Selected quad for the lemma: england_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
england_n	authority_n	church_n	faith_n	2,621	5	5.4031	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A66401	Sermons and discourses on several occasions by William Wake ...; Sermons. Selections	Wake, William, 1657-1737.	1690 (1690)	Wing W271; ESTC R17962	210,099	546

obstinate_a but_o he_o can_v be_v wise_o steadfast_a in_o the_o faith_n a_o good_a christian_a must_v be_v able_a to_o give_v some_o more_o reasonable_a account_n of_o his_o faith_n than_o this_o if_o ever_o he_o mean_v to_o be_v secure_o firm_a in_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o his_o creed_n must_v be_v found_v on_o some_o better_a authority_n than_o a_o bare_a credulity_n and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a useless_a plea_n at_o the_o last_o day_n that_o a_o man_n believe_v as_o his_o church_n believe_v when_o he_o may_v have_v have_v the_o opportunity_n of_o a_o better_a information_n shall_v he_o chance_v by_o so_o do_v to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o a_o damnable_a heresy_n unless_o he_o can_v render_v some_o tolerable_a account_n either_o wherefore_o his_o church_n believe_v so_o or_o at_o least_o wherefore_o it_o be_v that_o he_o submit_v himself_o so_o servile_o to_o her_o authority_n but_o he_o that_o believe_v with_o knowledge_n because_o he_o be_v clear_o and_o evident_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v the_o truth_n need_v never_o fear_v either_o the_o danger_n or_o imputation_n of_o such_o a_o obstinacy_n for_o his_o firmness_n in_o adhere_v to_o his_o faith_n if_o for_o instance_n a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n read_v in_o his_o bible_n those_o express_a word_n of_o the_o second_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v not_o make_v to_o thyself_o any_o grave_a image_n nor_o the_o likeness_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n above_o etc._n etc._n thou_o shall_v not_o bow_v down_o to_o it_o nor_o worship_n it_o if_o he_o look_v forward_o to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o there_o in_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o bless_a eucharist_n see_v those_o word_n drink_v you_o all_o of_o this_o in_o as_o plain_a and_o legible_a character_n as_o those_o other_o take_v and_o eat_v and_o thereupon_o resolve_v never_o to_o be_v prevail_v upon_o either_o to_o bow_v down_o himself_o before_o a_o image_n or_o to_o give_v up_o his_o right_n to_o the_o cup_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o bread_n in_o that_o holy_a sacrament_n whatever_o gloss_n may_v be_v make_v or_o pretence_n be_v use_v to_o induce_v he_o to_o either_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o such_o a_o firmness_n as_o this_o can_v be_v call_v obstinacy_n unless_o these_o scripture_n be_v no_o long_o the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o that_o no_o long_o a_o principle_n of_o scripture_n that_o in_o matter_n of_o plain_a and_o undoubted_a command_n 19_o we_o be_v to_o obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n and_o in_o these_o and_o the_o like_a instance_n where_o the_o matter_n be_v clear_a even_o to_o demonstration_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o such_o knowledge_n will_v certain_o secure_v we_o against_o the_o charge_n and_o danger_n of_o obstinacy_n but_o because_o all_o point_n in_o debate_n be_v not_o thus_o evident_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a many_o be_v not_o a_o little_a obscure_a therefore_o for_o the_o secure_n ourselves_o from_o danger_n in_o our_o adherence_n to_o these_o too_o we_o must_v to_o our_o knowledge_n add_v 2_o dly_a a_o sincere_a zeal_n to_o discover_v the_o truth_n with_o a_o affectionate_a charity_n to_o those_o that_o differ_v from_o we_o in_o such_o case_n as_o this_o tho'_o we_o must_v believe_v and_o profess_v according_a to_o what_o appear_v to_o we_o at_o present_a to_o be_v the_o truth_n yet_o since_o the_o evidence_n be_v not_o such_o as_o to_o exclude_v all_o possibility_n of_o our_o be_v mistake_v our_o adherence_n to_o it_o must_v be_v qualify_v with_o this_o reserve_n neither_o rash_o to_o censure_v those_o who_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v nor_o obstinate_o to_o resolve_v never_o to_o change_v our_o opinion_n if_o we_o shall_v perhaps_o be_v hereafter_o convince_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v so_o now_o in_o order_n hereunto_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o a_o man_n shall_v either_o fluctuate_v in_o his_o present_a faith_n or_o not_o be_v firm_o persuade_v that_o he_o shall_v never_o see_v any_o reason_n to_o forsake_v it_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o take_v off_o the_o imputation_n of_o obstinacy_n that_o our_o steadfastness_n be_v such_o as_o not_o to_o exclude_v either_o a_o readiness_n of_o be_v better_o inform_v if_o that_o be_v possible_a or_o of_o make_v upon_o all_o occasion_n a_o strict_a and_o impartial_a enquiry_n into_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o our_o faith_n or_o even_o of_o hear_v free_o whatever_o objection_n can_v fair_o be_v bring_v against_o it_o and_o all_o this_o with_o a_o sincere_a desire_n and_o steadfast_a resolution_n to_o discover_v and_o embrace_v the_o truth_n wheresoever_o it_o lie_v whether_o it_o be_v that_o which_o we_o now_o suppose_v to_o be_v so_o or_o whether_o it_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v on_o the_o contrary_a side_n he_o who_o be_v thus_o dispose_v in_o his_o mind_n at_o all_o time_n to_o receive_v instruction_n and_o never_o presume_v rash_o to_o condemn_v any_o one_o that_o be_v thus_o in_o like_a manner_n dispose_v however_o otherwise_o disagree_v in_o opinion_n from_o he_o need_v never_o fear_v that_o his_o firmness_n be_v any_o other_o than_o that_o wise_a and_o christian_a steadfastness_n which_o our_o text_n require_v not_o such_o a_o obstinacy_n as_o both_o that_o and_o we_o most_o just_o detest_v and_o condemn_v but_o here_o then_o we_o must_v look_v to_o the_o other_o extreme_a and_o take_v heed_n lest_o for_o fear_n of_o be_v perverse_o constant_a to_o our_o faith_n we_o fall_v into_o a_o weak_a and_o criminal_a instability_n to_o prevent_v this_o these_o three_o thing_n may_v be_v consider_v 1_o sy_n that_o we_o careful_o avoid_v all_o unworthy_a motive_n of_o change_v our_o religion_n 2_o dly_z that_o we_o be_v not_o too_o apt_a to_o entertain_v a_o ill_a opinion_n of_o it_o 3_o dly_z that_o if_o any_o argument_n shall_v at_o any_o time_n be_v bring_v against_o it_o that_o may_v deserve_v our_o consider_v we_o then_o be_v sure_a to_o give_v they_o that_o due_a and_o diligent_a examination_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v i_o sy_n he_o that_o will_v be_v steadfast_a in_o the_o faith_n must_v above_o all_o thing_n take_v heed_n to_o arm_v himself_o against_o all_o unworthy_a motive_n of_o change_v his_o religion_n it_o be_v very_o sad_a to_o consider_v what_o unchristian_a mean_n be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o some_o person_n to_o propagate_v their_o religion_n and_o a_o man_n need_v almost_o no_o other_o assurance_n that_o it_o can_v be_v from_o god_n than_o to_o see_v the_o professor_n of_o it_o pursue_v such_o method_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o its_o interest_n as_o most_o certain_o never_o come_v down_o from_o above_o thus_o if_o a_o man_n fortune_n be_v mean_a or_o his_o ambition_n great_a if_o religion_n have_v not_o take_v so_o deep_a root_n in_o his_o soul_n as_o to_o enable_v he_o to_o overcome_v the_o flattery_n and_o temptation_n of_o a_o present_a interest_n and_o advantage_n then_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v want_v a_o seducer_n present_o to_o show_v he_o that_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v out_o of_o the_o right_a way_n because_o it_o be_v not_o that_o which_o lead_v to_o preferment_n and_o it_o be_v great_a odds_o but_o a_o good_a place_n or_o a_o honourable_a title_n will_v quick_o appear_v a_o more_o infallible_a mark_n of_o the_o true_a church_n than_o any_o that_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n can_v furnish_v to_o the_o contrary_n if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v and_o interest_n can_v prevail_v than_o the_o other_o govern_v passion_n of_o our_o mind_n man_n fear_n be_v try_v instead_o of_o these_o allurement_n the_o false_a teacher_n now_o thunder_v out_o hell_n and_o damnation_n against_o we_o nothing_o but_o curse_n and_o anathema_n to_o be_v expect_v by_o we_o if_o we_o continue_v firm_a in_o our_o faith_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v none_o of_o the_o prophet_n nor_o his_o church_n fault_n if_o all_o the_o horror_n and_o misery_n of_o this_o present_a life_n be_v not_o employ_v against_o we_o in_o charity_n to_o prevent_v our_o fall_n into_o the_o everlasting_a punishment_n of_o the_o next_o the_o truth_n be_v i_o be_o ashamed_a to_o recount_v what_o unworthy_a mean_v some_o have_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o make_v use_n of_o to_o promote_v their_o religion_n and_o draw_v we_o away_o from_o our_o steadfastness_n france_n and_o savoy_n hungary_n and_o germany_n the_o old_a world_n and_o the_o new_a have_v all_o and_o that_o but_o very_o late_o be_v witness_n what_o way_n it_o be_v that_o popery_n have_v and_o do_v and_o if_o ever_o it_o mean_v effectual_o to_o prevail_v must_v take_v to_o propagate_v its_o interest_n animus_fw-la meminisse_fw-la horret_fw-la luctúque_fw-la refugit_fw-la now_o he_o that_o shall_v be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o to_o suffer_v himself_o by_o any_o of_o these_o motive_n which_o a_o constant_a man_n may_v and_o ought_v to_o have_v overcome_v

but_o too_o fatal_o successful_a for_o many_o say_v he_o shall_v follow_v their_o pernicious_a way_n 2._o by_o reason_n of_o who_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n shall_v be_v evil_o speak_v of_o and_o in_o the_o next_o chapter_n he_o go_v on_o to_o foretell_v the_o near_a approach_n of_o those_o judgement_n which_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v so_o often_o denounce_v against_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o which_o those_o comply_a christian_n be_v in_o like_a manner_n to_o be_v involve_v and_o by_o both_o these_o consideration_n he_o final_o in_o the_o close_a of_o all_o stir_v they_o up_o both_o to_o a_o care_n of_o themselves_o and_o to_o a_o constancy_n in_o their_o profession_n you_o therefore_o beloved_n see_v you_o know_v these_o thing_n before_o beware_v lest_o you_o also_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o the_o error_n of_o the_o wicked_a fall_v from_o your_o own_o steadfastness_n but_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n to_o he_o be_v glory_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n such_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o these_o word_n and_o the_o prosecution_n of_o they_o at_o this_o time_n will_v engage_v i_o to_o explain_v the_o nature_n and_o to_o exhort_v you_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o two_o duty_n than_o which_o i_o know_v none_o more_o proper_a for_o our_o serious_a consideration_n growth_n in_o grace_n and_o steadfastness_n in_o religion_n and_o from_o both_o which_o there_o be_v but_o too_o many_o seducer_n on_o every_o hand_n to_o turn_v we_o aside_o i_o shall_v pursue_v both_o in_o this_o follow_a order_n i._o i_o will_v show_v you_o what_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o that_o steadfastness_n in_o religion_n be_v to_o which_o our_o text_n here_o exhort_v we_o ii_o by_o what_o motive_n especial_o it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n stir_v up_o the_o christian_n to_o who_o he_o write_v and_o that_o i_o will_v now_o crave_v leave_n to_o exhort_v you_o to_o such_o a_o steadfastness_n iii_o how_o high_o both_o necessary_a in_o its_o self_n it_o be_v but_o especial_o how_o advantageous_a to_o this_o great_a end_n that_o we_o shall_v all_o of_o we_o endeavour_v what_o in_o we_o lie_v to_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ._n and_o first_o i._n what_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o that_o steadfastness_n in_o religion_n be_v to_o which_o our_o text_n exhort_v we_o and_o which_o i_o be_o from_o thence_o to_o recommend_v to_o you_o for_o it_o be_v not_o every_o firmness_n that_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o a_o true_a and_o rational_a steadfastness_n and_o a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o exceed_v by_o a_o perverse_a unwarrantable_a resolution_n not_o to_o hearken_v to_o any_o motive_n though_o never_o so_o reasonable_a to_o change_v his_o opinion_n as_o by_o a_o unfixed_a and_o irresolute_a temper_n abandon_v himself_o to_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n that_o shall_v come_v to_o turn_v he_o aside_o from_o it_o constancy_n in_o religion_n be_v a_o virtue_n that_o like_o all_o other_o must_v be_v regulate_v by_o prudence_n it_o must_v be_v firm_a but_o it_o must_v be_v wellgrounded_n too_o and_o he_o who_o will_v go_v about_o at_o all_o adventure_n to_o recommend_v a_o perseverance_n in_o that_o faith_n whatever_o it_o be_v in_o which_o a_o man_n have_v be_v bear_v and_o breed_v without_o allow_v a_o just_a enquiry_n to_o be_v make_v into_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o and_o even_o a_o liberty_n to_o forsake_v it_o too_o shall_v they_o prove_v less_o solid_a than_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v he_o may_v indeed_o provide_v for_o their_o security_n who_o chance_n to_o be_v already_o in_o the_o right_a way_n but_o shall_v render_v it_o utter_o impossible_a for_o those_o that_o be_v not_o ever_o to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o it_o be_v not_o therefore_o such_o a_o blind_a steadfastness_n as_o this_o a_o constancy_n in_o our_o religion_n whether_o it_o be_v good_a or_o bad_a that_o either_o the_o apostle_n here_o mean_v or_o that_o i_o will_v now_o recommend_v to_o you_o this_o will_v be_v to_o make_v a_o plea_n for_o obstinacy_n rather_o than_o constancy_n while_o by_o such_o a_o rule_n it_o will_v be_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o jew_n to_o remain_v a_o jew_n a_o heathen_a a_o heathen_a for_o a_o papist_n or_o socinian_n to_o continue_v all_o their_o life_n papist_n or_o socinian_n no_o less_o than_o for_o one_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v firm_a and_o steadfast_a to_o the_o faith_n and_o communion_n of_o it_o that_o which_o i_o understand_v by_o a_o true_a steadfastness_n be_v this_o when_o a_o man_n be_v upon_o rational_a and_o good_a ground_n evident_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o purity_n of_o his_o religion_n then_o to_o resolve_v to_o stick_v close_o to_o it_o and_o not_o suffer_v any_o base_a unworthy_a motive_n to_o draw_v he_o aside_o from_o it_o our_o religion_n must_v first_o be_v well_o ground_v and_o then_o it_o will_v be_v true_a steadfastness_n to_o adhere_v to_o it_o and_o therefore_o to_o give_v such_o necessary_a direction_n as_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o duty_n i_o must_v distinct_o consider_v it_o in_o both_o its_o respect_n and_o as_o it_o stand_v in_o the_o middle_a between_o the_o two_o extreme_n of_o a_o blind_a obstinacy_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o of_o a_o weak_a instability_n on_o the_o other_o and_o by_o either_o of_o which_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o it_o will_v become_v equal_o destroy_v first_o then_o he_o that_o will_v be_v true_o steadfast_a in_o his_o religion_n must_v take_v heed_n that_o he_o do_v not_o mistake_v obstinacy_n for_o steadfastness_n this_o be_v a_o error_n so_o much_o the_o rather_o to_o be_v remark_v on_o this_o occasion_n in_o that_o a_o daily_a experience_n sad_o show_v we_o at_o once_o both_o the_o danger_n and_o easiness_n of_o such_o a_o mistake_n it_o be_v a_o strange_a perverseness_n in_o some_o man_n that_o they_o make_v it_o no_o less_o than_o a_o mortal_a sin_n to_o have_v any_o doubt_n though_o never_o so_o reasonable_a of_o any_o the_o least_o doctrine_n they_o have_v once_o be_v teach_v to_o profess_v and_o there_o be_v hardly_o a_o immorality_n so_o heinous_a and_o provoke_a so_o contrary_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o so_o destructive_a of_o salvation_n which_o their_o spiritual_a guide_n will_v not_o soon_o overpass_v than_o such_o a_o scruple_n insomuch_o that_o by_o the_o express_a order_n of_o the_o church_n which_o i_o be_o now_o speak_v of_o it_o be_v make_v a_o part_n of_o man_n solemn_a reception_n into_o their_o communion_n etc._n the_o very_a condition_n of_o be_v admit_v into_o a_o state_n of_o proselytism_n with_o they_o not_o only_o to_o abjure_v for_o the_o present_a all_o those_o tenet_n which_o they_o be_v please_v to_o call_v heretical_a but_o also_o to_o imprecate_v upon_o their_o head_n all_o the_o misery_n of_o eternal_a torment_n if_o ever_o they_o suffer_v themselves_o by_o any_o occasion_n or_o argument_n whatsoever_o to_o be_v hereafter_o better_o instruct_v this_o be_v in_o good_a truth_n to_o make_v a_o faction_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o combination_n rather_o than_o a_o constancy_n and_o what_o wretched_a effect_n it_o have_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o unfortunate_a delude_a man_n that_o have_v once_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v thus_o engage_v appear_v in_o this_o that_o no_o rational_a motive_n no_o argument_n though_o never_o so_o clear_a be_v almost_o able_a to_o work_v upon_o they_o the_o sad_a vow_n they_o have_v make_v recur_v continual_o upon_o their_o mind_n they_o have_v swear_v to_o continue_v where_o they_o be_v go_v at_o all_o adventure_n and_o therefore_o they_o now_o as_o obstinate_o resolve_v never_o to_o return_v to_o the_o truth_n as_o they_o once_o weak_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v seduce_v from_o it_o to_o avoid_v such_o a_o unhappy_a obstinacy_n as_o this_o and_o be_v constant_a in_o our_o religion_n upon_o such_o rational_a ground_n as_o may_v justify_v we_o before_o god_n and_o man_n from_o the_o charge_n of_o a_o pertinacious_a firmness_n we_o may_v please_v to_o observe_v these_o follow_a direction_n 1_o sy_n let_v our_o religion_n be_v found_v in_o knowledge_n i._n e._n let_v we_o be_v clear_o and_o evident_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o to_o which_o we_o do_v adhere_v and_o then_o we_o may_v be_v sure_o we_o can_v be_v just_o charge_v with_o obstinacy_n for_o our_o adhere_n to_o it_o he_o who_o take_v up_o his_o religion_n upon_o trust_n that_o receive_v all_o the_o article_n of_o his_o creed_n by_o wholesale_n believe_v as_o his_o church_n believe_v but_o it_o may_v be_v know_v not_o either_o what_o that_o be_v or_o wherefore_o he_o do_v so_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o such_o a_o credulous_a disciple_n as_o this_o may_v be_v blind_o