Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
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Words |
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A34537
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The interest of England in the matter of religion the first and second parts : unfolded in the solution of three questions / written by John Corbet.
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Corbet, John, 1620-1680.
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1661
(1661)
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Wing C6256; ESTC R2461
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85,526
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278
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party_n which_o can_v be_v root_v out_o but_o will_v be_v always_o considerable_a either_o as_o friend_n or_o enemy_n especial_o when_o those_o term_n do_v comprise_v some_o part_n of_o their_o victory_n that_o shall_v accept_v they_o let_v the_o episcopal_a clergy_n observe_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o time_n that_o they_o may_v right_o comprehend_v the_o measure_n of_o their_o own_o hope_n the_o english_a be_v a_o generous_a nation_n and_o as_o they_o delight_v in_o the_o majesty_n and_o glory_n of_o their_o king_n so_o also_o in_o the_o splendid_a condition_n of_o subordinate_a governor_n that_o their_o manner_n of_o live_v be_v in_o some_o sort_n conformable_a to_o the_o dignity_n and_o opulency_n of_o the_o nation_n according_o they_o seem_v to_o take_v pleasure_n that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n be_v uphold_v by_o a_o fair_a revenue_n and_o competent_a dignity_n yet_o with_o moderation_n for_o if_o the_o clergy_n do_v rise_v to_o princely_a or_o lordly_a wealth_n and_o power_n they_o may_v become_v the_o envy_n of_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n let_v they_o remember_v they_o stand_v by_o grace_n not_o by_o their_o own_o strength_n but_o by_o their_o prince_n his_o favour_n the_o nation_n in_o general_n may_v be_v take_v with_o a_o grave_n and_o masculine_a decency_n in_o all_o sacred_a thing_n suitable_a to_o their_o spiritual_a majesty_n but_o i_o make_v a_o question_n whether_o in_o this_o noontide_a of_o the_o gospel_n they_o will_v fall_v in_o love_n with_o excessive_a gaudiness_n pompous_a show_n and_o various_a affect_a gesture_n in_o sacred_a administration_n and_o not_o rather_o esteem_v they_o vanity_n too_o much_o detract_n from_o the_o dignity_n and_o purity_n of_o gospel-worship_n in_o this_o noontide_a of_o the_o gospel_n the_o bishop_n can_v magnify_v their_o office_n but_o by_o other_o course_n than_o what_o be_v take_v in_o former_a and_o dark_a time_n mere_a formality_n will_v no_o long_o dazzle_v our_o eye_n we_o shall_v think_v they_o have_v work_v of_o a_o high_a nature_n then_o to_o look_v only_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o outward_a form_n and_o rite_n ann_n ceremony_n they_o must_v make_v a_o near_a approach_n to_o the_o presbyterian_a practice_n in_o the_o constant_a preach_v of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o strict_a observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n in_o keep_v a_o true_a watch_n over_o the_o flock_n and_o in_o correct_v the_o real_a scandal_n that_o break_v forth_o in_o man_n conversation_n and_o if_o they_o walk_v in_o these_o path_n the_o prelatist_n and_o presbyterian_o will_v not_o be_v far_o asunder_o perhaps_o the_o friend_n of_o prelacy_n may_v imagine_v that_o in_o this_o coalition_n presbytery_n may_v at_o length_n undermine_v episcopacy_n but_o reason_n show_v that_o episcopacy_n will_v stand_v more_o firm_a in_o conjunction_n with_o presbytery_n then_o by_o itself_o alone_o in_o the_o body_n natural_a there_o be_v some_o predominant_a humour_n as_o sanguine_a choleric_a melancholy_a or_o phlegmatic_a yet_o none_o of_o these_o do_v subsist_v alone_o without_o the_o mixture_n of_o the_o rest_n in_o a_o due_a temperament_n in_o like_a manner_n the_o body_n ecclesiastical_a may_v be_v of_o several_a complexion_n or_o constitution_n as_o episcopal_a or_o presbyterial_a according_a to_o the_o predominant_a quality_n now_o if_o the_o presbyterian_a church_n will_v become_v more_o firm_a and_o stable_a by_o the_o superintendency_n of_o one_o grave_a precedent_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v in_o all_o presbytery_n there_o appear_v some_o episcopacy_n either_o formal_a or_o virtual_a so_o a_o episcopal_a church_n may_v be_v judge_v more_o firm_a and_o stable_a by_o a_o bishop_n superintendency_n in_o consociation_n with_o assistant_n presbyter_n and_o to_o remove_v the_o fear_n of_o the_o encroachment_n of_o presbytery_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o discern_v that_o episcopacy_n if_o it_o contain_v itself_o within_o moderate_a bound_n will_v be_v always_o in_o this_o national_a church_n the_o predominant_a quality_n in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o discourse_n let_v i_o offer_v these_o few_o essay_n concern_v the_o path_n of_o peace_n section_n xlv_o the_o glorify_v and_o please_v of_o the_o high_a potentate_n and_o universal_a monarch_n and_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n of_o immortal_a precious_a soul_n be_v the_o most_o noble_a and_o bless_a end_n of_o government_n let_v his_o majesty_n reign_n be_v happy_a and_o glorious_a in_o attain_v these_o end_n a_o christian_a king_n esteem_v it_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o regal_a power_n to_o hold_v and_o manage_v it_o as_o the_o servant_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v a_o protector_n of_o the_o true_a church_n the_o body_n of_o christ_n the_o lamb_n wife_n for_o who_o redemption_n christ_n die_v and_o for_o who_o gather_v and_o perfect_v the_o world_n be_v continue_v it_o be_v the_o character_n of_o this_o true_a church_n to_o make_v the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o perfect_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o life_n to_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n according_a to_o the_o power_n and_o spiritual_a worship_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o walk_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o new_a creature_n in_o spiritual_a mortification_n and_o crucifixion_n to_o the_o world_n to_o study_v holiness_n in_o sincerity_n to_o strive_v to_o advance_v it_o in_o themselves_o and_o other_o and_o to_o have_v influence_n upon_o other_o unto_o sound_a knowledge_n faith_n humility_n godliness_n justice_n temperance_n charity_n the_o true_a church_n lie_v in_o the_o middle_n between_o two_o extreme_n formalist_n and_o fanatic_n they_o be_v of_o circumspect_a and_o regular_a walk_n no_o way_n forward_o in_o attempt_v or_o desire_v alteration_n in_o a_o civil_a state_n a_o prince_n do_v hold_v they_o in_o obedience_n under_o a_o double_a bond_n for_o they_o know_v they_o must_v needs_o be_v subject_a not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o for_o conscience_n sake_n indeed_o we_o will_v not_o conceal_v that_o in_o lawful_a way_n they_o assert_v that_o liberty_n which_o be_v settle_v by_o the_o know_a law_n and_o fundamental_a constitution_n the_o maintain_v whereof_o be_v the_o princ_n as_o much_o as_o the_o people_n safety_n section_n xlvi_o that_o be_v the_o happy_a polity_n that_o be_v found_v in_o true_a religion_n and_o most_o full_o suit_v to_o man_n everlasting_a concernment_n it_o great_o behove_v governor_n to_o mark_v and_o avoid_v those_o thing_n which_o bring_v religion_n into_o contempt_n and_o tend_v to_o the_o increase_n of_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n the_o many_o various_a sect_n and_o absurd_a opinion_n and_o fancy_n and_o pretend_a revelation_n of_o these_o latter_a time_n have_v much_o lessen_v the_o reverence_n of_o religion_n in_o england_n this_o be_v a_o great_a evil_n and_o much_o observe_v and_o decry_v by_o the_o present_a time_n there_o be_v another_o evil_n no_o less_o injurious_a to_o the_o honour_n and_o estimation_n of_o christian_a piety_n to_o wit_n ceremonial_a strictness_n with_o real_a profaneness_n or_o at_o the_o most_o but_o lukewarmness_n in_o the_o real_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o papacy_n by_o occasion_n whereof_o atheist_n have_v so_o abound_v in_o italy_n machiavelli_n observe_v in_o his_o time_n that_o christianity_n be_v no_o where_o less_o honour_v then_o in_o rome_n which_o be_v the_o pretend_a head_n thereof_o let_v this_o evil_n be_v see_v prevent_v and_o remedy_v that_o the_o sacred_a name_n of_o the_o church_n be_v give_v to_o a_o society_n not_o carnal_a but_o true_o spiritual_a according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n we_o be_v the_o circumcision_n which_o worship_n god_n in_o the_o spirit_n and_o rejoice_v in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o have_v no_o confidence_n in_o the_o flesh_n section_n xlvii_o it_o be_v the_o pre-eminence_n of_o his_o majesty_n as_o general_a bishop_n of_o the_o land_n for_o so_o he_o be_v in_o a_o political_a sense_n to_o visit_v his_o people_n of_o all_o rank_n by_o his_o prudent_a inspection_n and_o it_o be_v worthy_a of_o his_o chief_a care_n and_o search_v to_o know_v whether_o every_o pastor_n be_v resident_a with_o his_o own_o flock_n and_o do_v constant_o on_o every_o sabbath_n teach_v they_o the_o good_a knowledge_n of_o god_n what_o pluralist_n do_v seize_v upon_o several_a congregation_n thrust_v or_o bar_v out_o laborious_a minister_n and_o leave_v the_o sheep_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o one_o who_o be_v a_o mere_a mercenary_a and_o care_v not_o for_o they_o whether_o preach_v in_o cathedral_n church_n be_v more_o frequent_a since_o the_o revive_n of_o dean_n and_o chapter_n then_o before_o when_o those_o place_n be_v supply_v by_o one_o or_o two_o stipendiary_a minister_n whether_o the_o precinct_n of_o cathedral_n be_v the_o pure_a part_n of_o the_o land_n and_o the_o member_n thereof_o the_o pure_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n as_o in_o reason_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o all_o his_o majesty_n superintendency_n there_o be_v
and_o pull_v down_o but_o not_o to_o build_v up_o they_o do_v not_o hang_v in_o the_o air_n burr_n build_v upon_o a_o firm_a ground_n they_o have_v settle_v principle_n consistent_a with_o the_o rule_n of_o stable_a policy_n contrariwise_o fanatic_n true_o and_o not_o abusive_o so_o call_v do_v build_v castle_n in_o the_o air_n and_o be_v fit_a instrument_n to_o disturb_v and_o destroy_v and_o root_v out_o but_o never_o to_o compose_v and_o plant_v and_o settle_v for_o which_o cause_n their_o kingdom_n can_v never_o hold_v long_o in_o any_o time_n or_o place_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o this_o ground_n presbytery_n not_o sectarian_a anarchy_n have_v be_v assault_v with_o great_a violence_n by_o the_o more_o observe_v prelatist_n against_o this_o they_o have_v raise_v their_o main_a battery_n this_o appear_v formidable_a for_o it_o be_v stable_n and_o uniform_a and_o like_a to_o hold_v if_o once_o settle_v in_o good_a earnest_n this_o party_n do_v not_o run_v so_o fast_o but_o they_o know_v where_o to_o stop_v they_o be_v a_o number_n of_o man_n so_o fix_v and_o constant_a as_o none_o more_o and_o a_o prince_n or_o state_n shall_v know_v where_o to_o find_v they_o they_o do_v not_o strain_v so_o high_a but_o they_o consider_v withal_o what_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n will_v bear_v and_o be_v willing_a to_o bring_v thing_n to_o the_o capacity_n of_o political_a government_n they_o can_v have_v no_o pleasure_n in_o commotion_n and_o alteration_n for_o order_n and_o regular_a unity_n be_v their_o way_n and_o therefore_o stability_n of_o government_n and_o public_a tranquillity_n be_v their_o interest_n it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o object_n that_o the_o late_a wild_a posture_n extravagancy_n and_o incongruity_n in_o government_n be_v the_o work_n of_o presbytery_n or_o presbyterian_o the_o nation_n have_v never_o proof_n of_o presbytery_n for_o it_o be_v never_o settle_v but_o rather_o decry_v and_o expose_v to_o prejudice_v by_o those_o that_o be_v in_o sway_n and_o that_o in_o the_o more_o early_a time_n of_o the_o late_a war_n the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n be_v clear_v by_o a_o passage_n of_o our_o late_a sovereign_n in_o a_o letter_n to_o his_o majesty_n that_o now_o be_v all_o the_o lesser_a faction_n be_v at_o first_o officious_a servant_n to_o presbytery_n their_o great_a master_n till_o time_n and_o military_a success_n discover_v to_o each_o their_o particular_a advantage_n invite_v they_o to_o part_v stake_n and_o leave_v the_o joint_a stock_n of_o uniform_a religion_n pretend_v each_o to_o drive_v for_o their_o party_n the_o trade_n of_o profit_n and_o preferment_n to_o the_o break_n and_o undo_v not_o only_o of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n but_o of_o presbytery_n itself_o thus_o the_o joint_a stock_n of_o uniform_a religion_n be_v leave_v and_o presbytery_n neglect_v before_o the_o first_o war_n be_v end_v yea_o and_o those_o that_o stedsast_o adhere_v to_o it_o be_v malign_v and_o revile_v by_o the_o exorbitant_a party_n for_o oppose_v their_o new_a model_n or_o agreement_n of_o the_o people_n section_n xvii_o neither_o can_v sect_n or_o schism_n with_o any_o truth_n or_o justice_n be_v reckon_v the_o offspring_n of_o presbytery_n consider_v the_o french_a dutch_a helvetian_a church_n how_o entire_a they_o keep_v themselves_o in_o orthodox_n unity_n from_o the_o gangreen_n of_o sect_n and_o schism_n a_o wide_a breach_n be_v once_o make_v in_o the_o netherlands_o by_o arminius_n and_o his_o follower_n but_o after_o some_o year_n conflict_n it_o be_v heal_v by_o the_o synod_n of_o dort_n the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v inferior_a to_o none_o in_o the_o unity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o church-communion_n and_o their_o form_n of_o ecclesiastical_a policy_n and_o method_n of_o discipline_n be_v very_o effectual_a to_o prevent_v the_o broach_n of_o error_n king_n james_n in_o discourse_n with_o a_o english_a bishop_n be_v report_v to_o have_v render_v this_o account_n why_o so_o few_o heresy_n and_o error_n of_o doctrine_n be_v unite_v and_o prosecute_v to_o the_o public_a disturbance_n of_o that_o church_n every_o parish_n have_v their_o pastor_n ever_o present_a with_o they_o and_o watch_v over_o they_o and_o he_o with_o his_o elder_n and_o deacon_n have_v a_o weekly_a meeting_n for_o censure_n of_o manner_n by_o which_o he_o perfect_o know_v his_o flock_n and_o every_o abberation_n of_o they_o in_o doctrine_n &_o practice_n and_o lest_o any_o heresy_n may_v seize_v upon_o the_o pastor_n they_o have_v their_o presbyter_n which_o meet_v together_o once_o also_o every_o week_n in_o the_o next_o chief_a town_n or_o city_n and_o there_o they_o have_v their_o exercise_n of_o prophesy_v after_o which_o the_o moderator_n ask_v the_o judgement_n of_o all_o the_o pastor_n concern_v the_o doctrine_n then_o deliver_v or_o of_o any_o other_o doubtful_a point_n then_o propound_v and_o if_o the_o presbytery_n be_v divide_v in_o their_o opinion_n the_o question_n be_v under_o a_o enjoin_v silence_n put_v over_o 〈◊〉_d the_o next_o synod_n which_o be_v hold_v twice_o a_o 〈…〉_z which_o the_o pastor_n of_o that_o quarter_n or_o province_n do_v due_o resort_v accompany_v with_o their_o elder_n and_o any_o question_n of_o doubt_n be_v either_o decide_v by_o that_o assembly_n or_o with_o charge_n of_o silence_n reserve_v to_o a_o national_a synod_n which_o they_o hold_v every_o year_n once_o whither_o come_v not_o the_o pastor_n only_o but_o the_o king_n himself_o or_o his_o commissioner_n and_o some_o of_o all_o order_n and_o degree_n sufficient_o authorize_v for_o determine_v of_o any_o controversy_n that_o shall_v arise_v among_o they_o can_v the_o bishop_n in_o former_a time_n procure_v a_o great_a unity_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n whence_o therefore_o shall_v this_o charge_n arise_v peradventure_o some_o presbyterian_o have_v turn_v sectary_n sure_o it_o will_v be_v take_v for_o a_o weak_a argue_v to_o say_v that_o prelacy_n be_v the_o way_n to_o popery_n because_o some_o prelatist_n have_v turn_v papist_n the_o truth_n be_v sectarianism_n grow_v up_o in_o a_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n and_o state_n policy_n and_o it_o be_v not_o well_o discern_v till_o it_o become_v almost_o triumphant_a by_o military_a success_n but_o after_o that_o its_o growth_n and_o strength_n do_v manifest_o appear_v presbytery_n begin_v to_o struggle_v with_o it_o and_o so_o continue_v until_o by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o army_n it_o be_v enforce_v to_o sit_v down_o but_o never_o to_o comply_v whereupon_o the_o tongue_n and_o pen_n of_o sectary_n be_v employ_v against_o none_o more_o than_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o i_o shall_v be_v glad_a to_o hear_v of_o such_o bitter_a invective_n of_o the_o papist_n against_o the_o prelatist_n not_o that_o i_o rejoice_v in_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o one_o or_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o other_o but_o that_o the_o protestant_a friend_n of_o prelacy_n might_n more_o incline_v to_o their_o protestant_a presbyterian_a brethren_n sure_o the_o way_n to_o prevent_v the_o growth_n of_o the_o two_o utmost_a extreme_n be_v for_o the_o two_o middle_a party_n to_o draw_v up_o and_o close_v together_o but_o however_o the_o world_n go_v the_o presbyterian_o shall_v ever_o keep_v as_o good_a a_o distance_n from_o the_o sectary_n or_o fanatic_n as_o the_o prelatist_n shall_v from_o papist_n and_o very_o there_o be_v no_o great_a bar_n against_o fanaticism_n then_o the_o right_a presbyterian_a principle_n as_o not_o to_o sever_v but_o join_v the_o write_a word_n and_o spirit_n for_o direction_n the_o spirit_n and_o use_v of_o ordinance_n for_o edification_n to_o erect_v a_o state_v church-order_n and_o discipline_n to_o allow_v to_o the_o church_n a_o directive_n and_o to_o every_o christian_a a_o discretive_a judgement_n to_o insist_v only_o upon_o divine_a scripture_n warrant_n and_o to_o wave_v humane_a authority_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o such_o be_v the_o temperament_n of_o these_o maxim_n that_o they_o commend_v and_o require_v a_o distinct_a knowledge_n and_o illumination_n in_o the_o mind_n and_o in_o the_o affection_n lively_a motion_n and_o stir_n against_o formality_n and_o blind_a devotion_n and_o so_o do_v satisfy_v the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o conceive_v that_o in_o true_a religion_n there_o be_v spiritual_a light_n and_o life_n and_o power_n and_o also_o they_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o write_a word_n of_o constant_a public_a ordinance_n and_o private_a exercise_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o direction_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n all_o which_o do_v serve_v to_o settle_v the_o mind_n against_o dilusive_a impulse_n and_o wild_a fancy_n and_o rapture_n section_n xviii_o but_o of_o all_o the_o prejudices_fw-la and_o scandal_n take_v against_o this_o way_n there_o be_v none_o great_a than_o this_o that_o it_o be_v represent_v as_o tyrannical_a and_o domineer_a and_o that_o those_o who_o live_v under_o it_o must_v like_o issachar_n crouch_v under_o the_o burden_n in_o