Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	age_n	church_n	true_a	1,952	5	4.9061	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80626	A modest and cleer ansvver to Mr. Ball's discourse of set formes of prayer. Written by the reverend and learned John Cotton, B.D. and teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston in New-England. Published for the benefit of those who desire satisfaction in that point	Cotton, John, 1584-1652.	1642 (1642)	Wing C6444; ESTC R212884	45,765	95

the_o last_o beside_o the_o common_a daily_a blessing_n which_o the_o discourser_n instance_v in_o as_o faith_n patience_n meekness_n love_n sanctification_n of_o god_n name_n come_v of_o christ_n kingdom_n the_o state_n of_o these_o thing_n do_v ever_o and_o anon_o vary_v and_o to_o bind_v a_o man_n self_n daily_o to_o a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n for_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o state_n whereof_o be_v so_o daily_o vary_v will_v bring_v in_o a_o loose_a and_o incongruous_a kind_n of_o prayer_n fit_a only_o for_o those_o that_o do_v not_o discern_v or_o be_v not_o affect_v with_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n either_o in_o themselves_o or_o other_o when_o it_o be_v say_v if_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o pronounce_v a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n then_o to_o read_v it_o if_o the_o meaning_n be_v to_o read_v it_o for_o a_o prayer_n the_o consequence_n be_v not_o firm_a for_o though_o as_o the_o discourser_n say_v the_o read_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o impure_a yet_o the_o pray_v of_o read_v prayer_n be_v the_o use_n of_o such_o a_o crutch_n to_o pray_v as_o he_o speak_v which_o god_n have_v not_o appoint_v and_o that_o make_v such_o read_v impure_a and_o though_o pronounce_v can_v make_v a_o evil_a matter_n good_a nor_o simple_o read_v make_v a_o good_a matter_n evil_a yet_o read_v to_o such_o a_o end_n read_v a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n prescribe_v to_o i_o for_o my_o prayer_n make_v to_o i_o a_o will-worship_n of_o that_o which_o he_o that_o conceive_v the_o prayer_n may_v lawful_o have_v pronounce_v the_o pronounce_v of_o a_o good_a sermon_n by_o he_o that_o make_v it_o be_v a_o good_a and_o acceptable_a service_n to_o god_n and_o his_o church_n but_o to_o read_v a_o sermon_n as_o my_o preach_n which_o be_v make_v by_o another_o make_v it_o neither_o so_o acceptable_a to_o god_n nor_o to_o his_o church_n yea_o the_o read_n of_o a_o man_n own_o sermon_n instead_o of_o preach_v will_n much_o detract_v from_o the_o life_n and_o power_n of_o it_o and_o make_v a_o man_n of_o god_n unserviceable_a for_o his_o place_n though_o read_v and_o pronounce_v of_o a_o thing_n be_v both_o of_o they_o adjunct_n and_o common_a adjunct_n too_o to_o that_o which_o be_v pronounce_v or_o read_v yet_o according_a to_o the_o end_n and_o subject_n to_o which_o they_o may_v be_v apply_v the_o one_o may_v be_v lawful_a the_o other_o not_o indifferent_a but_o sinful_a the_o read_n of_o a_o sermon_n for_o preach_v be_v a_o sinful_a manner_n of_o preach_v the_o difference_n will_v ever_o hold_v between_o the_o word_n read_v and_o preach_v they_o be_v two_o distinct_a ordinance_n chap._n ix_o answer_v unto_o the_o eight_o reason_n the_o jew_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n use_v a_o prescript_n form_n of_o prayer_n as_o it_o be_v probable_a and_o the_o learned_a note_n in_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o passover_n and_o that_o which_o they_o use_v as_o be_v very_o probable_a be_v approve_v by_o christ_n himself_o answ_n that_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n do_v use_v certain_a rite_n in_o keep_v the_o passover_n it_o do_v appear_v by_o the_o testimony_n allege_v as_o also_o by_o causabon_n and_o other_o and_o that_o some_o form_n of_o prayer_n they_o use_v according_a as_o the_o several_a passage_n of_o the_o passeover_n require_v but_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v that_o they_o use_v any_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n but_o only_o to_o that_o and_o the_o like_a effect_n and_o that_o not_o by_o prescript_n or_o injunction_n from_o one_o to_o another_o but_o leave_v every_o father_n of_o a_o family_n at_o his_o liberty_n therein_o much_o less_o will_v it_o appear_v that_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n take_v up_o any_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n by_o their_o example_n and_o least_o of_o all_o from_o their_o injunction_n chap._n x._o give_v answer_n to_o the_o nine_o reason_n disc_n all_o the_o reform_a church_n at_o this_o day_n do_v not_o only_o tolerate_v but_o approve_v a_o set_a form_n of_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n answ_n we_o count_v it_o a_o safe_a course_n to_o bewail_v our_o own_o sin_n and_o the_o sin_n of_o our_o father_n whereby_o we_o have_v pollute_v the_o holy_a thing_n of_o god_n more_o or_o less_o rather_o than_o to_o justify_v our_o own_o alteration_n from_o the_o rule_n by_o their_o precedent_n ●reat_a cause_n we_o have_v to_o bless_v the_o lord_n for_o the_o ●reat_a light_n which_o the_o instrument_n who_o god_n ●●ed_v in_o reform_v all_o protestant_a church_n bring_v into_o the_o dark_a world_n and_o leave_v behind_o they_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v well_o know_v in_o some_o thing_n or_o other_o all_o of_o they_o more_o or_o less_o fail_v and_o it_o be_v more_o wonder_n they_o shall_v see_v so_o much_o truth_n out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o darkness_n then_o that_o they_o who_o see_v so_o much_o shall_v fail_v in_o any_o thing_n but_o whereinsoever_o they_o fail_v the_o generation_n that_o have_v come_v after_o they_o have_v too_o close_o and_o ungodly_a stick_v to_o their_o example_n yea_o and_o have_v be_v more_o zealous_a in_o the_o defence_n thereof_o than_o have_v seek_v to_o perfect_v what_o they_o less_o defective_a yet_o this_o we_o may_v true_o affirm_v that_o we_o know_v none_o of_o all_o the_o reform_a foreign_a church_n that_o do_v prescribe_v a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n with_o necessity_n to_o be_v observe_v but_o leave_v their_o minister_n at_o liberty_n to_o use_v the_o same_o or_o some_o other_o form_n to_o the_o like_a effect_n at_o their_o own_o direction_n which_o take_v off_o a_o great_a part_n of_o sin_n and_o burden_n of_o set_a form_n god_n know_v how_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o remnant_n of_o iniquity_n of_o the_o transgression_n of_o they_o that_o seek_v he_o in_o truth_n although_o all_o the_o high_a place_n be_v not_o take_v away_o 2_o chron_n 15.17_o the_o lord_n do_v not_o so_o look_v at_o their_o high_a place_n as_o to_o reject_v his_o people_n for_o idolater_n or_o superstitious_a person_n when_o they_o seek_v he_o in_o truth_n of_o heart_n though_o in_o high_a place_n neither_o yet_o will_v he_o justify_v their_o high_a place_n to_o after_o age_n by_o the_o example_n and_o authority_n of_o their_o ancestor_n far_o be_v it_o from_o we_o to_o censure_v the_o present_a church_n of_o obstinacy_n who_o have_v persist_v in_o the_o precedent_n leave_v by_o our_o holy_a ancestor_n those_o first_o reform_v yet_o neither_o may_v we_o be_v so_o unfaithful_a as_o to_o sow_v pillow_n under_o the_o elbow_n no_o not_o of_o public_a church_n who_o know_v not_o they_o have_v all_o be_v more_o studious_a and_o tenacious_a of_o what_o form_n the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n and_o discipline_n be_v leave_v unto_o they_o then_o inquisitive_a after_o far_a light_n yea_o sometime_o more_o inclinable_a to_o look_v back_o into_o egypt_n than_o to_o hasten_v towards_o canaan_n it_o be_v true_a we_o have_v cause_n to_o suspect_v ourselves_o of_o error_n rather_o than_o so_o many_o glorious_a light_n of_o former_a and_o present_a time_n to_o wit_n if_o our_o faith_n be_v build_v upon_o ourselves_o we_o shall_v prefer_v their_o judgement_n and_o testimony_n before_o our_o own_o but_o see_v our_o faith_n rest_v only_o on_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o spirit_n breathe_v therein_o and_o the_o word_n have_v promise_v more_o and_o more_o light_a shall_v break_v forth_o in_o these_o time_n till_o antichrist_n be_v utter_o consume_v and_o abolish_v we_o shall_v sin_v against_o the_o grace_n and_o word_n of_o truth_n if_o we_o confine_v our_o truth_n either_o to_o the_o divine_n of_o present_a or_o former_a age_n disc_n be_v that_o all_o the_o church_n may_v err_v in_o this_o yet_o i_o hope_v no_o moderate_a man_n can_v censure_v they_o of_o obstinacy_n as_o man_n not_o willing_a to_o consent_v to_o the_o truth_n show_v and_o manifest_v how_o then_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o none_o of_o they_o hitherto_o have_v subscribe_v to_o this_o opinion_n and_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o brethren_n of_o the_o separation_n the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n can_v err_v fundamental_o nor_o obstinate_o against_o knowledge_n but_o how_o can_v they_o be_v free_v from_o one_o of_o these_o let_v the_o opposite_n themselves_o judge_v answ_n though_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v as_o you_o do_v that_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n can_v err_v fundamental_o but_o do_v conceive_v for_o a_o time_n they_o may_v as_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o golden_a calf_n and_o afterward_o more_o dangerous_o in_o the_o crucify_a of_o christ_n and_o many_o christian_a church_n almost_o all_o in_o that_o time_n when_o hierome_n complain_v the_o whole_a world_n be_v become_v a_o arian_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o look_v at_o the_o read_n of_o devise_a prescript_n form_n as_o a_o

just_o be_v demand_v when_o do_v god_n speak_v one_o word_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o what_o have_v we_o to_o do_v with_o they_o if_o it_o be_v say_v as_o god_n never_o speak_v word_n of_o read_v prayer_n within_o book_n so_o never_o do_v he_o speak_v word_n of_o pronounce_v prayer_n without_o book_n the_o text_n do_v plain_o enough_o express_v the_o contrary_a for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n speak_v express_o that_o christ_n lift_v up_o his_o eye_n to_o heaven_n in_o prayer_n john_n 17.1_o &_o 11.41_o so_o do_v david_n psalm_n 123.1_o and_o god_n have_v ingraff_v it_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o his_o people_n to_o express_v the_o lift_n up_o of_o their_o soul_n their_o faith_n and_o hope_n and_o desire_n to_o god_n by_o lift_v up_o their_o eye_n steadfast_o to_o heaven_n in_o prayer_n yea_o god_n have_v ingraff_v it_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o man_n and_o even_o put_v some_o kind_n of_o instinct_n into_o all_o live_a creature_n to_o lift_v up_o their_o eye_n to_o heaven_n for_o what_o they_o want_v psal_n 145.15_o now_o if_o the_o lift_n up_o of_o the_o eye_n to_o heaven_n in_o prayer_n be_v express_o mention_v in_o the_o word_n then_o how_o can_v it_o be_v true_o say_v that_o god_n never_o speak_v word_n of_o prayer_n without_o book_n for_o they_o that_o lift_v up_o their_o eye_n steadfast_o to_o heaven_n in_o prayer_n can_v without_o some_o distraction_n cast_v they_o down_o in_o prayer_n upon_o a_o book_n if_o lift_v up_o of_o the_o eye_n to_o heaven_n in_o prayer_n be_v a_o divine_a institution_n as_o the_o discourse_n say_v even_o now_o if_o it_o be_v a_o external_a mean_n to_o help_v the_o affection_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o prayer_n than_o it_o be_v against_o the_o institution_n and_o a_o hindrance_n to_o prayer_n instead_o of_o a_o help_n to_o set_v a_o man_n self_n or_o other_o a_o form_n of_o read_v prayer_n wherein_o while_o he_o be_v read_v he_o must_v usual_o cast_v down_o his_o eye_n upon_o a_o book_n chap._n vi_o tend_v to_o give_v answer_n unto_o the_o five_o reason_n disc_n where_o there_o be_v no_o breach_n of_o law_n there_o be_v no_o sin_n but_o the_o use_n of_o a_o prescript_n form_n of_o prayer_n be_v no_o breach_n of_o law_n or_o of_o any_o commandment_n of_o god_n answ_n it_o have_v be_v show_v above_o that_o it_o be_v a_o breach_n of_o the_o second_o commandment_n more_o way_n than_o one_o to_o devise_v and_o use_v a_o similitude_n and_o form_n and_o mean_n of_o worship_n which_o god_n never_o appoint_v and_o such_o be_v the_o read_n of_o a_o ser_fw-mi form_n of_o prayer_n for_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n 2._o it_o be_v a_o usurpation_n of_o more_o than_o prophetical_a or_o apostolical_a authority_n to_o prescribe_v a_o set_a form_n of_o lyturgie_n to_o the_o church_n and_o a_o great_a usurpation_n for_o one_o congregation_n to_o prescribe_v the_o same_o to_o another_o which_o be_v a_o sin_n both_o against_o the_o second_o and_o five_o commandment_n 3._o it_o be_v a_o sinful_a and_o disloyal_a betray_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o magistrate_n to_o countenance_v their_o intrude_a such_o prescript_n form_n of_o prayer_n upon_o church_n by_o take_v up_o the_o same_o form_n from_o they_o which_o they_o have_v not_o authority_n from_o god_n to_o enjoin_v and_o stiff_o to_o plead_v for_o they_o a_o sin_n forbid_v in_o the_o five_o and_o six_o commandment_n 4._o it_o be_v a_o sinful_a betray_n of_o christian_a liberty_n which_o christ_n have_v purchase_v to_o every_o church_n of_o he_o by_o his_o precious_a blood_n for_o one_o church_n voluntary_o to_o take_v up_o the_o injunction_n and_o prescription_n of_o another_o contrary_a to_o col._n 2.20_o 22._o which_o argument_n may_v be_v apply_v another_o way_n by_o a_o testimony_n from_o the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n god_n service_n be_v perfect_a freedom_n but_o the_o read_n of_o a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n devise_v and_o prescribe_v by_o other_o be_v not_o perfect_a freedom_n for_o many_o will_v be_v right_o glad_a to_o be_v free_v from_o it_o therefore_o such_o read_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o god_n service_n 5._o it_o be_v a_o sinful_a breach_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o decency_n to_o offer_v up_o prayer_n to_o god_n in_o such_o a_o form_n as_o can_v well_o stand_v with_o that_o decent_a gesture_n which_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o prayer_n it_o be_v a_o gesture_n most_o suitable_a to_o prayer_n to_o lift_v it_o up_o to_o god_n as_o with_o heart_n and_o hand_n so_o with_o eye_n steadfast_o lift_v up_o to_o heaven_n but_o this_o gesture_n can_v fit_o and_o steadfast_o be_v use_v in_o read_v prayer_n where_o the_o eye_n must_v be_v usual_o cast_v down_o upon_o the_o book_n chap._n vii_o wherein_o answer_n be_v return_v to_o the_o six_o reason_n disc_n if_o a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n be_v disallow_v than_o a_o prescript_n form_n of_o catechism_n and_o confession_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v condemn_v but_o how_o absurd_a this_o be_v he_o be_v very_o blind_a or_o will_v full_a that_o see_v not_o the_o necessity_n antiquity_n and_o excellency_n of_o catechise_v be_v know_v to_o they_o that_o know_v any_o thing_n touch_v the_o building_n and_o govern_v the_o house_n of_o god_n answ_n touch_v set_v form_n of_o catechism_n we_o have_v answer_v twice_o before_o in_o clear_v some_o objection_n against_o the_o first_o reason_n whereto_o we_o refer_v you_o it_o have_v be_v already_o show_v we_o that_o god_n himself_o have_v set_v before_o we_o sundry_a form_n of_o catechism_n david_n catechism_n be_v of_o one_o form_n psal_n 34.11_o 12_o 13_o 14._o solomon_n of_o another_o prov._n 4._o the_o apostle_n of_o another_o heb._n 6.2_o yea_o the_o apostle_n name_v the_o head_n of_o their_o catechism_n but_o neither_o propound_v the_o question_n nor_o answer_v they_o in_o use_n a_o evident_a argument_n they_o never_o mean_v to_o bind_v church_n to_o set_v form_n of_o catechism_n the_o excellent_a and_o necessary_a use_n of_o catechise_n young_a man_n and_o novice_n as_o have_v be_v say_v before_o we_o willing_o acknowledge_v but_o little_a benefit_n have_v we_o see_v reap_v from_o set_a form_n of_o question_n and_o answer_n devise_v by_o one_o church_n and_o impose_v by_o necessity_n upon_o another_o they_o must_v look_v at_o they_o with_o colour_a spectacle_n that_o can_v discern_v they_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o form_n of_o confession_n when_o a_o church_n be_v suspect_v and_o slander_v with_o corrupt_a and_o unsound_a doctrine_n they_o have_v a_o call_v from_o god_n to_o set_v forth_o a_o public_a confession_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o to_o prescribe_v the_o same_o as_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o that_o church_n to_o their_o posterity_n or_o to_o prescribe_v the_o confession_n of_o one_o church_n to_o be_v a_o form_n and_o pattern_n unto_o other_o sad_a experience_n have_v show_v what_o a_o snare_n it_o have_v be_v to_o both_o nothing_o in_o after_o age_n must_v be_v hold_v for_o a_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n though_o never_o so_o necessary_a a_o truth_n unless_o it_o be_v find_v among_o the_o article_n of_o religion_n agree_v upon_o by_o their_o father_n in_o the_o confession_n of_o their_o faith_n chap._n viii_o giving_z answer_v to_o the_o seven_o reason_n disc_n it_o be_v lawful_a to_o ask_v common_a blessing_n of_o god_n daily_o in_o a_o set_a form_n of_o word_n ergo._n it_o be_v not_o unlawful_a to_o use_v a_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n and_o if_o to_o pronounce_v it_o to_o read_v it_o also_o for_o read_v of_o itself_o be_v not_o impure_a as_o pronounce_v can_v make_v a_o evil_a matter_n good_a no_o more_o can_v read_a make_v a_o good_a matter_n evil_a pronounce_v and_o read_v be_v adjunct_n in_o prayer_n both_o indifferent_a answ_n first_o the_o question_n with_o we_o be_v not_o so_o much_o about_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n in_o general_a as_o about_o set_v form_n of_o prayer_n devise_v by_o man_n of_o other_o church_n precsribe_v and_o enjoin_v to_o be_v read_v as_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n or_o devise_v by_o one_o christian_n and_o set_v apart_o by_o another_o as_o his_o prayer_n to_o which_o this_o argument_n reach_v not_o though_o we_o do_v not_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v altogether_o unlawful_a to_o seek_v common_a blessing_n of_o god_n daily_o in_o a_o set_a form_n of_o word_n yet_o we_o will_v not_o encourage_v man_n to_o rest_n and_o content_v themselves_o in_o so_o do_v much_o less_o to_o bind_v themselves_o so_o to_o do_v for_o beside_o that_o a_o daily_o set_v form_n will_v easy_o degenerate_v to_o a_o formality_n how_o can_v a_o christian_n be_v say_v to_o watch_v unto_o prayer_n which_o we_o be_v command_v to_o do_v eph._n 6.18_o if_o we_o content_v ourselves_o with_o the_o same_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n this_o year_n as_o