Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n
Text snippets containing the quad
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
A53898
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Promiscuous ordinations are destructive to the honour & safety of the Church of England (if they should be allowed in it). Written in a letter to a person of quality.
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Pearson, John, 1613-1686.
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1668
(1668)
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Wing P1005; ESTC R33038
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3,880
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18
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promiscuous_a ordination_n be_v destructive_a to_o the_o honour_n &_o safety_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n if_o they_o shall_v be_v allow_v in_o it_o write_a in_o a_o letter_n to_o a_o person_n of_o quality_n london_n print_a for_o james_n collins_n at_o the_o kings-head_n in_o westminster-hall_n 1668._o a_o person_n of_o quality_n a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o a_o moderate_a divine_a sir_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o let_v you_o understand_v that_o i_o be_o by_o a_o real_a and_o unfeigned_a profession_n a_o true_a son_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n one_o who_o god_n have_v bless_v with_o a_o competent_a family_n of_o who_o eternal_a welfare_n i_o be_o equal_o solicitous_a we_o be_v seat_v with_o many_o neighbour_n of_o the_o same_o judgement_n and_o desire_n of_o future_a happiness_n in_o a_o country_n parish_n with_o a_o orthodox_n and_o able_a minister_n who_o age_n and_o infirmity_n seem_v to_o foretell_v we_o shall_v scarce_o enjoy_v he_o another_o winter_n now_o sir_n the_o various_a discourse_n and_o contrivance_n in_o this_o present_a juncture_n together_o with_o the_o know_a inclination_n of_o our_o patron_n threaten_v we_o with_o a_o pastor_n as_o next_o incumbent_n who_o be_v not_o a_o pastor_n canonical_o ordain_v but_o have_v receive_v something_o which_o he_o call_v ordination_n either_o after_o a_o classical_a or_o congregational_a way_n in_o this_o case_n i_o apply_v myself_o to_o you_o who_o be_v render_v a_o moderate_a divine_a desirous_a to_o know_v whether_o your_o moderation_n have_v induce_v you_o to_o promote_v or_o comply_v with_o that_o which_o seem_v to_o we_o so_o great_a confusion_n and_o to_o declare_v how_o you_o can_v answer_v it_o to_o that_o church_n of_o which_o you_o be_v also_o a_o member_n and_o what_o satisfaction_n you_o can_v give_v to_o our_o conscience_n who_o be_v like_a to_o be_v cast_v into_o this_o condition_n answer_n sir_n i_o can_v take_v any_o delight_n as_o to_o the_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n but_o in_o the_o composure_n of_o they_o only_o and_o if_o i_o understand_v myself_o nothing_o can_v ever_o alter_v that_o temper_n by_o which_o i_o have_v be_v so_o long_o incline_v to_o a_o due_a enlargement_n and_o indulgence_n for_o such_o as_o be_v ready_a to_o afford_v a_o rational_a compliance_n but_o i_o hope_v that_o no_o such_o facility_n of_o nature_n or_o opinion_n shall_v ever_o reduce_v i_o to_o that_o weakness_n as_o to_o betray_v the_o great_a and_o everlasting_a concern_v of_o the_o church_n or_o to_o give_v over_o the_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o endeavour_v that_o unity_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o its_o conservation_n that_o the_o order_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o continuation_n of_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v to_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o it_o according_a to_o his_o institution_n be_v a_o doctrine_n indubitable_a that_o this_o ministry_n be_v derive_v by_o a_o succession_n and_o constant_a propagation_n and_o that_o the_o unity_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v conserve_v by_o a_o due_a and_o legitimate_a ordination_n no_o man_n who_o consider_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o ecclesiastical_a history_n can_v ever_o doubt_v this_o way_n of_o ordination_n have_v continue_v so_o many_o age_n one_o and_o the_o same_o can_v never_o be_v considerable_o alter_v without_o some_o great_a commotion_n and_o dissension_n in_o the_o church_n and_o the_o manifest_a breach_n of_o union_n and_o communion_n in_o that_o body_n whosoever_o we_o judge_v guilty_a of_o the_o breach_n of_o that_o union_n which_o be_v not_o necessary_a now_o to_o dispute_v and_o as_o the_o first_o introduction_n of_o different_a ordination_n cause_v a_o stand_n and_o settle_a opposition_n preclude_v all_o way_n of_o reconciliation_n so_o they_o can_v be_v bring_v into_o any_o one_o church_n but_o they_o must_v make_v such_o a_o division_n and_o disparity_n in_o the_o administration_n as_o will_v amount_v to_o no_o less_o than_o a_o schism_n however_o in_o the_o peculiar_a and_o happy_a condition_n of_o our_o church_n these_o promiscuous_a ordination_n if_o all_o allow_v by_o it_o be_v most_o destructive_a to_o that_o which_o be_v the_o safety_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o it_o we_o have_v the_o great_a felicity_n which_o can_v happen_v to_o a_o reformation_n as_o be_v regular_a and_o authoritative_a that_o we_o have_v so_o take_v away_o the_o many_o mistake_n and_o error_n which_o have_v be_v introduce_v by_o a_o long_a ignorance_n and_o usurpation_n as_o to_o retain_v a_o perfect_a compliance_n with_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v bold_o and_o true_o affirm_v we_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o primitive_a christian_n even_o those_o of_o rome_n and_o while_o we_o hold_v and_o maintain_v our_o ordination_n legitimate_a we_o speak_v the_o same_o language_n with_o the_o most_o glorious_a father_n martyr_n and_o saint_n of_o those_o happy_a and_o pious_a time_n but_o if_o we_o once_o admit_v a_o diversity_n in_o our_o ordination_n we_o have_v lose_v the_o honour_n of_o succession_n we_o have_v cast_v away_o our_o weapon_n of_o defence_n we_o have_v betray_v our_o own_o cause_n and_o lay_v ourselves_o open_a to_o the_o common_a enemy_n of_o all_o protestant_n and_o we_o shall_v at_o last_o inevitable_o fall_v into_o the_o socinian_n doctrine_n to_o deny_v all_o necessity_n or_o use_n of_o any_o mission_n or_o ordination_n again_o though_o our_o discipline_n be_v much_o weaken_v and_o the_o good_a effect_n thereof_o obstruct_v by_o many_o scruple_n and_o opposition_n raise_v against_o it_o yet_o they_o can_v be_v no_o just_a imputation_n to_o that_o wholesome_a institution_n it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v from_o whence_o those_o obstruction_n proceed_v but_o if_o all_o sort_n of_o ordination_n be_v any_o way_n establish_v by_o sufficient_a authority_n if_o what_o be_v so_o earnest_o desire_v be_v indulge_v 82._o that_o a_o man_n once_o ordain_v any_o way_n be_v still_o hold_v and_o retain_v for_o a_o labourer_n in_o the_o harvest_n the_o most_o legitimate_a process_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n will_v become_v ineffectual_a and_o irrational_a many_o necessary_a article_n of_o enquiry_n found_v upon_o the_o great_a justice_n and_o authority_n will_v be_v put_v off_o with_o such_o unblameable_a refusal_n and_o answer_v with_o so_o much_o reason_n and_o equity_n that_o his_o majesty_n ecclesiastical_a law_n can_v be_v with_o no_o conscience_n put_v in_o execution_n when_o they_o which_o be_v to_o be_v prosecute_v as_o delinquent_n according_a to_o law_n must_v be_v pronounce_v the_o most_o innocent_a in_o the_o opinion_n and_o conscience_n of_o the_o administrator_n of_o the_o same_o law_n what_o a_o uncomfortable_a and_o discourage_a confusion_n be_v this_o whereby_o presentment_n shall_v be_v make_v of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v conscientious_o conformable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o order_n of_o the_o church_n for_o action_n or_o omission_n proceed_v sole_o out_o of_o that_o conscience_n and_o conformity_n and_o they_o who_o factious_o or_o erroneous_o dissent_v from_o that_o doctrine_n and_o order_n shall_v avoid_v their_o own_o and_o promote_v the_o presentment_n of_o other_o and_o in_o this_o error_n or_o faction_n shall_v be_v protect_v and_o encourage_v by_o a_o superinduce_v authority_n thus_o by_o promiscuous_a ordination_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n will_v be_v render_v indefensible_a and_o the_o discipline_n unpracticable_a although_o these_o evil_a consequence_n be_v of_o great_a moment_n in_o the_o general_n and_o threaten_v our_o bethel_n with_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o babel_n yet_o because_o most_o man_n be_v more_o apprehensive_a of_o particular_a mischief_n and_o strongly_a move_v with_o personal_a inconvenience_n i_o shall_v more_o earnest_o apply_v myself_o to_o that_o condition_n which_o you_o have_v represent_v in_o reference_n to_o yourself_o your_o family_n and_o neighbour_n of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n and_o even_o this_o consideration_n will_v be_v of_o great_a latitude_n and_o concernment_n because_o it_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o you_o alone_o but_o all_o of_o the_o same_o judgement_n will_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o same_o unsettlement_n and_o lie_v under_o the_o same_o fear_n and_o discouragement_n if_o a_o person_n only_o qualify_v by_o a_o congregational_a mission_n shall_v be_v set_v over_o you_o authoritative_o as_o your_o lawful_a pastor_n to_o who_o ministerial_a act_n it_o be_v expect_v you_o shall_v apply_v yourself_o in_o all_o public_a matter_n of_o religion_n you_o be_v of_o a_o constant_a persuasion_n that_o the_o validity_n of_o such_o act_n have_v a_o necessary_a relation_n to_o the_o legitimacy_n of_o ministry_n &_o of_o as_o certain_a a_o opinion_n that_o such_o a_o mission_n can_v amount_v to_o a_o legitimate_a ordination_n i_o can_v see_v what_o comfort_n you_o take_v in_o any_o compliance_n with_o such_o administration_n
nay_o further_o if_o a_o person_n be_v say_v to_o have_v obtain_v order_n after_o the_o presbyterian_a way_n in_o the_o late_a time_n when_o he_o may_v have_v receive_v they_o from_o a_o bishop_n &_o since_o the_o happy_a restitution_n of_o public_a order_n in_o the_o church_n when_o many_o of_o his_o brethren_n have_v submit_v still_o obstinate_o refuse_v to_o receive_v ordination_n after_o the_o establish_a way_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o this_o case_n if_o you_o doubt_v whether_o his_o ordination_n be_v valid_a or_o conclude_v it_o null_a i_o confess_v i_o know_v no_o argument_n to_o convince_v you_o or_o to_o incline_v you_o to_o another_o persuasion_n but_o then_o i_o can_v but_o lament_v your_o unquiet_a and_o sad_a condition_n accidental_o cast_v upon_o you_o for_o reason_n which_o i_o take_v no_o delight_n to_o consider_v and_o through_o the_o short_a expression_n in_o your_o letter_n i_o can_v easy_o perceive_v what_o thought_n and_o apprehension_n may_v press_v and_o discourage_v you_o for_o as_o you_o render_v yourself_o a_o son_n of_o our_o church_n i_o conceive_v you_o be_v one_o who_o value_v the_o liturgy_n think_v it_o your_o duty_n to_o give_v god_n that_o setvice_n and_o take_v much_o comfort_n in_o the_o ancient_a &_o regular_a devotion_n express_v in_o those_o public_a prayer_n which_o be_v a_o mix_a office_n and_o have_v be_v soever_o since_o the_o apostolical_a time_n wherein_o the_o priest_n or_o presbyter_n and_o the_o people_n joint_o &_o interchangeable_o concur_v and_o the_o rubric_n direct_v what_o word_n belong_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o can_v proper_o in_o the_o sense_n intend_v sometime_o at_o least_o be_v use_v by_o no_o other_o i_o confess_v you_o can_v but_o abate_v of_o the_o devotion_n and_o comfort_n of_o your_o prayer_n when_o you_o think_v the_o person_n appoint_v to_o read_v they_o be_v no_o priest_n or_o presbyter_n as_o for_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n you_o can_v regular_o but_o desire_n to_o have_v your_o child_n baptize_v and_o receive_v into_o the_o congregation_n of_o christ_n church_n in_o that_o solemn_a manner_n and_o by_o such_o a_o person_n as_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o same_o church_n to_o receive_v they_o and_o though_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n this_o office_n may_v be_v dispense_v with_o in_o baptise_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o infant_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o create_v any_o other_o necessity_n than_o what_o arise_v on_o the_o infant_n part_n or_o to_o make_v use_n of_o that_o irregularity_n when_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n which_o be_v only_o indulge_v to_o necessity_n but_o as_o to_o the_o other_o sacrament_n the_o supper_n of_o the_o lord_n your_o case_n be_v far_o worse_o for_o to_o that_o you_o be_v often_o invite_v nay_o oblige_v to_o receive_v it_o thrice_o a_o year_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o earnest_o desire_v frequent_o to_o participate_v of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o your_o saviour_n whereas_o if_o you_o be_v resolve_v that_o your_o pastor_n establish_v be_v not_o a_o priest_n or_o presbyter_n and_o consequent_o have_v no_o power_n to_o consecrate_v the_o element_n or_o render_v they_o sacramental_a i_o can_v see_v how_o you_o can_v follow_v he_o to_o the_o holy_a table_n or_o with_o what_o comfort_n or_o conscience_n you_o can_v bring_v your_o family_n or_o concur_v with_o your_o neighbour_n to_o receive_v the_o element_n from_o his_o hand_n and_o yet_o abstain_v from_o the_o sacrament_n you_o be_v thereby_o deprive_v of_o the_o spiritual_a strength_n and_o comfort_n which_o you_o desire_v and_o have_v cause_n to_o expect_v and_o be_v moreover_o betray_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n in_o compliance_n to_o who_o doctrine_n you_o be_v render_v disobedient_a to_o her_o command_n last_o the_o unfeigned_a exercise_n of_o religion_n be_v undoubted_o as_o never_o more_o necessary_a so_o never_o so_o comfortable_a as_o upon_o the_o bed_n of_o our_o sickness_n especial_o upon_o the_o approach_n of_o death_n wherefore_o the_o church_n have_v take_v great_a care_n that_o the_o minister_n shall_v attend_v and_o how_o he_o shall_v behave_v himself_o in_o the_o visitation_n of_o the_o sick_a for_o their_o comfort_n and_o advantage_n this_o comfort_n i_o confess_v must_v be_v take_v from_o you_o who_o be_v of_o that_o persuasion_n concern_v your_o pastor_n for_o if_o upon_o the_o apprehension_n of_o your_o late_a end_n you_o feel_v your_o conscience_n trouble_v and_o be_v observant_a of_o the_o method_n prescribe_v desire_v to_o make_v a_o special_a confession_n and_o receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o absolution_n to_o which_o end_n the_o priest_n be_v order_v to_o use_v these_o word_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n commit_v to_o i_o i_o absolve_v thou_o of_o all_o thy_o sin_n you_o will_v never_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o absolution_n where_o you_o acknowledge_v no_o commission_n nor_o can_v you_o expect_v any_o efficacy_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n these_o and_o the_o like_a i_o look_v upon_o not_o as_o formal_a objection_n or_o cavil_n but_o as_o real_a and_o severe_a complaint_n raise_v upon_o sober_a and_o religious_a ground_n matter_n for_o christian_n zeal_n rather_o than_o moderation_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v persuade_v myself_o that_o any_o person_n endue_v with_o any_o kindness_n or_o care_n of_o the_o religion_n settle_v in_o this_o nation_n can_v ever_o contrive_v or_o assent_v unto_o so_o great_a a_o discouragement_n to_o the_o conscientious_a professor_n of_o it_o and_o confusion_n in_o the_o management_n and_o administration_n finis_fw-la prop._n p._n 82._o