Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	admit_v	church_n	scripture_n	2,766	5	6.5715	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A73049	Englands pvrginge fire Conteyninge two petitions, the one to the Kinges most excellent Majesty, the other to the High Courte of Parliament held at this tyme in England. Shewinge in diverse perticulers, how the Church in England might be ordered, yet more conformably to the Will of God reveiled in his worde then at this day it is. Herewithall is declared, the evell and lamentable effects of our vnable and negligent ministers: and the happy fruict of our learned and painefull pastors. A worke most needefull for theise tymes, as servinge to turne away the wrath and iudgements of God from this lande, through the removinge, (accordinge to the advertisements herein given) such disorders and evells, as for which the wrath of God may be, and is, kindled against this Land, and the church therein.	Proctor, Thomas, fl. 1621.	1621 (1621)	STC 20408.5; ESTC S124597	53,590	98

to observe them Againe some may say What is their Office I answere seinge they are called Governours and Rulers and yet inferior to Teachers it implies that they with though under the Cleargy of a Parrish should Governe the people of the Parrish And seinge Goverment is lame where Power of Iudginge Punishinge is wantinge therefore as vve would not conceave the Lord to give a Lame Ordinance to his Church we are to Beleeve that theise Governours should assist the Cleargy in Iudginge and Punishinge with ecclesiasticall Punishments such in the Parrish as observe not the Ghospell in their life and conversation If here it be obiected that then I make them Ministers of the same Power in bindinge and loosinge as the Lord committed to the Cleargy onely I answere No for there is difference betwixt byndinge and loosinge the sinne its selfe and inflictinge or releasinge of Punishments there is difference betweene byndinge a Man in his sinne or loosinge him from it and punishinge a Man with ecclesiasticall Punishments for offences or releasinge him from the the same And indeede the worde is Iohn 20 23 Whosoevers sinnes ye remit whosoevers sinnes yee retayne not whatsoever Punishment you inflict or remit therefore in the first of theise the Cleargy onely have Power but in the second the mixt Elders of the Church aswell the Lay as Cleargy Elders have Power When the incestuous Corinthian was to be excommunicated the Apostle commits this to a plurality rather then to any one 1. Cor. 5 13 Put away ther fore from amonge your selvs that wicked Man And in the remission or Absolution he doth the like 2. Cor. 2 7 Ye ought rather to forgive him To conclude then Theise Lay Governours Office is to joyne with the Cleargy of the Parrish in observinge those of the Parrish whither they live and converse as beseemeth Saincts and where any are faulty there to judge of the crime to proceede against them as the cause requireth If theise Governours offend in their Goverment whither by Negligence or by untymely Severity or disorderly proceedings they have over them the Bishop Arch-Bishop who are to call them to Accoumpt and to punish them also for any evell administration of their office therefore also so much the rather such Governours may be admitted in every Church and Kingedome and not opposed as in theise tymes as for a dangerous rabble of rude and turbulent Busy-Bodies Neither indeede may any be suffered to Rule contrary to the Ghospell who have their office by the Ghospell therefore if Pastors and Bishops must be 2. Tim. 2 24 gentle towards all Men sufferinge the evell Men patiently provinge if God at any time will give them repentance that they may come to amendment how much more should theise inferior Governours be like minded For if Goverment and Iustice be not hindred by this lenity in Pastors and Bishops why should this preiudice the same if theise Governours doe likewise And if Timothie must not receave an Accusation against an Elder but under two or three witnesses I. Tim. 5 19 much less must theise inferior Governours hand over head trouble Men upon every reporte they heare or suspition they have And if the Elders of the Church be so to be respected are not the Elders of the Kingedome even Princes and Magistrates to be likewise so respected As God tendereth the Elders of the Church that every reporte or every little evidence of evell shall not be presently taken hold of to their disgrace so we may well thinke that even such his will is also concerning the Civill Magistrats of the Kingdome therefore the Governours of the Church ought to be slowe in medling with such S. Peter also 1. Pet 5 3 chargeth the Elders Church that not as though they were Lords over Gods heretage they should Governe the same Whilst this bridle therefore is put into the mouthes of theise Governours and this also by the Ordinance of God theise Governours neede not so to be opposed as some would have it under pretence that they woulde prove in the Kingdome a sorte of ignorant Men puffed up by this Power and Authority and troublers of men upon every the least occasion True it is that we must understande that as the Kingedome so the Church may not so pervert Iustice as not to lay hold on them that sinne openly therefore where there is an open sinninge theise may not be timerous vnder coulour of sufferinge the evell men patiently Yea I say more vvhen it is hearde certainely abroade as was that 1. Cor. 5 1. that such or such a Man is a Drunkarde a whore maister fornicator Adulterer extortioner Railer filthy speaker or the like such fame or report must not be neglected but rather must occasion a watchinge over such and when dut Accusation shall seconde the Reporte then may they no neglect to proceede against such To this I may add as a parte of their care and Goverment that they see the Church decently kept and the Congregation ordered in fit manner aswell for order in sittinge as for perfourmance of such Ceremonies as serue to express Reverence at Divine Service In a vvorde they are to see that Men live and converse as the ordinance of the Ghospell together with the Churches Canons not dissonant from the Ghospells ordinances require Surely the Benefit of such Lay Governours in every Congregation woulde be greate for by their Elderly Gravity of yeares and Authority which such kinde of Eldershipp onely carries with it by the plurality of their Number and their dwellinge in severall parts of the Parrish not onely an Awe of them would fall upon them of that Congregation but also a certainety of crimes would the sooner be attayned so that men could hardly live longe disorderly but they would be knowen so to doe to some or other of theise Governours Moreover by such Governours our people would be bettered and the Churches State and Maiesty would be increased for our people seinge that the Antient amonge them have Authority even by Gods Ordinance to observe Governe Iudge punish them they wil be the more carefull to live converse as beseemeth Christians And the church havinge the Antient of the Laiety in every Congregatiö joyned with the Cleargy in the Goverment of the churche servinge as Governours inferior to the Cleargy the State Authority of the church would greately be augmented To conclude then if God sent out the Ghospell accompanied with this kinde of goveruours also which thing I have before proved from the Scriptures cann we expect any other then detriment yea punishmēt if we deny to admit such governours Shall not our Land and Kingedome suffer visitations for the Neglect and Opposinge of so holy and necessary an Ordinance of God Shall the Ghospell be admitted and its Goverment kept out or cann we expect proffit by the Ghospell if thus vve doe For doubless Iudgements accompany the Ghospell where the Government ordeyned to

accompany it will not be admitted For the avoidinge of Gods judgements therefore and for the betteringe of our people yea for the augmentation of the State and Majesty of our Church of Englande let theise Lay Elders be admitted into the Ecclesiasticall Rule and Goverment To this I may add that as common experience shews the puttinge Offices of Power and goverment into Mens hands maketh them growe in kuowledge of the Lawes and carefull of their Manners so surely the puttinge this Ecclesiasticall Power and goverment into the Elders of the Laiety would both occasion their search more diligently into the worde of God thereby to increase their knowledge of the Divine will and also their carefull taking heede unto their Manners that they give not offence to them whom they are to governe Yea the yonger Men also in every Parrish seinge the Credit honor of such place of government would study the Scriptures and take care of their Manners that so they may attaine a fame or good reporte for their honesty and Piety so to be the fitter to be imploied in such Office of goverment as their turnes may come Lastly some may say Must theise beinge once imployed in this Office ever remaine in this Office and not be imploied in other Offices of the Kingedome I answere first that there is greate difference betweene the Ministration of the worde and the Ministration of government onely the first is not to be left off the second may without offence For the vvorde of God hath laide no such bond on this as on that Secondly seinge it would be an insufferable mischeife unto Kingedomes if many of the Elders thereof in every Parrish should be wholy exempted from its imployment in Offices needefull thereunto therefore we may not conceave that the Lord would send such a Goverment ecclesiasticall into them as which should bringe with it such an inconvenience and mischeife I conclude therefore that theise Lay Governours are not bounde by the Lord to continue ever in their Office but now may serve in the goverment of the Church and another tyme not Thus have I Dread Soveraigne bene the more prolixe in my wrytinge of theise because this our Church of England doth hitherto rather oppose then admit of such but now havinge showen from the vvorde of God that of Gods Ordinance such a kynde of Governours or Rulers are to be in the Church I humbly petition your Majestie that you commande our Cleargy in whom is the Power to confert ecclesiasticall Powers and Offices that they exercise their Power herein ordeyninge some of the antient and godly of the Laiety to this Power and Authority in every of our Parrish Churches So shall you surely doe a vvorke acceptable to God beneficiall to the Church and worthy of that great Name which you have raised to your selfe in the Churches of God Suffer therefore patiently I humbly pray you this my petition for the admission of theise kynde of Ecclesiasticall Governours that so the Officers ecclesiasticall ordeyned by God may be wholy found in this our Church of Englande I grante that many other Offices may be ordeyned in the Church as the Change of tymes increase of Magnificence of Gods Divine Service and other like things may occasion but theise before written of are such as may not be omitted because they have evidence from the vvorde of God to by the Ordinance of God Apostolically delivered therefore also the Cleargy in whom is the power of Ordination are of duty bounde to renewe this Ordinance of the Lords in the Church But havinge written thus of theise ecclesiasticall governours I proceede to write of extentions also of ecclesiasticall jurisdictions 2. PETITION That Parishes Bishopdomes and Arch-Bishopdomes may be conveniently bounded SOme of our Parishes are so small and withall conteyne in them so few people that neither the Congregation beareth a State befittinge a Church nor yet cann a convenient Meanes or Revenewe be raised therefrom for a Pastor and Deacon his assistant And on the contrary some other Parishes retayninge their very antient boundes conteyne now by Gods multiplyinge the people in that place so many People that al cannot at one time conveniently assemble in the church I therefore petition that the smaller be made larger and those which are too large may be divided that so neither Gods Ministers be discouraged by the smaleness of Revenewe or Meanes of life nor Gods people dishartened from comminge to Church through want of convenient place when they come there Some Parishes also abounde with strangers who are but lodgers for a time yet in such places provision were good to be made that such may have convenient place in the church least else it occasion in them either a wandringe from the Parrish or a Neglect to resorte to any Church at all It hath in all ages bene seene that Change of condition of things hath caused change of former orderinge of thinges for it is no disorder to change the antiēt disposure of things vvhen to reteyne the same brings with it great disorder and detriment Moreover though Changes carry with them diffently of perfourmance yet experience hath declared that when the Magistrates authority concurreth with the occasion all difficultyes have readily bene overcome by the peoples voluntary tendinge their owne Benefit and the Benefit of other Populous Congregations are surely most meete both because a convenient Meanes may be better be raised for a Teacher or Pastor and a Deacon his assistant and also a plurality of grave and godly Men may be chosen by turnes to serve in that Parrish for Governours accordinge to that which I have written aboue if therefore such a multitude be appointed as which beinge close seated together disposed in galleries the voyce of a Preacher may well be hearde of them then judge I the Congregation to be duly proportioned And indeede want of disposinge the roome of the church as best may fit to conteyne a greate multitude and this also within hearinge the voice of a Teacher causeth that farr fewer assemble convenlently then vvere meete for it is but vaine there to resorte where though the church have roome enough yet use cannot be made of it for hearinge the Preacher True it is that Mens voices are diverse neither cann all volces answere to the serled disposure but yet if respect be had to the ordinary voice of Man and the Roome fitted accordinge thereto fitter it is that the defect of voice be supplied by some helpe then that the disposure of place for audience be changed Such Pastors therefore as have lowe voices may doe well to supply that defect with oftner Preachinge that so at one time some at another time others of the Parrish may conveniently heare them Theise things I write of our Parrishes in populous Cityes vvhere the neereness of dwellinge and multitude of strangers lodged causeth a very great Congregation in a smale quantity of grounde but in the Country where in a very large circuite

withholdeth that he might be reveiled in his tyme so indeede it fell out for the Emperors keepinge his Seate at Rome withheld the Bishopp of Romes Reveilinge but the Emperor removinge his Seate to Constantinople this Councill of Nice some few yeares after was assembled where theise huge extents of Iurisdiction beinge confirmed the Bishop of Rome beinge held as Cheife of them this caused his first measure of Reveilinge It is fit therefore that that Councils proceedings be examined whither in oughts God left it to dissent from his sacred Worde Papists usually alleadge that Councill as countenancinge the offeringe up of the Body and Blood of the Lord in the Service of the Lords Supper but if this that Councill did then expressly erred it from the Scriptureis nstruction concerninge that Service And how neere it was to forbid Preists the copulation with their vvives vvhich Gods worde commandes 1. Cor 7 3 is well knowen to all that have read the Story of those tymes To this I may add the uncertainety of its Canons seinge they are with such uncertainety brought us by Tradition For all theise reasons I conclude that that Councill is not so to be maintayned in its Ordinances as that the instruction of sacred Scripture is not rather to be followed But who that looketh into the holy Scripture shall not see That Timothy and Titus such as were like them held the highest ordinary Offices in the Church next unto the Apostles themselvs for by the Epistles of Timothy and Titus it is evident that the Apostle set them in Office next himselfe over the Churches that were planted Churches were planted and they had their Officers and Governours but then the Apostle ordeyned theise over them againe and this is manifest in that Titus had Charge over diverse Cityes Whilst therefore there is this evidence for their Office and whilst there is that evidence before noted that our Arch-Bishops succeede them in that Office and vvhilst the Church ever held a cessation of Apostles and the Apostle 1. Cor. 4 9 saith I thinke that God hath set fourth us the last Apostles c We have good reason not to suffer other offices to usurpe Authority over Arch-Bishops or any Arch-Bishopps to be subiugated unto any other Ecclesiasticall Ministration But if we permit the continuance of those huge extents whereof we read then as necessarily many Arch-Bishopdomes yea Patriarchdomes must be comprised therein so the Bishop of that Seate must be advanced over and exercise a Ministration ovet Arch-Bishopps yea over Patriarchs which thinge what is it but both an evertion of the Politie ecclesiasticall which God by his Ordinance Apostles taken away sent the church withall under the Wings of Kinges and Princes and also a bringinge in Superiorityes Throanes and Powers never ordeyned by the Lord As therefore experience hath showen that when an Arch-Bishoprick hath necessarily bene divided then tvvo Arch-Bishops are placed therein without subiugating the one under the other so those antient extents of bounds ought with the increase of the Convertion of people to have bene divided into many Arch-Bishopdomes and this without subiugatinge every of them to the Arch-Bishopp of some one city who by this meanes as he is to take a New Title so also he entereth into a new Ministration never ordeyned by the Lord. If any say hath not every Snccessor right to retayne the bownds of his predecessors jurisdiction I answere yes where there is no prejudice thereby to the Church and to the Ordinances of God but when retayninge the same he must necessarily Rule over them whom God by his Ordinance set next unto Apostles he then subverts the Ordinance of God so longe as he cannot make himselfe an Apostle Neither cann any ones succeedinge in the Seate of an Apostle conferr upon him an Apostles Dignity and Office for this were to make such a one an Apostle but we have good cause to aske of such a one the signes of his Apostleship 2. Cor. 12 12. I conclude therefore that those extents of Iurisdiction which carry with them a bringinge into the Church Powers and Ministrations above that of Arch-Bishops are unlawfull as bringinge into the Church strange Ministrations which have no manner warrant from Gods Worde in Scripture but rather are contrary to the Politie which there God manifesteth to his Church And indeede because of the huge extent of the Pope of Romes jurisdiction we fynde that above Arch Bishopps are Patriarchs as also Cardinalls as now Cardinalls are Popes Legats and a rabble of other who all serve rather as Ministers of this Corruption of Ecclesiastical Politie warranted by God then of the church of the Ghospell For how many are the Officers which the Pope of Rome needeth for to serve him only in the executiō of so large a jurisdictiō as now he exerciseth even so proportionably is it with every Patriarch yea with every Arch-Bisshop when he hath a Iurisdiction so farr extended fourth as that neither he can personally visit conveniently the parts of his Charge nor they of his Charge cann conveniently make Accusatiōs unto him if the Parishional or Episcopal Goverments faile in executiō of Iustice But now seinge God hath given so blessed Testimony to the Reforminge of things by his worde in Scripture why should not such Offices be cut off as superfluous and justly Offensive which exercise any Authority over the Arch-Bishops of the Christian church Should we not thinke that the Lord expects a Reformation even herein aswell as in Doctryne Should not his vvords direction be of power with us aswell in Reforminge errors of Iurisdictions or Powers Offices as in reforminge of Doctrynes Therefore if the Scripture shew that the Offices of Timothy Titus was the highest ordinary Office in the Church after Apostles ceased as beinge in the life tyme of the Apostles next to the Apostles and if there be good evidence that those had under them at the most but Bishopps of Cityes then why should not Arch-Bishopps be acknowledged as Succeeders into their Office and consequently to be the highest ecclesiasticall Officer which God sent the Church with amonge the Nations after his taking away of Apostles If it be said that those who succeeded into the Seates of Timothy or Titus and others like them are Patriarchs not Arch-Bishopps then I demande what Manner Bishops cann any prove that either Timothy or Titus or the next Successors ruled over whither were they Arch-Bishos or onely Bishopps of Cityes Surely the greatest evidence of purest and most antient Tradition is that those of those Seates were first accoumpted but Arch-Bishops and though they seemed to have Charge of a greate circuit of grownde yet where any Arch-Bishop was ordeyned I fynde not any good evidence that they exercised Authority over them also as now Patriarchs doe over them and the Pope over Patriarches As for the extendinge out of Care or seeminge-Charge of the Churches in greate extent we fynde in antient tyme not

vvere used to theise pious exercises it would occasion a makinge conscience to resorte to Church and there to vvorshipp God vvith faith in the Spirit aswell as in the externall Gestures of the Body as also it would make them carefull of that taught to remember a parte and some speciall things either to Beleeve them heartily or to practise them in their Actions and Speach all the tyme of their life for some things are to be Beleeved onely other things are to be practised and in both every hearer ought to be carefull that he doe it as he is taught by the GHOSPELL of CHRISTE Thus havinge vvritten of some sorts of Ministers and observed unto your Majestie the effects of their defects in your People I now humbly pray that I may proceede to vvrite also of those other Ministers in vvhom I cannot but rejoice blessinge God also for them and for the rich and plentifull Fruicts of their zealous and painefull Ministration Other Ministers there are in this Church of Englande who beinge learned are also painefull Preachers of the word They preach once at the least but ordinarily twice on the Sabbaoth day if not once in the weeke dayes also Theise observe their Parishioners whither usually in their life and conversation they bringe fourth any Fruicts of their Preachinge Theise vvatch over any erroneous opinions in their Parishioners informinge them better and stayinge their outspreadinge Theise watch also over the Manners of their Parishioners aswell their conversation as their dealinge observinge vvhen they are either vitious or vertuous Theise apply themselvs to fit their Preaching also unto theise observations usinge Comminations or Consolations as the peoples vices or vertues neglect or observation of Doctryne gives occasion Which that they may the better doe they observe marke the common fame that goes of any in the Parrish and herewithall they have their eyes and eares abroade in the Parrish even faithfull and godly Men vvho observinge the common conversation and dealings of their Neighbours doe faithfully informe them how they fynde their Neighbours commonly disposed whither to observe religiously what is Taught them or to neglect to observe the same All this they doe before any of their Parishioners come to such height of iniquity as to be publickly accused and proceeded against in any courte of lustice Yea and hereby they so prevent peoples so offendinge that well neere rather they by their well directed Doctryne and grave or Pastorly Authority then the feare of the Punishment which is by your Law to be inflicted doe bridle and restreine your people from offendinge your Lawes Theise in their owne familyes use Morninge and Eveninge Praier Grace before and after Meate Readinge the Scriptures thorowe in time every one of the household their turne or parte Theise use their family to Repeatinge of Sermons and also Catechise them conveniently often If you talke with theise you shall fynde them religiously disposed affectinge also in all conference with Men to leave some Seedes and gratious impressions either confirminge Men in the faith of some speciall thinge of the Ghospell or dehortinge them from some wickedness to which they are by reporte inclyncable Theise are religiously courteous and affable lovinge their Parishioners not for their owne private gaine they have by them onely nor onely for neighbourhood and freindshipp but after the example of the Apostles for the evidence of their faith and for the evidence of their receavinge carefully and practisinge conscionably the worde of Life Theise shew themselvs by many apparant Signes that they love and seeke the Salvation of their People rejoycinge of the comforteable likelihood of many and assurance of some that they shall be partakers in the future Glorification Theise are grave in gesture sober and meeke in conversation they are devoute they are Holy yea a Man may by good Signes discerne that from a Springe of faith in themselvs they exhorte others unto faith and from a sence of the sweeteness of obedience in themselvs they incourage or animate others to obey the Ghospell In a worde theise goe before their Parishioners in those things vvhereunto by their Preaching they exhorte them This for the Ministers themselvs and their familyes now consider the people also under them You shall fynde here the common voice of the Parishioners to be to this effect We have God be blessed a learned and a good Man to our Teacher he taketh greate paines to teach us he loves us he is ready to instruct and teach us even in private conference upon any scruple of conscience he is courteous even to the meanest of us shewinge also by evident signes that he heartily desires the Salvation of our Soules In theise Parishes you shall fynde in the people in the meanest aswell as in the greatest more knowledge in Divine Mysteries then in the Parishes formerly written of Here more evidence of faith of those holy Mysteries and in God and in Christe accordinge to the direction of those Mysteries Here you shall fynde more store of Bibles in families more readinge in them more proffit by readinge in them then in the other Parishes Here eveninge if not morninge and eveninge Praier Here grace before and after Meate and the same done with Reverence also and an evidence of faith and feare of God Here you shall fynde repeatinge of the Sermons at convenient tymes Here catechisinge also conveniently often Here the Neighbours will conferr some tymes one with another aswell of heavenly things as of vvordly yea and this they vvill doe not to shew what they cann say of such things or to get a Mastery in conference but with a mutuall Hope for such things confirminge one another in the faith and esteeme of such things animatinge one another to preferr them in their love and desire before theise vvorldly things which all men have and enjoy When I sawe this in some I rejoyced as one who had founde some who are answerable to that exhortation of the Apostles where he describinge in some measure the future resurrection of our Bodyes 1. Thssal 4 17 saith Comforte your selvs one another vvith theise wordes Doubtless where people thus doe as fit opportunity and mutuall disposition of myndes vvill serve the Lord vvill drawe neere to heare their talke openinge also their understandinges yet better as we reade of him that he did Luke 24 13. Furthermore in theise Parishes vve fynde the People not onely to reverence their Pastor but heartily to love him beinge glad also to have occasion of doinge any thinge whereby they may manifest the Love they beare him Here there is an abstayninge from usuall and unlavvfull swearing Here you shall not fynde usually any excess in drinkinge Here no lasciviouss filthy or beastly talke no bold lustfull and filthy gestures but rather you shall fynde here the contrary vertues even an abstinence from evell and yet a freedome of Love and delight as youth requires but with a restreinte of such wicked excess Here in a