Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	bishop_n	church_n	presbyter_n	3,490	5	10.5633	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A47280	The sober conformists answer to a rigid conformists reasons why in this juncture no alteration should be made in the government of the Church of Scotland.	Ker, William.	1689 (1689)	Wing K346; ESTC R8036	26,163	32

homogenous_a and_o therefore_o also_o the_o mos_fw-la to_o suitable_a and_o excellent_a order_n of_o the_o church_n make_v the_o government_n of_o particular_a church_n and_o of_o the_o universal_a visible_a church_n to_o agree_v together_o with_o a_o excellent_a harmony_n and_o most_o orderly_a decency_n i_o be_o natural_o of_o such_o a_o ingenuous_a temper_n that_o i_o have_v not_o the_o confidence_n to_o reply_v that_o the_o member_n of_o the_o oecumenick_n cnuncil_n be_v diocesan_n bishop_n because_o i_o not_o only_o know_v that_o presbyter_n have_v be_v admi●…ed_v member_n and_o vote_v as_o well_o as_o bishop_n and_o that_o presbyterian_a as_o well_o as_o episcopal_a church_n must_v be_v allow_v their_o delegate_n in_o case_n of_o a_o oecumenick_n council_n without_o any_o other_o power_n than_o that_o of_o the_o representative_n of_o the_o church_n that_o send_v they_o repre_n scent_v their_o brethren_n and_o not_o have_v power_n over_o they_o lodge_v in_o their_o single_a person_n but_o i_o perceive_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o argument_n do_v not_o at_o all_o consist_v in_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o member_n of_o a_o general_n council_n whether_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n but_o its_o frame_n and_o the_o method_n of_o its_o act_n and_o exert_v its_o authority_n and_o final_o i_o have_v be_v great_o ashamed_a and_o quite_o confound_v when_o they_o ask_v whether_o a_o erastian_n head_n a_o episcopal_a body_n and_o a_o presbyterian_a tail_n will_v orderly_o agree_v together_o to_o make_v a_o entire_a church_n government_n and_o laugh_v at_o the_o monstruous_a fabric_n of_o our_o government_n by_o such_o a_o mixed_a ure_n tell_v i_o that_o we_o attribute_v a_o ecclesiastical_a supremacy_n to_o the_o king_n to_o unite_v he_o to_o our_o interest_n that_o we_o may_v abuse_v and_o pro●…itute_v his_o power_n and_o authority_n in_o prosecute_a and_o promove_v it_o and_o that_o we_o make_v use_v of_o parochial_a session_n from_o the_o example_n of_o presbytry_n though_o lay_v elder_n be_v contrary_a to_o our_o principle_n for_o amuse_v the_o conscience_n of_o ignorant_a people_n into_o the_o more_o willing_a subjection_n to_o we_o as_o nothing_o differ_v from_o presbyterian_a minister_n but_o that_o episcopal_a preeminency_n and_o benefice_n be_v the_o chief_a design_n of_o all_o to_o satisfy_v the_o ambition_n &_o avarice_n of_o the_o lead_a man_n among_o we_o &_o to_o be_v a_o shelter_n and_o encouragement_n to_o the_o ignorance_n idleness_n and_o profanity_n of_o the_o r●st_n of_o we_o thus_o you_o see_v how_o they_o have_v treat_v i_o in_o this_o point_n who_o though_o i_o come_v short_a in_o point_n of_o obstinate_a confidence_n yet_o i_o understand_v the_o controversy_n betwixt_o presbyterian_o and_o we_o better_a than_o many_o of_o my_o brethren_n and_o have_v have_v great_a advantage_n so_o to_o do_v then_o the_o most_o part_n of_o they_o and_o i_o nothing_o doubt_v but_o you_o will_v meet_v with_o the_o like_a usage_n from_o your_o adversary_n to_o your_o public_a shame_n and_o affront_a our_o cause_n if_o you_o prevent_v it_o not_o the_o next_o thing_n be_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v the_o best_a adapt_v for_o preservation_n of_o peace_n presbyterian_o will_v acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a calm_a gentle_a and_o peaceable_a government_n to_o scandalous_a sinner_n and_o in_o this_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o be_v more_o acceptable_a than_o the_o presbyterian_a to_o such_o not_o know_v that_o favour_n to_o their_o sin_n be_v cruelty_n to_o their_o soul_n and_o yet_o i_o have_v hear_v some_o of_o our_o own_o persuasion_n say_v that_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n amid_o all_o its_o severity_n be_v more_o favourable_a than_o the_o episcopal_a because_o though_o they_o be_v greedy_a of_o foulkes_n repentance_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o greedy_a of_o their_o purse_n but_o you_o may_v assure_v yourself_o it_o will_v be_v account_v the_o height_n of_o impudence_n so_o much_o as_o to_o have_v mention_v peace_n as_o the_o native_a effect_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o all_o the_o world_n will_v be_v app●_n ale_v unto_o whether_o our_o bishop_n have_v not_o be_v the_o chief_a troubler_n of_o israel_n and_o whether_o the_o connivance_n to_o say_v no_o more_o of_o the_o episcopal_a government_n a●…_n popery_n and_o profanity_n which_o be_v the_o only_a peaceable_a effect_n it_o can_v pretend_v to_o in_o scotland_n do_v counterbalance_v its_o rigour_n and_o cruelty_n against_o nonconformity_n even_o when_o accompany_v with_o exemplary_a sobriety_n piety_n and_o loyalty_n or_o whether_o it_o do_v not_o exceed_o aggredge_v the_o same_o and_o render_v it_o the_o more_o odious_a to_o all_o that_o compare_v its_o favour_n to_o th●se_a with_o its_o severity_n to_o this_o and_o ingenuous_o whatever_o be_v in_o their_o impute_v to_o episcopacy_n tyranny_n over_o man_n conscience_n as_o its_o native_a effect_n yet_o it_o be_v so_o sad_o evident_a that_o it_o have_v extreme_o degenerate_v thereunto_o in_o this_o church_n and_o kingdom_n that_o we_o can_v doubt_v but_o it_o will_v meet_v with_o a_o eas_fw-la ie_fw-fr belief_n from_o most_o part_n of_o the_o nation_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o your_o confident_a assertion_n to_o the_o contrary_a they_o will_v grant_v that_o presbytery_n have_v be_v so_o unfortunate_a as_o not_o only_o to_o be_v render_v unacceptable_a to_o our_o king_n be_v at_o a_o distance_n in_o another_o nation_n by_o the_o cunning_a misinformation_n of_o self-seeking_a courtier_n the_o calumnious_a instigation_n of_o english_a bishop_n ignorant_a of_o the_o genius_n of_o scotland_n and_o the_o pragnatick_a influence_n of_o jesuit_n who_o great_a eye_n sore_o it_o be_v but_o also_o to_o be_v make_v a_o mask_n to_o the_o politic_a design_n of_o incendiary_n and_o usurper_n though_o they_o retain_v it_o no_o long_o than_o their_o design_n behove_v to_o be_v keep_v close_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n to_o be_v miscontrue_v as_o the_o chief_a cause_n of_o war_n and_o blood_n s_o head_n by_o these_o who_o understand_v not_o the_o intrigue_n of_o affair_n but_o after_o they_o grant_v you_o all_o this_o nothing_o they_o will_v confident_o accuse_v episcopacy_n that_o it_o have_v be_v both_o so_o cruel_a and_o shameless_a as_o even_o of_o choice_n to_o turn_v the_o most_o serene_a peace_n &_o solid_a happiness_n that_o ever_o this_o nation_n be_v bless_v with_o at_o the_o restauration_n of_o k._n charles_n the_o second_o into_o a_o perpetual_a tragedy_n of_o persecution_n oppression_n and_o of_o arbitrary_a government_n manifest_o of_o design_n to_o introduce_v and_o establish_v itself_o without_o the_o conjunction_n of_o any_o other_o malign_v influence_n imaginable_a though_o perhaps_o a_o popish_a party_n stroke_n in_o to_o a_o after_o game_n find_v episcopal_n as_o forward_o as_o they_o can_v wish_v to_o ruin_v presbyterian_n though_o to_o the_o weaken_n of_o the_o protestant_a interest_n hope_v that_o if_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v ruin_v by_o we_o yet_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o weaken_v and_o exasperace_v as_o to_o be_v easy_o gull_v by_o their_o pretend_a moderation_n to_o a_o concurrence_n with_o they_o for_o the_o raze_n down_o the_o security_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n by_o the_o penal_a law_n against_o papist_n which_o by_o a_o total_a desuetude_n we_o have_v render_v contemptible_a to_o shelter_v themselves_o from_o our_o rigorous_a and_o severe_a law_n against_o they_o that_o so_o at_o length_n popery_n may_v swallow_v we_o up_o both_o and_o no_o thanks_o to_o we_o that_o the_o papist_n be_v disappoint_v of_o their_o design_n by_o the_o presbyterian_n great_a zeal_n against_o popery_n than_o resentment_n at_o our_o great_a severity_n to_o they_o then_o to_o papist_n which_o when_o i_o consider_v i_o have_v a_o strong_a apprehension_n that_o the_o lord_n be_v about_o to_o reward_v their_o faithfulness_n to_o their_o principle_n as_o protestant_n with_o a_o legal_a establishment_n of_o their_o government_n in_o its_o integrity_n under_o a_o presbyterian_a king_n according_a to_o their_o wish_n so_o that_o you_o see_v what_o ever_o else_o you_o ascribe_v to_o episcopacy_n your_o be_v folly_n to_o maintain_v peace_n in_o the_o last_o place_n you_o say_v that_o episcopal_a government_n be_v find_v by_o experience_n to_o be_v the_o best_a adapt_v for_o preservation_n of_o unity_n and_o why_o not_o say_v they_o the_o papal_z government_n for_o unity_n among_o bishop_n as_o well_o as_o the_o episcopal_a for_o uni●y_n among_o presbyter_n but_o they_o will_v speak_v more_o home_n and_o accuse_v we_o of_o schism_n in_o re●…ding_v from_o the_o unrepealed_a act_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o s●_n father_n the_o schism_n on_o episcopacy_n intrude_v into_o the_o church_n by_o mere_a civil_a law_n and_o violent_o press_v upon_o all_o by_o the_o sword_n of_o persecution_n without_o any_o due_a pain_n or_o proper_a method_n use_v for_o prepare_v the_o nation_n for_o its_o reception_n and_o albeit_o that_o the_o present_a division_n among_o presbyterian_o

the_o sober_a conformist_n answer_v to_o a_o rigid_a conformist_n reason_n why_o in_o this_o juncture_n no_o alteration_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n prov._n 26.4_o answer_v not_o a_o fool_n according_a to_o his_o folly_n lest_o thou_o also_o be_v like_a unto_o he_o verse_n 5._o answer_v a_o fool_n according_a to_o his_o folly_n lest_o he_o be_v wise_a in_o his_o own_o conceit_n m._n d._n dickson_n papist_n hate_v nothing_o in_o prelacy_n but_o what_o be_v presbyterian_a and_o presbyterian_o hate_v nothing_o in_o it_o but_o what_o it_o popish_a m._n r._n blair_n the_o bishop_n of_o england_n be_v like_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n some_o good_a some_o bad_a the_o bishop_n of_o scotland_n be_v like_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n not_o a_o good_a one_o among_o they_o all_o publish_a by_o a_o lover_n of_o peace_n and_o truth_n print_a in_o the_o year_n mdclxxxix_o reasins_z why_o in_o this_o juncture_n no_o alteration_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n reason_n i._o because_o episcopal_a government_n have_v not_o only_o the_o advantage_n of_o apostolic_a constitution_n and_o natural_a reception_n by_o all_o christian_a church_n from_o christ_n to_o calvin_n but_o also_o be_v find_v by_o experience_n to_o be_v the_o best_a adapt_v for_o preservation_n of_o order_n peace_n and_o unity_n rea._n 2._o because_o the_o most_o of_o the_o gentry_n and_o burgess_n have_v take_v the_o test_n and_o therefore_o can_v never_o without_o perjury_n vote_n for_o the_o introduction_n of_o presbytry_n or_o choose_v such_o a_o commissioner_n as_o may_v be_v suspect_v to_o favour_v that_o way_n rea_n 3._o if_o presbytry_n be_v vote_v then_o return_v upon_o you_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n as_o be_v evident_a not_o only_o from_o the_o present_a proceed_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a preacher_n but_o also_o from_o the_o natural_a exigence_n of_o the_o thing_n it_o not_o be_v possible_a to_o conceive_v a_o foundation_n for_o parity_n without_o it_o and_o if_o the_o covenant_n return_v then_o beside_o the_o many_o impiety_n of_o that_o oath_n it_o must_v make_v the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o nation_n either_o perjure_v or_o miserable_a and_o no_o man_n can_v have_v any_o public_a place_n either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n but_o such_o as_o shall_v do_v penance_n for_o take_v the_o test_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o laity_n of_o the_o nation_n must_v be_v reduce_v to_o great_a strait_n both_o in_o reference_n to_o conscience_n and_o interest_n and_o the_o present_a regular_a clergy_n be_v turn_v out_o which_o will_v reduce_v the_o church_n to_o such_o amaze_a hardship_n that_o the_o god_n pel_n shall_v not_o be_v preach_v in_o three_o part_n of_o the_o kingdom_n there_o not_o be_v a_o hundred_o qualify_v presbyterian_o in_o the_o kingdom_n rea_n 4._o because_o if_o presbytry_n shall_v not_o be_v thus_o establish_v in_o its_o integrity_n but_o all_o that_o alteration_n turn_v to_o a_o non-episcopacy_a and_o the_o present_a presbyter_n continue_v in_o their_o office_n than_o our_o deplorable_a schism_n and_o division_n will_v continue_v without_o a_o remedy_n or_o else_o the_o magistrate_n will_v take_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o he_o and_o we_o must_v have_v downright_a erastianism_n rea_n 5_o because_o the_o establishment_n of_o presbytry_n will_v have_v a_o most_o pernicious_a influence_n upon_o the_o protestant_a religion_n in_o this_o island_n if_o ever_o popery_n set_v up_o its_o head_n for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o scotland_n must_v stand_v on_o different_a bottom_n &_o so_o will_v be_v oblige_v to_o justify_v themselves_o by_o different_a argument_n which_o will_v prove_v very_o hard_o for_o scotland_n see_v presbytry_n will_v divid_n it_o from_o england_n which_o open_v a_o door_n to_o the_o reentry_n of_o popery_n which_o can_v but_o aleniate_v the_o affection_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n from_o we_o which_o consider_v our_o own_o weakness_n will_v expose_v we_o a_o prey_n to_o the_o common_a enemy_n rea._n 6._o to_o be_v for_o presbytry_n in_o this_o juncture_n will_v exceed_o disoblige_v the_o princess_n of_o orange_n who_o principle_n be_v know_v to_o all_o europe_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o prince_n also_o who_o have_v no_o inclination_n for_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n as_o he_o have_v now_o abundant_o declare_v rea._n 7_o let_v all_o think_v man_n but_o reflect_v upon_o the_o natural_a tempter_n of_o presbytry_n and_o view_v it_o in_o its_o tyrannical_a pragmatic_n meddle_v and_o domineer_a effect_n which_o many_o good_a man_n yet_o live_v of_o all_o quality_n have_v severe_o feel_v let_v they_o likewise_o consider_v the_o hypocrisy_n immorality_n and_o antichristian_a genius_n of_o that_o party_n and_o then_o let_v they_o vote_n for_o it_o if_o they_o think_v fit_a rea_n 8_o if_o the_o church_n of_o england_n continue_v as_o it_o be_v as_o undoubted_o be_v will_n and_o scotland_n be_v reduce_v to_o presbytry_n then_o consider_v the_o boundless_a and_o restless_a spirit_n of_o presbytry_n scotland_n will_v impose_v sicut_fw-la ante_fw-la a_o uniformity_n in_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n upon_o that_o nation_n which_o will_v commence_v a_o new_a civil_a war_n the_o thought_n of_o which_o can_v but_o breed_v horror_n in_o all_o reasonable_a men._n sir_n if_o the_o wound_n of_o a_o friend_n be_v better_a than_o the_o kiss_n of_o a_o enemy_n they_o shall_v be_v far_o more_o acceptable_a than_o the_o wound_n of_o a_o enemy_n and_o therefore_o i_o expect_v you_o will_v not_o be_v displease_v with_o my_o freedom_n in_o this_o line_n design_v for_o prevent_v your_o more_o severe_a and_o shameful_a treatment_n by_o our_o adversary_n to_o who_o you_o have_v give_v great_a advantage_n by_o some_o reason_n you_o have_v write_v why_o in_o this_o juncture_n there_o s_o hold_v be_v no_o alteration_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n of_o baffle_n our_o cause_n so_o unreasonable_o and_o weak_o defend_v by_o you_o for_o albeit_o there_o be_v many_o sober_a presbyterian_o who_o generous_a compassion_n of_o our_o present_a stagger_a condition_n will_v not_o allow_v they_o to_o give_v you_o such_o a_o humble_v repartee_n as_o you_o give_v too_o large_a ground_n for_o yet_o as_o we_o deserve_v it_o not_o at_o their_o hand_n who_o have_v be_v so_o cruel_a to_o they_o in_o their_o low_a condition_n so_o we_o can_v expect_v it_o from_o every_o one_o of_o they_o especial_o when_o they_o be_v at_o once_o encourage_v by_o the_o many_o disadvantage_n of_o our_o pray_fw-mi send_v circumstance_n and_o irritate_v by_o your_o extreme_a bitterness_n against_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o advise_v you_o will_v recall_v all_o the_o copy_n of_o it_o which_o i_o be_o hopeful_a have_v not_o yet_o spread_v far_o for_o in_o genuous_o they_o be_v so_o weak_a that_o few_o of_o our_o persuasion_n will_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o transcribe_v they_o and_o i_o think_v they_o will_v be_v more_o careful_a of_o our_o reputation_n then_o to_o suffer_v they_o to_o come_v to_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o presbyterian_a as_o through_o time_n they_o may_v if_o you_o prevent_v it_o not_o but_o lest_o your_o vanity_n make_v you_o confident_o contemn_v my_o counsel_n i_o shall_v take_v a_o little_a pain_n to_o abate_v your_o confidence_n by_o show_v you_o how_o easy_o and_o advantageous_o our_o adversary_n with_o who_o i_o have_v frequent_a converse_n can_v answer_v you_o but_o i_o must_v first_o express_v my_o dissatisfaction_n with_o the_o title_n you_o give_v your_o paper_n so_o liable_a to_o the_o most_o perplex_v exception_n can_v be_v make_v against_o we_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o you_o have_v hear_v i_o have_v hear_v it_o so_o often_o how_o lamentable_o archbishop_n p_o be_v baffle_v of_o late_a by_o mr._n roger_n at_o glasgow_n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n give_v he_o wear_v too_o conscious_a to_o ourselves_o that_o the_o sole_a support_n of_o our_o interest_n be_v but_o civil_a law_n though_o the_o bishop_n be_v at_o the_o make_v they_o and_o that_o all_o ecclesiastic_a authority_n be_v on_o their_o side_n and_o therefore_o you_o will_v be_v inextricable_o puzzle_v if_o they_o put_v the_o question_n to_o you_o which_o of_o the_o two_o be_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n that_o which_o be_v only_o introduce_v by_o civil_a law_n without_o any_o eeclesiastick_a authority_n contrary_a to_o the_o stand_a law_n of_o the_o church_n never_o yet_o repeal_v by_o any_o church_n judicature_n or_o that_o which_o be_v establish_v by_o many_o national_a assembly_n of_o the_o church_n though_o contrar_n to_o posteriour_a act_n of_o parliament_n make_v without_o any_o consequent_a far_o les_fw-fr s_o antecedent_n determination_n of_o any_o church_n judicatory_a they_o may_v likewise_o give_v you_o a_o