Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	esq_n	john_n	thomas_n	2,719	5	9.7584	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60898	A treatise of the Roman ports and forts in Kent by William Somner ; publish'd by James Brome ... ; to which is prefixt, The life of Mr. Somner.	Somner, William, 1598-1669.; Kennett, White, 1660-1728.; Brome, James, d. 1715.	1693 (1693)	Wing S4669; ESTC R19864	117,182	264

business of his called those he devoted to his beloved search into the mysteries of time to which by the nature of his profession he seemed the more determined he himself observing that to the studie of Antiquities his particular calling did in some manner lead him He lov'd much and much frequented the Cathedral service where after his devotions were paid he had a new zeal for the honour of the House walking often in the Nave and in the more recluse parts not in that idle and inadvertent posture nor with that common and trivial discourse with which those open Temples are vulgarly profan'd but with a curious and observant eye to distinguish the age of the buildings to sift the ashes of the dead and in a word to eternize the memory of things and Men. His visits within the City were to find out the Ancestors rather than the present inhabitants and to know the genealogie of houses and walls and dust When he had leisure to refresh himself in the Suburbs and the fields it was not meerly for digestion and for air but to survey the British bricks the Roman ways the Danish hills and works the Saxon Monasteries and the Norman Churches At the digging up foundations and other descents into the bowels of the earth he came often to survey the Workmen and to purchase from them the treasure of Coins Medals and other buried reliques of which he informs us that many were found in almost all parts of the City some of which came to his hands Whenever he relaxt his mind to any other recreation it was to that of shooting with the long bow which no doubt he lov'd as much for the antiquity as for the health and pleasure of that manly sport He forgets not to give a worthy commendation of it to confess himself grounded in a good opinion of Archery and not unwilling to vindicate the undervaluing of it with other Men. He recommends to the Reader a judicious Elogie on this England's antient glory by Mr. John Bingham in his Notes upon Aelian's Tacticks which because the Book was dear and scarce he presents a true copy of that whole passage This was his diversion but his more constant delight was in classic Historians in old Manuscripts Leiger-books Rolls and Records Which made him so quickly known to be a man of use and service to his Country that upon the great questions in descent of families tenure of estates dedication of Churches right of tithes and all the history of use and custom he was consulted as a Druid or a Bard. While appeal to his judgment and deference to it satisfied contending parties and stopt litigious suits This honour and trouble done to him he modestly owns in the Epilogue to his Countrymen where he mentions the recourse which some of them had to him for satisfaction and information rejoycing to give content to them and others And truly I know no one part of humane learning that can render any Man a more agreeable Companion and a more beneficial friend than this knowledge of places times and people Whoever is thus accomplisht can never want information to strangers instruction to neighbours and a turn of diversion and profit to all society If he have prudence and good nature he may be as Mr. Somner was the Oracle of his Country But the soul of our Author thought it too narrow a Province to resolve the doubts of private Men and therefore would satisfie the whole inquisitive world Hence when he had digested his elaborate collections made for the honour of that ancient Metropolis and his good Affection to Antiquities he dedicates them in a humble unaffected stile to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had them licens'd by his Chaplain Guil. Bray Octob. 23. 1639. aud the next year publisht under this title The Antiquities of Canterbury or a survey of that ancient City with the Suburbs and Cathedral containing principally matters of Antiquity in them all c. Sought out and publisht by the industry and good will of William Somner London 1640. 4● In his Preface with wit and learning he celebrates the knowledge of ancient things confesses his own thoughts and affections to lie that way and owns the encouragement of worthy Friends of whom he names Dr. Casaubon one of the Prebendaries of the Church and Thomas Denne Esq This accurate performance is the more laudable because he could find no way but what he made There had indeed been two discourses of the like nature Spot's History of Canterbury mention'd by Bale and Collections of the Antiquities of Canterbury by Iohn Twine to which he refers in his Comment de rebus Albionicis but both these were lost to the use of our Author and we do not hear they are yet recovered So as he had no one writer to transcribe or imitate but all the labour and glory were his own And indeed this difficult honour is the reward of true Antiquaries they tread in steps unknown and bring to light the hidden things of past ages While most other Authors write over again in new words and do not discover but only represent In this useful book he forgets not to justifie his own profession He enquires into the institution of Notaries proves Ecclesiastical Courts to be Courts of Record c. He often shews his duty and zeal to his Mother the Church of England defends her discipline and justifies her constitution in his learned remarks on Church government on Archbishops on privilege of the Clergy on dedication of holy places mischief of Impropriations and such other subjects on which by the best of arguments reason and authority he vindicates the establishment which then began to shake And truly this justice must be done to Antiquities and the Church of England None have been perfect Masters of the one but what have been true Sons and servants to the other It was eminently so in those great names Camde● Spelman Twisden Marsham Dugdals And might I mention the living I know many who by improvement in these studies have in the same way settled their judgment and improv'd their zeal For indeed there is a natural reason for this effects a good cause must appear best to those who look farthest back upon it Our Church cannot have more genuine Sons than those who by research into the primitive state of things can refute the impudence of those abroad who pretend to Antiquity and can expose the ignorance of those at home who affect Innovation These Men can stand in the ways and see the old paths and are fit guides to those who are but of yesterday and know nothing But of one providence which attended this work I must remind you It was done in such a juncture as preserv'd the memorial of many Epitaphs Inscriptions and proper observations which otherwise had soon been lost to all succeeding ages For immediately began that Rebellion and Sacrilege which