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act_n apostle_n church_n elder_n 5,779 5 10.2377 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A90879 A voice from heaven: or, A testimony against the remainders of Antichrist yet in England: and in particular, the court of tryers for approbation of ministers. / Born by Gualter Postlethwait, pastor to a Church of Christ in Lewes in Sussex. Postlethwaite, Walter, d. 1671. 1655 (1655) Wing P3022; Thomason E1498_3; ESTC R208640 39,391 112

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in_o the_o aforesaid_a treatise_n pag._n 371._o this_o be_v altogether_o strange_a to_o scripture_n for_o if_o we_o grant_v that_o single_a congregation_n with_o their_o eldership_n be_v exclude_v from_o the_o power_n of_o government_n and_o exercise_v ecclesiastic_a discipline_n yet_o will_v it_o not_o appear_v from_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v any_o high_a eldership_n or_o large_a combination_n of_o church_n than_o those_o of_o the_o first_o form_n and_o of_o the_o first_o step_n from_o the_o single_a congregation_n yea_o the_o contrary_n appear_v in_o that_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n grant_v they_o collective_a church_n rev._n 2._o and_o 3_o chapter_n do_v several_o receive_v of_o christ_n the_o praise_n of_o their_o good_a and_o blame_v of_o their_o evil_a carriage_n each_o single_a church_n for_o herself_o without_o any_o reflection_n on_o superior_a combination_n notwithstanding_o some_o of_o they_o lay_v situate_a within_o eight_o or_o ten_o mile_n of_o each_o other_o and_o those_o that_o be_v far_a distant_a not_o above_o 200_o mile_n each_o from_o other_o as_o some_o have_v compute_v the_o journey_n between_o they_o this_o be_v strange_a if_o there_o be_v superior_a combination_n and_o if_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v it_o be_v much_o that_o christ_n shall_v not_o blame_v they_o after_o so_o long_a continuance_n of_o christianity_n for_o not_o set_v up_o his_o ordinance_n especial_o consider_v the_o defection_n of_o divers_a of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o charge_n it_o may_v well_o have_v be_v lay_v as_o a_o thing_n wherein_o they_o be_v accessary_a to_o their_o own_o apostasy_n that_o they_o have_v not_o set_v all_o up_o god_n mean_n to_o preserve_v they_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o we_o read_v of_o a_o high_a eldership_n exercise_v act_n of_o rule_n over_o a_o proportional_a combination_n of_o church_n viz_o a_o synodical_a assembly_n act._n 15._o to_o this_o i_o answer_v we_o read_v not_o of_o any_o combination_n of_o any_o such_o 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congregation_n from_o such_o authority_n together_o with_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o subordination_n of_o combination_n of_o church_n and_o elder_n from_o the_o classical_a that_o be_v the_o low_a to_o ecumenical_a that_o be_v the_o high_a combination_n they_o can_v none_o of_o they_o show_v their_o genealogy_n nor_o derive_v their_o pedigree_n from_o scripture_n and_o what_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o episcopal_a and_o presbyterial_a government_n wherein_o do_v their_o constitution_n differ_v except_o in_o the_o exorbitant_a power_n of_o a_o chairman_n that_o the_o presbyterian_o cut_v by_o the_o height_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o presbyter_n in_o the_o several_a combination_n and_o what_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o the_o papist_n and_o that_o of_o of_o the_o presbyterian_o be_v it_o more_o than_o circumstantial_a the_o papist_n refer_v the_o root_n and_o head_n of_o the_o universality_n to_o rome_n the_o presbyterian_o do_v not_o the_o papist_n 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other_o than_o the_o catholic_n visible_a roman_a church_n as_o mr._n cotton_n have_v learned_o demonstrate_v in_o a_o exposition_n of_o he_o on_o that_o 13_o of_o the_o revelation_n late_o publish_v and_o this_o reckon_n of_o the_o begin_n of_o antichrist_n be_v suitable_a to_o that_o description_n of_o he_o that_o be_v give_v 1_o thes_n 2._o 4._o that_o he_o oppose_v and_o exalt_v himself_o according_o we_o may_v easy_o gather_v that_o the_o ambition_n of_o a_o chairman_n with_o the_o fond_a devotion_n of_o some_o elder_n and_o people_n may_v soon_o turn_v presbytery_n into_o episcopacy_n there_o need_v not_o a_o act_n of_o state_n for_o settle_v such_o power_n on_o a_o chairman_n and_o put_v elder_n &_o people_n in_o subjection_n unto_o he_o to_o constitute_v either_o papacy_n or_o episcopacy_n thus_o you_o see_v there_o be_v little_a difference_n betwixt_o presbytery_n and_o episcopacy_n and_o a_o easy_a transition_n from_o presbytery_n to_o episcopacy_n yea_o papacy_n and_o 235._o vide_fw-la perk._n probl._n pag._n 235._o they_o agree_v much_o also_o in_o nature_n be_v a_o usurpation_n of_o authority_n over_o the_o particular_a congregation_n the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n institution_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v put_v they_o together_o as_o also_o mr._n bain_n diocesan_n trial_n qu._n 1._o pag._n 21._o those_o who_o subject_n themselves_o to_o a_o presbytery_n say_v he_o as_o be_v under_o it_o by_o subordination_n may_v in_o effect_n as_o well_o be_v subject_a to_o a_o episcopal_a and_o by_o consequence_n i_o say_v to_o a_o papal_a consistory_n let_v it_o be_v serious_o weigh_v that_o the_o apostle_n give_v we_o this_o character_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o antichrist_n that_o such_o a_o spirit_n confess_v not_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n john_n 4._o 3._o we_o must_v not_o understand_v this_o of_o a_o confession_n of_o word_n only_o but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o practice_n speak_v it_o for_o antichrist_n acknowledge_v that_o christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n in_o word_n but_o he_o deny_v it_o in_o practice_n while_o he_o bring_v in_o judaisme_n or_o any_o other_o way_n of_o worship_n that_o christ_n have_v not_o institute_v into_o the_o church_n according_a to_o that_o uncontrolled_a expectation_n of_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n john_n 4._o 25_o 26._o when_o the_o messiah_n come_v he_o shall_v tell_v we_o all_o thing_n viz._n about_o worship_n that_o be_v the_o matter_n in_o discourse_n for_o that_o practice_n contradict_v christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n when_o man_n do_v not_o look_v only_o to_o christ_n institution_n in_o matter_n of_o worship_n and_o this_o be_v the_o expectation_n of_o the_o jew_n even_o at_o this_o day_n that_o christ_n will_v at_o his_o come_n give_v in_o a_o suitable_a platform_n of_o his_o worship_n suitable_a to_o his_o be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o who_o therefore_o the_o practice_n of_o judaisme_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o stumbling-block_n though_o man_n may_v think_v they_o differ_v from_o rome_n they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o spirit_n if_o they_o walk_v not_o according_a to_o the_o gospel-institution_n of_o christ_n before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o obj._n 1_o point_n i_o shall_v answer_v some_o objection_n and_o first_o it_o will_v be_v say_v this_o way_n of_o separation_n that_o you_o press_v to_o be_v make_v from_o the_o parochial_a and_o episcopal_a yea_o classical_a church_n null_v all_o at_o least_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n i_o answer_v this_o tend_v not_o to_o null_n or_o answ_n make_v void_a the_o faith_n of_o the_o true_a believer_n that_o shall_v be_v find_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a way_n of_o church-order_n i_o deny_v not_o their_o faith_n whereby_o they_o be_v of_o the_o mystical_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o according_o destroy_v not_o their_o mystical_a churchdom_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n in_o the_o text_n when_o such_o as_o be_v in_o babylon_n mix_v with_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o outer_a court_n unmeasured_a and_o nourish_v hitherto_o in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o abominable_a confusion_n where_o the_o great_a whore_n sit_v precedent_n when_o i_o say_v such_o as_o these_o be_v call_v out_o of_o the_o babylonish_n corruption_n and_o confusion_n by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n people_n they_o be_v plain_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v of_o the_o mystical_a church_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v implicit_o deny_v to_o be_v of_o a_o right_a order_n when_o they_o be_v call_v and_o warn_v to_o come_v out_o of_o babylon_n that_o must_v needs_o mean_a order_n since_o their_o faith_n be_v approve_v for_o that_o be_v do_v there_o remain_v nothing_o to_o be_v disapprove_v but_o order_n for_o under_o these_o two_o the_o apostle_n sum_v up_o all_o to_o be_v approve_v or_o disapprove_v in_o the_o church_n colos_n 2._o 5._o i_o deny_v according_o that_o the_o church_n before_o mention_v be_v such_o visible_a church_n as_o christ_n have_v institute_v and_o their_o polity_n such_o as_o he_o have_v appoint_v and_o assert_v though_o their_o faith_n be_v christian_a yet_o their_o order_n be_v antichristian_a i_o deny_v they_o not_o to_o be_v the_o woman_n nourish_v in_o the_o wilderness_n rev._n 12._o 6_o 14._o but_o i_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v the_o candlestick_n that_o stand_v before_o the_o god_n of_o the_o earth_n chap._n 11._o 4._o and_o this_o need_v not_o be_v grievous_a since_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v foretell_v we_o of_o such_o a_o distinction_n of_o christian_n some_o be_v content_a to_o walk_v with_o the_o nation_n in_o the_o outer_a court_n with_o so_o much_o as_o will_v keep_v life_n and_o soul_n together_o and_o to_o bite_v hard_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o straggle_v there_o from_o one_o green_a path_n to_o another_o so_o they_o can_v but_o get_v a_o live_n other_o god_n give_v power_n to_o be_v his_o witness_n against_o the_o gentile_n and_o to_o set_v up_o christ_n own_o order_n in_o the_o face_n and_o to_o the_o tooth_n of_o the_o beast_n that_o ascend_v out_o of_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n though_o they_o be_v slay_v for_o it_o and_o will_v not_o be_v content_a to_o serve_v god_n as_o pharaoh_n will_v give_v they_o leave_v such_o be_v the_o congregation_n in_o queen_n mary_n time_n which_o mr._n fox_n mention_n god_n preservation_n of_o in_o his_o 3_o vol._n pag._n 921._o and_o those_o of_o which_o mr._n cotton_n make_v mention_n in_o the_o way_n of_o congregational_a church_n clear_v pag._n 4._o these_o be_v in_o queen_n elizabeth_n day_n and_o be_v remember_v by_o some_o among_o we_o but_o late_o dead_a they_o be_v about_o a_o hundred_o and_o they_o refuse_v the_o common_a lyturgie_n and_o congregation_n attend_v thereunto_o and_o use_v prayer_n and_o preach_v and_o sacrament_n among_o themselves_o and_o suffer_v imprisonment_n for_o it_o and_o plead_v for_o their_o separation_n before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n bishop_n sand_n and_o other_o commissioner_n jul._n 20._o 1576._o and_o in_o this_o they_o behave_v themselves_o as_o faithful_a witness_n of_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v one_o thing_n for_o church_n to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o church_n in_o point_n of_o salvation_n and_o another_o thing_n for_o they_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o outward_a constitution_n and_o visible_a order_n in_o the_o former_a account_n we_o can_v but_o give_v the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n to_o all_o that_o look_v to_o no_o other_o way_n of_o salvation_n but_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o lamb_n in_o the_o latter_a account_n we_o can_v give_v the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n only_o to_o those_o that_o be_v after_o the_o heavenly_a pattern_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o word_n we_o must_v not_o for_o respect_n to_o a_o right_a faith_n swallow_v a_o wrong_a order_n have_v not_o the_o let_v go_v the_o right_a order_n let_v in_o a_o wrong_a faith_n do_v not_o the_o great_a beast_n rev._n 13_o blaspheme_n god_n and_o his_o tabernacle_n and_o they_o that_o dwell_v in_o heaven_n mean_v the_o catholic_n church_n of_o rome_n as_o mr._n cotton_n on_o the_o place_n show_v at_o large_a second_o it_o will_v be_v say_v this_o lay_v a_o ground_n to_o question_v all_o the_o ordinance_n obj._n 2_o that_o have_v be_v administer_v in_o any_o other_o way_n than_o that_o you_o press_v for_o whether_o they_o be_v to_o be_v account_v null_n and_o void_a to_o this_o i_o answer_v there_o be_v a_o double_a degree_n answ_n of_o corruption_n that_o ordinance_n have_v meet_v withal_o some_o have_v be_v corrupt_v in_o the_o essential_o of_o they_o as_o for_o instance_n the_o lord_n supper_n in_o the_o popish_a church_n be_v essential_o corrupt_v the_o sign_n be_v turn_v into_o the_o thing_n signify_v one_o element_n deny_v to_o the_o people_n etc._n etc._n when_o ordinance_n be_v thus_o essential_o corrupt_v they_o