Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	best_a	course_n	great_a	161	3	2.0924	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A53908	A sermon preached Feb. 2, 1689/90 with an addition of what was further designed on that subject / by Richard Pearson ...	Pearson, Richard, d. 1734.	1690 (1690)	Wing P1016; ESTC R38163	27,343	44

as_o it_o be_v always_o necessary_a first_o to_o discover_v the_o cause_n nature_n and_o effect_n of_o a_o distemper_n in_o order_n to_o its_o cure_n whole_o to_o make_v way_n for_o and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o better_a success_n of_o this_o my_o last_o both_o more_o please_a and_o profitable_a undertake_n to_o which_o therefore_o i_o shall_v now_o apply_v myself_o with_o all_o imaginable_a cheerfulness_n and_o alacrity_n as_o deep_o mindful_a of_o that_o excellent_a rule_n of_o plutarch_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o become_v not_o a_o good_a man_n to_o spend_v his_o time_n so_o much_o in_o complaint_n of_o athers_n fail_n as_o in_o endeavour_v to_o correct_v and_o prescribe_v remedy_n and_o first_o then_o this_o very_a consideration_n of_o the_o commonness_n of_o this_o evil_a may_v itself_o very_o well_o be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o no_o contemptible_a remedy_n or_o antidote_n against_o the_o scandal_n of_o such_o example_n and_o since_o as_o i_o show_v before_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o new_a thing_n that_o scarce_o any_o thing_n be_v or_o have_v be_v more_o common_a almost_o in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n than_o instance_n of_o such_o person_n who_o life_n and_o practice_n have_v be_v a_o flat_a contradiction_n to_o their_o own_o doctrine_n so_o much_o the_o less_o reason_n than_o have_v thou_o to_o take_v offence_n from_o thy_o own_o particular_a observation_n of_o the_o same_o frailty_n for_o in_o this_o case_n no_o temptation_n be_v suffer_v to_o befall_v thou_o but_o such_o as_o have_v be_v common_a also_o unto_o other_o before_o thou_o all_o holy_a man_n have_v be_v more_o or_o less_o exercise_v with_o go_v through_o and_o noble_o conquer_a the_o same_o trial_n no_o age_n or_o place_n afford_v not_o some_o such_o doctor_n who_o act_n quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n which_o they_o teach_v other_o and_o if_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o be_v indeed_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o make_v man_n fall_v out_o with_o religion_n and_o their_o duty_n there_o can_v then_o scarce_o ever_o have_v be_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o it_o so_o many_o righteous_a person_n as_o that_o small_a number_n which_o will_v have_v save_v sodom_n and_o heaven_n must_v have_v be_v without_o people_n so_o that_o whoever_o thou_o be_v that_o from_o hence_o endeavoure_v to_o excuse_v thyself_o from_o duty_n and_o be_v resolve_v never_o to_o commence_v saint_n thyself_o till_o thou_o can_v first_o see_v all_o minister_n become_v such_o know_v this_o that_o thou_o be_v sure_a to_o continue_v both_o wicked_a and_o miserable_a for_o ever_o and_o will_v no_o less_o certain_o have_v be_v so_o even_o though_o thou_o thyself_o have_v have_v the_o liberty_n of_o choose_v any_o other_o time_n or_o place_n of_o the_o world_n almost_o ever_o since_o the_o creation_n of_o it_o but_o still_o you_o will_v say_v the_o extraordinary_a unhappiness_n of_o some_o particular_a age_n may_v perhaps_o enable_v a_o man_n to_o object_v far_o after_o this_o manner_n i_o confess_v indeed_o that_o what_o you_o have_v say_v be_v very_o true_a and_o be_v they_o only_o some_o few_o inconsiderable_a person_n who_o i_o see_v thus_o act_v quite_o contrary_a to_o their_o own_o avow_a doctrine_n this_o i_o can_v have_v make_v a_o shift_n to_o have_v bear_v with_o as_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o i_o shall_v in_o reason_n have_v expect_v nor_o can_v i_o therefore_o have_v be_v so_o much_o offend_v thereat_o but_o now_o that_o case_n be_v quite_o different_a and_o when_o i_o behold_v a_o very_a great_a multitude_n of_o such_o offender_n nay_o when_o i_o observe_v the_o far_o great_a number_n of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v general_o account_v the_o most_o eminent_a for_o piety_n as_o well_o as_o learning_n notorious_o guilty_a of_o such_o a_o defection_n what_o will_v you_o have_v i_o to_o say_v or_o think_v of_o this_o matter_n and_o how_o can_v i_o choose_v but_o be_v most_o grievous_o startle_v and_o offend_v at_o such_o a_o amaze_a sight_n and_o monstrous_a conjunction_n of_o example_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v in_o the_o general_n that_o when_o the_o case_n real_o happen_v to_o be_v thus_o as_o sometime_o i_o confess_v though_o more_o rare_o it_o do_v this_o be_v indeed_o enough_o to_o shock_v a_o ordinary_a faith_n and_o great_o to_o stagger_v the_o weak_a sort_n of_o christian_n in_o their_o religion_n and_o course_n of_o duty_n nay_o perhaps_o it_o may_v well_o prove_v one_o of_o the_o great_a scandal_n and_o temptation_n that_o even_o the_o most_o experience_a and_o best_a resolve_v christian_n can_v likely_o be_v exercise_v with_o but_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v i_o shall_v show_v not_o such_o as_o be_v so_o altogether_o insuperable_a but_o that_o by_o god_n grace_n and_o the_o impartial_a use_n of_o reason_n and_o a_o thorough_a consideration_n of_o thing_n we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o overcome_v and_o be_v glorious_o triumphant_a over_o it_o in_o order_n to_o which_o bless_a end_n i_o shall_v distinct_o consider_v in_o the_o objection_n three_o several_a thing_n the_o piety_n the_o learning_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o such_o offender_n first_o their_o suppose_a piety_n and_o holiness_n in_o judge_v of_o which_o you_o may_v consider_v how_o very_o liable_a man_n be_v to_o be_v deceive_v for_o all_o be_v not_o present_o gold_n that_o glister_v and_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o they_o who_o thou_o so_o admiredst_a for_o their_o piety_n be_v all_o along_o from_o the_o very_a beginning_n no_o better_o then_o mere_a hypocrite_n since_o even_o such_o many_o time_n be_v prompt_v through_o their_o ambition_n and_o vain_a glory_n industrious_o to_o make_v a_o great_a show_n and_o glare_v as_o to_o the_o external_a exercise_n of_o some_o virtue_n than_o those_o modest_a and_o humble_a soul_n who_o heart_n be_v real_o endue_v with_o a_o sincere_a principle_n of_o holiness_n and_o religion_n and_o though_o thou_o and_o other_o do_v well_o and_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o charity_n in_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v holy_a and_o sincere_a so_o long_o as_o in_o their_o life_n and_o action_n you_o can_v not_o discover_v any_o plain_a argument_n to_o the_o contrary_a yet_o after_o once_o these_o evident_o appear_v and_o the_o rough_a hand_n of_o esau_n give_v the_o lie_n to_o the_o smooth_a voice_n of_o jacob_n the_o hypocrisy_n of_o such_o teacher_n be_v then_o sufficient_o discover_v and_o they_o become_v self-condemned_n nor_o do_v any_o charity_n oblige_v we_o any_o long_a to_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v true_o pious_a before_o but_o rather_o mere_a hypocrite_n who_o will_v have_v long_o before_o also_o have_v show_v themselves_o to_o have_v be_v no_o better_o have_v they_o be_v assault_v with_o the_o same_o powerful_a temptation_n which_o be_v now_o suffer_v to_o beiall_n they_o on_o purpose_n to_o unmask_v they_o to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o as_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o show_v for_o the_o great_a benefit_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o that_o they_o who_o be_v approve_v may_v also_o be_v make_v more_o manifest_a or_o else_o if_o we_o will_v needs_o suppose_v such_o teacher_n to_o have_v be_v former_o true_o pious_a and_o sincere_a yet_o we_o may_v well_o credit_v our_o own_o eye_n and_o safe_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v now_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o for_o certain_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n to_o fall_v from_o grace_n to_o be_v natural_o and_o necessary_o good_a be_v the_o sole_a privilege_n of_o god_n himself_o whilst_o no_o creature_n be_v natural_o impeccable_a nor_o have_v god_n make_v any_o sort_n of_o man_n any_o more_o indefectible_a than_o infallible_a to_o their_o understanding_n as_o to_o their_o manner_n the_o righteous_a may_v leave_v off_o to_o be_v good_a and_o do_v that_o which_o be_v wicked_a and_o abominable_a and_o when_o he_o do_v so_o all_o his_o former_a righteousness_n be_v to_o be_v no_o more_o remember_v either_o by_o god_n or_o man._n and_o when_o all_o be_v do_v that_o of_o st._n john_n be_v the_o only_a firm_a and_o last_a rule_n whereby_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v in_o these_o case_n he_o and_o he_o only_o who_o do_v righteousness_n be_v righteous_a and_o since_o even_o the_o best_a have_v sometime_o their_o fail_n we_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v they_o any_o far_a or_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o influence_n of_o their_o example_n but_o only_o whilst_o we_o see_v they_o walk_v according_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n holy_a word_n but_o when_o we_o behold_v they_o act_v contrary_a thereto_o to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v this_o any_o licence_n for_o we_o to_o imitate_v as_o on_o the_o contrary_a to_o be_v excite_v therefore_o to_o great_a fear_n and_o caution_n lest_o we_o also_o offend_v in_o like_a manner_n second_o as_o to_o the_o learning_n of_o such_o

it_o will_v enable_v a_o man_n thorough_o to_o relish_v duty_n and_o to_o taste_v and_o see_v how_o good_a the_o lord_n be_v he_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o experience_n such_o unspeakable_a joy_n solid_a pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n therein_o that_o he_o will_v not_o for_o the_o whole_a world_n part_n with_o it_o and_o they_o must_v first_o persuade_v he_o out_o of_o his_o very_a sense_n as_o well_o as_o his_o reason_n who_o will_v prevail_v with_o he_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n by_o which_o he_o know_v he_o must_v forfeit_v the_o same_o so_o that_o after_o thus_o antidote_v with_o godly_a sincerity_n let_v other_o man_n in_o whole_a shoal_n together_o or_o if_o you_o please_v in_o the_o most_o affect_a procession_n go_v to_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o of_o a_o good_a conscience_n let_v thousand_o daily_a fall_n on_o thy_o right_a hand_n and_o ten_o thousand_o on_o thy_o left_a the_o plague_n shall_v not_o come_v nigh_o thou_o the_o infection_n of_o such_o example_n shall_v never_o once_o touch_v thou_o three_o let_v the_o matter_n of_o scandal_n be_v in_o itself_o never_o so_o great_a yet_o consider_v that_o in_o such_o case_n god_n many_o time_n permit_v a_o powerful_a occasion_n to_o be_v administer_v whereby_o so_o many_o doctor_n and_o of_o so_o great_a a_o name_n though_o all_o along_o no_o better_a than_o close_a hypocrite_n shall_v at_o last_o unmask_v themselves_o and_o fall_v so_o foul_o on_o purpose_n to_o try_v the_o strength_n of_o thy_o faith_n to_o make_v thou_o become_v a_o spectacle_n to_o man_n and_o angel_n and_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v how_o sincere_a and_o wellgrounded_n thou_o be_v in_o the_o truth_n who_o can_v not_o be_v shake_v out_o of_o thy_o duty_n and_o religion_n by_o all_o the_o contrary_a wind_n of_o false_a doctrine_n or_o the_o great_a earthquake_n of_o a_o general_a apostasy_n why_o shall_v thou_o therefore_o be_v so_o much_o trouble_v or_o offend_v at_o that_o which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o thy_o own_o fault_n will_v certain_o tend_v to_o the_o great_a increase_n of_o thy_o renown_n and_o happiness_n for_o the_o more_o difficult_a thy_o trial_n and_o temptation_n so_o much_o the_o more_o eminent_a and_o remarkable_a will_v be_v thy_o virtue_n in_o the_o conquest_n so_o much_o the_o great_a the_o honour_n of_o the_o triumph_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o glorious_a thy_o reward_n and_o happiness_n hereafter_o four_o it_o may_v very_o much_o help_v to_o abate_v thy_o scandal_n when_o thou_o shall_v consider_v the_o many_o and_o great_a benefit_n which_o usual_o redound_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o general_n whilst_o they_o who_o be_v approve_v or_o the_o contrary_a be_v hereby_o make_v manifest_a for_o first_o such_o discovery_n do_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v more_o effectual_o secure_v pious_a person_n from_o be_v any_o way_n mislead_v out_o of_o their_o duty_n by_o the_o corrupt_a example_n or_o persuasion_n of_o conceal_a hypocrite_n familiar_a converse_n with_o ill_a man_n be_v very_o dangerous_a and_o infectious_a and_o apt_a insensible_o to_o taint_v and_o make_v a_o man_n tread_v awry_o even_o before_o he_o be_v aware_a and_o when_o many_o secret_a hypocrite_n be_v mix_v together_o in_o the_o same_o comunion_n with_o the_o faithful_a and_o seem_v to_o worship_n god_n at_o the_o same_o altar_n good_a man_n be_v apt_a to_o suspect_v no_o harm_n from_o they_o but_o to_o give_v ear_n to_o their_o insinuation_n and_o advice_n whilst_o false_a friend_n be_v always_o upon_o this_o very_a account_n most_o dangerous_a to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o true_a member_n of_o it_o in_o particular_a but_o now_o when_o such_o man_n have_v discover_v and_o unmask_v themselves_o by_o their_o open_a apostasy_n every_o sincere_a person_n be_v enable_v to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o downright_a enemy_n and_o be_v according_o sufficient_o prepare_v and_o antidote_v against_o their_o poison_n second_o when_o sincere_a person_n come_v once_o general_o and_o certain_o to_o know_v one_o another_o as_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o always_o do_v they_o then_o become_v hereby_o the_o better_a enable_v to_o love_v value_n and_o trust_v each_o other_o and_o have_v a_o fit_a opportunity_n most_o close_o and_o secure_o to_o combine_v their_o several_a prayer_n counsel_n and_o pious_a endeavour_n for_o mutual_a edification_n and_o the_o church_n welfare_n three_o when_o by_o such_o lapse_n the_o chaff_n be_v well_o sift_v and_o winnow_v from_o the_o wheat_n so_o that_o they_o who_o still_o continue_v in_o their_o integrity_n and_o stand_v to_o their_o principle_n have_v sufficient_o discover_v themselves_o to_o be_v sincere_a and_o hearty_a then_o may_v that_o particular_a church_n howsoever_o great_o decrease_v in_o the_o number_n of_o its_o outward_a member_n upon_o good_a reason_n conclude_v itself_o in_o a_o more_o safe_a and_o hopeful_a condition_n than_o it_o be_v before_o as_o more_o immediate_o entitle_v to_o god_n favour_n and_o protection_n and_o now_o by_o such_o purgation_n become_v more_o strong_a sound_a and_o healthful_a in_o its_o constitution_n be_v therefore_o far_o better_a qualify_v for_o a_o prosperous_a state_n four_o the_o discovery_n and_o manifestation_n which_o such_o lapse_n make_v be_v of_o singular_a benefit_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n as_o it_o tend_v most_o effectual_o to_o secure_v they_o from_o that_o dangerous_a error_n and_o folly_n by_o which_o even_o many_o well-meaning_a man_n be_v sometime_o liable_a to_o be_v overtake_v whilst_o they_o be_v too_o apt_a to_o forget_v that_o their_o spiritual_a treasure_n be_v convey_v to_o they_o through_o the_o mediation_n of_o earthen_a vessel_n as_o the_o instrument_n by_o the_o experimental_a frailty_n of_o which_o they_o be_v sufficient_o instruct_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v not_o to_o depend_v so_o much_o upon_o any_o man_n mere_a authority_n or_o example_n howsoever_o have_v general_o in_o repute_n both_o for_o piety_n and_o learning_n to_o call_v or_o make_v no_o mere_a man_n on_o earth_n the_o absolute_a master_n of_o their_o faith_n nor_o to_o have_v man_n person_n so_o in_o admiration_n but_o to_o learn_v to_o esteem_v of_o teacher_n chief_o for_o their_o work_n sake_n in_o short_a when_o they_o who_o before_o be_v too_o apt_a to_o favour_n and_o follow_v sly_a seducer_n shall_v evident_o perceive_v how_o gross_o they_o contradict_v themselves_o how_o foul_o they_o have_v fall_v and_o that_o they_o real_o mind_n nothing_o but_o the_o world_n such_o man_n be_v from_o hence_o present_o move_v to_o forsake_v they_o and_o to_o betake_v themselves_o to_o more_o sincere_a guide_n so_o that_o god_n faithful_a minister_n notwithstanding_o as_o it_o sometime_o fall_v out_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o bodily_a presence_n or_o their_o less_o share_n of_o eloquence_n become_v at_o last_o by_o this_o mean_n to_o be_v more_o love_v value_v and_o due_o rely_v upon_o by_o their_o respective_a flock_n five_o when_o god_n see_v fit_a that_o such_o a_o church_n shall_v come_v afterward_o to_o be_v well_o settle_v and_o compose_v again_o that_o manifestation_n which_o the_o former_a lapse_n and_o revolt_v have_v make_v both_o of_o man_n integrity_n and_o ability_n or_o of_o the_o contrary_a must_v needs_o prove_v of_o admirable_a use_n the_o better_a to_o direct_v those_o who_o be_v in_o authority_n so_o to_o do_v towards_o the_o choice_n of_o fit_a spiritual_a officer_n and_o governor_n and_o to_o enable_v they_o to_o know_v what_o particular_a person_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v and_o who_o most_o safe_o to_o be_v promote_v to_o place_n of_o great_a trust_n and_o eminency_n in_o the_o church_n than_o which_o scarce_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v of_o great_a consequence_n or_o importance_n and_o according_o they_o who_o either_o lapse_v from_o the_o faith_n in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n or_o be_v guilty_a of_o any_o heinous_a crime_n be_v hereupon_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n for_o ever_o after_o hold_v uncapable_a though_o they_o do_v repent_v of_o come_v to_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n or_o be_v exclude_v and_o depose_v therefrom_o if_o before_o they_o happen_v to_o enjoy_v such_o dignity_n whilst_o on_o the_o contrary_a no_o person_n be_v think_v so_o fit_a to_o be_v promote_v to_o place_n ecclesiastical_a though_o perhaps_o at_o the_o same_o time_n less_o eminent_a in_o learning_n as_o they_o who_o have_v manifest_v their_o firmness_n and_o integrity_n under_o such_o trial_n for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o we_o may_v give_v credit_n to_o st._n augustin_n who_o word_n be_v these_o in_o his_o 50._o ep._n to_o boniface_n ut_fw-la enim_fw-la constitueretur_fw-la in_o ecclesiâ_fw-la ne_fw-la quisovam_fw-la post_fw-la alicujus_fw-la criminis_fw-la paenitentiam_fw-la clericatum_fw-la accipiat_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n by_o which_o it_o be_v provide_v that_o they_o who_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o any_o heinous_a crime_n shall_v never_o even_o after_o their_o