Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A39377
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An Abstract of some letters to an eminent learned person concerning the excellency of the Book of common-prayer, &c.
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1679
(1679)
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Wing E7; ESTC R23206
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15,276
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30
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a_o abstract_n of_o some_o letter_n to_o a_o eminent_a learned_a person_n concern_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n etc._n etc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o cor._n 8.1_o london_n print_v for_o william_n crook_n at_o the_o green_a dragon_n without_o temple-bar_n 1679._o sir_n i_o humble_o entreat_v you_o to_o tell_v i_o whether_o you_o do_v not_o judge_v it_o sinful_a to_o stay_v at_o home_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n rather_o than_o go_v to_o church_n only_o to_o hear_v the_o common_a prayer_n preach_v doubtless_o be_v in_o no_o wise_a to_o be_v neglect_v but_o this_o i_o must_v say_v that_o i_o can_v apprehend_v that_o that_o person_n have_v any_o act_n of_o that_o faith_n which_o work_v by_o love_n without_o which_o all_o the_o knowledge_n we_o gain_v by_o hear_v sermon_n do_v not_o edify_v but_o only_o puff_v up_o the_o mind_n who_o when_o he_o come_v to_o the_o place_n of_o god_n public_a worship_n know_v that_o he_o may_v not_o expect_v a_o sermon_n there_o be_v not_o confident_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v as_o much_o edify_v by_o the_o prayer_n &_o chapter_n etc._n etc._n as_o he_o shall_v be_v by_o never_o so_o good_a a_o sermon_n but_o however_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o rarity_n of_o the_o habit_n of_o true_a christian_a faith_n even_o in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o we_o call_v christendom_n and_o the_o frequency_n of_o the_o long_a interruption_n of_o its_o act_n where_o it_o be_v various_a &_o fresh_a expression_n of_o save_v truth_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o excite_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o vnsanctify_v by_o the_o fantasy_n to_o give_v heed_n to_o the_o sense_n they_o import_v be_v very_o necessary_a but_o this_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o people_n be_v exceed_o apt_a to_o take_v the_o sensible_a working_n of_o their_o soul_n stir_v up_o by_o the_o novelty_n of_o expression_n in_o sermon_n &_o the_o emphatical_a pronunciation_n of_o the_o preacher_n etc._n etc._n for_o fervency_n of_o spirit_n which_o sensible_a motion_n i_o presume_v you_o will_v grant_v be_v of_o no_o value_n otherwise_o than_o as_o they_o be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o rational_a abhorrence_n of_o all_o sin_n of_o all_o inordinate_a affection_n to_o finite_a object_n or_o to_o a_o rational_a or_o spiritual_a inclination_n to_o the_o one_o infinite_a good_a through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n the_o effectual_a notice_n of_o which_o infinite_a good_a how_o be_v it_o possible_a but_o we_o shall_v be_v continual_o stir_v up_o unto_o in_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o common_a prayer_n if_o we_o will_v apprehend_v the_o free_a offer_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n which_o the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n make_v unto_o we_o in_o a_o unlimited_a abundance_n in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o such_o mean_n of_o grace_n as_o he_o call_v we_o unto_o here_o i_o can_v run_v out_o with_o much_o fervour_n of_o indignation_n against_o the_o despiser_n of_o these_o mean_n of_o grace_n &_o strong_a guard_n from_o those_o accurse_a error_n socinianism_n etc._n etc._n which_o whilst_o i_o live_v in_o oxford_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v come_v in_o like_o a_o mighty_a torrent_n upon_o this_o distract_v kingdom_n whilst_o the_o frequent_a profession_n of_o belief_n of_o the_o trinity_n gloria_fw-la patri_fw-la and_o the_o three_o creed_n be_v cast_v out_o of_o our_o church_n if_o it_o be_v say_v what_o reformation_n have_v we_o now_o etc._n etc._n i_o reply_v that_o one_o reason_n of_o his_o kingdom_n be_v miscarriage_n i_o may_v say_v abomination_n be_v that_o some_o of_o those_o that_o be_v sincere_o learned_a &_o pious_a have_v not_o such_o a_o esteem_n of_o our_o liturgy_n as_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v and_o hundred_o of_o those_o that_o be_v think_v by_o the_o vulgar_a to_o be_v so_o do_v themselves_o despise_v it_o or_o countenance_v other_o in_o so_o do_v you_o give_v i_o not_o any_o punctual_a answer_n to_o my_o question_n whether_o you_o do_v not_o judge_v it_o sinful_a to_o stay_v at_o home_n though_o to_o read_v good_a book_n &c._n &c._n on_o the_o lord_n day_n rather_o than_o come_v to_o church_n when_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v hear_v there_o but_o the_o common_a prayer_n you_o say_v you_o be_v more_o against_o spend_v the_o lord_n day_n in_o idleness_n or_o in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v worse_o than_o in_o hear_v that_o alone_a i_o thank_v god_n i_o be_v never_o so_o mad_a as_o to_o make_v a_o question_n of_o this_o i_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v to_o it_o but_o that_o i_o dislike_v these_o word_n worse_o than_o the_o common_a prayer_n which_o seem_v to_o insinuate_v that_o it_o be_v not_o good_n i_o be_o not_o guilty_a of_o slight_v preach_a as_o it_o be_v take_v in_o contradistinction_n to_o read_v &c._n &c._n as_o you_o seem_v to_o conceit_n i_o affirm_v that_o to_o suit_n or_o proportion_n our_o expectation_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o mean_n whereunto_o we_o be_v call_v to_o the_o apprehension_n of_o infinite_a bounty_n etc._n etc._n be_v a_o property_n of_o save_v faith_n but_o say_v you_o god_n who_o appoint_v several_a mean_n do_v usual_o work_v according_a to_o they_o and_o when_o he_o withdraw_v they_o it_o be_v a_o judgement_n which_o it_o be_v not_o if_o he_o have_v promise_v as_o much_o grace_n without_o they_o as_o with_o they_o i_o grant_v that_o god_n who_o appoint_v several_a mean_n do_v usual_o work_v according_a to_o they_o but_o i_o utter_o deny_v that_o when_o he_o withdraw_v any_o particular_a mean_n of_o grace_n it_o be_v a_o judgement_n to_o he_o who_o be_v in_o the_o act_n of_o sincere_a love_n to_o the_o bless_a jesus_n for_o such_o a_o one_o be_v at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n under_o the_o gracious_a influence_n of_o the_o infinity_o of_o light_n and_o love_n direct_v he_o how_o by_o submission_n to_o the_o divine_a will_n withdraw_v any_o particular_a mean_n of_o grace_n and_o by_o the_o renew_n his_o resolution_n to_o make_v a_o right_o use_v of_o all_o such_o mean_n as_o god_n shall_v at_o any_o time_n call_v he_o unto_o etc._n etc._n he_o may_v receive_v of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n in_o as_o great_a measure_n as_o he_o can_v have_v do_v in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_v withdraw_v from_o he_o the_o lord_z give_v we_o both_o understanding_n in_o all_o thing_n now_o i_o have_v find_v the_o way_n by_o your_o letter_n to_o discover_v your_o thought_n concern_v the_o common_a prayer_n in_o your_o print_a paper_n i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v you_o with_o any_o more_o post-letter_n on_o that_o subject_a but_o shall_v stick_v to_o the_o defence_n of_o this_o great_a truth_n that_o the_o withdraw_n of_o any_o particular_a mean_n of_o grace_n be_v not_o a_o judgement_n to_o he_o that_o be_v in_o the_o act_n of_o divine_a love_n against_o which_o you_o argue_v thus_o that_o which_o tend_v to_o hinder_v his_o continuance_n in_o that_o act_n of_o love_n be_v a_o judgement_n but_o such_o be_v the_o withdraw_n of_o some_o mean_n of_o grace_n i_o answer_v the_o withdraw_a etc._n etc._n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v direct_o and_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n that_o which_o tend_v to_o hinder_v etc._n etc._n that_o as_o it_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n viz._n the_o work_n of_o the_o infinite_o good_a god_n it_o be_v the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o he_o take_v it_o for_o such_o that_o be_v in_o the_o act_n of_o divine_a love_n as_o i_o endeavour_v to_o show_v you_o in_o my_o last_o we_o question_v not_o say_v you_o god_n bounty_n but_o his_o will_n show_v we_o a_o promise_n that_o when_o a_o man_n be_v deprive_v of_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o gospel_n the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n the_o company_n of_o all_o good_a man_n and_o cast_v among_o impious_a deceiver_n and_o heretic_n he_o shall_v have_v his_o love_n continue_v and_o increase_v as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v better_a mean_n i_o answer_v this_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n whatsoever_o you_o shall_v ask_v the_o father_n in_o my_o name_n he_o will_v give_v it_o you_o john_n 16.27_o will_v engage_v the_o heart_n of_o any_o one_o in_o the_o act_n of_o divine_a love_n if_o god_n shall_v put_v he_o into_o such_o a_o condition_n as_o you_o express_v to_o expect_v from_o god_n through_o our_o lord_n jesus_n as_o much_o grace_n or_o improvement_n of_o his_o divine_a temper_n under_o that_o dispensation_n of_o providence_n as_o he_o know_v he_o can_v have_v ground_n to_o expect_v in_o the_o use_n of_o those_o mean_n of_o grace_n which_o the_o only_a wise_a god_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o withdraw_v from_o he_o but_o i_o be_o ready_a to_o say_v with_o you_o if_o god_n shall_v take_v away_o the_o bible_n and_o preach_v from_o the_o land_n i_o will_v take_v it_o for_o a_o judgement_n though_o the_o common_a
aversion_n of_o the_o heart_n from_o our_o holy_a one_o my_o use_v these_o word_n secundum_fw-la naturam_fw-la bonitatis_fw-la infinitae_fw-la be_v not_o as_o you_o say_v to_o hide_v the_o sense_n but_o to_o prevent_v your_o opinion_n that_o i_o shall_v hold_v such_o a_o absurdity_n as_o this_o that_o god_n act_v any_o thing_n ad_fw-la ultimum_fw-la posse_fw-la which_o word_n can_v in_o no_o wise_n be_v speak_v of_o god_n but_o it_o seem_v i_o have_v not_o my_o aim_n for_o in_o the_o close_a of_o your_o letter_n you_o tell_v i_o that_o you_o think_v my_o work_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o god_n communicate_v good_a natural_o to_o the_o utmost_a of_o his_o absolute_a power_n as_o the_o sun_n do_v its_o influence_n of_o light_n heatt_z and_o motion_n god_n forbid_v that_o i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o god_n act_n like_o a_o finite_a agent_n as_o finite_a as_o have_v any_o utmost_a or_o limit_a power_n whether_o i_o misunderstand_v goodness_n which_o be_v another_o passage_n in_o your_o letter_n i_o shall_v entreat_v you_o to_o consider_v by_o what_o i_o shall_v say_v of_o it_o in_o my_o present_a reflection_n upon_o these_o word_n of_o you_o his_o goodness_n even_o his_o infinite_a perfection_n and_o love_n to_o himself_o this_o be_v god_n himself_o he_o be_v his_o own_o infinite_a joy_n and_o life_n and_o glory_n he_o be_v all_o in_o all_o thing_n and_o event_n sin_n only_o except_v enjoy_v himself_o in_o these_o small_a creature_n which_o be_v so_o contemptible_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n no_o less_o than_o in_o the_o most_o glorious_a of_o the_o heavenly_a host_n and_o the_o more_o we_o partake_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o more_o we_o delight_v ourselves_o in_o all_o the_o work_v both_o of_o creation_n and_o providence_n here_o i_o can_v but_o tell_v you_o that_o i_o hate_v as_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n the_o folly_n and_o madness_n of_o some_o of_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o liturgy_n which_o prompt_v they_o to_o speak_v contemptuous_o under_o pretence_n forsooth_o of_o zeal_n for_o the_o pure_a service_n of_o god_n of_o that_o excellent_a hymn_n o_o all_o you_o work_v of_o the_o lord_n bless_v you_o the_o lord_n praise_v he_o and_o magnify_v he_o for_o ever_o o_o all_o you_o angel_n of_o the_o lord_n bless_v you_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v say_v you_o a_o negative_a limitation_n which_o be_v not_o in_o god_n power_n and_o you_o seem_v to_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v in_o his_o wisdom_n which_o you_o true_o call_v the_o council_n of_o his_o will._n but_o what_o wisdom_n do_v it_o do_v as_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o will_n and_o therefore_o as_o wisdom_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o i_o suppose_v you_o mean_v of_o a_o man_n be_v not_o be_v actual_o better_o than_o he_o be_v for_o you_o say_v in_o the_o next_o page_n that_o our_o want_n of_o goodness_n be_v the_o consequence_n of_o a_o mere_a non_fw-la velle_fw-la negatione_fw-la directionis_fw-la so_o the_o will_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o negatione_fw-la volitionis_fw-la to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o cause_n that_o any_o man_n be_v not_o better_a than_o he_o be_v be_v not_o that_o god_n can_v make_v he_o better_o i._n e._n that_o there_o be_v any_o defect_n of_o power_n in_o god_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v right_o say_v that_o god_n can_v make_v he_o better_o than_o he_o be_v for_o i_o understand_v those_o word_n as_o you_o right_o conjecture_v in_o sensu_fw-la composito_fw-la but_o perhaps_o you_o will_v say_v god_n can_v have_v make_v he_o better_o than_o he_o be_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o make_v he_o better_a than_o he_o be_v be_v never_o the_o object_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n of_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o object_n ad_fw-la extra_n but_o what_o be_v judge_v fit_a to_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o that_o wisdom_n which_o be_v essential_o the_o same_o with_o infinite_a goodness_n this_o deep_a thing_n let_v i_o presume_v to_o tell_v you_o in_o all_o humility_n require_v your_o utmost_a attention_n neither_o be_v these_o negation_n if_o we_o may_v put_v a_o periphrasis_n of_o nothing_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n of_o wisdom_n to_o direct_v of_o will_n to_o execute_v the_o cause_n etc._n etc._n for_o of_o mere_a negation_n there_o be_v no_o issue_n or_o consequence_n all_o that_o you_o say_v reflect_v upon_o my_o word_n concern_v the_o object_n of_o god_n volition_n or_o nolition_n etc._n etc._n i_o do_v most_o affectionate_o approve_v as_o import_v very_o much_o of_o the_o same_o truth_n for_o want_v of_o which_o dr._n twisse_n who_o you_o mention_v seem_v to_o i_o in_o many_o passage_n of_o his_o controversial_a write_n to_o rave_v and_o talk_v indeed_o like_o a_o scholar_n but_o like_o one_o out_o of_o his_o right_a wit_n rather_o than_o to_o dispute_v but_o you_o seem_v to_o falter_v very_o much_o when_o you_o come_v to_o say_v that_o our_o want_n of_o goodness_n be_v the_o consequence_n of_o mere_a non_fw-la velle_fw-la for_o as_o i_o say_v but_o now_o of_o a_o mere_a negation_n or_o nullity_n i._n e._n of_o nothing_o there_o be_v no_o issue_n or_o consequence_n at_o all_o i_o think_v say_v you_o that_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o volitio_fw-la quà _fw-la talis_fw-la efficit_fw-la ad_fw-la extra_n sed_fw-la tantùm_fw-la quatenus_fw-la per_fw-la potentiam_fw-la operatur_fw-la to_o this_o i_o answer_v volitio_fw-la divina_fw-la ad_fw-la extra_n quà _fw-la talis_fw-la divina_fw-la inquam_fw-la efficit_fw-la ad_fw-la extra_n nam_fw-la essentialitr_n includit_fw-la sapientiam_fw-la &_o potentiam_fw-la infinitam_fw-la to_o these_o word_n omnis_fw-la volitio_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la efficiens_fw-la for_o god_n will_v himself_o much_o less_o omnis_fw-la nolitio_fw-la i_o answer_v thus_o god_n will_v of_o himself_o may_v not_o proper_o be_v term_v efficient_a but_o it_o be_v effectual_a or_o to_o the_o purpose_n that_o be_v which_o he_o will_v to_o be_v and_o every_o object_n of_o his_o volition_n ad_fw-la extra_n be_v or_o shall_v be_v through_o the_o efficacy_n of_o his_o power_n set_v on_o work_n by_o the_o infinite_a goodness_n of_o the_o council_n of_o his_o will._n as_o for_o the_o divine_a nolition_n this_o i_o say_v by_o it_o we_o mean_v not_o the_o negative_a of_o volition_n but_o a_o adverse_a act_n of_o the_o will_n which_o essential_o imply_v infinite_a wisdom_n and_o power_n can_v never_o be_v frustrate_v but_o always_o effect_n the_o opposite_a to_o that_o to_o which_o it_o be_v adverse_a so_o that_o if_o any_o man_n be_v actual_o better_o than_o he_o be_v be_v the_o object_n of_o divine_a nolition_n it_o must_v needs_o follow_v that_o god_n will_v be_v the_o direct_a cause_n of_o the_o opposite_a thereof_o viz._n that_o the_o man_n be_v actual_o so_o bad_a as_o he_o be_v what_o then_o be_v the_o cause_n &_o c_o i_o say_v again_o only_o the_o preverseness_n of_o his_o own_o will_n sin_n only_o can_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o sin_n what_o cause_n than_o have_v the_o first_o sin_n why_o as_o in_o effect_n i_o have_v say_v already_o none_o at_o all_o man_n be_v own_o perverseness_n of_o will_n say_v you_o be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o first_o pervert_v or_o sin_n when_o we_o speak_v of_o perverseness_n of_o will_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o first_o sin_n we_o mean_v nothing_o but_o the_o first_o sin_n under_o that_o notion_n not_o that_o this_o perverseness_n of_o will_n be_v real_o distinct_a from_o the_o first_o act_n of_o the_o will_v pervert_v i_o can_v translate_v optima_fw-la into_o any_o english_a so_o suitable_a to_o my_o conception_n as_o these_o word_n full_a of_o goodness_n i_o do_v not_o retire_v into_o silence_n as_o you_o speak_v at_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o heathen_n but_o tell_v you_o this_o certain_a truth_n that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o deny_v our_o assent_n to_o such_o evident_a proposition_n as_o this_o that_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o infinite_a goodness_n to_o fill_v the_o capacity_n of_o all_o creature_n so_o that_o proper_o and_o in_o the_o strict_a sense_n there_o be_v no_o evil_a but_o the_o aversion_n of_o the_o will_n of_o the_o creature_n from_o the_o will_n of_o the_o infinite_o good_a and_o wise_a and_o powerful_a creator_n to_o this_o i_o say_v we_o ought_v not_o to_o deny_v our_o assent_n because_o we_o can_v give_v a_o account_n of_o some_o particular_a way_n of_o providence_n i_o e._n of_o the_o mode_n or_o several_a kind_n of_o the_o influence_n of_o infinite_a goodness_n upon_o some_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n modes_n etc._n etc._n we_o attribute_v only_o ab_fw-la extrinseco_fw-la to_o the_o divine_a providence_n they_o be_v only_o in_o the_o creature_n the_o reason_n or_o proof_n of_o this_o consequence_n if_o god_n can_v be_v the_o direct_a cause_n of_o staint_a etc._n etc._n be_v this_o because_o if_o he_o can_v be_v the_o direct_a cause_n of_o stint_v his_o