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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
scripture_n doctrine_n tradition_n unwritten_a 3,444 5 12.5860 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A34538 The kingdom of God among men a tract of the sound state of religion, or that Christianity which is described in the holy Scriptures and of the things that make for the security and increase thereof in the world, designing its more ample diffusion among the professed Christians of all sorts and its surer propagation to future ages : with The point of church-unity and schism discuss'd / by John Corbet. Corbet, John, 1620-1680. 1679 (1679) Wing C6258; ESTC R23940 125,145 296

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that_o there_o be_v a_o
and_o carnal_a interest_n to_o false_a way_n and_o vain_a invention_n for_o which_o cause_n it_o behoove_v the_o zealous_a religionist_n to_o be_v careful_a even_o to_o jealousy_n that_o he_o be_v not_o impose_v upon_o by_o himself_o or_o other_o and_o in_o this_o care_n hearty_o and_o entire_o to_o resign_v and_o conform_v himself_o to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n by_o such_o resignation_n and_o conformity_n he_o secure_v his_o own_o soul_n and_o what_o in_o he_o lie_v the_o sound_a state_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v here_o acknowledge_v that_o what_o be_v write_v in_o nature_n be_v god_n law_n as_o well_o as_o what_o be_v write_v in_o scripture_n and_o that_o natural_a revelation_n as_o well_o as_o supernatural_a be_v divine_a and_o whatsoever_o be_v know_v of_o god_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religious_a worship_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o well_o as_o that_o which_o be_v know_v by_o the_o light_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o divine_a goodness_n be_v to_o be_v own_v in_o both_o though_o in_o the_o latter_a it_o have_v appear_v more_o abundant_o because_o therein_o be_v give_v we_o a_o full_a instruction_n in_o all_o thing_n pertain_v to_o god_n kingdom_n which_o in_o the_o other_o be_v not_o give_v for_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n can_v not_o be_v know_v by_o nature_n and_o in_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v know_v thereby_o the_o light_n be_v but_o weak_a and_o glimmer_a and_o not_o easy_o able_a to_o fix_v the_o heart_n therein_o not_o so_o much_o for_o want_v of_o evidence_n in_o the_o object_n as_o from_o the_o pravity_n of_o our_o mind_n reason_n be_v lay_v asleep_a and_o all_o our_o faculty_n be_v sink_v into_o the_o brutish_a life_n what_o be_v the_o utmost_a capacity_n of_o that_o light_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v hard_o for_o we_o to_o define_v and_o though_o it_o be_v harsh_a to_o determine_v that_o they_o be_v all_o utter_o and_o universal_o forsake_v of_o god_n yet_o it_o be_v evident_a both_o by_o scripture_n and_o the_o life_n of_o the_o gentile_n that_o gentilism_n be_v a_o very_a forlorn_a state_n this_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v the_o high_a favour_n of_o god_n towards_o the_o church_n in_o supernatural_a revelation_n by_o which_o he_o have_v not_o only_o instruct_v we_o in_o thing_n supernatural_a not_o otherwise_o to_o be_v know_v in_o this_o life_n but_o also_o more_o perfect_o in_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n now_o transcribe_v into_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n so_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o religion_n or_o morality_n that_o may_v not_o be_v find_v therein_o beside_o the_o law_n of_o god_n write_v in_o nature_n and_o scripture_n what_o certain_a and_o stable_a rule_n of_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o conversation_n have_v the_o church_n to_o walk_v by_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certainty_n or_o consent_n in_o mere_a or_o all_o tradition_n or_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n or_o the_o ancient_a practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v so_o evident_a as_o need_v no_o confirmation_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o acquiescence_n or_o accord_n in_o the_o determination_n of_o any_o visible_a universal_a supreme_a power_n for_o whereas_o all_o christian_n acknowledge_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o neither_o do_v nor_o ever_o do_v nor_o will_v unanimous_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o power_n in_o be_v and_o the_o main_a body_n of_o they_o that_o maintain_v such_o a_o catholic_n supremacy_n can_v agree_v in_o what_o subject_n the_o same_o reside_v whether_o in_o the_o pope_n or_o a_o general_n council_n and_o as_o several_a pope_n so_o have_v several_a council_n of_o equal_a amplitude_n and_o authority_n often_o cross_v one_o another_o and_o consequent_o some_o of_o both_o kind_n must_v needs_o have_v err_v and_o it_o still_o remain_v a_o controversy_n undeterminable_a which_o council_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v and_o which_o to_o be_v reject_v unless_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n hitherto_o disagree_v herein_o will_v be_v bind_v up_o by_o the_o resolve_n of_o one_o party_n that_o can_v bring_v no_o better_a proof_n than_o their_o own_o pretend_a infallibility_n to_o all_o which_o may_v be_v add_v that_o a_o ecumenical_a council_n true_o so_o call_v or_o a_o representative_a of_o the_o universal_a church_n be_v never_o yet_o congregat_v wherefore_o let_v the_o faithful_a rest_n upon_o the_o old_a right_a foundation_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n who_o infallibility_n be_v unquestionable_a such_o be_v the_o fullness_n and_o perfection_n of_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v give_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o that_o for_o this_o end_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v safe_a in_o divine_a matter_n not_o to_o be_v venturous_a without_o its_o warrant_n they_o best_o secure_v themselves_o from_o error_n who_o keep_v to_o that_o rule_n which_o be_v both_o perfect_a and_o infallible_a some_o pretend_v to_o lay_v open_a the_o folly_n of_o the_o way_n which_o they_o call_v puritanism_n affirm_v that_o the_o mystery_n thereof_o lie_v in_o this_o principle_n that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o what_o be_v authorize_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n indeed_o there_o be_v those_o of_o that_o denomination_n who_o disallow_v whatsoever_o institute_v worship_n be_v not_o so_o authorize_v but_o they_o be_v not_o so_o ignorant_a as_o to_o suppose_v that_o all_o particular_a circumstance_n belong_v to_o divine_a worship_n which_o admit_v of_o endless_a variation_n be_v define_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n such_o as_o be_v those_o natural_a and_o civil_a circumstance_n without_o which_o action_n be_v not_o performable_a but_o they_o suppose_v a_o wide_a difference_n between_o these_o matter_n such_o as_o time_n place_n method_n furniture_n etc._n etc._n and_o those_o ordinance_n of_o religion_n which_o they_o take_v for_o part_n of_o worship_n as_o be_v make_v direct_a and_o immediate_a sign_n of_o honour_n give_v to_o god_n by_o their_o use_n and_o all_o of_o this_o kind_a some_o do_v judge_n or_o at_o least_o suspect_v to_o be_v unlawful_a that_o be_v not_o of_o god_n appointment_n my_o design_n oblige_v i_o to_o shun_v the_o intangle_a of_o this_o discourse_n with_o controversy_n and_o therefore_o i_o write_v not_o either_o for_o or_o against_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o such_o uncommanded_a worship_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o i_o to_o show_v that_o the_o purity_n of_o religion_n be_v more_o safe_a by_o acquiescence_n in_o that_o only_a which_o god_n have_v prescribe_v than_o by_o addition_n of_o new_a ordinance_n of_o worship_n devise_v by_o man_n who_o even_o the_o best_a of_o they_o may_v too_o easy_o deviate_v from_o the_o truth_n and_o who_o know_v not_o that_o too_o much_o yield_v to_o man_n devise_v form_n and_o right_n which_o have_v a_o show_n of_o wisdom_n make_v way_n for_o the_o departure_n of_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o christendom_n from_o the_o primitive_a christianity_n all_o duty_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n may_v be_v clear_o prove_v from_o scripture_n though_o the_o particular_a instance_n thereof_o that_o be_v innumerable_a and_o their_o infinite_o variable_a circumstance_n can_v be_v there_o express_v as_o for_o institute_v worship_n it_o be_v unquestionable_a that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o defect_n in_o those_o part_n thereof_o that_o be_v of_o divine_a authority_n as_o needs_o to_o be_v make_v up_o by_o the_o human_a addition_n of_o other_o new_a part_n and_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o there_o be_v thing_n mere_o circumstantial_a belong_v to_o it_o which_o be_v necessary_a in_o general_n but_o in_o particular_a not_o determine_v of_o god_n and_o must_v be_v order_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o human_a prudence_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o god_n word_n none_o that_o know_v what_o they_o say_v in_o magnify_v the_o write_a word_n will_v teach_v the_o people_n not_o to_o rely_v upon_o impartial_a reason_n which_o no_o true_a revelation_n do_v ever_o contradict_v but_o we_o be_v so_o conscious_a of_o the_o weakness_n of_o human_a understanding_n that_o in_o case_n of_o any_o seem_a contrariety_n between_o scripture_n and_o reason_n not_o to_o give_v the_o scripture_n the_o preeminence_n we_o know_v be_v most_o unreasonable_a be_v scripture_n liable_a to_o be_v pervert_v so_o be_v reason_n be_v there_o obscurity_n and_o difficulty_n in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n so_o in_o human_a ratiocination_n much_o more_o whosoever_o can_v apprehend_v right_a reason_n can_v rational_o apprehend_v god_n write_v word_n which_o be_v its_o own_o interpreter_n and_o who_o authentic_a interpretation_n of_o itself_o we_o be_v enable_v to_o discern_v by_o rational_a inference_n and_o deduction_n
there_o be_v a_o real_a hazard_n of_o a_o great_a mischief_n and_o in_o hasty_a attempt_n of_o change_n thing_n may_v be_v carry_v on_o beyond_o the_o commendable_a end_n design_v even_o to_o its_o utter_a ruin_n for_o common_o man_n be_v not_o master_n of_o what_o they_o get_v in_o such_o precipitate_a way_n chap._n xxviii_o consideration_n tend_v to_o a_o due_a enlargement_n and_o unity_n in_o church-communion_n a_o unhappy_a kind_n of_o controversy_n about_o form_n of_o divine_a worship_n ecclesiastical_a government_n and_o qualification_n of_o church_n member_n have_v be_v the_o calamity_n of_o our_o time_n the_o difference_n in_o these_o point_n have_v make_v a_o sad_a breach_n upon_o church_n unity_n and_o divide_v brethren_n of_o the_o same_o reform_a profession_n both_o in_o affection_n and_o interest_n and_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o much_o misery_n in_o regard_v whereof_o some_o thing_n that_o make_v for_o a_o amicable_a condescension_n among_o brethren_n and_o for_o humble_a submission_n to_o superior_n be_v here_o propound_v for_o consideration_n but_o not_o as_o peremptory_a resolve_n though_o many_o or_o most_o of_o they_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o carry_v their_o own_o evidence_n yet_o it_o become_v one_o who_o be_v sensible_a of_o human_a weakness_n and_o of_o his_o own_o meaness_n to_o write_v modest_o in_o these_o point_n about_o which_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o apprehension_n the_o communion_n of_o saint_n be_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o of_o particular_a christian_n and_o church_n one_o with_o another_o as_o member_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o we_o may_v not_o restrain_v our_o fellowship_n to_o any_o particular_a church_n or_o church_n so_o as_o to_o withhold_v it_o from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n our_o communion_n with_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v as_o well_o in_o religious_a worship_n as_o in_o christian_a faith_n and_o life_n as_o there_o be_v one_o faith_n so_o one_o baptism_n and_o one_o communion_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o we_o be_v many_o be_v one_o bread_n and_o one_o body_n though_o we_o can_v at_o once_o local_o communicate_v with_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o external_a worship_n because_o it_o can_v possible_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n yet_o according_a to_o our_o capacity_n and_o opportunity_n we_o be_v so_o to_o communicate_v with_o the_o several_a part_n thereof_o and_o not_o unwarrantable_o withdraw_v from_o any_o and_o this_o be_v a_o virtual_a communicate_v with_o the_o whole_a church_n discipline_n and_o government_n as_o to_o the_o particular_a form_n thereof_o have_v much_o more_o obscurity_n than_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o life_n and_o be_v much_o more_o controvert_v among_o the_o godly_a learned_a and_o in_o more_o dark_a and_o doubtful_a point_n humility_z charity_n and_o good_a discretion_n teach_v mutual_a forbearance_n in_o ecclesiastical_a regiment_n all_o church_n member_n be_v not_o so_o concern_v as_o church_n guide_v and_o pastor_n be_v christ_n have_v not_o leave_v the_o affair_n of_o his_o kingdom_n in_o so_o loose_a a_o posture_n as_o to_o give_v a_o liberty_n of_o leave_v or_o choose_v the_o communion_n of_o a_o church_n according_a to_o our_o own_o affection_n without_o regard_n to_o order_n a_o particular_a visible_a church_n be_v a_o body_n politic_a can_v subsist_v without_o rule_n of_o stable_a policy_n her_o censure_n and_o judgement_n ought_v to_o be_v clear_a certain_a and_o uniform_a or_o of_o the_o same_o tenor_n and_o therefore_o may_v not_o proceed_v upon_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o evidence_n as_o at_o the_o most_o be_v but_o conjectural_a and_o of_o variable_a apprehension_n our_o arbitrary_a conjecture_n of_o a_o other_o regeneration_n be_v but_o a_o uncertain_a way_n of_o admission_n to_o sacred_a privilege_n wherein_o no_o uniform_a judgement_n can_v be_v hold_v between_o several_a church_n nor_o the_o several_a member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n nor_o by_o the_o same_o person_n with_o himself_o at_o several_a time_n for_o man_n apprehension_n about_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n of_o other_o be_v exceed_o different_a and_o inconstant_a but_o whether_o a_o person_n make_v a_o credible_a profession_n or_o be_v competent_o know_v or_o gross_o ignorant_a whether_o he_o be_v scandalous_a or_o walk_v orderly_o be_v capable_a of_o certain_a evidence_n and_o of_o constant_a regular_a proceed_n thereupon_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v whether_o of_o these_o two_o either_o to_o proceed_v with_o man_n according_a to_o our_o private_a hope_n and_o fear_n about_o their_o internal_a state_n or_o according_a to_o state_v rule_n and_o certain_a evidence_n be_v the_o sure_a way_n to_o preserve_v the_o church_n in_o peace_n and_o to_o propagate_v true_a piety_n also_o whether_o person_n passable_a by_o such_o public_a rule_n can_v in_o ecclesiastical_a trial_n be_v judge_v to_o be_v ungodly_a or_o to_o make_v a_o false_a profession_n whatsoever_o our_o private_a fear_n be_v concern_v they_o and_o if_o their_o profession_n be_v not_o prove_v false_a whether_o it_o be_v not_o to_o pass_v for_o credible_a in_o that_o trial_n human_a law_n and_o public_a judgement_n presume_v they_o to_o be_v good_a that_o be_v not_o evict_v to_o be_v bad_a private_a familiarity_n be_v at_o every_o one_o choice_n but_o our_o church-communion_n be_v a_o public_a matter_n must_v be_v govern_v by_o public_a and_o common_a rule_n and_o not_o by_o private_a will_n if_o a_o church_n impose_v such_o law_n of_o her_o communion_n as_o infer_v a_o necessity_n of_o do_v that_o which_o be_v unlawful_a there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o abstain_v from_o her_o communion_n so_o far_o as_o those_o unlawful_a term_n extend_v church_n mention_v in_o scripture_n have_v their_o corruption_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o manner_n yet_o the_o godly_a do_v not_o separate_v from_o they_o for_o those_o corruption_n nor_o be_v command_v so_o to_o do_v indeed_o they_o be_v command_v to_o come_v out_o of_o babylon_n which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o separate_v from_o idolatrous_a heretical_a antichristian_a society_n yet_o in_o suggest_v this_o i_o do_v not_o encourage_v to_o a_o state_v communion_n in_o such_o church_n as_o have_v no_o other_o minister_n place_v in_o they_o than_o such_o as_o be_v altogether_o unfit_a to_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o soul_n commit_v to_o they_o that_o be_v who_o be_v unable_a to_o teach_v or_o teach_v corrupt_o either_o teach_v pernicious_a doctrine_n or_o abuse_v mishandle_v and_o misapply_v sound_a doctrine_n to_o encourage_v the_o ungodly_a and_o discourage_v the_o godly_a for_o the_o scripture_n bid_v we_o beware_v of_o blind_a guide_n and_o false_a prophet_n by_o continue_v in_o church-communion_n we_o partake_v not_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o which_o we_o have_v no_o power_n to_o redress_v nor_o be_v we_o make_v guilty_a by_o their_o leaven_n if_o it_o do_v not_o infect_v we_o and_o profane_a person_n be_v no_o more_o countenance_v by_o our_o presence_n than_o those_o lewd_a priest_n the_o son_n of_o eli_n be_v by_o the_o people_n come_v to_o sacrifice_n in_o communicate_v in_o holy_a thing_n we_o have_v internal_a communion_n only_o with_o the_o faithful_a and_o as_o for_o the_o mere_a external_a communion_n it_o be_v with_o those_o that_o have_v as_o yet_o a_o outward_a stand_n in_o christ_n till_o they_o be_v cut_v off_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n or_o due_a order_n of_o discipline_n when_o a_o minister_n have_v do_v his_o part_n to_o keep_v off_o the_o unworthy_a in_o the_o dspense_n of_o the_o sacrament_n to_o such_o he_o be_v in_o a_o moral_a sense_n mere_o passive_a so_o that_o their_o unworthy_a participation_n can_v be_v impute_v to_o he_o nor_o in_o such_o a_o administration_n be_v a_o practical_a lie_n or_o any_o falsehood_n utter_v for_o the_o sacrament_n seal_v the_o mercy_n of_o the_o covenant_n not_o irrespective_o but_o conditional_o and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o application_n must_v be_v so_o understand_v if_o we_o have_v not_o power_n to_o separate_v a_o obstinate_a scandalous_a offender_n from_o the_o church_n yet_o the_o withdraw_a of_o ourselves_o from_o he_o be_v a_o excommunication_n in_o some_o degree_n and_o the_o effect_n thereof_o be_v hereby_o in_o part_n obtain_v when_o minister_n and_o people_n do_v their_o duty_n in_o their_o place_n without_o usurpation_n of_o further_a power_n than_o they_o have_v warrant_n for_o than_o all_o will_v be_v though_o not_o so_o well_o as_o it_o may_v yet_o as_o it_o can_v be_v at_o present_a of_o several_a mode_n and_o method_n of_o public_a action_n prudence_n make_v choice_n not_o always_o of_o what_o be_v simple_o best_a but_o of_o that_o which_o be_v most_o passable_a if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o disorderly_a as_o to_o mar_v the_o substance_n or_o frustrate_v the_o end_n of_o a_o administration_n in_o sacred_a adminstration_n we_o may_v yield_v without_o sin_n to_o other_o sinful_a weakness_n
steddiness_n purity_n and_o soberness_n this_o new_a nature_n while_o it_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o earthly_a tabernacle_n be_v clog_v with_o many_o adverse_a thing_n especial_o the_o relic_n of_o the_o old_a nature_n which_o cause_n much_o vanity_n of_o thought_n indisposedness_n of_o mind_n motion_n to_o evil_a and_o aversation_n from_o good_a and_o sometime_o more_o sensible_a disorder_n of_o affection_n and_o eruption_n of_o unruly_a passion_n and_o aberration_n in_o life_n and_o conversation_n the_o same_o divine_a principal_n be_v in_o some_o christian_n more_o firm_a lively_a and_o active_a than_o in_o other_o yet_o it_o be_v habitual_o prevalent_a in_o they_o all_o and_o it_o resist_v and_o overcome_v the_o contrary_a principle_n even_o in_o the_o case_n of_o most_o belove_a sin_n and_o strong_a temptation_n and_o persevere_fw-la in_o earnest_n and_o fearful_a endeavour_n of_o perfect_a holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o whatsoever_o degree_n of_o sanctity_n be_v obtain_v it_o ascribe_v whole_o to_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n grace_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o power_n of_o his_o spirit_n christianity_n be_v know_v what_o it_o be_v it_o may_v easy_o be_v know_v what_o it_o be_v not_o and_o so_o the_o false_a disguise_n of_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v detect_v forasmuch_o as_o it_o look_v far_o high_o than_o the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o settling_n of_o this_o life_n though_o it_o do_v not_o overlook_v they_o it_o can_v be_v think_v to_o have_v do_v its_o work_n in_o make_v man_n mere_o just-dealer_n good_a neighbour_n and_o profitable_a member_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n for_o such_o may_v be_v some_o of_o they_o that_o be_v without_o christ_n without_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n moreover_o it_o can_v lie_v so_o low_a as_o in_o a_o bare_a belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o a_o observance_n of_o its_o external_a institute_n accompany_v with_o a_o civil_a conversation_n as_o for_o such_o as_o rest_v in_o these_o thing_n what_o be_v they_o more_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n than_o the_o heathen_n that_o know_v he_o not_o and_o wherein_o do_v they_o differ_v from_o they_o except_o in_o a_o dead_a faith_n and_o outward_a form_n take_v up_o by_o education_n tradition_n example_n custom_n of_o the_o country_n and_o other_o such_o like_a motive_n nor_o do_v it_o lie_v in_o unwritten_a doctrine_n and_o ordinance_n of_o worship_n devise_v by_o man_n nor_o yet_o in_o curiosity_n of_o opinion_n or_o accidental_a mode_n of_o worship_n discipline_n or_o church-government_n nor_o in_o one_o be_v of_o this_o or_o that_o sector_n party_n nor_o in_o mere_a orthodoxality_n all_o which_o be_v rest_v in_o be_v but_o the_o false_a cover_n of_o hypocrite_n it_o be_v not_o the_o lax_n and_o easy_a low_a and_o large_a rule_n by_o which_o libertine_n and_o formalist_n yea_o some_o pretend_a perfectionist_n do_v measure_v their_o own_o righteousness_n who_o assert_v their_o perfectness_n by_o disannul_v or_o lessen_v the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v not_o any_o kind_n of_o morality_n or_o virtue_n whatsoever_o which_o be_v not_o true_a holiness_n or_o entire_a dedication_n to_o god_n and_o therefore_o much_o less_o be_v it_o that_o loose_a and_o jolly_a religion_n of_o the_o sensual_a gang_n who_o keep_v up_o a_o superficial_a devotion_n in_o some_o external_a form_n but_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o real_a irreligion_n and_o profaneness_n and_o bid_v defiance_n to_o a_o circumspect_a walk_n and_o serious_a course_n of_o godliness_n and_o now_o it_o be_v too_o apparent_a what_o multitude_n of_o they_o that_o prophess_n the_o faith_n of_o christ_n be_v christian_n in_o name_n only_o and_o not_o indeed_o their_o alienation_n from_o the_o life_n of_o god_n and_o their_o enmity_n against_o it_o and_o their_o conformity_n to_o the_o course_n of_o this_o world_n in_o the_o lust_n thereof_o do_v testify_v that_o they_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o truth_n but_o christian_n indeed_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o christianity_n above_o express_v which_o be_v now_o in_o they_o though_o not_o in_o the_o high_a yet_o in_o a_o prevalent_a degree_n do_v make_v it_o their_o utmost_a end_n to_o know_v love_n honour_n and_o please_v god_n to_o be_v conformable_a to_o he_o and_o to_o have_v the_o fruition_n of_o he_o in_o the_o perfection_n of_o which_o conformity_n and_o fruition_n they_o place_v the_o perfection_n of_o their_o blessedness_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o native_a bondage_n under_o the_o guilt_n and_o power_n of_o sin_n they_o come_v to_o the_o mediator_n jesus_n christ_n and_o rest_n upon_o he_o by_o the_o satisfaction_n and_o merit_n of_o his_o obedience_n and_o suffering_n to_o reconcile_v and_o sanctify_v they_o to_o god_n and_o according_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o he_o as_o their_o absolute_a teacher_n and_o ruler_n &_o all-sufficient_a saviour_n have_v receive_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n but_o that_o which_o be_v of_o god_n they_o be_v crucify_v to_o the_o honour_n profit_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n and_o have_v their_o conversation_n in_o heaven_n and_o rejoice_v in_o the_o hope_n of_o glory_n and_o prepare_v for_o suffering_n in_o this_o life_n and_o by_o faith_n overcome_v they_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v the_o directory_n of_o their_o practice_n from_o day_n to_o day_n by_o the_o touchstone_n of_o god_n word_n they_o prove_v their_o own_o work_n and_o come_v to_o the_o light_n thereof_o that_o their_o deed_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a to_o be_v wrought_v in_o god_n they_o draw_v nigh_o to_o god_n in_o the_o act_n of_o religious_a worship_n of_o his_o appointment_n that_o they_o may_v glorify_v he_o and_o enjoy_v spiritual_a communion_n with_o he_o and_o be_v bless_v of_o he_o especial_o with_o spiritual_a blessing_n in_o christ_n and_o as_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n they_o worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v their_o aim_n care_n and_o exercise_v to_o keep_v conscience_n void_a of_o offence_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o man_n and_o to_o render_v to_o all_o their_o due_n both_o in_o their_o public_a and_o private_a capacity_n and_o to_o walk_v in_o love_n towards_o all_o not_o exclude_v enemy_n and_o to_o do_v all_o the_o good_a they_o can_v both_o to_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o man_n but_o those_o that_o fear_n god_n they_o more_o high_o prize_n and_o favour_n the_o remainder_n of_o corruption_n within_o themselves_o they_o know_v feel_o and_o watch_v and_o pray_v and_o strive_v that_o they_o enter_v not_o into_o temptation_n and_o maintain_v a_o continual_a warfare_n against_o the_o devil_n the_o world_n and_o the_o flesh_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o jesus_n christ_n their_o leader_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o their_o holy_a profession_n with_o patience_n and_o perseverance_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o crooked_a and_o perverse_a generation_n they_o endeavour_v to_o be_v blameless_a and_o harmless_a as_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o to_o shine_v as_o light_n in_o the_o world_n and_o by_o the_o influence_n of_o their_o good_a conversation_n to_o turn_v other_o to_o righteousness_n such_o be_v the_o character_n of_o those_o person_n upon_o who_o soul_n the_o holy_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v impress_v and_o in_o who_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v its_o real_a be_v force_n and_o virtue_n these_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o heavenly_a call_n and_o set_v apart_o for_o god_n to_o do_v he_o service_n in_o the_o present_a world_n and_o afterward_o to_o live_v in_o glory_n with_o he_o for_o ever_o these_o be_v the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n the_o church_n be_v here_o take_v as_o mystical_a not_o as_o visible_a and_o these_o be_v all_o join_v together_o by_o one_o spirit_n in_o one_o body_n under_o christ_n their_o head_n in_o the_o same_o new_a nature_n have_v one_o rule_n of_o their_o profession_n and_o one_o hope_v of_o their_o call_n these_o be_v a_o great_a multitude_n which_o no_o man_n can_v number_v of_o all_o nation_n and_o kindred_n and_o people_n and_o tongue_n yet_o hitherto_o not_o proportionable_a to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n and_o they_o continue_v throughout_o all_o age_n but_o in_o great_a or_o lesser_a number_n and_o more_o or_o less_o refine_v from_o superstition_n or_o other_o corruption_n and_o more_o or_o less_o sever_v from_o the_o external_a communion_n of_o the_o antichristian_a state_n according_a to_o the_o brightness_n or_o darkness_n of_o the_o time_n and_o place_n wherein_o they_o live_v chap._n ii_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o sound_a state_n of_o religion_n and_o first_o holy_a doctrine_n the_o advancement_n of_o the_o christian_a life_n which_o have_v its_o beginning_n in_o the_o new_a birth_n be_v the_o great_a end_n propound_v in_o this_o discourse_n in_o reference_n to_o this_o end_n