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	prayer_n	public_a	3,025	5	6.8559	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A31873	Some considerations about the case of scandal, or, Giving offence to weak brethren	Calamy, Benjamin, 1642-1686.	1683 (1683)	Wing C224; ESTC R6721	36,970	62

doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o breed_v scruple_n and_o perplexity_n in_o well_o meaning_n but_o less_o know_v member_n of_o it_o and_o by_o degree_n produce_v a_o distaste_n or_o dislike_n of_o our_o worship_n and_o plain_o hinder_v the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n as_o administer_v in_o our_o church_n while_o it_o create_v prejudices_fw-la in_o people_n against_o they_o as_o impure_a and_o corrupt_a and_o why_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o due_a regard_n have_v to_o those_o many_o who_o be_v offend_v at_o our_o dissenter_n conventicle_n worship_n as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v scandalize_v by_o our_o church_n service_n i_o can_v at_o all_o guess_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v here_o that_o irreverent_a sit_v at_o the_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n man_n unmannerly_a wear_v their_o hat_n in_o time_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o oftentimes_o put_v they_o off_o but_o half_a way_n at_o their_o prayer_n their_o indecent_a posture_n and_o antic_a gesture_n at_o their_o devotion_n the_o extravagancy_n and_o folly_n not_o to_o say_v worse_o some_o of_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o extemporary_a effusion_n the_o strange_a uncouth_a metaphor_n and_o phrase_n they_o use_v in_o their_o preach_a in_o a_o word_n the_o slovenly_a performance_n of_o divine_a worship_n among_o the_o dissenter_n be_v much_o more_o scandalous_a than_o all_o the_o ceremony_n of_o our_o church_n can_v ever_o be_v 4._o consider_v the_o scandal_n that_o be_v hereby_o give_v to_o magistrate_n and_o our_o superior_n by_o bring_v their_o law_n and_o authority_n into_o contempt_n concern_v which_o the_o forename_a mr._n jean_n in_o his_o first_o edition_n of_o his_o discourse_n about_o abstinence_n from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a have_v these_o word_n if_o say_v he_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v throw_v into_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o sea_n with_o a_o millstone_n about_o one_o neck_n than_o to_o offend_v a_o little_a one_o a_o poor_a and_o illiterate_a artisan_n what_o expression_n shall_v we_o then_o find_v answerable_a to_o the_o heinousness_n of_o a_o scandal_n give_v to_o a_o pious_a magistrate_n to_o a_o religious_a prince_n to_o a_o parliament_n and_o convocation_n to_o a_o whole_a church_n and_o commonwealth_n 5._o by_o this_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n great_a scandal_n be_v give_v to_o the_o papist_n not_o that_o they_o be_v displease_v at_o it_o they_o be_v not_o indeed_o offend_v in_o that_o sense_n but_o this_o serve_v wonderful_o to_o harden_v they_o in_o their_o false_a and_o idolatrous_a worship_n it_o increase_v their_o confidence_n that_o their_o church_n be_v the_o only_a true_a church_n of_o christ_n because_o among_o they_o only_o be_v find_v peace_n and_o unity_n and_o this_o be_v a_o mighty_a temptation_n to_o many_o waver_a christian_n to_o turn_v papist_n insomuch_o that_o mr._n baxter_n have_v tell_v we_o that_o thousand_o have_v be_v draw_v to_o popery_n or_o confirm_v in_o it_o by_o this_o argument_n already_o and_o he_o say_v of_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o all_o the_o argument_n else_o in_o bellarmin_n and_o all_o other_o book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v have_v not_o do_v so_o much_o to_o make_v papist_n in_o england_n as_o the_o multitude_n of_o sect_n among_o ourselves_o this_o indeed_o be_v a_o great_a scandal_n to_o our_o protestant_a religion_n and_o be_v that_o which_o the_o papist_n be_v on_o all_o occasion_n so_o forward_o to_o object_v against_o we_o and_o hit_v we_o in_o the_o tooth_n with_o and_o by_o our_o hearty_a unite_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n we_o may_v certain_o wrest_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n the_o most_o dangerous_a weapon_n they_o use_v against_o the_o reformation_n 6._o this_o tend_v to_o the_o scandal_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n it_o prejudice_v man_n against_o it_o as_o a_o uncertain_a thing_n a_o matter_n of_o endless_a dispute_n and_o debate_n it_o make_v some_o man_n utter_o reject_v it_o as_o consist_v most_o in_o little_a trifle_n and_o nicety_n about_o which_o they_o observe_v the_o great_a noise_n and_o contention_n to_o be_v make_v or_o as_o destructive_a of_o the_o public_a peace_n of_o society_n when_o they_o see_v what_o dangerous_a feud_n and_o quarrel_n commence_v from_o our_o religious_a difference_n and_o all_o the_o disorder_n and_o confusion_n that_o they_o have_v cause_v here_o in_o england_n shall_v by_o some_o be_v charge_v upon_o christianity_n itself_o thus_o our_o causeless_a separation_n and_o division_n open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o atheism_n and_o all_o kind_n of_o profaneness_n and_o irreligion_n after_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v of_o old_a and_o always_o will_v be_v where_o there_o be_v party_n in_o religion_n and_o one_o contend_v that_o their_o separation_n be_v lawful_a and_o the_o other_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a the_o common_a people_n soon_o become_v doubtful_a and_o ready_a to_o forsake_v all_o religion_n i_o may_v add_v here_o that_o such_o separation_n necessary_o occasion_n breach_n of_o charity_n they_o beget_v implacable_a enmity_n and_o animosity_n hence_o come_v strife_n emulation_n envy_v one_o party_n continual_o endeavour_v to_o overtop_v the_o other_o watch_v for_o one_o another_o halt_n rejoice_v in_o one_o another_o sin_n and_o misfortune_n constant_a undermine_a one_o another_o to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a government_n and_o endanger_v the_o civil_a peace_n of_o all_o which_o and_o much_o more_o than_o i_o can_v now_o mention_v the_o present_a distract_a condition_n of_o our_o nation_n be_v so_o great_a and_o undeniable_a a_o evidence_n that_o there_o need_v no_o more_o word_n to_o show_v the_o mischief_n that_o attend_v such_o division_n and_o now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n the_o maintain_n of_o charity_n among_o brethren_n the_o keep_n out_o popery_n and_o atheism_n the_o preservation_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o society_n we_o be_v member_n of_o the_o honour_n and_o credit_n of_o our_o religion_n last_o whether_o give_v offence_n to_o all_o both_o conformist_n and_o nonconformist_n those_o only_o except_v of_o our_o own_o particular_a sect_n and_o division_n nay_o scandalize_a they_o also_o in_o the_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n of_o scandal_n be_v not_o of_o far_o great_a and_o more_o weighty_a consideration_n than_o the_o fear_n of_o displease_v or_o grieve_v some_o few_o weak_a dissatisfied_a brethren_n woe_n to_o those_o by_o who_o offence_n come_v but_o these_o thing_n i_o have_v very_o light_o touch_v because_o they_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o many_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n late_o publish_v to_o sum_v up_o all_o i_o have_v say_v since_o they_o who_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o such_o weak_a person_n as_o st._n paul_n all_o along_o describe_v and_o provide_v for_o since_o we_o can_v by_o our_o conformity_n real_o scandalize_v or_o offend_v they_o in_o that_o sense_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n use_v those_o word_n since_o though_o we_o do_v give_v offence_n to_o they_o by_o our_o conformity_n yet_o that_o will_v not_o excuse_v we_o from_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o by_o refuse_v to_o conform_v we_o shall_v do_v both_o they_o and_o other_o great_a hurt_n and_o mischief_n i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o there_o can_v lie_v any_o obligation_n upon_o any_o private_a christian_n as_o the_o case_n now_o stand_v among_o we_o to_o absent_v himself_o from_o his_o parish-church_n or_o to_o forbear_v the_o use_n of_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n or_o ceremony_n by_o law_n appoint_v for_o fear_v of_o offend_a his_o weak_a brethren_n i_o end_v all_o with_o one_o word_n of_o advice_n first_o to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n second_o to_o those_o who_o be_v satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a 1._o to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n and_o therefore_o urge_v so_o hard_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v offend_v by_o we_o i_o will_v beseech_v they_o that_o they_o will_v take_v some_o care_n and_o make_v some_o conscience_n to_o avoid_v give_v any_o needless_a offence_n to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o this_o can_v but_o be_v think_v a_o reasonable_a request_n since_o they_o require_v all_o other_o to_o be_v so_o tender_a of_o they_o they_o ought_v not_o therefore_o to_o meet_v in_o such_o number_n nor_o at_o the_o same_o time_n at_o which_o we_o assemble_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o our_o public_a church_n let_v they_o not_o affront_v our_o service_n and_o common-prayer_n nor_o revile_v our_o bishop_n and_o minister_n nor_o put_v on_o their_o hat_n when_o at_o any_o time_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v present_a at_o our_o service_n in_o our_o church_n nor_o talk_v nor_o read_v in_o book_n nor_o make_v sour_a face_n at_o our_o devotion_n and_o when_o they_o observe_v these_o and_o other_o the_o like_a rule_n they_o may_v then_o with_o a_o better_a grace_n though_o with_o little_a reason_n find_v fault_n with_o our_o conformity_n as_o offensive_a to_o they_o i_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o say_v any_o thing_n that_o shall_v exasperate_v or_o provoke_v any_o of_o the_o dissenter_n who_o satisfaction_n i_o design_v i_o very_o well_o know_v their_o weakness_n that_o they_o can_v endure_v to_o be_v tell_v of_o their_o fault_n however_o i_o must_v tell_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o sort_n of_o person_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n profess_v religion_n and_o godliness_n that_o have_v do_v such_o scandalous_a thing_n as_o some_o of_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o protestant_n dissenter_n i_o forbear_v to_o name_v particular_n 2._o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v satisfy_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n i_o will_v desire_v they_o so_o to_o order_v their_o return_n to_o the_o church_n as_o not_o to_o give_v any_o just_a offence_n to_o those_o who_o they_o forsake_v that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o they_o will_v do_v it_o hearty_o and_o sincere_o that_o all_o may_v see_v they_o conform_v with_o a_o willing_a mind_n be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n so_o to_o do_v and_o not_o mere_o to_o satisfy_v the_o law_n or_o to_o save_v their_o purse_n or_o to_o get_v into_o a_o office_n or_o to_o capacitate_v they_o to_o vote_n or_o the_o like_a for_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o conformity_n as_o some_o practice_n and_o call_v occasional_a communion_n which_o be_v come_v to_o church_n and_o sacrament_n to_o serve_v a_o turn_n be_v true_o scandalous_a to_o all_o good_a man_n of_o what_o persuasion_n soever_o finis_fw-la

what_o argument_n he_o may_v possible_o thence_o draw_v to_o encourage_v himself_o in_o sin_n and_o folly_n or_o excuse_v himself_o from_o the_o care_n of_o his_o soul_n and_o religion_n this_o will_v open_v the_o door_n to_o infinite_a scrupulosity_n and_o trouble_n and_o i_o shall_v hardly_o be_v able_a to_o do_v or_o speak_v any_o thing_n without_o the_o incur_v the_o guilt_n of_o give_v scandal_n now_o this_o be_v suppose_v i_o dare_v bold_o challenge_v any_o man_n to_o name_v any_o one_o sin_n either_o against_o god_n our_o neighbour_n or_o ourselves_o that_o our_o conformity_n do_v give_v any_o real_a probable_a occasion_n unto_o and_o it_o be_v very_o uncharitable_a to_o conceit_n that_o our_o nonconform_a brethren_n will_v out_o of_o mere_a perverseness_n or_o spite_n and_o revenge_v run_v into_o sin_n on_o purpose_n to_o make_v our_o leave_v they_o criminal_a and_o vicious_a which_o if_o any_o shall_v be_v so_o wicked_a as_o to_o do_v yet_o they_o will_v lose_v the_o design_n of_o their_o malice_n and_o prove_v the_o only_a guilty_a person_n themselves_o the_o only_a thing_n i_o imagine_v can_v be_v further_o say_v in_o this_o case_n be_v that_o though_o i_o be_o well_o satisfy_v myself_o yet_o by_o my_o conformity_n i_o may_v tempt_v and_o provoke_v other_o that_o be_v not_o satisfy_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o nay_o those_o who_o judge_v it_o absolute_o sinful_a yet_o rather_o than_o stand_v out_o or_o be_v move_v by_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v of_o my_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n to_o follow_v my_o example_n with_o a_o doubt_v or_o gainsay_v conscience_n suppose_v a_o master_n of_o family_n that_o use_v to_o frequent_v the_o private_a meeting_n and_o his_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o servant_n use_v to_o follow_v he_o thither_o but_o afterward_o by_o read_v of_o such_o good_a book_n as_o have_v be_v late_o write_v be_v himself_o satisfy_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o go_v to_o church_n and_o at_o last_o think_v it_o his_o duty_n so_o to_o do_v only_o he_o be_v afraid_a that_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o family_n to_o please_v and_o humour_n he_o will_v be_v apt_a also_o to_o forsake_v the_o private_a meeting_n and_o go_v along_o with_o he_o to_o church_n though_o it_o be_v altogether_o against_o their_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n or_o suppose_v he_o a_o man_n of_o eminency_n among_o his_o neighbour_n on_o who_o favour_n many_o do_v depend_v of_o great_a interest_n and_o reputation_n by_o who_o example_n many_o be_v sway_v and_o lead_v though_o himself_n do_v conform_v upon_o good_a reason_n and_o principle_n yet_o his_o example_n may_v invite_v many_o other_o to_o it_o though_o they_o have_v receive_v no_o satisfaction_n concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o now_o here_o i_o desire_v these_o three_o thing_n may_v be_v consider_v 1._o it_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o be_v as_o unlawful_a to_o go_v to_o the_o separate_a meeting_n against_o one_o conscience_n as_o it_o be_v to_o go_v to_o the_o public_a church_n against_o one_o conscience_n why_o then_o ought_v not_o this_o man_n to_o be_v as_o afraid_a when_o he_o leave_v his_o parish-church_n and_o frequent_v the_o private_a congregation_n lest_o he_o shall_v draw_v some_o to_o follow_v he_o thither_o with_o a_o doubt_a conscience_n as_o well_o as_o he_o fear_v if_o he_o leave_v the_o meeting_n and_o resort_n to_o his_o parish-church_n some_o not_o satisfy_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o shall_v come_v after_o he_o thither_o the_o influence_n of_o his_o example_n interest_n reputation_n be_v the_o same_o in_o both_o instance_n the_o danger_n of_o give_v this_o scandal_n be_v equal_a that_o therefore_o which_o ought_v to_o determine_v his_o practice_n must_v be_v his_o own_o judgement_n and_o persuasion_n 2._o such_o a_o one_o who_o have_v be_v a_o separatist_n but_o be_v now_o himself_o satisfy_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o conformity_n aught_o to_o take_v great_a care_n and_o pain_n in_o endeavour_v to_o satisfy_v other_o also_o especial_o those_o who_o he_o have_v any_o cause_n to_o think_v to_o have_v be_v lead_v into_o the_o way_n of_o separation_n by_o his_o example_n he_o must_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o own_o his_o former_a mistake_n to_o set_v before_o they_o the_o reason_n on_o which_o his_o change_n be_v ground_v and_o must_v do_v this_o public_o and_o frequent_o persuade_v other_o to_o use_v the_o same_o help_n and_o mean_n which_o be_v so_o effectual_a for_o his_o own_o conviction_n and_o thus_o he_o do_v all_o that_o lie_v in_o his_o power_n to_o prevent_v this_o ill_a effect_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v further_o answerable_a for_o the_o consequence_n of_o what_o he_o do_v 3._o it_o be_v true_o observe_v by_o some_o that_o consider_v the_o know_a temper_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n it_o be_v not_o very_o likely_a any_o such_o mischief_n shall_v ensue_v viz._n that_o by_o the_o example_n of_o one_o or_o more_o leave_v their_o separate_a assembly_n other_o shall_v be_v move_v to_o follow_v they_o against_o their_o own_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n it_o be_v abundant_o notorious_a how_o they_o have_v use_v to_o treat_v those_o that_o have_v desert_v they_o with_o what_o irreconcilable_a enmity_n they_o have_v prosecute_v they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o their_o worst_a enemy_n pass_v more_o grievous_a censure_n upon_o they_o than_o upon_o those_o who_o have_v all_o their_o life_n long_o continue_v in_o our_o communion_n 4._o i_o proceed_v in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o observe_v from_o what_o i_o have_v discourse_v concern_v give_v offence_n that_o if_o to_o offend_v any_o one_o be_v to_o lead_v he_o into_o sin_n than_o we_o may_v scandalize_v and_o give_v offence_n to_o other_o as_o soon_o by_o please_v they_o and_o comply_v with_o they_o as_o by_o diplease_v they_o and_o go_v contrary_a to_o their_o mind_n and_o humour_n st._n paul_n who_o circumcise_a timothy_n act_v 16._o 3._o in_o favour_n of_o the_o weak_a jew_n that_o he_o may_v insinuate_v and_o ingratiate_v himself_o into_o they_o refuse_v to_o circumcise_v titus_n galat._n 2._o 3._o though_o he_o make_v the_o jew_n angry_a by_o it_o yet_o he_o will_v not_o give_v place_n by_o subjection_n or_o submission_n and_o condescension_n to_o they_o no_o not_o for_o a_o hour_n he_o consider_v the_o different_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o person_n he_o have_v to_o deal_v withal_o he_o comply_v to_o circumcise_v timothy_n lest_o all_o the_o jew_n with_o he_o shall_v have_v forsake_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n he_o deny_v to_o circumcise_v titus_n lest_o those_o of_o jerusalem_n shall_v think_v he_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o jewish_a law_n hold_v still_o in_o force_n and_o so_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n shall_v become_v of_o no_o effect_n to_o they_o he_o please_v indeed_o the_o former_a for_o fear_n of_o drive_v they_o from_o christianity_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n he_o displease_v the_o latter_a lest_o he_o shall_v give_v they_o occasion_n to_o think_v the_o observation_n of_o moses_n law_n always_o necessary_a he_o have_v true_o scandalize_v they_o if_o he_o have_v do_v as_o they_o will_v have_v have_v he_o he_o have_v offend_v they_o in_o the_o true_a scripture_n sense_n if_o he_o have_v please_v and_o humour_v they_o and_o this_o be_v the_o most_o ordinary_a way_n of_o scandalize_a christian_n among_o we_o by_o not_o plain_o tell_v man_n of_o their_o fault_n and_o mistake_n by_o not_o speak_v free_o and_o round_o to_o they_o nor_o act_v courageous_o whereby_o they_o become_v harden_v and_o confirm_v in_o their_o folly_n and_o ignorance_n to_o this_o purpose_n i_o can_v but_o repeat_v the_o word_n of_o mr._n baxter_n in_o the_o book_n i_o have_v so_o often_o cite_v many_o a_o time_n say_v he_o i_o have_v the_o rather_o go_v to_o the_o common-prayer_n of_o the_o public_a assembly_n for_o fear_n of_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o those_o same_o man_n that_o call_v the_o go_n to_o they_o a_o scandal_n that_o be_v for_o fear_v of_o harden_v they_o in_o a_o sinful_a separation_n and_o error_n because_o i_o know_v that_o be_v not_o scandal_n which_o they_o call_v scandal_n that_o be_v displease_v they_o and_o cross_v their_o opinion_n but_o harden_v they_o in_o a_o error_n or_o other_o sin_n be_v true_a scandalize_a understand_v this_o or_o you_o will_v displease_v god_n under_o pretence_n of_o avoid_v scandal_n p._n 135._o thus_o by_o comply_v with_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n we_o real_o do_v they_o that_o mischief_n which_o we_o will_v avoid_v and_o fall_v into_o the_o sin_n of_o give_v scandal_n while_o we_o be_v run_v from_o it_o we_o countenance_n and_o encourage_v their_o sinful_a separation_n and_o division_n we_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o dangerous_a error_n and_o mistake_v we_o by_o our_o practice_n condemn_v those_o thing_n which_o yet_o in_o our_o conscience_n we_o allow_v and_o