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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
religion_n church_n government_n kingdom_n 3,695 5 5.8013 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A42431 A sermon preached before the Right Reverend Father in God, John, Lord Bishop of Bristol, at his primary visitation in Bristol, October 30 and now publish'd at His Lordships request, as also the desire of several others that heard it / by John Gaskarth ... Gaskarth, John, d. 1732. 1685 (1685) Wing G288; ESTC R18419 31,784 43

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worse_a case_n than_o many_o of_o the_o heathen_n or_o in_o a_o great_a abatement_n of_o their_o hope_n who_o perhaps_o never_o have_v the_o opportunity_n of_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o maintain_v one_o uniform_a worship_n with_o it_o and_o now_o if_o possible_o these_o man_n shall_v affirm_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o so_o think_v to_o remove_v this_o consequence_n from_o they_o it_o be_v very_o demonstrable_a that_o our_o church_n be_v not_o only_o the_o most_o reasonable_a institution_n of_o a_o church_n which_o may_v be_v even_o defend_v in_o a_o rational_a way_n without_o the_o advantage_n of_o antiquity_n but_o the_o very_a ectype_n from_o the_o apostle_n or_o the_o near_a resemblance_n of_o their_o platform_n and_o the_o most_o apostolic_a in_o the_o world_n which_o none_o can_v deny_v without_o betray_v a_o lamentable_a defect_n in_o primitive_a history_n and_o if_o they_o shall_v still_o defend_v themselves_o that_o their_o difference_n to_o we_o do_v not_o amount_v to_o a_o dis-union_n from_o we_o or_o from_o our_o apostolic_a church_n but_o that_o notwithstanding_o they_o may_v be_v still_o account_v in_o fellowship_n with_o it_o it_o be_v too_o apparent_a that_o those_o who_o do_v not_o consent_v in_o that_o particular_a order_n government_n and_o ministry_n which_o god_n have_v ordain_v in_o his_o church_n but_o innovate_v in_o some_o of_o these_o respect_n that_o be_v who_o either_o will_v not_o conform_v with_o a_o episcopal_a church_n or_o christian_a society_n govern_v in_o the_o most_o primitive_a manner_n by_o bishop_n who_o st._n cyprian_n so_o often_o style_v the_o principle_n of_o unity_n or_o that_o which_o make_v a_o church_n when_o it_o be_v conjoin_v to_o one_o bishop_n as_o the_o visible_a head_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o the_o novatian_o donatist_n meletian_o who_o maintain_v another_o head_n of_o union_n namely_o the_o martyr_n be_v all_o account_v schismatic_n by_o he_o 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be_v a_o vniform_a
thing_n and_o our_o prayer_n be_v send_v up_o from_o a_o unanimous_a consent_n which_o give_v the_o great_a prevalence_n to_o they_o according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o psalmist_n comprehend_v the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n whether_o jewish_n or_o christian_a psalm_n 133._o behold_v how_o good_a and_o joyful_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o brethren_n to_o dwell_v together_o in_o unity_n it_o be_v like_o the_o dew_n of_o hermon_n and_o as_o the_o dew_n that_o descend_v upon_o the_o mountain_n of_o zion_n for_o there_o the_o lord_n promise_v his_o blessing_n and_o life_n for_o evermore_o and_o moreover_o it_o be_v not_o only_o very_o decorus_a but_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o necessity_n for_o it_o that_o they_o shall_v maintain_v a_o inviolable_a peace_n and_o uniformity_n among_o themselves_o who_o all_o pretend_v to_o be_v of_o one_o body_n or_o christian_a community_n all_o lie_v claim_v to_o one_o spirit_n the_o eternal_a comforter_n all_o be_v call_v into_o one_o hope_n of_o their_o call_n all_o acknowledge_v one_o lord_n the_o head_n and_o redeemer_n of_o his_o church_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n one_o god_n and_o father_n of_o all_o who_o be_v above_o all_o and_o through_o all_o and_o in_o as_o all_o as_o the_o apostle_n argue_v eph._n 4.3_o and_o in_o all_o this_o management_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o although_o pride_n and_o prejudice_n or_o interest_n in_o some_o person_n be_v the_o whole_a account_n of_o separation_n which_o will_v almost_o put_v one_o out_o of_o temper_n to_o dispute_v with_o those_o people_n yet_o a_o due_a candour_n or_o argument_n manage_v in_o a_o courteous_a manner_n be_v the_o most_o effectual_a mean_n to_o reclaim_v they_o and_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v to_o convince_v any_o ill_o language_n or_o fix_v name_n upon_o any_o person_n will_v never_o work_v a_o conversion_n in_o he_o but_o rather_o engage_v he_o in_o a_o bold_a defence_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o error_n both_o together_o that_o he_o may_v thus_o remove_v such_o a_o aspersion_n from_o he_o this_o indeed_o be_v very_o disingenuous_a but_o i_o believe_v it_o be_v natural_a to_o most_o man_n and_o therefore_o rail_a whether_o in_o the_o pulpit_n or_o other_o place_n and_o conference_n with_o man_n as_o it_o be_v a_o very_a unchristian_a thing_n and_o a_o great_a trespass_n upon_o charity_n especial_o that_o most_o charitable_a office_n of_o preach_v or_o beneficence_n to_o soul_n so_o it_o be_v a_o very_a improper_a proceed_n to_o convince_v any_o or_o make_v they_o proselyte_n to_o a_o good_a cause_n nay_o one_o may_v easy_o observe_v in_o a_o due_a reflection_n on_o humane_a nature_n that_o it_o will_v rather_o set_v they_o at_o desiance_n from_o it_o and_o therefore_o those_o unchristian_a preacher_n that_o use_v rail_a in_o their_o sermon_n beside_o a_o base_a temper_n they_o have_v antecedent_o in_o they_o they_o be_v rather_o guilty_a of_o fortify_v people_n in_o their_o ill_a course_n than_o do_v any_o service_n to_o their_o conversion_n and_o i_o wonder_v how_o they_o can_v satisfy_v themselves_o in_o this_o deportment_n there_o be_v a_o duty_n of_o humanity_n incumbent_n upon_o we_o towards_o all_o man_n how_o wicked_a and_o perverse_a soever_o and_o we_o must_v treat_v they_o with_o the_o proper_a respect_n of_o humane_a creature_n if_o we_o shall_v find_v they_o no_o christian_n so_o that_o this_o thing_n of_o rail_a be_v a_o cast_v off_o the_o manhood_n itself_o with_o the_o necessary_a civility_n that_o be_v in_o it_o and_o belong_v to_o it_o as_o well_o as_o the_o candour_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o add_v a_o far_a degree_n to_o this_o civility_n and_o therefore_o that_o advice_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v both_o upon_o a_o natural_a account_n and_o a_o christian_a eph._n 4.31_o let_v all_o bitterness_n and_o wrath_n and_o anger_n and_o clamour_n and_o evil_a speak_n be_v put_v away_o from_o you_o with_o all_o malice_n and_o we_o read_v that_o michael_n when_o contend_v with_o the_o devil_n himself_o he_o dare_v not_o bring_v a_o rail_a accusation_n against_o he_o jud._n 9_o and_o the_o other_o angel_n do_v behave_v themselves_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n 2_o pet._n 2.11_o so_o that_o to_o bestow_v ill_a language_n upon_o any_o beside_o the_o inefficacy_n of_o it_o to_o any_o good_a purpose_n can_v never_o be_v justify_v in_o any_o person_n and_o perhaps_o this_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o charity_n the_o great_a distinguish_a thing_n of_o the_o gospel_n argue_v a_o worse_a disposition_n in_o he_o that_o use_v it_o than_o any_o he_o can_v meet_v with_o in_o other_o people_n and_o therefore_o fairness_n of_o speech_n and_o argument_n be_v the_o best_a method_n both_o for_o ourselves_o and_o those_o we_o converse_v with_o in_o order_n to_o promote_v a_o due_a advantage_n to_o they_o in_o our_o discourse_n with_o they_o but_o then_o a_o minister_n in_o all_o his_o candour_n of_o language_n with_o this_o party_n of_o man_n must_v be_v sure_a to_o maintain_v his_o ground_n still_o or_o the_o injunction_n of_o the_o church_n and_o make_v no_o condescension_n from_o they_o in_o any_o thing_n indeed_o in_o respect_n to_o a_o good_a conscience_n he_o can_v do_v it_o and_o whether_o it_o be_v advisable_v in_o the_o state_n it_o be_v not_o for_o i_o to_o determine_v the_o example_n of_o st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 9.20.21_o who_o be_v a_o jew_n in_o some_o instance_n and_o conformable_a to_o the_o reasonable_a worship_n of_o the_o heathen_n in_o other_o do_v not_o at_o all_o comprehend_v our_o case_n he_o may_v do_v that_o when_o the_o church_n have_v not_o set_v her_o authority_n upon_o any_o certain_a form_n of_o worship_n or_o when_o the_o public_a service_n be_v more_o free_a and_o unsettled_a which_o we_o can_v do_v who_o live_v under_o a_o legal_a establishment_n of_o religion_n and_o a_o canonical_a obedience_n to_o that_o and_o i_o dare_v say_v that_o st._n paul_n be_v as_o punctual_a a_o observer_n of_o the_o decree_n 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be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o great_a atheism_n and_o profaneness_n that_o be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o numerous_a separation_n from_o it_o and_o we_o shall_v never_o deliver_v ourselves_o from_o these_o two_o till_o we_o reassume_v this_o primitive_a discipline_n and_o only_a remedy_n of_o they_o this_o be_v the_o province_n of_o a_o preacher_n and_o these_o good_a thing_n or_o these_o precept_n of_o holiness_n he_o must_v inculcate_v upon_o his_o charge_n not_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n or_o with_o that_o remissness_n that_o be_v common_o use_v in_o indifferent_a matter_n but_o with_o a_o proper_a importunity_n and_o earnest_a persuasion_n so_o as_o to_o signify_v the_o moment_n of_o that_o concern_v he_o be_v then_o about_o which_o be_v no_o less_o than_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n one_o whereof_o be_v of_o more_o account_n than_o many_o world_n he_o must_v like_o the_o apostle_n
or_o give_v sufficient_a notice_n of_o sin_n and_o judgement_n sleep_v lie_v down_o love_v to_o slumber_n which_o be_v all_o to_o denote_v a_o careless_a pastor_n but_o let_v such_o shepherd_n know_v that_o god_n will_v certain_o be_v against_o they_o and_o require_v his_o flock_n at_o their_o hand_n but_o seven_o suppose_v that_o a_o vicious_a man_n can_v be_v sound_a in_o his_o principle_n and_o industrious_a in_o his_o call_v with_o the_o other_o requisite_n of_o a_o minister_n that_o i_o have_v here_o mention_v which_o i_o believe_v be_v moral_o impossible_a yet_o his_o ill_a example_n will_v much_o hinder_v if_o not_o whole_o disappoint_v the_o good_a effect_n of_o his_o doctrine_n the_o example_n of_o governor_n whether_o tend_v to_o vice_n or_o virtue_n have_v a_o very_a large_a and_o prevail_a influence_n this_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o familiar_a observation_n and_o every_o age_n do_v abound_v with_o fresh_a instance_n of_o it_o but_o the_o worse_a example_n because_o of_o the_o deprave_a inclination_n of_o humane_a nature_n which_o we_o have_v either_o whole_o contract_v or_o much_o improve_v upon_o we_o these_o example_n be_v more_o spread_v most_n man_n be_v willing_a to_o gratify_v their_o sensual_a appetite_n and_o be_v very_o glad_a when_o they_o can_v meet_v with_o any_o small_a argument_n to_o that_o purpose_n but_o no_o example_n be_v of_o more_o pestulential_a consequence_n than_o those_o of_o the_o clergy_n for_o those_o thing_n that_o shall_v aggravate_v and_o heighten_v the_o sense_n of_o their_o crime_n create_v a_o strong_a detestation_n of_o they_o namely_o their_o sacred_a function_n and_o large_a knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n these_o prove_v great_a persuasive_n and_o encouragement_n to_o the_o same_o impiety_n for_o they_o will_v say_v at_o least_o the_o more_o ignorant_a sort_n of_o people_n or_o the_o more_o habitual_a in_o their_o vice_n these_o have_v more_o understanding_n than_o we_o have_v be_v also_o oblige_v to_o a_o great_a sanctimony_n and_o strictness_n of_o live_v why_o therefore_o shall_v we_o deprive_v ourselves_o of_o those_o liberty_n and_o pleasure_n those_o necessary_a recompense_n of_o a_o careful_a life_n which_o they_o enjoy_v especial_o when_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o our_o scant_a knowledge_n and_o notion_n of_o thing_n do_v only_o restrain_v we_o for_o if_o either_o of_o those_o action_n be_v sinful_a which_o we_o suppose_v so_o or_o be_v attend_v with_o such_o dismal_a consequence_n then_o certain_o they_o who_o lip_n must_v preserve_v knowledge_n and_o who_o be_v as_o near_o concern_v in_o the_o case_n as_o we_o be_v will_v perceive_v it_o and_o live_v otherwise_o and_o thus_o the_o more_o eminent_a their_o station_n the_o more_o solemn_a their_o charge_n be_v the_o farthey_a will_v their_o ill_a example_n dilate_v and_o carry_v a_o more_o spread_a contagion_n along_o with_o it_o and_o hence_o we_o read_v in_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o priest_n be_v often_o depose_v for_o small_a offence_n not_o from_o this_o opinion_n that_o such_o be_v so_o indispose_v for_o holy_a thing_n do_v frustrate_v the_o event_n of_o they_o for_o it_o be_v only_a one_o particular_a sect_n of_o the_o donatist_n who_o maintain_v the_o piety_n of_o the_o minister_n as_o necessary_a to_o the_o efficacy_n of_o his_o ministry_n or_o the_o sacrament_n administer_v by_o he_o but_o especial_o to_o prevent_v the_o great_a prevalency_n of_o a_o ill_a example_n upon_o those_o below_o they_o by_o show_v some_o remarkable_a instance_n upon_o they_o and_o now_o to_o conclude_v if_o the_o good_a man_n only_o be_v sound_n and_o orthodox_n in_o his_o principle_n if_o he_o be_v a_o universal_a teacher_n both_o to_o dissuade_v from_o vice_n in_o general_n and_o exhort_v to_o every_o particular_a virtue_n if_o he_o be_v the_o most_o persuasive_a and_o prevalent_a orator_n if_o he_o have_v that_o holy_a boldness_n from_o his_o own_o innocency_n to_o be_v affright_v with_o none_o affront_v or_o terror_n of_o wicked_a man_n if_o he_o have_v a_o vigorous_a love_n of_o god_n in_o his_o spirit_n and_o fervent_a charity_n towards_o his_o brethren_n which_o be_v only_o another_o branch_n of_o it_o so_o that_o he_o will_v refuse_v no_o labour_n or_o troublesome_a enterprise_n whatsoever_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n which_o be_v only_o two_o notion_n ill_o divide_v and_o the_o same_o thing_n if_o he_o transcribe_v his_o doctrine_n into_o his_o own_o practice_n and_o show_v himself_o a_o pattern_n of_o good_a work_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n in_o a_o virtuous_a life_n have_v gain_v a_o great_a veneration_n among_o all_o people_n so_o that_o he_o carry_v a_o kind_n of_o authority_n along_o with_o he_o those_o of_o the_o contrary_a part_n be_v ashamed_a have_v no_o ill_a thing_n to_o say_v of_o he_o if_o the_o good_a man_n have_v all_o these_o gift_n and_o qualification_n in_o he_o than_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o most_o successful_a preacher_n and_o the_o gospel_n will_v best_o thrive_v and_o prosper_v under_o his_o endeavour_n and_o if_o a_o bad_a man_n want_v all_o these_o than_o he_o be_v never_o like_a to_o promote_v religion_n in_o the_o world_n or_o bring_v any_o advancement_n to_o christ_n kingdom_n and_o therefore_o as_o many_o of_o we_o as_o have_v this_o sacred_a employment_n upon_o we_o to_o be_v labourer_n in_o christ_n vine-yard_n must_v cleanse_v ourselves_o from_o all_o silthiness_n both_o of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n persect_v holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n we_o must_v be_v spotless_a and_o irreproveable_a not_o only_o for_o our_o own_o sake_n but_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o people_n among_o who_o we_o converse_v and_o live_v we_o shall_v ascend_v to_o some_o eminent_a degree_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n our_o grent_a call_n require_v it_o from_o we_o not_o be_v content_v with_o the_o common_a measure_n of_o the_o world_n however_o we_o must_v preserve_v ourselves_o from_o any_o thing_n of_o scandal_n or_o open_a impiety_n lest_o we_o bring_v a_o disparagement_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o hinder_v the_o influence_n of_o it_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n they_o be_v in_o a_o great_a mistake_n that_o think_v themselves_o only_o fit_v for_o the_o ministry_n by_o their_o learnning_n which_o indifferent_o be_v a_o instrument_n either_o of_o good_a or_o evil_a according_a to_o the_o hand_n it_o happen_v to_o fall_v into_o and_o i_o dare_v bold_o affirm_v that_o abstract_a learning_n when_o it_o be_v separate_v from_o goodness_n be_v the_o most_o pernicious_a thing_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o have_v produce_v the_o great_a mischief_n in_o it_o how_o come_v so_o many_o heresy_n and_o base_a notion_n among_o we_o which_o always_o have_v ill_a practice_n found_v upon_o they_o but_o only_o that_o some_o vicious_a man_n through_o his_o part_n and_o acquire_v knowledge_n become_v able_a to_o defend_v his_o vice_n and_o recommend_v they_o to_o the_o world_n under_o the_o specious_a habit_n and_o appearance_n of_o virtue_n it_o be_v extreme_o better_a to_o want_v learning_n when_o it_o be_v not_o direct_v by_o virtue_n than_o to_o have_v such_o a_o ambiguous_a thing_n in_o we_o which_o may_v easy_o produce_v such_o a_o ill_a consequence_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v especial_o endeavour_v after_o a_o more_o signal_n holiness_n as_o a_o just_a qualification_n for_o the_o ministry_n which_o be_v also_o the_o best_a method_n of_o attain_v to_o true_a learning_n other_o may_v spend_v their_o time_n in_o trifle_a notion_n and_o pretend_v to_o a_o universal_a acquaintance_n with_o all_o nature_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v at_o counsel_n with_o the_o almighty_a when_o he_o make_v the_o world_n yet_o if_o they_o will_v deal_v but_o ingenuous_o with_o themselves_o they_o must_v still_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v abundance_n of_o occult_a quality_n even_o in_o the_o most_o ordinary_a thing_n and_o that_o they_o can_v presume_v to_o the_o true_a philosophy_n of_o one_o single_a grass-pile_n but_o the_o good_a man_n be_v the_o only_a scholar_n his_o learning_n be_v in_o a_o better_a kind_n and_o of_o a_o more_o useful_a consequence_n both_o to_o himself_o and_o the_o whole_a world_n for_o he_o have_v god_n blessing_n in_o all_o his_o study_n and_o be_v direct_v and_o assist_v by_o it_o if_o then_o we_o will_v not_o only_o fit_v ourselves_o for_o the_o more_o sacred_a character_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o also_o be_v good_a proficient_n in_o true_a learning_n we_o must_v begin_v at_o virtue_n and_o find_v all_o our_o endeavour_n upon_o it_o or_o manage_v they_o all_o in_o a_o joint_a exercise_n of_o it_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v attain_v to_o the_o most_o concern_v knowledge_n or_o the_o best_a improvement_n that_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o which_o other_o can_v never_o do_v in_o all_o their_o unsanctified_a labour_n according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o psalmist_n the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v the_o begin_n of_o wisdom_n a_o good_a understanding_n have_v all_o they_o that_o do_v thereafter_o and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o then_o so_o minutely_o know_v the_o several_a motion_n and_o designment_n of_o nature_n in_o her_o small_a operation_n which_o some_o fond_o pretend_v to_o the_o happy_a we_o this_o argue_v that_o we_o be_v better_o employ_v and_o that_o our_o more_o useful_a contemplation_n be_v not_o interrupt_v with_o insignificant_a and_o empty_a subtlety_n such_o as_o have_v no_o influence_n upon_o the_o mind_n towards_o any_o moral_a improvement_n of_o it_o that_o we_o may_v all_o of_o we_o proceed_v in_o this_o method_n to_o improve_v ourselves_o and_o serve_v god_n in_o his_o holy_a church_n god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n grant_v etc._n etc._n finis_fw-la