Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	command_n	command_v	lawful_a	2,968	5	9.4987	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A23673	A serious and friendly address to the non-conformists, beginning with the Anabaptists, or, An addition to the perswasive to peace and vnity by W.A.	Allen, William, d. 1686.	1676 (1676)	Wing A1072; ESTC R9363	75,150	222

fact_n it_o be_v true_a that_o more_o may_v and_o sometime_o be_v make_v the_o condition_n of_o communion_n than_o be_v necessary_a and_o when_o it_o be_v so_o it_o usual_o become_v a_o temptation_n to_o more_o or_o less_o to_o run_v into_o schism_n and_o it_o likewise_o furnish_v such_o with_o some_o pretence_n to_o draw_v disciple_n to_o themselves_o who_o be_v ambition_n of_o head_v a_o party_n in_o which_o respect_v it_o may_v be_v matter_n of_o great_a prudence_n in_o order_n to_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o unity_n to_o make_v no_o more_o than_o be_v necessary_a the_o condition_n of_o communion_n but_o although_o more_o shall_v be_v impose_v as_o the_o condition_n of_o communion_n than_o be_v necessary_a yet_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o more_o as_o make_v it_o sinful_a to_o hold_v communion_n on_o those_o term_n then_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o sin_n of_o schism_n who_o separate_v upon_o account_n of_o such_o a_o imposition_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o such_o a_o schism_n be_v without_o sufficient_a cause_n or_o just_a ground_n which_o just_a ground_n be_v when_o one_o can_v do_v otherwise_o than_o separate_v without_o a_o necessity_n of_o sin_v thing_n may_v be_v ill_o impose_v as_o when_o they_o be_v inadequate_a to_o their_o end_n and_o yet_o well_o observe_v by_o they_o on_o who_o they_o be_v impose_v as_o when_o not_o sinful_a in_o themselves_o and_o when_o by_o that_o mean_v they_o and_o the_o church_n suffer_v less_o in_o point_n of_o inconvenience_n and_o enjoy_v a_o great_a benefit_n in_o preserve_a peace_n in_o the_o church_n than_o can_v be_v obtain_v in_o a_o way_n of_o opposition_n if_o we_o shall_v allow_v a_o liberty_n much_o more_o if_o we_o hold_v it_o a_o duty_n for_o inferior_n under_o government_n to_o oppose_v and_o withstand_v the_o command_n of_o their_o superior_n as_o oft_o as_o they_o think_v they_o command_v thing_n inconvenient_a though_o they_o shall_v think_v right_a so_o long_o as_o they_o do_v not_o command_v thing_n which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v unlawful_a for_o they_o to_o observe_v we_o shall_v soon_o bring_v intolerable_a confusion_n into_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n into_o family_n and_o all_o community_n of_o man_n where_o government_n be_v exercise_v inconvenience_n in_o such_o case_n must_v be_v yield_v to_o rather_o than_o great_a mischief_n draw_v on_o we_o and_o on_o the_o community_n by_o not_o yield_v but_o you_o at_o least_o many_o of_o you_o think_v that_o it_o be_v a_o infringe_n of_o your_o christian_a liberty_n for_o man_n to_o determine_v and_o impose_v upon_o you_o where_o god_n have_v not_o determine_v and_o impose_v and_o that_o in_o such_o case_n it_o will_v be_v a_o betray_n of_o that_o liberty_n shall_v you_o not_o withstand_v such_o imposition_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o thus_o far_o it_o be_v true_a that_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v impose_v by_o man_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o be_v command_v of_o god_n of_o divine_a institution_n or_o of_o necessity_n to_o salvation_n which_o be_v not_o so_o as_o this_o will_v be_v a_o teach_n for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n so_o a_o yield_n to_o they_o so_o impose_v will_v be_v a_o betray_n of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n and_o more_o than_o so_o it_o will_v be_v a_o betray_n of_o the_o prerogative_n of_o our_o lord_n unto_o the_o usurpation_n of_o man_n and_o a_o make_n to_o ourselves_o other_o master_n than_o christ_n and_o ourselves_o servant_n of_o man_n in_o the_o prohibit_v sense_n and_o all_o contrary_a to_o the_o express_a doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n but_o though_o this_o be_v the_o case_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o many_o thing_n and_o in_o some_o respect_n among_o yourselves_o also_o yet_o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n touch_v the_o thing_n in_o dispute_n between_o you_o and_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o thing_n impose_v at_o which_o you_o most_o stick_v be_v not_o at_o all_o impose_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o divine_a right_n but_o only_o upon_o a_o prudential_a account_n be_v thing_n mutable_a in_o their_o nature_n and_o alterable_a at_o the_o pleasure_n of_o they_o who_o impose_v they_o and_o be_v so_o declare_v in_o the_o preface_n before_o the_o book_n of_o common_a prayer_n so_o that_o your_o conscience_n be_v not_o impose_v upon_o to_o take_v the_o thing_n themselves_o for_o any_o other_o than_o they_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n thing_n leave_v undetermined_a by_o god_n one_o way_n or_o other_o but_o then_o there_o be_v a_o sense_n in_o which_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o our_o christian_a liberty_n be_v undue_o infringe_v by_o the_o imposition_n of_o man_n although_o we_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o do_v or_o not_o to_o do_v the_o thing_n enjoin_v we_o before_o such_o a_o imposition_n be_v lay_v upon_o we_o our_o christian_a liberty_n do_v not_o exempt_v we_o from_o the_o duty_n of_o obedience_n to_o our_o superior_n in_o thing_n which_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v but_o indifferent_a and_o out_o of_o such_o circumstance_n may_v be_v do_v or_o let_v alone_o the_o same_o divine_a authority_n which_o enjoin_v we_o to_o call_v no_o man_n on_o earth_n master_n nor_o to_o be_v servant_n of_o man_n enjoin_v child_n also_o to_o obey_v their_o parent_n servant_n their_o master_n church-member_n their_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o governor_n and_o subject_n their_o prince_n and_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n in_o which_o they_o shall_v not_o disobey_v god_n in_o do_v contrary_a to_o his_o command_n so_o that_o when_o thing_n indifferent_a or_o undetermined_a by_o god_n be_v impose_v by_o our_o governor_n domestic_a politic_a or_o ecclesiastic_a only_o as_o their_o command_n our_o christian_a liberty_n be_v no_o bar_n nor_o plea_n against_o they_o and_o whoever_o pretend_v that_o it_o be_v draws_z too_o near_o the_o wicked_a gnostic_n who_o pretend_v exemption_n from_o be_v command_v and_o govern_v by_o man_n by_o their_o be_v christ_n freeman_n against_o which_o abuse_n of_o christian_a liberty_n st._n peter_n caution_v the_o christian_n then_o for_o after_o he_o have_v exhort_v they_o to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n for_o the_o lord_n sake_n 1_o pet._n 2.13_o 14._o he_o present_o add_v in_o ver_fw-la 16._o as_o free_a and_o not_o use_v your_o liberty_n as_o a_o cloak_n of_o maliciousness_n not_o to_o pretend_v christian_a liberty_n to_o cover_v their_o disaffection_n to_o government_n as_o the_o gnostic_n do_v our_o christian_a liberty_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o bar_n to_o our_o obedience_n to_o our_o governor_n in_o all_o thing_n not_o otherwise_o order_v by_o god_n as_o that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a accommodation_n to_o we_o in_o yield_a obedience_n to_o they_o without_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n for_o when_o circumstance_n in_o the_o external_a administration_n of_o holy_a thing_n be_v leave_v so_o much_o undetermined_a by_o god_n as_o they_o be_v we_o be_v at_o the_o great_a liberty_n to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o the_o prudential_a determination_n of_o our_o governor_n either_o one_o way_n or_o other_o so_o long_o as_o they_o do_v not_o determine_v any_o thing_n against_o what_o god_n have_v determine_v in_o thing_n even_o of_o this_o nature_n we_o be_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o our_o governor_n for_o conscience_n sake_n rom._n 13.5_o that_o be_v out_o of_o conscience_n to_o god_n who_o command_v our_o obedience_n to_o our_o governor_n but_o not_o out_o of_o conscience_n to_o the_o thing_n command_v by_o they_o as_o if_o by_o any_o inherent_a holiness_n in_o they_o our_o conscience_n be_v engage_v unto_o they_o and_o here_o lie_v the_o difference_n between_o superstition_n and_o lawful_a obedience_n to_o authority_n in_o the_o case_n of_o superstition_n the_o act_n be_v do_v out_o of_o conscience_n to_o the_o thing_n do_v as_o if_o sacred_a though_o but_o indifferent_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n but_o in_o the_o case_n of_o lawful_a obedience_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n the_o same_o act_n be_v do_v out_o of_o conscience_n to_o god_n not_o as_o command_v the_o thing_n but_o as_o command_v my_o obedience_n to_o he_o in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n who_o command_v i_o to_o do_v it_o and_o command_v it_o under_o no_o other_o notion_n but_o as_o a_o thing_n indifferent_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o not_o make_v sacred_a by_o any_o command_n or_o institution_n of_o god_n let_v i_o say_v this_o further_a to_o you_o there_o be_v more_o of_o real_a religion_n and_o true_a christianity_n in_o thus_o obey_v the_o lawful_a command_n of_o our_o governor_n out_o of_o conscience_n to_o god_n who_o will_v have_v it_o so_o than_o i_o fear_n be_v well_o consider_v and_o more_o of_o irreligion_n profaneness_n and_o hypocrisy_n in_o slight_v god_n express_v command_v in_o this_o while_o we_o seem_v so_o very_o fearful_a and_o scrupulous_a to_o

and_o those_o who_o have_v since_o abet_v this_o doctrine_n that_o assert_v nothing_o to_o be_v lawful_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v not_o command_v when_o they_o extend_v it_o far_o than_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o worship_n have_v corrupt_v or_o rather_o go_v about_o to_o overthrow_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a liberty_n in_o great_a part_n and_o they_o have_v thereby_o hide_v from_o the_o people_n eye_n the_o liberty_n leave_v they_o by_o christ_n in_o these_o matter_n and_o fill_v their_o mind_n with_o endless_a scruple_n and_o hurry_v they_o into_o unlawful_a schism_n if_o those_o former_o or_o more_o late_o who_o desire_v some_o alteration_n in_o the_o external_a form_n of_o administration_n use_v in_o our_o church_n have_v not_o run_v so_o high_a as_o to_o assert_v thing_n unlawful_a which_o by_o all_o their_o medium_n they_o can_v never_o prove_v to_o be_v so_o but_o have_v peaceable_o and_o modest_o pursue_v their_o desire_n from_o time_n to_o time_n only_o upon_o account_n of_o the_o inconveniency_n of_o some_o thing_n as_o apprehend_v by_o they_o and_o have_v satisfy_v themselves_o that_o in_o do_v so_o they_o have_v go_v as_o far_o as_o in_o duty_n they_o be_v bind_v without_o ever_o rend_v themselves_o from_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n or_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o it_o by_o unsettle_v the_o people_n mind_n and_o fill_v their_o head_n with_o jealousy_n and_o their_o conscience_n with_o scruple_n they_o will_v without_o doubt_n have_v take_v a_o more_o safe_a and_o christian_n a_o more_o prudent_a and_o probable_a way_n to_o have_v obtain_v their_o desire_n in_o time_n than_o by_o that_o course_n by_o which_o they_o have_v expose_v the_o church_n and_o religion_n to_o unspeakable_a disadvantage_n they_o have_v do_v and_o therefore_o after_o trial_n of_o other_o way_n to_o come_v now_o to_o this_o at_o last_o will_v doubtless_o be_v a_o more_o honourable_a and_o christian_a course_n and_o more_o prudential_a as_o to_o all_o worthy_a end_n both_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n and_o its_o influence_n upon_o man_n heart_n and_o life_n the_o peace_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o compose_n of_o people_n distract_a mind_n the_o reduce_n of_o the_o erroneous_a the_o frustration_n of_o the_o design_n of_o adversary_n and_o the_o restore_a christian_a liberty_n to_o its_o right_a use_n for_o i_o have_v show_v before_o that_o man_n than_o use_v their_o christian_a liberty_n best_o when_o they_o can_v and_o do_v act_n in_o way_n though_o but_o only_o lawful_a when_o the_o common_a good_a of_o christian_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o main_a in_o the_o world_n call_v for_o it_o though_o otherwise_o and_o in_o some_o respect_v not_o please_v to_o themselves_o and_o so_o do_v st._n paul_n and_o so_o he_o exhort_v other_o to_o do_v when_o he_o say_v give_v no_o offence_n neither_o to_o the_o jew_n nor_o to_o the_o gentile_n nor_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n even_o as_o i_o please_v all_o man_n in_o all_o thing_n not_o seek_v my_o own_o profit_n but_o the_o profit_n of_o many_o that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v 1_o cor._n 10.32_o 33._o and_o again_o let_v no_o man_n seek_v his_o own_o but_o every_o man_n another_o wealth_n ver_fw-la 24._o and_o again_o we_o then_o that_o be_v strong_a aught_o to_o bear_v the_o infirmity_n of_o the_o weak_a and_o not_o please_v ourselves_o let_v every_o one_o please_v his_o neighbour_n for_o his_o good_a to_o edification_n for_o christ_n also_o please_v not_o himself_o etc._n etc._n ro._n 15.1_o 2_o 3._o and_o again_o look_v not_o every_o man_n on_o his_o own_o thing_n but_o every_o man_n also_o on_o the_o thing_n of_o other_o phil._n 2.4_o and_o again_o i_o be_o make_v all_o thing_n to_o all_o man_n that_o i_o may_v by_o all_o mean_n save_o some_o and_o this_o i_o do_v for_o the_o gospel_n sake_n 1_o cor._n 9.22_o 23._o and_o if_o ever_o you_o will_v follow_v he_o both_o in_o his_o doctrine_n and_o example_n you_o must_v certain_o alter_v your_o course_n for_o i_o can_v imagine_v when_o i_o see_v how_o far_a st._n paul_n deny_v himself_o in_o his_o own_o liberty_n in_o thing_n not_o otherwise_o acceptable_a to_o he_o and_o persuade_v other_o to_o do_v so_o likewise_o rather_o than_o breach_n shall_v be_v make_v or_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n and_o charity_n be_v thrust_v out_o and_o rather_o than_o jew_n or_o gentile_n without_o or_o in_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v scandalize_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o say_v when_o i_o consider_v this_o i_o can_v imagine_v but_o that_o if_o he_o have_v be_v in_o your_o circumstance_n but_o that_o he_o will_v have_v yield_v to_o have_v do_v any_o thing_n not_o sinful_a in_o itself_o and_o every_o whit_n as_o much_o as_o you_o need_v to_o do_v to_o have_v prevent_v or_o remove_v such_o manifold_a and_o intolerable_a evil_n as_o schism_n have_v bring_v upon_o we_o you_o may_v and_o do_v perhaps_o think_v that_o if_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o external_a administration_n of_o god_n ordinance_n and_o worship_n be_v at_o least_o in_o great_a part_n leave_v so_o much_o undetermined_a and_o at_o liberty_n to_o choose_v this_o or_o that_o as_o circumstance_n shall_v direct_v as_o i_o have_v assert_v they_o be_v then_o why_o shall_v you_o be_v restrain_v from_o make_v use_n of_o that_o which_o you_o apprehend_v to_o be_v the_o best_a there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o this_o may_v be_v do_v this_o liberty_n be_v use_v when_o other_o man_n good_a or_o hurt_n be_v not_o concern_v in_o it_o but_o when_o my_o forbear_n to_o use_v this_o liberty_n will_v tend_v to_o the_o public_a good_a and_o my_o use_n of_o it_o to_o a_o public_a hurt_n which_o be_v plain_o the_o case_n before_o we_o than_o i_o shall_v not_o act_v like_o such_o a_o christian_a as_o st._n paul_n be_v if_o under_o these_o circumstance_n i_o shall_v use_v that_o liberty_n which_o out_o of_o they_o i_o may_v free_o use_v st._n paul_n say_v all_o thing_n be_v lawful_a for_o i_o but_o all_o thing_n be_v not_o expedient_a all_o thing_n be_v lawful_a for_o i_o but_o all_o thing_n edify_v not_o all_o thing_n be_v lawful_a for_o i_o but_o i_o will_v not_o bring_v under_o the_o power_n of_o any_o 1_o cor._n 6.12_o and_o 10.23_o his_o meaning_n i_o doubt_v not_o be_v that_o though_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o speak_v of_o be_v in_o themselves_o simple_o consider_v lawful_a and_o such_o as_o to_o which_o he_o have_v a_o affection_n also_o yet_o he_o resolve_v this_o notwithstanding_o that_o he_o will_v not_o be_v bring_v under_o the_o power_n of_o they_o but_o will_v hold_v and_o keep_v himself_o at_o liberty_n to_o use_v his_o liberty_n one_o way_n or_o another_o according_a as_o it_o will_v be_v consistent_a with_o or_o tend_v to_o the_o public_a good_a or_o to_o forbear_v to_o use_v it_o when_o it_o tend_v to_o the_o contrary_n now_o i_o have_v represent_v to_o you_o before_o in_o part_n how_o many_o great_a and_o lamentable_a the_o evil_n be_v which_o be_v bring_v on_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n by_o your_o assume_v the_o liberty_n you_o use_v under_o the_o present_a circumstance_n in_o which_o you_o be_v and_o therefore_o methinks_v if_o you_o can_v but_o tell_v how_o to_o reconcile_v yourselves_o unto_o st._n paul_n mind_n and_o resolution_n you_o shall_v quick_o and_o without_o any_o great_a hesitation_n desist_v and_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o your_o present_a proceed_n and_o return_v to_o parochial_a communion_n i_o hope_v you_o do_v not_o think_v that_o the_o interest_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o life_n of_o man_n be_v more_o advantage_v than_o damnify_v in_o the_o total_a account_n by_o your_o divide_n or_o that_o it_o will_v at_o all_o have_v lose_v in_o the_o general_a account_n of_o profit_n and_o loss_n in_o case_n it_o never_o have_v be_v begin_v since_o the_o reformation_n if_o you_o do_v i_o acknowledge_v myself_o herein_o to_o differ_v from_o you_o unless_o you_o estimate_v man_n religiousness_n by_o their_o zeal_n for_o and_o against_o outward_a mode_n and_o form_n and_o opinion_n in_o religion_n and_o for_o and_o against_o party_n upon_o account_n of_o those_o form_n and_o opinion_n and_o not_o by_o their_o sober_a and_o serious_a piety_n modesty_n humility_n fidelity_n justice_n and_o charity_n together_o with_o their_o faith_n in_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n by_o which_o i_o measure_v man_n religiousness_n and_o i_o appeal_v to_o all_o such_o among_o you_o as_o be_v in_o a_o like_a capacity_n with_o myself_o in_o point_n of_o age_n and_o experience_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o make_v a_o judgement_n of_o this_o nature_n whether_o there_o be_v not_o just_a cause_n to_o fear_v that_o religion_n have_v lose_v ground_n among_o we_o upon_o the_o