Selected quad for the lemma: reason_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
reason_n	apostle_n	church_n	word_n	3,478	5	4.1597	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61568	The mischief of separation a sermon preached at Guild-Hall Chappel, May 11. MDCLXXX. being the first Sunday in Easter-term, before the Lord Mayor, &c. / by Edw. Stillingfleet ...	Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.	1680 (1680)	Wing S5604_VARIANT; ESTC R35206	32,588	67

sinful_a separation_n for_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n urge_v their_o dissent_v brethren_n to_o comply_v with_o their_o rule_n of_o church-government_n and_o charge_v they_o with_o schism_n if_o they_o do_v it_o not_o whereas_o they_o only_o desire_v to_o enjoy_v such_o liberty_n as_o to_o their_o separate_a congregation_n as_o be_v now_o plead_v for_o by_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n 21._o this_o say_v they_o will_v give_v countenance_n to_o a_o perpetual_a schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n still_o draw_v away_o some_o from_o the_o church_n under_o the_o rule_n which_o also_o will_v breed_v irritation_n between_o the_o party_n and_o will_v introduce_v all_o manner_n of_o confusion_n and_o they_o think_v it_o a_o very_a unreasonable_a thing_n for_o they_o to_o desire_v distinct_a and_o separate_a congregation_n as_o to_o those_o part_n of_o worship_n where_o they_o can_v join_v in_o communion_n with_o they_o and_o they_o think_v no_o person_n be_v to_o be_v indulge_v as_o to_o any_o error_n or_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n 22._o but_o with_o this_o proviso_n that_o in_o all_o other_o part_n of_o worship_n they_o join_v with_o the_o congregation_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o be_v under_o the_o government_n to_o be_v establish_v to_o this_o the_o dissent_v brethren_n answer_v 25._o that_o such_o a_o variation_n or_o forbearance_n can_v neither_o be_v a_o schism_n nor_o endanger_v it_o and_o that_o the_o great_a cause_n of_o schism_n have_v be_v a_o strict_a obligation_n of_o all_o to_o uniformity_n that_o as_o long_o as_o in_o their_o separate_a congregation_n they_o do_v practice_v most_o of_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o the_o most_o substantial_a in_o their_o rule_n it_o can_v not_o be_v call_v a_o total_a separation_n especial_o consider_v that_o they_o profess_v their_o church_n to_o be_v true_a church_n and_o that_o they_o have_v occasional_a communion_n with_o they_o 30._o which_o be_v the_o very_a same_o plea_n make_v use_v of_o at_o this_o day_n among_o we_o to_o which_o the_o assembly_n party_n smart_o reply_v that_o since_o they_o acknowledge_v their_o church_n to_o be_v so_o true_a 47._o that_o they_o can_v occasional_o join_v in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n they_o conceive_v they_o be_v bind_v to_o act_v with_o they_o in_o joint_a communion_n by_o one_o common_a rule_n and_o not_o by_o different_a rule_n and_o in_o separate_a congregation_n 55._o and_o they_o add_v that_o to_o leave_v all_o ordinary_a communion_n in_o any_o church_n with_o dislike_n when_o opposition_n or_o offence_n offer_v itself_o be_v to_o separate_v from_o such_o a_o church_n in_o the_o scripture_n sense_n such_o separation_n be_v not_o in_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n unless_o it_o be_v use_v by_o false_a teacher_n all_o who_o profess_v christianity_n hold_v communion_n together_o as_o in_o one_o church_n notwithstanding_o difference_n of_o judgement_n 56._o or_o corruption_n in_o practice_n and_o that_o if_o they_o can_v hold_v occasional_a communion_n without_o sin_n they_o know_v no_o reason_n why_o it_o may_v not_o be_v ordinary_a without_o sin_n too_o and_o then_o separation_n will_v be_v needless_a to_o which_o they_o subjoin_v these_o remarkable_a word_n which_o i_o hearty_o wish_v our_o brethren_n at_o this_o day_n will_v think_v serious_o upon_o to_o separate_v from_o those_o church_n ordinary_o and_o visible_o with_o who_o occasional_o you_o may_v join_v without_o sin_n seemth_v to_o be_v a_o most_o unjust_a separation_n so_o that_o whatever_o false_a colour_n and_o pretence_n some_o man_n make_v use_v of_o to_o justify_v their_o present_a practice_n if_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o own_o brethren_n may_v be_v take_v upon_o the_o most_o weighty_a debate_n and_o most_o serious_a deliberation_n it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o plain_a and_o downright_a separation_n and_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v i_o never_o see_v any_o cause_n more_o weak_o defend_v no_o not_o that_o of_o polygamy_n and_o anabaptism_n than_o that_o of_o those_o who_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v lawful_a to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o we_o and_o yet_o go_v about_o to_o vindicate_v the_o separate_a meeting_n among_o we_o from_o the_o guilt_n of_o a_o sinful_a separation_n for_o although_o they_o allow_v our_o church_n to_o be_v true_a and_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o communicate_v with_o they_o which_o be_v the_o most_o plausible_a plea_n they_o have_v this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o extenuate_v that_o it_o do_v aggravate_v the_o fault_n for_o as_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o assembly_n say_v though_o they_o do_v not_o pronounce_v a_o affirmative_a judgement_n against_o we_o 71._o yet_o the_o very_a separate_n be_v a_o tacit_n and_o practical_a condemn_v of_o our_o church_n if_o not_o as_o false_a yet_o as_o impure_a but_o whatever_o may_v be_v say_v as_o to_o other_o plea_n for_o their_o present_a practice_n my_o text_n seem_v to_o afford_v the_o strong_a of_o all_o viz._n that_o man_n be_v to_o be_v press_v to_o go_v no_o far_o than_o they_o have_v already_o attain_v and_o not_o to_o be_v strain_v up_o to_o a_o uniformity_n beyond_o the_o dictate_v of_o their_o conscience_n but_o to_o be_v let_v alone_o as_o the_o apostle_n direct_v in_o the_o forego_n verse_n if_o any_o one_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v he_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o god_n and_o that_o manifestation_n of_o his_o will_n which_o he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o give_v he_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o will_v give_v a_o full_a answer_n to_o the_o second_o enquiry_n viz._n 2._o what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v if_o man_n can_v come_v up_o to_o the_o rule_n prescribe_v to_o this_o therefore_o i_o answer_v in_o these_o particular_n 1._o this_o can_v never_o justify_v man_n in_o not_o do_v what_o they_o lawful_o may_v do_v for_o this_o rule_n of_o the_o apostle_n make_v communion_n necessary_a as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o that_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o general_a obligation_n lie_v upon_o all_o christian_n to_o do_v what_o in_o they_o lie_v for_o preservation_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o as_o far_o as_o you_o have_v attain_v walk_n by_o the_o same_o rule_n do_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o word_n say_v cajetan_n the_o apostle_n subjoin_v to_o the_o former_a leave_v the_o person_n he_o there_o speak_v to_o shall_v think_v themselves_o excuse_v from_o go_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v as_o to_o the_o same_o rule_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o man_n be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o go_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v and_o i_o can_v see_v how_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o that_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n which_o our_o brethren_n pretend_v to_o for_o so_o many_o of_o they_o to_o live_v so_o many_o year_n in_o a_o neglect_n of_o that_o communion_n with_o our_o church_n which_o themselves_o judge_v to_o be_v lawful_a i_o dare_v say_v if_o most_o of_o the_o preacher_n at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o separate_a meeting_n be_v sober_o ask_v their_o judgement_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o people_n to_o join_v with_o we_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n they_o will_v not_o deny_v it_o and_o yet_o the_o people_n that_o frequent_v they_o general_o judge_v otherwise_o for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o faction_n among_o they_o shall_v so_o common_o prevail_v beyond_o interest_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o think_v it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o law_n they_o will_v do_v it_o but_o why_o then_o be_v this_o keep_v up_o as_o such_o a_o mighty_a secret_a in_o the_o breast_n of_o their_o teacher_n why_o do_v they_o not_o preach_v it_o to_o they_o in_o their_o congregation_n be_v it_o for_o fear_n they_o shall_v have_v none_o leave_v to_o preach_v to_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v of_o mortify_a and_o conscientious_a man_n be_v it_o lest_o they_o shall_v seem_v to_o condemn_v themselves_o while_o they_o preach_v against_o separation_n in_o a_o separate_a congregation_n this_o i_o confess_v look_v odd_o and_o the_o tenderness_n of_o a_o man_n mind_n in_o such_o a_o case_n may_v out_o of_o mere_a shamefacedness_n keep_v he_o from_o declare_v a_o truth_n which_o fly_v in_o his_o face_n while_o he_o speak_v it_o be_v it_o that_o they_o fear_v the_o reproach_n of_o the_o people_n which_o some_o few_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a person_n among_o they_o have_v find_v they_o must_v undergo_v if_o they_o touch_v upon_o this_o subject_a for_o i_o know_v not_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o most_o godly_a people_n among_o they_o can_v the_o least_o endure_v to_o be_v tell_v of_o their_o fault_n but_o be_v it_o not_o as_o plain_o write_v by_o s._n paul_n 10._o if_o i_o yet_o please_v man_n i_o shall_v not_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o christ_n as_o woe_n be_v unto_o i_o if_o i_o preach_v not_o the_o gospel_n if_o they_o therefore_o will_v acquit_v themselves_o like_o

business_n to_o attain_v to_o the_o glorious_a reward_n which_o this_o religion_n promise_v this_o he_o pursue_v from_o vers_fw-la 7_o to_z vers_n 15._o 4._o have_v do_v this_o he_o persuade_v all_o good_a christian_n to_o do_v as_o he_o do_v vers_fw-la 15._o let_v we_o therefore_o as_o many_o as_o be_v perfect_a be_v thus_o mind_v but_o because_o many_o dispute_n and_o difference_n as_o to_o opinion_n and_o practice_n may_v happen_v among_o they_o he_o therefore_o lay_v down_o two_o rule_n for_o they_o to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o 1._o if_o any_o happen_v to_o differ_v from_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n they_o live_v with_o they_o shall_v do_v it_o with_o great_a modesty_n and_o humility_n not_o break_v out_o into_o faction_n and_o division_n but_o wait_v for_o far_a information_n which_o they_o may_v expect_v that_o god_n will_v give_v upon_o a_o diligent_a and_o sober_a use_n of_o the_o best_a mean_n and_o if_o in_o any_o thing_n you_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v god_n shall_v reveal_v even_o this_o unto_o you_o by_o leave_v they_o to_o god_n immediate_a care_n for_o far_a illumination_n he_o do_v not_o bid_v they_o depend_v upon_o extraordinary_a revelation_n but_o require_v they_o to_o wait_v upon_o god_n in_o his_o own_o way_n without_o proceed_v with_o the_o false_a apostle_n to_o the_o way_n of_o faction_n and_o separation_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o go_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v 2._o for_o those_o who_o be_v come_v to_o a_o firmness_n and_o settlement_n of_o judgement_n upon_o the_o christian_a principle_n he_o charge_v they_o by_o all_o mean_n to_o preserve_v unity_n and_o peace_n among_o themselves_o whereto_o we_o have_v already_o attain_v let_v we_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n let_v we_o mind_n the_o same_o thing_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v two_o thing_n i._o the_o necessity_n of_o one_o fix_a and_o certain_a rule_n notwithstanding_o the_o different_a attainment_n among_o christian_n nevertheless_o whereto_o we_o have_v already_o attain_v let_v we_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n ii_o the_o duty_n and_o obligation_n which_o lie_v upon_o the_o best_a christian_n to_o observe_v it_o he_o do_v not_o speak_v to_o the_o ignorant_a and_o unthinking_a multitude_n not_o to_o the_o licentious_a rabble_n nor_o to_o the_o carnal_a and_o worldly_a church_n which_o some_o think_v be_v only_o desirous_a of_o uniformity_n but_o to_o the_o very_o best_a christian_n to_o those_o who_o have_v get_v the_o start_n of_o other_o as_o the_o word_n here_o signify_v that_o they_o will_v be_v a_o example_n of_o peace_n and_o unity_n to_o their_o brethren_n i._o the_o necessity_n of_o one_o fix_a and_o certain_a rule_n notwithstanding_o the_o different_a attainment_n of_o christian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o phrase_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o continuation_n of_o the_o former_a allusion_n to_o a_o race_n for_o as_o eustathius_n observe_v 3._o the_o first_o thing_n the_o greek_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v as_o to_o their_o exercise_n be_v to_o circumscribe_v the_o bound_n within_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v that_o which_o fix_v and_o determine_v these_o limit_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o greek_n and_o regula_n and_o lineae_fw-la by_o the_o latin_n thence_o transilire_fw-la lineas_fw-la in_o cicero_n be_v to_o commit_v a_o fault_n to_o break_v the_o bound_n within_o which_o we_o be_v confine_v all_o the_o question_n be_v what_o the_o apostle_n mean_v by_o this_o rule_n whether_o only_o a_o rule_n of_o charity_n and_o mutual_a forbearance_n with_o a_o liberty_n of_o different_a practice_n or_o such_o a_o rule_n which_o limit_n and_o dermine_v the_o manner_n of_o practice_n it_o can_v be_v the_o former_a because_o that_o be_v the_o case_n the_o apostle_n have_v speak_v to_o just_a before_o if_o in_o any_o thing_n you_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v therefore_o now_o subjoin_v this_o with_o respect_n to_o those_o who_o have_v go_v beyond_o they_o he_o do_v imply_v such_o a_o agreement_n and_o uniformity_n of_o practice_n as_o do_v lie_v in_o observe_v the_o same_o stand_a rule_n for_o which_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o they_o understand_v already_o what_o order_n and_o direction_n he_o have_v give_v they_o when_o a_o church_n be_v first_o form_v among_o they_o and_o therefore_o when_o the_o apostle_n mention_n a_o rule_n without_o declare_v what_o it_o be_v we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v it_o be_v such_o a_o rule_n which_o they_o very_o well_o know_v which_o he_o have_v give_v to_o they_o before_o so_o we_o find_v elsewhere_o the_o apostle_n refer_v to_o such_o rule_n of_o government_n and_o order_n which_o he_o have_v give_v to_o other_o church_n and_o be_v already_o receive_v and_o practise_v among_o they_o for_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o write_v their_o epistle_n for_o the_o sound_n of_o church_n but_o they_o be_v already_o in_o be_v only_o they_o take_v notice_n of_o any_o disorder_n among_o they_o and_o reform_a abuse_n and_o leave_v some_o thing_n to_o their_o own_o direction_n when_o they_o shall_v come_v among_o they_o and_o the_o rest_n will_v i_o set_v in_o order_n when_o i_o come_v as_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v every_o one_o so_o let_v he_o walk_v 34._o and_o so_o ordain_v i_o in_o all_o the_o church_n which_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o leave_v all_o person_n to_o act_v as_o they_o judge_v fit_a 17._o but_o do_v make_v rule_n determine_v their_o practice_n and_o oblige_v they_o to_o uniformity_n therein_o for_o may_v not_o man_n pretend_v that_o these_o be_v not_o thing_n in_o themselves_o necessary_a and_o may_v be_v scruple_v by_o some_o person_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v impose_v upon_o any_o but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o apostle_n on_o this_o account_n do_v forbear_v give_v rule_n in_o such_o case_n and_o to_o oblige_v christian_n to_o observe_v they_o and_o that_o not_o on_o the_o mere_a authority_n of_o apostle_n but_o as_o governor_n of_o church_n who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o welfare_n and_o preservation_n of_o they_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o seem_v very_o little_a and_o inconsiderable_a in_o themselves_o who_o consequence_n and_o tendency_n be_v very_o great_a and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o governor_n lie_v in_o prevent_v the_o danger_n of_o little_a thing_n and_o keep_v the_o zeal_n of_o well-meaning_a person_n within_o its_o due_a bound_n for_o those_o who_o be_v engage_v below_o in_o the_o valley_n fight_v in_o small_a party_n and_o pursue_v their_o advantage_n do_v run_v into_o their_o enemy_n camp_n before_o they_o be_v aware_a of_o it_o may_v receive_v a_o unexpected_a check_n from_o their_o commander_n in_o chief_a who_o from_o the_o high_a ground_n espy_v the_o hazard_n they_o be_v in_o by_o their_o over-forwardness_n and_o the_o art_n which_o their_o enemy_n use_v in_o draw_v they_o into_o little_a company_n to_o fight_v separately_z and_o the_o danger_n they_o may_v thereby_o bring_v upon_o the_o whole_a army_n and_o therefore_o send_v they_o a_o peremptory_a order_n to_o give_v over_o fight_v by_o themselves_o and_o make_v good_a their_o retreat_n into_o the_o body_n of_o the_o army_n they_o wonder_v they_o complain_v they_o think_v themselves_o hardly_o use_v but_o no_o understand_a man_n blame_v their_o general_n who_o regard_v their_o safety_n more_o than_o they_o do_v themselves_o and_o know_v the_o allow_v they_o the_o liberty_n they_o desire_v will_v endanger_v the_o destruction_n of_o they_o all_o the_o wisdom_n and_o conduct_n of_o governor_n be_v quite_o another_o thing_n from_o the_o zeal_n and_o courage_n of_o inferior_a person_n who_o know_v their_o own_o resolution_n and_o integrity_n think_v much_o to_o be_v control_v but_o those_o who_o stand_v upon_o high_a ground_n and_o see_v further_o than_o they_o can_v do_v must_v be_v allow_v a_o better_a capacity_n of_o judge_v what_o make_v for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o whole_a than_o they_o can_v have_v and_o such_o thing_n which_o they_o look_v on_o in_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o think_v they_o mean_v and_o trifle_a the_o other_o look_v upon_o they_o in_o their_o consequence_n and_o the_o influence_n they_o may_v have_v upon_o the_o public_a safety_n it_o be_v extreme_o desirable_a that_o all_o good_a and_o useful_a man_n shall_v enjoy_v as_o much_o satisfaction_n as_o may_v be_v but_o if_o it_o can_v be_v attain_v without_o run_v great_a hazard_n of_o unsettle_v all_o it_o be_v then_o to_o be_v consider_v whether_o the_o general_a safety_n or_o some_o man_n particular_a satisfaction_n be_v the_o more_o desirable_a and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o give_v we_o reason_n to_o consider_v for_o although_o there_o be_v many_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n in_o their_o time_n about_o several_a rite_n and_o custom_n yet_o the_o apostle_n do_v give_v rule_n in_o