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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n church_n religion_n true_a 7,548 5 5.1593 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59850 A practical discourse of religious assemblies by Will. Sherlock. Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1681 (1681) Wing S3322; ESTC R27485 148,095 402

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forsake_v the_o assemble_v of_o themselves_o together_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o some_o be_v but_o exhort_v one_o another_o and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o as_o you_o see_v the_o day_n approach_v which_o at_o least_o suppose_n that_o to_o forsake_v the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n do_v great_o dispose_v man_n to_o a_o final_a apostasy_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o follow_a verse_n wherein_o he_o urge_v the_o great_a danger_n of_o apostasy_n which_o have_v be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n have_v not_o separation_n at_o least_o be_v the_o beginning_n of_o it_o but_o if_o we_o sin_v wilful_o after_o that_o we_o 29._o have_v receive_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n there_o remain_v no_o more_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n but_o a_o certain_a fearful_a look_v for_o of_o vengeance_n and_o fiery_a indignation_n which_o shall_v devour_v the_o adversary_n he_o that_o despise_a moses_n '_o s_o law_n die_v without_o mercy_n under_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n of_o how_o much_o sore_a punishment_n shall_v he_o be_v think_v worthy_a that_o trample_v under_o foot_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o have_v count_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o covenant_n wherewith_o he_o be_v sanctify_v a_o unholy_a thing_n and_o have_v do_v despite_n unto_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n the_o truth_n be_v whoever_o careful_o examine_v the_o state_n of_o the_o apostolical-churche_n according_a to_o that_o account_n we_o find_v of_o they_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o i_o may_v add_v of_o the_o succeed_a age_n from_o the_o report_n of_o the_o most_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a father_n will_v find_v that_o none_o but_o apostate_n from_o christianity_n by_o apostate_n not_o mean_v those_o who_o whole_o renounce_v the_o name_n and_o profession_n but_o those_o who_o renounce_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n actual_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n which_o s._n paul_n 12._o reprove_v they_o for_o but_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o actual_o separate_v into_o distinct_a communion_n but_o contend_v among_o themselves_o about_o the_o preference_n of_o several_a apostle_n which_o of_o they_o be_v great_a every_o one_o of_o you_o say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o i_o of_o apollo_n and_o i_o of_o cephas_n or_o peter_n and_o i_o of_o christ._n and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o case_n in_o the_o second_o schism_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o time_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n who_o write_v a_o letter_n to_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n persuade_v they_o to_o peace_n unity_n and_o order_n but_o beside_o these_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n which_o s._n paul_n make_v a_o great_a sign_n of_o carnality_n for_o be_v you_o not_o carnal_a 4._o for_o whereas_o there_o be_v among_o you_o envy_v and_o strife_n and_o division_n be_v you_o not_o carnal_a and_o walk_v as_o man_n for_o while_o one_o say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o another_o i_o be_o of_o apollo_n be_v you_o not_o carnal_a there_o be_v also_o schism_n from_o the_o church_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o st._n paul_n epistle_n to_o timothy_n for_o of_o this_o sort_n be_v 8._o they_o who_o creep_v into_o house_n who_o keep_v secret_a and_o clandestine_v meeting_n and_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n lade_v with_o sin_n led_z away_o with_o divers_a lust_n ever_o learning_n but_o never_o able_a to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n now_o as_o jannes_n and_o jambres_n withstand_v moses_n so_o do_v these_o also_o resist_v the_o truth_n that_o be_v they_o oppose_v themselves_o against_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o only_a teacher_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o be_v that_o to_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o moses_n be_v to_o the_o jew_n which_o plain_o signify_v that_o they_o set_v themselves_o up_o against_o the_o apostle_n and_o gather_v church_n in_o opposition_n to_o they_o of_o such_o separatist_n st._n john_n speak_v who_o he_o call_v antichrist_n they_o go_v out_o 19_o from_o we_o because_o they_o be_v not_o of_o we_o for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v of_o we_o they_o will_v no_o doubt_n have_v continue_v with_o we_o but_o they_o go_v out_o that_o it_o may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o we_o where_o the_o apostle_n express_o affirm_v that_o they_o go_v out_o from_o they_o that_o be_v forsake_v the_o christian_a assembly_n by_o which_o he_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v not_o of_o they_o i._n e._n that_o they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o same_o body_n and_o society_n but_o have_v entertain_v such_o doctrine_n as_o be_v destructive_a to_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o have_v separate_v from_o the_o christian_a church_n now_o this_o necessary_o suppose_v that_o christian_a communion_n be_v so_o indispensible_a a_o duty_n that_o no_o man_n can_v causeless_o separate_v from_o the_o christian_a church_n without_o at_o least_o bring_v his_o christianity_n into_o question_n that_o nothing_o can_v reasonable_o tempt_v man_n to_o a_o separation_n but_o their_o renounce_v some_o great_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n nor_o can_v any_o thing_n justify_v a_o separation_n but_o such_o corruption_n as_o destroy_v the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n for_o otherwise_o there_o have_v be_v no_o force_n in_o the_o apostle_n argument_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v corrupt_a in_o the_o faith_n from_o their_o separation_n they_o go_v out_o from_o we_o because_o they_o be_v not_o of_o we_o for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v of_o we_o no_o doubt_n they_o will_v have_v continue_v with_o we_o so_o that_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o schism_n as_o dr._n owen_n earnest_o contend_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o division_n and_o contention_n among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o church_n without_o the_o breach_n of_o church-communion_n and_o therefore_o separatist_n be_v not_o proper_o schismatic_n i_o know_v not_o what_o he_o gain_v by_o this_o when_o separation_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o much_o great_a evil_n than_o schism_n and_o yet_o none_o but_o heretic_n or_o apostate_n from_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v in_o those_o day_n guilty_a of_o it_o and_o if_o the_o apostle_n argument_n hold_v good_a a_o sinful_a and_o causeless_a separation_n can_v never_o be_v own_a without_o some_o degree_n of_o apostasy_n it_o be_v to_o no_o great_a purpose_n to_o dispute_v the_o signification_n of_o word_n when_o the_o difference_n between_o thing_n be_v plain_a and_o notorious_a but_o yet_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o manifest_a difference_n in_o scripture_n between_o schism_n and_o heresy_n the_o first_o be_v common_o apply_v to_o signify_v those_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n in_o the_o same_o communion_n the_o second_o if_o not_o always_o yet_o chief_o apply_v to_o signify_v separation_n from_o the_o church_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d proper_o signify_v a_o sect_n or_o party_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o sectarian_n thus_o christianity_n itself_o when_o the_o christian_n unite_v into_o a_o distinct_a church-society_n be_v call_v heresy_n or_o a_o new_a sect_n and_o 5._o the_o sect_n of_o the_o nazarene_o thus_o we_o read_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o sadducee_n and_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pharisee_n where_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o heresy_n be_v always_o use_v now_o though_o these_o different_a sect_n among_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o separate_v into_o distinct_a assembly_n for_o worship_n but_o all_o worship_v at_o the_o temple_n as_o even_o the_o christian_a jew_n do_v while_o the_o temple_n stand_v as_o appear_v from_o what_o happen_v to_o st._n paul_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o last_o time_n he_o 24._o go_v thither_o yet_o they_o be_v distinguish_v by_o different_a opinion_n rite_n and_o usage_n and_o school_n and_o which_o be_v usual_o the_o effect_n of_o such_o distinction_n by_o different_a interest_n and_o affection_n and_o in_o allusion_n to_o those_o jewish_a sect_n these_o difference_n among_o christian_n which_o do_v not_o break_v forth_o into_o open_a separation_n but_o occasion_v great_a siding_n and_o party_n and_o heat_n and_o animosity_n be_v indifferent_o call_v schism_n or_o heresy_n 20._o thus_o st._n paul_n join_v hatred_n variance_n wrath_n sedition_n heresy_n but_o then_o there_o be_v another_o sort_n of_o heresy_n which_o always_o end_v in_o separation_n for_o such_o man_n be_v always_o either_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n or_o separate_v themselves_o such_o be_v those_o which_o st._n peter_n call_v damnable_a heresy_n who_o 1._o he_o compare_v with_o the_o fall_v angel_n and_o the_o old_a world_n which_o be_v destroy_v with_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n and_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n who_o he_o call_v presumptuous_a 6._o self-willed_a and_o that_o be_v not_o
can_v worship_n god_n as_o well_o at_o home_n in_o their_o closet_n or_o family_n 3._o those_o who_o plead_v conscience_n for_o their_o separation_n and_o set_v up_o distinct_a communion_n of_o their_o own_o the_o second_o part_n be_v design_v to_o correct_v some_o great_a miscarriage_n in_o public_a worship_n which_o some_o who_o profess_v to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v too_o notorious_o guilty_a of_o such_o as_o these_o 1._o the_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o their_o parish_n church_n without_o just_a cause_n for_o it_o 2._o irreverence_n in_o worship_n 3._o the_o neglect_n of_o a_o due_a attendance_n on_o the_o public_a prayer_n of_o the_o church_n 4._o the_o neglect_n of_o the_o public_a administration_n of_o baptism_n 5._o that_o they_o neglect_v or_o refuse_v to_o submit_v their_o child_n and_o servant_n to_o public_a instruction_n 6._o that_o either_o never_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n or_o very_o rare_o iii_o the_o very_o name_v these_o thing_n must_v needs_o convince_v all_o man_n who_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o religion_n how_o seasonable_a this_o discourse_n be_v for_o there_o be_v never_o any_o age_n wherein_o there_o be_v more_o need_n of_o it_o and_o since_o religion_n have_v so_o great_a a_o influence_n upon_o the_o government_n of_o man_n life_n the_o neglect_n or_o miscarriage_n of_o public_a worship_n do_v not_o only_o tend_v to_o corrupt_v man_n manner_n but_o have_v a_o very_a ill_a aspect_n upon_o public_a affair_n i_o confess_v it_o be_v a_o very_a ill_a time_n for_o any_o man_n who_o prefer_v his_o own_o ease_n and_o quiet_v before_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o of_o religion_n to_o put_v forth_o to_o sea_n in_o such_o a_o storm_n and_o hurricane_a when_o the_o passion_n of_o man_n be_v in_o such_o a_o ferment_n that_o they_o be_v hardly_o capable_a of_o cool_a thought_n and_o impatient_a of_o the_o gentle_a reproof_n and_o opposition_n the_o most_o charitable_a design_n be_v misconstrue_v and_o nickname_v and_o whoever_o endeavour_v to_o convince_v man_n of_o their_o mistake_v how_o careful_a soever_o he_o be_v to_o avoid_v all_o just_a occasion_n of_o offence_n be_v either_o a_o railer_n or_o a_o persecutor_n but_o these_o thing_n i_o thank_v god_n do_v not_o much_o affect_v i_o and_o shall_v never_o affright_v i_o from_o any_o part_n of_o my_o duty_n i_o value_v a_o good_a name_n as_o much_o as_o other_o man_n but_o be_o content_v to_o be_v reproach_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o my_o lord_n and_o master_n who_o be_v himself_o reproach_v and_o vilify_v by_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n but_o that_o which_o i_o suppose_v will_v be_v think_v most_o unseasonable_a at_o this_o time_n be_v what_o concern_v the_o dissenter_n from_o our_o present_a establishment_n for_o this_o be_v now_o upon_o all_o occasion_n urge_v and_o think_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o all_o such_o discourse_n but_o can_v it_o be_v think_v unseasonable_a to_o persuade_v man_n not_o to_o forsake_v christian_a assembly_n when_o it_o be_v grow_v so_o general_a a_o practice_n that_o many_o have_v lose_v all_o sense_n of_o the_o evil_a of_o it_o be_v it_o not_o a_o fit_a season_n for_o the_o application_n of_o the_o physician_n when_o the_o patient_n be_v dangerous_o sick_a of_o a_o mortal_a distemper_n thanks_o be_v to_o our_o good_a god_n we_o still_o enjoy_v the_o opportunity_n of_o public_a worship_n and_o therefore_o have_v opportunity_n also_o of_o persuade_v and_o exhort_v man_n to_o return_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n how_o effectual_a indeed_o such_o exhortation_n may_v be_v at_o such_o a_o time_n we_o can_v tell_v success_n in_o these_o matter_n do_v not_o so_o much_o depend_v upon_o the_o fit_a season_n as_o upon_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a temper_n of_o the_o ground_n where_o the_o seed_n fall_v as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o sour_a matth._n 13._o however_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n a_o thing_n must_v be_v do_v when_o and_o as_o it_o may_v and_o i_o think_v there_o never_o be_v great_a necessity_n for_o this_o exhortation_n than_o in_o our_o day_n but_o that_o which_o i_o perceive_v make_v some_o man_n think_v it_o so_o unseasonable_a at_o this_o time_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o return_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v because_o they_o be_v either_o in_o great_a hope_n to_o pull_v down_o the_o church_n of_o england_n or_o at_o least_o to_o open_v the_o door_n a_o little_a wide_o to_o let_v those_o in_o who_o be_v now_o exclude_v by_o some_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n about_o some_o indifferent_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n use_v in_o our_o worship_n as_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o wish_v with_o all_o my_o soul_n that_o such_o seasonable_a exhortation_n as_o these_o may_v prove_v very_o unseasonable_a for_o their_o design_n that_o it_o may_v bring_v man_n to_o their_o wit_n and_o make_v they_o consider_v what_o they_o be_v a_o do_v when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o pull_v down_o the_o best_a church_n in_o the_o world_n it_o may_v be_v very_o unseasonable_a indeed_o for_o they_o but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a unseasonable_a and_o despicable_a piece_n of_o folly_n and_o modesty_n for_o all_o those_o who_o favour_n zion_n to_o stand_v still_o and_o say_v nothing_o while_o they_o accomplish_v their_o design_n and_o bring_v their_o wicked_a device_n to_o pass_v as_o for_o the_o second_o sort_n who_o only_o desire_v to_o see_v the_o church_n door_n a_o little_a wide_o to_o receive_v more_o honest_a and_o devout_a man_n into_o our_o communion_n i_o can_v imagine_v why_o they_o shall_v conceive_v such_o exhortation_n unseasonable_a at_o this_o time_n for_o be_v they_o afraid_a that_o such_o discourse_n shall_v so_o far_o satisfy_v all_o man_n in_o our_o communion_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o alteration_n true_o i_o have_v no_o great_a hope_n to_o see_v such_o bless_a effect_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o convince_a discourse_n and_o if_o such_o a_o thing_n ever_o shall_v be_v certain_o no_o good_a man_n will_v be_v trouble_v at_o it_o since_o the_o great_a end_n they_o design_v viz._n to_o see_v all_o man_n return_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n will_v be_v as_o effectual_o obtain_v and_o it_o be_v much_o more_o desirable_a to_o see_v man_n rectify_v their_o own_o mistake_v than_o to_o alter_v wholesome_a constitution_n wherein_o there_o be_v always_o great_a danger_n and_o very_o seldom_o any_o great_a success_n witness_v the_o miserable_a confusion_n of_o the_o last_o age._n or_o do_v they_o think_v it_o impossible_a to_o vindicate_v the_o church_n of_o england_n from_o unjust_a imputation_n to_o wipe_v off_o that_o dirt_n which_o be_v cast_v upon_o she_o by_o her_o inveterate_a enemy_n to_o discover_v the_o evil_a and_o danger_n of_o schism_n and_o separation_n without_o obstinate_o adhere_v to_o every_o punctilio_n and_o oppose_v all_o reasonable_a condescension_n to_o the_o weakness_n or_o ignorance_n of_o other_o i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v no_o consequence_n in_o this_o and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n that_o they_o censure_v and_o revile_v man_n before_o they_o know_v they_o we_o know_v how_o to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o lawfulness_n and_o necessity_n of_o thing_n between_o some_o less_o material_a circumstance_n of_o worship_n and_o the_o peace_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n possible_o the_o most_o zealous_a and_o most_o learned_a defender_n of_o the_o church_n be_v most_o ready_a to_o any_o reasonable_a compliance_n whenever_o authority_n shall_v see_v fit_a we_o have_v a_o late_a instance_n of_o it_o in_o a_o excellent_a person_n than_o who_o possible_o separation_n no_o man_n ever_o write_v better_o for_o the_o church_n nor_o ever_o hint_v more_o reasonable_a and_o equal_a proposal_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o dissenter_n the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o dispose_v man_n mind_n to_o 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will_v not_o