Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	bishop_n	find_v	presbyter_n	3,792	5	9.9418	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A62129	A gentleman's religion in three parts : the 1st contains the principles of natural religion, the 2d. and 3d. the doctrins of Christianity both as to faith and practice : with an appendix wherein it is proved that nothing contrary to our reason can possibly be the object of our belief, but that it is no just exception against some of the doctrins of Christianity that they are above our reason.	Synge, Edward, 1659-1741.	1698 (1698)	Wing S6380; ESTC R24078	100,488	452

to_o make_v a_o open_a confession_n of_o his_o sin_n whenever_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o god_n glory_n or_o to_o repair_v any_o public_a scandal_n which_o have_v be_v give_v by_o he_o 67._o that_o almighty_a god_n even_o where_o he_o have_v pardon_v a_o man_n sin_n upon_o his_o true_a repentance_n may_v yet_o on_o the_o score_n of_o those_o very_a sin_n which_o he_o have_v so_o pardon_v lie_v some_o sharp_a and_o severe_a temporal_a affliction_n upon_o the_o penitent_a either_o to_o keep_v he_o more_o effectual_o from_o sin_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v or_o that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o terror_n to_o other_o or_o for_o many_o other_o reason_n best_o know_v to_o himself_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v dispute_v but_o from_o hence_o to_o infer_v that_o these_o temporal_a affliction_n if_o not_o lay_v on_o we_o in_o this_o world_n be_v to_o be_v undergo_v in_o purgatory_n and_o that_o therefore_o for_o the_o prevent_v they_o it_o be_v fit_a and_o necessary_a that_o penance_n shall_v be_v impose_v by_o way_n of_o satisfaction_n or_o indulgence_n grant_v by_o way_n of_o remission_n and_o all_o this_o without_o any_o warrant_n from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n save_v only_o a_o faint_a and_o force_a consequence_n from_o some_o few_o pervert_v text_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o groundless_a and_o precarious_a that_o it_o amaze_v i_o to_o think_v how_o man_n can_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v so_o gross_o impose_v upon_o and_o whosoever_o shall_v due_o consider_v upon_o what_o weak_a ground_n the_o pope_n and_o his_o prelate_n do_v pretend_v to_o a_o power_n of_o dispense_n and_o distribute_v the_o merit_n of_o christ_n unto_o the_o people_n by_o way_n of_o indulgence_n as_o if_o they_o alone_o have_v the_o keep_n of_o that_o treasure_n under_o lock_n and_o key_n and_o to_o which_o though_o infinite_a they_o have_v yet_o add_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o saint_n to_o make_v their_o treasure_n more_o abundant_a will_v i_o think_v very_o much_o wonder_n that_o their_o people_n shall_v be_v so_o free_a to_o part_v with_o their_o earthly_a treasure_n in_o purchase_v these_o indulgence_n upon_o no_o better_a security_n 68_o that_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n when_o they_o be_v first_o send_v abroad_o to_o preach_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v anoint_v many_o sick_a person_n with_o oil_n and_o thereby_o miraculous_o heal_v they_o we_o be_v plain_o tell_v by_o st._n mark_n c._n 6._o five_o 13._o and_o that_o in_o this_o they_o do_v no_o more_o than_o what_o christ_n himself_o have_v express_o command_v they_o be_v most_o reasonable_a and_o probable_a to_o suppose_v moreover_o that_o the_o anoint_v with_o oil_n which_o be_v mention_v by_o st._n james_n c._n 5._o v._n 14._o be_v intend_v for_o the_o very_a same_o purpose_n viz._n the_o raise_n up_o the_o sick_a person_n and_o restore_v he_o to_o health_n be_v as_o apparent_a as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v form_n the_o very_a context_n but_o as_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o this_o anoint_v of_o the_o sick_a be_v appoint_v either_o by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n as_o a_o stand_n and_o perpetual_a ordinance_n for_o ever_o to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n so_o since_o experience_n show_v that_o the_o miraculous_a effect_n of_o heal_v thereby_o be_v now_o whole_o cease_v i_o can_v see_v no_o reason_n why_o the_o practice_n itself_o shall_v be_v any_o long_o continue_v but_o what_o just_a ground_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v have_v from_o either_o of_o these_o or_o any_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o their_o extreme_a unction_n which_o they_o make_v use_v of_o for_o a_o far_o different_a end_n namely_o the_o prepare_v thereby_o of_o person_n who_o be_v past_a hope_n of_o recovery_n for_o their_o passage_n into_o the_o next_o life_n be_v more_o than_o i_o be_o able_a to_o find_v out_o 69._o as_o the_o body_n natural_a will_v be_v but_o a_o confuse_a and_o useless_a lump_n if_o it_o be_v not_o distinguish_v into_o the_o several_a member_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o its_o own_o service_n and_o preservation_n and_o as_o the_o body-politick_a will_v be_v but_o a_o disorderly_a rabble_n if_o there_o be_v not_o magistrate_n settle_v to_o rule_n and_o govern_v and_o ministerial_a officer_n appoint_v to_o perform_v all_o necessary_a function_n in_o and_o about_o it_o so_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n assure_v we_o and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n which_o be_v there_o record_v confirm_v it_o that_o the_o like_a appointment_n and_o distinction_n of_o office_n be_v no_o less_o necessary_a in_o the_o church_n in_o order_n to_o the_o regular_a and_o orderly_a government_n of_o it_o and_o the_o due_a execution_n of_o all_o its_o law_n and_o constitution_n but_o how_o far_o these_o office_n be_v limit_v and_o appoint_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o how_o far_o leave_v to_o be_v settle_v and_o determine_v by_o the_o prudence_n of_o the_o church_n according_a as_o circumstance_n may_v render_v it_o convenient_a be_v what_o i_o shall_v not_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o pronounce_v my_o sentence_n in_o but_o whatever_o polity_n or_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n be_v settle_v and_o acquiesce_v in_o either_o by_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o general_n or_o by_o that_o of_o any_o nation_n or_o country_n in_o particular_a i_o think_v ought_v quiet_o to_o be_v submit_v to_o by_o every_o one_o who_o will_v be_v a_o member_n of_o such_o respective_a church_n except_o there_o appear_v to_o he_o to_o be_v either_o something_o therein_o which_o be_v not_o only_o uncommand_v but_o even_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o else_o something_o want_v which_o god_n require_v and_o therefore_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v maintain_v and_o keep_v up_o in_o all_o church_n nor_o can_v i_o apprehend_v that_o any_o less_o warrant_n can_v be_v sufficient_a for_o break_v or_o endanger_v the_o peace_n or_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n the_o preservation_n of_o which_o be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o earnest_o recommend_v to_o we_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n beside_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o obey_v the_o positive_a command_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o therefore_o since_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o bishop_n that_o be_v to_o say_v by_o certain_a person_n have_v in_o their_o several_a district_n a_o priority_n among_o and_o in_o some_o respect_v a_o superiority_n over_o the_o presbyter_n have_v for_o so_o many_o age_n be_v universal_o settle_v among_o and_o acquiesce_v in_o by_o all_o christian_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n i_o can_v find_v how_o they_o can_v be_v excuse_v who_o without_o any_o necessity_n for_o so_o do_v have_v so_o earnest_o set_v themselves_o not_o only_o to_o retrench_v the_o exceffe_n and_o rectify_v the_o abuse_n of_o the_o episcopal_a power_n but_o also_o to_o pull_v down_o and_o whole_o abolish_v the_o very_a order_n itself_o to_o the_o no_o small_a scandal_n of_o those_o who_o think_v that_o so_o universal_a a_o constitution_n every_o where_o take_v place_n even_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n can_v be_v ground_v on_o no_o less_o than_o a_o apostolic_a ordinance_n of_o which_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v some_o not_o obscure_a footstep_n in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o that_o most_o probable_o in_o conformity_n to_o that_o imparity_n which_o christ_n himself_o establish_v between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n who_o be_v yet_o both_o commission_v by_o he_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n 70._o how_o far_o a_o case_n of_o necessity_n may_v upon_o some_o occasion_n excuse_n or_o justify_v a_o man_n for_o take_v on_o he_o a_o office_n which_o regular_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o he_o especial_o if_o his_o design_n therein_o be_v true_o honest_a and_o sincere_a i_o know_v not_o but_o no_o man_n certain_o aught_o to_o intrude_v into_o any_o ecclesi_n astical_a function_n or_o exercise_v any_o such_o office_n who_o be_v not_o call_v and_o admit_v thereunto_o by_o the_o lawful_a authority_n and_o according_a to_o the_o establish_a constitution_n of_o the_o society_n for_o if_o this_o be_v not_o careful_o observe_v the_o distinction_n of_o office_n and_o function_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o effect_n whole_o take_v away_o and_o a_o wide_a door_n open_v for_o confusion_n and_o anarchy_n but_o then_o on_o the_o other_o side_n good_a care_n ought_v ever_o to_o be_v take_v by_o the_o church_n that_o no_o person_n be_v entrust_v with_o any_o sacred_a office_n but_o such_o as_o be_v due_o qualify_v for_o it_o and_o that_o such_o a_o maintenance_n be_v provide_v and_o settle_v for_o every_o such_o person_n as_o that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v necessitate_v to_o neglect_v the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o due_a exercise_n of_o his_o function_n by_o be_v constrain_v to_o bestow_v

power_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n who_o be_v both_o the_o framer_n and_o controller_n of_o nature_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o effect_n by_o the_o mediation_n and_o ministry_n of_o good_a spirit_n who_o always_o act_n obedient_o to_o his_o will._n so_o that_o whether_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o it_o be_v god_n who_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o original_a and_o author_n of_o all_o those_o wonderful_a thing_n which_o be_v do_v by_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n now_o then_o since_o god_n do_v interpose_v his_o power_n to_o work_v such_o strange_a and_o stupenduous_a thing_n for_o the_o propagation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v by_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n that_o their_o doctrine_n be_v certain_o true_a for_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v make_v use_n of_o his_o extraordinary_a power_n only_o to_o cheat_v and_o deceive_v the_o world_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o lie_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n from_o heaven_n that_o whosoever_o will_v believe_v on_o jesus_n and_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o his_o religion_n shall_v be_v make_v very_o happy_a in_o thenext_v life_n this_o very_a thing_n be_v the_o grand_a point_n of_o doctrine_n which_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n teach_v and_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n and_o if_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v reason_n sufficient_a to_o believe_v this_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o also_o xx._n but_o jesus_n himself_o be_v long_o since_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o his_o disciple_n who_o first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n depart_v out_o of_o the_o world_n here_o i_o think_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o inquire_v to_o who_o or_o to_o what_o i_o must_v apply_v myself_o that_o amid_o the_o several_a party_n in_o the_o world_n who_o all_o call_v themselves_o true_a and_o orthodox_n christian_n each_o condemn_v all_o other_o but_o themselves_o i_o may_v be_v true_o and_o sure_o inform_v what_o be_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a religion_n or_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n which_o i_o ought_v to_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o in_o order_n to_o my_o future_a happiness_n for_o if_o i_o do_v not_o this_o i_o must_v either_o reject_v the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n and_o so_o lose_v my_o future_a happiness_n or_o else_o take_v it_o altogether_o upon_o trust_n and_o by_o chance_n and_o then_o it_o be_v odds_o but_o i_o light_v upon_o the_o wrong_n and_o must_v needs_o run_v a_o very_a great_a hazard_n and_o though_o he_o who_o be_v in_o a_o mistake_n and_o can_v tell_v how_o to_o help_v it_o will_n doubtless_o find_v a_o easy_a pardon_n from_o god_n yet_o he_o who_o fall_v into_o error_n for_o want_v of_o moderate_a care_n and_o diligence_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n have_v i_o think_v no_o pretence_n either_o to_o pardon_v or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o pity_n xxi_o the_o roman_a catholic_n do_v tell_v i_o that_o i_o must_v apply_v myself_o to_o the_o church_n this_o church_n they_o define_v to_o be_v that_o society_n of_o person_n who_o prosess_v faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o live_v in_o subjection_n to_o and_o communion_n with_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n this_o church_n they_o say_v be_v infallible_a and_o not_o only_o do_v not_o but_o can_v err_v in_o any_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n go_v then_o say_v they_o to_o this_o church_n and_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n which_o she_o teach_v and_o there_o you_o have_v certain_o and_o infallible_o the_o true_a and_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o i_o can_v give_v my_o assent_n to_o follow_v this_o their_o direction_n because_o i_o find_v such_o great_a difficulty_n in_o my_o way_n as_o i_o think_v be_v insuparable_a at_o least_o i_o be_o sure_a such_o as_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o overcome_v for_o first_o although_o it_o may_v be_v a_o certain_a truth_n that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o company_n of_o people_n some_o where_o or_o other_o profess_v the_o true_a christian_a religion_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v last_v yet_o what_o solid_a proof_n can_v be_v bring_v that_o this_o particular_a society_n of_o man_n who_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v alone_o the_o true_a church_n and_o shall_v always_o keep_v and_o maintain_v among_o they_o the_o true_a and_o uncorrupt_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o matter_n be_v a_o question_n of_o revelation_n and_o positive_a institution_n be_v uncapable_a of_o be_v prove_v by_o any_o argument_n draw_v from_o natural_a reason_n and_o as_o for_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o allege_v it_o be_v even_o ridiculous_a to_o think_v that_o any_o sober_a and_o unprejudiced_a person_n shall_v be_v convince_v by_o they_o as_o will_v evident_o appear_v to_o any_o one_o who_o impartial_o read_v what_o the_o romish_a and_o protestant_a divine_n have_v write_v on_o this_o controversy_n for_o there_o be_v none_o of_o those_o text_n but_o be_v fair_o and_o natural_o capable_a of_o another_o interpretation_n and_o must_v be_v very_o much_o strain_v and_o wrest_v to_o make_v they_o countenance_v the_o romish_a doctrine_n beside_o that_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v general_o teach_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o authority_n or_o sense_n of_o any_o text_n of_o scripture_n especial_o if_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v any_o way_n doubtful_a except_o he_o receive_v the_o proposal_n and_o interpretation_n thereof_o from_o this_o their_o church_n which_o they_o say_v be_v infallible_a so_o that_o a_o man_n must_v of_o necessity_n believe_v the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n before_o he_o can_v any_o way_n be_v sure_a of_o the_o credit_n or_o even_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o bring_v to_o prove_v it_o and_o then_o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o scripture-argument_n to_o prove_v a_o thing_n which_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v before_o the_o argument_n can_v have_v any_o force_n or_o even_o be_v as_o much_o as_o certain_o understand_v and_o if_o they_o tell_v i_o that_o the_o father_n and_o ancient_a christian_a writer_n do_v testify_v thus_o much_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o can_v only_o say_v that_o the_o protestant_n divine_n who_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v man_n of_o as_o much_o learning_n and_o integrity_n as_o the_o romish_a do_v declare_v that_o it_o be_v far_o otherwise_o nor_o have_v i_o skill_n enough_o in_o language_n and_o antiquity_n to_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o judge_v of_o this_o dispute_n neither_o do_v i_o understand_v by_o what_o authority_n the_o write_n of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v subject_a to_o error_n shall_v be_v obtrude_v on_o i_o as_o a_o rule_n of_o my_o faith_n or_o as_o a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o determine_v my_o assent_n in_o so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n second_o suppose_v but_o not_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o true_a and_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v preserve_v yet_o still_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o particular_a and_o private_a man_n who_o live_v in_o the_o visible_a communion_n of_o that_o church_n may_v teach_v false_a and_o corrupt_a doctrine_n here_o than_o i_o demand_v how_o shall_v i_o certain_o distinguish_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o opinion_n of_o private_a man_n and_o how_o shall_v i_o certain_o know_v what_o be_v the_o true_a mean_v of_o the_o church_n doctrine_n they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o agree_v who_o it_o be_v that_o have_v authority_n to_o declare_v and_o expound_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o pope_n or_o a_o general_n council_n or_o neither_o alone_a but_o both_o together_o or_o if_o they_o be_v unanimous_a in_o this_o point_n yet_o how_o shall_v i_o know_v whether_o such_o a_o particular_a person_n who_o possess_v the_o chair_n be_v a_o true_a and_o lawful_a pope_n or_o such_o a_o particular_a assembly_n a_o true_a and_o lawful_a general_n council_n or_o suppose_v they_o can_v satisfy_v i_o in_o this_o demand_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o council_n now_o sit_v nor_o if_o there_o be_v can_v i_o go_v to_o they_o or_o to_o the_o pope_n to_o receive_v instruction_n nor_o can_v the_o pope_n or_o a_o council_n be_v at_o leisure_n to_o satisfy_v the_o demand_n of_o every_o private_a enquirer_n how_o then_o can_v i_o be_v sure_a that_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a person_n do_v both_o right_o understand_v and_o faithful_o propose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n to_o i_o especial_o since_o