Selected quad for the lemma: diversity_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A34538
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The kingdom of God among men a tract of the sound state of religion, or that Christianity which is described in the holy Scriptures and of the things that make for the security and increase thereof in the world, designing its more ample diffusion among the professed Christians of all sorts and its surer propagation to future ages : with The point of church-unity and schism discuss'd / by John Corbet.
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Corbet, John, 1620-1680.
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1679
(1679)
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Wing C6258; ESTC R23940
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125,145
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296
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spread_v forth_o in_o such_o fullness_n and_o plainess_n of_o speech_n as_o will_v not_o be_v unacceptable_a even_o to_o scholar_n that_o be_v not_o wise_a in_o their_o own_o conceit_n but_o the_o careless_a and_o confuse_a speak_v of_o incoherent_a and_o undigested_a matter_n rudeness_n or_o baldness_n of_o expression_n be_v no_o part_n of_o this_o commend_a plainness_n which_o be_v orderly_o comely_a and_o weighty_a agreeable_a to_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n word_n a_o true_a preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n right_o divide_v the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o give_v to_o all_o their_o portion_n he_o do_v not_o make_v distinction_n where_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n make_v no_o difference_n nor_o do_v he_o confound_v thing_n that_o aught_o to_o be_v distinguish_v he_o be_v not_o partial_a towards_o party_n for_o interest_n or_o affection_n and_o so_o he_o do_v not_o promiscuous_o justify_v or_o condemn_v the_o evil_a and_o the_o good_a together_o on_o any_o side_n but_o as_o he_o account_v it_o a_o odious_a thing_n to_o rail_v upon_o one_o party_n in_o the_o ambiguous_a term_n of_o false_a church_n false_a worship_n false_a ministry_n idolatry_n superstition_n formality_n so_o he_o account_v it_o no_o less_o odious_a confuse_o to_o inveigh_v against_o those_o of_o a_o other_o persuasion_n under_o the_o no_o less_o ambiguous_a term_n as_o they_o be_v now_o common_o use_v of_o hypocrite_n pharisee_n fanatic_n enthusiast_n separatist_n humorist_n and_o such_o like_a he_o be_v constant_a in_o preach_v the_o word_n instant_a in_o season_n and_o out_o of_o season_n for_o in_o preach_v frequent_o he_o do_v not_o do_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n negligent_o but_o due_o feed_v the_o flock_n and_o that_o with_o better_a prepare_v food_n than_o they_o use_v to_o bring_v that_o preach_v but_o seldom_o upon_o pretence_n of_o great_a preparation_n he_o watch_v over_o the_o flock_n with_o diligence_n and_o natural_o care_v for_o their_o estate_n for_o he_o know_v the_o worth_n of_o precious_a soul_n he_o condescend_v to_o person_n of_o low_a degree_n and_o be_v concern_v for_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o simple_a and_o illiterate_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o noble_a rich_a and_o learned_a for_o he_o know_v their_o redeemer_n pay_v alike_o dear_a for_o both_o and_o however_o the_o proud_a and_o covetous_a judge_n he_o do_v not_o think_v it_o below_o he_o to_o intermeddle_v for_o the_o reduce_n of_o the_o simple_a that_o go_v astray_o and_o he_o seek_v to_o recover_v they_o with_o gentleness_n and_o patience_n for_o he_o prefer_v the_o gain_n of_o one_o soul_n before_o all_o the_o preferment_n of_o this_o world_n he_o earnest_o look_v after_o that_o which_o some_o do_v little_a regard_n to_o wit_v the_o seal_n of_o his_o ministry_n in_o the_o save_a efficacy_n thereof_o on_o the_o hearer_n and_o when_o he_o find_v it_o he_o make_v it_o the_o crown_n of_o his_o rejoice_v and_o this_o seal_n he_o take_v not_o to_o be_v their_o mere_a own_n of_o sound_a doctrine_n or_o follow_v a_o orthodox_n party_n much_o less_o their_o abound_v in_o notion_n their_o talk_n and_o outward_a guarb_n of_o profession_n but_o their_o new_a birth_n or_o their_o spiritual_a growth_n the_o promote_a whereof_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o his_o labour_n and_o the_o daily_a travel_n of_o his_o soul_n chap._n v._n the_o due_a performance_n of_o public_a prayer_n prayer_n be_v a_o main_a part_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o chief_a act_n of_o devotion_n and_o such_o as_o do_v accompany_v and_o sanctify_v every_o other_o religious_a duty_n and_o the_o public_a management_n thereof_o pertain_v to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n its_o due_a performance_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o no_o small_a import_n to_o the_o increase_n of_o true_a piety_n and_o no_o small_a part_n of_o the_o ministerial_a excellency_n and_o sufficiency_n among_o spiritual_a gift_n i_o doubt_v not_o to_o number_v the_o gift_n of_o prayer_n also_o and_o i_o judge_v they_o speak_v too_o low_a of_o it_o that_o make_v it_o only_o a_o natural_a gift_n or_o acquire_v by_o practice_n and_o imitation_n much_o indeed_o may_v lie_v in_o natural_a part_n and_o observation_n and_o exercise_n but_o not_o all_o for_o over_o and_o above_o these_o thing_n the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n preside_v perpetual_o over_o his_o church_n set_v in_o and_o by_o a_o secret_a influence_n on_o man_n design_v of_o god_n for_o this_o service_n endue_v they_o with_o a_o peculiar_a aptness_n of_o knowledge_n and_o utterance_n as_o well_o in_o prayer_n as_o preach_v for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o church_n and_o some_o unsanctified_a person_n be_v thus_o gift_v may_v preach_v and_o pray_v with_o a_o notable_a tendency_n to_o the_o save_n of_o other_o when_o themselves_o prove_v castaways_a private_a christian_n also_o according_a to_o their_o measure_n be_v partaker_n of_o this_o gift_n in_o much_o diversity_n of_o degree_n god_n give_v to_o every_o man_n several_o as_o he_o will_n beside_o this_o there_o be_v a_o special_a and_o save_a gift_n the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n and_o pray_v in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o by_o his_o gracious_a assistance_n in_o a_o holy_a manner_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v indeed_o lively_a and_o powerful_a and_o apt_a to_o kindle_v a_o holy_a fervour_n in_o they_o that_o join_v in_o the_o service_n so_o perform_v and_o why_o that_o which_o be_v perform_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o by_o such_o assistance_n may_v not_o be_v call_v a_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n they_o who_o thankful_o acknowledge_v and_o bless_v god_n for_o so_o great_a a_o gift_n of_o his_o grace_n do_v not_o intend_v thereby_o a_o miraculous_a inspiration_n or_o a_o absolute_a infallible_a guidance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n much_o less_o do_v they_o think_v that_o their_o prayer_n be_v such_o dictate_v of_o the_o spirit_n as_o will_v infer_v that_o the_o very_a matter_n and_o wordâ—_n thereof_o be_v write_v will_v become_v canonical_a scripture_n to_o which_o be_v requisite_a not_o only_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n but_o also_o a_o attestation_n thereof_o by_o the_o same_o spirit_n sufficient_a to_o convince_v other_o but_o this_o they_o maintain_v that_o the_o spirit_n help_v they_o against_o their_o indisposedness_n of_o mind_n and_o deadness_n of_o heart_n and_o manifold_a infirmity_n and_o strengthen_v their_o faculty_n and_o quicken_v their_o grace_n and_o enlarge_v their_o desire_n and_o elevate_v their_o soul_n and_o bring_v thing_n to_o their_o remembrace_n special_o the_o divine_a promise_n yea_o and_o in_o some_o particular_n may_v guide_v the_o heart_n and_o tongue_n by_o a_o present_a immediate_a suggestion_n for_o why_o must_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v think_v to_o do_v less_o in_o exciting_a to_o good_a than_o the_o devil_n ordinary_o do_v in_o prompt_v to_o evil_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o to_o depend_v on_o the_o spirit_n immediate_a suggestion_n for_o matter_n word_n and_o method_n without_o take_v care_n or_o thought_n before_o hand_n it_o be_v a_o ordinary_a and_o not_o miraculous_a assistance_n which_o they_o expect_v and_o which_o be_v usual_o give_v according_a to_o man_n preparation_n and_o suit_v to_o their_o several_a capacity_n the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o this_o or_o that_o exterior_a frame_n or_o order_n of_o prayer_n but_o be_v ever_o find_v there_o where_o the_o heart_n have_v a_o due_a sense_n of_o the_o matter_n a_o particular_a form_n whether_o stint_v or_o not_o stint_v be_v not_o of_o the_o essence_n of_o prayer_n but_o only_o its_o outward_a shape_n and_o it_o pertain_v to_o it_o not_o as_o it_o be_v a_o sacred_a thing_n but_o as_o a_o action_n in_o general_a and_o for_o that_o no_o action_n can_v possible_o be_v perform_v but_o in_o some_o particular_a mode_n this_o holy_a action_n can_v otherwise_o be_v perform_v and_o whereas_o there_o be_v divers_a mode_n thereof_o they_o may_v be_v use_v as_o they_o be_v congruous_a to_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o duty_n according_a to_o man_n choice_n and_o judgement_n unless_o they_o be_v as_o indeed_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v up_o to_o one_o by_o a_o divine_a determination_n the_o lawfulness_n of_o set-form_n be_v further_o evince_v from_o the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o other_o form_n in_o scripture_n and_o as_o much_o be_v own_v by_o the_o general_a custom_n of_o sing_v david_n psalm_n wherefore_o to_o turn_v the_o back_n upon_o the_o public_a prayer_n of_o the_o church_n mere_o because_o perform_v in_o this_o manner_n be_v unwarrantable_a and_o there_o be_v aâ—_n little_a warrant_n to_o restrain_v all_o public_a prayer_n to_o a_o stint_a liturgy_n and_o leave_v no_o liberty_n at_o all_o to_o the_o minister_n godly_a zeal_n and_o prudence_n in_o this_o particular_a the_o interest_n of_o true_a godliness_n will_v be_v much_o better_o advance_v by_o moderation_n than_o by_o contest_v and_o rigour_n on_o
not_o to_o run_v with_o the_o foremost_a but_o to_o proceed_v in_o such_o manner_n and_o so_o far_o as_o the_o stand_n in_o necessary_a â—_z may_v require_v and_o as_o the_o more_o considerate_a paâ—…_n of_o man_n will_v justify_v to_o be_v discreet_a and_o honest_a but_o above_o all_o to_o endeavour_v by_o a_o godly_a and_o blameless_a life_n to_o make_v it_o manifest_a that_o conscience_n have_v be_v due_o satisfy_v and_o not_o trifleâ—_n with_o in_o doubtful_a matter_n and_o difficult_a time_n thâ—_n all_o good_a man_n shall_v keep_v the_o same_o latitude_n of_o judgement_n and_o practice_n in_o all_o wisdom_n for_o thâ—_n true_a interest_n of_o religion_n may_v be_v wish_v bâ—…_n not_o expect_v for_o some_o will_v be_v more_o other_o less_o enlarge_v by_o the_o diversity_n of_o their_o apprehension_n also_o some_o by_o their_o natural_a disposition_n be_v more_o timorous_a or_o more_o comply_v other_o again_o be_v more_o hardy_a and_o less_o flexible_a or_o morâ—_n reserve_v and_o resolute_a in_o their_o opinion_n many_o be_v injudicious_a and_o the_o best_a have_v their_o passion_n and_o some_o lie_n under_o disadvantage_n that_o may_v bias_n the_o judgement_n this_o or_o that_o way_n where_o thâ—_n matter_n be_v somewhat_o disputable_a other_o maâ—_n have_v weighty_a reason_n either_o for_o assent_n or_o diâ—…_n send_v though_o not_o obvious_a and_o perhaps_o not_o 〈◊〉_d expedient_a to_o be_v declare_v man_n case_n beinâ—_n so_o exceed_o various_a they_o must_v needs_o varyâ—…_n practice_n some_o inconvenience_n but_o no_o dâ—_n structive_a mischief_n will_v follow_v this_o diversity_n it_o do_v not_o as_o one_o will_v think_v it_o shall_v not_o disunite_v affection_n for_o then_o these_o several_a paâ—…ties_n or_o persuasion_n rather_o be_v one_o in_o their_o main_a cause_n and_o may_v with_o one_o spirit_n though_o walk_v in_o several_a path_n carry_v on_o the_o great_a concernment_n of_o it_o if_o religion_n be_v but_o the_o bond_n of_o a_o faction_n or_o the_o strength_n of_o a_o worldly_a interest_n the_o asserter_n thereof_o may_v lose_v or_o lessen_v it_o by_o take_v such_o several_a way_n but_o it_o depend_v not_o upon_o party_n and_o their_o design_n nor_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o such_o engagement_n but_o in_o itself_o perfect_o free_a from_o they_o therefore_o it_o be_v advance_v in_o any_o way_n that_o give_v it_o liberty_n and_o opportunity_n to_o display_v itself_o to_o the_o world_n in_o the_o evidence_n of_o its_o own_o truth_n and_o goodness_n chap._n xxvii_o the_o sure_a and_o safe_a way_n of_o seek_v reformation_n when_o a_o corrupt_a state_n of_o religion_n be_v inveterate_a or_o deep_o root_v in_o a_o nation_n â—he_v work_n of_o pious_a man_n be_v convince_o to_o reprove_v that_o corruption_n by_o the_o light_n of_o holy_a doctrine_n and_o of_o holy_a walk_n and_o to_o propagate_v and_o press_v home_o with_o zeal_n the_o great_a and_o unquestionable_a truth_n of_o christianity_n but_o to_o â—e_v more_o silent_a and_o spare_v in_o matter_n more_o conâ—overted_v and_o of_o less_o importance_n the_o vehement_a â—rging_n whereof_o will_v not_o convince_v the_o world_n nor_o silence_v the_o adversary_n likewise_o by_o humble_a address_n to_o the_o high_a power_n in_o a_o fit_a season_n they_o may_v seek_v the_o redress_n of_o such_o enormity_n as_o be_v evident_o scandalous_a absurd_a and_o odious_a and_o yet_o perhaps_o the_o chief_a prop_n of_o that_o corrupt_a state_n for_o this_o may_v be_v do_v without_o scandal_n or_o hazard_n and_o much_o be_v do_v if_o it_o take_v effect_n clamorous_a contest_v about_o doubtful_a form_n and_o custom_n and_o in_o comparison_n but_o by_o matter_n do_v serve_v to_o animate_v the_o opposite_a party_n and_o afford_v they_o matter_n to_o work_v upon_o but_o the_o vigorous_a maintenance_n of_o the_o vital_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o detect_n of_o gross_a abuse_n bear_v they_o down_o it_o be_v time_n that_o ripen_v all_o thing_n and_o every_o thing_n in_o its_o season_n be_v beautiful_a and_o successful_a then_o the_o redress_n of_o evil_n will_v run_v in_o its_o prepare_a channel_n and_o a_o plain_a path_n will_v be_v find_v through_o passage_n former_o inaccessible_a and_o then_o ruler_n themselves_o may_v see_v what_o one_o of_o deep_a judgement_n observe_v that_o when_o time_n of_o course_n alter_v thing_n to_o the_o worse_o wisdom_n and_o counsel_n have_v need_n alter_v they_o to_o the_o better_a they_o may_v find_v the_o necessity_n and_o utility_n of_o reformation_n and_o by_o their_o authority_n make_v it_o warrantable_a if_o the_o friend_n of_o truth_n walk_v in_o sober_a counsel_n and_o sure_a way_n and_o follow_v the_o truth_n in_o peace_n and_o love_n and_o be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o common_a good_a they_o retain_v their_o innocence_n and_o maintain_v their_o honour_n which_o be_v their_o sure_a interest_n and_o shall_v be_v find_v though_o the_o few_o number_n to_o have_v a_o considerable_a influence_n upon_o the_o public_a state_n both_o religious_a and_o civil_a affair_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v carry_v in_o extreme_n for_o which_o cause_n reformation_n common_o be_v suspect_v and_o their_o credit_n be_v much_o impair_v in_o avoid_v superstition_n some_o have_v run_v into_o rudeness_n and_o undecency_n in_o divine_a worship_n the_o natural_a expression_n ofreverence_n and_o devout_a affection_n and_o thing_n necessary_a to_o decency_n and_o order_n shall_v be_v observe_v careful_o by_o those_o that_o turn_v away_o from_o superstitious_a vanity_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o a_o well_o inform_v conscience_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o sound_a mind_n do_v guide_v and_o rule_v they_o and_o that_o their_o principle_n be_v no_o way_n defective_a but_o sufficient_a and_o ample_a unto_o all_o regular_a devotion_n these_o necessary_a decency_n and_o natural_a expression_n of_o devotion_n be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a to_o all_o intelligent_a person_n and_o the_o mode_n of_o civil_a reverence_n and_o seriousness_n in_o use_n among_o we_o do_v much_o guide_n herein_o a_o compliance_n with_o sober_a and_o grave_a solemnity_n affect_v by_o a_o nation_n in_o general_n help_v to_o procure_v a_o good_a esteem_n and_o to_o get_v ground_n among_o they_o whereas_o opposition_n and_o singularity_n may_v beget_v a_o general_a dislike_n man_n do_v but_o misspend_v their_o zeal_n in_o oppose_v prevalent_a custom_n that_o have_v nothing_o in_o they_o contrary_a to_o sound_v doctrine_n and_o good_a life_n among_o other_o thing_n i_o may_v instance_n in_o religious_a performance_n at_o funeral_n which_o may_v well_o be_v order_v without_o superstition_n or_o any_o other_o abuse_n and_o improve_v to_o the_o people_n benefit_n who_o be_v then_o meet_v together_o in_o the_o house_n of_o mourning_n some_o church_n be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o false_a worshipper_n to_o prevent_v all_o superstition_n have_v forbid_v the_o make_n of_o prayer_n or_o sermon_n at_o the_o interment_n of_o the_o dead_a but_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n several_a church_n may_v have_v their_o peculiar_a reason_n and_o according_o their_o different_a order_n as_o concern_v heathenish_a pastime_n and_o vanity_n sometime_o affect_v by_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a and_o perhaps_o countenance_v by_o some_o of_o high_a degree_n for_o end_n well_o know_v they_o tend_v indeed_o unto_o much_o profaneness_n and_o may_v trouble_v the_o mind_n and_o stir_v the_o zeal_n of_o good_a man_n nevertheless_o when_o the_o power_n of_o reform_v be_v beyond_o their_o line_n it_o suffice_v that_o the_o weighty_a and_o unquestionable_a matter_n of_o true_a religion_n be_v constant_o inculcate_v upon_o the_o people_n and_o the_o spread_a of_o sound_a knowledge_n endeavour_v both_o by_o public_a doctrine_n and_o by_o private_a instruction_n and_o those_o humorous_a foolery_n which_o opposition_n often_o heighten_v will_v soon_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n by_o contempt_n and_o silence_n in_o a_o happy_a season_n when_o the_o power_n of_o religion_n have_v a_o potent_a influence_n upon_o a_o nation_n the_o lay_n of_o a_o good_a foundation_n for_o time_n to_o come_v be_v main_o to_o be_v regard_v a_o opportunity_n in_o this_o kind_n may_v be_v lose_v not_o only_o by_o a_o sluggish_a neglect_n but_o also_o by_o a_o impetuous_a overstrain_v of_o it_o it_o be_v overstrain_v when_o thing_n be_v carry_v forth_o beyond_o what_o a_o nation_n will_v ever_o bear_v it_o may_v be_v more_o advisable_a to_o stop_v at_o moderate_a reformation_n than_o to_o proceed_v to_o such_o extreme_a alteration_n as_o must_v needs_o stand_v in_o opposion_n if_o so_o be_v they_o can_v so_o stand_v to_o a_o contrary_a fix_a inclination_n general_o prevail_v the_o consequent_n of_o such_o proceed_n need_v not_o to_o be_v here_o discourse_v beside_o the_o more_o healthful_a state_n of_o religion_n may_v stand_v not_o in_o a_o total_a change_n of_o thing_n long_o in_o use_n but_o in_o reform_v the_o abuse_n thereof_o and_o it_o shall_v be_v mind_v that_o sometime_o in_o cure_v a_o lesser_a evil_n