Selected quad for the lemma: power_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
power_n	authority_n	church_n	government_n	7,842	5	6.9147	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85839	Analysis. The loosing of St. Peters bands; : setting forth the true sense and solution of the covenant in point of conscience so far as it relates to the government of the church by episcopacy. / By John Gauden ...	Gauden, John, 1605-1662.	1660 (1660)	Wing G340; ESTC R202274	13,622	28

old_a last_o i_o may_v true_o allege_v against_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o there_o be_v no_o precept_n or_o pattern_n for_o any_o such_o in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n nor_o in_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n we_o never_o read_v nor_o hear_v of_o any_o covenant_a christian_n until_o the_o ligue_n saint_n in_o france_n except_o those_o who_o in_o one_o baptism_n be_v sprinkle_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o so_o enter_v into_o that_o covenant_n which_o god_n make_v with_o we_o and_o we_o with_o he_o in_o that_o holy_a laver_n of_o regeneration_n this_o be_v the_o new_a and_o evangelical_n covenant_n of_o all_o true_a christian_n this_o we_o break_v by_o wilful_a and_o presumptuous_a sin_n this_o we_o renew_v by_o true_a repentance_n and_o by_o worthy_a participation_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n §_o how_o vast_o different_a from_o this_o sacred_a covenant_n this_o late_a piece_n of_o policy_n more_o than_o piety_n be_v and_o how_o little_a the_o true_a covenant_n of_o a_o christian_a bind_v he_o by_o his_o baptism_n or_o repentance_n or_o the_o eucharist_n against_o all_o episcopal_a government_n i_o leave_v to_o all_o soberminded_n christian_n to_o judge_v since_o both_o the_o power_n of_o ordain_v minister_n and_o by_o they_o to_o consecrate_v and_o celebrate_v both_o sacrament_n be_v ever_o derive_v from_o and_o by_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o chief_n conservator_n cistern_n and_o conduit_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n and_o ministerial_a power_n from_o the_o very_a apostle_n the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n act_v 1._o who_o have_v the_o same_o immediate_o from_o christ_n who_o be_v and_o ever_o be_v the_o great_a bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o our_o soul_n to_o feed_v and_o rule_v his_o church_n not_o only_o by_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n but_o by_o such_o shepherd_n and_o ruler_n as_o he_o have_v in_o all_o age_n set_v over_o his_o flock_n of_o which_o bishop_n be_v ever_o esteem_v the_o angel_n precedent_n or_o chief_n father_n who_o utter_o to_o destroy_v and_o violent_o to_o extirpate_v out_o of_o this_o or_o any_o christian_a church_n be_v not_o only_o to_o offer_v signal_n and_o intolerable_a injury_n to_o the_o person_n of_o such_o excellent_a bishop_n as_o england_n late_o have_v and_o still_o may_v have_v but_o further_a mighty_o to_o abate_v the_o honour_n of_o this_o whole_a church_n and_o its_o ministry_n by_o take_v away_o all_o the_o reward_n and_o encouragement_n of_o learning_n and_o religion_n yea_o and_o to_o scandalize_v all_o church_n by_o abolish_n such_o a_o venerable_a order_n and_o universal_a custom_n in_o the_o church_n as_o have_v no_o origine_fw-la but_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o look_v very_o like_o a_o immediate_a institution_n of_o christ_n either_o preceptive_a and_o explicit_a or_o tacit_a and_o exemplary_a rigour_n the_o just_a abatement_n of_o covenanter_n heat_n and_o rigour_n §_o so_o that_o if_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o covenant-maker_n and_o taker_n to_o extirpate_v and_o abolish_v not_o the_o abuse_n but_o the_o very_a use_n of_o all_o episcopal_a order_n and_o government_n the_o great_a boanergess_n who_o thunder_n out_o so_o much_o terror_n against_o covenant-breaking_a may_v do_v much_o more_o justice_n and_o execution_n if_o they_o turn_v the_o mouth_n of_o their_o canon_n against_o such_o covenant-taking_a which_o be_v better_o break_v than_o keep_v in_o any_o unlawful_a sense_n and_o best_a of_o all_o when_o not_o at_o all_o take_v with_o any_o such_o intention_n which_o be_v as_o presumptuous_a as_o it_o be_v preposterous_a §_o these_o thing_n be_v thus_o premise_v be_v sufficient_a as_o i_o conceive_v to_o abate_v the_o edge_n and_o rigour_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o to_o its_o antipathy_n against_o all_o episcopacy_n and_o to_o ravel_v that_o cable_n or_o bond_n of_o religious_a obligation_n which_o some_o man_n do_v seem_v to_o twist_v and_o urge_v upon_o poor_a people_n conscience_n in_o that_o point_n when_o in_o good_a earnest_n there_o be_v neither_o law_n of_o god_n or_o man_n require_v impose_v or_o comprobate_v any_o such_o covenant_n by_o any_o national_a or_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n so_o that_o it_o appear_v at_o best_o to_o be_v but_o a_o matter_n of_o will_n worship_n of_o humane_a and_o private_a invention_n void_a of_o public_a and_o plenary_a injunction_n esteem_v by_o many_o but_o as_o a_o stratagem_n of_o state_n a_o flag_n of_o faction_n a_o engine_n frame_v on_o purpose_n to_o batter_v down_o episcopacy_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o england_n in_o order_n to_o obtain_v the_o spoil_n of_o they_o not_o to_o punish_v and_o amend_v the_o evil_a that_o may_v be_v in_o episcopal_a government_n or_o in_o some_o bishop_n and_o other_o minister_n but_o to_o seize_v all_o their_o estate_n and_o all_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o great_a enrich_n of_o some_o sacrilegious_a protestant_n to_o the_o gratify_n of_o some_o presbyter_n envy_n and_o revenge_n but_o most_o of_o all_o to_o the_o great_a joy_n and_o triumph_v of_o the_o romish_a party_n and_o jesuitick_a design_n which_o be_v think_v by_o many_o wise_a man_n to_o have_v be_v if_o not_o the_o sire_n yet_o the_o sib_n to_o that_o covenant_n that_o they_o may_v help_v to_o spread_v it_o as_o a_o snare_n in_o mizpeh_n thereby_o to_o catch_v and_o destroy_v the_o famous_a bishop_n the_o most_o renown_a clergy_n the_o best_a reform_a and_o most_o flourish_a church_n in_o all_o the_o world_n §_o conscience_n the_o best_a aspect_n of_o the_o covenant_n consider_v in_o conscience_n but_o i_o will_v look_v upon_o this_o covenant_n in_o the_o soft_a sense_n that_o can_v be_v make_v of_o it_o as_o a_o voluntary_a vow_n or_o religious_a bond_n which_o private_a man_n and_o some_o part_n only_o of_o the_o nation_n spontaneous_o take_v upon_o themselves_o in_o order_n to_o declare_v their_o sense_n of_o duty_n to_o god_n the_o king_n the_o church_n their_o country_n and_o the_o reform_a religion_n to_o make_v themselves_o more_o strict_o sensible_a of_o the_o sacred_a and_o civil_a obligation_n respective_o due_a to_o they_o that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v more_o ready_a to_o discharge_v they_o in_o their_o place_n and_o calling_n by_o take_v such_o a_o covenant_n free_o not_o for_o fear_v of_o prison_n plunder_v sequestration_n and_o the_o like_a wrack_n of_o man_n soul_n the_o terror_n of_o which_o make_v many_o if_o not_o most_o of_o the_o taker_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o take_v it_o and_o yet_o i_o believe_v not_o one_o four_o part_n of_o the_o people_n of_o england_n now_o live_v ever_o do_v take_v it_o in_o any_o sort_n and_o very_o few_o but_o rigid_a bigot_n and_o virulent_a spirit_n in_o any_o sense_n against_o primitive_a reform_a and_o regular_a episcopacy_n so_o reduce_v to_o a_o efficacious_a conjunction_n with_o presbytery_n as_o the_o most_o reverend_a primate_n of_o armagh_n propose_v in_o his_o reduction_n of_o late_a and_o so_o do_v the_o lord_n virulam_n long_v before_o in_o his_o consideration_n touch_v the_o church_n of_o england_n offer_v to_o king_n james_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o reign_n §_o in_o this_o aspect_n of_o the_o covenant_n direct_v answer_n direct_v as_o a_o religious_a obligation_n either_o new_o make_v or_o renew_v upon_o the_o foul_a of_o any_o that_o willing_o and_o free_o take_v it_o and_o who_o thereby_o think_v themselves_o eternal_o oblige_v to_o fulfil_v the_o letter_n of_o it_o or_o that_o sense_n they_o have_v of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o church-government_n by_o episcopacy_n or_o prelacy_n which_o they_o fancy_v to_o have_v abjure_v and_o renounce_v no_o less_o than_o popery_n my_o answer_n and_o solution_n be_v these_o 1._o what_o only_o can_v bind_v in_o it_o first_o they_o be_v not_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o as_o charm_n can_v bind_v any_o man_n conscience_n to_o or_o against_o any_o thing_n but_o it_o be_v that_o force_n of_o truth_n reason_n justice_n religion_n and_o duty_n to_o god_n or_o man_n ourselves_o or_o other_o which_o moral_o and_o real_o oblige_v man_n either_o by_o god_n general_a or_o particular_a precept_n which_o be_v as_o iron_n or_o admantine_a band_n on_o every_o man_n soul_n to_o choose_v good_a and_o do_v it_o to_o hate_v evil_a and_o eschew_v it_o long_o before_o any_o of_o these_o withe_n or_o cord_n of_o man_n combine_v and_o tie_v be_v put_v upon_o they_o by_o themselves_o or_o other_o 2._o not_o the_o taker_n fancy_n or_o imposer_n second_o nor_o can_v any_o such_o covenant_n bound_v any_o man_n in_o any_o conscientious_a bond_n mere_o by_o the_o power_n of_o a_o man_n own_o imagination_n or_o by_o such_o a_o prejudice_n and_o presumption_n as_o he_o list_v

to_o form_n and_o take_v up_o against_o any_o thing_n short_a of_o or_o beyond_o the_o merit_n of_o it_o either_o as_o good_a or_o evil_n 3._o it_o can_v bind_v to_o the_o injury_n of_o other_o three_o no_o such_o covenant_n can_v bind_v we_o to_o the_o injury_n of_o another_o liberty_n right_a power_n or_o lawful_a authority_n private_a or_o public_a and_o so_o not_o against_o that_o which_o be_v in_o the_o king_n and_o the_o bishop_n or_o in_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o the_o country_n or_o of_o any_o parliament_n which_o may_v look_v upon_o bishop_n and_o episcopacy_n with_o a_o far_o more_o propitious_a eye_n than_o those_o that_o behold_v it_o only_o through_o the_o presbyterian_a spectacle_n 4._o it_o can_v bind_v either_o to_o evil_n or_o from_o good_a four_o such_o a_o covenant_n can_v bind_v no_o man_n in_o conscience_n against_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o its_o nature_n good_a or_o that_o be_v not_o moral_o evil_a for_o this_o be_v for_o man_n to_o bind_v himself_o and_o other_o beyond_o god_n eternal_a bond_n of_o righteousness_n they_o be_v covenant_n with_o hell_n and_o death_n which_o bound_v man_n either_o to_o what_o be_v evil_a and_o sinful_a in_o its_o nature_n or_o from_o what_o be_v allow_v of_o god_n as_o good_a and_o lawful_a yea_o and_o may_v be_v necessary_a in_o its_o time_n and_o place_n now_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o there_o be_v much_o good_a in_o episcopal_a order_n and_o government_n much_o good_a be_v do_v by_o it_o to_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o primitive_a and_o all_o time_n much_o to_o this_o church_n of_o england_n since_o the_o reformation_n and_o before_o the_o principle_n and_o proportion_n of_o order_n subordination_n and_o government_n which_o hold_v good_a in_o all_o other_o polity_n and_o fraternity_n can_v be_v evil_a in_o this_o of_o episcopacy_n it_o have_v much_o of_o god_n in_o it_o from_o scriptural_a precept_n and_o pattern_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n which_o the_o christian_n follow_v in_o many_o thing_n it_o have_v so_o much_o of_o christ_n example_n and_o the_o apostolic_a constitution_n of_o the_o primitive_a use_n of_o ecclesiastical_a custom_n of_o holy_a man_n general_a approbation_n and_o universal_a imitation_n both_o here_o in_o england_n and_o elsewhere_o that_o it_o be_v extreme_a folly_n madness_n profaneness_n and_o blasphemy_n to_o cry_v it_o down_o for_o evil_a or_o to_o engage_v and_o covenant_n against_o it_o as_o such_o when_o it_o have_v in_o it_o so_o much_o good_a and_o so_o attest_v by_o experience_n to_o be_v beneficial_a for_o the_o well-being_n yea_o almost_o for_o the_o complete_a and_o regular_a be_v of_o any_o church_n and_o none_o more_o than_o this_o of_o england_n where_o people_n be_v not_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o their_o equal_n and_o inferior_n because_o they_o be_v in_o black_a coat_n 5._o it_o can_v oblige_v to_o extirpate_v the_o use_n of_o what_o be_v good_a because_o of_o any_o abuse_n five_o no_o man_n may_v vow_v or_o covenant_n much_o less_o keep_v any_o such_o covenant_n as_o he_o have_v take_v intentional_o against_o the_o evil_a or_o corruption_n and_o abuse_n of_o any_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o involve_v the_o good_a and_o usefulness_n of_o it_o and_o to_o condemn_v that_o to_o destruction_n or_o extirpation_n with_o the_o other_o as_o abraham_n say_v to_o the_o lord_n god_n forbid_v that_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n shall_v destroy_v the_o righteous_a with_o the_o wicked_a or_o cast_v the_o wheat_n with_o the_o chaff_n into_o inquenchable_a fire_n no_o a_o good_a conscience_n abhor_v confusion_n it_o do_v not_o take_v or_o do_v thing_n by_o wholesale_n but_o by_o retail_n weigh_v all_o in_o the_o balance_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n separate_v the_o precious_a from_o the_o vile_a the_o superstructure_n of_o man_n from_o the_o foundation_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o stand_v firm_a for_o so_o many_o age_n it_o become_v the_o child_n of_o wisdom_n to_o justify_v she_o by_o try_v all_o thing_n and_o hold_v fast_o what_o be_v good_a 6._o it_o oblige_v not_o to_o abolish_v all_o that_o be_v good_a or_o christian_n mix_v with_o popery_n six_o as_o they_o that_o covenant_v against_o popery_n can_v think_v they_o do_v abjure_v or_o must_v abhor_v all_o those_o save_a truth_n and_o duty_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v mix_v with_o popery_n no_o more_o can_v they_o just_o think_v because_o they_o covenant_v against_o prelacy_n that_o be_v against_o its_o pride_n presumption_n idleness_n covetousness_n and_o tyranny_n that_o therefore_o they_o be_v for_o ever_o engage_v against_o the_o order_n presidency_n and_o paternal_a authority_n of_o episcopacy_n man_n malice_n and_o hatred_n may_v not_o go_v beyond_o the_o grave_n if_o the_o abuse_n and_o disorder_n in_o prelatic_a government_n be_v dead_a and_o bury_v true_a episcopacy_n may_v yet_o have_v a_o bless_a resurrection_n from_o corruption_n to_o incorruption_n from_o dishonour_n to_o honour_n which_o i_o hope_v and_o pray_v god_n will_v by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o king_n and_o his_o parliament_n effect_n it_o can_v bind_v to_o any_o thing_n out_o of_o a_o man_n lawful_a power_n seven_o no_o man_n may_v lawful_o vow_v and_o covenant_n or_o according_o act_v in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n and_o dispose_v in_o his_o sphere_n and_o calling_n beyond_o which_o bound_n this_o covenant_n permit_v no_o man_n to_o go_v yea_o it_o do_v limit_v by_o these_o all_o his_o engagement_n and_o activity_n now_o certain_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n especial_o as_o establish_v by_o law_n neither_o be_v nor_o be_v in_o any_o private_a man_n power_n be_v they_o never_o so_o many_o either_o to_o alter_v or_o innovate_v or_o abolish_v and_o extirpate_v this_o be_v only_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o king_n as_o supreme_a by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o land_n to_o protect_v and_o preserve_v nor_o can_v it_o be_v change_v but_o by_o his_o royal_a assent_n to_o the_o counsel_n and_o desire_v of_o the_o two_o house_n of_o parliament_n nor_o may_v any_o man_n never_o so_o much_o for_o presbytery_n or_o independency_n or_o anarchy_n as_o to_o his_o private_a opinion_n either_o vow_n or_o covenant_n or_o act_v overt_o and_o violent_o further_a than_o by_o humble_a petition_n or_o counsel_n against_o establish_v and_o legal_a episcopacy_n no_o more_o than_o he_o may_v against_o monarchy_n because_o he_o prefer_v either_o aristocracy_n or_o democracy_n it_o can_v bind_v against_o what_o may_v after_o appear_v good_a eight_o as_o no_o man_n can_v lawful_o covenant_v against_o what_o he_o think_v to_o be_v good_a or_o against_o what_o be_v less_o good_a than_o he_o desire_v and_o opine_n but_o out_o of_o his_o call_n and_o lawful_a power_n to_o effect_v so_o nor_o can_v any_o man_n in_o conscience_n be_v bind_v by_o any_o such_o covenant_n take_v in_o a_o gross_a sense_n or_o in_o general_a term_n against_o that_o which_o may_v upon_o second_o thought_n or_o after-view_n and_o better_a information_n appear_v to_o be_v good_a and_o useful_a to_o he_o he_o be_v here_o bind_v not_o to_o keep_v his_o covenant_n in_o the_o latitude_n of_o his_o mistake_n and_o presumption_n nor_o to_o act_v according_a to_o his_o prejudices_fw-la and_o former_a supposal_n but_o rather_o to_o retract_v his_o rashness_n and_o unadvisedness_n in_o take_v it_o at_o first_o and_o to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o present_a evidence_n of_o what_o be_v true_a just_a good_a lawful_a and_o useful_a even_o in_o episcopacy_n whereof_o he_o can_v but_o stand_v convince_v both_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o proportion_n of_o all_o government_n and_o by_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o defect_n deformity_n and_o inconsistency_n of_o all_o other_o model_n §_o it_o be_v now_o high_a time_n after_o so_o many_o affliction_n to_o learn_v righteousness_n and_o wisdom_n and_o to_o discern_v between_o the_o fault_n of_o man_n or_o time_n and_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o thing_n between_o good_a and_o bad_a bishop_n between_o pontifical_a prelacy_n and_o paternal_a episcopacy_n which_o be_v that_o wherewith_o all_o sober_a man_n will_v be_v satisfy_v and_o against_o which_o no_o covenanter_n can_v in_o reason_n or_o religion_n in_o piety_n or_o policy_n in_o prudence_n or_o conscience_n be_v engage_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o cautious_a and_o conscientious_a covenanter_n nineth_o the_o cautious_a and_o conscientious_a covenanter_n therefore_o be_v now_o to_o take_v a_o calm_a view_n and_o exacter_n measure_v of_o the_o covenant_n than_o perhaps_o he_o do_v at_o the_o first_o offer_n and_o take_n of_o it_o which_o be_v in_o haste_n and_o heat_n in_o fear_n and_o fury_n what_o than_o he_o greedy_o swallow_v without_o chew_v he_o shall_v now_o leisurely_o and_o sober_o ruminate_v for_o in_o lump_n it_o will_v not_o