Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	church_n	power_n	presbyter_n	2,457	5	9.9410	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A97108	Tolleration iustified, and persecution condemn'd. In an answer or examination, of the London-ministers letter whereof, many of them are of the synod, and yet framed this letter at Sion-Colledge; to be sent among others, to themselves at the Assembly: in behalf of reformation and church-government, 2 Corinth. II. vers. 14. 15. And no marvail, for Sathan himself is transformed into an angell of light. Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers transform themselves, as though they were ministers of righteousnesse; whose end shall be according to their works.	Walwyn, William, 1600-1681.	1646 (1646)	Wing W692A; Thomason E319_15; ESTC R200561	14,731	18

advan●age of speaking ●n h●●re together without interruption that they cannot keep those Auditors th●y h●ve but that they sh●ll bee withdrawn from them by men of ●eaner 〈◊〉 in their esteeme by the illiterate and under-valued lay Preachers that ●r● as the Ministers suppose under the cloud of error and false doctrine Surely they suspect their own Tene●ss or their abilities to maintain them that esteem it a discouragement to bee opposed and feare they shall be despised if dispu●●d withall 5. They say The life and power of godlinesse will be eaten out by frivolous disputes and vain janglings Answ. Frivolous disputes and vain janglings are as unjustifiable in the people as in the Ministery but milde and gentle Reasonings which authority are onely to countenance make much to the finding out of truth which doth most advance the life and power of godlinesse Besides a Toleration being allowed and every Sect labouring to make it appear that they are in the truth whereof a good life or the power of godlinesse being the best badge or symptome hence will necessarily follow a noble contestation in all sorts of men to exceed in godlinesse to the great improvement of vertue and piety amongst us From whence it will be concluded too that that Sect will be supposed to have least truth in them that are least vertuous and godlike in their lives and conversations 6. They urge That the whole course of religion in private families will be interrupted and undermined Answ. As if the Independents and Separation were not as religious in their private families as the Presbyters 7. Reciprocall duties between persons of nearest and dearest relations will be extreamly violated Answ. A needlesse fear grounded upon a supposition that difference in judgement must needs occasion coldnesse of affection which indeed proceeds from the different countenance and protection which States have hitherto afforded to men of different judgements Hence was it that in the most persecuting times when it was almost as bad in the vulgar esteem to be an Anabaptist as a murtherer it occasioned dis-inheritings and many effects of want of affection in people of nearest relations but since the common odium and vilification is in great measure taken off by the wise and just permission of all sects of men by the Parliament man and wife father and son friend and friend though of different opinions can agree well together and love one another which shews that such difference in affection is not properly the effect of difference in judgement but of Persecution and the distinct respect and different countenance that Authority has formerly shewn towards men not conforming 8. They say That the whole work of R●formation especially in discipline a●d Government will be retarded disturbed and in danger of b●ing utterly frustrate and void It matters not since they mean in the Presbyterian discipline and Government accompanied with Persecution Nay it will be abundantly happy for the people and exceedingly conducing to a lasting Peace to which Persecution is the greatest enemy if such a government so qualified be never setled The Presbyters I hope will fall short in their ayms ● 'T is not certain that the Parliament mean to settle the Presbyterian Government since they have not declared that Government to be agreeable to Gods Word although the Presbyters are pleas'd in their expressions frequently to call their Government Christ● Government Howsoever their determination which may well be suppos'd to be buil● upon their interest is not binding They are call'd to advise withall not to controul 2. In case the Parliament should approve of that Government in the main yet the Prelaticall and persecuting power of it we may well presume since they themselves may smart under it as well as the rest of the people they will never establish 9. All other Sects and Heresies in the Kingdome will be encouraged to endeavour the like tolleration Sects and Heresies We must take leave to tell them that those are ●ermes impos'd ad placitum and may be retorted with the like confidence upon themselves How prove they Separation to be Sects and Heresies because they differ and separate from t●em That 's no Argument unlesse they can first prove themselves to be in the truth A matter with much presumption suppos'd but never yet made good and yet upon this groundlesse presumption the whole fabrick of their function their claim to the Churches their preheminence in determining matters of Religion their eager persuit after a power to persecute is mainly supported If the Separation are Sects and Heresies because the Presbyters supposing themselves to have the countenance of Authority and some esteem with the people judge them so The Presbyters by the same rule were so because the Bishops once in authority and in greater countenance with the People did so judge them to be And whereas they say That Sects and Heresies will be encouraged to endeavo●r the like tolleration with the Independents I answer that 't is their right their due as justly as their cloths or food and if they indeavour not for their Liberty they are in a measure guilty of their owne bo●dage How monstrous a matter the Ministers would make it to be for men to labour to be free from persecution They thinke they are in the ●addle already but will never I hope have the reines in their hands Their 10th feare is the same 2. They say the whole Church of England they meane their whole Church of England in sh●rt time will be ●wallowed up with di●traction and confusion These things are but laid not proved were it not that the Divines blew the coales of dissention and exasperated one mans spirit against another I am confidently perswaded we might differ in opinion and yet love one another very well ●s for any distraction or confusion that might intrench upon that civill peace the Laws migh● provide against it which is the earnest desires both of the Independen●● and Seperation 2. They say Tolleration will bring divers mischiefes upon the Common-wealth For 1. All these mischeifes in the Church will have their proportionable influence upon the Common-wealth This is but a slight supposition and mentions no evill that is like to befall the Common-wealth 2. They urge that the Kingdome will be wofully weakned by scandalls and Divisions so that the Enemies both domesticall and forraigne will be encouraged to plot and practise against it I answer that the contrary hereunto is much more likely for two Reasons 1. There is like to be a concurrence and joynt assistance in the protection of the Common-wealth which affords a joynt protection and encouragement to the People 2. There can be no greater argument to the People to venture their estates and lives in defence of their Country and that government under which they enjoy not only a liberty of Estate and Person but a freedome likewise of serving God according to their consciences which Religious men account the greatest blessing upon earth I might