Selected quad for the lemma: church_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A34537
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The interest of England in the matter of religion the first and second parts : unfolded in the solution of three questions / written by John Corbet.
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Corbet, John, 1620-1680.
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1661
(1661)
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Wing C6256; ESTC R2461
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85,526
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278
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indulgent_a to_o presbytery_n withstand_v the_o re-ordaining_a of_o those_o scottish_a presbyter_n elect_v bishop_n upon_o this_o reason_n that_o they_o may_v not_o seem_v to_o question_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n for_o which_o cause_n who_o can_v forbear_v to_o censure_v the_o palpable_a absurdity_n of_o some_o latter_a prelatist_n that_o unchurch_n all_o the_o foreign_a reform_a church_n and_o nullify_v their_o ministry_n and_o ordinance_n they_o have_v take_v up_o a_o most_o destructive_a kill_a opinion_n which_o 〈◊〉_d the_o unspeakable_a advantage_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n let_v out_o the_o vital_n of_o the_o protestant_a cause_n and_o religion_n and_o shall_v any_o that_o be_v hearty_a protestant_n be_v fond_a of_o such_o opinionist_n moreover_o it_o be_v no_o less_o evident_a that_o the_o prelacy_n as_o it_o stand_v in_o england_n be_v without_o the_o warrant_n of_o divine_a right_n and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o regard_n of_o lordly_a title_n and_o exercise_n of_o temporal_a dominion_n but_o also_o in_o regard_n of_o sole_a jurisdiction_n and_o deputation_n of_o power_n be_v there_o any_o text_n in_o the_o scripture_n where_o the_o name_n and_o work_v of_o a_o bishop_n be_v appropriate_v to_o a_o superior_a order_n or_o degree_n in_o the_o ministry_n do_v not_o all_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n that_o mention_v the_o name_n and_o work_v of_o a_o bishop_n attribute_n both_o to_o all_o ordain_a minister_n can_v there_o be_v a_o clear_a evidence_n that_o a_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o spiritual_a officer_n beside_o to_o maintain_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o prelacy_n it_o suffice_v not_o to_o show_v from_o scripture_n any_o kind_n of_o difference_n between_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n unless_o it_o can_v be_v likewise_o prove_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v the_o alone_a subject_n or_o receptacle_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n that_o he_o alone_o have_v rule_v and_o government_n over_o all_o the_o presbyter_n within_o his_o limit_n yea_o and_o over_o all_o the_o church_n leave_v no_o power_n to_o the_o presbyter_n but_o to_o execute_v his_o injunction_n but_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o express_v then_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v all_o presbyter_n to_o be_v bishop_n or_o overseer_n and_o have_v command_v they_o to_o rule_v the_o church_n and_o to_o exercise_v episcopacy_n or_o to_o take_v the_o oversight_n thereof_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v manifest_a by_o appoint_v the_o exhortation_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o character_n and_o qualification_n of_o bishop_n write_v by_o the_o same_o apostle_n unto_o timothy_n to_o be_v read_v unto_o presbyter_n at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o ordination_n hereupon_o a_o late_a famous_a defender_n of_o prelacy_n be_v drive_v to_o leave_v the_o beat_a path_n of_o episcopal_a divine_n and_o to_o take_v a_o new_a way_n but_o to_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o cause_n maintain_v by_o he_o he_o say_v that_o although_o the_o title_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n have_v be_v extend_v to_o a_o second_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o be_v now_o in_o use_n only_o for_o they_o under_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n yet_o in_o the_o scripture_n time_n it_o belong_v principal_o if_o not_o only_o to_o bishop_n there_o be_v no_o evidence_n that_o any_o of_o that_o second_o order_n be_v then_o institute_v though_o soon_o after_o before_o the_o write_n of_o ignatius_n such_o be_v institute_v in_o all_o church_n here_o it_o be_v full_o grant_v that_o the_o scripture_n presbyter_n be_v bishop_n and_o that_o the_o second_o order_n of_o mere_a presbyter_n which_o be_v no_o bishop_n be_v not_o then_o institute_v whereupon_o it_o follow_v that_o a_o mere_a presbyter_n who_o be_v no_o bishop_n be_v not_o of_o divine_a institution_n but_o a_o mere_a humane_a creature_n if_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o perfect_a rule_n of_o all_o divine_a institution_n neither_o be_v the_o abatement_n of_o prelacy_n unto_o moderate_a episcopacy_n or_o presidency_n any_o departure_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n but_o a_o true_a revive_n of_o the_o same_o which_o be_v a_o election_n make_v by_o the_o presbyter_n of_o one_o of_o their_o own_o number_n to_o preside_v among_o they_o and_o that_o upon_o no_o pretence_n of_o divine_a right_n but_o for_o remedy_n of_o schism_n as_o i_o witness_v and_o with_o this_o bishop_n or_o precedent_n the_o whole_a presbytery_n join_v in_o the_o common_a government_n of_o the_o church_n bishop_n usher_z plain_o show_v how_o easy_o the_o ancient_a form_n of_o government_n may_v be_v revive_v again_o and_o with_o what_o little_a show_n of_o alteration_n namely_o by_o erect_v a_o suffragan_n bishop_n in_o every_o rural_a deanery_n into_o which_o every_o diocese_n be_v subdivide_v who_o may_v every_o month_n assemble_v a_o synod_n of_o all_o the_o incumbent_a pastor_n within_o the_o precinct_n and_o according_a to_o the_o major_a part_n of_o voice_n conclude_v all_o matter_n that_o shall_v be_v bring_v into_o debate_n before_o they_o yet_o with_o a_o liberty_n to_o appeal_v if_o need_v require_v to_o the_o diocesan_n provincial_a national_a synod_n that_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n shall_v be_v very_o much_o augment_v do_v evident_o appear_v to_o all_o that_o know_v and_o consider_v the_o weight_n of_o episcopal_a superintendency_n and_o the_o learned_a bishop_n now_o mention_v give_v a_o hint_n that_o their_o number_n may_v be_v very_o well_o conform_v to_o the_o number_n of_o rural_a deanery_n sure_o so_o many_o hundred_o populous_a parish_n now_o under_o the_o government_n of_o one_o bishop_n may_v be_v well_o divide_v into_o many_o dioceses_n ample_a enough_o and_o such_o a_o course_n will_v make_v not_o only_o for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o more_o effectual_a inspection_n of_o many_o bishop_n for_o one_o but_o also_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o learning_n by_o the_o multiplication_n of_o preferment_n wherefore_o nothing_o of_o the_o church_n be_v or_o well-being_n nothing_o of_o divine_a institution_n or_o primitive_a practice_n do_v withstand_v the_o reduction_n of_o prelacy_n to_o moderate_a episcopacy_n or_o the_o ancient_a synodical_a government_n to_o which_o the_o presbyterian_o may_v conform_v without_o repugnancy_n to_o their_o principle_n section_n xxiv_o the_o point_n of_o ceremony_n come_v next_o under_o debate_n and_o for_o as_o much_o as_o it_o concern_v divine_a worship_n it_o be_v of_o high_a importance_n and_o a_o tender_a point_n of_o conscience_n and_o herein_o we_o affirm_v that_o the_o presbyterian_a concession_n be_v no_o way_n defective_a but_o sufficient_a and_o ample_a unto_o all_o regular_a devotion_n in_o divine_a service_n all_o natural_a expression_n of_o devotion_n or_o natural_a external_a worship_n they_o ready_o acknowledge_v as_o kneel_v and_o lift_v up_o of_o the_o hand_n and_o eye_n in_o prayer_n and_o such_o like_a which_o be_v call_v natural_a because_o nature_n itself_o teach_v all_o nation_n to_o use_v they_o without_o any_o divine_a or_o humane_a institution_n and_o a_o rational_a man_n by_o the_o mere_a light_n of_o nature_n be_v direct_v to_o they_o yet_o not_o without_o some_o government_n of_o counsel_n and_o discretion_n for_o in_o these_o thing_n nature_n be_v in_o part_n determine_v and_o limit_v by_o the_o custom_n of_o several_a age_n and_o country_n and_o by_o the_o difference_n of_o several_a case_n in_o the_o act_n of_o adoration_n the_o prostration_n of_o the_o body_n be_v use_v according_a to_o nature_n in_o some_o age_n place_n and_o occasion_n and_o not_o in_o other_o in_o ancient_a time_n the_o wear_n of_o fackcloth_n and_o ash_n and_o rent_v of_o clothes_n be_v fit_a expression_n of_o humiliation_n and_o that_o according_a to_o nature_n yet_o the_o same_o suit_v not_o with_o our_o time_n for_o herein_o nature_n be_v subject_a unto_o some_o variety_n and_o now_o adays_o the_o wear_n of_o the_o mean_a apparel_n be_v suitable_a in_o a_o day_n of_o humiliation_n because_o it_o be_v now_o a_o convenient_a natural_a expression_n of_o self-abasement_n and_o a_o kind_n of_o abstinence_n likewise_o kneel_v be_v a_o natural_a prayer-posture_n but_o where_o it_o can_v be_v use_v convenient_o stand_v be_v natural_o agreeable_a nevertheless_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o be_v necessary_a where_o infirmity_n or_o other_o necessity_n make_v it_o inconvenient_a moreover_o they_o do_v not_o scruple_n the_o mere_a circumstance_n of_o order_n as_o time_n place_n and_o method_n without_o which_o humane_a action_n can_v be_v perform_v they_o allow_v and_o commend_v all_o matter_n of_o decency_n as_o decent_a church_n or_o meet_v place_n and_o furniture_n as_o a_o pulpit_n cloth_n communion_n cup_n and_o a_o grave_a habit_n for_o a_o minister_n and_o in_o holy_a duty_n a_o grave_a posture_n of_o body_n &_o compose_a countenance_n and_o
we_o conclude_v that_o those_o who_o agree_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n can_v disagree_v in_o the_o substance_n of_o worship_n they_o differ_v only_o about_o the_o liturgy_n and_o ceremony_n and_o the_o dissent_v side_n oppose_v not_o all_o liturgy_n but_o desire_v that_o the_o present_a form_n may_v be_v change_v or_o reform_v they_o oppose_v not_o any_o circumstance_n of_o decency_n and_o order_n but_o desire_v that_o mystical_a ceremony_n of_o humane_a institution_n may_v be_v abolish_v or_o not_o enjoin_v section_n xx._n thus_o the_o coalition_n of_o these_o two_o interest_n into_o one_o appear_v possible_a because_o their_o conscientious_a principle_n on_o both_o side_n have_v not_o that_o repugnancy_n but_o that_o they_o may_v well_o close_o together_o in_o a_o due_a temperament_n and_o constitute_v one_o solid_a ecclesiastical_a polity_n and_o nothing_o hinder_v this_o conjunction_n but_o the_o obstinacy_n either_o of_o one_o or_o both_o party_n from_o a_o humour_n of_o opposition_n or_o incurable_a enmity_n or_o some_o carnal_a design_n among_o the_o bishop_n and_o episcopal_a doctor_n some_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a have_v witness_v to_o the_o world_n their_o desire_n of_o accommodation_n by_o their_o endeavour_n and_o proposal_n that_o way_n the_o presbyterian_o prefer_v a_o unite_n accommodation_n though_o upon_o yield_a term_n before_o division_n with_o a_o entire_a toleration_n the_o incomparable_a bishop_n usher_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o late_a trouble_v propose_v his_o model_n entitle_v the_o reduction_n of_o episcopacy_n unto_o the_o form_n of_o synodical_a government_n receive_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n as_o a_o expedient_a for_o the_o comprimize_v of_o the_o now_o difference_n thus_o declare_v that_o by_o order_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n all_o presbyter_n be_v charge_v to_o minister_v the_o doctrine_n sacrament_n and_o discipline_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v command_v and_o as_o this_o realm_n have_v receive_v the_o same_o and_o that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o understand_v what_o the_o lord_n have_v command_v therein_o the_o exhortation_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v read_v unto_o they_o at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o ordination_n take_v heed_n to_o yourselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n among_o who_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n to_o rule_v the_o congregation_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n mark_v well_o how_o this_o pious_a learned_a prelate_n declare_v his_o own_o sense_n and_o interpret_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v all_o ordain_v minister_n bishop_n or_o overseer_n to_o rule_v the_o congregation_n of_o god_n he_o say_v further_a though_o in_o our_o church_n this_o kind_n of_o presbyterial_a government_n have_v be_v long_a dis-used_n yet_o see_v it_o still_o profess_v that_o every_o pastor_n have_v a_o right_a to_o rule_v the_o church_n and_o to_o minister_v the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n as_o well_o as_o to_o dispense_v the_o doctrine_n and_o sacrament_n and_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o right_n proceed_v only_o from_o the_o custom_n now_o receive_v in_o this_o realm_n no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o by_o another_o law_n of_o the_o land_n this_o hindrance_n may_v be_v well_o remove_v if_o the_o presbyterian_o embrace_v these_o or_o such_o like_a proposal_n what_o hinder_v the_o agreement_n in_o that_o great_a and_o most_o difficult_a point_n in_o difference_n to_o wit_n church-government_n section_n xxi_o if_o both_o party_n refuse_v to_o meet_v each_o other_o and_o to_o walk_v together_o in_o a_o middle_a way_n the_o weak_a party_n must_v needs_o be_v tolerate_v there_o be_v indeed_o a_o three_o way_n by_o subvert_v the_o reject_a side_n but_o we_o believe_v that_o in_o the_o present_a case_n it_o be_v so_o abhorrent_n to_o humane_a reason_n and_o christian_a charity_n thâ—â—we_o will_v not_o take_v it_o into_o consideration_n wherefore_o the_o question_n lie_v between_o a_o accommodation_n and_o a_o toleration_n which_o of_o these_o two_o shall_v be_v choose_v and_o why_o the_o former_a be_v more_o desirable_a for_o both_o side_n than_o the_o latter_a i_o offer_v these_o argument_n and_o first_o multiformity_n of_o religion_n public_o profess_v do_v not_o well_o comport_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o this_o nation_n which_o be_v free_a eager_a zealous_a apt_a to_o animosity_n and_o jealousy_n beside_o that_o it_o have_v ever_o have_v a_o strong_a propension_n to_o uniformity_n also_o it_o be_v too_o well_o know_v that_o the_o divide_v of_o church_n communion_n be_v the_o divide_v of_o heart_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o live_v like_o brethren_n till_o we_o agree_v to_o walk_v in_o one_o way_n only_o let_v this_o be_v well_o observe_v and_o ever_o remember_v that_o the_o necessary_a and_o enjoin_v term_n of_o this_o unity_n be_v not_o in_o thing_n superfluous_a but_o necessary_a at_o least_o for_o edification_n order_n and_o peace_n moreover_o toleration_n be_v not_o the_o daughter_n of_o amity_n but_o of_o enmity_n at_o least_o in_o some_o degree_n suppose_v the_o party_n tolerate_v to_o be_v a_o burden_n especial_o if_o conceive_v dangerous_a to_o the_o way_n establish_v and_o common_o hold_v no_o long_o than_o mere_a necessity_n compel_v and_o consequent_o neither_o party_n take_v themselves_o to_o be_v safe_a the_o one_o always_o fear_v to_o lose_v its_o authority_n and_o the_o other_o its_o liberty_n and_o if_o man_n will_v lay_v aside_o self-conceit_a and_o fond_a indulgence_n to_o the_o way_n of_o their_o own_o persuasion_n they_o will_v quick_o find_v that_o the_o temper_n of_o this_o kingdom_n do_v not_o well_o accord_v with_o extreme_n on_o either_o hand_n certain_o well-minded_a and_o serious_a people_n be_v never_o better_o prepare_v for_o a_o equal_a accommodation_n they_o be_v weary_a of_o tedious_a dissension_n in_o church_n and_o state_n and_o have_v see_v &_o feel_v the_o sad_a consequent_n thereof_o and_o can_v they_o once_o attain_v to_o settle_a union_n upon_o the_o same_o ground_n they_o will_v do_v their_o utmost_a to_o hold_v and_o keep_v it_o inviolable_a without_o controversy_n the_o earnest_a thought_n of_o such_o a_o compoture_n do_v expedite_v the_o peaceable_a return_n of_o his_o majesty_n the_o presbyterian_o vigorous_o act_v for_o it_o although_o they_o know_v there_o be_v some_o that_o breathe_v out_o revenge_n and_o cruelty_n against_o they_o yet_o they_o hope_v that_o the_o prevail_a part_n will_v be_v sober_a and_o carry_v it_o with_o all_o moderation_n but_o they_o rely_v chief_o upon_o his_o majesty_n be_v wisdom_n equity_n and_o goodness_n who_o virtue_n attest_v by_o faithful_a witness_n proclaim_v he_o the_o sovereign_a reconciler_n and_o healer_n of_o our_o breach_n and_o sure_o they_o will_v never_o repent_v of_o their_o honesty_n and_o loyalty_n and_o let_v they_o rest_v assure_v that_o their_o moderation_n shall_v plead_v for_o they_o in_o the_o time_n to_o come_v section_n xxii_o if_o one_o party_n come_v forward_o to_o mere_a their_o brethren_n make_v a_o tender_a of_o such_o proposition_n as_o in_o all_o reason_n may_v procure_v unity_n and_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o can_v pass_v further_o without_o regret_n of_o conscience_n in_o this_o case_n for_o the_o other_o party_n to_o go_v about_o to_o strain_v they_o high_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a and_o uncharitable_a let_v they_o remember_v his_o rule_n who_o be_v lord_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n whatsoever_o you_o will_v that_o man_n shall_v do_v unto_o you_o do_v you_o the_o same_o unto_o they_o now_o such_o proposal_n may_v suffice_v for_o peace_n which_o will_v not_o satisfy_v humour_n and_o faction_n and_o carnal_a interest_n unity_n and_o order_n may_v be_v obtain_v by_o those_o term_n that_o do_v not_o prejudice_v the_o conscientious_a principle_n of_o either_o party_n and_o be_v not_o defective_a in_o thing_n necessary_a i_o mean_v not_o only_o to_o salvation_n but_o to_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o edification_n and_o very_o to_o insist_v upon_o such_o term_n alone_o be_v the_o most_o christian_n and_o most_o rational_a way_n to_o a_o solid_a and_o sure_a peace_n as_o for_o the_o presbyterian_o what_o they_o offer_v will_v sufficient_o attain_v the_o say_v end_n and_o what_o they_o stand_v upon_o do_v not_o cross_v the_o say_a rule_n of_o charity_n and_o prudence_n their_o proposal_n touch_v prelacy_n liturgy_n ceremony_n and_o canonical_a subscription_n be_v in_o no_o wise_a repugnant_a to_o the_o church_n be_v or_o well-being_n section_n xxiii_o that_o prelacy_n as_o it_o stand_v in_o england_n be_v not_o essential_a to_o a_o church-state_n we_o call_v to_o witness_v the_o far_o great_a number_n of_o protestant_a episcopal_n divine_v yea_o the_o whole_a current_n of_o they_o till_o the_o time_n next_o foregoing_a our_o civil_a war_n archbishop_n bancroft_n no_o way_n