Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n abuse_v deceive_v great_a 42 3 2.0729 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A70057 Logos autopistos, or, Scriptures self-evidence to prove its existence, authority, certainty in it [sic] self, and sufficiency (in its kind) to ascertain others that it is inspir'd of God to be the only rule of faith : published as a plea for Protestants in the defence of their profession and intended only for the use and instruction of the vulgar sort. Ford, Thomas, 1598-1674. 1667 (1667) Wing F1514; Wing L2842; ESTC R13905 71,286 202

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interest_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o allurement_n of_o his_o love_n be_v such_o as_o will_v counterpoise_v all_o that_o be_v lay_v into_o the_o balance_n against_o they_o will_v any_o man_n in_o cool_a blood_n venture_v life_n and_o all_o unless_o there_o be_v somewhat_o of_o far_o more_o worth_a to_o countervail_v the_o loss_n this_o therefore_o must_v be_v in_o order_n to_o our_o steadfastness_n in_o the_o faith_n viz._n a_o constant_a exercise_n of_o practical_a godliness_n for_o keep_v up_o a_o good_a understanding_n and_o correspondence_n between_o god_n and_o our_o soul_n that_o we_o may_v be_v so_o warm_v with_o continual_a influence_n from_o heaven_n as_o to_o say_v with_o the_o apostle_n