Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	great_a	religion_n	true_a	3,538	5	4.2670	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61172	A sermon preached before the King at White-Hall, Decemb. the 24th. 1676 by Thomas Sprat ...	Sprat, Thomas, 1635-1713.	1677 (1677)	Wing S5052; ESTC R1442	14,382	41

where_o do_v good_a give_v alm_n 11.41_o say_v our_o saviour_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o you_o have_v and_o behold_v all_o thing_n be_v clean_a to_o you_o let_v but_o a_o christian_a perform_v the_o great_a substantial_a duty_n of_o christianity_n and_o all_o other_o ordinary_a thing_n be_v clean_a and_o lawful_a to_o he_o all_o thing_n of_o which_o some_o thing_n be_v deny_v to_o the_o jew_n all_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o unclean_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n those_o indeed_o can_v be_v lawful_a to_o none_o the_o righteousness_n and_o holiness_n of_o the_o gospel_n consist_v not_o in_o doubt_v much_o but_o in_o live_v well_o not_o in_o a_o zeal_n against_o little_a thing_n but_o for_o great_a thing_n 2.14_o in_o be_v zealous_a for_o good_a work_n undoubted_o there_o may_v be_v as_o much_o superstition_n in_o some_o case_n on_o a_o religious_a account_n to_o forbear_v do_v what_o we_o lawful_o may_v do_v as_o it_o be_v to_o do_v what_o we_o shall_v not_o superstition_n transgress_v on_o both_o extreme_n and_o may_v offend_v as_o much_o in_o a_o too_o scrupulous_a forbear_n as_o in_o over_n the_o true_a christian_a purity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o life_n that_o be_v here_o recommend_v be_v therefore_o such_o as_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o avoid_v all_o manner_n of_o compliance_n with_o the_o external_a fashion_n and_o comely_a ceremony_n of_o human_a life_n and_o conversation_n it_o be_v enough_o if_o it_o use_v ceremony_n as_o ceremony_n if_o it_o prefer_v the_o substance_n far_o before_o they_o if_o it_o chief_o regard_v the_o inward_a reality_n it_o be_v such_o as_o be_v not_o at_o all_o oppose_v to_o decence_n or_o civility_n or_o good_a manner_n or_o good_a breed_n but_o to_o craft_n unjust_a artifice_n guile_n and_o dissimulation_n it_o be_v such_o as_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n own_o precept_n must_v have_v the_o harmlesness_n of_o the_o dove_n 10.16_o and_o yet_o may_v have_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o serpent_n that_o wisdom_n which_o single_a in_o the_o serpent_n be_v hurtful_a and_o poisonous_a when_o it_o be_v temper_v with_o the_o innocence_n of_o the_o dove_n be_v most_o commendable_a most_o useful_a in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v such_o a_o simplicity_n as_o st._n paul_n the_o christian_a put_v on_o when_o he_o cease_v to_o be_v saul_n the_o pharisee_fw-mi such_o as_o st._n paul_n himself_o describe_v when_o he_o thus_o exhort_v the_o corinthian_n 14.20_o brethren_n say_v he_o be_v not_o child_n in_o understanding_n in_o malice_n be_v you_o child_n in_o understanding_n be_v you_o man_n you_o see_v to_o all_o true_a christian_n a_o manly_a understanding_n be_v as_o much_o command_v as_o a_o childlike_a purity_n so_o that_o in_o the_o most_o euangelical_n simplicity_n the_o prudence_n and_o discretion_n of_o a_o wise_a man_n may_v be_v shall_v be_v join_v with_o the_o native_a innocence_n and_o inoffensive_a meekness_n of_o a_o little_a child_n you_o now_o behold_v the_o sum_n of_o those_o duty_n to_o which_o by_o the_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o my_o text_n we_o be_v all_o oblige_v they_o represent_v to_o we_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o simplicity_n of_o mind_n in_o receive_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o a_o honest_a plainess_n of_o heart_n in_o live_v according_o which_o indeed_o be_v the_o two_o principal_a thing_n that_o in_o all_o true_a religion_n be_v to_o be_v study_v and_o practise_v by_o all_o good_a man_n some_o proportion_n and_o degree_n of_o both_o these_o virtue_n i_o say_v be_v necessary_a to_o all_o christian_n i_o do_v not_o say_v the_o high_a and_o most_o complete_a degree_n of_o they_o to_o any_o that_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o frailty_n of_o our_o mortal_a condition_n which_o god_n himself_o be_v please_v to_o consider_v in_o the_o gentleness_n of_o his_o precept_n his_o law_n be_v perfect_a as_o he_o be_v perfect_a holy_a as_o he_o be_v holy_a but_o see_v we_o can_v be_v equal_o so_o by_o reason_n of_o human_a infirmity_n god_n be_v please_v to_o accept_v of_o integrity_n instead_o of_o perfection_n to_o prefer_v simplicity_n before_o hypocrisy_n confess_v ignorance_n before_o presumption_n what_o we_o real_o and_o humble_o endeavour_v out_o of_o his_o abundant_a grace_n he_o will_v help_v we_o to_o perform_v or_o accept_v of_o our_o endeavour_n as_o we_o must_v strive_v to_o be_v child_n in_o innocence_n so_o in_o his_o infinite_a goodness_n he_o look_v on_o we_o to_o be_v but_o as_o child_n in_o weakness_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o this_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a simplicity_n may_v sound_v strange_a in_o the_o ear_n of_o those_o man_n who_o consult_v only_o the_o low_a and_o mean_a interest_n of_o this_o life_n and_o therefore_o fancy_v themselves_o in_o the_o proud_a imagination_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n to_o be_v the_o only_a wise_a and_o subtle_a man_n of_o this_o world_n with_o such_o man_n simplicity_n general_o pass_v in_o the_o worst_a sense_n for_o pusillanimity_n weakness_n folly_n for_o a_o poor-spirited_a christian_a grace_n that_o among_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n they_o think_v will_v scarce_o have_v escape_v the_o be_v reckon_v for_o a_o vice_n but_o let_v none_o be_v too_o hasty_a in_o condemn_v the_o true_a genuine_a simplicity_n for_o i_o must_v tell_v they_o it_o have_v always_o have_v a_o extraordinary_a preeminence_n and_o dignity_n not_o only_o in_o religion_n though_o chief_o there_o not_o only_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n though_o that_o certain_o be_v sufficient_a but_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o truly-wise_a man_n in_o all_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n and_o art_n in_o all_o the_o best_a practice_n of_o civil_a life_n if_o we_o observe_v the_o order_n of_o the_o whole_a creation_n and_o the_o rank_n of_o all_o thing_n visible_a and_o invisible_a be_v not_o the_o high_a and_o most_o perfect_a being_n still_o most_o pure_a most_o simple_a and_o most_o of_o one_o nature_n thus_o it_o be_v from_o the_o noble_a body_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n from_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o angel_n from_o angel_n to_o god_n himself_o the_o high_a any_o of_o these_o rise_n in_o their_o excellence_n they_o be_v still_o the_o more_o simple_a in_o their_o essence_n if_o we_o examine_v all_o the_o production_n of_o man_n hand_n or_o mind_n be_v not_o the_o great_a perfection_n of_o all_o art_n a_o most_o exact_a imitation_n of_o true_a nature_n there_o be_v some_o kind_n of_o easy_a solid_a plainess_n that_o far_o excel_v all_o the_o comeliness_n of_o artificial_a ornament_n there_o be_v some_o kind_n of_o simplicity_n that_o be_v attend_v with_o inexpressible_a majesty_n that_o say_v st._n chrysostom_n on_o those_o word_n of_o st._n matthew_n 〈◊〉_d like_v to_o these_o in_o my_o text_n that_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o all_o philosophy_n that_o be_v the_o very_a life_n of_o angel_n to_o have_v the_o high_a understanding_n accompany_v with_o unfeigned_a simplicity_n if_o we_o reflect_v on_o the_o most_o polite_a custom_n and_o manner_n of_o human_a life_n nothing_o be_v true_o graceful_a that_o be_v over-mixed_a or_o unnatural_o force_v no_o word_n we_o speak_v no_o phrase_n we_o use_v no_o gesture_n no_o tone_n of_o voice_n that_o be_v overartificial_a but_o it_o present_o offend_v nothing_o in_o beauty_n in_o habit_n in_o action_n in_o motion_n can_v please_v that_o be_v affect_o labour_v and_o over-adorned_a nothing_o have_v so_o much_o reverence_n in_o human_a conversation_n as_o true_a ingenuity_n manly_a plainess_n gentle_a easiness_n undissembled_a sincerity_n nothing_o soon_o or_o more_o or_o long_o affect_v man_n with_o delight_n and_o love_n and_o admiration_n nothing_o be_v more_o honourable_a nothing_o more_o amiable_a nothing_o indeed_o more_o easy_a and_o safe_a it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o more_o deep_a dark_a reserve_v crafty_a man_n have_v at_o last_o fail_v of_o their_o design_n even_o in_o this_o world_n than_o the_o plain_a upright_o hove_v man_n the_o crafty_a man_n have_v many_o part_n to_o play_v many_o mind_n to_o put_v on_o many_o face_n to_o shift_v so_o that_o it_o be_v almost_o impossible_a for_o he_o so_o to_o act_v all_o as_o not_o to_o be_v discover_v in_o some_o and_o then_o he_o will_v be_v suspect_v in_o all_o whereas_o the_o honest_a man_n have_v but_o one_o part_n to_o perform_v which_o be_v his_o own_o and_o that_o far_o more_o easy_a for_o he_o to_o do_v because_o he_o always_o act_n according_a to_o plain_a nature_n thus_o even_o in_o all_o worldly_a thing_n as_o nothing_o be_v perfect_a without_o decence_n so_o nothing_o can_v be_v decent_a without_o simplicity_n but_o above_o all_o thing_n this_o be_v true_a in_o religion_n especial_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o gospel_n in_o the_o great_a duty_n and_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o simple_a thing_n it_o be_v simple_a in_o its_o end_n which_o be_v one_o and_o always_o

know_v of_o be_v capable_a of_o god_n grace_n and_o mercy_n and_o redemption_n by_o jesus_n christ_n but_o only_o rational_a creature_n not_o the_o brute_n beast_n that_o be_v below_o our_o way_n of_o understanding_n nor_o angel_n that_o be_v above_o it_o and_o therefore_o certain_o that_o which_o do_v in_o some_o sense_n put_v mankind_n only_o into_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v save_v can_v be_v whole_o exclude_v in_o the_o great_a work_n of_o salvation_n certain_o it_o be_v not_o the_o natural_a weakness_n of_o little_a child_n but_o their_o native_a candour_n not_o their_o want_n of_o knowledge_n but_o their_o docility_n that_o be_v here_o propose_v to_o our_o imitation_n nor_o second_o do_v this_o receive_n the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n as_o a_o child_n suppose_v any_o implicit_a obedience_n or_o blind_a resignation_n of_o our_o understanding_n to_o all_o the_o command_n and_o imposition_n of_o any_o one_o present_a church_n or_o pretend_a head_n of_o it_o as_o the_o only_a infallible_a judge_n of_o all_o matter_n of_o faith_n obedience_n be_v indeed_o a_o virtue_n most_o acceptable_a to_o god_n most_o beneficial_a to_o man_n unity_n be_v one_o of_o his_o great_a blessing_n communion_n be_v the_o most_o beautiful_a ornament_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n there_o may_v be_v as_o much_o union_n and_o communion_n among_o christian_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o be_v and_o convenient_a for_o the_o well-being_n of_o christianity_n without_o any_o such_o tyranny_n in_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n or_o servitude_n in_o its_o member_n without_o enslave_v of_o private_a conscience_n which_o be_v antichristian_a and_o only_o by_o a_o moderate_a govern_n and_o restrain_v of_o private_a conscience_n which_o be_v most_o christian_n as_o well_o as_o most_o essential_a to_o the_o preservation_n of_o human_a society_n the_o church_n have_v a_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a authority_n as_o long_o as_o it_o teach_v such_o doctrine_n and_o require_v such_o duty_n as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o our_o saviour_n whilst_o it_o do_v so_o much_o reverence_n be_v due_a to_o it_o much_o to_o the_o person_n more_o to_o the_o doctrine_n to_o the_o person_n for_o their_o doctrine_n sake_n to_o the_o doctrine_n for_o our_o saviour_n sake_n but_o if_o the_o name_n and_o title_n of_o the_o holy_a church_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v so_o abuse_v as_o to_o impose_v on_o our_o practice_n superstitious_a precept_n as_o be_v the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o some_o other_o or_o on_o our_o understanding_n incredible_a impossible_a doctrine_n as_o be_v transubstantiation_n and_o the_o like_a in_o such_o case_n you_o be_v free_a by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n your_o spiritual_a obligation_n do_v not_o bind_v you_o to_o believe_v such_o doctrine_n and_o your_o natural_a liberty_n as_o well_o as_o your_o christian_a set_v you_o free_a from_o obey_v such_o precept_n our_o bless_a saviour_n here_o expect_v that_o we_o shall_v receive_v his_o law_n as_o child_n but_o not_o as_o slave_n those_o law_n may_v be_v sometime_o severe_a nay_o they_o be_v imperial_a and_o absolute_a as_o they_o come_v from_o god_n for_o he_o be_v our_o lord_n but_o even_o in_o respect_n to_o he_o they_o be_v paternal_a too_o for_o he_o be_v also_o our_o father_n they_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o with_o a_o royal_a power_n and_o sweeten_v by_o a_o fatherly_a tenderness_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v receive_v by_o we_o with_o the_o duty_n of_o subject_n with_o the_o affection_n of_o child_n as_o child_n we_o shall_v behave_v ourselves_o to_o he_o as_o child_n also_o to_o his_o minister_n because_o they_o be_v to_o we_o in_o his_o stead_n but_o still_o as_o child_n not_o as_o mean_v vassal_n the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n be_v the_o vicegerent_n of_o god_n spiritual_a paternal_a authority_n which_o the_o sectary_n unjust_o deny_v it_o but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o vicegerent_n of_o god_n uncontrollable_a omnipotent_a temporal_a power_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o unjust_o usurp_v this_o be_v premise_v we_o may_v now_o the_o better_a go_v on_o to_o examine_v wherein_o the_o true_a sincere_a christian_a simplicity_n consist_v as_o to_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o concern_v the_o receive_n of_o heavenly_a truth_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o original_a example_n which_o we_o be_v here_o command_v to_o imitate_v it_o seem_v that_o this_o bless_a temper_n be_v chief_o compose_v of_o three_o excellent_a virtue_n of_o all_o which_o there_o be_v some_o weak_a resemblance_n in_o little_a child_n as_o the_o mind_n of_o child_n be_v general_o clear_a spotless_a white_a untainted_a unprejudiced_a as_o they_o be_v usual_o tender_a gentle_a pliable_a capable_a of_o the_o best_a impression_n as_o child_n common_o receive_v their_o food_n not_o with_o nicety_n or_o with_o intent_n to_o quarrel_v at_o it_o but_o willing_o and_o earnest_o for_o their_o increase_n and_o growth_n so_o in_o conformity_n to_o that_o innocent_a pattern_n all_o the_o true_a follower_n of_o christ_n shall_v endeavour_v to_o obtain_v first_o a_o plainess_n and_o purity_n of_o understanding_n such_o as_o be_v free_a from_o artifices_fw-la free_a from_o prejudices_fw-la second_o a_o submissive_a and_o guidable_a spirit_n a_o disposition_n easy_a to_o all_o especial_o tractable_a to_o those_o that_o have_v either_o a_o civil_a or_o spiritual_a authority_n over_o they_o three_o a_o exact_a care_n so_o to_o learn_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n that_o they_o may_v be_v employ_v for_o their_o true_a end_n and_o best_a advantage_n which_o be_v practice_n and_o growth_n in_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o pious_a and_o devout_a life_n first_o towards_o our_o right_a instruction_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o shall_v all_o labour_n to_o bring_v our_o mind_n clear_a unprejudiced_a clean_a uncorrupt_a for_o the_o be_v void_a of_o error_n be_v the_o first_o great_a step_n to_o the_o great_a knowledge_n and_o that_o understanding_n in_o which_o though_o little_o be_v write_v yet_o nothing_o be_v blot_v that_o which_o be_v not_o disfigure_v by_o ill_a impression_n be_v a_o subject_n most_o capable_a of_o the_o best_a there_o nothing_o be_v require_v but_o plain_a teach_n whereas_o the_o mind_n that_o be_v either_o pervert_v by_o false_a knowledge_n or_o make_v crooked_a by_o deceitful_a prejudices_fw-la must_v not_o only_o be_v teach_v but_o first_o untaught_a that_o ill_a it_o have_v learn_v and_o to_o unteach_v be_v a_o much_o more_o difficult_a work_n than_o to_o teach_v such_o a_o pure_a simple_a undefiled_a disposition_n of_o mind_n by_o nature_n we_o can_v pretend_v to_o because_o of_o the_o original_a corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o the_o gospel_n we_o may_v attain_v it_o and_o it_o be_v the_o chief_a design_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o way_n to_o it_o that_o teach_v we_o to_o cleanse_v and_o repair_v by_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n our_o natural_a decay_n and_o pollution_n to_o be_v constant_o watchful_a in_o keep_v our_o soul_n free_a from_o carnal_a moral_a nay_o spiritual_fw-la prejudices_fw-la against_o religion_n to_o endeavour_v sincere_o that_o our_o mind_n be_v not_o often_o overthrow_v by_o violent_a passion_n nor_o too_o much_o disorder_v by_o worldly_a affection_n not_o seduce_v by_o secular_a end_n that_o secret_o undermine_v the_o soul_n not_o corrupt_v by_o bodily_a lust_n that_o open_o war_n against_o the_o soul_n especial_o that_o they_o be_v not_o infect_v by_o false_a enthusiastical_a conception_n concern_v god_n and_o religion_n which_o be_v wont_n most_o dangerous_o to_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o the_o soul_n as_o seem_v to_o come_v from_o heaven_n and_o come_v under_o the_o shadow_n of_o religion_n itself_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o childlike_a simplicity_n be_v to_o be_v teachable_a and_o that_o in_o a_o right_a method_n to_o be_v desirous_a of_o learn_v precept_n as_o well_o as_o truth_n of_o truth_n to_o learn_v the_o plain_a and_o most_o useful_a before_o the_o deep_a and_o most_o subtle_a of_o precept_n to_o apply_v ourselves_o to_o those_o that_o concern_v ourselves_o more_o than_o other_o this_o teachable_a humility_n be_v not_o only_o consistent_a with_o the_o great_a spiritual_a knowledge_n but_o inseparable_a from_o it_o it_o be_v the_o property_n of_o all_o true_a knowledge_n especial_o spiritual_a to_o enlarge_v the_o soul_n by_o fill_v it_o to_o enlarge_v it_o without_o swell_v it_o to_o make_v it_o more_o capable_a and_o more_o earnest_a to_o know_v the_o more_o it_o know_v even_o in_o natural_a thing_n whoever_o pretend_v to_o have_v learn_v so_o much_o that_o he_o have_v no_o need_n nor_o will_v to_o learn_v more_o he_o have_v never_o learn_v any_o thing_n aright_o and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o in_o natural_a thing_n in_o which_o the_o instrument_n and_o help_v of_o our_o knowledge_n be_v weak_a and_o the_o object_n of_o it_o finite_a