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	bishop_n	presbyter_n	4,945	5	9.8142	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A58850	The method and means to a true spiritual life consisting of three parts, agreeable to the auncient [sic] way / by the late Reverend Matthew Scrivener ... ; cleared from modern abuses, and render'd more easie and practicall.	Scrivener, Matthew.	1688 (1688)	Wing S2118; ESTC R32133	179,257	416

methodical_o yet_o can_v never_o be_v so_o real_o persuade_v but_o that_o holy_a man_n of_o old_a speak_n and_o write_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o spirit_n contemn_v all_o order_n and_o method_n but_o what_o natural_o arise_v from_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o subject_a they_o treat_v of_o and_o the_o occasion_n give_v they_o not_o contradict_v or_o deny_v liberty_n to_o man_n to_o form_v their_o matter_n by_o outward_a method_n as_o may_v agree_v best_a with_o the_o learning_n retain_v and_o digest_v what_o they_o find_v there_o deliver_v 2._o and_o answerable_a to_o this_o the_o more_o mental_a a_o man_n contemplation_n be_v the_o less_o methodical_a be_v they_o wont_a to_o be_v so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o may_v be_v call_v proper_o prayer_n supramentall_a as_o author_n speak_v it_o must_v be_v more_o strange_a to_o order_n and_o method_n than_o either_o of_o the_o two_o other_o degree_n of_o prayer_n and_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o rapt_n and_o ecstasy_n of_o which_o we_o have_v speak_v for_o by_o such_o purity_n of_o intention_n and_o such_o vehemency_n of_o intention_n and_o ardour_n in_o direct_v a_o man_n mind_n and_o heart_n to_o god_n and_o as_o it_o be_v deliver_v up_o his_o spirit_n into_o his_o hand_n the_o intellectual_a faculty_n may_v cease_v which_o be_v that_o absorption_n speak_v of_o also_o and_o such_o that_o can_v be_v approve_v only_o from_o the_o goodness_n and_o divinenesse_n so_o pore_v on_o and_o with_o its_o lustre_n confound_v they_o carry_v away_o with_o it_o for_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o evil_a spirit_n do_v in_o like_a manner_n oppress_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o person_n devote_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o as_o i_o can_v condemn_v all_o such_o excess_n mental_a or_o supramentall_a rather_o so_o can_v i_o approve_v they_o no_o far_o than_o they_o be_v consonant_n to_o the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o live_a prophet_n i_o mean_v the_o church_n true_o so_o call_v and_o the_o peace_n and_o charity_n of_o the_o same_o so_o that_o as_o i_o can_v but_o think_v favourable_o of_o those_o extravagant_a passage_n and_o rulelesse_a while_o the_o author_n of_o they_o keep_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o know_v principle_n of_o christianity_n innovate_a nothing_o in_o the_o faith_n but_o only_o in_o their_o own_o supramentall_a fact_n as_o we_o may_v term_v they_o so_o can_v i_o no_o way_n justify_v those_o presumptuous_a spirit_n who_o not_o have_v attain_v to_o the_o true_a mental_a prayer_n dare_v obtrude_v their_o vocal_a and_o sensible_a prayer_n upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o whole_a congregation_n and_o that_o without_o any_o good_a authority_n so_o to_o do_v 3._o after_o the_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o unprepared_a prayer_n cease_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n together_o with_o unprepared_a preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n it_o lay_v upon_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n in_o the_o best_a manner_n they_o can_v by_o compose_v and_o prescribe_v form_n for_o public_a worship_n lest_o any_o scandal_n or_o indecencie_n shall_v disaffect_v sober_a and_o more_o prudent_a christian_n and_o when_o the_o bishop_n preside_v in_o the_o church_n commit_v any_o part_n of_o his_o wide_a charge_n to_o his_o presbyter_n we_o never_o find_v that_o he_o depart_v in_o the_o public_a worship_n from_o what_o be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o mother-church_n either_o as_o to_o matter_n or_o form_n nay_o the_o principal_a pastor_n of_o any_o diocese_n never_o be_v himself_o so_o imperious_a over_o his_o flock_n as_o vain_a man_n of_o late_a day_n to_o offer_v a_o new_a and_o unknown_a office_n to_o believer_n every_o day_n or_o to_o god_n as_o more_o spiritual_a or_o acceptable_a to_o he_o but_o aim_v at_o nothing_o more_o than_o a_o common_a plain_a well-known_a well-approved_n and_o constant_a form_n of_o sound_a word_n to_o which_o all_o intelligent_a christian_n may_v safe_o and_o cheerful_o give_v their_o concurrence_n and_o set_v to_o their_o seal_n of_o amen_o and_o to_o deny_v liberty_n to_o minister_n to_o offer_v the_o will-worship_n of_o their_o own_o invention_n in_o public_a be_v never_o look_v upon_o as_o they_o say_v as_o lycurgus-like_a to_o cut_v up_o all_o the_o vine_n in_o the_o country_n lest_o man_n shall_v be_v drink_v but_o rather_o cut_v down_o the_o wild_a vine_n who_o fruit_n be_v ungrateful_a to_o judicious_a palate_n and_o pernicious_a to_o the_o community_n of_o christian_n wherein_o the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n consist_v we_o have_v touch_v before_o but_o sure_o we_o be_v it_o consist_v not_o in_o the_o volubility_n of_o the_o tongue_n readiness_n of_o invention_n fluency_n of_o speech_n choice_n of_o divine_a phrase_n but_o in_o the_o grace_n of_o prayer_n which_o the_o same_o man_n unhappy_o will_v distinguish_v from_o the_o gift_n which_o be_v a_o certain_a pure_a intention_n and_o fervent_a intention_n of_o spirit_n lift_v up_o to_o god_n which_o may_v consist_v with_o a_o prayer_n use_v ten_o thousand_o time_n not_o but_o that_o it_o be_v very_o lawful_a useful_a and_o almost_o necessary_a in_o some_o case_n to_o utter_v the_o fullness_n of_o the_o mind_n by_o unprepared_a word_n in_o private_a address_n but_o to_o lay_v the_o weight_n and_o worth_n of_o a_o prayer_n upon_o the_o word_v of_o it_o be_v a_o foul_a absurdity_n when_o sudden_a surprise_v and_o extraordinary_a occasion_n be_v offer_v to_o blame_v be_v that_o man_n who_o will_v not_o strive_v to_o use_v proportionable_a address_n to_o god_n neither_o stay_n for_o a_o book_n nor_o the_o licence_n of_o his_o ordinary_n but_o ply_v his_o heart_n while_o it_o be_v hot_a and_o full_a the_o best_a manner_n he_o can_v for_o his_o ease_n and_o comfort_n 4._o and_o not_o only_o in_o such_o extraordinary_a case_n as_o may_v even_o extort_v a_o ejaculation_n suitable_a but_o out_o of_o that_o common_a habit_n of_o grace_n a_o man_n may_v have_v attain_v unto_o by_o christian_a diligence_n it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a and_o pious_a he_o shall_v lift_v up_o his_o mind_n frequent_o unto_o god_n in_o divine_a contemplation_n admiration_n of_o his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n thankfulness_n for_o deliverance_n and_o benefit_n bestow_v imploration_n of_o his_o mercy_n and_o pardon_n for_o daily_a trespass_n he_o be_v liable_a to_o and_o exercise_v that_o communion_n that_o every_o good_a christian_n shall_v have_v with_o god_n and_o all_o this_o not_o only_o in_o usual_a and_o constant_a phrase_n and_o form_n though_o that_o be_v commendable_a but_o as_o the_o spirit_n shall_v give_v he_o utterance_n all_o which_o notwithstanding_o aught_o to_o be_v regulate_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o christian_a modesty_n justice_n and_o charity_n so_o as_o not_o to_o indulge_v to_o private_a satisfaction_n herein_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o other_o nor_o to_o fancy_n such_o a_o edification_n to_o himself_o which_o shall_v tend_v to_o the_o dissipation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o rule_n of_o saint_n paul_n bind_v incessant_o such_o as_o otherwise_o will_v be_v boundless_a let_v no_o man_n seek_v his_o own_o but_o every_o man_n another_o wealth_n 1_o corinth_n 10._o 24._o meaning_n rather_o spiritual_a than_o temporal_a welfare_n and_o again_o the_o same_o apostle_n 1_o corinth_n 14._o 12._o advise_v for_o as_o much_o as_o you_o be_v zealous_a of_o spiritual_a gift_n seek_v that_o you_o may_v excel_v to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n which_o whosoever_o violate_v by_o private_a affectation_n in_o religion_n may_v be_v say_v to_o indulge_v rather_o to_o his_o own_o carnal_a humour_n how_o divine_a soever_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o weak_a judgement_n than_o to_o the_o edification_n of_o himself_o or_o other_o for_o as_o he_o that_o sing_v with_o the_o congregation_n ought_v to_o lay_v aside_o his_o private_a tune_n though_o possible_o fare_v more_o excellent_a than_o that_o which_o be_v set_v for_o all_o to_o follow_v so_o must_v the_o singular_a devotion_n of_o a_o high_a strain_n than_o ordinary_a comply_v with_o the_o mean_a to_o avoid_v scandal_n and_o confusion_n as_o that_o which_o may_v better_o agree_v with_o the_o whole_a body_n than_o sublime_a strain_n or_o tune_n and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o that_o plain_a and_o easy_a recitative_a way_n of_o use_v the_o psalm_n in_o our_o church_n which_o require_v a_o cheerful_a spirit_n without_o difficulty_n or_o tediousness_n of_o modulate_v the_o voice_n which_o for_o that_o reason_n may_v have_v be_v prefer_v before_o the_o more_o artificial_a and_o hard_a of_o private_a man_n invention_n have_v it_o not_o please_v man_n of_o design_n and_o unquiet_a spirit_n to_o bring_v it_o into_o disgrace_n for_o no_o other_o fault_n but_o which_o be_v find_v to_o be_v more_o notorious_a in_o that_o they_o have_v introduce_v in_o its_o stead_n from_o which_o frowardness_n of_o spirit_n and_o

of_o christ_n mediation_n god_n will_v have_v to_o depend_v whole_o on_o repentance_n as_o be_v employ_v in_o these_o word_n act_n 5._o 31._o he_o christ_n have_v god_n exalt_v with_o his_o right_a hand_n to_o be_v a_o prince_n and_o a_o saviour_n for_o to_o give_v repentance_n to_o israel_n and_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n so_o that_o as_o there_o be_v no_o forgiveness_n without_o repentance_n and_o there_o be_v no_o save_v repentance_n without_o christ_n so_o be_v there_o no_o save_v christ_n without_o repentance_n for_o this_o be_v one_o end_n of_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n repentance_n as_o we_o read_v act_v 17._o 20._o the_o time_n of_o former_a ignorance_n god_n wink_v at_o but_o now_o command_v all_o man_n to_o repent_v every_o where_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v hear_v what_o success_n st._n peter_n preach_n have_v among_o the_o gentile_n make_v it_o matter_n of_o astonishment_n and_o glorification_n of_o almighty_a god_n as_o it_o be_v write_v act_v 11._o 18._o when_o they_o hear_v these_o thing_n they_o hold_v their_o peace_n and_o glorify_a god_n say_v then_o have_v god_n also_o to_o the_o gentile_n grant_v repentance_n unto_o life_n 7._o but_o far_o let_v we_o see_v more_o particular_o the_o dignity_n of_o repentance_n in_o the_o manage_n of_o which_o all_o the_o principal_a attribute_n of_o almighty_a god_n be_v engage_v as_o first_o of_o all_o that_o which_o be_v most_o formidable_a to_o a_o guilty_a and_o conscious_a soul_n his_o justice_n for_o when_o by_o forego_v illumination_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v bring_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o sin_n dwell_v in_o it_o and_o the_o strong_a opposition_n which_o be_v make_v against_o it_o and_o enmity_n and_o the_o fearful_a reward_n due_a to_o it_o who_o can_v but_o tremble_v to_o find_v himself_o bring_v under_o the_o plague_n due_a to_o it_o but_o withal_o consider_v the_o wonderful_a condescension_n of_o almighty_a god_n enter_v into_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o favour_n with_o sinner_n upon_o the_o term_n of_o true_a repentance_n and_o that_o he_o will_v infallible_o be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o promise_n declare_v he_o the_o bitterness_n of_o his_o justice_n be_v change_v into_o the_o sweet_a water_n of_o life_n to_o the_o despond_v sinner_n for_o if_o god_n have_v only_o say_v as_o he_o do_v exodus_fw-la 34._o 6_o 7._o the_o lord_n the_o lord_n god_n merciful_a and_o gracious_a long_o suffer_v and_o abundant_a in_o goodness_n and_o truth_n keep_v mercy_n for_o thousand_o forgive_a iniquity_n transgression_n and_o sin_n and_o that_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n clear_v the_o guilty_a etc._n etc._n the_o matter_n have_v not_o be_v so_o wonderful_a for_o it_o be_v imprint_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o believer_n that_o god_n be_v merciful_a and_o good_a to_o all_o even_o to_o sinner_n that_o repent_v almost_o every_o chapter_n in_o mahomet_n koran_n proclaim_v that_o aloud_o and_o this_o be_v most_o pleasant_a to_o the_o ear_n of_o a_o sinner_n deject_v for_o his_o error_n but_o much_o more_o be_v that_o refresh_v the_o languish_a soul_n to_o hear_v that_o justice_n itself_o be_v turn_v to_o be_v a_o friend_n to_o a_o sinner_n by_o virtue_n of_o repentance_n as_o st._n john_n assure_v we_o 1_o epist_n 1._o 9_o if_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n he_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a to_o forgive_v we_o our_o sin_n and_o to_o cleanse_v we_o from_o all_o unrighteousness_n however_o therefore_o scholastical_a doubt_n and_o disputation_n may_v be_v raise_v about_o the_o manner_n how_o god_n out_o of_o his_o justice_n may_v be_v say_v to_o save_v a_o man_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v after_o such_o express_a word_n of_o scripture_n that_o so_o it_o be_v and_o that_o this_o come_v thus_o to_o pass_v that_o god_n have_v so_o great_a regard_n and_o esteem_v for_o his_o own_o gift_n repentance_n that_o where_o ever_o he_o find_v that_o he_o have_v oblige_v his_o honour_n his_o truth_n or_o faithfulness_n to_o his_o word_n and_o justice_n itself_o to_o acquitt_v that_o sinner_n and_o cleanse_v he_o from_o his_o pollution_n not_o unlike_a to_o the_o gift_n of_o some_o great_a prince_n or_o person_n to_o some_o inferior_a one_o who_o in_o token_n of_o his_o fidelity_n to_o he_o and_o firmness_n in_o all_o great_a calamity_n and_o distress_n endanger_v his_o life_n deliver_v to_o he_o a_o ring_n or_o other_o privy_a token_n well_o know_v to_o he_o advise_v that_o if_o ever_o he_o be_v call_v in_o question_n for_o his_o life_n or_o like_v to_o be_v oppress_v by_o his_o enemy_n he_o will_v send_v he_o that_o or_o show_v it_o he_o and_o it_o shall_v suffice_v to_o oblige_v he_o to_o come_v speedy_o to_o his_o deliverance_n and_o safety_n so_o please_v it_o almighty_a god_n to_o grant_v to_o his_o friend_n in_o christ_n this_o excellent_a gift_n of_o repentance_n which_o he_o behold_v be_v so_o much_o affect_v with_o the_o dangerous_a condition_n of_o the_o miserable_a sinner_n that_o in_o honour_n and_o justice_n he_o hold_v himself_o bind_v to_o secure_v he_o from_o the_o malice_n and_o mischief_n which_o his_o enemy_n long_o and_o strain_v hard_a to_o bring_v upon_o he_o 8._o and_o so_o may_v we_o say_v of_o the_o omnipotency_n of_o god_n concern_v very_o much_o in_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o penitent_a sinner_n for_o as_o there_o be_v guilt_n danger_n and_o damnation_n in_o sin_n so_o be_v there_o likewise_o shame_n and_o confusion_n of_o mind_n and_o face_n at_o the_o apprehension_n of_o so_o foul_a error_n and_o odious_a spot_n as_o accompany_v the_o commission_n of_o sin_n so_o that_o the_o same_o pierce_v into_o the_o very_a soul_n by_o its_o stain_n and_o infest_v the_o conscience_n with_o intolerable_a pain_n at_o the_o apprehension_n of_o such_o a_o shameful_a condition_n what_o will_v a_o ingenuous_a penitent_n give_v yea_o rather_o what_o will_v he_o not_o give_v that_o he_o have_v never_o offend_v so_o great_a a_o god_n and_o so_o good_a a_o father_n with_o what_o shame_n the_o eye_n of_o his_o mind_n be_v illuminate_v do_v he_o reflect_v upon_o himself_o so_o that_o it_o be_v questionable_a in_o some_o true_o repent_v and_o generous_a soul_n whether_o the_o abhorrence_n of_o that_o foul_a state_n it_o find_v itself_o in_o by_o sin_n be_v not_o altogether_o as_o intolerable_a as_o the_o foresee_a punishment_n of_o hell_n itself_o in_o such_o case_n as_o this_o when_o all_o other_o hope_n of_o be_v restore_v to_o its_o pristine_a integrity_n and_o purity_n so_o infinite_o desirable_a to_o a_o true_a convert_n fail_v relief_n and_o remedy_n be_v discover_v in_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n which_o and_o none_o but_o which_o can_v cause_v the_o leprous_a and_o filthy_a part_n of_o naaman_n to_o return_v to_o the_o soundness_n and_o sweetness_n of_o the_o flesh_n of_o a_o infant_n and_o can_v as_o easy_o renew_v the_o deface_v and_o defile_v soul_n so_o that_o when_o one_o day_n it_o shall_v appear_v naked_a at_o the_o tribunal_n of_o christ_n before_o the_o sharp-sighted_a angel_n and_o man_n they_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v the_o least_o blot_n or_o blemish_n in_o the_o same_o and_o why_o because_o as_o by_o a_o second_o regeneration_n after_o baptism_n repentance_n renew_v the_o soul_n by_o god_n powerful_a grace_n to_o a_o new_a habit_n and_o be_v therefore_o call_v a_o second_o baptism_n 9_o furthermore_o what_o can_v be_v more_o worthy_a of_o every_o good_a christian_n practice_n than_o repentance_n which_o god_n honour_v above_o many_o splendid_a grace_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o world_n yea_o which_o man_n more_o thorough_o see_v into_o the_o divine_a study_n and_o art_n of_o converse_v with_o god_n judge_v to_o be_v inferior_a to_o none_o in_o dignity_n and_o above_o all_o in_o necessity_n how_o do_v we_o read_v of_o david_n repentance_n and_o peter_n restore_v they_o entire_o to_o god_n favour_n so_o that_o former_a sin_n which_o be_v great_a obstruct_v not_o their_o ascent_n to_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o god_n favour_n and_o of_o rule_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god._n for_o do_v not_o the_o incomparable_a parable_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n luke_n the_o 15_o of_o the_o lose_a sheep_n of_o the_o lose_a groat_n of_o the_o lose_a son_n prove_v the_o certainty_n to_o we_o all_o which_o declare_v unto_o we_o this_o miserable_a state_n of_o sinner_n flee_v from_o god_n and_o unreduce_v and_o the_o happiness_n and_o glory_n upon_o their_o return_n by_o repentance_n and_o the_o joy_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n upon_o their_o conversion_n unto_o god_n and_o goodness_n as_o upon_o a_o victory_n win_v over_o the_o devil_n and_o a_o soul_n win_v to_o god._n 10._o and_o if_o we_o compare_v repentance_n with_o other_o christian_a virtue_n adorn_v the_o soul_n we_o shall_v