Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A49394
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An enquiry after happiness. Vol. 1 by the author of The practical Christianity.
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Lucas, Richard, 1648-1715.
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1685
(1685)
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Wing L3402; ESTC R3025
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133,570
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376
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cor._n 15._o if_o in_o this_o life_n only_o we_o have_v hope_n in_o christ_n we_o be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a it_o be_v confess_o indisputable_o true_a that_o have_v these_o christian_n be_v destitute_a of_o that_o hope_n which_o be_v their_o support_n they_o have_v sink_v under_o the_o weight_n of_o such_o suffering_n and_o so_o have_v be_v the_o most_o miserable_a of_o all_o man_n but_o since_o their_o hope_n do_v not_o only_o support_v they_o under_o their_o affliction_n but_o also_o render_v they_o somewhat_o more_o than_o conqueror_n all_o that_o can_v follow_v hence_o be_v that_o the_o resurrection_n and_o eternal_a life_n be_v unquestionable_a truth_n and_o that_o life_n who_o believe_v they_o as_o firm_o as_o confessor_n and_o martyr_n do_v may_v like_v they_o be_v happy_a tho'_o a_o thousand_o sea_n of_o calamity_n and_o trouble_n shall_v break_v in_o upon_o he_o happiness_n mortification_n recommend_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o subservient_fw-fr to_o our_o present_a happiness_n as_o to_o mortification_n which_o be_v a_o duty_n of_o perpetual_a obligation_n for_o the_o purity_n of_o religion_n be_v still_o the_o same_o tho'_o its_o fortune_n in_o the_o world_n be_v alter_v this_o do_v at_o first_o signify_v the_o renunciation_n and_o extirpation_n of_o jewish_a and_o pagan_a lust_n according_a to_o that_o of_o st._n paul_n mortify_v therefore_o your_o member_n which_o be_v upon_o the_o earth_n fornication_n uncleanness_n inordinate_a affection_n evil_a concupiscence_n and_o covetousness_n which_o be_v idolatry_n and_o it_o still_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o whatever_o difficulty_n we_o be_v to_o encounter_v in_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o duty_n it_o must_v be_v vanquish_v for_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v wicked_a and_o happy_a a_o wicked_a man_n be_v his_o own_o hell_n and_o every_o passion_n every_o lust_n be_v a_o fiend_n a_o fury_n that_o do_v outrage_n and_o torment_v he_o and_o all_o this_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o do_v not_o only_o constant_o acknowledge_v but_o also_o paint_v out_o with_o as_o lively_a eloquence_n as_o any_o christian_n can_v ever_o do_v their_o experience_n over_o who_o sin_n have_v a_o uncontrolled_a dominion_n most_o effectual_o convince_a they_o of_o the_o outrage_n tyranny_n and_o unspeakable_a mischief_n of_o wicked_a and_o abominable_a passion_n nay_o so_o manifest_a be_v it_o that_o the_o subdue_a these_o irregular_a passion_n be_v necessary_a to_o our_o happiness_n that_o even_o the_o epicurean_o themselves_o notwithstanding_o their_o confine_v the_o happiness_n of_o man_n to_o this_o short_a life_n and_o by_o a_o probable_a consequence_n resolve_v it_o ultimate_o into_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o body_n do_v yet_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o extreme_o injure_v by_o tully_n and_o other_o when_o they_o represent_v they_o as_o revolt_v from_o and_o enemy_n to_o virtue_n it_o be_v not_o my_o business_n here_o to_o examine_v what_o foundation_n for_o virtue_n their_o philosophy_n can_v leave_v or_o what_o rank_n and_o place_n they_o can_v assign_v it_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o can_v not_o but_o acknowledge_v it_o as_o necessary_a to_o happiness_n it_o be_v true_a mortification_n in_o the_o gospel-sense_n require_v we_o not_o only_o to_o restrain_v these_o irregular_a lust_n but_o also_o not_o to_o overrate_v and_o overvalue_v this_o world_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o it_o not_o to_o look_v upon_o this_o life_n as_o our_o only_a or_o chief_a portion_n and_o dote_v upon_o it_o with_o fondness_n and_o passion_n and_o i_o can_v think_v that_o this_o be_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o what_o be_v imply_v and_o include_v in_o the_o former_a notion_n of_o mortification_n this_o moderation_n of_o our_o inclination_n to_o the_o world_n be_v a_o proper_a and_o necessary_a foundation_n of_o the_o former_a abstinence_n it_o be_v very_o improbable_a that_o he_o who_o value_v and_o dote_v upon_o the_o world_n above_o all_o thing_n shall_v refrain_v from_o irregular_a pursuit_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o it_o now_o even_o this_o degree_n of_o mortification_n be_v as_o clear_o teach_v and_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o in_o order_n to_o happiness_n by_o the_o wise_a man_n among_o the_o heathen_n as_o by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n by_o those_o conduct_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o by_o these_o conduct_v by_o the_o light_n of_o revelation_n and_o that_o together_o with_o the_o discipline_n which_o promote_v it_o i_o mean_v the_o observation_n of_o great_a abstinence_n from_o sensual_a pleasure_n no_o monk_n or_o anchoret_n can_v speak_v with_o a_o more_o glorious_a contempt_n of_o the_o world_n than_o a_o stoic_a but_o their_o flight_n who_o will_v allow_v the_o body_n the_o world_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o it_o no_o place_n nor_o degree_n in_o the_o number_n of_o good_a thing_n be_v too_o dare_v and_o bold_a to_o lay_v any_o stress_n upon_o but_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o philosopher_n who_o allow_v these_o their_o proper_a place_n and_o value_n ought_v to_o be_v of_o weight_n with_o we_o because_o they_o show_v we_o plain_o that_o mortification_n be_v ever_o think_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n subservient_fw-fr to_o our_o true_a happiness_n hierocles_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o divine_a comment_n give_v we_o a_o short_a but_o full_a account_n of_o the_o pythagorean_n and_o i_o may_v add_v platonic_a philosophy_n in_o this_o point_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o substance_n of_o which_o be_v the_o business_n of_o philosophy_n be_v to_o purify_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n from_o sensual_a lust_n and_o inordinate_a passion_n and_o to_o transform_v it_o into_o the_o likeness_n and_o image_n of_o god_n this_o be_v that_o which_o it_o pursue_v by_o discover_v to_o we_o excellent_a truth_n and_o by_o recommend_v to_o we_o the_o practice_n of_o excellent_a virtue_n and_o this_o be_v that_o philosophy_n which_o the_o best_a and_o acute_a of_o the_o heathen_n look_v upon_o as_o the_o only_a way_n to_o happiness_n so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o judge_v it_o inconsistent_a and_o incompatible_a with_o it_o nay_o they_o deem_v this_o very_a state_n of_o virtue_n a_o state_n of_o more_o exalt_v happiness_n and_o a_o image_n of_o the_o divine_a life_n hence_o be_v that_o little_a less_o than_o inspire_a heat_n or_o rapture_n of_o tully_n leg._n l._n 2._o de_fw-fr leg._n cum_fw-la animus_n cognitis_fw-la perceptisque_fw-la virtutibus_fw-la à _fw-la corporis_fw-la obsequio_fw-la indulgentiaque_fw-la discesserit_fw-la voluptatemque_fw-la sicut_fw-la labem_fw-la decoris_fw-la oppresserit_fw-la omnemque_fw-la mortis_fw-la dolorisque_fw-la timorem_fw-la effugerit_fw-la societatemque_fw-la charitatis_fw-la colerit_fw-la cum_fw-la suis_fw-la omnesque_fw-la natura_fw-la conjunctos_fw-la suos_fw-la duxerit_fw-la cultumque_fw-la deorum_fw-la &_o puram_fw-la religionem_fw-la susceperit_fw-la &_o exacuerit_fw-la illam_fw-la ut_fw-la oculorum_fw-la sic_fw-la ingenii_n aciem_fw-la ad_fw-la bona_fw-la deligenda_fw-la &_o rejicienda_fw-la contraria_fw-la quid_fw-la eo_fw-la dici_fw-la aut_fw-la excogitari_fw-la poterit_fw-la beatius_fw-la when_o the_o soul_n have_v discover_v and_o entertain_v virtue_n have_v extinguish_v its_o fondness_n for_o and_o indulgence_n of_o the_o body_n and_o stifle_v lust_n as_o the_o reproach_n and_o stain_v of_o its_o honour_n and_o beauty_n and_o have_v put_v off_o all_o dread_n of_o death_n and_o pain_n etc._n etc._n what_o can_v be_v say_v or_o as_o much_o as_o fancy_v more_o bless_v than_o the_o state_n of_o such_o a_o man_n nay_o after_o all_o the_o great_a patron_n and_o abettor_n of_o pleasure_n do_v ever_o acknowledge_v this_o moderation_n in_o our_o passion_n and_o enjoyment_n indispensible_o necessary_a to_o our_o happiness_n nil_fw-la admirari_fw-la prope_fw-la res_fw-la est_fw-la una_fw-la numici_fw-la solaque_fw-la quae_fw-la possit_fw-la facere_fw-la ac_fw-la seruare_fw-la beatos_fw-la hor._n hor._n nought_o to_o admire_n the_o thing_n alone_o that_o can_v cause_n and_o preserve_v the_o happiness_n of_o man._n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v how_o much_o the_o follower_n of_o epicurus_n glory_v in_o his_o abstinence_n that_o these_o voluptuary_n shall_v prescribe_v and_o practice_v the_o doctrine_n of_o mortification_n but_o this_o they_o be_v compel_v to_o by_o the_o irresistible_a force_n of_o reason_n for_o how_o can_v he_o who_o dote_v upon_o the_o world_n and_o melt_v in_o soft_a and_o sensual_a pleasure_n be_v able_a to_o secure_v the_o repose_n of_o his_o mind_n against_o those_o melancholy_a alteration_n which_o may_v daily_o and_o some_o time_n or_o other_o will_v certain_o befall_v himself_o and_o his_o enjoyment_n on_o what_o foundation_n can_v the_o peace_n or_o liberty_n of_o his_o mind_n be_v establish_v or_o can_v he_o be_v happy_a who_o be_v distress_v by_o every_o change_n of_o wether_n and_o be_v divide_v and_o distract_v between_o numerous_a contrary_a passion_n and_o a_o slave_n to_o each_o to_o come_v to_o a_o conclusion_n the_o scripture_n be_v so_o far_o from_o deny_v that_o it_o do_v affirm_v the_o possibility_n of_o attain_v happiness_n nor_o be_v the_o
thing_n as_o happiness_n here_o below_o and_o yet_o this_o opinion_n have_v so_o universal_o possess_v mankind_n that_o they_o seem_v to_o teach_v with_o too_o general_a a_o consent_n that_o happiness_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v only_o in_o another_o world_n and_o this_o doctrine_n be_v very_o common_o think_v to_o have_v the_o countenance_n and_o patronage_n of_o divine_a revelation_n these_o false_a persuasion_n have_v not_o a_o little_a obstruct_v the_o happiness_n of_o man_n deter_v man_n at_o once_o from_o the_o embrace_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o from_o the_o pursuit_n of_o true_a happiness_n i_o will_v therefore_o first_o endeavour_v to_o free_v this_o assertion_n that_o happiness_n be_v attainable_a in_o this_o world_n from_o that_o prejudice_n which_o the_o authority_n of_o revelation_n seem_v to_o some_o to_o bring_v upon_o it_o by_o a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o revelation_n in_o this_o point_n second_o i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o plain_a and_o obvious_a proof_n three_o i_o will_v answer_v this_o and_o what_o other_o objection_n may_v be_v start_v from_o a_o imaginary_a incapacity_n of_o happiness_n cause_v by_o fortune_n fate_n or_o nature_n sect_n i._o as_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o revelation_n in_o this_o point_n happiness_n religion_n deny_v not_o the_o possibility_n of_o present_a happiness_n religion_n ever_o have_v and_o always_o must_v have_v the_o character_n of_o its_o author_n visible_o stamp_v upon_o it_o nothing_o that_o be_v not_o infinite_o kind_a and_o infinite_o wise_a can_v be_v find_v in_o any_o part_n of_o revelation_n true_o divine_a from_o whence_o we_o may_v rational_o conclude_v that_o the_o great_a aim_n of_o god_n in_o the_o establish_n religion_n be_v to_o advance_v the_o happiness_n of_o man_n and_o to_o advance_v it_o in_o a_o method_n consonant_a to_o those_o natural_a principle_n he_o have_v implant_v in_o he_o nor_o do_v any_o one-inspir'd-author_n ever_o think_v otherwise_o 29._o prov._n 29._o he_o that_o â—eepeth_v the_o law_n say_v solomon_n happy_a be_v he_o 119._o psal_n 119._o great_a peace_n have_v they_o that_o love_v thy_o law_n and_o nothing_o shall_v offend_v they_o 3_o prov._n 3_o happy_a be_v the_o man_n that_o find_v wisdom_n and_o the_o man_n that_o get_v understanding_n that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o actual_a and_o present_a happiness_n in_o this_o life_n be_v apparent_a from_o what_o follow_v a_o little_a after_o length_n of_o day_n be_v in_o her_o right_a hand_n and_o in_o her_o left_a hand_n riches_n and_o honour_n her_o way_n be_v way_n of_o pleasantness_n and_o all_o her_o path_n be_v peace_n she_o be_v a_o tree_n of_o life_n to_o those_o that_o lay_v hold_v upon_o she_o and_o tho'_o the_o gospel_n as_o a_o high_a and_o more_o perfect_a dispensation_n do_v propose_v to_o we_o as_o our_o great_a and_o chief_a end_n life_n and_o immortality_n yet_o it_o do_v by_o no_o mean_n exclude_v we_o from_o happiness_n here_o but_o rather_o do_v establish_v it_o upon_o proper_a and_o firm_a foundation_n and_o fence_n it_o about_o with_o impregnable_a bulwark_n 14.27_o john_n 14.27_o peace_n i_o leave_v with_o you_o my_o peace_n i_o give_v unto_o you_o not_o as_o the_o world_n give_v give_v i_o unto_o you_o let_v not_o your_o heart_n be_v trouble_v neither_o let_v it_o be_v afraid_a 5.22_o gal._n 5.22_o now_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v joy_n peace_n etc._n etc._n 15._o rom._n 15._o now_o the_o god_n of_o hope_n fill_v you_o with_o all_o joy_n and_o peace_n in_o believe_v and_o make_v you_o abound_v in_o hope_n through_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 4.8_o 1_o tim._n 4.8_o godliness_n be_v profitable_a to_o all_o thing_n have_v promise_n of_o the_o life_n that_o now_o be_v and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v nor_o can_v i_o indeed_o conceive_v how_o the_o state_n of_o a_o righteous_a and_o holy_a soul_n shall_v be_v other_o than_o a_o happy_a and_o bless_a one_o the_o belief_n and_o confident_a expectation_n of_o a_o heaven_n must_v needs_o be_v more_o transport_v and_o ravish_v than_o the_o rich_a fancy_n of_o a_o sinner_n and_o that_o security_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o this_o and_o a_o future_a life_n which_o a_o good_a man_n enjoy_v in_o the_o protection_n of_o god_n and_o the_o assurance_n of_o his_o favour_n who_o be_v almighty_a immutable_a etc._n etc._n must_v infinite_o exceed_v any_o thing_n that_o a_o sinner_n can_v attain_v to_o and_o must_v exclude_v those_o uneasy_a fear_n which_o do_v frequent_o interrupt_v the_o sinner_n enjoyment_n and_o over_o cast_v his_o hope_n he_o that_o love_v god_n and_o virtue_n can_v but_o be_v happy_a in_o the_o daily_a practice_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o what_o he_o most_o delight_n in_o and_o he_o last_o that_o have_v subdue_v his_o passion_n and_o overcome_v the_o world_n can_v choose_v but_o reap_v the_o daily_a fruit_n of_o so_o glorious_a a_o conquest_n and_o be_v constant_o entertain_v with_o please_a reflection_n and_o delightful_a prospect_n and_o yet_o if_o he_o shall_v enjoy_v nothing_o else_o that_o sovereignty_n liberty_n magnanimity_n and_o divine_a charity_n and_o enlargement_n of_o soul_n which_o he_o thereby_o gain_v be_v a_o abundant_a reward_n of_o his_o victory_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o a_o good_a man_n have_v the_o best_a title_n to_o the_o blessing_n of_o this_o life_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o another_o he_o enjoy_v this_o world_n with_o as_o great_a security_n as_o wisdom_n and_o moderation_n and_o have_v a_o assure_a hope_n of_o a_o far_o better_a when_o he_o quit_v this_o the_o anticipation_n of_o which_o by_o faith_n love_n and_o hope_v do_v at_o once_o facilitate_v and_o confirm_v his_o conquest_n over_o all_o unworthy_a lust_n and_o entertain_v he_o with_o unexpressible_a satisfaction_n and_o pleasure_n for_o this_o reason_n i_o do_v in_o this_o chapter_n discourse_n of_o happiness_n without_o that_o immediate_a regard_n to_o another_o life_n which_o may_v be_v expect_v not_o judge_v myself_o oblige_v either_o to_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o it_o or_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o embrace_v misery_n during_o the_o space_n of_o this_o short_a life_n in_o expectation_n of_o that_o perfect_a and_o eternal_a happiness_n which_o be_v promise_v hereafter_o since_o i_o see_v well_o enough_o that_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o providence_n the_o happiness_n of_o this_o life_n and_o the_o other_o be_v not_o incompatible_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o that_o wherein_o the_o life_n and_o be_v of_o true_a happiness_n in_o this_o world_n do_v consist_v be_v but_o a_o necessary_a introduction_n to_o or_o qualification_n of_o we_o for_o the_o happiness_n of_o another_o which_o do_v in_o some_o measure_n already_o appear_v and_o will_v much_o more_o in_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n 16.24_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n no_o obstruction_n of_o this_o life_n happiness_n math._n 16.24_o but_o what_o become_v now_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n this_o be_v a_o very_a soft_a and_o mild_a commentary_n upon_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n if_o any_o man_n will_v come_v after_o i_o let_v he_o deny_v himself_o and_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v i_o but_o this_o be_v not_o so_o formidable_a a_o objection_n as_o it_o may_v at_o first_o sight_n seem_v it_o be_v true_a suffer_v through_o all_o the_o progress_n and_o stage_n of_o evil_n even_o to_o the_o last_o that_o be_v death_n itself_o be_v a_o common_a nay_o almost_o a_o universal_a duty_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n be_v indispensible_o necessary_a to_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o bless_v be_v god_n the_o obligation_n of_o that_o duty_n have_v long_o ago_o cease_v and_o all_o that_o i_o can_v think_v necessary_a to_o be_v say_v here_o in_o pursuance_n of_o my_o design_n be_v that_o the_o pleasure_n of_o those_o confessor_n and_o martyr_n do_v far_o outweigh_v their_o suffering_n while_o they_o live_v that_o when_o they_o suffer_v death_n itself_o the_o time_n be_v come_v when_o they_o must_v exchange_v temporal_a for_o eternal_a happiness_n nor_o do_v this_o at_o all_o infringe_v the_o truth_n of_o my_o proposition_n which_o do_v not_o vain_o assert_v a_o eternal_a duration_n of_o happiness_n in_o this_o life_n but_o only_o teach_v the_o possibility_n of_o attain_v it_o and_o i_o think_v the_o death_n of_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n be_v rather_o a_o great_a confirmation_n than_o confutation_n of_o this_o opinion_n teach_v we_o plain_o that_o in_o despite_n of_o all_o calamity_n it_o be_v not_o only_o possible_a to_o live_v but_o to_o die_v happy_o which_o last_o be_v no_o small_a accession_n to_o temporal_a happiness_n from_o this_o little_a i_o have_v say_v on_o this_o occasion_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o shape_v a_o answer_n to_o what_o be_v object_v from_o st._n paul_n 15._o 1_o