Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	catholic_n	communion_n	external_a	3,566	5	9.8048	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A47967	A letter concerning the matter of the present excommunications	Owen, John, 1616-1683.	1683 (1683)	Wing L1353; ESTC R9567	11,968	37

with_o laughter_n indignation_n and_o confusion_n and_o if_o dissenter_n be_v to_o be_v destroy_v it_o be_v desire_v that_o the_o work_n be_v leave_v unto_o the_o penal_a statute_n which_o as_o now_o prosecute_v and_o interpret_v be_v sufficient_a for_o it_o rather_o than_o that_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n and_o a_o divine_a ordinance_n shall_v mere_o for_o that_o end_n be_v expose_v to_o contempt_n the_o last_o thing_n that_o i_o shall_v trouble_v you_o with_o at_o present_a be_v the_o consideration_n of_o the_o person_n against_o who_o the_o present_a excommunication_n be_v bluster_v with_o the_o pretend_a cause_n of_o they_o these_o be_v they_o who_o they_o call_v dissenter_n concern_v who_o we_o may_v inquire_v what_o they_o be_v and_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o pretend_a ecclesiastical_a severity_n towards_o they_o and_o as_o unto_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o enqury_n they_o be_v such_o as_o believe_v and_o make_v open_a profession_n of_o all_o the_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n they_o do_v so_o as_o they_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o scripture_n nor_o be_v the_o contrary_n charge_v on_o they_o there_o be_v nothing_o determine_v by_o the_o ancient_a council_n to_o belong_v unto_o christian_a faith_n which_o they_o disbelieve_v nor_o do_v they_o own_o any_o doctrine_n condemn_v by_o they_o they_o profess_v a_o equal_a interest_n of_o consent_n in_o the_o harmony_n of_o protestant_a confession_n with_o any_o other_o protestant_n whatever_n they_o own_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o establish_v by_o law_n in_o nothing_o recede_v from_o it_o nor_o have_v they_o any_o novel_a or_o uncatholick_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o it_o be_v therefore_o utter_o impossible_a to_o separate_v they_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o faith_n or_o to_o cast_v they_o from_o that_o rock_n whereon_o they_o be_v build_v thereby_o they_o do_v also_o attend_v unto_o divine_a worship_n in_o their_o own_o assembly_n and_o herein_o they_o do_v practice_v all_o that_o be_v agree_v on_o by_o all_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n and_o nothing_o else_o for_o they_o do_v not_o only_o make_v the_o scripture_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o their_o worship_n so_o as_o to_o omit_v nothing_o prescribe_v therein_o to_o that_o purpose_n nor_o to_o observe_v any_o thing_n prohibit_v thereby_o but_o their_o worship_n be_v the_o very_a same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o all_o age_n nothing_o do_v they_o omit_v that_o be_v ever_o use_v by_o it_o nothing_o do_v they_o observe_v that_o be_v ever_o condemn_v by_o it_o and_o this_o must_v be_v the_o principle_n and_o measure_n of_o catholic_n union_n in_o worship_n if_o ever_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o earth_n to_o expect_v it_o in_o any_o other_o observance_n be_v vain_a and_o foolish_a offer_v prayer_n and_o praise_n to_o god_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o expound_v of_o it_o sing_v of_o psalm_n to_o god_n preach_v of_o the_o word_n with_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n in_o a_o religious_a observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n unto_o these_o end_n all_o according_a as_o god_n do_v enable_v they_o by_o his_o spirit_n be_v the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n wherein_o all_o christian_n be_v agree_v these_o thing_n the_o scripture_n do_v prescribe_v and_o these_o thing_n the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n have_v observe_v all_o difference_n about_o this_o worship_n which_o have_v fill_v the_o world_n with_o inhuman_a contention_n arise_v from_o man_n arbitrary_a addition_n of_o form_n rite_n modes_n ceremony_n language_n cringing_n adoration_n which_o they_o will_v have_v observe_v in_o it_o whereof_o the_o scripture_n be_v silent_a and_o primitive_a antiquity_n utter_o ignorant_a and_o it_o may_v be_v it_o will_v be_v one_o day_n understand_v that_o the_o due_a observance_n of_o this_o catholic_n worship_n according_a as_o god_n enable_v any_o thereunto_o leave_v other_o at_o liberty_n to_o use_v such_o help_n unto_o their_o devotion_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v meet_a be_v the_o only_a communion_n of_o worship_n in_o the_o church_n which_o the_o scripture_n require_v or_o which_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v attain_v about_o the_o imposition_n of_o other_o thing_n there_o ever_o be_v since_o they_o be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v endless_a contention_n wherefore_o these_o dissenter_n practise_v nothing_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o what_o be_v approve_v by_o all_o christian_n particular_o by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n omit_v nothing_o that_o either_o the_o scripture_n or_o catholic_n tradition_n direct_v unto_o they_o be_v notwithstanding_o this_o pretend_a excommunication_n secure_a of_o communion_n with_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o evangelical_n worship_n moreover_o they_o plead_v that_o their_o conversation_n be_v unblamable_a that_o they_o be_v peaceable_a in_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o useful_a among_o their_o neighbour_n if_o they_o do_v evil_a in_o these_o thing_n let_v they_o that_o prosecute_v they_o bear_v witness_n of_o the_o evil_a but_o if_o they_o do_v well_o why_o be_v they_o smite_v if_o they_o can_v be_v charge_v with_o any_o immorality_n with_o any_o disobedience_n unto_o the_o rule_n and_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n those_o by_o who_o they_o be_v thus_o prosecute_v be_v high_o concern_v if_o not_o in_o conscience_n yet_o in_o honour_n and_o interest_n to_o manage_v the_o charge_n against_o they_o that_o some_o countenance_n may_v be_v give_v unto_o their_o proceed_n for_o the_o law_n be_v not_o make_v as_o penal_a for_o a_o righteous_a man_n but_o for_o the_o lawless_a and_o disobedient_a for_o the_o ungodly_a and_o for_o sinner_n for_o unholy_a and_o profane_a and_o if_o it_o be_v otherwise_o with_o the_o law_n about_o these_o excommunication_n they_o neither_o belong_v to_o nor_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o law_n of_o god_n there_o be_v indeed_o great_a clamour_n against_o they_o that_o they_o be_v schismatic_n and_o separatist_n and_o thing_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n that_o be_v that_o they_o be_v dissenter_n but_o in_o this_o case_n the_o whole_a force_n of_o any_o inference_n from_o hence_o be_v build_v on_o this_o supposition_n that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n that_o those_o who_o profess_v faith_n in_o he_o and_o obedience_n unto_o he_o unblamable_o shall_v be_v exclude_v from_o a_o interest_n in_o and_o participation_n of_o these_o odinance_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o be_v of_o his_o own_o institution_n who_o will_v not_o comply_v with_o and_o observe_v such_o right_n and_o practice_n in_o that_o worship_n as_o be_v not_o so_o but_o confess_o of_o humane_a invention_n but_o no_o colour_n of_o proof_n can_v be_v give_v hereunto_o for_o it_o be_v direct_o contrary_a unto_o express_a scripture-rule_n to_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n and_o unheard_a of_o in_o the_o world_n before_o the_o brand_a usurpation_n of_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n a_o assertion_n of_o it_o be_v to_o prostitute_v the_o wisdom_n authority_n and_o love_n of_o christ_n towards_o his_o disciple_n unto_o the_o will_n of_o man_n oftentimes_o prepossessed_n with_o darkness_n ignorance_n and_o superstition_n and_o other_o lust_n as_o shall_v be_v more_o full_o manifest_v if_o there_o be_v occasion_n let_v any_o colour_n be_v give_v unto_o this_o supposition_n from_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n and_o the_o whole_a cause_n shall_v be_v give_v up_o yet_o thus_o be_v it_o and_o no_o otherwise_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o present_a excommunication_n person_n of_o all_o sort_n every_o way_n find_v in_o the_o faith_n unreprovable_a in_o the_o catholic_n worship_n of_o the_o gospel_n profess_v love_n and_o obedience_n unto_o jesus_n christ_n without_o blame_n be_v exclude_v what_o lie_v in_o they_o who_o manage_v these_o ordinance_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o the_o lord_n christ_n have_v appoint_v and_o enjoin_v without_o pretence_n of_o any_o other_o cause_n or_o reason_n but_o only_o their_o not_o observance_n in_o that_o worship_n of_o what_o he_o have_v not_o appoint_v he_o that_o can_v believe_v this_o to_o be_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n neither_o know_v he_o nor_o his_o will_n as_o it_o be_v reveal_v in_o his_o word_n and_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n be_v sufficient_o secure_a from_o be_v concern_v in_o that_o wherein_o such_o a_o open_a defiance_n be_v bid_v unto_o evangelical_n precept_n and_o rule_n with_o apostolical_a example_n and_o further_o to_o manifest_v the_o iniquity_n of_o these_o proceed_n whilst_o these_o dissenter_n be_v thus_o deal_v withal_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n ignorant_a profane_a hater_n of_o godliness_n and_o open_o wicked_a in_o their_o life_n be_v allow_v in_o the_o full_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n without_o any_o disciplinary_a admonition_n or_o control_n but_o as_o this_o serve_v

to_o acquit_v they_o from_o any_o concernment_n in_o what_o be_v do_v against_o they_o so_o nothing_o can_v be_v invent_v that_o tend_v more_o direct_o to_o harden_v man_n in_o their_o sin_n and_o impenitency_n for_o whilst_o there_o be_v a_o pretence_n of_o church-censure_n they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v sufficient_o approve_v of_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n see_v their_o displeasure_n be_v no_o way_n declare_v against_o they_o so_o they_o be_v not_o dissenter_n they_o have_v reason_n to_o judge_n that_o they_o be_v safe_a here_o and_o shall_v be_v so_o to_o eternity_n let_v they_o look_v to_o themselves_o who_o deserve_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v be_v this_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v this_o the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n be_v this_o the_o representation_n of_o his_o future_a judgement_n be_v this_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n a_o declaration_n of_o what_o he_o own_v and_o what_o alone_o he_o disavow_v god_n forbid_v that_o such_o thought_n shall_v have_v any_o countenance_n give_v unto_o they_o ecclesiastical_a law_n have_v be_v always_o look_v on_o as_o cobweb_n that_o catch_v the_o small_a fly_n whilst_o the_o great_a break_v they_o at_o their_o pleasure_n but_o among_o those_o lesser_a to_o spare_v those_o that_o be_v noxious_a or_o poisonous_a and_o to_o cast_v the_o net_n over_o the_o innocent_a and_o harmless_a be_v that_o which_o the_o spider_n give_v no_o pattern_n of_o nor_o can_v imitate_v i_o shall_v not_o mention_v the_o avow_a end_n and_o design_n of_o these_o present_a excommunication_n only_o i_o shall_v say_v they_o be_v such_o as_o many_o good_a man_n tremble_v to_o consider_v the_o horrible_a profanation_n of_o thing_n sacred_a which_o they_o manifest_a to_o be_v in_o they_o there_o be_v also_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o evidence_n the_o nullity_n of_o these_o proceed_n which_o may_v be_v plead_v if_o there_o be_v occasion_n what_o have_v already_o be_v speak_v be_v abundant_o suffitcien_fw-fr to_o satisfy_v my_o engagement_n unto_o you_o namely_o that_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n be_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v in_o the_o present_a excommunication_n it_o may_v be_v it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o all_o this_o while_n we_o have_v be_v do_v just_a nothing_o or_o that_o which_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n at_o all_o as_o not_o concern_v the_o present_a case_n for_o these_o of_o who_o we_o treat_v pretend_v no_o power_n in_o foro_n interiore_fw-la or_o the_o court_n of_o conscience_n or_o unto_o nothing_o that_o shall_v immediate_o affect_v it_o their_o authority_n be_v only_o in_o foro_n exteriore_fw-la in_o the_o court_n of_o the_o church_n which_o it_o seem_v be_v at_o doctor_n commons_o wherefore_o by_o their_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n they_o oblige_v man_n only_o unto_o their_o outward_a concernment_n as_o unto_o what_o concern_v conscience_n they_o leave_v that_o unto_o the_o preacher_n of_o the_o word_n it_o may_v be_v it_o will_v be_v so_o plead_v but_o before_o they_o quit_v their_o hand_n well_o of_o this_o business_n they_o will_v understand_v that_o excommunication_n itself_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o especial_a way_n of_o the_o application_n of_o the_o word_n unto_o the_o conscience_n of_o sinner_n unto_o their_o edification_n and_o that_o which_o be_v not_o so_o pretend_v what_o it_o will_v be_v nothing_o at_o all_o unto_o the_o dispenser_n therefore_o of_o the_o word_n it_o do_v alone_o belong_v and_o whereas_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o weapon_n of_o our_o christian_a warfare_n be_v not_o carnal_a but_o mighty_a through_o god_n to_o bring_v into_o captivity_n every_o thought_n unto_o the_o obedience_n of_o christ_n they_o seem_v herein_o to_o say_v that_o the_o weapon_n of_o their_o warfare_n be_v carnal_a and_o mighty_a through_o the_o aid_n of_o some_o body_n to_o cast_v man_n into_o prison_n or_o to_o bring_v their_o person_n into_o captivity_n and_o indeed_o this_o outward_a court_n of_o they_o be_v part_n of_o that_o court_n without_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v tread_v down_o by_o the_o gentile_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v measure_v in_o the_o restauration_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n yea_o the_o distinction_n itself_o be_v silly_a if_o any_o thing_n be_v intend_v by_o this_o outward_a court_n but_o only_o the_o outward_a declaration_n of_o what_o be_v or_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v effect_v in_o the_o inward_a or_o the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n but_o let_v it_o be_v what_o it_o will_v those_o who_o have_v neither_o name_n nor_o place_n nor_o office_n in_o the_o church_n by_o divine_a institution_n who_o attend_v not_o at_o all_o in_o what_o they_o do_v unto_o any_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n nor_o can_v nor_o do_v pretend_v any_o authority_n from_o christ_n in_o and_o for_o what_o they_o do_v be_v no_o way_n to_o be_v heed_v in_o this_o matter_n but_o only_o as_o the_o instrument_n of_o external_a compulsion_n which_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n be_v to_o be_v submit_v unto_o with_o quietness_n and_o patience_n i_o find_v i_o confess_v by_o the_o book_n with_o i_o send_v we_o weekly_o into_o the_o country_n that_o in_o this_o state_n of_o thing_n some_o of_o the_o reverend_a clergy_n do_v manifest_a great_a compassion_n towards_o the_o dissenter_n in_o write_v and_o publish_v many_o discourse_n contain_v persuasive_n unto_o and_o argument_n for_o conformity_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v free_v from_o their_o troublesome_a circumstance_n but_o i_o must_v needs_o commend_v their_o prudence_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o season_n for_o this_o work_n as_o much_o their_o charity_n in_o the_o work_n itself_o for_o the_o conformity_n they_o press_v need_v no_o other_o recommendation_n at_o this_o time_n nor_o need_v they_o use_v any_o other_o argument_n for_o it_o but_o only_o that_o it_o be_v better_a than_o be_v hang_v or_o keep_v in_o perpetual_a durance_n or_o stifle_v in_o prison_n or_o beggar_a they_o and_o their_o family_n or_o be_v starve_v in_o exile_n and_o it_o have_v be_v always_o observe_v that_o argument_n which_o march_v with_o halberd_n bill_n staff_n sergeant_n bailiff_n writ_n warrant_n and_o capiasses_n be_v very_o forcible_a and_o prevalent_a but_o i_o have_v do_v and_o shall_v leave_v it_o unto_o other_o to_o declare_v what_o mischief_n do_v ensue_v on_o these_o proceed_n on_o civil_a account_n and_o what_o a_o inroad_n be_v make_v by_o they_o on_o the_o government_n of_o the_o kingdom_n for_o a_o new_a tenure_n be_v erect_v by_o they_o whereon_o all_o man_n must_v hold_v their_o birthright_n privilege_n especial_o that_o which_o be_v the_o root_n whereon_o they_o all_o do_v grow_v namely_o their_o personal_a liberty_n they_o hold_v they_o no_o long_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n nor_o can_v pretend_v unto_o security_n whilst_o they_o forfeit_v they_o not_o by_o that_o law_n they_o be_v all_o put_v into_o the_o power_n of_o chancellor_n archdeacon_n commissary_n and_o official_o they_o may_v deprive_v they_o of_o they_o all_o at_o their_o pleasure_n against_o the_o protection_n of_o that_o law_n under_o which_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o which_o have_v be_v look_v on_o as_o the_o only_a rule_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o subject_n liberty_n privilege_n and_o possession_n these_o thing_n tend_v not_o only_o to_o the_o disturbance_n but_o the_o ruin_n of_o all_o peace_n and_o trust_n among_o man_n and_o of_o all_o good_a government_n in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o they_o shall_v excommunicate_v all_o that_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v so_o by_o their_o own_o law_n on_o the_o other_o and_o then_o procure_v capiass_n for_o they_o all_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v the_o king_n may_v want_v subject_n to_o defend_v his_o realm_n against_o his_o enemy_n unless_o he_o shall_v do_v as_o they_o do_v of_o old_a at_o rome_n in_o great_a distress_n open_v the_o goal_n and_o arm_v the_o prisoner_n or_o it_o may_v be_v the_o lesser_a part_n will_v at_o length_n find_v it_o troublesome_a to_o keep_v the_o great_a in_o prison_n but_o these_o thing_n concern_v not_o you_o nor_o i_o i_o beg_v your_o excuse_n as_o not_o know_v whether_o you_o will_v judge_v this_o hasty_a write_n too_o little_a for_o the_o cause_n or_o too_o much_o for_o a_o letter_n as_o it_o be_v accept_v it_o from_o finis_fw-la