Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	communion_n	member_n	separation_n	3,098	5	9.7439	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59556	A sermon preached on the day of the public fast, April the 11th, 1679, at St. Margarets Westminster, before the Honourable House of Commons by John Sharp ...	Sharp, John, 1645-1714.	1679 (1679)	Wing S2984; ESTC R17020	18,372	44

holiness_n and_o purity_n how_o our_o brethren_n of_o the_o separation_n will_v dispose_v of_o their_o member_n that_o be_v of_o this_o temper_n i_o know_v not_o but_o as_o to_o all_o those_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v of_o our_o communion_n and_o yet_o live_v scandalous_a life_n and_o think_v that_o their_o own_n themselves_o for_o the_o son_n of_o the_o church_n will_v make_v atonement_n for_o their_o immorality_n it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v they_o have_v do_v we_o more_o hurt_n than_o ever_o they_o will_v do_v we_o good_a and_o unless_o they_o will_v reform_v it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v wish_v that_o we_o be_v rid_v of_o they_o let_v they_o declare_v themselves_o fanatic_n papist_n any_o thing_n rather_o than_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o though_o by_o their_o recession_n and_o go_v over_o to_o the_o enemy_n camp_n we_o may_v possible_o be_v so_o weaken_v that_o we_o can_v not_o support_v ourselves_o but_o must_v be_v force_v to_o fall_v under_o our_o adversary_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o even_o then_o the_o church_n will_v not_o be_v the_o better_a for_o it_o and_o it_o will_v perhaps_o be_v more_o desirable_a to_o live_v in_o a_o mean_a low_a afflict_a condition_n without_o such_o company_n than_o to_o govern_v the_o world_n with_o it_o but_o four_o these_o be_v not_o all_o the_o malady_n which_o this_o distress_a church_n and_o nation_n labour_v under_o there_o be_v another_o wound_n that_o be_v as_o wide_a and_o bleed_v as_o much_o as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o which_o if_o timely_a care_n be_v not_o take_v of_o it_o may_v cause_v her_o expiration_n as_o soon_o as_o any_o other_o i_o mean_v the_o unnatural_a un-christian_a feud_n and_o division_n that_o be_v among_o we_o our_o nation_n be_v rend_v and_o tear_v into_o so_o many_o party_n and_o faction_n and_o the_o cruel_a and_o bitter_a animosity_n with_o which_o each_o party_n do_v prosecute_v the_o other_o and_o all_o this_o if_o man_n will_v consider_v for_o little_a thing_n in_o comparison_n thing_n certain_o not_o worth_a all_o this_o heat_n thing_n that_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a of_o the_o several_a dissent_v party_n confess_v to_o be_v indifferent_a o_o how_o do_v man_n by_o these_o foolish_a and_o unaccountable_a division_n weaken_v the_o common_a interest_n that_o all_o pretend_v at_o least_o to_o be_v concern_v for_o what_o advantage_n be_v hereby_o give_v to_o the_o adversary_n it_o be_v likely_a indeed_o that_o as_o they_o first_o set_v on_o foot_n so_o they_o still_o continue_v to_o foment_n these_o difference_n they_o laugh_v at_o this_o opportunity_n of_o make_v proselyte_n to_o their_o religion_n and_o a_o plentiful_a harvest_n they_o have_v hereby_o reap_v to_o themselves_o but_o where_o be_v our_o wisdom_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n have_v man_n no_o more_o understanding_n than_o to_o be_v still_o hot_a and_o eager_a in_o their_o contention_n about_o a_o shadow_n when_o there_o be_v a_o enemy_n at_o the_o gate_n that_o be_v in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o take_v from_o we_o the_o substance_n some_o indeed_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o dispute_v which_o side_n ought_v to_o comply_v whether_o the_o dissenter_n ought_v to_o come_v over_o to_o the_o establish_v church_n or_o the_o church_n to_o they_o it_o be_v not_o now_o a_o time_n full_o to_o debate_v the_o merit_n of_o that_o cause_n but_o this_o may_v be_v true_o say_v if_o man_n will_v be_v honest_a and_o sincere_a and_o mix_v no_o passion_n or_o worldly_a concernment_n with_o their_o religion_n the_o point_n will_v soon_o be_v decide_v on_o the_o church_n side_n every_o man_n that_o call_v himself_o a_o protestant_n will_v think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o obey_v lawful_a authority_n in_o all_o thing_n where_o he_o be_v convince_v their_o command_n be_v not_o unlawful_a and_o if_o he_o can_v not_o with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n come_v up_o to_o it_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o will_v come_v up_o as_o far_o as_o he_o can_v and_o as_o for_o those_o thing_n that_o he_o be_v not_o satisfy_v about_o as_o he_o will_v not_o condemn_v or_o censure_v those_o that_o be_v persuade_v or_o practise_v otherwise_o so_o neither_o will_v he_o raise_v any_o disturbance_n in_o the_o church_n by_o join_v himself_o to_o a_o opposite_a party_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n those_o that_o do_v conform_v to_o the_o church_n in_o all_o thing_n will_v not_o withdraw_v their_o charity_n from_o their_o fellow_n christian_n for_o not_o do_v so_o much_o as_o they._n though_o they_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o several_a opinion_n yet_o they_o will_v join_v hand_n with_o they_o in_o all_o christian_a office_n of_o mutual_a love_n and_o charity_n and_o in_o a_o joint_a opposition_n of_o the_o common_a enemy_n but_o alas_o thing_n be_v not_o thus_o with_o we_o and_o i_o note_v it_o as_o a_o fault_n for_o which_o we_o ought_v deep_o to_o be_v affect_v this_o day_n and_o if_o man_n do_v due_o weigh_v the_o sinfulness_n and_o the_o danger_n that_o all_o schism_n and_o separation_n of_o this_o kind_n do_v bring_v upon_o a_o nation_n they_o will_v be_v thus_o affect_v if_o human_a conjecture_n about_o the_o reason_n and_o cause_n of_o divine_a judgement_n may_v be_v allow_v it_o will_v appear_v from_o history_n and_o experience_n that_o there_o have_v be_v as_o much_o war_n and_o bloodshed_n cause_v in_o the_o world_n as_o many_o nation_n desolate_v as_o many_o church_n ruin_v by_o the_o malignity_n and_o evil_a influence_n of_o this_o sin_n of_o schism_n as_o any_o other_o and_o if_o ever_o god_n in_o judgement_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o give_v over_o this_o flourish_a church_n of_o we_o as_o a_o prey_n to_o that_o mighty_a hunter_n that_o will_v erect_v a_o universal_a spiritual_a monarchy_n to_o himself_o upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o all_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o christendom_n we_o shall_v have_v good_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o unnecessary_a division_n and_o quarrel_n among_o ourselves_o have_v a_o great_a hand_n in_o bring_v on_o the_o judgement_n in_o all_o appearance_n we_o of_o this_o nation_n may_v be_v impregnable_a as_o to_o our_o religion_n if_o those_o protestant_n among_o we_o who_o have_v be_v so_o long_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o national_a church_n will_v once_o return_v into_o its_o bosom_n that_o we_o may_v all_o hearty_a join_v together_o in_o love_v and_o assist_v one_o another_o and_o oppose_v the_o public_a adversary_n but_o five_o and_o last_o if_o the_o state_n of_o our_o church_n and_o nation_n be_v not_o near_o so_o bad_a as_o i_o have_v now_o represent_v it_o yet_o there_o be_v another_o thing_n still_o that_o all_o even_o the_o best_a of_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o be_v sensible_a of_o and_o to_o mourn_v for_o as_o that_o which_o of_o itself_o be_v sufficient_a to_o bring_v destruction_n upon_o we_o and_o that_o be_v our_o ingratitude_n to_o god_n for_o his_o many_o mercy_n and_o deliverance_n and_o our_o unprofitableness_n under_o those_o mean_n of_o grace_n that_o he_o have_v be_v please_v so_o long_o to_o afford_v we_o i_o can_v call_v this_o a_o particular_a sin_n it_o be_v if_o you_o will_v a_o aggravation_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n or_o all_o of_o they_o sum_v up_o together_o however_o i_o give_v it_o a_o particular_a consideration_n because_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v set_v a_o mark_n upon_o and_o have_v so_o far_o declare_v his_o displeasure_n against_o it_o that_o he_o have_v determine_v it_o a_o just_a cause_n to_o un-people_n or_o un-church_n a_o nation_n our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o a_o certain_a man_n have_v plant_v a_o figtree_n in_o his_o vineyard_n and_o come_v and_o seek_v fruit_n thereon_o and_o find_v none_o he_o say_v unto_o the_o dresser_n of_o his_o vineyard_n 6._o behold_v these_o three_o year_n i_o come_v seek_v fruit_n on_o this_o figtree_n and_o find_v none_o cut_v it_o down_o it_o why_o do_v it_o cumber_v the_o ground_n let_v we_o apply_v this_o parable_n to_o ourselves_o as_o certain_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o will_v sufficient_o prompt_v we_o be_v ever_o figtree_n or_o vineyard_n more_o curious_o plant_v more_o careful_o dress_v more_o rich_o manure_v more_o secure_o fence_v from_o the_o outrage_n of_o beast_n of_o prey_n than_o our_o figtree_n our_o vineyard_n the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o of_o a_o church_n this_o parable_n be_v necessary_o to_o be_v understand_v be_v there_o any_o one_o of_o the_o protestant_a church_n in_o europe_n that_o have_v be_v so_o regular_o reform_v that_o in_o the_o first_o constitution_n of_o it_o be_v establish_v upon_o principle_n so_o justifiable_a so_o agreeable_a with_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o christianity_n and_o the_o civil_a right_n of_o the_o kingdom_n as_o this_o church_n of_o england_n be_v be_v there_o any_o protestant_a church_n in_o europe_n who_o article_n

where_o they_o live_v but_o if_o either_o of_o the_o other_o shall_v be_v set_v up_o in_o the_o place_n of_o it_o they_o will_v as_o willing_o conform_v to_o that_o one_o will_v think_v that_o such_o man_n as_o these_o shall_v not_o be_v find_v in_o a_o country_n that_o call_v itself_o christian_n much_o less_o in_o a_o christian_a country_n that_o call_v itself_o reform_v and_o yet_o such_o be_v the_o infelicity_n and_o the_o fault_n of_o we_o that_o man_n of_o these_o principle_n and_o practice_n do_v abound_v among_o we_o o_o bless_a god_n whither_o shall_v we_o come_v at_o last_o if_o timely_a care_n be_v not_o take_v of_o these_o thing_n but_o second_o if_o to_o the_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n that_o reign_v among_o we_o we_o add_v the_o open_a profaneness_n and_o debauchery_n that_o be_v every_o where_o to_o be_v observe_v in_o our_o day_n how_o much_o black_a will_v our_o guilt_n appear_v where_o be_v that_o ancient_a seriousness_n and_o reservedness_n and_o modesty_n that_o heretofore_o have_v be_v think_v not_o only_o essential_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o christian_a but_o natural_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o a_o englishman_n alas_o we_o seem_v to_o have_v change_v not_o only_o our_o religion_n but_o our_o climate_n too_o and_o may_v for_o dissoluteness_n and_o luxury_n for_o pride_n and_o vanity_n and_o idleness_n compare_v with_o the_o ancient_a asiatic_n and_o do_v perhaps_o outstrip_v several_a of_o our_o present_a neighbour_n nation_n though_o of_o a_o worse_a religion_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o so_o much_o be_v we_o degenerate_v from_o the_o ancient_a strictness_n of_o christianity_n that_o those_o thing_n that_o will_v not_o have_v be_v name_v among_o the_o first_o christian_n without_o horror_n and_o banish_v out_o of_o their_o society_n all_o those_o that_o do_v they_o be_v frequent_o practise_v among_o we_o and_o those_o vice_n that_o even_o in_o the_o worse_a time_n of_o christianity_n the_o actor_n be_v afraid_a or_o ashamed_a to_o own_o be_v now_o make_v a_o matter_n of_o sport_n and_o merriment_n a_o trick_n of_o youth_n a_o humour_n or_o a_o frolic_a what_o be_v then_o a_o deed_n of_o darkness_n be_v now_o too_o often_o do_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o the_o person_n concern_v in_o the_o wickedness_n be_v so_o far_o from_o blush_v at_o their_o guilt_n that_o they_o relate_v their_o own_o action_n as_o a_o pleasant_a entertainment_n for_o their_o company_n o_o the_o riot_n and_o drunkenness_n the_o fraud_n and_o cozenage_n the_o filthy_a and_o lewd_a speech_n the_o whoredom_n and_o adultery_n the_o blasphemous_a oath_n and_o imprecation_n that_o be_v daily_o without_o any_o regret_n any_o sense_n of_o shame_n practise_v among_o we_o we_o seem_v to_o have_v lose_v not_o only_o the_o virtue_n of_o modesty_n but_o of_o hypocrisy_n too_o if_o so_o bid_v a_o thing_n may_v be_v call_v by_o so_o good_a a_o name_n those_o vice_n and_o lewdness_n which_o heretofore_o seek_v corner_n and_o wear_v a_o mask_n do_v now_o appear_v with_o a_o naked_a face_n it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o we_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o such_o crime_n and_o immorality_n as_o we_o speak_v of_o but_o this_o do_v not_o whole_o excuse_v we_o for_o we_o be_v all_o faulty_a in_o this_o that_o these_o kind_n of_o vice_n be_v not_o sufficient_o brand_v and_o put_v out_o of_o countenance_n they_o pass_v under_o easy_a not_o to_o say_v creditable_a name_n and_o so_o little_a a_o sense_n have_v we_o of_o they_o that_o a_o man_n may_v keep_v his_o reputation_n among_o we_o though_o he_o be_v never_o so_o vicious_a suppose_v that_o his_o vice_n be_v of_o the_o mode_n of_o the_o country_n this_o very_a thing_n without_o our_o personal_a guilt_n make_v the_o sin_n a_o national_a sin_n and_o god_n will_v visit_v these_o thing_n upon_o we_o except_o we_o repent_v but_o to_o make_v up_o the_o measure_n of_o our_o iniquity_n we_o can_v in_o the_o three_o place_n live_v after_o this_o dissolute_a rate_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n many_o of_o we_o think_v ourselves_o religious_a we_o increase_v the_o guilt_n of_o our_o profaneness_n by_o join_v formality_n with_o it_o if_o we_o will_v disclaim_v all_o religion_n when_o we_o lead_v such_o wretched_o careless_a and_o sensual_a life_n it_o will_v in_o some_o respect_n be_v more_o tolerable_a for_o then_o christianity_n will_v not_o suffer_v by_o we_o it_o will_v get_v no_o odium_n no_o ignominy_n in_o the_o world_n it_o will_v not_o be_v a_o occasion_n to_o man_n to_o turn_v atheist_n but_o to_o live_v un-christian_a life_n and_o yet_o to_o call_v ourselves_o christian_n nay_o to_o make_v our_o religion_n a_o sanctuary_n for_o our_o vice_n and_o to_o think_v that_o we_o may_v the_o more_o free_o indulge_v ourselves_o in_o they_o because_o we_o be_v of_o the_o right_a religion_n this_o be_v intolerable_a and_o extreme_o aggravate_v the_o iniquity_n of_o our_o practice_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v a_o fault_n that_o we_o of_o this_o nation_n be_v notorious_o guilty_a of_o we_o often_o make_v religion_n to_o consist_v in_o opinion_n and_o outward_a profession_n if_o we_o have_v but_o once_o join_v ourselves_o to_o that_o party_n of_o christian_n which_o we_o think_v be_v the_o right_n and_o do_v espouse_v all_o their_o controversy_n and_o be_v zealous_a in_o the_o observance_n of_o their_o particular_a form_n and_o rite_n whereby_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o sect_n that_o be_v in_o be_v among_o we_o we_o think_v we_o be_v true_a saint_n let_v our_o moral_n be_v what_o they_o will_n this_o be_v the_o religion_n that_o be_v every_o where_o too_o much_o in_o fashion_n if_o for_o instance_n i_o have_v list_a myself_o a_o member_n of_o some_o church_n of_o the_o separation_n as_o there_o be_v great_a variety_n of_o they_o if_o i_o be_v but_o true_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o my_o church_n and_o vigorous_a in_o oppose_v those_o that_o be_v not_o of_o my_o way_n and_o constant_a in_o my_o attendance_n upon_o the_o brethren_n at_o their_o assembly_n this_o zeal_n of_o i_o will_v excuse_v a_o multitude_n of_o my_o other_o fail_n and_o though_o i_o now_o and_o then_o use_v indirect_a way_n of_o deal_v in_o my_o call_v though_o i_o be_v uncharitable_a and_o censorious_a though_o i_o affront_v authority_n and_o live_v in_o a_o constant_a disobedience_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o law_n of_o it_o yet_o my_o fervour_n for_o that_o which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o relation_n i_o stand_v in_o to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n will_v bear_v i_o out_o as_o to_o these_o matter_n on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o i_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o be_o too_o often_o apt_a to_o think_v myself_o in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o heaven_n if_o i_o be_v but_o stout_a for_o the_o church_n and_o zealous_a against_o the_o sectary_n and_o punctual_a in_o observe_v the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o liturgy_n and_o now_o and_o then_o come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n though_o it_o may_v be_v i_o have_v nothing_o of_o the_o true_a life_n and_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n in_o i_o nothing_o of_o that_o sobriety_n and_o meekness_n and_o charity_n and_o inward_a devotion_n that_o our_o saviour_n do_v indispensable_o require_v of_o all_o his_o follower_n nay_o so_o far_o from_o that_o it_o may_v be_v i_o think'tis_o no_o matter_n how_o i_o live_v if_o i_o be_v but_o a_o good_a subject_n to_o the_o king_n and_o a_o true_a son_n of_o the_o church_n nay_o it_o be_v well_o if_o do_v it_o go_v further_o it_o be_v well_o if_o i_o do_v make_v vice_n and_o debauchery_n a_o essential_a character_n of_o a_o man_n that_o be_v right_a in_o his_o principle_n it_o be_v well_o if_o i_o do_v brand_n seriousness_n of_o conversation_n and_o a_o care_n of_o one_o word_n and_o action_n with_o the_o name_n of_o fanaticism_n and_o reproach_v every_o one_o as_o a_o puritan_n that_o will_v not_o swear_v and_o drink_v and_o take_v those_o un-christian_a liberty_n that_o i_o do_v you_o know_v there_o be_v such_o man_n as_o these_o frequent_o to_o be_v find_v in_o all_o the_o several_a sect_n and_o way_n of_o religion_n among_o we_o but_o o_o what_o be_v become_v of_o christianity_n all_o the_o while_n this_o sure_a can_v be_v thy_o religion_n o_o bless_a jesus_n since_o it_o be_v so_o unlike_o both_o thy_o action_n and_o thy_o doctrine_n thou_o never_o place_v any_o virtue_n or_o praise_n in_o know_v but_o in_o do_v in_o be_v of_o this_o or_o the_o other_o particular_a external_a mode_n of_o religion_n but_o in_o believe_v thy_o gospel_n and_o follow_v thy_o example_n in_o mortify_v our_o lust_n and_o lead_v a_o life_n of_o peaceableness_n and_o obedience_n and_o humility_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o inward_a