Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
virtue_n	command_v	forbid_v	vice_n	1,917	5	9.6001	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41173	The interest of reason in religion with the import & use of scripture-metaphors, and the nature of the union betwixt Christ & believers : (with reflections on several late writings, especially Mr. Sherlocks Discourse concerning the knowledg of Jesus Christ, &c.) modestly enquired into and stated / by Robert Ferguson.	Ferguson, Robert, d. 1714.	1675 (1675)	Wing F740; ESTC R20488	279,521	698

that_o we_o need_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o man_n or_o church_n to_o convince_v we_o who_o they_o be_v but_o they_o carry_v a_o demonstrative_a assurance_n of_o their_o author_n in_o themselves_o the_o like_a evidence_n may_v be_v just_o expect_v to_o attend_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o we_o find_v to_o accompany_v his_o work_n and_o indeed_o god_n end_v in_o revelation_n be_v more_o noble_a than_o his_o end_n in_o creation_n and_o the_o world_n be_v more_o liable_a to_o be_v impose_v on_o in_o that_o matter_n than_o in_o this_o it_o be_v but_o rational_a to_o believe_v that_o he_o shall_v leave_v at_o least_o as_o conspicuous_a and_o glorious_a impression_n and_o character_n of_o himself_o upon_o his_o word_n as_o upon_o the_o work_v of_o his_o hand_n and_o if_o man_n in_o the_o write_n of_o book_n do_v not_o only_o leave_v on_o they_o such_o a_o impression_n of_o reason_n that_o we_o may_v know_v they_o to_o be_v the_o product_n of_o rational_a creature_n but_o withal_o according_a to_o their_o several_a degree_n of_o accomplishment_n either_o as_o to_o eminency_n of_o knowledge_n heavenliness_n of_o mind_n elegancy_n of_o stile_n etc._n etc._n do_v imprint_v on_o they_o those_o footstep_n of_o their_o several_a qualification_n that_o we_o can_v for_o the_o most_o part_n by_o the_o very_a frame_n of_o the_o writing_n discover_v its_o individual_a author_n it_o may_v be_v just_o expect_v that_o what_o proceed_v immediate_o by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n shall_v carry_v something_o in_o it_o correspondent_a to_o the_o wisdom_n holiness_n power_n omniscience_n and_o goodness_n of_o he_o from_o who_o it_o flow_v and_o yet_o let_v i_o premise_v that_o as_o we_o do_v not_o build_v our_o assurance_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o manufacture_n of_o god_n upon_o every_o petty_a phaenomenon_n which_o like_o the_o image_n of_o foam_n that_o apelles_n strike_v upon_o his_o table_n by_o a_o hasty_a cast_n of_o his_o pencil_n some_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o only_a as_o a_o disport_n of_o matter_n in_o the_o fortuitous_a encounter_n of_o one_o particle_n with_o a_o other_o but_o we_o raise_v our_o persuasion_n on_o the_o curious_a fabric_n of_o the_o noble_a piece_n and_o the_o harmonious_a structure_n of_o the_o universal_a machine_n in_o like_a manner_n we_o be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o seek_v for_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o every_o verse_n and_o chapter_n as_o in_o the_o complex_fw-la of_o the_o whole_a and_o in_o the_o principal_a part_n branch_n and_o section_n of_o it_o the_o intrinsic_a evidence_n of_o the_o divine_a revelation_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o several_a head_n the_o first_o topick_n regard_v the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o here_o the_o plain_a and_o convince_a enlighten_v of_o we_o about_o natural_a truth_n of_o which_o we_o be_v at_o best_a doubtful_a be_v one_o internal_a evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o bring_n into_o light_n such_o thing_n as_o we_o can_v never_o have_v think_v of_o which_o yet_o be_v discover_v have_v that_o admirable_a connexion_n with_o all_o true_a reason_n that_o we_o be_v ravish_v with_o the_o glory_n of_o truth_n that_o shine_v in_o they_o be_v a_o second_o the_o purity_n and_o fullness_n of_o scripture-precept_n command_v every_o virtue_n forbid_v every_o vice_n and_o enjoin_v nothing_o either_o superfluous_a or_o burdensome_a be_v a_o three_o the_o greatness_n and_o spirituality_n of_o the_o scripture-promise_n where_o we_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o happiness_n so_o describe_v and_o state_v the_o direction_n for_o the_o attainment_n of_o it_o so_o full_a and_o clear_a the_o ground_n of_o its_o certainty_n so_o many_o and_o incontestable_a and_o the_o whole_a so_o frame_v as_o to_o be_v both_o a_o powerful_a inducement_n to_o a_o alacrous_a and_o uniform_a obedience_n and_o a_o powerful_a antidote_n against_o all_o temptation_n to_o sin_n and_o sensuality_n make_v a_o four_o the_o quality_n of_o scripture_n prophecy_n and_o the_o event_n still_o answer_v the_o prediction_n be_v another_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o bible_n the_o nature_n and_o exactness_n of_o scripture_n history_n relate_v thing_n of_o the_o great_a weight_n &_o with_o the_o great_a truth_n be_v another_o evidence_n arise_v from_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o alone_o inform_v we_o of_o many_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o no_o other_o write_n either_o have_v or_o can_v and_o as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o thing_n be_v indispensable_o necessary_a so_o be_v examine_v as_o they_o be_v record_v in_o the_o bible_n we_o find_v the_o account_n of_o they_o rational_a and_o satisfactory_a what_o other_o nation_n have_v only_o faint_a glimpse_n of_o in_o fabulous_a story_n of_o those_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o exact_a and_o authentic_a record_n not_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o date_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o what_o book_n can_v vie_v with_o it_o as_o to_o antiquity_n of_o content_n as_o all_o ethnic_a history_n be_v latter_a than_o some_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n so_o most_o of_o they_o be_v traduction_n from_o thence_o and_o be_v but_o part_n of_o the_o mosaic_a story_n corrupt_v and_o debase_v with_o egyptian_a be_v grecian_a fable_n where_o have_v we_o such_o a_o exact_a and_o full_a display_v of_o the_o origine_fw-la and_o several_a period_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o original_a of_o nation_n as_o the_o two_o first_o and_o ten_o chapt._n of_o genesis_n do_v afford_v we_o yea_o in_o the_o narration_n of_o such_o thing_n whereof_o we_o have_v also_o some_o register_n in_o humane_a record_n it_o be_v not_o difficult_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o there_o be_v peculiar_a character_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o scripture_n difference_v it_o from_o all_o write_n of_o mere_a humane_a original_a and_o manifest_v it_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a extract_n the_o second_o head_n of_o argument_n by_o which_o evidence_n be_v give_v to_o the_o divine_a original_a of_o the_o scripture_n from_o the_o character_n impress_v on_o it_o respect_v the_o form_n of_o it_o or_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o thing_n be_v deliver_v and_o treat_v and_o here_o the_o majestic_a authority_n that_o it_o dictate_v to_o mankind_n in_o be_v huge_o remarkable_a in_o no_o other_o writing_n whatsoever_o be_v there_o that_o sovereignty_n of_o command_v usurp_v that_o the_o scripture_n assume_v it_o alone_o treat_v with_o we_o in_o a_o way_n of_o supremacy_n majesty_n and_o authority_n become_v he_o in_o who_o name_n it_o pretend_v to_o speak_v whatever_o else_o have_v lay_v claym_v to_o the_o be_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n to_o mankind_n do_v by_o its_o sneak_v creep_a flatter_a way_n of_o address_n evident_o betray_v the_o meanness_n of_o its_o original_a 2_o dly_z the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v plain_o breath_n of_o god_n with_o what_o brevity_n without_o darkness_n with_o what_o simplicity_n without_o corruption_n with_o what_o gravity_n without_o affectation_n with_o what_o eloquence_n without_o meretricious_a ornament_n with_o what_o plainness_n without_o flatness_n or_o sordidness_n with_o what_o condescension_n to_o our_o capacity_n without_o unsuitableness_n to_o the_o subject_a matter_n be_v the_o scripture_n write_v when_o the_o holy_a inspirer_n of_o the_o sacred_a penman_n stoop_v most_o to_o our_o capacity_n he_o even_o then_o retain_v a_o prerogative_n in_o his_o style_n above_o what_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o mere_o humane_a write_n there_o be_v that_o succinctness_n prespicuity_n plenitude_n and_o majesty_n in_o the_o style_n of_o scripture-law_n that_o sweetness_n and_o spirituality_n in_o promise_n that_o austerity_n in_o commination_n that_o wonderful_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d force_n and_o emotion_n in_o expostulation_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d meet_v accommodation_n of_o word_n unto_o thing_n through_o the_o whole_a bible_n that_o no_o humane_a write_n can_v equal_v if_o there_o be_v at_o any_o time_n obscurity_n in_o the_o scripture-stile_n it_o be_v either_o from_o the_o sublimity_n of_o the_o matter_n declare_v which_o no_o word_n though_o never_o so_o easy_a in_o themselves_o can_v help_v we_o to_o adequate_a notion_n of_o or_o it_o be_v from_o some_o reference_n to_o ancient_a custom_n and_o story_n which_o make_v the_o expression_n easy_a to_o the_o age_n and_o person_n first_o concern_v in_o they_o though_o they_o may_v be_v dark_a to_o we_o through_o our_o unacquaintedness_n with_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v both_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o and_o the_o key_n to_o they_o or_o else_o it_o be_v because_o they_o regard_v futurity_n which_o it_o be_v neither_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n nor_o the_o interest_n of_o primitive_a believer_n to_o have_v have_v plain_o foretell_v and_o as_o the_o fulfil_n of_o they_o will_v give_v convince_v light_n about_o they_o so_o

from_o all_o coaction_n and_o necessitation_n by_o the_o influence_n of_o any_o principle_n foreign_a to_o it_o now_o all_o these_o be_v impossible_a to_o matter_n because_o that_o act_n always_o according_a to_o the_o swing_n of_o irresistible_a motion_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v court_v and_o solicit_v to_o rest_n when_o under_o the_o forcible_a impulse_n of_o a_o strong_a movent_fw-la 3_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v plain_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n without_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o future_a state_n there_o be_v no_o preserve_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n from_o contempt_n no_o due_a mean_n provide_v for_o the_o prevent_a man_n from_o gainful_a sin_n or_o the_o encourage_n of_o they_o to_o hazardous_a duty_n and_o according_o there_o have_v be_v few_o in_o the_o world_n who_o have_v believe_v a_o providence_n but_o they_o have_v likewise_o assert_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n these_o two_o be_v inseparable_o connect_v while_o we_o contemplate_v the_o state_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n we_o find_v prosperity_n for_o the_o most_o part_n attend_v vice_n and_o misery_n the_o companion_n of_o virtue_n good_a man_n be_v usual_o accompany_v with_o cross_n and_o have_v the_o least_o proportion_n of_o present_a thing_n while_o bad_a man_n be_v often_o glut_v with_o success_n and_o swim_v in_o pleasure_n now_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o immortal_a state_n where_o both_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o good_a may_v be_v compensated_a and_o they_o receive_v comfort_n for_o their_o suffering_n and_o the_o vice_n of_o the_o bad_a may_v be_v punish_v and_o they_o receive_v vengeance_n for_o their_o crime_n both_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n as_o well_o as_o justice_n of_o the_o rector_n of_o the_o world_n will_v be_v liable_a to_o censure_v and_o impeachment_n yea_o it_o seem_v the_o better_a of_o the_o two_o whole_o to_o deny_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n than_o to_o think_v that_o he_o shall_v administer_v humane_a affair_n with_o so_o much_o irregularity_n and_o injustice_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v nothing_o can_v administer_v a_o satisfactory_a resolution_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o present_a dispensation_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a state_n judgement_n inflict_v on_o sinner_n in_o this_o life_n can_v full_o clear_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n because_o the_o best_a of_o man_n be_v as_o well_o involve_v in_o they_o as_o the_o worst_a yea_o it_o be_v but_o now_o and_o then_o that_o the_o great_a criminal_n be_v make_v as_o remarkable_a in_o their_o punishment_n as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o their_o life_n beside_o a_o infinite_a eternal_a god_n be_v the_o object_n of_o wicked_a man_n contempt_n and_o it_o be_v his_o law_n who_o live_v for_o ever_o who_o authority_n they_o despise_v nor_o can_v any_o punishment_n be_v proportionable_a but_o what_o be_v eternal_a also_o 4_o that_o inbred_a desire_n which_o be_v in_o all_o man_n after_o immortality_n argue_v that_o there_o be_v such_o real_o provide_v for_o the_o satisfy_a this_o natural_a and_o universal_a appetite_n for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o nature_n shall_v furnish_v we_o with_o long_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o may_v content_v they_o to_o have_v such_o desire_n wrought_v into_o the_o complexion_n and_o constitution_n of_o our_o soul_n be_v there_o provision_n make_v of_o nothing_o that_o may_v answer_v they_o will_v not_o only_o reflect_v upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o maker_n who_o have_v produce_v we_o with_o these_o long_n of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o use_n but_o his_o mercy_n goodness_n and_o justice_n also_o in_o implant_n those_o appetite_n in_o we_o which_o serve_v at_o once_o to_o abuse_v and_o torment_v we_o and_o this_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o other_o particular_a which_o i_o promise_v to_o discourse_v namely_o the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a providence_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o truth_n also_o which_o beside_o the_o attestation_n give_v to_o it_o in_o the_o scripture_n have_v evidence_n enough_o in_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n i_o confess_v that_o if_o we_o take_v our_o measure_n in_o this_o matter_n from_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o wise_a heathen_a we_o shall_v be_v ready_a to_o think_v there_o be_v no_o foundation_n in_o reason_n to_o convince_v we_o otherwise_o but_o that_o all_o thing_n go_v at_o random_n it_o be_v not_o the_o opinion_n of_o epicurus_n alone_o but_o of_o many_o other_o that_o the_o god_n concern_v not_o themselves_o in_o sublunary_a affair_n nor_o do_v the_o poet_n only_o discharge_v god_n from_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n but_o their_o very_a moral_a philosopher_n do_v the_o same_o horace_n deos_fw-la didici_fw-la securum_fw-la agere_fw-la aevum_fw-la and_o lucan_n nunquam_fw-la se_fw-la cura_fw-la deorum_fw-la sic_fw-la premit_fw-la ut_fw-la vestrae_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la vestraeque_fw-la saluti_fw-la fata_fw-la vacent_fw-la be_v not_o worse_o than_o pliny_n irridendum_fw-la curam_fw-la agere_fw-la rerum_fw-la humanarum_fw-la illud_fw-la quicquid_fw-la est_fw-la summum_fw-la and_o senecaes_n deus_fw-la nihil_fw-la agit_fw-fr nec_fw-la illum_fw-la magis_fw-la beneficia_fw-la quam_fw-la injuriae_fw-la tangunt_fw-la even_o many_o of_o they_o that_o own_v some_o kind_n of_o providence_n either_o confine_v it_o to_o heaven_n hold_v it_o unsuitable_a to_o his_o glorious_a nature_n to_o concern_v himself_o about_o frail_a and_o visible_a thing_n but_o that_o he_o govern_v they_o by_o subordinate_a cause_n as_o the_o grand_a signior_n do_v his_o province_n by_o his_o bashaw_n &_o lieutenant_n or_o they_o limit_v it_o to_o effect_n which_o depend_v on_o a_o concatenation_n of_o natural_a cause_n to_o which_o they_o be_v ligue_v by_o train_n and_o connexion_n exclude_v god_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n from_o any_o care_n of_o contingent_a event_n or_o administration_n about_o the_o understanding_n and_o will_n of_o man_n or_o last_o they_o bind_v it_o up_o to_o universals_z and_o generals_z allow_v it_o little_a or_o no_o interposure_n about_o particular_n and_o singular_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n de_fw-fr mundo_fw-la who_o whether_o it_o be_v aristotle_n or_o philo_n or_o any_o other_o be_v not_o material_a the_o reason_n that_o prevail_v with_o they_o to_o question_v yea_o deny_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v one_a that_o it_o be_v beneath_o and_o unbecoming_a the_o perfection_n of_o god_n and_o a_o interruption_n of_o his_o felicity_n to_o concern_v himself_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o sublunary_a world_n and_o to_o distract_v himself_o with_o the_o care_n of_o it_o but_o this_o be_v 1._o rather_o to_o describe_v some_o effeminate_a prince_n than_o the_o deity_n and_o 2._o it_o proceed_v upon_o a_o foolish_a mistake_n &_o a_o unworthy_a supposition_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v pain_n and_o trouble_v to_o god_n to_o govern_v the_o world_n which_o none_o can_v imagine_v but_o they_o who_o be_v ignorant_a of_o his_o attribute_n and_o be_v whatever_o god_n can_v do_v he_o do_v it_o without_o trouble_n to_o his_o infinite_a perfection_n nor_o 3._o be_v the_o happiness_n of_o god_n more_o impeach_v in_o govern_v the_o world_n than_o in_o make_v of_o it_o if_o without_o molestation_n to_o himself_o he_o can_v produce_v it_o at_o first_o he_o can_v without_o encumbrance_n rule_v it_o still_o the_o second_o motive_n that_o sway_v they_o to_o doubt_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v the_o impunity_n of_o wicked_a men._n but_o in_o this_o they_o conclude_v as_o illogical_o as_o in_o the_o former_a god_n 1._o may_v have_v aim_n in_o the_o prosperity_n of_o criminal_n that_o we_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o reflect_v on_o his_o dispensation_n when_o we_o know_v not_o the_o ground_n of_o they_o he_o hereby_o testify_v that_o severity_n be_v not_o the_o inclination_n of_o his_o nature_n but_o that_o punishment_n be_v extort_a from_o he_o he_o hereby_o also_o allow_v offender_n time_n as_o well_o as_o inducement_n to_o repentance_n he_o also_o herein_o set_v we_o a_o pattern_n of_o mercy_n and_o forbearance_n and_o teach_v we_o meekness_n and_o lenity_n by_o his_o own_o bounty_n and_o patience_n he_o withal_o give_v assurance_n to_o the_o world_n by_o this_o of_o a_o future_a judgement_n the_o prosperity_n of_o the_o wicked_a here_o be_v a_o pledge_n of_o their_o punishment_n hereafter_o 2._o bad_a man_n be_v not_o so_o happy_a as_o they_o be_v common_o imagine_v to_o be_v how_o can_v they_o be_v reckon_v happy_a who_o have_v nothing_o succeed_v according_a to_o their_o scope_n and_o mean_v every_o man_n intend_v well_o to_o himself_o but_o it_o be_v the_o perpetual_a infelicity_n of_o the_o wicked_a that_o they_o never_o reach_v the_o mark_n they_o aim_v at_o for_o by_o do_v ill_a they_o