Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	act_n	church_n	communion_n	1,604	5	9.1682	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42261	A perswasive to communion with the Church of England	Grove, Robert, 1634-1696.	1682 (1682)	Wing G2152; ESTC R13941	28,017	46

then_o our_o ceremony_n though_o they_o shall_v be_v never_o so_o significant_a can_v be_v sacrament_n because_o they_o want_v so_o many_o necessary_a and_o essential_a condition_n that_o be_v require_v to_o make_v a_o sacrament_n they_o be_v not_o of_o divine_a ordination_n and_o appointment_n they_o be_v of_o no_o efficacy_n to_o confer_v any_o grace_n neither_o be_v they_o any_o pledge_n and_o assurance_n of_o it_o but_o suppose_v we_o shall_v grant_v every_o significant_a ceremony_n to_o be_v a_o sacrament_n for_o it_o be_v neither_o pleasant_a nor_o profitable_a to_o quarrel_v about_o word_n there_o be_v but_o one_o of_o the_o three_o ceremony_n and_o that_o be_v the_o cross_n at_o baptism_n that_o can_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v significant_a and_o that_o indeed_o be_v make_v in_o baptism_n token_n that_o the_o party_n new_o baptize_v shall_v not_o hereafter_o be_v ashamed_a to_o confess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n crucify_v etc._n etc._n but_o this_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n be_v very_o ancient_o if_o not_o always_o use_v at_o baptism_n and_o upon_o several_a other_o occasion_n by_o the_o primitive_a christian_n in_o desiance_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o infidel_n and_o as_o we_o do_v it_o in_o token_n that_o they_o be_v not_o ashamed_a of_o a_o crucify_a saviour_n our_o church_n in_o this_o do_v but_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o pure_a and_o holy_a professor_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o that_o but_o at_o a_o distance_n too_o in_o do_v that_o but_o once_o which_o they_o repeat_v often_o and_o this_o can_v scarce_o be_v call_v a_o significant_a ceremony_n it_o be_v not_o appoint_v to_o represent_v any_o thing_n unto_o we_o but_o only_o to_o remind_v we_o of_o a_o duty_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v like_o the_o altar_n that_o be_v build_v by_o the_o child_n of_o reuben_n and_o gad_n and_o the_o half_a tribe_n of_o manasseh_n not_o for_o burnt-offering_a nor_o for_o sacrifice_n but_o 26._o that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o witness_n and_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v think_v the_o surplice_n be_v order_v to_o be_v wear_v to_o denote_v the_o innocency_n of_o life_n that_o do_v more_o especial_o become_v those_o that_o be_v particular_o devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n it_o be_v more_o than_o our_o church_n have_v declare_v but_o yet_o no_o man_n be_v to_o be_v blame_v that_o shall_v take_v occasion_n from_o hence_o to_o let_v his_o thought_n expatiate_v into_o a_o pious_a and_o seasonable_a meditation_n and_o consider_v how_o incongruous_a it_o will_v be_v to_o have_v his_o inward_a part_n full_a of_o filtheness_n and_o corruption_n when_o his_o outside_n be_v cover_v with_o a_o clean_a white_a linen_n garment_n the_o sum_n be_v every_o significant_a ceremony_n be_v not_o a_o sacrament_n and_o none_o of_o we_o can_v be_v proper_o say_v to_o be_v significant_a represent_v symbolical_a but_o only_o commemorate_n or_o if_o any_o man_n please_v to_o call_v they_o so_o profess_v sign_n but_o though_o they_o can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v sacrament_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v superstitious_a and_o that_o be_v objection_n enough_o against_o they_o and_o i_o confess_v that_o they_o may_v be_v superstitious_a but_o not_o in_o themselves_o for_o so_o they_o be_v perfect_o indifferent_a but_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n or_o conceit_n of_o those_o that_o use_v they_o or_o use_v they_o not_o there_o may_v be_v superstition_n in_o the_o observe_v of_o these_o and_o there_o may_v be_v as_o much_o in_o the_o forbear_n superstition_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o groundless_a fancy_n attend_v sometime_o with_o a_o anxious_a fear_n and_o sometime_o with_o a_o fond_a hope_n that_o god_n be_v please_v or_o displease_v with_o the_o bare_a performance_n or_o forbearance_n of_o what_o he_o have_v neither_o command_v nor_o forbid_v he_o therefore_o that_o think_v he_o offend_v god_n in_o do_v of_o that_o he_o have_v not_o forbid_v and_o he_o that_o imagine_v he_o shall_v please_v he_o by_o the_o observe_n of_o what_o he_o have_v not_o command_v be_v both_o in_o some_o degree_n and_o it_o may_v be_v equal_o superstitious_a and_o then_o the_o superstition_n that_o be_v exercise_v about_o the_o observation_n of_o these_o ceremony_n must_v lie_v on_o the_o part_n of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n who_o think_v they_o shall_v sin_n in_o keep_v they_o though_o they_o general_o confess_v they_o be_v not_o forbid_v and_o not_o on_o we_o who_o declare_v they_o to_o be_v indifferent_a and_o no_o otherwise_o acceptable_a unto_o god_n but_o as_o they_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o obedience_n to_o our_o superior_n and_o necessary_a to_o the_o preservation_n of_o discipline_n and_o order_n in_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v far_o urge_v by_o some_o that_o these_o ceremony_n be_v a_o breach_n of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n i_o need_v not_o enter_v upon_o a_o discourse_n of_o this_o but_o as_o far_o as_o it_o concern_v the_o matter_n in_o hand_n i_o say_v that_o the_o be_v free_v from_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v a_o part_n though_o not_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_a liberty_n but_o than_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o our_o be_v free_v from_o observe_v it_o as_o from_o the_o necessity_n of_o observe_v it_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o christian_n do_v voluntary_o observe_v it_o for_o some_o time_n upon_o prudential_n consideration_n and_o impose_v some_o thing_n as_o the_o abstain_v 29._o from_o blood_n and_o from_o thing_n strangle_v and_o yet_o they_o be_v free_a because_o whatever_o they_o do_v of_o this_o nature_n they_o do_v it_o not_o with_o a_o opinion_n of_o any_o necessary_a obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o do_v it_o but_o upon_o other_o motive_n most_o common_o out_o of_o condescension_n to_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o jewish_a convert_v and_o if_o some_o judaical_a rite_n may_v not_o only_o be_v observe_v but_o impose_v then_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n why_o a_o few_o indifferent_a ceremony_n may_v not_o be_v appoint_v now_o without_o any_o entrenchment_n upon_o the_o liberty_n which_o christ_n have_v purchase_v for_o we_o such_o thing_n can_v be_v a_o infringement_n of_o that_o but_o only_o when_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v either_o unlawful_a or_o necessary_a by_o divine_a command_n kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n which_o be_v the_o ceremony_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v the_o most_o scruple_v be_v as_o little_a liable_a to_o the_o objection_n that_o i_o have_v now_o answer_v as_o either_o of_o the_o other_o it_o will_v be_v very_o uncharitable_a and_o unjust_a to_o say_v as_o some_o have_v do_v that_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o worship_n to_o the_o outward_a element_n when_o the_o church_n have_v declare_v this_o to_o be_v idolatry_n to_o be_v abhor_v of_o all_o faithful_a communion_n christian_n if_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o receive_v in_o the_o same_o posture_n that_o they_o receive_v at_o the_o first_o institution_n we_o can_v certain_o tell_v what_o that_o be_v if_o it_o be_v that_o which_o be_v most_o probable_o conjecture_v it_o be_v never_o use_v it_o be_v whole_o lay_v aside_o by_o those_o that_o argue_v the_o most_o zealous_o for_o it_o but_o sure_o if_o the_o particular_a gesture_n have_v be_v so_o absolute_o necessary_a as_o some_o do_v imagine_v there_o will_v have_v be_v some_o plain_n and_o express_v mention_n of_o it_o somewhere_o in_o the_o scripture_n which_o there_o be_v not_o as_o i_o have_v note_v before_o and_o then_o it_o must_v be_v very_o unwarrantable_a in_o those_o that_o separate_a from_o our_o church_n because_o they_o will_v not_o receive_v in_o that_o reverend_a manner_n which_o she_o have_v prescribe_v if_o there_o have_v be_v nothing_o enjoin_v in_o this_o matter_n a_o man_n upon_o a_o serious_a apprehension_n of_o the_o infinite_a mercy_n of_o god_n through_o the_o merit_n and_o mediation_n of_o his_o bless_a saviour_n can_v scarce_o have_v forbear_v fall_v upon_o his_o knee_n when_o he_o come_v to_o partake_v of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o his_o most_o precious_a body_n and_o blood_n the_o commemoration_n of_o the_o death_n and_o passion_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n by_o which_o he_o be_v redeem_a will_v strike_v he_o almost_o natural_o into_o the_o humble_a posture_n of_o adoration_n but_o if_o any_o reverence_n be_v grant_v to_o be_v due_a at_o such_o a_o time_n i_o be_o sure_a sit_v at_o the_o table_n be_v a_o very_a unfit_a posture_n to_o express_v it_o or_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v like_v it_o better_o than_o that_o which_o be_v require_v with_o we_o yet_o to_o make_v this_o a_o occasion_n of_o depart_v from_o our_o communion_n will_v argue_v but_o too_o little_a value_n for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n but_o some_o there_o be_v who_o though_o they_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o all_o these_o rite_n and_o usage_n and_o for_o their_o own_o particular_a can_v

all_o of_o they_o together_o be_v of_o force_n enough_o to_o move_v a_o unprejudiced_a person_n to_o forsake_v her_o communion_n it_o may_v not_o be_v do_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o liturgy_n ceremony_n scandal_n mix_v communion_n or_o out_o of_o hope_n of_o great_a edification_n i_o may_v have_v easy_o enlarge_v upon_o all_o these_o particular_n but_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o present_a design_n will_v not_o allow_v it_o and_o i_o have_v some_o hope_n that_o these_o and_o other_o point_n in_o difference_n may_v be_v handle_v by_o other_o to_o better_a advantage_n and_o to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o those_o that_o be_v not_o yet_o convince_v and_o to_o the_o happy_a settlement_n of_o a_o last_a peace_n and_o union_n among_o all_o the_o member_n of_o this_o divide_a church_n god_n grant_v that_o all_o our_o endeavour_n may_v tend_v this_o way_n and_o that_o the_o divine_a goodness_n may_v make_v they_o successful_a if_o these_o paper_n shall_v chance_v to_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o one_o of_o those_o that_o have_v separate_v from_o we_o i_o will_v entreat_v he_o not_o to_o be_v offend_v at_o they_o but_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o author_n as_o a_o well-meaning_a man_n that_o be_v willing_a to_o throw_v a_o little_a water_n upon_o the_o common_a flame_n that_o be_v like_a to_o consume_v we_o they_o be_v not_o write_v i_o be_o sure_a with_o any_o bitterness_n of_o mind_n or_o expression_n but_o out_o of_o mere_a pity_n to_o see_v a_o poor_a lamentable_a distress_a church_n languish_v away_o and_o ready_a to_o perish_v by_o desperate_a wound_n and_o convulsion_n within_o her_o own_o bowel_n such_o sad_a and_o melancholy_a thought_n as_o these_o apprehension_n must_v needs_o occasion_n can_v scarce_o be_v vent_v in_o angry_a and_o provoke_a language_n but_o some_o be_v so_o tender_a of_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v take_v up_o that_o whether_o true_a or_o false_a they_o can_v endure_v to_o have_v they_o touch_v they_o be_v impatient_a of_o the_o calm_a opposition_n and_o when_o you_o offer_v any_o thing_n to_o persuade_v they_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v to_o brotherly_a love_n and_o peace_n among_o christian_n they_o suspect_v you_o for_o a_o enemy_n and_o think_v that_o you_o come_v to_o set_v trap_n in_o their_o way_n to_o ensnare_v their_o conscience_n but_o i_o hope_v this_o short_a discourse_n will_v not_o be_v encounter_v by_o any_o such_o prejudice_n but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v peruse_v with_o the_o same_o impartiality_n that_o it_o be_v write_v on_o this_o presumption_n i_o shall_v be_v bold_a to_o exhort_v all_o those_o that_o now_o dissent_n to_o a_o brotherly_a union_n upon_o such_o motive_n and_o argument_n as_o the_o gospel_n suggest_v and_o make_v for_o the_o credit_n and_o safety_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n it_o will_v be_v ready_o acknowledge_v by_o every_o so_o by'r_a and_o intelligent_a man_n that_o peace_n and_o amity_n and_o a_o good_a correspondence_n betwixt_o the_o several_a member_n of_o which_o they_o consist_v be_v the_o only_a beauty_n strength_n and_o security_n of_o all_o society_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o nourish_a of_o animosity_n and_o run_v into_o opposite_a party_n and_o faction_n do_v mighty_o weaken_v and_o by_o degree_n almost_o unavoidable_o draw_v on_o the_o ruin_n and_o dissolution_n of_o any_o community_n whether_o civil_a or_o sacred_a concord_n and_o union_n therefore_o will_v be_v as_o necessary_a for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o church_n as_o of_o the_o state_n it_o have_v be_v know_v by_o too_o sad_a a_o experience_n as_o well_o in_o we_o as_o other_o age_n what_o a_o pernicious_a influence_n the_o intestine_a broil_n and_o quarrel_n among_o christian_n have_v have_v they_o have_v be_v the_o great_a stumb_a block_n to_o jew_n turk_n and_o heathen_n and_o the_o main_a hindrance_n of_o their_o conversion_n they_o have_v make_v some_o among_o ourselves_o to_o become_v doubtful_a and_o sceptical_a in_o their_o religion_n they_o have_v lead_v other_o into_o many_o dangerous_a error_n that_o shake_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o some_o they_o have_v tempt_v to_o cast_v off_o the_o natural_a sense_n they_o have_v of_o the_o deity_n and_o embolden_v to_o a_o open_a and_o profess_a atheism_n these_o be_v some_o of_o the_o most_o usual_a fruit_n which_o the_o unhappy_a difference_n in_o the_o church_n be_v wont_a to_o produce_v over_o and_o above_o the_o particular_a unkindness_n and_o uncharitable_a feud_n which_o they_o common_o beget_v among_o christian_n of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n as_o to_o all_o substantial_a and_o weighty_a matter_n of_o belief_n and_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o desirable_a in_o all_o respect_n that_o these_o at_o least_o shall_v be_v all_o firm_o unite_v in_o the_o same_o holy_a communion_n they_o that_o have_v the_o same_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o hope_v to_o meet_v in_o the_o same_o heaven_n through_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o same_o lord_n shall_v not_o be_v afraid_a to_o come_v into_o the_o same_o assembly_n and_o join_v serious_o in_o send_v up_o the_o same_o prayer_n and_o participate_v of_o the_o same_o sacrament_n beside_o the_o many_o strict_a precept_n and_o other_o strong_a obligation_n which_o we_o have_v unto_o this_o our_o saviour_n die_v 52._o that_o he_o may_v gather_v together_o in_o one_o the_o child_n of_o god_n that_o be_v scatter_v abroad_o and_o shall_v we_o not_o then_o contradict_v this_o end_n of_o his_o death_n if_o we_o shall_v set_v those_o at_o strife_n and_o variance_n which_o he_o intend_v to_o unite_v nay_o may_v we_o not_o be_v say_v in_o some_o sort_n to_o crucify_v the_o son_n of_o god_n afresh_o if_o we_o shall_v mangle_v and_o divide_v any_o sound_n and_o healthful_a part_n of_o that_o body_n of_o which_o he_o own_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o head_n if_o indeed_o our_o church_n do_v require_v we_o to_o make_v profession_n of_o any_o false_a and_o erroneous_a opinion_n if_o in_o the_o external_a order_n and_o worship_n we_o be_v enjoin_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o any_o divine_a command_n we_o be_v bind_v in_o such_o instance_n to_o withdraw_v from_o she_o but_o if_o her_o doctrine_n be_v high_o approve_v by_o most_o of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n and_o her_o discipline_n and_o service_n such_o as_o be_v not_o any_o way_n inconsistent_a with_o any_o law_n of_o god_n then_o we_o be_v indispensable_o engage_v to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o she_o for_o as_o have_v be_v intimate_v several_a time_n and_o it_o can_v be_v inculcate_v too_o often_o nothing_o but_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o communicate_v can_v make_v a_o separation_n lawful_a but_o if_o it_o be_v resolve_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n must_v be_v forsake_v notwithstanding_o that_o neither_o her_o doctrine_n nor_o discipline_n can_v be_v just_o condemn_v it_o will_v yet_o be_v convenient_a to_o bethink_v ourselves_o what_o may_v be_v the_o most_o advisable_a to_o be_v do_v after_o we_o have_v leave_v it_o whether_o we_o shall_v set_v up_o another_o way_n of_o administration_n in_o the_o room_n of_o it_o or_o whether_o every_o one_o shall_v have_v the_o liberty_n of_o follow_v that_o which_o he_o fancy_v the_o best_a if_o we_o be_v for_o the_o set_n up_o another_o way_n it_o must_v be_v either_o presbytery_n or_o independency_n for_o if_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o other_o new_a form_n of_o government_n they_o be_v not_o yet_o of_o reputation_n enough_o to_o be_v put_v in_o competition_n with_o these_o two_o great_a pretender_n to_o divine_a right_n and_o presbytery_n which_o have_v once_o the_o fair_a hope_n of_o establish_n itself_o be_v now_o grow_v weak_a and_o inconsiderable_a in_o comparison_n of_o what_o it_o be_v and_o those_o few_o which_o will_v still_o be_v think_v of_o that_o persuasion_n be_v manifest_o depart_v from_o their_o own_o principle_n and_o be_v fain_o to_o support_v themselves_o by_o gather_v assembly_n which_o they_o be_v not_o wont_a to_o allow_v independency_n therefore_o seem_v at_o this_o time_n to_o be_v the_o prevail_a way_n but_o their_o manner_n of_o gather_v member_n and_o associate_a themselves_o into_o particular_a congregation_n their_o holy_a band_n special_a agreement_n or_o covenant_n which_o they_o make_v essential_a to_o the_o constitute_n of_o a_o church_n be_v thing_n which_o have_v not_o the_o least_o foundation_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n neither_o be_v they_o ever_o countenance_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o any_o orthodox_n christian_n in_o former_a age_n but_o put_v the_o case_n we_o shall_v admit_v of_o either_o of_o these_o form_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n we_o shall_v be_v as_o far_o if_o not_o far_o from_o be_v unite_v than_o we_o be_v now_o for_o they_o have_v both_o be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v very_o rigorous_a imposer_n wherever_o they_o have_v have_v the_o power_n of_o command_v and_o as_o they_o have_v sometime_o be_v