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england_n christian_a church_n communion_n 2,479 5 8.9287 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A41388 Firmianus and Dubitantius, or, Certain dialogues concerning atheism, infidelity, popery, and other heresies and schisme's that trouble the peace of the church and are destructive of primitive piety written in a plain and easie method for the satisfaction of doubting Christians / by Tho. Good. Good, Thomas, 1609-1678. 1674 (1674) Wing G1029; ESTC R23950 83,883 174

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because_o of_o personal_a abuse_n in_o the_o governor_n or_o under_o officer_n where_o the_o government_n in_o '_o its_o constitution_n be_v not_o faulty_a neither_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n intolerable_a but_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n that_o nonconformist_n shall_v be_v more_o sharp_o deal_v with_o then_o debauch_v profane_a person_n firm._n if_o we_o shall_v compare_v schism_n separation_n nonconformity_n with_o profaneness_n it_o will_v not_o be_v easy_a to_o say_v which_o be_v the_o great_a or_o which_o be_v the_o least_o sin_n the_o first_o may_v be_v majoris_fw-la culpae_fw-la the_o other_o majoris_fw-la infamiae_fw-la as_o aquinas_n right_o judge_v 1.2_o q._n 73._o a._n 5._o of_o carnal_a and_o spiritual_a sin_n those_o as_o pride_n and_o malice_n be_v great_a sin_n but_o these_o as_o drunkenness_n fornication_n be_v more_o scandalous_a but_o to_o wave_v the_o comparison_n and_o to_o give_v you_o free_o my_o own_o sentiment_n in_o this_o particular_a i_o do_v conceive_v that_o debauchery_n and_o profaneness_n aught_o to_o be_v more_o severe_o punish_v then_o negative_a separation_n and_o simple_a nonconformity_n my_o reason_n be_v these_o 1._o every_o prudent_a parent_n will_v be_v mo●e_n severe_a against_o a_o wicked_a child_n that_o continue_v under_o his_o roof_n profess_v obedience_n a●d_a subjection_n then_o against_o that_o child_n which_o have_v utter_o forsake_v his_o father_n and_o utter_o abandon_v his_o house_n and_o family_n 2._o the_o sin_n of_o pro●●ness_n and_o debauchery_n be_v wilful_a for_o drunkard_n and_o profane_a person_n do_v not_o ple●d_a ignorance_n and_o weakness_n be_v o●●_n more_o malignant_a nature_n than_o sin_n of_o ignoranc●_n though_o it_o be_v such_o a_o ignorance_n which_o be_v not_o all_o together_o invincible_a but_o contract_v by_o pride_n pevishness_n interest_n or_o prejudice_n under_o which_o many_o separatist_n and_o nonconformist_n be_v in_o bondage_n and_o captivity_n 3._o the_o life_n and_o conversation_n o●_n debauch_v and_o profane_a person_n who_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o protestant_n and_o member_n of_o our_o church_n though_o intruth_o they_o be_v not_o but_o rather_o limb_n of_o satan_n be_v the_o great_a reproach_n and_o scandal_n to_o it_o these_o be_v the_o man_n that_o furnish_v shismaticks_n and_o nonconformist_n with_o their_o best_a argument_n which_o they_o urge_v against_o we_o for_o what_o they_o object_n against_o our_o church_n government_n liturgy_n or_o ceremony_n be_v ●or_a the_o most_o part_n very_o frivolous_a and_o there_o be_v no_o quaker_n anabaptist_n independent_o but_o m●kes_v the_o profaneness_n of_o the_o episcopal_a party_n the_o chief_a reason_n and_o ground_n of_o his_o separation_n dub._n this_o i_o confess_v to_o be_v true_a from_o my_o own_o experience_n nothing_o wrought_v so_o much_o upon_o i_o to_o forsake_v the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o the_o wicked_a and_o ungodly_a life_n of_o those_o which_o she_o receive_v into_o her_o communion_n firm._n that_o be_v your_o error_n for_o you_o can_v say_v th●t_o she_o receive_v any_o into_o her_o communion_n who_o by_o her_o rubric_n and_o canon_n she_o ●xcludes_v and_o although_o through_o the_o laziness_n and_o connivance_n of_o church_n officer_n or_o governor_n or_o both_o many_o a_o ungodly_a person_n receive_v the_o sacament_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o just_a ground_n for_o a_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n which_o teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v catholic_n and_o apostolical_a only_o i_o confess_v tha●_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n she_o come_v short_a of_o the_o primitive_a severity_n against_o obstinate_a sinner_n yet_o the_o present_a canon_n be_v so_o strict_a that_o if_o they_o be_v due_o observe_v no_o open_o wicked_a or_o ungodly_a person_n shall_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o communion_n which_o will_v be_v a_o great_a satisfaction_n i_o be_o persuade_v to_o those_o that_o now_o separate_v from_o we_o dub._n but_o see_v the_o primitive_a discipline_n have_v be_v so_o long_a time_n wish_v for_o above_o a_o hundred_o year_n since_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o rubric_n before_o the_o commination_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o it_o be_v not_o restore_v shall_v we_o be_v still_o wish_v and_o never_o act_v or_o do_v firm._n why_o it_o have_v not_o be_v restore_v i_o know_v no_o other_o reason_n that_o be_v give_v but_o this_o the_o time_n will_v not_o bear_v it_o why_o the_o ●●mes_n will_v not_o bear_v it_o i_o know_v not_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o se●taries_n who_o cry_v down_o many_o ancient_a usage_n of_o the_o church_n which_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v for_o popery_n an●_n these_o man_n must_v not_o be_v offend_v lest_o they_o be_v drive_v to_o a_o utter_a hatred_n o●_n opposition_n to_o our_o church_n or_o else_o which_o be_v more_o probable_a such_o be_v the_o wickedness_n and_o profaneness_n of_o the_o time_n that_o they_o will_v not_o endure_v the_o primitive_a severity_n when_o will_v that_o time_n come_v that_o such_o strict_a discipline_n will_v be_v endure_v the_o church_n have_v be_v in_o expectation_n of_o it_o above_o this_o hundred_o year_n but_o still_o schism_n and_o sect_n profaneness_n and_o wickedness_n increase_v every_o day_n more_o and_o more_o no_o question_n the_o time_n as_o to_o sect_n and_o profaneness_n if_o that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n be_v much_o more_o unfit_a to_o bear_v the_o ancient_a discipline_n than_o they_o be_v when_o that_o wish_n be_v first_o make_v and_o the_o long_o it_o be_v disuse_v the_o more_o unfit_a they_o will_v be_v which_o i_o wish_v our_o prudent_a governor_n will_v take_v into_o their_o serious_a consideration_n dub._n certain_o a_o strict_a discipline_n impartial_o execute_v upon_o all_o transgressor_n of_o god_n holy_a law_n by_o sharp_a reproof_n severe_a admonition_n due_a suspensation_n from_o the_o sacrament_n excommunication_n penance_n according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o offence_n will_v give_v a_o great_a check_n to_o that_o impiety_n and_o wickedness_n which_o reign_v so_o much_o in_o our_o land_n and_o take_v away_o much_o of_o the_o scandal_n which_o be_v give_v by_o our_o mix_a communion_n at_o which_o block_n of_o offence_n many_o have_v stumble_v and_o fall_v out_o of_o our_o church_n into_o conventicle_n and_o separate_a congregation_n firm._n no_o question_n a_o strict_a discipline_n will_v do_v much_o towards_o a_o h●ppy_a reformation_n of_o manner_n in_o the_o episcopal_a party_n but_o as_o you_o have_v observe_v the_o great_a scandal_n that_o be_v take_v by_o the_o nonconformist_n at_o the_o profaneness_n and_o wickedness_n of_o that_o party_n so_o i_o must_v tell_v you_o that_o as_o great_a a_o scandal_n be_v give_v by_o they_o to_o those_o who_o conform_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n though_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n be_v contrary_a to_o her_o law_n &_o canon_n they_o be_v no_o more_o member_n of_o our_o church_n than_o a_o glass_n eye_n or_o wooden_a leg_n be_v live_v part_n of_o a_o man_n body_n dub._n i_o do_v not_o see_v wherein_o the_o nonconformist_n whether_o presbyterian_o or_o independent_o have_v give_v any_o just_a occasion_n of_o scandal_n to_o any_o they_o be_v man_n that_o be_v very_o sober_a in_o their_o life_n and_o great_a professor_n of_o religion_n give_v much_o to_o family-duty_n to_o prayer_n to_o hear_v of_o sermon_n firm._n hinc_fw-la illae_fw-la lachrymae_fw-la here_o lie_v the_o scandal_n which_o m●kes_v religion_n stink_v in_o the_o nostril_n of_o profane_a and_o wicked_a man_n when_o they_o shall_v see_v that_o man_n profess_v holiness_n shall_v make_v no_o conscience_n of_o disobedience_n of_o perjury_n of_o rebellion_n against_o and_o at_o last_o of_o murder_v their_o liege_n sovereign_a a_o man_n upon_o who_o his_o most_o malicious_a and_o critical_a enemy_n can_v never_o charge_v any_o scanlous_a sin_n dub._n these_o indeed_o be_v very_o grievious_a sin_n and_o much_o to_o be_v lament_v but_o sure_o you_o can_v charge_v they_o upon_o the_o generality_n of_o theseman_n but_o only_o upon_o some_o ambitious_a hypocrite_n that_o make_v religion_n a_o stalking-horse_n to_o bring_v about_o their_o devilish_a design_n firm._n it_o be_v true_a that_o all_o the_o nonconformists_a in_o england_n be_v not_o in_o actual_a arm_n against_o the_o king_n neither_o do_v they_o sit_v in_o the_o high_a court_n of_o injustice_n upon_o he_o neither_o do_v they_o all_o as_o natural_a agent_n cut_v of_o his_o head_n but_o moral_o that_o be_v very_o sinful_o and_o wicked_o they_o have_v their_o hand_n stain_v with_o that_o royal_a blood_n for_o whosoever_o do_v abet_v these_o son_n of_o belial_n in_o their_o rebellion_n treason_n murder_n of_o their_o king_n and_o fellow_n subject_n either_o by_o consent_v to_o their_o villainy_n pray_v for_o their_o prosperity_n praise_v god_n for_o their_o victorious_a success_n or_o by_o assist_v they_o with_o their_o counsel_n advice_n free_a and_o voluntary_a contribution_n by_o write_v and_o preach_v up_o the_o
imprimatur_fw-la rad._n bathur_v vicecan_a oxon._n firmianus_n and_o dubitantius_n or_o certain_a dialogue_n concern_v atheism_n infidelity_n popery_n and_o other_o heresy_n and_o schisme_n that_o trouble_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o be_v destructive_a of_o primitive_a piety_n write_v in_o a_o plain_a and_o easy_a method_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o doubt_v christian_n by_o tho._n good_a d.d._n master_n of_o balliol_n college_n in_o oxon._n take_v heed_n brethren_n least_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o you_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbeleif_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o live_a god_n heb._n 3.12_o oxford_z print_v by_o l._n lichfield_n printer_n to_o the_o university_n for_o tho._n hancox_n bookseller_n in_o hereford_n 1674._o to_o the_o reader_n consider_v the_o many_o learned_a and_o judicious_a tract_n that_o be_v extant_a against_o atheism_n infidelity_n popery_n with_o other_o heresy_n sect_n &_o schism_n destructive_a of_o the_o ancient_n catholic_n religion_n and_o of_o that_o peace_n and_o unity_n love_n and_o charity_n which_o be_v the_o badge_n and_o mark_n of_o christ_n sheep_n i_o think_v it_o superfluous_a to_o add_v my_o poor_a scribble_n after_o such_o fair_a copy_n but_o observe_v the_o length_n and_o learning_n of_o those_o elaborate_a tractat_n which_o many_o man_n have_v neither_o money_n to_o buy_v leisure_n to_o read_v nor_o judgement_n to_o understand_v i_o conceive_v that_o these_o few_o short_a discourse_n not_o fit_v nor_o indeed_o intend_v for_o the_o perusal_n of_o the_o learned_a may_v nevertheless_o be_v gratum_fw-la opus_fw-la agricolis_fw-la not_o altogether_o unprofitable_a for_o man_n of_o ordinary_a capacity_n to_o which_o purpose_n i_o have_v use_v such_o mean_n and_o method_n that_o i_o may_v be_v the_o better_o understand_v by_o these_o man_n i_o have_v endeavour_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o these_o discourse_n for_o the_o most_o part_n may_v be_v plain_a and_o familiar_a the_o phrase_n and_o expression_n intelligible_a i_o have_v make_v use_n of_o two_o feign_a name_n firmianus_n and_o dubitantius_fw-la to_o personate_v the_o sound_a believer_n and_o the_o doubt_v sceptic_a christian_a who_o be_v bring_v upon_o the_o stage_n dispute_v by_o way_n of_o dialogue_n which_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o man_n of_o short_a discourse_n and_o most_o apt_a to_o comply_v with_o their_o apprehension_n i_o hope_v the_o more_o learned_a reader_n if_o any_o such_o shall_v give_v themselves_o the_o trouble_n to_o peruse_v this_o little_a manuel_n will_v not_o censure_v the_o plainness_n of_o it_o but_o rather_o commend_v the_o charity_n of_o the_o author_n towards_o the_o w●ll_n meaning_n christian_n who_o among_o those_o many_o treatise_n that_o have_v be_v write_v can_v meet_v with_o very_a few_o that_o be_v calculate_v for_o his_o meridian_n and_o consequent_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v blow_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o slight_a of_o man_n and_o cunning_a craftiness_n whereby_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v and_o who_o these_o gamester_n be_v he_o that_o have_v but_o half_a a_o eye_n may_v see_v and_o how_o many_o a_o poor_a soul_n have_v in_o these_o time_n of_o confusion_n be_v blow_v about_o from_o one_o erroneous_a opinion_n to_o another_o until_o he_o have_v turn_v seeker_n scheptick_a and_o at_o last_o down_o right_a atheist_n there_o be_v no_o man_n so_o great_a a_o stranger_n in_o our_o jerusalem_n that_o can_v be_v ignorant_a wherefore_o if_o these_o short_a and_o familiar_a discourse_n may_v have_v the_o happiness_n to_o prevent_v the_o fall_n of_o any_o unsettle_a waver_a soul_n or_o to_o restore_v any_o that_o have_v fall_v to_o a_o sound_a mind_n it_o will_v be_v my_o great_a satisfaction_n and_o rejoy_v to_o be_v able_a to_o apply_v to_o myself_o that_o of_o st._n james_n cap._n 5.19_o brethren_n if_o any_o of_o you_o do_v err_v from_o the_o truth_n and_o one_o convert_v he_o let_v he_o know_v that_o he_o that_o convert_v a_o sinner_n from_o the_o error_n of_o his_o way_n shall_v save_v a_o soul_n from_o death_n and_o shall_v cover_v a_o multitude_n of_o sin_n now_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n grant_v that_o these_o poor_a and_o weak_a endeavour_n may_v work_v that_o good_a effect_n upon_o the_o err_a seduce_a sinner_n and_o that_o the_o multitude_n of_o my_o sin_n may_v be_v cover_v with_o the_o long_a white_a robe_n of_o my_o bless_a saviour_n righteousness_n for_o his_o holy_a name_n sake_n amen_n thou_o in_o the_o truth_n that_o be_v i●_n christ_n jesus_n tho._n good_a dialogue_n i._o against_o atheism_n firm._n good_a morrow_n to_o my_o old_a friend_n dubitantius_fw-la dub._n a_o good_a day_n to_o you_o firmianus_n firm._n methinks_v i_o read_v some_o discontent_n in_o your_o face_n what_o may_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o dub._n there_o be_v a_o great_a cause_n i_o have_v be_v so_o long_o distract_v betwixt_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n in_o point_n of_o religion_n that_o i_o be_o now_o doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o religion_n at_o all_o or_o any_o supreme_a invisible_a deity_n to_o be_v worship_v firm._n this_o be_v the_o common_a result_n of_o vain_a jangle_n that_o they_o usual_o end_v in_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n but_o pray_v tell_v i_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o fierce_a dispute_n and_o bitter_a contention_n about_o a_o very_a nothing_o certain_o such_o sharp_a dispute_n about_o the_o various_a manner_n of_o god_n worship_n do_v strong_o argue_v that_o religion_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o high_a concern_v or_o that_o all_o the_o wise_a man_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v fool_n and_o madman_n to_o oppose_v hate_v malign_v persecute_v one_o another_o even_o unto_o death_n for_o a_o groundless_a fancy_n a_o very_a nothing_o dub._n your_o discourse_n be_v very_o rational_a for_o i_o suppose_v wise_a man_n will_v never_o wrangle_v about_o a_o mere_a romance_n yet_o i_o confess_v i_o have_v have_v strange_a 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i_o have_v be_v very_o cold_a at_o my_o devotion_n make_v little_a conscience_n of_o public_a or_o secret_a prayer_n of_o obedience_n to_o those_o power_n which_o god_n have_v ordain_v of_o love_n charity_n honesty_n and_o upright_a deal_n towards_o my_o neighbour_n i_o have_v live_v a_o atheist_n in_o practice_n so_o long_o that_o i_o be_o now_o ready_a to_o be_v a_o atheist_n in_o opinion_n and_o to_o say_v with_o the_o fool_n in_o the_o 14._o psal._n there_o be_v no_o god_n i_o have_v so_o long_o s●ept_v out_o of_o one_o opinion_n into_o another_o that_o at_o length_n i_o be_o become_v a_o very_a sceptic_a in_o religion_n doubt_v of_o all_o and_o fix_v upon_o none_o firm._n true_o sir_n you_o make_v good_a your_o name_n by_o your_o practice_n which_o render_v you_o a_o right_a dubitantius_fw-la but_o pray_v tell_v i_o by_o what_o degree_n and_o method_n you_o have_v step_v out_o of_o our_o church_n into_o the_o border_n of_o atheism_n that_o i_o may_v with_o the_o more_o facility_n 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