Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	scripture_n	word_n	write_v	7,633	5	6.1357	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33459	A treatise of humane reason	Clifford, M. (Martin), d. 1677.	1674 (1674)	Wing C4707; ESTC R21053	22,005	94

nature_n shall_v still_o lament_v and_o tremble_v that_o the_o entrance_n to_o heaven_n be_v so_o few_o and_o so_o difficult_a though_o they_o be_v yet_o far_o more_o and_o much_o easy_a than_o this_o opinion_n make_v they_o there_o be_v enough_o obstruction_n from_o the_o frailty_n of_o our_o flesh_n the_o subtlety_n of_o the_o devil_n the_o tyranny_n of_o our_o passion_n and_o the_o perverse_a crookedness_n of_o our_o corrupt_a wil●s_n without_o the_o addition_n of_o any_o more_o from_o the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o intellect_n sufficient_a be_v the_o danger_n we_o run_v in_o not_o perform_v those_o duty_n which_o we_o understand_v aright_o without_o make_v our_o misunderstanding_n damnable_a and_o condemn_v that_o as_o a_o gild_n which_o be_v to_o be_v pity_v as_o a_o misfortune_n what_o then_o shall_v we_o believe_v turk_n jew_n heathen_n atheist_n themselves_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o in_o a_o equal_a possibility_n of_o salvation_n with_o the_o unerring_a christian_a shall_v we_o save_v all_o beast_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o clean_a or_o unclean_a in_o that_o mystical_a ark_n the_o church_n of_o god_n certain_o in_o the_o two_o contrary_a excess_n of_o belief_n in_o this_o matter_n that_o on_o the_o side_n of_o mercy_n have_v the_o appearance_n of_o great_a safety_n and_o i_o have_v rather_o think_v with_o origen_n that_o the_o devil_n themselves_o by_o the_o excessive_a kindness_n of_o their_o judge_n shall_v at_o last_o be_v exempt_v from_o damnation_n than_o that_o he_o himself_o shall_v be_v damn_v for_o that_o opinion_n but_o as_o to_o this_o their_o objection_n i_o believe_v first_o that_o reason_n itself_o will_v declare_v to_o every_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o he_o ought_v to_o adhere_v to_o the_o christian_a rather_o than_o to_o any_o other_o religion_n whatsoever_o if_o all_o thing_n be_v propound_v to_o he_o in_o a_o clear_a and_o impartial_a manner_n and_o this_o whosoever_o shall_v deny_v i_o dare_v confident_o affirm_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n but_o because_o there_o be_v thousand_o accident_n which_o hinder_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n from_o the_o advantage_n of_o so_o fair_a a_o proposal_n hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o so_o small_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n have_v submit_v to_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n now_o to_o condemn_v all_o those_o million_o of_o person_n many_o million_o for_o one_o that_o be_v to_o be_v save_v be_v so_o wild_a a_o uncharitableness_n that_o few_o have_v be_v so_o barbarous_o severe_a as_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o and_o therefore_o those_o who_o ignorance_n in_o these_o matter_n have_v be_v invincible_a they_o leave_v to_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n without_o declare_v a_o definitive_a opinion_n either_o of_o their_o safety_n or_o perdition_n now_o if_o we_o consider_v right_o what_o ignorance_n be_v to_o be_v account_v invincible_a we_o shall_v by_o this_o mean_n restore_v the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n into_o a_o hopeful_a and_o comfortable_a condition_n and_o none_o even_o among_o the_o worst_a religion_n will_v be_v leave_v to_o a_o certain_a ruin_n but_o such_o who_o conscience_n have_v be_v neglect_v or_o force_v aside_o by_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v guide_v by_o they_o and_o such_o who_o can_v have_v no_o plea_n against_o the_o rigour_n of_o their_o sentence_n because_o they_o desert_v themselves_o as_o well_o as_o god_n and_o the_o disobedience_n of_o man_n to_o their_o own_o conscience_n be_v not_o only_o in_o thing_n of_o practice_n but_o also_o of_o belief_n and_o speculation_n though_o not_o in_o so_o evident_a and_o immediate_a a_o manner_n by_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v deceive_v by_o the_o insensible_a operation_n of_o interest_n and_o prejudice_n nor_o do_v it_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o christ_n be_v not_o the_o only_a source_n and_o cause_n of_o eternal_a felicity_n for_o i_o acknowledge_v there_o be_v no_o other_o name_n under_o heaven_n by_o which_o man_n can_v hope_v for_o salvation_n but_o i_o may_v very_o well_o believe_v withal_o that_o there_o be_v secret_a and_o wonderful_a way_n by_o which_o god_n may_v be_v please_v to_o apply_v his_o merit_n to_o mankind_n beside_o those_o direct_a open_a and_o ordinary_a one_o of_o baptism_n and_o confession_n which_o i_o have_v only_o advance_v brief_o in_o this_o place_n be_v a_o matter_n that_o will_v require_v a_o more_o ample_a and_o particular_a examination_n now_o concern_v the_o salvation_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o christian_n except_o their_o life_n disagree_v from_o their_o doctrine_n which_o be_v likewise_o a_o disobedience_n to_o their_o reason_n i_o know_v not_o why_o i_o shall_v be_v terrify_v out_o of_o my_o charity_n by_o any_o anathema_n whatsoever_o that_o shall_v proceed_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o man._n for_o i_o can_v see_v how_o any_o but_o god_n himself_o can_v certain_o know_v that_o any_o man_n be_v a_o heretic_n since_o it_o be_v only_o he_o who_o can_v discern_v by_o what_o close_a and_o unlawful_a mean_n he_o corrupt_v his_o understanding_n and_o harden_v his_o own_o will_n to_o the_o obstinate_a belief_n of_o any_o error_n for_o without_o that_o obstinacy_n there_o be_v no_o heresy_n and_o without_o the_o perfect_a sight_n of_o the_o whole_a contexture_n of_o a_o man_n thought_n and_o action_n there_o be_v no_o knowledge_n of_o such_o a_o obstinacy_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o church_n declare_v any_o opinion_n to_o be_v heresy_n it_o be_v to_o be_v accept_v as_o if_o the_o law_n shall_v say_v whosoever_o kill_v a_o man_n be_v a_o murderer_n which_o be_v a_o sentence_n not_o absolute_a but_o to_o be_v qualify_v with_o circumstance_n even_o so_o the_o church_n pronounce_v whosoever_o hold_v this_o doctrine_n be_v a_o heretic_n with_o a_o evident_a reservation_n of_o some_o circumstance_n in_o the_o meaning_n thereof_o for_o no_o man_n can_v imagine_v that_o the_o sentence_n include_v those_o who_o never_o shall_v hear_v of_o it_o nor_o no_o more_o say_v i_o those_o who_o though_o they_o hear_v of_o it_o yet_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n bring_v their_o conscience_n to_o the_o assent_n for_o to_o obey_v in_o matter_n of_o belief_n without_o be_v able_a to_o believe_v the_o thing_n command_v be_v no_o less_o and_o seem_v more_o a_o contradiction_n than_o simple_o to_o obey_v without_o knowledge_n of_o a_o command_n thus_o much_o brief_o concern_v heresy_n which_o indeed_o be_v a_o subject_a worthy_a a_o treatise_n by_o itself_o but_o this_o will_v not_o suffice_v unless_o we_o can_v also_o clear_v ourselves_o from_o the_o imputation_n of_o schism_n the_o ordinary_a rail_a word_n in_o all_o controversy_n and_o a_o slander_n which_o be_v often_o fatal_a in_o make_v where_o it_o false_o accuse_v a_o separation_n of_o which_o they_o be_v true_o guilty_a the_o word_n itself_o bear_v witness_n against_o they_o who_o break_v the_o precious_a unity_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o that_o be_v do_v not_o so_o much_o by_o they_o who_o differ_v in_o opinion_n as_o by_o they_o who_o will_v not_o allow_v of_o such_o a_o difference_n who_o know_v whether_o that_o god_n who_o like_v best_a that_o no_o man_n body_n shall_v have_v the_o same_o complexion_n no_o man_n face_n the_o same_o figure_n no_o hand_n the_o same_o line_n no_o voice_n the_o same_o sound_n nay_o not_o so_o much_o but_o their_o motion_n and_o gesture_n shall_v be_v distinguishable_a have_v not_o likewise_o best_o please_v himself_o with_o no_o less_o variety_n in_o the_o part_n of_o man_n that_o be_v immaterial_a and_o even_o in_o the_o most_o immaterial_a action_n of_o those_o part_n which_o be_v the_o worship_n and_o adoration_n of_o a_o deity_n do_v god_n gain_v any_o thing_n by_o our_o devotion_n do_v he_o receive_v hurt_v from_o one_o kind_n of_o worship_n and_o advantage_n by_o another_o be_v he_o please_v with_o any_o smell_n in_o the_o sacrifice_n beside_o that_o of_o obedience_n and_o can_v a_o plain_a uniform_a unalterable_a obedience_n be_v expect_v without_o command_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n without_o doubt_n he_o who_o give_v rule_n which_o may_v accept_v of_o so_o many_o several_a interpretation_n when_o he_o may_v have_v make_v they_o as_o plain_a to_o all_o in_o one_o sense_n as_o they_o seem_v now_o to_o every_o man_n in_o his_o own_o be_v likewise_o well_o content_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v interpret_v several_o and_o as_o the_o divine_n confess_v that_o the_o same_o word_n of_o scripture_n admit_v of_o a_o literal_a typical_a anagogical_a sense_n and_o that_o all_o those_o sense_n be_v both_o true_a and_o intend_a by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o spirit_n of_o unity_n that_o write_v they_o so_o i_o say_v the_o command_v of_o god_n concern_v religion_n be_v equal_o obey_v and_o fulfil_v by_o all_o the_o various_a kind_n of_o obedience_n which_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n conceive_v themselves_o bind_v

shall_v direct_v you_o to_o forsake_v your_o christian-belief_n for_o which_o the_o devil_n do_v not_o want_v such_o pleasant_a colour_n and_o specious_a fallacy_n as_o may_v possible_o deceive_v even_o a_o good_a understanding_n before_o i_o answer_v this_o objection_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v of_o he_o that_o make_v it_o what_o it_o be_v for_o something_o it_o must_v be_v which_o he_o place_n in_o the_o same_o ecclesiastical_a superiority_n that_o i_o do_v reason_n the_o private_a spirit_n what_o if_o that_o shall_v persuade_v he_o to_o this_o apostasy_n it_o can_v not_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v true_a but_o the_o same_o condition_n will_v make_v reason_n as_o infallible_a as_o that_o and_o i_o may_v as_o well_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o one_o as_o you_o of_o the_o other_o what_o be_v it_o then_o you_o will_v trust_v your_o soul_n with_o in_o this_o important_a business_n be_v it_o the_o authority_n of_o man_n these_o very_o may_v lead_v you_o into_o error_n and_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a into_o the_o great_a and_o worst_a of_o all_o which_o be_v the_o desertion_n of_o christ_n himself_n not_o that_o this_o be_v likely_a to_o happen_v neither_o more_o probable_a be_v it_o that_o our_o reason_n shall_v so_o far_o misguide_v we_o but_o alas_o in_o this_o affair_n of_o so_o vast_a and_o so_o eternal_a consequence_n what_o security_n can_v we_o assume_v whilst_o there_o remain_v a_o possibility_n of_o miscarriage_n and_o this_o possibility_n be_v evident_a for_o let_v we_o consider_v it_o in_o a_o council_n which_o if_o there_o be_v any_o assurance_n in_o the_o number_n of_o man_n be_v that_o where_o most_o probable_o it_o may_v be_v find_v i_o will_v not_o here_o reckon_v up_o the_o many_o error_n which_o great_a and_o famous_a council_n have_v fall_v into_o themselves_o and_o labour_v to_o establish_v in_o other_o they_o be_v many_o and_o notorious_a but_o certain_o if_o a_o council_n can_v take_v away_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o christ_n death_n and_o divinity_n of_o his_o person_n as_o be_v do_v by_o that_o great_a one_o of_o the_o arrian_n which_o condemn_v athanasius_n not_o without_o the_o approbation_n of_o the_o pope_n and_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o a_o council_n have_v already_o do_v that_o thing_n which_o you_o affirm_v impossible_a for_o it_o to_o do_v for_o they_o who_o believe_v christ_n to_o come_v into_o the_o world_n as_o a_o example_n and_o pattern_n only_o of_o holiness_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v call_v christian_n than_o abrahamist_n or_o davidists_n if_o you_o will_v here_o contend_v that_o even_o these_o man_n desert_v not_o whole_o christianity_n as_o a_o man_n may_v do_v by_o the_o impulsion_n of_o his_o own_o private_a reason_n yet_o certain_o you_o will_v confess_v that_o they_o who_o fall_v so_o far_o into_o error_n may_v as_o well_o have_v sink_v deep_a and_o exalt_v some_o other_o prophet_n above_o christ_n as_o well_o as_o make_v christ_n to_o be_v but_o a_o prophet_n and_o this_o possibility_n of_o error_n even_o in_o so_o high_a a_o degree_n we_o shall_v find_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o very_a element_n of_o a_o council_n for_o if_o any_o one_o member_n of_o it_o may_v be_v a_o heathen_a or_o atheist_n in_o opinion_n as_o the_o life_n of_o many_o pope_n and_o the_o speech_n of_o some_o declare_v that_o they_o themselves_o have_v be_v why_o not_o two_o not_o three_o not_o more_o not_o the_o major_a part_n that_o be_v the_o whole_a council_n from_o the_o sanction_n of_o the_o 2_o ●_o nicene_n council_n which_o establish_v the_o worship_n of_o image_n how_o easy_a a_o step_n be_v there_o make_v for_o the_o next_o to_o the_o introduction_n of_o a_o full_a undisguised_a and_o heathenish_a idolatry_n which_o we_o must_v not_o say_v can_v not_o because_o by_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n it_o do_v not_o happen_v and_o i_o very_o believe_v if_o god_n have_v not_o stir_v up_o some_o person_n of_o excellent_a ability_n and_o worthy_a spirit_n for_o such_o sure_a they_o be_v though_o not_o exempt_v from_o humane_a weakness_n to_o examine_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n those_o folly_n and_o dangerous_a error_n in_o religion_n which_o partly_o by_o the_o interest_n partly_o by_o the_o ignorance_n of_o man_n and_o insensible_a advance_n of_o ill_a custom_n be_v blind_o embrace_v by_o the_o whole_a world_n if_o these_o man_n i_o say_v have_v not_o discover_v the_o past_a error_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v make_v their_o adversary_n more_o cautious_a not_o to_o fall_v into_o any_o new_a one_o the_o world_n through_o the_o adoration_n of_o saint_n and_o image_n and_o the_o boundless_a increase_n of_o vain_a and_o superstitious_a ceremony_n will_v have_v pass_v before_o this_o time_n to_o its_o old_a and_o abominable_a worship_n of_o several_a deity_n and_o to_o a_o religion_n overwhelm_v if_o not_o with_o the_o same_o yet_o with_o as_o many_o and_o as_o vain_a impiety_n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o you_o put_v your_o confidence_n rather_o in_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o former_a than_o the_o command_v of_o the_o present_a church_n but_o what_o those_o be_v you_o must_v either_o trust_v some_o number_n of_o man_n present_a which_o be_v not_o without_o the_o possibility_n of_o be_v misguide_v or_o your_o own_o search_n and_o diligence_n which_o be_v to_o fall_v into_o that_o opinion_n which_o you_o condemn_v in_o i_o and_o true_o they_o who_o build_v their_o belief_n whole_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o past_a or_o present_a age_n if_o they_o look_v upon_o all_o the_o consequence_n of_o that_o opinion_n be_v in_o much_o great_a danger_n of_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o christian_a faith_n than_o those_o who_o remit_v the_o judgement_n of_o these_o thing_n to_o their_o own_o reason_n for_o ever_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o christian_a belief_n there_o have_v be_v the_o authority_n of_o above_o a_o hundred_o to_o one_o against_o it_o and_o this_o authority_n back_v and_o strengthen_v with_o the_o universal_a agreement_n of_o more_o than_o three_o thousand_o year_n before_o it_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o we_o weigh_v impartial_o the_o motive_n and_o argument_n which_o every_o religion_n can_v produce_v in_o its_o own_o defence_n reason_n itself_o will_v find_v more_o and_o much_o great_a for_o the_o christian_a than_o it_o can_v for_o any_o other_o belief_n whatsoever_o and_o i_o be_o very_o confident_a that_o no_o man_n ever_o from_o a_o christian_a become_v a_o turk_n or_o a_o jew_n because_o his_o reason_n tell_v he_o that_o be_v a_o better_a religion_n but_o because_o either_o fear_n of_o punishment_n or_o hope_n of_o reward_n or_o some_o other_o sinister_a cause_n persuade_v his_o reason_n that_o the_o worst_a religion_n in_o itself_o will_v be_v the_o better_a to_o he_o upon_o those_o condition_n now_o all_o those_o argument_n by_o which_o some_o man_n have_v labour_v to_o prove_v that_o our_o guide_n in_o spiritual_a matter_n ought_v to_o be_v infallible_a will_n though_o they_o be_v grant_v for_o true_a as_o i_o believe_v in_o some_o sense_n they_o be_v will_v not_o at_o all_o dispossess_v reason_n of_o this_o authority_n which_o we_o have_v declare_v to_o be_v her_o due_a for_o the_o infallibility_n of_o a_o guide_n i_o conceive_v to_o be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o can_v fail_v to_o bring_v we_o to_o that_o end_n for_o which_o we_o choose_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o it_o and_o if_o to_o this_o end_n there_o happen_v to_o be_v a_o thousand_o several_a way_n it_o be_v a_o guide_n no_o less_o infallible_a as_o to_o the_o end_n if_o it_o lead_v we_o through_o a_o long_a a_o unpleasant_a and_o obscure_a tract_n than_o if_o it_o conduct_v we_o by_o a_o short_a a_o delightful_a and_o a_o open_a road_n for_o not_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o passage_n but_o certainty_n of_o not_o miss_v the_o end_n be_v that_o which_o constitute_v this_o kind_n of_o infallibility_n and_o true_o every_o man_n particular_a reason_n if_o well_o follow_v for_o whatsoever_o guide_v you_o pitch_n upon_o whether_o scripture_n spirit_n church_n past_a or_o present_a or_o any_o thing_n else_o imaginable_a must_v have_v that_o condition_n annex_v or_o else_o it_o will_v become_v unprofitable_a will_v infallible_o carry_v he_o at_o last_o though_o perhaps_o through_o many_o tedious_a and_o troublesome_a wander_n to_o his_o eternal_a happiness_n if_o it_o be_v follow_v for_o that_o condition_n can_v be_v repeat_v too_o often_o with_o constancy_n diligence_n and_o sobriety_n this_o doctrine_n set_v the_o great_a gate_n of_o heaven_n so_o wide_o open_a that_o it_o will_v displease_v those_o man_n who_o with_o a_o envious_a kind_n of_o pride_n think_v it_o more_o honour_n to_o enter_v in_o with_o a_o few_o at_o a_o narrow_a wicket_n but_o i_o true_o out_o of_o a_o humble_a consideration_n of_o my_o own_o weakness_n and_o the_o general_a imbecility_n of_o humane_a