Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n know_v let_v word_n 4,119 5 3.9916 3 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A40084 The principles and practices of certain moderate divines of the Church of England (greatly mis-understood), truly represented and defended wherein ... some controversies, of no mean importance, are succinctly discussed : in a free discourse between two intimate friends : in three parts. Fowler, Edward, 1632-1714. 1670 (1670) Wing F1711; ESTC R17783 120,188 376

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scripture_n for_o it_o that_o be_v now_o urge_v and_o by_o those_o father_n but_o especial_o by_o origen_n you_o shall_v find_v they_o answer_v and_o by_o this_o mean_v it_o be_v that_o the_o first_o father_n be_v so_o express_v in_o declare_v themselves_o in_o this_o matter_n philal._n those_o gnostic_n as_o ancient_a as_o they_o be_v be_v but_o a_o slender_a credit_n to_o that_o cause_n they_o be_v find_v friend_n to_o theoph._n they_o be_v as_o i_o can_v large_o show_v you_o the_o most_o monstrous_a heretic_n that_o ever_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v infest_a with_o from_o its_o first_o plantation_n to_o this_o very_a day_n as_o many_o other_o vile_a one_o as_o there_o have_v be_v and_o they_o be_v as_o horrible_o profane_a devil_n also_o as_o ever_o the_o earth_n bear_v and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o man_n be_v under_o a_o irresistible_a fate_n of_o be_v wicked_a and_o miserable_a or_o good_a and_o happy_a be_v their_o great_a encouragement_n so_o to_o be_v as_o appear_z by_o their_o be_v so_o concern_v for_o the_o propagation_n of_o it_o nor_o be_v they_o so_o meal-mouthed_a as_o to_o stick_v at_o declare_v the_o too_o natural_a sequel_n from_o it_o that_o all_o good_a man_n abominate_a viz._n that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n as_o also_o that_o other_o which_o all_o such_o must_v abominate_a also_o that_o understand_v it_o viz._n that_o all_o virtue_n and_o vice_n be_v make_v so_o by_o arbitrary_a law_n and_o found_v in_o the_o divine_a will_n that_o be_v that_o they_o be_v mere_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d only_o imaginary_a thing_n and_o nothing_o in_o themselves_o well_o philalethes_n it_o be_v high_a time_n to_o have_v do_v with_o this_o we_o be_v get_v into_o a_o large_a field_n and_o scarce_o know_v how_o to_o get_v out_o of_o it_o the_o truth_n be_v i_o do_v not_o think_v when_o we_o enter_v on_o this_o discourse_n to_o be_v hold_v in_o it_o one_o quarter_n of_o this_o time_n but_o one_o word_n have_v insensible_o draw_v on_o another_o 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they_o be_v condemn_v by_o some_o who_o without_o any_o reason_n take_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o only_a son_n of_o the_o church_n as_o false_a friend_n to_o she_o and_o that_o as_o by_o acknowledge_v no_o more_o they_o anger_v that_o extreme_a so_o by_o grant_v so_o much_o conscience_n they_o no_o less_o displease_v the_o other_o but_o to_o proceed_v these_o person_n be_v not_o more_o for_o obedience_n to_o all_o lawful_a command_n of_o authority_n than_o desirous_a that_o mercy_n and_o indulgence_n shall_v be_v show_v towards_o those_o who_o conscience_n will_v not_o permit_v they_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o will_n of_o their_o governor_n in_o some_o thing_n disputable_a philal._n but_o do_v they_o not_o conceive_v it_o to_o be_v most_o unfit_a that_o seditious_a practice_n shall_v pass_v unpunished_a theoph._n yes_o that_o they_o do_v conscience_n and_o do_v believe_v that_o those_o dissenter_n from_o the_o establish_a way_n of_o religion_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v esteem_v or_o 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that_o will_v con_v a_o preacher_n little_a thanks_o for_o insist_v on_o that_o topick_n for_o they_o tell_v we_o very_o weak_o that_o only_a faith_n be_v to_o be_v set_v on_o work_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n not_o reason_n theoph._n very_o weak_o indeed_o religion_n it_o seem_v those_o man_n will_v have_v we_o believe_v our_o religion_n we_o know_v not_o why_o and_o so_o we_o shall_v be_v wise_a believer_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v i_o of_o their_o opinion_n i_o doubt_v i_o shall_v be_v shrewd_o tempt_v to_o prefer_v no_o one_o religion_n before_o another_o and_o to_o think_v none_o so_o absurd_a as_o that_o i_o shall_v need_v to_o stick_v upon_o that_o account_n at_o entertain_v it_o philal._n i_o great_o fear_v that_o mahometanism_n itself_o will_v bid_v as_o fair_a for_o my_o belief_n as_o christianity_n do_v i_o think_v as_o they_o do_v but_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o imagine_v that_o reason_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v in_o religion_n that_o i_o be_o most_o assure_v 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〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v proper_o signify_v animalis_fw-la and_o this_o word_n never_o signify_v a_o sou_o man_n in_o their_o sense_n but_o in_o the_o quite_o contrary_a for_o a_o animal_n man_n be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o give_v himself_o up_o to_o the_o government_n of_o his_o inferior_a faculty_n or_o a_o carnal_a sensual_a man_n so_o that_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o man_n of_o reason_n that_o he_o be_v most_o irrational_a it_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o this_o that_o the_o apostle_n say_v receive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n he_o be_v drown_v in_o sensuality_n can_v have_v no_o gusto_n of_o can_v relish_v such_o thing_n that_o be_v while_o he_o remain_v so_o they_o be_v foolishness_n unto_o he_o neither_o can_v he_o know_v they_o he_o can_v have_v no_o right_a understanding_n no_o clear_a perception_n of_o they_o and_o they_o sound_v in_o his_o ear_n like_v very_o odd_a thing_n also_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v impute_v to_o this_o that_o 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consider_v the_o three_o or_o four_o first_o verse_n of_o the_o 13_o the_o chapter_n of_o deuteronomy_n where_o god_n by_o moses_n say_v thus_o to_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n if_o there_o arise_v among_o you_o a_o prophet_n or_o a_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n and_o give_v thou_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n and_o the_o sign_n or_o the_o wonder_n come_v to_o pass_v whereof_o he_o speak_v unto_o thou_o say_v let_v we_o go_v after_o other_o god_n and_o let_v we_o serve_v they_o thou_o shall_v not_o hearken_v unto_o the_o word_n of_o that_o prophet_n or_o that_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n for_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n prove_v you_o to_o know_v whether_o you_o love_v the_o lord_n your_o god_n with_o all_o your_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o your_o soul_n etc._n etc._n theoph._n that_o place_n be_v to_o very_o good_a purpose_n quote_v by_o you_o and_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v plain_o to_o be_v gather_v from_o it_o first_o that_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o doctrine_n itself_o before_o we_o 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that_o be_v plain_o unworthy_a of_o god_n to_o revele_v or_o that_o contain_v a_o manifest_a contradiction_n to_o any_o of_o his_o attribute_n but_o when_o positive_a goodness_n be_v also_o therein_o observable_a that_o be_v a_o high_a congruity_n and_o agreeableness_n with_o the_o divine_a perfection_n such_o doctrine_n make_v miracle_n a_o more_o abundant_o strong_a argument_n that_o the_o preacher_n of_o they_o be_v no_o impostor_n but_o that_o he_o come_v from_o heaven_n upon_o god_n message_n philal._n but_o there_o be_v learned_a man_n that_o distinguish_v betwixt_o miracle_n and_o wonder_n assert_v that_o the_o former_a be_v sufficient_a motive_n of_o credibility_n though_o not_o the_o latter_a theoph._n though_o these_o two_o ought_v to_o be_v distinguish_v yet_o i_o conceive_v that_o distinction_n will_v signify_v very_o little_a when_o apply_v to_o this_o matter_n for_o i_o can_v question_v but_o that_o it_o may_v lie_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o evil_a spirit_n power_n 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doctrine_n and_o be_v hear_v to_o cry_v up_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n scripture_n and_o of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o those_o book_n that_o contain_v it_o theoph._n there_o be_v so_o philalethes_n but_o why_o do_v they_o distinguish_v between_o miracle_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o without_o all_o doubt_n for_o be_v they_o not_o perform_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v his_o testimony_n or_o attestation_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n philal._n but_o they_o mean_v a_o internal_a testimony_n or_o a_o secret_a powerful_a persuasion_n wrought_v immediate_o in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n theoph._n but_o those_o that_o say_v that_o credit_n can_v be_v give_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n without_o this_o make_v the_o devil_n great_a unbeliever_n than_o we_o be_v from_o 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that_o have_v it_o philal._n this_o i_o once_o urge_v to_o a_o certain_a divine_a who_o stiff_o maintain_v that_o conceit_n and_o be_v angry_a with_o those_o that_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o other_o way_n and_o he_o ready_o reply_v that_o he_o know_v no_o mean_n to_o be_v use_v for_o the_o conviction_n of_o unbeliever_n but_o pray_v for_o they_o theoph._n i_o commend_v that_o gentleman_n ingenuity_n in_o that_o concession_n but_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v more_o dishonourable_a to_o our_o excellent_a religion_n or_o that_o tend_v more_o to_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o those_o that_o bear_v no_o goodwill_n to_o it_o philal._n but_o theophilus_n do_v you_o think_v then_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o this_o inward_a testimony_n theoph._n all_o i_o think_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n spirit_n i_o will_v brief_o tell_v you_o i_o say_v that_o the_o external_a and_o rational_a motive_n of_o credibility_n 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immediate_a manner_n but_o by_o blessing_n the_o use_n of_o mean_n i._n e._n the_o consideration_n of_o the_o motive_n he_o have_v give_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o that_o he_o confirm_v our_o faith_n by_o give_v we_o to_o see_v such_o strongly-convincing_a demonstration_n in_o those_o argument_n and_o by_o so_o close_o apply_v the_o evidence_n of_o they_o to_o our_o understanding_n as_o that_o they_o come_v to_o be_v even_o perfect_o overpower_a and_o against_o all_o opposition_n to_o have_v full_a assent_n and_o such_o as_o have_v a_o powerful_a influence_n upon_o our_o practice_n as_o it_o be_v even_o force_v from_o they_o but_o if_o all_o the_o external_a motive_n will_v not_o make_v one_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o persuade_v to_o assent_v how_o can_v they_o render_v the_o unbelieving_a jew_n inexcusable_a as_o our_o saviour_n several_a time_n assure_v they_o they_o will_v
prince_n and_o saviour_n man_n will_v have_v of_o themselves_o conclude_v faith_n in_o he_o their_o duty_n when_o they_o be_v convince_v of_o that_o truth_n though_o there_o have_v be_v no_o precept_n to_o make_v it_o so_o which_o be_v so_o plain_a that_o i_o shall_v disparage_v your_o intellectual_n in_o use_v more_o word_n to_o clear_v it_o to_o you_o philal._n it_o be_v indeed_o so_o plain_a that_o i_o be_o ashamed_a i_o ask_v the_o question_n theoph._n but_o if_o you_o please_v philalethes_n i_o will_v more_o particular_o and_o distinct_o though_o very_o brief_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v such_o as_o reason_n will_v we_o consult_v it_o will_v prompt_v to_o we_o philal._n you_o can_v show_v the_o strength_n of_o your_o own_o reason_n upon_o a_o noble_a subject_n theoph._n a_o very_a small_a pittance_n of_o it_o that_o be_v so_o little_a as_o i_o be_o master_n of_o be_v sufficient_a to_o enable_v any_o one_o with_o ease_n to_o perform_v this_o successful_o now_o then_o gospel-precept_n as_o our_o saviour_n refer_v our_o whole_a duty_n to_o two_o head_n viz._n the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n so_o do_v the_o apostle_n to_o three_o sobriety_n righteousness_n and_o godliness_n now_o for_o godliness_n which_o contain_v all_o our_o duty_n immediate_o relate_v to_o god_n all_o the_o instance_n thereof_o which_o the_o gospel_n enjoin_v may_v be_v learn_v by_o improve_n but_o that_o one_o natural_a principle_n of_o god_n existence_n and_o that_o thus_o there_o be_v a_o god_n he_o must_v necessary_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a he_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a be_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v the_o creator_n preserver_n benefactor_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n for_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o attribute_v our_o creation_n preservation_n etc._n etc._n to_o any_o beside_o such_o a_o be_v and_o then_o god_n have_v all_o perfection_n in_o himself_o and_o be_v so_o relate_v to_o we_o this_o will_v necessary_o follow_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o make_v he_o the_o object_n of_o our_o high_a admiration_n our_o great_a love_n we_o ought_v to_o offer_v up_o sacrifice_n of_o prayer_n and_o praise_n to_o he_o to_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o depend_v upon_o he_o in_o all_o our_o way_n to_o acknowledge_v he_o cheerful_o to_o do_v what_o he_o command_v patient_o to_o submit_v to_o his_o dispose_n etc._n etc._n and_o there_o be_v no_o duty_n immediate_o relate_v to_o god_n but_o be_v in_o those_o include_v set_v aside_o that_o of_o do_v what_o he_o command_v for_o that_o alone_o take_v in_o our_o whole_a duty_n in_o reference_n not_o only_o to_o god_n but_o also_o to_o our_o neighbour_n and_o our_o selus_fw-la god_n be_v such_o a_o one_o in_o himself_o and_o to_o the_o world_n as_o you_o hear_v this_o must_v be_v eternal_o true_a that_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o reasonable_a creature_n to_o carry_v themselves_o towards_o he_o as_o be_v show_v there_o be_v so_o close_a a_o connexion_n between_o those_o premise_n and_o these_o conclusion_n that_o a_o man_n can_v believe_v the_o one_o and_o except_o he_o be_v stark_o mad_a doubt_v the_o other_o we_o can_v more_o easy_o apprehend_v this_o argument_n to_o be_v necessary_o true_a viz._n this_o figure_n be_v a_o circle_n therefore_o all_o its_o part_n be_v equal_o distant_a from_o the_o centre_n than_o this_o god_n be_v our_o creator_n preserver_n etc._n etc._n therefore_o we_o ought_v so_o as_o be_v now_o say_v to_o behave_v ourselves_o towards_o he_o nay_o we_o can_v hardly_o think_v of_o that_o premiss_a but_o this_o conclusion_n will_v come_v into_o our_o mind_n whether_o we_o will_v or_o no._n and_o then_o for_o righteousness_n which_o imply_v our_o duty_n to_o our_o neighbour_n that_o rule_n of_o our_o saviour_n what_o you_o will_v that_o man_n shall_v do_v to_o you_o that_o do_v you_o to_o they_o which_o severus_n express_v in_o negative_a term_n quod_fw-la tibi_fw-la fieri_fw-la non_fw-la vis_fw-la alt●●●_n ne_fw-la feceris_fw-la it_o be_v as_o self-evident_a 〈◊〉_d principle_n as_o any_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o moral_n and_o this_o will_v teach_v we_o to_o be_v just_a most_o severe_o just_a to_o every_o body_n and_o to_o be_v kind_a and_o merciful_a to_o those_o that_o be_v in_o need_n now_o these_o two_o include_v all_o that_o the_o gospel_n require_v in_o reference_n to_o one_o another_o and_o then_o for_o sobriety_n that_o comprehend_v our_o whole_a duty_n to_o our_o selus_fw-la the_o mere_a principle_n of_o self-love_n will_v teach_v a_o man_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v intemperate_a in_o any_o kind_n he_o by_o this_o mean_n abuse_v himself_o and_o the_o very_a knowledge_n of_o our_o selus_fw-la and_o what_o excellent_a creature_n we_o be_v will_v convince_v we_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o set_v our_o heart_n upon_o or_o place_v our_o happiness_n in_o any_o earthly_a thing_n therefore_o this_o be_v one_o rule_n among_o the_o several_a excellent_a one_o in_o the_o pythagoraean_a golden_a verse_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d above_o all_o thing_n revere_n thyself_o there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o do_v or_o may_v know_v that_o his_o soul_n be_v too_o noble_a a_o creature_n to_o glut_v itself_o with_o base_a corporeal_a pleasure_n and_o that_o his_o understanding_n be_v too_o sublime_a a_o faculty_n to_o subject_n itself_o to_o his_o brutish_a appetite_n and_o that_o god_n as_o the_o philosopher_n speak_v endue_v he_o with_o that_o to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o prince_n and_o ruler_n within_o he_o and_o with_o this_o to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o subject_a and_o rule_v to_o be_v the_o servant_n not_o master_n of_o his_o mind_n there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o feel_v his_o soul_n too_o big_a for_o these_o terrestrial_a thing_n and_o that_o they_o be_v never_o able_a to_o fill_v its_o vast_a capacity_n now_o what_o be_v we_o enjoin_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o relate_v to_o our_o selus_fw-la but_o be_v to_o be_v reduce_v to_o one_o of_o these_o nay_o to_o this_o one_o head_n of_o inordinate_a affection_n and_o in_o short_a for_o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o we_o have_v protract_v our_o discourse_n upon_o this_o subject_a to_o too_o great_a a_o length_n i_o know_v no_o duty_n enjoin_v in_o the_o gospel_n beside_o that_o of_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o two_o sacrament_n but_o may_v be_v find_v as_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o they_o at_o least_o commend_v as_o noble_a perfection_n heathen_n in_o some_o one_o or_o other_o of_o the_o heathenish_a write_n as_o may_v be_v particular_o show_v but_o that_o it_o will_v take_v up_o too_o much_o time_n philal._n what_o say_v you_o to_o meek_a bear_n and_o put_v up_o affront_v but_o especial_o to_o love_v malicious_a enemy_n and_o render_v good_a for_o evil_n theoph._n both_o these_o may_v be_v find_v in_o they_o if_o not_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o indispensable_a duty_n yet_o as_o great_o become_v we_o most_o high_o commendable_a and_o signification_n of_o a_o brave_o generous_a and_o virtuous_a mind_n the_o instance_n of_o the_o former_a be_v so_o many_o that_o you_o can_v be_v a_o stranger_n to_o they_o nor_o any_o that_o have_v read_v but_o that_o little_a book_n that_o be_v wear_v out_o in_o schoolboy_n hand_n tully_n office_n nay_o plato_n bring_v in_o socrates_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o that_o to_o which_o all_o man_n be_v absolute_o oblige_v injury_n say_v he_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o no_o mean_n ve_o by_o no_o mean_n nor_o may_v it_o be_v repay_v to_o he_o that_o do_v a_o injury_n as_o the_o vulgar_a think_v for_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v commit_v upon_o no_o pretence_n and_o what_o think_v you_o of_o that_o speech_n of_o cato_n if_o a_o ass_n kick_v i_o shall_v i_o again_o kick_v he_o he_o thereby_o intimate_v that_o it_o be_v unworthy_a of_o he_o to_o be_v revengeful_a at_o least_o towards_o some_o sort_n of_o people_n and_o as_o to_o the_o late_a i_o remember_v that_o origen_n in_o his_o eight_o book_n against_o celsus_n give_v two_o notable_a instance_n of_o it_o the_o one_o of_o lycurgus_n and_o the_o other_o of_o zeno._n one_o be_v deliver_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o lycurgus_n that_o have_v put_v out_o one_o of_o his_o eye_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o revenge_v the_o injury_n as_o very_o great_a as_o it_o be_v that_o he_o never_o leave_v give_v he_o wholesome_a counsel_n till_o he_o have_v make_v he_o in_o love_n with_o philosophy_n and_o he_o bring_v in_o zeno_n make_v this_o reply_n to_o his_o enemy_n that_o say_v let_v i_o perish_v if_o i_o do_v thou_o not_o a_o mischief_n viz._n and_o let_v i_o perish_v if_o i_o do_v not_o reconcile_v thou_o to_o i_o both_o these_o show_n sufficient_o what_o those_o heathen_n think_v of_o return_v good_a for_o evil_n philal._n but_o have_v you_o observe_v that_o the_o
believer_n and_o threaten_n of_o the_o most_o dismal_a punishment_n to_o those_o that_o shall_v persist_v in_o impenitence_n and_o unbelief_n etc._n etc._n philal._n you_o need_v say_v no_o more_o than_o you_o have_v do_v to_o make_v the_o christian_a a_o most_o incomparable_a religion_n but_o do_v you_o not_o say_v too_o much_o under_o the_o former_a head_n in_o affirm_v that_o therein_o be_v contain_v our_o whole_a duty_n so_o as_o that_o we_o need_v do_v no_o more_o than_o read_v the_o gospel_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o for_o there_o be_v very_o many_o moral_a case_n wherein_o man_n be_v force_v to_o use_v their_o reason_n to_o the_o utmost_a and_o also_o to_o call_v in_o the_o assistance_n of_o other_o man_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o their_o duty_n in_o they_o theoph._n sure_o philalethes_n you_o can_v not_o think_v i_o so_o extreme_o weak_a as_o to_o mean_v by_o what_o i_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n descend_v minutely_o to_o determine_v all_o possible_a case_n in_o particular_a for_o this_o can_v be_v do_v in_o book_n they_o be_v infinite_a and_o vary_v with_o man_n innumerable_a circumstance_n but_o this_o be_v my_o meaning_n that_o the_o particular_a duty_n man_n be_v constant_o oblige_v to_o be_v all_o plain_o there_o revel_v and_o in_o the_o most_o express_a term_n and_o i_o add_v that_o there_o be_v also_o general_a rule_n lay_v down_o whereby_o all_o emergent_a case_n may_v be_v determine_v and_o such_o as_o ordinary_o occur_v at_o least_o for_o the_o most_o part_n with_o the_o great_a ease_n but_o to_o go_v on_o etc._n to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o require_v but_o what_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o our_o rational_a faculty_n tend_v as_o much_o to_o magnify_v god_n goodness_n to_o we_o and_o to_o commend_v the_o gospel_n as_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v say_v and_o shall_v it_o consist_v much_o of_o perfect_o new_a precept_n which_o the_o world_n can_v never_o before_o so_o much_o as_o once_o have_v dream_v of_o or_o of_o any_o thing_n like_o to_o they_o and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o which_o can_v not_o be_v at_o all_o or_o not_o without_o great_a difficulty_n apprehend_v it_o will_v be_v exceed_o less_o easy_a to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v a_o religion_n send_v from_o god_n than_o now_o it_o be_v this_o also_o make_v it_o a_o religion_n as_o easy_a to_o be_v practise_v by_o mankind_n as_o can_v be_v for_o all_o the_o duty_n wherein_o consist_v the_o substance_n of_o it_o must_v have_v continue_v to_o oblige_v we_o whether_o they_o be_v therein_o express_v or_o no._n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v most_o manifest_a that_o while_o we_o continue_v to_o be_v man_n they_o can_v cease_v to_o be_v our_o duty_n and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o other_o precept_n the_o gospel_n may_v have_v consist_v of_o they_o will_v have_v be_v a_o addition_n to_o our_o burden_n and_o we_o may_v be_v hereby_o convince_v that_o god_n design_n in_o give_v we_o the_o gospel_n be_v pure_o our_o own_o good_a see_v the_o imposition_n wherein_o as_o i_o say_v consist_v the_o substance_n of_o it_o be_v but_o just_a so_o many_o as_o obedience_n to_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a in_o themselves_o consider_v much_o more_o than_o to_o the_o qualify_a of_o we_o for_o the_o full_a enjoyment_n of_o himself_o in_o blessedness_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v enjoin_v only_o as_o help_n to_o enable_v we_o to_o obey_v they_o philal._n belief_n but_o do_v those_o preacher_n content_v themselves_o to_o show_v that_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v very_o reasonable_a i_o have_v be_v inform_v that_o they_o rise_v high_o in_o this_o attempt_n and_o that_o sometime_o they_o undertake_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o point_n of_o mere_a belief_n and_o even_o the_o most_o mysterious_a too_o be_v so_o and_o endeavour_v to_o level_v they_o with_o man_n shallow_a capacity_n theoph._n this_o philalethes_n be_v partly_o true_a and_o partly_o as_o false_a it_o be_v in_o a_o sense_n true_a that_o they_o have_v prove_v sometime_o that_o all_o the_o point_n of_o mere_a belief_n be_v reasonable_a that_o be_v consistent_a with_o reason_n so_o that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o temptation_n to_o disbelieve_v any_o they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o contrariety_n to_o the_o innate_a and_o natural_a notion_n of_o our_o mind_n they_o some_o of_o they_o at_o least_o endeavour_v to_o convince_v their_o auditor_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v not_o impose_v upon_o our_o faculty_n in_o require_v our_o assent_n to_o contradiction_n that_o he_o put_v not_o his_o disciple_n as_o his_o pretend_a vicegerent_n do_v his_o proselyte_n upon_o offer_v violence_n to_o their_o understanding_n in_o any_o thing_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n propose_v by_o he_o philal._n this_o be_v no_o more_o in_o my_o opinion_n than_o be_v necessary_a for_o man_n to_o know_v for_o though_o our_o best_a reason_n can_v never_o have_v prove_v to_o we_o divers_a gospel-truth_n have_v they_o not_o be_v revel_v yet_o they_o be_v revel_v there_o be_v nothing_o sure_o in_o they_o that_o right_o understand_v sound_v so_o harsh_o but_o that_o our_o reason_n may_v admit_v of_o it_o and_o close_o with_o it_o but_o do_v they_o not_o as_o i_o say_v i_o have_v hear_v go_v about_o to_o bring_v down_o all_o such_o point_n to_o man_n capacity_n capacity_n theoph._n that_o be_v you_o assure_v be_v a_o notorious_a calumny_n for_o they_o only_o say_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v all_o such_o as_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o make_v sense_n of_o and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o they_o that_o be_v opposite_a to_o our_o reason_n religion_n but_o they_o most_o free_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v such_o mystery_n as_o be_v so_o sublime_a as_o much_o to_o exceed_v our_o apprehension_n and_o that_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v comprehend_v by_o the_o most_o rational_a person_n and_o this_o acknowledgement_n they_o have_v well_o prove_v be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o our_o saviour_n 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jerusalem_n alexandria_n and_o antioch_n have_v actual_o err_v by_o these_o citation_n you_o will_v easy_o guess_v who_o be_v most_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n judgement_n in_o this_o point_n whether_o we_o or_o those_o person_n who_o talk_n we_o but_o now_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o which_o occasion_v this_o discourse_n and_o the_o like_a to_o what_o be_v say_v of_o general_a council_n we_o also_o most_o hearty_o acknowledge_v concern_v our_o own_o particular_a church_n disputable_a viz._n that_o we_o be_v bind_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o oppose_v the_o determination_n of_o her_o governor_n and_o representative_n in_o disputable_a matter_n nor_o do_v they_o as_o have_v be_v show_v require_v our_o internal_a assent_n to_o their_o article_n but_o enjoin_v our_o submission_n to_o they_o as_o to_o a_o instrument_n of_o peace_n only_o and_o what_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n can_v think_v though_o he_o shall_v suppose_v they_o not_o only_o subject_a to_o error_n but_o likewise_o to_o 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7._o 17._o if_o you_o continue_v in_o my_o word_n then_o be_v you_o my_o disciple_n indeed_o and_o you_o shall_v know_v the_o truth_n joh._n 8._o 31_o 32._o &_o several_a other_o promise_n there_o be_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n i_o grant_v the_o church_n can_v err_v in_o fundamental_o while_o she_o continue_v so_o for_o shall_v she_o she_o will_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la cease_v so_o to_o be_v and_o therefore_o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v assert_v also_o concern_v every_o particular_a member_n of_o it_o and_o as_o for_o circumstantial_o why_o may_v not_o man_n dispute_v about_o they_o and_o maintain_v peace_n and_o love_n notwithstanding_o what_o be_v there_o in_o not_o think_v just_o alike_o in_o doubtful_a matter_n that_o shall_v make_v people_n so_o much_o as_o angry_a with_o each_o other_o disputacity_n i_o like_v not_o i_o confess_v a_o disputatious_a wrangle_n and_o