Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	apostle_n	church_n	creed_n	1,331	5	10.2664	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62458	A letter concerning the present state of religion amongst us	Thorndike, Herbert, 1598-1672.	1656 (1656)	Wing T1053; ESTC R5555	12,737	27

a_o letter_n concern_v the_o present_a state_n of_o religion_n among_o we_o a_o letter_n concern_v the_o present_a state_n of_o religion_n among_o we_o my_o dear_a brother_n in_o christ_n no_o less_o then_o by_o birth_n i_o have_v peruse_v the_o ordinance_n for_o eject_v of_o scandalous_a minister_n and_o find_v it_o likely_a enough_o to_o send_v you_o a_o pastor_n that_o shall_v have_v have_v no_o authority_n from_o the_o church_n have_v think_v it_o necessary_a for_o i_o to_o give_v you_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o opinion_n which_o i_o declare_v unto_o you_o that_o in_o that_o case_n you_o ought_v not_o in_o conscience_n to_o acknowledge_v such_o a_o for_o one_o your_o pastor_n by_o go_v tohear_v he_o preach_v and_o seem_v to_o join_v in_o his_o prayer_n much_o less_o to_o receive_v the_o eucharist_n at_o his_o hand_n if_o such_o a_o one_o shall_v be_v so_o audacious_a as_o to_o celebrate_v it_o this_o that_o i_o may_v do_v i_o must_v first_o propose_v the_o case_n as_o it_o be_v state_v by_o those_o act_n which_o pretend_v to_o settle_v religion_n among_o we_o for_o first_o the_o act_n whereby_o the_o present_a government_n be_v establish_v declare_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v hold_v forth_o as_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o these_o nation_n and_o that_o such_o as_o profess_v faith_n in_o god_n by_o jesus_n christ_n though_o differ_v from_o this_o profession_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n or_o discipline_n shall_v be_v protect_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n except_v popery_n and_o prelacy_n and_o those_o who_o under_o the_o profession_n of_o christ_n hold_v forth_o and_o practice_v licentiousness_n in_o prosecution_n hereof_o a_o ordinance_n be_v issue_v forth_o give_v commission_n to_o certain_a person_n name_v in_o it_o to_o examine_v and_o try_v all_o that_o have_v come_v into_o possession_n of_o church_n since_o april_n 13._o 1653._o all_o that_o have_v augmentation_n from_o parliament_n all_o that_o shall_v pretend_v to_o come_v into_o church_n that_o shall_v be_v void_a whether_o fit_a for_o the_o office_n and_o benefice_n by_o no_o other_o rule_n than_o the_o certificate_n of_o three_o godly_a neighbour_n one_o at_o least_o a_o minister_n concern_v their_o conversation_n in_o godliness_n upon_o their_o own_o knowledge_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o five_o commissioner_n that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o that_o they_o be_v fit_a to_o preach_v in_o further_a prosecution_n hereof_o issue_v forth_o this_o ordinance_n whereby_o no_o man_n be_v make_v scandalous_a for_o his_o judgement_n but_o he_o that_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o act_n against_o blasphemy_n of_o aug._n 9_o 1653._o and_o with_o he_o be_v rank_v he_o who_o shall_v frequent_o and_o public_o have_v read_v the_o service_n since_o christmas_n 1653._o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o those_o who_o have_v declare_v their_o perseverance_n in_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o have_v hitherto_o profess_v by_o read_v the_o service_n be_v therefore_o count_v scandalous_a but_o those_o that_o can_v obtain_v the_o certificate_n of_o such_o man_n as_o these_o trier_n count_v godly_a man_n together_o with_o their_o own_o opinion_n that_o so_o they_o be_v and_o fit_a to_o preach_v be_v thereby_o qualify_v in_o law_n to_o be_v pastor_n of_o parish_n and_o consequent_o to_o succeed_v those_o that_o adhere_v to_o the_o christianity_n which_o hitherto_o they_o have_v profess_v be_v cast_v out_o by_o the_o commissioner_n for_o eject_v of_o scandalous_a minister_n in_o the_o first_o place_n then_o i_o say_v that_o the_o effect_n of_o these_o law_n be_v to_o nullify_v and_o make_v void_a one_o article_n of_o t●e_v creed_n which_o hitherto_o to_o we_o profess_v to_o wit_n the_o belief_n of_o one_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n this_o word_n church_n may_v signify_v two_o thing_n first_o only_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o christian_n second_o a_o communion_n and_o corporation_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v true_a christianity_n found_v by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o our_o lord_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o christian_n when_o they_o profess_v to_o believe_v the_o catholic_n church_n do_v not_o mean_v that_o they_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n a_o number_n of_o man_n that_o profess_v to_o be_v christian_n it_o be_v manifest_a because_o all_o christian_n hope_v to_o be_v save_v by_o their_o faith_n but_o they_o can_v hope_v to_o be_v save_v by_o believe_v that_o which_o they_o see_v now_o all_o man_n see_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o company_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n therefore_o when_o they_o say_v they_o believe_v the_o catholic_n church_n as_o part_v of_o that_o faith_n whereby_o they_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v they_o do_v not_o profess_v to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o company_n of_o man_n but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o corporation_n of_o true_a christian_n found_v by_o our_o lord_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n can_v have_v communion_n with_o and_o that_o they_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v by_o this_o faith_n as_o be_v member_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o stile_n of_o the_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n signify_v as_o distinguish_v the_o body_n of_o true_a christian_n to_o wit_n so_o far_o as_o profession_n go_v from_o the_o conventicle_n of_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n for_o this_o title_n of_o catholic_n will_v signify_v nothing_o if_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n be_v not_o bar_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o let_v no_o man_n imagine_v that_o the_o schism_n which_o the_o reformation_n have_v make_v between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v dissolve_v the_o obligation_n of_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n if_o that_o change_n which_o be_v call_v reformation_n preserve_v not_o such_o a_o church_n as_o aught_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v for_o a_o true_a member_n of_o the_o whole_a or_o catholic_n church_n it_o be_v no_o reformation_n but_o the_o destruction_n of_o christianity_n now_o when_o these_o law_n enable_v soldier_n and_o justice_n of_o the_o peace_n as_o well_o as_o those_o that_o call_v themselves_o minister_n to_o make_v public_a preacher_n as_o well_o such_o as_o have_v receive_v no_o ordination_n from_o the_o church_n as_o those_o that_o have_v it_o be_v manifest_a that_o all_o difference_n between_o clergy_n and_o people_n be_v by_o they_o dissolve_v and_o make_v void_a and_o by_o consequence_n the_o corporation_n of_o the_o church_n which_o ground_n and_o create_v all_o the_o difference_n which_o hitherto_o by_o all_o christian_n have_v be_v receive_v between_o these_o two_o quality_n true_a it_o be_v that_o for_o the_o present_a as_o well_o those_o who_o have_v lawful_a authority_n to_o officiate_v the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n by_o ordination_n from_o the_o church_n be_v admit_v or_o maintain_v in_o their_o benefice_n by_o these_o law_n as_o those_o that_o have_v none_o though_o it_o be_v well_o enough_o know_v that_o those_o who_o have_v such_o authority_n do_v pretend_v to_o act_v by_o virtue_n of_o it_o and_o not_o by_o this_o law_n further_a then_o as_o by_o submit_v to_o it_o they_o remove_v that_o force_n which_o hinder_v their_o right_n otherwise_o get_v to_o take_v effect_n but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o suppose_v this_o law_n to_o continue_v a_o age_n none_o such_o can_v remain_v and_o when_o none_o such_o remain_v than_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o church_n in_o england_n but_o by_o equivocation_n of_o word_n if_o the_o premise_n be_v be_v true_a and_o therefore_o those_o that_o acknowledge_v such_o as_o have_v ●o_o other_o authority_n but_o from_o this_o power_n for_o their_o pastor_n can_v consequent_o profess_v to_o believe_v one_o catholic_n church_n nor_o hope_v for_o salvation_n by_o be_v member_n of_o it_o for_o suppose_v for_o the_o present_a though_o not_o grant_v that_o the_o power_n which_o make_v these_o law_n be_v from_o god_n yet_o can_v it_o not_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v from_o our_o lord_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o this_o authority_n derive_v from_o it_o can_v be_v derive_v from_o any_o act_n of_o they_o constituting_a the_o church_n and_o enable_v it_o to_o give_v this_o authority_n by_o acknowledge_v whereof_o christian_n presume_v that_o they_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n now_o that_o you_o may_v see_v why_o the_o belief_n of_o christ_n church_n be_v a_o article_n of_o our_o creed_n i_o say_v further_o that_o you_o can_v acknowledge_v such_o man_n for_o your_o pastor_n because_o you_o be_v not_o secure_v by_o these_o law_n that_o they_o be_v not_o heretic_n for_o see_v the_o act_n of_o establishment_n pretend_v only_o to_o hold_v forth_o the_o christian_a religion_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o all_o the_o heresy_n that_o be_v this_o

england_n that_o the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o assemble_v for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n but_o when_o there_o be_v preach_v this_o seem_v to_o stand_v upon_o a_o very_a gross_a mistake_n of_o those_o passage_n of_o the_o apostle_n writing_n which_o declare_v the_o necessary_a mean_n of_o salvation_n to_o consist_v in_o hear_v the_o gospel_n preach_v as_o if_o they_o be_v mean_v of_o sermon_n in_o the_o pulpit_n which_o be_v only_o make_v to_o those_o that_o be_v already_o christian_n not_o of_o publish_v the_o gospel_n to_o those_o that_o know_v it_o not_o afore_o convince_a they_o that_o it_o be_v true_a and_o instruct_v they_o wherein_o it_o consist_v or_o as_o if_o those_o that_o be_v already_o christian_n want_v any_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n suppose_v they_o to_o persevere_v in_o the_o christianity_n which_o they_o have_v profess_v not_o as_o if_o their_o christianity_n do_v not_o oblige_v they_o to_o hear_v sermon_n when_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n assure_v they_o to_o be_v without_o offence_n but_o because_o the_o office_n of_o public_a prayer_n and_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n especial_o in_o celebrate_v the_o bless_a eucharist_n be_v the_o end_n of_o all_o that_o instruction_n in_o christianity_n which_o christian_n receive_v from_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o all_o preach_a subordinate_a to_o the_o same_o as_o the_o mean_n to_o the_o end_n and_o because_o they_o may_v be_v daily_o so_o frequent_v without_o offence_n and_o to_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o reverence_n of_o christianity_n as_o the_o experience_n of_o our_o time_n show_v that_o preach_v can_v be_v the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n call_v sunday_n be_v the_o sabbath_n by_o force_n of_o the_o four_o commandment_n a_o imposture_n so_o gross_a that_o it_o may_v well_o serve_v for_o a_o instance_n what_o faction_n can_v do_v with_o man_n that_o be_v sober_a otherwise_o that_o god_n by_o command_v the_o jew_n to_o keep_v the_o seven_o day_n of_o the_o week_n to_o wit_n that_o day_n on_o which_o he_o end_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o for_o that_o very_a reason_n command_v it_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o command_v christian_n to_o keep_v the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n on_o which_o he_o begin_v the_o creation_n and_o our_o lord_n christ_n arise_v from_o the_o dead_a that_o be_v that_o the_o same_o word_n of_o the_o same_o commandment_n in_o writing_n shall_v oblige_v jew_n to_o rest_n on_o the_o saturday_n which_o oblige_v christian_n to_o rest_n on_o the_o sunday_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o when_o this_o fit_a of_o frenzy_n shall_v be_v pass_v we_o will_v scarce_o be_v believe_v that_o ever_o any_o man_n will_v believe_v true_a it_o be_v this_o first_o day_n have_v be_v observe_v in_o and_o ever_o since_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o not_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o law_n which_o their_o office_n be_v to_o declare_v be_v expire_v and_o out_o of_o date_n but_o by_o the_o act_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n whereby_o they_o give_v law_n to_o christ_n church_n let_v we_o now_o only_o compare_v the_o daily_a morning_n and_o evening_n sacrifice_n of_o prayer_n and_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n establish_v by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n together_o with_o the_o more_o solemn_a service_n of_o lord_n day_n and_o festival_n with_o a_o bare_a sermon_n upon_o sunday_n usher_v in_o and_o out_o with_o a_o prayer_n of_o every_o man_n own_o conceit_n set_v aside_o the_o heresy_n and_o false_a doctrine_n the_o faction_n &_o schism_n the_o blasphemy_n and_o slander_n the_o ridiculous_a folly_n which_o this_o sermon_n and_o prayer_n may_v and_o which_o we_o have_v know_v they_o contain_v i_o say_v compare_v these_o together_o the_o bless_a reformation_n pretend_v be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v account_v the_o abomination_n of_o desolation_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o order_n which_o it_o destroy_v and_o therefore_o upon_o this_o account_n alone_o those_z who_o not_o be_v invest_v with_o that_o ordinary_a power_n by_o which_o the_o church_n be_v enable_v to_o correct_v abuse_n in_o the_o church_n shall_v usurp_v the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n to_o introduce_v this_o disorder_n be_v thereby_o schismatic_n themselves_o and_o those_o that_o acknowledge_v they_o for_o their_o pastor_n complice_n of_o schismatic_n it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o these_o law_n will_v be_v amend_v as_o it_o be_v many_o time_n say_v awhile_o since_o that_o the_o parliament_n will_v settle_v a_o ministry_n to_o this_o i_o say_v that_o those_o that_o be_v send_v you_o by_o virtue_n of_o these_o law_n have_v every_o way_n as_o good_a authority_n as_o any_o the_o power_n that_o make_v these_o law_n join_v with_o a_o parliament_n can_v give_v to_o they_o that_o be_v not_o otherwise_o qualify_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v that_o this_o power_n of_o a_o parliament_n together_o though_o advise_v with_o divine_n how_o the_o quality_n of_o those_o who_o they_o make_v minister_n be_v to_o be_v limit_v can_v do_v no_o more_o than_o this_o power_n with_o advice_n of_o those_o divine_n it_o use_v have_v do_v both_o be_v secular_a and_o able_a to_o make_v man_n their_o minister_n to_o maintain_v the_o interest_n of_o that_o government_n which_o their_o power_n constitute_v but_o not_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n to_o maintain_v the_o interest_n of_o that_o faith_n and_o service_n of_o god_n which_o it_o be_v trust_v with_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o at_o the_o reformation_n those_o from_o who_o the_o ministry_n be_v propagate_v have_v not_o receive_v by_o their_o ordination_n power_n to_o ordain_v other_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v agree_v among_o all_o that_o profess_v the_o reformation_n that_o the_o abuse_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n be_v so_o great_a that_o particular_a church_n that_o be_v part_n of_o the_o whole_a might_n and_o aught_o to_o reform_v themselves_o without_o consent_n or_o concurrence_n of_o the_o whole_a it_o be_v also_o agree_v among_o they_o that_o maintain_v it_o that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o church_n a_o succession_n of_o person_n endue_v with_o authority_n in_o behalf_n of_o it_o as_o well_o as_o of_o doctrine_n and_o of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n though_o the_o succession_n of_o person_n be_v of_o less_o consideration_n as_o subordinate_a to_o the_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n as_o the_o mean_n to_o the_o end_n in_o this_o case_n than_o i_o say_v that_o such_o inability_n in_o person_n vest_v with_o ecclesiastical_a power_n by_o the_o reformation_n as_o become_v unavoidable_a by_o the_o refusal_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n to_o concur_v in_o it_o can_v make_v church_n so_o constitute_v no_o church_n nor_o void_a the_o effect_n of_o those_o office_n which_o person_n so_o qualify_v shall_v minister_v unto_o god_n people_n but_o such_o inability_n as_o become_v unavoidable_a only_o for_o want_v of_o due_a information_n in_o those_o that_o undertake_v to_o reform_v themselves_o as_o it_o will_v be_v malice_n in_o man_n to_o justify_v so_o it_o may_v reasonable_o be_v presume_v that_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n excuse_n but_o suppose_v according_a to_o the_o premise_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o that_o adhere_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o the_o presbyterian_o ordination_n tend_v no_o more_o to_o maintain_v the_o primitive_a faith_n and_o service_n of_o god_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n and_o establish_v in_o it_o by_o the_o apostle_n than_o they_o do_v to_o maintain_v that_o which_o be_v hitherto_o establish_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o say_v suppose_v this_o to_o imagine_v that_o a_o assembly_n of_o divine_n by_o be_v lawful_o ordain_v to_o the_o office_n of_o priest_n or_o deacon_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n can_v by_o commission_n from_o the_o secular_a power_n make_v ordination_n which_o the_o law_n under_o which_o they_o be_v ordain_v forbid_v be_v to_o imagine_v that_o god_n can_v enable_v man_n to_o sin_n or_o that_o a_o sovereign_a power_n can_v authorise_v the_o subject_n to_o rebel_v against_o itself_o and_o therefore_o though_o the_o quality_n of_o person_n to_o be_v send_v you_o for_o pastor_n may_v be_v otherwise_o limit_v by_o act_n which_o parliament_n may_v make_v yet_o these_o quality_n not_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n sound_v the_o church_n by_o any_o act_n of_o the_o church_n but_o from_o secular_a power_n and_o commission_n issue_v from_o it_o make_v they_o no_o more_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v make_v by_o assembly_n of_o divine_n and_o presbytery_n than_o those_o that_o be_v make_v by_o commission_n of_o trier_n and_o eject_v scandalous_a minister_n that_o be_v both_o of_o they_o be_v by_o their_o creation_n schismatic_n and_o their_o profession_n not_o clear_v they_o of_o misprision_n of_o heresy_n they_o