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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
virtue_n grace_n holy_a spirit_n 2,935 5 4.9515 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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sober_a christian_n can_v withstand_v their_o conviction_n i_o shall_v now_o brief_o consider_v the_o second_o thing_n propose_v what_o be_v the_o most_o common_a occasion_n of_o or_o excuse_n for_o such_o a_o neglect_n and_o though_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o think_v of_o a_o great_a many_o i_o shall_v but_o mention_v two_o very_o brief_o as_o be_v i_o think_v the_o most_o universal_a and_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n 1._o the_o first_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o be_v great_a pity_n it_o shall_v have_v so_o ill_a a_o effect_n and_o that_o be_v a_o mighty_a reverence_n and_o esteem_v for_o this_o holy_a feast_n either_o they_o can_v never_o think_v themselves_o worthy_a to_o approach_v the_o table_n of_o our_o lord_n or_o that_o they_o can_v never_o be_v sufficient_o prepare_v for_o it_o as_o for_o the_o first_o it_o look_v like_o pride_n and_o folly_n to_o think_v that_o we_o must_v be_v worthy_a of_o the_o divine_a favour_n they_o must_v all_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v above_o our_o desert_n how_o come_v mankind_n to_o be_v worthy_a that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n shall_v die_v for_o they_o and_o have_v god_n advise_v with_o such_o modest_a sinner_n they_o may_v have_v complemented_a away_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n as_o now_o they_o do_v the_o benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o it_o in_o his_o holy_a supper_n how_o great_a a_o saint_n soever_o thou_o be_v thou_o can_v never_o merit_v such_o favour_n and_o privilege_n as_o these_o for_o then_o there_o have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o christ_n to_o merit_v for_o thou_o and_o how_o great_a a_o sinner_n soever_o thou_o be_v by_o comply_v with_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n thou_o may_v quick_o make_v thyself_o a_o worthy_a communicant_a repent_v of_o thy_o sin_n and_o hearty_o resolve_v by_o god_n grace_n to_o reform_v thy_o life_n and_o come_v to_o this_o holy_a table_n with_o assurance_n to_o receive_v those_o supply_n of_o grace_n which_o may_v enable_v thou_o to_o do_v it_o and_o as_o for_o that_o great_a preparation_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o fit_v ourselves_o for_o so_o solemn_a a_o act_n of_o religion_n i_o must_v say_v it_o be_v in_o this_o as_o in_o other_o act_n of_o religious_a worship_n the_o great_a the_o better_o but_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o i_o say_v before_o that_o the_o institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n plain_o prove_v that_o he_o design_v it_o for_o a_o ordinary_a part_n of_o christian_a worship_n we_o can_v suppose_v that_o it_o require_v much_o great_a preparation_n of_o mind_n than_o other_o act_n of_o religion_n this_o holy_a supper_n be_v a_o sacred_a mysterious_a rite_n of_o prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n which_o give_v virtue_n and_o efficacy_n to_o our_o prayer_n and_o make_v they_o acceptable_a and_o prevalent_a with_o god_n be_v you_o then_o when_o you_o come_v to_o church_n fit_a to_o pray_v to_o god_n and_o to_o praise_v he_o if_o not_o you_o must_v neglect_v your_o prayer_n as_o well_o as_o the_o sacrament_n if_o you_o be_v than_o you_o be_v fit_a to_o approach_v the_o lord_n table_n to_o give_v virtue_n and_o prevalency_n to_o your_o prayer_n this_o holy_a supper_n convey_v to_o we_o the_o virtue_n and_o efficacy_n of_o christ_n sacrifice_n upon_o the_o cross_n the_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o divine_a grace_n and_o spirit_n now_o if_o you_o be_v true_o penitent_a you_o be_v qualify_v to_o receive_v the_o pardon_n of_o your_o sin_n and_o therefore_o to_o approach_v this_o holy_a table_n where_o it_o be_v dispense_v if_o you_o earnest_o desire_v the_o divine_a grace_n you_o be_v prepare_v for_o the_o reception_n of_o it_o come_v but_o with_o a_o sense_n of_o your_o want_n and_o with_o such_o desire_n as_o a_o hungry_a man_n have_v of_o meat_n and_o here_o you_o shall_v be_v fill_v and_o satisfy_v and_o without_o such_o preparation_n as_o these_o we_o can_v neither_o pray_v to_o god_n to_o forgive_v our_o sin_n nor_o to_o bestow_v his_o grace_n on_o we_o yet_o i_o confess_v i_o can_v see_v how_o any_o man_n who_o be_v fit_a to_o pray_v to_o god_n shall_v be_v unfit_a to_o approach_v his_o table_n 2._o other_o think_v that_o there_o be_v much_o great_a danger_n in_o approach_v the_o table_n of_o the_o lord_n unworthy_o than_o in_o a_o unworthy_a performance_n of_o other_o part_n of_o religious_a worship_n but_o for_o what_o reason_n they_o think_v so_o i_o can_v never_o learn_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v a_o abomination_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o sacrifice_n be_v no_o more_o it_o be_v as_o unpardonable_a a_o affront_n to_o god_n to_o pray_v for_o the_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n in_o christ_n name_n without_o true_a sorrow_n and_o contrition_n and_o serious_a resolution_n of_o amendment_n as_o it_o be_v for_o a_o impenitent_a sinner_n to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n to_o praise_n god_n without_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o his_o mercy_n and_o goodness_n differ_v not_o at_o all_o from_o feast_v at_o the_o table_n of_o our_o lord_n without_o any_o sense_n of_o his_o die_a love_n i_o will_v not_o be_v think_v to_o give_v encouragement_n by_o this_o discourse_n to_o wicked_a man_n to_o approach_v this_o holy_a table_n such_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v careful_o turn_v away_o from_o such_o sacred_a mystery_n when_o they_o be_v discover_v but_o the_o whole_a design_n be_v to_o show_v that_o those_o man_n who_o have_v such_o clear_a innocent_a conscience_n that_o they_o dare_v pray_v to_o god_n need_v not_o be_v afraid_a of_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n and_o those_o who_o have_v not_o i_o will_v desire_v they_o to_o consider_v what_o a_o case_n they_o be_v in_o they_o defile_v every_o holy_a duty_n they_o meddle_v with_o and_o be_v in_o perpetual_a danger_n of_o god_n wrath_n and_o displeasure_n they_o can_v ask_v his_o pardon_n but_o they_o provoke_v he_o the_o more_o for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o such_o man_n prayer_n be_v only_o to_o beg_v a_o long_a liberty_n and_o indulgence_n in_o sin_n and_o therefore_o this_o be_v no_o more_o a_o encouragement_n to_o neglect_v the_o lord_n supper_n than_o it_o be_v to_o continue_v in_o a_o state_n of_o sin_n and_o damnation_n but_o you_o will_v say_v do_v not_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o a_o man_n must_v examine_v himself_o and_o so_o eat_v of_o that_o bread_n and_o drink_v of_o that_o cup_n for_o he_o that_o eat_v and_o drink_v unworthy_o eat_v and_o drink_v damnation_n to_o himself_o not_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n very_o right_a but_o not_o to_o dispute_v the_o particular_a meaning_n of_o that_o place_n be_v not_o this_o true_a also_o of_o he_o that_o hear_v or_o pray_v unworthy_o do_v the_o apostle_n say_v that_o there_o be_v any_o great_a degree_n of_o worthiness_n require_v to_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n than_o there_o be_v to_o pray_v to_o god_n he_o who_o be_v fit_a to_o pray_v to_o god_n be_v fit_a to_o eat_v and_o drink_v at_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o he_o who_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o either_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v not_o fit_a to_o die_v our_o right_n to_o immortality_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o in_o this_o heavenly_a feast_n as_o you_o have_v already_o see_v and_o it_o be_v equal_o strange_a to_o i_o that_o man_n shall_v content_v themselves_o in_o such_o a_o condition_n as_o make_v they_o unfit_a to_o receive_v the_o pardon_n of_o their_o sin_n the_o assistance_n of_o god_n grace_n or_o immortal_a life_n or_o if_o they_o be_v not_o in_o this_o deplorable_a condition_n that_o they_o shall_v neglect_v that_o holy_a feast_n which_o be_v the_o only_a ordinary_a institute_v mean_n of_o convey_v all_o these_o blessing_n to_o they_o finis_fw-la book_n late_o print_v by_o richard_n chiswel_o lord_n bacon_n remain_n octavo_fw-la dr._n puller_n discourse_n of_o the_o moderation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n octavo_fw-la dr._n edw._n bagshaw_n discourse_n upon_o select_a text_n against_o the_o papist_n and_o socinian_n octavo_fw-la mr._n rushworth_n historical_a collection_n the_o second_o volume_n folio_n his_o large_a and_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o earl_n of_o strafford_n folio_n remark_n relate_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o 3_o first_o century_n wherein_o be_v intersperse_v animadversion_n on_o a_o book_n call_v a_o view_n of_o antiquity_n by_o i._o h._n write_a by_o a._n s._n speculum_fw-la baxterianum_n or_o baxter_n against_o baxter_n quarto_fw-la the_o countryman_n physician_n octavo_fw-la dr._n burlace_n history_n of_o the_o irish_a rebellion_n folio_n a_o apology_n for_o a_o treatise_n of_o humane_a reason_n write_v by_o ma._n clifford_n esq_n twelve_o the_o law_n of_o this_o realm_n concern_v jesuit_n etc._n etc._n explain_v by_o divers_a judgement_n and_o resolution_n of_o the_o judge_n with_o other_o observation_n thereupon_o by_o william_n cawley_n esq_n folio_n dr._n burnet_n
15._o call_v upon_o i_o and_o i_o will_v answer_v he_o i_o will_v be_v with_o he_o in_o trouble_n i_o will_v deliver_v he_o and_o honour_v he_o the_o lord_n be_v nigh_o 20._o unto_o all_o they_o that_o call_v upon_o he_o to_o all_o that_o call_v upon_o he_o in_o truth_n he_o will_v fulfil_v the_o desire_n of_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o he_o also_o will_v hear_v their_o cry_n and_o will_v save_v they_o the_o lord_n preserve_v all_o they_o that_o love_v he_o but_o the_o wicked_a will_v he_o destroy_v where_o those_o who_o love_n god_n be_v those_o who_o pray_v unto_o he_o and_o therefore_o the_o wicked_a who_o god_n will_v destroy_v be_v those_o who_o do_v not_o pray_v to_o he_o who_o neglect_n or_o despise_v his_o worship_n whence_o it_o be_v the_o psalmist_n describe_v god_n that_o he_o be_v one_o that_o hear_v prayer_n o_o thou_o that_o hear_v prayer_n 2._o unto_o thou_o shall_v all_o flesh_n come_v for_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v bestow_v those_o blessing_n and_o deliverance_n on_o we_o which_o we_o do_v not_o think_v worth_a ask_n or_o will_v not_o own_v he_o to_o have_v the_o disposal_n of_o those_o who_o will_v not_o pray_v for_o those_o good_a thing_n they_o want_v will_v not_o bless_v god_n for_o give_v they_o and_o no_o wise_a man_n think_v it_o prudent_a to_o place_v his_o favour_n where_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o no_o return_n which_o be_v like_o bury_v good_a seed_n in_o a_o barren_a soil_n that_o deceive_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o husbandman_n god_n indeed_o be_v the_o maker_n of_o the_o world_n take_v care_n of_o all_o his_o creature_n but_o then_o he_o expect_v that_o reasonable_a creature_n shall_v beg_v the_o protection_n and_o provision_n of_o his_o providence_n because_o this_o be_v a_o excellent_a instrument_n of_o government_n as_o it_o keep_v mankind_n under_o a_o constant_a sense_n of_o his_o power_n and_o providence_n and_o in_o a_o constant_a dependence_n on_o he_o those_o who_o expect_v all_o good_a thing_n from_o god_n dare_v not_o provoke_v he_o to_o anger_n by_o the_o breach_n of_o his_o law_n man_n be_v natural_o ashamed_a of_o approach_v the_o presence_n of_o god_n when_o they_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o any_o great_a crime_n but_o sneak_v and_o hide_v themselves_o as_o child_n do_v when_o they_o have_v displease_v their_o parent_n and_o dare_v not_o ask_v any_o kindness_n till_o they_o have_v first_o obtain_v their_o pardon_n which_o make_v it_o high_o reasonable_a and_o necessary_a for_o god_n to_o discountenance_v irreligion_n by_o cast_v off_o the_o care_n of_o such_o man_n who_o refuse_v to_o worship_v he_o it_o be_v true_a very_o many_o irreligious_a man_n do_v thrive_v in_o this_o world_n and_o arrive_v to_o great_a estate_n and_o to_o great_a honour_n for_o god_n do_v not_o make_v such_o a_o exact_a difference_n between_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n in_o this_o life_n as_o he_o will_v do_v in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o can_v serve_v the_o end_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o the_o prosperity_n of_o bad_a men._n but_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o god_n permit_v the_o prosperity_n of_o bad_a man_n and_o that_o constant_a providence_n which_o watch_v over_o good_a men._n bad_a man_n may_v advance_v themselves_o by_o injustice_n oppression_n and_o perjury_n but_o they_o be_v not_o advance_v by_o the_o blessing_n but_o by_o the_o permission_n of_o god_n for_o god_n never_o bless_v any_o wicked_a art_n and_o therefore_o such_o man_n prosperity_n be_v very_o uncertain_a and_o as_o totter_v as_o the_o throne_n of_o usurper_n for_o though_o they_o have_v a_o good_a title_n with_o respect_n to_o man_n yet_o they_o be_v but_o usurper_n with_o respect_n to_o god_n and_o therefore_o be_v tumble_v down_o again_o at_o his_o pleasure_n but_o the_o only_a sure_a way_n of_o thrive_a in_o the_o world_n be_v by_o god_n blessing_n these_o be_v the_o only_a last_a and_o durable_a riches_n and_o honour_n which_o be_v free_a from_o such_o vexation_n and_o trouble_n fear_n and_o disappointment_n which_o attend_v on_o unjust_a possession_n as_o the_o wise_a man_n tell_v we_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o lord_n it_o 22._o make_v rich_a and_o he_o add_v no_o sorrow_n with_o it_o the_o sum_n be_v this_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o irreligious_a man_n to_o enjoy_v great_a prosperity_n without_o god_n blessing_n and_o those_o who_o like_o this_o way_n may_v take_v it_o but_o it_o be_v a_o very_a uncertain_a and_o a_o very_a slippery_a way_n it_o often_o end_v in_o poverty_n and_o contempt_n or_o lead_v to_o the_o gallow_n or_o man_n lose_v their_o stand_n when_o they_o be_v almost_o get_v up_o to_o the_o top_n of_o the_o precipice_n and_o they_o tumble_v down_o fast_o than_o ever_o they_o get_v up_o but_o those_o who_o desire_n god_n shall_v take_v care_n of_o they_o must_v pray_v to_o he_o and_o worship_v he_o for_o as_o st._n james_n tell_v those_o he_o write_v to_o you_o have_v not_o because_o you_o 2._o ask_v not_o some_o bad_a man_n be_v for_o awhile_o prosperous_a but_o a_o hundred_o for_o one_o be_v miserable_a and_o no_o man_n can_v be_v secure_a from_o misery_n but_o in_o the_o protection_n of_o god_n second_o there_o be_v a_o much_o great_a danger_n than_o this_o in_o irreligion_n and_o that_o be_v the_o loss_n of_o our_o soul_n the_o loss_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o the_o misery_n of_o a_o eternal_a death_n now_o it_o be_v godliness_n 8._o which_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n which_o bring_v salvation_n that_o be_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n which_o contain_v the_o promise_n of_o eternal_a life_n have_v appear_v unto_o all_o man_n teach_v we_o that_o deny_v all_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n we_o shall_v 12._o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_o in_o this_o present_a world_n these_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o eternal_a life_n without_o perform_v which_o we_o shall_v never_o see_v god_n but_o the_o intemperate_a unrighteous_a ungodly_a man_n shall_v be_v condemn_v to_o the_o punishment_n of_o devil_n to_o outward_a darkness_n where_o there_o be_v weep_v and_o wail_v and_o gnash_v of_o tooth_n for_o evermore_o for_o godliness_n which_o consist_v in_o such_o a_o constant_a sense_n of_o god_n as_o express_v itself_o in_o all_o act_n of_o homage_n worship_n and_o obedience_n be_v the_o only_a vital_a principle_n of_o religion_n though_o man_n have_v a_o great_a many_o very_a good_a quality_n and_o sociable_a virtue_n though_o they_o be_v modest_a and_o temperate_a just_a in_o their_o deal_n pitiful_a to_o the_o poor_a of_o a_o liberal_a and_o generous_a spirit_n in_o promote_a good_a design_n very_o affable_a courteous_a and_o oblige_v in_o their_o conversation_n yet_o if_o they_o have_v no_o sense_n of_o god_n as_o these_o man_n have_v not_o who_o neglect_v his_o worship_n all_o this_o be_v no_o part_n of_o religion_n but_o owe_v to_o natural_a temper_n and_o good_a breed_n or_o humane_a policy_n or_o such_o other_o cause_n as_o may_v make_v man_n good_a neighbour_n and_o citizen_n but_o can_v make_v they_o good_a christian_n they_o may_v reap_v some_o temporal_a reward_n of_o these_o virtue_n but_o they_o can_v carry_v they_o to_o heaven_n for_o indeed_o such_o man_n be_v not_o qualify_v for_o the_o work_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o heaven_n which_o be_v to_o know_v and_o love_n and_o admire_v and_o praise_v the_o great_a maker_n and_o redeemer_n of_o the_o world_n which_o no_o man_n can_v do_v who_o have_v not_o a_o quick_a and_o prevail_a sense_n of_o his_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n and_o how_o intolerable_a will_v it_o be_v for_o such_o man_n to_o keep_v a_o eternal_a sabbath_n in_o heaven_n to_o worship_n god_n and_o sing_v his_o praise_n day_n and_o night_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o who_o think_v it_o lose_v time_n and_o a_o dry_a insipid_a wearisome_a thing_n to_o worship_n god_n here_o on_o earth_n but_o they_o need_v not_o fear_v that_o penance_n for_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v trouble_v with_o it_o none_o shall_v be_v receive_v into_o heaven_n but_o those_o who_o by_o the_o constant_a exercise_n of_o devotion_n on_o earth_n have_v spiritualise_v their_o mind_n and_o make_v religion_n in_o some_o measure_n their_o happiness_n as_o well_o as_o their_o work_n and_o duty_n and_o because_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o inconsiderate_a man_n who_o think_v to_o grow_v very_o religious_a and_o to_o repent_v of_o all_o their_o sin_n before_o they_o die_v and_o thereby_o prevent_v the_o danger_n of_o eternal_a damnation_n i_o will_v desire_v they_o to_o consider_v three_o that_o the_o great_a danger_n of_o irreligion_n of_o a_o habitual_a neglect_n of_o god_n worship_n be_v that_o it_o let_v loose_v the_o reins_o to_o
but_o i_o will_v desire_v such_o man_n to_o consider_v first_o that_o this_o notion_n of_o a_o pure_a church_n and_o pure_a ordinance_n vary_v with_o every_o man_n fancy_n as_o have_v no_o foundation_n in_o scripture_n reason_n or_o antiquity_n when_o you_o distinguish_v a_o pure_a church_n from_o a_o pure_a church_n i_o will_v desire_v to_o know_v what_o great_a degree_n of_o purity_n they_o find_v in_o a_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a conventicle_n than_o in_o our_o parochial_a church_n if_o this_o purity_n consist_v in_o doctrine_n government_n or_o worship_n that_o doctrine_n and_o government_n which_o be_v most_o ancient_a and_o most_o apostolical_a be_v pure_a than_o some_o novel_a and_o upstart_a opinion_n church_n form_n and_o model_n and_o that_o worship_n which_o retain_v all_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o administer_v they_o with_o the_o great_a order_n and_o decency_n and_o most_o to_o christian_a edification_n be_v as_o pure_a a_o worship_n as_o that_o which_o be_v slovenly_a and_o unbecoming_a the_o gravity_n and_o solemnity_n of_o divine_a worship_n that_o church_n wherein_o christian_n may_v enjoy_v all_o the_o mean_n and_o conveyance_n of_o grace_n without_o any_o corrupt_a mixture_n to_o spoil_v their_o virtue_n and_o efficacy_n be_v a_o pure_a church_n such_o a_o church_n wherein_o a_o christian_a may_v communicate_v without_o do_v any_o injury_n to_o his_o soul_n be_v a_o pure_a church_n and_o have_v all_o the_o degree_n of_o purity_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o external_n communion_n if_o by_o a_o pure_a communion_n they_o mean_v only_o the_o communion_n of_o better_a man_n and_o of_o great_a saint_n they_o ought_v to_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o exclude_v hypocrite_n out_o of_o any_o church_n unless_o they_o pretend_v to_o a_o gift_n of_o discern_a spirit_n nor_o be_v it_o fit_a they_o shall_v be_v exclude_v while_o they_o be_v not_o open_o scandalous_a for_o to_o shut_v such_o man_n out_o of_o the_o church_n deprive_v they_o of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o all_o hope_n of_o prove_v better_a men._n and_o i_o hope_v christian_n communion_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o any_o single_a congregation_n but_o every_o good_a christian_a who_o live_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n enjoy_v the_o communion_n of_o saint_n in_o all_o the_o world_n be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n which_o consist_v of_o all_o the_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ._n nay_o i_o will_v desire_v they_o to_o consider_v that_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o christian_a communion_n be_v this_o that_o our_o fellowship_n 3._o be_v with_o the_o father_n and_o with_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n with_o the_o glorious_a and_o triumphant_a church_n in_o heaven_n as_o well_o as_o with_o the_o church_n militant_a on_o earth_n but_o you_o be_v come_v unto_o mount_n zion_n and_o 24._o unto_o the_o city_n of_o the_o live_a god_n the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n and_o to_o a_o innumerable_a company_n of_o angel_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n and_o church_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v which_o be_v write_v in_o heaven_n and_o to_o god_n the_o judge_n of_o all_o and_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a and_o to_o jesus_n the_o mediator_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n and_o to_o the_o blood_n of_o sprinkle_v which_o speak_v better_a thing_n than_o the_o blood_n of_o abel_n this_o be_v the_o church-fellowship_n which_o those_o enjoy_v who_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o which_o schismatic_n have_v no_o right_n to_o and_o those_o who_o think_v to_o meet_v with_o better_a company_n at_o a_o conventicle_n let_v they_o take_v it_o but_o must_v not_o the_o christian_a church_n consist_v of_o all_o rank_n and_o degree_n of_o christian_n as_o our_o natural_a body_n do_v of_o several_a sort_n of_o member_n of_o different_a honour_n and_o worth_a and_o be_v it_o fit_v for_o strong_a and_o well-grown_a christian_n to_o separate_v from_o the_o weak_a and_o imperfect_a as_o if_o the_o eye_n shall_v separate_v from_o the_o body_n as_o despise_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o foot_n and_o yet_o if_o st._n paul_n say_v true_a that_o schism_n be_v a_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o sign_n of_o carnal_a man_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o look_v for_o the_o best_a christian_n in_o schismatical_a church_n but_o second_o it_o be_v never_o till_o of_o late_a day_n think_v lawful_a to_o separate_v from_o a_o lawful_a communion_n though_o as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o world_n be_v it_o be_v subject_a to_o some_o defect_n and_o therefore_o the_o brownist_n who_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n pretend_v that_o her_o worship_n and_o government_n be_v unlawful_a idolatrous_a and_o antichristian_a and_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n who_o though_o they_o can_v not_o conform_v as_o minister_n yet_o very_o religious_o conform_v as_o layman_n both_o in_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n condemn_v this_o schism_n and_o prove_v that_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v lawful_a and_o therefore_o separation_n be_v sinful_a and_o i_o dare_v challenge_v any_o man_n to_o show_v i_o from_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n that_o ever_o it_o be_v think_v lawful_a to_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n where_o we_o may_v communicate_v without_o sin_n and_o three_o let_v these_o man_n consider_v that_o this_o notion_n of_o separate_n from_o a_o lawful_a communion_n for_o a_o pure_a communion_n lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o eternal_a schism_n for_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a rule_n for_o the_o degree_n of_o this_o purity_n every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o own_o fancy_n may_v refine_v for_o ever_o four_o if_o they_o do_v indeed_o think_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o sinful_a i_o will_v desire_v they_o to_o inquire_v how_o they_o come_v at_o first_o to_o think_v so_o for_o this_o be_v a_o very_a material_a enquiry_n if_o man_n desire_v to_o know_v their_o honesty_n and_o sincerity_n in_o this_o matter_n for_o if_o man_n be_v at_o first_o by_o their_o own_o fault_n ensnare_v in_o a_o error_n and_o draw_v into_o schism_n how_o firm_o soever_o afterward_o they_o believe_v their_o separation_n to_o be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a it_o will_v not_o excuse_v they_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v all_o the_o several_a way_n whereby_o man_n come_v at_o first_o to_o be_v engage_v in_o schism_n but_o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o some_o few_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v most_o common_a such_o be_v these_o 1._o education_n 2._o lightness_n and_o giddiness_n of_o mind_n 3._o some_o distaste_n at_o public_a affair_n 4._o some_o quarrel_n with_o the_o minister_n of_o religion_n 5._o interest_n or_o the_o persuasion_n of_o friend_n 1._o education_n when_o man_n have_v be_v nurse_v up_o in_o schism_n from_o their_o infancy_n and_o have_v be_v teach_v to_o despise_v the_o common_a prayer_n before_o they_o can_v read_v and_o to_o call_v the_o church_n antichrist_n and_o the_o minister_n of_o it_o baal_n priest_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o can_v speak_v now_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o this_o be_v the_o most_o pitiable_a case_n and_o the_o fair_a excuse_n and_o apology_n that_o can_v be_v make_v for_o any_o man_n for_o we_o all_o know_v what_o the_o power_n of_o education_n be_v and_o how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o deliver_v our_o mind_n from_o the_o first_o impression_n of_o childhood_n and_o youth_n but_o yet_o this_o will_v not_o excuse_v a_o man_n when_o he_o have_v attain_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n and_o have_v opportunity_n of_o be_v better_o inform_v for_o if_o it_o will_v pagan_n mahometan_n and_o papist_n who_o labour_n under_o the_o same_o prejudices_fw-la of_o education_n have_v the_o same_o excuse_n we_o must_v offer_v up_o to_o god_n a_o reasonable_a service_n and_o that_o require_v the_o exercise_n of_o our_o reason_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o our_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o religious_a duty_n nay_o papist_n mahometan_n and_o pagan_n have_v a_o better_a excuse_n upon_o this_o account_n than_o our_o dissenter_n because_o their_o prejudices_fw-la may_v reasonable_o be_v think_v more_o invincible_a as_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o brief_o consider_v three_o or_o four_o thing_n first_o that_o they_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n which_o they_o have_v be_v in_o quiet_a possession_n of_o for_o many_o age_n and_o thus_o that_o reverence_n they_o pay_v to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o memory_n of_o their_o ancestor_n add_v to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o their_o education_n whereas_o every_o one_o know_v that_o this_o present_a schism_n and_o the_o pretence_n whereon_o it_o be_v found_v be_v but_o late_a innovation_n a_o novelty_n which_o be_v not_o yet_o grey-headed_a and_o though_o antiquity_n in_o itself_o consider_v be_v no_o argument_n for_o a_o ancient_a error_n nor_o novelty_n any_o