Selected quad for the lemma: diversity_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
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A62715
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A call to the Shulamite, or to the scattered and divided members of the church delivered and published upon occasion by Thomas Tanner.
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Tanner, Thomas, 1630-1682.
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1674
(1674)
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Wing T139; ESTC R30157
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22,246
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32
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assume_v to_o herself_o the_o name_n of_o catholic_n and_o impose_v on_o the_o rest_n the_o name_n of_o schismatic_n again_o about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 254._o when_o the_o persecution_n under_o decius_n wax_v hot_a many_o poor_a soul_n stagger_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o peril_n and_o be_v force_v by_o fear_n to_o comply_v somewhat_o with_o the_o heathen_a sacrificer_n which_o much_o afflict_a they_o in_o their_o conscience_n and_o they_o afterward_o most_o humble_o seek_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v restore_v to_o her_o communion_n but_o one_o novatus_n a_o presbyter_n oppose_v their_o restitution_n and_o upon_o the_o question_n raise_v a_o division_n in_o the_o church_n and_o after_o that_o pretend_v unto_o more_o purity_n erect_v another_o church_n if_o such_o a_o pretention_n may_v be_v but_o so_o name_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n call_v themselves_o the_o church_n of_o martyr_n so_o do_v he_o seek_v to_o scatter_v or_o divide_v those_o poor_a member_n which_o the_o church_n will_v have_v gather_v and_o set_v in_o joint_n by_o repentance_n and_o confession_n and_o such_o holy_a discipline_n as_o be_v necessary_a both_o to_o comfort_v they_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o time_n past_a and_o to_o confirm_v they_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v and_o many_o of_o these_o that_o be_v thus_o restore_v become_v afterward_o constant_a even_o unto_o the_o death_n it_o be_v to_o be_v know_v therefore_o by_o the_o point_n of_o charity_n if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o evidence_n which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o the_o other_o have_v leave_v to_o this_o day_n by_o the_o special_a providence_n of_o god_n the_o mark_n of_o heresy_n and_o schism_n upon_o itself_o which_o be_v never_o to_o be_v obliterated_a once_o again_o and_o so_o to_o surcease_v from_o further_a instance_n about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 356._o towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n the_o persecution_n have_v long_o cease_v for_o his_o reign_n be_v long_o there_o arise_v one_o donatus_n who_o write_v somewhat_o after_o the_o copy_n of_o novatus_n and_o the_o arian_n supply_v the_o rest_n by_o occasion_n interest_n the_o humour_n of_o the_o african_n and_o his_o own_o ambition_n he_o condemn_v other_o church_n as_o impure_a rebaptise_v such_o as_o join_v unto_o he_o and_o entitle_v salvation_n unto_o they_o alone_o and_o these_o have_v also_o leave_v the_o like_a mark_n and_o brand_n upon_o their_o follower_n for_o ever_o let_v the_o sect_n of_o latter_a time_n who_o name_n i_o spare_v repute_v among_o themselves_o or_o give_v account_n to_o the_o world_n if_o they_o think_v fiâ—_n what_o their_o judgement_n be_v concern_v these_o party_n or_o those_o church_n or_o what_o they_o think_v concern_v this_o antiquity_n whereof_o we_o speak_v which_o be_v of_o the_o first_o and_o best_a time_n if_o there_o be_v any_o to_o be_v approve_v in_o their_o sense_n or_o concern_v the_o posterity_n that_o be_v to_o come_v what_o they_o think_v or_o what_o these_o will_v have_v they_o judge_v or_o whether_o they_o make_v any_o matter_n of_o it_o about_o themselves_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o in-artificial_a argument_n that_o be_v so_o call_v which_o yet_o shall_v be_v the_o strong_a by_o reason_n of_o such_o authority_n whereon_o they_o do_v rely_v but_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n may_v not_o be_v divide_v from_o one_o another_o which_o those_o that_o be_v give_v to_o division_n do_v affect_v and_o that_o you_o may_v the_o better_o hold_v my_o method_n whilst_o i_o myself_o do_v not_o show_v to_o affect_v divide_v from_o the_o common_a way_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o point_n if_o you_o will_v know_v why_o the_o true_a church_n do_v so_o earnest_o desire_v the_o return_n of_o her_o scatter_a and_o divide_v member_n some_o of_o her_o reason_n be_v these_o that_o follow_v the_o first_o be_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o do_v inspire_v the_o 1_o whole_a body_n enforce_v unto_o unity_n love_n and_o sympathy_n mutual_o and_o reciprocal_o in_o all_o the_o member_n this_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v the_o great_a and_o earnest_a desire_n that_o be_v put_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o saint_n in_o their_o conversion_n to_o save_v themselves_o and_o other_o and_o to_o edify_v one_o another_o in_o their_o most_o holy_a faith_n 15._o now_o because_o there_o be_v but_o one_o way_n to_o save_v ourselves_o and_o the_o same_o be_v the_o way_n to_o save_v other_o also_o this_o make_v the_o desire_n of_o the_o church_n the_o more_o intense_a to_o gather_v and_o to_o bind_v unto_o itself_o all_o that_o do_v belong_v unto_o the_o election_n of_o grace_n to_o enlighten_v they_o that_o be_v yet_o in_o darkness_n to_o confirm_v the_o weak_a to_o stir_v up_o they_o that_o faint_v and_o be_v like_a to_o yield_v to_o weariness_n and_o to_o reduce_v they_o that_o go_v astray_o for_o there_o be_v but_o one_o lord_n one_o faith_n one_o hope_n one_o baptism_n and_o one_o truth_n the_o way_n to_o save_v ourselves_o be_v to_o walk_v in_o this_o unity_n by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o spirit_n so_o that_o we_o come_v to_o save_v other_o by_o the_o same_o act_n whereby_o we_o save_v ourselves_o and_o by_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o body_n come_v to_o receive_v those_o benefit_n which_o we_o can_v not_o attain_v unto_o by_o a_o solitary_a faith_n or_o private_a life_n wherefore_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o church_n for_o unity_n can_v but_o be_v intense_a and_o earnest_n be_v thus_o conversant_a about_o the_o common_a salvation_n which_o be_v much_o endanger_v and_o disturb_v by_o division_n insomuch_o that_o even_o they_o that_o be_v in_o the_o right_a way_n can_v scarce_o be_v save_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o breach_n impairment_n and_o decay_v of_o piety_n which_o the_o other_o make_v now_o true_a it_o be_v that_o this_o one_o spirit_n which_o be_v give_v unto_o all_o that_o do_v believe_v be_v distribute_v among_o they_o according_a to_o variety_n of_o gift_n and_o measure_n but_o the_o same_o that_o be_v give_v unto_o every_o one_o to_o profit_v himself_o the_o same_o be_v also_o give_v unto_o he_o to_o edify_v another_o whether_o they_o be_v gift_n of_o knowledge_n or_o gift_n of_o grace_n as_o they_o use_v to_o distinguish_v the_o gift_n of_o sanctity_n from_o any_o other_o kind_n god_n have_v deal_v to_o every_o man_n the_o measure_n of_o etc._n faith_n and_o we_o be_v every_o one_o member_n one_o of_o another_o have_v gift_n differ_v according_a to_o the_o grace_n that_o be_v give_v to_o we_o according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o spirit_n etc._n be_v give_v unto_o every_o man_n to_o profit_v withal_o there_o be_v diversity_n of_o gift_n but_o the_o same_o spirit_n god_n have_v so_o temper_v the_o body_n together_o that_o one_o member_n shall_v have_v need_n of_o another_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o schism_n in_o the_o body_n but_o that_o the_o member_n shall_v have_v the_o same_o care_n one_o for_o another_o and_o again_o it_o be_v say_v that_o there_o be_v divers_a gift_n give_v for_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o saint_n etc._n for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n till_o we_o all_o come_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n unto_o perfect_a man_n unto_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ._n that_o speak_v the_o truth_n in_o love_n we_o may_v grow_v up_o into_o he_o in_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o head_n even_o christ_n from_o who_o the_o whole_a body_n fit_o join_v together_o and_o compact_v by_o that_o which_o every_o joint_n supply_v according_a to_o the_o effectual_a work_n in_o the_o measure_n of_o every_o part_n make_v increase_v of_o the_o body_n unto_o the_o edify_n of_o itself_o in_o love_n from_o which_o and_o many_o other_o passage_n in_o the_o write_n of_o this_o apostle_n that_o which_o we_o have_v say_v may_v seem_v to_o be_v abundant_o prove_v and_o many_o other_o thing_n may_v be_v infer_v and_o apply_v fit_a to_o be_v serious_o consider_v and_o lay_v to_o heart_n as_o viz._n that_o the_o gift_n and_o grace_n of_o private_a man_n be_v not_o only_o profitable_a but_o necessary_a to_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o her_o minister_n or_o elder_n and_o that_o the_o measure_n of_o faith_n and_o hope_v and_o love_n and_o zeal_n be_v distribute_v unto_o every_o one_o according_a to_o the_o exigency_n of_o the_o church_n the_o body_n which_o be_v the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o by_o such_o grace_n we_o be_v more_o strong_o join_v unto_o one_o another_o than_o by_o any_o other_o gift_n though_o they_o be_v of_o miracle_n that_o one_o member_n can_v want_v another_o or_o
as_o the_o papist_n judge_v of_o we_o that_o we_o own_o even_o these_o as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n against_o their_o will_n and_o be_v ever_o ready_a to_o regain_v their_o good_a will_n and_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o a_o better_a state_n for_o though_o we_o speak_v it_o soft_a and_o mild_o we_o do_v judge_v indeed_o that_o these_o do_v much_o interrupt_v and_o disturb_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n to_o themselves_o and_o other_o and_o do_v much_o impeach_v and_o prejudice_v those_o among_o ourselves_o who_o before_o do_v run_v well_o and_o will_v yet_o proceed_v to_o do_v so_o if_o they_o do_v not_o object_v their_o rub_v and_o impediment_n in_o the_o way_n we_o answer_v further_o that_o whereas_o it_o be_v true_o say_v opinionum_fw-la varietas_fw-la &_o opinantium_fw-la unitas_fw-la non_fw-la sunt_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d variety_n of_o opinion_n and_o unity_n of_o opiner_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a our_o church_n allow_v a_o great_a latitude_n in_o this_o kind_n than_o any_o of_o those_o that_o do_v pretend_v a_o latitude_n only_o to_o palliate_v their_o own_o restraint_n for_o among_o they_o if_o one_o be_v for_o lay-elder_n and_o another_o against_o it_o one_o for_o the_o power_n of_o pastor_n another_o for_o the_o power_n of_o the_o people_n one_o for_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n after_o baptism_n and_o another_o against_o it_o nay_o one_o for_o freewill_n and_o another_o for_o free_a grace_n and_o so_o in_o certain_a lesser_a question_n it_o have_v be_v find_v enough_o to_o divide_v and_o sub-divide_a they_o into_o party_n church_n feud_n and_o animosity_n whereas_o in_o our_o church_n great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n may_v and_o do_v consist_v very_o well_o with_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n every_o scholar_n know_v how_o ingenious_a man_n do_v abound_v in_o their_o own_o sense_n even_o in_o the_o school_n and_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o church_n but_o may_v be_v rather_o to_o her_o benefit_n that_o certain_a point_n be_v not_o carry_v otherwise_o in_o extreme_n but_o that_o there_o may_v be_v here_o a_o little_a and_o there_o a_o little_a and_o one_o to_o balance_v with_o another_o but_o when_o this_o rule_n of_o variety_n or_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n be_v traduce_v to_o a_o contrariety_n of_o establishment_n they_o must_v give_v we_o leave_v to_o assume_v that_o such_o a_o diversity_n be_v utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o vain_a therefore_o do_v they_o declaim_v in_o general_a against_o schism_n as_o much_o as_o we_o can_v wish_v be_v sensible_a of_o what_o pamelius_n have_v deliver_v viz._n that_o the_o name_n of_o schism_n have_v be_v haeret._n always_o ignominious_a in_o the_o church_n and_o on_o all_o hand_n condemn_v whilst_o they_o defend_v in_o particular_a all_o the_o sect_n at_o this_o day_n beside_o the_o quaker_n to_o be_v true_a particular_a church_n that_o a_o man_n may_v safe_o join_v with_o any_o of_o they_o to_o do_v better_o that_o separation_n be_v no_o schism_n that_o the_o church_n which_o impose_v though_o it_o be_v but_o thing_n indifferent_a be_v the_o schismatical_a church_n if_o it_o will_v not_o vary_v from_o her_o order_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o weak_a or_o scrupulous_a and_o that_o in_o such_o case_n the_o schismatical_a church_n which_o be_v so_o call_v be_v the_o true_a and_o pure_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o have_v all_o church_n power_n within_o themselves_o to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n for_o where_o can_v we_o now_o find_v a_o schism_n which_o be_v culpable_a or_o a_o church_n which_o can_v stand_v if_o she_o must_v vary_v from_o her_o order_n upon_o all_o demand_n or_o any_o possibility_n either_o of_o a_o church_n or_o of_o a_o schism_n by_o all_o which_o it_o seem_v that_o some_o of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n domisdoubt_v themselves_o as_o liable_a unto_o this_o charge_n of_o schism_n and_o will_v either_o cloak_n it_o neat_o if_o they_o can_v or_o if_o it_o come_v to_o the_o worst_a defend_v that_o schism_n be_v no_o such_o sin_n as_o they_o sometime_o grant_v and_o that_o they_o may_v lawful_o live_v in_o schism_n especial_o when_o their_o maintenance_n arise_v that_o way_n as_o some_o have_v put_v themselves_o upon_o that_o exegency_n and_o so_o be_v bind_v to_o maintain_v that_o which_o maintain_v they_o frame_v their_o life_n and_o doctrine_n according_a to_o their_o interest_n not_o to_o grate_v any_o further_a upon_o that_o point_n wherein_o they_o be_v so_o tender_a there_o remain_v yet_o another_o word_n about_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o they_o have_v the_o same_o desire_n if_o not_o more_o intense_a and_o earnest_a than_o we_o ourselves_o for_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n for_o the_o save_n of_o themselves_o and_o other_o we_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o zeal_n of_o god_n among_o many_o of_o they_o though_o not_o according_a unto_o a_o right_a knowledge_n not_o because_o they_o be_v more_o weak_a or_o ignorant_a than_o we_o but_o only_o otherwise_o persuade_v or_o incline_v howsoever_o it_o have_v happen_v to_o they_o we_o trust_v that_o many_o of_o they_o do_v sincere_o mean_v as_o they_o profess_v and_o so_o far_o as_o this_o be_v true_a we_o acknowledge_v the_o work_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o spirit_n in_o they_o and_o we_o we_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o body_n and_o wherein_o they_o be_v not_o only_o not_o against_o we_o but_o for_o we_o that_o they_o be_v so_o far_o one_o with_o we_o but_o then_o if_o they_o do_v real_o believe_v that_o we_o have_v the_o same_o spirit_n among_o we_o or_o some_o of_o we_o at_o least_o why_o shall_v they_o so_o magnify_v the_o same_o spirit_n in_o themselves_o above_o the_o same_o in_o we_o as_o if_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o power_n and_o purity_n of_o the_o spirit_n among_o we_o to_o convey_v grace_n unto_o the_o hearer_n or_o to_o make_v they_o perfect_a that_o do_v come_v unto_o we_o which_o query_n we_o have_v the_o more_o reason_n to_o put_v home_o to_o our_o brethren_n since_o they_o may_v seem_v now_o to_o cease_v from_o their_o instance_n upon_o the_o work_n of_o conversion_n a_o gift_n which_o they_o think_v almost_o singular_a to_o themselves_o fore_o as_o a_o thing_n below_o their_o auditory_n or_o to_o preach_v against_o profaneness_n wherein_o they_o be_v once_o the_o boanerge_n of_o the_o age_n see_v their_o follower_n must_v be_v take_v for_o no_o such_o and_o it_o may_v be_v can_v well_o bear_v it_o so_o that_o all_o their_o write_n of_o late_a which_o be_v the_o report_n of_o their_o preachment_n to_o such_o as_o can_v hear_v they_o do_v run_v in_o a_o new_a strain_n which_o be_v much_o different_a from_o that_o way_n which_o they_o do_v admire_v and_o applaud_v before_o again_o if_o they_o do_v acknowledge_v such_o a_o unity_n of_o spirit_n with_o we_o how_o can_v they_o think_v or_o pretend_v as_o they_o do_v to_o be_v complete_a without_o we_o and_o to_o have_v no_o need_n of_o we_o how_o happen_v it_o that_o they_o do_v so_o little_o weigh_v what_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o one_o member_n have_v need_n of_o etc._n another_o and_o if_o the_o foot_n shall_v say_v because_o i_o be_o not_o the_o hand_n i_o be_o not_o of_o the_o body_n be_v it_o therefore_o not_o of_o the_o body_n and_o if_o the_o ear_n shall_v say_v because_o i_o be_o not_o the_o eye_n i_o be_o not_o of_o the_o body_n be_v it_o therefore_o not_o of_o the_o body_n the_o eye_n can_v say_v unto_o the_o hand_n i_o have_v no_o need_n of_o thou_o nor_o again_o the_o head_n to_o the_o foot_n i_o have_v no_o need_n of_o you_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o schism_n in_o the_o body_n but_o the_o member_n shall_v have_v the_o same_o care_n one_o for_o another_o but_o if_o these_o member_n separate_v from_o the_o body_n can_v each_o member_n which_o be_v separate_v subsist_v by_o itself_o or_o any_o few_o that_o join_v together_o present_o constitute_v themselves_o a_o entire_a body_n a_o complete_a church_n or_o can_v any_o of_o their_o officer_n which_o be_v but_o as_o a_o hand_n or_o a_o foot_n before_o make_v itself_o a_o heart_n or_o a_o head_n in_o a_o new_a church_n and_o think_v that_o in_o truth_n they_o be_v such_o if_o they_o be_v not_o altogether_o useless_a which_o can_v but_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o iotham_n 15._o parable_n and_o though_o we_o shall_v abstain_v from_o apply_v the_o prickle_n of_o it_o to_o our_o brethren_n yet_o we_o doubt_v that_o it_o be_v this_o ambition_n of_o some_o hand_n or_o foot_n or_o other_o which_o think_v itself_o worthy_a of_o a_o better_a place_n that_o be_v one_o of_o the_o sad_a occasion_n of_o such_o dismember_n but_o when_o they_o have_v dismember_v and_o divide_v