Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
virtue_n act_n grace_n habit_n 906 5 9.7429 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A43652 A discourse to prove that the strongest temptations are conquerable by Christians, or, A sober defence of nature and grace against the cavils and excuses of loose inconsiderate men in a sermon preach'd before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London, and court of aldermen, the 14th of January, 1676/7 / by George Hickes ... Hickes, George, 1642-1715. 1677 (1677) Wing H1846; ESTC R34459 17,275 42

There are 2 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

much_o to_o be_v condemn_v by_o the_o verdict_n of_o right_a reason_n as_o he_o that_o give_v a_o affront_n and_o therefore_o since_o it_o be_v plain_a by_o these_o example_n that_o bare_a reason_n and_o moral_a gallantry_n of_o spirit_n have_v sometime_o enable_v heathen_n and_o mahumet_n ans_fw-fr to_o resist_v those_o pain_n and_o pleasure_n and_o interest_n which_o as_o all_o man_n grant_v be_v the_o strong_a temptation_n to_o sin_n be_v it_o not_o shameful_a nonsense_n and_o horrid_a impiety_n for_o christian_n who_o god_n without_o a_o just_a provocation_n never_o fail_v to_o support_v and_o assist_v with_o his_o grace_n to_o magnify_v the_o weakness_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o the_o strength_n of_o these_o and_o the_o like_a temptation_n with_o a_o malicious_a design_n nor_o only_o to_o justify_v themselves_o and_o excuse_v other_o but_o to_o debauch_v mankind_n to_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o power_n and_o render_v the_o christian_a the_o most_o grievous_a intolerable_a religion_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n from_o whence_o i_o proceed_v to_o prove_v by_o reason_n that_o no_o trial_n or_o temptation_n can_v happen_v to_o man_n but_o such_o as_o be_v suitable_a to_o humane_a nature_n aid_v with_o grace_n and_o such_o as_o any_o christian_n that_o be_v true_a to_o his_o own_o endeavour_n and_o faithful_o use_v the_o restrain_v and_o assist_v help_n of_o god_n my_o not_o easy_o conquer_v and_o subdue_v my_o first_o reason_n shall_v be_v take_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o virtue_n and_o grace_n which_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o habitual_a power_n and_o ability_n in_o the_o rational_a soul_n of_o man_n to_o bear_v all_o sensible_a pain_n and_o loss_n and_o forbear_v all_o sensible_a pleasure_n and_o profit_n out_o of_o love_n to_o reason_n and_o the_o righteous_a law_n of_o god_n this_o excellent_a spiritual_a power_n and_o ability_n of_o the_o soul_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v natural_a or_o acquire_v by_o our_o own_o act_n and_o endeavour_n be_v of_o moral_a consideration_n but_o as_o it_o be_v supernatural_o wrought_v in_o the_o soul_n or_o infuse_v into_o it_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n so_o far_o it_o be_v of_o theological_a consideration_n and_o belong_v not_o to_o moralist_n but_o divine_n but_o because_o grace_n as_o all_o man_n grant_v be_v the_o perfection_n of_o nature_n and_o acquire_v virtue_n be_v consistent_a with_o infuse_v i_o have_v put_v they_o both_o together_o in_o one_o definition_n in_o which_o divine_v and_o philosopher_n both_o agree_v but_o be_v it_o impossible_a or_o so_o exceed_v difficult_a as_o some_o man_n make_v it_o to_o resist_v temptation_n this_o definition_n of_o grace_n or_o virtue_n will_v be_v but_o a_o useless_a fictitious_a notion_n and_o divine_n and_o philosopher_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n will_v have_v be_v either_o knave_n or_o fool_n all_o the_o excellent_a sermon_n the_o former_a have_v make_v with_o so_o much_o eloquence_n and_o authority_n concern_v mortification_n self-denial_n and_o perseverance_n and_o all_o the_o brave_a discourse_n the_o latter_a have_v pen_v with_o such_o admirable_a reason_n and_o rhetoric_n concern_v fortitude_n temperance_n and_o patience_n be_v idle_a unprofitable_a harangue_n and_o as_o insignificant_a to_o the_o impotent_a race_n and_o nature_n of_o man_n as_o the_o practical_a rule_n of_o dance_a to_o a_o cripple_n or_o a_o lecture_n in_o geometry_n to_o a_o natural_a fool._n in_o particular_a st._n paul_n who_o magnify_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n so_o much_o in_o his_o epistle_n and_o protest_v he_o take_v pleasure_n in_o bear_v reproach_n persecution_n and_o distress_n for_o christ_n sake_n this_o great_a doctor_n and_o saint_n who_o declare_v upon_o his_o own_o experience_n that_o he_o be_v always_o most_o strong_a when_o he_o be_v most_o weak_a and_o that_o he_o can_v do_v and_o suffer_v all_o thing_n through_o the_o strength_n he_o receive_v from_o christ_n must_v pass_v for_o a_o cheat_n or_o enthusiast_n if_o man_n by_o the_o promise_a support_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n grace_n be_v not_o able_a to_o resist_v temptation_n unto_o sin_n there_o be_v never_o yet_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n a_o more_o apt_a example_n to_o confirm_v this_o doctrine_n i_o now_o maintain_v than_o this_o apostle_n be_v for_o when_o the_o jew_n and_o gnostic_n persecute_v his_o righteous_a soul_n with_o so_o much_o rage_n and_o violence_n as_o to_o make_v he_o call_v they_o the_o messenger_n of_o satan_n and_o compare_v the_o sharpness_n of_o the_o persecution_n which_o they_o raise_v against_o he_o to_o a_o thorn_n in_o the_o flesh_n like_o a_o true_a soldier_n of_o christ_n he_o still_o resist_v and_o hold_v out_o but_o yet_o suspect_v his_o own_o perseverance_n and_o fear_v lest_o his_o faith_n and_o patience_n may_v at_o last_o fail_v he_o pray_v god_n thrice_o to_o remove_v the_o sharp_a trial_n from_o he_o but_o god_n who_o know_v whereof_o he_o be_v make_v better_o than_o he_o himself_o still_o continue_v they_o assure_v the_o suffer_a apostle_n that_o his_o concurrent_a grace_n be_v sufficient_a for_o he_o and_o that_o his_o strength_n be_v make_v perfect_a in_o his_o weakness_n this_o relation_n the_o apostle_n make_v of_o himself_o be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o false_a than_o he_o be_v either_o a_o impostor_n or_o a_o madman_n if_o he_o be_v mad_a as_o the_o festuse_n of_o this_o age_n represent_v he_o to_o be_v how_o come_v he_o to_o speak_v the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o soberness_n hw_o come_v he_o to_o write_v such_o learned_a and_o profound_a epistle_n and_o make_v such_o admirable_a defence_n for_o himself_o and_o the_o christian_a religion_n before_o so_o many_o procurator_n and_o the_o emperor_n himself_o at_o rome_n how_o come_v he_o to_o be_v so_o very_o wise_a upon_o occasion_n as_o to_o plead_v the_o privilege_n of_o a_o roman_a citizen_n and_o divide_v the_o sadducee_n against_o the_o pharisee_n when_o they_o have_v both_o conspire_v to_o take_v away_o his_o life_n how_o come_v he_o to_o baffle_v the_o jew_n out_o of_o their_o own_o tradition_n and_o prophecy_n to_o convert_v the_o great_a city_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o acquire_v such_o a_o particular_a veneration_n and_o authority_n not_o only_o among_o the_o common_a people_n but_o among_o the_o philosopher_n both_o of_o greece_n and_o rome_n to_o conclude_v how_o come_v the_o church_n universal_a to_o canonize_v his_o write_n and_o how_o come_v they_o particular_o to_o be_v adore_v by_o such_o gallant_a man_n as_o justin_n origen_n tertullian_n and_o clemens_n of_o alexandria_n who_o be_v all_o as_o great_a wit_n and_o philosopher_n as_o ever_o the_o world_n can_v show_v a_o impostor_n likewise_o he_o can_v not_o be_v for_o than_o he_o must_v have_v act_v for_o glory_n or_o gain_n for_o glory_n he_o do_v not_o because_o he_o have_v so_o often_o acknowledge_v his_o own_o sinfulness_n unworthiness_n and_o insufficiency_n represent_v himself_o as_o the_o least_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o free_o confess_v that_o he_o be_v what_o he_o be_v by_o the_o grace_n and_o designation_n of_o god_n and_o for_o gain_n or_o secular_a interest_n he_o can_v not_o act_v for_o in_o this_o life_n he_o be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a his_o apostolical_a office_n render_v his_o whole_a life_n but_o a_o continual_a tragedy_n or_o catalogue_n of_o misery_n as_o you_o may_v read_v 2_o cor._n 11._o from_o the_o 23._o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n this_o story_n then_o i_o cite_v out_o of_o his_o write_n must_v be_v infallible_o true_a and_o if_o it_o be_v than_o virtue_n and_o grace_n be_v real_a notion_n and_o by_o consequence_n no_o temptation_n can_v happen_v to_o any_o man_n but_o what_o humane_a nature_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v and_o lest_o you_o shall_v think_v that_o god_n have_v a_o more_o particular_a care_n for_o this_o apostle_n than_o other_o christian_n and_o supply_v he_o with_o more_o particular_a aid_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n you_o may_v find_v he_o exhort_v the_o whole_a church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o be_v strong_a in_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o power_n of_o his_o might_n you_o may_v find_v he_o charge_v timothy_n to_o be_v strong_a in_o the_o grace_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n and_o exhort_v the_o whole_a city_n of_o the_o philippian_n to_o work_v out_o their_o salvation_n with_o care_n and_o solicitude_n because_o god_n by_o his_o prevent_n and_o assist_v grace_n be_v work_v in_o their_o heart_n both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do._n perseverance_n or_o the_o work_n out_o of_o salvation_n consist_v in_o nothing_o but_o in_o constant_o resist_v temptation_n to_o sin_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o sense_n in_o that_o nor_o any_o other_o such_o like_a exhortation_n unless_o god_n as_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v be_v a_o present_a help_n in_o time_n of_o trouble_n and_o his_o
damn_a soul_n in_o hell_n of_o this_o opinion_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a or_o next_o to_o impossible_a for_o man_n to_o resist_v temptation_n be_v they_o conscious_a to_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v overcome_v by_o all_o temptation_n to_o which_o they_o yield_v because_o they_o want_v power_n sufficient_a to_o conquer_v they_o what_o outward_a torture_n soever_o they_o may_v endure_v they_o must_v needs_o be_v free_a from_o inward_a pang_n and_o torment_n from_o that_o intolerable_a horror_n and_o remorse_n of_o conscience_n which_o our_o saviour_n call_v the_o worm_n because_o like_o a_o moth_n or_o worm_n it_o constant_o fret_v and_o gnaw_v upon_o the_o tender_a part_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o breed_v it_o and_o increase_v the_o torment_n of_o hell_n more_o than_o all_o the_o river_n of_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n that_o constant_o flow_v therein_o and_o thus_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v say_v enough_o to_o confirm_v and_o illustrate_v this_o great_a truth_n have_v prove_v it_o both_o by_o authority_n and_o reason_n and_o charge_v the_o contrary_a error_n or_o blaspemy_n shall_v i_o say_v with_o such_o absurd_a and_o damnable_a consequence_n as_o may_v just_o make_v any_o man_n that_o be_v not_o desperate_a both_o ashamed_a and_o afraid_a to_o assert_v it_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o reasonable_a men._n but_o we_o live_v god_n know_v in_o a_o nation_n and_o age_n wherein_o sin_n and_o nonsense_n be_v presumptuous_a and_o wherein_o it_o be_v long_a since_o become_v fashionable_a and_o gentile_a to_o question_v principle_n and_o deny_v all_o those_o fundamental_a truth_n of_o natural_a and_o reveal_v divinity_n which_o neither_o heathen_n nor_o christian_n ever_o question_v before_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o divine_n who_o god_n have_v set_v for_o the_o service_n and_o defence_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v of_o late_o be_v fain_o to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n again_o and_o preach_v up_o such_o doctrine_n as_o sober_a man_n not_o acquaint_v enough_o with_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o time_n have_v judge_v at_o first_o hear_v to_o need_v no_o proof_n such_o as_o the_o be_v and_o providence_n of_o god_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o good_a work_n to_o which_o i_o may_v add_v the_o subject_a of_o this_o discourse_n which_o have_v be_v to_o prove_v that_o no_o temptation_n which_o god_n suffer_v to_o fall_v upon_o christian_n be_v irresistible_a or_o that_o no_o think_n circumspect_a vigilant_a man_n that_o be_v true_a to_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o careful_a to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o promise_a assistance_n of_o god_n can_v be_v over-matched_n by_o any_o trial_n though_o never_o so_o sharp_a nor_o meet_v with_o any_o temptation_n too_o strong_a to_o be_v withstand_v how_o delightful_a or_o charm_a soever_o it_o be_v and_o this_o doctrine_n be_v prove_v by_o so_o many_o undeniable_a experiment_n and_o reason_n i_o hope_v may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o demonstrate_v the_o folly_n and_o chastise_v the_o insolence_n and_o impiety_n of_o those_o profane_a man_n who_o because_o they_o have_v enslave_v themselves_o to_o their_o own_o passion_n affect_v to_o make_v man_n like_o a_o beast_n that_o be_v like_v themselves_o all_o sense_n and_o appetite_n and_o represent_v he_o as_o determine_v in_o all_o his_o action_n by_o outward_a object_n and_o unable_a to_o moderate_v his_o lust_n and_o fear_n but_o have_v these_o man_n but_o common_a reverence_n for_o god_n or_o man_n they_o will_v not_o so_o libel_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o latter_a which_o be_v the_o workmanship_n of_o the_o former_a they_o will_v be_v more_o modest_a and_o civil_a than_o to_o define_v humane_a nature_n by_o their_o own_o corruption_n or_o pretend_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o thought_n action_n and_o inclination_n of_o all_o other_o man_n by_o their_o own_o they_o will_v be_v more_o considerate_a and_o reserve_v and_o not_o take_v a_o pride_n to_o maintain_v and_o propagate_v a_o opinion_n which_o be_v chargeable_a with_o such_o foul_a and_o absurd_a conclusion_n and_o which_o show_v they_o to_o be_v a_o inconsiderate_a sort_n of_o man_n that_o think_v little_a and_o talk_v much_o and_o make_v they_o obnoxious_a to_o that_o dreadful_a curse_n pronounce_v by_o the_o prophet_n against_o those_o that_o call_v good_a evil_n and_o evil_a good_a that_o put_v light_a for_o darkness_n and_o darkness_n for_o light_n that_o put_v bitter_a for_o sweet_a and_o sweet_a for_o bitter_a it_o will_v be_v very_o seasonable_a for_o these_o licentious_a time_n that_o such_o blasphemer_n tongue_n be_v restrain_v by_o severe_a law_n that_o they_o may_v only_o discourse_v these_o and_o their_o other_o pernicious_a doctrine_n in_o their_o own_o cabal_n and_o not_o dare_v to_o divulge_v they_o and_o corrupt_v and_o trouble_v the_o company_n of_o civil_a and_o sober_a man_n which_o such_o damnable_a confident_a talk_n but_o since_o these_o man_n tongue_n be_v their_o own_o and_o in_o this_o great_a defect_n of_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n they_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o speak_v of_o god_n and_o man_n as_o they_o please_v it_o be_v more_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v rebuke_v and_o their_o horrid_a opinion_n expose_v and_o confute_v in_o the_o pulpit_n lest_o their_o devilish_a doctrine_n shall_v spread_v and_o corrupt_v the_o world_n like_o a_o canker_n while_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n hold_v their_o peace_n as_o for_o this_o opinion_n it_o deve_v man_n as_o you_o have_v hear_v of_o his_o better_a part_n viz._n his_o free_a and_o rational_a nature_n wherein_o the_o image_n of_o god_n consist_v it_o prove_v all_o law_n and_o order_n of_o society_n to_o be_v useless_a insignificant_a and_o unnatural_a institution_n and_o so_o make_v the_o legislative_a power_n whether_o invest_v in_o god_n or_o the_o king_n to_o be_v tyranny_n and_o violence_n and_o man_n that_o live_v under_o government_n to_o be_v worse_a slave_n than_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o egypt_n where_o they_o be_v command_v to_o make_v brick_n when_o they_o have_v no_o straw_n it_o contradict_v the_o doctrinal_a and_o historical_a part_n of_o scripture_n and_o with_o unparalleled_a impudence_n give_v the_o lie_n to_o the_o martyrology_n both_o of_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a church_n it_o contradict_v the_o definition_n of_o virtue_n and_o grace_n in_o particular_a it_o make_v fortitude_n temperance_n self-denial_n patience_n sobriety_n chastity_n and_o all_o other_o infuse_v and_o acquire_v habit_n of_o resist_a sin_n to_o be_v idle_a fictitious_a notion_n and_o so_o make_v all_o the_o divine_n and_o philosopher_n that_o have_v ever_o be_v to_o have_v be_v impostor_n or_o fool_n furthermore_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o repentance_n and_o destroy_v the_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n who_o upon_o the_o supposition_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a have_v exhort_v his_o people_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o such_o duty_n which_o he_o know_v before_o they_o can_v not_o do_v to_o conclude_v it_o overthrow_v the_o catholic_n hypothesis_n of_o assist_v grace_n dissolve_v the_o obligation_n of_o our_o sacramental_a vow_n disarm_v hell_n of_o the_o most_o exquisite_a part_n of_o its_o torment_n and_o confound_v the_o notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a by_o make_v it_o lawful_a in_o suppose_v it_o sometime_o necessary_a for_o man_n to_o commit_v the_o most_o heinous_a sin_n all_o which_o absurd_a and_o detestable_a consequence_n i_o hope_v you_o now_o hear_v with_o christian_a indignation_n and_o will_v remember_v hereafter_o with_o horror_n and_o disdain_n when_o ever_o you_o shall_v hear_v these_o sensual_a man_n like_o those_o that_o be_v send_v to_o spy_v out_o the_o holy_a land_n represent_v themselves_o and_o their_o brethren_n as_o grasshopper_n but_o their_o spiritual_a adversary_n the_o temptor_n and_o temptation_n with_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o conflict_n as_o insuperable_a anakim_v as_o enemy_n of_o a_o prodigious_a stature_n great_a and_o tall_a and_o strong_a than_o themselves_o but_o these_o be_v usual_o man_n that_o have_v turn_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n into_o lasciviousness_n who_o glory_n be_v their_o shame_n who_o god_n be_v their_o belly_n who_o mind_n earthly_a thing_n and_o because_o they_o have_v debauch_v themselves_o into_o brute_n beast_n or_o at_o least_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o do_v so_o therefore_o as_o st._n judas_n speak_v they_o foam_v out_o their_o shame_n and_o infidelity_n in_o slander_v the_o rational_a nature_n of_o man_n explode_v the_o doctrine_n of_o assist_a grace_n droll_v upon_o godly_a man_n and_o discredit_v as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o gospel_n because_o it_o thwart_v their_o lust_n and_o disturb_v their_o sensual_a repose_n by_o teach_v that_o man_n by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n have_v power_n to_o overcome_v the_o world_n resist_v the_o devil_n and_o deny_v all_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n and_o because_o it_o exhort_v man_n in_o god_n name_n to_o be_v patient_a vigilant_a and_o steadfast_a to_o be_v sober_a temperate_a and_o chaste_a to_o fight_v the_o good_a fight_n to_o finish_v the_o course_n and_o persevere_v unto_o the_o end_n last_o because_o it_o assure_v we_o that_o god_n assist_v we_o in_o all_o our_o spiritual_a combat_n support_v we_o in_o all_o our_o trial_n and_o will_v make_v we_o more_o than_o conqueror_n through_o christ_n that_o love_v we_o nay_o that_o christ_n himself_o who_o have_v suffer_v and_o be_v tempt_v be_v able_a to_o succour_v they_o that_o be_v tempt_v and_o that_o no_o temptation_n have_v take_v we_o but_o such_o as_o be_v moderate_a and_o common_a to_o man_n because_o god_n be_v faithful_a to_o his_o promise_n and_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o be_v tempt_v above_o our_o strength_n but_o will_v with_o the_o temptation_n make_v a_o gracious_a way_n to_o escape_v that_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o bear_v it_o a_o letter_n to_o a_o deist_n in_o answer_n to_o several_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n sell_v by_o moses_n pitt_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n finis_fw-la