Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	church_n	communion_n	perform_v	3,059	5	9.9633	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A87934	A letter from a person of honour, reconciling the dissenting brethren, (commonly called Independents) and the Presbyterians, in matter of judgement, about the setling of the church. Sent to an eminent divine of the Assembly.	Person of honour.	1644 (1644)	Wing L1421; Thomason E22_17; ESTC R21554	10,569	18

a_o letter_n from_z a_o person_n of_o honour_n reconcile_a the_o dissent_v brethren_n common_o call_v independent_o and_o the_o presbyterian_o in_o matter_n of_o judgement_n about_o the_o settle_n of_o the_o church_n send_v to_o a_o eminent_a divine_a of_o the_o assembly_n london_n print_v by_o r.a._n m._n dc_o xl_o v._n sir_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o your_o desire_n express_v in_o the_o letter_n i_o will_v first_o lay_v down_o some_o ground_n which_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o truth_n and_o thereupon_o give_v you_o the_o reason_n of_o my_o judgement_n and_o practice_n first_o i_o conceive_v a_o visible_a minister_a church_n under_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v a_o company_n of_o believer_n join_v themselves_o together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o such_o ordinance_n and_o exercise_v of_o such_o spiritual_a government_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v for_o his_o worship_n and_o honour_n and_o their_o mutual_a edification_n this_o description_n do_v sufficient_o express_v what_o be_v intend_v a_o exact_a definition_n such_o body_n be_v not_o so_o capable_a of_o as_o some_o other_o thing_n may_v be_v neither_o need_v it_o when_o what_o be_v mean_v be_v full_o understand_v by_o both_o party_n therefore_o in_o such_o a_o case_n to_o stick_v upon_o that_o do_v produce_v rather_o a_o litigation_n about_o word_n and_o term_n than_o any_o satisfaction_n if_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n herein_o be_v question_v that_o must_v stand_v or_o fall_v according_a to_o scripture_n i_o call_v it_o a_o visible_a minister_a church_n to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o that_o universal_a which_o can_v be_v neither_o except_o we_o will_v admit_v the_o pope_n or_o some_o image_n of_o he_o some_o such_o humane_a device_n to_o be_v it_o virtual_o always_o to_o exist_v visible_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o such_o duty_n as_o christ_n have_v enjoin_v his_o church_n to_o perform_v upon_o all_o occasion_n of_o offence_n or_o otherwise_o and_o yet_o that_o will_v not_o serve_v neither_o except_o court_n and_o officer_n be_v allow_v even_o to_o the_o apparitor_n as_o hand_n in_o all_o place_n to_o supply_v defect_n in_o this_o way_n i_o add_v under_o the_o gospel_n because_o the_o constitution_n under_o the_o law_n be_v nationall_n the_o officer_n ordinance_n and_o place_n of_o worship_n all_o fit_v to_o such_o a_o frame_n and_o typical_a which_o under_o the_o gospel_n be_v change_v as_o appear_v both_o by_o christ_n institution_n matth._n 18._o and_o all_o t●e_v apostle_n practise_v throughout_o in_o all_o place_n who_o best_o understand_v our_o saviour_n intention_n and_o meaning_n for_o the_o constitution_n of_o churches_n evangelical_n be_v by_o he_o instruct_v ●nd_n leave_v authorise_v thereunto_o second_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o church_n be_v a_o company_n of_o saint_n such_o who_o as_o the_o apostle_n so_o the_o church_n that_o admit_v then_o or_o join_v with_o they_o aught_o to_o think_v it_o meet_v to_o judge_v of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o that_o christ_n have_v begin_v a_o good_a work_n in_o they_o and_o will_v finish_v it_o the_o apostle_n always_o style_v they_o saint_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n or_o the_o church_n of_o such_o a_o place_n which_o be_v in_o god_n the_o father_n and_o in_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n saint_n by_o call_v sanctify_v in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o church_n elect_v together_o with_o they_o and_o such_o like_a title_n applyable_a only_o unto_o man_n sanctify_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v such_o in_o profession_n will_v not_o be_v deny_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v what_o they_o profess_v be_v as_o evident_a the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n command_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v for_o this_o end_n that_o offence_n may_v be_v take_v away_o when_o man_n shall_v appear_v to_o be_v other_o than_o they_o make_v profession_n to_o be_v and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v prevent_v so_o far_o as_o man_n can_v judge_v by_o keep_v out_o false_a brethren_n that_o they_o creep_v not_o in_o privy_o the_o unruly_a be_v to_o be_v admonish_v and_o if_o upon_o admonition_n they_o will_v not_o reform_v christ_n direct_v what_o course_n shall_v be_v take_v with_o they_o and_o he_o who_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o when_o he_o be_v know_v ought_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v can_v he_o be_v know_v to_o be_v other_o than_o a_o saint_n by_o the_o church_n before_o he_o be_v receive_v three_o the_o form_n of_o such_o a_o visible_a church_n i_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o relation_n which_o by_o their_o mutual_a consent_n be_v raise_v between_o they_o for_o spiritual_a end_n by_o which_o it_o be_v that_o they_o have_v power_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o judge_v those_o that_o be_v within_o 1_o cor._n 5.12_o which_o jurisdiction_n no_o man_n can_v lawful_o be_v subject_v unto_o but_o by_o his_o own_o agreement_n the_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n either_o in_o thing_n spiritual_a or_o temporal_a if_o it_o be_v not_o natural_a as_o the_o paternal_a must_v be_v voluntary_o subject_v unto_o or_o it_o be_v usurp_v and_o tyrannical_a therefore_o to_o raise_v this_o relation_n which_o give_v a_o power_n of_o judge_v there_o must_v be_v a_o voluntary_a submission_n of_o themselves_o one_o to_o another_o testify_v by_o some_o act_n whether_o you_o will_v call_v it_o a_o covenant_n or_o consent_v or_o agreement_n between_o fit_a member_n for_o such_o end_n this_o consent_n and_o agreement_n ought_v to_o be_v explicit_a or_o the_o well_o be_v but_o not_o necessary_o to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o true_a church_n for_o it_o may_v be_v imply_v by_o such_o constant_a and_o frequent_a act_n of_o communion_n perform_v by_o a_o company_n of_o saint_n join_v together_o by_o cohabitation_n in_o town_n and_o village_n as_o that_o the_o fall_n in_o of_o their_o spirit_n into_o this_o brotherly_a fellowship_n and_o communion_n in_o thing_n spiritual_a be_v act_v unto_o the_o true_a be_v of_o it_o but_o for_o the_o want_n of_o the_o clear_a and_o full_a expression_n thereof_o among_o themselves_o the_o relation_n it_o raise_v the_o power_n it_o give_v they_o one_o over_o anoher_n the_o duty_n it_o oblige_v they_o unto_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n be_v obscure_o and_o little_o apprehend_v and_o less_o practise_v this_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o present_a state_n of_o most_o of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o kingdom_n which_o although_o they_o be_v true_a church_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v it_o of_o the_o whole_a town_n yet_o be_v too_o ignorant_a wherein_o that_o consist_v and_o what_o power_n and_o privilege_n they_o have_v and_o aught_o to_o exercise_v by_o it_o they_o suffer_v themselves_o by_o usurper_n to_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n and_o thereby_o a_o mix_a multitude_n press_v in_o among_o they_o to_o their_o own_o harden_v to_o the_o church_n levening_n contract_a guilt_n through_o neglect_n of_o their_o duty_n to_o separate_v the_o vile_a from_o the_o precious_a suffer_a sin_n to_o fret_v like_o a_o gangreen●_n and_o to_o the_o great_a dishonour_n of_o ch●ist_n who_o hereby_o be_v hold_v forth_o through_o the_o negligence_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v a_o head_n unto_o such_o member_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v beside_o through_o the_o same_o usurpation_n a_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n cast_v upon_o the_o church_n by_o the_o imposition_n of_o many_o humane_a device_n both_o upon_o officer_n and_o member_n full_a of_o tyranny_n and_o superstition_n the_o suffering_n whereof_o will_v cause_v the_o lord_n to_o have_v many_o thing_n against_o they_o but_o do_v not_o unchurch_n they_o since_o many_o want_n and_o many_o corruption_n may_v stand_v with_o the_o be_v of_o a_o true_a church_n as_o all_o experience_n show_v i_o expect_v hereupon_o to_o be_v demand_v what_o reason_n i_o can_v give_v why_o separation_n shall_v be_v make_v from_o such_o church_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v true_a church_n although_o with_o many_o want_n and_o corruption_n in_o answer_v whereof_o i_o shall_v give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o that_o i_o undertake_v and_o first_o i_o say_v this_o word_n separation_n be_v no_o such_o bugbear_n as_o many_o will_v make_v the_o world_n and_o themselves_o believe_v who_o hand_n over_o head_n without_o difference_v thing_n or_o person_n or_o understanding_n that_o whereof_o they_o affirm_v take_v it_o up_o and_o cast_v it_o abroad_o with_o as_o little_a charity_n as_o learning_n separation_n whereof_o we_o speak_v be_v either_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o invisible_a church_n heb._n 12._o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o church_n of_o the_o firstborn_a which_o be_v write_v in_o heaven_n or_o from_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a visible_a church_n communion_n the_o first_o can_v be_v make_v but_o by_o deny_v the_o faith_n for_o the_o requisite_n unto_o

obedience_n to_o be_v humble_v and_o mourn_v for_o their_o offence_n and_o scandal_n give_v by_o party_n offend_v and_o obstinate_a and_o for_o the_o church_n neglect_v to_o apply_v that_o remedy_n that_o christ_n have_v enjoin_v to_o profess_v to_o the_o church_n their_o own_o readiness_n to_o perform_v obedience_n to_o christ_n command_n if_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n will_v join_v with_o they_o to_o protest_v against_o their_o disobedience_n if_o they_o refuse_v either_o through_o negligent_a security_n be_v puff_v up_o with_o pride_n as_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n or_o through_o the_o base_a fear_n of_o man_n i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o if_o any_o particular_a member_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n have_v do_v this_o in_o case_n of_o the_o incestuous_a person_n he_o have_v be_v free_a and_o no_o way_n involve_v in_o the_o guilt_n of_o that_o church_n which_o the_o apostle_n charge_v they_o all_o with_o for_o which_o the_o apostle_n express_v to_o have_v be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o if_o any_o particular_a for_o his_o part_n have_v perform_v the_o same_o as_o far_o as_o lay_v in_o he_o &_o make_v public_a confession_n of_o that_o truth_n to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o rest_n profess_v against_o their_o disobedience_n he_o have_v not_o be_v leaven_v for_o the_o leaven_n and_o corruption_n in_o this_o case_n be_v not_o physical_a as_o one_o man_n receive_v the_o infection_n of_o the_o plague_n from_o another_o but_o only_o moral_a by_o reason_n of_o neglect_n of_o duty_n and_o the_o corrupt_a by_o ill_a example_n work_v upon_o the_o same_o ill_a principle_n of_o our_o evil_a nature_n be_v through_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n a_o consequence_n of_o such_o neglect_n of_o duty_n which_o be_v it_o perform_v either_o in_o general_a or_o in_o particular_a as_o it_o be_v appoint_v for_o a_o remedy_n so_o will_v it_o be_v a_o preservation_n and_o i_o think_v such_o a_o particular_a member_n or_o member_n in_o such_o case_n may_v as_o altogether_o unleavened_a keep_v the_o feast_n in_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n and_o with_o comfort_n and_o profit_n partake_v of_o the_o ordinance_n notwithstanding_o the_o sin_n and_o obstinacy_n of_o other_o man_n and_o the_o sin_n of_o that_o church_n in_o neglect_v to_o cast_v they_o out_o with_o which_o they_o be_v in_o communion_n yet_o with_o these_o caution_n first_o that_o they_o be_v not_o otherwise_o press_v with_o superstition_n in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o ordinance_n for_o their_o own_o practice_n second_o that_o if_o they_o can_v prevail_v with_o the_o church_n by_o their_o duty_n so_o perform_v to_o exercise_v that_o power_n that_o christ_n have_v give_v they_o for_o edification_n and_o to_o keep_v his_o temple_n undefiled_a that_o the_o member_n of_o harlot_n may_v not_o still_o be_v hold_v forth_o in_o profession_n to_o be_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n one_o body_n with_o the_o rest_n as_o partake_v of_o one_o bread_n then_o that_o they_o leave_v such_o external_a communion_n which_o they_o hold_v with_o they_o if_o they_o can_v join_v in_o communion_n with_o a_o pure_a church_n where_o they_o may_v bring_v more_o honour_n to_o the_o lord_n christ_n and_o more_o comfort_n and_o edification_n to_o themselves_o and_o other_o with_o who_o they_o do_v walk_v in_o communion_n this_o i_o be_v willing_a to_o express_v by_o the_o way_n because_o it_o be_v usual_a for_o man_n to_o fall_v into_o long_a dispute_n and_o bring_v many_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o ordinance_n be_v not_o make_v less_o comfortable_a or_o the_o partake_n in_o they_o make_v sinful_a to_o one_o man_n because_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o man_n who_o partake_v with_o they_o they_o set_v up_o a_o man_n of_o straw_n to_o contend_v with_o all_o and_o fight_v against_o what_o themselves_o have_v frame_v it_o be_v not_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o man_n as_o they_o be_v their_o personal_a act_n that_o can_v cast_v guilt_n upon_o any_o but_o themselves_o but_o it_o be_v the_o suffering_n of_o these_o sin_n and_o sinner_n to_o pass_v without_o such_o censure_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v to_o be_v pronounce_v against_o they_o by_o those_o who_o he_o have_v invest_v with_o power_n to_o that_o end_n which_o make_v these_o sin_n the_o sin_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n that_o so_o neglect_v their_o duty_n enjoin_v they_o and_o hereby_o a_o little_a leaven_n leaven_v the_o whole_a lump_n so_o that_o they_o either_o deceive_v or_o be_v deceive_v that_o agitate_v with_o so_o much_o eagerness_n this_o as_o they_o say_v strange_a opinion_n that_o another_o man_n sin_n shall_v hinder_v any_o from_o partake_v comfoitable_o in_o the_o ordinance_n it_o be_v not_o another_o man_n sin_n that_o hinder_v but_o their_o own_o as_o they_o that_o will_v see_v may_v perceive_v consist_v in_o the_o neglect_n of_o what_o upon_o his_o sin_v be_v there_o duty_n to_o do_v and_o not_o in_o any_o act_n by_o he_o commit_v now_o particular_a member_n be_v not_o suffer_v to_o discharge_v themselves_o by_o do_v that_o duty_n which_o in_o such_o a_o case_n of_o the_o church_n peri●●us_a this_o rescours_n ●as_v writ●●n_v some_o ●●ars_n since_o ●hen_o the_o ●●mes_n ●●ere_o peri●●us_a neglect_n do_v lie_v upon_o they_o to_o perform_v or_o if_o they_o will_v perform_v it_o to_o their_o own_o acquit_v and_o the_o church_n edify_v whereof_o they_o be_v member_n they_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a to_o run_v upon_o ruin_n in_o *_o these_o time_n then_o to_o qrevail_v nothing_o at_o all_o with_o church_n so_o constitute_v and_o consist_v of_o such_o mix_a multitude_n as_o the_o most_o be_v not_o to_o make_v such_o public_a profession_n as_o they_o think_v their_o duty_n oblige_v they_o unto_o be_v to_o live_v in_o sin_n against_o conscience_n and_o that_o be_v against_o christianity_n to_o do_v it_o to_o no_o profit_n and_o with_o certain_a ruin_n when_o another_o way_n may_v be_v take_v to_o prevent_v the_o sin_n and_o avoid_v the_o danger_n be_v against_o christian_a wisdom_n therefore_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n that_o do_v lie_v upon_o many_o to_o disjoyne_v themselves_o from_o be_v member_n of_o divers_a church_n in_o this_o kingdom_n that_o the_o obligation_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o such_o a_o relation_n will_v lie_v upon_o their_o conscience_n may_v not_o press_v they_o when_o they_o can_v discharge_v the_o same_o and_o to_o unite_v themselves_o in_o membership_n and_o communion_n where_o they_o may_v in_o do_v and_o submit_v themselves_o mutual_o unto_o all_o that_o christ_n enjoin_v they_o for_o his_o honour_n and_o their_o edisication_n exercise_v a_o communion_n in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o the_o ordinance_n free_a from_o the_o mixture_n of_o humane_a invention_n and_o antichristian_a usurpation_n suppose_v a_o congregation_n in_o this_o land_n some_o town_n or_o parish_n to_o speak_v common_a road_n language_n wherein_o a_o company_n of_o godly_a man_n saint_n all_o so_o far_o as_o man_n can_v judge_v have_v unite_v themselves_o together_o by_o mutual_a consent_n to_o walk_v in_o all_o the_o ordinance_n and_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n without_o admit_v the_o linsy-woolsie_n mixture_n of_o any_o humane_a invention_n and_o with_o resolution_n not_o to_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o man_n but_o to_o cast_v off_o their_o yoke_n in_o thing_n spiritual_a and_o exalt_v the_o lord_n alone_o to_o rule_v and_o judge_v in_o they_o and_o by_o they_o according_a to_o the_o guidance_n of_o his_o word_n if_o find_v this_o society_n and_o their_o course_n full_o to_o answer_v the_o persuasion_n of_o my_o heart_n concern_v the_o way_n of_o god_n i_o shall_v change_v my_o habitation_n and_o take_v a_o house_n in_o that_o town_n that_o i_o may_v thereby_o join_v myself_o to_o this_o company_n in_o church_n fellowship_n because_o this_o be_v your_o dark_a and_o ignorant_a way_n of_o fall_v into_o fellowship_n here_o in_o this_o land_n there_o will_v be_v no_o complain_v no_o out_o cry_v of_o separation_n no_o whisper_a and_o mutter_v of_o forsake_v the_o mother_n church_n no_o write_n up_o and_o down_o to_o intimate_v the_o great_a fear_n there_o be_v of_o seduction_n and_o separation_n and_o the_o scandal_n that_o will_v arise_v from_o thence_o and_o yet_o i_o shall_v come_v out_o thereby_o from_o hold_v external_a communion_n with_o one_o congregation_n who_o external_a communion_n i_o see_v so_o many_o corruption_n so_o weave_v into_o that_o i_o can_v not_o hold_v it_o and_o be_v free_a from_o they_o and_o join_v myself_o in_o communion_n with_o another_o who_o exercise_v a_o communion_n between_o themselves_o free_a from_o such_o corruption_n and_o bondage_n and_o shall_v i_o or_o other_o do_v any_o more_o but_o the_o same_o thing_n if_o in_o one_o street_n of_o a_o town_n we_o shall_v join_v ourselves_o together_o in_o communion_n for_o spiritual_a end_n and_o separate_v ourselves_o from_o the_o external_a communion_n which_o be_v hold_v in_o another_o burden_a with_o many_o superstition_n and_o submit_v themselves_o to_o bear_v the_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n impose_v by_o man_n who_o lord_n it_o over_o they_o in_o thing_n spiritual_a and_o all_o this_o without_o break_v off_o from_o internal_a communion_n will_v any_o saint_n among_o they_o consist_v in_o the_o embrace_n and_o hold_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o same_o true_a faith_n and_o obedience_n but_o separate_a alone_o from_o their_o corruption_n and_o continuance_n in_o disobedience_n whereunto_o then_o serve_v the_o raise_n of_o so_o much_o noise_n and_o clamour_n of_o separation_n but_o to_o give_v up_o friend_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o enemy_n i_o have_v in_o my_o plain_a way_n endeavour_v to_o express_v my_o judgement_n in_o these_o particular_n desire_v to_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o open_v my_o eye_n to_o receive_v further_a light_n from_o whosoever_o it_o shall_v be_v show_v unto_o i_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o must_v walk_v according_a to_o that_o i_o have_v accept_v not_o man_n person_n nor_o give_v flatter_a title_n to_o man_n as_o be_v say_v in_o job_n i_o pretend_v not_o to_o so_o much_o scholership_n that_o you_o shall_v require_v of_o i_o exactness_n in_o method_n or_o expression_n therefore_o i_o pray_v you_o stick_v not_o upon_o some_o expression_n which_o you_o may_v conceive_v not_o so_o meet_v to_o winnow_v and_o fan_v they_o by_o scholastic_a wit_n neither_o quarrel_v i_o for_o a_o loose_a discourse_n i_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o express_v myself_o to_o be_v understand_v but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o beg_a principle_n or_o ground_n want_v proof_n or_o any_o thing_n infer_v from_o ground_n too_o weak_a to_o maintain_v the_o same_o stay_v upon_o these_o and_o make_v that_o appear_v unto_o i_o and_o i_o shall_v either_o make_v they_o good_a and_o able_a to_o stand_v upon_o solid_a foundation_n at_o least_o to_o my_o apprehension_n or_o quit_v they_o any_o other_o way_n of_o answer_n but_o this_o only_a will_v be_v receive_v by_o i_o as_o the_o fruit_n of_o a_o acute_a wit_n much_o exercise_v in_o controversall_n writing_n and_o work_v no_o other_o effect_n i_o expect_v upon_o your_o answer_n to_o be_v put_v to_o make_v good_a these_o two_o first_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n under_o the_o gospel_n second_o the_o power_n thereof_o wherein_o will_v consist_v card●_n quaestionis_fw-la all_o turn_n about_o upon_o the_o determination_n of_o these_o i_o shall_v make_v appear_v what_o i_o have_v say_v i_o hope_v not_o to_o be_v the_o fancy_n of_o m._n jacob_n as_o you_o please_v to_o say_v a_o learned_a man_n deserve_v not_o to_o be_v slight_v nor_o of_o any_o man_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n have_v ground_n in_o his_o word_n and_o embrace_v for_o such_o not_o by_o shrub_n in_o learning_n as_o some_o may_v be_v think_v to_o be_v but_o by_o the_o strong_a and_o tall_a cedar_n of_o lebanon_n for_o learning_n and_o piety_n finis_fw-la errata_fw-la page_n 4._o line_n 30_o for_o eternal_a read_v external_a