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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n world_n write_n write_v 151 4 4.9813 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A39251 The folly of atheism demonstrated to the capacity of the most unlearned reader by Clement Elis ... Ellis, Clement, 1630-1700. 1692 (1692) Wing E555; ESTC R17534 80,333 176

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book_n for_o all_o that_o can_v be_v think_v necessary_a to_o qualify_v they_o for_o write_v these_o book_n be_v first_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n whereof_o they_o write_v and_o second_o honesty_n to_o write_v no_o other_o thing_n than_o what_o they_o certain_o know_v 1._o we_o can_v in_o any_o reason_n suspect_v they_o to_o have_v want_v sufficient_a knowledge_n because_o they_o have_v all_o opportunity_n of_o well_o inform_v themselves_o they_o write_v either_o of_o the_o life_n and_o deed_n of_o jesus_n christ_n whereof_o they_o be_v eye-witness_n or_o of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o preach_v which_o they_o be_v ear-witness_n of_o or_o else_o of_o the_o deed_n and_o suffering_n of_o themselves_o and_o their_o fellow_n whereof_o they_o be_v either_o actor_n and_o sufferer_n or_o spectator_n that_o which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v declare_v they_o unto_o we_o and_o that_o in_o writing_n as_o st._n john_n say_v 1._o joh._n i._n 1_o 2_o 3._o they_o have_v deliver_v 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argument_n we_o use_v to_o that_o end_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v convincive_a enough_o without_o it_o so_o that_o shall_v this_o argument_n fail_v we_o yet_o our_o whole_a argument_n whereby_o we_o will_v from_o our_o have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n stand_v good_a but_o nether_a do_v our_o argument_n fail_v we_o but_o prove_v what_o we_o will_v prove_v by_o it_o for_o three_o we_o say_v not_o that_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v receive_v by_o all_o man_n or_o by_o most_o man_n or_o by_o more_o than_o they_o who_o be_v of_o other_o religion_n all_o we_o say_v be_v this_o it_o be_v in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n receive_v in_o most_o part_n of_o the_o then_o know_a world_n though_o for_o the_o sin_n of_o they_o who_o profess_v it_o god_n have_v suffer_v it_o in_o many_o place_n to_o be_v root_v out_o again_o nor_o do_v this_o lessen_v its_o credit_n but_o rather_o confirm_v its_o truth_n for_o this_o be_v the_o same_o which_o itself_o foretell_v 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thing_n to_o hear_v both_o man_n and_o woman_n among_o we_o who_o both_o be_v of_o considerable_a age_n and_o also_o understanding_n and_o wise_a enough_o for_o the_o business_n of_o their_o worldly_a calling_n excuse_v their_o ignorance_n of_o god_n by_o their_o want_n of_o learning_n yet_o in_o truth_n they_o can_v have_v no_o excuse_n at_o all_o for_o this_o ignorance_n it_o be_v their_o negligence_n and_o sloth_n and_o unwillingness_n to_o learn_v that_o keep_v they_o ignorant_a and_o for_o these_o there_o can_v be_v no_o excuse_n can_v any_o one_o live_v in_o a_o christian_a church_n and_o not_o have_v hear_v enough_o if_o he_o will_v have_v mind_v it_o though_o he_o can_v read_v to_o convince_v he_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o serve_v nay_o can_v any_o one_o live_v in_o the_o world_n and_o not_o see_v enough_o every_o where_o to_o teach_v he_o this_o first_o and_o fundamental_a truth_n he_o that_o can_v read_v god_n word_n may_v yet_o if_o he_o 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must_v every_o one_o be_v for_o not_o learn_v that_o which_o every_o thing_n teach_v he_o and_o which_o he_o can_v but_o learn_v when_o he_o do_v but_o consider_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v something_o in_o the_o next_o place_n let_v none_o of_o we_o think_v it_o a_o needless_a thing_n very_o often_o and_o serious_o to_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god._n if_o we_o do_v not_o much_o consider_v it_o it_o will_v be_v but_o a_o vain_a thing_n for_o we_o to_o know_v it_o we_o shall_v so_o lose_v the_o benefit_n of_o god_n manifest_v himself_o so_o full_o and_o so_o various_o to_o we_o consideration_n must_v make_v our_o knowledge_n useful_a to_o we_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o we_o depend_v whole_o upon_o he_o and_o must_v needs_o owe_v a_o duty_n to_o he_o yet_o though_o we_o may_v know_v there_o be_v a_o god_n if_o we_o keep_v it_o not_o in_o mind_n and_o think_v but_o little_a of_o it_o our_o knowledge_n can_v have_v little_a influence_n on_o our_o life_n and_o behaviour_n but_o we_o shall_v demean_v ourselves_o as_o careless_o and_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o secure_v and_o unconcern_v how_o we_o live_v as_o though_o we_o have_v never_o hear_v or_o think_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o god._n yea_o not_o to_o consider_v and_o have_v this_o much_o in_o our_o thought_n seem_v to_o be_v more_o inexcusable_a in_o we_o than_o not_o to_o know_v it_o at_o all_o as_o he_o who_o know_v his_o lord_n will_n and_o do_v it_o not_o deserve_v to_o be_v beat_v with_o more_o stripe_n than_o he_o that_o do_v not_o his_o will_n mere_o because_o he_o know_v it_o not_o luke_n xii_o 47._o so_o he_o that_o consider_v not_o much_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n when_o he_o know_v it_o seem_v more_o blame-worthy_a than_o he_o who_o do_v not_o know_v it_o and_o therefore_o can_v consider_v it_o both_o be_v faulty_a and_o can_v have_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o plead_v for_o themselves_o but_o he_o that_o know_v and_o consider_v not_o seem_v to_o be_v 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consider_v and_o think_v of_o it_o that_o we_o may_v walk_v worthy_a of_o god_n unto_o all_o please_a col._n i._n 10._o and_o not_o wilful_o or_o giddy_o run_v upon_o our_o own_o destruction_n by_o disregard_v he_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a terrible_a thing_n to_o the_o ignorant_a person_n at_o the_o last_o day_n to_o meet_v with_o a_o god_n of_o who_o he_o never_o know_v and_o then_o to_o reflect_v thus_o upon_o himself_o have_v i_o be_v any_o thing_n but_o a_o fool_n i_o may_v have_v know_v this_o god_n to_o my_o eternal_a comfort_n who_o now_o i_o find_v to_o my_o
everlasting_a confusion_n and_o it_o will_v be_v more_o terrible_a at_o that_o day_n for_o the_o unconsider_a person_n to_o find_v a_o god_n arm_v with_o vengeance_n against_o all_o that_o contemn_v he_o and_o then_o to_o reflect_v on_o his_o own_o folly_n say_v what_o a_o madman_n be_v i_o who_o know_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o do_v not_o think_v he_o worth_a a_o few_o serious_a thought_n when_o by_o little_a serious_a consideration_n i_o may_v have_v prevent_v this_o confound_a sight_n and_o my_o own_o eternal_a destruction_n now_o come_v upon_o i_o through_o my_o heedlessness_n as_o we_o therefore_o desire_v that_o we_o may_v never_o feel_v the_o wrath_n of_o god_n let_v we_o now_o entertain_v often_o and_o serious_a thought_n of_o he_o to_o this_o purpose_n last_o let_v we_o be_v very_o constant_a in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o the_o mean_n which_o god_n have_v give_v we_o to_o confirm_v and_o establish_v we_o in_o this_o belief_n and_o lively_a sense_n of_o god_n and_o take_v heed_n as_o we_o love_v our_o soul_n how_o we_o give_v ear_n to_o any_o thing_n which_o may_v weaken_v this_o belief_n or_o make_v we_o doubt_v of_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god._n we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v very_o careful_a of_o this_o because_o as_o we_o have_v see_v if_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o necessary_a either_o to_o prevent_v our_o misery_n or_o to_o promote_v our_o happiness_n than_o a_o firm_a belief_n of_o it_o and_o though_o it_o be_v false_a as_o it_o can_v be_v yet_o will_v it_o do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o good_a and_o no_o hurt_n at_o all_o let_v we_o labour_v then_o to_o be_v well_o ground_v and_o settle_v in_o this_o belief_n and_o to_o this_o end_n let_v we_o well_o weigh_v and_o consider_v all_o those_o many_o reason_n which_o we_o have_v above_o take_v notice_n of_o to_o persuade_v we_o to_o it_o especial_o let_v we_o diligent_o attend_v to_o god_n word_n and_o observe_v his_o work_n the_o reason_n why_o many_o man_n either_o so_o weak_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o so_o little_a and_o slight_o think_v of_o it_o be_v because_o either_o their_o lust_n or_o their_o worldly_a business_n or_o else_o vanity_n hold_v their_o thought_n so_o continual_o employ_v about_o they_o that_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v themselves_o time_n nor_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o consider_v those_o notable_a evidence_n which_o god_n have_v give_v of_o himself_o he_o that_o shut_v his_o eye_n and_o stop_v his_o ear_n when_o he_o shall_v read_v or_o hear_v god_n speak_v to_o he_o or_o when_o he_o shall_v observe_v the_o wonderful_a work_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n it_o be_v not_o strange_a if_o he_o never_o come_v to_o have_v a_o rational_a and_o firm_a belief_n of_o god._n therefore_o if_o we_o will_v as_o it_o high_o concern_v we_o be_v unmovable_o root_v in_o this_o belief_n we_o must_v observe_v these_o rule_n 1._o let_v we_o be_v sure_a to_o keep_v our_o reason_n and_o understanding_n which_o god_n have_v give_v we_o as_o we_o be_v man_n constant_o awake_a let_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v keep_v open_a that_o it_o may_v be_v ready_a to_o see_v god_n whensoever_o and_o howsoever_o he_o show_v himself_o what_o be_v the_o most_o rational_a discourse_n to_o a_o sleep_a man_n he_o neither_o hear_v it_o nor_o consider_v it_o and_o therefore_o be_v he_o no_o wise_a for_o it_o what_o be_v light_a and_o beauty_n to_o a_o man_n that_o always_o wink_v he_o see_v they_o not_o and_o so_o know_v no_o more_o of_o they_o than_o it_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v see_v this_o truth_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n be_v as_o visible_a to_o the_o understanding_n as_o colour_n be_v to_o the_o eye_n but_o neither_o be_v visible_a to_o one_o that_o be_v not_o awake_a let_v we_o consider_v that_o the_o best_a thing_n must_v certain_o be_v the_o best_a worth_n our_o see_v and_o know_v and_o nothing_o can_v be_v better_o than_o god_n who_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n nothing_o be_v so_o careful_o to_o be_v regard_v as_o that_o without_o the_o knowledge_n whereof_o we_o eternal_o perish_v and_o such_o be_v god._n have_v man_n understanding_n and_o reason_n for_o no_o use_n or_o be_v he_o to_o use_v they_o about_o every_o thing_n of_o least_o concernment_n and_o not_o about_o that_o which_o above_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n he_o be_v most_o concern_v to_o understand_v if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n we_o must_v all_o of_o we_o be_v either_o happy_a or_o miserable_a for_o ever_o according_o as_o we_o regard_v and_o honour_n he_o or_o neglect_v and_o dishonour_v he_o and_o can_v there_o be_v any_o thing_n the_o knowledge_n whereof_o do_v more_o concern_v we_o and_o yet_o be_v it_o thus_o with_o too_o many_o of_o we_o that_o whilst_o our_o understanding_n and_o reason_n be_v very_a intent_n upon_o other_o thing_n and_o never_o grow_v weary_a of_o consider_v they_o and_o inquire_v after_o they_o they_o be_v whole_o asleep_a as_o to_o god_n and_o never_o employ_v about_o he_o as_o if_o to_o think_v of_o he_o be_v not_o any_o part_n of_o our_o business_n o_o why_o shall_v we_o be_v any_o long_o such_o fool_n as_o to_o suffer_v the_o business_n and_o vanity_n of_o this_o world_n which_o pass_v away_o and_o the_o lust_n thereof_o or_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v but_o for_o a_o moment_n so_o to_o bewitch_v we_o that_o we_o can_v never_o be_v awake_a to_o god_n see_v that_o about_o he_o we_o be_v most_o of_o all_o concern_v that_o our_o soul_n attain_v to_o the_o most_o rational_a and_o full_a satisfaction_n let_v our_o reason_n be_v busy_v about_o he_o above_o all_o thing_n that_o so_o we_o may_v be_v able_a both_o to_o live_v and_o die_v like_a man_n 2._o let_v we_o exercise_v our_o reason_n in_o consider_v those_o thing_n especial_o which_o be_v most_o proper_a and_o apt_a to_o beget_v in_o we_o the_o most_o clear_a and_o lively_a sense_n of_o god._n for_o as_o god_n have_v appoint_v 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