Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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A50949
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The reason of church-government urg'd against prelaty by Mr. John Milton ; in two books.
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Milton, John, 1608-1674.
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1641
(1641)
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Wing M2175; ESTC R3223
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58,920
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68
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although_o hooker_n will_v fain_o have_v this_o denouncement_n refer_v to_o the_o particular_a precept_n go_v before_o because_o the_o word_n commandment_n be_v in_o the_o singular_a number_n not_o remember_v that_o even_o in_o the_o first_o chapt._n of_o this_o epistle_n the_o woâ—_n commandment_n be_v use_v in_o a_o plural_a sense_n vers._n 5._o now_o the_o end_n of_o the_o commandment_n be_v charity_n and_o what_o more_o frequent_a than_o in_o like_o manner_n to_o say_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o that_o either_o to_o restrain_v the_o significance_n too_o much_o or_o too_o much_o to_o inlarg_v it_o will_v make_v the_o adjuration_n either_o not_o so_o weighty_a or_o not_o so_o pertinent_a and_o thus_o we_o find_v here_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o church-discipline_n be_v not_o only_o command_v but_o hedge_v about_o with_o such_o a_o terrible_a impalement_n of_o command_n as_o he_o that_o will_v break_v through_o wilful_o to_o violate_v the_o least_o of_o they_o must_v hazard_v the_o wound_n of_o his_o conscience_n even_o to_o death_n yet_o all_o this_o notwithstanding_o we_o shall_v find_v they_o break_v wellnigh_o all_o by_o the_o fair_a pretender_n even_o of_o the_o next_o age_n no_o less_o to_o the_o contempt_n of_o he_o who_o they_o fain_o to_o be_v the_o archfounder_n of_o prelaty_n s._n peter_n who_o by_o what_o he_o write_v in_o the_o 5_o chap._n of_o his_o first_o epistle_n shall_v seem_v to_o be_v far_o another_o man_n than_o tradition_n report_v he_o there_o he_o commit_v to_o the_o presbyter_n only_o full_a authority_n both_o of_o feed_v the_o flock_n and_o episcopate_v and_o command_v that_o obedience_n be_v give_v to_o they_o as_o to_o the_o mighty_a hand_n of_o god_n which_o be_v his_o mighty_a ordinance_n yet_o all_o this_o be_v as_o nothing_o to_o repel_v the_o venturous_a boldness_n of_o innovation_n that_o ensue_v change_v the_o decree_n of_o god_n that_o be_v immutable_a as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v breathe_v by_o man_n nevertheless_o when_o christ_n by_o those_o vision_n of_o s._n john_n foreshow_v the_o reformation_n of_o his_o church_n he_o bid_v he_o take_v his_o reed_n and_o meet_v it_o out_o again_o after_o the_o first_o pattern_n for_o he_o prescribe_v he_o no_o other_o arise_v say_v the_o angel_n and_o measure_v the_o temple_n of_o god_n and_o the_o altar_n and_o they_o that_o worship_v therein_o what_o be_v there_o in_o the_o world_n can_v measure_v man_n but_o discipline_n our_o word_n rule_v import_v no_o less_o doctrine_n indeed_o be_v the_o measure_n or_o at_o least_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o measure_n it_o be_v true_a but_o unless_o the_o measure_n be_v apply_v to_o that_o which_o it_o be_v to_o measure_v how_o can_v it_o actual_o do_v its_o proper_a work_n whether_o therefore_o discipline_n be_v all_o one_o with_o doctrine_n or_o the_o particular_a application_n thereof_o to_o this_o or_o that_o person_n we_o all_o agree_v that_o doctrine_n must_v be_v such_o only_a as_o be_v commandâ—_z or_o whether_o it_o be_v something_o real_o differ_v from_o doctrine_n yet_o 〈◊〉_d it_o only_o of_o god_n appointment_n as_o be_v the_o most_o adequat_fw-la measure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o her_o child_n which_o be_v here_o the_o office_n of_o a_o grâ—_n evangelist_n and_o the_o reed_n give_v he_o from_o heaven_n but_o that_o parâ—_z of_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v not_o thus_o measure_v so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o be_v 〈◊〉_d god_n tuition_n or_o delight_n that_o in_o the_o follow_a verse_n he_o reject_v iâ—_z however_o in_o show_n and_o visibility_n it_o may_v seem_v a_o part_n of_o his_o church_n yet_o in_o as_o much_o as_o it_o lie_v thus_o unmeasured_a he_o leave_v it_o to_o be_v trample_v by_o the_o gentile_n that_o be_v to_o be_v pollute_v with_o idolatrous_a and_o gentilish_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n and_o the_o the_o principal_a reformation_n here_o foretell_v be_v already_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o well_o in_o discipline_n as_o in_o doctrine_n the_o state_n of_o our_o neighbour_n church_n afford_v we_o to_o behold_v thus_o through_o all_o the_o period_n and_o change_n of_o the_o church_n it_o have_v be_v prove_v that_o god_n have_v still_o reserve_v to_o himself_o the_o right_n of_o enact_v church-government_n chap._n iii_o that_o it_o be_v dangerous_a and_o unworthy_a the_o gospel_n to_o hold_v that_o church-government_n be_v to_o be_v pattern_v by_o the_o law_n as_o b._n andrews_n and_o the_o primate_n of_o armagh_n maintain_v we_o may_v return_v now_o from_o this_o interpose_v difficulty_n thus_o remove_v to_o affiâ—_z i_o that_o since_o church-government_n be_v so_o strict_o command_v in_o god_n word_n the_o first_o and_o great_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v submit_v thereto_o be_v because_o god_n have_v so_o command_v but_o whether_o of_o these_o two_o prelaty_n or_o presbytery_n can_v prove_v itself_o to_o be_v support_v by_o this_o first_o and_o great_a reason_n must_v be_v the_o next_o dispute_n where_o in_o this_o position_n be_v to_o be_v first_o lay_v down_o as_o grant_v that_o i_o may_v not_o follow_v a_o chase_n rather_o than_o aâ—_n argument_n that_o one_o of_o these_o two_o and_o none_o other_o be_v of_o god_n ordain_v and_o if_o it_o be_v that_o ordinance_n must_v be_v evident_a in_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o imperfect_a and_o obscure_a institution_n of_o the_o law_n which_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o doubt_v not_o oâ—_n t-time_n to_o â—_z ilifre_v can_v give_v rule_n to_o the_o complete_a and_o glorious_a ministration_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o look_v on_o the_o law_n as_o on_o a_o child_n not_o as_o on_o a_o tutor_n and_o that_o the_o prelate_n have_v no_o sure_a foundation_n in_o the_o gospel_n their_o own_o guiltiness_n do_v manifest_a they_o will_v not_o else_o run_v quest_v up_o as_o high_a as_o adam_n to_o feâ—_n h_z their_o original_n as_o it_o be_v say_v one_o of_o they_o late_o do_v in_o public_a to_o which_o assertion_n have_v i_o hear_v it_o because_o i_o see_v they_o be_v so_o insatiable_a of_o antiquity_n i_o shall_v have_v glad_o assent_v and_o confess_v they_o yeâ—_z more_o ancient_a for_o lucifer_n before_o adam_n be_v the_o firâ—_z prelaâ—_z angel_n and_o both_o he_o as_o be_v common_o think_v and_o our_o 〈◊〉_d adam_n as_o we_o all_o know_v for_o aspire_v above_o their_o orderâ—_n be_v miserâ—_z bly_z degrade_v but_o other_o better_a advise_v be_v content_a to_o receive_v their_o beginning_n from_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n among_o who_o b._n andrews_n of_o late_a yeâ—_n res_fw-la and_o in_o these_o time_n the_o primate_n of_o armagh_n for_o their_o learning_n be_v repute_v the_o best_a able_a to_o say_v what_o may_v be_v say_v in_o this_o opinion_n the_o primate_n in_o his_o discouâ—_z se_fw-la about_o the_o original_n of_o episcopacy_n new_o revise_v begin_v thus_o the_o ground_n of_o episcoâ—_z cy_fw-fr be_v fetch_v partly_o from_o the_o pattern_n prescribe_v by_o god_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o partly_o from_o the_o imitation_n thereof_o bring_v in_o by_o the_o apostle_n herein_o i_o must_v entreat_v to_o be_v excuse_v of_o the_o desire_n i_o have_v to_o be_v satisfy_v how_o for_o example_n the_o ground_n of_o episcop_n be_v fetch_v partly_o from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o who_o next_o and_o by_o who_o authority_n second_o how_o the_o church-government_n under_o the_o gospel_n can_v be_v right_o call_v a_o imitation_n of_o that_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o end_n and_o fulfil_n of_o the_o law_n our_o liberty_n also_o from_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o law_n i_o plain_o read_v how_o then_o the_o ripe_a age_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o school_v again_o and_o learn_v to_o govern_v herself_o from_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o law_n the_o strong_a to_o imitate_v the_o weak_a the_o freeman_n to_o follow_v the_o captive_a the_o learned_a to_o be_v lesson_v by_o the_o rude_a will_v be_v a_o hard_a undertake_n to_o evince_v from_o any_o of_o those_o principle_n which_o either_o art_n or_o inspiration_n have_v write_v if_o any_o thing_n do_v by_o the_o apostle_n may_v be_v draw_v howsoever_o to_o a_o likeness_n of_o somethiâ—_z g_o mosaical_a if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v do_v of_o purpose_n in_o imitation_n as_o have_v the_o right_a thereof_o ground_v in_o nature_n and_o not_o in_o ceremony_n or_o type_n it_o will_v little_o avail_v the_o matter_n the_o whole_a judaic_a law_n be_v either_o political_a and_o to_o take_v pattern_n by_o that_o no_o christian_a nation_n ever_o think_v itself_o oâ—_n ge_o in_o conscience_n or_o moral_a which_o contain_v in_o it_o the_o observation_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v substantial_o and_o perpetual_o true_a and_o good_a either_o in_o religion_n or_o course_n of_o life_n that_o which_o be_v thus_o moral_a beside_o what_o we_o fâ—_n tch_v from_o those_o unwritten_a law_n and_o idea_n
which_o nature_n have_v engrave_v in_o we_o the_o gospel_n as_o stand_v with_o her_o dignity_n most_o lecture_n to_o we_o from_o her_o own_o authentic_a hand-writing_n and_o command_n not_o copy_n out_o from_o the_o borrow_a manuscript_n of_o a_o subservient_n scrowâ—_z by_o way_n of_o imitate_v as_o well_o may_v she_o be_v say_v in_o she_o sacrameâ—_z of_o water_n to_o imitate_v the_o baptism_n of_o john_n what_o though_o â—_z he_o retain_v excommunication_n â—_z said_a in_o the_o syna_fw-la â—_z ogue_n retain_v the_o morality_n of_o the_o sabbath_n she_o do_v not_o therefore_o imitate_v the_o law_n her_o underling_n but_o perfect_a she_o all_o that_o be_v moral_o deliver_v from_o the_o law_n to_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o office_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n be_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o ministry_n set_v a_o part_n to_o teach_v and_o discipline_n the_o church_n both_o which_o duty_n the_o apostle_n think_v good_a to_o commit_v to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o if_o any_o distinction_n of_o honour_n be_v to_o be_v make_v among_o they_o they_o direct_v it_o shall_v be_v to_o those_o not_o that_o only_a rule_n well_o but_o especial_o to_o those_o that_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n by_o which_o we_o be_v teach_v that_o laborious_a teach_n be_v the_o most_o honourable_a 5â—_z prelaty_n that_o one_o minister_n can_v have_v above_o another_o in_o the_o gospel_n if_o therefore_o the_o superiority_n of_o bishopship_n be_v ground_v on_o the_o priesthood_n as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n it_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o imitation_n for_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a that_o morality_n shall_v imitate_v morality_n which_o ever_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n this_o very_a word_n of_o pattern_v or_o imitate_v exclude_v episcopacy_n from_o the_o solid_a and_o grave_a ethical_a law_n and_o betray_v it_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a child_n of_o ceremony_n or_o likely_a some_o misbegotten_a thing_n that_o have_v pluck_v the_o gay_a feather_n of_o her_o obsolete_a bravery_n to_o â—_z i_o will_v she_o own_o deform_a bareness_n now_o vaunt_v and_o glory_n in_o her_o steal_a plume_n in_o the_o mean_a while_o what_o danger_n there_o be_v against_o the_o very_a life_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o make_v in_o any_o thing_n the_o typical_a law_n her_o pattern_n and_o how_o impossiblâ—_z in_o that_o which_o touch_v the_o priestly_a government_n i_o shall_v use_v such_o light_n as_o i_o have_v receive_v to_o lay_v open_a â—_z t_o can_v be_v unknown_a by_o what_o expression_n the_o holy_a apostle_n s._n paul_n sparâ—_z be_v not_o to_o explain_v to_o we_o the_o naâ—_z ure_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o lâ—_z call_v those_o oâ—_z dinance_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a and_o 〈◊〉_d office_n of_o the_o priest_n the_o element_n and_o rudiment_n of_o the_o world_n both_o weak_a and_o beggarly_a now_o to_o brâ—_n ed_z and_o bring_v up_o the_o childâ—_z en_fw-fr of_o the_o promise_n the_o heir_n of_o liberty_n and_o grace_n under_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o government_n as_o be_v profess_v to_o be_v but_o a_o imitation_n of_o that_o ministry_n which_o engender_v to_o bâ—_n ndage_n the_o soâ—_n s_o of_o agar_n how_o can_v this_o 〈◊〉_d but_o a_o foul_a injury_n and_o derogation_n if_o not_o a_o cancel_n of_o that_o birthright_n and_o immunity_n which_o christ_n have_v purchase_v for_o we_o with_o his_o blood_n for_o the_o ministration_n of_o the_o law_n consist_v of_o câ—_z all_o thing_n draw_v to_o it_o such_o a_o ministry_n as_o consist_v of_o caâ—_z all_o respect_n dignity_n precedence_n and_o the_o like_a and_o such_o a_o ministry_n establish_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o point_n and_o terâ—_n of_o superiority_n and_o nest_n itself_o in_o worldly_a honour_n will_v draw_v to_o it_o and_o we_o see_v it_o do_v such_o a_o religion_n as_o â—_z unne_n back_o again_o to_o the_o old_a pomp_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o flesh_n for_o doubtless_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a attraction_n and_o magnetic_a force_n betwixt_o the_o religion_n and_o the_o ministerial_a form_n thereof_o if_o the_o religion_n be_v pure_a spiritual_a simple_a and_o lowly_a as_o the_o gospel_n most_o true_o be_v such_o must_v the_o face_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v and_o in_o like_o manner_n if_o the_o form_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v ground_v in_o the_o worldly_a degree_n of_o authority_n honour_n temporal_a jurisdiction_n we_o see_v it_o with_o our_o eye_n it_o will_v turn_v the_o inward_a power_n and_o purity_n of_o the_o gospel_n into_o the_o outward_a carnality_n of_o the_o law_n evaporate_n and_o exhale_v the_o internal_a worship_n into_o empty_a conformity_n and_o gay_a shâ—_z be_v and_o what_o remain_v then_o but_o that_o we_o shall_v run_v into_o as_o dangerous_a and_o deadly_a apostasy_n aâ—_z our_o lament_a neighbour_n the_o papist_n who_o by_o this_o very_a snire_n and_o pitfall_n of_o imitate_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n fall_v into_o that_o irrecoverable_a superstition_n as_o must_v needâ—_z make_v void_a the_o covâ—_z nant_fw-la of_o salvation_n to_o they_o that_o persist_v in_o this_o blindness_n chap._n iv._o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o make_v the_o priesthood_n of_o aaron_n a_o pattern_n whereon_o to_o ground_v episcopacy_n that_o which_o be_v promise_v next_o be_v to_o declare_v the_o impossibility_n of_o ground_v evangelic_a government_n in_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o jewish_a priesthood_n which_o will_v be_v do_v by_o consider_v both_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o person_n and_o the_o office_n itself_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n be_v the_o prince_n of_o their_o tribe_n before_o they_o be_v sanctify_v to_o the_o priesthood_n that_o personal_a eminence_n which_o they_o hold_v above_o the_o other_o levite_n they_o receive_v not_o only_o from_o their_o office_n but_o partly_o bring_v it_o into_o their_o office_n and_o so_o from_o that_o time_n forward_o the_o priest_n be_v not_o choose_v out_o of_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o levite_n as_o our_o bishop_n but_o be_v bear_v inheritor_n of_o the_o dignity_n therefore_o unless_o we_o shall_v choose_v our_o prelatâ—_n only_o out_o of_o the_o nobility_n and_o let_v they_o run_v in_o a_o blood_n there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a imitation_n of_o lording_n over_o their_o brethren_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o person_n altogether_o unlike_o as_o for_o the_o office_n which_o be_v a_o representation_n of_o christ_n own_o person_n more_o immediate_o in_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o of_o his_o whole_a priestly_a office_n in_o all_o the_o other_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o which_o the_o levite_n be_v but_o as_o servitor_n and_o deacon_n it_o be_v necessary_a there_o shall_v be_v a_o distinction_n of_o dignity_n between_o two_o function_n of_o so_o great_a odâ—_z but_o there_o be_v no_o such_o difference_n among_o our_o minister_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o deacon_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o found_v a_o 〈◊〉_d upon_o the_o imitation_n of_o this_o priesthood_n for_o wherein_o or_o in_o wâ—_z work_n be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o prelate_n excellent_a above_o that_o of_o a_o paâ—_n in_o ordination_n you_o will_v say_v but_o flat_o against_o scripture_n for_o there_o we_o know_v timothy_n receive_v ordination_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbyâ—_z y_fw-es notwithstanding_o all_o the_o vain_a delusion_n that_o be_v use_v to_o 〈◊〉_d that_o testimony_n and_o maintain_v a_o unwarrantable_a usurpation_n but_o wherefore_o shall_v ordination_n be_v a_o cause_n of_o set_v up_o a_o superior_a degree_n in_o the_o churchâ—_z be_v not_o that_o whereby_o christ_n become_v our_o saviour_n a_o high_a and_o great_a work_n then_o that_o whereby_o he_o do_v ordaiâ—_z e_fw-la messenger_n to_o preach_v and_o publish_v he_o our_o saviour_n every_o minister_n sustain_v the_o person_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o high_a work_n of_o communicate_v to_o we_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o have_v the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o absolve_a how_o shall_v he_o need_v a_o high_a dignity_n to_o represent_v or_o execute_v that_o which_o be_v a_o inferior_a work_n in_o christ_n why_o shall_v the_o performance_n of_o ordination_n which_o be_v a_o low_a office_n exalt_v a_o prelate_n and_o not_o the_o seldom_o discharge_v of_o a_o high_a and_o more_o noble_a office_n 〈◊〉_d be_v preach_v and_o administer_a much_o rather_o depressehim_v very_o neither_o the_o nature_n nor_o the_o example_n of_o ordinationdoth_v any_o way_n require_v a_o imparity_n between_o the_o ordainer_n and_o the_o ordain_v for_o what_o more_o natural_a than_o every_o like_o to_o produce_v his_o like_o man_n to_o beget_v man_n fire_n to_o propagate_v fire_n and_o in_o example_n of_o high_a opiâ—â—on_n the_o ordainer_n be_v inferior_a to_o the_o ordain_v foâ—_n the_o pope_n be_v not_o maâ—_z e_fw-la by_o the_o precedent_a pope_n but_o by_o cardinal_n who_o ordain_v and_o consecrate_v to_o a_o high_a and_o great_a office_n than_o their_o own_o chap._n v._o to_o the_o