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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
scripture_n church_n infallible_a tradition_n 5,965 5 9.8720 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A30350 Four discourses delivered to the clergy of the Diocess of Sarum ... by the Right Reverend Father in God, Gilbert, Lord Bishop of Sarum. Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715. 1694 (1694) Wing B5793; ESTC R202023 160,531 125

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fear_n and_o policy_n but_o the_o rule_n of_o religion_n which_o oblige_v the_o church_n to_o study_v to_o preserve_v that_o order_n and_o protection_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a blessing_n of_o the_o society_n and_o a_o main_a instrument_n of_o do_v much_o good_a great_a difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o a_o authority_n that_o act_n with_o a_o visible_a design_n to_o destroy_v religion_n and_o another_o that_o intend_v to_o protect_v it_o but_o that_o err_v in_o its_o conduct_n and_o do_v often_o restrain_v the_o rule_n of_o order_n and_o impose_v hard_a and_o uneasy_a thing_n certain_o in_o the_o latter_a much_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v with_o that_o may_v be_v otherwise_o uneasy_a because_o the_o main_n be_v still_o safe_a and_o private_a slip_n when_o endure_v and_o submit_v to_o can_v never_o be_v compare_v to_o those_o public_a disorder_n that_o a_o rigid_a maintain_n of_o that_o which_o be_v perhaps_o in_o itself_o good_a must_v occasion_n but_o when_o the_o design_n be_v plain_a and_o that_o the_o conduct_v of_o the_o civil_a power_n go_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o any_o main_a article_n of_o it_o than_o the_o body_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o state_n ought_v to_o fortify_v themselves_o by_o maintain_v their_o order_n and_o their_o other_o rule_n in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o preservation_n upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o church_n have_v any_o authority_n to_o act_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o state_n but_o mere_o in_o those_o thing_n in_o which_o the_o religion_n that_o she_o profess_v be_v plain_a and_o positive_a so_o that_o the_o question_n come_v to_o be_v real_o this_o whether_o be_v it_o better_a to_o obey_v god_n than_o man_n there_o the_o rule_n be_v clear_a and_o the_o decision_n be_v soon_o make_v so_o when_o the_o church_n act_v mere_o in_o obedience_n to_o rule_n and_o law_n lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n such_o as_o in_o declare_v the_o doctrine_n in_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n and_o maintain_v the_o settle_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n she_o be_v upon_o a_o sure_a bottom_n and_o must_v cast_v herself_o upon_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n whatever_o may_v happen_v and_o still_o obey_v god_n but_o in_o all_o thing_n that_o have_v arisen_a out_o of_o ancient_a custom_n and_o canon_n in_o every_o thing_n where_o she_o have_v not_o a_o law_n of_o god_n to_o support_v she_o i_o do_v not_o see_v any_o power_n she_o have_v to_o act_v in_o opposition_n to_o law_n and_o to_o the_o supreme_a civil_a authority_n in_o this_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v no_o small_a argument_n who_o be_v sanhedrin_n that_o be_v a_o civil_a court_n and_o the_o head_n of_o their_o state_n do_v give_v rule_n and_o order_n which_o their_o priest_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v when_o not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n we_o be_v sure_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o it_o be_v never_o censure_v nor_o reprove_v by_o he_o nor_o by_o the_o apostle_n the_o argument_n be_v also_o strong_a that_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o time_n that_o she_o first_o have_v the_o protection_n of_o the_o civil_a authority_n till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o papal_a domination_n in_o which_o we_o find_v the_o emperor_n all_o along_o make_v law_n concern_v all_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o church_n we_o find_v they_o receive_v appeal_n in_o all_o church_n matter_n which_o they_o appoint_v such_o bishop_n as_o happen_v to_o be_v about_o their_o court_n to_o examine_v this_o be_v like_o our_o court_n of_o delegate_n for_o the_o bishop_n who_o judge_v those_o matter_n do_v not_o act_v according_a to_o canon_n or_o by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a
next_o to_o examine_v the_o pretence_n for_o disjoint_v this_o union_n among_o ourselves_o and_o see_v whether_o the_o main_a body_n among_o we_o i_o mean_v our_o church_n have_v impose_v unlawful_a term_n of_o communion_n on_o her_o member_n for_o if_o that_o be_v true_a we_o by_o so_o do_v have_v break_v this_o union_n or_o whether_o any_o who_o have_v separate_v from_o we_o have_v not_o do_v it_o upon_o less_o bind_a consideration_n for_o than_o they_o have_v break_v the_o union_n this_o i_o will_v manage_v with_o all_o possible_a fairness_n and_o without_o the_o least_o reflection_n on_o person_n and_o party_n i_o will_v state_n their_o ground_n and_o put_v their_o argument_n with_o the_o utmost_a force_n that_o i_o can_v apprehend_v belong_v to_o they_o and_o when_o i_o have_v weigh_v they_o i_o will_v leave_v the_o whole_a matter_n to_o a_o impartial_a consideration_n the_o first_o point_n in_o which_o every_o man_n must_v fix_v his_o thought_n be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o free_a to_o he_o to_o choose_v to_o which_o body_n he_o will_v join_v himself_o as_o it_o be_v free_a to_o he_o to_o choose_v in_o which_o parish_n he_o will_v settle_v himself_o for_o since_o all_o parish_n make_v but_o one_o communion_n and_o church_n the_o one_o can_v be_v compare_v to_o the_o other_o and_o if_o all_o that_o be_v say_v before_o be_v true_a then_o certain_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o man_n to_o break_v the_o union_n of_o the_o body_n unless_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o can_v be_v maintain_v but_o upon_o unlawful_a term_n therefore_o except_o a_o man_n be_v under_o this_o persuasion_n he_o sin_n if_o he_o depart_v from_o the_o union_n of_o the_o body_n but_o since_o conscience_n be_v a_o word_n that_o may_v be_v use_v in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n its_o true_a notion_n ought_v to_o be_v well_o settle_v which_o be_v according_a to_o the_o natural_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o all_o language_n a_o inward_a persuasion_n found_v upon_o some_o reason_n apprehend_v to_o be_v true_a concern_v the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o a_o thing_n by_o this_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o a_o bare_a aversion_n or_o dislike_n to_o a_o thing_n without_o any_o reason_n on_o which_o that_o dislike_n be_v ground_v can_v be_v call_v conscience_n since_o thing_n with_o which_o we_o be_v not_o acquaint_v or_o that_o be_v uncouth_a to_o we_o which_o we_o have_v often_o hear_v speak_v against_o be_v dislike_v by_o we_o through_o a_o habit_n or_o prejudice_n conceive_v against_o they_o but_o unless_o this_o be_v found_v upon_o some_o reason_n that_o appear_v to_o we_o true_a draw_v either_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n or_o from_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v not_o conscience_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o every_o man_n under_o these_o conviction_n must_v be_v able_a to_o maintain_v those_o his_o reason_n to_o other_o to_o be_v just_a and_o good_a for_o then_o a_o better_a arguer_n who_o can_v silence_v he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o alter_v his_o conscience_n but_o though_o he_o can_v answer_v objection_n yet_o as_o long_o as_o his_o persuasion_n appear_v to_o be_v well_o ground_v to_o himself_o such_o a_o man_n be_v still_o under_o the_o bond_n of_o his_o conscience_n i_o be_o not_o now_o to_o examine_v how_o far_o a_o err_a conscience_n oblige_v or_o at_o least_o excuse_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o have_v state_v in_o general_a the_o true_a notion_n of_o conscience_n by_o which_o every_o man_n that_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o deceive_v himself_o may_v certain_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v real_o under_o the_o persuasion_n of_o conscience_n or_o if_o he_o be_v only_o guide_v by_o humour_n conceit_n or_o the_o power_n of_o education_n and_o prejudice_n the_o main_a foundation_n out_o of_o which_o most_o of_o the_o objection_n against_o some_o of_o the_o term_n of_o our_o communion_n be_v raise_v be_v this_o that_o the_o church_n be_v only_o empower_v to_o execute_v those_o rule_n and_o order_n that_o be_v set_v christian_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o pretend_v to_o add_v to_o these_o be_v to_o accuse_v the_o scripture_n as_o defective_a that_o all_o addition_n to_o those_o rule_n set_v we_o in_o scripture_n be_v superstitious_a usage_n that_o they_o impose_v a_o yoke_n upon_o we_o and_o so_o deprive_v we_o of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n that_o if_o some_o rite_n may_v be_v add_v other_o upon_o the_o like_a reason_n may_v be_v also_o add_v to_o these_o and_o so_o on_o without_o bound_n as_o in_o fact_n it_o appear_v that_o when_o the_o church_n go_v once_o off_o from_o the_o first_o simplicity_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o new_a rite_n be_v invent_v to_o beautify_v the_o worship_n these_o addition_n do_v at_o last_o swell_v up_o to_o that_o intolerable_a height_n in_o which_o they_o be_v now_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o religious_a matter_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o according_a to_o st._n paul_n rule_n that_o a_o thing_n be_v lawful_a it_o must_v also_o be_v expedient_a but_o for_o that_o pretend_a expediency_n which_o be_v allege_v for_o some_o rite_n that_o they_o be_v expressive_a and_o significant_a it_o be_v rather_o a_o argument_n against_o they_o for_o a_o significant_a ceremony_n be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o sacrament_n the_o common_a definition_n of_o which_o 10.23_o that_o it_o be_v a_o visible_a sign_n of_o a_o invisible_a grace_n agree_v to_o it_o and_o certain_o the_o appoint_v sacrament_n be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n and_o can_v belong_v only_o to_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v its_o head_n and_o founder_n but_o all_o this_o be_v in_o appearance_n the_o strong_a if_o rite_n so_o enjoin_v have_v be_v abuse_v to_o idolatry_n and_o be_v part_n of_o a_o idolatrous_a worship_n to_o retain_v these_o be_v to_o conform_v ourselves_o to_o it_o though_o the_o scripture_n command_v we_o to_o come_v out_o from_o among_o all_o such_o and_o not_o to_o be_v conformable_a to_o they_o hezeki●_n break_v the_o brazen_a serpent_n though_o a_o memorial_n of_o a_o signal_n miracle_n 18.4_o in_o which_o it_o have_v be_v in_o some_o sort_n a_o instrument_n yet_o when_o even_o that_o be_v abuse_v to_o idolatry_n a_o good_a king_n break_v it_o to_o piece_n this_o will_v hold_v strong_a against_o thing_n that_o be_v but_o of_o human_a institution_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v away_o how_o innocent_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v in_o themselves_o after_o they_o be_v gross_o abuse_v to_o keep_v up_o the_o use_n of_o such_o thing_n be_v to_o scandalize_v and_o offend_v the_o weak_a christian_n though_o st._n paul_n lay_v great_a weight_n upon_o this_o and_o charge_v all_o christian_n not_o to_o lay_v a_o stumbling-block_n in_o one_o another_o way_n ●_o he_o call_v the_o do_v otherwise_o the_o destroy_v a_o weak_a brother_n and_o in_o conclusion_n since_o st._n paul_n say_v whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n these_o rite_n therefore_o not_o be_v warrant_v from_o scripture_n 23._o can_v be_v of_o faith_n the_o object_n of_o which_o be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n they_o must_v therefore_o be_v sinful_a and_o thus_o i_o have_v set_v down_o all_o the_o branch_n of_o the_o plea_n against_o ceremony_n with_o as_o much_o advantage_n as_o i_o can_v imagine_v belong_v to_o they_o i_o go_v therefore_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o take_v it_o to_o piece_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o of_o every_o part_n of_o this_o reason_v that_o as_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v want_v not_o fair_a and_o specious_a colour_n the_o main_a stress_n lie_v upon_o this_o whether_o the_o church_n in_o her_o ritual_n be_v so_o limit_v to_o the_o scripture_n that_o she_o have_v no_o power_n to_o add_v any_o thing_n to_o what_o be_v prescribe_v in_o they_o great_a difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n rule_v of_o life_n foederal_n act_v together_o with_o the_o other_o act_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v part_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n or_o condition_n of_o it_o and_o some_o ritual_a appointment_n such_o as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o those_o institute_v act_n the_o form_n for_o the_o solemn_a act_n of_o worship_n together_o with_o some_o other_o institution_n which_o be_v help_n to_o devotion_n and_o do_v fix_v or_o raise_v the_o attention_n for_o the_o former_a sort_n it_o be_v confess_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v deliver_v this_o religion_n to_o the_o world_n it_o must_v continue_v in_o the_o same_o state_n in_o which_o they_o settle_v it_o without_o addition_n or_o variation_n but_o since_o all_o institute_v action_n must_v be_v determine_v by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o person_n place_n time_n word_n and_o posture_n these_o must_v be_v all_o manage_v with_o such_o
one_o another_o in_o such_o case_n the_o one_o be_v not_o to_o set_v a_o stumbling-block_n or_o a_o occasion_n to_o fall_v in_o another_o man_n way_n 13._o that_o be_v not_o to_o use_v our_o liberty_n in_o such_o instance_n or_o on_o such_o occasion_n as_o may_v draw_v other_o man_n to_o act_v in_o imitation_n of_o we_o against_o their_o own_o conscience_n this_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o give_v scandal_n or_o the_o lay_v a_o trap_n in_o the_o way_n of_o another_o by_o which_o he_o may_v fall_v or_o be_v catch_v and_o this_o every_o man_n be_v to_o avoid_v when_o it_o be_v free_a for_o he_o to_o act_v or_o not_o as_o he_o please_v for_o in_o that_o case_n only_o he_o be_v under_o this_o obligation_n and_o caution_n since_o otherwise_o if_o he_o be_v determine_v by_o any_o law_n divine_a or_o humane_a he_o must_v go_v on_o and_o do_v his_o duty_n without_o consider_v what_o consequence_n may_v happen_v upon_o it_o for_o which_o he_o be_v not_o accountable_a since_o he_o be_v not_o at_o liberty_n to_o dispose_v of_o himself_o but_o be_v conclude_v by_o a_o high_a authority_n the_o other_o rule_n be_v that_o we_o ought_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v to_o avoid_v do_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v grieve_v other_o christian_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v walk_v uncharitable_o 15._o since_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v such_o regard_n even_o to_o the_o tenderness_n and_o weakness_n of_o our_o brethren_n as_o not_o to_o do_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v wound_v or_o trouble_v they_o still_o under_o the_o former_a supposition_n that_o we_o be_v full_o at_o our_o own_o liberty_n and_o under_o no_o law_n nor_o obligation_n to_o the_o contrary_n these_o be_v the_o rule_v lay_v down_o by_o st._n paul_n which_o when_o well_o consider_v and_o right_o understand_v will_v give_v a_o great_a light_n into_o this_o whole_a controversy_n by_o these_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o even_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o may_v have_v assume_v a_o high_a strain_n of_o authority_n yet_o have_v great_a regard_n to_o the_o frailty_n of_o those_o they_o govern_v and_o although_o most_o of_o these_o position_n and_o rule_n do_v suppose_v man_n to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o a_o unrestrained_a liberty_n so_o that_o they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o our_o case_n in_o which_o law_n and_o constitution_n have_v already_o determine_v we_o yet_o they_o ought_v still_o to_o have_v great_a weight_n with_o those_o that_o be_v not_o conclude_v by_o law_n and_o all_o such_o as_o may_v have_v the_o make_n or_o review_v of_o law_n under_o their_o care_n and_o deliberation_n but_o i_o have_v open_v this_o matter_n more_o full_o than_o be_v perhaps_o necessary_a to_o my_o present_a purpose_n which_o only_o require_v that_o i_o shall_v clear_v some_o passage_n in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n that_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o point_n now_o under_o examination_n though_o they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o belong_v to_o they_o since_o all_o that_o be_v in_o st._n paul_n relate_v only_o to_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v entire_o leave_v to_o man_n own_o liberty_n and_o in_o which_o it_o be_v free_a to_o they_o to_o act_v which_o way_n soever_o they_o please_v which_o be_v not_o at_o all_o applicable_a to_o establish_v rule_n settle_v by_o law_n and_o recommend_v by_o ancient_a practice_n it_o be_v true_a that_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n since_o the_o apostle_n day_n can_v make_v law_n for_o succeed_a age_n since_o the_o pastor_n of_o every_o age_n have_v the_o same_o authority_n that_o the_o pastor_n of_o any_o precedent_a age_n have_v after_o the_o time_n of_o inspiration_n whatever_o be_v do_v in_o a_o former_a age_n may_v be_v alter_v in_o a_o subsequent_a one_o and_o therefore_o all_o those_o rule_n of_o the_o subordination_n of_o church_n one_o to_o another_o be_v take_v from_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n europe_n be_v now_o total_o mould_v into_o another_o frame_n be_v now_o at_o the_o discretion_n of_o prince_n to_o cotinue_v or_o change_v they_o at_o their_o 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to_o have_v scope_n give_v to_o it_o since_o it_o be_v a_o mean_a to_o rouse_v up_o and_o quicken_v heavy_a mind_n which_o become_v flat_a when_o accustom_a to_o a_o constant_a form_n of_o word_n that_o render_v both_o the_o clergy_n lazy_a and_o the_o people_n dead_a but_o when_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o every_o man_n word_n become_v a_o form_n to_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o assembly_n be_v limit_v the_o question_n than_o lie_v natural_o between_o the_o sudden_a conception_n of_o one_o man_n who_o be_v often_o young_a rash_a without_o judgement_n and_o who_o always_o speak_v on_o the_o sudden_a and_o between_o a_o form_n well_o digest_v and_o prepare_v by_o a_o body_n of_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n since_o then_o the_o people_n must_v be_v under_o a_o form_n it_o may_v seem_v much_o more_o reasonable_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v under_o such_o a_o form_n than_o under_o the_o other_o and_o that_o the_o rather_o since_o we_o see_v moses_n david_n and_o the_o prophet_n 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that_o man_n be_v inspire_a to_o offer_v up_o such_o prayer_n to_o god_n as_o comprehend_v the_o necessity_n of_o whole_a congregation_n it_o appear_v in_o those_o prayer_n that_o the_o spirit_n in_o he_o that_o pray_v search_v all_o their_o heart_n and_o so_o do_v prompt_v he_o with_o groan_n that_o be_v unutterable_a and_o it_o thus_o appear_v that_o the_o spirit_n 29._o or_o inspiration_n which_o move_v any_o to_o pray_v in_o this_o sort_n search_v all_o thing_n every_o man_n find_v the_o sense_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n thus_o open_v together_o with_o suitable_a intercession_n it_o be_v from_o thence_o evident_a that_o this_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n make_v intercession_n for_o the_o saint_n in_o the_o mouth_n and_o word_n of_o the_o inspire_a person_n this_o be_v a_o plain_a account_n of_o those_o word_n of_o pray_v in_o or_o by_o the_o spirit_n and_o well_o agree_v with_o every_o thing_n say_v concern_v it_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n if_o 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give_v to_o the_o mind_n by_o soft_a word_n and_o melt_a image_n of_o thing_n may_v be_v according_a to_o the_o different_a composition_n of_o man_n more_o or_o less_o useful_a to_o they_o in_o their_o secret_a exercise_n but_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v let_v in_o upon_o public_a assembly_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o a_o great_a variety_n of_o temper_n must_v be_v entertain_v only_o with_o such_o devotion_n that_o suit_n with_o all_o their_o condition_n and_o do_v equal_o quadrate_n to_o all_o their_o necessity_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v not_o only_o natural_a but_o necessary_a for_o all_o man_n who_o will_v maintain_v order_n in_o their_o worship_n and_o will_v frame_v it_o in_o so_o diffuse_v a_o extent_n as_o to_o take_v all_o equal_o within_o it_o that_o they_o have_v