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	scripture_n	7,777	5	6.2723	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A65878	The popish informer reprehended for his false information against the Quakers meeting in reply to ... An answer to a seditious libel, as he most falsly terms the late innocent declaration from the people of God, called, Quakers, against all seditious conventicles, &c. (wherein their innocency is cleared, and herein vindicated) : unto which is annexed, a brief recital of some accusations cast upon the said people, by one H. Thorndike, one of the prebends of Westminster, in his book entituled, A discourse of the forbearance, or the penalties which a due reformation requires.	Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723.	1670 (1670)	Wing W1946; ESTC R20124	15,096	24

notorious Lyes and forgeries against the Quakers where he tells them of the Rebellion in Germany bringing it as an instance against us though most unjustly and impertinently As also his calling David George the first of our Sect which is a most manifest and absurd Falshood and Abuse for as History mentions of him he was about the year 1544 and held as recorded very blasphemous licencious doctrines as that he was Christ the Messiah and declared Polygamy or the having many Wive to be free and lawful And further it s said Embroyled the lower parts of Germany in Tumults which things both our righteous Principles and innocent Lives do utterly testifie against And as for John of Leyden who lived also about the same time who is said to have had his Meetings all in the night time he is represented as one of the same Principle to allow of the same gross evil of Polygamy whose extravigancies pride and presumption in his causing Wars and Disturbances and assuming Kings-ship as recorded of him our Religion and Example do also condemn as repugnant to the very Nature and Life of Christianity And besides where doth History or intilligent Persons relate that either David George John of Leiden or Cobs Faction were accounted Quakers in their time Do but see the malice and falshood of this Accuser and Informer thus to render such our Presidents whose Example we never followed and if he could nominate thousands of rebellious Persons doth it appear just in him to endeavour the prejudicing and instigation of the Rulers against such as are Innocent and Peaceable both in their Principles and Deportments Surely such cruel and partial Informers as this who hath no more sence either of the common good of the Nation nor what 's consistant with human Society nor yet of their Innocency whom he accuseth but would have People disturbed and persecuted for their Consciences upon his meer false suggestions and evil surmises would bring the Nation to a sad pass if they had their wicked wills who have neither Truth Reason nor hnman Pollicy in their seeking to blow up the Coals of Sedition Strife and Persecution amongst their Neighbours which is never like to compose differences in matters of Religion and Conscience but to make them wider and more incomposible Inform. There is Sedition and Rebellion implyed in the Doctrine you teach at your Conventicles You preach against Dignities and Titles of Honour calling them Antichristian contrary to the Scripture c. Answ. Here is an Accusation of an implicit Sedition and Rebellion in our Doctrine but no proof only a false Accusation added That we preach against Dignities which is a gross Slander for both Dignities and Dominion we own knowing that its Truth and Righteousness which only doth Dignifie and make Worthy and honourable it is Vertue and Wisdom makes honorable worthy and all Titles that are proper thereunto which truly express either the Virtue Dignity or Worth of Rulers and their Dominion we never opposed but flattering complemental deceitful Titles which tend but to please men and gratifie proud spirits we utterly deny as that which our Maker would condemn us for should we use them This Informer had dealt more ingeniously had he told us what those he calls Titles of Honour are which the Scripture commands and which he saith we call Antichristian Inform. To the King belongs Obedience you must obey his Laws and those either actively or passively but you are content with neither Whatsoever is commanded by Authority if it be not contrary to the Word of God must be obeyed actively and not passively Passive Obedience is only required when things contrary to the Word of God are commanded Answ. It is a false Accusation That we are content with neither for we obey both actively and passively Actively so far as stands with our Peace of Conscience in the Sight of God and otherwise we are passive as our patient suffering so deeply hath amply shewed Howbeit this Accusar hath implied That there may be Laws or Commands contrary to the Word of God it is well he will allow the Word of God any room in saying Whatsoever is commanded if it be not contrary to the Word of God it must be obeyed actively So then it follows that whatsoever is contrary must not for indeed the Word and Law of God are indispensable and God hath placed an equal and just Law of Reason in mans heart which neither Statute Presciption nor Custom ought to prevail against but if any be brought in against it they are to be holden for void and against justice and so no Laws according to Doct. Stud. Cap. 2. And no man of what estate or degree soever hath Power to dispence with God's Law 28 H. 8. And now what is according to the Law of God or not ac-according to it the prejudiced persecuting spirit is no meet nor competent Judge to be sure but the patient suffering Spirit and Mind that dwells in the true Light being qualified with Graces and Ornaments of the Spirit of God which are Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against which there is no Law Gal. 5. Whereas the fruits of the flesh are contrary as Hatred Variance Emulation Stife Sedition Heresies c. above all which the Spirit of Truth and its Fruits are exalted and followed by the Children of Light who are born after the Spirit who are persecuted and oppressed only by such as are born after the flesh and herein are you malicious Persecutors manifest of what seed and birth you are see Gal. 4. 29. Inform. It is not necessary that all things commanded by Authority must have a command or president in Scripture for many things are left indifferent to the discretion of God's Vicegerents as Kings c. A Power is likewise in the Governours of the Church to impose such things as they shall find necessary to be observed in the publick Worship of God and this we may infer from those words of the Apostle The rest will I set in order when I come Answ. To the first part Nothing essential to the Worship of God can truly be deemed indifferent nor differently left to mens discretion for the Law of the Spirit of Life is the true and infallible Rule to Believers in the true Worship and mens judgements ought to be subject thereunto but as for this notion of things indifferent in the Worship of God it has been an inlet to much Idolatry and Superstition amongst Apostates and pretended Christians However it is a gross impiety as also an interfering with their own Principle for any to persecute others meerly for things which themselves deem indifferent which in moderation might better be dispenced with then rigorously to inforce them To the second part This Informer seems to set up a second sort of Governours in the Church besides or above Kings as having power to impose things in worship without either Scripture or President