Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
doctrine_n	believe_v	church_n	err_v	2,101	5	9.7006	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A36078	A Discourse about conscience, relating to the present differences among us in opposition to both extreams of popery and fanaticism.		1684 (1684)	Wing D1568; ESTC R8393	25,645	43

church_n and_o security_n of_o the_o government_n under_o which_o we_o live_v second_o conscience_n i_o tell_v you_o include_v knowledge_n as_o much_o in_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o composition_n of_o the_o word_n where_o there_o be_v no_o knowledge_n there_o can_v be_v no_o conscience_n because_o in_o such_o a_o case_n it_o be_v withwhat_o to_o do_v or_o how_o to_o govern_v itself_o and_o judge_v aright_o whereupon_o conscience_n be_v not_o so_o much_o concern_v about_o thing_n that_o be_v uncertain_a whereof_o we_o can_v have_v no_o sure_a proof_n or_o clear_a evidence_n either_o from_o sense_n reason_n or_o revelation_n which_o be_v the_o three_o only_a way_n of_o attain_v knowledge_n or_o arrive_v at_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n thus_o in_o matter_n of_o school_n question_n or_o controversial_a divinity_n which_o be_v band_v to_o and_o fro_o with_o probable_a argument_n on_o both_o side_n for_o instance_n whether_o the_o fire_n in_o hell_n be_v material_a or_o metaphorical_a true_a in_o the_o letter_n or_o in_o a_o figure_n so_o we_o do_v but_o believe_v there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o hell_n reserve_v for_o the_o punishment_n of_o wicked_a man_n as_o scripture_n do_v assure_v we_o conscience_n as_o to_o the_o rest_n be_v not_o concern_v to_o believe_v either_o one_o way_n or_o other_o because_o scripture_n be_v silent_a in_o the_o case_n and_o the_o argument_n from_o reason_n on_o either_o hand_n be_v alike_o probable_a and_o if_o i_o be_o induce_v to_o believe_v one_o part_n of_o the_o question_n rather_o than_o the_o other_o this_o can_v arise_v no_o high_o than_o to_o a_o private_a opinion_n of_o my_o own_o not_o a_o public_a article_n of_o my_o christian_a faith_n wherein_o my_o private_a judgement_n not_o my_o conscience_n be_v concern_v that_o christ_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o pure_a virgin_n be_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o of_o conscience_n to_o believe_v because_o scripture_n do_v affirm_v it_o but_o whether_o she_o remain_v so_o all_o her_o life_n long_o be_v not_o so_o indeed_o it_o have_v be_v a_o opinion_n in_o the_o church_n that_o she_o do_v but_o however_o there_o be_v no_o other_o argument_n but_o that_o of_o piè_fw-fr credimus_fw-la that_o can_v induce_v we_o to_o be_v of_o that_o mind_n in_o like_a manner_n the_o descent_n of_o christ_n into_o hell_n so_o we_o do_v not_o deny_v the_o thing_n which_o have_v for_o many_o age_n be_v a_o receive_a article_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n though_o leave_v out_o in_o some_o other_o it_o matter_n not_o great_o whether_o it_o be_v local_a or_o virtual_a metaphorical_a or_o metonymical_a for_o in_o all_o these_o several_a sense_n it_o have_v be_v take_v by_o learned_a and_o pious_a man_n but_o in_o which_o of_o these_o we_o need_v not_o be_v overmuch_o concern_v for_o this_o article_n be_v not_o express_o reveal_v or_o clear_o deliver_v in_o scripture_n we_o believe_v it_o chief_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n who_o antiquity_n ought_v to_o command_v our_o reverence_n and_o respect_n though_o i_o think_v it_o can_v strict_o oblige_v my_o conscience_n especial_o when_o the_o church_n have_v not_o determine_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o case_n any_o more_o than_o scripture_n but_o leave_v i_o at_o liberty_n to_o judge_v either_o way_n as_o i_o see_v cause_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o saint_n depart_v with_o many_o other_o which_o for_o brevity_n sake_n i_o now_o omit_v three_o some_o thing_n there_o be_v though_o for_o certain_a reveal_v yet_o be_v obscure_a and_o vnintelligible_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n cannt_n so_o immediate_o oblige_v our_o conscience_n as_o those_o that_o be_v more_o plain_a and_o obvious_a the_o decree_n of_o god_n arcana_fw-la of_o providence_n the_o great_a and_o stupendous_a mystery_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n and_o incomprehensible_a union_n of_o the_o two_o nature_n in_o the_o son_n of_o god_n these_o be_v in_o many_o thing_n above_o our_o reach_n and_o capacity_n and_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v above_o we_o belong_v not_o to_o we_o a_o modest_a and_o humble_a faith_n be_v here_o requisite_a and_o all_o that_o be_v expect_v from_o the_o common_a and_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o christian_n a_o too_o curious_a search_n and_o inquiry_n into_o these_o venerable_a mystery_n be_v not_o convenient_a for_o all_o nor_o absolute_o necessary_a for_o any_o a_o particular_a explication_n of_o they_o concern_v my_o faith_n no_o further_o than_o as_o it_o be_v consonant_a to_o sacred_a scripture_n and_o agreeable_a to_o what_o be_v more_o plain_o reveal_v in_o holy_a writ_n or_o else_o by_o natural_a and_o genuine_a consequence_n may_v be_v deduce_v therefrom_o but_o now_o as_o for_o other_o difficulty_n that_o may_v arise_v from_o thence_o i_o be_o not_o bind_v to_o pin_v my_o faith_n on_o any_o one_o man_n sleeve_n nor_o receive_v his_o scheme_n or_o hypothesis_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o inspire_a doctrine_n no_o nor_o for_o truth_n neither_o any_o further_a than_o he_o can_v confirm_v it_o by_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o sole_a infallible_a test_n of_o divine_a truth_n all_o that_o in_o this_o case_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o do_v be_v to_o guide_v my_o conscience_n by_o scripture_n and_o my_o judgement_n by_o the_o catholic_a determination_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v i_o be_o oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o believe_v all_o that_o the_o scripture_n reveal_v and_o make_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o my_o faith_n and_o obedience_n but_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n where_o difficulty_n may_v arise_v and_o scripture_n be_v either_o total_o silent_a or_o very_o obscure_a here_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v as_o the_o church_n believe_v mistake_v i_o not_o i_o do_v not_o speak_v it_o in_o a_o popish_a sense_n which_o set_v up_o the_o traditien_n of_o the_o church_n in_o opposition_n to_o scripture_n and_o in_o a_o impious_a manner_n prefer_v they_o before_o it_o teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n but_o my_o meaning_n be_v that_o i_o and_o every_o body_n else_o in_o matter_n dubious_a and_o obscure_a aught_o to_o be_v so_o modest_a as_o to_o mistrust_v our_o own_o particular_a judgement_n rather_o than_o that_o of_o the_o church_n and_o submit_v our_o private_a opinion_n to_o her_o public_a determination_n if_o not_o yet_o the_o least_o that_o in_o this_o case_n we_o ought_v to_o do_v be_v to_o keep_v our_o persuasion_n to_o ourselves_o rather_o than_o disturb_v the_o peace_n or_o oppose_v the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n out_o of_o a_o indiscreet_a zeal_n for_o any_o fond_a or_o affect_v opinion_n of_o our_o own_o for_o pray_v consider_v can_v it_o be_v any_o other_o than_o pride_n or_o self-conceit_n to_o call_v it_o no_o worse_o for_o a_o few_o private_a person_n to_o oppose_v their_o particular_a sentiment_n to_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o what_o they_o decry_v in_o their_o governor_n to_o practice_v more_o unjust_o themselves_o by_o prescribe_v to_o their_o superior_n in_o matter_n dubious_a and_o uncertain_a and_o which_o be_v perpetual_o controvert_v on_o all_o hand_n in_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n conscience_n oblige_v i_o to_o be_v humble_a and_o modest_a rather_o than_o positive_a and_o peremptory_a and_o therefore_o it_o will_v better_o become_v we_o to_o receive_v our_o faith_n from_o than_o impose_v we_o upon_o the_o church_n in_o who_o communion_n we_o live_v and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o who_o doctrine_n we_o be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o main_a as_o the_o dissent_v brethren_n be_v general_o with_o we_o but_o however_o if_o they_o see_v reason_n to_o dissent_n in_o their_o private_a thought_n from_o the_o establish_v faith_n they_o ought_v to_o keep_v their_o judgement_n to_o themselves_o and_o not_o disturb_v her_o peace_n on_o that_o account_n in_o this_o sense_n let_v they_o remember_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n he_o that_o have_v faith_n let_v he_o have_v it_o to_o himself_o and_o he_o that_o keep_v it_o there_o way_n keep_v it_o safe_a enough_o and_o out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o humane_a power_n and_o compulsion_n for_o conscience_n while_o it_o keep_v within_o its_o due_a bound_n can_v ought_v not_o to_o be_v compel_v by_o any_o power_n upon_o earth_n for_o in_o that_o respect_n it_o be_v free_a and_o never_o to_o be_v force_v but_o second_o and_o positive_o conscience_n be_v chief_o and_o more_o immediate_o concern_v about_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v more_o necessary_a and_o substantial_a plain_a and_o obvious_a in_o religion_n and_o these_o in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v the_o main_a fundamental_a article_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n which_o constitute_v the_o great_a part_n of_o our_o creed_n and_o have_v a_o immediate_a influence_n on_o our_o life_n and_o they_o be_v those_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o our_o several_a creed_n which_o be_v the_o brief_a summary_n of_o the_o

christain_n doctrine_n and_o comprehensive_a of_o the_o most_o material_a article_n of_o our_o belief_n and_o second_o matter_n of_o practice_n which_o be_v less_o controvert_v than_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o be_v agree_v unto_o on_o all_o hand_n and_o to_o which_o all_o the_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n ought_v to_o refer_v and_o be_v no_o further_o necessary_a than_o they_o do_v so_o for_o all_o notion_n and_o opinion_n be_v but_o thing_n indifferent_a in_o themselves_o it_o matter_n not_o whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a if_o they_o pass_v no_o further_o than_o the_o brain_n and_o be_v of_o no_o other_o use_n than_o to_o gratify_v a_o muse_v genius_n and_o speculative_a fancy_n for_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n if_o we_o live_v without_o he_o in_o the_o world_n but_o they_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n and_o concern_v in_o relation_n to_o practice_n so_o far_o as_o they_o pass_v from_o the_o head_n to_o the_o heart_n and_o have_v a_o influence_n upon_o our_o life_n truth_n therefore_o be_v valuable_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v high_o prize_v because_o of_o its_o near_a relation_n to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n and_o error_n to_o be_v shun_v and_o avoid_v in_o regard_n of_o its_o vicious_a contagion_n and_o the_o ill_a effect_n it_o have_v upon_o our_o moral_n conscience_n therefore_o be_v concern_v principal_o about_o such_o thing_n in_o religion_n as_o be_v solid_a and_o substantial_a plain_a and_o evident_a necessary_a to_o be_v do_v certain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v know_v and_o such_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v the_o agenda_fw-la or_o matter_n of_o practice_n which_o take_v in_o all_o the_o instance_n of_o our_o duty_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n and_o branch_n themselves_o forth_o into_o the_o great_a command_n of_o lead_v a_o godly_a righteous_a and_o sober_a life_n as_o for_o the_o more_o ignorant_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o such_o as_o be_v weak_a in_o the_o faith_n we_o shall_v press_v upon_o they_o the_o great_a and_o necessary_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o morality_n such_o as_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n loyalty_n to_o their_o king_n love_n to_o their_o neighbour_n honesty_n in_o their_o deal_n temperance_n and_o sobriety_n towards_o themselves_o a_o thankful_a use_n and_o acknoledgment_n of_o mercy_n and_o a_o patient-bearing_a and_o improvement_n of_o affliction_n these_o we_o ought_v daily_o to_o press_v upon_o our_o people_n rather_o than_o amuse_v they_o with_o curious_a notion_n or_o receive_v they_o to_o doubtful_a disputation_n which_o oft_o stagger_v more_o than_o they_o confirm_v and_o shake_v their_o faith_n instead_o of_o settle_v it_o and_o though_o the_o apostle_n bid_v we_o prove_v all_o thing_n and_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a thessaly_n 5.21_o yet_o this_o be_v not_o speak_v to_o all_o indifferent_o it_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o ordinary_a and_o less_o know_v of_o christian_n who_o be_v usual_o uncapable_a of_o such_o a_o inquiry_n but_o to_o such_o who_o have_v leisure_n and_o opportunity_n to_o make_v the_o trial_n judgement_n and_o skill_n to_o go_v through_o with_o it_o or_o to_o do_v it_o to_o better_a purpose_n and_o with_o less_o danger_n to_o themselves_o and_o other_o but_o for_o the_o generality_n of_o people_n where_o they_o be_v satisfy_v that_o no_o sin_n be_v impose_v on_o their_o practice_n nor_o dangerous_a error_n on_o their_o belief_n where_o they_o have_v the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n afford_v they_o constant_a hour_n of_o devotion_n and_o state_v time_n of_o public_a worship_n where_o they_o have_v the_o liberty_n and_o encouragement_n to_o be_v as_o holy_a and_o devout_a as_o they_o will_v as_o virtuous_a and_o strict_a in_o their_o moral_n as_o they_o please_v themselves_o in_o this_o case_n which_o god_n be_v praise_v be_v we_o people_n ought_v to_o rest_v satisfy_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o such_o a_o church_n without_o trouble_v themselves_o with_o needless_a scruple_n uncomfortable_a dolbt_n or_o superstitious_a curiosity_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o take_v up_o too_o much_o of_o their_o time_n and_o thought_n that_o may_v be_v better_o employ_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o well_o know_v and_o necessary_a duty_n and_o improve_n themselves_o in_o the_o happy_a progress_n of_o a_o good_a and_o virtuous_a life_n and_o if_o such_o a_o church_n will_v not_o satisfy_v they_o i_o know_v not_o all_o thing_n consider_v where_o they_o can_v find_v a_o better_a for_o no_o church_n under_o the_o sun_n be_v absolute_o perfect_a and_o free_a from_o corruption_n and_o defect_n nor_o can_v ever_o hope_v to_o be_v so_o as_o long_o as_o it_o be_v make_v up_o of_o man_n that_o be_v of_o person_n frail_a and_o fallible_a and_o of_o like_a passion_n and_o infirmity_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n though_o i_o do_v believe_v this_o church_n of_o we_o have_v as_o few_o of_o they_o as_o any_o other_o under_o the_o cope_n of_o heaven_n nay_o i_o shall_v not_o mistake_v if_o i_o say_v much_o few_o conscience_n then_o be_v more_o to_o be_v heed_v in_o reference_n to_o our_o act_n than_o opinion_n and_o it_o be_v more_o safe_a and_o easy_a to_o govern_v our_o ation_n in_o respect_n of_o practice_n than_o to_o chufe_v for_o ourselves_o in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n if_o a_o man_n hold_v no_o doctrine_n that_o be_v prejudicial_a to_o holiaess_a and_o a_o good_a life_n he_o need_v not_o be_v much_o trouble_v about_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v too_o high_a for_o he_o and_o above_o his_o reach_n i_o dare_v adventure_n to_o say_v it_o be_v safe_a for_o he_o to_o err_v with_o modesty_n and_o humility_n out_o of_o love_n to_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o in_o submission_n to_o its_o authority_n than_o to_o be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n in_o his_o judgement_n and_o withal_o of_o a_o stubbom_n refractory_a and_o contentious_a spirit_n and_o a_o humble_a modest_a peaceable-minded_n man_n be_v more_o acceptable_a with_o his_o error_n and_o fail_n in_o judgement_n than_o a_o proud_a and_o obstinate_a person_n though_o he_o chance_v to_o have_v truth_n on_o his_o side_n therefore_o according_a to_o the_o common_a use_n and_o acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n he_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o most_o conscientious_a who_o live_v best_a and_o not_o who_o know_v most_o who_o be_v just_a and_o honest_a in_o his_o moral_n not_o who_o be_v sound_a and_o right_o in_o his_o apprehension_n he_o that_o live_v well_o though_o he_o know_v not_o very_o much_o have_v more_o of_o conscience_n than_o he_o that_o know_v more_o and_o yet_o live_v a_o great_a deal_n worse_o for_o conscience_n be_v not_o so_o much_o a_o speculative_a as_o practical_a thing_n and_o many_o time_n there_o be_v more_o of_o it_o find_v among_o the_o simple_a honest_a and_o well-meaning_a fort_n of_o christian_n than_o among_o the_o more_o deep_o learn_v and_o profound_a speculati_fw-la this_o show_v the_o too_o great_a folly_n and_o perverseness_n of_o many_o of_o our_o people_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v eat_v up_o with_o zeal_n and_o plead_v conscience_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v and_o it_o may_v be_v never_o will_v whereas_o a_o meek_a humble_a and_o teachable_a spirit_n will_v better_o become_v they_o and_o tend_v much_o more_o to_o their_o own_o praise_n and_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n for_o they_o may_v soon_o hope_v to_o be_v the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o that_o be_v they_o may_v become_v humble_a and_o meek_n when_o they_o can_v be_v skilled_a in_o all_o the_o point_n of_o religion_n or_o matter_n controvert_v and_o under_o dispute_n conscience_n then_o be_v most_o proper_o exercise_v about_o the_o more_o plain_a and_o necessary_a duty_n of_o religion_n namely_o matter_n of_o practice_n and_o such_o doctrine_n as_o tend_v more_o immediate_o towards_o the_o lead_n of_o a_o godly_a righteous_a and_o sober_a life_n and_o thus_o have_v i_o do_v with_o the_o four_o general_n head_n and_o which_o i_o chief_o intend_v in_o the_o draw_v up_o of_o this_o discourse_n it_o remain_v now_o that_o in_o the_o 5_o and_o last_o place_n to_o offer_v a_o few_o thing_n by_o way_n of_o advice_n concern_v the_o well-governing_a ourselves_o with_o relation_n to_o our_o conscience_n and_o the_o first_o be_v this_o that_o you_o be_v very_o careful_a to_o get_v conscience_n right_o inform_v and_o well_o instruct_v that_o you_o may_v arrive_v at_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a apprehension_n of_o your_o duty_n in_o all_o capacity_n and_o under_o all_o relation_n whatever_a and_o do_v this_o with_o all_o the_o faithfulness_n and_o impartiality_n in_o the_o world_n be_v sway_v by_o passion_n bias_v by_o interest_n and_o carry_v away_o with_o prejudice_n as_o little_a as_o may_v be_v labour_v to_o know_v and_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o