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
A65571	Eight sermons preached on several occasions by Nathanael Whaley ...; Sermons. Selections	Whaley, Nathanael, 1637?-1709.	1675 (1675)	Wing W1532; ESTC R8028	120,489	326

be_v so_o it_o be_v plain_a there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o the_o guide_n we_o be_v seek_v for_o and_o then_o i_o doubt_v after_o all_o our_o search_n we_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o find_v he_o but_o there_o be_v one_o argument_n above_o all_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o guide_n viz._n that_o christ_n never_o promise_v there_o shall_v be_v one_o always_o in_o his_o church_n and_o without_o a_o promise_n from_o he_o we_o can_v never_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v we_o know_v what_o be_v pretend_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o what_o text_n be_v produce_v for_o it_o but_o after_o the_o strict_a and_o most_o deliberate_a enquiry_n into_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o we_o can_v find_v no_o evidence_n of_o any_o such_o promise_n nor_o discern_v the_o least_o shadow_n or_o footstep_n of_o a_o visible_a infallible_a guide_n we_o own_o indeed_o that_o god_n have_v promise_v the_o guidance_n of_o his_o spirit_n to_o all_o that_o desire_v the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o way_n but_o we_o the_o rather_o think_v that_o he_o have_v not_o promise_v any_o other_o infallible_a guide_n than_o this_o for_o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o the_o inward_a direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n when_o we_o have_v a_o guide_n at_o hand_n that_o can_v lead_v we_o infallible_o into_o it_o and_o save_v we_o the_o labour_n of_o search_v after_o it_o but_o do_v not_o our_o saviour_n promise_v to_o send_v his_o spirit_n upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o be_v not_o they_o infallible_a guide_n true_o but_o do_v he_o promise_v to_o make_v their_o successor_n in_o all_o age_n infallible_a too_o if_o he_o do_v every_o successor_n have_v a_o equal_a claim_n and_o then_o how_o come_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o talk_v of_o but_o one_o infallible_a guidfe_n since_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o to_o appropriate_v that_o extraordinary_a favour_n to_o here self_o if_o he_o do_v not_o she_o must_v show_v we_o a_o particular_a charter_n or_o promise_n that_o infallibility_n shall_v never_o depart_v from_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n and_o when_o she_o do_v that_o we_o may_v allow_v she_o to_o be_v infallible_a but_o suppose_v that_o christ_n have_v promise_v a_o infallible_a guide_n it_o may_v be_v convenient_a to_o know_v 2._o whether_o or_o no_o he_o have_v give_v he_o authourity_n to_o suspend_v the_o judgement_n of_o all_o christian_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n this_o we_o must_v say_v be_v a_o distinct_a power_n from_o infallibility_n unless_o we_o can_v imagine_v that_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n though_o they_o be_v infallible_a do_v not_o know_v the_o extent_n of_o their_o power_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o do_v not_o affect_v any_o such_o authority_n or_o treat_v their_o disciple_n in_o this_o manner_n but_o both_o require_v they_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n which_o they_o hear_v etc._n act._n 17.11_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n and_o commend_v their_o ingenuity_n in_o prove_v they_o by_o the_o scripture_n beside_o a_o guide_n who_o direction_n we_o must_v blind_o follow_v without_o examinig_v the_o ground_n and_o tendency_n of_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o very_a improper_a mean_n of_o bring_v man_n to_o heaven_n for_o sure_o god_n do_v design_n that_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o religion_n we_o shall_v act_v like_o man_n and_o not_o lay_v aside_o our_o reasonand_n judgement_n as_o thing_n that_o be_v dangerous_a to_o our_o salvation_n it_o be_v true_a not_o to_o judge_n at_o all_o be_v a_o certain_a way_n not_o to_o err_v but_o it_o be_v a_o very_a blind_a and_o unlikely_a way_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n without_o which_o their_o obedience_n can_v never_o be_v a_o reasonable_a service_n and_o theresore_n if_o any_o church_n or_o person_n under_o colour_n of_o infallibility_n shall_v assume_v a_o absolute_a authority_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n before_o i_o resign_v up_o my_o judgement_n to_o they_o i_o must_v desire_v to_o be_v inform_v not_o only_a how_o they_o come_v to_o be_v infallible_a but_o what_o commission_n they_o have_v to_o oblige_v i_o to_o believe_v as_o they_o please_v and_o to_o strangle_v my_o own_o sense_n and_o reason_n if_o they_o offer_v to_o oppose_v any_o doctrine_n of_o they_o though_o never_o so_o absurd_a or_o contradictory_n to_o they_o but_o suppose_v still_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o convince_v i_o that_o there_o be_v a_o infallible_a judge_n and_o that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o judge_n beside_o he_o yet_o because_o he_o can_v be_v useful_a to_o i_o till_o i_o know_v who_o he_o be_v there_o be_v another_o great_a question_n to_o be_v resolve_v before_o i_o can_v prudent_o commit_v myself_o to_o he_o viz._n how_o i_o may_v certain_o know_v where_o to_o find_v he_o and_o here_o i_o meet_v with_o one_o vast_a discouragement_n at_o the_o very_a entrance_n into_o this_o enquiry_n namely_o that_o the_o same_o church_n which_o alone_o pretend_v to_o this_o infallible_a guide_n be_v very_a uncer_n tain_v who_o he_o be_v some_o chain_n infallibility_n to_o st._n peter_n chair_n and_o place_n it_o in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o pope_n but_o this_o be_v the_o most_o interest_v party_n as_o depend_v entire_o upon_o the_o pleasure_n of_o he_o who_o they_o call_v infallible_a other_o send_v we_o to_o general_a council_n some_o of_o which_o have_v condemn_v the_o pope_n for_o a_o heretic_n and_o contradict_v the_o decree_n of_o former_a council_n but_o then_o what_o think_v we_o of_o oral_a tradition_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o universal_a churcuh_o convey_v by_o father_n to_o son_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n down_o to_o the_o present_a age_n the_o general_a consent_n i_o confess_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n so_o far_o as_o it_o reach_v be_v a_o excellent_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o we_o be_v not_o speak_v now_o of_o tradition_n or_o the_o church_n as_o a_o witness_n of_o truth_n but_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o church_n or_o guide_n to_o prescribe_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o insallible_a assistance_n this_o be_v the_o thing_n we_o be_v inquire_v after_o and_o where_o the_o seat_n of_o this_o authority_n be_v and_o all_o we_o can_v certain_o learn_v hitherto_o be_v this_o that_o see_v there_o be_v so_o many_o controversy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n about_o it_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a thing_n to_o find_v it_o there_o and_o that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o that_o church_n a_o man_n may_v tire_v himself_o and_o be_v in_o quest_n of_o his_o infallible_a guide_n all_o his_o day_n and_o never_o come_v within_o sight_n of_o he_o at_o last_o for_o suppose_v he_o take_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v the_o infallible_a oracle_n he_o be_v think_v to_o be_v mistake_v by_o all_o those_o that_o stand_v for_o a_o general_n council_n and_o if_o he_o go_v to_o a_o general_n council_n he_o be_v lose_v in_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o that_o declare_v for_o single_a infallibility_n and_o the_o man_n for_o oral_a tradition_n think_v they_o be_v all_o deceive_v that_o look_n for_o infallibility_n in_o any_o one_o person_n or_o party_n in_o the_o church_n what_o must_v we_o do_v now_o that_o have_v so_o much_o choice_n of_o infallible_a guide_n and_o nothing_o to_o determine_v our_o choice_n many_o we_o pick_v and_o choose_v at_o a_o venture_n but_o that_o can_v be_v safe_a because_o they_o have_v occasion_n sometime_o to_o lead_v contrary_a to_o one_o another_o and_o therefore_o can_v be_v all_o infakubke_n and_o none_o of_o they_o speak_v of_o more_o infallible_a guide_n than_o one_o must_v we_o then_o weigh_v their_o reason_n and_o the_o scripture_n they_o produce_v for_o their_o several_a claim_n these_o we_o have_v often_o hear_v and_o consider_v and_o can_v but_o admire_v the_o confidence_n of_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o sound_v the_o infallibility_n and_o other_o prerogative_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o church_n of_o rome_n upon_o text_n that_o speak_v not_o the_o least_o syllable_n of_o they_o whereas_o matter_n of_o this_o importance_n ought_v to_o be_v express_v in_o the_o easy_a and_o plain_a word_n that_o he_o that_o run_v may_v read_v they_o if_o not_o only_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n but_o every_o man_n salvation_n depend_v as_o our_o adversary_n must_v say_v upon_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o their_o text_n we_o have_v that_o confidence_n in_o the_o goodness_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o we_o certain_o believe_v he_o will_v not_o expect_v we_o shall_v find_v out_o a_o meaning_n in_o therm_n that_o by_o no_o good_a rule_n of_o interpretation_n can_v be_v collect_v from_o they_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n we_o can_v think_v ourselves_o oblige_v when_o any_o thing_n be_v say_v

of_o the_o truth_n do_v not_o use_v to_o be_v bashful_a in_o assert_v their_o principle_n when_o they_o find_v their_o interest_n in_o they_o 6.5_o 1_o tim._n 6.5_o but_o fuppose_v gain_n to_o be_v godliness_n as_o the_o apostle_n observe_v of_o they_o be_v general_o very_o forward_o to_o show_v their_o good_a affection_n to_o it_o and_o like_o demetrius_n to_o put_v the_o world_n into_o a_o uproar_n out_o of_o zeal_n to_o the_o magnificence_n of_o their_o great_a diana_n and_o their_o profit_n from_o her_o shrine_n and_o altar_n conscience_n it_o be_v true_a at_o the_o first_o have_v the_o least_o share_n in_o the_o action_n of_o these_o man_n who_o interest_n choose_v choose_v their_o principle_n for_o they_o but_o what_o they_o strong_o affect_v and_o desire_n shall_v be_v true_a in_o time_n they_o strong_o believe_v and_o have_v wilful_o reject_v the_o truth_n be_v give_v up_o by_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n to_o their_o own_o delusion_n to_o believe_v and_o defend_v the_o lye_n 4._o some_o principle_n be_v so_o bad_a in_o themselves_o as_o to_o inspire_v man_n with_o a_o furious_a and_o unchristian_a zeal_n and_o without_o the_o help_n of_o worldly_a interest_n to_o instigate_v and_o push_v they_o on_o to_o violent_a and_o unnatural_a action_n such_o be_v these_o which_o warrant_v the_o kill_v of_o man_n for_o christ_n sake_n and_o the_o gospel_n and_o promise_v they_o heaven_n for_o the_o vile_a pnactice_n in_o the_o world_n for_o assassinate_v their_o natural_a prince_n betray_v their_o country_n and_o put_v it_o under_o a_o foreign_a and_o insupportable_a yoke_n such_o be_v all_o those_o that_o make_v unlawful_a and_o indifferent_a thing_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o eneourage_n man_n to_o think_v the_o better_a of_o themselves_o for_o their_o zeal_n against_o such_o as_o pretend_v to_o nothing_o but_o the_o plain_a rule_n of_o christianity_n and_o a_o decent_a way_n of_o serve_v of_o god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n these_o principle_n do_v natural_o produce_v a_o envious_a and_o ill-natured_a zeal_n it_o be_v the_o property_n of_o those_o that_o be_v under_o the_o power_n and_o guidance_n of_o they_o to_o allow_v no_o man_n a_o name_n for_o religion_n but_o themselves_o to_o be_v angry_a with_o every_o one_o that_o do_v not_o espouse_v their_o folly_n to_o glory_n in_o their_o mark_n of_o distinction_n and_o take_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o holy_a and_o better_a man_n for_o differ_v from_o all_o christian_n upon_o earth_n and_o this_o be_v too_o often_o the_o effect_n of_o that_o odd_a and_o peevish_a principle_n that_o innocent_a and_o indifferent_a thing_n cease_v to_o be_v lawful_a when_o they_o be_v once_o command_v no_o man_n know_v the_o malignity_n of_o such_o a_o error_n as_o this_o shall_v it_o once_o get_v the_o ascendant_n which_o be_v the_o aim_n and_o tendency_n of_o it_o over_o that_o authority_n which_o god_n have_v place_v in_o the_o ruler_n of_o his_o church_n do_v we_o not_o already_o find_v the_o insluence_n of_o it_o upon_o some_o of_o the_o straint_a sect_n of_o our_o religion_n who_o yet_o have_v reserve_v themselves_o a_o sufficient_a latitude_n in_o scorn_v and_o deride_v their_o brethren_n and_o be_v extreme_o lavish_a in_o their_o censure_n of_o person_n of_o the_o high_a chaeacter_n and_o reverence_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n nay_o many_o there_o be_v that_o prize_n and_o commend_v themselves_o upon_o these_o very_a account_n and_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o mark_n of_o sanctity_n to_o break_v and_o blemish_v the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n which_o they_o pretend_v no_o other_o quarrel_n with_o than_o only_o for_o interpose_v her_o authority_n in_o some_o indifferent_a thing_n i.e._n make_v use_n of_o the_o power_n which_o christ_n himself_o have_v give_v to_o every_o church_n for_o the_o benefit_n and_o edification_n of_o it_o and_o what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o consecrate_v a_o schism_n into_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n and_o to_o do_v that_o for_o religion_n sake_n which_o direct_o tend_v to_o the_o undo_n and_o subversion_n of_o it_o 5._o enthusiasm_n or_o a_o false_a pretence_n to_o divine_a inspiration_n be_v a_o fatal_a cause_n of_o this_o extravagant_a zeal_n when_o man_n have_v the_o confidence_n to_o ascribe_v their_o error_n to_o the_o immediate_a dictate_v of_o the_o spirit_n when_o they_o take_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o peculiar_a favourite_n of_o god_n in_o who_o breast_n he_o have_v lodge_v his_o choice_a secret_n who_o he_o have_v choose_v and_o authorize_v to_o bring_v his_o most_o glorious_a design_n to_o pass_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v they_o shall_v long_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o pleasure_n of_o these_o delusion_n sron_n that_o evil_a spirit_n that_o have_v blind_v their_o eye_n and_o teach_v they_o to_o belie_v the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v a_o far_a design_n upon_o they_o and_o as_o the_o philiftines_n deal_v with_o samson_n when_o they_o have_v put_v out_o his_o eye_n will_v sure_o employ_v they_o in_o his_o drudgery_n and_o put_v they_o upon_o the_o most_o destructive_a attempt_n it_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v imagine_v what_o desperate_a project_n man_n will_v free_o contribute_v their_o service_n to_o when_o they_o be_v once_o possess_v with_o a_o spirit_n of_o delusion_n and_o strike_v blind_a with_o a_o opinion_n that_o whatever_o they_o strong_o fancy_n be_v infallible_o so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o err_v have_v private_a instruction_n from_o god_n himself_o hitherto_o hide_v from_o age_n and_o generation_n to_o advance_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n and_o exalt_v it_o to_o a_o more_o glorious_a height_n to_o which_o purpose_n a_o eminent_a divine_a of_o this_o church_n who_o have_v a_o peculiar_a sagacity_n in_o trace_v and_o detect_v the_o error_n of_o his_o time_n have_v leave_v we_o this_o memorable_a passage_n pol._n passage_n mr._n hook_n pref._n to_o eccl._n pol._n when_o man_n be_v once_o erroneous_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o have_v those_o thing_n do_v which_o they_o fancy_n than_o opinion_n be_v as_o thorn_n in_o their_o side_n never_o suffer_v they_o to_o take_v rest_n till_o they_o have_v bring_v their_o skpeculation_n into_o practice_n the_o impediment_n of_o which_o practice_n their_o restless_a desire_n and_o study_v to_o remove_v lead_v they_o every_o day_n into_o more_o dangerour_n opinion_n sometime_o quite_o and_o clean_o contrary_a to_o their_o first_o pretend_a meaning_n so_o that_o what_o will_v grow_v out_o of_o such_o error_n as_o go_v mask_v under_o the_o cloak_n of_o divine_a authority_n impoffible_a it_o be_v that_o ever_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n shall_v imagine_v till_o time_n have_v bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n of_o they_o i_o proceed_v now_o in_o the_o three_o and_o last_o place_n 3._o to_o make_v some_o inference_n brieef_o from_o this_o discourse_n from_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v 1._o that_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n when_o we_o see_v the_o effect_n of_o this_o destructive_a and_o unchristian_a zeal_n to_o be_v stagger_v in_o our_o religion_n or_o to_o suspect_v our_o faith_n that_o the_o best_a religion_n shall_v meet_v with_o the_o sharp_a opposition_n from_o man_n that_o the_o worst_a sction_n shall_v pretend_v to_o serve_v it_o and_o receive_v authority_n and_o encouragement_n from_o it_o that_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o knowledge_n and_o of_o high_a and_o extraordinary_a zeal_n shall_v combine_v against_o it_o be_v no_o new_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n the_o church_n from_o her_o infancy_n have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o and_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v express_o foretell_v they_o on_o purpose_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v offend_v when_o we_o see_v and_o feel_v they_o 2._o hence_o we_o learn_v that_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n be_v a_o very_a unsafe_a and_o dangerous_a guide_n and_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o because_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o dictate_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n and_o by_o his_o authority_n to_o guide_v our_o practice_n and_o according_o the_o great_a trouble_n and_o persecution_n which_o have_v befall_v the_o church_n be_v manifest_o owe_v to_o the_o delusion_n which_o have_v pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o conscience_n in_o several_a age_n which_o shall_v mighty_o awaken_v we_o to_o look_v well_o to_o our_o principle_n and_o to_o keep_v our_o mind_n pure_a and_o untainted_a with_o error_n if_o the_o light_n say_v christ_n that_o be_v in_o thou_o he_o darkness_n 6.23_o mat._n 6.23_o how_o great_a be_v that_o darkness_n a_o little_a speck_n in_o the_o eye_n feed_v by_o a_o invincible_a humour_n often_o deftroy_v the_o most_o useful_a and_o noble_a sense_n it_o be_v sad_a to_o observe_v from_o what_o small_a beginning_n the_o great_a error_n both_o in_o judgement_n and_o practice_n have_v in_o a_o short_a time_n spread_v and_o diffuse_v themselves_o to_o the_o infinite_a prejudice_n