Selected quad for the lemma: state_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
state_n	christian_a	church_n	communion_n	1,593	5	9.3126	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A48116	A letter of advice to a young gentleman of an honourable family, now in his travels beyond the seas for his more safe and profitable conduct in the three great instances, of study, moral deportment, and religion : in three parts / by a True son of the Church of England.	True son of the Church of England.	1688 (1688)	Wing L1566; ESTC R7895	45,890	138

with_o all_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n of_o our_o admirable_a government_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a not_o only_o for_o our_o own_o sake_n but_o the_o peace_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n 2._o it_o be_v a_o strange_a mistake_n then_o which_o some_o have_v run_v upon_o that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v in_o our_o public_a worship_n and_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n and_o polity_n of_o our_o church_n but_o what_o be_v plain_o express_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n hereby_o exclude_v all_o human_a law_n and_o constitution_n in_o matter_n and_o thing_n indisserent_a which_o wild_a hypothesis_n have_v be_v the_o original_a of_o all_o those_o untenable_a opinion_n now_o on_o foot_n and_o the_o very_a most_o of_o our_o unchristian_a division_n which_o have_v almost_o tear_v in_o piece_n our_o church_n be_v owe_v to_o this_o unreasonable_a and_o groundless_a conjecture_n whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o writer_n of_o the_o great_a note_n and_o eminence_n among_o our_o brethren_n of_o the_o nonconformity_n be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v many_o circumstance_n in_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n which_o must_v be_v regulate_v and_o order_v according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o law_n of_o christian_a prudence_n as_o the_o holy_a apostle_n direct_v in_o those_o general_a rule_n let_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o in_o order_n and_o for_o edification_n and_o do_v also_o confess_v that_o even_o in_o their_o own_o assembly_n and_o we_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a and_o certain_a there_o be_v many_o such_o circumstance_n for_o which_o they_o have_v no_o express_a rule_n in_o scripture_n but_o do_v use_v they_o prudential_o for_o the_o honour_n and_o interest_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o order_n &_o uniformity_n of_o god_n worship_n beside_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n treat_v chief_o of_o the_o essential_o of_o faith_n and_o worship_n and_o only_o mention_v the_o governor_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n with_o some_o general_a rule_n as_o before_o for_o the_o order_n of_o its_o polity_n and_o discipline_n insomuch_o that_o many_o person_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o judgement_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o set-form_n of_o government_n for_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o whole_a bible_n but_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o our_o governor_n to_o order_n and_o appoint_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n and_o dictate_v of_o sound_a judgement_n and_o discretion_n which_o the_o learned_a and_o judicious_a hooker_n give_v a_o most_o admirable_a account_n of_o in_o his_o ecclesiast_fw-la polit._n nor_o can_v this_o in_o the_o least_o impeach_n as_o some_o have_v vain_o object_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o the_o fidelity_n of_o christ_n in_v not_o leave_v a_o perfect_a model_n of_o church_n government_n behind_o he_o for_o we_o have_v see_v already_o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v primary_o intend_v to_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o fundamental_o of_o faith_n and_o christian_a morality_n and_o speak_v only_o overt_o of_o church_n discipline_n and_o government_n and_o for_o the_o fidelity_n of_o christ_n herein_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o church_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n be_v in_o her_o minority_n which_o must_v afterward_o by_o degree_n grow_v up_o to_o a_o state_n of_o great_a liberty_n and_o perfection_n what_o other_o have_v urge_v from_o the_o form_n of_o church_n government_n under_o the_o jewish_a oeconomie_n conclude_v nothing_o for_o the_o jew_n live_v all_o under_o one_o polity_n and_o in_o one_o nation_n whereas_o christianity_n be_v disperse_v all_o over_o the_o world_n under_o many_o disserent_fw-la civil_a government_n and_o therefore_o the_o circumstance_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o church_n discipline_n must_v be_v suit_v to_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o different_a people_n within_o their_o several_a jurisdiction_n as_o may_v appear_v most_o just_a and_o reasonable_a to_o the_o judgement_n and_o discretion_n of_o their_o lawful_a governor_n therefore_o 3._o though_o every_o person_n be_v oblige_v to_o hate_v and_o fly_v from_o idolatry_n heresy_n etc._n etc._n yet_o none_o shall_v be_v affright_v from_o his_o duty_n with_o mere_a bug_n and_o scarecrow_n or_o the_o empty_a appearance_n of_o error_n without_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o though_o our_o liturgy_n and_o set-form_n of_o worship_n have_v be_v extreme_o cavile_v at_o by_o some_o of_o our_o adversary_n yet_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o neither_o the_o prophet_n of_o old_a nor_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n nor_o the_o primitive_a father_n do_v ever_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o state_v method_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n but_o do_v practice_v and_o appoint_v they_o themselves_o and_o high_o encourage_v they_o in_o other_o for_o there_o be_v many_o set-form_n of_o prayer_n benediction_n and_o thanksgiving_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n compose_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o be_v use_v by_o his_o apostle_n and_o follower_n though_o they_o be_v doubtless_o as_o able_a to_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n as_o the_o most_o seraphic_a enthusiast_n which_o method_n also_o be_v observe_v by_o john_n the_o baptist_n for_o the_o direction_n and_o assistance_n of_o his_o disciple_n in_o god_n worship_n all_o which_o state_v form_n become_v pattern_n and_o precedent_n to_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o after_o age_n who_o have_v all_o their_o several_a liturgy_n as_o we_o have_v nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o our_o service_n book_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o but_o most_o exact_o conformable_a to_o those_o rule_n 4._o let_v not_o the_o bare_a pretence_n then_o of_o some_o small_a error_n in_o and_o about_o the_o circumstance_n of_o public_a worship_n prevail_v with_o any_o man_n to_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o his_o national_a church_n see_v there_o have_v be_v and_o be_v as_o many_o and_o probable_o great_a error_n in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o though_o our_o bless_a saviour_n promise_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o the_o universal_a church_n that_o he_o will_v be_v with_o she_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n send_v his_o spirit_n to_o lead_v she_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o abide_v with_o she_o for_o ever_o yet_o these_o promise_n do_v only_o respect_v the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_a and_o universal_a church_n of_o christ_n or_o a_o people_n profess_v the_o truth_n however_o they_o may_v err_v as_o all_o of_o they_o do_v in_o opinion_n not_o essential_a to_o religion_n and_o see_v every_o particular_a church_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o some_o error_n and_o mistake_v in_o outward_a circumstance_n of_o religion_n therefore_o fore_o he_o that_o will_v separate_v upon_o this_o account_n can_v scarce_o hold_v communion_n with_o any_o national_a church_n upon_o earth_n and_o those_o fickle_a and_o fanciful_a person_n may_v have_v have_v the_o same_o plea_n to_o have_v separate_v from_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o they_o have_v now_o from_o we_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o one_o that_o understand_v the_o state_n of_o our_o church_n but_o will_v ready_o acknowledge_v that_o our_o order_n of_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n and_o set_a form_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n be_v if_o not_o of_o apostolical_a yet_o of_o primitive_a institution_n 5._o no_o mere_a inconvenience_n or_o circumstantial_a error_n or_o defect_n and_o those_o only_o allege_v not_o prove_v against_o we_o can_v justify_v or_o excuse_v a_o departure_n from_o we_o since_o i_o have_v make_v it_o full_o evident_a that_o our_o church_n hold_v and_o maintain_v all_o the_o essential_o both_o of_o faith_n and_o of_o worship_n for_o we_o have_v see_v already_o that_o all_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o conform_v themselves_o to_o the_o constitution_n of_o their_o national_a church_n though_o some_o of_o the_o external_a mode_n &_o form_n be_v inconvenient_a disorderly_a and_o defective_a rather_o than_o not_o be_v of_o any_o church_n at_o all_o and_o what_o they_o can_v reform_v without_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o tolerate_v seeing_z there_o be_v no_o national_a and_o particular_a church_n in_o the_o world_n as_o we_o have_v already_o observe_v who_o constitution_n and_o government_n be_v absolute_o perfect_a therefore_o 6._o those_o person_n be_v extreme_o to_o blame_v that_o require_v great_a purity_n in_o god_n public_a worship_n than_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v command_v or_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n or_o the_o primitive_a orthodox_n father_n have_v recommend_v to_o posterity_n and_o though_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n amiss_o in_o the_o outward_a rule_n and_o law_n of_o worship_n and_o government_n yet_o

to_o be_v infallible_a in_o point_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n which_o i_o think_v the_o most_o of_o they_o disclaim_v or_o for_o ever_o quit_v their_o pretension_n for_o a_o separation_n from_o we_o because_o of_o the_o little_a error_n which_o they_o have_v discover_v in_o our_o administration_n have_v thus_o full_o answer_v the_o chief_a objection_n of_o our_o brethren_n for_o their_o unwarrantable_a separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o i_o know_v will_v full_o satisfy_v you_o we_o shall_v proceed_v second_o to_o draw_v some_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a inference_n from_o the_o premise_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o all_o further_a scruple_n in_o this_o case_n and_o 1._o it_o will_v be_v a_o strange_a delusion_n and_o no_o less_o than_o absolute_a profaneness_n to_o cast_v off_o all_o the_o public_a ordinance_n or_o neglect_v the_o sacred_a and_o solemn_a worship_n of_o god_n because_o some_o thing_n may_v be_v dislike_v or_o except_v against_o in_o their_o administration_n 2._o the_o great_a honour_n we_o can_v ascribe_v to_o god_n be_v to_o worship_v solemn_o and_o devout_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v the_o most_o heinous_a crime_n to_o make_v a_o schism_n and_o rent_n in_o any_o particular_a church_n where_o christ_n be_v effectual_o present_a by_o his_o grace_n and_o spirit_n nor_o can_v any_o one_o have_v a_o sufficient_a plea_n to_o withdraw_v from_o the_o public_a ordinance_n in_o any_o nation_n till_o christ_n have_v desert_v they_o which_o no_o man_n can_v object_v against_o the_o pure_a and_o apostolical_a church_n of_o england_n wherein_o as_o before_o the_o whole_a world_n will_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v pure_o preach_v and_o the_o sacrament_n due_o administer_v in_o that_o admirable_a order_n and_o uniformity_n which_o be_v scarce_o to_o be_v parallel_v in_o any_o national_a church_n upon_o earth_n beside_o those_o who_o be_v so_o straight_o lace_v as_o to_o require_v absolute_a perfection_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o divine_a office_n and_o church_n government_n must_v be_v guilty_a of_o that_o popish_a error_n in_o confine_v the_o church_n with_o all_o its_o privilege_n and_o immunity_n to_o their_o own_o sect_n and_o party_n and_o so_o cast_v off_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v at_o this_o day_n which_o profess_v and_o practise_v all_o the_o essential_o of_o faith_n and_o worship_n hence_o we_o also_o infer_v 3._o that_o many_o great_a and_o unavoidable_a mischief_n do_v always_o attend_v a_o wilful_a and_o unlawful_a separation_n for_o a_o scissure_n in_o and_o departure_n from_o a_o true_a church_n as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v and_o none_o of_o our_o severe_a adversary_n can_v deny_v be_v most_o dishonourable_a and_o displease_v to_o god_n a_o scandal_n to_o religion_n hinder_v the_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n open_v a_o wide_a gap_n to_o atheism_n and_o profaneness_n heresy_n and_o popery_n and_o be_v a_o dismal_a presage_v of_o the_o remove_n of_o our_o candlestick_n mat._n 12.25_o why_o then_o shall_v any_o person_n withdraw_v and_o separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o our_o church_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o few_o ceremony_n and_o set_v up_o altar_n against_o altar_n and_o hereby_o put_v a_o opportunity_n into_o the_o adversary_n hand_n to_o ruin_v both_o we_o and_o themselves_o but_o 4._o though_o all_o person_n in_o this_o nation_n be_v oblige_v to_o hold_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n see_v those_o pretend_a defect_n in_o she_o be_v only_a modal_n and_o circumstantial_a which_o no_o church_n in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v free_a from_o in_o this_o state_n of_o trial_n and_o probation_n yet_o we_o be_v sorbidden_v to_o communicate_v with_o any_o church_n in_o sin_n and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n and_o ground_n of_o forsake_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n because_o her_o error_n be_v fundamental_a as_o we_o have_v see_v already_o and_o the_o condition_n of_o communion_n with_o her_o such_o as_o we_o can_v comply_v with_o unless_o we_o offer_v violence_n to_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o conscience_n and_o we_o do_v always_o solemn_o declare_v that_o if_o their_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n and_o unchristian_a practice_n do_v not_o hinder_v we_o we_o shall_v most_o free_o and_o cheerful_o communicate_v with_o she_o nor_o do_v we_o further_o depart_v from_o she_o than_o she_o depart_v from_o christ_n and_o her_o self_n as_o to_o her_o ancient_a faith_n and_o worship_n and_o again_o we_o have_v so_o much_o love_n and_o charity_n for_o our_o modern_a dissenter_n in_o england_n that_o if_o any_o one_o have_v a_o true_o tender_a conscience_n so_o as_o after_o a_o diligent_a and_o faithful_a use_n of_o all_o convenient_a and_o necessary_a mean_n and_o method_n for_o his_o conviction_n as_o earnest_a prayer_n to_o god_n read_v of_o good_a book_n consultation_n with_o his_o parish-minister_n or_o some_o other_o pious_a and_o learned_a divine_a of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n he_o still_o remain_v scrupulous_a and_o unsatisfied_a yet_o rather_o than_o sin_n against_o his_o own_o conscience_n we_o do_v not_o blame_v but_o pity_v he_o if_o he_o modest_o withdraw_v from_o our_o communion_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a there_o be_v some_o who_o have_v not_o practise_v these_o method_n although_o i_o have_v the_o charity_n to_o believe_v that_o very_a many_o have_v and_o that_o most_o of_o those_o who_o have_v separate_v from_o our_o communion_n have_v not_o do_v it_o through_o a_o wilful_a obstinacy_n but_o mere_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o conscience_n 5._o our_o brethren_n of_o the_o nonconformity_n may_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v also_o that_o none_o gain_v any_o thing_n by_o a_o groundless_a schism_n and_o separation_n but_o that_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o chief_a maxim_n to_o promote_v their_o own_o end_n have_v always_o be_v divide_v &_o impera_fw-la for_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n be_v daily_o weaken_a by_o our_o unchristian_a and_o intestine_a division_n and_o it_o be_v very_o certain_a that_o we_o can_v do_v our_o enemy_n great_a service_n nor_o more_o precipitate_v our_o own_o ruin_n than_o by_o crumble_a ourselves_o into_o sect_n and_o party_n insomuch_o that_o i_o be_o afraid_a that_o those_o who_o now_o separate_v from_o we_o and_o in_o this_o juncture_n forsake_v our_o communion_n will_v one_o day_n find_v and_o feel_v to_o their_o great_a cost_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o present_a mischief_n that_o it_o be_v a_o thousand_o time_n better_a to_o swallow_v a_o innocent_a ceremony_n than_o rend_v a_o church_n see_v the_o great_a sin_n shall_v have_v a_o light_a punishment_n than_o schism_n and_o separation_n for_o the_o eye_n that_o mock_v his_o father_n and_o despise_v the_o garment_n of_o his_o mother_n the_o raven_n of_o the_o valley_n shall_v pluck_v it_o out_o and_o the_o young_a eagle_n devour_v it_o see_v further_o upon_o the_o mischief_n of_o schism_n dr._n falconer_n libertas_n eccles_n from_o the_o beginning_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o third_z and_o last_o thing_n which_o will_v be_v to_o lay_v down_o some_o rule_n by_o way_n of_o caution_n and_o advice_n which_o may_v secure_v you_o and_o by_o your_o influence_n many_o other_o from_o a_o groundless_a separation_n and_o 1._o we_o must_v be_v subject_a to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n for_o the_o lord_n sake_n for_o they_o be_v god_n minister_n and_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n of_o these_o kingdom_n be_v invest_v with_o sovereign_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o order_n and_o administer_v the_o affair_n of_o government_n for_o the_o peace_n and_o benefit_n of_o man_n soul_n as_o well_o as_o their_o body_n and_o estate_n nor_o can_v this_o seem_v strange_a to_o any_o one_o who_o either_o understand_v the_o scripture_n or_o ecclesiastical_a history_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o religious_a king_n of_o judah_n &_o israel_n as_o king_n david_n solomon_n asa_n jehoshaphat_n hezekiah_n etc._n etc._n and_o all_o the_o christian_a emperor_n as_o constantine_n the_o great_a and_o his_o successor_n till_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n usurpation_n be_v as_o much_o concern_v in_o order_v of_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o administration_n of_o civil_a government_n and_o indeed_o unless_o this_o power_n and_o sovereignty_n be_v allow_v to_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n he_o shall_v be_v unable_a to_o provide_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o his_o subject_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o order_n and_o uniformity_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n be_v only_a bruta_n fulmina_fw-la without_o the_o concurrence_n and_o enforcement_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n so_o that_o from_o hence_o it_o must_v needs_o follow_v that_o a_o cheerful_a obedience_n to_o and_o a_o hearty_a compliance_n