Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	apostle_n	church_n	time_n	1,642	5	3.9468	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93419	The safe vvay to glory, in several exercises of general use. / By William Smyth M. Ar. R. of Cotton in Suff.	Smith, William, b. 1615 or 16.	1656 (1656)	Wing S4280; Thomason E1686_2; ESTC R209170	74,414	270

inspiration_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o guide_v man_n to_o and_o in_o it_o for_o such_o a_o profession_n must_v be_v very_o unsafe_a and_o dangerous_a for_o these_o reason_n first_o reas._n because_o there_o have_v be_v no_o succession_n of_o any_o such_o immediate_a light_n or_o revelation_n since_o the_o apostle_n age_n when_o they_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o whole_a way_n of_o christ_n first_o plant_v his_o church_n might_n in_o all_o circumstance_n be_v pure_o miraculous_a since_o which_o time_n no_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o any_o place_n or_o at_o any_o time_n have_v make_v profession_n upon_o that_o ground_n till_o the_o late_a enthusiast_n in_o germany_n and_o england_n for_o certain_o if_o that_o have_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o profess_v christ_n that_o church_n which_o be_v a_o city_n on_o a_o hill_n and_o that_o gospel_n which_o be_v the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o have_v leave_v we_o without_o all_o evidence_n and_o precedent_n in_o such_o a_o long_a space_n of_o time_n but_o if_o they_o please_v to_o conclude_v the_o whole_a christian_a world_n in_o darkness_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n to_o this_o period_n though_o they_o think_v it_o nothing_o to_o condemn_v so_o many_o age_n to_o uphold_v their_o own_o phantasm_n yet_o i_o ask_v they_o how_o the_o promise_n to_o the_o church_n be_v effect_v when_o christ_n engage_v to_o send_v the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n to_o guide_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n if_o fourteen_o or_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n together_o the_o whole_a church_n so_o foul_o err_v by_o a_o false_a unlawful_a and_o antichristian_a profession_n but_o because_o they_o lie_v claim_v to_o such_o immediate_a gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n without_o the_o subministration_n of_o learning_n education_n in_o science_n and_o tongue_n and_o such_o like_a preparation_n of_o the_o understanding_n for_o spiritual_a knowledge_n from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n i_o further_o require_v of_o they_o why_o they_o pretend_v to_o some_o of_o those_o miraculous_a gift_n and_o not_o to_o all_o as_o gift_n of_o tongue_n heal_v and_o the_o like_a which_o be_v the_o signification_n and_o proof_n that_o the_o other_o gift_n and_o themselves_o be_v of_o god_n when_o therefore_o their_o ordinary_a discourse_n pretend_a rapture_n pray_n and_o preach_n be_v deliver_v by_o they_o and_o own_v to_o be_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o may_v proceed_v from_o other_o natural_a dexterity_n and_o acquire_v help_n and_o have_v no_o other_o miraculous_a gift_n as_o of_o tongue_n and_o heal_a and_o the_o like_a as_o the_o apostle_n have_v to_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v so_o their_o own_o assertion_n be_v very_o fallible_a and_o the_o profession_n dangerous_a and_o unsafe_a second_o reas._n such_o a_o professinn_n be_v unsafe_a because_o upon_o that_o ground_n the_o devil_n have_v the_o most_o certain_a advantage_n of_o deceive_a man_n indiscoverable_o when_o they_o shall_v once_o be_v persuade_v to_o follow_v the_o voice_n and_o dictate_n of_o a_o indemonstrable_a spirit_n in_o themselves_o or_o other_o whence_o be_v that_o seasonable_a inhibition_n of_o the_o apostle_n 1._o believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n for_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n from_o which_o scripture_n i_o infer_v these_o observation_n to_o strengthen_v the_o argument_n against_o such_o a_o profession_n first_o believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n because_o there_o be_v several_a sort_n of_o spirit_n all_o false_a but_o one_o there_o be_v a_o lie_a spirit_n 20._o and_o a_o perverse_a spirit_n or_o the_o spirit_n of_o error_n as_o the_o septuagint_n render_v it_o 14._o a_o man_n own_o spirit_n {non-roman}_o which_o be_v his_o opinion_n and_o fancy_n there_o be_v also_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o common_a humour_n and_o bent_n of_o every_o present_a time_n 12._o these_o and_o many_o of_o this_o sort_n will_v be_v pretender_n to_o guide_v as_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n therefore_o when_o i_o be_o tempt_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n upon_o the_o bare_a pretence_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o what_o great_a danger_n be_o i_o in_o to_o be_v guide_v by_o a_o false_a spiitit_fw-la there_o be_v many_o to_o one_o true_a spirit_n of_o god_n second_o but_o try_v the_o spirit_n that_o be_v those_o false_a spirit_n shall_v be_v so_o liken_v to_o the_o true_a spirit_n of_o god_n in_o so_o great_a a_o assimulation_n that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v distinguish_v without_o trial_n and_o examination_n and_o this_o be_v no_o wonder_n 14._o when_o satau_n himself_o can_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n and_o his_o deceitful_a agent_n to_o be_v like_o the_o true_a apostle_n of_o christ_n now_o as_o the_o difficulty_n of_o discern_v and_o consequent_o the_o danger_n of_o such_o a_o profession_n of_o the_o true_a spirit_n from_o the_o false_a arise_v from_o their_o similitude_n so_o also_o much_o more_o in_o respect_n of_o what_o reason_n i_o have_v to_o suspect_v myself_o as_o unable_a to_o try_v and_o examine_v they_o aright_o first_o because_o when_o i_o consider_v how_o easy_o my_o judgement_n be_v deceive_v in_o thing_n obvious_a to_o sense_n as_o in_o civil_a difference_n and_o outward_a affair_n how_o much_o more_o fallible_a must_v that_o my_o judgement_n be_v in_o discriminate_v secret_a and_o invisible_a spirit_n lie_v under_o the_o cunning_a artificies_n of_o devil_n and_o evil_a man_n who_o by_o they_o attempt_v to_o seduce_v weak_a soul_n second_o when_o i_o consider_v how_o easy_o i_o may_v be_v prejudicate_v and_o if_o foe_n how_o soon_o and_o certain_o deceive_v when_o a_o prejudgement_n have_v once_o pass_v upon_o the_o mind_n in_o the_o worst_a cause_n that_o ever_o be_v how_o do_v every_o likelihood_n make_v a_o argument_n every_o fallacious_a argument_n grow_v into_o a_o demonstration_n and_o every_o man_n discourse_n of_o the_o same_o judgement_n shall_v have_v a_o indulgence_n and_o a_o belief_n but_o every_o argument_n and_o advise_v person_n to_o the_o contrary_a shall_v be_v sufficient_o answer_v with_o nothing_o but_o a_o suspicion_n and_o a_o contempt_n therefore_o when_o i_o be_o tempt_v to_o a_o religion_n or_o profession_n upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o what_o danger_n do_v i_o expose_v myself_o lest_o i_o shall_v not_o through_o the_o want_n of_o or_o a_o prejudicate_a judgement_n distinguish_v the_o true_a spirit_n from_o the_o false_a when_o they_o be_v both_o make_v as_o like_v as_o light_a to_o light_v three_o because_o many_o false_a prophet_n etc._n etc._n which_o infer_v that_o false_a prophet_n when_o they_o come_v because_o their_o ●ofession_n be_v against_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o visible_a evidence_n must_v pretend_v a_o spirit_n it_o be_v the_o common_a artifice_n of_o seducer_n to_o muffle_v up_o the_o understanding_n of_o their_o follower_n by_o allege_v something_o that_o be_v high_a and_o undiscernible_a like_o some_o astronomer_n who_o betray_v their_o disciple_n to_o a_o ditch_n or_o a_o cheat_n by_o cause_v they_o to_o look_v up_o with_o wonder_n to_o some_o imaginary_a scheme_n of_o nothing_o so_o that_o still_o fuch_o a_o profession_n must_v needs_o be_v unsafe_a because_o it_o be_v forewarn_v and_o prophesy_v that_o false_a prophet_n when_o they_o come_v shall_v have_v this_o mark_n upon_o they_o they_o shall_v pretend_v a_o spirit_n last_o if_o the_o pretend_a ground_n of_o be_v direct_v by_o a_o immediate_a light_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v true_a and_o consequent_o safe_a there_o can_v be_v no_o profession_n more_o regular_a and_o certain_a the_o same_o spirit_n will_v always_o dictate_v the_o same_o thing_n but_o we_o see_v that_o the_o pretender_n to_o the_o spirit_n be_v divide_v into_o legion_n of_o faction_n anabaptist_n catabaptist_n antitrinitarian_n antiscripturist_n ranter_n quaker_n and_o many_o such_o of_o like_a sort_n among_o which_o not_o one_o sect_n agree_v with_o another_o nor_o two_o congregation_n of_o the_o same_o sect_n among_o themselves_o nor_o scarce_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o congregation_n one_o with_o another_o and_o very_o seldom_o the_o same_o member_n at_o any_o one_o time_n with_o what_o he_o be_v himself_o a_o little_a before_o and_o yet_o all_o pretend_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n for_o their_o guide_n from_o whence_o their_o several_a opinion_n be_v as_o unlikely_a to_o proceed_v as_o that_o the_o two_o pole_n shall_v centre_n in_o one_o point_n or_o that_o contradiction_n may_v be_v reconcile_v how_o then_o can_v thou_o be_v safe_a with_o what_o sect_n will_v thou_o join_v profession_n with_o what_o congregation_n of_o that_o sect_n with_o what_o part_n of_o that_o congregation_n and_o then_o in_o what_o opinion_n will_v thou_o join_v such_o as_o they_o maintain_v last_o year_n or_o those_o they_o now_o hold_v or_o such_o as_o they_o be_v like_a to_o take_v up_o the_o next_o now_o to_o

know_v better_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o apostle_n writing_n and_o other_o coincident_a circumstance_n of_o the_o then_o present_a time_n to_o which_o many_o passage_n of_o great_a concernment_n do_v refer_v which_o a_o private_a person_n lay_v aside_o antiquity_n will_v be_v far_o enough_o from_o discern_v and_o so_o most_o likely_a to_o mistake_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o scope_n and_o drift_n of_o such_o holy_a expression_n for_o these_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o the_o learned_a professor_n of_o this_o church_n have_v offer_v the_o trial_n of_o the_o establish_a profession_n by_o scripture_n so_o interpret_v against_o all_o its_o adversary_n and_o i_o will_v instance_n only_o in_o that_o yet_o unanswered_a appeal_n of_o the_o author_n against_o fisher_n the_o jesuit_n in_o these_o word_n 53._o that_o all_o the_o positive_a article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n 15._o be_v ground_v upon_o scripture_n we_o be_v content_v to_o be_v judgby_o the_o joint_n and_o constant_a belief_n of_o the_o father_n which_o live_v within_o four_o or_o five_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n when_o the_o church_n be_v at_o the_o best_a and_o by_o the_o counsel_n hold_v within_o those_o time_n and_o to_o submit_v to_o they_o in_o all_o those_o point_n of_o doctrine_n quest_n what_o be_v the_o three_o direction_n ans._n not_o to_o embrace_v a_o reliligion_n that_o be_v take_v up_o contrary_a to_o a_o receive_a profession_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o plausible_a behaviour_n and_o smoorh_fw-mi conversation_n of_o the_o promoter_n and_o leader_n of_o it_o the_o unsafetiness_n of_o such_o a_o profession_n may_v be_v easy_o observe_v and_o conclude_v first_o because_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o when_o our_o saviour_n give_v a_o caveat_n concerning_o false_a prophet_n he_o foretell_v they_o not_o distinguishable_a by_o their_o outward_a behaviour_n for_o though_o they_o shall_v be_v rave_a wolf_n inward_o 14._o that_o be_v in_o their_o design_n of_o turn_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n yet_o shall_v they_o cover_v their_o villainy_n with_o sheep_n clothing_n that_o be_v so_o great_a a_o proportion_n of_o frame_a sanctimony_n and_o form_v piety_n outward_a innocency_n and_o humility_n or_o so_o much_o of_o either_o or_o all_o of_o they_o as_o may_v advance_v a_o reputation_n of_o their_o new_a doctrine_n to_o a_o discontent_a or_o prejudicate_v people_n this_o st._n paul_n call_v the_o form_n of_o godliness_n to_o uphold_v the_o credit_n of_o such_o as_o forsake_v public_a assembly_n shall_v creep_v into_o house_n 5_o and_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n and_o for_o such_o end_n 14._o it_o be_v as_o easy_a a_o matter_n for_o false_a apostle_n to_o transform_v themselves_o into_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n as_o for_o the_o devil_n himself_o to_o appear_v a_o angel_n of_o light_n as_o st._n paul_n argue_v and_o second_o it_o be_v not_o only_o possible_a for_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o christ_n in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o design_n to_o put_v on_o such_o deceitful_a habit_n of_o outward_a holiness_n and_o therefore_o a_o new_a profession_n take_v up_o upon_o that_o ground_n very_o unsafe_a but_o it_o be_v also_o necessary_a and_o therefore_o the_o more_o dangerous_a that_o such_o bringer_n in_o of_o new_a light_n and_o principle_n must_v pretend_v to_o more_o than_o ordinary_a sanctity_n have_v no_o other_o just_a or_o semblable_a plea_n to_o persuade_v or_o attract_v man_n to_o their_o misguidance_n now_o though_o many_o sad_a experience_n in_o these_o time_n may_v clear_o evince_v this_o assertion_n yet_o i_o appear_v to_o a_o universal_a observation_n of_o the_o ancient_a enemy_n to_o truth_n in_o propagate_a their_o error_n for_o a_o confirmation_n of_o it_o among_o which_o i_o may_v instance_n in_o one_o or_o two_o st._n austin_n mention_v the_o artificy_n of_o the_o manichee_n to_o deceive_v their_o follower_n the_o main_a be_v 1._o that_o they_o carry_v before_o they_o a_o appearance_n of_o a_o pure_a life_n and_o memorable_a continence_n the_o next_o be_v of_o st._n basil_n who_o affirm_v of_o the_o arrian_n that_o for_o their_o fictitious_a holiness_n 82._o they_o get_v a_o general_a belief_n of_o their_o way_n now_o the_o great_a stratagem_n in_o their_o design_n of_o personate_n such_o degree_n of_o holiness_n zeal_n and_o piety_n be_v to_o take_v advantage_n to_o check_v the_o imperfection_n and_o imprudency_n into_o which_o the_o true_a pastor_n of_o the_o church_n by_o time_n and_o peace_n have_v be_v betray_v and_o to_o raise_v a_o repute_n to_o themselves_o by_o their_o odium_fw-la and_o accidesital_a disgrace_n which_o by_o such_o art_n they_o have_v attempt_v to_o put_v upon_o they_o with_o the_o people_n therefore_o such_o a_o profession_n that_o be_v entertain_v only_o upon_o the_o argument_n of_o outward_a sanctity_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o unsafe_a because_o the_o great_a enemy_n to_o christian_a truth_n have_v will_n and_o must_v palliate_v their_o notable_a change_n in_o religion_n by_o such_o pretence_n quest_n but_o what_o can_v you_o say_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o your_o profession_n that_o may_v satisfy_v they_o that_o object_n against_o you_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o life_n of_o your_o minister_n and_o professor_n ans._n first_o we_o know_v and_o can_v prove_v that_o no_o profession_n in_o itself_o contain_v doctrine_n of_o more_o universal_a submission_n to_o all_o the_o command_n of_o christ_n nor_o principle_n more_o oblige_v to_o unity_n peace_n or_o purity_n to_o great_a reverence_n or_o more_o solemn_a worship_n of_o god_n to_o faithful_a subjection_n to_o authority_n or_o pure_a charity_n to_o man_n then_o the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n examine_v but_o this_o poor_a shadow_n of_o its_o religion_n in_o this_o precede_a catechism_n and_o i_o challenge_v any_o man_n to_o a_o objection_n to_o show_v what_o impiety_n to_o god_n injustice_n to_o man_n or_o unsobriety_n in_o ourselves_o in_o body_n or_o mind_n we_o allow_v that_o our_o professor_n and_o minister_n have_v not_o universal_o live_v up_o to_o the_o purity_n of_o its_o doctrine_n be_v as_o certain_o true_a as_o that_o all_o outward_a professor_n of_o christ_n and_o always_o have_v be_v a_o mix_a company_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a which_o the_o ●et_n in_o the_o gospel_n intimate_v to_o which_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n that_o be_v 47._o the_o state_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v liken_v or_o as_o that_o the_o very_a apostle_n and_o first_o follower_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o or_o as_o that_o st._n paul_n in_o most_o if_o not_o in_o all_o his_o epistle_n especial_o to_o the_o corinthian_n 21._o and_o that_o in_o the_o very_a society_n admit_v to_o the_o sacrament_n clear_o evince_v to_o be_v so_o or_o last_o as_o certain_o true_a as_o that_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v be_v so_o in_o all_o age_n and_o place_n now_o in_o this_o mixture_n the_o number_n of_o hypocritical_a and_o loose_a professor_n and_o their_o deviation_n from_o the_o holiness_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v more_o or_o less_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o live_v as_o they_o be_v more_o or_o less_o court_v with_o peace_n and_o prosperity_n or_o oppress_v with_o adversity_n and_o persecution_n it_o often_o fall_v out_o that_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n have_v at_o some_o time_n make_v the_o less_o visible_a progress_n up_o the_o stream_n of_o piety_n as_o the_o strong_a torrent_n and_o wind_n of_o contrary_a temptation_n have_v bear_v they_o down_o and_o oppose_v they_o so_o that_o to_o take_v offence_n and_o quarrel_n against_o a_o religion_n or_o profession_n upon_o the_o argument_n of_o the_o mixture_n of_o the_o professor_n when_o the_o doctrine_n be_v pure_a and_o holy_a be_v most_o unjust_a and_o unreasonable_a and_o may_v be_v evine_v against_o the_o best_a church_n of_o christ_n that_o ever_o be_v or_o will_v be_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v a_o great_a felicity_n and_o glory_n to_o a_o profession_n when_o the_o number_n of_o saint_n increase_v and_o be_v predominant_a when_o god_n honour_n be_v more_o general_o preserve_v and_o his_o worship_n maintain_v godliness_n encourage_v and_o sin_n shame_v and_o strict_o correct_v but_o if_o in_o a_o corrupt_a age_n it_o become_v otherwise_o so_o loug_a as_o the_o establish_a profession_n be_v holy_a in_o itself_o there_o be_v no_o argument_n to_o forsake_v her_o communion_n and_o much_o less_o to_o pursue_v a_o destruction_n to_o the_o religion_n itself_o they_o shall_v rather_o continue_v in_o it_o take_v off_o the_o offence_n from_o it_o and_o make_v it_o better_o by_o their_o exemplary_a live_n then_o to_o make_v the_o offence_n worse_o by_o depart_v from_o it_o or_o to_o take_v the_o task_n of_o a_o enemy_n to_o ruin_v and_o overthrow_v it_o now_o the_o result_n be_v this_o the_o mixture_n of_o all_o the_o best_a church_n