Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	reason_n	scripture_n	word_n	4,497	5	4.2578	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61275	The perfection of Scripture stated, and its sufficiency argued in a sermon preached at the publick commencement at Cambridge, Sunday July iv, 1697 / by George Stanhope ...	Stanhope, George, 1660-1728.	1697 (1697)	Wing S5226; ESTC R16475	18,590	36

therefore_o the_o perfection_n of_o scripture_n we_o must_v ever_o attend_v to_o the_o design_n it_o serve_v and_o its_o sufficiency_n to_o compass_v that_o design_n for_o example_n in_o the_o historical_a part_n we_o be_v not_o to_o expect_v a_o full_a and_o just_a relation_n of_o all_o that_o happen_v in_o the_o world_n at_o that_o time_n no_o nor_o of_o all_o that_o happen_v to_o that_o people_n of_o who_o affair_n it_o more_o profess_o treat_v a_o competent_a quantity_n of_o the_o main_a and_o most_o significant_a passage_n will_v serve_v the_o turn_n such_o as_o draw_v down_o a_o just_a account_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o wherein_o the_o law_n and_o polity_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v type_n of_o he_o or_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n so_o again_o the_o prophecy_n do_v not_o foretell_v all_o that_o shall_v happen_v under_o the_o gospel_n nor_o every_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v by_o our_o lord_n himself_o but_o be_v content_v with_o draw_v the_o principal_a line_n and_o give_v representation_n and_o character_n so_o like_a and_o lively_a as_o when_o the_o son_n of_o god_n shall_v appear_v in_o flesh_n and_o event_n come_v to_o be_v compare_v with_o prediction_n may_v render_v man_n exceed_o to_o blame_v if_o they_o do_v not_o accept_v and_o regard_v that_o person_n as_o the_o promise_a messiah_n in_o who_o those_o description_n so_o exact_o centre_v nay_o even_o in_o the_o gospel_n itself_o st._n john_n make_v no_o difficulty_n to_o own_o that_o a_o world_n of_o remarkable_a and_o wonderful_a thing_n do_v by_o christ_n be_v not_o however_o leave_v upon_o record_n but_o that_o enough_o be_v leave_v to_o build_v man_n faith_n upon_o now_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o the_o alwise_a god_n can_v under_o each_o of_o those_o period_n have_v inspire_v the_o holy_a penman_n with_o all_o that_o be_v omit_v or_o that_o he_o can_v if_o he_o have_v please_v have_v make_v but_o one_o period_n and_o reveal_v all_o together_o but_o when_o he_o do_v not_o so_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o measure_n of_o his_o revelation_n be_v direct_v by_o the_o end_n of_o they_o that_o he_o intend_v not_o the_o scripture_n for_o a_o repository_n of_o all_o truth_n in_o the_o simple_a and_o most_o comprehensive_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n but_o of_o all_o which_o be_v needful_a to_o make_v man_n wise_a unto_o salvation_n such_o as_o their_o present_a circumstance_n require_v and_o what_o he_o intend_v they_o shall_v be_v accountable_a for_o and_o as_o he_o will_v not_o be_v niggardly_o in_o these_o communication_n so_o neither_o be_v he_o profuse_a nay_o from_o hence_o i_o argue_v 4._o four_o that_o even_o all_o truth_n which_o may_v have_v any_o tendency_n to_o direct_v man_n in_o their_o duty_n be_v not_o particular_o and_o express_o to_o be_v find_v there_o nor_o be_v it_o all_o necessary_a or_o indeed_o human_o speak_v possible_a that_o they_o shall_v and_o this_o direct_o meet_v with_o a_o opinion_n unhappy_a in_o its_o consequence_n but_o entertain_v it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v out_o of_o a_o honest_a zeal_n and_o well-meant_a reverence_n for_o these_o bless_a write_n that_o i_o mean_v of_o man_n not_o be_v allow_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n for_o which_o some_o express_a command_n or_o warrant_v or_o at_o least_o example_n may_v not_o be_v produce_v out_o of_o scripture_n i_o can_v now_o stand_v to_o show_v the_o danger_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o govern_v our_o life_n by_o the_o example_n even_o of_o good_a man_n but_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o rule_n in_o general_n and_o to_o disengage_v man_n from_o the_o many_o sad_a suspense_v and_o snare_n which_o it_o be_v apt_a to_o bring_v unwary_a conscience_n under_o by_o these_o follow_a particular_n first_o let_v it_o be_v remember_v that_o our_o obligation_n to_o obey_v the_o scripture_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o their_o be_v write_v but_o from_o their_o be_v the_o discovery_n of_o god_n will_n and_o our_o duty_n consequent_o whatever_o come_v to_o my_o knowledge_n as_o his_o pleasure_n concern_v i_o have_v the_o same_o bind_a power_n upon_o my_o conscience_n be_v the_o method_n of_o make_v it_o so_o know_v to_o i_o what_o it_o will_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n and_o the_o sufficient_a promulge_v of_o the_o law_n these_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o induce_v the_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n and_o therefore_o if_o god_n who_o be_v the_o absolute_a and_o only_a master_n of_o my_o conscience_n have_v several_a way_n of_o signify_v his_o pleasure_n the_o particular_a manner_n of_o do_v it_o be_v accidental_a and_o foreign_a to_o this_o bind_v power_n and_o make_v not_o the_o least_o difference_n in_o my_o engagement_n to_o submission_n and_o obedience_n now_o second_o we_o may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o god_n not_o only_o do_v former_o but_o that_o he_o do_v still_o use_v other_o method_n of_o manifest_v his_o will_n beside_o that_o of_o the_o write_a word_n there_o have_v be_v time_n and_o person_n that_o know_v no_o other_o law_n but_o reason_n and_o when_o god_n add_v a_o bright_a candle_n he_o do_v not_o put_v out_o the_o old_a one_o or_o forbid_v we_o to_o walk_v by_o its_o light_n so_o far_o as_o that_o be_v able_a to_o direct_v we_o the_o very_a divine_a authority_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n from_o whence_o that_o authority_n be_v derive_v be_v principle_n arise_v from_o common_a reason_n and_o how_o absurd_a will_v it_o be_v to_o allow_v no_o standard_n of_o truth_n in_o religion_n no_o rule_n of_o behaviour_n but_o scripture_n when_o the_o two_o fundamental_a truth_n of_o all_o religion_n must_v be_v make_v out_o to_o we_o from_o other_o principle_n and_o can_v with_o any_o propriety_n of_o argue_v be_v fetch_v from_o scripture_n itself_o three_o the_o very_a temper_n and_o composition_n of_o scripture_n be_v such_o as_o necessary_o refer_v we_o to_o some_o other_o rule_n for_o this_o be_v a_o system_fw-la of_o mix_a and_o very_o different_a duty_n some_o of_o eternal_a and_o universal_a obligation_n other_o occasional_a and_o particular_a limit_v to_o time_n and_o circumstance_n and_o when_o those_o occasion_n and_o circumstance_n cease_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o command_n be_v lose_v and_o the_o whole_a reason_n and_o force_n of_o it_o sink_v of_o course_n this_o be_v observable_a more_o especial_o in_o the_o jewish_a dispensation_n but_o it_o be_v likewise_o true_a in_o sundry_a other_o case_n now_o these_o thing_n be_v oftentimes_o deliver_v promiscuous_o and_o in_o general_a term_n man_n must_v of_o necessity_n have_v recourse_n to_o some_o other_o rule_n to_o distinguish_v and_o guide_v they_o in_o make_v the_o just_a difference_n between_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o sort._n and_o this_o be_v what_o equity_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n must_v do_v where_o the_o word_n of_o god_n itself_o have_v make_v no_o express_a difference_n at_o all_o four_o the_o scripture_n as_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n do_v not_o concern_v we_o just_a as_o the_o word_n and_o syllable_n be_v set_v down_o there_o but_o according_a to_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o rational_a mean_v of_o the_o text._n and_o in_o order_n to_o just_a resolution_n of_o this_o kind_n many_o qualification_n be_v requisite_a a_o mind_n true_o honest_a and_o resign_v to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n sincere_a and_o unprejudiced_a the_o be_v not_o only_o content_a but_o desirous_a to_o learn_v and_o ready_a to_o retract_v error_n and_o reform_v vice_n when_o upon_o a_o fair_a examination_n they_o shall_v appear_v to_o be_v such_o to_o this_o we_o must_v add_v diligence_n and_o care_n and_o skill_n such_o as_o may_v enable_v man_n to_o compare_v and_o reconcile_v and_o form_v a_o judgement_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n to_o consider_v the_o context_n the_o occasion_n the_o expression_n the_o genius_n of_o the_o country_n and_o propriety_n of_o language_n and_o to_o fix_v upon_o such_o commodious_a interpretation_n from_o hence_o as_o may_v never_o set_v one_o scripture_n at_o variance_n with_o another_o and_o where_o these_o qualification_n be_v not_o to_o be_v have_v there_o a_o meek_a and_o quiet_a spirit_n a_o orderly_a submission_n to_o honest_a and_o better_a judgement_n and_o endure_v to_o be_v ignorant_a in_o matter_n above_o one_o reach_n now_o all_o this_o be_v the_o work_n of_o a_o man_n be_v own_o understanding_n and_o will_n assist_v by_o god_n grace_n and_o all_o so_o necessary_a that_o without_o such_o application_n and_o appeal_n to_o fair_a unbiased_a reason_n the_o very_a word_n of_o god_n itself_o may_v misguide_v and_o prove_v a_o snare_n to_o we_o five_o the_o nature_n of_o humane_a action_n put_v it_o out_o of_o dispute_n that_o the_o scripture_n alone_o can_v never_o be_v a_o full_a and_o perfect_a direction_n in_o point_n of_o duty_n for_o the_o circumstance_n

of_o human_a life_n be_v infinite_a and_o depend_v upon_o a_o multitude_n of_o accident_n not_o to_o be_v foresee_v and_o consequent_o not_o to_o be_v provide_v against_o hence_o law_n must_v run_v in_o general_a term_n and_o sometime_o the_o intent_n of_o the_o law_n be_v best_a fulfil_v by_o go_v counter_a to_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o in_o all_o such_o case_n therefore_o reason_n and_o honesty_n must_v guide_v we_o to_o the_o fitness_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o great_a scope_n be_v necessary_o leave_v to_o equity_n and_o discretion_n i_o allow_v indeed_o that_o god_n who_o have_v content_v himself_o with_o general_a rule_n can_v have_v describe_v all_o the_o accident_n and_o circumstance_n which_o he_o can_v but_o foresee_v and_o know_v exact_o but_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o he_o shall_v and_o a_o great_a deal_n why_o he_o shall_v not_o it_o be_v much_o better_a that_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o to_o draw_v general_a rule_n into_o particular_a practice_n and_o put_v we_o upon_o the_o trial_n of_o do_v this_o fair_o of_o discharge_v a_o good_a conscience_n in_o positive_a obedience_n where_o he_o have_v determine_v thing_n to_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a and_o of_o follow_v the_o measure_n of_o integrity_n and_o expediency_n where_o he_o have_v leave_v they_o indifferent_a and_o at_o large_a the_o sum_n then_o of_o this_o first_o head_n may_v be_v easy_o draw_v together_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o these_o few_o short_a conclusion_n 1._o first_o as_o to_o the_o mystery_n and_o doctrine_n peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a faith_n such_o as_o the_o incarnation_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n the_o justification_n of_o sinner_n by_o faith_n the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n the_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o the_o divine_a essence_n which_o i_o make_v no_o scruple_n to_o call_v a_o necessary_a and_o distinguish_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o these_o the_o scripture_n be_v our_o absolute_a and_o only_a rule_n for_o they_o be_v branch_n of_o a_o new_a covenant_n revelation_n of_o stupendous_a and_o important_a concern_v set_v forth_o free_a act_n of_o mercy_n such_o as_o depend_v upon_o no_o necessary_a cause_n in_o nature_n such_o as_o concern_v not_o man_n in_o his_o primitive_a state_n and_o therefore_o not_o within_o the_o ken_n of_o reason_n these_o can_v come_v only_o from_o god_n and_o upon_o he_o we_o be_v therefore_o to_o depend_v entire_o for_o they_o so_o that_o when_o there_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o his_o have_v deliver_v any_o matter_n of_o this_o kind_n all_o the_o rest_n be_v to_o be_v take_v upon_o content_a and_o his_o truth_n and_o infinite_a wisdom_n be_v a_o just_a foundation_n of_o our_o belief_n how_o far_o soever_o the_o matter_n reveal_v may_v exceed_v our_o comprehension_n 2._o second_o in_o matter_n of_o practice_n the_o scripture_n be_v our_o supreme_a though_o not_o our_o only_a rule_n those_o thing_n which_o reason_n and_o nature_n teach_v this_o enlarge_n and_o refine_v upon_o and_o oftentimes_o confirm_v with_o a_o fresh_a sanction_n it_o exalt_v our_o virtue_n and_o direct_v we_o to_o proceed_v upon_o noble_a principle_n teach_v some_o duty_n not_o to_o be_v know_v without_o it_o give_v clear_a conviction_n of_o such_o as_o be_v know_v imperfect_o lead_v we_o to_o end_n above_o nature_n furnish_v mean_n above_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n propose_v reward_n heavenly_a and_o divine_a and_o help_v we_o to_o do_v more_o than_o mere_a man_n by_o their_o own_o discourse_n can_v ever_o have_v do_v so_o that_o revelation_n do_v not_o quench_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n but_o add_v fresh_a oil_n and_o make_v it_o burn_v the_o bright_a and_o by_o be_v more_o perfect_a help_v our_o dimness_n and_o dark_a sight_n and_o take_v place_n above_o all_o other_o authority_n it_o be_v proper_o style_v by_o david_n a_o candle_n to_o our_o foot_n and_o a_o lantern_n to_o our_o path_n psal_n cxix_o 105._o so_o that_o whatever_o this_o word_n teach_v which_o we_o may_v otherwise_o have_v know_v have_v a_o double_a tie_n upon_o we_o and_o that_o which_o either_o want_n of_o understanding_n or_o corruption_n of_o mind_n will_v have_v keep_v we_o in_o ignorance_n of_o when_o find_v here_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v with_o submission_n and_o reverence_n as_o a_o inviolable_a law_n whatever_o flesh_n and_o sense_n and_o worldly_a wisdom_n may_v suggest_v or_o object_v to_o the_o contrary_n 3._o three_o the_o perfection_n of_o scripture_n do_v not_o confine_v itself_o to_o such_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o it_o be_v liberal_a and_o well_o fraught_v with_o excellent_a rule_n both_o for_o improve_n our_o knowledge_n and_o adorn_v our_o profession_n it_o consult_v the_o beauty_n and_o gracefulness_n as_o well_o as_o the_o life_n and_o be_v of_o christianity_n it_o direct_v the_o shine_a of_o our_o light_n and_o the_o win_n over_o other_o by_o our_o prudence_n and_o good_a example_n and_o leave_v we_o general_a hint_n the_o efficacy_n of_o which_o will_v depend_v upon_o the_o honesty_n and_o discretion_n of_o particular_a application_n to_o our_o own_o personal_a exigency_n and_o condition_n 4._o but_o four_o there_o be_v many_o case_n where_o scripture_n can_v have_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o do_v except_o by_o very_o remote_a consequence_n and_o so_o far_o only_o as_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o forego_n particular_a ten_o thousand_o action_n of_o humane_a life_n there_o be_v so_o trivial_a as_o scare_v to_o deserve_v the_o deliberation_n of_o a_o single_a thought_n and_o to_o expect_v law_n and_o decision_n from_o almighty_a god_n in_o thing_n of_o no_o importance_n or_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a be_v to_o bring_v his_o majesty_n into_o contempt_n and_o therefore_o here_o discretion_n be_v our_o only_a guide_n in_o short_a and_o to_o conclude_v this_o argument_n the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v esteem_v sufficient_a and_o perfect_a but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o have_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o mean_n to_o the_o end_n and_o what_o may_v serve_v the_o purpose_n to_o which_o it_o be_v ordain_v the_o perfection_n be_v that_o of_o a_o instrument_n but_o then_o this_o like_o all_o other_o instrument_n require_v a_o honest_a skilful_a and_o diligent_a hand_n to_o manage_v and_o apply_v it_o successful_o and_o it_o be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o the_o scripture_n character_n that_o some_o by_o neglect_v and_o other_o by_o abuse_v it_o still_o want_v that_o save_v wisdom_n it_o may_v give_v nor_o do_v it_o at_o all_o take_v off_o from_o the_o perfection_n of_o this_o rule_n that_o some_o case_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o obvious_a as_o not_o to_o need_v its_o particular_a direction_n and_o that_o other_o be_v of_o so_o little_a moment_n as_o not_o to_o deserve_v they_o ii_o second_o the_o way_n be_v thus_o make_v plain_a by_o right_o state_v the_o perfection_n of_o scripture_n let_v we_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o our_o business_n which_o be_v to_o instance_n in_o some_o general_a argument_n which_o the_o protestant_a opinion_n of_o the_o scripture_n sufficiency_n may_v very_o reasonable_o allege_v for_o its_o self_n now_o in_o order_n to_o make_v scripture_n a_o competent_a guide_n in_o the_o case_n that_o proper_o concern_v it_o two_o thing_n only_o be_v neeessary_a that_o it_o be_v sufficient_o particular_a and_o express_a and_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a that_o as_o much_o be_v deliver_v there_o as_o the_o occasion_n require_v and_o that_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o that_o man_n may_v improve_v by_o it_o and_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o both_o which_o to_o any_o man_n who_o consider_v the_o uses_n of_o scripture_n appear_v to_o be_v so_o necessary_o require_v and_o so_o great_o relate_v to_o that_o the_o same_o general_a argument_n will_v prove_v both_o and_o these_o that_o follow_v if_o i_o mistake_v not_o may_v contribute_v something_o towards_o it_o first_o a_o consideration_n of_o the_o author_n every_o imperfection_n in_o the_o effect_n be_v owe_v to_o some_o failure_n in_o the_o cause_n a_o want_n of_o power_n if_o it_o be_v a_o necessary_a cause_n or_o a_o want_n of_o will_n if_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a and_o free_a cause_n there_o be_v therefore_o excellent_a reason_n why_o st._n paul_n shall_v begin_v his_o character_n of_o the_o scripture_n perfection_n with_o a_o account_n of_o its_o be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n this_o introduction_n carry_v in_o it_o a_o very_a significant_a argument_n to_o enforce_v what_o follow_v for_o where_o indeed_o shall_v we_o expect_v perfection_n if_o not_o from_o he_o who_o be_v the_o source_n and_o sum_n of_o all_o perfection_n he_o who_o power_n and_o wisdom_n be_v infinite_a be_v most_o likely_a to_o impress_v upon_o his_o own_o ordinance_n such_o