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	unity_n	1,412	5	9.5035	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A63163	The Trial and determination of truth, in answer to The best choice for religion and government		1697 (1697)	Wing T2166; ESTC R10526	46,640	49

that_o true_o fear_v god_n ought_v most_o careful_o to_o avoid_v the_o church_n of_o england_n love_v religion_n and_o goodness_n in_o all_o man_n and_o declare_v there_o be_v nothing_o more_o valuable_a in_o the_o world_n but_o can_v excuse_v the_o body_n of_o dissenter_n from_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o many_o impiety_n in_o the_o nation_n their_o very_a separation_n destroy_v the_o true_a spirit_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v charity_n it_o le_fw-fr we_o loose_v great_a number_n who_o can_v govern_v themselves_o move_v they_o to_o live_v atheist_n or_o idolater_n to_o pour_v contempt_n upon_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n confirm_v man_n in_o their_o evil_a course_n and_o expose_v the_o church_n as_o a_o prey_n to_o the_o common_a enemy_n gentleman_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o say_v that_o to_o propose_v maintenance_n of_o charity_n and_o all_o virtue_n by_o overthrow_v the_o church_n be_v as_o improbable_a a_o project_n as_o his_o who_o in_o henry_n the_o seventh_n time_n propose_v a_o rebellion_n without_o breach_n of_o the_o peace_n when_o the_o government_n of_o king_n and_o bishop_n be_v subvert_v there_o be_v present_o as_o many_o religion_n as_o man_n monstrous_a swarm_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n break_v in_o upon_o we_o more_o than_o have_v be_v before_o know_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o upon_o this_o a_o inundation_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o wickedness_n overspread_v the_o land_n so_o horrible_a be_v the_o effect_n that_o one_o of_o their_o own_o author_n tell_v we_o that_o for_o many_o hundred_o year_n there_o have_v not_o be_v a_o party_n pretend_v godliness_n tenderness_n gangr_n of_o conscience_n strictness_n above_o other_o man_n as_o this_o party_n do_v that_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o so_o many_o sin_n horrible_a wickedness_n provoke_v abomination_n as_o they_o be_v hell_n seem_v to_o be_v break_v loose_a to_o have_v invade_v all_o quarter_n in_o despite_n of_o their_o covenant_n and_o all_o the_o little_a scheme_n of_o their_o so-much-magnified_n reformation_n that_o they_o have_v overpass_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o prelate_n justify_v the_o bishop_n in_o who_o time_n never_o so_o many_o nor_o so_o great_a error_n be_v hear_v of_o much_o less_o such_o blasphemy_n and_o confusion_n we_o have_v worse_a thing_n among_o we_o more_o corrupt_a doctrine_n and_o unheard-of_a practice_n than_o ever_o be_v in_o all_o the_o bishop_n day_n our_o reformation_n be_v become_v a_o deformation_n we_o first_o put_v down_o the_o common-prayer_n and_o then_o some_o put_v down_o the_o very_a scripture_n slight_v and_o blaspheme_v they_o some_o cast_v down_o bishop_n and_o their_o officer_n other_o cast_v to_o the_o ground_n all_o minister_n and_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n some_o have_v cast_v out_o the_o ceremony_n in_o the_o sacrament_n other_o have_v cast_v out_o the_o sacrament_n themselves_o with_o abundance_n more_o too_o tedious_a to_o repeat_v another_o of_o their_o author_n tell_v the_o parliament_n in_o a_o sermon_n that_o the_o covenant_n cry_v god_n grant_v not_o against_o you_o for_o the_o reformation_n 46._o of_o the_o kingdom_n the_o extirpation_n of_o heresy_n schism_n profaneness_n etc._n etc._n these_o impiety_n abound_v as_o if_o we_o have_v take_v a_o covenant_n to_o maintain_v they_o since_o it_o be_v take_v these_o sin_n which_o we_o have_v covenant_v against_o have_v more_o abound_v than_o in_o the_o space_n of_o ten_o time_n so_o many_o year_n before_o another_o make_v this_o remark_n that_o one_o of_o the_o fruit_n of_o this_o bless_a 1648._o parliament_n and_o of_o those_o two_o sectary_n presbyterian_o and_o independent_o be_v that_o they_o have_v make_v more_o jew_n and_o atheist_n than_o be_v in_o all_o europe_n beside_o gentleman_n of_o the_o jury_n you_o may_v see_v by_o what_o mean_v it_o be_v that_o this_o nation_n come_v to_o be_v pester_v with_o opinion_n and_o practice_n beyond_o the_o example_n of_o former_a age_n to_o the_o infinite_a prejudice_n and_o dishonour_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o nation_n you_o may_v guess_v what_o a_o bless_a reformation_n we_o may_v expect_v from_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o church_n the_o same_o cause_n set_v on_o foot_n by_o the_o same_o principle_n will_v eternal_o produce_v the_o same_o effect_n and_o though_o man_n at_o first_o may_v mean_v never_o so_o well_o yet_o temptation_n will_v insensible_o grow_v upon_o they_o and_o accident_n occur_v which_o in_o the_o progress_n may_v carry_v they_o infinite_o beyond_o the_o line_n of_o their_o first_o intention_n and_o engage_v they_o in_o such_o course_n out_o of_o which_o when_o they_o come_v to_o discern_v their_o error_n it_o may_v be_v too_o late_o for_o they_o to_o retire_v diss_n advoc._n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o plead_v against_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o i_o will_v have_v you_o know_v our_o dissenter_n be_v more_o for_o spirit_n and_o truth_n more_o modest_a and_o peaceable_a than_o those_o of_o that_o time_n we_o be_v more_o conformable_a to_o the_o law_n less_o turbulent_a and_o offensive_a to_o government_n and_o general_o speak_v do_v we_o believe_v that_o our_o schism_n or_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n be_v a_o sin_n or_o the_o occasion_n of_o sin_n we_o shall_v no_o long_o remain_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o but_o present_o join_v with_o the_o church_n and_o never_o more_o forsake_v her_o communion_n ch._n advoc._n you_o may_v guess_v at_o the_o spirit_n and_o temper_n of_o the_o dissenter_n by_o their_o obstinate_a and_o indefatigable_a stiffness_n in_o oppose_v the_o church_n let_v the_o world_n judge_n let_v themselves_o be_v judge_n in_o this_o case_n when_o the_o church_n require_v no_o popish_a no_o antichristian_a term_n of_o communion_n when_o the_o dissenter_n can_v offer_v no_o argument_n that_o have_v not_o be_v abundant_o answer_v they_o entrench_v themselves_o within_o their_o strong_a hold_n of_o stiffness_n and_o resolution_n never_o never_o to_o yield_v though_o they_o be_v sufficient_o convince_v and_o baffle_v if_o the_o dissenter_n have_v any_o thing_n more_o of_o moderation_n and_o peace_n than_o appear_v in_o the_o late_a time_n of_o anarchy_n and_o confusion_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o to_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a law_n that_o lie_v some_o restraint_n upon_o they_o but_o once_o remove_v this_o church_n or_o quite_o let_v loose_v the_o reins_o of_o government_n and_o we_o shall_v soon_o find_v what_o manner_n of_o spirit_n do_v influence_n these_o men._n the_o first_o race_n of_o dissenter_n be_v far_o more_o for_o unity_n and_o peace_n than_o these_o be_v they_o meddle_v not_o with_o thing_n out_o of_o their_o line_n nor_o mix_v themselves_o with_o matter_n of_o state_n all_o they_o desire_v be_v to_o have_v no_o violence_n offer_v to_o their_o conscience_n when_o they_o can_v not_o conform_v as_o minister_n they_o do_v as_o private_a christian_n man_n that_o be_v most_o eminent_a among_o they_o for_o learning_n piety_n preach_v write_v experience_n and_o fame_n have_v do_v more_o towards_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n than_o our_o modern_a dissenter_n do_v at_o this_o day_n they_o have_v own_a our_o communion_n lawful_a they_o have_v receive_v the_o communion_n kneel_v they_o have_v breed_v up_o their_o child_n to_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n they_o have_v join_v in_o the_o liturgy_n they_o have_v be_v marry_v according_a to_o the_o form_n of_o it_o the_o ancient_a nonconformist_n will_v not_o separate_v though_o they_o fear_v to_o subscribe_v but_o now_o the_o government_n have_v be_v so_o kind_a to_o settle_v liberty_n of_o conscience_n by_o a_o law_n our_o conscionable_a man_n turn_v their_o back_n upon_o the_o church_n indep_n and_o make_v no_o scruple_n though_o by_o causeless_a separation_n to_o cut_v themselves_o off_o from_o its_o communion_n not_o consider_v that_o nothing_o next_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v more_o hearty_o desire_v and_o endeavour_v by_o all_o man_n than_o the_o unity_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o consequent_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o great_a sin_n than_o schism_n be_v that_o rend_v and_o divide_v it_o a_o sin_n if_o you_o believe_v the_o ancient_a father_n that_o shut_v man_n out_o of_o heaven_n a_o sin_n that_o can_v be_v expiate_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o martyrdom_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n which_o the_o best_a and_o most_o pious_a christian_n that_o ever_o live_v have_v of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o suffer_v any_o thing_n than_o that_o the_o church_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v rend_v asunder_o that_o it_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o glorious_a and_o a_o far_o great_a martyrdom_n to_o die_v for_o not_o divide_v the_o church_n than_o for_o refuse_v to_o sacrifice_v to_o idol_n that_o a_o person_n go_v from_o church_n to_o schismatic_n though_o in_o that_o capacity_n he_o shall_v die_v for_o christ_n yet_o can_v he_o not_o receive_v the_o 45._o

be_v impiety_n because_o it_o be_v prosperous_a and_o permit_v that_o be_v not_o hinder_v by_o force_n and_o violence_n inconsistent_a with_o a_o free_a moral_a agent_n than_o the_o great_a sultan_n and_o the_o great_a cham_n and_o the_o great_a mogul_n as_o well_o as_o the_o great_a bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v by_o a_o equal_a sound-consequence_n the_o great_a favourite_n of_o heaven_n and_o then_o the_o argument_n of_o symmachus_n have_v be_v unanswerable_o conclusive_a against_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o for_o 300_o year_n and_o upward_o lay_v groan_v under_o the_o yoke_n of_o the_o heathen_n tyranny_n or_o last_o if_o permission_n be_v still_o a_o mark_n of_o approbation_n than_o dionysius_n or_o diagoras_n have_v argue_v logical_o well_o when_o have_v rob_v the_o delphic_a temple_n and_o immediate_o after_o escape_v a_o shipwreck_n he_o give_v it_o out_o that_o the_o god_n have_v approve_v his_o sacrilege_n not_o at_o all_o that_o he_o believe_v but_o laugh_v at_o providence_n riches_n and_o prosperity_n be_v not_o always_o blessing_n to_o the_o enjoyer_n of_o they_o but_o very_o often_o bestow_v on_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n to_o their_o hurt_n the_o divine_a wisdom_n reserve_v a_o better_a reward_n for_o his_o dear_a servant_n in_o the_o world_n presb._n and_o indep_n my_o lord_n we_o be_v not_o satisfy_v that_o our_o divide_n and_o separate_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n deserve_v so_o bad_a a_o name_n as_o that_o of_o schism_n if_o it_o do_v we_o must_v expect_v a_o very_a severe_a sentence_n and_o the_o court_n must_v be_v justify_v in_o its_o proceed_n against_o we_o judge_n you_o have_v have_v enough_o offer_v before_o by_o the_o church_n advocate_n but_o to_o leave_v the_o matter_n more_o clear_a take_v the_o judgement_n of_o your_o principal_a man_n who_o when_o time_n be_v reason_v thus_o against_o those_o that_o subdivide_v from_o they_o if_o we_o be_v a_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o christ_n hold_v communion_n with_o we_o why_o do_v you_o separate_v from_o we_o if_o we_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o 130._o they_o that_o separate_v from_o the_o body_n separate_v from_o the_o head_n also_o if_o the_o apostle_n call_v those_o division_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n wherein_o christian_n do_v not_o separate_v into_o divers_a form_v congregation_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n schism_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 10._o may_v not_o your_o secession_n from_o we_o and_o profess_v you_o can_v join_v with_o we_o as_o member_n and_o set_v up_o congregation_n of_o another_o communion_n be_v more_o proper_o call_v schism_n you_o gather_v church_n together_o out_o of_o your_o church_n and_o set_v up_o church_n in_o a_o opposite_a way_n to_o our_o church_n and_o all_o this_o you_o do_v voluntary_o and_o unwarrantable_o not_o have_v any_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o it_o in_o the_o same_o book_n they_o tell_v we_o of_o a_o twofold_a schism_n negative_a and_o positive_a negative_a when_o man_n do_v peaceable_o and_o quiet_o withdraw_v from_o communion_n with_o a_o church_n from_o which_o they_o be_v depart_v the_o other_o be_v when_o person_n withdraw_v do_v consociate_n and_o withdraw_v themselves_o into_o a_o distinct_a and_o opposite_a body_n set_v up_o a_o church_n against_o a_o church_n which_o say_v they_o camero_n call_v a_o schism_n by_o way_n of_o eminence_n and_o far_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v four_o cause_n that_o make_v a_o separation_n from_o a_o church_n lawful_a 1._o when_o they_o that_o separate_v be_v grievous_o and_o intolerable_o persecute_v 2._o when_o the_o church_n they_o separate_v from_o be_v heretical_a 3._o when_o it_o be_v idolatrous_a 4._o when_o it_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o antichrist_n and_o where_o none_o of_o these_o four_o be_v find_v there_o the_o separation_n be_v insufficient_a and_o schism_n now_o we_o be_v full_o assure_v that_o none_o of_o these_o four_o cause_n can_v be_v charge_v upon_o our_o congregation_n therefore_o you_o must_v not_o be_v displease_v with_o we_o if_o we_o blame_v you_o as_o guilty_a of_o positive_a schism_n all_o which_o be_v as_o true_a now_o as_o it_o be_v then_o and_o as_o applicable_a to_o we_o and_o they_o and_o it_o be_v to_o they_o and_o their_o dissenter_n the_o presbyterian_o and_o independent_o be_v indeed_o more_o guilty_a of_o schism_n in_o separate_v from_o the_o true_o apostolical_a church_n of_o england_n than_o they_o can_v be_v in_o divide_v from_o each_o other_o seeker_n but_o we_o think_v there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o the_o constitution_n of_o that_o church_n may_v be_v contrive_v to_o better_a purpose_n and_o we_o will_v find_v out_o a_o church_n that_o need_v no_o amendment_n no_o alteration_n judge_n then_o you_o must_v be_v of_o no_o church_n on_o this_o side_n heaven_n you_o seek_v in_o vain_a because_o such_o perfection_n be_v not_o in_o this_o world_n yet_o as_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o it_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o in_o any_o church_n or_o congregation_n on_o earth_n and_o for_o aught_o yet_o appear_v much_o great_a but_o that_o every_o suppose_a corruption_n in_o a_o church_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o separation_n or_o warrant_v enough_o to_o rend_v and_o tear_v the_o church_n in_o piece_n let_v mr._n calvin_n judge_n between_o we_o who_o say_v that_o wherever_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v due_o preach_v and_o reverent_o 349._o attend_v to_o and_o the_o true_a use_n of_o the_o sacrament_n keep_v up_o there_o be_v the_o plain_a appearance_n of_o a_o true_a church_n who_o authority_n no_o man_n may_v safe_o despise_v or_o reject_v its_o admonition_n or_o resist_v its_o counsel_n or_o set_v at_o nought_o its_o discipline_n much_o less_o separate_v from_o it_o and_o violate_v its_o unity_n for_o that_o our_o lord_n have_v so_o great_a a_o regard_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o his_o church_n that_o he_o account_v he_o a_o apostate_n from_o his_o religion_n who_o obstinate_o separate_v from_o any_o christian_a society_n which_o keep_v up_o the_o true_a ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n that_o such_o a_o separation_n be_v a_o denial_n of_o god_n and_o of_o christ_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a and_o pernicious_a temptation_n so_o much_o as_o to_o think_v of_o separate_n from_o such_o a_o church_n the_o communion_n whereof_o be_v never_o to_o be_v reject_v so_o long_o as_o it_o continue_v in_o the_o true_a use_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n though_o otherwise_o it_o be_v overrun_v with_o many_o blemish_n and_o corruption_n which_o be_v as_o plain_a and_o full_a a_o determination_n of_o the_o case_n as_o if_o he_o particular_o design_v it_o against_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o modern_a dissenter_n from_o our_o church_n quak._n i_o hope_v the_o nation_n will_v yet_o believe_v we_o to_o be_v very_o honest_a harmless_a man_n who_o deal_v fair_o and_o kind_o with_o all_o person_n never_o oppress_v gripe_a or_o defraud_v any_o man_n we_o be_v at_o a_o word_n avoid_v abundance_n of_o that_o vain_a unnecessary_a talk_n which_o other_o use_v in_o trade_n and_o therefore_o i_o humble_o desire_v that_o the_o court_n will_v acquit_v we_o judge_n you_o have_v forfeit_v much_o of_o that_o good_a opinion_n that_o the_o nation_n once_o have_v of_o you_o and_o all_o the_o riches_n you_o boast_v of_o be_v get_v by_o people_n credulity_n trust_v you_o too_o much_o before_o they_o try_v you_o all_o your_o religion_n be_v now_o dwindle_a into_o a_o bare_a pretence_n of_o honesty_n which_o at_o best_o be_v not_o equal_a to_o that_o of_o the_o more_o ancient_a heathen_n your_o yea_o or_o nay_o your_o single_a word_n shall_v bite_v as_o much_o as_o a_o thousand_o a_o lie_n may_v soon_o be_v tell_v and_o if_o the_o world_n complain_v of_o you_o for_o any_o dishonesty_n in_o overreach_v or_o deceive_v your_o neighbour_n all_o be_v put_v off_o with_o your_o spiritual_a distinction_n it_o be_v not_o say_v you_o downright_o cheat_v of_o man_n but_o a_o sanctify_v out-witting_a they_o which_o be_v own_a and_o practise_v among_o you_o presbyt_fw-la my_o lord_n we_o have_v two_o or_o three_o gentleman_n to_o produce_v in_o our_o vindication_n judge_n who_o be_v they_o presbyt_fw-la st._n hierome_n aerius_n and_o honest_a john_n calvin_n the_o first_o say_v that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v all_o one_o the_o second_o that_o they_o differ_v nothing_o in_o order_n dignity_n and_o power_n and_o the_o last_o be_v so_o offend_v with_o episcopacy_n that_o he_o throw_v out_o the_o bishop_n of_o geneva_n and_o turn_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n into_o that_o of_o superintendent_n and_o under_o that_o title_n he_o and_o his_o godly_a successor_n have_v there_o about_o one_o hundred_o year_n govern_v that_o church_n judge_n hierome_n must_v be_v a_o saint_n now_o for_o let_v fall_n one_o single_a sentence_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o but_o