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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
spirit_n father_n holy_a work_v 5,318 5 7.5792 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A62129 A gentleman's religion in three parts : the 1st contains the principles of natural religion, the 2d. and 3d. the doctrins of Christianity both as to faith and practice : with an appendix wherein it is proved that nothing contrary to our reason can possibly be the object of our belief, but that it is no just exception against some of the doctrins of Christianity that they are above our reason. Synge, Edward, 1659-1741. 1698 (1698) Wing S6380; ESTC R24078 100,488 452

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because_o such_o action_n do_v tend_v to_o the_o general_a happiness_n of_o his_o creature_n who_o he_o love_v §_o 16._o and_o for_o the_o contrary_a reason_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o he_o hate_v and_o abhor_v all_o action_n that_o be_v evil_a and_o this_o be_v what_o i_o mean_v when_o i_o say_v that_o god_n be_v most_o holy_a 19_o all_o possible_a excellency_n or_o perfection_n that_o i_o can_v conceive_v be_v reducible_a unto_o these_o five_o head_n viz._n 1._o perfection_n of_o be_v which_o consist_v in_o perpetual_a duration_n without_o any_o decay_n or_o infirmity_n 2._o perfection_n of_o understanding_n which_o consist_v in_o such_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n as_o be_v free_a all_o mistake_n or_o ignorance_n 3._o perfection_n of_o the_o will_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o free_a liberty_n to_o choose_v or_o refuse_v without_o any_o constraint_n or_o fatal_a necessity_n 4._o perfection_n of_o power_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o ability_n to_o do_v every_o thing_n and_o 5._o 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22._o that_o there_o be_v a_o real_a and_o not_o only_o a_o nominal_a distinction_n between_o the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o spirit_n that_o they_o be_v frequent_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o such_o term_n as_o we_o ordinary_o use_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o three_o person_n although_o sometime_o this_o expression_n holy_a ghost_n or_o holy_a spirit_n may_v be_v put_v to_o signify_v not_o so_o much_o the_o person_n as_o the_o power_n effect_v or_o energy_n of_o god_n spirit_n that_o although_o the_o son_n be_v often_o speak_v of_o as_o real_o and_o true_o a_o man_n yet_o many_o thing_n be_v say_v of_o he_o which_o can_v agree_v to_o a_o mere_a man_n or_o to_o any_o create_v be_v whatsoever_o and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n also_o speak_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o can_v be_v accommodate_v unto_o a_o creature_n moreover_o that_o the_o son_n derive_v his_o be_v from_o and_o always_o depend_v upon_o the_o father_n as_o the_o 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be_v and_o must_v needs_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n equal_a with_o the_o father_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o equality_n must_v be_v understand_v with_o a_o allowance_n for_o the_o absolute_a independence_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o dependence_n of_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o he_o 23._o all_o the_o objection_n that_o i_o can_v remember_v to_o be_v make_v against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n thus_o state_v i_o think_v be_v easy_a enough_o to_o be_v solve_v by_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v except_v two_o which_o must_v be_v particular_o answer_v the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o joh._n 10._o 33._o etc._n etc._n but_o though_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o here_o assert_v his_o divinity_n when_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v occasion_n for_o it_o yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o therefore_o he_o be_v not_o god_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o always_o his_o custom_n to_o give_v full_a 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influence_n of_o god_n spirit_n do_v not_o work_v so_o uncontrollable_o but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v resist_v and_o even_o whole_o reject_v and_o lose_v be_v i_o think_v sufficient_o obvious_a as_o well_o from_o reason_n and_o experience_n as_o form_v those_o passage_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n wherein_o we_o be_v exhort_v not_o to_o quench_v the_o spirit_n but_o to_o walk_v in_o and_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o like_a which_o be_v apparent_o needless_a and_o to_o no_o purpose_n if_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o our_o heart_n be_v so_o strong_a as_o that_o we_o can_v not_o choose_v but_o comply_v with_o they_o now_o the_o thing_n which_o god_n require_v to_o be_v perform_v on_o our_o part_n in_o order_n to_o life_n everlasting_a be_v apparent_a and_o can_v be_v no_o more_o but_o to_o believe_v those_o truth_n which_o he_o have_v make_v know_v which_o be_v call_v faith_n and_o to_o observe_v those_o precept_n which_o he_o have_v command_v which_o be_v call_v obedience_n and_o as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v require_v from_o no_o man_n beyond_o the_o measure_n of_o possibility_n part_n 1_o §_o 14._o so_o do_v the_o scripture_n most_o full_o assure_v we_o that_o god_n will_v in_o they_o make_v a_o very_a sufficient_a allowance_n for_o the_o ignorance_n and_o frailty_n and_o even_o for_o the_o perverseness_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o will_v not_o only_o be_v merciful_a unto_o our_o weakness_n and_o ordinary_a fail_n but_o will_v pardon_v and_o forgive_v even_o our_o great_a and_o most_o wilful_a sin_n upon_o our_o true_a and_o hearty_a repentance_n which_o be_v a_o part_n of_o our_o obedience_n and_o as_o for_o the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v absolute_o unpardonable_a i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o needful_a to_o inquire_v here_o into_o the_o nature_n and_o consequence_n of_o it_o but_o shall_v refer_v my_o reader_n to_o that_o excellent_a sermon_n of_o dr._n tillotson_n the_o late_a archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n upon_o that_o subject_n but_o here_o it_o be_v high_o necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v all_o take_v that_o caution_n which_o both_o reason_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v give_v we_o viz._n that_o we_o shall_v not_o presume_v so_o much_o upon_o god_n mercy_n and_o lenity_n as_o from_o hence_o to_o take_v occasion_n of_o go_v on_o in_o our_o wickedness_n for_o kindness_n thus_o abuse_v will_v certain_o turn_v into_o the_o high_a wrath_n and_o much_o increase_v the_o damnation_n of_o a_o sinner_n 43._o i_o be_o incline_v to_o think_v that_o those_o argument_n which_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o humane_a soul_n itself_o be_v not_o by_o themselves_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v immortal_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o eternal_a duration_n of_o any_o create_v be_v depend_v not_o so_o much_o upon_o its_o own_o nature_n as_o upon_o the_o will_n of_o god_n who_o create_v it_o but_o as_o 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own_o reason_n and_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n do_v seem_v strong_o to_o suggest_v that_o neither_o the_o reward_n of_o good_a man_n nor_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o evil_a shall_v be_v equal_a unto_o all_o but_o great_a or_o less_o according_a as_o they_o have_v exceed_v one_o another_o in_o the_o holiness_n or_o wickedness_n of_o their_o life_n 44._o that_o all_o man_n be_v mortal_a be_v sufficient_o testify_v by_o out_o daily_a experience_n but_o that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n immediate_o upon_o their_o separation_n from_o their_o body_n be_v not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o insensibility_n but_o be_v straightway_o convey_v into_o a_o state_n either_o of_o joy_n or_o misery_n seem_v very_o apparent_a to_o i_o from_o st._n paul_n desire_n to_o be_v dissolve_v that_o he_o may_v be_v with_o christ_n from_o our_o saviour_n promise_n unto_o the_o thief_n upon_o the_o cross_n and_o from_o the_o story_n or_o parable_n of_o the_o rich_a man_n and_o lazarus_n as_o also_o from_o some_o 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also_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o universal_a resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n of_o all_o those_o who_o have_v die_v and_o a_o change_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v be_v then_o alive_a but_o whether_o all_o the_o same_o individual_a particle_n of_o each_o man_n body_n which_o have_v be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o earth_n shall_v be_v raise_v and_o reunite_v again_o to_o their_o soul_n i_o look_v upon_o to_o be_v a_o needless_a enquiry_n what_o st._n paul_n say_v upon_o this_o argument_n 1_o cor._n 15._o 35._o do_v abundant_o satisfy_v i_o the_o purport_n of_o who_o word_n i_o take_v to_o be_v this_o viz._n that_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o nature_n have_v give_v such_o a_o vegetative_a power_n to_o a_o grain_n of_o corn_n that_o when_o it_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o ground_n and_o there_o macerate_v and_o dissolve_v it_o spring_v up_o again_o and_o bring_v forth_o a_o body_n suitable_a and_o proper_a to_o its_o self_n that_o that_o same_o god_n i_o say_v both_o can_v and_o will_v at_o the_o last_o day_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o dissolve_a body_n of_o man_n raise_v up_o such_o body_n as_o shall_v please_v himself_o and_o as_o there_o be_v a_o continual_a and_o great_a change_n of_o particle_n in_o the_o humane_a body_n between_o the_o birth_n and_o the_o grave_a so_o i_o see_v not_o what_o absurdity_n will_v follow_v if_o we_o shall_v allow_v also_o that_o there_o be_v a_o like_a change_n between_o the_o grave_a and_o the_o resurrection_n 46._o and_o thus_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o give_v a_o brief_a and_o plain_a account_n of_o that_o part_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v pure_o or_o chief_o doctrinal_a which_o upon_o the_o most_o strict_a search_n that_o i_o have_v be_v able_a to_o make_v i_o think_v be_v exact_o agreeable_a to_o the_o tenor_n and_o main_a design_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n
power_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n who_o be_v both_o the_o framer_n and_o controller_n of_o nature_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o effect_n by_o the_o mediation_n and_o ministry_n of_o good_a spirit_n who_o always_o act_n obedient_o to_o his_o will._n so_o that_o whether_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o it_o be_v god_n who_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o original_a and_o author_n of_o all_o those_o wonderful_a thing_n which_o be_v do_v by_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n now_o then_o since_o god_n do_v interpose_v his_o power_n to_o work_v such_o strange_a and_o stupenduous_a thing_n for_o the_o propagation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v by_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n that_o their_o doctrine_n be_v certain_o true_a for_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v make_v use_n of_o his_o extraordinary_a power_n only_o to_o cheat_v and_o deceive_v the_o world_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o lie_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n from_o heaven_n that_o whosoever_o will_v believe_v on_o jesus_n and_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o his_o religion_n shall_v be_v make_v very_o happy_a in_o thenext_v life_n this_o very_a thing_n be_v the_o grand_a point_n of_o doctrine_n which_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n teach_v and_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n and_o if_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v reason_n sufficient_a to_o believe_v this_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o also_o xx._n but_o jesus_n himself_o be_v long_o since_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o his_o disciple_n who_o first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n depart_v out_o of_o the_o world_n here_o i_o think_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o inquire_v to_o who_o or_o to_o what_o i_o must_v apply_v myself_o that_o amid_o the_o several_a party_n in_o the_o world_n who_o all_o call_v themselves_o true_a and_o orthodox_n christian_n each_o condemn_v all_o other_o but_o themselves_o i_o may_v be_v true_o and_o sure_o inform_v what_o be_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a religion_n or_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n which_o i_o ought_v to_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o in_o order_n to_o my_o future_a happiness_n for_o if_o i_o do_v not_o this_o i_o must_v either_o reject_v the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n and_o so_o lose_v my_o future_a happiness_n or_o else_o take_v it_o altogether_o upon_o trust_n and_o by_o chance_n and_o then_o it_o be_v odds_o but_o i_o light_v upon_o the_o wrong_n and_o must_v needs_o run_v a_o very_a great_a hazard_n and_o though_o he_o who_o be_v in_o a_o mistake_n and_o can_v tell_v how_o to_o help_v it_o will_n doubtless_o find_v a_o easy_a pardon_n from_o god_n yet_o he_o who_o fall_v into_o error_n for_o want_v of_o moderate_a care_n and_o diligence_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n have_v i_o think_v no_o pretence_n either_o to_o pardon_v or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o pity_n xxi_o the_o roman_a catholic_n do_v tell_v i_o that_o i_o must_v apply_v myself_o to_o the_o church_n this_o church_n they_o define_v to_o be_v that_o society_n of_o person_n who_o prosess_v faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o live_v in_o subjection_n to_o and_o communion_n with_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n this_o church_n they_o say_v be_v infallible_a and_o not_o only_o do_v not_o but_o can_v err_v in_o any_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n go_v then_o say_v they_o to_o this_o church_n and_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n which_o she_o teach_v and_o there_o you_o have_v certain_o and_o infallible_o the_o true_a and_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o i_o can_v give_v my_o assent_n to_o follow_v this_o their_o direction_n because_o i_o find_v such_o great_a difficulty_n in_o my_o way_n as_o i_o think_v be_v insuparable_a at_o least_o i_o be_o sure_a such_o as_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o overcome_v for_o first_o although_o it_o may_v be_v a_o certain_a truth_n that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o company_n of_o people_n some_o where_o or_o other_o profess_v the_o true_a christian_a religion_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v last_v yet_o what_o solid_a proof_n can_v be_v bring_v that_o this_o particular_a society_n of_o man_n who_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v alone_o the_o true_a church_n and_o shall_v always_o keep_v and_o maintain_v among_o they_o the_o true_a and_o uncorrupt_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o matter_n be_v a_o question_n of_o revelation_n and_o positive_a institution_n be_v uncapable_a of_o be_v prove_v by_o any_o argument_n draw_v from_o natural_a reason_n and_o as_o for_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o allege_v it_o be_v even_o ridiculous_a to_o think_v that_o any_o sober_a and_o unprejudiced_a person_n shall_v be_v convince_v by_o they_o as_o will_v evident_o appear_v to_o any_o one_o who_o impartial_o read_v what_o the_o romish_a and_o protestant_a divine_n have_v write_v on_o this_o controversy_n for_o there_o be_v none_o of_o those_o text_n but_o be_v fair_o and_o natural_o capable_a of_o another_o interpretation_n and_o must_v be_v very_o much_o strain_v and_o wrest_v to_o make_v they_o countenance_v the_o romish_a doctrine_n beside_o that_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v general_o teach_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o authority_n or_o sense_n of_o any_o text_n of_o scripture_n especial_o if_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v any_o way_n doubtful_a except_o he_o receive_v the_o proposal_n and_o interpretation_n thereof_o from_o this_o their_o church_n which_o they_o say_v be_v infallible_a so_o that_o a_o man_n must_v of_o necessity_n believe_v the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n before_o he_o can_v any_o way_n be_v sure_a of_o the_o credit_n 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obtrude_v on_o i_o as_o a_o rule_n of_o my_o faith_n or_o as_o a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o determine_v my_o assent_n in_o so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n second_o suppose_v but_o not_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o true_a and_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v preserve_v yet_o still_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o particular_a and_o private_a man_n who_o live_v in_o the_o visible_a communion_n of_o that_o church_n may_v teach_v false_a and_o corrupt_a doctrine_n here_o than_o i_o demand_v how_o shall_v i_o certain_o distinguish_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o opinion_n of_o private_a man_n and_o how_o shall_v i_o certain_o know_v what_o be_v the_o true_a mean_v of_o the_o church_n doctrine_n they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o agree_v who_o it_o be_v that_o have_v authority_n to_o declare_v and_o expound_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o pope_n or_o a_o general_n council_n or_o neither_o alone_a but_o both_o together_o or_o if_o they_o be_v unanimous_a in_o this_o point_n yet_o how_o shall_v i_o know_v whether_o such_o a_o particular_a person_n who_o possess_v the_o chair_n be_v a_o true_a and_o lawful_a pope_n or_o such_o a_o particular_a assembly_n a_o true_a and_o lawful_a general_n council_n or_o suppose_v they_o can_v satisfy_v i_o in_o this_o demand_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o council_n now_o sit_v nor_o if_o there_o be_v can_v i_o go_v to_o they_o or_o to_o the_o pope_n to_o receive_v instruction_n nor_o can_v the_o pope_n or_o a_o council_n be_v at_o leisure_n to_o satisfy_v the_o demand_n of_o every_o private_a enquirer_n how_o then_o can_v i_o be_v sure_a that_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a person_n do_v both_o right_o understand_v and_o faithful_o propose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n to_o i_o especial_o since_o