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christian_n christian_a church_n union_n 2,115 5 10.0071 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61578 Of the nature of superstition a sermon preached at St Dunstans West, March 31, MDCLXXXII / by Edward Stillingfleet ... Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. 1682 (1682) Wing S5614; ESTC R18667 23,089 50

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beside_o all_o the_o judaize_v christian_n be_v not_o follower_n of_o cerinthus_n there_o be_v different_a sect_n among_o they_o as_o appear_v by_o irenaeus_n epiphanius_n and_o other_o and_o baronius_n himself_o grant_v that_o the_o pharisaical_a jew_n of_o that_o 16._o and_o follow_v age_n do_v worship_n angel_n as_o the_o host_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o essen_v have_v their_o angel_n of_o prayer_n and_o make_v their_o prayer_n to_o the_o rise_a sun_n who_o they_o look_v on_o as_o on_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o star_n as_o animate_v and_o intelligent_a being_n and_o why_o the_o judaize_v christian_n shall_v not_o retain_v their_o former_a superstition_n as_o well_o as_o their_o other_o tradition_n and_o observation_n i_o do_v not_o understand_v especial_o since_o theodoret_n so_o express_o affirm_v that_o those_o who_o then_o plead_v for_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o law_n bring_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o angel_n which_o custom_n he_o say_v continue_v a_o long_a time_n in_o phrygia_n and_o pisidia_n and_o at_o last_o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n make_v a_o canon_n against_o pray_v to_o angel_n those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v so_o sensible_a of_o the_o force_n of_o this_o testimony_n of_o theodoret_n against_o their_o practice_n that_o they_o be_v drive_v to_o desperate_a shift_n to_o avoid_v it_o bellarmine_n say_v that_o he_o speak_v 20._o against_o the_o gnostic_n whereas_o theodoret_n mention_n only_o those_o who_o be_v for_o keep_v the_o law_n baronius_n say_v in_o plain_a term_n theodoret_n be_v mistake_v and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o heretic_n then_o but_o this_o be_v so_o gross_a that_o bellarmin_n and_o other_o contradict_v he_o in_o it_o other_o therefore_o say_v that_o the_o worship_n of_o angel_n here_o speak_v against_o be_v the_o worship_v of_o they_o as_o maker_n of_o the_o world_n but_o that_o be_v more_o than_o st._n paul_n say_v for_o he_o speak_v againstthat_o worship_n which_o arise_v from_o humility_n and_o nothing_o so_o proper_a for_o that_o as_o the_o worship_v they_o as_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o we_o some_o think_v it_o be_v when_o angel_n be_v prefer_v before_o christ_n which_o be_v likewise_o more_o than_o the_o apostle_n say_v and_o they_o who_o choose_v other_o mediator_n by_o who_o god_n be_v more_o accessible_a by_o we_o do_v prefer_v they_o in_o use_n though_o not_o in_o dignity_n other_o as_o the_o jansenist_n in_o their_o new_a testament_n say_v coloss._n it_o be_v when_o angel_n be_v set_v up_o as_o mediator_n in_o opposition_n to_o christ_n but_o that_o can_v be_v the_o apostle_n meaning_n for_o than_o his_o great_a business_n will_v have_v be_v to_o have_v prove_v christ_n to_o be_v the_o true_a mediator_n and_o not_o angel_n and_o if_o any_o religious_a worship_n of_o angel_n have_v be_v agreeable_a with_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n the_o apostle_n will_v never_o have_v thus_o in_o general_n condemn_v it_o but_o with_o such_o restriction_n and_o limitation_n as_o make_v it_o to_o be_v evil_a therefore_o to_o avoid_v these_o difficulty_n some_o conclude_v that_o by_o the_o worship_n of_o angel_n be_v understand_v such_o a_o worship_n as_o be_v introduce_v by_o a_o pretend_a revelation_n of_o angel_n but_o against_o this_o we_o have_v the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n st._n hierome_n st._n ambrose_n 10._o oecumenius_n theophylact_fw-mi who_o all_o agree_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o worship_n give_v to_o angel_n so_o impossible_a it_o be_v for_o those_o who_o either_o give_v themselves_o or_o justify_v and_o allow_v the_o give_v by_o other_o any_o religious_a worship_n to_o angel_n to_o escape_v fall_v under_o the_o apostle_n censure_n of_o be_v seducer_n and_o corrupt_a the_o gospel_n of_o christ._n 2._o about_o strict_a abstinence_n and_o great_a severity_n of_o life_n for_o these_o seducer_n give_v out_o that_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v yet_o very_o defective_a in_o this_o matter_n and_o that_o there_o be_v several_a society_n of_o man_n both_o among_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n which_o go_v very_o far_o beyond_o they_o as_o the_o essen_v the_o pythagorean_n the_o gymnosophist_n and_o other_o who_o far_o outstrip_v the_o christian_n in_o watch_n and_o fast_n in_o the_o hard_a usage_n of_o their_o body_n and_o a_o total_a abstinence_n from_o wine_n and_o flesh_n and_o other_o lawful_a pleasure_n of_o life_n on_o which_o account_n these_o false_a teacher_n represent_v the_o christianity_n as_o yet_o receive_v in_o these_o church_n as_o too_o soft_a and_o gentle_a a_o institution_n and_o not_o answer_v the_o character_n that_o be_v give_v of_o it_o but_o if_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o set_v it_o off_o with_o advantage_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a for_o they_o to_o take_v in_o some_o of_o the_o strict_a precept_n of_o those_o society_n especial_o relate_v to_o meat_n and_o marriage_n touch_v not_o taste_v not_o handle_v not_o which_o they_o magnify_v as_o the_o great_a instance_n of_o true_a religion_n self-denial_n humility_n mortification_n without_o which_o they_o despise_v the_o christian_a institution_n as_o a_o mean_a and_o ordinary_a thing_n require_v only_o the_o belief_n of_o some_o great_a thing_n do_v and_o suffer_v by_o jesus_n christ_n in_o judea_n and_o the_o adhere_n thereto_o till_o death_n and_o do_v those_o office_n of_o humanity_n and_o kindness_n to_o each_o other_o and_o those_o duty_n of_o religion_n to_o god_n which_o all_o mankind_n think_v fit_a and_o reasonable_a to_o be_v do_v but_o these_o pretend_a refiner_n of_o christianity_n be_v not_o content_v with_o such_o common_a thing_n they_o must_v set_v up_o for_o something_o singular_a and_o extraordinary_a so_o epiphanius_n observe_v of_o the_o gnostic_n in_o the_o beginning_n that_o they_o condemn_v marriage_n 63._o and_o abstain_v from_o flesh_n that_o under_o these_o pretence_n they_o may_v draw_v other_o into_o their_o snare_n and_o likewise_o of_o the_o ebionite_n one_o of_o the_o 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little_a effect_n have_v this_o wise_a and_o timely_a caution_n give_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o 339._o this_o place_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v deceive_v in_o that_o or_o follow_v generation_n cajetan_n confess_v himself_o to_o seek_v what_o sort_n of_o man_n those_o be_v the_o apostle_n discourse_n against_o but_o it_o seem_v most_o probable_a to_o i_o that_o they_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o judaize_v christian_n who_o endeavour_v to_o introduce_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o jewish_a essen_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o when_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o 876._o the_o jewish_a custom_n he_o mention_n not_o other_o but_o such_o as_o be_v in_o esteem_n among_o they_o he_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v disesteem_v among_o 42._o they_o but_o let_v no_o man_n judge_v you_o in_o meat_n which_o among_o 16._o they_o be_v only_o bread_n and_o salt_n or_o in_o drink_n which_o be_v only_o water_n or_o in_o respect_n of_o a_o holiday_n or_o new_a moon_n 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occasion_n do_v almost_o universal_o obtain_v before_o the_o christian_a religion_n prevail_v in_o the_o world_n but_o again_o other_o deity_n be_v presume_v to_o be_v so_o nice_a and_o squeamish_a that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v offer_v they_o but_o milk_n and_o wine_n and_o honey_n and_o some_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n it_o be_v infinite_a to_o relate_v the_o rite_n and_o custom_n of_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o all_o the_o way_n they_o use_v to_o please_v their_o god_n and_o to_o find_v out_o whether_o they_o be_v please_v or_o not_o by_o the_o posture_n the_o tongue_n the_o entrail_n of_o their_o beast_n by_o the_o fly_n of_o bird_n the_o feed_n of_o chicken_n the_o fall_n of_o a_o staff_n the_o hole_n of_o a_o sieve_n etc._n etc._n and_o innumerable_a way_n of_o divination_n by_o which_o they_o flatter_v themselves_o that_o they_o understand_v the_o good_a will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o their_o god_n which_o do_v not_o so_o much_o satisfy_v their_o curiosity_n as_o fill_v they_o 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recommend_v the_o practice_n of_o fast_v as_o there_o be_v just_a occasion_n especial_o before_o the_o great_a solemnity_n of_o easter_n wherein_o both_o the_o sacrament_n be_v administer_v with_o more_o than_o ordinary_a devotion_n and_o the_o penitent_n reconcile_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n if_o we_o look_v at_o this_o day_n into_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n how_o great_a a_o part_n of_o it_o be_v relapse_v into_o almost_o heathen_a superstition_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n and_o saint_n and_o angel_n as_o mediator_n and_o no_o great_a difference_n in_o the_o outward_a solemnity_n and_o procession_n save_v that_o their_o sacrifice_n be_v turn_v into_o a_o consecrate_a wafer_n which_o be_v carry_v in_o procession_n as_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v great_a pretence_n to_o will-worship_n and_o humility_n and_o neglect_v the_o body_n in_o several_a order_n of_o man_n and_o those_o be_v look_v on_o as_o way_n of_o great_a perfection_n than_o live_v in_o the_o world_n and_o do_v good_a in_o it_o which_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v agreeable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n or_o our_o apostle_n here_o but_o where_o there_o be_v not_o only_a sanctity_n and_o merit_n place_v in_o such_o observation_n but_o supererogation_n too_o they_o flat_o contradict_v s_n t_o paul_n for_o if_o that_o be_v true_a these_o thing_n have_v far_o more_o than_o the_o show_n of_o wisdom_n for_o what_o wise_a thing_n can_v any_o man_n do_v than_o not_o only_o to_o provide_v for_o his_o own_o salvation_n but_o for_o other_o too_o in_o the_o eastern_a church_n the_o best_a part_n i_o fear_v of_o their_o remain_a christianity_n lie_v in_o the_o strict_a observe_v the_o fast_n and_o feast_n of_o the_o church_n they_o mighty_o despise_v the_o fast_v practise_v in_o the_o roman_a church_n as_o not_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o fast_v because_o they_o end_v it_o at_o noon_n
apprehend_v to_o be_v unlawful_a by_o virtue_n of_o a_o general_a command_n for_o that_o be_v a_o moral_a duty_n and_o obedience_n to_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o bid_v we_o abstain_v from_o all_o kind_n and_o appearance_n of_o evil_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v plain_a here_o be_v a_o negative_a superstition_n in_o the_o forbearance_n of_o lawful_a thing_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o dispute_n between_o christ_n and_o the_o pharisee_n about_o heal_v on_o 12._o the_o sabbath_n day_n they_o think_v it_o unlawful_a christ_n declare_v it_o to_o be_v lawful_a to_o do_v good_a on_o the_o sabbath_n days_n here_o be_v no_o positive_a observance_n on_o the_o pharisee_n part_n yet_o here_o be_v superstition_n in_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o superstition_n do_v extend_v to_o the_o forbearance_n of_o thing_n in_o themselves_o lawful_a as_o displease_v to_o god_n but_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v when_o such_o a_o forbearance_n be_v superstitious_a by_o these_o rule_n 1._o if_o such_o a_o forbearance_n be_v think_v to_o bring_v some_o special_a honour_n to_o god_n for_o then_o even_o dr._n ames_n himself_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v superstition_n to_o abstain_v 101._o from_o lawful_a thing_n though_o account_v unlawful_a by_o the_o person_n who_o abstain_v when_o some_o singular_a service_n and_o honour_n be_v by_o that_o abstinence_n intend_v for_o than_o he_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o ceremonious_a worship_n the_o question_n than_o be_v when_o this_o case_n happen_v for_o our_o abstinence_n from_o popish_a or_o mahometan_a superstition_n be_v not_o any_o special_a act_n of_o service_n or_o honour_n to_o god_n but_o if_o we_o live_v where_o those_o act_n of_o worship_n be_v require_v by_o lawful_a authority_n and_o we_o refuse_v to_o comply_v with_o they_o that_o will_v be_v a_o special_a act_n of_o honour_n and_o worship_n to_o god_n it_o be_v a_o declaration_n of_o our_o mind_n that_o we_o think_v god_n dishonour_v by_o such_o act_n and_o therefore_o dare_v not_o comply_v with_o they_o it_o be_v once_o a_o great_a question_n among_o the_o papist_n whether_o they_o may_v lawful_o come_v to_o our_o church_n or_o not_o and_o if_o not_o to_o our_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n yet_o to_o our_o sermon_n to_o avoid_v the_o severe_a penalty_n of_o the_o law_n and_o after_o great_a debate_n both_o by_o a_o committee_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o afterward_o at_o rome_n it_o be_v resolve_v in_o the_o negative_a upon_o this_o reason_n because_o in_o our_o circumstance_n it_o be_v signum_fw-la distinctivum_fw-la cultûs_fw-la a_o mark_n of_o distinction_n as_o to_o religious_a worship_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o special_a honour_n and_o service_n to_o god_n to_o forbear_v to_o abstain_v from_o pour_v out_o wine_n and_z throwing_z incense_n in_o the_o fire_n be_v in_o itself_o no_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o when_o the_o heathen_a emperor_n command_v the_o christian_n to_o do_v it_o in_o token_n of_o compliance_n with_o their_o religion_n their_o abstain_v then_o from_o it_o be_v a_o singular_a act_n of_o worship_n to_o god_n so_o in_o the_o present_a case_n when_o man_n be_v require_v by_o lawful_a authority_n to_o do_v thing_n which_o in_o themselves_o be_v lawful_a to_o testify_v their_o union_n and_o conjunction_n with_o we_o in_o religion_n their_o refusal_n in_o this_o case_n be_v a_o special_a act_n of_o worship_n and_o be_v without_o ground_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o superstition_n 2._o when_o man_n value_v and_o esteem_v themselves_o as_o more_o holy_a and_o more_o in_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n on_o the_o account_n of_o such_o forbearance_n as_o the_o pharisee_n do_v on_o the_o account_n of_o their_o tradition_n who_o believe_v that_o god_n have_v no_o such_o people_n upon_o earth_n as_o they_o be_v and_o despise_v other_o who_o be_v far_o near_o to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n than_o themselves_o as_o mere_a publican_n and_o sinner_n and_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a to_o mankind_n to_o set_v a_o great_a value_n upon_o themselves_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o affect_a singularity_n in_o religion_n and_o in_o a_o transport_n of_o pride_n and_o vanity_n to_o tell_v god_n himself_o as_o the_o pharisee_n do_v that_o they_o be_v not_o like_o other_o man_n but_o this_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n whatfoever_o they_o pretend_v that_o they_o look_v on_o the_o forbearance_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o other_o do_v as_o a_o part_n of_o holiness_n and_o if_o they_o do_v so_o it_o be_v undoubted_o superstition_n for_o on_o this_o ground_n we_o charge_v the_o papist_n with_o superstition_n in_o their_o ceremony_n because_o they_o place_v holiness_n in_o they_o it_o be_v true_a they_o say_v they_o be_v the_o instrument_n to_o convey_v some_o degree_n of_o holiness_n to_o they_o but_o this_o make_v no_o material_a difference_n for_o those_o who_o account_v themselves_o more_o in_o god_n esteem_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o such_o thing_n do_v attribute_v some_o real_a efficacy_n to_o such_o distinctive_a character_n of_o themselves_o as_o to_o the_o obtain_v the_o favour_n of_o god_n 3._o when_o they_o forbear_v necessary_a duty_n of_o religion_n rather_o than_o comply_v with_o other_o in_o lawful_a thing_n as_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n they_o live_v in_o in_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n which_o can_v be_v deny_v to_o be_v necessary_a duty_n but_o if_o man_n resolve_v rather_o to_o forbear_v these_o than_o to_o join_v in_o such_o ceremony_n and_o prayer_n as_o do_v accompany_v the_o performance_n of_o they_o it_o be_v a_o sign_n they_o prefer_v the_o follow_v their_o own_o imagination_n before_o the_o join_n in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n in_o the_o most_o unquestionable_a duty_n of_o religion_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o encratitae_n of_o old_a who_o think_v it_o unlawful_a to_o taste_v of_o wine_n and_o therefore_o refuse_v to_o communicate_v in_o the_o eucharist_n unless_o they_o may_v have_v it_o in_o water_n alone_o be_v not_o this_o a_o great_a superstition_n in_o they_o rather_o to_o forbear_v communicate_v with_o the_o church_n than_o not_o to_o observe_v their_o own_o fancy_n in_o what_o they_o think_v most_o please_v to_o god_n as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v it_o now_o to_o apply_v this_o to_o our_o own_o case_n we_o be_v often_o blame_v for_o lay_v too_o great_a weight_n on_o the_o ceremony_n of_o this_o church_n but_o certain_o never_o any_o church_n lay_v less_o weight_n upon_o its_o own_o order_n suppose_v that_o it_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v just_a and_o reasonable_a it_o place_v no_o holiness_n no_o merit_n no_o efficacy_n in_o they_o as_o to_o the_o obtain_v the_o grace_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n it_o expect_v obedience_n only_o for_o order_n and_o peace-sake_n it_o have_v take_v great_a care_n by_o preface_n and_o canon_n and_o rubric_n to_o prevent_v any_o misinterpretation_n of_o its_o intention_n and_o design_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n those_o who_o dissent_v from_o we_o lay_v so_o great_a weight_n on_o their_o scruple_n that_o they_o will_v rather_o hazard_v break_v a_o church_n in_o piece_n ruine_v our_o religion_n by_o our_o difference_n lose_v all_o the_o benefit_n of_o communion_n with_o a_o church_n who_o doctrine_n they_o approve_v in_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o religious_a worship_n than_o they_o will_v yield_v to_o the_o allowance_n of_o those_o circumstance_n of_o our_o communion_n which_o our_o church_n require_v and_o now_o on_o which_o side_n the_o charge_n of_o superstition_n more_o just_o lie_v let_v all_o that_o be_v impartial_a judge_n so_o much_o i_o think_v necessary_a on_o this_o occasion_n to_o speak_v in_o vindication_n of_o our_o church_n from_o this_o common_a imputation_n of_o superstition_n by_o those_o who_o so_o little_o understand_v what_o it_o mean_v nothing_o now_o remain_v but_o to_o make_v application_n of_o all_o to_o ourselves_o you_o see_v how_o much_o mischief_n the_o show_n of_o wisdom_n be_v like_a to_o do_v in_o the_o apostolical_a church_n let_v we_o all_o have_v a_o care_n of_o be_v deceive_v by_o it_o it_o be_v long_o since_o observe_v by_o menander_n that_o thing_n which_o be_v like_o truth_n be_v more_o easy_o believe_v by_o the_o generality_n men._n of_o mankind_n than_o truth_n itself_o so_o i_o be_o afraid_a it_o be_v about_o religion_n which_o be_v the_o wisdomhere_o speak_v of_o that_o which_o make_v a_o great_a show_n of_o it_o to_o the_o world_n be_v more_o apt_a to_o prevail_v among_o person_n of_o weak_a and_o well_o dispose_v mind_n than_o true_a wisdom_n for_o the_o show_n of_o wisdom_n strike_v more_o upon_o the_o fancy_n and_o inclination_n of_o such_o person_n than_o sober_a calm_a and_o well-weighed_a religion_n which_o seem_v dull_a and_o flat_a to_o those_o who_o have_v more_o warmth_n and_o zeal_n than_o judgement_n and_o discretion_n and_o i_o do_v not_o at_o all_o