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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
church_n according_a faith_n rule_n 3,567 5 6.8625 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A81917 An epistolary discourse wherein (amongst other particulars) these following questions are briefly resolved. I. Whether or no the state should tolerate the independent Government? II.If they should tolerate it, how farre, and with what limitations? III. If they should tolerate it, what course should be taken to bring them to a conformity with the Presbyterials? Written by Mr. John Dury. To Mr. Tho. Goodwin. Mr. Philip Nye. Mr. Samuel Hartlib. Published by a friend, for more common use. Dury, John, 1596-1680. 1644 (1644) Wing D2859; Thomason E6_14; ESTC R11327 31,647 43

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they_o be_v make_v void_a of_o prejudices_fw-la and_o tractable_a to_o receive_v instruction_n moreover_o this_o that_o all_o dispute_n turn_v at_o last_o to_o bitterness_n and_o vain_a jangle_n among_o all_o man_n and_o become_v endless_a and_o without_o fruit_n except_o the_o aim_n of_o peace_n and_o reconciliation_n be_v intend_v and_o a_o rule_n of_o proceed_v be_v use_v which_o may_v l●ad_v we_o unto_o the_o same_o these_o be_v the_o principal_a head_n of_o the_o inducement_n which_o move_v i_o to_o these_o endeavour_n to_o which_o divers_a encouragement_n from_o time_n to_o time_n do_v concur_v whereby_o i_o have_v be_v strengthen_v against_o the_o strait_n and_o opposition_n which_o be_v fall_v in_o my_o way_n to_o stop_v i_o in_o this_o course_n of_o negotiation_n first_o i_o have_v from_o time_n to_o time_n the_o clear_a consent_n and_o full_a approbation_n of_o all_o the_o most_o godly_a divine_n of_o both_o side_n so_o long_o as_o their_o judgement_n be_v free_a and_o void_a of_o partiality_n and_o when_o they_o do_v fall_v off_o from_o i_o i_o perceive_v that_o it_o come_v from_o groundless_a jealousy_n and_o false_a information_n or_o suspicion_n which_o do_v make_v they_o leave_v their_o true_a principle_n and_o rule_n of_o edification_n which_o at_o first_o they_o have_v intend_v second_o i_o have_v the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o chief_a statesman_n that_o be_v rational_a and_o prudent_a in_o he_o way_n of_o true_a government_n who_o engage_v themselves_o to_o give_v i_o real_a assistance_n by_o their_o authority_n three_o i_o find_v not_o only_o great_a hope_n of_o proceed_n but_o real_a effect_n of_o my_o w●●ke_n by_o god_n blessing_n dispose_v the_o spirit_n of_o lead_v man_n unto_o the_o way_n of_o moderation_n four_o i_o see_v that_o the_o very_a opposition_n of_o unreasonable_a man_n do_v
turn_v to_o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o my_o work_n and_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n so_o that_o at_o last_o it_o be_v almost_o indifferent_a unto_o i_o whether_o i_o meet_v with_o opposite_n or_o no_o see_v i_o can_v turn_v all_o to_o my_o advantage_n and_o last_o i_o come_v to_o this_o resolution_n that_o i_o make_v a_o vow_n of_o perseverance_n in_o the_o work_n whether_o i_o perceive_v any_o temarkable_a furtherance_n of_o the_o work_n or_o no_o in_o respect_n that_o i_o conceive_v it_o to_o be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n whereof_o the_o event_n do_v depend_v upon_o god_n special_a providence_n to_o who_o i_o be_v bind_v to_o refer_v the_o issue_n whatsoever_o be_v come_v of_o i_o or_o my_o endeavour_n so_o that_o now_o i_o look_v no_o more_o to_o the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o man_n in_o this_o negotiation_n but_o unto_o the_o tenor_n of_o my_o vow_n which_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v answerable_a unto_o the_o express_a will_n of_o god_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v i_o hope_v i_o be_o confirm_v invincible_o against_o all_o opposition_n whatsoever_o these_o be_v brief_o the_o motive_n and_o encouragement_n which_o have_v bring_v i_o to_o the_o negotiation_n of_o peace_n and_o confirm_v i_o therein_o hitherto_o now_o i_o must_v tell_v you_o the_o sum_n of_o the_o argument_n which_o i_o have_v use_v to_o persuade_v other_o unto_o the_o same_o disposition_n towards_o peace_n and_o moderation_n which_o god_n have_v wrought_v in_o my_o heart_n first_o the_o woe_n which_o be_v denounce_v against_o the_o world_n by_o reason_n of_o offence_n mat._n 18_o 7.8.9_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v take_v heed_n that_o we_o be_v not_o accessary_a to_o the_o multiply_a of_o the_o same_o now_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o many_o scandal_n be_v multiply_v by_o reason_n of_o superfluous_a and_o disorderly_a dispute_n which_o scandalize_v the_o little_a one_o and_o by_o reason_n of_o contention_n and_o partial_a proceed_n which_o divide_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o professor_n &_o draw_v they_o into_o faction_n and_o if_o we_o connive_v at_o these_o scandal_n and_o labour_v not_o to_o take_v they_o out_o of_o the_o way_n when_o occasion_n be_v off_o red_a to_o we_o we_o be_v accessary_a thereunto_o and_o so_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o woe_n denounce_v against_o the_o world_n and_o the_o author_n of_o offence_n second_o the_o miserable_a effect_n of_o our_o endless_a strife_n and_o division_n be_v a_o large_a field_n of_o discourse_n to_o show_v how_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v stop_v thereby_o how_o the_o truth_n be_v darken_v how_o the_o practice_n of_o godliness_n be_v neglect_v how_o the_o church_n be_v consume_v one_o by_o another_o and_o make_v a_o prey_n unto_o the_o common_a adversary_n who_o lie_v in_o wait_n and_o watch_v for_o our_o destruction_n and_o prevail_v by_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o by_o our_o inward_a confusion_n disorder_n and_o passionate_a debate_n among_o ourselves_o this_o argument_n be_v make_v plain_a from_o the_o present_a state_n of_o all_o the_o protestant_a church_n in_o all_o country_n which_o be_v expose_v to_o all_o manner_n of_o danger_n and_o lay_v waste_n in_o many_o place_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o prevail_a plot_n of_o the_o papist_n and_o socinian_o which_o take_v effect_n only_o because_o we_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o walk_v by_o one_o rule_n to_o be_v like_o mind_a in_o that_o whereunto_o we_o be_v come_v and_o to_o edify_v one_o another_o in_o that_o wherein_o we_o be_v at_o u●riance_n by_o common_a principle_n and_o orderly_a way_n of_o prophesy_v three_o the_o benefit_n which_o will_v redound_v to_o all_o the_o church_n from_o peace_n and_o unity_n among_o themselves_o and_o what_o advantage_n the_o gospel_n itself_o will_v receive_v thereby_o and_o how_o by_o the_o joint_n and_o brotherly_a endeavour_n of_o protestant_n all_o nation_n of_o he_o world_n both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o mahumetan_n may_v be_v bring_v unto_o the_o sheepfold_a of_o christ_n and_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n in_o a_o short_a time_n quite_o overthrow_v this_o be_v a_o most_o ample_a and_o large_a subject_n to_o be_v insist_v upon_o towards_o those_o that_o believe_v the_o raise_v up_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o overthrow_n of_o babylon_n in_o the_o latter_a time_n four_o the_o express_a commandment_n of_o god_n to_o seek_v peace_n with_o all_o man_n and_o the_o manifold_a exhortation_n tend_v to_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o way_n and_o mean_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n and_o happy_a condition_n of_o those_o that_o study_v to_o observe_v the_o same_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n be_v so_o many_o well-spring_n of_o reason_n to_o move_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n unto_o this_o duty_n and_o endeavour_n five_o the_o example_n and_o forwardness_n of_o other_o in_o former_a time_n and_o in_o these_o time_n also_o with_o the_o preparative_n use_v and_o make_v ready_a on_o all_o side_n to_o entertain_v the_o motion_n of_o agreement_n and_o to_o concur_v in_o the_o counsel_n of_o peace_n be_v allege_v as_o a_o call_v offer_v from_o god_n which_o all_o godly_a man_n be_v bind_v to_o entertain_v with_o readiness_n except_o they_o will_v be_v find_v want_v to_o their_o duty_n before_o god_n in_o the_o gospel_n of_o peace_n and_o guilty_a of_o the_o evil_n which_o follow_v upon_o strife_n and_o debate_n among_o brethren_n six_o the_o brotherly_a relation_n which_o be_v real_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o same_o save_a faith_n betwixt_o we_o do_v bind_v we_o to_o make_v profession_n of_o brotherhood_n and_o labour_n to_o edify_v one_o another_o therein_o except_o we_o will_v betray_v the_o truth_n and_o break_v the_o tie_n of_o one_o faith_n and_o hope_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o provide_v and_o seek_v for_o one_o another_o spiritual_a and_o temporal_a good_a as_o member_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o head_n jesus_n christ_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o lutheran_n and_o we_o be_v one_o in_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o hope_n it_o follow_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v in_o couscience_n to_o make_v this_o unity_n manifest_a by_o our_o public_a profession_n because_o we_o do_v otherwise_o suppress_v the_o chief_a fruit_n of_o that_o truth_n whereby_o god_n be_v to_o be_v glorify_v and_o christ_n make_v know_v unto_o the_o world_n as_o he_o do_v intimate_v joh._n 17.21_o 22_o 23._o last_o this_o argument_n i_o have_v ofttimes_o press_v and_o find_v it_o unanswerable_a i_o say_v then_o that_o as_o i_o find_v myself_o bind_v to_o profess_v brotherhood_n towards_o another_o so_o i_o suppose_v every_o one_o will_v find_v himself_o oblige_v unto_o the_o same_o duty_n towards_o i_o if_o he_o will_v consider_v i_o as_o i_o do_v he_o now_o i_o consider_v every_o one_o with_o who_o i_o seek_v brotherhood_n in_o profession_n as_o he_o have_v a_o relation_n unto_o god_n who_o be_v my_o father_n in_o christ_n if_o then_o i_o find_v that_o he_o have_v the_o same_o interest_n in_o god_n which_o i_o have_v and_o do_v call_v he_o father_n upon_o the_o same_o ground_n which_o i_o do_v namely_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o new_a covenant_n whereby_o i_o be_o unite_v unto_o god_n in_o christ_n then_o i_o do_v conceive_v he_o to_o be_v my_o brother_n in_o respect_n that_o his_o soul_n be_v beget_v by_o the_o same_o heavenly_a father_n through_o the_o same_o spiritual_a seed_n and_o in_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o same_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n and_o to_o the_o same_o lively_a hope_n by_o who_o through_o which_o seed_n in_o which_o womb_n and_o to_o which_o hope_n my_o soul_n be_v beget_v and_o if_o i_o find_v he_o sound_a in_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n must_v needs_o acknowledge_v he_o in_o my_o heart_n my_o brother_n and_o a_o son_n of_o the_o same_o spiritual_a father_n and_o mother_n than_o i_o ought_v not_o before_o man_n to_o conceal_v the_o same_o acknowledgement_n but_o be_o bind_v in_o conscience_n chief_o when_o it_o may_v tend_v much_o to_o his_o good_a and_o to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o god_n glory_n to_o make_v open_a profession_n thereof_o although_o in_o some_o other_o respect_v there_o may_v be_v some_o difference_n of_o opinion_n and_o of_o custom_n of_o behaviour_n betwixt_o we_o for_o all_o brethren_n be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o stature_n and_o clothe_v alike_o and_o speak_v with_o one_o and_o the_o same_o tone_n and_o alike_o ready_o some_o be_v tall_a than_o other_o and_o more_o comely_a some_o more_o neat_a in_o their_o clothes_n and_o speak_v more_o distinct_o and_o with_o more_o reason_n than_o other_o do_v and_o yet_o this_o do_v make_v no_o difference_n in_o the_o interest_n which_o they_o have_v all_o alike_o unto_o their_o father_n and_o to_o his_o inheritance_n and_o in_o the_o brotherly_a relation_n which_o they_o have_v
this_o trouble_a and_o grow_v sea_n of_o the_o state_n betwixt_o these_o two_o hide_a rock_n which_o be_v beset_v with_o dangerous_a quicksand_n on_o all_o side_n then_o they_o shall_v by_o god_n grace_n help_v to_o save_v the_o weather-beaten_a ship_n of_o the_o church_n from_o shipwreck_n and_o bring_v she_o to_o a_o safe_a harbour_n in_o the_o quiet_v state_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o in_o hope_n that_o the_o good_a hand_n of_o god_n may_v be_v upon_o they_o to_o help_v the_o furtherance_n of_o so_o good_a a_o work_n i_o will_v suppose_v that_o the_o apostolical_a rule_n of_o compose_v difference_n phil._n 3.16_o may_v be_v practise_v in_o this_o case_n among_o those_o that_o be_v profess_o brethren_n the_o apostle_n sai_fw-fr h_o then_o whereunto_o we_o have_v attain_v already_o let_v we_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n let_v we_o be_v like_o mind_a or_o mind_n the_o same_o thing_n to_o such_o then_o as_o be_v spiritual_o dispose_v let_v i_o speak_v in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o a_o joint_a member_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n i_o will_v entreat_v they_o to_o set_v down_o that_o whereunto_o they_o be_v attain_v and_o wherein_o they_o full_o agree_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n then_o when_o this_o be_v know_v let_v rule_n be_v think_v upon_o to_o walk_v by_o and_o let_v these_o be_v receive_v on_o all_o side_n for_o the_o order_n of_o their_o course_n without_o offence_n one_o towards_o another_o and_o for_o the_o settle_n of_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o mutual_a freedom_n and_o of_o the_o engagement_n to_o mutual_a subjection_n and_o yield_n to_o one_o another_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n these_o rule_n be_v take_v from_o the_o clear_a precept_n of_o the_o word_n the_o tie_n of_o the_o conscience_n bind_v every_o one_o ●o_o mind_n the_o same_o thing_n or_o to_o be_v like_o mind_a each_o towards_o another_o shall_v be_v superad_v thereunto_o the_o thing_n then_o which_o shall_v be_v mind_v unanimous_o by_o all_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o mutual_a edification_n by_o serve_v each_o other_o through_o love_n this_o duty_n be_v to_o be_v tie_v upon_o the_o conscience_n by_o some_o special_a promise_n which_o be_v to_o be_v take_v by_o all_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n as_o be_v profe_o subject_a to_o his_o will_n by_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n which_o he_o have_v make_v with_o we_o in_o jesus_n christ_n that_o we_o be_v all_o bind_v over_o to_o he_o in_o christ_n may_v by_o the_o same_o tie_n of_o love_n be_v knit_v each_o to_o other_o as_o member_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n by_o our_o spiritual_a relation_n these_o relation_n than_o be_v to_o be_v settle_v in_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o duty_n which_o one_o member_n owe_v to_o another_o as_o they_o stand_v joint_o under_o the_o same_o head_n christ_n jesus_n and_o very_o i_o think_v this_o be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n for_o man_n of_o spiritual_a and_o impartial_a disposition_n to_o do_v free_o among_o themselves_o without_o trouble_v the_o secular_a magistrate_n with_o debate_n of_o the_o form_n of_o spiritual_a government_n as_o matter_n mere_o ecclesiastical_a whereof_o he_o be_v no_o competent_a judge_n but_o if_o these_o spiritual_a relation_n can_v be_v settle_v by_o the_o wisdom_n and_o love_a affection_n of_o spiritual_a office-bearer_n within_o the_o church_n among_o themselves_o than_o it_o be_v just_a that_o they_o shall_v forfeit_v their_o spiritual_a right_n and_o liberty_n which_o christ_n have_v confer_v upon_o they_o and_o fall_v under_o the_o arbitrement_n of_o a_o secular_a power_n which_o ought_v to_o look_v unto_o its_o own_o safety_n lest_o those_o that_o make_v division_n and_o multiply_v breach_n in_o the_o church_n about_o small_a matter_n disturb_v also_o by_o that_o mean_v the_o public_a peace_n of_o the_o state_n and_o then_o the_o magistrate_n in_o his_o charge_n over_o the_o visible_a and_o outward_a behaviour_n and_o action_n of_o man_n as_o well_o religious_a so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v public_a as_o civil_a in_o respect_n that_o they_o be_v natural_a aught_o to_o become_v a_o zorobabel_n and_o take_v the_o plummet_n of_o just_a authority_n in_o hand_n to_o interpose_v and_o make_v ordinance_n of_o innocence_n and_o harmless_a carriage_n among_o those_o that_o in_o their_o strife_n about_o spiritual_a matter_n forget_v their_o moral_a dutifulnesse_n unto_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o civility_n if_o then_o these_o man_n that_o pretend_v a_o freedom_n of_o non-communion_n shall_v gather_v every_o one_o their_o own_o church_n and_o get_v follower_n unto_o themselves_o which_o will_v have_v the_o same_o privilege_n to_o be_v under_o no_o authority_n result_v from_o the_o spiritual_a combination_n of_o church_n officer_n and_o if_o the_o state_n shall_v find_v it_o necessary_a to_o tolerate_v such_o non-communionists_a for_o a_o time_n to_o avoid_v great_a public_a evil_n than_o i_o think_v that_o the_o second_o question_n shall_v be_v take_v into_o consideration_n namely_o what_o latitude_n of_o difference_n from_o other_o shall_v be_v permit_v unto_o these_o in_o their_o public_a worship_n and_o what_o limitation_n of_o behaviour_n shall_v be_v lay_v upon_o they_o to_o avoid_v disorder_n and_o trouble_v in_o that_o church_n which_o be_v principal_o allow_v in_o the_o state_n for_o if_o a_o christian_a state_n shall_v have_v but_o one_o only_a church_n which_o it_o show_v d_o own_o as_o the_o child_n whereof_o it_o be_v a_o nurse_n mother_n and_o if_o the_o own_n of_o many_o church_n alike_o will_v be_v a_o inevitable_a cause_n of_o division_n within_o itself_o than_o it_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o church_n which_o we_o tolerate_v public_o beside_o that_o which_o it_o ow_v shall_v be_v so_o tolerate_v as_o may_v be_v no_o prejudice_n unto_o that_o whereof_o itself_o be_v profess_o the_o nurse_n mother_n and_o because_o the_o substantial_a truth_n of_o christianity_n be_v but_o one_o the_o wisdom_n of_o a_o state_n shall_v tolerate_v nothing_o that_o may_v darken_v oppose_v or_o eat_v out_o the_o substantial_a truth_n but_o because_o all_o those_o that_o make_v true_a profession_n of_o christianity_n do_v it_o for_o conscience_n sake_n towards_o that_o which_o they_o conceive_v to_o be_v substantial_a in_o that_o truth_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n also_o desire_v to_o have_v the_o liberty_n of_o their_o profession_n as_o think_v it_o a_o injury_n to_o have_v their_o conscience_n restrain_v from_o serve_v christ_n or_o any_o thing_n force_v upon_o it_o which_o it_o can_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v christ_n therefore_o as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o honest_a heart_a christian_a in_o this_o case_n so_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v with_o the_o conscience_n of_o a_o state_n for_o as_o no_o honest_a heart_a christian_n will_v have_v his_o conscience_n at_o perpetual_a uncertainty_n in_o matter_n of_o divine_a worship_n nor_o will_v he_o have_v any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n force_v upon_o it_o nor_o will_v he_o be_v oblige_v to_o give_v assent_n thereunto_o before_o he_o shall_v know_v it_o to_o be_v of_o god_n or_o at_o lest_o no_o way_n contrary_a to_o his_o undoubted_a ordinance_n so_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o conscience_n of_o a_o state_n shall_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o be_v at_o perpetual_a uncertainty_n nor_o shall_v it_o suffer_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v force_v upon_o itself_o which_o it_o be_v not_o sure_o be_v of_o god_n and_o subordinate_a unto_o his_o will_n but_o in_o case_n to_o avoid_v a_o great_a evil_n it_o be_v find_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o admit_v a_o doubtful_a profession_n in_o public_a than_o a_o good_a conscience_n of_o two_o unavoidable_a evil_n m●●_n choose_v the_o least_o as_o we_o see_v david_n do_v 1_o sam._n 21._o and_o 2_o sam._n 3_o 39_o and_o at_o other_o time_n yet_o it_o will_v endure_v that_o evil_a no_o long_o than_o it_o needs_o must_v but_o it_o will_v take_v it_o up_o only_o as_o a_o burden_n to_o be_v lay_v down_o again_o as_o soon_o as_o it_o may_v be_v with_o conveniency_n thus_o than_o if_o the_o non-communion_n way_n be_v find_v unavoidable_a and_o yet_o not_o know_v to_o be_v god_n ordinance_n it_o may_v be_v admit_v till_o it_o c●n_v be_v either_o lay_v down_o or_o rectify_v or_o approve_v to_o be_v of_o god_n all_o which_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o state_n shall_v declare_v in_o the_o act_n of_o toleration_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v that_o the_o non-communionists_a themselves_o if_o they_o will_v not_o go_v from_o their_o principle_n will_v desire_v a_o toleration_n upon_o other_o term_n and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v determine_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o way_n of_o god_n or_o no_o a_o course_n of_o o_o derly_a conference_n shall_v ●e_v settle_v which_o may_v not_o turn_v to_o any_o heat_n or_o breach_n of_o brotherly_a affection_n