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christian_n church_n communion_n separation_n 1,256 5 10.3360 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A29104 A perswasive (sic) to peace and unity a sermon preached before the Lord-Mayor and the aldermen of the city of London ; at the Church of St. Mary le-bow, on Sunday, January 16th 1697/8 / by Samuel Bradford. Bradford, Samuel, 1652-1731. 1698 (1698) Wing B4117; ESTC R6286 17,512 34

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out_o of_o a_o pure_a heart_n and_o a_o little_a after_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n must_v not_o strive_v but_o be_v gentle_a unto_o all_o man_n patient_n in_o meekness_n instruct_v those_o that_o oppose_v themselves_o which_o though_o it_o be_v speak_v primary_o to_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o concern_v all_o christian_n in_o general_a as_o be_v servant_n also_o of_o the_o same_o lord_n 9.50_o mark_v 9.50_o i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o particular_a with_o our_o saviour_n precept_n to_o his_o immediate_a follower_n and_o in_o they_o to_o all_o that_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v in_o he_o have_v salt_n in_o yourselves_o and_o have_v peace_n one_o with_o another_o that_o be_v see_v that_o you_o be_v season_v with_o that_o spiritual_a wisdom_n and_o that_o divine_a temper_n of_o mind_n which_o may_v render_v you_o acceptable_a both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o particular_o in_o order_n to_o the_o same_o end_n maintain_v a_o constant_a peace_n and_o agreement_n among_o yourselves_o to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n imply_v yet_o more_o particular_o a_o preserve_a entire_a as_o far_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v the_o external_n communion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n i_o be_o sensible_a that_o consider_v the_o divide_a state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o present_a age_n this_o be_v a_o very_a tender_a point_n to_o discourse_v of_o but_o as_o i_o shall_v speak_v so_o i_o desire_v to_o be_v hear_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n and_o charity_n which_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v the_o true_a spirit_n of_o christianity_n external_n communion_n may_v be_v very_o proper_o call_v the_o bond_n of_o peace_n in_o as_o much_o as_o it_o show_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o christian_n own_o themselves_o one_o body_n and_o especial_o as_o it_o tend_v to_o preserve_v they_o in_o that_o state_n this_o be_v one_o great_a end_n and_o design_n of_o our_o be_v appoint_v to_o meet_v together_o to_o 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a_o persuasive_a to_o peace_n and_o unity_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o right_n honourable_a the_o lord-mayor_n and_o the_o alderman_n of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n at_o the_o church_n of_o st._n marry_o le-bow_n on_o sunday_n january_n 16_o 1697_o 1698._o by_o samvel_n bradford_n rector_n of_o the_o say_a church_n london_n print_v for_o brab_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n near_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n 1698._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a sir_n humphrey_n edwin_n k_n nt_v lord_z mayor_z of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n and_o the_o court_n of_o alderman_n right_o honourable_a the_o publish_v this_o discourse_n be_v pure_o a_o act_n of_o obedience_n to_o your_o order_n it_o be_v design_v to_o have_v go_v no_o far_o than_o the_o place_n in_o which_o it_o be_v preach_v when_o you_o be_v please_v to_o come_v in_o a_o body_n to_o my_o church_n upon_o so_o solemn_a a_o occasion_n as_o that_o of_o partake_v of_o the_o holy_a communion_n in_o compliance_n 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into_o so_o many_o distinct_a and_o separate_a communion_n i_o will_v not_o now_o inquire_v but_o till_o we_o can_v attain_v to_o this_o disposition_n i_o can_v foresee_v nothing_o else_o but_o that_o our_o division_n must_v be_v propagate_v without_o reason_n and_o without_o end_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o which_o be_v but_o a_o melancholy_a thought_n to_o any_o one_o who_o remember_v how_o much_o stress_n both_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v lay_v upon_o peace_n and_o unity_n the_o prayer_n which_o our_o lord_n offer_v up_o a_o little_a before_o his_o suffer_v for_o all_o who_o shall_v believe_v in_o he_o be_v in_o these_o word_n 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 and_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n that_o the_o world_n may_v believe_v that_o thou_o have_v send_v i_o and_o st._n paul_n in_o a_o set_a discourse_n occasion_v by_o contention_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n concern_v the_o gift_n with_o which_o some_o be_v endue_v to_o a_o great_a degree_n than_o other_o prefer_v charity_n mean_v that_o charity_n whereby_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v maintain_v much_o before_o the_o best_a of_o gift_n the_o strong_a faith_n the_o most_o profuse_a liberality_n and_o even_o martyrdom_n itself_o our_o bless_a saviour_n as_o a_o example_n to_o his_o follower_n constant_o join_v in_o the_o public_a exercise_n of_o god_n worship_n both_o in_o the_o temple_n and_o in_o the_o synagogue_n notwithstanding_o the_o many_o and_o gross_a corruption_n which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n creep_v into_o the_o jewish_a church_n the_o apostle_n in_o like_a manner_n and_o the_o other_o christian_n who_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n though_o as_o they_o be_v oblige_v by_o the_o christian_a institution_n they_o assemble_v apart_o from_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o perform_v that_o worship_n which_o be_v peculiarly_a christian_a yet_o we_o never_o find_v that_o they_o desert_v either_o the_o temple_n or_o the_o synagogue_n till_o the_o final_a desolation_n of_o their_o country_n and_o st._n paul_n himself_o who_o so_o often_o and_o so_o vehement_o upon_o just_a occasion_n assert_v and_o plead_v for_o the_o liberty_n of_o christian_n as_o be_v set_v free_a from_o the_o jewish_a yoke_n yet_o do_v not_o at_o all_o scruple_n the_o make_v use_n of_o those_o ceremony_n which_o himself_o have_v declare_v to_o be_v abrogate_a when_o ever_o it_o may_v serve_v to_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n after_o which_o consideration_n it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o any_o christian_n shall_v entertain_v such_o slight_a apprehension_n of_o the_o evil_a and_o danger_n of_o divide_v the_o christian_a church_n as_o abundance_n among_o we_o have_v do_v pardon_v i_o if_o i_o seem_v to_o press_v this_o matter_n with_o zeal_n upon_o you_o who_o under_o his_o majesty_n have_v the_o government_n of_o this_o great_a city_n commit_v to_o you_o and_o who_o example_n be_v like_a to_o have_v much_o great_a influence_n than_o the_o example_n of_o private_a men._n whatsoever_o other_o do_v it_o certain_o become_v those_o who_o be_v in_o public_a station_n to_o fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o say_v without_o offence_n that_o a_o magistrate_n shall_v be_v one_o who_o need_v no_o indulgence_n but_o that_o which_o be_v by_o common_a consent_n give_v to_o humane_a nature_n in_o general_n that_o whatsoever_o be_v true_o and_o just_o propose_v in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o the_o public_a and_o that_o we_o may_v all_o in_o our_o respective_a station_n zealous_o and_o constant_o promote_v the_o honour_n of_o almighty_n god_n the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n and_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v the_o hearty_a prayer_n of_o right_o honourable_a your_o most_o faithful_a and_o obedient_a servant_n samuel_n bradford_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o lord-mayor_n persuade_v to_o peace_n and_o unity_n ephesian_n 4.3_o endeavour_v to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n we_o be_v assemble_v at_o this_o time_n not_o only_o to_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n read_v and_o preach_v and_o to_o offer_v up_o our_o daily_a prayer_n and_o praise_n to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n but_o also_o to_o celebrate_v the_o most_o peculiar_a and_o solemn_a office_n of_o our_o christian_a religion_n namely_o the_o commemoration_n of_o our_o saviour_n death_n according_a to_o his_o own_o institution_n by_o do_v of_o which_o we_o open_o profess_v to_o the_o world_n first_o our_o communion_n with_o the_o father_n and_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n by_o that_o spirit_n which_o proceed_v from_o both_o and_o in_o the_o next_o place_n our_o fellowship_n one_o with_o another_o we_o declare_v hereby_o that_o we_o be_v member_n of_o
nay_o a_o kind_n and_o amicable_a demeanour_n towards_o each_o other_o in_o our_o whole_a conversation_n it_o imply_v yet_o more_o particular_o a_o preserve_v entire_a as_o far_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v the_o external_n communion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o keep_v the_o unity_n &c_n &c_n imply_v the_o maintain_n as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v a_o unity_n in_o judgement_n especial_o as_o to_o the_o main_a and_o principal_a doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n 10_o 1_o cor._n ●_o 10_o this_o be_v what_o st._n paul_n exhort_v the_o corinthian_n to_o now_o i_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n by_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o you_o all_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o division_n among_o you_o but_o that_o you_o be_v perfect_o join_v together_o in_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o in_o the_o same_o judgement_n it_o be_v true_a christian_n as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o man_n may_v be_v suppose_v and_o fair_o allow_v to_o differ_v in_o some_o matter_n which_o be_v of_o no_o great_a consequence_n but_o there_o be_v certain_a truth_n deliver_v down_o to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o be_v to_o be_v faithful_o adhere_v to_o by_o all_o christian_n even_o such_o as_o wherein_o christianity_n itself_o be_v concern_v and_o which_o can_v be_v deny_v without_o subvert_v or_o at_o least_o shake_v and_o endanger_v the_o foundation_n as_o there_o as_o likewise_o many_o other_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o believe_v if_o we_o will_v form_v any_o true_a scheme_n of_o our_o religion_n or_o arrive_v at_o any_o competent_a knowledge_n and_o understanding_n in_o it_o why_o else_o shall_v st._n paul_n require_v timothy_n to_o hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n which_o he_o have_v hear_v of_o he_o 14._o 2._o tim._n 1.13_o 14._o and_o again_o to_o keep_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o good_a thing_n which_o be_v commit_v to_o he_o why_o do_v he_o order_v he_o to_o abide_v at_o ephesus_n on_o purpose_n as_o himself_o say_v 2.1.2_o 1._o tim._n 1.1.3_o tit._n 2.1.2_o that_o he_o may_v charge_v some_o that_o they_o shall_v teach_v no_o other_o doctrine_n why_o do_v he_o command_v titus_n to_o speak_v the_o thing_n that_o become_v sound_a doctrine_n and_o to_o teach_v those_o under_o his_o charge_n to_o be_v sound_a in_o the_o faith_n and_o why_o again_o do_v he_o in_o the_o same_o epistle_n set_v it_o down_o as_o a_o qualification_n of_o those_o bishop_n who_o titus_n shall_v ordain_v that_o they_o shall_v hold_v fast_o the_o faithful_a word_n as_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v 11._o tit._n 1.9_o 10_o 11._o that_o they_o may_v be_v able_a by_o sound_a doctrine_n both_o to_o exhort_v and_o to_o convince_v the_o gainsayers_a and_o to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o unruly_a and_o vain_a talker_n and_o deceiver_n and_o last_o what_o else_o can_v st._n judas_n mean_v 3._o judas_n v._o 3._o by_o his_o exhort_v those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v earnest_o to_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n now_o as_o all_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v propose_v to_o our_o belief_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o we_o protestant_n assert_v to_o be_v the_o complete_a rule_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o well_o as_o our_o minner_n so_o the_o main_a and_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v at_o first_o contain_v in_o that_o short_a formulary_a of_o confession_n which_o be_v make_v by_o christian_n at_o their_o baptism_n this_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n be_v according_a to_o the_o apostle_n expression_n commit_v to_o or_o deposit_v with_o those_o who_o they_o ordain_v to_o officiate_v in_o the_o church_n to_o be_v by_o they_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v to_o all_o christian_n at_o their_o baptism_n and_o according_o the_o profession_n then_o make_v be_v by_o the_o ancient_a christian_a writer_n common_o call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n the_o sum_n of_o which_o be_v that_o the_o person_n baptize_v do_v acknowledge_v god_n the_o father_n as_o the_o creator_n of_o all_o together_o with_o his_o only_a beget_v son_n as_o appear_v in_o our_o nature_n and_o die_v for_o our_o redemption_n rise_v again_o and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o sit_v on_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o the_o father_n from_o whence_o he_o be_v expect_v to_o come_v again_o and_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o also_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o sanctifier_n the_o guide_n and_o the_o comforter_n of_o all_o true_a christian_n with_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o the_o life_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v this_o be_v afterward_o draw_v up_o into_o that_o form_n which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n which_o as_o occasion_n be_v give_v come_v to_o be_v far_o explain_v in_o those_o which_o we_o call_v the_o nieene_n or_o constantinopolitan_a and_o athanasian_n form_n farther_o explain_v i_o say_v for_o these_o last_o mention_v form_n do_v contain_v no_o more_o in_o substance_n than_o that_o which_o we_o call_v the_o apostle_n creed_n as_o that_o likewise_o contain_v the_o very_a same_o in_o substance_n with_o the_o ancient_a form_n of_o profession_n make_v at_o baptism_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o new_a article_n contain_v in_o any_o of_o these_o creed_n but_o only_o a_o explication_n of_o the_o ancient_a baptismal_a profession_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o declare_a judgement_n of_o the_o first_o and_o best_a christian_a writer_n extant_a so_o that_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o want_n of_o a_o due_a acquaintance_n with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n at_o least_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o they_o as_o understand_v by_o those_o who_o be_v near_a to_o the_o time_n of_o their_o be_v write_v and_o best_a able_a to_o judge_v in_o the_o case_n that_o make_v some_o in_o our_o day_n whilst_o they_o profess_v themselves_o christian_n yet_o so_o open_o and_o vehement_o to_o inveigh_v against_o these_o form_n in_o which_o our_o christian_a faith_n be_v express_v which_o i_o the_o rather_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o there_o have_v appear_v of_o late_a divers_a writer_n who_o have_v in_o a_o bold_a and_o insolent_a nay_o rude_a and_o scurrilous_a manner_n attack_v those_o doctrine_n which_o have_v so_o constant_o from_o the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n be_v own_a as_o some_o of_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n nay_o it_o be_v too_o apparent_a that_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o oppose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n all_o religion_n especial_o that_o which_o have_v be_v reveal_v have_v be_v strike_v at_o so_o that_o we_o may_v in_o this_o age_n repeat_v st._n judes_n complaint_n that_o there_o be_v certain_a man_n creep_v in_o ungodly_a man_n 4._o judas_n ver_fw-la 4._o deny_v the_o only_a lord_n god_n and_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n upon_o which_o account_n we_o ought_v to_o exhort_v one_o another_o as_o he_o do_v those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v earnest_o to_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n 3._o ver_fw-la 3._o which_o be_v once_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n and_o that_o not_o only_o against_o socinianism_n and_o arianism_n but_o even_o against_o gross_a scepticism_n and_o downright_a infidelity_n now_o if_o we_o will_v keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o this_o first_o sense_n which_o i_o be_o speak_v of_o we_o ought_v strict_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o doctrine_n which_o we_o receive_v when_o we_o be_v baptize_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o thereby_o dedicate_v to_o our_o great_a creator_n redeemer_n and_o sanctifier_n we_o shall_v serious_o consider_v and_o endeavour_v full_o to_o understand_v the_o profession_n of_o faith_n we_o be_v then_o baptize_v into_o settle_v our_o judgement_n in_o all_o the_o great_a article_n of_o our_o religion_n by_o the_o careful_a study_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v indict_v by_o man_n endue_v with_o a_o divine_a spirit_n and_o which_o be_v therefore_o able_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n we_o shall_v by_o the_o daily_a use_n of_o these_o endeavour_n to_o improve_v our_o mind_n not_o only_o in_o the_o absolute_o necessary_a but_o in_o all_o the_o other_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n such_o as_o will_v help_v we_o to_o understand_v the_o true_a scheme_n and_o consequent_o the_o great_a worth_n and_o excellency_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o we_o profess_v still_o grow_v and_o increase_v in_o all_o that_o useful_a knowledge_n which_o these_o book_n be_v able_a to_o furnish_v we_o with_o to_o which_o purpose_n as_o we_o shall_v read_v they_o with_o seriousness_n and_o humility_n so_o we_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o all_o those_o method_n which_o