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duty_n church_n great_a know_v 1,117 5 3.7969 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A31806 A discourse about a scrupulous conscience preached at the parish-church of St. Mary Aldermanbury, London / by Benjamin Calamy ... Calamy, Benjamin, 1642-1686. 1683 (1683) Wing C212; ESTC R16631 28,500 49

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christ_n disciple_n quite_o lose_v among_o we_o and_o the_o continuance_n of_o these_o miserable_a distraction_n among_o we_o upon_o such_o frivolous_a account_n if_o compare_v with_o the_o interest_n of_o peace_n and_o charity_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o sad_a consideration_n to_o all_o lively_a member_n of_o christ_n body_n and_o forebode_n great_a evil_n impendent_a over_o our_o church_n and_o state_n i_o doubt_v not_o to_o say_v that_o the_o devil_n have_v fight_v more_o successful_o against_o religion_n under_o the_o mark_n of_o a_o zealous_a reformer_n than_o under_o any_o other_o disguise_n whatever_o the_o grand_a enemy_n of_o mankind_n have_v by_o various_a way_n and_o mean_v all_o along_o contrive_v and_o endeavour_v to_o defeat_v the_o design_n of_o heaven_n for_o the_o good_a and_o happiness_n of_o man_n and_o as_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n have_v in_o several_a age_n of_o the_o world_n manifest_v itself_o for_o the_o encourage_n and_o promote_a of_o true_a righteousness_n and_o holiness_n so_o have_v the_o devil_n always_o be_v at_o work_n to_o oppose_v what_o he_o can_v find_v most_o proper_a for_o the_o hinder_v the_o good_a effect_n of_o god_n kindness_n towards_o we_o when_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n come_v by_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n he_o be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n dethrone_v his_o kingdom_n overthrow_v and_o the_o last_o and_o most_o effectual_a mean_n be_v use_v for_o the_o recovery_n of_o man_n out_o of_o his_o snare_n and_o power_n when_o therefore_o he_o perceive_v that_o by_o all_o the_o grievous_a persecution_n he_o raise_v against_o the_o church_n it_o spread_v only_o so_o much_o the_o fast_o that_o at_o last_o the_o whole_a heathen_a idolatry_n fall_v down_o before_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n when_o he_o be_v shameful_o expel_v out_o of_o his_o temple_n and_o from_o his_o altar_n his_o oracle_n silence_v and_o the_o religion_n of_o jesus_n prevail_v every_o where_o he_o than_o betake_v himself_o to_o his_o old_a serpentine_a art_n of_o dissimulation_n since_o he_o can_v no_o long_o oppose_v christ_n kingdom_n by_o open_a war_n he_o resolve_v to_o turn_v christian_a and_o to_o set_v up_o for_o christ_n deputy_n and_o substitute_n here_o on_o earth_n to_o fight_v against_o christian_n under_o christ_n banner_n and_o by_o adulterate_v and_o corrupt_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o spoil_v it_o of_o all_o its_o efficacy_n to_o introduce_v his_o old_a heathen_a rite_n and_o idolatrous_a ceremony_n as_o unwritten_a tradition_n from_o christ_n himself_o or_o his_o apostle_n and_o so_o under_o his_o name_n and_o pretend_a authority_n to_o exercise_v all_o that_o cruelty_n oppression_n and_o fraud_n which_o be_v so_o please_v to_o his_o own_o infernal_a nature_n hope_v to_o burn_v destroy_v root_n out_o all_o true_a christian_n from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n under_o colour_n of_o propagate_a the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o enlarge_n christ_n kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n when_o christendom_n have_v long_o groan_v under_o this_o miserable_a tyranny_n it_o please_v god_n in_o many_o place_n of_o europe_n but_o especial_o here_o in_o england_n to_o set_v on_o foot_n a_o reformation_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v happy_o and_o peaceable_o accomplish_v among_o we_o by_o the_o favour_n and_o countenance_n of_o public_a authority_n and_o the_o wise_a counsel_n and_o advice_n of_o our_o reverend_a bishop_n and_o other_o minister_n to_o nip_v this_o in_o the_o bud_n the_o devil_n raise_v that_o sharp_a persecution_n in_o queen_n mary_n day_n in_o which_o our_o first_o reformer_n glorious_o seal_v what_o they_o have_v do_v with_o their_o blood_n but_o this_o prove_v ineffectual_a that_o he_o may_v the_o better_o frustrate_v the_o end_n of_o our_o reformation_n himself_o will_v turn_v reformer_n too_o a_o great_a cry_n be_v soon_o raise_v against_o our_o church_n as_o not_o sufficient_o purge_v from_o popery_n our_o bishop_n our_o prayer_n our_o ceremony_n be_v all_o antichristian_a and_o it_o be_v not_o long_o before_o all_o minister_n tithe_n temple_n and_o the_o university_n too_o be_v condemn_v as_o such_o and_o god_n know_v they_o have_v well_o nigh_o reform_v away_o all_o learning_n true_a religion_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o under_o the_o specious_a pretence_n of_o pare_n off_o all_o superfluity_n have_v grievous_o shake_v the_o foundation_n of_o christianity_n itself_o insomuch_o that_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o some_o of_o those_o who_o now_o dissent_v from_o we_o do_v then_o camplain_v that_o professor_n of_o religion_n do_v open_o oppose_v and_o deride_v almost_o all_o that_o service_n of_o god_n out_o of_o conscience_n which_o other_o man_n use_v to_o do_v out_o of_o profaneness_n and_o what_o infinite_a mischief_n this_o rash_a and_o intemperate_a zeal_n for_o reform_v abuse_n and_o corruption_n have_v do_v to_o our_o church_n and_o nation_n if_o the_o experience_n of_o this_o last_o age_n will_v not_o sufficient_o convince_v man_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v hope_v that_o any_o discourse_n shall_v we_o little_o consider_v who_o interest_n we_o thus_o serve_v and_o promote_v we_o do_v his_o work_n who_o be_v most_o delight_v with_o srife_n and_o confusion_n and_o every_o one_o can_v tell_v who_o that_o be_v and_o where_o he_o reign_v to_o be_v sure_a by_o these_o uncharitable_a separation_n we_o high_o gratify_v the_o common_a eenemy_n who_o great_a design_n and_o policy_n it_o have_v all_o along_o be_v by_o the_o folly_n and_o invincible_a scruple_n of_o protestant_a dissenter_n to_o weaken_v and_o by_o degree_n pull_v down_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o then_o we_o all_o become_v a_o become_v a_o easy_a prey_n to_o rome_n if_o any_o now_o tell_v i_o that_o to_o prevent_v this_o great_a mischief_n and_o danger_n that_o arise_v from_o our_o division_n it_o be_v not_o so_o necessary_a that_o the_o people_n shall_v lay_v down_o their_o scruple_n which_o they_o can_v well_o do_v since_o no_o one_o can_v at_o any_o time_n think_v or_o believe_v as_o he_o will_v as_o it_o be_v that_o the_o imposition_n themselves_o the_o matter_n scruple_v at_o shall_v be_v remove_v and_o take_v away_o and_o then_o peace_n and_o unity_n may_v be_v better_o secure_v to_o this_o i_o only_o answer_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o i_o now_o consider_v thing_n as_o they_o at_o present_a stand_n among_o we_o we_o have_v a_o church_n settle_a and_o establish_v by_o law_n in_o which_o nothing_o that_o be_v sinful_a be_v enjoin_v what_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o governor_n and_o superior_n be_v how_o far_o they_o may_v or_o aught_o to_o condescend_v to_o the_o weakness_n or_o scruple_n of_o other_o i_o shall_v not_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o determine_v that_o be_v another_o question_n which_o belong_v not_o to_o we_o but_o i_o consider_v now_o only_o what_o private_a member_n of_o such_o a_o church_n be_v to_o do_v and_o then_o i_o say_v scruple_v the_o use_n of_o some_o thing_n prescribe_v by_o the_o church_n will_v not_o justify_v our_o leave_v it_o nay_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o it_o be_v our_o best_a and_o safe_a course_n to_o submit_v and_o comply_v with_o such_o order_n notwithstanding_o our_o scruple_n but_o i_o add_v 2._o if_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o the_o constitution_n of_o any_o church_n shall_v be_v alter_v because_o some_o thing_n be_v scruple_v in_o it_o there_o never_o can_v be_v a_o settle_a church_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n stand_v for_o since_o there_o will_v be_v always_o a_o difference_n in_o man_n understanding_n and_o temper_n some_o weak_a and_o injudicious_a other_o peevish_a and_o proud_a there_o will_v consequent_o be_v many_o that_o shall_v scruple_n and_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o best_a and_o most_o innocent_a constitution_n and_o if_o the_o ceremony_n now_o in_o use_n among_o we_o have_v not_o be_v retain_v at_o our_o first_o reformation_n those_o very_a person_n who_o be_v now_o so_o much_o dissatisfy_v with_o the_o imposition_n of_o they_o will_v perhaps_o have_v be_v the_o first_o that_o shall_v have_v then_o complain_v of_o the_o want_n of_o they_o of_o which_o we_o have_v this_o notorious_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n in_o the_o late_a time_n when_o our_o church_n be_v lay_v in_o the_o dust_n when_o none_o of_o those_o ceremony_n or_o form_n which_o be_v now_o object_v against_o be_v impose_v or_o common_o use_v yet_o even_o then_o be_v man_n gather_v congregation_n out_o of_o congregation_n purify_n and_o reform_v still_o further_o scruple_n increase_v sect_n and_o division_n upon_o they_o multiply_v and_o never_o such_o distraction_n and_o confusion_n in_o religion_n as_o in_o those_o day_n and_o without_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n one_o may_v foretell_v that_o if_o what_o be_v principal_o find_v fault_n with_o in_o our_o church_n be_v now_o abolish_v yet_o those_o that_o be_v give_v to_o scruple_n will_v at_o least_o in_o
agreeable_a be_v it_o to_o the_o christian_a temper_n to_o be_v willing_a to_o sacrifice_v all_o such_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n to_o the_o interest_n of_o public_a order_n and_o divine_a charity_n for_o better_a sure_o it_o be_v to_o serve_v god_n in_o a_o defective_a imperfect_a manner_n to_o bear_v with_o many_o disorder_n and_o fault_n than_o to_o break_v the_o bond_n of_o peace_n and_o brotherly_a communion_n for_o this_o we_o have_v the_o example_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n and_o saviour_n who_o live_v and_o die_v in_o communion_n with_o a_o church_n where_o there_o be_v far_o great_a corruption_n both_o as_o to_o person_n and_o practice_n than_o can_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v in_o we_o at_o this_o day_n yet_o though_o he_o be_v the_o great_a reformer_n of_o mankind_n he_o forsake_v not_o the_o jewish_a church_n but_o assemble_v with_o they_o in_o their_o public_a synagogue_n which_o answer_n to_o our_o parish-church_n preach_v in_o the_o temple_n though_o they_o have_v make_v it_o a_o den_n of_o thief_n observe_v their_o festival_n though_o some_o of_o they_o of_o humane_a institution_n nay_o command_v his_o disciple_n to_o continue_v to_o hear_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n though_o they_o be_v a_o most_o vile_a and_o wretched_a generation_n of_o men._n great_a be_v the_o pollution_n and_o misdemeanour_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n corinth_n galatia_n yet_o no_o one_o member_n of_o they_o be_v ever_o command_v to_o come_v out_o or_o separate_v from_o those_o church_n to_o join_v in_o a_o pure_a congregation_n or_o to_o avoid_v mix_v communion_n or_o for_o better_a edification_n for_o man_n to_o be_v drink_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v certain_o a_o worse_a fault_n than_o to_o kneel_v at_o it_o or_o for_o a_o wicked_a man_n to_o intrude_v himself_o yet_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o advise_v any_o to_o withdraw_v from_o that_o church_n but_o only_o every_o one_o to_o examine_v himself_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v all_o that_o we_o can_v do_v without_o sin_v submit_v to_o a_o hundred_o thing_n which_o be_v against_o our_o mind_n or_o we_o have_v rather_o let_v alone_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o peace_n and_o unity_n so_o desirable_a in_o itself_o so_o necessary_a for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o honour_n of_o religion_n for_o our_o common_a interest_n and_o safety_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o what_o i_o may_v without_o vanity_n call_v the_o best_a church_n in_o the_o world_n i_o can_v stand_v now_o to_o tell_v you_o how_o earnest_o this_o duty_n of_o maintain_v unity_n among_o christian_n be_v press_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n how_o concern_v our_o bless_a master_n be_v that_o all_o his_o disciple_n shall_v agree_v together_o and_o live_v as_o bretren_n how_o severe_o the_o holy_a apostle_n chide_v and_o rebuke_v those_o that_o cause_v division_n and_o strife_n among_o christian_n reckon_v schism_n and_o contention_n among_o the_o most_o heinous_a and_o dangerous_a sin_n it_o shall_v make_v both_o the_o ear_n one_o will_v think_v of_o some_o among_o we_o to_o tingle_v but_o to_o hear_v what_o sense_n the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v of_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o separate_n from_o and_o break_v the_o communion_n of_o christian_n nay_o what_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n here_o in_o england_n have_v say_v of_o it_o yet_o remain_v in_o print_n charge_v the_o people_n to_o be_v as_o tender_v of_o church-division_n as_o they_o be_v of_o drunkenness_n whoredom_n or_o any_o other_o enormous_a crime_n and_o do_v man_n know_v and_o consider_v the_o evil_n of_o schism_n they_o will_v not_o be_v so_o ready_a upon_o every_o slight_a occasion_n to_o split_v upon_o that_o rock_n let_v we_o therefore_o divert_v our_o fear_n and_o scruple_n upon_o great_a sin_n it_o be_v far_o more_o certain_a that_o causeless_a separation_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o christian_n be_v sinful_a than_o that_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n or_o pray_v by_o a_o book_n be_v such_o why_o then_o have_v man_n such_o invincible_a scruple_n about_o one_o and_o none_o at_o all_o about_o the_o other_o they_o run_v headlong_o into_o the_o separate_a assembly_n which_o sure_o be_v more_o like_a to_o schismatical_a conventicle_n than_o any_o thing_n in_o our_o church_n be_v to_o idolatry_n let_v man_n be_v as_o scrupulous_a and_o fearful_a of_o offend_v against_o the_o christian_a law_n of_o subjection_n peaceableness_n and_o charity_n as_o they_o be_v of_o worship_v god_n after_o a_o impure_a manner_n and_o this_o alone_a will_v contribute_v much_o to_o the_o make_v up_o those_o breach_n which_o threaten_v sudden_a ruin_n to_o our_o church_n and_o nation_n i_o only_o add_v here_o that_o in_o all_o that_o i_o have_v now_o say_v i_o be_o not_o conscious_a to_o myself_o that_o i_o have_v use_v any_o argument_n or_o affirm_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o many_o of_o those_o very_a minister_n who_o now_o dissent_n from_o we_o do_v teach_v and_o maintain_v and_o print_v too_o against_o the_o independent_o and_o other_o sectary_n that_o divide_v from_o they_o when_o they_o preach_v in_o the_o parish-church_n and_o if_o this_o be_v good_a doctrine_n against_o those_o who_o separate_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o corruption_n for_o pure_a ordinance_n in_o those_o day_n i_o see_v not_o why_o it_o be_v not_o as_o good_a against_o themselves_o when_o upon_o the_o very_a same_o pretence_n and_o no_o other_o they_o divide_v from_o we_o now_o the_o lord_n grant_v that_o we_o may_v all_o come_v at_o last_o to_o be_v of_o one_o mind_n to_o live_v in_o peace_n and_o unity_n and_o then_o the_o god_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n shall_v be_v with_o we_o finis_fw-la take_v heed_n of_o separate_n from_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o saint_n i_o have_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o all_o our_o church-calamity_n have_v spring_v from_o this_o root_n he_o that_o separate_v from_o the_o public_a worship_n be_v like_o a_o man_n tumble_v down_o a_o hill_n and_o never_o leave_v till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o bottom_n of_o it_o i_o can_v relate_v many_o sad_a story_n of_o person_n profess_v godliness_n who_o out_o of_o dislike_n to_o our_o church-meeting_n begin_v at_o first_o to_o separate_v from_o they_o and_o after_o many_o change_n and_o alteration_n be_v turn_v some_o of_o they_o anabaptist_n some_o quaker_n some_o ranter_n some_o direct_a atheist_n but_o i_o forbear_v you_o must_v hold_v communion_n with_o all_o those_o church_n with_o which_o christ_n hold_v communion_n you_o must_v separate_v from_o the_o sin_n of_o christian_n but_o not_o from_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n take_v heed_n of_o unchurch_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n lest_o you_o prove_v schismatic_n instead_o of_o be_v true-christians_a see_v m._n edm._n calamy_n be_v godly_a man_n ark_n epist_n dedic_n to_o the_o parish_n of_o aldermanburic_n direction_n 14_o