Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	church_n	divine_a	scripture_n	4,128	5	6.1291	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A58838	The life of God in the soul of man, or, The nature and excellency of the Christian religion with the method of attaining the happiness it proposes : and An account of the beginnings and advances of a spiritual life : in two letters written to persons of honour.	Scougal, Henry, 1650-1678.; Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715.	1677 (1677)	Wing S2101; ESTC R2701	52,875	148

and_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o that_o both_o as_o to_o the_o certainty_n and_o importance_n of_o they_o the_o assent_n which_o be_v ordinary_o give_v to_o divine_a truth_n be_v very_o faint_a and_o languid_a very_o weak_a and_o uneffectual_a flow_v only_o from_o a_o blind_a inclination_n to_o follow_v that_o religion_n which_o be_v in_o the_o fashion_n or_o a_o lazy_a indifferency_n and_o unconcernedness_n whether_o thing_n be_v so_o or_o not_o man_n be_v unwilling_a to_o quarrel_v with_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n and_o since_o all_o their_o neighbour_n be_v christian_n they_o be_v content_a to_o be_v so_o too_o but_o they_o be_v seldom_o at_o the_o pain_n to_o consider_v the_o evidence_n of_o those_o truth_n or_o to_o ponder_v the_o importance_n and_o tendency_n of_o they_o and_o thence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o have_v so_o little_a influence_n on_o their_o affection_n and_o practice_v those_o spriteless_a and_o paralytic_a thought_n as_o one_o do_v right_o term_v they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o move_v the_o will_n and_o direct_v the_o hand_n we_o must_v therefore_o endeavour_v to_o work_v up_o our_o mind_n to_o a_o serious_a belief_n and_o full_a persuasion_n of_o divine_a truth_n unto_o a_o sense_n and_o feel_n of_o spiritual_a thing_n our_o thought_n must_v dwell_v upon_o they_o till_o we_o be_v both_o convince_v of_o they_o and_o deep_o affect_v with_o they_o let_v we_o urge_v forward_o our_o spirit_n and_o make_v they_o approach_v the_o invisible_a world_n and_o fix_v our_o mind_n upon_o immaterial_a thing_n till_o we_o clear_o perceive_v that_o these_o be_v no_o dream_n nay_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v dream_n and_o shadow_n beside_o they_o when_o we_o look_v about_o we_o and_o behold_v the_o beauty_n and_o magnificence_n of_o this_o goodly_a frame_n the_o order_n and_o harmony_n of_o the_o whole_a creation_n let_v our_o thought_n from_o thence_o take_v their_o flight_n towards_o that_o omnipotent_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n which_o do_v at_o first_o produce_v and_o do_v ftill_o establish_v and_o uphold_v the_o same_o when_o we_o reflect_v upon_o ourselves_o let_v we_o consider_v that_o we_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a piece_n of_o organise_v matter_n a_o curious_a and_o well-contrived_a engine_n that_o there_o be_v more_o in_o we_o then_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o bone_n even_o a_o divine_a sparkle_n capable_a to_o know_v and_o love_n and_o enjoy_v our_o maker_n and_o though_o it_o be_v now_o exceed_o clog_v with_o its_o dull_a and_o lumpish_a companion_n yet_o ere_o long_o it_o shall_v be_v deliver_v and_o can_v subsist_v without_o the_o body_n as_o well_o as_o that_o can_v do_v without_o the_o clothes_n which_o we_o throw_v off_o at_o our_o pleasure_n let_v we_o often_o withdraw_v our_o thought_n from_o this_o earth_n this_o scene_n of_o misery_n and_o folly_n and_o sin_n and_o raise_v they_o towards_o that_o more_o vast_a and_o glorious_a world_n who_o innocent_a and_o bless_a inhabitant_n solace_v themselves_o eternal_o in_o the_o divine_a presence_n and_o know_v no_o other_o passion_n but_o a_o unmixed_a joy_n and_o a_o unbounded_a love_n and_o then_o consider_v how_o the_o bless_a son_n of_o god_n come_v down_o to_o this_o low_a world_n to_o live_v among_o we_o and_o die_v for_o we_o that_o he_o may_v bring_v we_o to_o a_o portion_n of_o the_o same_o felicity_n and_o think_v how_o he_o have_v overcome_v the_o sharpness_n of_o death_n and_o open_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n to_o all_o believer_n and_o be_v now_o set_v down_o on_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o majesty_n on_o high_a and_o yet_o be_v not_o 3._o the_o less_o mindful_a of_o we_o but_o receive_v our_o prayer_n and_o present_v they_o unto_o his_o father_n and_o be_v daily_o visit_v his_o church_n with_o the_o influence_n of_o his_o spirit_n as_o the_o sun_n reach_v we_o with_o his_o beam_n the_o serious_a and_o frequent_a considerarion_n of_o these_o and_o such_o other_o divine_a nature_n truth_n be_v the_o most_o proper_a method_n to_o beget_v that_o lively_a faith_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n the_o spring_n and_o root_n of_o the_o divine_a life_n let_v i_o further_o suggest_v some_o particular_a subject_n of_o meditation_n for_o produce_v the_o several_a branch_n of_o it_o and_o first_o to_o inflame_v our_o soul_n with_o the_o love_n of_o god_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o excellency_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o his_o love_n and_o kindness_n towards_o we_o it_o be_v little_a we_o know_v of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n and_o yet_o that_o little_a may_v suffice_v to_o fill_v our_o soul_n with_o admiration_n and_o love_n to_o ravish_v our_o affection_n as_o well_o as_o to_o raise_v our_o wonder_n for_o we_o be_v not_o mere_o creature_n of_o sense_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v uncapable_a of_o any_o other_o affection_n but_o that_o which_o enter_v by_o the_o eye_n the_o character_n of_o any_o excellent_a person_n who_o we_o have_v never_o see_v will_v many_o time_n engage_v our_o heart_n and_o make_v we_o huge_o concerue_v in_o all_o his_o adventure_n and_o what_o be_v it_o i_o pray_v you_o that_o engage_v we_o so_o much_o to_o those_o with_o who_o we_o converse_v i_o can_v think_v that_o it_o be_v mere_o the_o colour_n of_o their_o face_n or_o their_o comely_a proportion_n else_o we_o shall_v fall_v in_o love_n with_o statue_n and_o picture_n and_o flower_n these_o outward_a accomplishment_n may_v a_o little_a delight_n the_o eye_n but_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v so_o much_o on_o the_o heart_n if_o they_o do_v not_o represent_v some_o vital_a perfection_n we_o either_o see_v or_o apprehend_v some_o greatness_n of_o mind_n or_o vigour_n of_o spirit_n or_o sweetness_n of_o disposition_n some_o sprightliness_n or_o wisdom_n or_o goodness_n which_o charm_v our_o spirit_n and_o command_n our_o love_n now_o these_o perfection_n be_v not_o obvious_a to_o the_o sight_n the_o eye_n can_v only_o discern_v the_o sign_n and_o effect_n of_o they_o and_o if_o it_o be_v the_o understanding_n that_o direct_v the_o affection_n and_o vital_a perfection_n prevail_v with_o it_o certain_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o trace_n whereof_o we_o can_v but_o discover_v in_o every_o thing_n we_o behold_v will_v not_o fail_v to_o engage_v our_o heart_n if_o we_o do_v serious_o view_v and_o regard_v they_o shall_v we_o not_o be_v infinite_o more_o transport_v with_o that_o almighty_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n which_o fill_v the_o universe_n and_o display_v itself_o in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n which_o establish_v the_o frame_n of_o nature_n and_o turn_v the_o mighty_a wheel_n of_o providence_n and_o keep_v the_o world_n from_o disorder_n and_o ruin_n then_o with_o the_o faint_a ray_n of_o the_o same_o perfection_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o our_o fellow-creature_n shall_v we_o dote_v on_o the_o scatter_a piece_n of_o a_o rude_a and_o imperfect_a picture_n and_o never_o be_v affect_v with_o the_o original_a beauty_n this_o be_v a_o unaccountable_a stupidity_n and_o blindness_n whatever_o we_o find_v lovely_a in_o a_o friend_n or_o in_o a_o saint_n ought_v not_o to_o engross_v but_o to_o elevate_v our_o affection_n we_o shall_v conclude_v with_o ourselves_o that_o if_o there_o be_v so_o much_o sweetness_n in_o a_o drop_n there_o must_v be_v infinite_o more_o in_o the_o fountain_n if_o there_o be_v so_o much_o splendour_n in_o a_o ray_n what_o must_v the_o sun_n be_v in_o its_o glory_n nor_o can_v we_o pretend_v the_o remoteness_n of_o the_o object_n as_o if_o god_n be_v at_o too_o great_a a_o distance_n for_o our_o converse_n or_o our_o love_n he_o be_v not_o far_o from_o every_o one_o of_o we_o for_o in_o he_o we_o live_v and_o move_v and_o 27._o have_v our_o be_v we_o can_v open_v our_o eye_n but_o we_o must_v behold_v some_o vestige_n of_o his_o glory_n and_o we_o can_v turn_v they_o towards_o he_o but_o we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v his_o intent_n upon_o we_o wait_v as_o it_o be_v to_o catch_v a_o look_v ready_a to_o entertain_v the_o most_o intimate_a fellowship_n and_o communion_n with_o we_o let_v we_o therefore_o endeavour_v to_o raise_v our_o mind_n to_o the_o clear_a conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n let_v we_o consider_v all_o that_o his_o work_n do_v declare_v or_o his_o word_n do_v discover_v of_o he_o unto_o we_o and_o let_v we_o especial_o contemplate_v that_o visible_a representation_n of_o he_o which_o be_v make_v in_o our_o own_o nature_n by_o his_o son_n who_o be_v the_o brightness_n of_o his_o glory_n and_o the_o express_a 3._o image_n of_o his_o person_n and_o who_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n to_o discover_v at_o once_o what_o god_n be_v and_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v let_v we_o represent_v he_o unto_o our_o mind_n as_o we_o find_v he_o describe_v in_o the_o gospel_n

imprimatur_fw-la g._n jane_n aug._n 18._o 1676._o the_o life_n of_o god_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o man._n or_o the_o nature_n and_o exceliency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o the_o method_n of_o attain_v the_o happiness_n it_o propose_v and_o a_o account_n of_o the_o beginning_n and_o advances_n of_o a_o spiritual_a life_n in_o two_o letter_n write_v to_o person_n of_o honour_n eph._n 4._o 18._o alienate_v from_o the_o life_n of_o god_n gal._n 2._o 20._o i_o be_o crucify_a with_o christ_n nevertheless_o i_o live_v yet_o not_o i_o but_o christ_n live_v in_o i_o rom._n 8._o 14._o for_o as_o many_o as_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n they_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n london_n print_v for_o charles_n smith_n at_o the_o angel_n near_o the_o inner-temple-gate_n in_o fleetstreet_n and_o william_n jacob_n at_o the_o black-swan_n next_o bernard_n inn_n in_o holbourn_n 1677._o preface_n this_o age_n groan_v under_o such_o a_o surcharge_n of_o new_a book_n that_o though_o the_o many_o good_a one_o late_o publish_v do_v much_o balance_n the_o great_a swarm_n of_o ill_a or_o at_o least_o needless_a one_o yet_o all_o man_n complain_v of_o the_o unnecessary_a charge_n and_o trouble_v many_o new_a book_n put_v they_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v printing_n be_v become_v a_o trade_n and_o the_o press_n must_v be_v keep_v go_v so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v but_o to_o shuffle_v out_o a_o ill_a book_n a_o man_n may_v be_v tempt_v to_o keep_v they_o at_o work_n and_o for_o book_n of_o devotion_n and_o piety_n we_o have_v see_v so_o many_o excellent_a one_o of_o late_a in_o our_o own_o language_n that_o perhaps_o no_o age_n or_o language_n can_v show_v the_o like_a in_o these_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v propose_v in_o its_o own_o true_a and_o natural_a colour_n and_o rescue_v from_o those_o false_a representation_n many_o be_v apt_a to_o make_v of_o it_o as_o if_o it_o consist_v either_o in_o external_n performance_n or_o in_o mechanical_a heat_n of_o the_o fancy_n or_o in_o embrace_v some_o opinion_n or_o interest_n it_o be_v and_o can_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o design_n to_o make_v we_o like_o god_n both_o in_o the_o inward_a temper_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o in_o our_o whole_a deportment_n and_o conversation_n for_o this_o end_n do_v christ_n both_o live_v and_o die_v this_o he_o teach_v by_o his_o discourse_n and_o discover_v in_o his_o life_n he_o die_v that_o he_o may_v take_v away_o sin_n not_o only_o or_o chief_o to_o procure_v our_o pardon_n which_o be_v do_v by_o he_o for_o a_o further_a end_n that_o a_o universal_a indemnity_n be_v offer_v through_o his_o death_n all_o mankind_n may_v be_v thereby_o encourage_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o course_n of_o holy_a obedience_n with_o all_o possible_a advantage_n have_v the_o hope_n of_o endless_a happiness_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o eternal_a misery_n before_o they_o have_v the_o clear_a rule_n and_o the_o most_o unblemished_a example_n propose_v to_o they_o be_v also_o sure_o of_o constant_a inward_a supply_n to_o support_v and_o strengthen_v their_o endeavour_n and_o a_o unerring_a providence_n to_o direct_v all_o thing_n that_o concern_v they_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o precept_n in_o this_o whole_a doctrine_n who_o fitness_n and_o true_a excellency_n beside_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n have_v not_o be_v full_o make_v good_a and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o council_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n be_v never_o since_o miracle_n cease_v demonstrate_v with_o full_a and_o clear_a evidence_n then_o in_o our_o age_n both_o for_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o all_o dare_a hector_n and_o for_o silence_v the_o secret_a doubt_n of_o more_o inquisitive_a mind_n and_o though_o so_o grave_a a_o subject_n shall_v have_v be_v rather_o prejudice_v then_o adorn_v by_o artificial_a and_o force_a strain_n of_o wit_n or_o eloquence_n yet_o as_o our_o language_n be_v never_o chaste_a than_o now_o so_o these_o subject_n have_v be_v handle_v with_o all_o the_o proper_a decency_n of_o easy_a wit_n and_o good_a language_n but_o after_o all_o this_o into_o what_o a_o torrent_n of_o regrate_v and_o lamentation_n must_v i_o break_v out_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o for_o few_o do_v either_o believe_v or_o reflect_v on_o those_o great_a thing_n and_o as_o if_o there_o be_v a_o general_a conspiracy_n against_o god_n and_o religion_n how_o do_v the_o great_a part_n among_o we_o break_v loose_a from_o all_o the_o tie_n and_o bond_n of_o that_o yoke_n that_o be_v light_a and_o casie_a and_o enslave_v themselves_o to_o many_o base_a and_o hurtful_a lust_n and_o passion_n and_o be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o be_v as_o bad_a as_o they_o can_v be_v but_o desire_v that_o all_o the_o world_n may_v esteem_v they_o such_o and_o glory_n in_o their_o shame_n and_o enhance_v their_o guilt_n by_o turn_v factor_n for_o hell_n study_v to_o corrupt_v all_o about_o they_o this_o sad_a prospect_n must_v needs_o deep_o affect_v all_o that_o either_o true_o love_n god_n or_o have_v a_o tender_a compassion_n for_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o will_v certain_o set_v they_o to_o their_o secret_a mourning_n and_o wrestle_n with_o god_n to_o avert_v the_o heavy_a judgement_n that_o seem_v to_o hang_v over_o our_o head_n and_o that_o he_o may_v of_o his_o great_a mercy_n turn_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o froward_a and_o disobedient_a to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o just_a and_o till_o god_n arise_v and_o bless_v his_o gospel_n with_o more_o of_o this_o success_n nothing_o can_v be_v such_o a_o effectual_a mean_n for_o convince_a the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o excellence_n of_o our_o most_o holy_a faith_n as_o that_o those_o who_o profess_v and_o embrace_v it_o do_v walk_v in_o all_o the_o strictness_n of_o a_o most_o holy_a innocent_n and_o exemplary_a life_n keep_v the_o due_a mean_a between_o the_o affectation_n of_o morossness_n and_o hypocrisy_n and_o the_o levities_n of_o irreligion_n and_o folly_n this_o be_v the_o only_a argument_n that_o be_v want_v to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n all_o people_n be_v more_o wrought_v on_o by_o lively_a example_n set_v before_o their_o eye_n than_o by_o any_o discourse_n or_o reason_n how_o strong_a or_o convince_a soever_o the_o one_o be_v more_o easy_o apprehend_v and_o leave_v a_o deep_a impression_n than_o the_o other_o which_o do_v not_o prevail_v on_o we_o till_o by_o frequent_a and_o serious_a reflection_n we_o be_v satisfy_v about_o they_o and_o when_o we_o hear_v any_o one_o speak_v well_o we_o be_v not_o assure_v he_o think_v as_o he_o say_v but_o do_v often_o suspect_v he_o be_v show_v his_o wit_n or_o eloquence_n to_o our_o cost_n that_o he_o may_v persuade_v we_o into_o some_o opinion_n that_o may_v prove_v gainful_a to_o himself_o but_o when_o we_o see_v a_o man_n pursue_v a_o constant_a course_n of_o holiness_n in_o the_o most_o painful_a instance_n which_o do_v most_o prejudice_n his_o visible_a interest_n we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o believe_v he_o be_v in_o good_a earnest_n persuade_v of_o those_o truth_n which_o engage_v he_o to_o such_o a_o conversation_n after_o the_o age_n of_o miracle_n nothing_o prevail_v so_o much_o on_o the_o world_n as_o the_o exemplary_a life_n and_o the_o painful_a martyrdom_n of_o the_o christian_n which_o make_v all_o sort_n of_o people_n look_v with_o amazement_n on_o that_o doctrine_n that_o wrought_v so_o powerful_o on_o all_o rank_n and_o do_v raise_v person_n of_o the_o mean_a education_n and_o disposition_n and_o of_o the_o weak_a sex_n and_o tender_a age_n to_o do_v and_o suffer_v beyond_o what_o their_o great_a hero_n and_o most_o celebrate_a philosopher_n have_v ever_o do_v and_o in_o those_o day_n the_o apologist_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v appeal_v to_o the_o life_n of_o the_o christian_n to_o prove_v their_o doctrine_n holy_a conclude_v that_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o good_a in_o that_o doctrine_n that_o make_v all_o its_o votary_n such_o but_o alas_o when_o we_o write_v apology_n we_o must_v appeal_v from_o the_o life_n of_o most_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v religious_a to_o the_o rule_n and_o precept_n of_o our_o most_o holy_a faith_n and_o must_v decline_v the_o put_v the_o trial_n of_o christianity_n upon_o that_o issue_n and_o though_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n there_o be_v beautiful_a and_o shine_a instance_n of_o the_o power_n of_o religion_n among_o we_o yet_o alas_o there_o be_v too_o few_o of_o they_o and_o they_o lie_v hide_v in_o a_o vast_a mixture_n of_o other_o that_o be_v naught_o the_o two_o great_a prejudices_fw-la the_o tribe_n of_o libertine_n and_o ruffian_n be_v harden_v in_o against_o religion_n be_v 1._o that_o they_o do_v not_o see_v those_o