o darkness_n but_o rather_o reprove_v they_o five_o to_o be_v arm_v against_o atheism_n we_o must_v labour_v to_o be_v well_o ground_v in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o not_o to_o take_v up_o our_o faith_n upon_o trust_n without_o examination_n a_o tree_n you_o know_v that_o be_v not_o well_o root_v be_v liable_a to_o be_v shake_v with_o every_o wind_n and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o wellgrounded_n in_o their_o religion_n be_v easy_o toss_v to_o and_o fro_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n he_o that_o 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the_o welfare_n of_o mankind_n shall_v methinks_v incline_v all_o man_n to_o entertain_v it_o to_o wish_v it_o true_a and_o to_o give_v all_o the_o strength_n that_o may_v be_v to_o the_o argument_n bring_v to_o confirm_v it_o for_o he_o that_o endeavour_v to_o evade_v this_o truth_n be_v a_o enemy_n not_o only_o to_o himself_o but_o to_o the_o happiness_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o human_a society_n and_o do_v what_o in_o he_o lie_v to_o destroy_v the_o peace_n and_o welfare_n of_o mankind_n but_o when_o and_o where_o be_v this_o general_a meeting_n of_o mankind_n in_o which_o they_o form_v this_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o enter_v into_o this_o solemn_a compact_n to_o believe_v and_o propagate_v it_o who_o summon_v or_o call_v they_o together_o from_o all_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o world_n or_o do_v they_o happen_v lucky_o to_o come_v and_o meet_v together_o by_o chance_n sure_o some_o history_n or_o other_o of_o the_o world_n will_v have_v record_v this_o grand_a assembly_n of_o mankind_n for_o this_o purpose_n which_o if_o it_o ever_o be_v be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o memorable_a thing_n that_o have_v be_v ever_o act_v in_o it_o but_o since_o no_o account_n have_v be_v ever_o give_v of_o such_o a_o meeting_n we_o may_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a figment_n to_o be_v meet_v with_o no_o where_n but_o in_o a_o atheistical_a brain_n but_o if_o the_o atheist_n can_v get_v over_o this_o difficulty_n which_o be_v indeed_o insuperable_a there_o be_v many_o other_o in_o this_o unaccountable_a compact_n in_o which_o he_o must_v be_v unavoidable_o entangle_v for_o how_o come_v all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o all_o place_n and_o country_n so_o unanimous_o to_o jump_v and_o agree_v together_o in_o this_o notion_n when_o
of_o such_o a_o thing_n but_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o we_o have_v some_o information_n of_o from_o our_o sense_n how_o then_o shall_v we_o believe_v we_o have_v a_o soul_n of_o which_o none_o of_o our_o sense_n can_v give_v we_o any_o information_n for_o if_o it_o be_v at_o all_o it_o must_v be_v a_o spiritual_a and_o immaterial_a substance_n which_o can_v incur_v into_o or_o be_v discern_v by_o any_o of_o they_o beside_o be_v there_o not_o many_o noble_a effect_n and_o operation_n that_o proceed_v from_o a_o invisible_a cause_n do_v we_o not_o find_v that_o we_o can_v reason_n judge_n and_o infer_v one_o thing_n from_o another_o though_o we_o see_v not_o the_o principle_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v have_v we_o not_o a_o understanding_n will_n and_o affection_n to_o know_v choose_v and_o affect_v thing_n though_o the_o spring_n of_o they_o occur_v not_o to_o any_o of_o our_o sense_n do_v we_o not_o find_v a_o world_n make_v and_o preserve_v though_o we_o 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this_o present_a imperfect_a state_n wherein_o we_o know_v but_o little_a of_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o how_o do_v the_o atheist_n account_v for_o all_o these_o noble_a effect_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o mind_n without_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o spirit_n why_o by_o resolve_v all_o into_o matter_n and_o motion_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o some_o of_o the_o fine_a and_o more_o subtle_a part_n of_o matter_n call_v atom_n be_v in_o continual_a motion_n lucky_o fall_v into_o those_o configuration_n by_o which_o all_o this_o be_v perform_v without_o the_o help_n or_o direction_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o that_o some_o happen_v to_o be_v wise_a and_o more_o know_v than_o other_o proceed_v from_o some_o of_o those_o more_o refine_a part_n of_o matter_n fall_v accidental_o into_o more_o happy_a form_n and_o contexture_n in_o they_o than_o they_o do_v in_o other_o and_o so_o instead_o of_o believe_v in_o god_n they_o believe_v only_o in_o matter_n and_o motion_n a_o great_a piece_n of_o 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and_o his_o step_n have_v well_o nigh_o slip_v when_o he_o see_v the_o wicked_a in_o great_a prosperity_n that_o they_o be_v not_o in_o trouble_n like_o other_o folk_n not_o plague_v like_o other_o man_n but_o be_v lusty_a and_o strong_a their_o eye_n stand_v out_o with_o fatness_n have_v as_o much_o as_o heart_n can_v wish_v whilst_o better_a man_n than_o they_o look_v meager_a and_o thin_a be_v pinch_v with_o want_n and_o chastened_a every_o morning_n this_o make_v he_o begin_v to_o doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o wise_a and_o supreme_a be_v that_o order_v these_o thing_n i_o behold_v say_v he_o the_o ungodly_a flourish_a like_o a_o green_a bay-tree_n and_o the_o righteous_a man_n at_o the_o same_o time_n droop_v and_o hang_v the_o head_n like_o a_o wither_v leaf_n very_o i_o have_v cleanse_v my_o heart_n in_o vain_a
yea_o have_v maintain_v false_a problem_n even_o in_o the_o mathematics_n themselves_o and_o will_v any_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o be_v all_o lie_v and_o falsity_n this_o principle_n will_v destroy_v all_o knowledge_n and_o lead_v man_n to_o deny_v and_o disbelieve_v every_o thing_n there_o have_v be_v no_o doubt_n heretic_n and_o schismatic_n in_o all_o age_n who_o have_v espouse_v many_o error_n and_o mistake_a opinion_n about_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o will_v any_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o all_o religion_n be_v imposture_n certain_o this_o be_v very_o bad_a argue_v and_o will_v lead_v man_n to_o the_o height_n of_o scepticism_n and_o infidelity_n again_o what_o though_o man_n differ_v about_o some_o thing_n will_v it_o follow_v thence_o that_o they_o agree_v in_o nothing_o and_o if_o as_o one_o have_v well_o observe_v their_o disagreement_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o some_o thing_n why_o be_v not_o their_o agreement_n as_o good_a a_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o other_o the_o difference_n in_o religion_n be_v common_o about_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o as_o about_o the_o mode_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n whereas_o man_n general_o agree_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o essential_o of_o religion_n and_o indeed_o there_o be_v nothing_o wherein_o all_o mankind_n do_v more_o universal_o agree_v than_o in_o the_o belief_n and_o worship_n of_o a_o god_n and_o be_v it_o not_o unreasonable_a because_o they_o may_v differ_v in_o some_o thing_n to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o wherein_o they_o be_v all_o agree_v he_o that_o find_v himself_o incline_v to_o make_v this_o bad_a use_n of_o man_n dispute_n and_o to_o improve_v these_o petty_a difference_n into_o atheism_n may_v do_v well_o to_o sit_v down_o and_o consider_v how_o far_o religion_n be_v concern_v in_o they_o which_o if_o he_o can_v be_v persuade_v to_o do_v he_o will_v soon_o see_v that_o these_o thing_n do_v not_o affect_v the_o truth_n and_o foundation_n of_o it_o in_o which_o they_o be_v all_o agree_v but_o only_o the_o beauty_n and_o ornament_n of_o the_o superstucture_n they_o refer_v rather_o to_o matter_n of_o speculation_n than_o practice_n and_o if_o any_o have_v various_a sentiment_n about_o the_o ornament_n and_o outwork_n of_o a_o building_n sure_o that_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n either_o to_o distrust_v or_o subvert_v the_o foundation_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n letter_n xii_o sir_n i_o show_v in_o my_o last_o the_o perverse_a use_n which_o the_o atheist_n make_v of_o the_o dispute_n and_o difference_n that_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n i_o proceed_v in_o this_o to_o another_o device_n much_o like_o it_o which_o be_v his_o taking_z occasion_n from_o the_o hypocrisy_n and_o bad_a life_n of_o some_o pretender_n to_o it_o to_o conclude_v all_o religion_n to_o be_v false_a and_o from_o thence_o to_o fall_v into_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n this_o be_v a_o frequent_a and_o fatal_a practice_n of_o which_o our_o age_n do_v afford_v many_o sad_a and_o doleful_a instance_n there_o be_v some_o who_o will_v be_v at_o no_o pain_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o any_o religion_n but_o take_v it_o upon_o trust_n as_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o country_n where_o they_o live_v or_o as_o it_o be_v derive_v down_o to_o they_o by_o their_o parent_n or_o ancestor_n now_o these_o lie_v open_a to_o all_o the_o assault_n of_o atheism_n and_o be_v altogether_o unguarded_a against_o they_o be_v but_o too_o ready_a to_o surrender_v upon_o any_o summons_n and_o to_o yield_v to_o every_o temptation_n to_o it_o their_o faith_n for_o lack_v of_o be_v catechise_v and_o well-principled_a in_o the_o beginning_n have_v no_o firm_a bottom_n but_o lie_v whole_o in_o the_o power_n of_o a_o corrupt_a and_o inconstant_a will_n which_o will_v move_v as_o interest_n and_o inclination_n lead_v it_o so_o that_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o become_v wicked_a enough_o to_o need_v atheism_n for_o a_o refuge_n they_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o fly_v to_o it_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v bid_v to_o try_v and_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o doctrine_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o we_o when_o ever_o we_o be_v ask_v or_o call_v to_o it_o that_o be_v wellgrounded_n in_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n we_o may_v adhere_v to_o it_o against_o all_o opposition_n and_o stand_v the_o shock_n of_o the_o fierce_a temptation_n again_o there_o be_v other_o who_o think_v sometime_o upon_o religion_n and_o make_v some_o enquiry_n into_o it_o but_o yet_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o it_o not_o by_o the_o soundness_n of_o its_o precept_n but_o by_o the_o life_n and_o practice_n of_o those_o that_o make_v the_o great_a profession_n of_o it_o these_o likewise_o to_o save_v the_o trouble_n of_o a_o deep_a and_o impartial_a search_n into_o the_o ground_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o religion_n stand_v inquire_v what_o other_o think_v of_o it_o who_o by_o their_o pretence_n seem_v best_a to_o understand_v it_o and_o because_o man_n action_n be_v the_o best_a discovery_n of_o their_o thought_n and_o opinion_n of_o thing_n they_o judge_v of_o what_o they_o think_v in_o these_o matter_n by_o what_o they_o see_v they_o do_v so_o that_o when_o they_o see_v such_o man_n practice_n give_v the_o lie_n to_o their_o profession_n and_o find_v they_o act_v as_o as_o if_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v what_o they_o say_v this_o make_v they_o think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v it_o and_o that_o religion_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o cunning_a device_n make_v use_v of_o by_o some_o man_n to_o carry_v on_o their_o worldly_a interest_n and_o design_n this_o no_o doubt_n have_v draw_v many_o into_o atheism_n and_o harden_v other_o in_o it_o the_o many_o vile_a trick_n that_o have_v be_v play_v under_o the_o mask_n of_o religion_n the_o gild_n of_o treason_n and_o rebellion_n with_o a_o specious_a pretence_n of_o zeal_n for_o god_n glory_n and_o hide_v faction_n and_o sedition_n under_o the_o colour_n of_o reformation_n have_v make_v many_o suspect_n the_o whole_a for_o a_o contrivance_n and_o to_o cast_v it_o off_o as_o a_o system_fw-la of_o lie_n and_o imposture_n but_o be_v it_o a_o true_a and_o safe_a rule_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n by_o the_o life_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v it_o no_o a_o very_a unsafe_a and_o crooked_a one_o for_o though_o the_o hypocrite_n that_o play_v this_o game_n shall_v dear_o rue_v hereafter_o for_o all_o the_o evil_n do_v by_o this_o mean_n though_o his_o portion_n of_o misery_n and_o damnation_n will_v be_v heavy_a and_o hot_a than_o other_o for_o lay_v such_o a_o stumble_a block_n in_o their_o way_n by_o which_o so_o many_o fall_n to_o their_o eternal_a ruin_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o excuse_v the_o folly_n of_o such_o as_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v miss-led_n and_o betra'y_v by_o it_o nor_o justify_v such_o atheistical_a conclusion_n draw_v from_o it_o example_n you_o know_v be_v a_o false_a and_o fallacious_a rule_n to_o walk_v by_o for_o since_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n leave_v the_o way_n in_o which_o they_o shall_v walk_v to_o follow_v they_o or_o infer_v our_o duty_n from_o they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o to_o go_v astray_o but_o they_o draw_v this_o conclusion_n they_o say_v not_o from_o the_o loose_a and_o debauch_a part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o have_v no_o sense_n of_o religion_n but_o from_o the_o strict_a sort_n that_o make_v the_o high_a pretension_n to_o it_o and_o seem_v to_o have_v the_o deep_a impression_n of_o it_o and_o if_o these_o make_v it_o evident_a by_o their_o life_n that_o they_o believe_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o it_o what_o can_v we_o think_v of_o it_o but_o as_o a_o mere_a delusion_n but_o do_v not_o man_n act_v sometime_o against_o their_o own_o persuasion_n and_o be_v not_o too_o many_o carry_v away_o by_o the_o sway_n of_o their_o lust_n and_o corrupt_a design_n against_o the_o conviction_n of_o their_o own_o mind_n that_o man_n sometime_o know_o and_o wilful_o commit_v great_a sin_n and_o cover_v vile_a enormity_n under_o a_o cloak_n of_o great_a sanctity_n be_v a_o matter_n indeed_o to_o be_v lament_v but_o can_v reasonable_o be_v urge_v as_o a_o argument_n against_o religion_n will_v any_o think_v that_o a_o cheat_n because_o some_o that_o do_v ill_a thing_n be_v find_v to_o be_v so_o and_o if_o these_o act_n so_o bad_a a_o part_n shall_v any_o be_v encourage_v by_o it_o to_o act_v a_o worse_o sure_o this_o be_v very_o bad_a argue_v and_o such_o as_o can_v well_o be_v own_a by_o any_o that_o will_v be_v think_v man_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n it_o be_v not_o unusual_a for_o man_n word_n to_o be_v
manifest_a breach_n of_o civility_n and_o good_a manner_n to_o scoff_n at_o and_o deride_v they_o the_o law_n of_o conversation_n require_v to_o treat_v all_o man_n with_o due_a respect_n there_o be_v none_o can_v hear_v with_o patience_n his_o father_n or_o his_o friend_n expose_v to_o scorn_n and_o derision_n and_o what_o a_o unparalleled_a affront_n must_v it_o be_v to_o mankind_n to_o make_v god_n and_o religion_n the_o dear_a thing_n to_o they_o in_o the_o world_n the_o subject_n of_o contempt_n and_o raillery_n again_o two_o the_o mighty_a influence_n which_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n have_v upon_o the_o public_a welfare_n may_v convince_v any_o consider_a man_n of_o the_o great_a evil_n of_o deride_v it_o he_o that_o despise_v religion_n cut_v the_o sinew_n of_o government_n and_o dissolve_v the_o firm_a bond_n of_o human_a society_n for_o when_o man_n have_v laugh_v away_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o religion_n all_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n be_v 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recommend_v it_o to_o the_o best_a advantage_n to_o expose_v vice_n and_o render_v it_o as_o it_o deserve_v ridiculous_a to_o season_v conversation_n and_o to_o ease_v and_o relieve_v the_o mind_n under_o the_o burden_n of_o its_o care_n and_o whilst_o it_o keep_v within_o these_o bound_n it_o be_v a_o useful_a and_o commendable_a quality_n but_o when_o it_o transgress_v these_o rule_n and_o break_v in_o upon_o god_n and_o religion_n it_o lose_v its_o name_n and_o degenerate_v into_o insolence_n and_o impiety_n yea_o such_o as_o will_v be_v think_v wit_n by_o jest_v upon_o sacred_a and_o serious_a thing_n do_v but_o betray_v the_o great_a folly_n it_o be_v the_o fool_n that_o say_v in_o his_o heart_n there_o be_v no_o god_n and_o solomon_n tell_v we_o that_o none_o but_o fool_n make_v a_o mock_n of_o sin_n or_o think_v of_o mock_v god_n who_o neither_o can_v nor_o will_v be_v mock_v in_o a_o word_n all_o profane_a wit_n be_v the_o height_n of_o folly_n and_o though_o it_o have_v never_o so_o much_o salt_n can_v be_v savoury_a but_o nauseous_a and_o offensive_a to_o all_o wise_a men._n last_o the_o unspeakable_a hazard_n the_o atheist_n run_v in_o deride_v religion_n be_v enough_o to_o show_v the_o danger_n and_o folly_n of_o this_o impious_a practice_n for_o if_o the_o atheist_n shall_v find_v at_o last_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n as_o undoubted_o he_o will_v what_o will_v he_o say_v for_o those_o rude_a scoff_v and_o affront_v he_o have_v put_v upon_o he_o what_o account_n can_v he_o give_v for_o all_o this_o impudent_a buffonery_n what_o horror_n and_o confusion_n of_o face_n must_v needs_o seize_v they_o when_o the_o maker_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v avenge_v this_o insolence_n upon_o they_o and_o vindicate_v his_o honour_n in_o their_o eternal_a destruction_n this_o be_v a_o matter_n well_o worth_a their_o serious_a and_o timely_a consideration_n that_o they_o may_v repent_v and_o return_v no_o more_o to_o this_o folly_n otherwise_o if_o they_o will_v continue_v to_o laugh_v on_o and_o scoff_n at_o religion_n god_n almighty_n will_v short_o take_v his_o turn_n too_o and_o will_v laugh_v at_o their_o calamity_n and_o mock_v when_o their_o fear_n come_v in_o short_a then_o this_o droll_a upon_o sacred_a thing_n be_v so_o far_o from_o give_v any_o just_a encouragement_n to_o atheism_n that_o it_o be_v a_o high_a aggravation_n of_o the_o impiety_n and_o all_o such_o mirth_n will_v end_v at_o last_o in_o the_o deep_a sadness_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n letter_n fourteen_o sir_n i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o last_o though_o none_o of_o the_o least_o artifices_fw-la to_o support_v and_o countenance_n atheism_n for_o when_o the_o atheist_n be_v beat_v out_o of_o all_o the_o former_a subterfuge_n he_o have_v recourse_n to_o another_o device_n suggest_v to_o he_o by_o his_o sensual_a lust_n and_o appetite_n and_o that_o be_v to_o charge_v religion_n with_o a_o foolish_a bargain_n and_o that_o such_o as_o embrace_v it_o act_n upon_o slender_a and_o insufficient_a motive_n to_o prove_v which_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o to_o part_v with_o present_a certainty_n for_o uncertain_a futurity_n can_v be_v no_o act_n of_o wisdom_n for_o in_o doubtful_a case_n the_o great_a evidence_n shall_v sway_v now_o we_o be_v sure_a say_v they_o of_o what_o be_v present_a but_o can_v never_o be_v so_o of_o what_o be_v future_a and_o therefore_o he_o charge_v it_o with_o folly_n to_o deny_v themselves_o the_o present_a pleasure_n profit_n and_o honour_n of_o this_o world_n for_o a_o few_o vain_a hope_n of_o better_a thing_n in_o another_o which_o perhaps_o may_v never_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o of_o which_o none_o can_v ever_o yet_o give_v they_o any_o certain_a evidence_n this_o though_o own_a indeed_o by_o few_o be_v yet_o the_o sense_n and_o language_n of_o most_o man_n life_n and_o action_n which_o show_v they_o to_o be_v fond_a to_o excess_n of_o these_o earthly_a enjoyment_n but_o to_o have_v little_a or_o no_o 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