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christian_n church_n communion_n unity_n 2,132 5 9.6723 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A60585 A sermon concerning the doctrine, unity, and profession of the Christian faith preached before the University of Oxford : to which is added an appendix concerning the Apostles Creed / by Tho. Smith ... Smith, Thomas, 1638-1710. 1682 (1682) Wing S4249; ESTC R17775 29,525 52

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most_o learned_a king_n james_n of_o bless_a memory_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o prophet_n in_o this_o too_o that_o if_o ever_o the_o pope_n be_v bring_v into_o england_n it_o will_v be_v upon_o the_o back_n of_o a_o puritan_n as_o well_o as_o in_o that_o remarkable_a say_n no_o bishop_n no_o king_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v most_o sad_o justify_v and_o make_v out_o in_o the_o late_a most_o bloody_a and_o unnatural_a war_n and_o by_o the_o most_o horrid_a murder_n of_o the_o best_a of_o prince_n charles_n the_o martyr_n who_o righteous_a soul_n must_v needs_o be_v trouble_v if_o any_o thing_n of_o pity_n which_o be_v a_o troublesome_a passion_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o reach_v the_o bless_a at_o our_o present_a distraction_n and_o the_o dismal_a consequence_n of_o they_o they_o envy_v her_o beauty_n and_o order_n the_o discreet_a piety_n of_o her_o service_n and_o the_o regularity_n and_o exactness_n of_o her_o discipline_n and_o the_o apostolicalness_n of_o her_o government_n and_o the_o flourish_a of_o her_o university_n this_o make_v they_o rage_n and_o swell_v and_o for_o want_v of_o better_a proof_n and_o argument_n accuse_v and_o arraign_v as_o guilty_a of_o heresy_n and_o schism_n and_o innovation_n the_o pure_a and_o most_o apostolical_a church_n of_o the_o world_n but_o wise_a and_o considerate_a man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fright_v out_o of_o their_o sense_n and_o out_o of_o their_o religion_n with_o hard_a and_o big_a word_n and_o with_o reproachful_a language_n the_o dissolute_a and_o debauch_a may_v easy_o be_v reconcile_v as_o the_o new_a word_n be_v to_o a_o religion_n that_o be_v so_o favourable_a to_o they_o and_o give_v they_o hope_n of_o go_v to_o heaven_n after_o a_o careless_a and_o wretched_a life_n if_o upon_o a_o sick_a bed_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v afraid_a and_o profess_v a_o little_a sorrow_n and_o can_v but_o send_v for_o a_o priest_n and_o be_v absolve_v and_o the_o ignorant_a and_o weak_a may_v be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o little_a trick_n and_o piece_n of_o sophistry_n and_o cheat_v and_o trapan_v out_o of_o a_o church_n the_o doctrine_n of_o which_o they_o do_v not_o thorough_o understand_v for_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o one_o who_o understand_v aright_o the_o ground_n and_o principle_n of_o the_o reformation_n upon_o which_o this_o national_a church_n proceed_v ever_o to_o renounce_v her_o communion_n unless_o he_o first_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o his_o honesty_n as_o well_o as_o of_o his_o conscience_n and_o be_v sway_v whole_o by_o worldly_a respect_n and_o interest_n but_o we_o need_v value_v their_o censure_n the_o less_o not_o only_o because_o they_o be_v unjust_a and_o uncharitable_a but_o because_o they_o involve_v the_o primitive_a christian_n in_o the_o same_o guilt_n with_o we_o and_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o day_n in_o the_o world_n that_o will_v not_o own_o that_o grand_a fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o roman_a faith_n the_o pope_n jurisdiction_n and_o be_v content_a to_o receive_v their_o christianity_n from_o rome_n and_o acknowledge_v all_o her_o determination_n to_o be_v true_o and_o real_o as_o they_o in_o the_o ordinary_a court-stile_n call_v they_o apostolical_a let_v we_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n justify_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n by_o the_o strictness_n and_o exemplariness_n of_o our_o life_n as_o well_o as_o by_o argument_n and_o discourse_n of_o reason_n let_v we_o reform_v ourselves_o not_o only_o from_o the_o error_n and_o superstition_n but_o from_o the_o vice_n that_o be_v too_o common_o practise_v in_o catholic_n country_n as_o they_o call_v they_o though_o thanks_o be_v to_o the_o great_a industry_n and_o kindness_n and_o charity_n of_o their_o missionary_n of_o late_a they_o will_v be_v content_a i_o will_v not_o say_v though_o perhaps_o i_o may_v just_o enough_o make_v it_o their_o business_n that_o atheism_n and_o profaneness_n and_o debauchery_n shall_v overspread_v the_o land_n rather_o than_o that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n shall_v be_v any_o more_o in_o remembrance_n in_o time_n of_o such_o defection_n to_o socinianism_n and_o popery_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o to_o fanaticism_n on_o the_o other_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n to_o ourselves_o that_o we_o be_v no_o way_n bias_v or_o wrought_v upon_o to_o desert_n the_o purity_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o it_o be_v teach_v in_o this_o church_n in_o any_o one_o point_n of_o it_o and_o withal_o let_v we_o serious_o consider_v and_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o believe_v it_o with_o our_o heart_n unless_o we_o make_v open_a and_o public_a profession_n of_o it_o with_o our_o mouth_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o three_o proposition_n that_o all_o who_o be_v baptise_a and_o consequent_o be_v by_o this_o sacrament_n of_o initiation_n admit_v and_o receive_v into_o the_o communion_n and_o society_n of_o christian_n be_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o this_o faith_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n it_o be_v the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n that_o the_o candidate_n of_o baptism_n shall_v make_v profession_n of_o that_o faith_n into_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v baptise_a some_o previous_a time_n be_v allow_v for_o their_o instruction_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o as_o mention_v rufinus_n a_o presbyter_n of_o aquileia_n who_o live_v almost_o 1300_o year_n since_o in_o his_o exposition_n upon_o the_o creed_n assure_v we_o for_o his_o own_o time_n and_o say_v it_o be_v then_o a_o ancient_a custom_n and_o so_o may_v be_v just_o refer_v to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v indeed_o that_o st._n luke_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n give_v we_o this_o account_n only_o in_o general_n that_o the_o new_a convert_v be_v require_v to_o believe_v in_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o prison-keeper_n convert_v by_o the_o preach_a of_o st._n paul_n act_v 16._o 31._o and_o that_o after_o st._n philip_n have_v convince_v the_o eunuch_n by_o preach_v to_o he_o jesus_n and_o explain_v the_o prophecy_n which_o foretold_v he_o so_o as_o that_o he_o desire_v to_o become_v a_o proselyte_n of_o christ_n as_o he_o have_v hitherto_o be_v of_o moses_n a_o devotion_n to_o who_o law_n have_v bring_v he_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o have_v also_o far_o acquaint_v he_o that_o if_o his_o request_n to_o be_v baptise_a be_v more_o than_o a_o compliment_n or_o curiosity_n if_o it_o be_v real_a and_o sincere_a if_o his_o faith_n proceed_v from_o a_o through_o conviction_n of_o mind_n he_o be_v qualify_v for_o baptism_n and_o not_o otherwise_o if_o thou_o believe_v with_o all_o thy_o heart_n thou_o may_v the_o eunuch_n make_v no_o other_o confession_n but_o this_o i_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n act_v 8._o 37._o large_a but_o than_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o this_o one_o proposition_n the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o the_o creed_n be_v virtual_o contain_v and_o that_o it_o draw_v necessary_o all_o the_o other_o along_o with_o it_o and_o that_o this_o general_a belief_n be_v deduce_v into_o its_o several_n afterward_o and_o that_o for_o a_o more_o explicit_a and_o particular_a enumeration_n of_o the_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n we_o be_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o apostolical_a write_n in_o which_o they_o confirm_v the_o new_a christian_n in_o the_o faith_n which_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v to_o believe_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o which_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o 1._o divine_a faith_n in_o general_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o christian_a and_o that_o without_o it_o we_o to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v and_o make_v know_v can_v pretend_v either_o to_o christianity_n or_o to_o any_o hope_n of_o salvation_n for_o as_o the_o
a_o sermon_n concern_v the_o doctrine_n unity_n and_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n preach_v before_o the_o university_n of_o oxford_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o appendix_n concern_v the_o apostle_n creed_n by_o tho._n smith_n b._n d._n and_o fellow_n of_o st._n mary_n magdalen_n college_n oxon_n london_n print_v for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n m._n dc_o lxxxii_o admodum_fw-la reverendo_fw-la in_o christo_fw-la patri_fw-la ac_fw-la domino_fw-la henrico_n d._n episcopo_fw-la londinensi_fw-la sacelli_fw-la regalis_fw-la decano_fw-la regiae_n majestati_fw-la à_fw-la secretioribus_fw-la conciliis_fw-la natalium_fw-la splendore_fw-la morum_fw-la sanctitate_fw-la fide_fw-la prudentiâ_fw-la ac_fw-la invictâ_fw-la animi_fw-la fortitudine_fw-la contra_fw-la infensissimos_fw-la eccl._n ang._n host_n caeterisque_fw-la dotibus_fw-la quae_fw-la virum_fw-la apostolicum_fw-la planè_fw-la decent_a illustri_fw-la t._n s._n concionem_fw-la hanc_fw-la de_fw-la unitate_fw-la fidei_fw-la coram_fw-la academicis_fw-la oxoniensibus_fw-la in_o templo_fw-la b._n mariae_fw-la non_fw-la ita_fw-la pridem_fw-la habitam_fw-la una_fw-la cum_fw-la appendice_fw-la de_fw-la symbolo_fw-la apostolico_fw-la gratitudinis_fw-la &_o observantiae_fw-la ergo_fw-la l._n m._n d._n c._n q._n ephes._n 4._o ver._n 5._o one_o lord_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n it_o be_v sad_a to_o consider_v how_o that_o christianity_n have_v suffer_v more_o by_o the_o faction_n and_o feud_n of_o christian_n themselves_o than_o by_o the_o fury_n of_o its_o profess_a adversary_n that_o schism_n have_v do_v more_o mischief_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n than_o all_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o heathen_a roman_a emperor_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o abolish_v and_o destroy_v the_o very_a name_n of_o christian_a out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o christian_n shall_v treat_v one_o another_o with_o that_o despite_n and_o malice_n as_o if_o good_a nature_n and_o charity_n and_o a_o mutual_a forbearance_n be_v thing_n of_o mere_a indifference_n as_o it_o have_v happen_v between_o church_n of_o different_a communion_n in_o the_o east_n and_o west_n and_o in_o these_o northern_a part_n of_o the_o world_n since_o the_o reformation_n either_o because_o they_o will_v not_o own_o a_o usurp_v and_o pretend_v universal_a authority_n or_o else_o because_o of_o some_o little_a disagreement_n in_o opinion_n or_o the_o usage_n or_o non-usage_n of_o a_o ceremony_n which_o every_o particular_a church_n in_o dependence_n upon_o and_o in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o civil_a power_n have_v a_o right_a to_o ordain_v and_o constitute_v and_o which_o all_o its_o member_n be_v oblige_v to_o conform_v to_o out_o of_o a_o principle_n of_o conscience_n for_o hitherto_o must_v be_v refer_v as_o to_o their_o chief_a and_o proper_a cause_n all_o those_o horrid_a tumult_n and_o separation_n of_o party_n which_o have_v so_o much_o distract_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n from_o its_o first_o beginning_n and_o infancy_n to_o this_o day_n however_o blanch_v over_o by_o some_o with_o subtlety_n and_o artifice_n of_o wit_n and_o by_o other_o with_o pretension_n of_o zeal_n to_o colour_v their_o ambition_n and_o their_o pride_n and_o to_o render_v their_o ill_a design_n the_o more_o plausible_a and_o successful_a here_o it_o be_v for_o i_o can_v be_v so_o unjust_a and_o partial_a as_o to_o charge_v the_o romanist_n only_o with_o the_o fault_n though_o they_o be_v deep_a in_o the_o gild_n and_o more_o unblamable_a than_o the_o rest_n that_o all_o take_v sanctuary_n and_o think_v to_o justify_v their_o ill_n will_v one_o to_o another_o this_o way_n that_o they_o from_o who_o they_o divide_v and_o separate_v themselves_o entertain_v different_a notion_n of_o some_o point_n of_o religion_n though_o perchance_o they_o be_v not_o essential_a to_o the_o faith_n or_o else_o use_v other_o rite_n in_o their_o religious_a worship_n which_o yet_o may_v be_v as_o decent_a and_o as_o useful_a and_o as_o significant_a as_o if_o this_o be_v to_o renounce_v christianity_n and_o to_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n how_o have_v this_o fond_a opinion_n break_v christendom_n into_o piece_n and_o shut_v unity_n and_o peace_n out_o of_o it_o private_a passion_n and_o a_o false_a zeal_n corrupt_v our_o judgement_n and_o practice_n so_o far_o that_o instead_o of_o join_v in_o the_o same_o public_a worship_n and_o service_n of_o christ_n our_o common_a saviour_n and_o live_v together_o in_o holy_a communion_n and_o love_n we_o can_v scarce_o think_v well_o one_o of_o another_o we_o be_v afraid_a of_o one_o another_o company_n in_o a_o church_n at_o least_o as_o if_o it_o be_v infectious_a we_o use_v most_o unjust_a and_o most_o unchristian_a censure_n we_o malign_v and_o hate_v one_o another_o to_o the_o death_n and_o as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v we_o send_v one_o another_o to_o hell_n by_o our_o evil_n and_o uncharitable_a surmise_n and_o by_o peremptory_a sentence_n of_o excommunication_n to_o prevent_v which_o dismal_a and_o bloody_a effect_n of_o schism_n the_o apostle_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n lay_v down_o and_o prescribe_v a_o method_n which_o will_v prove_v most_o effectual_a if_o we_o understand_v our_o duty_n and_o our_o interest_n so_o much_o and_o have_v but_o the_o honesty_n and_o the_o conscience_n to_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n and_o execution_n which_o be_v to_o walk_v worthy_a of_o the_o vocation_n wherewith_o we_o be_v call_v v_o 1._o that_o be_v to_o adorn_v the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n our_o saviour_n with_o a_o suitable_a conversation_n and_o as_o it_o become_v true_a follower_n of_o christ_n to_o live_v up_o to_o those_o excellent_a rule_n and_o institution_n which_o he_o have_v publish_a and_o not_o only_o to_o make_v a_o outward_a show_n and_o profession_n of_o christianity_n but_o to_o justify_v and_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o power_n of_o it_o by_o the_o example_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o severe_a virtue_n and_o especial_o in_o this_o great_a instance_n of_o it_o with_o all_o lowliness_n and_o meekness_n and_o long-suffering_a to_o forbear_v one_o another_o in_o love_n v_o 2._o that_o be_v to_o make_v some_o 21._o allowance_n for_o the_o faileurs_fw-fr and_o imperfection_n and_o infirmity_n of_o the_o understanding_n not_o to_o be_v peremptory_a and_o dogmatical_a in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o unity_n nor_o to_o be_v over-fierce_a and_o severe_a in_o condemn_v little_a mistake_n and_o misapprehension_n of_o thing_n but_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 v_o 3._o that_o be_v to_o maintain_v this_o spiritual_a communion_n with_o all_o peaceableness_n and_o moderation_n as_o be_v all_o member_n of_o one_o body_n the_o catholic_n church_n 13._o actuate_v by_o one_o spirit_n and_o call_v together_o in_o one_o hope_n of_o our_o call_v v_o 4._o that_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o common_a christianity_n all_o alike_o pretend_v to_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o same_o common_a salvation_n all_o disciple_n of_o the_o same_o lord_n and_o initiate_v into_o the_o same_o faith_n by_o baptism_n so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v no_o breach_n make_v upon_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a doctrine_n be_v retain_v in_o its_o full_a sense_n and_o meaning_n there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a cause_n for_o censure_n and_o dis-union_n all_o other_o difference_n of_o opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v tolerate_v and_o forgive_v if_o they_o have_v no_o evil_a influence_n upon_o religion_n morality_n and_o government_n if_o there_o be_v no_o schism_n or_o sedition_n in_o practice_n or_o behaviour_n and_o so_o long_o as_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n be_v preserve_v entire_a and_o keep_v inviolate_a there_o be_v as_o but_o one_o lord_n so_o but_o one_o faith_n and_o one_o baptism_n from_o which_o word_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a these_o three_o follow_a proposition_n 1._o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v only_o from_o the_o revelation_n of_o christ._n one_o lord_n one_o faith_n 2._o that_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n only_o respect_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o 3._o that_o all_o who_o be_v baptise_a and_o consequent_o be_v by_o this_o sacrament_n of_o initiation_n admit_v and_o receive_v into_o the_o communion_n and_o society_n of_o christian_n be_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o this_o faith_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n 1._o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v only_o from_o the_o revelation_n of_o christ._n one_o lord_n one_o faith_n that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o humane_a wit_n how_o pry_v and_o industrious_a soever_o to_o raise_v itself_o up_o to_o the_o contemplation_n and_o knowledge_n of_o supernatural_a truth_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o grace_n be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o our_o reason_n to_o acknowledge_v it_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o irrational_a pride_n and_o a_o
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chief_n of_o a_o faction_n or_o through_o a_o pretend_a dissatisfaction_n at_o the_o mysteriousness_n of_o it_o or_o through_o wantonness_n of_o wit_n and_o humour_n have_v be_v so_o obstinate_a as_o not_o only_o to_o refuse_v to_o make_v the_o same_o acknowledgement_n but_o to_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a with_o violence_n to_o all_o which_o that_o be_v to_o scripture_n apostolic_a tradition_n and_o universal_a consent_n the_o father_n assemble_v in_o the_o four_o first_o general_n council_n have_v regard_n in_o their_o determination_n against_o the_o heretic_n of_o their_o time_n they_o only_o fix_v what_o be_v catholic_n doctrine_n and_o what_o be_v believe_v in_o the_o age_n before_o they_o be_v bear_v they_o found_v their_o declaration_n upon_o scripture_n and_o universal_a tradition_n and_o to_o silence_v all_o dispute_n and_o to_o prevent_v schism_n and_o to_o direct_v their_o own_o and_o aftertime_n in_o the_o belief_n and_o understanding_n of_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o 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