Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	authority_n	believe_v	infallibility_n	2,951	5	11.3667	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A31858	Sermons preached upon several occasions by Benjamin Calamy ...; Sermons. Selections	Calamy, Benjamin, 1642-1686.	1687 (1687)	Wing C221; ESTC R22984	185,393	504

conceptions and apprehensions of things is impossible and no more to be expected in this life than that all mens faces and complexions should be alike As long as there are some places of Scripture hard to be understood several things pertaining to Religion which are not fundamental and therefore not plainly determin'd but remain doubtfull as long as men have different educations tempers constitutions of body inclinations of mind and several interests to serve as long as there are different degrees of knowledge and understanding in men in a word as long as ignorance and confidence continue in the world so long there will be disputes and controversies about matters of Religion even amongst those who yet agree in the same faith and profession Nor hath our Christianity provided any infallible way or means of silencing or putting an end to such differences about less matters and speculative points We have indeed plainly propounded to us whatever is necessary for us to know or practise in order to salvation and for the understanding of this nothing else is requisite but an honest mind and sincere desire of learning As for other things which are not of so great moment and are more obscure it is sufficient that in all cases we be modest and humble teachable and governable that we preserve peace order and charity and I doubt not but God will pardon the errours of those who are upright and well-minded What horrible presumption therefore is it in us to judge despise condemn our brethren for those mistakes if they be so which God will overlook and pass by What devilish pride is this I cannot speak too earnestly in the case to endeavour like the old Tyrant to stretch or cramp up every man to the proportion of my bed to presume that God will judge and count with men just by the rate and measure of my understanding and damn every one that hath either more or less wit than I have for either of these may be the occasion of his differing from me It is the greatest oppression and usurpation imaginable to assault or try to overcome the reason of another by any thing else but reason and this is the uncharitable spirit that so eminently discovers it self in the Roman Church which pretending to infallibility and an unerring authority over Christians condemns and persecutes all who will not submit to her determinations and believe as she doth And with the same spirit many that hate Popery enough are too much leavened I mean those who appropriate the glorious names of the godly people of God orthodox Christians onely to their own paltry Sect or Conventicle and reprobate all that have not arrived to the same skill in their Dutch Divinity with themselves Many divisions and subdivisions there are now amongst us and God onely knows when they will be at an end but if you would know from whence they arise it is easie to tell you in the words of Solomon onely of pride cometh contention or of St. James Whence come wars and fightings among you come they not hence even from your lusts Self-conceit and self-love whatever is pretended is the great and principal root of all our religious quarrels and debates whilst men too highly value their own private judgments in things doubtfull and indifferent think meanly of the determinations of their superiours and care not though they sacrifice peace and charity to the promoting of any trifling opinion they happen to be fond of I find it quoted as one of the Reverend Hooker's ordinary sayings that the Scriptures were not writ to beget disputations and pride and scruples and opposition to government but charity humility moderation obedience to authority and peace to mankind of which vertues as he always added no man ever repented himself at his death-bed And if ever unity and Christian concord and peace and brotherly love be again recovered and prevail again amongst us it must be by these means and principles It is a vain thing to think to bring all men to one mind but yet one would hope it not impossible to persuade Christians to a mean opinion of themselves that in lowliness of mind each should esteem others before himself to a dutifull subjection to their betters in things under their charge and ordering and to a mutual forbearance and charity where they cannot presently agree and this would doe every whit as well as if we were all of one mind Several expedients have been propounded for the uniting us and reconciling our differences some are for toleration others for comprehension others for the strict execution of penal laws but alas neither these nor any other are likely to have any effect upon us till we learn humility and modesty till pride and self-conceit and all imperious affectation of imposing our own singularities upon others be rooted out of the world till we learn to submit to our betters and in indifferent things not to oppose our private opinions to the publick determinations of the Church This one vertue of humility would go farther towards the putting an end to all our terms of distinction and unchristian Separations than all the Writings or Disputings all the Laws and Proclamations about the Church have hitherto done Whatever is the cause of the errour pride is always the cause of the quarrel that makes the breach and forms the party Let but all amongst us agree together in common to mortify our pride and arrogance and conceited esteem of our selves and base contempt of others and the simple truth will prevail in the world or at least there will be no more of these unchristian Separations and Schisms but peace and unity will be established and secured amongst us To sum up all I have said Be not wise in your own conceits Affect not things above your skill and reach Meddle not with what is beyond your capacity or out of your sphere small abilities and great confidence ordinarily make the most inconsiderable and ridiculous creature in nature Think it no diminution in some things to confess your ignorance in all weighty business to ask for counsel and advice trust not too much to your own judgments and discretions Think that your Governours and Teachers may be wiser and know better what is for the publick good and what is fit and decent than you can possibly do Give other men leave to understand as well as you and make not your selves the standard of wisedom nor take upon your selves to bear down all mankind or to command in all companies nor expect that every one should yield to your humours and deny their own inclinations that they may gratify yours Do not pertinaciously pursue any thing wherein you are singular examine all things even those things you may have long believed to be true with diffidence of your selves and suspicion of your own judgments hear calmly debate soberly and rationally and allow other men their turn to speak and attend to what is said against you with as eager