Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
heaven_n earth_n good_a great_a 7,371 5 2.6096 3 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
A59372 Several arguments for concessions and alterations in the common prayer, and in the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England in order to a comprehension / by a minister of the Church of England, as by law established. Minister of the Church of England. 1689 (1689) Wing S2752; ESTC R33871 58,452 80

There is 1 snippet containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

SEVERAL ARGUMENTS FOR Concessions and Alterations IN THE Common Prayer AND IN THE RITES and CEREMONIES OF THE Church of England IN ORDER TO A COMPREHENSION By a Minister of the CHURCH of ENGLAND As by Law Established The particular Forms of Divine Worship and the Rites and Ceremonies appointed to be used therein being things in their own Nature indifferent and alterable and so acknowledged it is but reasonable upon weighty and important Considerations according to the various Exigency of Times and Occasions such Changes and Alterations should be made therein as to those in Authority should from time to time seem either necessary or expedient In the Pref. to the Common Prayer LONDON Printed for John Salusbury at the Rising Sun near the Royal Exchange in Cornhil MDCLXXXIX THE PREFACE GOD hath wrought very graciously and in an Extraordinary manner for the deliverance of this Church and State from Popery and Arbitrary Power in such a way of Peace as other Ages can scarce parallel But Beneficium postulat Officium God's great Goodness calls for some suitable return in the way of Love Thankfulness and Obedience And no doubt but the Lord expects some Work that is Great and Excellent somewhat wore than ordinary for the good of that Church which he hath so wonderfully preserved And if you would know what we shall render unto the Lord for all his Benefits What more What better than for Protestants with one Heart and one Mouth to glorifie God the Father of all our Mercies and to Worship him with one consent And oh that the All-wise God would inspire this Great Council of the Nation with Wisdom from above what and how to act effectually for this Blessed Vnion Which as Mr. De L' Angle in his Letter to his Lordship the Bishop of London will rejoyce Men and Angels and bring down a Thousand Blessings of Heaven and Earth upon those that shall contribute the most unto it Vnreas of Separ p. 424. It is to be hoped that the Glory of so Great and Good a Work will be due to our present Governours next under God. And since we are told in the Preface before the Common Prayer that in the Reigns of several Princes of Blessed Memory since the Reformation the Church upon just and weighty Considerations her thereunto moving hath yielded to make such Alterations in some particulars as in their respective times were thought convenient Therefore I have added Arguments for such Concessions and Alterations in this Worship as may be effectual in order to the Desired Vnion Though I have had God's Glory for my end yet I know no Mans Integrity in the Cause of God and of Religion nor the most unfeigned Desires and Endeavours for the good and Peace of Church and State can exempt him from the common fate that attends things of this Nature which are sure to be unacceptable with some if not pass for an unpardonable Offence against the Church of England If I knew that there were any thing but Truth and Charity I would blot it out If it be possible and as much as in me lyeth I would live peaceably with all Men. The Motives and Inducements to write were these First A Zeal for God. God's Honour is intimately concerned in his Worship What Soul that hath any sense of God and Religion can bear so much dishonour as is done to God in his Worship Several casting a contempt upon it by their unhandsom Speeches and ill Examples prejudiced and prejudicing others against it Many scarce look upon it as the Worship of God and mind nothing less than to be devout in it And since the Worship of God lies under contempt or a great abuse and unprofitableness in the performance of it is there not reason to be offended at it I am not satisfied and cannot be satisfied without some endeavour to redress the Evil. Second Motive was a desire to discharge this part of my Ministerial duty to my own and the Peoples better Edification Does the VVorld think it is nothing to Ministers that have a concern for the Peoples Souls to see how little this VVorship is done to Edifying How great a guilt lies upon their Congregations upon that very account Surely guilt enough to lay them low in misery And the sense of this put me upon another Design which was first in my intention a short piece Argumentative for Conformity to the Prayers And therein first to satisfie Peoples Consciences in a peaceable Submission and Communion in this Worship though they do not like every thing in it best I urge that they themselves will not suffer their Children and Servants to leave their Worship in their Families under pretence that anothers is better But the Governours Authority over the several Families in the Nation reacheth as far as theirs in their own Family in all things Sin only excepted so far as they may be obeyed without disobeying God. Secondly To excite them to a Devout use of the Prayers with some Helps and Directions for their Edification in it Thirdly To keep them within the Bounds of Christian Charity towards those that differ from us as knowing that without Charity all is nothing worth Time and Opportunity called for this first though less studied or accurate and plain in its Language Third Motive was a compassionate Concern for some who have suffered much by the severity of the Laws and a desire to prevent their future sufferings I know there are those that dissent from this Worship that would very heartily would if their Consciences had been satisfied have Conformed to it If they did not they knew they were like to pay for it But by such Concessions as to take them in they will be safe for the future from fear of Trouble and Sufferings Fourth Motive was a desire to do my part towards the remedying the Evils which have eventually followed the Act for Uniformity And surely in an Age that hath smarted somuch as this hath done for Contentions about these Common-Prayers it concerns every one to put to his helping hand I shall conclude with a Pathetical and Affectionate Speech of that Reverend Prelate Dr. Hall who used to say War with none but Rome and Hell and was a true Son of Peace Bishop Hall's Works p. 426. But thou O Lord How long How long shall thy poor Church see the Dear Sons of her Womb bleeding about these Apples of Strife Speaking of some things in the Common Prayers Ceremonies especially Ye Men Brethren and Fathers help for Gods sake put to your hands for the quenching of these Common Flames The one side by Humility and Obedience the other by Compassion i.e. to the weak and unsatisfied both by Prayers and Tears that so that Passage in His Majesties Declaration may take Effect for Establishing such Laws as should make a good Agreement between the Church of England and Protestant Dissenters May that Agreement be in the Worship of God. The Great God of Heaven and every True-hearted