Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n faith_n scripture_n word_n 9,016 5 4.5069 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A66875 The reasonablenes of scripture-beleif a discourse giving some account of those rational grounds upon which the Bible is received as the word of God / written by Sir Charles Wolseley ... Wolseley, Charles, Sir, 1630?-1714. 1672 (1672) Wing W3313; ESTC R235829 198,284 556

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order_n to_o the_o great_a end_n of_o the_o whole_a but_o at_o last_o the_o positive_a and_o absolute_a proof_n to_o one_o that_o deny_v it_o must_v needs_o depend_v upon_o somewhat_o collateral_a to_o the_o book_n itself_o second_o no_o external_n proof_n of_o the_o bible_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o any_o reasonable_a enquiry_n be_v there_o not_o likewise_o a_o internal_a evidence_n result_v from_o it_o to_o its_o divinity_n that_o be_v it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o urge_v any_o argument_n from_o external_n evidence_n be_v they_o miracle_n or_o what_o they_o will_v to_o prove_v a_o book_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o send_v we_o from_o god_n do_v not_o the_o book_n approve_v itself_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n likely_a so_o to_o be_v it_o be_v a_o vain_a attempt_n to_o endeavour_v to_o make_v a_o reasonable_a man_n upon_o any_o collateral_a consideration_n submit_v to_o the_o bible_n as_o a_o law_n divine_a do_v not_o the_o bible_n upon_o a_o due_a search_n 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