Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
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A25447
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Religio clerici
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T. A.
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1681
(1681)
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Wing A32; ESTC R200747
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38,573
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248
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the_o like_a such_o monstrous_a medlies_n and_o odd_a landscape_n of_o opinion_n as_o in_o another_o kind_n the_o most_o extravagant_a conception_n of_o poet_n and_o painter_n have_v never_o equal_v and_o true_o i_o think_v one_o and_o the_o other_o have_v some_o ground_n much_o alike_o for_o their_o whimsy_n i_o be_o sure_a they_o have_v each_o of_o they_o have_v too_o much_o of_o one_o privilege_n and_o that_o be_v the_o quidlibet_fw-la audendi_fw-la poet._n horat._n the_o art_n poet._n potestas_fw-la christianity_n i_o say_v be_v now_o almost_o 1700_o year_n old_a and_o though_o it_o as_o its_o author_n be_v ever_o one_o and_o the_o same_o yet_o what_o by_o the_o supineness_n of_o its_o true_a and_o what_o by_o the_o device_n of_o its_o pretend_a professor_n it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o overgrow_v with_o thorn_n and_o brier_n and_o the_o mossy_a excrescence_n of_o rot_a and_o corrupt_a skull_n that_o have_v not_o our_o god_n be_v very_o gracious_a we_o shall_v hardly_o distinguish_v and_o discern_v its_o genuine_a beauty_n and_o native_a lustre_n through_o the_o rubbish_n and_o barricade_n of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n i_o always_o think_v god_n holy_a word_n so_o plain_a that_o to_o invent_v a_o heterodox_n doctrine_n we_o must_v do_v a_o violence_n to_o that_o and_o our_o own_o reason_n too_o and_o yet_o what_o nice_a diffection_n have_v be_v make_v of_o these_o scripture_n by_o too_o bold_a and_o curious_a inspectour_n into_o the_o secret_n of_o god_n how_o many_o text_n have_v they_o set_v upon_o the_o rack_n and_o endeavour_v by_o cruel_a and_o unnatural_a distortion_n to_o make_v they_o say_v as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o and_o confess_v what_o they_o never_o know_v from_o whence_o have_v follow_v such_o rent_n and_o dislocation_n in_o some_o member_n of_o our_o religion_n as_o i_o fear_v be_v almost_o become_v past_o cure_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o one_o thing_n material_a have_v be_v discover_v by_o the_o noise_n and_o bustle_v of_o all_o these_o busy_a and_o subtle_a pate_n that_o be_v not_o as_o well_o or_o better_o know_v in_o the_o very_a first_o centurie_n i_o believe_v that_o in_o all_o the_o whole_a prodigious_a catalogue_n of_o voluminous_a tract_n and_o labour_v controversy_n enough_o at_o this_o day_n to_o make_v last_o joh._n chap._n last_o v._n last_o good_a st._n john_n hyperbole_n you_o can_v find_v one_o new_a truth_n of_o any_o import_n or_o significancie_n to_o our_o religion_n which_o be_v not_o know_v 1500_o year_n ago_o on_o the_o contrary_a i_o be_o sure_a they_o have_v together_o with_o a_o thousand_o falsity_n invent_v perplexity_n and_o empty_a trifle_n without_o number_n which_o the_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n never_o dream_v of_o some_o have_v stretch_v their_o brain_n to_o grasp_v mystery_n beyond_o their_o reach_n and_o will_v crowd_v the_o infinite_a essence_n and_o ineffable_a attribute_n of_o that_o great_a god_n into_o the_o senseless_a rule_n &_o term_n of_o their_o school_n who_o the_o heaven_n of_o heaven_n can_v contain_v what_o horrid_a heresy_n have_v man_n run_v into_o by_o presume_v to_o fathom_n the_o mystery_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n and_o whilst_o they_o have_v forcible_o press_v reason_n on_o to_o take_v as_o large_a a_o step_n as_o faith_n they_o have_v stumble_v and_o fall_v to_o their_o utter_a confusion_n my_o humble_a yet_o steadfast_a faith_n in_o the_o hide_a thing_n of_o god_n can_v rest_v full_o satisfy_v in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o presume_v to_o no_o purpose_n so_o far_o as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nay_o and_o my_o reason_n too_o if_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v meddle_v do_v here_o most_o just_o acquiesce_v without_o far_a scrutiny_n in_o this_o conclusion_n it_o be_v certain_o so_o because_o god_n have_v say_v it_o and_o thus_o i_o can_v easy_o believe_v that_o the_o godhead_n consist_v of_o three_o person_n without_o the_o help_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d persona_fw-la or_o suppositum_fw-la and_o the_o incarnation_n of_o my_o saviour_n be_v a_o mystery_n indeed_o in_o divinity_n but_o none_o in_o philosophy_n to_o i_o for_o that_o tell_v i_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o speak_v more_o humano_fw-la for_o the_o almighty_a to_o set_v nature_n at_o work_n in_o holy_a mary_n womb_n to_o frame_v a_o man_n of_o her_o seed_n as_o to_o make_v a_o woman_n out_o of_o the_o side_n of_o adam_n but_o it_o be_v my_o opinion_n that_o the_o true_a faith_n supersede_v all_o argue_v about_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o when_o st._n peter_n bid_v we_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v a_o reasonable_a account_n it_o be_v not_o of_o fathomless_a secret_n but_o of_o our_o hope_n and_o 15._o 1_o pet._n 3._o 15._o faith_n in_o jesus_n yet_o that_o faith_n i_o be_o persuade_v be_v always_o most_o acceptable_a with_o our_o saviour_n that_o acknowledge_v he_o with_o a_o plain_a and_o simple_a sincerity_n without_o a_o why_o or_o wherefore_o and_o i_o believe_v the_o nimble_a confession_n of_o nathaniel_n 50._o joh._n 1._o 49_o 50._o though_o upon_o a_o slight_a occasion_n be_v better_o approve_v of_o by_o christ_n than_o the_o cautious_a proceed_v and_o deliberate_a advance_n of_o judicious_a nichodemus_n 9_o 3_o joh._n 9_o however_o i_o like_v not_o that_o high_a flight_n of_o the_o father_n neither_o certum_fw-la est_fw-la quia_fw-la impossibile_fw-it est_fw-la nor_o his_o who_o say_v there_o be_v not_o impossibility_n enough_o in_o religion_n for_o a_o active_a faith_n such_o hyperbolic_a strain_n do_v christianity_n no_o kindness_n i_o be_o sure_a especial_o in_o the_o mahometan_a and_o pagan_a world_n for_o be_v socrates_n cicero_n or_o seneca_n now_o alive_a i_o may_v with_o far_o better_a success_n attempt_v their_o conversion_n by_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o christ_n sermon_n on_o the_o mount_n or_o st._n paul_n epistle_n than_o by_o assault_v rash_o their_o unprepared_a reason_n with_o the_o difficulty_n and_o seem_a contradiction_n of_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n it_o can_v no_o way_n proper_o be_v say_v that_o there_o be_v any_o one_o impossibility_n in_o the_o bible_n for_o if_o the_o letter_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v true_a as_o it_o may_v on_o that_o score_n just_o claim_v a_o strong_a title_n to_o verity_n than_o any_o book_n of_o long_a or_o late_a date_n which_o yet_o we_o own_o without_o scruple_n than_o the_o concession_n that_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n easy_o follow_v and_o then_o the_o consequence_n be_v as_o necessary_a that_o whatever_o it_o contain_v must_v be_v of_o infallible_a truth_n and_o certainty_n and_o what_o if_o we_o can_v solve_v its_o mystery_n their_o first_o design_n be_v to_o be_v object_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o humble_a acquiescence_n not_o of_o pert_n and_o curious_a argumentation_n if_o we_o will_v believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o we_o can_v make_v out_o and_o clear_a of_o doubt_n ay_o and_o strong_a one_o too_o even_o in_o thing_n obvious_a and_o familiar_a and_o with_o which_o we_o converse_v every_o day_n we_o must_v shut_v the_o whole_a visible_a world_n out_o of_o door_n and_o sit_v down_o content_a with_o absolute_a scepticism_n i_o declare_v i_o have_v as_o even_o a_o notion_n of_o spirit_n as_o of_o body_n and_o understand_v cogitation_n full_o as_o well_o as_o extension_n i_o be_o no_o more_o privy_a to_o the_o mechanism_n of_o my_o own_o heart_n motion_n than_o i_o be_o to_o the_o mystery_n and_o feat_n of_o memory_n and_o imagination_n or_o to_o the_o way_n how_o my_o soul_n by_o a_o detachment_n of_o nimble_a emissary_n command_v my_o foot_n to_o move_v in_o a_o instant_n in_o a_o word_n i_o understand_v nothing_o of_o this_o kind_n by_o adequate_a and_o commensurate_a science_n but_o by_o philosophic_a guess_n or_o allegoric_a representation_n 5._o 11_o eccle._n 5._o i_o remember_v that_o a_o now_o reverend_a and_o most_o learned_a prelate_n at_o who_o private_a lecture_n i_o have_v the_o honour_n long_o ago_o to_o attend_v among_o other_o most_o excellent_a notice_n tell_v we_o that_o immaterial_a infinite_a and_o the_o like_a be_v negative_n indeed_o in_o word_n for_o the_o barrenness_n of_o language_n and_o our_o own_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n but_o proper_o and_o in_o themselves_o they_o be_v absolute_a positivity_n and_o again_o that_o their_o contrary_n finite_a and_o material_a be_v pure_a negation_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o other_o descartes_n who_o open_v the_o way_n to_o his_o philosophy_n by_o stop_v his_o ear_n and_o close_v his_o eye_n and_o strip_v himself_o naked_a to_o bare_a cogitation_n find_v out_o one_o original_a truth_n as_o he_o think_v viz._n cogito_fw-la ergo_fw-la sum_n what_o a_o prodigious_a fallacy_n pass_v upon_o this_o acute_a man_n he_o may_v as_o well_o in_o that_o case_n have_v argue_v curro_fw-la ergo_fw-la sum_n the_o argument_n have_v be_v as_o good_a though_o it_o lay_v at_o a_o little_o far_a distance_n
a_o perfect_a intelligence_n range_v at_o large_a in_o the_o infinite_a abyss_n of_o immortal_a light_n &_o boundless_a abode_n of_o angel_n there_o she_o will_v clear_o discern_v the_o nature_n of_o her_o own_o essence_n and_o faculty_n by_o reflex_n intuition_n on_o herself_o or_o else_o perhaps_o see_v the_o perfect_a image_n of_o herself_o and_o of_o all_o thing_n past_a present_a and_o to_o come_v to_o her_o infinite_a satisfaction_n in_o the_o glorious_a mirror_n of_o the_o eternal_a godhead_n nor_o will_v she_o then_o owe_v her_o knowledge_n to_o the_o gross_a communication_n of_o material_a object_n through_o the_o weak_a conveyance_n of_o bodily_a sense_n i_o can_v in_o some_o fit_n of_o contemplative_a melancholy_n fall_v asleep_a assoon_o in_o a_o charnel-house_n as_o in_o my_o bedchamber_n and_o be_o often_o so_o weary_a of_o dull_a life_n that_o my_o great_a delight_n be_v in_o such_o object_n as_o speak_v most_o to_o its_o disadvantage_n the_o state_n and_o magnificence_n of_o a_o tomb_n or_o monument_n steal_v a_o secret_a wish_n from_o i_o to_o be_v tenant_n to_o that_o quiet_a silent_a pomp_n more_o than_o the_o sight_n of_o a_o sumptuous_a palace_n to_o be_v lord_n and_o master_n there_o i_o know_v that_o i_o carry_v a_o ghost_n always_o about_o i_o and_o that_o i_o myself_o be_o a_o walk_a spirit_n this_o thought_n allay_v in_o i_o those_o vulgar_a fear_n of_o the_o haunt_n and_o visit_n of_o spectres_n and_o as_o i_o be_o not_o at_o all_o afraid_a of_o myself_o unless_o when_o god_n let_v we_o loose_v his_o terror_n upon_o my_o soul_n and_o my_o conscience_n lash_v i_o for_o my_o sin_n job_n 18._o 11._o so_o i_o be_o very_o little_a apprehensive_a of_o apparition_n nay_o more_o i_o can_v wish_v the_o communication_n more_o frequent_a betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o upper_a world_n it_o will_v harden_v our_o christian_a courage_n familiarize_v to_o we_o the_o thought_n of_o separation_n and_o create_v in_o we_o a_o passionate_a love_n of_o that_o country_n from_o the_o good_a report_n of_o these_o spiritual_a spy_n make_v we_o say_v with_o courageous_a caleb_n let_v we_o go_v up_o and_o possess_v it_o numb_a 13._o 30._o i_o can_v i_o thank_v god_n stare_v a_o repute_a witch_n full_a in_o the_o face_n with_o as_o little_a terror_n as_o i_o look_v upon_o a_o suck_a infani_fw-la and_o bold_o retort_v the_o poisonous_a emission_n of_o her_o malicious_a eye_n for_o in_o this_o i_o take_v balaam_n at_o his_o word_n who_o without_o doubt_n have_v try_v the_o experiment_n that_o there_o be_v no_o enchantment_n against_o jacob_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o divination_n against_o israel_n numb_a 23._o 23._o i_o pretend_v not_o by_o the_o title_n of_o this_o small_a treatise_n to_o any_o extraordinary_a scheme_n or_o new_a draught_n of_o religion_n for_o the_o clergy_n much_o less_o will_v i_o be_v think_v sly_o to_o suggest_v any_o neglect_n or_o deficiency_n of_o they_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o old_a i_o be_o very_o very_a well_o assure_v that_o religio_fw-la clerici_fw-la be_v a_o direct_a tautology_n and_o yet_o i_o detract_v no_o more_o from_o the_o sanctimonious_a worth_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o conjunction_n of_o these_o two_o term_n than_o i_o deny_v the_o sun_n to_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o light_n when_o i_o say_v lumen_fw-la solis_fw-la only_o i_o can_v wish_v that_o we_o be_v all_o not_o only_o good_a and_o virtuous_a but_o eminent_o and_o in_o the_o last_o degree_n so_o too_o and_o that_o all_o the_o lesser_a christian_a luminary_n may_v more_o and_o more_o derive_v light_n from_o we_o i_o will_v have_v all_o the_o wisdom_n and_o virtue_n that_o ever_o appear_v in_o the_o guise_n of_o true_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n sum_v up_o and_o amass_v in_o a_o christian_a priest_n especial_o in_o a_o daily_a sincere_a contempt_n of_o this_o world_n we_o shall_v strive_v clear_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o certain_a hope_n we_o have_v of_o eternal_a felicity_n after_o death_n by_o be_v very_o careless_a if_o at_o all_o sensible_a of_o this_o life_n and_o in_o this_o let_v we_o soar_v a_o pitch_n beyond_o the_o high_a flight_n of_o the_o wise_a heathen_n and_o outdo_v in_o very_a fact_n their_o utmost_a idea_n and_o hyperbole_n the_o excellent_a speculation_n of_o some_o old_a philosopher_n arise_v it_o be_v true_a to_o a_o very_a great_a height_n and_o their_o refine_a reason_n be_v exercise_v in_o most_o divine_a contemplation_n but_o alas_o the_o better_o and_o pure_a their_o notion_n be_v of_o virtue_n and_o sanctity_n they_o become_v so_o much_o the_o more_o impracticable_a to_o they_o and_o they_o fall_v short_a in_o the_o performance_n of_o their_o own_o rule_n and_o dictate_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o natural_a inability_n and_o latent_fw-la impotency_n of_o their_o will_n they_o be_v altogether_o stranger_n to_o and_o tho'_o they_o know_v in_o effect_n most_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a morality_n yet_o have_v not_o the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n nor_o by_o consequence_n the_o assistance_n of_o god_n particular_a grace_n their_o knowledge_n be_v but_o of_o small_a import_n and_o significancy_n nor_o can_v it_o in_o the_o very_o best_a of_o they_o produce_v action_n acceptable_a to_o god_n unless_o his_o secret_a infinite_a mercy_n give_v some_o gracious_a allowance_n for_o that_o natural_a corruption_n which_o they_o know_v nothing_o of_o and_o which_o be_v cure_v but_o in_o a_o poor_a degree_n by_o universal_a grace_n and_o this_o notion_n i_o have_v frame_v to_o myself_o of_o the_o heathen_n morality_n incline_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o our_o will_n derive_v from_o adam_n disobedience_n a_o depravity_n double_a to_o that_o of_o our_o intellect_n for_o as_o we_o see_v by_o these_o pagan_n their_o understanding_n can_v excellent_o distinguish_v and_o be_v in_o the_o serpent_n word_n as_o god_n know_v good_a and_o evil_n yet_o be_v the_o imagination_n of_o the_o thought_n of_o their_o heart_n always_o evil_a continual_o gen._n 6._o 5._o but_o we_o christian_a priest_n that_o have_v successive_o receive_v all_o the_o gradual_a communication_n of_o divine_a grace_n and_o sanctification_n of_o the_o bless_a spirit_n from_o the_o font_n to_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o holy_a altar_n be_v double_o oblige_v as_o we_o transcend_v the_o best_a of_o they_o in_o the_o sublime_a mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n so_o to_o outstrip_v they_o in_o the_o most_o excellent_a practice_n of_o evangelical_n morality_n and_o not_o they_o only_o but_o all_o other_o also_o non_fw-la possumus_fw-la perficere_fw-la bonam_fw-la actionem_fw-la sine_fw-la adjutorio_fw-la gratiae_n be_v right_o oppose_v to_o pelagius_n nor_o be_v the_o proposition_n only_o notional_a for_o beside_o that_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o without_o i_o you_o can_v do_v nothing_o joh._n 15._o 5._o and_o st._n paul_n that_o it_o be_v god_n which_o work_v in_o we_o both_o to_o will_v and_o do_v philip._n 2._o 13._o i_o have_v often_o observe_v in_o my_o own_o narrow_a oeconomy_n that_o the_o clear_a conviction_n of_o reason_n and_o strong_a moral_a resolution_n have_v prove_v weak_a and_o of_o small_a force_n against_o the_o power_n of_o most_o sin_n especial_o against_o the_o violent_a assault_n of_o a_o complexional_a vice_n we_o may_v sin_v and_o resolve_v to_o the_o contrary_a and_o resolve_v and_o sin_n again_o in_o infinitum_fw-la till_o with_o jacob_n we_o wrestle_v with_o god_n gen._n 32._o 26._o as_o well_o as_o resist_v the_o devil_n until_o by_o violent_a prayer_n we_o take_v heaven_n by_o force_n matth._n 11._o 12._o and_o draw_v down_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a grace_n all_o our_o other_o strong_a and_o most_o vigorous_a effort_n will_v prove_v feeble_a and_o ineffectual_a the_o very_a experience_n of_o this_o have_v confute_v pelagianism_n to_o i_o better_o than_o a_o thousand_o syllogism_n i_o have_v seldom_o go_v to_o bed_n in_o the_o day_n of_o loose_a vanity_n and_o before_o i_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o sincere_o to_o espouse_v the_o predicate_a much_o less_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o wear_v the_o subject_n of_o this_o book_n title_n without_o pythagoras_n his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n aur._n carm._n my_o reason_n have_v upon_o a_o impartial_a sum_n up_o that_o day_n evidence_n make_v my_o own_o conscience_n a_o severe_a jury_n against_o i_o in_o pronounce_v a_o perfect_a dislike_n and_o condemnation_n of_o such_o proceed_n i_o have_v then_o make_v application_n of_o as_o i_o think_v strong_a resolve_n to_o observe_v its_o dictate_v for_o the_o future_a and_o this_o have_v in_o some_o measure_n assuage_v the_o smart_n of_o my_o mind_n then_o but_o alas_o my_o trial_n all_o this_o while_n be_v at_o the_o wrong_a bar_n i_o can_v never_o obtain_v a_o true_a pardon_n for_o old_a nor_o strength_n against_o new_a lapse_n my_o inclination_n to_o sin_n have_v double_v upon_o i_o and_o when_o they_o feel_v the_o curb_n of_o