Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
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A25447
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Religio clerici
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T. A.
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1681
(1681)
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Wing A32; ESTC R200747
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38,573
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248
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not_o more_o general_o embrace_v and_o admire_v be_v because_o the_o purity_n of_o its_o doctrine_n the_o sobriety_n of_o its_o devotion_n the_o moderation_n of_o its_o discipline_n the_o largeness_n of_o its_o charity_n be_v not_o more_o impartial_o and_o calm_o examine_v more_o general_o understand_v our_o church_n in_o its_o spiritual_a state_n as_o you_o be_v christian_n be_v most_o conformable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o apostolic_a practice_n to_o the_o primitive_a institution_n in_o its_o rational_a state_n as_o you_o be_v man_n its_o doctrine_n be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n its_o precept_n most_o become_a the_o pure_a and_o strict_a law_n of_o nature_n virtue_n and_o morality_n in_o its_o political_a state_n as_o you_o be_v englishmen_n its_o interest_n be_v inseparable_a from_o that_o of_o our_o nation_n and_o government_n we_o be_v therefore_o so_o far_o from_o be_v jealous_a of_o your_o most_o curious_a &_o exact_a search_n into_o the_o practice_n and_o principle_n of_o our_o church_n that_o we_o desire_v it_o nay_o we_o most_o earnest_o beseech_v it_o we_o be_v in_o no_o danger_n from_o man_n most_o subtle_a inquiry_n into_o it_o we_o may_v be_v from_o their_o utter_a carelessness_n and_o indifferency_n towards_o it_o we_o be_v not_o against_o any_o man_n see_v spiritual_a truth_n only_o we_o will_v not_o have_v the_o blind_a presume_v to_o teach_v other_o to_o see_v we_o will_v not_o have_v man_n think_v they_o see_v when_o they_o do_v not_o which_o be_v the_o most_o certain_a way_n for_o they_o never_o to_o see_v at_o all_o we_o will_v have_v you_o know_v as_o much_o as_o you_o can_v only_o we_o will_v have_v you_o believe_v that_o both_o you_o and_o we_o may_v know_v much_o more_o than_o we_o do_v we_o entreat_v you_o to_o strive_v to_o know_v all_o in_o a_o right_a way_n by_o sober_a majesty_n dr._n sprat_n sermon_n at_o whitehall_n before_o his_o majesty_n degree_n for_o right_a purpose_n use_n and_o end_n i_o will_v here_o be_v bold_a to_o subjoin_v by_o way_n of_o corollary_n to_o the_o foregoing_a excellent_a word_n it_o have_v puzzle_v my_o near_a and_o nice_a inquisition_n and_o plunge_v my_o close_a scrutiny_n in_o deep_a amazement_n when_o i_o have_v consider_v that_o so_o many_o of_o our_o countryman_n shall_v out_o of_o a_o odd_a peevish_a humour_n and_o most_o unaccountable_a caprice_n forsake_v that_o sober_a decent_a way_n of_o worship_n which_o the_o establish_v law_n press_v which_o their_o gracious_a king_n and_o governor_n himself_o strict_o observe_v together_o with_o the_o loyal_a nobility_n and_o gentry_n and_o the_o reverend_n and_o learned_a clergy_n of_o this_o land_n that_o they_o shall_v i_o say_v leave_v these_o good_a these_o great_a these_o wise_a example_n contrary_a to_o the_o obedient_a humble_a temper_n of_o christian_n contrary_a to_o the_o prudence_n and_o interest_n of_o rational_a man_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o honest_a good_a nature_n of_o true_a englishman_n and_o all_o this_o out_o of_o a_o blind_a and_o ignorant_a compliance_n to_o the_o insinuate_a hypocritical_a persuasion_n of_o a_o few_o lead_v prejudice_v presbyter_n for_o true_a scruple_n of_o conscience_n can_v be_v say_v to_o urge_v they_o to_o this_o nonconformity_n not_o one_o of_o five_o hundred_o understanding_n the_o intrinsic_a state_n of_o the_o question_n or_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o the_o controvert_v point_n any_o more_o than_o they_o do_v arabic_a but_o grant_v that_o they_o can_v plead_v christian_a scruple_n how_o far_o will_v even_o that_o fall_n short_a of_o justification_n see_v that_o the_o command_v to_o obedience_n be_v so_o absolute_a so_o plain_a so_o positive_a and_o the_o reason_n for_o nonconformity_n even_o at_o best_a so_o obscure_a so_o weak_a so_o dubious_a in_o a_o word_n the_o faith_n of_o our_o separatist_n be_v as_o blind_v and_o implicit_a as_o that_o of_o the_o papist_n the_o design_n of_o their_o doctrine_n as_o subtle_n sensual_a and_o secular_a but_o to_o return_v to_o the_o romanist_n that_o the_o trick_n shall_v pass_v upon_o the_o common_a herd_n of_o the_o ignorant_a and_o credulous_n be_v not_o at_o all_o strange_a nor_o that_o the_o well-contrived_a imposture_n shall_v go_v down_o pretty_a cleverly_o with_o the_o middle_a sort_n of_o mankind_n be_v it_o much_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o but_o that_o so_o notorious_a so_o bold_a so_o saucy_a a_o cheat_n shall_v engage_v the_o wise_a and_o noble_a nay_o king_n and_o prince_n to_o a_o compliance_n so_o mean_a and_o servile_a as_o heretofore_o especial_o this_o be_v a_o perfect_a prodigy_n to_o i_o what_o depth_n of_o subtlety_n be_v employ_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n and_o infallibility_n the_o basis_n of_o implicit_a faith_n indisputable_a obedience_n &_o absolute_a dependence_n on_o the_o church_n and_o court_n of_o rome_n what_o great_a and_o glorious_a scene_n of_o pomp_n pride_n and_o splendour_n be_v consequential_a to_o the_o necessity_n of_o make_v all_o deference_n and_o humble_a appeal_n to_o his_o holiness_n the_o doctrine_n of_o purgatory_n be_v a_o most_o excellent_a bait_n for_o a_o wealthy_a sinner_n on_o his_o deathbed_n how_o eager_o and_o zealous_o he_o exchange_n his_o bag_n for_o mass_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v stop_v at_o that_o hot_a stage_n but_o be_v immediate_o dispatch_v to_o the_o more_o agreeable_a warmth_n of_o abraham_n bosom_n thus_o by_o a_o pretty_a kind_n of_o platonic_a chemistry_n the_o subtle_a priest_n make_v real_a gold_n by_o a_o imaginary_a &_o fictitious_a fire_n but_o above_o all_o to_o dive_v into_o and_o discover_v the_o temper_n and_o inclination_n design_n and_o contrivance_n action_n and_o passion_n nay_o the_o most_o retire_a thought_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n auricular_a confession_n be_v a_o unparalleled_a device_n it_o be_v certain_o the_o most_o impudent_a encroachment_n and_o unnatural_a piece_n of_o tyranny_n that_o be_v ever_o impose_v on_o mankind_n i_o mean_v as_o it_o be_v abuse_v and_o disfigure_v by_o they_o from_o its_o first_o good_a design_n and_o institution_n i_o will_v now_o end_v these_o brief_a remark_n on_o the_o romish_a religion_n with_o one_o trick_n more_o of_o they_o which_o appear_v in_o the_o death_n of_o mr._n langhorne_n and_o the_o late_a jesuit_n which_o have_v afford_v matter_n of_o much_o discourse_n to_o all_o and_o of_o no_o small_a wonder_n and_o amusement_n to_o some_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o very_o believe_v that_o if_o the_o deposition_n of_o the_o king_n witness_n as_o the_o law_n always_o allow_v and_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v so_o be_v not_o the_o facto_fw-la true_a and_o evident_a if_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o court_n be_v not_o most_o impartial_a just_a and_o steady_a and_o by_o consequence_n the_o party_n bring_v in_o guilty_a by_o a_o honest_a and_o unbiased_a verdict_n if_o all_o this_o i_o say_v be_v not_o so_o then_o there_o be_v no_o truth_n or_o certainty_n under_o the_o sun_n and_o therefore_o that_o learned_a and_o rational_a man_n shall_v at_o the_o point_n of_o death_n fond_o conceive_v that_o any_o dispensation_n from_o rome_n or_o their_o reciprocal_a absolution_n can_v possible_o expiate_v the_o gild_n and_o crime_n of_o a_o positive_a deliberate_a mortal_a sin_n i_o mean_v the_o steadfast_a abjuration_n of_o true_a matter_n of_o fact_n this_o be_v a_o presumption_n of_o that_o force_n and_o contradiction_n to_o the_o genius_n of_o christianity_n and_o so_o contrary_a to_o the_o very_a essential_o and_o fundamental_o of_o humane_a nature_n that_o i_o know_v not_o what_o to_o resolve_v it_o into_o but_o a_o total_a dereliction_n of_o god_n almighty_n or_o some_o latent_fw-la frenzy_n in_o those_o wretched_a delinquent_n i_o have_v indeed_o hear_v some_o learned_a man_n urge_v the_o strong_a force_n of_o education_n and_o institution_n as_o a_o competent_a cause_n to_o rivet_v this_o principle_n into_o the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o romish_a agent_n what_o ever_o it_o be_v it_o afford_v matter_n of_o mysterious_a difficulty_n to_o i_o and_o what_o principle_n soever_o it_o own_v certain_o the_o resolute_a effect_n it_o produce_v must_v needs_o belong_v to_o a_o very_a forcible_a cause_n since_o we_o see_v this_o firm_a obstinacy_n retain_v its_o vigour_n in_o attempt_n of_o the_o last_o danger_n and_o at_o the_o dreadful_a point_n of_o unavoidable_a death_n too_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o bishop_n and_o spiritual_a senate_n of_o rome_n exhibit_v all_o the_o machiavilian_a maxim_n which_o they_o without_o exception_n call_v in_o to_o establish_v and_o advance_v their_o secular_a and_o ecclesiastic_a polity_n under_o the_o specious_a stamp_n of_o divine_a authority_n and_o crown_v the_o most_o horrid_a erterprise_n and_o unnatural_a villainy_n with_o the_o additional_a advantage_n of_o merit_n this_o if_o firm_o believe_v but_o there_o lie_v the_o difficulty_n must_v needs_o infuse_v as_o much_o courage_n and_o resolution_n as_o the_o arabian_a
the_o like_a such_o monstrous_a medlies_n and_o odd_a landscape_n of_o opinion_n as_o in_o another_o kind_n the_o most_o extravagant_a conception_n of_o poet_n and_o painter_n have_v never_o equal_v and_o true_o i_o think_v one_o and_o the_o other_o have_v some_o ground_n much_o alike_o for_o their_o whimsy_n i_o be_o sure_a they_o have_v each_o of_o they_o have_v too_o much_o of_o one_o privilege_n and_o that_o be_v the_o quidlibet_fw-la audendi_fw-la poet._n horat._n the_o art_n poet._n potestas_fw-la christianity_n i_o say_v be_v now_o almost_o 1700_o year_n old_a and_o though_o it_o as_o its_o author_n be_v ever_o one_o and_o the_o same_o yet_o what_o by_o the_o supineness_n of_o its_o true_a and_o what_o by_o the_o device_n of_o its_o pretend_a professor_n it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o overgrow_v with_o thorn_n and_o brier_n and_o the_o mossy_a excrescence_n of_o rot_a and_o corrupt_a skull_n that_o have_v not_o our_o god_n be_v very_o gracious_a we_o shall_v hardly_o distinguish_v and_o discern_v its_o genuine_a beauty_n and_o native_a lustre_n through_o the_o rubbish_n and_o barricade_n of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n i_o always_o think_v god_n holy_a word_n so_o plain_a that_o to_o invent_v a_o heterodox_n doctrine_n we_o must_v do_v a_o violence_n to_o that_o and_o our_o own_o reason_n too_o and_o yet_o what_o nice_a diffection_n have_v be_v make_v of_o these_o scripture_n by_o too_o bold_a and_o curious_a inspectour_n into_o the_o secret_n of_o god_n how_o many_o text_n have_v they_o set_v upon_o the_o rack_n and_o endeavour_v by_o cruel_a and_o unnatural_a distortion_n to_o make_v they_o say_v as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o and_o confess_v what_o they_o never_o know_v from_o whence_o have_v follow_v such_o rent_n and_o dislocation_n in_o some_o member_n of_o our_o religion_n as_o i_o fear_v be_v almost_o become_v past_o cure_n i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o one_o thing_n material_a have_v be_v discover_v by_o the_o noise_n and_o bustle_v of_o all_o these_o busy_a and_o subtle_a pate_n that_o be_v not_o as_o well_o or_o better_o know_v in_o the_o very_a first_o centurie_n i_o believe_v that_o in_o all_o the_o whole_a prodigious_a catalogue_n of_o voluminous_a tract_n and_o labour_v controversy_n enough_o at_o this_o day_n to_o make_v last_o joh._n chap._n last_o v._n last_o good_a st._n john_n hyperbole_n you_o can_v find_v one_o new_a truth_n of_o any_o import_n or_o significancie_n to_o our_o religion_n which_o be_v not_o know_v 1500_o year_n ago_o on_o the_o contrary_a i_o be_o sure_a they_o have_v together_o with_o a_o thousand_o falsity_n invent_v perplexity_n and_o empty_a trifle_n without_o number_n which_o the_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n never_o dream_v of_o some_o have_v stretch_v their_o brain_n to_o grasp_v mystery_n beyond_o their_o reach_n and_o will_v crowd_v the_o infinite_a essence_n and_o ineffable_a attribute_n of_o that_o great_a god_n into_o the_o senseless_a rule_n &_o term_n of_o their_o school_n who_o the_o heaven_n of_o heaven_n can_v contain_v what_o horrid_a heresy_n have_v man_n run_v into_o by_o presume_v to_o fathom_n the_o mystery_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n and_o whilst_o they_o have_v forcible_o press_v reason_n on_o to_o take_v as_o large_a a_o step_n as_o faith_n they_o have_v stumble_v and_o fall_v to_o their_o utter_a confusion_n my_o humble_a yet_o steadfast_a faith_n in_o the_o hide_a thing_n of_o god_n can_v rest_v full_o satisfy_v in_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o presume_v to_o no_o purpose_n so_o far_o as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nay_o and_o my_o reason_n too_o if_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v meddle_v do_v here_o most_o just_o acquiesce_v without_o far_a scrutiny_n in_o this_o conclusion_n it_o be_v certain_o so_o because_o god_n have_v say_v it_o and_o thus_o i_o can_v easy_o believe_v that_o the_o godhead_n consist_v of_o three_o person_n without_o the_o help_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d persona_fw-la or_o suppositum_fw-la and_o the_o incarnation_n of_o my_o saviour_n be_v a_o mystery_n indeed_o in_o divinity_n but_o none_o in_o philosophy_n to_o i_o for_o that_o tell_v i_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o speak_v more_o humano_fw-la for_o the_o almighty_a to_o set_v nature_n at_o work_n in_o holy_a mary_n womb_n to_o frame_v a_o man_n of_o her_o seed_n as_o to_o make_v a_o woman_n out_o of_o the_o side_n of_o adam_n but_o it_o be_v my_o opinion_n that_o the_o true_a faith_n supersede_v all_o argue_v about_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o when_o st._n peter_n bid_v we_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v a_o reasonable_a account_n it_o be_v not_o of_o fathomless_a secret_n but_o of_o our_o hope_n and_o 15._o 1_o pet._n 3._o 15._o faith_n in_o jesus_n yet_o that_o faith_n i_o be_o persuade_v be_v always_o most_o acceptable_a with_o our_o saviour_n that_o acknowledge_v he_o with_o a_o plain_a and_o simple_a sincerity_n without_o a_o why_o or_o wherefore_o and_o i_o believe_v the_o nimble_a confession_n of_o nathaniel_n 50._o joh._n 1._o 49_o 50._o though_o upon_o a_o slight_a occasion_n be_v better_o approve_v of_o by_o christ_n than_o the_o cautious_a proceed_v and_o deliberate_a advance_n of_o judicious_a nichodemus_n 9_o 3_o joh._n 9_o however_o i_o like_v not_o that_o high_a flight_n of_o the_o father_n neither_o certum_fw-la est_fw-la quia_fw-la impossibile_fw-it est_fw-la nor_o his_o who_o say_v there_o be_v not_o impossibility_n enough_o in_o religion_n for_o a_o active_a faith_n such_o hyperbolic_a strain_n do_v christianity_n no_o kindness_n i_o be_o sure_a especial_o in_o the_o mahometan_a and_o pagan_a world_n for_o be_v socrates_n cicero_n or_o seneca_n now_o alive_a i_o may_v with_o far_o better_a success_n attempt_v their_o conversion_n by_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o christ_n sermon_n on_o the_o mount_n or_o st._n paul_n epistle_n than_o by_o assault_v rash_o their_o unprepared_a reason_n with_o the_o difficulty_n and_o seem_a contradiction_n of_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n it_o can_v no_o way_n proper_o be_v say_v that_o there_o be_v any_o one_o impossibility_n in_o the_o bible_n for_o if_o the_o letter_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v true_a as_o it_o may_v on_o that_o score_n just_o claim_v a_o strong_a title_n to_o verity_n than_o any_o book_n of_o long_a or_o late_a date_n which_o yet_o we_o own_o without_o scruple_n than_o the_o concession_n that_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n easy_o follow_v and_o then_o the_o consequence_n be_v as_o necessary_a that_o whatever_o it_o contain_v must_v be_v of_o infallible_a truth_n and_o certainty_n and_o what_o if_o we_o can_v solve_v its_o mystery_n their_o first_o design_n be_v to_o be_v object_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o humble_a acquiescence_n not_o of_o pert_n and_o curious_a argumentation_n if_o we_o will_v believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o we_o can_v make_v out_o and_o clear_a of_o doubt_n ay_o and_o strong_a one_o too_o even_o in_o thing_n obvious_a and_o familiar_a and_o with_o which_o we_o converse_v every_o day_n we_o must_v shut_v the_o whole_a visible_a world_n out_o of_o door_n and_o sit_v down_o content_a with_o absolute_a scepticism_n i_o declare_v i_o have_v as_o even_o a_o notion_n of_o spirit_n as_o of_o body_n and_o understand_v cogitation_n full_o as_o well_o as_o extension_n i_o be_o no_o more_o privy_a to_o the_o mechanism_n of_o my_o own_o heart_n motion_n than_o i_o be_o to_o the_o mystery_n and_o feat_n of_o memory_n and_o imagination_n or_o to_o the_o way_n how_o my_o soul_n by_o a_o detachment_n of_o nimble_a emissary_n command_v my_o foot_n to_o move_v in_o a_o instant_n in_o a_o word_n i_o understand_v nothing_o of_o this_o kind_n by_o adequate_a and_o commensurate_a science_n but_o by_o philosophic_a guess_n or_o allegoric_a representation_n 5._o 11_o eccle._n 5._o i_o remember_v that_o a_o now_o reverend_a and_o most_o learned_a prelate_n at_o who_o private_a lecture_n i_o have_v the_o honour_n long_o ago_o to_o attend_v among_o other_o most_o excellent_a notice_n tell_v we_o that_o immaterial_a infinite_a and_o the_o like_a be_v negative_n indeed_o in_o word_n for_o the_o barrenness_n of_o language_n and_o our_o own_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n but_o proper_o and_o in_o themselves_o they_o be_v absolute_a positivity_n and_o again_o that_o their_o contrary_n finite_a and_o material_a be_v pure_a negation_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o other_o descartes_n who_o open_v the_o way_n to_o his_o philosophy_n by_o stop_v his_o ear_n and_o close_v his_o eye_n and_o strip_v himself_o naked_a to_o bare_a cogitation_n find_v out_o one_o original_a truth_n as_o he_o think_v viz._n cogito_fw-la ergo_fw-la sum_n what_o a_o prodigious_a fallacy_n pass_v upon_o this_o acute_a man_n he_o may_v as_o well_o in_o that_o case_n have_v argue_v curro_fw-la ergo_fw-la sum_n the_o argument_n have_v be_v as_o good_a though_o it_o lay_v at_o a_o little_o far_a distance_n