Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	believe_v	church_n	faith_n	6,736	5	6.2916	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52138	Plain-dealing, or, A full and particular examination of a late treatise, entituled, Humane reason by A.M., a countrey gentleman.	Marvell, Andrew, 1621-1678.	1675 (1675)	Wing M876; ESTC R23029	77,401	164

man_n though_o he_o can_v be_v so_o much_o a_o fool_n to_o follow_v it_o himself_o viz._n the_o rely_v on_o our_o naked_a reason_n so_o far_o as_o to_o exclude_v other_o more_o necessary_a help_n especial_o in_o such_o matter_n as_o these_o of_o history_n concern_v which_o reason_n alone_o can_v be_v no_o competent_a judge_n but_o yet_o this_o gentleman_n be_v so_o confident_a positive_o to_o affirm_v pag._n 26._o that_o they_o that_o build_v their_o faith_n upon_o past_a or_o present_a age_n be_v in_o much_o great_a danger_n of_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o christian_a faith_n than_o those_o who_o remit_v the_o judgement_n of_o these_o thing_n whole_o to_o their_o own_o reason_n whereas_o if_o he_o have_v consider_v thing_n aright_o he_o must_v needs_o have_v see_v that_o the_o main_a cause_n why_o our_o reason_n will_v dictate_v to_o we_o that_o christianity_n be_v the_o true_a religion_n must_v be_v from_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o the_o former_a age_n of_o the_o church_n for_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o believe_v the_o historical_a part_n of_o it_o and_o by_o consequence_n from_o hence_o it_o must_v proceed_v that_o we_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o but_o let_v we_o hear_v his_o reason_n for_o this_o bold_a assertion_n it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o this_o that_o there_o have_v be_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o hundred_o to_o one_o against_o christianity_n and_o that_o back_v with_o the_o universal_a agreement_n of_o three_o thousand_o year_n before_o certain_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o satisfactory_a argument_n for_o do_v ever_o any_o body_n reckon_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o heathen_n and_o jew_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n do_v he_o not_o know_v that_o by_o tradition_n every_o christian_a that_o know_v what_o he_o say_v mean_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n can_v this_o than_o be_v any_o reason_n against_o it_o that_o the_o heathen_n and_o jew_n do_v not_o assert_v it_o i_o be_o altogether_o of_o his_o opinion_n that_o reason_n will_v demonstrate_v the_o christian_a above_o any_o other_o riligion_n but_o still_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n together_o with_o the_o gospel_n must_v acquaint_v we_o what_o christianity_n be_v otherwise_o mere_a reason_n can_v never_o know_v it_o so_o that_o let_v reason_n alone_o though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o well_o follow_v with_o constancy_n diligence_n and_o sobriety_n it_o can_v demonstrate_v nothing_o of_o christianity_n if_o it_o be_v not_o back_v with_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n now_o i_o appeal_v to_o the_o author_n himself_o to_o know_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n shall_v lead_v we_o into_o such_o error_n as_o shall_v cause_v we_o to_o deny_v christ_n be_v there_o ever_o any_o age_n of_o christian_n which_o do_v general_o fall_v into_o the_o denial_n of_o christ_n how_o can_v they_o then_o be_v call_v christian_n who_o renounce_v the_o very_a essence_n of_o christianity_n now_o because_o this_o author_n have_v not_o tell_v we_o what_o help_v and_o direction_n a_o christian_a must_v make_v use_n of_o to_o inform_v his_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n i_o shall_v lay_v he_o down_o such_o a_o rule_n as_o can_v never_o fail_v he_o in_o his_o main_a end_n his_o future_a happiness_n unless_o he_o be_v false_a to_o his_o rule_n the_o rule_n in_o general_n be_v this_o the_o scripture_n right_o interpret_v to_o the_o interpretation_n of_o which_o be_v necessary_a a_o due_a meditation_n and_o apprehension_n of_o the_o scope_n and_o coherence_n of_o the_o word_n with_o a_o knowledge_n of_o the_o original_a language_n and_o the_o peculiar_a idiom_n of_o they_o together_o with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o custom_n of_o those_o time_n and_o place_n in_o which_o those_o thing_n be_v do_v speak_v and_o write_v which_o make_v all_o judaic_a and_o ecclesiastical_a author_n especial_o historian_n to_o be_v very_o requisite_a especial_o as_o to_o the_o understanding_n the_o new_a testament_n for_o many_o thing_n be_v but_o cursory_o mention_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o be_v best_a explain_v by_o the_o write_n of_o those_o that_o be_v conversant_a with_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n who_o do_v converse_v with_o they_o and_o so_o on_o which_o call_v in_o the_o assistance_n of_o all_o antiquity_n especial_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o three_o first_o century_n and_o the_o four_o first_o general_n council_n and_o after_o all_o a_o sound_a rational_a soul_n as_o necessary_a to_o lay_v these_o together_o where_o they_o agree_v and_o to_o judge_v which_o be_v most_o to_o be_v rely_v on_o where_o they_o differ_v and_o to_o draw_v well_o ground_v consequence_n from_o they_o together_o with_o the_o divine_a assistance_n concur_v with_o all_o these_o mean_n so_o that_o the_o common_a people_n that_o have_v not_o these_o advantage_n though_o they_o may_v have_v as_o good_a and_o sound_a rational_a faculty_n as_o the_o great_a scholar_n and_o can_v exercise_v they_o as_o judicious_o in_o other_o thing_n in_o which_o they_o have_v have_v convenience_n right_o to_o inform_v themselves_o be_v no_o more_o fit_a to_o interpret_v scripture_n than_o they_o be_v to_o comment_v on_o euclid_n or_o archimedes_n for_o that_o they_o have_v not_o those_o help_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o such_o a_o work_n but_o what_o then_o must_v they_o do_v they_o must_v use_v the_o best_a mean_n that_o god_n have_v give_v they_o i._n e._n the_o direction_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o those_o person_n who_o the_o church_n have_v by_o god_n commission_n ordain_v over_o they_o to_o be_v their_o guide_n and_o instructer_n and_o though_o perhaps_o by_o their_o guide_n unskilfulness_n or_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o church_n they_o be_v member_n of_o though_o this_o last_o can_v be_v suppose_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n because_o it_o be_v free_a from_o all_o corruption_n in_o doctrine_n they_o may_v be_v lead_v into_o error_n yet_o since_o they_o have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o best_a mean_n god_n have_v give_v they_o he_o do_v not_o require_v impossibility_n at_o their_o hand_n and_o therefore_o will_v not_o impute_v those_o error_n to_o their_o fault_n which_o he_o have_v never_o give_v they_o power_n to_o help_v whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o every_o one_o of_o the_o common_a people_n must_v be_v leave_v whole_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n they_o must_v necessary_o run_v into_o as_o many_o religion_n as_o there_o be_v man_n and_o worship_v a_o several_a deity_n not_o only_o every_o day_n of_o the_o week_n but_o every_o hour_n of_o the_o day_n and_o by_o think_v themselves_o as_o wise_a as_o their_o teacher_n come_v to_o despise_v and_o contemn_v they_o and_o to_o trample_v under_o foot_n all_o order_n and_o decency_n to_o scorn_v the_o law_n of_o their_o magistrate_n and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o run_v themselves_o into_o all_o confusion_n danger_n and_o wickedness_n this_o some_o man_n see_v well_o enough_o to_o be_v the_o natural_a consequence_n of_o this_o opinion_n and_o therefore_o they_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o make_v division_n among_o we_o do_v nothing_o else_o but_o cry_v up_o conscience_n and_o every_o man_n own_o reason_n for_o if_o they_o can_v but_o thus_o separate_v the_o sheep_n from_o the_o shepherd_n they_o will_v soon_o make_v they_o stray_v so_o far_o till_o they_o get_v they_o into_o their_o own_o pound_n these_o be_v the_o mighty_a advantage_n that_o the_o most_o of_o man_n will_v obtain_v by_o follow_v no_o other_o guide_n but_o their_o own_o reason_n the_o next_o advantage_n of_o his_o opinion_n be_v the_o great_a charitableness_n of_o it_o viz._n that_o it_o set_v the_o gate_n of_o heaven_n so_o wide_o open_a that_o all_o person_n whatsoever_o may_v enter_v this_o be_v charity_n indeed_o with_o a_o witness_n to_o fill_v heaven_n like_o noab_n ark_n with_o all_o sort_n of_o beast_n both_o clean_a and_o unclear_a but_o i_o be_o afraid_a there_o be_v something_o else_o in_o the_o case_n beside_o altogether_o charity_n that_o prompt_v the_o author_n to_o this_o opinion_n he_o tell_v we_o so_o himself_o and_o therefore_o we_o may_v believe_v he_o that_o the_o humble_a consideration_n of_o his_o own_o weakness_n be_v another_o strong_a motive_n to_o he_o it_o seem_v the_o gentleman_n begin_v to_o think_v that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o entrance_n into_o heaven_n for_o jew_n turk_n heathen_n and_o atheist_n he_o himself_o shall_v scarce_o ever_o come_v there_o as_o for_o his_o opinion_n that_o all_o these_o be_v in_o a_o equal_a possibility_n of_o salvation_n with_o the_o unerring_a christian_a certain_o

be_v true_a which_o he_o can_v never_o prove_v that_o god_n will_v not_o punish_v we_o for_o our_o wilful_a error_n yet_o since_o the_o consequence_n of_o error_n do_v natural_o lead_v we_o into_o the_o most_o damnable_a sin_n it_o therefore_o behoove_v we_o if_o we_o tender_v our_o eternal_a happiness_n to_o take_v care_n to_o preserve_v ourselves_o from_o error_n which_o may_v be_v not_o only_o of_o dangerous_a but_o of_o damnable_a consequence_n to_o we_o what_o then_o be_v the_o wise_a way_n for_o the_o most_o of_o man_n to_o guard_v themselves_o from_o these_o danger_n this_o be_v a_o question_n well_o worth_a our_o consideration_n if_o we_o think_v we_o have_v such_o soul_n in_o we_o as_o be_v endanger_v by_o error_n to_o be_v eternal_o lose_v and_o miserable_a what_o then_o must_v the_o common_a people_n here_o among_o we_o the_o great_a part_n of_o which_o have_v scarce_o reason_n enough_o to_o demonstrate_v themselves_o to_o be_v man_n do_v to_o secure_v themselves_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v the_o safe_a way_n for_o they_o to_o rely_v upon_o the_o church_n especial_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o indifferency_n and_o of_o unnecessary_a dispute_n and_o upon_o some_o of_o those_o guide_n which_o the_o church_n have_v lawful_o call_v and_o authorize_v in_o all_o case_n of_o conscience_n for_o since_o as_o this_o gentleman_n tell_v we_o many_o nay_o most_o of_o man_n and_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n have_v err_v though_o they_o have_v have_v all_o the_o advantage_n to_o improve_v their_o reason_n that_o this_o world_n can_v afford_v they_o how_o shall_v any_o ordinary_a man_n who_o be_v void_a of_o all_o help_n but_o his_o own_o natural_a reason_n dare_v to_o rely_v upon_o it_o alone_o in_o business_n of_o so_o great_a concern_v as_o his_o eternal_a happiness_n or_o misery_n especial_o since_o he_o do_v not_o think_v it_o convenient_a to_o rely_v upon_o it_o in_o business_n of_o lesser_a concern_n viz._n that_o of_o his_o health_n or_o estate_n now_o i_o appeal_v to_o all_o man_n that_o in_o difficult_a case_n do_v consult_v their_o lawyer_n and_o physician_n whether_o they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o safe_a to_o rely_v upon_o their_o judgement_n then_o to_o be_v govern_v only_o by_o themselves_o they_o must_v say_v they_o do_v so_o else_o they_o be_v mad_a to_o consult_v they_o and_o give_v they_o money_n for_o nothing_o so_o that_o this_o author_n have_v the_o suffrage_n of_o all_o wise_a man_n against_o his_o opinion_n when_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o safety_n we_o ought_v to_o commit_v ourselves_o whole_o to_o our_o own_o reason_n in_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n nay_o i_o will_v refer_v it_o to_o himself_o and_o challenge_v he_o upon_o his_o reputation_n if_o he_o have_v any_o left_a to_o tell_v i_o whether_o his_o own_o practice_n do_v not_o contradict_v his_o opinion_n that_o be_v whether_o or_o n●_n he_o consult_v his_o own_o reason_n and_o commit_v himself_o whole_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o it_o in_o case_n that_o concern_v his_o life_n and_o estate_n or_o whether_o he_o be_v guide_v by_o the_o doctor_n and_o the_o barrister_n to_o this_o perhaps_o he_o will_v answer_v that_o he_o limit_n his_o discourse_n to_o the_o search_n of_o religious_a truth_n in_o which_o it_o be_v most_o safe_a for_o we_o to_o rely_v upon_o our_o own_o reason_n but_o i_o pray_v you_o sir_n why_o not_o then_o in_o all_o other_o can_v you_o show_v i_o any_o cause_n of_o difference_n if_o you_o say_v because_o religion_n be_v ground_v upon_o probability_n i_o answer_v so_o be_v physic_n upon_o much_o more_o uncertainty_n than_o religion_n and_o the_o law_n be_v no_o less_o build_v upon_o uncertainty_n in_o many_o case_n which_o have_v not_o be_v determine_v by_o precedent_n but_o suppose_v that_o religious_a matter_n be_v more_o intricate_a and_o obscure_a and_o less_o certain_a than_o other_o thing_n since_o error_n in_o religion_n be_v no_o less_o dangerous_a to_o our_o soul_n than_o error_n in_o law_n and_o physic_n be_v to_o our_o estate_n and_o life_n if_o we_o believe_v we_o have_v any_o soul_n we_o ought_v then_o to_o be_v more_o careful_a to_o consult_v our_o guide_n of_o conscience_n than_o we_o be_v to_o take_v advice_n of_o our_o lawyer_n or_o physician_n but_o experience_n and_o practice_n be_v the_o best_a teacher_n let_v we_o now_o suppose_v every_o private_a person_n to_o be_v whole_o commit_v to_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n according_a to_o this_o author_n doctrine_n and_o let_v we_o see_v what_o safety_n he_o enjoy_v thereby_o for_o then_o suppose_v he_o meet_v with_o a_o cunning_a gentleman_n from_o rome_n that_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o in_o all_o advantage_n of_o learning_n and_o education_n that_o shall_v baffle_v his_o reason_n for_o the_o defence_n of_o protestantism_n then_o if_o he_o will_v act_v rational_o he_o must_v present_o turn_n papist_n and_o so_o vice_n versâ_fw-la the_o same_o thing_n will_v also_o hold_v if_o he_o shall_v be_v baffle_v by_o any_o jesuit_n under_o the_o disguise_n of_o any_o other_o sectary_n whatsoever_o for_o he_o must_v so_o often_o change_v his_o religion_n as_o he_o meet_v with_o more_o crafty_a disputant_n than_o himself_o by_o which_o mean_v he_o may_v every_o hour_n have_v a_o several_a religion_n and_o change_v so_o often_o till_o at_o last_o he_o have_v quit_v all_o religion_n and_o turn_v atheist_n which_o we_o see_v to_o be_v the_o ordinary_a consequence_n of_o frequent_a change_n nay_o further_o suppose_v he_o meet_v with_o some_o subtle_a jesuit_n in_o disguise_n who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o convert_v man_n first_o to_o debauchery_n then_o to_o atheism_n and_o so_o by_o degree_n to_o popery_n who_o shall_v baffle_v all_o his_o reason_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n nay_o for_o the_o immortality_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o for_o the_o be_v of_o god_n as_o it_o may_v well_o be_v suppose_v where_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o difference_n in_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o person_n what_o then_o will_v become_v of_o he_o if_o he_o commit_v himself_o only_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n he_o must_v then_o present_o commence_v brute_n and_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v no_o more_o soul_n than_o his_o horse_n or_o any_o other_o beast_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v die_v and_o perish_v like_o one_o of_o they_o nay_o he_o must_v turn_v atheist_n and_o not_o only_o deny_v the_o lord_n that_o buy_v he_o but_o that_o god_n that_o make_v he_o and_o so_o be_v leave_v altogether_o without_o any_o excuse_n be_v not_o this_o person_n now_o very_o safe_a think_v you_o under_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n if_o therefore_o it_o be_v safe_a for_o we_o to_o run_v into_o popery_n heresy_n and_o atheism_n let_v we_o follow_v our_o own_o reason_n and_o whole_o commit_v ourselves_o to_o our_o own_o guidance_n if_o not_o let_v we_o follow_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o those_o guide_n which_o she_o have_v set_v over_o we_o in_o all_o difficult_a case_n of_o which_o we_o ourselves_o can_v be_v no_o competent_a judge_n and_o when_o we_o be_v press_v with_o any_o argument_n for_o a_o change_n in_o our_o religion_n which_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v let_v we_o repair_v to_o our_o own_o lawful_a minister_n or_o to_o some_o other_o that_o shall_v direct_v we_o for_o a_o satisfaction_n of_o our_o doubt_n and_o objection_n and_o though_o this_o may_v seem_v a_o paradox_n in_o this_o age_n of_o schism_n and_o faction_n yet_o the_o rely_v on_o the_o church_n be_v the_o very_a same_o direction_n that_o st._n paul_n give_v 2_o tim._n 3._o 15._o where_o he_o call_v the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n for_o if_o so_o than_o all_o that_o be_v christian_n aught_o to_o rely_v upon_o this_o pillar_n and_o to_o build_v their_o faith_n upon_o that_o which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o truth_n but_o i_o know_v he_o there_o mean_v the_o universal_a church_n but_o you_o will_v say_v how_o shall_v i_o who_o be_o a_o illiterate_a person_n or_o a_o private_a gentleman_n and_o understand_v not_o the_o language_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n and_o other_o church_n write_n be_v pen_v know_v what_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n be_v for_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o search_v for_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n myself_o i_o answer_v read_v the_o scripture_n in_o english_a and_o practice_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v plain_a and_o easy_a in_o they_o and_o as_o for_o difficult_a dispute_v either_o let_v they_o quite_o alone_o or_o else_o consult_v in_o all_o difficulty_n the_o direction_n of_o your_o own_o church_n the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o those_o guide_n which_o she_o have_v set_v over_o you_o but_o may_v not_o these_o deceive_v i_o too_o as_o well_o as_o my_o own_o reason_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v