Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	catholic_n	church_n	communion_n	4,092	5	10.6035	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A31418	A discourse concerning the unity of the Catholick Church maintained in the Church of England	Cave, William, 1637-1713.; Thorp, George, 1637 or 8-1719.	1684 (1684)	Wing C1594; ESTC R22818	40,192	64

of_o god_n the_o honour_n of_o his_o religion_n the_o edification_n of_o his_o church_n the_o propagation_n of_o his_o truth_n and_o the_o peculiar_a promise_n of_o his_o presence_n and_o blessing_n require_v a_o solemn_a public_a exercise_n of_o all_o religious_a worship_n in_o unite_a congregation_n so_o hereby_o we_o most_o sensible_o prove_v and_o secure_v our_o unity_n therein_o derelinquit_fw-la whoever_o then_o needless_o separate_v himself_o from_o this_o church_n or_o refuse_v to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o its_o member_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n where_o he_o may_v without_o violence_n to_o any_o doctrine_n or_o precept_n of_o christ_n such_o a_o one_o divide_v himself_o from_o his_o body_n and_o so_o from_o all_o the_o promise_n that_o we_o know_v of_o the_o sacred_a and_o comfortable_a influence_n of_o that_o one_o head_n and_o one_o spirit_n 4._o in_o the_o unity_n of_o discipline_n 〈◊〉_d whereby_o every_o act_n of_o any_o particular_a church_n conformable_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o universal_o receive_v practice_n of_o his_o church_n stand_v confirm_v as_o a_o act_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n particular_o whoever_o be_v admit_v into_o it_o according_o by_o baptism_n in_o one_o place_n be_v to_o be_v account_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n and_o receive_v into_o its_o communion_n wherever_o he_o come_v it_o no_o evidence_n appear_v of_o his_o exclusion_n by_o any_o after_o regular_a censure_n likewise_o into_o whatever_o office_n or_o ministration_n any_o be_v orderly_o admit_v in_o one_o part_n thereof_o in_o the_o same_o be_v they_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v in_o all_o other_o though_o without_o that_o particular_a jurisdiction_n which_o they_o have_v in_o their_o own_o but_o whosoever_o lie_v under_o any_o censure_n in_o one_o church_n he_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v under_o the_o same_o in_o all_o other_o and_o not_o to_o be_v receive_v into_o communion_n till_o the_o sentence_n be_v reverse_v by_o the_o same_o power_n or_o a_o still_o high_o and_o great_a authority_n according_a to_o the_o five_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o the_o design_n of_o their_o form_a and_o communicatory_a letter_n without_o which_o none_o be_v to_o pass_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o thus_o every_o church_n be_v accountable_a to_o its_o neighbour_n church_n and_o so_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o its_o action_n that_o one_o may_v not_o do_v what_o the_o other_o undo_v without_o any_o regard_n to_o this_o unity_n which_o will_v lead_v to_o the_o confusion_n and_o distraction_n of_o all_o wherefore_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o such_o difference_n when_o rise_v or_o obviate_v any_o grow_a mischief_n thereby_o and_o to_o receive_v appeal_n from_o person_n who_o think_v themselves_o aggrieve_v or_o injure_v by_o their_o own_o bishop_n or_o church_n a_o council_n of_o all_o bishop_n in_o each_o province_n be_v appoint_v twice_o in_o the_o year_n by_o the_o same_o canon_n and_o in_o many_o other_o but_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n then_o of_o any_o far_a or_o high_a appeal_n ecclesia_fw-la thus_o a_o amicable_a correspondence_n and_o intimate_a communication_n be_v maintain_v between_o the_o neighbour_n church_n and_o their_o governor_n and_o by_o they_o with_o other_o remove_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n throughout_o the_o world_n these_o need_v no_o long_a proof_n but_o may_v be_v take_v as_o general_o grant_v the_o main_a dispute_n will_v lie_v in_o the_o particular_a application_n of_o the_o two_o last_o now_o to_o prevent_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v all_o difficulty_n about_o they_o it_o may_v be_v add_v to_o the_o three_o of_o unity_n of_o worship_n that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o convenient_a if_o not_o absolute_o necessary_a in_o any_o settle_a establish_a church_n that_o there_o be_v some_o set_a form_n of_o public_a ministration_n without_o which_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o any_o to_o know_v before_o hand_n what_o they_o join_v with_o especial_o for_o stranger_n but_o then_o these_o form_n shall_v be_v as_o plain_a and_o simple_a as_o possible_a with_o as_o little_a pretence_n as_o can_v be_v of_o any_o danger_n to_o the_o know_a will_n and_o word_n of_o god_n for_o no_o obligation_n whatsoever_o can_v tie_v i_o to_o communicate_v with_o another_o in_o that_o which_o he_o forbid_v and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a temptation_n to_o more_o than_o suspect_v this_o danger_n when_o man_n private_a opinion_n or_o fanciful_a transport_n be_v mingle_v with_o they_o which_o have_v little_a show_n of_o scripture_n or_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n to_o justify_v they_o the_o ready_a way_n i_o know_v of_o to_o prevent_v that_o hazard_n after_o all_o other_o care_n about_o the_o matter_n contain_v be_v to_o endeavour_v that_o these_o office_n be_v as_o near_o alike_o in_o all_o place_n as_o can_v well_o be_v yet_o every_o difference_n in_o judgement_n when_o no_o violence_n be_v offer_v to_o the_o foundation_n of_o catholic_n faith_n and_o unity_n must_v not_o break_v this_o communion_n according_a to_o that_o profession_n of_o st._n cyprian_a amoventes_fw-la judge_v no_o man_n nor_o exclude_v he_o from_o the_o right_n of_o communion_n if_o he_o think_v otherwise_o where_o the_o dispute_n be_v think_v of_o no_o mean_n concern_v especial_o in_o this_o cause_n which_o ibid._n st._n augustin_n oft_o allege_v against_o the_o donatist_n that_o boast_v so_o much_o of_o st._n cyprian_n judgement_n against_o his_o declare_a practice_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n may_v be_v apply_v the_o treatment_n of_o 26._o st._n polycarp_n in_o rome_n by_o anicetus_n the_o bishop_n though_o they_o differ_v about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o celebration_n of_o easter_n and_o in_o other_o point_n which_o can_v not_o be_v agree_v between_o they_o yet_o this_o last_o not_o only_o invite_v the_o former_a to_o communion_n with_o he_o but_o also-to_a celebrate_v the_o sacred_a eucharist_n in_o this_o church_n as_o the_o word_n be_v general_o interpret_v which_o st._n irenaeus_n not_o long_o after_o urge_v strong_o against_o victor_n who_o be_v hasten_v to_o excommunicate_v the_o asian_a church_n for_o the_o same_o difference_n contrary_a to_o his_o predecessor_n practice_n as_o to_o the_o four_o of_o unity_n of_o discipline_n if_o unity_n of_o government_n in_o all_o part_n be_v not_o indispensable_o necessary_a to_o it_o yet_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o as_o not_o to_o abrogate_v or_o invade_v the_o positive_a institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o herein_o and_o be_v more_o than_o convenient_a that_o it_o be_v as_o conformable_a as_o it_o be_v in_o our_o power_n to_o make_v it_o in_o one_o place_n to_o what_o it_o be_v in_o another_o it_o seem_v horrible_o presumptuous_a violent_o to_o thrust_v out_o of_o the_o church_n that_o government_n under_o the_o influence_n of_o which_o christianity_n have_v be_v convey_v and_o preserve_v from_o the_o age_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o most_o distant_a place_n upon_o pretence_n of_o erect_v a_o new_a better_a scheme_n or_o model_n of_o our_o own_o or_o because_o of_o the_o intricate_a use_n of_o one_o or_o two_o term_n in_o scripture_n when_o the_o church_n be_v in_o its_o first_o formation_n though_o against_o the_o plain_a current_n of_o it_o in_o other_o place_n and_o the_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n a_o church_n indeed_o must_v be_v more_o or_o less_o perfect_a according_a to_o its_o government_n for_o suitable_a will_v be_v the_o exercise_n and_o authority_n of_o its_o discipline_n what_o allowance_n may_v be_v make_v for_o those_o who_o desire_v to_o come_v as_o near_o as_o they_o can_v to_o the_o primitive_a pattern_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o their_o power_n to_o reach_v it_o in_o many_o considerable_a point_n i_o be_o not_o now_o to_o dispute_v but_o most_o inexcusable_a and_o high_o obnoxious_a be_v they_o that_o by_o extreme_a violence_n and_o usurpation_n endeavour_v to_o destroy_v what_o they_o find_v regular_o establish_v to_o their_o hand_n iii_o but_o we_o be_v here_o most_o concern_v with_o the_o bold_a claim_n of_o the_o romanist_n amid_o their_o most_o obvious_a defection_n who_o have_v make_v it_o the_o principal_a band_n of_o unity_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n and_o the_o pretend_a vicar_n of_o christ_n therein_o as_o the_o universal_a head_n and_o monarch_n of_o the_o church_n this_o they_o have_v determine_v as_o de_fw-la fide_fw-la and_o put_v into_o their_o very_a creed_n and_o exclude_v all_o that_o do_v not_o express_o own_v it_o but_o against_o this_o as_o a_o great_a breach_n of_o christian_a unity_n we_o have_v many_o just_a exception_n and_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o prove_v they_o so_o jurisdiction_n 1._o supremacy_n in_o that_o no_o evidence_n from_o scripture_n appear_v of_o any_o such_o authority_n confer_v upon_o he_o or_o they_o but_o many_o strong_a

thus_o by_o degree_n be_v withdraw_v from_o subjection_n to_o his_o authority_n abroad_o that_o darling_n point_n never_o to_o be_v dispense_v or_o part_v with_o whatever_o else_o may_v have_v be_v yield_v 1560._o our_o reformer_n who_o compose_v our_o liturgy_n careful_o collect_v the_o remainder_n of_o true_a primitive_a devotion_n then_o in_o use_n and_o separate_v from_o they_o all_o those_o corrupt_a addition_n which_o ignorance_n superstition_n and_o crafty_a policy_n have_v mix_v therewith_o therefore_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o objection_n that_o any_o part_n of_o our_o liturgy_n be_v translate_v from_o the_o roman_a office_n that_o while_o nothing_o be_v retain_v contrary_a to_o wholesome_a doctrine_n and_o sound_a piety_n it_o be_v a_o convince_a argument_n of_o her_o impartial_a sincerity_n and_o desire_v to_o preserve_v uniformity_n as_o much_o as_o possible_a with_o all_o christian_n abroad_o as_o well_o as_o at_o home_n in_o she_o own_o member_n secure_v all_o the_o substantial_o of_o worship_n according_a to_o the_o plain_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o pattern_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o as_o to_o circumstantial_o and_o ceremony_n she_o be_v sensible_a when_o they_o be_v too_o numerous_a how_o apt_a they_o be_v to_o darken_v the_o inward_a and_o more_o essential_a lustre_n of_o religion_n and_o prove_v a_o burden_n instead_o of_o a_o relief_n to_o its_o worship_n which_o she_o take_v notice_n abolish_v st._n augustin_n complain_v of_o in_o his_o time_n but_o have_v since_o so_o increase_v in_o the_o eastern_a as_o well_o as_o western_a church_n that_o it_o must_v argue_v a_o great_a awe_n to_o make_v the_o service_n look_v like_o any_o thing_n serious_a and_o sacred_a however_o this_o number_n alone_o where_o the_o particular_n be_v not_o otherwise_o obnoxious_a tempt_v some_o to_o spend_v all_o their_o zeal_n therein_o and_o divert_v they_o from_o thing_n more_o necessary_a or_o give_v too_o much_o occasion_n to_o other_o to_o quarrel_v about_o they_o yet_o withal_o be_v apprehensive_a how_o needful_a it_o will_v be_v to_o maintain_v order_n and_o decency_n she_o have_v keep_v some_o though_o very_o few_o and_o those_o most_o plain_a and_o unexceptionable_a in_o their_o nature_n most_o significative_a of_o the_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v appoint_v and_o most_o ancient_a and_o universal_a in_o their_o institution_n and_o practice_n hint_v in_o the_o title_n of_o our_o liturgy_n as_o it_o be_v change_v from_o the_o former_a and_o to_o prevent_v all_o difference_n hereabout_o she_o have_v express_v her_o sense_n of_o they_o so_o clear_o and_o explicit_o that_o one_o will_v think_v no_o peevish_a obstinacy_n have_v room_n to_o interpose_v a_o scruple_n however_o the_o event_n have_v prove_v thus_o abundant_o have_v the_o church_n of_o england_n vindicate_v her_o reformation_n from_o all_o pretence_n of_o apostasy_n from_o the_o true_a ancient_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n and_o show_v in_o all_o instance_n how_o careful_a she_o have_v be_v to_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n with_o all_o the_o member_n thereof_o nor_o have_v she_o be_v want_v in_o any_o respect_n or_o reverence_v due_a thereunto_o no_o church_n be_v more_o cautious_a and_o spare_v in_o its_o determination_n more_o canonical_a in_o its_o imposition_n more_o regular_a in_o its_o succession_n and_o more_o charitable_a in_o its_o censure_n make_v all_o necessary_a provision_n for_o her_o own_o child_n so_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o catholic_n unity_n that_o have_v other_o church_n observe_v the_o like_a method_n or_o measure_n way_n have_v be_v make_v for_o a_o universal_a consent_n 409._o and_o every_o true_a christian_a where_o ever_o he_o come_v will_v have_v find_v his_o own_o church_n wherewith_o to_o communicate_v without_o hesitancy_n in_o all_o religious_a office_n and_o as_o a._n st._n augustin_n observe_v in_o his_o time_n he_o will_v have_v need_v but_o to_o inquire_v for_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o no_o schismatic_a will_v have_v dare_v to_o divert_v he_o to_o their_o conventicle_n but_o if_o after_o the_o confusion_n and_o disorder_n of_o so_o many_o century_n amid_o such_o a_o deprave_a state_n by_o corrupt_a manner_n diversity_n of_o opinion_n and_o perplex_v interest_n so_o great_a a_o happiness_n be_v not_o to_o be_v hope_v for_o now_o that_o private_a person_n or_o particular_a church_n will_v clear_v themselves_o before_o god_n and_o all_o good_a man_n that_o do_v what_o be_v in_o their_o power_n towards_o it_o and_o pray_v to_o he_o to_o amend_v what_o they_o can_v change_v and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n make_v the_o best_a use_n of_o what_o mean_v they_o enjoy_v upon_o which_o premise_n a_o easy_a solution_n be_v give_v to_o the_o old_a cavil_v question_n where_o be_v your_o church_n before_o the_o reformation_n or_o that_o time_n we_o answer_v just_o where_o it_o be_v thereby_o no_o new_a church_n be_v set_v up_o no_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n bring_v in_o no_o new_a sacrament_n no_o new_a order_n of_o priesthood_n to_o minister_v in_o holy_a thing_n all_o which_o will_v have_v indeed_o require_v new_a miracle_n and_o a_o new_a immediate_a authority_n from_o heaven_n so_o attest_v only_o the_o old_a be_v purge_v from_o impurity_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o practice_n which_o in_o pass_v through_o so_o many_o degenerate_a age_n they_o have_v contract_v and_o that_o a_o ordinary_a power_n may_v suffice_v to_o do_v if_o we_o be_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n before_o we_o be_v so_o still_o and_o hope_v to_o better_a purpose_n we_o be_v not_o therefore_o out_o of_o it_o because_o their_o rash_a censure_n have_v exclude_v we_o and_o then_o they_o unreasonable_o take_v advantage_n to_o argue_v against_o we_o from_o their_o own_o act_n we_o never_o formal_o shut_v they_o out_o what_o ever_o they_o have_v do_v to_o we_o what_o degree_n of_o corruption_n in_o faith_n or_o manner_n may_v be_v consistent_a with_o the_o bare_a be_v of_o a_o church_n or_o the_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n therein_o be_v needless_a and_o dangerous_a for_o we_o nice_o to_o inquire_v it_o may_v be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o know_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v most_o safe_a for_o we_o to_o reform_v what_o we_o know_v to_o be_v amiss_o and_o to_o leave_v those_o who_o do_v not_o to_o stand_v or_o fall_v by_o their_o own_o master_n it_o be_v a_o very_a ill_a requital_n of_o our_o charity_n if_o it_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o weapon_n of_o offence_n to_o wound_v or_o slay_v we_o by_o that_o by_o which_o we_o show_v our_o desire_n of_o their_o cure_n but_o they_o and_o we_o must_v stand_v another_o trial_n and_o await_v a_o final_a infallible_a sentence_n which_o we_o here_o can_v change_v the_o best_a security_n that_o we_o know_v to_o meet_v it_o with_o comfort_n will_v be_v to_o use_v the_o most_o strict_a impartiality_n with_o ourselves_o and_o the_o great_a charity_n to_o other_o yet_o our_o adversary_n glory_v in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o boast_v in_o no_o title_n so_o much_o as_o that_o of_o catholic_n which_o have_v have_v deserve_o so_o great_a veneration_n in_o all_o antiquity_n but_o their_o claim_n here_o true_o examine_v will_v prove_v as_o fallacious_a and_o arrogant_a as_o in_o any_o other_o instance_n for_o the_o term_n catholic_n if_o we_o respect_v the_o notation_n of_o the_o word_n or_o the_o most_o constant_a use_n of_o it_o be_v the_o same_o as_o universal_a and_o so_o join_v to_o the_o church_n signify_v the_o general_a body_n of_o all_o christian_n disperse_a thoughout_n the_o world_n oppose_v to_o any_o distinct_a party_n or_o separate_v communion_n thus_o we_o find_v it_o constant_o apply_v by_o st._n augustin_n in_o all_o his_o tract_n against_o the_o donatist_n proximum_fw-la and_o so_o oppose_v to_o they_o who_o go_v about_o to_o shut_v it_o up_o within_o their_o own_o party_n and_o straightened_a communion_n therein_o too_o close_o imitate_v by_o our_o adversary_n who_o in_o spite_n of_o name_n or_o thing_n make_v the_o same_o enclosure_n about_o the_o catholic_n as_o about_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o be_v as_o free_v in_o their_o severe_a censure_n of_o all_o other_o and_o as_o haughty_a in_o what_o they_o assume_v to_o themselves_o alone_o as_o they_o be_v though_o not_o proceed_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n but_o what_o that_o holy_a father_n every_o where_o press_v upon_o they_o reach_v as_o near_o our_o antagonist_n the_o indispensable_a necessity_n of_o charity_n that_o great_a bond_n of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n and_o principal_a evidence_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n which_o animate_v the_o whole_a without_o which_o the_o high_a gift_n and_o most_o sacred_a ministration_n be_v render_v ineffectual_a this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o prime_n characteristic_a note_n of_o the_o true_a catholic_n church_n and_o every_o live_a member_n