Selected quad for the lemma: reason_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
reason_n	abate_v	able_a	good_a	21	3	2.9496	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A55819	A letter to a friend relating to the present convocation at Westminster	Prideaux, Humphrey, 1648-1724.; Kidder, Richard, 1633-1703.; Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.	1690 (1690)	Wing P3413; ESTC R23295	18,264	30

a_o letter_n to_o a_o friend_n relate_v to_o the_o present_a convocation_n at_o westminster_n london_n print_v for_o brabazon_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n mdcxc_o a_o letter_n to_o a_o friend_n relate_v to_o the_o present_a convocation_n at_o westminster_n sir_n i_o have_v full_o consider_v what_o you_o have_v be_v please_v to_o offer_v to_o i_o in_o you_o concern_v the_o convocation_n now_o meet_v at_o westminster_n and_o the_o alteration_n intend_v to_o be_v make_v therein_o in_o the_o present_a office_n rite_n and_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n and_o all_o what_o you_o say_v i_o apprehend_v to_o be_v reducible_a to_o these_o three_o head_n 1._o that_o no_o alteration_n ought_v at_o all_o to_o be_v make_v in_o thing_n pertain_v to_o religion_n but_o when_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a necessity_n for_o it_o 2._o that_o at_o present_a there_o be_v no_o such_o necessity_n for_o the_o alteration_n intend_v and_o 3._o that_o if_o there_o be_v this_o be_v no_o time_n for_o it_o when_o so_o many_o of_o the_o father_n of_o our_o church_n and_o other_o eminent_a person_n of_o the_o clergy_n do_v now_o by_o their_o suspension_n stand_v incapacitate_v to_o act_v with_o we_o in_o this_o matter_n as_o to_o the_o first_o i_o ready_o grant_v what_o you_o say_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o dangerous_a to_o religion_n than_o frequent_o to_o make_v alteration_n in_o the_o thing_n pertain_v thereto_o because_o a_o unsteadiness_n as_o to_o these_o although_o in_o outward_a circumstantial_o only_a which_o be_v always_o alterable_a may_v to_o many_o become_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o whole_a for_o there_o be_v multitude_n among_o we_o who_o be_v not_o able_a to_o distinguish_v between_o what_o be_v circumstantial_a and_o what_o be_v essential_a in_o our_o worship_n what_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n to_o alter_v and_o what_o be_v not_o and_o be_v apt_a to_o call_v every_o alteration_n though_o in_o thing_n mere_o indifferent_a and_o which_o the_o variation_n of_o time_n have_v make_v total_o insignificant_a to_o the_o first_o end_n of_o their_o establishment_n to_o be_v a_o change_n of_o the_o religion_n itself_o and_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o we_o have_v no_o firm_a bottom_n at_o all_o for_o that_o which_o they_o see_v we_o so_o often_o vary_v from_o may_v from_o hence_o be_v induce_v to_o cast_v off_o all_o regard_n both_o for_o our_o church_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n establish_v therein_o and_o become_v apostate_n from_o we_o either_o to_o popery_n or_o atheism_n all_o their_o life_n after_o for_o the_o prevention_n whereof_o i_o ready_o grant_v what_o you_o say_v that_o such_o alteration_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v attempt_v but_o when_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n for_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o church_n of_o england_n may_v be_v justify_v in_o her_o proceed_n hitherto_o that_o she_o have_v not_o be_v forward_o on_o every_o demand_n of_o the_o dissenter_n to_o unhinge_v those_o of_o her_o communion_n from_o she_o long_o receive_a establishment_n but_o have_v to_o the_o utmost_a resist_v all_o alteration_n from_o they_o hope_v by_o other_o less_o dangerous_a method_n to_o cure_v the_o distraction_n and_o heal_v the_o division_n that_o be_v among_o we_o but_o when_o after_o her_o utmost_a trial_n of_o all_o other_o way_n they_o have_v all_o prove_v ineffectual_a to_o attain_v the_o end_n propose_v and_o the_o church_n have_v still_o grow_v weak_a and_o weak_a and_o those_o that_o dissent_v from_o it_o still_o strong_a and_o strong_a under_o all_o those_o attempt_n which_o have_v be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o reunite_a they_o to_o we_o so_o that_o now_o we_o be_v bring_v to_o that_o pass_n that_o without_o come_v to_o a_o temper_n with_o they_o and_o abate_v something_o on_o our_o side_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o peace_n and_o union_n with_o they_o we_o can_v have_v that_o prospect_n as_o former_o of_o support_v the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o maintain_v the_o honour_n of_o his_o worship_n with_o success_n among_o we_o i_o think_v now_o to_o make_v such_o alteration_n as_o be_v propose_v a_o thing_n so_o absolute_o necessary_a as_o ought_v not_o any_o long_a to_o be_v defer_v and_o this_o i_o hope_v i_o shall_v be_v able_a clear_o to_o convince_v you_o of_o in_o answer_n to_o your_o second_o head_n of_o objection_n from_o these_o follow_a reason_n for_o first_o there_o lie_v a_o indispensable_a obligation_n upon_o we_o to_o do_v the_o utmost_a we_o be_v able_a to_o remove_v this_o mischievous_a schism_n from_o among_o we_o which_o have_v so_o long_o disturb_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o land_n how_o prejudicial_a this_o have_v be_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n and_o how_o advantageous_a to_o the_o increase_n of_o popery_n and_o atheism_n and_o the_o propagate_a also_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o iniquity_n among_o we_o be_v that_o which_o by_o woeful_a experience_n be_v too_o well_o know_v unto_o you_o to_o need_v a_o description_n and_o all_o this_o evil_n most_o certain_o must_v lie_v at_o our_o door_n as_o far_o as_o we_o do_v not_o the_o utmost_a that_o in_o we_o lie_v to_o remove_v it_o and_o what_o other_o way_n be_v there_o now_o leave_v of_o attempt_v it_o but_o by_o come_v to_o some_o term_n of_o moderation_n and_o temper_n with_o those_o that_o dissent_n from_o we_o we_o have_v already_o try_v all_o method_n of_o persuasion_n to_o mollify_v they_o all_o force_n of_o argumentation_n to_o convince_v they_o we_o have_v try_v also_o church_n censure_n and_o penal_a law_n and_o inflict_v they_o too_o with_o a_o severity_n perchance_o beyond_o what_o we_o can_v justify_v and_o what_o have_v we_o avail_v ourselves_o of_o all_o this_o but_o only_o to_o heighten_v the_o division_n and_o increase_v the_o mischief_n which_o we_o endeavour_v to_o remove_v and_o therefore_o what_o other_o remedy_n be_v now_o leave_v we_o what_o other_o mean_n for_o we_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o for_o the_o cure_n of_o this_o prevail_a evil_a among_o we_o but_o that_o as_o far_o as_o we_o be_v able_a we_o abate_v of_o that_o which_o have_v give_v the_o whole_a origin_n thereto_o those_o except_a passage_n in_o our_o liturgy_n and_o those_o ceremony_n in_o our_o worship_n which_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n can_v conform_v with_o we_o in_o and_o for_o this_o the_o late_a act_n of_o toleration_n have_v add_v a_o very_a press_a necessity_n for_o when_o our_o division_n run_v so_o high_a and_o our_o animosity_n against_o each_o other_o so_o far_o increase_v as_o that_o dissenter_n be_v drive_v by_o they_o to_o take_v shelter_n from_o we_o in_o the_o camp_n of_o our_o common_a enemy_n and_o join_v with_o the_o papist_n against_o we_o to_o the_o endanger_v both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n to_o utter_v ruin_n the_o parliament_n than_o think_v it_o time_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o public_a safety_n by_o reconcile_a those_o man_n thereto_o by_o a_o act_n of_o toleration_n and_o indulgence_n whereby_o they_o be_v now_o put_v upon_o as_o good_a a_o bottom_n of_o legal_a right_n and_o protection_n as_o we_o ourselves_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n leave_v we_o of_o come_v to_o a_o union_n with_o they_o but_o by_o follow_v the_o same_o step_n which_o the_o state_n have_v go_v in_o before_o we_o and_o by_o condescension_n and_o abatement_n to_o reconcile_v those_o man_n unto_o we_o for_o they_o be_v now_o no_o more_o in_o our_o power_n to_o force_v they_o to_o a_o conformity_n with_o we_o than_o we_o be_v in_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v on_o equal_a term_n with_o we_o of_o right_a and_o protection_n from_o the_o government_n under_o which_o we_o live_v treaty_n and_o mutual_a abatement_n be_v the_o only_a method_n now_o whereby_o we_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o a_o union_n with_o each_o other_o and_o why_o we_o shall_v not_o abate_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o this_o which_o carry_v with_o it_o a_o promise_n of_o so_o great_a good_a and_o benefit_n to_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n among_o we_o i_o will_v desire_v a_o reason_n from_o he_o that_o be_v able_a to_o give_v it_o for_o what_o be_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o differ_v about_o that_o we_o must_v for_o ever_o sacrifice_v to_o they_o the_o peace_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n without_o abate_v the_o least_o tittle_n for_o so_o great_a a_o good_a as_o that_o of_o the_o common_a union_n of_o christian_n among_o we_o be_v a_o few_o except_a passage_n in_o our_o liturgy_n and_o two_o or_o three_o ceremony_n in_o our_o worship_n thing_n of_o so_o great_a value_n that_o we_o must_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o they_o still_o maintain_v those_o discord_n and_o division_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n which_o have_v so_o long_o harass_v both_o almost_o to_o utter_v

man_n from_o communion_n and_o deprive_v they_o thereby_o of_o those_o benefit_n of_o salvation_n which_o we_o be_v send_v to_o administer_v unto_o they_o it_o be_v time_n for_o we_o now_o to_o abate_v of_o our_o rigour_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o when_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o bring_v man_n up_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o weakness_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v so_o far_o indulgent_a as_o to_o descend_v to_o they_o and_o give_v they_o the_o sacrament_n in_o their_o own_o way_n rather_o than_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o posture_n only_o debar_v they_o of_o the_o benefit_n which_o their_o soul_n may_v receive_v thereby_o and_o to_o do_v otherwise_o i_o doubt_v will_v not_o only_o be_v a_o sin_n against_o christian_a charity_n in_o prejudice_v the_o salvation_n of_o many_o but_o also_o be_v a_o abuse_n of_o the_o commission_n entrust_v with_o we_o for_o i_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v persuade_v that_o christ_n have_v give_v we_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o shut_v out_o those_o from_o the_o benefit_n of_o this_o sacrament_n who_o in_o all_o other_o respect_n be_v good_a and_o righteous_a man_n have_v only_o this_o weakness_n that_o they_o can_v comply_v with_o we_o in_o receive_v thereof_o in_o that_o posture_n which_o the_o church_n prescribe_v and_o for_o which_o it_o have_v no_o other_o warrant_n but_o its_o own_o constitution_n for_o how_o fit_v a_o posture_n soever_o kneel_v may_v be_v for_o the_o receive_n of_o this_o sacrament_n this_o must_v undeniable_o be_v allow_v that_o neither_o scripture_n direct_v it_o nor_o antiquity_n ever_o use_v it_o it_o have_v be_v for_o several_a age_n after_o christ_n the_o constant_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o communicate_v stand_v and_o why_o this_o may_v not_o again_o by_o a_o particular_a dispensation_n from_o the_o present_a establishment_n be_v allow_v to_o weak_a and_o scrupulous_a person_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o peace_n and_o union_n with_o they_o i_o can_v see_v no_o reason_n that_o savour_v either_o of_o a_o christian_a temper_n or_o christian_a charity_n that_o can_v be_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_n 4._o as_o to_o the_o liturgy_n of_o our_o church_n i_o free_o acknowledge_v and_o i_o think_v no_o man_n can_v contradict_v i_o herein_o that_o it_o i●_n the_o best_a which_o be_v ever_o yet_o use_v in_o any_o christian_a church_n but_o that_o it_o shall_v therefore_o be_v so_o perfect_a as_o not_o to_o be_v capable_a of_o amendment_n or_o alteration_n for_o the_o better_a do_v by_o no_o mean_n follow_v for_o nothing_o of_o (null)_o composure_n can_v be_v such_o especial_o in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n where_o process_n of_o time_n and_o alteration_n of_o circumstance_n frequent_o produce_v a_o necessity_n for_o correction_n as_o most_o certain_o in_o our_o liturgy_n they_o very_o often_o do_v for_o the_o language_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v be_v constant_o in_o fluxu_fw-la as_o all_o other_o live_v language_n be_v in_o every_o age_n some_o word_n that_o be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o former_a grow_v obsolete_a and_o some_o phrase_n and_o expression_n former_o in_o grace_n and_o fashion_n through_o difuse_v become_v uncouth_a and_o ridiculous_a and_o always_o to_o continue_v these_o in_o our_o liturgy_n without_o correction_n will_v be_v to_o bring_v a_o disparagement_n upon_o the_o whole_a and_o expose_v to_o contempt_n the_o worship_n of_o god_n among_o we_o beside_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n which_o in_o one_o age_n may_v conduce_v to_o devotion_n which_o through_o variation_n of_o time_n and_o circumstance_n may_v not_o be_v bear_v in_o another_o several_a thing_n which_o may_v be_v the_o proper_a matter_n of_o prayer_n at_o one_o time_n which_o may_v not_o be_v so_o in_o another_o and_o all_o those_o thing_n call_v for_o alteration_n and_o amendment_n whenever_o they_o happen_v and_o therefore_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o assent_v with_o some_o of_o our_o brethren_n in_o this_o particular_a that_o our_o liturgy_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v alter_v that_o i_o think_v it_o absolute_o necessary_a from_o the_o abovementioned_a particular_n that_o it_o be_v always_o at_o lest_o once_o in_o 30_o year_n bring_v to_o a_o review_n for_o this_o purpose_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a this_o have_v be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n from_o the_o begin_n till_o this_o time_n the_o greek_a church_n have_v so_o often_o alter_v as_o to_o this_o and_o make_v so_o many_o different_a form_n of_o their_o liturgy_n that_o a_o collection_n of_o they_o in_o a_o late_a auction_n amount_v to_o twenty_o volume_n and_o the_o latin_a church_n who_o brag_v most_o of_o their_o constancy_n in_o these_o matter_n have_v rather_o exceed_v than_o come_v behind_o they_o herein_o as_o in_o the_o old_a manuscript_n of_o their_o liturgy_n will_v sufficient_o appear_v to_o any_o that_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o look_v into_o they_o nay_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o continue_v one_o age_n in_o conformity_n with_o another_o herein_o that_o they_o observe_v none_o at_o all_o in_o this_o matter_n but_o almost_o every_o province_n have_v its_o different_a liturgy_n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o there_o be_v five_o different_a form_n of_o they_o in_o this_o kingdom_n till_o the_o reformation_n and_o the_o like_a be_v also_o practise_v in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o latin_a or_o romish_a church_n and_o a_o general_a agreement_n as_o to_o this_o be_v then_o so_o far_o from_o be_v think_v necessary_a that_o the_o act_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o vith_o be_v the_o first_o law_n for_o a_o uniform_a liturgy_n in_o any_o church_n that_o be_v ever_o enact_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n to_o that_o time_n but_o neither_o do_v that_o exclude_v all_o vary_a from_o it_o in_o after_o time_n the_o liturgy_n that_o be_v first_o establish_v in_o that_o king_n reign_n within_o a_o very_a little_a while_n after_o undergo_v a_o review_n which_o produce_v very_o considerable_a alteration_n in_o it_o and_o when_o q._n eliz._n come_v to_o the_o crown_n many_o other_o be_v make_v therein_o and_o those_o who_o compute_v the_o late_a alteration_n decree_v in_o the_o convocation_n of_o 1662._o tell_v we_o they_o amount_v to_o the_o number_n of_o 400._o and_o why_o we_o only_o of_o this_o present_a time_n shall_v be_v debar_v the_o privilege_n of_o better_v ourselves_o in_o this_o matter_n which_o all_o other_o time_n of_o the_o church_n before_o we_o have_v enjoy_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v a_o reason_n thus_o far_o sure_a i_o be_o that_o no_o time_n have_v ever_o more_o need_n to_o make_v use_n of_o it_o for_o the_o public_a good_a than_o this_o in_o which_o we_o now_o live_v for_o the_o exigence_n of_o the_o state_n call_v loud_o upon_o we_o to_o do_v that_o herein_o which_o may_v tend_v to_o its_o safety_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o religion_n plead_v as_o hard_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n for_o the_o remove_n of_o animosity_n and_o division_n and_o the_o restore_n of_o union_n and_o charity_n among_o we_o and_o what_o can_v we_o say_v for_o ourselves_o if_o we_o continue_v deaf_a as_o to_o all_o this_o but_o to_o come_v to_o the_o liturgy_n itself_o be_v there_o not_o many_o thing_n in_o it_o which_o with_o some_o show_n of_o reason_n our_o dissent_v brethren_n except_o against_o and_o be_v there_o not_o many_o more_o which_o we_o ourselves_o hearty_o wish_n may_v be_v amend_v and_o improve_v certain_o be_v there_o no_o other_o reason_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o comply_v with_o our_o brethren_n that_o dissent_v from_o we_o in_o make_v such_o alteration_n as_o will_v satisfy_v they_o i_o shall_v think_v this_o a_o very_a sufficient_a one_o that_o that_o we_o have_v a_o opportunity_n give_v we_o at_o the_o same_o time_n also_o to_o gratify_v ourselves_o in_o such_o further_a alteration_n and_o improvement_n which_o we_o ourselves_o desire_v for_o must_v the_o story_n of_o tobit_n and_o his_o dog_n and_o that_o of_o bell_n and_o the_o dragon_n always_o supplant_v canonical_a scripture_n in_o our_o church_n and_o we_o be_v force_v to_o read_v such_o ridiculous_a thing_n to_o our_o people_n instead_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n must_v we_o always_o be_v force_v to_o read_v the_o old_a translation_n of_o the_o psalm_n and_o impose_v that_o on_o the_o people_n for_o true_a scripture_n which_o in_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o place_n quite_o differ_v from_o it_o must_v we_o always_o be_v force_v in_o our_o address_n to_o god_n almighty_a with_o a_o flattery_n not_o to_o be_v warrant_v to_o call_v every_o king_n that_o reign_v over_o we_o most_o religious_a though_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o life_n may_v be_v quite_o the_o contrary_a and_o pray_v that_o he_o may_v be_v keep_v and_o strengthen_v