Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n scripture_n spirit_n teach_v 4,680 5 6.6628 4 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A47436 A discourse concerning the inventions of men in the worship of God by William Lord Bishop of Derry ... King, William, 1650-1729. 1694 (1694) Wing K528; ESTC R9667 85,542 194

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

in_o thy_o heart_n that_o god_n have_v raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a thou_o shall_v be_v save_v for_o with_o the_o heart_n man_n believe_v unto_o righteousness_n and_o with_o the_o mouth_n confession_n be_v make_v unto_o salvation_n to_o profess_v solemn_o that_o we_o expect_v no_o happiness_n but_o from_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n and_o that_o we_o free_o acquiesce_v in_o his_o provision_n for_o we_o be_v no_o small_a evidence_n of_o the_o submission_n of_o our_o mind_n to_o god_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n may_v be_v reckon_v a_o instance_n of_o external_n worship_n and_o according_o many_o of_o the_o psalm_n contain_v such_o confession_n 3._o you_o sit_v general_o at_o your_o public_a prayer_n 4._o at_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n you_o sit_v not_o only_o whilst_o you_o receive_v but_o likewise_o at_o the_o thanksgiving_n and_o blessing_n before_o and_o your_o directory_n impose_v this_o posture_n on_o communicant_n though_o contrary_a to_o holy_a scripture_n in_o respect_n of_o that_o part_n that_o concern_v the_o prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n and_o without_o any_o command_n or_o so_o much_o as_o example_n from_o scripture_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o sit_v at_o the_o time_n of_o receive_v 5._o too_o many_o of_o your_o persuasion_n condemn_v we_o who_o conform_v to_o god_n word_n in_o these_o particular_n as_o guilty_a of_o superstition_n and_o endeavour_v to_o render_v our_o conformity_n ridiculous_a not_o be_v content_a to_o lay_v aside_o the_o command_v of_o god_n themselves_o but_o endeavour_v likewise_o to_o condemn_v and_o scoff_n at_o the_o observation_n of_o they_o in_o vs._n in_o short_a i_o entreat_v you_o to_o consider_v that_o you_o have_v not_o any_o one_o visible_a act_n of_o adoration_n among_o you_o in_o your_o assembly_n except_o we_o reckon_v in_o this_o number_n that_o your_o man_n uncover_v their_o head_n at_o prayer_n and_o yet_o even_o this_o be_v not_o require_v by_o your_o directory_n iii_o and_o now_o let_v i_o a_o while_n examine_v calm_o with_o you_o the_o pretence_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o for_o lay_v aside_o this_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n for_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o any_o will_v banish_v adoration_n out_o of_o their_o assembly_n and_o allege_v no_o reason_n for_o their_o do_v so_o 1._o first_o therefore_o i_o find_v that_o place_n of_o scripture_n produce_v to_o this_o purpose_n john_n four_o 24_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n and_o they_o that_o worship_v he_o must_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n some_o think_v that_o all_o bodily_a worship_n be_v here_o forbid_a and_o that_o only_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o spirit_n or_o mind_n be_v require_v of_o we_o under_o the_o gospel_n upon_o this_o some_o have_v declare_v against_o all_o church_n or_o separate_v place_n for_o worship_n other_o be_v against_o all_o bodily_a worship_n other_o against_o all_o sacrament_n other_o against_o all_o vocal_a prayer_n praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n and_o even_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n some_o be_v against_o all_o visible_a assembly_n and_o indeed_o if_o we_o understand_v this_o place_n as_o some_o do_v that_o all_o bodily_a worship_n be_v exclude_v by_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o worship_n god_n in_o our_o spirit_n or_o mind_n only_o i_o do_v not_o see_v but_o all_o these_o be_v in_o the_o right_a and_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v above_o ordinance_n and_o worship_n god_n nowhere_o be_v most_o conformable_a to_o this_o rule_n and_o next_o to_o they_o the_o silent_a meeting_n of_o the_o quaker_n without_o sacrament_n without_o vocal_a prayer_n or_o praise_n be_v the_o most_o spiritual_a service_n for_o if_o other_o dissenter_n think_v bodily_a worship_n such_o as_o bowing_n kneel_v etc._n etc._n unlawful_a or_o unnecessary_a because_o they_o be_v act_n of_o the_o body_n and_o unfit_a on_o that_o account_n to_o be_v offer_v to_o god_n who_o be_v a_o spirit_n why_o may_v not_o the_o quaker_n omit_v the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o mouth_n which_o be_v outward_a thing_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o nay_o why_o shall_v not_o outward_a teach_v or_o preach_v cease_v since_o the_o spirit_n be_v a_o sufficient_a teacher_n and_o have_v promise_v we_o heb._n viij_o 10_o i_o will_v put_v my_o law_n into_o their_o mind_n and_o write_v they_o in_o their_o heart_n vers._n 11._o and_o they_o shall_v not_o teach_v every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n and_o every_o man_n his_o brother_n etc._n etc._n the_o principle_n and_o reason_v be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o these_o and_o will_v justify_v the_o silent_a meeting_n of_o the_o quaker_n nay_o the_o extravagance_n of_o those_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v above_o all_o ordinance_n as_o well_o as_o the_o irreverence_n of_o other_o dissenter_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o interpret_v scripture_n so_o as_o one_o place_n may_v not_o contradict_v another_o and_o since_o the_o holy_a scripture_n show_v we_o that_o god_n require_v our_o vocal_a prayer_n and_o praise_n our_o visible_a sacrament_n and_o adoration_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o interpret_v worship_v in_o the_o spirit_n so_o as_o to_o exclude_v these_o but_o rather_o conclude_v that_o they_o may_v be_v offer_v up_o to_o god_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o become_v proper_a for_o spiritual_a worship_n or_o god_n will_v never_o have_v require_v they_o when_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n represent_v the_o worship_n he_o teach_v the_o world_n as_o a_o worship_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n his_o meaning_n doubtless_o be_v not_o to_o exempt_v we_o from_o worship_v his_o father_n with_o our_o body_n whereof_o he_o himself_o have_v give_v we_o a_o example_n but_o to_o teach_v we_o that_o the_o outward_a act_n of_o worship_n that_o we_o pay_v to_o god_n be_v only_o acceptable_a to_o he_o when_o they_o proceed_v from_o and_o be_v accompany_v with_o a_o hearty_a submission_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o that_o every_o act_n be_v more_o or_o less_o acceptable_a as_o it_o have_v more_o or_o less_o of_o our_o heart_n and_o affection_n in_o it_o but_o that_o circumstance_n of_o place_n and_o the_o like_a give_v we_o no_o advantage_n and_o be_v of_o no_o value_n towards_o make_v our_o worship_n acceptable_a this_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n direct_o answer_v our_o saviour_n design_n which_o be_v to_o show_v the_o samaritan_n woman_n that_o the_o time_n be_v come_v that_o the_o worship_n offer_v to_o god_n under_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v nothing_o more_o acceptable_a for_o be_v offer_v at_o jerusalem_n or_o mount-gerezim_a or_o any_o other_o place_n but_o the_o heart_n be_v right_a all_o place_n be_v alike_o which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o jewish_a law_n that_o allow_v no_o sacrifice_n or_o oblation_n to_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n that_o be_v not_o offer_v at_o the_o temple_n and_o consequent_o their_o worship_n derive_v its_o acceptance_n from_o the_o place_n and_o not_o from_o the_o heart_n alone_o of_o he_o that_o offer_v it_o we_o affirm_v therefore_o as_o our_o saviour_n have_v here_o teach_v we_o that_o it_o be_v only_o from_o the_o heart_n or_o spirit_n that_o our_o worship_n become_v acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o that_o the_o time_n or_o place_n where_o it_o be_v offer_v contribute_v nothing_o to_o our_o acceptance_n but_o that_o in_o whatever_o place_n at_o whatever_o time_n in_o whatsoever_o posture_n we_o offer_v up_o our_o spirit_n and_o heart_n to_o god_n we_o be_v accept_v by_o he_o but_o then_o we_o say_v likewise_o a_o man_n who_o neglect_v the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n can_v have_v a_o good_a heart_n towards_o god_n because_o he_o break_v his_o command_n that_o such_o as_o do_v not_o take_v care_n to_o provide_v a_o convenient_a and_o decent_a place_n and_o set_v it_o apart_o for_o christian_n to_o meet_v and_o to_o perform_v god_n worship_n in_o can_v have_v a_o value_n for_o it_o that_o such_o as_o neglect_v the_o holy_a sacrament_n want_v faith_n in_o his_o promise_n as_o well_o as_o obedience_n to_o his_o command_n and_o that_o those_o who_o neglect_v to_o worship_v he_o with_o their_o body_n and_o to_o pay_v outward_a reverence_n and_o adoration_n when_o they_o come_v into_o his_o presence_n must_v want_v inward_a submission_n of_o their_o mind_n because_o they_o do_v not_o approach_v as_o he_o require_v if_o a_o man_n true_o worship_n god_n in_o his_o spirit_n it_o will_v oblige_v he_o if_o able_a to_o perform_v these_o outward_a act_n and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o able_a god_n do_v not_o require_v they_o it_o be_v in_o this_o as_o in_o faith_n jam._n two_o 18_o a_o man_n may_v say_v thou_o have_v faith_n and_o i_o have_v work_n show_v i_o thy_o faith_n without_o thy_o work_n and_o i_o will_v show_v thou_o my_o faith_n by_o my_o work_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n a_o man_n may_v say_v thou_o worship_v god_n inward_o in_o heart_n and_o spirit_n and_o i_o worship_v he_o outward_o and_o in_o
read_v the_o word_n i_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v with_o you_o my_o friend_n who_o dissent_v from_o we_o how_o this_o great_a duty_n of_o teach_v the_o people_n the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v perform_v in_o your_o assembly_n and_o to_o compare_v your_o practice_n in_o this_o point_n with_o the_o scripture_n rule_v and_o example_n which_o i_o shall_v do_v with_o the_o same_o candour_n and_o integrity_n that_o i_o have_v hitherto_o endeavour_v to_o observe_v i._o and_o here_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v that_o your_o teacher_n seem_v to_o have_v have_v very_o little_a regard_n either_o to_o scripture_n rule_n or_o example_n in_o frame_v this_o part_n of_o your_o worship_n have_v lay_v aside_o all_o those_o method_n of_o instruction_n that_o the_o scripture_n recommend_v to_o we_o except_o it_o be_v that_o of_o exposition_n and_o exhortation_n which_o among_o you_o be_v call_v preach_v in_o so_o much_o that_o though_o a_o man_n frequent_v your_o meeting_n all_o his_o life_n yet_o he_o have_v no_o security_n or_o hardly_o possibility_n of_o learning_n from_o your_o public_a teach_n all_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o his_o religion_n or_o the_o necessary_a principle_n of_o his_o faith_n 1._o for_o first_o your_o preacher_n be_v entire_o leave_v to_o their_o choice_n what_o place_n of_o scripture_n they_o will_v explain_v or_o what_o subject_n they_o will_v handle_v and_o hence_o it_o happen_v that_o hardly_o any_o one_o man_n in_o his_o life_n ever_o go_v through_o the_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n or_o of_o practice_n in_o his_o public_a sermon_n and_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o i_o appeal_v to_o yourselves_o 2._o you_o have_v no_o summary_n of_o principle_n enjoin_v to_o be_v either_o read_v or_o teach_v in_o your_o public_a assembly_n a_o catechism_n you_o have_v but_o neither_o your_o directory_n nor_o practice_n make_v it_o any_o part_n of_o your_o lords-day-service_n and_o beside_o your_o catechism_n be_v such_o that_o it_o no_o way_n answer_v the_o design_n of_o a_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o such_o a_o form_n shall_v contain_v only_o the_o first_o and_o necessary_a principle_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n in_o such_o word_n and_o method_n as_o may_v make_v it_o easy_o apprehend_v and_o retain_v by_o the_o weak_a and_o unlearned_a which_o make_v up_o the_o bulk_n of_o the_o people_n but_o your_o catechism_n be_v full_a of_o hard_a word_n school_n term_n and_o abstruse_a notion_n no_o wise_a necessary_a to_o be_v know_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n or_o possible_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o child_n or_o unlearned_a person_n for_o who_o edification_n principal_o a_o catechism_n ought_v to_o be_v contrive_v beside_o all_o this_o it_o be_v so_o long_a and_o intricate_a even_o the_o short_a that_o not_o one_o child_n in_o ten_o ever_o get_v it_o by_o heart_n nor_o one_o in_o five_o hundred_o retain_v it_o as_o i_o have_v find_v by_o experience_n and_o desire_v that_o you_o will_v judge_v of_o this_o matter_n as_o you_o find_v upon_o trial_n last_o after_o all_o it_o be_v imperfect_a of_o some_o of_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o apostle_n catechism_n be_v quite_o leave_v out_o of_o it_o i_o mean_v lay_v on_o of_o hand_n join_v with_o baptism_n heb._n vi_fw-la 2_o a_o great_a defect_n sure_a in_o a_o catechism_n to_o leave_v out_o a_o fundamental_a of_o christianity_n ii_o but_o the_o most_o sad_a and_o deplorable_a defect_n of_o your_o performance_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v your_o cast_v out_o the_o read_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n from_o most_o of_o your_o public_a assembly_n direct_o contrary_a to_o god_n institution_n and_o ordinance_n for_o the_o instruction_n of_o his_o church_n insomuch_o that_o in_o many_o of_o your_o meeting_n set_v aside_o a_o verse_n or_o two_o for_o a_o text_n or_o quotation_n at_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o teacher_n the_o voice_n of_o god_n be_v never_o public_o hear_v among_o they_o this_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o undeniable_a and_o in_o all_o the_o meeting_n in_o the_o north_n of_o ireland_n in_o a_o whole_a year_n perhaps_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o scripture_n read_v as_o in_o one_o day_n in_o our_o church_n by_o the_o strict_a enquiry_n which_o i_o can_v make_v one_o will_v think_v this_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v the_o people_n where_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o its_o purity_n and_o to_o prove_v our_o assembly_n to_o be_v the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n against_o all_o that_o come_v in_o competition_n with_o we_o whereof_o some_o hide_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o a_o strange_a language_n and_o other_o banish_v it_o out_o of_o their_o meeting_n it_o be_v in_o our_o congregation_n only_o that_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n be_v hear_v speak_v to_o his_o people_n without_o cover_n or_o gloss_n sure_o it_o be_v a_o sad_a thing_n that_o a_o man_n may_v go_v to_o most_o meeting_n many_o year_n and_o never_o hear_v one_o entire_a chapter_n read_v in_o they_o now_o this_o omission_n be_v the_o more_o inexcusable_a in_o you_o and_o must_v render_v you_o manifest_o self-condemned_n 1._o first_o because_o you_o so_o vehement_o press_v the_o necessity_n of_o preach_v and_o quote_v the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o prove_v it_o in_o which_o read_v the_o law_n as_o be_v show_v before_o be_v term_v preach_v act_n xv_o 21_o but_o interpret_n the_o scripture_n apply_v they_o or_o exhort_v the_o congregation_n from_o they_o in_o a_o fix_a christian_a auditory_a which_o you_o count_v preach_v be_v never_o call_v so_o in_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n therefore_o by_o lay_v aside_o the_o read_n the_o scripture_n in_o your_o public_a assembly_n you_o have_v entire_o cast_v aside_o preach_v in_o the_o proper_a scripture-sense_n of_o it_o but_o 2._o this_o must_v render_v you_o self-condemned_n because_o you_o pretend_v to_o honour_v the_o holy_a scripture_n above_o other_o christian_n your_o mouth_n commendable_o and_o with_o just_a reason_n be_v continual_o full_a of_o the_o praise_n of_o the_o holy_a bible_n you_o own_v it_o with_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n for_o the_o only_a sufficient_a rule_n of_o faith_n you_o appeal_v to_o it_o and_o seem_v to_o found_v yourselves_o on_o it_o and_o yet_o your_o not_o allow_v the_o read_n of_o it_o a_o constant_a place_n in_o your_o religious_a assembly_n make_v it_o seem_v as_o if_o you_o have_v a_o very_a low_a opinion_n of_o it_o in_o your_o heart_n if_o you_o real_o value_v it_o as_o you_o profess_v why_o do_v you_o banish_v the_o read_n of_o it_o from_o your_o public_a worship_n to_o make_v room_n for_o discourse_n lecture_n and_o sermon_n of_o your_o own_o teacher_n remember_v of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v mark_n seven_o 6_o this_o people_n honour_v i_o with_o their_o lip_n but_o their_o heart_n be_v far_o from_o i_o while_o you_o thus_o justle_v the_o word_n of_o god_n out_o of_o your_o solemn_a meeting_n to_o make_v room_n for_o your_o own_o sermon_n i_o beseech_v you_o to_o consider_v whether_o this_o be_v not_o a_o lay_v aside_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n for_o man_n invention_n unless_o you_o will_v call_v your_o sermon_n as_o some_o quaker_n be_v say_v to_o do_v as_o much_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o the_o bible_n iii_o i_o look_v on_o this_o as_o so_o material_a a_o point_n and_o conceive_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o christian_n to_o be_v so_o deep_o concern_v in_o it_o that_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o pretence_n i_o have_v find_v to_o justify_v it_o though_o i_o confess_v they_o seem_v to_o i_o so_o weak_a that_o i_o be_o afraid_a i_o shall_v be_v almost_o suspect_v by_o indifferent_a person_n not_o to_o do_v justice_n in_o represent_v they_o for_o it_o be_v unaccountable_a that_o any_o body_n shall_v urge_v so_o slight_a reason_n for_o so_o considerable_a a_o omission_n and_o yet_o these_o be_v all_o i_o have_v ever_o meet_v with_o or_o hear_v from_o you_o the_o first_o reason_n i_o have_v hear_v urge_v be_v that_o the_o people_n be_v oblige_v to_o read_v the_o scripture_n at_o home_n and_o be_v thus_o acquaint_v with_o they_o the_o read_n of_o they_o be_v not_o necessary_a in_o their_o public_a meeting_n but_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o we_o see_v from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v by_o god_n appointment_n a_o part_n of_o his_o solemn_a public_a worship_n therefore_o to_o leave_v it_o out_o in_o our_o assembly_n on_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o be_v to_o lay_v aside_o his_o command_n and_o so_o to_o corrupt_v and_o dismember_v his_o worship_n 2._o the_o private_a performance_n of_o a_o duty_n ought_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o interfere_v with_o or_o hinder_v the_o public_a we_o must_v
religious_a communion_n yet_o they_o may_v much_o contribute_v to_o our_o live_n easy_o with_o one_o another_o and_o take_v off_o that_o uncharitableness_n which_o our_o religious_a dissension_n be_v apt_a to_o cause_n among_o we_o however_o it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a satisfaction_n to_o i_o and_o i_o shall_v reckon_v it_o some_o kind_n of_o success_n in_o my_o office_n if_o i_o can_v prevail_v with_o any_o sort_n of_o people_n that_o profess_v to_o meet_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n to_o come_v near_o to_o his_o institution_n in_o their_o worship_n though_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o persuade_v they_o to_o the_o communion_n whereof_o i_o be_o a_o member_n to_o the_o conform_v laity_n of_o the_o diocese_n of_o derry_n as_o to_o you_o my_o friend_n and_o brethren_n of_o the_o laity_n who_o profess_v yourselves_o member_n of_o the_o establish_v church_n it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o place_v i_o among_o you_o and_o to_o give_v i_o a_o inspection_n over_o you_o and_o it_o be_v chief_o on_o your_o account_n that_o i_o have_v write_v and_o publish_v this_o treatise_n that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o pledge_n and_o testimony_n to_o you_o of_o my_o concern_n for_o you_o and_o make_v my_o care_n to_o reach_v as_o far_o as_o may_v be_v among_o you_o i_o hope_v my_o labour_n this_o way_n may_v be_v useful_a to_o you_o to_o settle_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o doubtful_a and_o to_o awaken_v you_o all_o to_o diligence_n and_o zeal_n in_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n the_o great_a principle_n of_o your_o religion_n as_o you_o be_v member_n of_o the_o establish_v church_n be_v uncontroverted_a on_o all_o hand_n and_o i_o have_v here_o endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o your_o particular_a way_n of_o worship_n be_v warrant_v by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n you_o have_v reason_n to_o bless_v god_n that_o he_o have_v afford_v you_o so_o many_o conveniency_n of_o frequent_v it_o in_o which_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o give_v you_o so_o manifest_a advantage_n above_o your_o dissent_v neighbour_n that_o notwithstanding_o their_o numerousness_n you_o have_v five_o place_n for_o worship_n for_o one_o that_o they_o have_v this_o will_v render_v you_o inexcusable_a if_o you_o neglect_v attendance_n at_o they_o or_o spend_v any_o lord_n day_n as_o be_v too_o common_a in_o this_o country_n in_o a_o mere_a rest_n from_o labour_n without_o any_o public_a worship_n i_o must_v likewise_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n that_o our_o service_n be_v not_o only_o fit_v for_o the_o public_a but_o be_v likewise_o proper_a for_o private_a family_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v advise_v you_o to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o word_n with_o which_o our_o church_n have_v furnish_v you_o in_o your_o house_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o church_n at_o least_o to_o use_v such_o select_a hymn_n and_o collect_v as_o seem_v most_o adapt_v to_o that_o purpose_n and_o at_o more_o solemn_a time_n i_o conceive_v our_o litany_n be_v as_o full_a and_o proper_a a_o service_n as_o any_o master_n of_o a_o family_n can_v desire_v to_o offer_v to_o god_n i_o must_v therefore_o most_o earnest_o &_o passionate_o exhort_v you_o by_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n for_o his_o church_n sake_n and_o your_o own_o that_o you_o will_v add_v diligence_n and_o zeal_n to_o this_o your_o reasonable_a service_n and_o prepare_v your_o heart_n to_o seek_v the_o lord_n your_o god_n in_o his_o holy_a worship_n and_o particular_o that_o you_o will_v endeavour_v to_o convince_v the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v not_o faction_n or_o a_o party_n you_o contend_v for_o but_o the_o fruit_n of_o righteousness_n and_o thereupon_o strive_v rather_o to_o outlive_v those_o that_o differ_v from_o you_o then_o to_o out-argue_v they_o let_v the_o innocency_n of_o your_o life_n and_o your_o christian_a moderation_n convince_v they_o of_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o separation_n from_o you._n i_o beseech_v the_o god_n and_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n to_o multiply_v his_o grace_n and_o peace_n upon_o you_o and_o to_o influence_n you_o by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n that_o you_o may_v be_v perfect_a in_o every_o good_a work_n and_o particular_o in_o that_o of_o worship_v he_o in_o purity_n and_o holiness_n to_o the_o dissenting-laity_n of_o the_o diocese_n of_o derry_n as_o to_o you_o my_o friend_n that_o dissent_n from_o our_o communion_n it_o remain_v only_o that_o i_o beseech_v you_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n as_o one_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o the_o care_n of_o a_o christian_a magistracy_n to_o watch_v over_o your_o soul_n that_o you_o will_v serious_o consider_v and_o lay_v to_o heart_n what_o i_o have_v here_o tender_v to_o you._n i_o can_v prevail_v with_o you_o to_o come_v and_o receive_v instruction_n from_o my_o mouth_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v take_v this_o way_n to_o inform_v you._n i_o will_v only_o add_v a_o few_o observation_n which_o i_o recommend_v to_o you_o and_o shall_v leave_v the_o success_n entire_o to_o god_n 1._o therefore_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o in_o this_o treatise_n i_o have_v not_o lead_v you_o into_o long_a reason_n or_o the_o intricacy_n of_o human_a learning_n but_o i_o have_v refer_v you_o to_o your_o bibles_n and_o you_o need_v go_v no_o further_o then_o to_o they_o to_o be_v satisfy_v whether_o the_o thing_n i_o have_v say_v be_v as_o i_o have_v represent_v they_o or_o not_o those_o of_o berea_n be_v reckon_v a_o noble_a people_n act_n xvii_o 11_o because_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o i_o pray_v most_o hearty_o to_o god_n to_o give_v you_o a_o part_n in_o that_o nobleness_n of_o mind_n that_o you_o may_v search_v and_o find_v the_o truth_n 2._o i_o will_v desire_v you_o to_o observe_v that_o it_o ever_o have_v be_v and_o in_o all_o probability_n ever_o will_v be_v the_o humour_n of_o the_o world_n to_o be_v more_o fond_a of_o their_o own_o invention_n then_o of_o what_o god_n command_v if_o we_o look_v through_o the_o whole_a scripture_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o prophet_n send_v by_o god_n the_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o he_o and_o the_o worship_n he_o command_v have_v have_v but_o ill_a entertainment_n among_o the_o people_n there_o never_o appear_v half_a so_o much_o zeal_n or_o inclination_n in_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n for_o the_o true_a god_n and_o his_o worship_n as_o for_o the_o false_a god_n and_o their_o prophet_n and_o there_o be_v a_o obvious_a natural_a reason_n for_o it_o since_o what_o man_n invent_v must_v needs_o have_v a_o near_a agreement_n to_o the_o carnal_a and_o corrupt_a inclination_n of_o our_o deprave_a nature_n than_o what_o god_n prescribe_v which_o be_v the_o very_a reason_n that_o induce_v man_n to_o change_v the_o institution_n of_o god_n and_o substitute_v their_o own_o invention_n instead_o of_o they_o a_o thing_n that_o will_v never_o come_v into_o any_o man_n mind_n if_o he_o do_v not_o find_v more_o ease_n or_o gratification_n to_o his_o humour_n in_o they_o then_o in_o observe_v god_n commandment_n if_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o refer_v you_o to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n you_o will_v find_v that_o most_o of_o all_o the_o corruption_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v introduce_v by_o the_o fondness_n and_o violent_a inclination_n of_o the_o people_n for_o they_o and_o that_o the_o church_n governor_n do_v long_o oppose_v they_o and_o be_v bring_v with_o difficulty_n at_o last_o to_o comply_v with_o they_o thus_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a purgatory_n the_o intercession_n of_o saint_n half_a communion_n be_v present_a at_o church_n assembly_n without_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n and_o worship_v the_o host_n be_v all_o vulgar_a practice_n at_o first_o against_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o general_o oppose_v and_o condemn_v they_o but_o be_v human_a invention_n the_o people_n be_v so_o violent_a for_o they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o withstand_v they_o so_o that_o if_o the_o governor_n they_o have_v will_v not_o comply_v the_o people_n do_v set_v up_o those_o that_o will_v now_o let_v i_o entreat_v you_o to_o reflect_v a_o little_a and_o consider_v with_o all_o seriousness_n whether_o there_o may_v not_o be_v something_o like_o this_o in_o your_o own_o case_n especial_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o extemporary_a prayer_n it_o be_v plain_a you_o have_v bring_v they_o into_o practice_n against_o the_o opinion_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n governor_n and_o of_o the_o first_o reformer_n who_o all_o do_v settle_v liturgy_n in_o the_o church_n which_o they_o reform_a this_o knox_n do_v in_o scotland_n who_o lyturgy_n we_o have_v ready_a to_o produce_v to_o the_o conviction_n of_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v his_o successor_n and_o yet_o condemn_v form_n of_o prayer_n as_o