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scripture_n great_a holy_a see_v 3,964 5 3.2444 3 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A76542 The mystery of phanaticism. Or, The artifices of dissenters to support their schismĀ· Together with the evil and danger of them. Set forth in several letters to a friend. Wherein is made appear, that nothing but the subtilty and cunning of their teachers, doth now hinder the people from conformity. By a divine of the Church of England. A. B.; Taylor, William, fl. 1698. 1698 (1698) Wing B23A; ESTC R208943 49,991 144

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opinion_n of_o their_o great_a wisdom_n this_o make_v they_o heady_a confident_a and_o assume_v think_v themsetve_v wise_a than_o their_o teacher_n and_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o instruct_v their_o better_n without_o any_o regard_n to_o their_o learning_n or_o office_n yea_o this_o vain_a conceit_n of_o knowledge_n have_v lift_v some_o of_o they_o to_o that_o high_a degree_n of_o arrogance_n as_o to_o set_v up_o their_o light_n within_o they_o above_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o to_o prefer_v their_o own_o dream_n before_o divine_a revelation_n again_o two_o this_o pretence_n of_o great_a knowledge_n occasion_n great_a contempt_n and_o disobedience_n to_o authority_n for_o these_o opinionative_n man_n soon_o become_v wise_a than_o their_o governor_n they_o see_v far_o into_o matter_n than_o all_o that_o be_v above_o they_o and_o so_o can_v espy_v the_o error_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o affair_n hence_o you_o shall_v find_v they_o tax_v the_o action_n of_o their_o superior_n 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follower_n from_o all_o subjection_n to_o they_o so_o rare_o do_v they_o expound_v their_o christian_a liberty_n which_o they_o make_v use_v of_o as_o a_o pretence_n to_o shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n and_o evade_v all_o obedience_n to_o government_n yea_o they_o enlarge_v this_o liberty_n so_o far_o as_o to_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v not_o to_o do_v what_o be_v command_v and_o likewise_o to_o do_v what_o be_v forbid_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o so_o that_o if_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v forbid_v what_o he_o will_v have_v do_v and_o command_v what_o he_o will_v not_o these_o man_n will_v be_v catch_v in_o their_o own_o snare_n and_o be_v oblige_v by_o their_o own_o principle_n to_o do_v as_o he_o will_v have_v they_o and_o yet_o they_o style_v this_o humoursome_a and_o cross-grained_a sort_n of_o liberty_n a_o privilege_n purchase_v for_o they_o by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o a_o depositum_fw-la commit_v to_o the_o care_n and_o keep_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o if_o 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the_o conscience_n of_o their_o sovereign_n yea_o they_o deny_v he_o the_o attendance_n of_o his_o own_o chaplain_n to_o direct_v and_o comfort_v he_o in_o his_o trouble_n a_o piece_n of_o rigour_n and_o barbarity_n as_o himself_o style_v it_o great_a then_o be_v ever_o use_v by_o christian_n to_o the_o mean_a prisoner_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o great_a malefactor_n so_o that_o this_o pretence_n to_o christian_a liberty_n be_v a_o device_n make_v use_v of_o to_o serve_v their_o own_o turn_n and_o to_o be_v deny_v to_o all_o other_o which_o plain_o show_v the_o fallacy_n and_o falsehood_n of_o it_o i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n letter_n xiii_o sir_n another_o artifice_n of_o dissenter_n to_o keep_v up_o their_o schism_n be_v a_o pretence_n to_o better_a mean_n of_o edification_n this_o be_v a_o device-occasioned_n by_o the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o people_n and_o cherish_v in_o they_o by_o the_o subtlety_n of_o their_o teacher_n they_o can_v edify_v they_o tell_v we_o so_o well_o in_o the_o church_n as_o in_o the_o conventicle_n and_o they_o profit_v more_o by_o the_o sermon_n of_o the_o one_o than_o they_o can_v by_o the_o other_o this_o be_v a_o plausible_a and_o popular_a plea_n for_o separation_n and_o have_v help_v much_o to_o increase_v the_o party_n for_o it_o carry_v a_o fair_a show_n of_o zeal_n and_o care_n for_o their_o soul_n to_o look_v out_o for_o the_o best_a mean_n of_o edification_n none_o they_o think_v can_v blame_v they_o if_o they_o hear_v those_o sermon_n by_o which_o they_o profit_n most_o and_o follow_v those_o teacher_n that_o best_o promote_v their_o eternal_a welfare_n but_o let_v we_o examine_v what_o truth_n there_o be_v in_o this_o pretence_n to_o this_o end_n we_o must_v inquire_v what_o it_o be_v to_o profit_n by_o sermon_n and_o who_o be_v the_o most_o edify_v preacher_n because_o there_o be_v great_a and_o dangerous_a mistake_v in_o both_o to_o edify_v then_o or_o profit_n by_o sermon_n be_v first_o to_o have_v our_o judgement_n well_o inform_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o 2_o to_o lead_v our_o life_n according_a to_o it_o so_o that_o they_o who_o most_o true_o and_o plain_o expound_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o best_a apply_v they_o to_o all_o the_o end_n and_o purpose_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n be_v indeed_o the_o most_o edify_v teacher_n and_o they_o who_o most_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o the_o sound_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o abound_v most_o in_o all_o the_o act_n of_o virtue_n and_o a_o good_a life_n be_v most_o edify_v by_o the_o prayer_n and_o discourse_n they_o hear_v and_o be_v the_o best_a proficient_n in_o christ_n school_n now_o there_o be_v no_o church_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n that_o afford_v better_a mean_n of_o edification_n to_o all_o these_o purpose_n than_o that_o whereof_o we_o be_v member_n for_o there_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v faithful_o preach_v and_o expound_v by_o which_o we_o may_v be_v thorough_o instruct_v in_o all_o divine_a and_o sacred_a knowledge_n there_o all_o the_o article_n of_o the_o creed_n contain_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v be_v plain_o and_o practical_o unfold_v to_o we_o by_o which_o we_o may_v be_v build_v up_o in_o our_o most_o holy_a faith_n there_o we_o have_v the_o lord_n prayer_n the_o most_o perfect_a of_o all_o prayer_n together_o with_o other_o excellent_a and_o well-ordered_a prayer_n compose_v by_o it_o daily_o sound_v in_o our_o ear_n by_o which_o we_o be_v direct_v in_o all_o our_o address_n unto_o god_n to_o offer_v up_o a_o pious_a sober_a and_o well-composed_a devotion_n there_o again_o we_o hear_v the_o ten_o commandment_n frequent_o read_v and_o explain_v to_o we_o in_o the_o full_a latitude_n both_o of_o the_o precept_n and_o prohibition_n contain_v in_o they_o by_o which_o we_o may_v learn_v how_o to_o walk_v in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n so_o as_o to_o please_v god_n and_o profit_n ourselves_o in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v no_o duty_n incumbent_a on_o we_o either_o with_o relation_n to_o god_n our_o neighbour_n or_o ourselves_o but_o what_o be_v clear_o open_v and_o by_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o press_a motive_n exhort_v to_o and_o there_o be_v no_o sin_n or_o transgression_n against_o either_o but_o what_o we_o be_v by_o the_o most_o convince_a argument_n dehort_v from_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o establish_v church_n whereas_o in_o the_o separate_a meeting_n of_o sectary_n the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v very_o bad_o expound_v and_o too_o often_o very_o sad_o pervert_v the_o forementioned_a excellent_a model_n and_o abridgement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o mean_v the_o creed_n the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o ten_o commandment_n be_v seldom_o or_o never_o rehearse_v in_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o people_n by_o which_o neglect_n
their_o pretence_n to_o christian_a liberty_n p._n 106_o letter_n xiii_o their_o pretence_n to_o better_a mean_n of_o edification_n p._n 117_o letter_n fourteen_o their_o set_n up_o and_o encourage_v little_a private_a school_n of_o philosophy_n p._n 126_o postscript_n their_o settle_n and_o maintain_v a_o secret_a correspondence_n among_o themselves_o with_o a_o copy_n of_o one_o of_o their_o late_a letter_n p._n 135_o the_o end_n of_o the_o content_n letter_n i._n sir_n i_o remember_v my_o promise_n of_o give_v you_o some_o account_n of_o the_o artifices_fw-la of_o dissenter_n to_o support_v their_o schism_n and_o though_o this_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n have_v some_o depth_n and_o intrigue_n that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o a_o vulgar_a eye_n yet_o there_o be_v other_o device_n that_o lie_v more_o open_a and_o may_v be_v easy_o discern_v by_o a_o ordinary_a observer_n and_o here_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o occur_v to_o our_o view_n be_v their_o great_a zeal_n and_o diligence_n in_o make_v proselyte_n in_o which_o they_o imitate_v if_o not_o outdo_v the_o zeal_n of_o the_o pharisee_n 23.15_o matt._n 23.15_o who_o compass_n sea_n and_o land_n to_o make_v a_o proselyte_n this_o unwearied_a diligence_n of_o the_o pharisee_n be_v remark_v by_o our_o saviour_n as_o a_o instance_n of_o their_o hypocrisy_n and_o the_o jewish_a writer_n tell_v we_o how_o they_o use_v their_o utmost_a endeavour_n in_o hunt_v after_o proselyte_n not_o for_o their_o good_a but_o their_o own_o gain_n that_o they_o may_v some_o way_n or_o other_o drain_v their_o purse_n after_o they_o have_v draw_v they_o into_o their_o sect_n they_o spare_v no_o pain_n among_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n but_o especial_o among_o the_o rich_a widow_n who_o by_o their_o subtle_a attractive_n they_o despoil_v of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o substance_n the_o scripture_n have_v record_v of_o they_o that_o they_o devour_v widow_n house_n 23.14_o matt._n 23.14_o by_o their_o long_a prayer_n 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to_o seduction_n and_o here_o their_o great_a business_n be_v to_o flatter_v and_o humour_v the_o common_a people_n who_o be_v the_o sole_a prop_n and_o member_n of_o the_o conventicle_n be_v fearful_a and_o tender_a of_o displease_v they_o lest_o they_o shall_v fly_v off_o and_o dagon_n fall_v with_o they_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o a_o wise_a observer_n of_o their_o way_n that_o the_o people_n be_v most_o true_o the_o guide_n and_o that_o the_o pastor_n must_v follow_v they_o who_o they_o pretend_v to_o conduct_v which_o show_v they_o to_o be_v rather_o men-pleasers_a than_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n but_o whence_o be_v these_o proselyte_n take_v why_o out_o of_o the_o parochial_a establish_v church_n for_o they_o can_v be_v take_v no_o where_o else_o and_o we_o all_o know_v that_o the_o conventicle_n be_v make_v up_o of_o a_o few_o straggle_a sheep_n gather_v out_o of_o other_o flock_n and_o draw_v from_o the_o true_a fold_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n now_o these_o parochial_a church_n be_v by_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v true_a church_n of_o christ_n this_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o gather_v church_n out_o of_o church_n a_o thing_n severe_o condemn_v by_o the_o puritan_n of_o old_a in_o the_o brownist_n and_o by_o the_o presbyterian_o of_o late_a in_o the_o independent_o and_o other_o sectary_n if_o you_o will_v peruse_v the_o presbyterian_a write_n and_o pirticular_o the_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la regiminis_fw-la ecclesiastici_fw-la the_o exact_a book_n that_o have_v be_v write_v by_o they_o you_o will_v find_v this_o practice_n of_o gather_v church_n out_o of_o church_n and_o set_v up_o separate_a meeting_n against_o a_o establish_v church_n bitter_o inveigh_v against_o as_o the_o mother_n of_o confusion_n the_o nurse_n of_o schism_n and_o the_o step_v mother_n of_o edification_n how_o come_v the_o case_n then_o to_o be_v thus_o alter_v that_o gather_v church_n out_o of_o church_n which_o be_v former_o a_o heinous_a crime_n shall_v now_o become_v not_o only_o a_o harmless_a thing_n but_o a_o necessary_a duty_n and_o what_o be_v so_o fierce_o dispute_v against_o as_o a_o grievous_a faction_n shall_v now_o be_v so_o earnest_o contend_v for_o as_o if_o it_o be_v the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n what_o be_v it_o that_o have_v make_v this_o change_n be_v vice_n of_o a_o sudden_a turn_v into_o virtue_n or_o have_v the_o mother_n of_o confusion_n change_v the_o breed_n and_o bring_v forth_o a_o pure_a way_n of_o worship_n and_o devotion_n no_o the_o mystery_n of_o it_o be_v that_o the_o presbyterian_o upon_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o government_n which_o they_o have_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n occasion_v feed_v themselves_o with_o hope_n of_o be_v uppermost_a and_o labour_v hard_a to_o bring_v the_o other_o sect_n that_o grow_v up_o under_o they_o to_o the_o lure_n of_o their_o discipline_n and_o then_o set_v up_o altar_n against_o altar_n and_o gather_v church_n out_o of_o church_n be_v vile_a and_o abominable_a thing_n but_o find_v themselves_o oppose_v and_o indeed_o overtope_v by_o the_o independent_o and_o by_o the_o re-establishment_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o its_o ancient_a foundation_n utter_o defeat_v of_o all_o their_o hope_n they_o begin_v then_o to_o play_v the_o same_o game_n and_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v leave_v in_o the_o lurch_n fall_v a_o gather_a disciple_n as_o fast_o as_o the_o other_o sectary_n and_o then_o all_o their_o own_o argument_n take_v from_o peace_n and_o unity_n which_o be_v very_o strong_a whilst_o they_o make_v for_o they_o of_o a_o sudden_a lose_v all_o their_o force_n when_o they_o be_v turn_v against_o they_o most_o rare_a and_o wellgrounded_n divinity_n but_o what_o be_v it_o that_o these_o industrious_a man_n seek_v to_o make_v proselyte_n to_o be_v it_o to_o the_o embrace_v of_o christianity_n or_o the_o practice_n of_o real_a piety_n and_o virtue_n no_o this_o be_v a_o very_a charitable_a and_o commendable_a zeal_n indeed_o but_o it_o be_v to_o a_o party_n a_o faction_n to_o a_o schism_n or_o separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n which_o they_o themselves_o have_v brand_v for_o the_o sink_n of_o error_n and_o the_o inlet_n of_o all_o confusion_n so_o that_o if_o the_o people_n will_v but_o open_v their_o eye_n they_o may_v easy_o see_v their_o leader_n act_v against_o their_o own_o principle_n and_o may_v condemn_v they_o out_o of_o their_o own_o mouth_n but_o what_o be_v the_o end_n or_o design_n of_o this_o great_a diligence_n in_o make_v proselyte_n why_o the_o plain_a design_n of_o it_o be_v the_o weaken_v the_o establish_a church_n by_o draw_v the_o member_n from_o it_o the_o strengthen_v their_o own_o party_n by_o add_v follower_n to_o it_o and_o by_o degree_n undermine_v the_o government_n in_o church_n and_o state_n to_o draw_v the_o power_n and_o interest_n of_o both_o into_o their_o own_o hand_n great_a and_o noble_a design_n indeed_o not_o for_o the_o public_a good_a but_o their_o own_o private_a interest_n and_o ambition_n and_o yet_o these_o apparent_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o these_o endeavour_n now_o this_o will_v lead_v we_o to_o consider_v the_o evil_a and_o danger_n of_o such_o practice_n and_o that_o as_o well_o to_o the_o party_n proselyte_v as_o those_o that_o proselyte_n they_o st._n paul_n sharp_o rebuke_v this_o way_n of_o proselyte_v or_o party-taking_a among_o the_o corinthian_n though_o they_o make_v some_o of_o the_o apostle_n yea_o christ_n himself_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o head_n of_o the_o party_n while_o one_o say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n another_o i_o be_o of_o apollo_n another_o i_o be_o of_o cephas_n another_o i_o be_o of_o christ_n be_v you_o not_o carnal_a and_o walk_v as_o man_n yes_o as_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o man_n for_o you_o divide_v kingdom_n rend_v church_n and_o tear_v in_o piece_n the_o very_a