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	unity_n	1,522	5	9.2638	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52357	The true liberty & dominion of conscience vindicated, from the usurpations & abuses of opinion, and persuasion	Nalson, John, 1638?-1686.	1677 (1677)	Wing N117; ESTC R19982	50,790	152

apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o many_o of_o they_o be_v such_o as_o by_o martyrdom_n do_v with_o their_o dear_a blood_n set_v their_o seal_n to_o the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n such_o who_o live_v in_o those_o age_n before_o rome_n and_o her_o bishop_n ever_o think_v of_o usurp_a the_o title_n of_o universal_a and_o therefore_o can_v be_v think_v guilty_a of_o any_o combination_n with_o they_o in_o erect_v or_o impose_v this_o way_n of_o government_n upon_o the_o christian_n world_n second_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o judgement_n that_o this_o way_n of_o government_n be_v the_o best_a follow_v the_o better_a more_o sure_a and_o warrantable_a part_n viz._n the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n peace_n and_o unity_n charity_n with_o the_o first_o best_a and_o past_a age_n of_o the_o church_n who_o all_o live_v and_o die_v under_o obedience_n to_o this_o way_n of_o government_n of_o all_o which_o glorious_a martyr_n saint_n and_o confessor_n it_o be_v the_o most_o uncharitable_a opinion_n to_o judge_v and_o condemn_v they_o as_o be_v guilty_a of_o live_v and_o die_v in_o defend_v maintain_v and_o practise_v a_o way_n of_o government_n altogether_o unagreeable_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n and_o will_n of_o god_n as_o all_o dissenter_n will_v persuade_v the_o world_n whilst_o they_o tell_v they_o this_o government_n be_v unlawful_a and_o antichristian_a it_o follow_v likewise_o peace_n and_o unity_n both_o with_o that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v now_o triumphant_a and_o with_o the_o universal_a church_n militant_a over_o all_o the_o world_n who_o except_o some_o few_o of_o the_o disciple_n of_o calvin_n all_o agree_v in_o this_o way_n of_o government_n last_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v this_o way_n of_o government_n to_o be_v the_o best_a in_o regard_n that_o it_o do_v more_o than_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o promote_v the_o great_a design_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o almighty_a god_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n here_o by_o piety_n peace_n justice_n and_o unity_n in_o order_n to_o their_o eternal_a happiness_n hereafter_o follow_v herein_o the_o doctrine_n command_n and_o example_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n and_o his_o holy_a apostle_n without_o turn_v to_o the_o right_a hand_n or_o to_o the_o left_a beside_o we_o have_v other_o very_a strong_a inducement_n to_o persuade_v we_o that_o this_o government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v the_o best_a as_o be_v that_o which_o by_o god_n own_o appointment_n and_o approbation_n be_v establish_v in_o the_o very_a infancy_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o divine_o inspire_a apostle_n and_o for_o this_o belief_n these_o among_o many_o other_o be_v very_o probable_a and_o persuasive_a reason_n first_o the_o great_a blessing_n which_o god_n have_v impart_v to_o the_o world_n under_o this_o way_n of_o government_n by_o episcopacy_n for_o it_o be_v notorious_o know_v that_o all_o the_o world_n which_o do_v embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n receive_v it_o with_o and_o from_o this_o government_n second_o which_o be_v very_o remarkable_a and_o a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o former_a it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v any_o church_n which_o wear_v a_o ancient_a name_n and_o pretend_v to_o be_v of_o primitive_a conversion_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n but_o how_o much_o soever_o they_o may_v have_v degenerate_v in_o other_o thing_n yet_o still_o they_o retain_v this_o way_n of_o government_n witness_v the_o roman_a greek_a armenian_a and_o even_o the_o barbarous_a russian_a and_o aethiopian_a church_n who_o though_o in_o other_o matter_n they_o differ_v as_o wide_o in_o opinion_n as_o in_o climate_n which_o according_a to_o the_o adage_n be_v toto_fw-la coelo_fw-la yet_o in_o this_o they_o do_v all_o most_o harmonious_o agree_v retain_v both_o the_o name_n dignity_n and_o office_n of_o bishop_n as_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n among_o they_o and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v any_o one_o thing_n except_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n which_o contain_v the_o fundamental_o of_o our_o faith_n which_o heaven_n have_v appear_v so_o solicitous_a to_o preserve_v unaltered_a and_o uncorrupted_a as_o this_o way_n of_o government_n in_o the_o whole_a christian_n world_n last_o this_o very_a argument_n which_o with_o so_o much_o pomp_n and_o triumphant_a solemnity_n be_v perpetual_o by_o all_o dissenter_n urge_v as_o invincible_a and_o unanswerable_a if_o it_o be_v well_o examine_v will_v depose_v plain_o for_o episcopacy_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o positive_a rule_n or_o command_v in_o scripture_n for_o it_o be_v a●_n strong_a and_o it_o may_v be_v a_o more_o powerful_a argument_n for_o it_o than_o they_o who_o make_v use_v of_o it_o be_v aware_a of_o and_o the_o true_a reason_n why_o in_o scripture_n there_o be_v no_o more_o say_v to_o justify_v it_o with_o the_o high_a probability_n may_v be_v believe_v to_o be_v because_o with_o a_o nemine_fw-la contradicente_fw-la it_o be_v by_o a_o unquestioned_a consent_n acknowledge_v by_o all_o those_o who_o do_v embrace_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o there_o be_v none_o find_v then_o nor_o in_o many_o age_n after_o so_o impious_a or_o audacious_a to_o oppose_v or_o contradict_v it_o and_o have_v there_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o government_n either_o unreasonable_a or_o contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n who_o hatred_n make_v they_o curious_o inquisitive_a into_o whatsoever_o may_v appear_v a_o defect_n in_o christian_a religion_n will_v certain_o with_o their_o quick-sighted_a malice_n have_v discover_v it_o the_o discovery_n of_o which_o will_v have_v import_v as_o much_o as_o they_o do_v desire_v that_o be_v the_o subversion_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o very_a foundation_n but_o so_o great_a be_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o this_o point_n and_o so_o excellent_a and_o irreprehensible_a do_v the_o government_n appear_v that_o in_o all_o the_o opposition_n religion_n meet_v withal_o though_o not_o a_o article_n of_o the_o faith_n can_v escape_v their_o censure_n we_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n against_o this_o way_n of_o government_n and_o well_o it_o be_v there_o be_v then_o such_o unity_n for_o can_v those_o enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n have_v meet_v with_o half_a those_o division_n which_o now_o christian_n have_v make_v among_o themselves_o they_o will_v certain_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o a_o miracle_n to_o preserve_v it_o have_v improve_v they_o to_o the_o utter_a ruin_n of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o there_o be_v no_o road_n lead_v so_o direct_o as_o that_o which_o undermine_v the_o government_n in_o short_a i_o do_v hearty_o wish_v that_o all_o those_o who_o be_v so_o zealous_o it_o be_v well_o if_o i_o may_v not_o say_v furious_o bend_v and_o opposite_a against_o root_n and_o branch_n of_o episcopacy_n will_v consider_v serious_o at_o what_o they_o strike_v and_o whether_o they_o do_v not_o real_o affront_v he_o who_o as_o the_o root_n of_o it_o be_v by_o st._n peter_n style_v the_o great_a shepherd_n and_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n 2.25_o 1_o pet._n 2.25_o chap._n ix_o the_o pretence_n of_o dissenter_n that_o their_o way_n of_o government_n be_v the_o best_a and_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o episcopacy_n examine_v and_o try_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n abovementioned_a concern_v indifferent_a thing_n and_o action_n let_v we_o now_o see_v any_o other_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n which_o can_v make_v so_o fair_a so_o true_a so_o just_a a_o plea_n for_o itself_o as_o episcopacy_n have_v do_v whether_o presbyterian_a independent_a anabaptist_n quaker_n or_o any_o other_o of_o what_o name_n or_o distinction_n soever_o who_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o fly_v from_o her_o communion_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o present_a government_n by_o bishop_n first_o there_o be_v not_o any_o of_o these_o that_o can_v show_v express_a word_n or_o command_v of_o scripture_n for_o that_o way_n of_o government_n which_o they_o will_v introduce_v and_o therefore_o they_o be_v unjust_a to_o we_o whilst_o they_o cry_v up_o their_o own_o way_n and_o endeavour_v to_o impose_v it_o upon_o the_o world_n as_o matter_n of_o conscience_n since_o as_o before_o have_v be_v prove_v nothing_o can_v be_v so_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n for_o which_o there_o be_v not_o a_o plain_a and_o positive_a command_n or_o a_o natural_a and_o true_a consequence_n from_o scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o conscience_n or_o admit_v their_o proposition_n that_o all_o government_n be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a and_o the_o best_a to_o be_v prefer_v how_o do_v they_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o best_a i_o hope_v they_o be_v better_o reconcile_v to_o common_a sense_n reason_n and_o custom_n than_o to_o think_v their_o own_o assertion_n or_o testimony_n sufficient_a to_o convince_v we_o that_o it_o be_v so_o since_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o be_v truth_n itself_o yet_o

a_o just_a and_o warrantable_a if_o not_o a_o undeniable_a plea_n to_o a_o divine_a right_n second_o there_o be_v long_a succession_n of_o both_o of_o this_o very_a race_n of_o king_n for_o above_o 600_o year_n and_o long_o may_v their_o imperial_a crown_n and_o royal_a dignity_n flourish_v and_o increase_v even_o so_o long_o as_o the_o sun_n and_o the_o moon_n endure_v and_o for_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n it_o be_v of_o much_o a_o ancient_a date_n and_o though_o the_o time_n be_v not_o certain_a yet_o that_o the_o britain_n do_v very_o early_o receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o with_o it_o episcopal_a government_n be_v a_o thing_n not_o to_o be_v doubt_v if_o we_o will_v give_v any_o credit_n to_o the_o ancient_a historian_n some_o of_o which_o will_v persuade_v we_o that_o britain_n be_v christian_n as_o soon_o or_o even_o before_o rome_n itself_o last_o there_o be_v choice_n and_o a_o freedom_n of_o election_n in_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o which_o represent_v the_o gross_a body_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o be_v one_o part_n of_o the_o authority_n thereof_o as_o for_o the_o interest_n which_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o most_o honourable_a peerage_n have_v in_o the_o management_n of_o public_a affair_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o dear_a buy_v fundamental_o of_o the_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la it_o be_v a_o thing_n never_o dispute_v till_o the_o late_a day_n of_o confusion_n when_o the_o very_a foundation_n be_v violent_o tear_v up_o by_o the_o root_n with_o the_o tempest_n or_o rather_o hurricane_a of_o religious_a rebellion_n and_o i_o hope_v it_o will_v never_o come_v to_o a_o second_o vote_n that_o the_o house_n of_o peer_n be_v useless_a to_o this_o nation_n or_o a_o government_n without_o they_o so_o that_o here_o be_v whatsoever_o be_v requisite_a to_o make_v any_o authority_n lawful_a so_o as_o to_o have_v a_o just_a right_n and_o dominion_n over_o all_o those_o who_o live_v under_o it_o for_o the_o final_a determination_n and_o conclusion_n of_o all_o indifferent_a thing_n both_o in_o religious_a and_o civil_a affair_n that_o this_o may_v appear_v plain_a to_o every_o apprehension_n we_o will_v give_v a_o instance_n in_o a_o point_n controvert_v among_o we_o prayer_n be_v a_o immediate_a act_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o of_o itself_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v perform_v to_o god_n 21.13_o psal_n 65.2_o matth._n 21.13_o who_o be_v the_o god_n of_o all_o flesh_n and_o therefore_o unto_o he_o shall_v all_o flesh_n come_v because_o he_o hear_v prayer_n and_o his_o house_n be_v the_o house_n of_o prayer_n for_o all_o nation_n but_o to_o pray_v in_o a_o set_n and_o prescribe_v form_n of_o word_n or_o to_o pray_v as_o a_o man_n ability_n give_v he_o leave_v or_o as_o it_o be_v call_v by_o extempore_o prayer_n according_a as_o the_o present_a occasion_n may_v seem_v to_o require_v be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o if_o either_o be_v do_v with_o all_o due_a circumstance_n they_o may_v be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n but_o now_o one_o man_n be_v persuade_v that_o set_v form_n in_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n be_v the_o best_a another_o think_v extempore_o prayer_n the_o best_a way_n so_o long_o as_o this_o be_v undetermined_a by_o a_o lawful_a authority_n every_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o follow_v his_o private_a opinion_n because_o conscience_n oblige_v he_o to_o follow_v that_o determination_n of_o his_o judgement_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n which_o he_o be_v full_o persuade_v be_v the_o best_a and_o conduce_v most_o effectual_o to_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o promote_a of_o piety_n but_o because_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n persuasion_n and_o practice_n in_o this_o duty_n be_v apt_a to_o breed_v division_n and_o dissension_n and_o to_o prejudice_v if_o not_o ruin_v that_o unity_n peace_n charity_n and_o order_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v preserve_v inviolate_a among_o all_o man_n especial_o christian_n therefore_o that_o authority_n which_o have_v a_o just_a power_n over_o we_o as_o be_v of_o god_n appointment_n of_o long_a succession_n and_o of_o our_o own_o choice_n to_o prevent_v these_o disorder_n and_o the_o confusion_n and_o danger_n which_o may_v ensue_v upon_o division_n of_o mind_n and_o difference_n of_o practice_n interpose_v itself_o and_o consider_v that_o our_o great_a lord_n and_o saviour_n who_o tell_v we_o he_o be_v to_o be_v our_o example_n prescribe_v a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n and_o positive_o command_v his_o disciple_n so_o to_o pray_v 11.2_o luke_n 11.2_o when_o you_o pray_v say_v our_o father_n etc._n etc._n that_o both_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_a church_n do_v and_o do_v use_n and_o approve_v set_v form_n of_o prayer_n in_o public_a worship_n that_o hereby_o rash_a and_o inconsiderate_a man_n shall_v not_o have_v liberty_n to_o utter_v any_o thing_n before_o god_n 6.7_o mat._n 6.7_o nor_o to_o use_v vain_a repetition_n as_o the_o heathen_a do_v nor_o which_o be_v much_o worse_a than_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o in_o their_o much_o speak_n for_o which_o they_o think_v to_o be_v hear_v nonsense_n indecent_a or_o irreverend_a expression_n that_o man_n of_o great_a ability_n shall_v not_o be_v puff_v up_o and_o those_o who_o have_v not_o that_o freedom_n and_o fluency_n of_o utterance_n shall_v not_o be_v despise_v in_o regard_n for_o their_o piety_n soundness_n of_o judgement_n integrity_n of_o life_n or_o ability_n to_o govern_v they_o may_v be_v of_o as_o great_a use_n in_o the_o church_n as_o other_o that_o hereby_o the_o ignorant_a and_o unlearned_a shall_v be_v better_a able_a to_o join_v with_o he_o that_o minister_v know_v what_o he_o be_v to_o say_v than_o if_o they_o do_v not_o and_o with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n may_v say_v amen_o which_o i_o be_o sure_a to_o every_o exit_fw-la tempore_fw-la prayer_n they_o can_v and_o that_o all_o man_n may_v by_o uniformity_n be_v bring_v to_o unity_n that_o so_o necessary_a bond_n of_o perfection_n both_o as_o to_o religion_n and_o civil_a policy_n for_o these_o and_o many_o other_o necessary_a and_o prudent_a consideration_n this_o lawful_a authority_n judge_n it_o most_o conducive_a to_o god_n glory_n most_o agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n and_o most_o effectual_a to_o procure_v the_o happiness_n of_o those_o under_o their_o authority_n both_o here_o and_o hereafter_o to_o prescribe_v and_o command_v a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n in_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o almighty_a god_n and_o now_o that_o which_o before_o be_v indifferent_a become_v necessary_a in_o point_n of_o conscience_n because_o the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a in_o the_o case_n that_o lawful_a authority_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v in_o whatsoever_o it_o command_v that_o be_v not_o simple_o and_o absolute_o unlawful_a and_o that_o for_o conscience_n sake_n and_o the_o obligation_n which_o before_o i_o may_v have_v from_o my_o private_a opinion_n or_o persuasion_n aught_o in_o modesty_n as_o well_o as_o duty_n and_o charity_n to_o give_v way_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o my_o lawful_a superior_n in_o all_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o therefore_o they_o who_o now_o it_o be_v determine_v either_o despise_v it_o or_o refuse_v to_o use_v it_o or_o to_o join_v with_o those_o who_o do_v use_v it_o sin_n against_o conscience_n because_o against_o many_o plain_a and_o positive_a command_n of_o scripture_n before_o mention_v and_o for_o which_o st._n paul_n seem_v extreme_o solicitous_a as_o well_o know_v pride_n and_o disobedience_n to_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a sin_n and_o therefore_o command_v that_o man_n be_v put_v in_o mind_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o forget_v their_o duty_n that_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o principality_n and_o power_n 3.1_o tit._n 3.1_o to_o obey_v magistrate_n the_o very_a same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o present_a authority_n of_o this_o nation_n which_o by_o be_v command_v from_o indifferent_a become_v necessary_a and_o with_o such_o a_o dreadful_a necessity_n that_o whosoever_o resist_v a_o lawful_a power_n if_o st._n paul_n be_v to_o be_v credit_v shall_v receive_v to_o themselves_o damnation_n and_o let_v they_o serious_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o how_o light_a a_o matter_n soever_o it_o may_v be_v make_v there_o be_v no_o man_n who_o do_v thus_o wilful_o resist_v and_o disobey_v authority_n that_o can_v hope_v for_o salvation_n as_o for_o those_o who_o do_v it_o in_o ignorance_n i_o will_v not_o determine_v how_o indulgent_a god_n may_v be_v to_o they_o but_o they_o must_v know_v that_o though_o god_n may_v have_v wink_v at_o their_o former_a ignorance_n yet_o now_o he_o command_v they_o and_o all_o man_n every_o where_o to_o repent_v and_o they_o will_v be_v inexcusable_a if_o they_o be_v ignorant_a because_o they_o will_v be_v so_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n therefore_o to_o look_v for_o a_o better_a information_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o lay_v