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ground_n christian_n clear_a great_a 48 3 2.1448 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A34207 A guide to the true religion, or, A discourse directing to make a wise choice of that religion men venture their salvation upon seasonable for these times wherein there are such diversities of opinions and wayes of religion : to inform the ignorant, to resolve the wavering, and to confirm the weak / by I.C., M.A. of T.C.C. I. C., M.A. of T.C.C. 1669 (1669) Wing C57; ESTC R5667 45,610 112

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matter_n which_o yet_o be_v disputable_a among_o the_o wise_a and_o godly_a and_o you_o shall_v be_v necessitate_v to_o be_v of_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o persuasion_n or_o way_n then_o let_v every_o one_o do_v that_o which_o he_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n to_o be_v best_a and_o most_o please_a to_o god_n nor_o dare_v to_o go_v against_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o own_o conscience_n 10._o see_v ames_n case_n l._n 1._o c._n 5_o q._n 1._o sanders_n lect_v 3._o de_fw-fr juram_fw-la sect._n 10._o which_o god_n have_v set_v up_o as_o his_o vicegerent_n in_o the_o soul_n nor_o subject_v himself_o to_o the_o judgement_n or_o authority_n of_o any_o other_o as_o lord_n of_o his_o faith_n i_o say_v believe_v and_o embrace_v that_o opinion_n and_o walk_v in_o that_o practice_n but_o yet_o to_o this_o 1_o humble_o with_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o your_o own_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n not_o proud_o censure_v and_o contemn_v such_o as_o differ_v from_o your_o persuasion_n 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from_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o be_v even_o turn_v unto_o beast_n foolish_a be_v they_o and_o ignorant_a to_o use_v the_o psalmist_n word_n psal_n 73._o and_o even_o in_o this_o point_n as_o beast_n as_o far_o below_o man_n as_o nabuchadnezzar_n be_v when_o he_o do_v eat_v grass_n as_o the_o ox_n and_o couch_v among_o the_o beast_n for_o such_o violate_v the_o very_a law_n of_o nature_n which_o have_v teach_v all_o nation_n however_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a to_o take_v up_o some_o profession_n of_o religion_n they_o transgress_v also_o the_o write_a law_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v give_v in_o his_o word_n and_o will_v judge_v man_n by_o at_o the_o last_o day_n which_o require_v solemn_a worship_n and_o service_n from_o the_o son_n of_o man_n they_o bring_v themselves_o direct_o under_o the_o curse_n or_o imprecation_n jer._n 10.25_o pour_v out_o thy_o fury_n upon_o the_o heathen_a and_o upon_o the_o family_n that_o call_v not_o on_o thy_o name_n the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v 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a_o guide_n to_o the_o true_a religion_n or_o a_o discourse_n direct_v to_o make_v a_o wise_a choice_n of_o that_o religion_n man_n venture_v their_o salvation_n upon_o seasonable_a for_o these_o time_n wherein_o there_o be_v such_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n and_o way_n of_o religion_n to_o inform_v the_o ignorant_a to_o resolve_v the_o waver_a and_o to_o confirm_v the_o weak_a by_o i._n c._n m._n a._n of_o t._n c._n c._n josh_n 24.15_o and_o if_o it_o seem_v evil_a unto_o you_o to_o serve_v the_o lord_n choose_v you_o this_o day_n who_o you_o will_v serve_v whether_o the_o god_n but_o as_o for_o i_o and_o my_o house_n we_o will_v serve_v the_o lord_n edinburgh_n print_v by_o andrew_n anderson_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o house_n on_o the_o north_n side_n of_o the_o cross_n anno_fw-la 1669._o a_o premonition_n to_o the_o reader_n show_v the_o occasion_n and_o intendment_n of_o the_o discourse_n courteous_a reader_n there_o be_v no_o good_a christian_n but_o be_v ready_a upon_o all_o just_a occasion_n to_o express_v his_o sad_a resentment_n of_o the_o woeful_a division_n and_o dangerous_a error_n wherewith_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o these_o kingdom_n have_v be_v for_o many_o year_n past_a and_o still_o be_v so_o distract_v for_o notwithstanding_o that_o our_o civil_a war_n be_v through_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n endid_a yet_o our_o religious_a jar_n and_o rent_n be_v not_o heal_v indeed_o how_o can_v any_o pious_a soul_n consider_v the_o great_a dishonour_n do_v thereby_o to_o the_o holy_a name_n of_o god_n the_o reproach_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o great_a scandal_n to_o those_o sometime_o famous_a church_n which_o be_v now_o hereby_o become_v infamous_a through_o the_o world_n yea_o the_o apparent_a ruin_n threaten_v by_o these_o thing_n and_o not_o break_v out_o into_o sad_a lamentation_n for_o the_o same_o sure_o this_o 〈◊〉_d a_o lamentaion_n and_o shall_v be_v for_o a_o lamentation_n and_o although_o the_o serious_a consideration_n of_o those_o evil_n in_o order_n to_o the_o repair_n and_o heal_v of_o they_o and_o the_o prevent_v the_o public_a ruin_n threaten_v to_o the_o church_n and_o state_n thereby_o belong_v to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o zeal_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o place_n of_o eminency_n and_o be_v vest_v with_o power_n and_o authority_n requisite_a thereunto_o yet_o private_a christian_n in_o a_o low_a station_n and_o capacity_n can_v but_o have_v their_o eye_n upon_o the_o sad_a influence_n those_o ●●ings_n have_v upon_o their_o dear_a friend_n and_o neighbour_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v and_o in_o their_o behalf_n meditate_v upon_o some_o remedy_n for_o the_o same_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o malignant_a influence_n these_o thing_n have_v on_o the_o common_a sort_n be_v very_o sad_a whilst_o gaze_v on_o those_o sad_a contest_a matter_n of_o religion_n some_o continue_v mere_a sceptic_n ever_o waver_v and_o not_o know_v what_o way_n of_o religion_n to_o choose_v and_o so_o neglect_v to_o be_v of_o any_o some_o be_v profess_v atheist_n or_o profane_a wretch_n other_o be_v seduce_v into_o dangerous_a error_n as_o popery_n socinianism_n quakerism_n etc._n etc._n many_o engage_v in_o contention_n they_o know_v not_o why_o nor_o for_o what_o and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n woeful_o stumble_v in_o their_o profession_n the_o intendment_n of_o these_o paper_n be_v to_o propose_v some_o help_n against_o those_o evil_n and_o to_o guide_v and_o direct_v those_o that_o be_v apt_a to_o miscarry_v through_o occasion_n of_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n and_o way_n find_v a_o among_o we_o wherein_o they_o be_v first_o excite_v to_o make_v a_o wise_a choice_n of_o that_o religion_n they_o venture_v their_o eternal_a salvation_n upon_o and_o be_v inform_v how_o to_o do_v it_o endeavour_n be_v use_v to_o fix_v and_o establish_v they_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o great_a and_o fundamental_a doctrine_n and_o duty_n threrof_o necessary_a unto_o salvation_n which_o have_v be_v own_v by_o all_o christian_n and_o church_n in_o all_o place_n and_o age_n and_o to_o persuade_v to_o believe_v and_o obey_v they_o as_o that_o whereupon_o their_o eternal_a safety_n depend_v then_o our_o discourse_n descend_v to_o point_n of_o a_o secondary_a and_o inferior_a nature_n that_o be_v controvert_v among_o wise_a and_o godly_a christian_n and_o direction_n be_v lay_v down_o how_o to_o find_v out_o the_o right_n and_o safe_a way_n for_o faith_n and_o practice_n in_o such_o thing_n especial_o when_o we_o be_v necessitate_v to_o hold_v forth_o a_o profession_n of_o ourselves_o therein_o wherewith_o be_v show_v also_o what_o tenderness_n and_o respect_n be_v to_o be_v use_v towards_o those_o that_o differ_v from_o we_o in_o those_o thing_n whilst_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o carry_v it_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n with_o those_o that_o err_v fundemental_o and_o subvert_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o religion_n all_o which_o counsel_v be_v evidence_v to_o be_v good_a and_o wholesome_a will_v manifest_o declare_v those_o to_o be_v the_o most_o approve_a and_o judicious_a christian_n who_o under_o all_o those_o great_a change_n and_o revolution_n which_o have_v be_v among_o we_o of_o latter_a time_n have_v especial_o exercise_v their_o zeal_n for_o the_o maintain_n of_o the_o fundament_n all_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o practice_n and_o power_n of_o godliness_n as_o also_o for_o the_o preserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o love_n and_o union_n among_o christian_n whilst_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o have_v show_v great_a moderation_n and_o condescension_n towards_o those_o that_o differ_v in_o controvert_v point_n of_o a_o low_a nature_n even_o to_o a_o degree_n of_o compliance_n also_o with_o the_o stream_n of_o the_o time_n in_o some_o thing_n which_o seem_v in_o themselves_o less_o desirable_a and_o inconvenient_a provide_v in_o their_o conscience_n they_o judge_v they_o not_o to_o be_v sinful_a if_o conduce_v to_o the_o furtherance_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o salvation_n of_o soul_n indeed_o this_o will_v be_v judge_v by_o some_o rash_a and_o censorious_a spirit_n to_o be_v hypocrisy_n time-serving_a ere_fw-we self-seeking_a and_o such_o person_n may_v be_v brand_v for_o temporizer_n turn-coat_n or_o apostate_n or_o what_o not_o but_o when_o thing_n shall_v be_v consider_v in_o calmness_n and_o sobriety_n such_o will_v be_v find_v the_o great_a friend_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o such_o action_n most_o consonant_a to_o scripture_n command_v and_o to_o the_o example_n of_o the_o saint_n record_v therein_o whereas_o such_o as_o be_v find_v depart_v from_o any_o fundamental_a and_o general_o confess_v point_n of_o faith_n or_o practice_n these_o imputation_n may_v be_v more_o warrantable_o charge_v upon_o they_o reader_n let_v these_o sad_a and_o woeful_a difference_n error_n and_o debate_n provoke_v thou_o to_o examine_v the_o ground_n thy_o profession_n be_v build_v upon_o to_o study_v more_o the_o verity_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o be_v better_o establish_v therein_o to_o understand_v believe_v love_n and_o obey_v the_o great_a and_o necessary_a principle_n thereof_o humble_o to_o seek_v of_o god_n the_o discovery_n of_o his_o mind_n in_o thing_n more_o dark_a and_o controvert_v and_o to_o exercise_v more_o christian_a love_n and_o charity_n those_o that_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n or_o practice_n with_o thou_o therein_o and_o then_o thou_o will_v be_v secure_v from_o the_o danger_n of_o those_o evil_n yea_o they_o will_v prove_v advantageous_a to_o thy_o great_a good_a although_o intend_v by_o satan_n for_o thy_o hurt_n to_o help_v thou_o herein_o be_v the_o intendment_n and_o design_n of_o this_o discourse_n in_o order_n whereunto_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v humble_o implore_v to_o go_v along_o with_o the_o same_o the_o content_n of_o the_o several_a chapter_n chap._n 1._o religion_n the_o grand_a concernment_n of_o man_n in_o this_o world_n great_a difference_n about_o it_o necessity_n of_o a_o wise_a and_o deliberate_a choose_n one_o religion_n a_o proposition_n lay_v down_o which_o be_v the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n page_n 1._o chap._n 2._o show_v wherein_o this_o wise_a choose_v once_o religion_n stand_v and_o what_o act_n concur_v thereunto_o page_n 5._o chap._n 3._o consideration_n evidence_v it_o a_o principal_a point_n of_o wisdom_n for_o a_o man_n to_o make_v a_o right_a choice_n of_o that_o religion_n he_o profess_v in_o the_o world_n and_o venture_v his_o eternal_a salvation_n upon_o page_n 13_o chap._n 4._o wherein_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v insist_v upon_o and_o direction_n give_v how_o to_o choose_v the_o true_a religion_n among_o so_o many_o as_o be_v in_o the_o world_n all_o other_o religion_n be_v
thing_n that_o there_o seem_v nothing_o more_o requisite_a to_o be_v say_v by_o way_n of_o reply_n thereunto_o thus_o much_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v certify_v because_o some_o have_v slight_v mr._n ball_n book_n not_o deem_v it_o worth_a read_n because_o sufficient_o answer_v by_o mr._n cotton_n whereas_o indeed_o this_o book_n may_v serve_v for_o a_o sufficient_a reply_n to_o his_o answer_n chap._n ix_o wherein_o be_v lay_v down_o some_o general_a rule_n of_o caution_n to_o preserve_v christian_n from_o rash_a and_o unjust_a separation_n the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o discourse_n although_o the_o answer_v all_o objection_n and_o satisfy_v every_o scruple_n that_o may_v occur_v about_o this_o point_n of_o communion_n with_o the_o congregation_n in_o england_n be_v a_o work_n too_o large_a to_o be_v undertake_v in_o these_o paper_n and_o indeed_o needless_a in_o respect_n of_o that_o abundant_a pain_n take_v therein_o by_o those_o writer_n before_o refer_v to_o yet_o because_o i_o may_v not_o leave_v the_o sober_a and_o humble_a christian_a altogether_o without_o help_n that_o be_v desirous_a to_o find_v something_o here_o that_o may_v satisfy_v his_o conscience_n about_o the_o premise_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o some_o general_a rule_n of_o caution_n which_o be_v due_o consider_v and_o improve_v may_v through_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o lord_n much_o conduce_v to_o prevent_v or_o heal_v rash_a and_o unjust_a separation_n which_o be_v these_o that_o follow_v 1._o do_v not_o rash_o separate_v for_o such_o thing_n as_o have_v be_v find_v in_o almost_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n upon_o earth_n both_o in_o former_a and_o latter_a time_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o though_o we_o say_v not_o the_o church_n be_v so_o absolute_o infallible_a that_o it_o can_v err_v in_o the_o least_o particular_a yet_o we_o may_v easy_o defend_v that_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o all_o place_n and_o age_n can_v err_v so_o dangerous_o so_o as_o good_a christian_n ought_v not_o to_o keep_v communion_n with_o she_o but_o be_v bind_v to_o make_v separation_n from_o she_o for_o this_o will_v infer_v that_o she_o have_v whole_o fall_v from_o christ_n and_o her_o bond_n of_o union_n with_o he_o be_v dissolve_v and_o he_o be_v no_o long_o present_v with_o she_o for_o till_o than_o christian_n be_v not_o whole_o to_o separate_v from_o she_o yea_o that_o christ_n have_v no_o church_n in_o the_o world_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o so_o what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o promise_n of_o christ_n that_o hell_n gate_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o she_o that_o he_o will_v be_v with_o she_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n that_o he_o will_v send_v his_o spirit_n to_o lead_v she_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o it_o shall_v abide_v with_o she_o for_o ever_o which_o promise_v though_o direct_o and_o primary_o they_o be_v make_v to_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v the_o special_a presence_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n in_o the_o most_o eminent_a manner_n yet_o be_v make_v to_o they_o for_o the_o behoof_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a and_o shall_v be_v verify_v to_o it_o this_o due_o consider_v will_v much_o prevent_v the_o scandal_n take_v at_o bishop_n at_o form_n of_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n for_o who_o be_v there_o if_o acquaint_v with_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n that_o know_v not_o that_o bishop_n even_o in_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o other_o minister_n have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n almost_o universal_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n to_o our_o day_n and_o that_o set_v form_n of_o prayer_n have_v be_v of_o exceed_v long_a continuance_n in_o the_o christian_a curche_n through_o the_o world_n therefore_o such_o as_o separate_v for_o these_o thing_n now_o must_v have_v be_v lead_v by_o the_o same_o principle_n to_o have_v separate_v from_o almost_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n upon_o earth_n which_o thing_n how_o dangerous_a it_o be_v need_v not_o much_o to_o be_v speak_v to_o she_o to_o manifest_v the_o same_o 2._o let_v not_o inconvenience_n defect_n addition_n or_o error_n circumstantial_a cause_v you_o to_o withdraw_v communion_n whole_o from_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o substantial_a duty_n of_o god_n worship_n where_o the_o essential_o be_v preserve_v though_o some_o lesser_a evil_n may_v be_v find_v do_v not_o utter_o refuse_v communion_n there_o the_o lord_n jesus_n will_v not_o reject_v such_o church_n therefore_o do_v not_o you_o 24._o ames_n eas_fw-la lib_fw-la 4._o cap_n 24._o this_o have_v pass_v for_o good_a divinity_n general_o among_o nonconformist_n who_o acknowledge_v communion_n may_v be_v maintain_v where_o some_o divine_a institution_n be_v want_v and_o some_o humane_a additament_n mere_o extrinsical_a be_v join_v to_o divine_a worship_n 3.12_o commis_fw-la paper_n p._n 3.12_o they_o say_v that_o where_o the_o substantial_o of_o worship_n be_v preserve_v 2.15_o bayne_n on_o eph_n 2.15_o though_o the_o external_a form_n and_o mode_n be_v more_o inconvenient_a disorderly_a and_o defective_a 35._o hilders_n on_o ps_n 51._o lect._n 35._o yet_o it_o be_v lawful_a yea_o a_o duty_n to_o offer_v such_o worship_n to_o god_n rather_o than_o none_o at_o all_o that_o what_o ever_o be_v not_o in_o our_o power_n to_o reform_v it_o shall_v be_v our_o zeal_n and_o piety_n to_o tolerate_v and_o with_o patience_n to_o bear_v &_o in_o such_o church_n there_o may_v be_v more_o cause_n to_o rejoice_v then_o to_o grieve_v indeed_o the_o contrary_a practice_n will_v lead_v to_o separation_n from_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n upon_o earth_n for_o which_o of_o they_o all_o be_v perfect_a 3._o as_o christian_n shall_v fly_v from_o what_o be_v real_o idolatry_n will-worship_n antichristianism_n popery_n etc._n etc._n so_o let_v they_o not_o be_v affright_v with_o those_o name_n when_o impose_v on_o thing_n without_o good_a ground_n lest_o they_o be_v scare_v from_o necessary_a duty_n and_o worship_n for_o these_o terrify_a name_n have_v be_v abusive_o apply_v to_o deter_v weak_a people_n from_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n e._n g._n idolatry_n will-worship_n imagery_n have_v be_v charge_v upon_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n and_o they_o have_v be_v censure_v to_o be_v forbid_v in_o the_o second_o commandment_n but_o what_o christian_n not_o prepossess_v beforehand_o with_o prejudice_n against_o they_o can_v find_v they_o therein_o condemn_v or_o in_o any_o of_o the_o commentary_n of_o the_o prophet_n or_o apostle_n or_o in_o any_o exposition_n of_o ancient_a or_o modern_a writer_n till_o some_o few_o of_o latter_a time_n may_v not_o any_o simple_a plain_a heart_a christian_n to_o who_o apprehension_n the_o scripture_n be_v suit_v in_o all_o necessary_a duty_n psal_n 19.7_o profess_v he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o see_v any_o such_o thing_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o find_v set_v form_n not_o only_o use_v and_o prescribe_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o also_o in_o the_o new_a he_o find_v jesus_n christ_n give_v a_o form_n to_o his_o disciple_n as_o john_n do_v to_o he_o and_o how_o can_v he_o then_o resent_v those_o charge_n of_o imagery_n idolatry_n superstition_n but_o as_o mere_a scare-crow_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o charge_n of_o popery_n draw_v up_o by_o some_o against_o the_o present_a form_n of_o prayer_n by_o law_n establish_v that_o they_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o mass_n book_n be_v popish_a prayer_n etc._n etc._n which_o affright_v some_o poor_a weak_a christian_n they_o be_v afraid_a to_o come_v near_o they_o when_o as_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o 1._o they_o be_v compile_v by_o sundry_a godly_a man_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n some_o of_o they_o afterward_o martyr_n in_o queen_n marys_n day_n &_o be_v ever_o high_o value_v by_o they_o 2._o the_o papist_n have_v ever_o have_v they_o in_o detestation_n queen_n mary_n be_v report_v to_o have_v raze_v they_o out_o of_o the_o parliament_n record_n so_o as_o it_o can_v not_o till_o some_o have_v late_a act_n pass_v be_v well_o know_v which_o be_v the_o authorize_v book_n and_o harding_n their_o great_a champion_n say_v of_o it_o in_o his_o dispute_n with_o bishop_n jewel_n on_o art_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o service_n as_o their_o good_a catholic_n can_v join_v with_o we_o in_o not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n but_o because_o say_v he_o many_o necessary_a thing_n be_v want_v in_o it_o and_o many_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o the_o faith_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n 3._o popery_n can_v return_v upon_o we_o whilst_o the_o say_a common-prayer-book_n be_v keep_v unaltered_a how_o can_v their_o proper_a sacrifice_n communion_n in_o one_o kind_n prayer_n to_o saint_n etc._n etc._n come_v in_o whilst_o this_o be_v keep_v up_o and_o observe_v and_o as_o for_o the_o take_v these_o prayer_n out_o of_o the_o