Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	bishop_n	church_n	great_a	8,286	5	3.5391	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93683	A sermon preached in Oxford before the Kings Maiesty, April 19. 1643. VVherein is handled the vnlawfulnesse of non-preaching bishops, non-residents, plurality of benefices, &c. with the utter destruction of images. According to the votes of both the houses of Parliament, scripture, ancient writers, and reason it selfe. By Richard Spinkes, minister of the word of God, and imprisoned there for the said sermon.	Spinkes, Richard.	1643 (1643)	Wing S4982; Thomason E104_10; ESTC R212784	18,404	23

without incurring the great curse and irrevocable sentence of Excommunication and consequently of eternall damnation Here was a judgement preached but too late for to this the Advocates of the King replyed that true it was indeed that the Ministers of the Gospel those that labour in the Word and Doctrine were worthy of double honour a due respect and sufficient maintenance but as for those Locusts and Catepillers those frages consumere nati those Caterers for wormes those flow bellies as Epimenides calls the Cretians who were neither serviceable to God nor man such ought not to be maintained of the expence of the Commonwealth for though his predecessors had zealously perhaps but inconsiderately weakned the kingdome by conferring so much upon them who so ill imployed it his Majesty as he was then Minister of God too and bore not the sword in vaine was bound in conscience to cut them short and to redresse such disorders When the Prelate were demanded what title of Scripture they had to shew that Bishops should intermeddle with secular authority and where did God in all his Will and Testament give to idle loyterers such a claime of great allowance Alas all their skill was in the Canons Cretals and Extravagancies and so being destitute of other arguments it was concluded that the priviledges and liberties of the Church were in the Kings power and that he as the times and meanes varied might augment or diminish the revenues of it Vpon the execution of which Decree great stirres and commotions were made and many buls were ban●●…ed against the King by the malecontents among the Clergy but this being Gods hand he justified the Man of his right hand for he lived religiously reigned victoriously and died peaceably And for ought that I can heare the tertius haeres the third heire God be thanked thrives well enough and the kingdome being sinewed and flesht with the addition of so much new strength and force flourisheth Had it not been pitty that that nourishment which is nourishment and releefe of so many distressed Christians of the recovering of so much ground from the encroaching of Antichrist of propagating the Gospel of Christ into many Countries heretofore captivated with a willing unbeleefe should have beene spent and bezied in the high feedings and surfetted entertainments of Abbeyes and Monasteries Had it not beene pity that all that should have beene bestowed on Mitre or Crosier staffe which will now buy so many Speares and Helmets better a great deale in my opinion bestowed on those men who as it was sayd of Paul and Sylas have hazarded their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus then those who could not speake a good word for him All you therefore that wish the good of the Church and would see Jerusalem in prosperity all your life long if you would heap coales of fire upon your enemies heads and make the sinne of Impropriation Sacriledge be diligent in the Lords worke and then you need not be so loud in calling for your wages for the hire of the labourer which is kept backe by fraud cryeth saith Saint James Jam. 3.4 and the cry thereof shall enter into the eares of the Lord of Hosts The best way then not onely to procure the maintenance but to secure the welfare and prosperity of the Commonwealth is to be diligent in preaching The Prophet Isay a Courtier one that was neere to the King as it was thought both in person and alliance teacheth us this Ecclesiasticall policy Isa 62.67.78 Ye that make mention of the Lord or ye that are the Lords Remembrancers keepe no filence till he make Jerusalem a praise on the earth The Lord hath sworne by his right hand and by the arme of his strength it is the hand and arme in which are the hearts of Kings much more of the common people surely I will no more give thy corne to be meat for thine enemies and the sonnes of the strangers shall not drinke thy wines for the which thou hast laboured but they that have gathered it and they that have brought it together shall eate it in the Courts of my Holinesse FINIS