Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	according_a	zeal_n	zealous_a	146	3	9.5030	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A25460	Fides Catholica, or, The doctrine of the Catholick Church in eighteen grand ordinances referring to the Word, sacraments and prayer, in purity, number and nature, catholically maintained, and publickly taught against hereticks of all sorts : with the solutions of many proper and profitable questions sutable to to [sic] the nature of each ordinance treated of / by Wil. Annand ...	Annand, William, 1633-1689.	1661 (1661)	Wing A3218; ESTC R36639	391,570	601

glory of God Iohn his zeal was not zeal but ambition 4. In a found knowledge of things prayed for we must understand what we pray that our zeal may be according to knowledge and our Amen agreeable to religion 5. In a constant making conscience of the duty for Gods glory our own and our neighbours good This grace in prayer is very necessary For 1. It is a servent of zealous Prayer that will avail for any thing Iam. 5.17 2. It is a servent prayer that will only obtaine heaven Mat. 11.12 3. It is by it only that the true Christian can be distinguished from the Hypocrit Math. 23.14 These are the graces that constituts prayer and makes it move toward heaven and indeed without these prayer is no more a prayer then 2 dead coarse is a man these being the very form and inward life of it Read pag. 513. before p. 512 made by him therefore he is great honour by it 1 Cor. 6.20 2. God hath redeemed the body as well as the soul he cures the deseases of the one as well as pardons the sins of the other 3. God will glorify the body as well as the soul. 4. We can only give a good example by the body not by the soul how shall our light shine to others but through the lanthrone of our outward man and where this light appears not It is to be suposed there is no light in them For were they burneing they would also be shineing lights Iohn 5.53 SECT VII Questions Resolved Quest. 1. Whether men by Industry may obtaine a promptnesse in prayer Quest. 2. Whether the wicked be bound to pray Quest. 3. Whether the set forms of prayer used by law in the Church of England be lawfull Quest. 4. Whether there be not vaine repitions in those formes Quest. 5. Whether it would be convenient to altar any part of those formes Quest. 1. Whether men by Industry may obtaine a promptnesse in prayer This question taketh its rise from the practise of those ignorant pretenders to the spirit of prayer whose devotion in a great 2. The external forme which consists in the gestures of the body must be considered God will be worshipped with the whole man that is both soul and body We have them that pretending to inward worship will not give God outward service but we shall find the Saints both in the old and new Testament using their bodies in this duty of prayer both in the generall and some particular parts of it 1. The body in general and that in different gestures as prostration Numb 16.22 Kneeling Acts 20.36 Standing Luk 18.13 Lying Isa. 38.12 a Sitting 2 Sam. 7.18 leaping Act. 3.8 2. We have some particular parts of the body exercised in this ordinance in a particular sort as the head eyes hands mouth or tongue 1. The head and that bowed down 2 Chro. 29.30 noteing the reverence they bore to him in their hearts It is also called a bowing with the face and once was done so low as the very ground of the pavement 2 Chro. 7.3 2. The eyes and they sometimes cast down Luk. 18.13 noteing humility and sometime cast up Iohn 12.41 noteing faith 3. The hands and they spread abroad noteing fulnesse of grief Ezra 9.5 and also fulnesse of joy 1 King 8.22 holding forth anger to throw a way the thing prayed against and a desire to receave the thing prayed for Again the hands are lifted up noteing zeal of Gods glory Psal. 63.4 and sincerity of heart Lam. 3.41 In praying and noteing an appeal to God inswearing Gen. 14.22 Dan. 12.7 further they finite some parts of the body at the breast noteing sorrow Luk. 18.13 as the thigh noteing shame and guilt Iere. 31.19 3. The tongue this needs no proof it is so clear and so commonly known And was there not a cause to use the severall parts of the body in his service did the Saints do this without a reason 1. The body is Gods as well as the soul it is a creature measure consisted in hums and haws way faces and strained words not being prompt in their extemporary deliveries which to a voyd and that the weak Christian may have where with to expresse himself in a prompt and decent manner let him practise those known following rules 1. Be observant of the providences of God to themselves or others that they ether know hear or see this evil befalling now upon such and this good being given to others our own deliverance in such a danger and anothers being left in the same danger will afford abundance of matter in prayer 2. Be studious of the Scriptures of God by observing and heading the promises threatnings and passages therein a great furtherance shall they be to him that intends to go to God by prayer 3. Be often in the pactise of prayer In this use may go a great way and bares a great stroake men that have great parts may lose them by not useing of them and they that have small parts with exercise may abundantly improve them ● Be frequent in examinings the turnings and windings of the heart the vanity and folly and wickednesse that lodge therein will bring in great store of provision to that part of prayer Confession 5. Be strengthening the heart in the doctrine of faith this will make a man bold confident which will also make him prompt and fluent 6. Be studious in reading practical Divinity which treasures the soul with abundance of found knowledge and that affords matter of meditation and that again in prayer is brought forth with abundance of advantage 7. Call upon God for the Spirit of prayer not that I mean thou shouldst desire the spirit imediatly to act upon the heart and mind and then upon the tongue as some fond ones in those dayes for it may be aquestion whether that prayer would be lawfull in regard that whatever is sayd upon that ground is equall to what was delivered by the Apostles and equally binding the whole Church of God and to be a rule and canon of faith to all that hears thee so pray and Indeed some mens zeal in calling up a spirit of prayer gave breath to their Impudence who pretended a spirit of preaching which spread so farre that even womens preaching hath been taught to be as Infallible as St. Pauls and their sayings to be received under the pain of damnation as well as the sayings of our Lord. By the Spirit of prayer therefore we understand two things 1. The spirit of Justification to sprin le the soul of Christ. of sanctification to wash away all uncleannesse called the washing of regeneration Tit. 3.5 which spirit wherever it is is accompained with a desire to pray and disposeth the soul to pray though it were but in groans and wishes Rom. 8.26 and by observeing the rules before given having obtained this gift the soul may not only gro●ne but speake unto God its desires 2. The graces of the spirit or fruits of

stomack for its crying and let thy pride know that this day is not for ornaments but for courser or plainer apparel Ionah 3. 6. Pity not thy back if it have to supply necessity 4. For the fitting of the soul for more fervency in prayer this is the special end we are to have in this day of fasting unto which all the other doth but conduce the rest are but servants waiting upon this Fasting hath in all ages of the Church been used to or for three great duties as 1. For Repentance and so it looks backwards and this in reason calls for an abstinence from all carnal delights being a part of that holy revenge the soul taketh upon it self for sinning against the Almighty in the using of those sports whether in measure or in nature unlawfull 2 Cor. 7.11 Quem poenitet peccasse poene est innocens 2. For mortification and so it looks forward to this we must come only by degrees He that would subdue lusts must not fast long nor much a long fast will but make him eat the more the next meal and those vessels of sin will be filled as so on as any other parts of the body this devil of conscience will not be cast out by an act but by a state of abstinence a dye ● of fasting a dayly lessening our portion and of meat and drink but this alone will not cast out those legions of lusts and therefore fasting is used 3. For prayer and so it hath reference to the present time this may be short and true as the misseing of a meal or two when men are not overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness they are then in fit case and condition to watch and pray The Jews are said to eat nothing upon the Sabbath day untill they had performed their devotion which was about the sixth hour which began at nine of the clock We find also and know that many godly people will neither eat nor drink upon the Sabbath day morning finding meat an hindrance to that inten siveness of devotion that they desire to be acted by and also many will take the holy communion fasting At which ordinance as God requires pure hearts and hands they endeavour to come with clear heads and empty stomacks that they may so much the more be like the Angels of God quitted from the loads and burdens I had almost said bonds of the flesh But this intrencheth upon the ends of fasting which according to our method we come now in some sort to discover SECT II. 2 The ends of it Every act of nature hath an end to which it tends and every act of Religion hath an object which it eyes Fasting hath these 1 The subduing of wanton lusts no sooner have we got our dayly bread but we had need pray forgive us our sins our food even through corruption becoming instruments of death to subdue those extravagant motions that rise in the soul fasting is known a proper remedy the tears of contrition poured out by fasting are most effectual to quench the fire of lust lest the flame burn up the ungodly 2 That we may more devoutly contemplate the nature of God he is in heaven when we come before him we ought to be lifted up from earth Now the Christian in meditation can go many cubits higher towards heaven in the time of holy abstinence then otherwise Peter about the sixth hour grew hungry and saw heaven opened Acts 10.9 10. Cornelius was fasting and at prayer an Angel of God stood before him in bright cloathing Acts 10. v. 31. 30. And upon this ground it is that most Christians and devour people receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper fasting 3 That we may the more readily obtain some eminent favour from God this occasioned the great fast of Queen Ester Ester 4.16 and of the King of Nineveh We shall see the Saints when standing in need of some special mercy take themselves in all ages unto this duty and as God suffers no man to kindle a fire upon his Altar for nothing we shall seldome see the Church fasting but He satisfies her desires and fills her with his mercy in reference to things especially then required SECT III. 3 The time of it This hath chiefly reference to the occasional fast whose time cannot punctually be determined yet if the practise of the Saints may be allowed of this age for a rule a Fast is to be proclaimed 1 When sin and iniquity abounds Deut. 9. 18. When transgression reigns and iniquity is not ashamed then every true Christian with Lot afflicts his soul that at least he may save himself and upon the waters of his broken heart preservs the ark of his soul wherein his graces are untill that sin that aboundeth be abated 2 When judgement is threatned or feared Ionah 3.4 5. Iosh. 7.6 When heaven begins to look black then every good Christian with Iosiah hath paleness on his face and all loyns begin to shake but when it thunders in the clouds then a trumpet is blown in Zion and the Priests the Ministers of the Lord call Spare thy people O Lord. 3 When judgement is entered or set 2 Sam. 12. 16. When the Lord sayes smite then the Church as David in Sackcloth falls down at the sight of the Angel before the Lord upon her face and weeps sore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let this cup pass from me with great earnestness she desires she then cryes with Hezekiah Undertake for me O Lord for I am oppressed Isa. 38.15 4 When the Church is in danger or persecuted Ester 4.16 When Gebal and Edom and Ameleck the Philistines with the Inhabitants of Tyre conspire together against Ierusalem to destroy her then prayer is made without ceasing then the Lord gets no rest for his Church will take none untill he make Ierusalem a praise in the whole earth 5 When a reformation is sought after and designed 1 Sam. 7.6 Every thing is sanctified by the word of God and prayer and to have God at the beginning of a reformation is every Iosiahs and Hezekiahs desire if men go to build and consult not with God God will come down and destroy the building 6 When an enemy is in arms and coming to invade 2 Chro. 20.1 2 3. When the enemies of the Church whether general or national covers the mountains like Grashoppers then that little flock puts forth strong cryes saying Rebuke the company of spear men the multitude of the bulls with the calves of the people scatter thou the people that delight in war 7 When an Army is routed and their Captain killed or foiled 1 Sam. 31.13 When the mighty are fallen in the high places and when great men fall in Israel then there is a proper season for prayer and fasting when the Church turns her back before her enemies what can her people say but lye untill Even in sackcloth this teacheth them the use of the bow and gives their bleeding hearts fresh courage to fight

to leave every thing done and taught in the Churches of France Spaine or Italy for so they should have denyed the Lord that bought them but the errors or false worship of those Churches It is a cause of laughter to read what use men make of that letter the Pope sent Queen Elizabeth of glorious memory promiseing to ratifie the Common-prayer if she would restore his Supremacy It is as clear as the Sun that the Pope and the Guisel will both of them according to the Proverb play a smal game before they stand out It was lately their main study how to reconcile themselves to the independent who had got the start of them and they have now studyed a new art how to reconcile themselves to the Lord Bishop he being now a corner stone in the Church of England if the Pope use the same policy of all men under heaven they have least cause to declare it since they will truckle with Quaker Ranter they whole brood of bastardly Hereticks to procure unto themselves a supremacy It is worthy of observation that by this the Pope could not pick a quarrel even with the Common-prayer all things therein being so lawfull that he had not impudence to speake against and so exactly composed that he would have established it by Papal Authority without diminution or augmentation And yet it gives no strength at all unto his Kingdom that having these three pillars 1. Infallibility 2. Supremacy 3. Purgatory All which the Common-prayer disowns and renounceth yet the Pope will licence it as he doth English bibles that is because he must he will play at a sm●l ga●e because he hath hopes to win the set he proffered to ratifie Common-prayer not for love to it but to get his hand into the Kingdom of England knowing or at least ho●ing he might get in his arme and by degrees his whole body for the same reason the Guisel truckeled formerly under the Independent and lately with the Anabaptist and now would hold the stirrop to his spi●itual lordship not for love of either but to keep self in credit with the world being concious to himself that from him came all the evils that have befallen either Church or state in the by-past years and least with Cain he should become a vagabond is desireous of any that will befriend him 2. It s giving offence to tender consciences This is a high note and often heard but 1. Who discovered or layd the ground of that offence 2. How easily might that offence be removed if in popular Sermons the innocency and purity of that book were preached the people have for 16 years heard much against it and now they hear nothing at least from you for it no wonder therefore if they be not affected with it We say affected for it seemes to be but a prejudice against that book not conscience that maketh them to oppose the same that being guided by Sripture and reason not spleen and passion When we behold that service rayled at scorned shunned contemned condemned and the users of it scandaled and yet not one sentence word or petition proved unlawfull or not according to scripture we have ground to conjecture that it is stomack not religion maketh them to do so and the over-flowings of their gall not tendernesse of their consciences that makes them to flee out into such depraveing and abusive language They would appear so holy that it is dangerous to offend them or lay a stone of stumbling before them Yet what greater offence can be given then to abuse a national or personall Church by defaming the prayers therein established or by the other made when in the meane time in all their findings one sentence unlawfull in these prayers they cannot find were they as tender as they would seeme to be we should have more argueing lesse rayling The greatest number of them that pretend to receive offence are of that disposition that they desire not to be informed touching those set formes whether by discourse preaching or reading and the other part can produce no unseemly thing in them and yet they being established by good laws and Just authority give still occasion to conjecture that not conscience but wilfulnesse and obstinacy is the mother of their non-conformity There is a God above who often brings mens wicked devices upon their own pate It was pi●y to see commissioners apointed in every county and ministers as their assistants turning cut ministers from their places to the ruine of their familees for not subscribing to the directory or for reading Common-prayer when they were bound by oath law and allegiance to the same and now men that are enjoyned or desireed to read Common-prayer pretend conscience and cry out they are offended and the same persons complain of persecution when the true owners are restored but c. The Reader can bear us witnesse that we have not mentioned that act of Popish Queen Mary who at her first coming to the Crown seeking to Erect popery in England repealed all acts made in the favour of the Common-prayer and altogether abolished it to facilitate that work Nor of the Practise of those Recusants who being under the penalty of a fine if they came not to the publick Churches of this nation in the days of Queen Elizabeth would commonly refraine themselves from hearing Common-prayer and not enter Church being in this Puritanicall untill the preacher was in the pulpit which are arguments of no smal weight to defend that the Common-prayer is not popishly affected the Papists themselves being witnesses To conclude this question seeing that some men do not grow strong and well favoured through holynesse knowledge and sobriety by other ordinances of the Church Common-prayer which they scornfully call po●age is fittest for their weak stomacks and sickly constitutions while those that are strong and of good digestion may receive the more meat and grow in grace and knowledge by their eating that is by a holy using the set formes of the Church together with other dutys Quest. 4. Whether there be not vaine repetitions in those formes This is a grand argument brought by many justifying their non conformity to the Churches liturgy and most heard from those men whose publick prayers were for the most part carried on by empty or at least by many repititons To be brief we must distinguish of repetitions there is a bare repetition and there is a vain repetition 1. Bare repetitions if repetitions of themselves were unlawfull lawfull to be used in prayer that is to repeate or bring over again and again the same thing before asked then many of the Saints of God must be blamed and the son of God must not be Justified who in one prayer repeated the same petition thrice over Mat. 26.44 It is a desireable faculty to vary in prayer yet every one cannot do it and they that can will repeate somtimes 1. Through pinching necessity this made Christ cry earnestly in