Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n believe_v faith_n life_n 4,645 5 4.9113 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59241 Reason against raillery, or, A full answer to Dr. Tillotson's preface against J.S. with a further examination of his grounds of religion. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1672 (1672) Wing S2587; ESTC R10318 153,451 304

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as_o be_v on_o his_o part_n that_o it_o shall_v continue_v all_o along_o the_o same_o or_o that_o his_o church_n shall_v persevere_v in_o unity_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o that_o he_o settle_v such_o a_o rule_n to_o convey_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o to_o we_o as_o be_v of_o a_o nature_n able_a to_o establish_v it_o and_o satisfy_v according_a to_o their_o several_a capacity_n both_o the_o wise_a and_o the_o unwise_a whence_o necessary_o follow_v that_o all_o division_n about_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v refund_v into_o the_o faulty_a unwariness_n of_o man_n who_o deflect_v from_o that_o rule_n not_o into_o want_n of_o foresight_n in_o the_o alwise_a founder_n of_o the_o church_n in_o leave_v we_o such_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o shall_v set_v we_o all_o on_o wrangle_v instead_o of_o keep_v we_o at_o unity_n these_o consideration_n
side_n he_o who_o discourse_v ill_a violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o run_v into_o contradiction_n absurdity_n and_o what_o mean_v violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o speak_v contradiction_n but_o the_o make_v the_o thing_n not_o be_v what_o it_o be_v and_o so_o falsify_v by_o his_o discourse_n that_o principle_n which_o be_v diametrical_o opposite_a in_o this_o circumstance_n to_o the_o contradiction_n he_o sustain_v which_o be_v that_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v for_o example_n dr._n t._n put_v scripture_n letter_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o unless_o he_o will_v be_v strange_o uncharitable_a must_v grant_v convince_v by_o experience_n in_o the_o socinian_o and_o other_o that_o many_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n and_o yet_o judge_v not_o right_a concern_v what_o be_v true_a faith_n what_o not_o which_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n or_o make_v a_o rule_n not_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n contrary_a to_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n in_o that_o affair_n for_o he_o put_v it_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n ex_fw-la supposit●one_fw-la and_o yet_o put_v it_o to_o be_v no_o rule_n because_o the_o follower_n of_o it_o to_o their_o power_n be_v mislead_v which_o argue_v there_o be_v in_o this_o case_n no_o fault_n in_o they_o the_o want_n of_o a_o regulative_a virtue_n in_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o rule_n §_o 11._o hence_o be_v easy_o understand_v what_o use_n be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n viz._n not_o to_o make_v that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o such_o a_o affair_n one_o of_o the_o premise_n in_o a_o syllogism_n much_o less_o to_o make_v that_o one_o single_a identical_a proposition_n both_o the_o premise_n or_o two_o proposition_n as_o our_o shallow_a logician_n in_o his_o wild_a rant_v of_o drollery_n will_v persuade_v the_o reader_n but_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n have_v a_o far_o more_o sovereign_a influence_n over_o the_o discourse_n than_o any_o of_o those_o particular_a proposition_n decisive_o as_o it_o be_v abet_v or_o dis-approving_a the_o whole_a it_o be_v therefore_o to_o stand_v fix_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o discourser_n and_o be_v heedful_o attend_v to_o so_o to_o give_v a_o steadiness_n to_o all_o his_o ratiocination_n it_o be_v its_o office_n to_o be_v the_o test_n or_o touchstone_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n or_o a_o rule_n which_o be_v a_o measure_n of_o what_o be_v right_a what_o crooked_a oblique_a or_o deviate_a from_o true_a nature_n if_o in_o dispute_n one_o hold_v firm_o to_o that_o it_o authenticate_v his_o discourse_n to_o be_v the_o solid_a gold_n of_o truth_n if_o any_o plausible_a talk_v make_v a_o mock-show_a of_o connexion_n or_o truth_n it_o discover_v the_o cheat_n show_v by_o its_o own_o most_o evident_a connexion_n the_o unconnectedness_n or_o looseness_n of_o the_o other_o empty_a babble_n and_o demonstrate_v it_o to_o be_v the_o mere_a dross_n of_o falsehood_n how_o fair_a soever_o it_o appear_v to_o the_o eye_n at_o first_o and_o how_o pretty_o soever_o it_o be_v superficial_o gild_v with_o sophisticate_a rhetoric_n or_o other_o artificial_a trick_n of_o counterfeit_a truth_n it_o be_v like_o a_o immovable_a basis_n that_o sustain_v all_o the_o superstructure_n of_o truth_n though_o itself_o rise_v not_o above_o its_o own_o firm_a level_n or_o like_o a_o rock_n which_o by_o its_o rigid_a hardness_n dash_v asunder_o into_o contradiction_n and_o folly_n the_o ill-coherent_a and_o weak_a production_n of_o witty_a ignorance_n no_o wonder_n then_o dr._n t._n abuse_v so_o the_o first_o principle_n as_o good_a for_o nothing_o for_o he_o perceive_v they_o dispose_v to_o abuse_v he_o by_o show_v all_o his_o discourse_n to_o be_v nothing_o but_o well-clad_a nonsense_n and_o though_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n or_o his_o cause_n not_o bear_v it_o he_o can_v work_v with_o they_o yet_o if_o i_o be_v not_o much_o mistake_v they_o will_v make_v work_n with_o he_o ere_o it_o be_v long_o but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o instance_n §_o 12._o i'faith_o meaning_n by_o it_o a_o believe_v upon_o motive_n leave_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n to_o light_a mankind_n to_o his_o truth_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o my_o preface_n to_o faith_n vindicate_v and_o elsewhere_o be_v a_o assent_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o this_o be_v find_v in_o its_o definition_n as_o its_o difference_n essential_o distinguish_v it_o from_o opinion_n which_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o be_v prove_v by_o more_o than_o forty_o demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n not_o one_o of_o which_o have_v yet_o be_v in_o the_o least_o reply_v to_o wherefore_o be_v a_o direct_a part_n of_o the_o definition_n it_o engage_v that_o first_o verity_n on_o which_o the_o definition_n itself_o be_v ground_v that_o be_v if_o faith_n be_v not_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a faith_n be_v not_o faith_n wherefore_o dr._n t._n who_o for_o all_o his_o shuffle_n make_v faith_n thus_o understand_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v convince_v to_o clash_v with_o that_o self-evident_a identical_a proposition_n by_o make_v faith_n to_o be_v not_o faith_n and_o if_o the_o pretend_a demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n or_o any_o of_o they_o stand_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n dr._n st._n if_o they_o true_o say_v what_o they_o think_v be_v as_o certain_o conclude_v to_o be_v none_o of_o the_o faithful_a as_o it_o be_v that_o faith_n be_v faith_n §_o 13._o also_o tradition_n be_v a_o delivery_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o sense_n of_o immediate_a forefather_n to_o their_o child_n or_o to_o those_o of_o the_o next_o age_n by_o live_v voice_n and_o practice_n that_o be_v by_o catechise_v preach_a converse_v practise_v and_o all_o the_o way_n th●t_o can_v be_v possible_o find_v in_o education_n it_o follow_v that_o if_o mankind_n can_v express_v what_o they_o have_v in_o their_o thought_n to_o other_o at_o long_o run_v as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v so_o as_o to_o make_v generality_n at_o least_o the_o wise_a understand_v they_o we_o have_v lose_v mankind_n since_o to_o do_v this_o require_v little_o more_o than_o eye_n ear_n power_n of_o speak_v and_o common_a sense_n wherefore_o let_v this_o way_n of_o tradition_n be_v follow_v and_o it_o will_v convey_v the_o first-taught_a faith_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n that_o be_v true_a faith_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n therefore_o it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o belong_v intrinsical_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v if_o man_n be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o but_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n it_o will_v infallible_o derive_v down_o the_o first_o that_o be_v right_o fa●th_v since_o then_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v by_o its_o have_v such_o a_o nature_n in_o it_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v indeed_o a_o rule_n wherefore_o he_o who_o deny_v that_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n that_o mankind_n be_v mankind_n and_o he_o who_o deny_v it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n §_o 14_o my_o last_o instance_n show_v withal_o more_o ample_o the_o use_n of_o first_o principle_n shall_v be_v of_o that_o identical_a proposition_n which_o ground_n the_o whole_a nature_n of_o discourse_n and_o it_o be_v this_o the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o be_v thus_o make_v use_n of_o the_o copula_fw-la be_v express_v the_o identity_n or_o as_o we_o may_v say_v the_o sameness_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v which_o it_o connect_v and_o it_o be_v the_o aim_n of_o reason_n to_o prove_v these_o two_o term_n identify_v in_o the_o concsusion_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o that_o proposition_n we_o call_v the_o conclusion_n be_v true_a but_o how_o shall_v this_o be_v prove_v a_o three_o term_n be_v seek_v for_o which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o two_o other_o and_o thence_o '_o t●s_v evince_v that_o those_o two_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o in_o the_o conclusion_n and_o why_o because_o otherwise_o that_o three_o term_n will_v not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o its_o own_o self_n or_o be_v what_o it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v true_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o two_o other_o and_o yet_o those_o two_o be_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o one_o another_o but_o it_o will_v have_v division_n in_o its_o very_a nature_n or_o not_o be_v its_o self_n be_v in_o that_o case_n distract_v into_o more_o essential_a nature_n that_o be_v be_v chimerical_a and_o consequent_o two_o thing_n according_a to_o one_o of_o which_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o of_o those_o term_n according_a to_o the_o other_o the_o
another_o aught_o to_o be_v allow_v the_o liberty_n of_o take_v those_o word_n which_o express_v his_o sentiment_n without_o put_v they_o always_o in_o the_o very_a method_n and_o posture_n in_o which_o they_o be_v find_v in_o the_o author_n while_o there_o be_v no_o ambiguity_n or_o doubt_n of_o the_o author_n sense_n in_o that_o place_n yet_o where_o it_o be_v at_o lest_o doubtful_a that_o the_o sense_n be_v otherwise_o as_o be_v manifest_a to_o any_o one_o who_o read_v that_o preface_n which_o as_o i_o allege_v though_o dr._n t._n never_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o be_v whole_o intend_v to_o evince_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v not_o so_o fair_o and_o clear_o candid_a to_o introduce_v it_o as_o a_o most_o express_a say_n of_o a_o author_n and_o put_v it_o direct_o upon_o he_o as_o his_o say_v whereas_o there_o at_o least_o need_v a_o discourse_n and_o the_o draw_v some_o consequence_n to_o prove_v it_o his_o sense_n and_o doctrine_n as_o will_v appear_v short_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a strain_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o treatise_n in_o which_o it_o be_v find_v thus_o far_o then_o i_o conceive_v myself_o in_o rigorous_a truth_n justifiable_a namely_o for_o impute_v to_o dr._n t._n that_o he_o leave_v out_o the_o word_n some_o understand_v for_o he_o do_v so_o and_o by_o so_o do_v put_v that_o say_n direct_o upon_o the_o prefacer_n himself_o and_o express_v not_o that_o himself_o only_o gather_v it_o by_o consequence_n from_o his_o word_n §_o 8._o the_o chief_a and_o main_a part_n of_o the_o charge_n be_v that_o the_o impute_a tenet_n be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o prefacers_n word_n in_o that_o place_n and_o since_o he_o do_v not_o direct_o say_v it_o but_o it_o be_v infer_v only_o from_o his_o approve_v a_o other_o tenet_n either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n the_o point_n be_v to_o be_v decide_v by_o such_o reflection_n as_o give_v we_o best_o light_n of_o his_o sense_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o allege_v 1._o that_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o that_o treatise_n be_v aim_v to_o prove_v the_o quite_o contrary_a position_n which_o consideration_n be_v confess_o the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o any_o author_n to_o neglect_v that_o and_o catch_v at_o any_o little_a semblance_n in_o two_o or_o three_o particular_a word_n and_o then_o force_v upon_o that_o author_n a_o tenet_n perfect_o contrary_a to_o what_o his_o whole_a discourse_n be_v bend_v to_o prove_v favour_v too_o strong_a of_o a_o wit_n resolve_v to_o cavil_v this_o i_o object_v in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o and_o this_o dr._n t._n think_v it_o his_o best_a play_n not_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o here_o for_o it_o be_v unanswerable_a and_o too_o evident_o conclude_v he_o injurious_a to_o the_o prefacer_n first_o then_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o reflect_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o show_n of_o relate_v the_o possibility_n there_o speak_v of_o to_o the_o divine_a omnipotence_n but_o only_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o second_o cause_n next_o that_o since_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v make_v to_o be_v if_o those_o cause_n can_v possible_o work_v otherwise_o the_o thing_n may_v be_v otherwise_o these_o due_a reflection_n make_v and_o settle_v to_o those_o who_o have_v not_o leisure_n to_o read_v the_o whole_a preface_n i_o offer_v these_o particularity_n p._n 6._o he_o blame_v those_o who_o bring_v not_o a_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o coactive_a of_o the_o understanding_n and_o at_o the_o end_n of_o that_o §_o he_o press_v those_o who_o say_v those_o moral_a motive_n be_v such_o as_o all_o be_v oblige_v to_o yield_v to_o to_o show_v how_o all_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v that_o which_o they_o evident_o see_v may_v be_v false_a and_o which_o be_v remarkable_a these_o expression_n be_v find_v in_o the_o §_o immediate_o before_o the_o citation_n d.t._n so_o misrepresent_v whence_o it_o be_v likely_a he_o can_v not_o but_o see_v and_o reflect_v on_o they_o again_o p._n 10._o else_o you_o will_v be_v force_v to_o say_v that_o the_o very_a way_n god_n himself_o have_v show_v to_o heaven_n may_v possible_o lead_v to_o hell_n p._n 13._o the_o formal_a part_n of_o our_o action_n unless_o it_o carry_v evidence_n and_o certainty_n with_o it_o can_v be_v venture_v on_o without_o reproach_n now_o as_o appear_v p._n 12_o he_o aim_v this_o discourse_n at_o action_n belong_v to_o faith_n and_o answer_n that_o be_v oppose_v those_o who_o say_v the_o reason_n or_o ground_n of_o our_o action_n need_v be_v no_o more_o but_o a_o high_a probability_n or_o contingent_a as_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o etc._n etc._n p._n 14._o this_o necessity_n bind_v god_n to_o put_v a_o inevitable_a certitude_n in_o the_o motive_n of_o faith_n p._n 16._o there_o be_v nothing_o advance_v towards_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o assent_n since_o this_o remain_v know_v that_o the_o position_n may_v be_v false_a etc._n etc._n and_o to_o omit_v other_o p._n 20._o he_o put_v the_o question_n whether_o a_o desultory_a assent_n which_o so_o agree_v to_o this_o side_n that_o the_o believer_n see_v it_o fallible_a be_v sufficient_a for_o christian_a life_n and_o action_n and_o come_v in_o the_o next_o §_o to_o answer_v it_o he_o call_v this_o a_o incertitude_n or_o defect_n of_o certitude_n and_o declare_v that_o it_o make_v a_o religion_n either_o absolute_o none_o or_o not_o a_o rational_a one_o but_o a_o mere_a folly_n these_o citation_n due_o reflect_v on_o it_o will_v appear_v very_o strange_a to_o any_o ingenuous_a man_n that_o dr._n t._n can_v easy_o imagine_v a_o author_n never_o note_v till_o now_o to_o be_v give_v to_o contradict_v himself_o who_o so_o express_o in_o such_o and_o so_o many_o signal_n passage_n and_o in_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o that_o discourse_n nay_o the_o very_a immediate_o forego_v §_o manifest_v himself_o to_o hold_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n can_v possible_o lead_v man_n the_o wrong_a way_n that_o they_o must_v be_v evident_a and_o inevitable_o certain_a that_o if_o it_o may_v be_v false_a we_o can_v assent_v to_o it_o at_o all_o as_o a_o truth_n that_o if_o the_o believer_n see_v it_o be_v fallible_a it_o be_v irrational_a a_o mere_a folly_n to_o hold_v it_o or_o else_o destructive_a of_o religion_n it_o be_v strange_a i_o say_v to_o imagine_v that_o a_o writer_n who_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o his_o wit_n shall_v put_v forth_o a_o treatise_n purpose_o to_o evince_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o ground_n and_o motive_n to_o faith_n and_o in_o it_o so_o often_o and_o so_o particular_o avow_v it_o and_o yet_o in_o the_o same_o treatise_n confess_v that_o what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v true_a certainty_n and_o so_o a_o competent_a ground_n to_o establish_v faith_n on_o that_o be_v maintain_v the_o contrary_a position_n to_o what_o he_o intend_v or_o pretend_v §_o 9_o have_v thus_o ample_o make_v good_a this_o part_n of_o my_o charge_n lay_v against_o dr._n t._n letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 63._o viz._n that_o it_o be_v the_o plain_a tenor_n of_o the_o prefacers_n discourse_n and_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o that_o preface_n to_o force_v the_o direct_a contrary_a position_n to_o what_o dr._n t._n will_v so_o disingenuous_o have_v put_v upon_o he_o of_o which_o he_o here_o take_v no_o notice_n nor_o give_v account_n why_o he_o happen_v not_o to_o mind_n or_o regard_v that_o best_a way_n of_o interpret_n a_o author_n word_n or_o not_o to_o see_v so_o many_o clear_a expression_n against_o his_o interest_n rather_o than_o one_o obscure_v one_o seem_o for_o it_o we_o come_v next_o to_o consider_v the_o particular_a word_n in_o the_o place_n cite_v and_o see_v wha●_n strong_a temptation_n they_o can_v give_v dr._n t._n to_o take_v he_o in_o a_o sense_n never_o intend_v notwithstanding_o so_o many_o pregnant_a evidence_n to_o the_o contrary_a §_o 10._o the_o prefacer_n say_v that_o some_o understand_v by_o moral_a certainty_n such_o a_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n though_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o absolute_a possibility_n of_o work_v otherways_o he_o add_v afterward_o that_o this_o aught_o absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n and_o the_o author_n consider_v as_o mistake_v in_o undervalue_v it_o and_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o to_o one_o who_o light_v by_o accident_n on_o this_o single_a passage_n take_v abstract_o from_o the_o rest_n and_o can_v reach_v no_o deep_o than_o the_o grammar_n or_o superficial_a place_n of_o word_n it_o bear_v at_o first_o sight_n a_o show_n as_o if_o the_o prefacer_n have_v approve_v that_o to_o be_v a_o true_a certainty_n not_o only_a when_o the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n as_o i_o