Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	christian_a	church_n	jewish_a	1,506	5	9.5679	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B10107	A peaceable and friendly address to the non-conformists: written upon their desiring an act of toleration without the sacramental test.	Synge, Edward, 1659-1741.	1697 (1697)	Wing S6381; ESTC R184783	9,369	16

offer_v to_o impose_v the_o belief_n or_o practice_n of_o any_o thing_n as_o a_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o god_n have_v not_o particular_o require_v against_o such_o a_o imposition_n as_o this_o every_o christian_n ought_v to_o stand_v up_o and_o assert_v his_o christian_a liberty_n as_o the_o apostle_n do_v against_o the_o jewish_a ceremony_n which_o some_o will_v have_v impose_v upon_o the_o church_n as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n act_v 15.1_o and_o this_o be_v what_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v the_o galatian_n unto_o and_o be_v as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v understand_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o christian_a liberty_n as_o it_o be_v state_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o if_o way_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o such_o sort_n of_o imposition_n as_o these_o in_o process_n of_o time_n so_o many_o thing_n through_o the_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o some_o and_o the_o ignorance_n and_o mistake_n of_o other_o may_v come_v to_o be_v introduce_v into_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o may_v render_v it_o as_o the_o jewish_a be_v a_o yoke_n too_o heavy_a to_o be_v bear_v act_v 15.10_o but_o to_o plead_v christian_a liberty_n as_o a_o exemption_n from_o such_o law_n and_o rule_n which_o a_o establish_v church_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o make_v about_o thing_n in_o themselves_o profess_o indifferent_a and_o only_o for_o order_n and_o regularity_n sake_n as_o it_o have_v no_o foundation_n that_o i_o can_v find_v either_o in_o scripture_n or_o reason_n so_o the_o apparent_a consequence_n of_o it_o must_v be_v not_o that_o decency_n and_o order_n which_o st._n paul_n direct_v the_o church_n to_o provide_v for_o in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 14.40_o which_o can_v be_v maintain_v without_o some_o establish_a rule_n in_o circumstantial_a matter_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o disorder_n and_o confusion_n which_o we_o may_v imagine_v must_v be_v in_o such_o a_o assembly_n where_o every_o man_n shall_v esteem_v it_o unlawful_a to_o demean_v himself_o according_a to_o any_o human_a prescribe_a rule_n and_o where_o therefore_o every_o the_o most_o ignorant_a person_n will_v be_v guide_v by_o nothing_o but_o the_o suggestion_n of_o his_o own_o thought_n in_o all_o such_o thing_n as_o god_n himself_o have_v not_o particular_o determine_v for_o the_o avoid_n of_o which_o confusion_n and_o irregularity_n every_o settle_a church_n have_v always_o find_v it_o necessary_a to_o follow_v that_o direction_n which_o st._n paul_n long_v since_o give_v and_o to_o make_v and_o prescribe_v certain_a rule_n for_o the_o establishment_n of_o decency_n and_o order_n in_o their_o congregation_n and_o if_o our_o liturgy_n be_v a_o infringement_n of_o christian_a liberty_n not_o only_o all_o other_o church_n be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o but_o even_o your_o own_o directory_n which_o impose_v some_o thing_n which_o in_o themselves_o be_v indifferent_a can_v be_v excuse_v from_o it_o and_o if_o you_o shall_v say_v that_o our_o ceremony_n be_v too_o numerous_a and_o burdensome_a beside_o that_o other_o who_o perhaps_o may_v be_v as_o competent_a judge_n be_v of_o another_o opinion_n if_o this_o be_v real_o so_o yet_o the_o most_o it_o will_v amount_v to_o will_v be_v only_o a_o inconvenience_n of_o which_o hereafter_o and_o not_o a_o sin_n and_o though_o st._n austin_n complain_v of_o the_o number_n and_o burden_n of_o ceremony_n in_o his_o time_n yet_o we_o never_o find_v that_o he_o look_v upon_o that_o as_o any_o cause_n for_o separate_v from_o the_o establish_v church_n and_o last_o if_o you_o shall_v say_v that_o many_o of_o our_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n be_v altogether_o unnecessary_a and_o that_o the_o governor_n of_o a_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o lay_v unnecessary_a imposition_n upon_o the_o people_n beside_o that_o what_o some_o may_v think_v unnecessary_a other_o may_v judge_v to_o be_v expedient_a let_v we_o suppose_v that_o our_o governor_n be_v guilty_a of_o a_o fault_n in_o impose_v some_o needless_a thing_n upon_o we_o yet_o will_v it_o not_o follow_v that_o our_o compliance_n even_o with_o such_o thing_n for_o peace_n and_o unity_n sake_n will_v be_v any_o sin_n but_o rather_o i_o think_v a_o virtue_n and_o therefore_o upon_o the_o whole_a i_o can_v but_o conclude_v that_o any_o good_a christian_a may_v at_o least_o very_o innocent_o join_v himself_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n four_o then_o if_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n be_v lawful_a and_o innocent_a in_o its_o self_n what_o imaginable_a reason_n can_v there_o be_v why_o you_o shall_v refuse_v to_o join_v with_o we_o in_o it_o for_o sure_a you_o do_v not_o think_v that_o every_o man_n be_v at_o his_o free_a liberty_n either_o to_o join_v himself_o to_o the_o establish_v church_n of_o a_o place_n or_o to_o set_v up_o a_o distinct_a church_n for_o himself_o for_o this_o will_v be_v the_o way_n not_o only_o to_o divide_v but_o crumble_v the_o church_n till_o the_o different_a fancy_n of_o man_n shall_v bring_v it_o to_o nothing_o and_o if_o you_o shall_v tell_v we_o that_o some_o of_o our_o constitution_n be_v not_o so_o convenient_o settle_v as_o they_o shall_v be_v for_o promote_a the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o piety_n beside_o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o human_a appointment_n so_o perfect_a as_o to_o be_v free_a from_o all_o defect_n and_o inconvenience_n and_o that_o what_o may_v seem_v inconvenient_a to_o one_o may_v perhaps_o be_v think_v convenient_a by_o another_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o particular_a rule_n of_o convenience_n so_o fix_v but_o what_o will_v be_v different_o think_v of_o by_o different_a man_n according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o their_o apprehension_n and_o circumstance_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v whether_o one_o or_o more_o bare_a inconvenience_n which_o yet_o be_v or_o may_v be_v free_a from_o sin_n can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o separate_v from_o a_o establish_v church_n and_o if_o so_o what_o church_n be_v there_o upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n from_o which_o this_o principle_n will_v not_o justify_v a_o division_n it_o be_v indeed_o the_o duty_n of_o every_o man_n sober_o and_o peaceable_o to_o seek_v for_o the_o rectify_v even_o any_o inconvenience_n which_o he_o perceive_v to_o be_v in_o the_o church_n but_o since_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o charity_n that_o it_o bear_v all_o thing_n endure_v all_o thing_n suffer_v long_o be_v not_o easy_o provoke_v and_o seek_v not_o her_o own_o 1_o cor._n 13_o 4._o etc._n etc._n methinks_v every_o good_a christian_n shall_v be_v content_v to_o bear_v even_o with_o many_o inconvenience_n until_o such_o time_n as_o god_n shall_v touch_v the_o heart_n of_o those_o in_o who_o power_n it_o shall_v be_v to_o remedy_v they_o rather_o than_o occasion_v a_o division_n in_o the_o church_n which_o beside_o the_o sin_n be_v certain_o a_o great_a inconvenience_n than_o all_o those_o which_o you_o can_v complain_v of_o put_v together_o but_o if_o you_o shall_v say_v that_o you_o find_v yourselves_o more_o edify_v in_o godliness_n and_o piety_n by_o your_o own_o meeting_n than_o by_o frequent_v our_o assembly_n not_o to_o ascribe_v this_o to_o your_o prejudice_n and_o prepossession_n nor_o to_o make_v any_o comparison_n which_o may_v seem_v odious_a or_o may_v tend_v to_o exasperate_v i_o shall_v only_o tell_v you_o if_o this_o be_v a_o real_a truth_n and_o not_o a_o bare_a fancy_n only_o it_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v a_o reason_n why_o you_o shall_v hold_v some_o assembly_n beside_o the_o parochial_a congregation_n for_o your_o mutual_a edification_n and_o to_o provoke_v other_o to_o emulation_n which_o may_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o promote_v a_o general_a reformation_n of_o all_o neglect_v or_o disorder_n in_o the_o church_n provide_v that_o nothing_o be_v therein_o say_v or_o do_v which_o may_v give_v any_o of_o your_o own_o member_n or_o other_o a_o just_a occasion_n to_o look_v upon_o you_o as_o a_o separate_a church_n set_v up_o in_o opposition_n and_o not_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o establish_a one_o but_o what_o reason_n you_o can_v ground_n upon_o this_o for_o a_o downright_a separation_n and_o a_o utter_a refusal_n of_o our_o communion_n i_o confess_v i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o find_v but_o if_o you_o shall_v say_v that_o you_o do_v not_o absolute_o separate_v from_o we_o nor_o utter_o renounce_v our_o communion_n but_o that_o you_o sometime_o come_v to_o our_o public_a worship_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n after_o our_o prescribe_a form_n which_o be_v by_o some_o of_o you_o assert_v and_o plead_v for_o under_o the_o name_n of_o occasional_a communion_n i_o desire_v to_o be_v inform_v if_o occasional_a communion_n with_o we_o be_v lawful_a why_o shall_v constant_a communion_n with_o we_o be_v think_v unlawful_a if_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o join_v with_o we_o

be_v that_o be_v want_v among_o we_o and_o let_v the_o necessity_n of_o it_o be_v prove_v and_o then_o if_o we_o receive_v it_o not_o the_o sin_n be_v we_o second_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n require_v by_o we_o from_o those_o who_o communicate_v with_o we_o which_o be_v a_o sin_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v practise_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n however_o unnecessary_a or_o impertinent_a any_o thing_n may_v be_v esteem_v yet_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o sin_n but_o what_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v then_o any_o of_o our_o constitution_n contrary_a to_o god_n law_n or_o have_v god_n any_o where_n forbid_v we_o to_o use_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n after_o baptism_n a_o ring_n in_o the_o celebration_n of_o marriage_n a_o surplice_n in_o divine_a service_n the_o posture_n of_o kneel_v at_o the_o reception_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n or_o any_o of_o those_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n which_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v use_v among_o we_o and_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v call_v a_o sin_n which_o god_n have_v no_o where_n forbid_v but_o if_o you_o shall_v say_v that_o though_o the_o bare_a use_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o forbid_v yet_o we_o use_v they_o after_o a_o superstitious_a manner_n whereby_o they_o become_v sinful_a i_o entreat_v you_o to_o consider_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_o declare_v that_o we_o place_v no_o holiness_n in_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o wherein_o our_o superstition_n if_o any_o there_o be_v can_v only_o consist_v but_o that_o we_o only_o use_v they_o as_o thing_n in_o themselves_o indifferent_a ordain_v by_o human_a authority_n for_o decency_n and_o order_n and_o at_o any_o time_n alterable_a by_o the_o same_o or_o the_o like_a authority_n that_o appoint_v they_o to_o conclude_v this_o point_n either_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v indifferent_a in_o themselves_o may_v possible_o be_v use_v without_o superstition_n as_o circumstance_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n or_o else_o it_o will_v scarce_o be_v possible_a to_o perform_v any_o outward_a worship_n at_o all_o without_o superstition_n for_o outward_a worship_n can_v be_v perform_v without_o outward_a circumstance_n and_o no_o man_n sure_o will_v pretend_v that_o all_o the_o outward_a circumstance_n of_o worship_n be_v prescribe_v or_o regulate_v by_o god_n himself_o since_o than_o our_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n of_o religion_n be_v thing_n in_o themselves_o indifferent_a and_o therefore_o such_o as_o may_v be_v use_v without_o superstition_n do_v you_o yourselves_o teach_v we_o how_o we_o shall_v more_o effectual_o disclaim_v all_o superstition_n in_o the_o use_n of_o they_o than_o we_o already_o do_v and_o if_o we_o give_v you_o not_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o matter_n the_o fault_n be_v just_o we_o but_o to_o charge_v we_o with_o superstition_n in_o the_o use_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o necessary_o imply_v that_o sin_n in_o themselves_o and_o that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o we_o do_v positive_o renounce_v not_o only_o the_o name_n of_o superstition_n but_o also_o the_o thing_n itself_o in_o my_o poor_a opinion_n be_v not_o so_o agreeable_a unto_o christian_a charity_n which_o believe_v all_o thing_n and_o hope_v all_o thing_n 1_o cor_fw-la 13.7_o three_o if_o then_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n there_o be_v neither_o any_o thing_n want_v which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n nor_o on_o the_o other_o side_n any_o thing_n prescribe_v in_o it_o which_o be_v sinful_a do_v it_o not_o apparent_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o our_o communion_n be_v at_o least_o innocent_a and_o that_o any_o christian_n may_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n join_v with_o we_o in_o god_n worship_n and_o sacrament_n since_o thereby_o he_o need_v not_o involve_v himself_o in_o any_o sin_n either_o of_o commission_n or_o omission_n if_o you_o shall_v say_v that_o our_o communion_n though_o to_o we_o who_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o it_o it_o may_v be_v innocent_a yet_o to_o you_o will_v be_v sinful_a because_o some_o of_o you_o judge_v it_o absolute_o unlawful_a to_o communicate_v with_o we_o and_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o act_v direct_o against_o his_o own_o conscience_n and_o other_o of_o you_o do_v at_o least_o doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a or_o not_o whereas_o in_o such_o case_n as_o these_o every_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n ro._n 14.5_o and_o he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o conform_v as_o well_o as_o if_o he_o eat_v because_o he_o conform_v not_o of_o faith_n that_o be_v to_o say_v be_v not_o thorough_o persuade_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o what_o he_o do_v for_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n v._o 23._o to_o those_o who_o judge_v our_o communion_n unlawful_a i_o must_v again_o urge_v what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v in_o the_o two_o precede_a paragraph_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o their_o judgement_n in_o this_o be_v not_o only_o false_a but_o also_o apparent_o uncharitable_a except_o they_o can_v show_v either_o that_o something_o be_v want_v and_o not_o to_o be_v have_v in_o our_o church_n which_o yet_o god_n have_v command_v or_o something_o appoint_v and_o require_v which_o god_n have_v forbid_v for_o nothing_o can_v be_v absolute_o sinful_a and_o unlawful_a except_o it_o be_v to_o omit_v the_o one_o or_o to_o do_v the_o other_o but_o as_o for_o those_o who_o only_a doubt_n that_o be_v to_o say_v be_v not_o well_o assure_v whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o conform_v to_o our_o communion_n or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v not_o able_a by_o any_o mean_n to_o clear_v their_o doubt_n and_o satisfy_v their_o scruple_n yet_o sure_o in_o such_o a_o case_n they_o ought_v to_o choose_v that_o way_n which_o be_v most_o safe_a and_o free_a from_o the_o danger_n of_o sin_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o evident_a law_n of_o god_n which_o direct_v they_o one_o way_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o forsake_v that_o way_n and_o go_v another_o upon_o such_o suggestion_n as_o they_o own_v to_o be_v but_o obscure_a and_o doubtful_a now_o what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_o command_v than_o that_o we_o shall_v seek_v and_o promote_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n as_o i_o have_v say_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o address_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v give_v obedience_n unto_o the_o command_v of_o lawful_a authority_n rom._n 13.1_o 1_o pet._n 2.13_o but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o case_n in_o hand_n suppose_v a_o man_n to_o be_v only_o doubtful_a and_o not_o resolve_v either_o way_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o conform_v to_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n by_o law_n establish_v in_o our_o church_n now_o if_o after_o a_o reasonable_a time_n for_o enquiry_n he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o determine_v this_o doubt_n so_o as_o positive_o to_o satisfy_v himself_o upon_o solid_a ground_n that_o such_o conformity_n be_v unlawful_a what_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o such_o a_o doubt_n which_o probable_o may_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o fancy_n or_o prejudice_v only_o and_o not_o of_o any_o sober_a and_o impartial_a reason_n because_o it_o never_o come_v to_o a_o determination_n shall_v be_v put_v in_o the_o balance_n against_o those_o plain_a command_n of_o god_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v and_o as_o long_o as_o such_o a_o man_n remain_v doubtful_a as_o to_o both_o side_n why_o may_v not_o the_o above_o object_v word_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v more_o strong_o urge_v for_o conformity_n than_o against_o it_o for_o why_o shall_v a_o man_n refuse_v to_o conform_v if_o he_o be_v only_o doubtful_a and_o not_o full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n that_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o conform_v and_o why_o may_v i_o not_o say_v that_o he_o that_o doubt_v be_v damn_v if_o he_o refuse_v conformity_n rather_o than_o if_o he_o conform_v because_o he_o refuse_v not_o of_o faith_n that_o be_v to_o say_v be_v not_o thorough_o persuade_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o such_o a_o refusal_n there_o be_v two_o plain_a law_n of_o god_n which_o direct_v he_o to_o conform_v and_o nothing_o but_o a_o doubt_n which_o be_v raise_v but_o upon_o obscure_a ground_n that_o restrain_v he_o from_o it_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n whether_o it_o be_v a_o action_n or_o a_o refusal_n be_v sin_n but_o if_o you_o shall_v say_v that_o to_o impose_v such_o thing_n upon_o you_o in_o the_o worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n as_o be_v in_o themselves_o indifferent_a and_o not_o command_v by_o any_o law_n of_o god_n be_v a_o infringement_n of_o your_o christian_a liberty_n which_o you_o be_v bind_v not_o to_o yield_v or_o give_v way_n to_o but_o to_o stand_v fast_o in_o the_o liberty_n wherewith_o christ_n have_v make_v you_o free_a gal._n 5.1_o i_o answer_v that_o if_o any_o church_n shall_v