Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	apostle_n	bishop_n	succession_n	9,913	5	9.7671	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85839	Analysis. The loosing of St. Peters bands; : setting forth the true sense and solution of the covenant in point of conscience so far as it relates to the government of the church by episcopacy. / By John Gauden ...	Gauden, John, 1605-1662.	1660 (1660)	Wing G340; ESTC R202274	13,622	28

episcopacy_n 4._o the_o sad_a and_o tragic_a consequence_n of_o it_o four_o it_o may_v seem_v odious_a to_o reflect_v upon_o this_o covenant_n as_o to_o the_o sad_a effect_n and_o unblest_a consequent_n which_o like_o black_a shadow_n have_v attend_v its_o appear_v and_o prevail_v in_o england_n and_o in_o scotland_n too_o what_o havock_v follow_v in_o church_n and_o state_n what_o improsperity_n disorder_n contempt_n confusion_n war_n spoil_n and_o bloodshed_n upon_o all_o estate_n and_o degree_n beside_o the_o contempt_n of_o religion_n the_o neglect_n of_o sacrament_n the_o expulsion_n of_o the_o liturgy_n and_o the_o avil_a no_o less_o than_o divide_v of_o minister_n who_o instead_o of_o okes_n and_o cedar_n of_o god_n former_o frequent_a in_o this_o church_n i_o mean_v divine_n of_o great_a gravity_n and_o excellent_a learning_n worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n everywhere_o shrink_v and_o dwindle_a to_o plebeian_n shrub_n and_o popular_a parasity_n the_o pity_n of_o the_o more_o pious_a and_o scorn_v of_o the_o more_o petulant_a sort_n of_o man_n 5._o the_o bafling_n and_o annulling_n of_o it_o by_o counter_a engagement_n five_o nor_o will_v i_o insist_v upon_o the_o baffling_n of_o the_o covenant_n before_o it_o be_v adult_n or_o many_o year_n old_a how_o it_o be_v soon_o make_v nehustan_n and_o reduce_v to_o nothing_o by_o counter_a and_o cross_a engagement_n after_o it_o have_v serve_v as_o one_o of_o the_o great_a rock_n for_o the_o king_n shipwreck_n no_o less_o than_o the_o church_n and_o state_n nor_o do_v the_o covenant_n ever_o thrive_v after_o it_o be_v water_v with_o the_o king_n blood_n wherein_o many_o man_n have_v a_o hand_n who_o have_v be_v zealous_a covenanter_n if_o it_o be_v so_o easy_o vacate_v in_o point_n of_o its_o express_a loyalty_n for_o the_o king_n preservation_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o bind_v in_o the_o case_n of_o abjure_v or_o extirpate_v of_o all_o episcopacy_n though_o reform_v and_o regulate_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v 6._o ●ts_n variate_v from_o if_o not_o cross_v former_a lawful_a oath_n of_o king_n and_o people_n six_o wherein_o it_o be_v very_o considerable_a how_o the_o covenant_n if_o so_o interpret_v must_v needs_o grate_v sore_o upon_o and_o pierce_v to_o the_o very_a quick_a those_o former_a lawful_a oath_n which_o have_v prepossess_v the_o soul_n and_o conscience_n of_o most_o of_o we_o in_o england_n not_o only_o of_o subject_n as_o those_o of_o allegiance_n and_o supremacy_n beside_o that_o of_o ministerial_a canonical_a obedience_n to_o our_o lawful_a superior_n in_o church_n and_o state_n but_o even_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o late_a king_n as_o he_o be_v bind_v by_o his_o oath_n at_o his_o coronation_n to_o preserve_v the_o right_n and_o franchise_n of_o the_o church_n which_o the_o king_n rather_o than_o break_v as_o some_o man_n urge_v he_o choose_v to_o die_v and_o lose_v all_o in_o this_o world_n as_o he_o declare_v to_o many_o at_o the_o isle_n of_o wight_n and_o to_o mr._n marshal_n with_o other_o at_o newcastle_n from_o which_o oath_n as_o we_o know_v no_o absolution_n so_o nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o superfetation_n of_o such_o a_o contradictory_n vow_n and_o covenant_n without_o apparent_a perjury_n which_o we_o presume_v the_o covenant_n never_o intend_v nor_o include_v or_o if_o it_o do_v it_o be_v therein_o of_o no_o bond_n or_o validity_n as_o to_o any_o good_a man_n conscience_n against_o previous_a lawful_a oath_n which_o must_v be_v keep_v 7_o it_o threaten_v dangerous_a schism_n seven_o beside_o if_o the_o covenant_n be_v design_v as_o wilful_o exclusive_a and_o total_o abjure_v of_o all_o episcopal_a order_n and_o government_n in_o this_o church_n of_o england_n it_o must_v needs_o run_v we_o upon_o a_o great_a rock_n not_o only_o of_o novelty_n but_o of_o schism_n and_o dash_v we_o both_o in_o opinion_n and_o practice_n against_o the_o judgement_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o all_o place_n and_o age_n till_o of_o late_a year_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n with_o who_o we_o ought_v to_o keep_v communion_n in_o all_o thing_n of_o so_o ancient_a tradition_n and_o universal_a observation_n nor_o may_v we_o so_o comply_v with_o a_o few_o reform_a church_n of_o late_a day_n who_o want_n but_o not_o contempt_n of_o bishop_n also_o the_o necessity_n of_o time_n and_o distress_n of_o affair_n put_v upon_o they_o either_o by_o the_o policy_n of_o prince_n or_o the_o impatience_n and_o prejudice_n of_o people_n or_o the_o covetousness_n and_o sacrilege_n of_o both_o may_v excuse_v while_o they_o approve_v and_o venerate_a episcopacy_n in_o other_o yet_o with_o these_o we_o must_v not_o so_o comply_v as_o to_o put_v a_o reproach_n scandal_n scruple_n or_o affront_n upon_o all_o other_o christian_a church_n at_o this_o day_n in_o all_o the_o world_n among_o who_o not_o one_o ever_o be_v of_o old_a or_o be_v to_o this_o day_n in_o any_o kingdom_n to_o be_v find_v without_o their_o bishop_n as_o derive_v by_o the_o succession_n of_o all_o time_n from_o the_o apostle_n nor_o be_v the_o abolish_n of_o episcopacy_n a_o small_a wall_n of_o partition_n new_o set_v up_o to_o keep_v all_o papist_n from_o due_a reformation_n 8._o the_o ●est_n sense_n and_o use_v of_o the_o covenant_n eight_o i_o may_v further_o add_v how_o much_o more_o equal_a and_o ingenuous_a loyal_a and_o religious_a be_v it_o for_o all_o sober-meaning_n covenanter_n to_o reduce_v and_o confine_v their_o conscience_n as_o well_o as_o their_o covenant_n from_o such_o a_o extravagant_a disloyal_a unlawful_a enormous_a and_o schismatical_a sense_n to_o which_o some_o do_v wrest_v and_o torture_v it_o in_o which_o it_o can_v neither_o be_v lawful_o take_v nor_o can_v be_v keep_v with_o honesty_n as_o against_o all_o episcopacy_n and_o rather_o to_o retire_v to_o that_o sober_a sense_n wherein_o alone_o it_o may_v lawful_o be_v take_v if_o it_o have_v be_v impose_v by_o due_a authority_n or_o be_v spontaneous_o assume_v which_o sense_n can_v reach_v no_o further_o than_o those_o abusive_a excess_n or_o defect_n of_o church_n government_n under_o bishop_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v real_o such_o either_o by_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o the_o constitution_n and_o custom_n in_o england_n or_o at_o least_o as_o they_o appear_v such_o to_o these_o covenanter_n as_o to_o the_o execution_n of_o that_o authority_n through_o the_o fault_n or_o infirmity_n of_o some_o bishop_n and_o their_o instrument_n who_o possible_o be_v not_o so_o worthy_a and_o good_a or_o not_o so_o wise_a and_o discreet_a as_o become_v christian_a bishop_n or_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n of_o christ_n church_n but_o it_o be_v a_o most_o irreligious_a as_o well_o as_o unreasonable_a ametry_n transport_v for_o man_n to_o covenant_n against_o all_o the_o right_a use_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a because_o of_o the_o abuse_n incident_a to_o they_o by_o man_n or_o time_n that_o may_v be_v evil_a 9_o it_o be_v pretend_v authority-from_a example_n in_o the_o o._n test_n nineth_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o level_v to_o the_o ground_n all_o those_o fair_a but_o fallacious_a pretence_n draw_v to_o fortify_v the_o covenant_n from_o scripture_n example_n wherein_o the_o jew_n sometime_o solemn_o renew_v their_o covenant_n with_o god_n but_o it_o be_v that_o express_a covenant_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v first_o make_v with_o they_o in_o horeb_n and_o mount_n sina_n punctual_o prescribe_v by_o god_n to_o moses_n and_o by_o moses_n as_o their_o supreme_a governor_n or_o king_n impose_v upon_o they_o this_o they_o sometime_o renew_v after_o they_o have_v break_v it_o by_o their_o apostasy_n to_o false_a and_o strange_a god_n but_o bless_v be_v god_n this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n or_o people_n of_o england_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o need_n of_o such_o covenant_a any_o more_o than_o there_o be_v any_o moses_n or_o hezekiah_n or_o josiah_n or_o any_o chief_a governor_n command_v it_o nor_o alas_o be_v this_o covenant_n any_o divine_a dictate_v or_o sovereign_a prescription_n but_o the_o petty_a composition_n of_o a_o few_o politic_a man_n subject_n not_o prince_n and_o very_o mean_a subject_n too_o some_o of_o they_o either_o as_o lawyer_n or_o minister_n a_o great_a part_n of_o who_o i_o and_o other_o well_o know_v to_o be_v no_o very_o great_a clerk_n or_o statesman_n and_o fit_a for_o a_o country_n cure_n than_o to_o contrive_v and_o compose_v solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o church_n and_o kingdom_n yea_o and_o upon_o their_o king_n too_o in_o who_o dominion_n be_v many_o thousand_o equal_n and_o superior_n to_o those_o master_n who_o head_n rather_o than_o their_o heart_n and_o their_o state_n correspondency_n more_o than_o their_o conscience_n bring_v forth_o this_o covenant_n 10._o no_o evangelical_a example_n of_o any_o such_o covenant_n in_o any_o christian_a church_n of_o

old_a last_o i_o may_v true_o allege_v against_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o there_o be_v no_o precept_n or_o pattern_n for_o any_o such_o in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n nor_o in_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o never_o read_v nor_o hear_v of_o any_o covenant_a christian_n until_o the_o ligue_n saint_n in_o france_n except_o those_o who_o in_o one_o baptism_n be_v sprinkle_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o so_o enter_v into_o that_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o we_o and_o we_o with_o he_o in_o that_o holy_a laver_n of_o regeneration_n this_o be_v the_o new_a and_o evangelical_n covenant_n of_o all_o true_a christian_n this_o we_o break_v by_o wilful_a and_o presumptuous_a sin_n this_o we_o renew_v by_o true_a repentance_n and_o by_o worthy_a participation_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n §_o how_o vast_o different_a from_o this_o sacred_a covenant_n this_o late_a piece_n of_o policy_n more_o than_o piety_n be_v and_o how_o little_a the_o true_a covenant_n of_o a_o christian_a bind_v he_o by_o his_o baptism_n or_o repentance_n or_o the_o eucharist_n against_o all_o episcopal_a government_n i_o leave_v to_o all_o soberminded_n christian_n to_o judge_v since_o both_o the_o power_n of_o ordain_v minister_n and_o by_o they_o to_o consecrate_v and_o celebrate_v both_o sacrament_n be_v ever_o derive_v from_o and_o by_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o chief_n conservator_n cistern_n and_o conduit_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n and_o ministerial_a power_n from_o the_o very_a apostle_n the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n act_v 1._o who_o have_v the_o same_o immediate_o from_o christ_n who_o be_v and_o ever_o be_v the_o great_a bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o our_o soul_n to_o feed_v and_o rule_v his_o church_n not_o only_o by_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n but_o by_o such_o shepherd_n and_o ruler_n as_o he_o have_v in_o all_o age_n set_v over_o his_o flock_n of_o which_o bishop_n be_v ever_o esteem_v the_o angel_n precedent_n or_o chief_n father_n who_o utter_o to_o destroy_v and_o violent_o to_o extirpate_v out_o of_o this_o or_o any_o christian_a church_n be_v not_o only_o to_o offer_v signal_n and_o intolerable_a injury_n to_o the_o person_n of_o such_o excellent_a bishop_n as_o england_n late_o have_v and_o still_o may_v have_v but_o further_a mighty_o to_o abate_v the_o honour_n of_o this_o whole_a church_n and_o its_o ministry_n by_o take_v away_o all_o the_o reward_n and_o encouragement_n of_o learning_n and_o religion_n yea_o and_o to_o scandalize_v all_o church_n by_o abolish_n such_o a_o venerable_a order_n and_o universal_a custom_n in_o the_o church_n as_o have_v no_o origine_fw-la but_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o look_v very_o like_o a_o immediate_a institution_n of_o christ_n either_o preceptive_a and_o explicit_a or_o tacit_a and_o exemplary_a rigour_n the_o just_a abatement_n of_o covenanter_n heat_n and_o rigour_n §_o so_o that_o if_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o covenant-maker_n and_o taker_n to_o extirpate_v and_o abolish_v not_o the_o abuse_n but_o the_o very_a use_n of_o all_o episcopal_a order_n and_o government_n the_o great_a boanergess_n who_o thunder_n out_o so_o much_o terror_n against_o covenant-breaking_a may_v do_v much_o more_o justice_n and_o execution_n if_o they_o turn_v the_o mouth_n of_o their_o canon_n against_o such_o covenant-taking_a which_o be_v better_o break_v than_o keep_v in_o any_o unlawful_a sense_n and_o best_a of_o all_o when_o not_o at_o all_o take_v with_o any_o such_o intention_n which_o be_v as_o presumptuous_a as_o it_o be_v preposterous_a §_o these_o thing_n be_v thus_o premise_v be_v sufficient_a as_o i_o conceive_v to_o abate_v the_o edge_n and_o rigour_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o to_o its_o antipathy_n against_o all_o episcopacy_n and_o to_o ravel_v that_o cable_n or_o bond_n of_o religious_a obligation_n which_o some_o man_n do_v seem_v to_o twist_v and_o urge_v upon_o poor_a people_n conscience_n in_o that_o point_n when_o in_o good_a earnest_n there_o be_v neither_o law_n of_o god_n or_o man_n require_v impose_v or_o comprobate_v any_o such_o covenant_n by_o any_o national_a or_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n so_o that_o it_o appear_v at_o best_o to_o be_v but_o a_o matter_n of_o will_n worship_n of_o humane_a and_o private_a invention_n void_a of_o public_a and_o plenary_a injunction_n esteem_v by_o many_o but_o as_o a_o stratagem_n of_o state_n a_o flag_n of_o faction_n a_o engine_n frame_v on_o purpose_n to_o batter_v down_o episcopacy_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o england_n in_o order_n to_o obtain_v the_o spoil_n of_o they_o not_o to_o punish_v and_o amend_v the_o evil_a that_o may_v be_v in_o episcopal_a government_n or_o in_o some_o bishop_n and_o other_o minister_n but_o to_o seize_v all_o their_o estate_n and_o all_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o great_a enrich_n of_o some_o sacrilegious_a protestant_n to_o the_o gratify_n of_o some_o presbyter_n envy_n and_o revenge_n but_o most_o of_o all_o to_o the_o great_a joy_n and_o triumph_v of_o the_o romish_a party_n and_o jesuitick_a design_n which_o be_v think_v by_o many_o wise_a man_n to_o have_v be_v if_o not_o the_o sire_n yet_o the_o sib_n to_o that_o covenant_n that_o they_o may_v help_v to_o spread_v it_o as_o a_o snare_n in_o mizpeh_n thereby_o to_o catch_v and_o destroy_v the_o famous_a bishop_n the_o most_o renown_a clergy_n the_o best_a reform_a and_o most_o flourish_a church_n in_o all_o the_o world_n §_o conscience_n the_o best_a aspect_n of_o the_o covenant_n consider_v in_o conscience_n but_o i_o will_v look_v upon_o this_o covenant_n in_o the_o soft_a sense_n that_o can_v be_v make_v of_o it_o as_o a_o voluntary_a vow_n or_o religious_a bond_n which_o private_a man_n and_o some_o part_n only_o of_o the_o nation_n spontaneous_o take_v upon_o themselves_o in_o order_n to_o declare_v their_o sense_n of_o duty_n to_o god_n the_o king_n the_o church_n their_o country_n and_o the_o reform_a religion_n to_o make_v themselves_o more_o strict_o sensible_a of_o the_o sacred_a and_o civil_a obligation_n respective_o due_a to_o they_o that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v more_o ready_a to_o discharge_v they_o in_o their_o place_n and_o calling_n by_o take_v such_o a_o covenant_n free_o not_o for_o fear_v of_o prison_n plunder_v sequestration_n and_o the_o like_a wrack_n of_o man_n soul_n the_o terror_n of_o which_o make_v many_o if_o not_o most_o of_o the_o taker_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o take_v it_o and_o yet_o i_o believe_v not_o one_o four_o part_n of_o the_o people_n of_o england_n now_o live_v ever_o do_v take_v it_o in_o any_o sort_n and_o very_o few_o but_o rigid_a bigot_n and_o virulent_a spirit_n in_o any_o sense_n against_o primitive_a reform_a and_o regular_a episcopacy_n so_o reduce_v to_o a_o efficacious_a conjunction_n with_o presbytery_n as_o the_o most_o reverend_a primate_n of_o armagh_n propose_v in_o his_o reduction_n of_o late_a and_o so_o do_v the_o lord_n virulam_n long_v before_o in_o his_o consideration_n touch_v the_o church_n of_o england_n offer_v to_o king_n james_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o reign_n §_o in_o this_o aspect_n of_o the_o covenant_n direct_v answer_n direct_v as_o a_o religious_a obligation_n either_o new_o make_v or_o renew_v upon_o the_o foul_a of_o any_o that_o willing_o and_o free_o take_v it_o and_o who_o thereby_o think_v themselves_o eternal_o oblige_v to_o fulfil_v the_o letter_n of_o it_o or_o that_o sense_n they_o have_v of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o church-government_n by_o episcopacy_n or_o prelacy_n which_o they_o fancy_v to_o have_v abjure_v and_o renounce_v no_o less_o than_o popery_n my_o answer_n and_o solution_n be_v these_o 1._o what_o only_o can_v bind_v in_o it_o first_o they_o be_v not_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o as_o charm_n can_v bind_v any_o man_n conscience_n to_o or_o against_o any_o thing_n but_o it_o be_v that_o force_n of_o truth_n reason_n justice_n religion_n and_o duty_n to_o god_n or_o man_n ourselves_o or_o other_o which_o moral_o and_o real_o oblige_v man_n either_o by_o god_n general_a or_o particular_a precept_n which_o be_v as_o iron_n or_o admantine_a band_n on_o every_o man_n soul_n to_o choose_v good_a and_o do_v it_o to_o hate_v evil_a and_o eschew_v it_o long_o before_o any_o of_o these_o withe_n or_o cord_n of_o man_n combine_v and_o tie_v be_v put_v upon_o they_o by_o themselves_o or_o other_o 2._o not_o the_o taker_n fancy_n or_o imposer_n second_o nor_o can_v any_o such_o covenant_n bound_v any_o man_n in_o any_o conscientious_a bond_n mere_o by_o the_o power_n of_o a_o man_n own_o imagination_n or_o by_o such_o a_o prejudice_n and_o presumption_n as_o he_o list_v