Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A53733
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Truth and innocence vindicated in a survey of a discourse concerning ecclesiastical polity, and the authority of the civil magistrate over the consciences of subjects in matters of religion.
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Owen, John, 1616-1683.
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1669
(1669)
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Wing O817; ESTC R14775
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171,951
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414
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this_o matter_n hâ—_n proceed_v to_o discourse_v of_o moral_a virtue_n oâ—_n grace_n and_o of_o religious_a worship_n with_o hiâ—_n wont_a reflection_n upon_o and_o reproache_v of_o nonconformist_n for_o their_o ignorance_n about_o and_o villainous_a misrepresentation_n of_o these_o thing_n which_o seem_v more_o to_o be_v aim_v atâ—_n than_o the_o argument_n itself_o i_o must_v here_o with_o again_o that_o our_o author_n have_v more_o perspicuous_o state_v the_o thing_n which_o he_o propose_v to_o debate_v for_o the_o subject_n of_o his_o disputation_n but_o i_o find_v a_o excess_n of_o art_n be_v as_o troublesome_a sometime_o as_o the_o great_a defect_n therein_o from_o thence_o i_o presume_v it_o be_v that_o thing_n be_v so_o handle_v in_o this_o discourse_n that_o a_o ordinary_a man_n can_v seldom_o discern_v satisfactory_o what_o it_o be_v that_o direct_o and_o determinate_o he_o do_v intend_v beyond_o revile_v of_o nonconformist_n for_o in_o this_o proposition_n which_o be_v the_o best_a and_o most_o intelligible_a that_o i_o can_v reduce_v the_o present_a discourse_n unto_o the_o supreme_a civil_a magistrate_n have_v power_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o morality_n or_o with_o respect_n unto_o moral_a virtue_n except_v only_o the_o subject_n of_o it_o there_o be_v not_o one_o term_n in_o it_o that_o may_v not_o have_v various_a signification_n and_o those_o such_o as_o have_v countenance_n give_v unto_o they_o in_o the_o ensue_a disputation_n itself_o but_o contenti_fw-la sumus_fw-la hoc_fw-la catone_n and_o make_v the_o best_a we_o can_v of_o what_o lie_v before_o we_o i_o do_v suppose_v that_o in_o the_o medium_n make_v use_v of_o in_o this_o argument_n there_o be_v or_o i_o be_o sure_a there_o may_v be_v a_o controversy_n of_o much_o more_o importance_n than_o that_o principal_o under_o consideration_n it_o therefore_o shall_v be_v state_v and_o clear_v in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o then_o the_o concernment_n of_o the_o argument_n itself_o in_o what_o be_v discourse_v thereupon_o shall_v be_v manifest_v it_o be_v about_o moral_a virtue_n and_o grace_n their_o coincidence_n or_o distinction_n that_o we_o be_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o inquire_v for_o without_o a_o due_a state_v of_o the_o conception_n of_o these_o thing_n nothing_o of_o this_o argument_n nor_o what_o belong_v unto_o it_o can_v be_v right_o understand_v we_o shall_v therefore_o be_v necessitate_v to_o premise_v a_o brief_a explanation_n of_o these_o term_n themselves_o to_o remove_v as_o far_o as_o may_v be_v all_o ambiguity_n from_o our_o discourse_n first_o then_o the_o very_a name_n of_o virtue_n in_o the_o sense_n wherein_o it_o be_v common_o use_v and_o receive_v come_v from_o the_o school_n of_o philosophy_n and_o not_o from_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v uprightness_n integrity_n righteousness_n do_v good_a and_o eschew_v evil_a fearing_n trust_v obey_v believe_v in_o god_n holiness_n and_o the_o like_a but_o the_o name_n of_o virtue_n do_v not_o occur_v therein_o it_o be_v true_a we_o have_v translate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o virtuous_a woman_n and_o once_o or_o twice_o the_o same_o word_n virtuous_o ruth_n 3._o 11._o prov._n 12._o 4._o chapâ—_n 31._o 10_o 39_o but_o that_o word_n signify_v as_o 〈◊〉_d use_v strenuous_a industrious_a diligent_a and_o have_v no_o such_o signification_n as_o that_o we_o now_o express_v by_o virtue_n nor_o be_v it_o any_o where_o render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o lxx_o although_o it_o may_v have_v some_o respect_n unto_o it_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v be_v derive_v from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o peculiar_o denote_v the_o exercise_n of_o industrious_a strength_n such_o as_o man_n use_v in_o battle_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v vis_fw-la robur_fw-la potentia_fw-la or_o exercitus_fw-la also_o but_o in_o the_o common_a acceptation_n of_o it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v use_v by_o philosopher_n there_o be_v no_o word_n in_o the_o hebrew_n nor_o syriack_n proper_o to_o express_v it_o the_o rabbin_n do_v it_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v proper_o a_o measure_n for_o study_v the_o philosophy_n of_o aristotle_n and_o translate_n his_o ethic_n into_o hebrew_n which_o be_v do_v by_o rabbi_n meir_n and_o find_v his_o virtue_n place_v in_o mediocrity_n they_o apply_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o express_v it_o so_o they_o call_v aristotle_n ethic_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o book_n of_o measure_n that_o be_v of_o virtue_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v boni_fw-la mores_fw-la such_o a_o stranger_n be_v this_o very_a word_n unto_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d occur_v four_o time_n but_o it_o shall_v not_o seem_v any_o where_o to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o sense_n now_o general_o admit_v in_o some_o of_o the_o place_n it_o rather_o denote_v the_o excellency_n and_o praise_n that_o do_v attend_v virtue_n than_o virtue_n itself_o so_o we_o render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d praise_n 1_o pet._n 2._o 9_o as_o the_o syriack_n do_v also_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d praise_n and_o the_o same_o translation_n phil._n 4._o 9_o render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o there_o be_v any_o virtue_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d work_v glorious_a or_o praise_v worthy_a 2_o pet._n 1._o 9_o it_o be_v a_o peculiar_a gracious_a disposition_n operation_n of_o mind_n distinguish_v from_o faith_n temperance_n patience_n brotherly_a kindness_n godliness_n charity_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o can_v have_v the_o common_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n there_o put_v upon_o it_o the_o word_n moral_n be_v yet_o far_o more_o exotic_a to_o the_o church_n and_o scripture_n we_o be_v behold_v for_o it_o if_o there_o be_v any_o advantage_n in_o its_o use_n mere_o to_o the_o school_n of_o the_o philosopher_n especial_o of_o aristotle_n his_o doctrine_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d common_o call_v his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o moralia_fw-la his_o moral_n have_v beget_v this_o name_n for_o our_o use_n the_o whole_a be_v express_v in_o isocrates_n to_o demonicus_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o virtue_n of_o manner_n if_o then_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n be_v respect_v as_o usual_o take_v it_o be_v virtue_n in_o man_n manner_n that_o be_v intend_v the_o schoolman_n bring_v this_o expression_n with_o all_o its_o concern_v as_o they_o do_v the_o rest_n of_o aristotle_n philosophy_n into_o the_o church_n and_o divinity_n and_o i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o have_v be_v well_o if_o they_o have_v never_o do_v it_o as_o all_o will_v grant_v they_o may_v have_v omit_v some_o other_o thing_n without_o the_o least_o disadvantage_n to_o learning_n or_o religion_n however_o this_o expression_n of_o moral_a virtue_n have_v absolute_o possess_v itself_o of_o the_o fancy_n and_o discourse_n of_o all_o and_o it_o may_v be_v of_o the_o understanding_n of_o some_o though_o with_o very_o little_a satisfaction_n when_o all_o thing_n be_v consider_v i_o shall_v not_o endeavour_v to_o dispossess_v it_o or_o eliminate_a it_o from_o the_o confine_n of_o christian_a theology_n only_o i_o be_o sure_o have_v we_o be_v leave_v unto_o the_o scripture_n expression_n of_o repentance_n towards_o god_n and_o faith_n towards_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n of_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n of_o holiness_n righteousness_n live_v unto_o god_n walk_v with_o god_n and_o before_o he_o we_o may_v have_v be_v free_a from_o many_o vain_a wordy_a perplexity_n and_o the_o whole_a wrangle_n of_o this_o chapter_n in_o particular_a have_v be_v utter_o prevent_v for_o let_v but_o the_o scripture_n express_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o contest_v about_o the_o difference_n or_o no_o difference_n between_o grace_n and_o moral_a virtue_n it_o be_v say_v that_o some_o judge_v those_o who_o have_v moral_a virtue_n to_o want_v grace_n not_o to_o be_v gracious_a but_o say_v that_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o god_n and_o do_v not_o commit_v sin_n that_o they_o walk_v before_o god_n and_o be_v upright_o that_o they_o cleave_v unto_o god_n with_o full_a purpose_n of_o heart_n that_o they_o be_v sanctify_v in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o the_o like_a and_o no_o man_n will_v say_v that_o they_o have_v not_o grace_n or_o be_v not_o gracious_a if_o they_o receive_v your_o testimony_n but_o have_v as_o be_v say_v make_v its_o entrance_n among_o we_o we_o must_v deal_v with_o it_o as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v and_o satisfy_v ourselves_o about_o its_o common_a acceptation_n and_o use._n general_o moral_a virtue_n be_v esteem_v to_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o the_o second_o table_n for_o although_o those_o who_o handle_v these_o matter_n more_o accurate_o do_v not_o so_o straiten_v or_o confine_v they_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o vulgar_a
and_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v unspeakable_a and_o full_a of_o glory_n he_o that_o know_v not_o be_v scarce_o meet_v to_o paraphrase_n upon_o st._n paul_n epistle_n neither_o be_v that_o peace_n with_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o believer_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o create_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o lip_n peace_n peace_n unto_o they_o a_o matter_n of_o any_o more_o affinity_n with_o a_o moral_a peaceableness_n of_o mind_n and_o affection_n our_o faith_n also_o in_o god_n and_o our_o faithfulness_n in_o our_o duty_n trust_n office_n and_o employment_n be_v sufficient_o distinct_a so_o palpable_o must_v the_o scripture_n be_v corrupt_v and_o wrest_v to_o be_v make_v serviceable_a to_o this_o presumption_n he_o yet_o add_v another_o proof_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n if_o any_o man_n know_v distinct_o what_o that_o purpose_n be_v namely_o titus_n 2._o 11._o where_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o same_o apostle_n make_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o consist_v in_o gratitude_n towards_o god_n temperance_n towards_o ourselves_o and_o justice_n towards_o our_o neighbour_n but_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o so_o for_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n do_v consist_v in_o these_o thing_n but_o that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n teach_v we_o these_o thing_n neither_o be_v the_o grace_n here_o intend_v any_o subjective_n or_o inherent_a grace_n or_o to_o speak_v with_o our_o author_n any_o virtuous_a quality_n or_o virtue_n but_o the_o love_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n himself_o in_o send_v jesus_n christ_n as_o declare_v in_o the_o gospel_n be_v be_v manifest_a in_o the_o word_n and_o context_n beyond_o contradiction_n and_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_n how_o our_o author_n desirous_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o whole_a of_o our_o religion_n consist_v in_o moral_a virtue_n and_o these_o only_o call_v grace_n because_o of_o the_o miraculous_a operation_n of_o god_n from_o his_o own_o grace_n in_o the_o first_o gospel_n convert_v shall_v endeavour_v to_o do_v it_o by_o these_o two_o testimony_n the_o first_o whereof_o express_o assign_v the_o duty_n of_o morality_n as_o in_o believer_n to_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o latter_a in_o his_o judgement_n make_v they_o to_o proceed_v from_o grace_n our_o last_o inquiry_n be_v into_o what_o he_o ascribe_v unto_o his_o adversary_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o how_o he_o deal_v with_o they_o thereupon_o this_o therefore_o he_o inform_v we_o pag._n 71._o it_o be_v not_o enough_o say_v they_o to_o be_v complete_o virtuous_a unless_o you_o have_v grace_n too_o i_o can_v scarce_o believe_v that_o ever_o he_o hear_v any_o one_o of_o they_o say_v so_o or_o ever_o read_v it_o in_o any_o of_o their_o write_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o they_o be_v more_o positive_a in_o than_o that_o man_n can_v in_o any_o sense_n be_v complete_o virtuous_a unless_o they_o have_v grace_n and_o so_o can_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v so_o who_o have_v it_o not_o they_o say_v indeed_o that_o moral_a virtue_n as_o before_o describe_v so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v attainable_a by_o or_o may_v be_v exercise_v in_o the_o strength_n of_o man_n own_o will_n and_o natural_a faculty_n be_v not_o enough_o to_o please_v god_n and_o to_o make_v man_n accept_v with_o he_o so_o that_o virtue_n as_o it_o may_v be_v without_o grace_n and_o some_o virtue_n may_v be_v so_o for_o the_o substance_n of_o they_o be_v not_o available_a unto_o salvation_n and_o i_o have_v almost_o say_v that_o he_o be_v no_o christian_n that_o be_v of_o another_o mind_n in_o a_o word_n virtue_n be_v or_o may_v be_v without_o grace_n in_o all_o or_o any_o of_o the_o acceptation_n of_o it_o before_o lay_v down_o where_o it_o be_v without_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n where_o it_o be_v without_o the_o renew_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o the_o endowment_n of_o our_o person_n with_o a_o principle_n of_o spiritual_a life_n where_o it_o be_v not_o wrought_v in_o we_o by_o present_a efficacious_a grace_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o nor_o will_v serve_v any_o man_n turn_n with_o respect_n unto_o the_o everlasting_a concernment_n of_o his_o soul_n but_o he_o give_v in_o his_o exception_n pag._n 71._o but_o when_o say_v he_o we_o have_v set_v aside_o all_o manner_n of_o virtue_n let_v they_o tell_v i_o what_o remain_v to_o be_v call_v grace_n and_o give_v i_o any_o notion_n of_o it_o distinct_a from_o all_o morality_n that_o consist_v in_o the_o right_a order_n and_o government_n of_o our_o action_n in_o all_o our_o relation_n and_o so_o comprehend_v all_o our_o duty_n and_o therefore_o if_o grace_n be_v not_o include_v in_o it_o it_o be_v but_o a_o phantasm_n and_o a_o imaginary_a thing_n i_o say_v first_o where_o grace_n be_v we_o can_v set_v aside_o virtue_n because_o it_o will_v and_o do_v produce_v and_o effect_v it_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n but_o virtue_n may_v be_v where_o grace_n be_v not_o in_o the_o sense_n so_o often_o declare_v second_o take_v moral_a virtue_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o it_o here_o receive_v and_o explain_v by_o our_o author_n and_o i_o have_v give_v sundry_a instance_n before_o of_o gracious_a duty_n that_o come_v not_o within_o the_o verge_n or_o compass_n of_o the_o scheme_n give_v we_o of_o it_o three_o the_o whole_a aim_v at_o lie_v in_o this_o that_o virtue_n that_o govern_v our_o action_n in_o all_o our_o duty_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o as_o the_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n for_o the_o end_n of_o it_o to_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o strength_n of_o nature_n and_o by_o the_o direction_n of_o it_o or_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v as_o it_o be_v a_o especial_a effect_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o we_o which_o give_v it_o a_o new_a principle_n and_o a_o new_a end_n and_o a_o new_a respect_n unto_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n wherein_o we_o walk_v with_o god_n the_o consideration_n where_o of_o frustrate_v the_o intention_n of_o our_o author_n in_o this_o discourse_n but_o he_o renew_v his_o charge_n pag._n 73._o so_o destructive_a of_o all_o true_a and_o real_a goodness_n be_v the_o very_a religion_n of_o those_o man_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o set_v grace_n at_o odds_o with_o virtue_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v they_o the_o same_o that_o they_o make_v they_o inconsistent_a and_o though_o a_o man_n be_v exact_a in_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o moral_a goodness_n yet_o if_o he_o be_v a_o graceless_a person_n i._n e._n void_a of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o imaginary_a godliness_n he_o be_v but_o in_o a_o clean_a way_n to_o hell_n and_o his_o conversion_n be_v more_o hopeless_a than_o the_o vile_a and_o most_o notorious_a sinner_n and_o the_o moral_o righteous_a man_n be_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o grace_n than_o the_o profane_a and_o better_o be_v lend_v and_o debanched_a than_o live_v a_o honest_a and_o virtuous_a life_n if_o you_o be_v not_o of_o the_o godly_a party_n with_o much_o more_o to_o this_o purpose_n for_o the_o man_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o set_v grace_n at_o odds_o with_o virtue_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v they_o the_o same_o that_o they_o make_v they_o inconsistent_a i_o wish_v our_o author_n will_v discover_v they_o that_o he_o may_v take_v we_o along_o with_o he_o in_o his_o detestation_n of_o they_o it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a if_o all_o be_v true_a that_o be_v tell_v of_o they_o but_o that_o the_o gnostic_n may_v have_v some_o principle_n not_o unlike_o this_o but_o beside_o they_o i_o never_o hear_v of_o any_o that_o be_v of_o this_o mind_n in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o truth_n the_o liberty_n that_o be_v take_v in_o these_o discourse_n be_v a_o great_a instance_n of_o the_o morality_n under_o consideration_n but_o the_o follow_a word_n will_v direct_v we_o where_o these_o thing_n be_v charge_v for_o some_o say_v that_o if_o a_o man_n be_v exact_a in_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o moral_a goodness_n yet_o if_o he_o be_v a_o graceless_a person_n void_a of_o i_o 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