Selected quad for the lemma: father_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
father_n	believe_v	faith_n	holy_a	10,213	4	5.4982	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A71259	The characters of divine revelation a sermon preached at St. Martins in the Fields, March 4. 1694/5 : being the third of the lecture for the ensuing year, founded by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esquire / by John Williams ...	Williams, John, 1636?-1709.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.	1695 (1695)	Wing W2696; ESTC R1810	13,869	36

requisite_a to_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o revelation_n somewhat_o peculiar_a to_o it_o and_o that_o so_o belong_v to_o it_o as_o not_o to_o be_v common_a to_o any_o thing_n with_o it_o and_o that_o be_v a_o point_n i_o shall_v now_o take_v into_o consideration_n towards_o the_o clear_a proof_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v distribute_v it_o after_o a_o threefold_a manner_n 1._o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o case_n of_o such_o as_o be_v themselves_o inspire_v and_o to_o who_o the_o revelation_n be_v make_v and_o how_o they_o can_v be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o a_o revelation_n 2._o the_o case_n of_o those_o that_o receive_v the_o matter_n reveal_v immediate_o from_o the_o person_n inspire_v and_o how_o they_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o a_o revelation_n 3._o the_o case_n of_o those_o that_o live_v in_o age_n remote_a from_o that_o of_o the_o inspire_a person_n and_o after_o that_o the_o revelation_n be_v complete_v as_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o jew_n more_o especial_o that_o live_v between_o the_o time_n of_o malachi_n and_o john_n the_o baptist_n and_o as_o the_o case_n be_v of_o all_o christian_n since_o the_o apostolical_a time_n and_o what_o satisfaction_n and_o evidence_n may_v there_o be_v expect_v in_o those_o circumstance_n 1._o the_o case_n of_o those_o that_o receive_v the_o revelation_n and_o how_o they_o themselves_o can_v be_v satisfy_v about_o the_o certainty_n of_o such_o a_o revelation_n the_o resolution_n of_o this_o point_n belong_v in_o part_n to_o the_o three_o general_n under_o which_o the_o difference_n remain_v to_o be_v show_v between_o a_o revelation_n and_o imagination_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o whole_o refer_v it_o thither_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o near_o a_o affinity_n between_o revelation_n and_o imagination_n and_o imagination_n be_v so_o far_o operative_a in_o many_o branch_n of_o inspiration_n that_o it_o be_v very_o difficult_a to_o set_v out_o the_o bound_n exact_o and_o to_o say_v this_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o this_o the_o effect_n of_o fancy_n but_o whatever_o it_o may_v seem_v to_o we_o that_o have_v no_o sensation_n or_o experience_n of_o such_o divine_a representation_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v and_o so_o it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o describe_v it_o than_o it_o be_v for_o one_o that_o never_o have_v his_o sight_n to_o conceive_v what_o light_n and_o colour_n be_v yet_o as_o the_o blind_a man_n may_v be_v convince_v that_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o light_n colour_n figure_n and_o sight_n by_o what_o he_o hear_v and_o observe_v from_o those_o that_o be_v about_o he_o and_o that_o he_o converse_v with_o so_o we_o may_v be_v as_o well_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v in_o prophetical_a scheme_n that_o powerful_a representation_n on_o the_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a agent_n and_o that_o clearness_n of_o perception_n on_o the_o part_n of_o the_o person_n inspire_v as_o will_v abundant_o make_v good_a those_o phrase_n of_o vision_n and_o speak_v by_o which_o it_o be_v describe_v in_o scripture_n and_o which_o may_v well_o be_v suppose_v as_o much_o more_o to_o advantage_n as_o the_o power_n that_o operate_v upon_o they_o be_v beyond_o that_o of_o mere_a imagination_n so_o that_o those_o inspire_a person_n after_o such_o illumination_n may_v as_o well_o question_v what_o they_o hear_v or_o see_v by_o the_o natural_a organ_n of_o sense_n as_o doubt_v of_o what_o be_v reveal_v to_o they_o by_o the_o impression_n make_v upon_o they_o through_o the_o agency_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n to_o deny_v this_o be_v to_o deny_v that_o god_n can_v so_o communicate_v himself_o to_o a_o intelligent_a creature_n that_o the_o creature_n shall_v certain_o know_v that_o it_o proceed_v from_o his_o immediate_a suggestion_n which_o i_o have_v before_o show_v it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o question_v and_o indeed_o what_o be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v question_v or_o deny_v because_o we_o ourselves_o have_v no_o experience_n of_o it_o than_o the_o blind_a from_o their_o birth_n can_v reasonable_o question_v or_o deny_v there_o be_v what_o we_o call_v light_n and_o colour_n or_o the_o deaf_a that_o there_o be_v sound_n voices_z and_o word_n because_o they_o have_v no_o notion_n or_o idea_n of_o these_o thing_n now_o if_o we_o think_v it_o reasonable_a that_o the_o deaf_a and_o the_o blind_a shall_v notwithstanding_o a_o natural_a inaptitude_n and_o incapacity_n in_o themselves_o assent_n to_o what_o all_o mankind_n beside_o do_v unanimous_o aver_v and_o not_o call_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n or_o possibility_n of_o what_o be_v thus_o affirm_v because_o of_o their_o want_n of_o sensation_n so_o it_o be_v not_o fit_a or_o reasonable_a to_o think_v this_o way_n of_o revelation_n never_o be_v and_o can_v be_v because_o we_o have_v not_o a_o experimental_a knowledge_n of_o such_o a_o manifestation_n for_o almighty_a god_n can_v so_o clarify_v the_o understanding_n by_o a_o beam_n of_o light_n let_v in_o from_o above_o as_o shall_v be_v as_o evident_a a_o proof_n of_o its_o divine_a original_a as_o it_o be_v that_o the_o light_n proceed_v from_o the_o sun_n the_o fountain_n of_o it_o or_o as_o a_o person_n himself_o be_v sure_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o proposition_n which_o by_o a_o argument_n before_o unthought_a of_o or_o unconsidered_a he_o come_v to_o be_v full_o convince_v of_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o former_a prejudices_fw-la and_o opinion_n so_o little_a truth_n or_o reason_n be_v there_o in_o a_o bold_a assertion_n of_o a_o certain_a author_n 2._o that_o revelation_n be_v uncertain_a and_o never_o certain_a without_o a_o sign_n and_o therefore_o say_v he_o abraham_n moses_n and_o gideon_n ask_v a_o sign_n over_o and_o above_o revelation_n but_o it_o be_v far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o those_o person_n therefore_o desire_v a_o sign_n because_o they_o conceive_v the_o revelation_n to_o be_v uncertain_a or_o that_o they_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o as_o a_o sign_n be_v for_o the_o great_a confirmation_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o some_o point_v difficult_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o in_o some_o very_a difficult_a service_n for_o faith_n as_o other_o grace_n be_v capable_a of_o addition_n and_o improvement_n in_o which_o case_n their_o ask_v a_o sign_n be_v no_o more_o a_o evidence_n of_o their_o distrust_n of_o god_n or_o a_o doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o revelation_n than_o god_n confirm_v his_o promise_n by_o a_o oath_n be_v a_o evidence_n that_o he_o think_v not_o his_o word_n sufficient_a without_o it_o or_o than_o abraham_n can_v be_v suppose_v not_o oblige_v to_o believe_v upon_o a_o promise_n alone_o without_o that_o superabundant_a confirmation_n of_o a_o oath_n heb._n 6.17_o thus_o it_o be_v even_o in_o the_o case_n of_o that_o holy_a patriarch_n to_o which_o this_o author_n refer_v where_o before_o ever_o he_o ask_v a_o sign_n he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v so_o believe_v in_o the_o lord_n that_o it_o be_v count_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n gen._n 15.6_o 8._o his_o faith_n be_v high_o commend_v and_o he_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n call_v the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a so_o that_o revelation_n may_v be_v certain_a when_o there_o be_v no_o sign_n and_o the_o person_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v it_o and_o be_v oblige_v by_o it_o as_o well_o where_o there_o be_v no_o sign_n as_o where_o there_o be_v i_o grant_v when_o the_o revelation_n come_v at_o second_o hand_n to_o a_o person_n and_o rest_v on_o human_a testimony_n on_o the_o ability_n and_o sincerity_n of_o the_o relater_n or_o person_n suppose_v to_o be_v inspire_v there_o need_v some_o far_a evidence_n some_o sign_n or_o sign_n that_o be_v to_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o credential_n from_o heaven_n since_o all_o man_n be_v liar_n psal._n 116.11_o that_o be_v may_v be_v deceive_v or_o may_v deceive_v may_v either_o be_v so_o weak_a as_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o their_o own_o imagination_n or_o the_o imposture_n and_o practice_n of_o evil_a spirit_n or_o be_v so_o wicked_a as_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o revelation_n and_o inspiration_n to_o impose_v upon_o other_o in_o such_o a_o case_n no_o man_n affirmation_n or_o pretence_n be_v ordinary_o to_o be_v heed_v further_o than_o as_o he_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v such_o testimony_n as_o be_v real_o as_o divine_a as_o he_o will_v have_v his_o revelation_n account_v to_o be_v but_o when_o a_o person_n be_v himself_o the_o recipient_a to_o who_o the_o revelation_n be_v impart_v there_o be_v no_o absolute_a need_n of_o a_o sign_n or_o further_a evidence_n to_o ascertain_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o to_o he_o when_o if_o god_n so_o please_v the_o revelation_n of_o itself_o may_v be_v make_v as_o clear_v as_o it_o can_v be_v make_v by_o the_o sign_n what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o a_o sign_n to_o prove_v

mankind_n will_v not_o only_o desire_v but_o what_o be_v best_a and_o most_o necessary_a for_o they_o to_o know_v and_o what_o be_v there_o more_o material_a and_o of_o great_a importance_n than_o to_o be_v satisfy_v about_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n and_o how_o they_o come_v at_o first_o to_o be_v what_o more_o desirable_a than_o since_o god_n be_v infinite_o good_a and_o consequent_o can_v produce_v nothing_o that_o be_v in_o itself_o evil_a than_o to_o know_v how_o the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n come_v to_o be_v corrupt_v and_o that_o where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o clear_a sense_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o good_a and_o evil_n such_o conviction_n follow_v that_o sense_n such_o memento_n and_o such_o presignification_n such_o reflection_n upon_o it_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o a_o potent_a sway_n bent_n and_o propension_n to_o evil_a that_o with_o all_o their_o care_n it_o can_v never_o be_v prevent_v or_o total_o exterminate_v what_o more_o desirable_a than_o to_o know_v what_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o itself_o be_v insufficient_a for_o when_o we_o can_v get_v no_o further_o than_o a_o video_fw-la meliora_fw-la proboque_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o the_o apostle_n language_n the_o good_a that_o i_o will_v i_o do_v not_o but_o the_o evil_n which_o i_o will_v not_o that_o i_o do_v may_v be_v otherwise_o effect_v that_o these_o inclination_n may_v be_v subdue_v and_o nature_n bring_v to_o a_o regular_a state_n what_o more_o desirable_a than_o to_o know_v how_o after_o all_o god_n may_v be_v appease_v forgiveness_n may_v be_v obtain_v and_o that_o heavy_a load_n upon_o human_a nature_n arise_v from_o the_o gild_n of_o a_o man_n mind_n may_v be_v remove_v last_o what_o more_o desirable_a than_o to_o know_v the_o certainty_n and_o condition_n of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o how_o we_o may_v attain_v to_o the_o happiness_n of_o it_o these_o and_o the_o like_a use_v to_o be_v the_o prime_a question_n which_o all_o and_o especial_o the_o most_o thoughtful_a and_o considerate_a part_n of_o mankind_n seek_v but_o in_o vain_a for_o satisfaction_n in_o and_o therefore_o since_o revelation_n be_v to_o make_v up_o the_o defect_n of_o natural_a light_n and_o be_v as_o well_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o mankind_n as_o to_o be_v worthy_a of_o god_n we_o may_v reasonable_o expect_v that_o these_o shall_v be_v the_o chief_a subject_n of_o such_o revelation_n and_o a_o revelation_n without_o this_o that_o shall_v leave_v mankind_n in_o the_o same_o circumstance_n of_o ignorance_n and_o dissatisfaction_n as_o they_o be_v in_o before_o such_o revelation_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v esteem_v than_o that_o course_n of_o physic_n which_o after_o all_o pretence_n to_o infallibility_n leave_v a_o person_n as_o much_o under_o the_o power_n of_o his_o disease_n as_o before_o he_o follow_v those_o prescription_n it_o be_v no_o revelation_n and_o can_v have_v no_o pretence_n to_o such_o a_o venerable_a title_n but_o when_o the_o subject_n be_v great_a noble_a and_o sublime_a thus_o worthy_a of_o god_n and_o thus_o beneficial_a to_o mankind_n when_o there_o be_v a_o exact_a concord_n between_o the_o principle_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n and_o that_o all_o fall_v in_o with_o the_o true_a and_o just_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n when_o there_o be_v a_o harmony_n through_o the_o whole_a we_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o say_v this_o if_o any_o be_v the_o revelation_n and_o as_o far_o as_o these_o character_n belong_v to_o revelation_n so_o much_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o matter_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v such_o as_o i_o shall_v afterward_o show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o examine_v the_o revelation_n of_o scripture_n by_o these_o character_n 3._o it_o will_v be_v very_o desirable_a towards_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o revelation_n and_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o those_o that_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o evidence_n and_o testimony_n as_o extraordinary_a as_o the_o matter_n reveal_v be_v and_o the_o authority_n it_o rest_v upon_o such_o as_o the_o one_o be_v such_o in_o reason_n ought_v the_o other_o to_o be_v and_o that_o be_v divine_a attestation_n a_o divine_a attestation_n i_o account_v that_o to_o be_v which_o exceed_v the_o power_n and_o be_v out_o of_o the_o road_n of_o nature_n for_o nothing_o less_o can_v change_v the_o course_n and_o alter_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o that_o which_o be_v above_o nature_n and_o give_v law_n to_o it_o and_o it_o must_v be_v somewhat_o above_o nature_n that_o can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a witness_n to_o what_o be_v supernatural_a and_o this_o may_v just_o be_v require_v to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o revelation_n and_o to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o enthusiasm_n and_o imposture_n for_o when_o the_o case_n be_v such_o as_o moses_n put_v it_o exod._n 4.1_o etc._n etc._n they_o will_v not_o believe_v i_o nor_o hearken_v to_o my_o voice_n for_o they_o will_v say_v the_o lord_n have_v not_o appear_v unto_o thou_o there_o needs_o somewhat_o beyond_o a_o bare_a affirmation_n to_o support_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o he_o that_o pretend_v to_o it_o and_o according_o he_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n that_o say_v the_o text_n they_o may_v believe_v that_o the_o god_n of_o their_o father_n abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n have_v appear_v to_o thou_o a_o sort_n of_o evidence_n as_o that_o imply_v that_o be_v very_o necessary_a and_o what_o may_v reasonable_o be_v demand_v and_o which_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n and_o what_o as_o all_o ordinary_o can_v judge_v of_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o sense_n so_o where_o it_o be_v true_a what_o we_o be_v to_o be_v conclude_v by_o the_o first_o thing_n then_o require_v and_o to_o be_v consider_v be_v the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o alteration_n in_o the_o course_n and_o state_n of_o nature_n which_o our_o own_o sense_n will_v inform_v we_o in_o the_o next_o thing_n be_v that_o this_o alteration_n can_v proceed_v from_o any_o natural_a or_o create_v cause_n for_o that_o will_v be_v to_o set_v nature_n above_o itself_o the_o last_o thing_n be_v that_o this_o alteration_n in_o nature_n be_v bring_v about_o for_o such_o a_o end_n and_o be_v sole_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o revelation_n and_o to_o give_v testimony_n to_o it_o where_o this_o be_v there_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n and_o a_o infallible_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o what_o it_o be_v to_o witness_v to_o now_o let_v we_o lay_v all_o this_o together_o and_o see_v what_o it_o amount_v to_o viz._n the_o capacity_n ability_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o this_o revelation_n be_v make_v the_o unanimity_n and_o consent_n of_o person_n remote_a and_o distant_a in_o time_n and_o place_n the_o usefulness_n and_o reasonableness_n the_o excellency_n sublimity_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v the_o testimony_n give_v to_o they_o by_o such_o operation_n and_o production_n as_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o create_a cause_n and_o be_v whole_o from_o the_o supreme_a where_o these_o be_v concur_v and_o with_o one_o mouth_n as_o it_o be_v give_v in_o their_o evidence_n we_o may_v say_v it_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v his_o revelation_n which_o carry_v upon_o it_o the_o conspicuous_a stamp_n of_o his_o authority_n for_o god_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o bear_v witness_n to_o a_o falsehood_n and_o to_o set_v up_o that_o as_o a_o light_n to_o direct_v man_n in_o their_o enquiry_n which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o ignis_fw-la fatuus_fw-la and_o tend_v to_o their_o unavoidable_a amusement_n and_o deception_n but_o suppose_v those_o that_o be_v cotemporary_n with_o inspire_a person_n have_v all_o these_o concur_v evidence_n for_o their_o satisfaction_n yet_o what_o be_v this_o to_o those_o that_o live_v in_o time_n distant_a and_o remote_a from_o they_o and_o have_v it_o only_o by_o tradition_n of_o person_n uninspired_a or_o as_o contain_v in_o certain_a book_n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o person_n inspire_v this_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o last_o point_n which_o be_v 3._o the_o case_n of_o those_o that_o live_v in_o after-age_n when_o inspiration_n be_v not_o pretend_v to_o and_o miracle_n have_v cease_v and_o so_o want_v those_o advantage_n for_o their_o satisfaction_n which_o they_o that_o be_v coetaneous_a with_o inspire_a person_n may_v receive_v and_o yet_o be_v oblige_v alike_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o other_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v sufficient_a authority_n and_o proof_n for_o what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o then_o the_o question_n be_v what_o be_v that_o evidence_n which_o will_v be_v sufficient_a for_o they_o to_o ground_v their_o belief_n upon_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o if_o such_o have_v all_o