Selected quad for the lemma: soul_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
soul_n	able_a	body_n	kill_v	9,832	5	8.7625	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A66383	The case of lay-communion with the Church of England considered and the lawfulness of it shew'd from the testimony of above an hundred eminent non-conformists of several perswasions.	Williams, John, 1636?-1709.	1683 (1683)	Wing W2691; ESTC R1501	57,793	83

means which are most edifying It s answered by a Reverend Person They may say at all times when they have nothing to outweigh their own edification So that edification may be outweighed and then it can be no standing and sufficient reason So M r Burroughs declares in this case Men must consider not only what the thing is in its own nature but what it is to them how it stands in reference to their relations It is not enough to say the thing is in it self better but is it better in all the references I have and it hath Is it better in regard of others in regard of the publick for the helping me in all my relations may it not help one way and hinder many ways Of the same opinion is M r Baxter Many things saith he must concur and especially a respect to the publick good to know which is the best So that edification is not to be judged of alone our own improvement is not to determine us in our actions and especially not with respect to Church-Communion for then other reasons do give Law to it and over-rule it This we see those that dissent from the Church in other things agree with her in And they give several reasons and arguments for it First If we were sure we could not profit yet we must come to do homage to God and shew reverence to his Ordinance This is M r Hildersham's opinion Secondly The leaving a Church for better edification is built upon a false and dangerous principle which is that we must always chuse the best So M r Burroughs To hold what in its self best must be chosen and done not weighing circumstances or references is a dividing principle And afterward he saith a Christian without comparing one thing with another will hack and hew and disturb himself and others in the ways of Religion I believe some of you have known those who whatsoever they have conceived to be better than other they have presently followed with all eagerness never considering circumstances references or consequences but the thing is good it must be done yet being wearied with this they have after grown loose in as great an excess the other way Thirdly This principle of better edification if followed would bring in confusion So M r Hildersham This factious disposition of the hearers of Gods Word hath in all ages been the cause of much confusion in the Church of God and greatly hindred the fruit of the Gospel of Christ. This saith M r Brinsley the moderate Author of the late Irenicum M r Burroughs will by no means allow but condemns as the direct way to bring in all kind of disorder and confusion into the Church and I think none who are judicious but will therein subscribe to him It will not be amiss to transcribe his own words It is in it self a better thing to enjoy a Ministry of the most eminent gifts and graces than one of lower but if this should be made a rule that a man who is under a Pastor who is faithful and in some good measure gifted upon another mans coming into the Country that is more eminent he should forsake his Pastor and join to the other and if after this still a more eminent man comes he should leave the former and join to him and by the same Law a Pastor who hath a good People yet if others be more likely to receive more good he may leave his own People and go to them what confusion and disorder would there be continually in the Church This is condemned also by the New England Ministers This M r Cawdrey doth expose If a man may lawfully separate from a true Church c. only with a good mind to serve God in Church-institutions true or conceited by his own light all the Secretaries and Separists Donatists Brownists in the World may be justified This saith another speaking of hearing for this reason is a Church-destroying Principle sure if one member be not fixed then not another nor another c. and then not the Pastor nor Teacher and so farewel Churches Fourthly This will be endless So M r Burroughs Men must not separate from a Church though there be corruptions in it to gather into a new Church which may be more pure and in some respects more comfortable First Because we never find the Saints in Scripture separating or raising Churches in such a case And Secondly There would be no continuance in Church-fellowship if this were admitted for what Church is so pure and hath all things so comfortable but within a while another Church will be more pure and some things will be more comfortable there And he concludes with this prudent maxim The general peace of the Church should be more regarded than some comfortable accommodations to our selves So M r Baxter What if twenty Ministers be one abler than another in their several degrees doth it follow that only the ablest of all these may be joyned with because that all the rest do worse And yet this must be if edification be always to be consulted and is to determine us in our choice of Ministers Churches and Ordinances Fifthly They say edification doth not depend so much upon the external administration of Worship as Gods Blessing and that we are not to break the Order Peace and Union of the Church for the sake of it The former is asserted by M r Hildersham It s our sin and shame and is just cause of humbling to us if we cannot profit by the meanest Minister God hath sent The power of the Ministry dependeth not on the excellency of the Teachers gift but Gods blessing The latter is maintained by M r Vines It s said order in an Army kills no Body yet without it the Army is but a rout neither able to offend or defend So haply order in the Church converts no body yet without it I see not how the Church can attain her end or preserve themselves in begetting or breeding up Souls to God Therefore is the advice of Mr. Baxter Do not think to prosper by breaking over the hedge under pretence of any right of Holiness so of edification whatsoever following any party that would draw you to Separation The mischief of which is represented by Dr. Tuckney Experience saith he hath taught us that the Church of God hath been poorly edifyed by those who have daubed up their Babel with untempered mortar c. when the Church is rent by Schisms and Factions and one Congregation is turned into many Conventicles falsely now called Churches this doth diminish weaken and ruine Lastly When they do grant that edification may serve to guide us and that we may hear where we can most profit it s with such limitations and cautions as these it must be seldom in a great case without offence and contempt Thus Mr. Hildersham I dare