Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	body_n	church_n	communion_n	2,947	5	8.7148	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

concern_v the_o case_n of_o governor_n and_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o act_n uncharitable_o and_o give_v great_a offence_n contrary_a to_o st._n paul_n rule_n who_o take_v upon_o they_o determinate_o to_o impose_v unnecessary_a rite_n by_o which_o they_o know_v many_o good_a man_n will_v be_v scandalize_v but_o this_o be_v not_o my_o present_a business_n to_o discourse_n of_o though_o i_o can_v forbear_v say_v these_o two_o thing_n which_o i_o think_v very_o easy_a to_o make_v out_o 1._o that_o our_o church_n of_o england_n have_v take_v all_o reasonable_a care_v not_o to_o give_v any_o just_a offence_n to_o any_o sort_n of_o person_n and_o the_o offence_n that_o have_v be_v since_o take_v at_o some_o thing_n in_o our_o constitution_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v foresee_v by_o those_o who_o make_v our_o first_o reformation_n from_o popery_n and_o so_o they_o can_v not_o be_v any_o reason_n against_o the_o first_o establishment_n nor_o 2._o be_v they_o now_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o the_o alteration_n of_o it_o unless_o we_o can_v imagine_v it_o reasonable_a to_o alter_v public_a law_n make_v with_o great_a wisdom_n and_o deliberation_n as_o often_o as_o they_o be_v dislike_v by_o or_o prove_v offensive_a to_o private_a person_n if_o this_o be_v admit_v there_o then_o can_v never_o be_v any_o settle_a government_n and_o order_n in_o the_o church_n because_o there_o never_o can_v be_v any_o establishment_n that_o will_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o give_v such_o offence_n they_o who_o now_o take_v offence_n at_o what_o the_o church_n of_o england_n enjoin_v on_o the_o same_o or_o a_o like_a account_n will_v take_v offence_n at_o whatever_o can_v be_v enjoin_v and_o the_o same_o pretence_n of_o scandal_n will_v be_v good_a against_o any_o establishment_n they_o themselves_o shall_v make_v for_o though_o they_o will_v not_o use_v these_o reason_n against_o their_o own_o establishment_n yet_o in_o a_o short_a time_n other_o will_v take_v up_o their_o weapon_n to_o fight_v against_o they_o and_o what_o serve_v to_o destroy_v the_o present_a church_n will_v be_v as_o effectual_a to_o overthrow_v that_o which_o shall_v be_v set_v up_o in_o its_o room_n so_o that_o whatever_o alteration_n be_v make_v if_o this_o be_v allow_v for_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o it_o viz._n to_o avoid_v the_o offence_n that_o some_o man_n take_v at_o the_o present_a constitution_n yet_o still_o we_o shall_v be_v but_o where_o we_o be_v and_o new_a offence_n will_v arise_v and_o so_o there_o must_v be_v continual_a change_n and_o alter_v to_o gratify_v the_o unreasonable_a humour_n and_o fancy_n of_o man_n and_o shall_v any_o one_o party_n of_o dissenter_n among_o we_o get_v their_o form_n of_o government_n and_o worship_n establish_v by_o law_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o will_v preach_v to_o we_o the_o very_a same_o doctrine_n we_o do_v now_o to_o they_o they_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o private_a person_n must_v bend_v and_o conform_v to_o the_o law_n and_o not_o the_o law_n to_o private_a person_n that_o it_o be_v our_o own_o fault_n that_o we_o be_v offend_v that_o our_o weakness_n proceed_v from_o our_o unwillingness_n to_o receive_v instruction_n that_o the_o weak_a be_v to_o be_v govern_v not_o to_o prescribe_v to_o their_o governor_n that_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v that_o what_o be_v with_o good_a reason_n appoint_v and_o order_v shall_v be_v present_o abrogate_a or_o change_v out_o of_o compliance_n with_o man_n foolish_a prejudices_fw-la and_o mistake_v it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v how_o strict_a and_o rigorous_a both_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o independent_o be_v and_o have_v be_v where_o they_o have_v have_v any_o advantage_n and_o what_o little_a consideration_n or_o regard_n they_o have_v have_v of_o their_o dissent_v brethren_n though_o they_o will_v have_v we_o so_o tender_a of_o they_o thus_o much_o i_o think_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o precept_n of_o obedience_n to_o superior_n in_o thing_n lawful_a be_v more_o obligatory_a than_o the_o precept_n of_o avoid_v scandal_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o obey_v in_o such_o instance_n though_o offence_n may_v be_v take_v at_o it_o because_o no_o sin_n be_v to_o be_v commit_v for_o the_o avoid_v scandal_n i_o may_v from_o this_o head_n further_o argue_v that_o if_o we_o must_v not_o commit_v any_o sin_n to_o avoid_v give_v offence_n than_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o separate_a from_o our_o parish-church_n upon_o that_o account_n because_o all_o voluntary_a separation_n from_o a_o church_n in_o which_o nothing_o that_o be_v unlawful_a be_v require_v as_o a_o condition_n of_o communion_n be_v the_o sin_n of_o schism_n and_o that_o be_v a_o sin_n of_o the_o black_a dye_n and_o great_a guilt_n note_v the_o in_o scripture_n for_o a_o act_n of_o carnality_n a_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o of_o the_o devil_n for_o the_o necessity_n of_o our_o come_n to_o church_n and_o worship_v god_n in_o the_o same_o public_a place_n with_o our_o neighbour_n and_o submit_v to_o the_o government_n discipline_n and_o custom_n of_o that_o particular_a church_n we_o live_v in_o do_v not_o depend_v only_o upon_o the_o statute_n of_o the_o realm_n which_o enforce_v it_o and_o the_o command_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n who_o require_v it_o but_o by_o the_o law_n of_o our_o religion_n all_o needless_a separation_n or_o division_n among_o christian_n break_v into_o little_a party_n and_o faction_n from_o whence_o come_v strife_n envy_v confusion_n and_o every_o evil_a work_n be_v to_o be_v most_o careful_o avoid_v as_o the_o very_a bane_n of_o christianity_n the_o rend_n of_o christ_n body_n and_o as_o utter_o destructive_a not_o only_o of_o the_o peace_n but_o of_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n so_o that_o shall_v all_o the_o law_n about_o conformity_n and_o against_o conventicle_n be_v rescind_v and_o void_v shall_v the_o magistrate_n indulge_v or_o connive_v at_o the_o separate_a assembly_n yet_o still_o this_o will_v not_o make_v our_o join_n with_o they_o not_o to_o be_v sinful_a since_o to_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o christian_n and_o one_o communion_n be_v the_o necessary_a duty_n of_o every_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o it_o can_v never_o be_v think_v a_o justifiable_a thing_n to_o cut_v off_o ourselves_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n out_o of_o compliance_n with_o any_o err_a or_o ignorant_a brethren_n but_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o withdraw_a from_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n either_o total_o or_o in_o part_n have_v be_v so_o evident_o show_v in_o some_o late_a discourse_n write_v on_o that_o subject_n that_o i_o do_v despair_n of_o convince_a those_o of_o the_o danger_n of_o it_o who_o can_v withstand_v the_o force_n of_o all_o that_o have_v be_v already_o offer_v to_o they_o i_o only_o conclude_v thus_o much_o that_o there_o be_v far_o more_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o uncharitableness_n in_o such_o separation_n and_o division_n than_o there_o can_v be_v in_o all_o the_o offence_n that_o be_v imagine_v to_o be_v give_v by_o our_o conformity_n from_o what_o i_o have_v already_o at_o large_a discourse_v it_o plain_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v thing_n mere_o indifferent_a not_o only_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n but_o also_o in_o respect_n to_o we_o in_o the_o use_n of_o which_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o consider_v the_o weakness_n of_o our_o brethren_n what_o be_v our_o duty_n must_v be_v do_v though_o scandal_n follow_v it_o what_o be_v evil_a and_o sinful_a aught_o to_o be_v leave_v undo_v upon_o the_o score_n of_o a_o great_a obligation_n than_o that_o of_o scandal_n but_o now_o in_o matter_n wherein_o our_o practice_n be_v not_o determine_v by_o any_o command_n we_o ought_v so_o to_o exercise_v our_o liberty_n as_o if_o possible_a to_o avoid_v give_v any_o offence_n to_o our_o brethren_n this_o be_v a_o undoubted_a part_n of_o that_o charity_n which_o one_o christian_a ought_v always_o to_o be_v ready_a to_o show_v to_o another_o by_o admonition_n instruction_n good_a example_n and_o by_o the_o forbearance_n of_o thing_n lawful_a at_o which_o he_o forsee_v his_o neighbour_n out_o of_o weakness_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o be_v scandalize_v to_o endeavour_v to_o prevent_v his_o fall_n into_o any_o sin_n or_o mischief_n and_o this_o we_o teach_v and_o press_v upon_o our_o people_n as_o much_o as_o dissenter_n themselves_o can_v in_o obedience_n to_o st._n paul_n rule_n about_o meat_n and_o day_n thing_n neither_o in_o themselves_o good_a or_o evil_n nor_o determine_v by_o any_o authority_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v every_o way_n a_o proper_a instance_n wherein_o christian_n may_v exercise_v their_o charity_n and_o compassion_n one_o to_o the_o other_o and_o in_o such_o case_n st._n paul_n declare_v that_o he_o will_v rather_o whole_o forego_v his_o liberty_n than_o by_o

some_o consideration_n about_o the_o case_n of_o scandal_n or_o give_v offence_n to_o weak_a brethren_n london_n print_v by_o h._n hill_n jun._n for_o t._n basset_n at_o the_o george_n in_o fleetstreet_n b._n take_v at_o the_o ship_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n and_o f._n gardiner_n at_o the_o white_a horse_n in_o ludgate-street_n 1683._o of_o give_v offence_n to_o weak_a brethren_n it_o have_v be_v often_o observe_v concern_v our_o dissent_v brethren_n that_o when_o they_o be_v urge_v to_o mention_v any_o one_o thing_n require_v of_o the_o people_n in_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n in_o our_o parish_n church_n judge_v by_o they_o absolute_o sinful_a on_o the_o account_n of_o which_o their_o separation_n from_o we_o be_v necessary_a and_o consequent_o justifiable_a they_o either_o put_v we_o off_o with_o some_o inconvenience_n inexpedience_n or_o corruption_n as_o they_o call_v they_o some_o thing_n appoint_v and_o use_v which_o in_o their_o opinion_n render_v our_o service_n less_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a the_o chief_a of_o which_o exception_n have_v be_v consider_v in_o several_a discourse_n late_o write_v with_o great_a temper_n and_o judgement_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o all_o honest_a and_o teachable_a mind_n or_o else_o some_o of_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v indeed_o themselves_o sufficient_o persuade_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o all_o that_o be_v enjoin_v they_o do_v not_o see_v but_o a_o good_a christian_a may_v serve_v god_n acceptable_o and_o devout_o our_o way_n and_o may_v go_v to_o heaven_n live_v and_o die_v in_o our_o communion_n but_o then_o there_o be_v many_o other_o godly_a but_o weak_a christian_n of_o another_o persuasion_n with_o who_o they_o have_v be_v long_o join_v and_o shall_v they_o now_o at_o least_o total_o forsake_v they_o and_o conform_v they_o shall_v thereby_o give_v great_a offence_n to_o all_o those_o tender_a conscience_n which_o be_v not_o thus_o convince_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o hold_v such_o communion_n with_o our_o church_n in_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n as_o be_v by_o law_n require_v which_o be_v a_o sin_n so_o heinous_a and_o of_o such_o dreadful_a consequence_n that_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o st._n matt._n 18._o 6._o whosoever_o shall_v offend_v one_o of_o these_o little_a one_o which_o believe_v in_o i_o it_o be_v better_o for_o he_o that_o a_o millstone_n be_v hang_v about_o his_o neck_n and_o that_o he_o be_v drown_v in_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o in_o st._n paul_n account_n it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o spiritual_a murder_n a_o destroy_n of_o he_o for_o who_o christ_n die_v rome_n 14._o 15._o now_o this_o case_n of_o give_v offence_n to_o weak_a brethren_n i_o have_v undertake_v brief_o to_o consider_v where_o i_o once_o for_o all_o suppose_v as_o all_o those_o must_v do_v who_o make_v this_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o refuse_v to_o communicate_v with_o our_o church_n that_o nothing_o be_v among_o we_o impose_v as_o a_o condition_n of_o communion_n but_o what_o may_v be_v do_v without_o sin_n for_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o itself_o sinful_a require_v by_o our_o church_n there_o can_v be_v no_o room_n for_o this_o plea_n of_o scandal_n that_o alone_o will_v be_v sufficient_a reason_n for_o separation_n from_o we_o i_o discourse_v therefore_o at_o this_o present_a only_a with_o such_o who_o for_o their_o own_o particular_a can_v well_o enough_o join_v with_o we_o but_o dare_v not_o do_v it_o for_o fear_n of_o offend_a those_o who_o yet_o scruple_n and_o be_v dissatisfy_v at_o the_o use_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o ceremony_n nor_o do_v i_o design_v exact_o to_o handle_v the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o scandal_n or_o elaborate_o explain_v all_o the_o place_n of_o scripture_n concern_v it_o or_o state_n the_o case_n there_o treat_v of_o nor_o shall_v i_o now_o meddle_v with_o the_o duty_n of_o governor_n and_o superior_n how_o far_o they_o ought_v to_o condescend_v to_o the_o weakness_n ignorance_n prejudices_fw-la and_o mistake_v of_o those_o under_o their_o care_n and_o charge_n but_o i_o shall_v confine_v myself_o to_o this_o one_o question_n whether_o there_o do_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_a from_o his_o parish_n church_n or_o to_o forbear_v the_o use_n of_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o ceremony_n by_o law_n appoint_v for_o fear_v of_o offend_a or_o scandalize_a his_o weak_a brethren_n here_o i_o shall_v first_o of_o all_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o weak_a brother_n second_o what_o it_o be_v to_o offend_v such_o a_o one_o three_o how_o far_o and_o in_o what_o instance_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o consider_v the_o weakness_n of_o our_o brother_n first_o for_o the_o resolution_n of_o this_o question_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o know_v what_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o weak_a brother_n now_o a_o weak_a brother_n or_o weak_a in_o faith_n in_o scripture_n denote_v one_o new_o convert_v to_o christianity_n and_o so_o neither_o thorough_o instruct_v in_o the_o principle_n nor_o well_o settle_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o the_o same_o who_o our_o saviour_n call_v a_o little_a one_o and_o the_o apostle_n a_o babe_n in_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 3._o 1._o conversion_n to_o christianity_n be_v often_o call_v our_o new_a birth_n and_o consequent_o at_o man_n first_o entrance_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n they_o be_v for_o a_o while_n reckon_v as_o in_o a_o infant_n state_n and_o according_o be_v to_o be_v most_o tender_o handle_v and_o nurse_v and_o gentle_o use_v with_o all_o favour_n and_o indulgence_n not_o drive_v fast_o than_o they_o be_v able_a to_o go_v till_o by_o degree_n by_o the_o improvement_n of_o their_o knowledge_n they_o come_v to_o be_v of_o full_a age_n as_o the_o apostle_n express_v it_o heb._n 5._o 14._o they_o be_v at_o first_o to_o be_v feed_v with_o milk_n to_o be_v teach_v the_o easy_a and_o plain_a doctrine_n against_o which_o least_o exception_n can_v be_v make_v as_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o will_v not_o at_o first_o tell_v his_o disciple_n of_o the_o shame_n and_o suffering_n he_o be_v to_o undergo_v and_o when_o he_o do_v speak_v of_o they_o it_o be_v covert_o and_o obscure_o so_o that_o they_o do_v not_o perfect_o understand_v he_o lest_o they_o shall_v by_o it_o have_v be_v present_o discourage_v and_o tempt_v to_o have_v forsake_v he_o no_o unnecessary_a burden_n be_v to_o be_v lay_v upon_o they_o which_o may_v render_v their_o new_a profession_n grievous_a to_o they_o every_o stumbling-block_n and_o prejudice_n be_v to_o be_v remove_v out_o of_o their_o way_n that_o may_v occasion_v their_o fall_n the_o grow_v christian_n and_o proficient_o be_v charitable_o to_o condescend_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o these_o novice_n and_o make_v allowance_n and_o for_o a_o time_n bear_v with_o their_o ignorance_n and_o many_o mistake_n and_o childish_a humour_n and_o deny_v themselves_o their_o own_o liberty_n and_o become_v even_o as_o child_n with_o they_o as_o if_o themselves_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o understand_v no_o better_o than_o these_o raw_a beginner_n now_o these_o fresh_a disciple_n little_a one_o or_o babe_n be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o st._n paul_n rom._n 14._o call_v weak_a brethren_n weak_a for_o want_v of_o age_n or_o growth_n or_o as_o the_o original_a word_n rather_o signify_v sickly_a and_o feeble_a like_o a_o man_n beginning_n to_o recover_v from_o a_o waste_a disease_n his_o distemper_n though_o cure_v yet_o hang_v a_o long_a time_n upon_o he_o the_o dregs_o of_o it_o still_o remain_v he_o must_v for_o a_o while_o be_v careful_o attend_v and_o watch_v since_o every_o little_a thing_n discompose_v he_o and_o hazard_n a_o relapse_n so_o be_v it_o with_o these_o first_o convert_v as_o soon_o as_o ever_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o acknowledge_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o become_v his_o disciple_n they_o be_v immediate_o baptise_a though_o as_o yet_o they_o understand_v but_o little_a of_o the_o nature_n or_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o apostle_n and_o first_o preacher_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v in_o haste_n to_o make_v more_o proselyte_n and_o therefore_o present_o baptise_a all_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o it_o without_o that_o previous_a instruction_n and_o preparation_n which_o afterward_o when_o church_n be_v settle_v be_v make_v necessary_a before_o heathen_n or_o jew_n can_v be_v admit_v by_o baptism_n thus_o the_o same_o day_n the_o apostle_n preach_v christ_n to_o the_o jew_n act_n 2._o they_o baptise_a about_o three_o thousand_o of_o they_o and_o philip_n without_o any_o delay_n baptise_a the_o eunuch_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o profess_v to_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o jailor_n and_o his_o household_n be_v baptise_a the_o same_o hour_n at_o