Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	christian_a	church_n	religion_n	1,340	5	5.5492	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44141	A correct copy of some letters written to J.M., a nonconformist teacher concerning the gift and forms of prayer by Matthew Hole ...	Hole, Matthew, 1639 or 40-1730.; J. M. (John Moore), 1641 or 2-1717.	1698 (1698)	Wing H2408; ESTC R19302	77,888	204

the_o praise_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n you_o will_v do_v well_o to_o remove_v into_o that_o bless_a country_n where_o there_o be_v no_o liturgy_n to_o dull_v your_o devotion_n but_o free_a prayer_n enough_o to_o serve_v for_o all_o emergency_n and_o nothing_o but_o the_o voice_n of_o joy_n peace_n and_o unity_n can_v sound_v in_o your_o ear_n but_o you_o will_v have_v i_o petition_v our_o governor_n for_o remove_v the_o occasion_n of_o our_o division_n which_o you_o say_v be_v declaration_n and_o subscription_n that_o you_o may_v continue_v here_o with_o much_o more_o comfort_n sir_n i_o have_v learn_v more_o manner_n than_o to_o direct_v and_o prescribe_v to_o my_o governor_n who_o have_v a_o further_a prospect_n and_o deep_a insight_n into_o these_o matter_n than_o it_o be_v fit_a for_o i_o to_o pretend_v to_o but_o it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o your_o wont_a modesty_n to_o set_v up_o your_o vain_a opinion_n above_o the_o wisdom_n and_o authority_n of_o your_o superior_n and_o you_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v out_o of_o humour_n if_o they_o order_v matter_n otherwise_o than_o you_o will_v have_v they_o if_o you_o will_v but_o root_v out_o this_o piece_n of_o spiritual_a pride_n and_o learn_v so_o much_o humility_n as_o to_o suspect_v your_o own_o judgement_n which_o god_n know_v and_o any_o wise_a man_n may_v see_v be_v weak_a enough_o you_o will_v soon_o find_v there_o be_v no_o need_n or_o occasion_n for_o such_o a_o petition_n but_o you_o have_v one_o fetch_v more_o against_o enjoin_v of_o form_n that_o must_v not_o be_v pass_v by_o and_o that_o be_v this_o viz._n the_o magistrate_n think_v these_o thing_n to_o be_v but_o indifferent_a whereas_o many_o of_o we_o judge_v they_o to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o therefore_o we_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v with_o and_o his_o judgement_n to_o be_v lay_v aside_o a_o excellent_a way_n indeed_o to_o set_v up_o yourselves_o above_o your_o superior_n and_o to_o obey_v only_o what_o you_o please_v for_o it_o be_v but_o for_o you_o to_o say_v or_o think_v any_o thing_n they_o command_v to_o be_v unlawful_a and_o then_o you_o have_v a_o excuse_n or_o dispensation_n from_o all_o obedience_n to_o it_o be_v not_o this_o a_o easy_a way_n than_o that_o of_o corban_n to_o evacuate_v the_o law_n and_o make_v void_a the_o commandment_n both_o of_o god_n and_o man_n but_o how_o come_v any_o among_o you_o to_o judge_v form_n of_o prayer_n unlawful_a which_o have_v ever_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n to_o this_o day_n if_o you_o have_v lead_v any_o into_o this_o mistake_n your_o duty_n be_v to_o undeceive_v they_o and_o lead_v they_o out_o of_o it_o and_o not_o to_o desire_v that_o such_o weak_a or_o rather_o wilful_a person_n shall_v be_v humour_v in_o such_o foolery_n as_o for_o thing_n plain_o forbid_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n i_o hope_v we_o may_v so_o far_o trust_v to_o the_o care_n and_o integrity_n of_o our_o governor_n as_o not_o to_o fear_v the_o enjoin_v of_o they_o or_o if_o they_o shall_v you_o have_v a_o good_a dispensation_n from_o obey_v they_o but_o for_o matter_n judge_v to_o be_v good_a and_o profitable_a to_o the_o public_a as_o the_o use_n of_o form_n against_o which_o some_o may_v have_v a_o few_o scruple_n and_o prejudices_fw-la here_o i_o hope_v the_o wisdom_n and_o authority_n of_o government_n may_v turn_v the_o scale_n and_o the_o certain_a duty_n of_o obedience_n aught_o to_o weigh_v down_o a_o uncertain_a scruple_n sir_n i_o have_v no_o time_n or_o room_n leave_v to_o consider_v your_o fine_a simile_n of_o the_o spectacle_n and_o crutch_n at_o present_a but_o you_o shall_v not_o fail_v of_o it_o in_o my_o next_o i_o be_o sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o servant_n m._n h._n april_n 29._o 1697._o letter_n xi_o to_o j._n m._n sir_n i_o observe_v in_o my_o last_o that_o though_o you_o can_v pretty_a well_o digest_v form_n of_o prayer_n yet_o it_o be_v the_o injunction_n of_o they_o that_o stick_v in_o your_o stomach_n but_o i_o hope_v what_o i_o far_o observe_v concern_v the_o just_a authority_n of_o superior_n to_o command_n and_o the_o necessary_a duty_n of_o subject_n to_o obey_v in_o a_o matter_n so_o lawful_a and_o expedient_a too_o may_v help_v to_o make_v it_o go_v down_o a_o little_a better_o however_o against_o the_o impose_v of_o they_o you_o go_v on_o to_o tell_v i_o that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v at_o first_o bring_v in_o and_o intend_v only_o as_o help_n of_o impotence_n and_o insufficiency_n and_o to_o confine_v man_n still_o to_o they_o be_v to_o necessitate_v they_o to_o a_o continual_a impotence_n you_o own_v they_o to_o be_v excellent_a and_o useful_a thing_n in_o the_o time_n of_o ignorance_n and_o darkness_n but_o now_o there_o be_v such_o a_o meridiam_fw-la light_n that_o shine_v about_o we_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o use_n of_o they_o than_o to_o send_v we_o back_o again_o or_o keep_v we_o in_o the_o former_a darkness_n for_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n say_v you_o never_o enjoin_v these_o thing_n and_o to_o impose_v they_o now_o under_o the_o gospel_n be_v no_o better_o than_o to_o force_v spectacle_n upon_o good_a eye_n and_o crutch_n upon_o able_a leg_n now_o to_o set_v these_o thing_n in_o their_o true_a light_n i_o shall_v ready_o grant_v you_o 1._o that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v help_n of_o impotence_n and_o insufficiency_n but_o they_o be_v such_o help_v as_o have_v be_v necessary_a ever_o since_o the_o day_n of_o inspiration_n and_o will_v be_v so_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n for_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a impotence_n in_o all_o man_n as_o to_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o more_o especial_o to_o this_o of_o prayer_n and_o therefore_o all_o possible_a help_n be_v to_o be_v use_v to_o aid_v and_o assist_v we_o in_o the_o due_a performance_n of_o it_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n god_n almighty_n appoint_v many_o form_n of_o prayer_n praise_n and_o bless_v the_o people_n and_o the_o jewish_a service_n consist_v of_o these_o together_o with_o the_o psalm_n of_o david_n and_o other_o occasional_a prayer_n compose_v by_o their_o learned_a doctor_n and_o these_o be_v the_o help_v for_o their_o impotence_n under_o the_o legal_a dispensation_n under_o the_o gospel_n we_o find_v form_n of_o prayer_n compose_v and_o prescribe_v to_o help_v the_o impotence_n of_o christian_n under_o that_o dispensation_n st._n john_n the_o baptist_n the_o first_o gospel_n preacher_n teach_v his_o disciple_n to_o pray_v luk._n 11.1_o 2._o which_o can_v not_o be_v pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n for_o none_o but_o the_o holy_a ghost_n can_v teach_v that_o but_o he_o compose_v and_o teach_v they_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n after_o which_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n come_v to_o he_o and_o beg_v he_o to_o teach_v they_o to_o pray_o as_o john_n teach_v his_o disciple_n and_o he_o instant_o give_v they_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o this_o be_v do_v to_o help_v the_o impotence_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o both_o for_o we_o find_v the_o apostle_n acknowledge_v that_o they_o know_v not_o what_o to_o pray_v for_o as_o they_o ought_v and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a of_o themselves_o to_o think_v a_o good_a thought_n and_o because_o the_o whole_a oeconomy_n of_o the_o jewish_a worship_n be_v then_o to_o be_v abolish_v and_o a_o more_o spiritual_a and_o christian_a way_n of_o worship_n to_o be_v set_v up_o in_o its_o room_n there_o be_v grant_v to_o they_o for_o a_o while_o a_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o pray_v by_o inspiration_n for_o the_o settle_n and_o propagate_a of_o it_o and_o when_o that_o be_v do_v this_o extraordinary_a gift_n cease_v and_o public_a prayer_n be_v compose_v according_a to_o it_o and_o this_o have_v continue_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n ever_o since_o so_o that_o as_o necessity_n at_o first_o bring_v in_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o help_v man_n natural_a impotence_n and_o insufficiency_n for_o this_o duty_n so_o there_o now_o be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v the_o same_o necessity_n to_o continue_v they_o 2._o but_o second_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n sir_n to_o affirm_v that_o they_o be_v bring_v in_o and_o intend_v only_o for_o help_n of_o insufficiency_n for_o there_o be_v other_o wise_a and_o great_a end_n in_o it_o namely_o when_o christianity_n multipy_v to_o preserve_v order_n and_o unity_n and_o to_o prevent_v schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n and_o likewise_o that_o all_o man_n may_v be_v acquaint_v with_o what_o they_o offer_v up_o unto_o god_n in_o public_a worship_n without_o which_o they_o can_v agree_v in_o their_o petition_n nor_o pray_v as_o we_o be_v bid_v with_o one_o heart_n and_o one_o consent_n but_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n say_v you_o never_o enjoin_v form_n of_o prayer_n i_o will_v not_o have_v

true_a devotion_n but_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v feverish_a heat_n of_o fancy_n and_o enthusiasm_n which_o inflame_v and_o disorder_v the_o spirit_n and_o in_o man_n of_o hot_a brain_n and_o strong_a imagination_n raise_v they_o to_o some_o degree_n of_o ecstasy_n and_o spiritual_a frenzy_n this_o be_v a_o disease_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o be_v very_o far_o from_o the_o temper_n of_o true_a devotion_n and_o the_o want_n of_o know_v and_o distinguish_v between_o these_o have_v lead_v man_n into_o many_o mistake_v about_o the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n and_o other_o part_n of_o religion_n for_o find_v themselves_o somewhat_o warm_a and_o earnest_a at_o a_o religious_a exercise_n they_o present_o conclude_v themselves_o fire_v with_o true_a zeal_n and_o piety_n towards_o god_n when_o all_o the_o while_o it_o prove_v no_o better_a than_o false_a fire_n and_o a_o plain_a mistake_n of_o the_o heat_n of_o fancy_n for_o the_o fervor_n of_o true_a devotion_n but_o how_o may_v we_o discern_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o why_o chief_o by_o observe_v these_o three_o thing_n viz._n 1_o what_o be_v it_o that_o create_v this_o warmth_n 2_o how_o long_o do_v it_o continue_v 3_o and_o what_o fruit_n do_v it_o produce_v first_o then_o let_v i_o ask_v you_o what_o be_v it_o that_o heat_v you_o in_o such_o prayer_n be_v it_o the_o matter_n or_o only_o the_o newness_n and_o variety_n of_o the_o phrase_n and_o expression_n in_o which_o it_o be_v deliver_v if_o it_o be_v the_o soundness_n of_o the_o matter_n that_o thus_o affect_v you_o than_o the_o same_o matter_n deliver_v in_o a_o well-composed_a form_n will_v have_v the_o same_o effect_n and_o this_o will_v show_v it_o a_o sincere_a fit_a of_o devotion_n but_o if_o it_o be_v only_o a_o new_a conceive_a prayer_n that_o do_v this_o feat_n then_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o matter_n but_o the_o mere_a novelty_n of_o the_o word_n that_o thus_o tickle_v and_o warm_v you_o such_o sudden_a transport_v be_v occasion_v only_o by_o new_a and_o surprise_a word_n which_o strike_v brisk_o upon_o the_o fancy_n be_v apt_a to_o move_v and_o enliven_v it_o but_o this_o do_v not_o go_v deep_a enough_o to_o reach_v or_o warm_v the_o heart_n but_o be_v only_o the_o fallacy_n and_o false_a heat_n of_o imagination_n again_o second_o let_v i_o ask_v you_o how_o long_o do_v the_o warmth_n you_o feel_v at_o such_o prayer_n continue_v do_v it_o abide_v with_o you_o and_o keep_v up_o a_o constant_a heat_n of_o love_n and_o desire_n towards_o god_n be_v it_o like_o the_o vestal_a flame_n that_o never_o go_v out_o or_o be_v it_o only_o like_o the_o fit_a of_o a_o ague_n that_o come_v and_o go_v again_o and_o where_o the_o hot_a fit_a be_v soon_o follow_v with_o a_o cold_a one_o if_o it_o be_v only_o so_o be_v not_o deceive_v this_o be_v not_o the_o inward_a flame_n or_o heat_n of_o a_o devout_a heart_n for_o that_o be_v permanent_a and_o last_a but_o either_o a_o feverish_a fit_a of_o hypocrisy_n or_o a_o delusion_n of_o imagination_n true_a zeal_n be_v uniform_a and_o constant_a and_o though_o it_o may_v admit_v of_o some_o intermission_n yet_o like_o the_o natural_a heat_n of_o the_o heart_n it_o will_v abide_v as_o long_o as_o life_n continue_v but_o if_o it_o grow_v cold_a again_o and_o wear_v off_o this_o pretend_a warmth_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o transient_a and_o preternatural_a heat_n of_o fancy_n three_o and_o last_o let_v i_o ask_v you_o what_o fruit_n do_v this_o warmth_n you_o speak_v of_o produce_v do_v it_o enkindle_v and_o cherish_v in_o your_o breast_n the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o your_o neighbour_n if_o so_o it_o be_v a_o good_a sign_n of_o a_o kindly_a heat_n and_o spiritual_a life_n in_o the_o soul_n but_o if_o as_o it_o too_o often_o happen_v it_o enkindle_v the_o flame_n of_o wrath_n and_o contention_n if_o it_o lead_v you_o into_o way_n of_o division_n and_o separation_n by_o which_o you_o become_v undutiful_a to_o your_o superior_n proud_a censorious_a and_o void_a of_o charity_n to_o your_o equal_n this_o heat_n be_v but_o a_o ignis_fw-la fatuus_fw-la that_o have_v lead_v you_o out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n such_o a_o zeal_n be_v no_o better_a than_o wildfire_n and_o have_v more_o than_o once_o set_v whole_a kingdom_n in_o a_o combustion_n in_o a_o word_n if_o this_o be_v the_o best_a fruit_n that_o grow_v upon_o this_o stock_n it_o be_v evident_a it_o spring_v from_o a_o rot_a and_o corrupt_a tree_n all_o this_o pretend_a warmth_n that_o arise_v from_o the_o novelty_n and_o change_n of_o word_n be_v only_o the_o gratification_n and_o amusement_n of_o fancy_n and_o not_o the_o fervour_n of_o true_a devotion_n so_o that_o what_o our_o saviour_n say_v of_o false_a prophet_n may_v be_v say_v of_o false_a light_n by_o their_o fruit_n you_o shall_v know_v they_o the_o sum_n be_v this_o deadness_n and_o dulness_n man_n complain_v of_o be_v not_o in_o the_o prayer_n which_o be_v admirable_o fit_v to_o enkindle_v and_o excite_v holy_a desire_n and_o affection_n but_o in_o their_o own_o prejudices_fw-la which_o lie_v as_o a_o clog_n on_o the_o soul_n and_o hinder_v both_o its_o fervency_n and_o flight_n unto_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o these_o must_v be_v remove_v that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o lift_v up_o their_o heart_n unto_o god_n and_o if_o they_o will_v be_v persuade_v to_o mend_v themselves_o they_o will_v see_v little_a reason_n to_o mend_v the_o prayer_n but_o rather_o great_a cause_n to_o bless_v god_n that_o the_o church_n whereof_o they_o be_v member_n have_v provide_v for_o they_o such_o a_o pious_a and_o excellent_a model_n of_o devotion_n there_o be_v one_o thing_n more_o to_o be_v consider_v which_o i_o find_v frequent_o mention_v in_o your_o letter_n where_o though_o thing_n lie_v scatter_v up_o and_o down_o without_o order_n or_o method_n yet_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o bring_v they_o all_o into_o their_o right_a place_n and_o so_o leave_v nothing_o material_a unanswered_a and_o that_o be_v the_o impose_v of_o public_a form_n be_v a_o great_a grievance_n and_o the_o not_o leave_v man_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o free_a prayer_n that_o have_v a_o talon_n that_o way_n which_o shall_v be_v consider_v in_o the_o next_o i_o be_o sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o wellwisher_n m._n h._n april_n 26._o 1697._o letter_n x._o to_o j._n m._n sir_n i_o find_v by_o your_o paper_n that_o you_o can_v sometime_o speak_v as_o mean_o of_o new_a and_o vary_a expression_n in_o prayer_n as_o one_o will_v wish_v and_o yet_o at_o other_o time_n can_v cry_v they_o up_o as_o the_o only_a lively_a and_o spiritual_a way_n of_o pray_v and_o though_o sometime_o your_o objection_n against_o public_a form_n be_v so_o fierce_a and_o terrible_a that_o one_o will_v think_v you_o utter_o condemn_v they_o to_o be_v throw_v out_o of_o the_o church_n yet_o in_o a_o mild_a mood_n you_o can_v speak_v more_o favourable_o and_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v pretty_a harmless_a if_o not_o useful_a thing_n these_o be_v some_o of_o your_o many_o and_o usual_a inconsistency_n but_o what_o be_v it_o that_o thus_o unsettle_v you_o and_o make_v your_o plea_n as_o various_a as_o your_o prayer_n why_o it_o be_v the_o injunction_n of_o form_n that_o stick_v in_o your_o stomach_n and_o can_v down_v with_o you_o you_o will_v have_v they_o leave_v free_a and_o not_o impose_v upon_o those_o who_o you_o think_v have_v no_o need_n of_o they_o and_o here_o you_o magnify_v your_o own_o and_o some_o other_o talon_n this_o way_n and_o complain_v most_o bitter_o of_o silence_v so_o many_o brave_a man_n that_o can_v not_o comply_v with_o the_o public_a use_n of_o they_o you_o call_v they_o only_o help_v of_o impotence_n and_o insufficiency_n and_o compare_v they_o to_o spectacle_n for_o bad_a eye_n and_o crutch_n for_o lame_a leg_n etc._n etc._n now_o to_o set_v these_o thing_n right_a let_v we_o consider_v 1_o what_o authority_n our_o superior_n have_v to_o command_v in_o these_o matter_n and_o who_o give_v they_o this_o authority_n and_o 2_o let_v we_o see_v what_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o subject_n to_o obey_v and_o observe_v they_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v the_o better_o see_v what_o force_n your_o fine_a simile_n and_o frivolous_a objection_n have_v against_o they_o first_o then_o let_v we_o see_v what_o authority_n our_o superior_n have_v to_o command_v in_o these_o matter_n to_o clear_v this_o we_o must_v note_v that_o governor_n be_v god_n minister_n be_v set_v up_o by_o he_o and_o invest_v with_o his_o authority_n which_o must_v therefore_o extend_v to_o all_o lawful_a thing_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o forbid_v or_o countermand_v by_o god_n himself_o now_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v forbid_v that_o we_o find_v they_o recommend_v