Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	church_n	epistle_n	write_v	2,534	5	6.0376	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42270	A short defence of the church and clergy of England wherein some of the common objections against both are answered, and the means of union briefly considered.	Grove, Robert, 1634-1696.	1681 (1681)	Wing G2160; ESTC R21438	56,753	96

whereof_o antioch_n be_v the_o chief_a city_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v be_v deny_v to_o have_v have_v many_o presbyter_n under_o he_o and_o it_o may_v be_v several_a diocesan_n bishop_n which_o very_o probable_o be_v then_o establish_v in_o so_o large_a a_o country_n as_o that_o be_v the_o last_o example_n that_o i_o shall_v bring_v be_v that_o of_o polycarpus_n of_o smyrna_n he_o be_v one_o that_o have_v converse_v with_o 24._o st_n john_n and_o other_o apostle_n and_o as_o some_o say_v be_v make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o st_n hieron_n john_n who_o scholar_n he_o be_v but_o su-pra_a irenaeus_n who_o know_v he_o and_o have_v hear_v he_o with_o great_a attention_n when_o he_o discourse_v of_o many_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v hear_v from_o st_n john_n own_o mouth_n and_o from_o other_o that_o have_v see_v the_o lord_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v make_v 3._o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o if_o so_o than_o this_o polycarpus_n must_v be_v that_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n to_o who_o st_n john_n write_v one_o of_o his_o epistle_n in_o the_o revelation_n for_o that_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o write_v till_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o other_o apostle_n and_o if_o he_o be_v make_v bishop_n by_o they_o for_o which_o we_o have_v the_o undoubted_a testimony_n of_o one_o that_o know_v he_o then_o he_o must_v be_v confess_v to_o have_v be_v the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n who_o st_n john_n do_v so_o high_o commend_v and_o that_o he_o have_v authority_n over_o many_o presbyter_n can_v be_v question_v because_o he_o collect_v the_o forementioned_a epistle_n of_o ignatius_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n that_o to_o his_o own_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o send_v they_o to_o the_o philippian_n in_o all_o which_o this_o power_n be_v most_o full_o and_o evident_o assert_v i_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o these_o few_o example_n out_o of_o many_o more_o because_o they_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v very_o clear_a and_o be_v all_o of_o they_o unquestionable_o within_o the_o time_n that_o the_o apostle_n live_v and_o therefore_o it_o may_v appear_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v a_o constitution_n that_o be_v allow_v and_o establish_v by_o they_o but_o if_o this_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o soon_o after_o it_o be_v universal_o receive_v all_o over_o the_o christian_a world_n for_o from_o about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o second_o century_n and_o so_o downward_o there_o be_v not_o a_o instance_n of_o any_o church_n that_o have_v not_o a_o bishop_n under_o who_o government_n it_o be_v the_o church_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o those_o without_o it_o do_v most_o unanimous_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o they_o all_o own_v the_o episcopal_a superiority_n and_o this_o be_v a_o very_a strong_a argument_n that_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o apostolical_a institution_n for_o it_o be_v not_o otherwise_o conceivable_a how_o it_o can_v be_v bring_v into_o such_o general_a use_n throughout_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n if_o any_o shall_v think_v that_o it_o may_v be_v determine_v in_o a_o general_n council_n soon_o after_o the_o decease_n of_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v a_o good_a testimony_n that_o it_o be_v still_o apostolical_a for_o else_o it_o will_v never_o have_v be_v decree_v by_o those_o some_o of_o which_o in_o all_o probability_n must_v have_v see_v and_o converse_v with_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o who_o be_v wont_n constant_o to_o contend_v for_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o have_v hear_v from_o they_o and_o to_o reject_v all_o other_o as_o illegal_a innovation_n but_o that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o such_o council_n seem_v to_o be_v beyond_o dispute_n for_o it_o can_v not_o be_v assemble_v in_o a_o time_n when_o the_o church_n be_v often_o in_o a_o state_n of_o persecution_n and_o always_o look_v upon_o with_o a_o jealous_a eye_n by_o the_o civil_a power_n which_o will_v not_o have_v suffer_v so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o christian_a minister_n to_o meet_v together_o without_o give_v they_o some_o great_a disturbance_n or_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v they_o may_v have_v be_v permit_v to_o meet_v quiet_o yet_o that_o they_o do_v so_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n or_o intimation_n in_o any_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n and_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o they_o can_v have_v be_v silent_a in_o a_o matter_n so_o considerable_a as_o this_o when_o they_o have_v punctual_o record_v so_o many_o of_o far_o less_o importance_n but_o if_o any_o can_v be_v incline_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n be_v a_o mere_a usurpation_n of_o one_o presbyter_n in_o a_o diocese_n over_o the_o rest_n without_o the_o decree_n of_o any_o council_n it_o be_v exceed_o strange_a that_o all_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v impose_v upon_o about_o the_o same_o time_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n without_o ever_o consult_v one_o with_o another_o and_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o primitive_a bishop_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v such_o pious_a mortify_v and_o self-denying_a man_n can_v be_v guilty_a of_o a_o ambition_n to_o advance_v themselves_o above_o their_o brethren_n contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o apostle_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v like_a to_o get_v nothing_o by_o their_o aspire_n but_o to_o be_v the_o first_o that_o shall_v burn_v at_o a_o stake_n in_o the_o marketplace_n or_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n in_o the_o amphitheatre_n or_o if_o we_o can_v suppose_v they_o to_o have_v be_v so_o wicked_a and_o foolish_a too_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o they_o can_v have_v gain_v this_o new_a power_n without_o some_o considerable_a opposition_n man_n be_v natural_o very_o jealous_a of_o any_o encroachment_n that_o can_v be_v make_v upon_o their_o right_n and_o the_o presbyter_n of_o those_o time_n may_v well_o be_v think_v to_o have_v have_v as_o great_a a_o care_n of_o preserve_v their_o liberty_n as_o we_o have_v now_o of_o we_o it_o be_v not_o therefore_o at_o all_o credible_a that_o they_o shall_v as_o it_o be_v with_o one_o consent_n put_v their_o neck_n quiet_o under_o this_o new_a invent_a yoke_n and_o submit_v without_o struggle_v to_o the_o usurp_a power_n of_o one_o of_o their_o equal_n and_o that_o this_o defection_n shall_v be_v so_o universal_a that_o the_o ancient_a parity_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o shall_v not_o keep_v its_o possession_n in_o one_o church_n in_o all_o christendom_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o seem_v very_o plain_a that_o the_o episcopal_a government_n that_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o other_o in_o their_o time_n and_o receive_v in_o all_o church_n must_v be_v institute_v by_o they_o and_o they_o certain_o do_v not_o act_n in_o a_o case_n of_o that_o high_a concernment_n to_o the_o perpetual_a peace_n and_o order_n of_o the_o church_n without_o the_o particular_a command_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n or_o the_o immediate_a inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n i_o have_v draw_v together_o in_o as_o clear_a and_o plain_a a_o method_n as_o i_o can_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o argument_n that_o may_v be_v make_v for_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n over_o many_o presbyter_n and_o if_o to_o all_o this_o and_o whatever_o else_o may_v be_v allege_v it_o shall_v be_v think_v reply_n enough_o to_o say_v that_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n begin_v to_o work_v in_o the_o 7._o apostle_n day_n and_o that_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v oblige_v by_o any_o example_n though_o never_o so_o old_a if_o this_o shall_v be_v plead_v as_o i_o think_v it_o have_v be_v sometime_o it_o may_v be_v answer_v thus_o that_o episcopacy_n may_v be_v prove_v upon_o good_a ground_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o i_o be_o sure_a far_o better_a than_o any_o other_o form_n of_o government_n can_v pretend_v unto_o but_o then_o be_v explain_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o that_o and_o all_o follow_a age_n it_o will_v put_v the_o thing_n beyond_o all_o controversy_n if_o the_o sacred_a text_n alone_o shall_v not_o be_v clear_a enough_o to_o convince_v we_o of_o it_o but_o if_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n shall_v be_v still_o insist_v on_o this_o can_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o our_o cause_n unless_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o such_o a_o episcopacy_n as_o we_o plead_v for_o be_v that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o that_o it_o be_v not_o seem_v to_o i_o very_o evident_a because_o i_o can_v think_v that_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n though_o it_o do_v work_v very_o early_o shall_v so_o mighty_o prevail_v that_o in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n there_o shall_v not_o be_v any_o church_n any_o where_o that_o can_v be_v hear_v of_o that_o

be_v not_o govern_v by_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n if_o episcopacy_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v so_o clement_n ignatius_n polycarp_n and_o other_o holy_a man_n and_o martyr_n that_o have_v see_v and_o converse_v with_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v all_o bishop_n and_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a and_o uncharitable_a to_o think_v that_o such_o as_o they_o do_v not_o only_o not_o oppose_v but_o that_o they_o be_v great_a manager_n and_o promoter_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n nay_o i_o do_v not_o see_v if_o it_o shall_v be_v thus_o how_o timothy_n and_o titus_n can_v be_v whole_o excuse_v for_o that_o they_o have_v a_o episcopal_a power_n will_v be_v ready_o confess_v and_o therefore_o they_o must_v be_v real_a bishop_n and_o though_o the_o apostle_n bid_v 5._o timothy_n do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o evangelist_n that_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o consistent_a with_o the_o episcopal_a office_n with_o which_o they_o be_v invest_v as_o it_o be_v confirm_v to_o we_o by_o the_o 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be_v find_v that_o this_o be_v ever_o to_o cease_v and_o any_o other_o government_n or_o none_o to_o be_v establish_v in_o its_o room_n so_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v very_o excusable_a if_o she_o still_o retain_v the_o primitive_a form_n and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o high_a presumption_n if_o no_o worse_o if_o she_o shall_v attempt_v to_o make_v any_o substantial_a alteration_n in_o it_o sect_n iii_o the_o next_o thing_n in_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o be_v dislike_v by_o many_o be_v the_o liturgy_n or_o usual_a form_n of_o prayer_n prescribe_v by_o authority_n as_o the_o ordinary_a office_n of_o our_o public_a devotion_n but_o it_o can_v be_v esteem_v any_o blemish_n to_o the_o english_a reformation_n that_o the_o use_n of_o these_o have_v be_v enjoin_v much_o less_o shall_v it_o be_v account_v as_o a_o thing_n unlawful_a before_o our_o saviour_n appearance_n in_o the_o flesh_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n be_v lawful_o use_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n some_o be_v appoint_v in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o psalm_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o collection_n of_o such_o compose_v by_o david_n and_o other_o holy_a man_n upon_o several_a occasion_n and_o fit_v for_o the_o public_a service_n of_o the_o temple_n beside_o these_o they_o have_v other_o form_n some_o of_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v make_v by_o esdras_n and_o some_o they_o say_v as_o old_a as_o moses_n however_o that_o be_v prayer_n be_v none_o of_o those_o ceremony_n that_o be_v to_o be_v abolish_v but_o a_o principal_a part_n of_o that_o natural_a worship_n which_o all_o man_n owe_v to_o almighty_a god_n it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v offer_v up_o in_o a_o set_a form_n now_o as_o it_o be_v then_o for_o that_o which_o be_v once_o lawful_a will_v always_o continue_v to_o be_v so_o unless_o there_o be_v some_o command_n forbid_v that_o to_o we_o which_o be_v allow_v unto_o they_o i_o do_v not_o find_v any_o such_o prohibition_n as_o this_o in_o the_o gospel_n but_o of_o so_o much_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o there_o be_v a_o prayer_n recommend_v unto_o we_o by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o which_o it_o be_v true_a all_o thing_n be_v comprise_v which_o it_o may_v be_v necessary_a at_o any_o time_n for_o a_o christian_n to_o ask_v but_o yet_o we_o may_v not_o therefore_o think_v that_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v use_v by_o we_o as_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n because_o it_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a one_o that_o be_v ever_o make_v and_o may_v be_v propose_v as_o the_o most_o admirable_a pattern_n by_o which_o we_o may_v direct_v ourselves_o and_o be_v still_o furnish_v with_o suitable_a matter_n in_o all_o our_o address_n at_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n this_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v lay_v aside_o because_o it_o be_v more_o exact_a and_o perfect_a than_o any_o other_o form_n and_o that_o our_o saviour_n intend_v it_o shall_v be_v use_v as_o such_o a_o one_o it_o may_v appear_v in_o that_o it_o consist_v of_o several_a distinct_a petition_n and_o most_o of_o these_o as_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o learned_a man_n be_v such_o as_o be_v then_o familiar_o know_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o be_v still_o to_o be_v find_v in_o some_o of_o their_o devotional_a book_n and_o this_o prayer_n be_v deliver_v to_o the_o disciple_n at_o two_o several_a time_n in_o the_o same_o word_n once_o in_o the_o sermon_n upon_o the_o mount_n and_o again_o when_o they_o come_v unto_o he_o and_o desire_v etc._n he_o to_o teach_v they_o to_o pray_v as_o john_n have_v teach_v his_o disciple_n and_o this_o methinks_v may_v be_v enough_o to_o convince_v etc._n we_o that_o it_o be_v a_o form_n which_o they_o be_v to_o use_v but_o to_o put_v it_o out_o of_o all_o question_n our_o bless_a lord_n express_o command_v it_o after_o this_o manner_n or_o thus_o therefore_o pray_v you_o when_o he_o bid_v they_o pray_v thus_o and_o then_o immediate_o set_v down_o a_o certain_a form_n who_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o he_o plain_o command_v they_o to_o use_v that_o form_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v possible_a for_o any_o one_o to_o conceive_v that_o when_o it_o be_v say_v pray_v thus_o or_o after_o this_o manner_n no_o more_o shall_v be_v employ_v but_o only_o that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v a_o pattern_n to_o make_v other_o prayer_n by_o and_o that_o the_o follow_a form_n be_v not_o to_o be_v use_v to_o any_o other_o purpose_n than_o this_o to_o avoid_v that_o when_o the_o same_o prayer_n be_v repeat_v by_o another_o evangelist_n upon_o a_o different_a occasion_n as_o if_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v design_v to_o prevent_v this_o exception_n it_o be_v not_o say_v thus_o or_o after_o this_o manner_n but_o only_o when_o you_o pray_v say_v our_o father_n etc._n etc._n a_o command_n so_o positive_a and_o absolute_a that_o if_o it_o may_v be_v evade_v i_o do_v not_o see_v but_o that_o all_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v be_v cancel_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n that_o can_v be_v pretend_v for_o the_o dissolve_v the_o obligation_n of_o this_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o temporary_a command_n lay_v upon_o the_o disciple_n at_o that_o time_n and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o endure_v no_o long_o in_o force_n but_o till_o they_o have_v attain_v some_o high_a degree_n of_o perfection_n which_o they_o have_v not_o then_o arrive_v unto_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o command_n have_v no_o such_o restriction_n annex_v and_o it_o be_v exceed_o dangerous_a to_o make_v any_o where_o the_o scripture_n have_v express_v none_o for_o suppose_v we_o shall_v allow_v it_o but_o in_o this_o instance_n first_o that_o the_o command_n be_v but_o temporary_a man_n extravagant_a fancy_n will_v present_o extend_v it_o to_o as_o many_o more_o as_o they_o please_v and_o when_o they_o begin_v to_o dislike_v any_o command_n that_o seem_v to_o contradict_v their_o fond_a opinion_n they_o will_v immediate_o decry_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n wherein_o they_o be_v not_o concern_v that_o it_o be_v only_o intend_v as_o a_o help_n to_o novice_n and_o beginner_n but_o do_v not_o oblige_v such_o great_a proficient_o and_o person_n of_o such_o mighty_a attainment_n as_o all_o bold_a and_o ignorant_a enthusiast_n be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v themselves_o to_o be_v and_o thus_o by_o yield_v it_o in_o one_o particular_a we_o shall_v lay_v the_o way_n open_a to_o the_o make_v void_a of_o the_o whole_a gospel_n and_o so_o it_o have_v be_v know_v by_o experience_n that_o some_o by_o the_o natural_a improvement_n of_o this_o principle_n have_v lay_v aside_o the_o use_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o think_v themselves_o above_o