Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	church_n	communion_n	true_a	2,382	5	5.8226	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A31806	A discourse about a scrupulous conscience preached at the parish-church of St. Mary Aldermanbury, London / by Benjamin Calamy ...	Calamy, Benjamin, 1642-1686.	1683 (1683)	Wing C212; ESTC R16631	28,500	49

alteration_n upon_o every_o emergent_a difficulty_n may_v be_v often_o of_o worse_a consequence_n than_o the_o evil_n we_o pretend_v to_o cure_v by_o it_o let_v the_o rule_n and_o mode_n of_o government_n discipline_n public_a worship_n be_v most_o exact_a and_o blameless_a yet_o there_o will_v be_v fault_n in_o governor_n and_o minister_n as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v but_o man_n we_o must_v not_o expect_v in_o this_o world_n a_o church_n without_o spot_n or_o wrinkle_n that_o consist_v only_o of_o saint_n in_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v find_v amiss_o especial_o by_o those_o who_o lie_v at_o the_o catch_n and_o wait_v for_o a_o advantage_n against_o it_o if_o man_n will_v scruple_n and_o reform_v as_o long_o as_o any_o thing_n remain_v which_o they_o can_v object_v against_o they_o must_v even_o come_v at_o last_o as_o a_o reverend_a person_n of_o our_o church_n have_v observe_v to_o the_o state_n of_o that_o miserable_a man_n who_o leave_v all_o humane_a society_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v defile_v with_o other_o man_n sin_n and_o at_o last_o cut_v out_o the_o content_n of_o chapter_n and_o title_n of_o book_n out_o of_o the_o bible_n because_o they_o be_v humane_a invention_n add_v to_o the_o pure_a word_n of_o god_n man_n must_v be_v willing_a if_o ever_o they_o will_v promote_v peace_n and_o unity_n to_o put_v candid_a construction_n and_o favourable_a interpretation_n upon_o thing_n to_o take_v they_o by_o the_o best_a handle_n and_o not_o strain_v thing_n on_o purpose_n that_o they_o may_v cavil_v the_o more_o plausible_o and_o raise_v more_o considerable_a objection_n against_o they_o we_o must_v not_o make_v personal_a accidental_a fault_n nor_o any_o thing_n a_o pretence_n for_o our_o leave_v the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n which_o arise_v only_o from_o the_o necessary_a condition_n and_o temper_n of_o all_o humane_a affair_n that_o nothing_o here_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a 6._o and_o last_o if_o you_o can_v by_o these_o and_o other_o the_o like_a consideration_n not_o now_o to_o be_v mention_v get_v rid_v of_o and_o conquer_v your_o scruple_n then_o be_v advise_v to_o lay_v they_o aside_o to_o throw_v they_o out_o of_o your_o mind_n as_o dangerous_a temptation_n and_o act_v positive_o against_o they_o but_o here_o i_o easy_o imagine_v some_o ready_a present_o to_o ask_v i_o do_v you_o persuade_v we_o to_o conform_v to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n though_o we_o be_v not_o satisfy_v in_o our_o mind_n concern_v they_o i_o answer_v that_o i_o think_v this_o the_o best_a advice_n that_o can_v be_v give_v to_o such_o scrupulous_a person_n it_o will_v be_v a_o endless_a infinite_a thing_n and_o communion_n with_o any_o church_n will_v be_v altogether_o unpracticable_a if_o every_o private_a christian_a be_v oblige_v to_o suspend_v join_v himself_o to_o it_o till_o he_o be_v perfect_o satisfy_v about_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o expediency_n of_o all_o that_o be_v require_v or_o be_v in_o use_n in_o that_o church_n for_o indeed_o private_a person_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n proper_a judge_n of_o what_o be_v fit_a and_o convenient_a in_o the_o administration_n of_o church-government_n discipline_n or_o public_a worship_n no_o more_o than_o they_o be_v of_o matter_n of_o state_n or_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o all_o civil_a law_n common_a people_n general_o have_v neither_o patience_n to_o consider_v nor_o judgement_n to_o weigh_v all_o circumstance_n nor_o wisdom_n to_o choose_v that_o which_o be_v best_a these_o thing_n of_o a_o public_a nature_n belong_v only_o to_o our_o superior_n and_o governor_n and_o if_o they_o appoint_v what_o be_v unfit_a indecent_a or_o inconvenient_a they_o only_o be_v accountable_a for_o it_o it_o be_v not_o the_o fault_n of_o those_o that_o join_v with_o such_o worship_n or_o yield_v to_o such_o injunction_n not_o plain_o sinful_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o peace_n and_o order_n i_o know_v therefore_o no_o better_o rule_n for_o the_o direct_n and_o quiet_v man_n conscience_n than_o this_o that_o as_o to_o all_o such_o matter_n as_o relate_v to_o public_a order_n and_o decent_a administration_n of_o god_n worship_n they_o shall_v without_o any_o superstitious_a fearfulness_n comply_v with_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n they_o live_v in_o never_o trouble_v themselves_o nor_o curious_o examine_v what_o be_v best_a and_o fit_a as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o enjoin_v or_o do_v which_o after_o due_a enquiry_n appear_v to_o we_o contrary_a to_o any_o law_n of_o god_n thus_o st._n augustin_n direct_v we_o in_o that_o often_o quote_v place_n where_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o know_v no_o better_a course_n for_o a_o serious_a prudent_a christian_n to_o take_v in_o matter_n of_o rite_n and_o custom_n than_o to_o follow_v the_o church_n example_n where_o he_o be_v for_o whatsoever_o be_v prescribe_v neither_o against_o faith_n or_o manner_n be_v a_o matter_n in_o its_o self_n indifferent_a and_o to_o be_v observe_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o those_o he_o live_v among_o this_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o counsel_n st._n ambrose_n bishop_n of_o milan_n give_v he_o when_o he_o be_v send_v by_o his_o mother_n to_o inquire_v his_o judgement_n about_o the_o saturday_n fast_o when_o i_o be_o at_o rome_n say_v the_o bishop_n i_o fa●t_v on_o the_o sabbath_n but_o at_o milan_n i_o do_v not_o so_o thou_o likewise_o when_o thou_o come_v to_o any_o church_n observe_v its_o custom_n if_o thou_o will_v neither_o be_v a_o offence_n to_o they_o nor_o have_v they_o be_v so_o to_o thou_o which_o st._n augustin_n ever_o after_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o oracle_n from_o heaven_n i_o do_v not_o by_o this_o encourage_v man_n to_o venture_v blindfold_a on_o sin_n or_o to_o neglect_v any_o reasonable_a care_n of_o their_o action_n but_o if_o people_n raise_v all_o the_o difficulty_n and_o objection_n they_o can_v start_v before_o they_o proceed_v to_o a_o resolution_n about_o thing_n that_o have_v no_o manifest_a impiety_n in_o they_o nor_o be_v plain_o nor_o by_o any_o easy_a consequence_n contrary_a to_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n this_o can_v but_o occasion_v infinite_a perplexity_n and_o trouble_v to_o man_n mind_n and_o there_o be_v but_o few_o thing_n they_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o do_v with_o a_o safe_a and_o quiet_a conscience_n shall_v all_o those_o that_o have_v some_o little_a argument_n against_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n puzzle_v themselves_o with_o the_o objection_n usual_o urge_v against_o infant_n baptism_n and_o defer_v baptise_v their_o child_n till_o they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v about_o it_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o baptise_v of_o infant_n will_v soon_o be_v as_o much_o scruple_v at_o as_o the_o cross_v they_o now_o be_v but_o there_o be_v no_o apparent_a evil_n in_o it_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n we_o live_v in_o it_o be_v no_o where_o forbid_v in_o scripture_n this_o ordinary_o be_v sufficient_a warrant_n for_o what_o we_o do_v before_o we_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n or_o refuse_v to_o comply_v with_o its_o order_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v full_o satisfy_v and_o persuade_v of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o what_o be_v require_v that_o it_o be_v forbid_v by_o god_n because_o by_o leave_v the_o communion_n of_o any_o church_n we_o pass_v sentence_n upon_o and_o condemn_v it_o which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v do_v upon_o light_n and_o doubtful_a cause_n but_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o necessity_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v thus_o full_o satisfy_v about_o our_o conformity_n to_o all_o thing_n prescribe_v by_o the_o church_n we_o may_v presume_v they_o to_o be_v innocent_a unless_o they_o plain_o appear_v to_o we_o otherwise_o the_o judicious_a and_o learned_a bishop_n sanderson_n thus_o express_v it_o in_o his_o four_o sermon_n ad_fw-la clerum_fw-la the_o law_n take_v every_o man_n for_o a_o good_a man_n and_o true_a till_o his_o truth_n and_o honesty_n be_v legal_o disprove_v and_o as_o our_o saviour_n sometime_o say_v he_o that_o be_v not_o against_o we_o be_v for_o we_o so_o in_o these_o matter_n he_o speak_v of_o those_o ceremony_n that_o for_o order_n sake_n and_o to_o add_v the_o great_a solemnity_n to_o sacred_a action_n be_v appoint_v in_o the_o church_n we_o be_v to_o believe_v all_o thing_n to_o be_v lawful_a for_o we_o to_o do_v which_o can_v be_v show_v by_o good_a evidence_n either_o of_o scripture_n or_o reason_n to_o be_v unlawful_a if_o any_o one_o be_v afraid_a that_o this_o principle_n once_o imbibe_v will_v introduce_v popery_n make_v people_n greedy_o swallow_v and_o without_o any_o examination_n submit_v to_o every_o thing_n their_o superior_n please_v to_o impose_v upon_o they_o let_v he_o only_o consider_v which_o we_o all_o agree_v in_o that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o the_o popish_a worship_n and_o religion_n manifest_o evil_a and_o forbid_v by_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n which_o render_v our_o

know_a and_o experience_a physician_n be_v the_o only_a proper_a mean_n to_o determine_v he_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o here_o when_o any_o private_a christian_a be_v trouble_v and_o perplex_v with_o fear_n and_o scruple_n that_o concern_v his_o duty_n or_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n he_o ought_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o public_a guide_n and_o minister_n of_o religion_n who_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o be_v best_a fit_v to_o direct_v and_o conduct_v he_o i_o say_v to_o come_v to_o they_o not_o only_o to_o dispute_v and_o argue_v with_o they_o and_o pert_o to_o oppose_v they_o but_o with_o all_o modesty_n to_o propound_v their_o doubt_n meek_o to_o hearken_v to_o and_o receive_v instruction_n humble_o beg_v of_o god_n to_o open_v their_o understanding_n that_o they_o may_v see_v and_o embrace_v the_o truth_n take_v great_a care_n that_o no_o evil_a affection_n love_v of_o a_o party_n or_o carnal_a interest_n influence_n or_o bias_n their_o judgement_n who_o do_v not_o by_o this_o desire_n man_n to_o pin_v their_o faith_n upon_o the_o priest_n sleeve_n or_o to_o put_v out_o their_o own_o eye_n that_o they_o may_v be_v better_o guide_v and_o manage_v by_o they_o but_o only_o diligent_o to_o attend_v to_o their_o reason_n and_o argument_n and_o to_o give_v some_o due_a regard_n and_o deference_n to_o their_o authority_n for_o it_o be_v not_o so_o absurd_a as_o may_v by_o some_o be_v imagine_v for_o the_o common_a people_n to_o take_v upon_o trust_n from_o their_o lawful_a teacher_n what_o they_o be_v not_o competent_a judge_n of_o themselves_o but_o the_o difficulty_n here_o be_v how_o shall_v a_o private_a christian_a govern_v himself_o when_o the_o very_a guide_n and_o minister_n of_o religion_n determine_v different_o concern_v these_o matter_n in_o question_n among_o we_o some_o warrant_v and_o allow_v they_o other_o as_o much_o disapprove_v and_o condemn_v they_o by_o what_o rule_n shall_v he_o choose_v his_o guide_n to_o which_o i_o brief_o reply_v 1._o as_o for_o those_o who_o scruple_n at_o conformity_n and_o be_v tolerable_o to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o let_v not_o such_o rely_v bare_o upon_o the_o authority_n either_o of_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o all_o we_o desire_v of_o they_o be_v that_o they_o will_v equal_o hear_v both_o side_n that_o they_o will_v think_v that_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v some_o sense_n and_o conscience_n too_o as_o well_o as_o other_o man_n and_o be_v able_a to_o say_v somewhat_o for_o what_o they_o do_v themselves_o or_o require_v of_o other_o that_o lay_v aside_o all_o prejudices_fw-la favour_n to_o or_o admiration_n of_o man_n person_n they_o will_v weigh_v and_o consider_v the_o argument_n that_o may_v be_v propound_v to_o they_o be_v diffident_a of_o their_o own_o apprehension_n and_o indifferent_a to_o either_o part_n of_o the_o question_n that_o they_o will_v think_v it_o no_o shame_n to_o change_v their_o mind_n when_o they_o see_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o can_v we_o thus_o prevail_v with_o the_o people_n diligent_o to_o examine_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n our_o church_n will_v every_o day_n gain_v more_o ground_n among_o all_o wise_a man_n for_o we_o care_v not_o how_o much_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n our_o people_n have_v so_o they_o be_v but_o humble_a and_o modest_a with_o it_o nor_o do_v we_o desire_v man_n to_o become_v our_o proselyte_n any_o further_a than_o we_o give_v they_o good_a scripture_n and_o reason_n for_o it_o 2._o but_o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o so_o capable_a of_o examine_v or_o judge_v for_o themselves_o as_o few_o of_o the_o common_a people_n who_o separate_v from_o we_o real_o be_v they_o not_o be_v able_a to_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o their_o dissent_n from_o we_o only_o in_o general_a word_n declaim_v against_o popery_n superstition_n antichristian_a and_o unscriptural_a ceremony_n humane_a tradition_n etc._n etc._n such_o have_v better_a trust_n to_o and_o depend_v on_o those_o minister_n of_o know_a sufficiency_n for_o their_o office_n who_o be_v regular_o and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n set_v over_o they_o than_o any_o other_o guide_n or_o teacher_n that_o they_o can_v choose_v for_o themselves_o this_o to_o be_v sure_o be_v the_o safe_a course_n which_o in_o doubtful_a case_n be_v always_o to_o be_v take_v i_o speak_v now_o of_o these_o present_a controversy_n about_o form_n and_o ceremony_n so_o hot_o agitate_a among_o we_o which_o be_v above_o the_o sphere_n of_o common_a people_n out_o of_o their_o profession_n not_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o concern_v the_o salvation_n of_o all_o man_n which_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a to_o the_o mean_a capacity_n when_o therefore_o in_o such_o case_n about_o which_o we_o can_v easy_o satisfy_v ourselves_o we_o follow_v the_o advice_n of_o the_o public_o authorize_v guide_n and_o preacher_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o chance_v to_o mislead_v we_o we_o have_v something_o to_o say_v or_o apologise_v for_o ourselves_o our_o error_n be_v more_o excusable_a and_o pardonable_a as_o be_v occasion_v by_o those_o to_o who_o judgement_n by_o god_n command_n we_o do_v owe_v a_o great_a respect_n and_o submission_n but_o when_o we_o choose_v instructor_n and_o counsellor_n to_o ourselves_o according_a to_o our_o own_o fancy_n and_o like_n and_o they_o teach_v we_o contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o lawful_a minister_n if_o then_o we_o prove_v to_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o be_v betray_v into_o sin_n we_o may_v thank_v our_o own_o wantonness_n for_o it_o and_o be_v more_o severe_o accountable_a for_o such_o mistake_v thus_o let_v a_o man_n that_o be_v trouble_v with_o any_o threaten_a disease_n apply_v himself_o rather_o to_o the_o license_v physician_n or_o surgeon_n of_o approve_a skill_n and_o honesty_n and_o if_o he_o chance_v to_o miscarry_v under_o they_o yet_o he_o have_v this_o contentment_n that_o he_o use_v the_o best_a and_o wise_a mean_n for_o his_o health_n and_o recovery_n but_o if_o he_o leave_v they_o all_o and_o will_v hearken_v only_o to_o quack_n and_o empiric_n though_o they_o advise_v he_o quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o the_o other_o prescribe_v if_o under_o their_o hand_n he_o grow_v worse_a and_o worse_o he_o must_v then_o charge_v his_o own_o perverse_a folly_n or_o idle_a humour_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o his_o ruin_n 4._o in_o order_n to_o the_o cure_n of_o our_o scruple_n we_o shall_v thorough_o understand_v and_o consider_v what_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o lawful_a and_o how_o it_o differ_v from_o what_o be_v necessary_a and_o from_o what_o be_v sinful_a that_o be_v necessary_a or_o our_o duty_n which_o god_n have_v express_o command_v that_o be_v sinful_a which_o god_n have_v forbid_v that_o be_v lawful_a which_o god_n have_v not_o by_o any_o law_n oblige_v we_o either_o command_v or_o forbid_v for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n say_v the_o apostle_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n rom._n 4._o 15._o there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n but_o either_o omit_v what_o the_o law_n command_v or_o do_v what_o the_o law_n forbid_v for_o instance_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v where_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v forbid_v in_o scripture_n where_o sit_v be_v require_v where_o pray_v by_o a_o form_n be_v forbid_v and_o extemporary_a prayer_n be_v enjoin_v then_o indeed_o the_o dispute_n will_v soon_o be_v at_o a_o end_n but_o if_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o can_v be_v find_v as_o most_o certain_o they_o can_v then_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n and_o read_v prayer_n out_o of_o a_o book_n must_v be_v reckon_v among_o thing_n lawful_a and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o scruple_v they_o because_o they_o may_v be_v do_v without_o sin_n nay_o where_o they_o be_v require_v by_o our_o superior_n it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o submit_v to_o they_o because_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o obey_v they_o in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n this_o way_n of_o argue_v be_v very_o plain_a and_o convince_a and_o can_v be_v evade_v but_o by_o give_v another_o notion_n of_o lawful_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v common_o say_v that_o nothing_o be_v lawful_a especial_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v not_o prescribe_v and_o appoint_v or_o that_o have_v be_v abuse_v to_o evil_a purpose_n and_o on_o these_o two_o mistake_v be_v chief_o ground_a man_n scruple_n about_o indifferent_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n in_o god_n worship_n 1._o that_o only_o be_v say_v to_o be_v lawful_a in_o god_n worship_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v prescribe_v and_o appoint_v so_o that_o this_o be_v think_v exception_n sufficient_a against_o the_o form_n and_o usage_n of_o our_o church_n that_o though_o they_o be_v not_o forbid_v yet_o they_o be_v no_o where_o command_v in_o