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
A59866	A resolution of some cases of conscience which respect church-communion viz. I. whether to communicate with some church, especially in such a divided state of the church, be a necessary duty incumbent on all Christians, II. whether constant communion be a necessary duty where occasional communion is lawful, III. whether it be lawful to communicate with two churches, which are in a state of separation from each other.	Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.	1683 (1683)	Wing S3336; ESTC R18449	30,364	54

worship_n and_o their_o great_a endeavour_n to_o draw_v away_o member_n from_o each_o other_o which_o necessary_o suppose_v that_o they_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o each_o other_o member_n as_o their_o own_o i_o say_v if_o from_o these_o consideration_n it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v not_o and_o do_v not_o think_v themselves_o to_o be_v one_o body_n nor_o member_n of_o each_o other_o than_o they_o be_v two_o separate_a church_n and_o the_o church_n which_o make_v the_o separation_n be_v the_o schismatic_a and_o indeed_o we_o may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o a_o monarchy_n and_o aristocracy_n and_o democracy_n in_o the_o same_o nation_n with_o their_o distinct_a governor_n and_o distinct_a subject_n and_o distinct_a law_n that_o be_v always_o at_o enmity_n and_o war_n with_o each_o other_o be_v but_o one_o kingdom_n as_o to_o assert_v that_o the_o episcopal_a and_o presbyterian_a church_n in_o england_n be_v but_o one_o church_n 3._o the_o last_o thing_n to_o be_v explain_v be_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o fix_a or_o constant_a and_o by_o occasional_a communion_n now_o this_o be_v a_o question_n which_o will_v grievous_o have_v puzzle_v st._n cyprian_n and_o st._n austin_n and_o other_o ancient_a father_n who_o never_o hear_v but_o of_o one_o sort_n of_o communion_n for_o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o this_o distinction_n of_o constant_a and_o occasional_a communion_n according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o catholic_n communion_n to_o be_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o a_o member_n signify_v a_o fix_a and_o constant_a not_o a_o occasional_a member_n not_o a_o member_n which_o be_v one_o day_n a_o member_n and_o the_o next_o day_n upon_o his_o own_o voluntary_a choice_n be_v no_o member_n which_o be_v a_o member_n or_o no_o member_n just_a as_o occasion_n serve_v and_o if_o church-membership_a be_v a_o fix_a and_o constant_a relation_n in_o itself_o consider_v than_o the_o duty_n of_o this_o relation_n be_v fix_v and_o constant_a also_o and_o therefore_o for_o the_o understanding_n of_o these_o term_n which_o be_v unknown_a to_o antiquity_n we_o must_v consult_v the_o meaning_n of_o our_o modern_a author_n who_o be_v the_o first_o inventor_n of_o they_o now_o by_o fix_a communion_n they_o mean_v a_o actual_a and_o constant_a communicate_v with_o some_o one_o particular_a church_n as_o fix_v member_n of_o it_o occasional_a communion_n be_v to_o pray_v and_o hear_v and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n at_o some_o other_o church_n of_o which_o they_o do_v not_o own_v themselves_o to_o be_v member_n as_o occasion_n serve_v that_o be_v either_o to_o gratify_v their_o own_o curiosity_n or_o to_o serve_v some_o secular_a end_n or_o to_o avoid_v the_o imputation_n of_o schism_n now_o this_o distinction_n be_v owe_v to_o such_o principle_n as_o i_o have_v evident_o prove_v to_o be_v very_o great_a mistake_n for_o if_o to_o be_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n signify_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o it_o and_o that_o not_o of_o any_o particular_a church_n as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n but_o to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o every_o sound_a part_n of_o it_o then_o our_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n be_v as_o fix_v as_o our_o relation_n and_o membership_n be_v and_o i_o think_v no_o man_n who_o understand_v himself_o will_v talk_v of_o a_o occasional_a member_n if_o no_o man_n can_v perform_v any_o act_n of_o communion_n with_o a_o church_n of_o which_o he_o be_v no_o member_n since_o all_o act_n of_o communion_n have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o a_o state_n of_o communion_n and_o that_o which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o communion_n in_o a_o member_n be_v no_o act_n of_o communion_n when_o perform_v by_o he_o who_o be_v no_o member_n as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v than_o it_o be_v as_o plain_a a_o contradiction_n to_o talk_v of_o a_o occasional_a act_n of_o communion_n as_o of_o occasional_a membership_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o place_n for_o occasional_a communion_n with_o a_o church_n of_o which_o we_o be_v no_o member_n unless_o we_o will_v say_v that_o a_o man_n who_o be_v not_o in_o communion_n may_v exercise_v act_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n if_o all_o the_o act_n of_o christian_a communion_n which_o respect_v christian_a worship_n such_o as_o prayer_n receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n etc._n etc._n tho_o perform_v in_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o act_n mere_o of_o a_o particular_a church-communion_n but_o of_o catholic_n communion_n with_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n and_o every_o sound_a part_n of_o it_o than_o every_o true_a catholic_n christian_n be_v not_o only_o in_o a_o fix_a state_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o live_v in_o as_o constant_a a_o exercise_n of_o christian_a communion_n with_o all_o sound_n and_o orthodox_n church_n as_o he_o do_v with_o that_o church_n in_o which_o he_o live_v for_o every_o act_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o communion_n with_o that_o particular_a church_n in_o which_o it_o be_v perform_v if_o that_o church_n be_v in_o catholic_n communion_n be_v a_o act_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n and_o therefore_o the_o very_a exercise_n of_o christian_a communion_n be_v equal_o fix_v and_o constant_a or_o equal_o occasional_a with_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n there_o be_v a_o sense_n indeed_o wherein_o we_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v member_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n consider_v as_o distinct_a from_o all_o other_o particular_a church_n but_o that_o principal_o consist_v in_o government_n and_o discipline_n every_o christian_a be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n and_o in_o communion_n with_o it_o but_o he_o be_v under_o the_o immediate_a instruction_n and_o government_n of_o his_o own_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o be_v bind_v to_o personal_a communion_n with_o they_o and_o this_o constitute_v a_o particular_a church_n in_o which_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o all_o act_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n be_v under_o the_o direction_n and_o conduct_n of_o a_o particular_a bishop_n and_o when_o neighbour_n bishop_n unite_v into_o one_o body_n and_o agree_v upon_o some_o common_a rule_n of_o government_n and_o the_o administration_n of_o religious_a office_n this_o make_v they_o a_o patriarchal_a or_o national_a church_n and_o thus_o by_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n and_o discipline_n of_o such_o particular_a or_o unite_a bishop_n we_o become_v member_n of_o a_o diocesan_n or_o national_a church_n consider_v as_o distinct_a from_o other_o diocesan_n or_o national_a church_n but_o this_o do_v not_o confine_v our_o church-membership_a and_o communion_n to_o such_o a_o particular_a church_n though_o it_o strict_o oblige_v we_o to_o conform_v to_o the_o worship_n and_o discipline_n and_o government_n of_o that_o church_n wherein_o we_o live_v while_o it_o impose_v nothing_o on_o we_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o catholic_n communion_n but_o though_o particular_a christian_n be_v more_o peculiar_o oblige_v to_o observe_v the_o rite_n and_o usage_n and_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o to_o maintain_v personal_a communion_n with_o it_o and_o upon_o this_o account_n may_v in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n be_v call_v the_o member_n of_o that_o church_n yet_o every_o act_n of_o communion_n perform_v in_o this_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o act_n of_o catholic_n communion_n and_o a_o exercise_n of_o christian_a communion_n with_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o every_o sound_a part_n of_o it_o baptism_n make_v we_o member_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o give_v we_o a_o right_a to_o communion_n with_o every_o sound_a part_n of_o it_o every_o act_n of_o christian_a communion_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o virtual_a communion_n with_o the_o whole_a church_n with_o all_o particular_a church_n which_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o each_o other_o and_o notwithstanding_o my_o relation_n to_o a_o particular_a church_n by_o my_o constant_a abide_v and_o habitation_n in_o it_o when_o ever_o i_o travel_v into_o any_o other_o church_n i_o communicate_v with_o they_o as_o a_o member_n so_o that_o wherever_o i_o communicate_v whether_o in_o that_o church_n in_o which_o i_o usual_o live_v or_o in_o any_o other_o particular_a church_n where_o i_o be_o accidental_o present_a my_o communion_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n that_o be_v i_o communicate_v as_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a i_o shall_v communicate_v otherwise_o for_o i_o have_v no_o right_n to_o communion_n but_o as_o a_o member_n and_o nothing_o i_o can_v do_v can_v be_v a_o act_n of_o communion_n if_o i_o be_v not_o and_o do_v not_o own_v myself_o to_o be_v a_o member_n and_o yet_o

to_o their_o own_o select_a company_n and_o exclude_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_n all_o the_o world_n over_o out_o of_o it_o their_o communion_n be_v no_o large_a than_o their_o gather_a church_n for_o if_o it_o be_v than_o they_o must_v still_o communicate_v with_o those_o church_n which_o have_v corrupt_a member_n as_o all_o visible_a church_n on_o earth_n have_v unless_o we_o will_v except_v independent_o because_o they_o have_v the_o confidence_n to_o except_v themselves_o and_o then_o their_o separation_n do_v not_o answer_v its_o end_n which_o be_v to_o avoid_v such_o corrupt_a communion_n and_o yet_o if_o they_o do_v confine_v their_o communion_n to_o their_o own_o gather_a church_n they_o be_v schismatic_n in_o divide_v themselves_o from_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n and_o all_o their_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n be_v not_o act_n of_o christian_a communion_n but_o a_o schismatical_a combination_n this_o do_v not_o prove_v indeed_o that_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o reform_v themselves_o and_o to_o preserve_v their_o own_o communion_n pure_a from_o corrupt_a member_n unless_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n will_v do_v so_o too_o because_o every_o particular_a church_n whether_o diocesan_n or_o national_a have_v power_n to_o reform_v its_o own_o member_n and_o be_v accountable_a to_o god_n for_o such_o neglect_v of_o discipline_n but_o it_o do_v prove_v that_o no_o church_n without_o the_o guilt_n of_o schism_n can_v renounce_v communion_n with_o other_o christian_a church_n or_o set_v up_o a_o distinct_a and_o separate_a communion_n of_o its_o own_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o such_o corrupt_a member_n which_o be_v the_o pretence_n of_o the_o novatian_a and_o danatist_n schism_n of_o old_a and_o be_v so_o of_o the_o independent_a schism_n at_o this_o day_n 3._o i_o observe_v further_o that_o our_o obligation_n to_o maintain_v communion_n with_o a_o particular_a church_n whole_o result_v from_o our_o obligation_n to_o catholic_n communion_n the_o only_a reason_n why_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o any_o particular_a church_n be_v because_o i_o be_o a_o member_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n which_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o must_v live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n without_o actual_a communion_n with_o some_o part_n of_o it_o when_o i_o be_o in_o such_o a_o place_n where_o there_o be_v a_o visible_a christian_a church_n as_o no_o member_n can_v be_v unite_v to_o the_o natural_a body_n without_o its_o be_v unite_v to_o some_o part_n of_o the_o body_n for_o the_o union_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n consist_v in_o the_o union_n of_o all_o its_o part_n to_o each_o other_o every_o act_n of_o christian_a communion_n though_o perform_v in_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n be_v not_o proper_o a_o act_n of_o particular_a church-communion_n but_o be_v the_o exercise_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o body_n of_o christ_n as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v but_o it_o can_v be_v no_o act_n of_o communion_n at_o all_o if_o it_o be_v not_o perform_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n which_o it_o can_v be_v unless_o it_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o some_o particular_a church_n and_o this_o be_v the_o only_a obligation_n i_o know_v of_o to_o communion_n with_o any_o particular_a church_n that_o as_o i_o be_o a_o christian_n i_o be_o a_o member_n of_o the_o body_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o communion_n and_o therefore_o be_o bind_v to_o maintain_v actual_a communion_n with_o the_o christian_a church_n wherever_o i_o find_v it_o and_o by_o communicate_v with_o the_o church_n wherein_o i_o live_v if_o it_o be_v a_o find_v and_o orthodox_n member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n i_o maintain_v communion_n with_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n which_o be_v but_o one_o body_n so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o choice_n what_o church_n we_o will_v communicate_v with_o for_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n all_o the_o world_n over_o with_o which_o we_o must_v communicate_v and_o therefore_o we_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o to_o judge_v whether_o that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o we_o live_v be_v so_o sound_a and_o orthodox_n that_o we_o may_v communicate_v with_o it_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o catholic_n communion_n and_o if_o it_o be_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o communicate_v with_o it_o under_o peril_n of_o schism_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n if_o we_o do_v not_o 4._o from_o hence_o we_o may_v plain_o learn_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o separate_a communion_n and_o separate_a church_n for_o some_o man_n seem_v to_o be_v great_o sensible_a of_o the_o sin_n and_o mischief_n of_o schism_n and_o separation_n but_o then_o they_o use_v great_a art_n so_o to_o confound_v the_o notion_n of_o separation_n as_o that_o neither_o they_o themselves_o nor_o any_o one_o else_o shall_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v whereas_o if_o they_o will_v allow_v that_o there_o be_v or_o ever_o can_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o understand_v what_o separation_n be_v as_o what_o it_o be_v for_o a_o member_n to_o be_v divide_v from_o the_o body_n for_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n and_o one_o communion_n of_o which_o all_o true_a christian_n and_o christian_a church_n be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n than_o those_o church_n which_o be_v not_o member_n of_o each_o other_o be_v separate_a church_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o indeed_o to_o prove_v a_o separation_n that_o two_o congregation_n meet_v in_o several_a place_n for_o worship_n for_o this_o be_v do_v by_o all_o the_o parish-church_n of_o england_n who_o be_v in_o the_o same_o communion_n but_o yet_o hold_v distinct_a and_o separate_a assembly_n as_o to_o local_a separation_n nor_o be_v it_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o separation_n because_o these_o differ_a church_n agree_v in_o all_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o essential_o of_o worship_n for_o thus_o the_o novatian_o and_o donatist_n do_v who_o yet_o be_v schismatic_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o where_o there_o be_v two_o church_n which_o be_v not_o member_n of_o each_o other_o there_o be_v a_o schism_n though_o they_o agree_v in_o every_o thing_n else_o but_o in_o one_o communion_n and_o where_o church_n own_o each_o other_o communion_n as_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n there_o be_v no_o schism_n though_o they_o be_v as_o distant_a from_o each_o other_o in_o place_n as_o east_n and_o west_n and_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v for_o two_o church_n to_o be_v member_n of_o each_o other_o but_o to_o make_v this_o as_o plain_a as_o i_o can_v and_o as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o prevent_v all_o evasion_n and_o subterfuges_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o some_o few_o rule_n according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o catholic_n communion_n whereby_o we_o may_v certain_o know_v what_o church_n be_v in_o communion_n with_o each_o other_o and_o which_o be_v separate_a and_o schismatical_a conventicle_n 1._o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o church_n in_o one_o place_n according_a to_o that_o ancient_a rule_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n and_o this_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o apostolical_a time_n that_o in_o the_o great_a and_o most_o populous_a city_n and_o where_o there_o be_v the_o great_a number_n of_o convert_v yet_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n such_o as_o jerusalem_n antioch_n ephesus_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o independent_o themselves_o who_o endeavour_n hence_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o any_o of_o those_o city_n than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o act_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v a_o mighty_a groundless_a surmise_n and_o not_o much_o for_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o have_v be_v often_o show_v by_o learned_a man_n both_o episcopal_a and_o presbyterian_a divine_n and_o there_o be_v a_o evident_a reason_n why_o this_o shall_v be_v so_o because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n of_o catholic_n communion_n for_o private_a christian_n but_o to_o communicate_v in_o all_o religious_a office_n and_o all_o act_n of_o government_n and_o discipline_n with_o those_o christian_n with_o who_o they_o live_v for_o to_o renounce_v the_o ordinary_a communion_n of_o any_o christian_n or_o true_a christian_a church_n be_v to_o divide_v the_o unity_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o withdraw_v ourselves_o from_o ordinary_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n in_o which_o we_o live_v into_o distinct_a and_o separate_a