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	spirit_n	worship_v	6,337	5	9.5072	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62579	The remaining discourses, on the attributes of God Viz. his Goodness. His mercy. His patience. His long-suffering. His power. His spirituality. His immensity. His eternity. His incomprehensibleness. God the first cause, and last end. By the most reverend Dr. John Tillotson, late Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury. Being the seventh volume; published from the originals, by Ralph Barker, D.D. chaplain to his Grace.	Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.; Barker, Ralph, 1648-1708, publisher.	1700 (1700)	Wing T1216; ESTC R222200	153,719	440

church_n with_o it_o and_o make_v it_o a_o ground_n of_o separation_n from_o she_o 3._o if_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n than_o we_o shall_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o inference_n of_o the_o text_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v speak_v a_o little_a more_o large_o of_o it_o only_o i_o must_v explain_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o worship_v in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n and_o show_v you_o the_o force_n of_o this_o consequence_n how_o it_o follow_v that_o because_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n therefore_o he_o must_v be_v worship_v in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n 1_o st_o for_o the_o explication_n of_o it_o this_o word_n spirit_n be_v sometime_o apply_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o so_o it_o be_v oppose_v to_o letter_n by_o which_o name_n the_o doctrine_n of_o moses_n be_v call_v 2_o cor._n 3.6_o who_o have_v make_v we_o able_a minister_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n not_o of_o the_o letter_n but_o of_o the_o spirit_n not_o of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v write_v in_o table_n of_o stone_n but_o which_o christ_n by_o his_o spirit_n write_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o believer_n sometime_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o so_o it_o be_v oppose_v to_o the_o flesh_n gal._n 3.3_o have_v begin_v in_o the_o spirit_n be_v you_o now_o make_v perfect_a by_o the_o flesh_n that_o be_v by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n which_o be_v therefore_o call_v flesh_n because_o the_o principal_a ceremony_n of_o it_o circumcision_n be_v make_v in_o the_o flesh_n and_o because_o their_o sacrifice_n a_o chief_a part_n of_o their_o worship_n be_v of_o the_o flesh_n of_o beast_n and_o because_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o ordinance_n as_o wash_v and_o the_o like_a relate_v to_o the_o body_n hence_o it_o be_v the_o apostle_n call_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o law_n of_o a_o carnal_a commandment_n heb._n 7.16_o and_o heb._n 9.10_o carnal_a ordinance_n speak_v of_o the_o service_n of_o the_o law_n which_o say_v he_o stand_v in_o meat_n and_o drink_v and_o divers_a wash_n and_o carnal_a ordinance_n now_o in_o opposition_n to_o this_o carnal_a and_o ceremonial_a worship_n we_o be_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o the_o spirit_n the_o worship_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v most_o a_o bodily_a service_n but_o we_o be_v to_o give_v god_n a_o reasonable_a service_n to_o serve_v he_o with_o the_o spirit_n of_o our_o mind_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v instead_o of_o offer_v the_o flesh_n of_o bull_n and_o goat_n we_o be_v to_o consecrate_v ourselves_o to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n this_o be_v a_o holy_a and_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n or_o reasonable_a service_n and_o in_o truth_n either_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o false_a worship_n of_o the_o samaritan_n as_o in_o spirit_n be_v oppose_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v the_o woman_n that_o they_o worship_v they_o know_v not_o what_o or_o which_o i_o rather_o think_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o shadow_n of_o the_o law_n and_o so_o it_o be_v oppose_v john_n 1.17_o the_o law_n be_v give_v by_o moses_n but_o grace_n and_o truth_n come_v by_o jesus_n christ_n not_o that_o the_o external_a service_n of_o god_n be_v here_o exclude_v not_o that_o we_o be_v to_o show_v no_o outward_a reverence_n to_o he_o but_o that_o as_o under_o the_o law_n the_o service_n of_o god_n be_v chief_o external_a and_o corporeal_a so_o now_o it_o shall_v chief_o be_v inward_a and_o spiritual_a the_o worship_n of_o god_n under_o the_o gospel_n shall_v chief_o be_v spiritual_a and_o substantial_a not_o a_o carnal_a and_o bodily_a and_o ceremonious_a devotion_n 2_o dly_z for_o the_o force_n of_o the_o consequence_n it_o do_v not_o lie_v in_o this_o that_o just_o such_o as_o god_n be_v such_o must_v our_o worship_n of_o he_o be_v for_o this_o will_v exclude_v all_o bodily_a and_o outward_a worship_n our_o worship_n of_o god_n must_v therefore_o be_v invisible_a eternal_a etc._n etc._n for_o so_o be_v he_o and_o beside_o the_o will_n of_o god_n seem_v rather_o to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o his_o worship_n than_o his_o nature_n but_o the_o force_n of_o it_o be_v this_o god_n be_v of_o a_o spiritual_a nature_n and_o this_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v his_o will_n that_o our_o worship_n shall_v be_v as_o agreeable_a to_o the_o object_n of_o it_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o creature_n who_o be_v to_o give_v it_o will_v bear_v now_o say_v christ_n to_o the_o woman_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o samaritan_n they_o limit_v their_o worship_n to_o a_o certain_a place_n and_o it_o consist_v chief_o in_o certain_a carnal_a rite_n and_o ordinance_n but_o say_v he_o though_o god_n have_v permit_v this_o for_o a_o time_n because_o of_o the_o carnality_n and_o hardness_n of_o their_o heart_n yet_o the_o time_n be_v come_v when_o a_o more_o spiritual_a and_o solid_a and_o substantial_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v introduce_v which_o will_v be_v free_a from_o all_o particular_a place_n and_o rite_n not_o tie_v to_o the_o temple_n or_o to_o such_o external_a ceremony_n but_o consist_v in_o the_o devotion_n of_o our_o spirit_n even_o the_o inward_a frame_n and_o temper_n of_o our_o heart_n all_o outward_a circumstance_n except_v those_o of_o the_o two_o sacrament_n which_o be_v positive_a be_v leave_v by_o the_o gospel_n to_o as_o great_a a_o liberty_n as_o natural_a necessity_n and_o decency_n will_v permit_v we_o must_v worship_v god_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v natural_o necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v do_v it_o somewhere_o in_o some_o place_n now_o see_v some_o body_n must_v determine_v this_o it_o be_v most_o convenient_a that_o authority_n shall_v determine_v it_o according_a to_o the_o conveniency_n of_o cohabitation_n we_o must_v not_o be_v rude_a nor_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v natural_o undecent_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n this_o authority_n shall_v restrain_v but_o further_a than_o this_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o gospel_n have_v leave_v we_o free_a and_o to_o this_o end_n that_o the_o less_o we_o be_v tie_v to_o external_a observance_n the_o more_o intent_n we_o shall_v be_v upon_o the_o spiritual_a and_o substantial_a part_n of_o religion_n the_o conform_v of_o ourselves_o to_o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o god_n endeavour_v to_o be_v like_o god_n and_o to_o have_v our_o soul_n and_o spirit_n engage_v in_o those_o duty_n we_o perform_v to_o he_o so_o that_o our_o saviour_n argument_n be_v this_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n that_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a nature_n and_o be_v and_o therefore_o must_v be_v serve_v with_o the_o best_a we_o consist_v of_o body_n and_o soul_n it_o be_v true_a and_o we_o must_v serve_v he_o with_o our_o whole_a man_n but_o principal_o with_o our_o soul_n which_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a part_n of_o ourselves_o the_o service_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o spirit_n be_v the_o best_a we_o can_v perform_v and_o therefore_o most_o agreeable_a to_o god_n who_o be_v a_o spirit_n and_o the_o best_a and_o most_o perfect_a be_v so_o that_o the_o inference_n be_v this_o that_o if_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n we_o must_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n our_o religion_n must_v be_v real_a and_o inward_a and_o sincere_a and_o substantial_a we_o must_v not_o think_v to_o put_v off_o god_n with_o external_a observance_n and_o with_o bodily_a reverence_n and_o attendance_n this_o we_o must_v give_v he_o but_o we_o must_v principal_o regard_v that_o our_o service_n of_o he_o be_v reasonable_a that_o be_v direct_v by_o our_o understanding_n and_o accompany_v with_o our_o affection_n our_o religion_n must_v consist_v principal_o in_o a_o sincere_a love_n and_o affection_n to_o god_n which_o express_v itself_o in_o a_o real_a conformity_n of_o our_o life_n and_o action_n to_o his_o will_n and_o when_o we_o make_v our_o solemn_a approach_n to_o he_o in_o the_o duty_n of_o his_o worship_n and_o service_n we_o must_v perform_v all_o act_n of_o outward_a worship_n to_o god_n with_o a_o pure_a and_o sincere_a mind_n whatever_o we_o do_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n we_o must_v do_v it_o hearty_o as_o to_o the_o lord_n god_n be_v a_o pure_a spirit_n present_a to_o our_o spirit_n intimate_v to_o our_o soul_n and_o conscious_a to_o the_o most_o secret_a and_o retire_a motion_n of_o our_o heart_n now_o because_o we_o serve_v the_o searcher_n of_o heart_n we_o must_v serve_v he_o with_o our_o heart_n indeed_o if_o we_o do_v worship_n god_n only_o to_o be_v see_v of_o man_n a_o pompous_a and_o external_a worship_n will_v be_v very_o suitable_a to_o such_o a_o end_n but_o religion_n be_v not_o intend_v to_o please_v man_n but_o god_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v spiritual_a and_o inward_a and_o real_a and_o wherever_o the_o external_a part_n of_o religion_n

of_o it_o psal_n 29.1_o give_v unto_o the_o lord_n o_o you_o mighty_a give_v unto_o the_o lord_n glory_n and_o strength_n so_o likewise_o it_o shall_v take_v man_n off_o from_o rely_v upon_o their_o own_o strength_n which_o at_o the_o best_a be_v but_o a_o arm_n of_o flesh_n as_o the_o scripture_n call_v it_o for_o the_o weakness_n of_o it_o do_v we_o not_o see_v that_o many_o time_n the_o battle_n be_v not_o to_o the_o strong_a that_o thing_n be_v not_o do_v by_o might_n and_o by_o power_n but_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n when_o he_o appear_v against_o the_o most_o potent_a their_o heart_n melt_v within_o they_o and_o there_o be_v no_o more_o spirit_n leave_v in_o they_o as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o mighty_a inhabitant_n of_o canaan_n josh_n 5.1_o three_o we_o shall_v make_v this_o omnipotence_n of_o god_n the_o object_n of_o our_o trust_n and_o confidence_n this_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a use_n we_o can_v make_v of_o this_o doctrine_n as_o david_n do_v in_o this_o psalm_n and_o this_o be_v use_v for_o a_o form_n of_o blessing_n the_o people_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n psal_n 136.3_o the_o lord_n that_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n bless_v thou_o and_o david_n when_o he_o magnify_v god_n deliverance_n of_o his_o people_n from_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o enemy_n resolve_v it_o into_o this_o our_o help_n stand_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n who_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n thus_o do_v the_o great_a pattern_n and_o example_n of_o faith_n encourage_v and_o support_v his_o confidence_n in_o god_n in_o a_o very_a difficult_a trial_n he_o stagger_v not_o at_o it_o because_o he_o believe_v god_n who_o quicken_v the_o dead_a and_o call_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o as_o though_o they_o be_v therefore_o against_o hope_n he_o believe_v in_o hope_n etc._n etc._n rom._n 4.17_o etc._n etc._n this_o give_v life_n to_o all_o our_o devotion_n to_o be_v persuade_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o do_v for_o we_o exceed_o above_o what_o we_o can_v ask_v or_o think_v and_o that_o his_o be_v the_o kingdom_n the_o power_n and_o the_o glory_n i_o shall_v only_o caution_n two_o thing_n as_o to_o our_o reliance_n on_o the_o power_n of_o god_n i._o labour_n to_o be_v such_o person_n to_o who_o god_n have_v promise_v that_o he_o will_v engage_v and_o employ_v his_o omnipotence_n for_o their_o good_a if_o we_o hope_v for_o any_o good_a from_o the_o almighty_a we_o must_v walk_v before_o he_o and_o be_v perfect_a as_o he_o say_v to_o abraham_n good_a man_n have_v a_o peculiar_a interest_n in_o god_n power_n hence_o he_o be_v call_v the_o strength_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o mighty_a one_o of_o israel_n if_o we_o do_v what_o god_n require_v of_o we_o we_o may_v expect_v that_o he_o will_v put_v forth_o his_o power_n and_o exert_v his_o arm_n for_o we_o but_o if_o we_o disobey_v we_o must_v expect_v he_o will_v manifest_v his_o power_n against_o we_o ez._n 8.22_o when_o we_o do_v well_o we_o may_v commit_v the_o keep_n of_o our_o soul_n to_o he_o 1_o pet._n 4.19_o ii_o our_o expectation_n from_o the_o omnipotence_n of_o god_n must_v be_v with_o submission_n to_o his_o pleasure_n and_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n we_o must_v not_o expect_v that_o god_n will_v manifest_v his_o power_n when_o we_o think_v there_o be_v occasion_n for_o it_o but_o when_o it_o seem_v best_a to_o he_o he_o will_v so_o employ_v his_o omnipotence_n as_o to_o manifest_v his_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n and_o with_o these_o two_o caution_n we_o may_v rely_v upon_o he_o in_o all_o our_o want_n both_o spiritual_a and_o temporal_a for_o his_o divine_a power_n can_v give_v we_o all_o thing_n that_o pertain_v to_o life_n and_o godliness_n 2_o pet._n 1.3_o we_o may_v trust_v he_o at_o all_o time_n for_o the_o omnipotent_a god_n neither_o slumber_v nor_o sleep_v the_o almighty_a faint_v not_o neither_o be_v he_o weary_a trust_v you_o in_o the_o lord_n for_o ever_o for_o in_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n be_v everlasting_a strength_n sermon_n xi_o vii·_n vol._n vii·_n the_o spirituality_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n john_n iv_o 24_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n and_o they_o that_o worship_v he_o must_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n who_o be_v speak_v to_o he_o of_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o samaritan_n and_o the_o jew_n concern_v religion_n v._n 20._o our_o father_n worship_v in_o this_o mountain_n but_o you_o say_v that_o in_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o place_n where_o man_n ought_v to_o worship_v christ_n tell_v she_o the_o time_n be_v come_v when_o the_o worshipper_n of_o god_n shall_v neither_o be_v confine_v to_o that_o mountain_n nor_o to_o jerusalem_n but_o man_n shall_v worship_v the_o father_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n when_o this_o carnal_a and_o ceremonial_a and_o typical_a worship_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v exalt_v into_o a_o more_o spiritual_a a_o more_o real_a and_o true_a and_o substantial_a religion_n which_o shall_v not_o be_v confine_v to_o one_o temple_n but_o shall_v be_v universal_o diffuse_v through_o the_o world_n now_o such_o a_o worship_n as_o this_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n for_o he_o be_v a_o spirit_n and_o those_o who_o worship_v he_o must_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n in_o the_o word_n we_o have_v first_o a_o proposition_n lay_v down_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n second_o a_o corollary_n or_o inference_n deduce_v from_o it_o they_o that_o worship_v he_o must_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n i_o shall_v speak_v of_o the_o proposition_n as_o that_o which_o concern_v my_o present_a design_n and_o afterward_o speak_v something_o to_o the_o corollary_n or_o inference_n deduce_v from_o it_o together_o with_o some_o other_o inference_n draw_v from_o this_o truth_n by_o way_n of_o application_n first_o that_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n this_o expression_n be_v singular_a and_o not_o to_o be_v parallel_v again_o in_o the_o scripture_n indeed_o we_o have_v often_o mention_v make_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o signify_v a_o divine_a power_n and_o energy_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n signify_v the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n god_n be_v call_v the_o god_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o all_o flesh_n numb_a 16.22.27.16_o much_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n as_o he_o be_v call_v the_o father_n of_o spirit_n heb._n 12.9_o that_o be_v the_o creator_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n but_o we_o no_o where_n meet_v with_o this_o expression_n or_o any_o other_o equivalent_a to_o it_o that_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n but_o only_o in_o this_o place_n nor_o have_v it_o be_v use_v here_o but_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o best_a worship_n of_o god_n that_o which_o be_v most_o proper_a to_o he_o be_v spiritual_a so_o that_o the_o thing_n which_o our_o saviour_n here_o intend_v be_v not_o to_o prove_v the_o spiritual_a nature_n of_o god_n but_o that_o his_o worship_n ought_v to_o be_v spiritual_a nor_o indeed_o be_v there_o any_o necessity_n that_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v any_o where_o say_v in_o scripture_n that_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n it_o be_v the_o natural_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v tell_v we_o that_o god_n be_v good_a or_o that_o he_o be_v infinite_a and_o eternal_a and_o the_o like_a or_o that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v prove_v to_o we_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n all_o these_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o the_o scripture_n mention_v they_o it_o be_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o it_o be_v usual_o in_o order_n to_o some_o further_a purpose_n for_o we_o be_v to_o know_v that_o the_o scripture_n suppose_v we_o to_o be_v man_n and_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o human_a nature_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o teach_v we_o philosophy_n nor_o solicitous_o instruct_v we_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v bear_v with_o we_o but_o suppose_v the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o and_o make_v use_v of_o these_o common_a principle_n and_o notion_n which_o be_v in_o we_o concern_v god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o the_o life_n to_o come_v to_o excite_v we_o to_o our_o duty_n and_o quicken_v our_o endeavour_n after_o happiness_n for_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v any_o where_o express_o deliver_v in_o scripture_n but_o take_v for_o grant_v in_o like_a manner_n that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o solicitous_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o natural_a notion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o god_n but_o suppose_v they_o know_v to_o we_o and_o if_o it_o mention_v they_o it_o be_v not_o so_o

and_o by_o derivation_n from_o god_n who_o be_v the_o fountain_n and_o original_n of_o goodness_n which_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o our_o saviour_n luke_n 18.19_o when_o he_o say_v there_o be_v none_o good_a save_o one_o that_o be_v god_n but_o though_o the_o degree_n of_o goodness_n in_o god_n and_o the_o creature_n be_v infinite_o unequal_a and_o that_o goodness_n which_o be_v in_o we_o be_v so_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a that_o compare_v with_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n it_o do_v not_o deserve_v that_o name_n yet_o the_o essential_a notion_n of_o goodness_n in_o both_o must_v be_v the_o same_o else_o when_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n we_o can_v not_o know_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o at_o all_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v for_o god_n to_o be_v good_a it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o we_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v good_a or_o not_o for_o he_o may_v be_v so_o and_o we_o never_o the_o better_a for_o it_o if_o we_o do_v not_o know_v what_o goodness_n in_o god_n be_v and_o consequent_o when_o he_o be_v so_o and_o when_o not_o beside_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v very_o frequent_o in_o scripture_n propound_v to_o our_o imitation_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o imitate_v that_o which_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v from_o whence_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o goodness_n which_o we_o be_v to_o endeavour_v after_o be_v the_o same_o that_o be_v in_o god_n because_o in_o this_o we_o be_v command_v to_o imitate_v the_o perfection_n of_o god_n that_o be_v to_o be_v good_a and_o merciful_a as_o he_o be_v according_a to_o the_o rate_n and_o condition_n of_o creature_n and_o so_o far_o as_o we_o who_o nature_n be_v imperfect_a be_v capable_a of_o resemble_v the_o divine_a goodness_n thus_o much_o for_o the_o notion_n of_o goodness_n in_o god_n it_o be_v a_o propension_n and_o disposition_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o communicate_v be_v and_o happiness_n to_o his_o creature_n second_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o this_o perfection_n of_o goodness_n belong_v to_o god_n and_o that_o from_o these_o three_o head_n i._o from_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o natural_a light_n ii_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n and_o divine_a revelation_n and_o iii_o from_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n i._o from_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o natural_a light_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o heathen_a agree_v in_o it_o and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o perfection_n of_o god_n more_o universal_o acknowledge_v by_o they_o i_o always_o except_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o epicurean_o who_o attribute_v nothing_o but_o eternity_n and_o happiness_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o yet_o if_o they_o will_v have_v consider_v it_o happiness_n without_o goodness_n be_v impossible_a i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o do_v express_o deny_v this_o perfection_n to_o god_n or_o that_o they_o ascribe_v to_o he_o the_o contrary_a but_o they_o clear_o take_v away_o all_o the_o evidence_n and_o argument_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n for_o they_o suppose_v god_n to_o be_v a_o immortal_a and_o happy_a be_v that_o enjoy_v himself_o and_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o any_o thing_n without_o himself_o that_o neither_o give_v be_v to_o other_o thing_n nor_o concern_v himself_o in_o the_o happiness_n or_o misery_n of_o any_o of_o they_o so_o that_o their_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v in_o truth_n the_o proper_a notion_n of_o a_o idle_a be_v that_o be_v call_v god_n and_o neither_o do_v good_a nor_o evil_a but_o set_v aside_o this_o atheistical_a sect_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o heathen_a do_v unanimous_o affirm_v and_o believe_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o all_o their_o prayer_n to_o god_n and_o praise_n of_o he_o do_v necessary_o suppose_v a_o persuasion_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n whosoever_o pray_v to_o god_n must_v have_v a_o persuasion_n or_o good_a hope_n of_o his_o readiness_n to_o do_v he_o good_a and_o to_o praise_n god_n be_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o have_v receive_v good_a from_o he_o seneca_n have_v a_o excellent_a passage_n to_o this_o purpose_n he_o say_v he_o that_o deny_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n do_v not_o sure_o consider_v the_o infinite_a number_n of_o prayer_n that_o with_o hand_n lift_v up_o to_o heaven_n be_v put_v up_o to_o god_n both_o in_o private_a and_o public_a which_o certain_o will_v not_o be_v nor_o be_v it_o credible_a that_o all_o mankind_n shall_v conspire_v in_o this_o madness_n of_o put_v up_o their_o supplication_n to_o deaf_a and_o impotent_a deity_n if_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o god_n be_v so_o good_a as_o to_o confer_v benefit_n upon_o those_o who_o pray_v to_o they_o but_o we_o need_v not_o to_o infer_v their_o belief_n of_o god_n goodness_n from_o the_o act_n of_o their_o devotion_n nothing_o be_v more_o common_a among_o they_o than_o express_o to_o attribute_v this_o perfection_n of_o goodness_n to_o he_o and_o among_o the_o divine_a title_n this_o always_o have_v the_o preeminence_n both_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d deus_fw-la optimus_fw-la maximus_fw-la be_v their_o constant_a stile_n and_o in_o our_o language_n the_o name_n of_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v give_v he_o from_o his_o goodness_n i_o may_v produce_v innumerable_a passage_n out_o of_o the_o heathen_a authers_n to_o this_o purpose_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o mention_v that_o remarkable_a one_o out_o of_o seneca_n primus_fw-la deorum_fw-la cultus_fw-la est_fw-la deos_fw-la credere_fw-la deinde_fw-la reddere_fw-la illis_fw-la majestatem_fw-la svam_fw-la reddere_fw-la bonitatem_fw-la sine_fw-la quâ_fw-la nulla_fw-la majestas_fw-la the_o first_o act_n of_o worship_n be_v to_o believe_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o next_o to_o ascribe_v majesty_n or_o greatness_n to_o he_o and_o to_o ascribe_v goodness_n without_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o greatness_n ii_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n and_o divine_a revelation_n i_o shall_v mention_v but_o a_o few_o of_o those_o many_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o declare_v to_o we_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n exod._n 34.6_o where_o god_n make_v his_o name_n know_v to_o moses_n the_o lord_n the_o lord_n god_n gracious_a and_o merciful_a long_o suffer_v abundant_a in_o goodness_n and_o truth_n psal_n 86.5_o thou_o lord_n be_v good_a and_o ready_a to_o forgive_v psal_n 119.68_o thou_o be_v good_a and_o do_v good_a and_o that_o which_o be_v so_o often_o repeat_v in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n o_o give_v thanks_o unto_o the_o lord_n for_o he_o be_v good_a and_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o our_o bless_a saviour_n attribute_n this_o perfection_n to_o god_n in_o so_o peculiar_a and_o transcendent_a a_o manner_n as_o if_o it_o be_v incommunicable_a luke_n 18.19_o there_o be_v none_o good_a save_o one_o that_o be_v god_n the_o meaning_n be_v that_o no_o creature_n be_v capable_a of_o it_o in_o that_o excellent_a and_o transcendent_a degree_n in_o which_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v possess_v of_o it_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v those_o innumerable_a testimony_n of_o scripture_n which_o declare_v god_n to_o be_v gracious_a and_o merciful_a and_o long_o suffer_v for_o these_o be_v but_o several_a branch_n of_o his_o goodness_n his_o grace_n be_v the_o freeness_n of_o his_o goodness_n to_o those_o who_o have_v not_o deserve_v it_o his_o mercy_n be_v his_o goodness_n to_o those_o who_o be_v in_o misery_n his_o patience_n be_v his_o goodness_n to_o those_o who_o be_v guilty_a in_o defer_v the_o punishment_n due_a to_o they_o iii_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n may_v likewise_o be_v argue_v from_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n these_o two_o way_n 1._o goodness_n be_v the_o chief_a of_o all_o perfection_n and_o therefore_o it_o belong_v to_o god_n 2._o there_o be_v some_o footstep_n of_o it_o in_o the_o creature_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v much_o more_o eminent_o in_o god_n 1._o goodness_n be_v the_o high_a perfection_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v needs_o belong_v to_o god_n who_o be_v the_o most_o perfect_a of_o being_n knowledge_n and_o power_n be_v great_a perfection_n but_o separate_v from_o goodness_n they_o will_v be_v great_a imperfection_n nothing_o but_o craft_n and_o violence_n a_o angel_n may_v have_v knowledge_n and_o power_n in_o a_o great_a degree_n but_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o be_v a_o devil_n goodness_n be_v so_o great_a and_o necessary_a a_o perfection_n that_o without_o it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o it_o give_v perfection_n to_o all_o other_o excellency_n take_v away_o this_o and_o the_o great_a excellency_n in_o any_o other_o kind_n will_v be_v but_o the_o great_a imperfection_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o the_o