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	unite_v	1,528	5	10.0785	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

end_n but_o i_o hope_v their_o behaviour_n for_o the_o future_a will_v sufficient_o clear_v they_o from_o such_o a_o imputation_n i_o shall_v therefore_o apply_v myself_o only_o to_o those_o that_o do_v still_o forbear_v our_o communion_n and_o offer_v something_o very_o brief_o which_o i_o conceive_v may_v be_v useful_a for_o the_o satisfy_a their_o most_o know_a and_o ordinary_a doubt_n that_o as_o we_o do_v all_o profess_v the_o same_o faith_n we_o may_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o way_n of_o discipline_n and_o worship_n and_o all_o become_v peaceable_a and_o orderly_a member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n and_o for_o the_o obtain_v this_o most_o excellent_a end_n first_o i_o shall_v desire_v they_o impartial_o to_o consider_v of_o some_o thing_n that_o may_v incline_v they_o to_o be_v peaceable_o mind_v and_o tend_v to_o the_o remove_n of_o the_o general_n prejudices_fw-la they_o have_v unhappy_o conceive_v against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n then_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v what_o satisfaction_n i_o can_v to_o the_o chief_a objection_n against_o we_o which_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o urge_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o present_a separation_n and_o last_o i_o shall_v exhort_v they_o 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 pretestant_a religion_n the_o thing_n that_o i_o will_v commend_v to_o their_o serious_a consideration_n which_o may_v serve_v to_o dispose_v they_o to_o peace_n and_o to_o remove_v the_o prejudices_fw-la they_o have_v take_v up_o be_v such_o as_o these_o in_o the_o first_o place_n they_o shall_v be_v very_o careful_a that_o it_o be_v not_o any_o sinister_a end_n or_o corrupt_a passion_n that_o do_v either_o engage_v they_o in_o the_o separation_n at_o the_o beginning_n or_o provoke_v they_o now_o to_o continue_v in_o it_o i_o do_v not_o mention_v this_o because_o i_o know_v any_o one_o of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n to_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o but_o because_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o man_n mind_n be_v too_o often_o influence_v by_o their_o carnal_a interest_n and_o affection_n these_o will_v be_v always_o mix_v themselves_o in_o all_o their_o consultation_n these_o do_v common_o blind_a and_o pervert_v their_o judgement_n and_o lead_v they_o into_o ten_o thousand_o error_n these_o be_v the_o occasion_n that_o fancy_n sometime_o pass_v for_o conscience_n that_o melancholy_a fume_n be_v admire_v for_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o that_o the_o overflow_a of_o our_o gall_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o pure_a zeal_n these_o and_o the_o like_a be_v very_o dangerous_a and_o usual_a mistake_v that_o do_v frequent_o proceed_v from_o the_o prevalency_n of_o our_o passion_n if_o therefore_o we_o do_v divide_v from_o a_o church_n it_o will_v most_o high_o concern_v we_o to_o be_v very_o cautious_a that_o we_o be_v not_o act_v by_o any_o such_o principle_n for_o if_o we_o hope_v to_o gain_v and_o grow_v rich_a by_o our_o departure_n if_o we_o be_v ashamed_a or_o scorn_v to_o retract_v the_o opinion_n we_o have_v once_o profess_v if_o we_o imagine_v we_o have_v more_o light_n than_o the_o first_o reformer_n when_o indeed_o we_o be_v very_o ignorant_a if_o we_o can_v endure_v to_o be_v oppose_v in_o any_o thing_n if_o we_o murmur_v and_o repine_v at_o our_o governor_n when_o they_o require_v our_o obedience_n where_o we_o be_v unwilling_a to_o pay_v it_o these_o be_v sign_n that_o our_o affection_n be_v turbulent_a and_o unruly_a and_o while_o we_o be_v thus_o dispose_v we_o can_v never_o be_v assure_v but_o that_o covetousness_n pride_n and_o impatience_n may_v be_v the_o great_a motive_n that_o induce_v we_o to_o make_v a_o separation_n and_o the_o strong_a argument_n that_o we_o have_v to_o maintain_v it_o but_o i_o can_v charge_v our_o dissent_v brethren_n with_o these_o thing_n i_o believe_v that_o many_o of_o they_o may_v be_v upright_a and_o sincere_a in_o their_o intention_n but_o because_o they_o be_v all_o in_o the_o same_o estate_n of_o degeneracy_n and_o corruption_n which_o other_o be_v i_o will_v entreat_v they_o to_o be_v very_o careful_a that_o they_o be_v never_o lead_v away_o by_o these_o or_o the_o like_a temptation_n but_o that_o they_o will_v always_o labour_v to_o preserve_v those_o holy_a disposition_n of_o integrity_n meekness_n humility_n and_o condescension_n which_o be_v the_o best_a preparative_n to_o the_o receive_n of_o the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o after_o they_o have_v thus_o free_v their_o mind_n from_o all_o irregular_a passion_n and_o design_n it_o will_v conduce_v exceed_o to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n if_o they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o express_v their_o great_a care_n and_o concern_v in_o the_o more_o weighty_a and_o substantial_a thing_n of_o religion_n this_o will_v prevent_v many_o of_o the_o quarrel_n that_o do_v often_o arise_v in_o matter_n but_o of_o small_a importance_n if_o real_a holiness_n and_o piety_n be_v the_o thing_n that_o we_o aim_v at_o then_o when_o we_o may_v be_v secure_v of_o this_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o very_o forward_o to_o enter_v upon_o fierce_a and_o endless_a dispute_n about_o the_o external_a mode_n and_o circumstance_n of_o worship_n if_o i_o may_v serve_v god_n there_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n why_o shall_v a_o gown_n or_o a_o cloak_n or_o a_o surplice_n fright_v i_o from_o the_o church_n when_o either_o of_o these_o be_v enjoin_v by_o my_o superior_n if_o i_o may_v be_v instruct_v in_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n why_o shall_v i_o forsake_v the_o public_a assembly_n because_o i_o be_o not_o allow_v to_o join_v myself_o to_o what_o congregation_n i_o please_v and_o have_v not_o a_o immediate_a hand_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o my_o pastor_n when_o our_o heart_n be_v bend_v upon_o the_o great_a thing_n of_o religion_n we_o shall_v see_v but_o little_a reason_n to_o be_v contentious_a about_o matter_n of_o lesser_a consequence_n a_o few_o indifferent_a rite_n will_v scarce_o be_v able_a to_o tempt_v we_o to_o break_v off_o communion_n with_o that_o church_n with_o which_o we_o be_v at_o perfect_a agreement_n in_o all_o fundamental_a and_o necessary_a point_n the_o next_o thing_n that_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o promote_a our_o union_n be_v the_o consideration_n of_o the_o heinous_a nature_n and_o gild_n of_o schism_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o separate_n ourselves_o from_o a_o true_a church_n without_o any_o just_a occasion_n give_v the_o want_n of_o due_a apprehension_n of_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a cause_n of_o our_o present_a division_n man_n be_v not_o general_o sufficient_o sensible_a how_o much_o they_o do_v oppose_v that_o spirit_n of_o peace_n and_o brotherly_a love_n which_o shall_v diffuse_v itself_o through_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_a people_n when_o they_o suppose_v every_o slender_a pretence_n enough_o to_o justify_v their_o depart_n from_o we_o and_o set_v up_o a_o church_n against_o a_o church_n they_o think_v it_o a_o matter_n almost_o indifferent_a and_o that_o they_o be_v leave_v to_o their_o own_o choice_n to_o join_v with_o what_o society_n of_o christian_n they_o please_v themselves_o which_o giddy_a principle_n if_o it_o shall_v prevail_v will_v certain_o throw_v we_o into_o a_o absolute_a confusion_n and_o introduce_v all_o the_o error_n and_o mischief_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v but_o our_o bless_a lord_n found_v but_o one_o universal_a church_n and_o when_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o be_v crucify_a for_o we_o and_o pray_v not_o for_o the_o apostle_n alone_o but_o for_o they_o also_o that_o 21._o shall_v believe_v in_o he_o through_o their_o word_n one_o of_o the_o last_o petition_n which_o he_o then_o put_v up_o among_o divers_a other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n be_v that_o they_o all_o may_v be_v one_o as_o thou_o father_n be_v in_o i_o and_o i_o in_o thou_o that_o they_o also_o may_v be_v one_o in_o we_o that_o the_o world_n may_v believe_v that_o thou_o have_v send_v i_o this_o it_o be_v plain_o be_v to_o be_v a_o visible_a unity_n that_o may_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o become_v a_o inducement_n to_o move_v man_n to_o the_o embrace_v of_o the_o christian_a faith_n therefore_o as_o we_o will_v avoid_v the_o harden_v of_o man_n in_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n and_o make_v the_o prayer_n of_o our_o die_a saviour_n as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v whole_o ineffectual_a we_o shall_v be_v exceed_o cautious_a that_o we_o do_v not_o wilful_o divide_v his_o holy_a catholic_n church_n we_o be_v often_o warn_v of_o this_o and_o how_o many_o argument_n do_v st._n paul_n heap_v together_o to_o persuade_v we_o to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n 6._o of_o peace_n one_o body_n and_o one_o spirit_n even_o

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