Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	apostle_n	church_n	doctrine_n	4,033	5	6.2595	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A46968	The true mother church, or, A short practical discourse upon Acts II, concerning the first church at Jerusalem	Johnson, Samuel, 1649-1703.; Johnson, Samuel, 1649-1703. Second five year's struggle against popery and tyranny.	1688 (1688)	Wing J847; ESTC R39039	9,628	23

of_o sin_n they_o glad_o receive_v his_o word_n and_o lay_v hold_v on_o it_o our_o saviour_n himself_o propound_v his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n upon_o these_o term_n he_o do_v not_o desire_v to_o be_v believe_v but_o upon_o sufficient_a evidence_n john_n 10_o 37._o if_o i_o do_v not_o the_o work_n of_o my_o father_n believe_v i_o not_o he_o will_v not_o have_v man_n believe_v till_o they_o be_v convince_v and_o see_v cause_n for_o it_o nor_o will_v have_v we_o captivate_v our_o understanding_n to_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n if_o we_o be_v christian_n we_o ought_v to_o know_v why_o we_o be_v so_o or_o else_o we_o be_v christian_n mere_o by_o chance_n we_o do_v not_o make_v our_o religion_n our_o own_o but_o by_o a_o wise_a and_o considerate_a choice_n of_o it_o prove_v all_o thing_n say_v the_o apostle_n and_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a we_o can_v have_v any_o fast_a hold_v even_o of_o that_o which_o be_v good_a till_o we_o have_v try_v and_o examine_v it_o and_o find_v it_o worthy_a to_o be_v retain_v and_o such_o as_o we_o can_v part_v with_o for_o what_o we_o light_o take_v up_o we_o be_v apt_a as_o light_o to_o lay_v down_o and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n who_o will_v have_v we_o christian_n not_o only_o for_o a_o day_n or_o a_o week_n or_o a_o month_n but_o for_o our_o whole_a life_n will_v have_v we_o believe_v upon_o so_o good_a ground_n that_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o temptation_n to_o alter_v our_o belief_n as_o he_o will_v have_v we_o count_v the_o cost_n and_o engage_v in_o his_o service_n upon_o good_a advice_n lest_o that_o be_v apply_v to_o we_o which_o be_v say_v of_o the_o rash_a builder_n this_o man_n begin_v but_o be_v not_o able_a to_o finish_v st._n peter_n exhort_v we_o to_o be_v ready_a to_o render_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o we_o and_o that_o suppose_v our_o ability_n to_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o our_o religion_n he_o suppose_v both_o that_o there_o be_v reason_n for_o our_o religion_n and_o that_o every_o one_o shall_v have_v study_v the_o point_n and_o have_v consider_v the_o reason_n that_o be_v in_o it_o and_o this_o tell_v we_o what_o we_o be_v to_o think_v of_o those_o man_n that_o stifle_v all_o enquiry_n into_o religion_n who_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v upon_o their_o bare_a word_n who_o assume_v a_o great_a authority_n than_o ever_o our_o saviour_n do_v who_o be_v not_o content_v unless_o man_n will_v captivate_v their_o understanding_n to_o their_o dictate_v and_o believe_v as_o the_o church_n believe_v thus_o have_v the_o roman_a church_n domineer_v over_o the_o faith_n of_o man_n for_o several_a age_n this_o be_v not_o the_o way_n wherein_o christianity_n be_v first_o propagate_v in_o the_o world._n man_n be_v then_o argue_v reason_v persuade_v and_o convince_v into_o it_o this_o be_v our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n method_n they_o treat_v man_n like_o man_n they_o use_v the_o proper_a arm_n of_o truth_n solid_a proof_n and_o substantial_a argument_n they_o overpower_v man_n with_o conviction_n and_o overcome_v the_o world_n with_o demonstration_n as_o their_o doctrine_n be_v true_a and_o good_a and_o such_o as_o will_v recommend_v itself_o to_o every_o man_n conscience_n so_o their_o way_n of_o deliver_v it_o be_v fair_a and_o ingenuous_a and_o such_o a_o way_n as_o become_v heavenly_a truth_n to_o be_v convey_v into_o the_o mind_n and_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o this_o very_a thing_n will_v tempt_v a_o man_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o romanist_n have_v make_v some_o considerable_a alteration_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n because_o they_o take_v such_o a_o quite_o different_a course_n to_o propagate_v it_o and_o as_o a_o man_n will_v presume_v beforehand_o so_o he_o shall_v find_v it_o to_o be_v certain_o true_a whenever_o he_o come_v to_o examine_v their_o doctrine_n for_o they_o have_v in_o many_o point_v transform_v the_o wise_a and_o holy_a and_o harmless_a religion_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n into_o the_o quite_o contrary_a so_o that_o now_o indeed_o they_o must_v of_o necessity_n put_v out_o man_n eye_n and_o deny_v they_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n before_o they_o can_v think_v of_o bring_v man_n over_o to_o that_o religion_n ii_o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n which_o be_v a_o account_n of_o their_o religious_a assembly_n and_o the_o way_n of_o worship_n use_v in_o this_o first_o and_o most_o primitive_a church_n of_o christ._n and_o they_o continue_v steadfast_o in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o fellowship_n and_o in_o break_v of_o bread_n and_o in_o prayer_n of_o these_o in_o their_o order_n 1._o they_o continue_v steadfast_o in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n that_o be_v they_o be_v constant_a to_o the_o apostle_n teach_v or_o instruction_n for_o that_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n they_o be_v assiduous_a and_o attentive_a hearer_n of_o what_o the_o apostle_n teach_v this_o be_v the_o first_o and_o most_o necessary_a duty_n of_o religion_n for_o how_o can_v man_n understand_v what_o they_o be_v to_o do_v unless_o they_o be_v instruct_v in_o it_o man_n may_v indeed_o wilful_o and_o wicked_o neglect_v their_o know_a duty_n but_o if_o they_o do_v not_o know_v it_o they_o can_v perform_v it_o if_o they_o will_v and_o therefore_o this_o have_v be_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o first_o thing_n in_o religion_n they_o that_o worship_v false_a god_n have_v nevertheless_o a_o order_n of_o man_n to_o instruct_v the_o people_n how_o to_o worship_v they_o aright_o to_o tell_v they_o how_o those_o god_n be_v to_o be_v serve_v what_o rite_n and_o observance_n be_v proper_a to_o appease_v and_o to_o gain_v their_o favour_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o warn_v they_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o will_v offend_v and_o incense_v these_o imaginary_a deity_n and_o as_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n prompt_v this_o course_n to_o natural_a man_n so_o god_n himself_o take_v care_n to_o have_v man_n instruct_v in_o those_o revelation_n of_o his_o will_n which_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o make_v to_o the_o world._n when_o he_o give_v the_o law_n by_o moses_n at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o appoint_v priest_n who_o lip_n shall_v preserve_v knowledge_n that_o the_o people_n may_v inquire_v of_o the_o law_n at_o their_o mouth_n and_o according_o it_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o jew_n down_n to_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o after_o moses_n be_v preach_v every_o sabbath_n day_n be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n nor_o be_v our_o bless_a saviour_n want_v to_o make_v the_o like_a provision_n for_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o they_o be_v some_o of_o the_o last_o word_n which_o he_o speak_v to_o his_o apostle_n when_o he_o bid_v they_o teach_v all_o nation_n to_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o he_o command_v they_o matth._n 28._o the_o two_o last_o verse_n this_o he_o leave_v at_o his_o departure_n hence_o as_o a_o legacy_n to_o his_o church_n and_o this_o upon_o the_o first_o gather_v of_o a_o church_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o apostle_n doctrine_n now_o as_o the_o apostle_n be_v careful_a on_o their_o part_n to_o fulfil_v their_o master_n pleasure_n and_o command_v so_o the_o first_o christian_n be_v as_o ready_a and_o forward_o to_o receive_v instruction_n which_o be_v express_v by_o a_o very_a full_a word_n they_o continue_v steadfast_o in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n which_o imply_v both_o the_o assiduity_n and_o constancy_n of_o the_o action_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o weary_v nor_o tire_v with_o it_o but_o be_v still_o fresh_a to_o this_o and_o all_o the_o other_o duty_n and_o indeed_o what_o be_v worthy_a to_o gain_v and_o command_v man_n attention_n if_o they_o will_v not_o hearken_v to_o the_o word_n of_o eternal_a life_n nor_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o art_n of_o make_v themselves_o happy_a what_o can_v be_v more_o welcome_a to_o man_n or_o to_o what_o can_v they_o more_o willing_o give_v ear_n than_o to_o such_o discourse_n as_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o thing_n which_o belong_v to_o their_o everlasting_a happiness_n and_o show_v they_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n for_o the_o gospel_n be_v what_o our_o saviour_n out_o of_o the_o prophet_n call_v it_o the_o preach_n of_o deliverance_n to_o the_o captive_n and_o the_o open_n of_o the_o prison_n door_n to_o they_o that_o be_v bind_v and_o therefore_o what_o reasonable_a man_n who_o have_v any_o concern_v for_o himself_o and_o his_o own_o good_a will_v not_o ready_o embrace_v these_o glad_a tiding_n of_o salvation_n and_o be_v very_o desirous_a to_o be_v put_v into_o a_o way_n that_o he_o may_v inherit_v eternal_a life_n these_o good_a christian_n be_v of_o that_o mind_n and_o pursue_v this_o save_a knowledge_n with_o

may_v gather_v what_o sense_n the_o christian_n in_o those_o day_n have_v of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a instrument_n of_o holiness_n and_o a_o religious_a tie_n upon_o they_o to_o lead_v a_o good_a life_n and_o therefore_o what_o reason_n can_v man_n now_o give_v why_o they_o neglect_v so_o holy_a and_o so_o useful_a a_o institution_n have_v not_o we_o as_o much_o need_n to_o arm_v ourselves_o against_o temptation_n to_o sin_n as_o they_o have_v or_o be_v we_o so_o perfect_a that_o we_o be_v above_o those_o mean_n of_o grace_n and_o those_o help_n to_o a_o good_a life_n which_o they_o constant_o use_v no_o sure_o mens_fw-la conscience_n tell_v they_o otherwise_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v man_n neither_o be_v nor_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v so_o holy_a as_o those_o man_n be_v for_o if_o they_o will_v but_o examine_v their_o heart_n why_o they_o be_v so_o loath_a to_o come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o main_a reason_n which_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n be_v this_o because_o it_o will_v engage_v they_o to_o a_o great_a strictness_n of_o life_n than_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o undergo_v if_o they_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n they_o must_v leave_v their_o sin_n which_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o part_v with_o they_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o forgive_v their_o enemy_n who_o they_o have_v rather_o be_v revenge_v of_o in_o a_o word_n they_o shall_v enter_v into_o new_a engagement_n whereas_o they_o have_v rather_o be_v free_a and_o at_o their_o liberty_n now_o if_o man_n will_v right_o understand_v thing_n these_o be_v the_o great_a motive_n in_o the_o world_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o be_v frequent_a at_o the_o communion_n that_o it_o may_v engage_v we_o to_o leave_v our_o sin_n that_o so_o iniquity_n may_v not_o be_v our_o ruin_n that_o it_o may_v restrain_v we_o from_o evil_a and_o prompt_v we_o to_o obedience_n that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o tie_n upon_o we_o not_o to_o undo_v ourselves_o and_o may_v further_o we_o in_o our_o way_n to_o everlasting_a happiness_n that_o by_o the_o repeat_v exercise_n of_o love_a and_o praise_v god_n in_o this_o holy_a ordinance_n we_o may_v be_v prepare_v to_o spend_v a_o happy_a eternity_n in_o those_o bless_a employment_n so_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o make_v man_n loath_a to_o come_v to_o the_o communion_n be_v indeed_o if_o they_o be_v due_o consider_v the_o great_a argument_n to_o draw_v they_o thither_o and_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a thing_n that_o man_n shall_v be_v hinder_v and_o keep_v back_o from_o a_o duty_n by_o the_o very_a advantage_n and_o encouragement_n of_o it_o 4._o the_o last_o thing_n in_o a_o word_n which_o they_o also_o continue_v steadfast_a and_o constant_a in_o be_v their_o prayer_n and_o religious_a address_n to_o god_n both_o for_o themselves_o and_o for_o other_o as_o also_o in_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n wherein_o they_o pour_v out_o their_o heart_n before_o god_n and_o make_v know_v their_o request_n to_o he_o and_o bless_v he_o for_o his_o mercy_n they_o be_v instant_a at_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n as_o be_v sure_a to_o be_v supply_v from_o heaven_n with_o those_o good_a thing_n which_o they_o can_v not_o give_v themselves_o they_o be_v much_o in_o this_o profitable_a and_o delightful_a converse_n with_o god_n and_o in_o pay_v this_o worship_n to_o he_o which_o exercise_v all_o pious_a grace_n at_o once_o and_o give_v god_n the_o honour_n of_o all_o his_o attribute_n of_o his_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n and_o power_n of_o his_o dominion_n and_o providence_n over_o we_o thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o in_o short_a a_o pattern_n of_o the_o primitive_a piety_n that_o by_o behold_v your_o first_o ancestor_n in_o christianity_n you_o may_v be_v incite_v to_o follow_v they_o and_o blush_v to_o see_v yourselves_o come_v so_o far_o behind_o they_o that_o you_o may_v see_v what_o a_o believer_n be_v and_o what_o that_o name_n signify_v in_o those_o day_n that_o so_o you_o may_v endeavour_v to_o fill_v up_o that_o glorious_a title_n by_o such_o holy_a and_o devout_a life_n as_o they_o lead_v that_o you_o may_v imitate_v they_o in_o the_o constancy_n and_o unweariedness_n of_o their_o devout_a exercise_n continue_v steadfast_o in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o in_o fellowship_n in_o break_v of_o bread_n and_o in_o prayer_n the_o first_o christian_a church_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o safe_a pattern_n for_o we_o to_o imitate_v the_o first_o and_o most_o perfect_a in_o any_o kind_n be_v the_o measure_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o other_o in_o that_o kind_n and_o sure_o nothing_o can_v be_v want_v to_o that_o church_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n be_v present_a and_o into_o which_o they_o pour_v forth_o all_o their_o doctrine_n and_o therefore_o every_o other_o church_n be_v more_o or_o less_o pure_a and_o perfect_a as_o it_o be_v more_o or_o less_o conformable_a to_o this_o first_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o we_o all_o now_o if_o we_o shall_v try_v the_o roman_a church_n which_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o only_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n by_o the_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o this_o which_o we_o know_v to_o be_v apostolic_a we_o can_v but_o see_v that_o it_o have_v very_o much_o degenerate_v and_o depart_v from_o it_o they_o have_v plain_o corrupt_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o have_v change_v the_o christian_a religion_n into_o quite_o another_o thing_n than_o what_o it_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n they_o will_v have_v no_o manner_n of_o fellowship_n with_o other_o christian_n unless_o they_o will_v submit_v to_o their_o error_n and_o corruption_n they_o be_v fall_v very_o much_o beneath_o the_o ancient_a christian_a charity_n i_o need_v not_o say_v how_o much_o they_o have_v mangle_v and_o maim_v and_o transform_v the_o sacrament_n instead_o of_o break_v of_o bread_n they_o abolish_v the_o bread_n and_o sacrifice_v our_o saviour_n instead_o of_o deliver_v the_o people_n the_o cup_n they_o drink_v it_o up_o themselves_o and_o instead_o of_o give_v they_o that_o sacramental_a bread_n which_o our_o saviour_n leave_v they_o they_o give_v they_o a_o stone_n i_o mean_v the_o hard_a doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n as_o for_o their_o prayer_n they_o be_v such_o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o believer_n never_o use_v direct_v to_o angel_n and_o to_o dead_a man_n and_o such_o as_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n can_v join_v with_o they_o therein_o for_o they_o be_v likewise_o in_o a_o dead_a language_n which_o have_v not_o be_v speak_v almost_o this_o thousand_o year_n and_o all_o over_o christendom_n at_o this_o time_n not_o one_o in_o a_o hundred_o understand_v it_o and_o be_v not_o these_o fit_a man_n to_o brag_v of_o antiquity_n who_o have_v so_o visible_o depart_v from_o the_o first_o church_n that_o be_v plant_v in_o the_o world_n have_v they_o not_o reason_n to_o insult_v over_o we_o and_o ask_v we_o where_o be_v our_o church_n before_o luther_n or_o cranmer_n when_o we_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v they_o it_o be_v here_o in_o this_o scripture_n where_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v if_o we_o hold_v the_o first_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o for_o all_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n and_o perform_v the_o same_o office_n and_o practise_v the_o same_o thing_n we_o be_v of_o the_o same_o church_n for_o if_o we_o agree_v in_o these_o thing_n which_o make_v up_o a_o church_n neither_o distance_n of_o time_n nor_o of_o place_n can_v divide_v we_o or_o hinder_v we_o from_o be_v of_o the_o same_o church_n this_o be_v the_o true_a catholic_n church_n which_o we_o always_o desire_v to_o be_v of_o to_o hold_v what_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o to_o conform_v ourselves_o to_o that_o first_o assembly_n of_o christian_n which_o ancient_a church_n themselves_o must_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v more_o ancient_a only_o let_v we_o be_v sure_a to_o lead_v primitive_a life_n and_o add_v a_o holy_a practice_n to_o a_o sound_a faith_n or_o else_o we_o shall_v certain_o perish_v though_o it_o be_v in_o a_o apostolic_a church_n it_o will_v save_v we_o no_o more_o than_o it_o do_v judas_n to_o be_v one_o of_o our_o saviour_n own_o family_n the_o end_n

a_o unwearied_a diligence_n and_o with_o a_o uncloyed_a appetite_n they_o can_v never_o hear_v too_o much_o of_o what_o their_o bless_a saviour_n have_v do_v for_o they_o and_o what_o he_o expect_v of_o they_o as_o their_o knowledge_n increase_v so_o do_v their_o desire_n of_o know_v more_o for_o as_o the_o text_n tell_v we_o they_o continue_v steadfast_o in_o this_o duty_n but_o how_o distant_a be_v the_o practice_n of_o most_o christian_n now_o a_o day_n from_o this_o primitive_a pattern_n for_o though_o we_o have_v the_o same_o instruction_n of_o the_o apostle_n treasure_v up_o in_o their_o write_n and_o convey_v down_o to_o we_o yet_o how_o cold_o be_v they_o entertain_v by_o we_o how_o negligent_a be_v man_n in_o come_v to_o hear_v they_o or_o if_o they_o do_v how_o listless_a and_o unconcerned_a be_v they_o in_o hear_v they_o and_o how_o regardless_o of_o retain_v and_o keep_v they_o in_o memory_n after_o they_o have_v hear_v they_o my_o brethren_n let_v we_o shake_v off_o this_o supine_n negligence_n which_o render_v we_o so_o unlike_o these_o ancient_a christian_n and_o let_v we_o be_v in_o earnest_a as_o they_o be_v for_o have_v not_o we_o soul_n to_o save_v as_o well_o as_o they_o have_v and_o ought_v not_o we_o to_o be_v altogether_o as_o dear_a and_o precious_a to_o we_o and_o therefore_o let_v we_o though_o we_o have_v not_o the_o apostle_n those_o live_a oracle_n present_a with_o we_o yet_o be_v as_o careful_a to_o hear_v read_v mark_v learn_v and_o inward_o digest_v their_o write_a instruction_n because_o by_o they_o they_o still_o speak_v to_o we_o and_o declare_v to_o we_o the_o whole_a counsel_n of_o god_n and_o let_v we_o show_v ourselves_o to_o be_v christian_n by_o be_v like_o those_o who_o have_v go_v before_o we_o in_o that_o holy_a religion_n 2._o they_o continue_v steadfast_o in_o fellowship_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v not_o so_o much_o common_a society_n as_o communication_n and_o a_o free_a distribution_n to_o the_o necessity_n of_o other_o and_o in_o this_o they_o continue_v with_o the_o same_o steadiness_n and_o perseverance_n as_o they_o do_v in_o hear_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o do_v not_o only_o perform_v duty_n which_o cost_v they_o nothing_o but_o they_o make_v charity_n and_o the_o high_a liberality_n one_o of_o their_o divine_a office_n they_o do_v not_o appear_v before_o the_o lord_n empty_a but_o they_o offer_v to_o he_o that_o christian_a sacrifice_n with_o which_o he_o be_v well_o please_v and_o not_o only_o this_o first_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o liberality_n be_v so_o great_a that_o no_o man_n count_v any_o of_o his_o possession_n his_o own_o but_o they_o have_v all_o thing_n in_o common_a and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o christianity_n that_o some_o man_n not_o unreasonable_o think_v it_o be_v record_v in_o the_o creed_n and_o that_o that_o article_n the_o communion_n or_o communication_n of_o the_o saint_n refer_v to_o this_o matter_n i_o say_v beside_o this_o church_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o other_o likewise_o have_v the_o same_o practice_n and_o make_v their_o collection_n for_o the_o poor_a at_o their_o religious_a assembly_n at_o which_o time_n st._n paul_n wish_v they_o to_o make_v the_o collection_n which_o he_o have_v recommend_v to_o they_o as_o be_v the_o proper_a season_n for_o those_o good_a act_n and_o this_o liberality_n and_o mutual_a supply_n of_o one_o another_o want_n do_v plain_o show_v that_o they_o esteem_v themselves_o as_o fellow-member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n and_o that_o they_o be_v perfect_o unite_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o affection_n and_o tie_v together_o in_o the_o bond_n of_o love_n and_o charity_n which_o our_o saviour_n often_o mention_n as_o the_o sure_a sign_n and_o mark_v of_o his_o disciple_n 3._o another_o religious_a office_n in_o which_o they_o be_v as_o constant_a be_v break_v of_o bread_n that_o be_v receive_v the_o sacrament_n the_o bread_n that_o we_o break_v say_v st._n paul_n be_v it_o not_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n so_o great_a be_v the_o devotion_n of_o these_o first_o christian_n that_o none_o of_o their_o religious_a assembly_n pass_v in_o which_o they_o do_v not_o make_v this_o solemn_a commemoration_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o show_v forth_o his_o death_n they_o constant_o keep_v up_o the_o memory_n of_o their_o die_a lord_n by_o this_o image_n of_o his_o break_a and_o wound_v and_o crucify_a body_n and_o they_o will_v have_v look_v upon_o their_o other_o religious_a service_n as_o lame_a and_o defective_a without_o this_o they_o have_v so_o lively_a a_o sense_n of_o our_o saviour_n great_a love_n in_o die_v for_o they_o that_o they_o delight_v to_o have_v the_o pledge_n and_o token_n of_o it_o often_o in_o their_o hand_n and_o that_o still_o renew_v the_o sense_n of_o his_o infinite_a love_n and_o so_o dispose_v they_o to_o receive_v the_o communion_n the_o more_o ready_o again_o our_o saviour_n blood_n be_v still_o warm_a as_o st._n jerome_n say_v speak_v of_o these_o early_a time_n and_o these_o first_o christian_n endeavour_v to_o keep_v it_o so_o by_o their_o devout_a and_o frequent_a remembrance_n of_o it_o and_o indeed_o it_o be_v their_o constancy_n in_o this_o holy_a performance_n which_o quicken_v and_o put_v life_n into_o all_o their_o other_o religious_a action_n that_o astonish_a instance_n of_o our_o saviour_n love_n which_o they_o behold_v in_o the_o sacrament_n inflame_v their_o heart_n with_o love_n and_o charity_n towards_o their_o poor_a brethren_n and_o make_v they_o desirous_a to_o know_v nothing_o but_o jesus_n christ_n and_o he_o crucify_v and_o by_o it_o they_o be_v likewise_o mighty_o encourage_v in_o their_o prayer_n and_o address_n to_o god_n for_o if_o he_o have_v give_v they_o his_o son_n how_o shall_v he_o not_o together_o with_o he_o give_v they_o all_o thing_n as_o the_o apostle_n argue_v what_o more_o prevail_a mediation_n can_v they_o use_v to_o obtain_v the_o pardon_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o the_o love_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o grace_n to_o help_v in_o time_n of_o need_n than_o the_o bloody_a death_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o have_v purchase_v all_o these_o thing_n for_o they_o and_o this_o frequent_a remembrance_n of_o our_o saviour_n death_n be_v not_o only_o a_o help_n to_o they_o in_o their_o other_o religious_a exercise_n which_o no_o question_n be_v a_o reason_n of_o their_o often_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n but_o likewise_o very_o instrumental_a to_o a_o good_a life_n for_o if_o man_n do_v but_o carry_v about_o with_o they_o the_o thought_n of_o our_o saviour_n death_n how_o horrid_a will_v sin_n appear_v to_o they_o which_o kill_v the_o lord_n of_o life_n and_o glory_n and_o how_o dangerous_a which_o expose_v that_o most_o innocent_a person_n the_o lamb_n of_o god_n to_o such_o bloody_a suffering_n for_o as_o our_o saviour_n say_v if_o these_o thing_n be_v do_v in_o a_o green_a tree_n what_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o the_o dry_a if_o he_o suffer_v so_o deep_a for_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o what_o will_v become_v of_o we_o if_o god_n shall_v punish_v our_o own_o sin_n upon_o our_o own_o head_n and_o as_o our_o saviour_n death_n contain_v in_o it_o the_o great_a argument_n against_o sin_n so_o it_o likewise_o lay_v upon_o we_o the_o great_a obligation_n to_o obedience_n to_o love_v and_o serve_v our_o lord_n even_o to_o the_o death_n who_o empty_v all_o his_o vein_n and_o shed_v his_o last_o blood_n for_o our_o sake_n this_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n to_o be_v true_a to_o he_o who_o have_v do_v and_o suffer_v so_o much_o for_o we_o and_o therefore_o the_o ancient_a christian_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n use_v to_o keep_v the_o sacrament_n by_o they_o that_o it_o may_v be_v always_o in_o a_o readiness_n to_o strengthen_v their_o fidelity_n to_o christ_n and_o to_o bind_v they_o the_o fast_o to_o the_o profession_n of_o his_o holy_a religion_n and_o they_o not_o only_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o that_o which_o will_v arm_v they_o with_o resolution_n and_o constancy_n in_o their_o christianity_n but_o likewise_o as_o a_o obligation_n to_o a_o holy_a and_o innocent_a life_n this_o be_v the_o account_n that_o pliny_n give_v to_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o his_o time_n that_o he_o have_v inform_v himself_o as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v of_o what_o the_o christian_n do_v in_o their_o assembly_n and_o the_o sum_n of_o it_o be_v this_o that_o be_v meet_v together_o upon_o a_o appoint_a day_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o lord_n day_n they_o sing_v a_o hymn_n of_o praise_n to_o christ_n as_o to_o a_o god_n and_o bind_v themselves_o by_o a_o sacrament_n that_o they_o will_v commit_v no_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v their_o receive_n of_o the_o sacrament_n from_o whence_o we_o