Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	rule_n	scripture_n	3,053	5	6.0044	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59220	Errour non-plust, or, Dr. Stillingfleet shown to be the man of no principles with an essay how discourses concerning Catholick grounds bear the highest evidence.	Sergeant, John, 1622-1707.	1673 (1673)	Wing S2565; ESTC R18785	126,507	288

such_o firm_a and_o evident_a ground_n but_o i_o presume_v i_o have_v already_o perform_v this_o in_o my_o sure-footing_a and_o its_o corollary_n as_o also_o in_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o its_o inference_n and_o if_o it_o shall_v appear_v needful_a or_o be_v require_v of_o i_o by_o learned_a man_n it_o may_v perhaps_o hereafter_o be_v bring_v into_o a_o close_a and_o more_o rigorous_a form_n yet_o that_o it_o may_v be_v see_v how_o easy_o our_o discourse_n concern_v the_o certainty_n and_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v resolvable_a into_o evident_a principle_n i_o shall_v annex_v for_o a_o instance_n a_o small_a peace_n of_o i_o whi●h_o though_o it_o be_v never_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o severe_a process_n by_o way_n of_o principle_n but_o only_o mean_v for_o a_o connected_a discourse_n yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o each_o main_a joint_n of_o it_o where_o it_o speak_v assertive_o have_v a_o firm_a and_o evident_a principle_n at_o the_o bottom_n giving_z it_o stability_n and_o evidence_n and_o through_o virtue_n of_o these_o qualification_n render_v it_o solid_o and_o absolute_o convictive●_n the_o method_n to_o arrive_v at_o satisfaction_n in_o religion_n 1._o since_o all_o superstructure_n mn●t_v needs_o be_v weak_a who_o foundation_n be_v not_o sure_o lay_v he_o who_o desire_v to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o religion_n aught_o to_o begin_v with_o search_v out_o and_o establish_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o religion_n be_v build_v that_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n into_o which_o the_o several_a point_n of_o faith_n be_v resolve_v and_o on_o which_o their_o certainty_n as_o to_o we_o depend_v 2._o to_o do_v this_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o a_o church_n be_v a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a and_o faithful_a be_v those_o who_o have_v true_a faith_n wherefore_o till_o it_o be_v know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a faith_n it_o can_v be_v know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n again_o a_o council_n be_v a_o representative_a a_o father_n a_o eminent_a member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o a_o witness_n of_o her_o doctrine_n wherefore_o till_o it_o be_v know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n it_o can_v be_v know_v which_o be_v a_o council_n or_o who_o a_o father_n last_o since_o we_o can_v know_v which_o be_v scripture_n but_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o those_o who_o recommend_v it_o and_o of_o heretic_n we_o can_v have_v no_o security_n that_o they_o have_v not_o corrupt_v it_o in_o favour_n of_o their_o false_a tenet_n neither_o can_v we_o be_v secure_a which_o be_v scripture_n till_o we_o be_v satisfy_v who_o be_v the_o true_o faithful_a on_o who_o testimony_n we_o may_v safe_o rely_v in_o this_o affair_n 3._o wherefore_o he_o who_o sincere_o aim_v at_o satisfaction_n in_o religion_n ought_v first_o of_o all_o to_o find_v out_o and_o establish_v some_o assure_a mean_n or_o rule_n by_o which_o he_o may_v be_v secure_v which_o be_v true_a faith_n for_o till_o this_o be_v do_v he_o can_v be_v secure_a either_o of_o scripture_n church_n council_n or_o father_n but_o have_v once_o do_v this_o be_v in_o a_o ready_a way_n to_o judge_n certain_o of_o all_o whereas_o if_o he_o begin_v with_o any_o of_o the_o other_o or_o indeed_o argue_v from_o they_o at_o all_o till_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v first_o settle_v he_o take_v a_o wrong_a method_n and_o break_v the_o law_n of_o discourse_n by_o beginning_n with_o what_o be_v less_o cortain_a and_o indeed_o to_o he_o as_o yet_o uncertain_a and_o in_o effect_n put_v the_o conclusion_n before_o the_o premise_n unless_o he_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la or_o against_o the_o personal_a tenet_n of_o his_o adversary_n which_o be_v a_o good_a way_n to_o confute_v but_o not_o to_o satisfy_v 4._o and_o because_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v know_v before_o faith_n can_v be_v know_v and_o faith_n before_o scripture_n church_n council_n and_o father_n it_o appear_v that_o to_o the_o find_v out_o this_o rule_n no_o assistance_n of_o book_n will_v be_v requisite_a for_o every_o one_o who_o need_v faith_n be_v not_o capable_a to_o read_v and_o understand_v book_n there_o be_v leave_v then_o only_a reason_n to_o use_v in_o this_o inquiry_n and_o since_o people_n of_o all_o capacity_n be_v to_o be_v save_v much_o sharpness_n and_o depth_n of_o wit_n will_v not_o be_v requisite_a but_o plain_a natural_a reason_n right_o direct_v will_v suffice_v 5._o this_o be_v so_o the_o method_n of_o seek_v satisfaction_n in_o religion_n be_v become_v strange_o both_o more_o short_a and_o easy_a for_o here_o will_v need_v no_o tedious_a turn_n over_o library_n nor_o learning_n language_n nor_o endless_a compare_v voluminous_a quotation_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o the_o skill_n to_o read_v english_a all_o be_v reduce_v to_o the_o consider_v one_o single_a point_n but_o such_o a_o one_o as_o bear_v all_o along_o with_o it_o and_o this_o too_o comprehensible_a as_o will_v appear_v to_o a_o mean_a understanding_n again_o the_o large_a debate_v particular_a point_n in_o a_o controversiall_a way_n be_v by_o this_o mean_v avoid_v for_o when_o the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n be_v certain_o know_v then_o as_o certain_o as_o there_o be_v any_o faith_n in_o the_o world_n all_o that_o be_v receive_v on_o that_o rule_n be_v certain_a and_o of_o faith_n not_o but_o that_o it_o be_v of_o excellent_a use_n too_o to_o cherish_v and_o strengthen_v the_o faith_n especial_o of_o young_a believer_n by_o show_v each_o particular_a point_n agreeable_a to_o right_a reason_n and_o christian_a principle_n and_o record_v express_o in_o or_o deduce_v by_o consequence_n from_o the_o divinely-inspired_n book_n 6._o last_o this_o method_n be_v particular_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o sincere_a inquirer_n who_o if_o they_o want_v the_o liberty_n of_o their_o own_o native_a indifferency_n and_o be_v awe_v by_o any_o authority_n whatever_o before_o that_o authority_n be_v make_v out_o can_v but_o remain_v unsatisfy_a and_o inward_o feel_v they_o proceed_v not_o according_a to_o nature_n and_o the_o conduct_n of_o unbyast_a reason_n whereas_o when_o the_o authority_n be_v once_o make_v evident_a reason_n will_v clear_o inform_v they_o that_o it_o become_v their_o nature_n to_o assent_v to_o it_o 7._o but_o how_o will_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v so_o easy_o determinable_a by_o common_a reason_n which_o be_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n very_o evident_o but_o first_o we_o must_v observe_v the_o assent_n call_v faith_n depend_v upon_o two_o proposition_n what_o god_n have_v say_v be_v true_a and_o god_n have_v say_v this_o out_o of_o which_o two_o necessary_o follow_v the_o conclusion_n that_o this_o or_o that_o in_o particular_a be_v true_a of_o these_o two_o we_o be_v concern_v only_o in_o the_o late_a for_o to_o examine_v why_o god_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v when_o he_o have_v say_v any_o thing_n which_o they_o call_v the_o formal_a motive_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o a_o task_n for_o those_o who_o own_o christianity_n but_o all_o we_o have_v to_o do_v be_v to_o find_v out_o what_o god_n have_v say_v or_o which_o in_o our_o case_n be_v all_o one_o what_o christ_n have_v teach_v and_o that_o whatever_o it_o be_v which_o acqnaint_v we_o with_o this_o we_o call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o that_o which_o regulate_v our_o belief_n concern_v christ_n doctrine_n or_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n now_o i_o affirm_v i●_n may_v be_v obvious_a reason_n be_v discover_v which_o this_o rule_n be_v and_o that_o by_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o or_o consider_v what_o kind_n of_o thing_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v which_o be_v no_o more_o than_o attentive_o to_o reflect_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o two_o ordinary_a word_n rule_v &_o faith_n 8._o and_o both_o of_o they_o acquaint_v we_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v the_o mean_n to_o assure_v we_o infallible_o what_o christ_n teach_v for_o in_o case_n a_o rule_n though_o we_o apply_v it_o to_o our_o power_n and_o swerve_v not_o from_o it_o leave_v we_o still_o deceivable_a in_o those_o point_n in_o which_o it_o shall_v regulate_v we_o we_o need_v another_o rule_n to_o secure_v we_o that_o we_o be_v not_o actual_o deceive_v and_o so_o this_o other_o and_o not_o the_o former_a be_v our_o rule_n next_o faith_n speak_v of_o christian_a faith_n differ_v ●rom_o opinion_n in_o this_o that_o opinion_n may_v be_v false_a but_o faith_n can_v wherefore_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n both_o as_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n and_o as_o it_o ground_n faith_n double_o involve_v infallibility_n in_o its_o notion_n 9_o let_v we_o apply_v this_o to_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n for_o set_v aside_o the_o light_n of_o the_o private_a spirit_n ground_v phanaticism_n there_o be_v no_o more_o which_o claim_n to_o be_v rule_n of_o faith_n &_o see_v to_o which_o of_o they_o this_o

different_a degree_n of_o evidence_n and_o measure_n of_o divine_a assistance_n but_o every_o christian_a by_o the_o use_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o common_a help_n of_o grace_n may_v attain_v to_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o certainty_n from_o the_o convince_v argument_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o on_o the_o same_o ground_n on_o which_o man_n doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o they_o may_v as_o well_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o judge_v to_o be_v most_o evident_a to_o sense_n &_o reason_n i_o wish_v d._n s._n have_v explain_v himself_o here_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o different_a degree_n of_o evidence_n whither_o some_o glance_n or_o likely_a appearance_n of_o truth_n call_v great_a or_o lesser_a probability_n or_o such_o intellectual_a sight_n at_o the_o least_o of_o they_o discover_v the_o th●ng_n th●●_n evidence_v to_o ●e_v be_v indeed_o so_o or_o true_a i_o suspect_v much_o he_o mean_v the_o former_a because_o th●se_a be_v the_o most_o proper_a ground_n for_o fallible_a certainty_n which_o he_o be_v now_o go_v to_o establish_v whereas_o the_o latter_a sort_n of_o evidence_n will_v hazard_v to_o carry_v too_o far_o and_o to_o beget_v infallible_a certainty_n which_o will_v quite_o spoil_v his_o most_o excellent_a design_n of_o settle_v the_o fallible_a certainty_n of_o faith_n for_o those_o evidence_n which_o show_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a show_v it_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a whence_o it_o be_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o that_o such_o evidence_n as_o these_o will_v utter_o destroy_v his_o belove_a fallible_a certainty_n and_o endanger_v to_o introduce_v again_o by_o necessary_a and_o enforce_v consequence_n that_o popish_a doctrine_n of_o infallibility_n which_o he_o have_v new_o discard_v when_o he_o add_v that_o every_o christian_a may_v by_o the_o mean_n here_o assign_v attain_v to_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o certainty_n etc._n etc._n i_o have_v think_v he_o have_v mean_v certainty_n of_o the_o point_n of_o his_o faith_n but_o my_o hope_n be_v much_o defeat_v when_o come_v to_o the_o point_n he_o fly_v off_o to_o his_o christian_n not_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o convince_a argument_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o this_o be_v far_o wide_a of_o our_o purpose_n and_o his_o promise_n which_o be_v to_o reduce_v the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n to_o principle_n whereas_o these_o word_n signify_v no_o more_o but_o not_o to_o doubt_v of_o christianity_n be_v the_o true_a religion_n or_o scripture_n be_v god_n word_n but_o reach_v not_o to_o what_o be_v those_o point_n of_o christianity_n or_o determinate_a sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o particular_a which_o constitute_v protestantism_n and_o only_o concern_v our_o debate_n now_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o roman-catholic_n profess_v not_o to_o doubt_v of_o the_o convince_a ground_n of_o christianity_n nor_o yet_o of_o scripture_n but_o to_o hold_v that_o christianity_n be_v the_o only-true_a religion_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v holy_a and_o god_n word_n and_o yet_o we_o differ_v so_o much_o from_o protestant_n that_o he_o think_v we_o idolater_n what_o we_o be_v then_o in_o reason_n to_o expect_v from_o dr._n st._n be_v that_o he_o will_v bring_v we_o ground_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o faith_n as_o to_o determinate_a point_n viz._n christ_n godhead_n a_o trinity_n reality_n or_o not-reality_n of_o christ_n body_n in_o the_o eucharist_n and_o such_o like_a and_o those_o so_o certain_a as_o that_o we_o may_v as_o well_o doubt_v of_o what_o we_o judge_v to_o be_v most_o evident_a to_o sense_n and_o reason_n as_o doubt_v of_o they_o as_o he_o here_o pretend_v and_o not_o put_v we_o off_o with_o common_a word_n in_o stead_n of_o particular_a satisfaction_n concern_v his_o faith_n and_o the_o certainty_n thereof_o i_o will_v ask_v he_o then_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o socinian_n who_o he_o will_v not_o deny_v to_o have_v both_o use_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o common_a help_n of_o grace_n and_o both_o the_o convince_a argument_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o authority_n of_o scripture_n to_o make_v use_n of_o how_o i_o say_v he_o come_v so_o to_o fall_v short_a of_o evidence_n and_o consequent_o certainty_n spring_v from_o that_o evidence_n concern_v christ_n godhead_n which_o be_v a_o fundamental_a point_n of_o christian_a faith_n that_o he_o doubt_v it_o nay_o utter_o deny_v it_o whereas_o yet_o the_o protestant_a have_v the_o same_o mean_n to_o work_v with_o judges_z he_o have_v evidence_n and_o certainty_n ground_v on_o that_o evidence_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n yet_o all_o this_o while_n they_o dissent_v not_o at_o all_o in_o thing_n most_o evident_a to_o sense_n or_o reason_n i_o much_o fear_v our_o drs._n big_a word_n concern_v his_o degree_n of_o evidence_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o faith_n build_v on_o those_o degree_n will_v when_o examine_v amount_v to_o a_o very_a obscure_a evidence_n and_o a_o problematical_a kind_n of_o assuredness_n much_o like_o those_o comfortable_a light_n which_o both_o party_n have_v when_o they_o lie_v even_o wager_n at_o cockfighting_n &_o such_o game_n give_v good_a hope_n to_o both_o side_n but_o good_a security_n to_o neither_o but_o so_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v if_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o infallible_o but_o only_o fallibly-certain_a which_o be_v all_o he_o be_v bend_v to_o prove_v 25._o no_o man_n who_o firm_o assent_v to_o any_o thing_n as_o true_a can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n entertain_v any_o suspicion_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o for_o that_o be_v to_o make_v he_o certain_a and_o uncertain_a of_o the_o same_o thing_n it_o be_v therefore_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o these_o who_o be_v certain_a of_o what_o they_o believe_v may_v at_o the_o same_o time_n not_o know_v but_o it_o may_v be_v false_a which_o be_v a_o apparent_a contradiction_n and_o overthrow_v any_o faculty_n in_o we_o of_o judge_v of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n this_o principle_n and_o the_o next_o be_v i_o conceive_v intend_v to_o preserve_v the_o dr_n and_o his_o friend_n credit_v against_o the_o inference_n at_o the_o end_n of_o faith_n vindicate_v and_o diverse_a other_o passage_n show_v they_o either_o to_o be_v far_o from_o good_a christian_n in_o hold_v that_o all_o christian_a faith_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o error_n and_o lie_v imposture_n or_o else_o very_o bad_a discourser_n of_o their_o own_o thought_n whilst_o they_o equivalent_o express_v themselves_o in_o divers_a place_n to_o be_v possible_o in_o a_o error_n in_o all_o they_o believe_v nay_o more_o all_o christian_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o be_v in_o the_o same_o condition_n this_o if_o justify_v can_v but_o reflect_v on_o they_o be_v so_o concern_v a_o lapse_n and_o i_o have_v at_o dr._n st_n brisk_a instigation_n charge_v it_o home_o in_o reason_n against_o raillery_n though_o i_o still_o express_v myself_o to_o incline_v to_o the_o more_o civil_a and_o more_o charitable_a side_n and_o rather_o lay_v the_o blame_n on_o their_o understanding_n then_o on_o their_o will_n and_o intention_n which_o book_n have_v dr._n st._n see_v when_o he_o write_v this_o he_o will_v have_v discern_v the_o triflingness_n of_o these_o weak_a excuse_n but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o he_o say_v his_o fir●t_o part_n be_v build_v on_o a_o most_o gross_a and_o senseless_a error_n which_o be_v that_o he_o who_o firm_o assent_v to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a be_v certain_a of_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o those_o word_n for_o this_o be_v to_o make_v he_o certain_a and_o uncertain_a of_o the_o same_o thing_n i_o wonder_v exceed_o where_o the_o dr._n ●earned_v this_o notion_n of_o certainty_n not_o from_o mankind_n i_o be_o sure_a at_o least_o not_o from_o those_o who_o have_v the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n for_o all_o these_o already_o know_v it_o to_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o man_n may_v firm_o assent_v to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a and_o yet_o that_o thing_n be_v false_a must_v that_o man_n therefore_o be_v certain_a of_o that_o falsehood_n and_o that_o it_o be_v though_o in_o reality_n it_o be_v not_o we_o experience_n that_o opposite_a party_n firm_o assent_v to_o contrary_a tenet_n as_o true_a for_o example_n the_o socinian_o firm_o assent_v that_o christ_n be_v not_o god_n we_o and_o the_o protestant_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n catholic_n assent_v firm_o that_o they_o be_v not_o idolater_n when_o they_o make_v use_v of_o holy_a image_n in_o divine_a worship_n d._n st._n firm_o assent_v they_o be_v at_o least_o he_o will_v persuade_v his_o 〈◊〉_d by_o his_o book_n he_o do_v so_o be_v all_o these_o opposite_a side_n certain_a of_o their_o several_a tenet_n because_o each_o side_n firm_o assent_v to_o they_o as_o true_a