Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	call_v	church_n	elder_n	2,418	5	9.9805	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44503	The vvay tovvards the finding of a decision of the chiefe controversie now debated concerning church government	Hales, John, 1584-1656.	1641 (1641)	Wing H281; ESTC R17617	20,569	46

party_n be_v most_o apparent_a to_o which_o effect_n i_o reflect_v first_o upon_o this_o general_a assertion_n namely_o that_o there_o be_v some_o ecclesiastical_a overseer_n which_o have_v a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o government_n above_o other_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o which_o as_o it_o be_v out_o of_o all_o doubt_n that_o it_o be_v so_o in_o england_n so_o in_o the_o general_a notion_n my_o former_a rule_n be_v not_o repugnant_a but_o rather_o agreeable_a that_o it_o may_v be_v so_o then_o in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o say_v that_o this_o priority_n and_o superiority_n give_v to_o some_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v in_o the_o purpose_n of_o the_o law_n by_o which_o it_o be_v public_o authorize_v no_o more_o but_o a_o superiority_n and_o priority_n of_o watch_v over_o other_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o society_n and_o this_o i_o suppose_v as_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o both_o side_n to_o be_v true_a so_o i_o think_v that_o it_o be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o my_o former_a rule_n three_o i_o comceive_v that_o this_o watch_a priority_n and_o superiority_n intend_v by_o the_o law_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v for_o this_o particular_a good_a of_o the_o society_n namely_o that_o the_o flock_n commit_v to_o every_o overseer_n charge_v shall_v be_v call_v and_o lead_v on_o in_o the_o way_n of_o godliness_n through_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o god_n true_a worship_n so_o as_o it_o may_v become_v most_o lawful_o conspicuous_a unto_o the_o world_n and_o to_o this_o effect_n the_o overseer_n be_v authorize_v to_o see_v that_o the_o flock_n be_v provide_v with_o fit_a teacher_n pastor_n and_o deacon_n by_o lawful_a election_n and_o ordination_n through_o imposition_n of_o hand_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v settle_v in_o a_o course_n of_o public_a prayer_n and_o ordinance_n befit_v the_o administration_n of_o christian_a religion_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v prefer_v from_o false_a doctrine_n and_o ravennous_a wolf_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o want_v a_o spiritual_a judicature_n as_o well_o in_o matter_n of_o accusation_n against_o elder_n as_o in_o matter_n of_o scandal_n and_o offence_n betwixt_o member_n and_o member_n and_o that_o in_o it_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o shut_v open_a the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n as_o occasion_n shall_v require_v may_v not_o be_v want_v and_o that_o such_o maintenance_n as_o be_v due_a unto_o these_o that_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n and_o necessary_a for_o the_o poor_a the_o widow_n and_o the_o fatherless_a may_v be_v provide_v for_o they_o those_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a end_n for_o which_o the_o superior_a watchman_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v appoint_v by_o the_o church_n and_o state_n to_o have_v inspection_n over_o other_o watchman_n of_o a_o inferior_a degree_n and_o that_o such_o superiority_n in_o watch_v may_v be_v exercise_v i_o take_v it_o as_o grant_v from_o my_o former_a ground_n and_o rule_n so_o than_o i_o find_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o thing_n itself_o nor_o do_v i_o think_v that_o any_o do_v oppose_v a_o superior_a priority_n of_o governor_n in_o this_o respect_n but_o if_o any_o do_v than_o i_o conceive_v they_o be_v bind_v to_o show_v that_o in_o such_o thing_n no_o priority_n or_o superiority_n in_o watch_v of_o some_o few_o over_o many_o may_v lawful_o be_v appoint_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o that_o every_o particular_a officer_n in_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v independent_a and_o may_v do_v herein_o by_o himself_o whatsoever_o he_o shall_v think_v good_a without_o all_o relation_n or_o subordination_n unto_o any_o who_o the_o church_n do_v appoint_v over_o such_o business_n therefore_o from_o the_o thing_n appoint_v and_o the_o end_n wherefore_o it_o be_v appoint_v in_o this_o church_n i_o come_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o appoint_v it_o and_o here_o i_o inquire_v whether_o this_o priority_n and_o superiority_n in_o government_n have_v not_o be_v appoint_v by_o those_o who_o have_v authority_n to_o do_v it_o that_o be_v by_o the_o church_n itself_o here_o i_o mean_v by_o the_o church_n the_o body_n either_o representative_a or_o collective_a according_a to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o most_o laudable_a example_n of_o primitive_a time_n if_o yea_o than_o i_o suppose_v no_o exception_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v at_o it_o but_o if_o no_o than_o i_o think_v that_o the_o irregularity_n of_o the_o appointment_n ought_v only_o to_o be_v except_v against_o and_o correct_v and_o the_o office_n itself_o neither_o condemn_v nor_o reject_v but_o maintain_v now_o what_o the_o apostolical_a precept_n be_v or_o whether_o or_o no_o there_o be_v any_o at_o all_o ever_o give_v for_o the_o manner_n of_o appoint_v such_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n i_o do_v not_o know_v because_o i_o find_v nothing_o in_o scripture_n more_o than_o i_o have_v intimate_v already_o which_o be_v that_o such_o superior_a officer_n be_v neither_o repugnant_a to_o christ_n intention_n nor_o to_o the_o rule_n and_o form_n of_o government_n express_o deliver_v unto_o we_o in_o scripture_n but_o how_o they_o to_o be_v appoint_v that_o be_v to_o say_v what_o manner_n of_o proceed_v aught_o to_o be_v use_v for_o their_o election_n call_v and_o institution_n in_o their_o superior_a charge_n i_o find_v nothing_o in_o scripture_n that_o i_o can_v call_v to_o mind_n except_o i_o will_v represent_v ancient_a type_n unto_o myself_o from_o which_o i_o can_v perhaps_o gather_v no_o more_o but_o the_o shadow_n of_o inference_n therefore_o in_o this_o case_n i_o suppose_v i_o must_v betake_v myself_o unto_o my_o next_o general_a ground_n of_o proceed_v which_o be_v the_o laudable_a practice_n of_o primitive_a time_n to_o see_v what_o have_v be_v do_v in_o like_o case_n by_o those_o who_o we_o esteem_v to_o have_v be_v most_o rational_a in_o the_o way_n of_o true_a government_n and_o most_o likely_a to_o have_v see_v and_o know_v the_o apostolical_a practice_n if_o there_o be_v ever_o any_o in_o this_o kind_n different_a from_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o appoint_v other_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n but_o if_o it_o be_v more_o likely_a that_o the_o manner_n of_o appoint_v such_o superior_a officer_n be_v rather_o not_o different_a in_o substance_n then_o different_a from_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o call_v and_o install_n other_o officer_n then_o perhaps_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o reflect_v upon_o the_o most_o immediate_a follower_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o as_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o their_o practice_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o viz._n that_o they_o have_v such_o superior_a officer_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o appoint_v they_o as_o it_o be_v most_o answerable_a unto_o the_o ordinary_a institution_n and_o this_o i_o will_v rather_o do_v from_o other_o man_n observation_n then_o from_o my_o own_o i_o find_v then_o that_o doctor_n reynolds_n in_o his_o conference_n with_o hart_n chapter_n 8._o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o division_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o five_o do_v well_o observe_v when_o as_o elder_n be_v ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o several_a church_n that_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o do_v use_v to_o assemble_v themselves_o to_o the_o end_n that_o thing_n belong_v to_o mutual_a and_o common_a edification_n may_v be_v do_v by_o mutual_a and_o common_a counsel_n and_o consent_n in_o these_o meeting_n they_o do_v thing_n orderly_o and_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o their_o predecessor_n in_o like_o occasion_n to_o choose_v one_o who_o be_v to_o be_v of_o their_o company_n and_o moderator_n of_o their_o action_n so_o among_o the_o apostle_n at_o jerusalem_n james_n peter_n and_o john_n be_v call_v the_o pillar_n gal._n 2._o 9_o and_o in_o the_o meeting_n act_n 15._o the_o matter_n be_v conclude_v at_o the_o determination_n of_o peter_n and_o james_n thus_o also_o in_o after_o time_n although_o there_o may_v be_v many_o elder_n and_o pastor_n in_o one_o church_n as_o at_o ephesus_n act_n 20._o 17._o yet_o it_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o revel._n 2._o 1._o that_o there_o be_v one_o chief_a in_o that_o church_n who_o christ_n call_v the_o angel_n thereof_o and_o direct_v that_o to_o he_o which_o the_o rest_n be_v to_o know_v by_o his_o mean_n he_o be_v afterward_o from_o the_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o his_o office_n by_o the_o father_n call_v a_o bishop_n for_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o in_o ancient_a time_n there_o be_v one_o who_o have_v the_o presidentship_n among_o the_o elder_n this_o doctor_n reynolds_n in_o the_o forename_a gather_v from_o cyprian_n epist._n 6._o and_o 13._o prebyteris_fw-la et_fw-la diaconis_fw-la from_o eusebius_n histor._n eccles._n l._n 6._o c._n 42._o and_o from_o cornelius_n letter_n to_o cyprian_n epist._n 46._o apud_fw-la cyprian_n which_o doctor_n usher_n also_o have_v make_v more_o

which_o they_o be_v appoint_v to_o discharge_v the_o same_o nor_o do_v their_o property_n seem_v repugnant_a to_o a_o gradation_n and_o difference_v of_o that_o superiority_n which_o their_o name_n denote_v 2_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n of_o discharge_v the_o duty_n commit_v unto_o the_o office-bearer_n in_o christ_n church_n for_o as_o each_o name_n have_v a_o several_a signification_n so_o it_o carry_v with_o it_o a_o peculiar_a relation_n which_o the_o office_n bearer_n have_v towards_o the_o church_n according_a to_o which_o he_o ought_v to_o behave_v himself_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o discharge_v his_o duty_n and_o this_o will_v suffice_v to_o show_v in_o general_a the_o way_n how_o this_o priority_n and_o superiorite_n ought_v to_o be_v exercise_v towards_o other_o the_o more_o particular_a determination_n of_o this_o matter_n must_v be_v take_v from_o the_o special_a commandment_n which_o be_v give_v to_o this_o effect_n which_o be_v many_o and_o can_v now_o be_v insist_v upon_o at_o large_a therefore_o we_o will_v only_o point_v at_o they_o in_o show_v the_o place_n of_o scripture_n where_o they_o be_v find_v the_o peculiar_a duty_n of_o a_o shepherd_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o perform_v the_o same_o be_v set_v forth_o john_n 10._o 1._o till_o 16._o and_o ezek._n 34._o 2._o till_o 20._o the_o ruler_n duty_n be_v mention_v rom._n 12._o 8._o and_o heb._n 13._o 17._o and_o math._n 18._o 17_o 18_o 19_o the_o watchman_n duty_n be_v mention_v ezek._n 3._o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20._o 21._o the_o bishop_n duty_n be_v large_o mention_v in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n throughout_o and_o chief_o in_o the_o place_n heretofore_o allege_v concerning_o their_o peculiar_a charge_n and_o 1_o thess._n 5._o 12_o 13_o 14_o the_o steward_n duty_n be_v mention_v matth._n 13._o 52._o and_o 24._o 45._o 1_o cor._n 4._o 1_o 2._o the_o husbandman_n and_o builder_n duty_n be_v mention_v together_o 1_o cor._n 3._o 6._o the_o angel_n duty_n be_v mention_v revel._n 2._o and_o 3._o chapter_n throughout_o in_o all_o which_o place_n i_o do_v perceive_v that_o the_o manner_n of_o discharge_v their_o duty_n be_v chief_o insist_v upon_o as_o it_o have_v a_o relation_n unto_o the_o flock_n so_o that_o their_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v only_o in_o that_o respect_n clear_o to_o be_v gather_v namely_o from_o the_o duty_n which_o towards_o the_o flock_n be_v to_o be_v do_v therefore_o perhaps_o very_o little_o will_v be_v find_v tend_v to_o resolve_v we_o of_o the_o doubt_n in_o hand_n namely_o how_o the_o priority_n and_o superiority_n in_o charge_n which_o one_o overseer_n may_v have_v above_o another_o be_v to_o be_v exercise_v yet_o than_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o repugnant_a unto_o this_o superior_a priority_n of_o one_o overseer_n above_o another_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o the_o duty_n here_o mention_v then_o i_o say_v i_o ought_v to_o conceive_v that_o they_o may_v very_o well_o stand_v together_o but_o if_o on_o the_o otherside_n any_o thing_n here_o mention_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o exercise_v these_o charge_n of_o superiority_n be_v altogether_o inconsistent_a with_o a_o independent_a parity_n of_o overseer_n and_o yet_o if_o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v must_v be_v perpetual_o make_v use_n of_o in_o church_n government_n then_o i_o say_v it_o may_v be_v strong_o infer_v that_o as_o for_o this_o reason_n a_o independent_a parity_n be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v so_o a_o superior_a priority_n ought_v to_o be_v allow_v yet_o always_o so_o as_o it_o may_v be_v a_o furtheranc_n to_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o particular_a pastoral_a charge_n and_o no_o way_n a_o cross_n to_o the_o true_a manner_n of_o discharge_v the_o same_o and_o here_o i_o will_v leave_v it_o unto_o the_o impartial_a consideration_n of_o those_o that_o be_v judicious_a whether_o or_o no_o the_o special_a commandment_n give_v unto_o timothy_n and_o titus_n for_o the_o discharge_n of_o that_o priority_n and_o superiority_n wherein_o they_o be_v set_v above_o other_o officer_n be_v not_o of_o perpetual_a use_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v and_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v the_o same_o as_o it_o be_v recommend_v unto_o they_o where_o special_a notice_n may_v be_v take_v of_o that_o inspection_n which_o be_v defer_v unto_o they_o over_o other_o for_o the_o repress_n of_o false_a doctrine_n for_o the_o ordain_n of_o elder_n in_o several_a church_n for_o the_o imposition_n of_o hand_n for_o the_o receive_n of_o accusation_n against_o elder_n and_o for_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n which_o thing_n ought_v still_o both_o for_o matter_n and_o manner_n to_o be_v continue_v as_o they_o be_v recommend_v unto_o timothy_n and_o titus_n except_o some_o substantial_a difference_n can_v be_v show_v which_o as_o yet_o i_o can_v see_v the_o example_n of_o practice_n both_o commendable_a and_o discommendable_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o lawful_a or_o unlawful_a discharge_n of_o this_o duty_n may_v be_v gather_v from_o such_o place_n of_o scripture_n wherein_o the_o act_n of_o priority_n and_o superiority_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o exercise_v the_o same_o be_v mention_v i_o will_v name_v some_o few_o that_o come_v now_o in_o my_o mind_n first_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o christ_n do_v send_v we_o in_o case_n of_o scandal_n math._n 18._o 17._o who_o authority_n be_v establish_v there_o ver._n 18_o 19_o 20._o second_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n at_o jerusalem_n act_n 1._o 15._o till_o the_o end_n and_o chap._n 6._o in_o the_o ordination_n of_o deacon_n and_o act_n 15._o in_o hold_v of_o the_o synod_n which_o determine_v the_o controversy_n rise_v at_o antiochia_n and_o act_n 14._o 23._o in_o ordain_v elder_n three_o the_o practice_n of_o paul_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o excommunication_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 3_o 4_o 5._o and_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o exercise_v his_o power_n 1_o cor._n 9_o throughout_o and_o 2_o cor._n 10._o throughout_o and_o ibid._n chap._n 13._o 2._o 3._o 10._o item_n 1_o thess._n 2._o 3._o till_o 12._o item_n act_n 20._o 20._o 26_o 27_o 33_o 34_o 35._o these_o be_v example_n of_o commendable_a practice_n the_o example_n of_o practice_n which_o be_v discommend_v be_v these_o first_o of_o diotrephes_n 3._o john_n 9_o 10._o who_o love_v to_o have_v a_o preeminency_n second_o of_o those_o that_o in_o the_o last_o time_n shall_v be_v disobedient_a unto_o the_o truth_n through_o presumptuousness_n who_o despise_v all_o superiority_n shall_v perish_v in_o the_o contradiction_n of_o core_n judg._n 21._o by_o which_o we_o perceive_v that_o core_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n be_v type_n of_o that_o disobedience_n which_o will_v be_v under_o the_o gospel_n in_o some_o who_o will_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v equal_a and_o in_o nothing_o inferior_a to_o their_o lawful_a superior_n three_o the_o reproof_n of_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n for_o not_o exercise_v the_o authority_n which_o they_o have_v revel._n 2._o 14_o 15_o 20._o these_o example_n be_v well_o examine_v i_o suppose_v may_v give_v we_o some_o light_n to_o show_v the_o manner_n how_o the_o superior_a priority_n which_o some_o have_v over_o other_o in_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n thus_o have_v lay_v the_o ground_n and_o gather_v some_o inference_n whereby_o to_o regulate_v my_o thought_n in_o this_o doubtful_a matter_n i_o think_v i_o may_v come_v to_o the_o application_n of_o the_o same_o unto_o the_o controversy_n at_o this_o time_n debate_v to_o see_v by_o what_o mean_v a_o decision_n thereof_o may_v be_v find_v and_o here_o i_o must_v consider_v the_o circumstance_n and_o property_n of_o that_o authority_n which_o be_v now_o question_v whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a or_o no_o but_o when_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v this_o i_o meet_v with_o a_o difficulty_n incident_a to_o all_o great_a dispute_n which_o be_v common_o involve_v in_o a_o multiplicity_n of_o particular_n and_o variety_n of_o circumstance_n confuse_o debate_v and_o partial_o relate_v by_o opposite_a party_n where_o every_o one_o seek_v his_o own_o advantage_n so_o that_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o state_n the_o case_n true_o according_a to_o the_o circumstance_n which_o be_v most_o material_o therein_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o rule_n may_v be_v apply_v unto_o the_o fundamental_a matter_n of_o doubt_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v decide_v yet_o if_o i_o must_v be_v impartial_a to_o clear_v i_o own_o and_o other_o man_n scruple_n i_o ought_v to_o state_n the_o matter_n so_o as_o both_o side_n may_v agree_v to_o have_v the_o forename_a rule_n apply_v thereunto_o and_o to_o do_v this_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v best_a to_o proceed_v from_o that_o which_o be_v general_a till_o by_o degree_n i_o come_v to_o that_o very_o particular_a wherein_o the_o controversy_n and_o contradiction_n of_o