Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	call_v	church_n	see_v	2,640	5	3.5798	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A84127	The falling stars or the dragons bringing down, and trampling upon heavenly glory. By John Eston, sometime fellow of Oriel Coll. Oxon.	Eston, John, 1625 or 6-1689.	1653 (1653)	Wing E3356; Thomason E1361_5; ESTC R209202	14,546	41

had purposes of further mischief the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered c. Here we have news from the Camp how this weak combatant the Woman comes off at the first onset with losse she hath a seeming rout we have here 1. The party prevailing expressed in his shape before mentioned with seven heads and ten horns 2. Against whom he prevails the Stars 3. How with his Tayl. 4. In what he prevails to draw them from heaven and cast them to the earth The words thus divided afford this observation Obs The Dragons tayl causeth the downfall of many heavenly lights Or thus A multitude of the Stars of heaven are by the Dragons tayl drawn to the Earth I shall clear the Proposition by answering the following Quaeries Q. What we are to understand by the Stars of heaven A. First neg not the laps'd Angels as some fondly imagine of whom Jude speakes that they kept not their estate that glorious condition in which they were first made but did of themselves revolt from God and the truth The reasons which move me against this opinion are these 1. Because this book is not a History rerum gerundarū of things don it relates not passages which were then accomplisht but it is a draught and representation of things to be acted and hereafter to be performed as John himself tels us Rev. 1.1 the Visions contained in this book were given him by God to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to passe now the Angels fell some thousands of years before John writ 2. These Stars here spoken of fell upon the Dragons encounter with the Woman they were the spoyl he took from her but the wicked spirits apostatized from the begining before ever God had a Church or people in being the time his decree should bring forth was not yet come Secondly not the promiscuous number of those who consent and joyn together in Apostolical doctrine setting it up as a guide and rule of faith and manners or the company of those who make an outward profession i.e. visible Saints be they Pastors or People not having reference at all to any orders constituted and appointed by Christ in the Church for though the Godly if we may speak at large those that are really or seemingly so taking a view of them in the lump are Stars of Heaven every one in their several orbs and stations shining in the rayes of Gospell glory yet these are not the Stars here spoken of but some who in gifts and place were more eminent and advanced Aff. By Stars therfore in this Prophetical naration I conceive the Spirit chiefly intends yet not excluding others those who exercise ministerial office the Pastors and Teachers of the Church of Christ I take this to be the sense 1. Because the Stars in this verse are the same with them in the first which the Woman is crowned with notwitstanding there is a definite number exprest twelve in this we have the consent of the best Expositors that by them are meant the doctrine by the Apostles themselves published which they had from Christs own mouth yet not to be lookt upon with a personall restriction or limitation to them for then the Church ever since they were bydeath silenced hath lost her ornament wherefore it must necessarily be verified in all those who were their undoubted successors preaching the same Christ with them and administring the same Sacraments in this number of universality and perfection all that purely hold forth the rich grace of the Gospel are included and comprehended 2 Because in most if not all places of this mysterious book ministers are called Stars as Rev. 1.20 The mystery of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my right hand the seven Stars are the Angels of the seven Churches are doe signifie as the bread is Christs body in the Sacrament By Angels in this Epistle we are not to understand incorporeall substances with Origen but Ministers and the reason is obvious because God in his ordinary dispensation doth not teach the Church by Angels but by men the Scripture elsewhere gives Ministers this honourable appellation Hag. 1.13 and Malachy speaking of the Priests Chap. 2.7 For he is the Angel of the Lord of hosts They are called Angels First Propter vocationē missionem They are ministring spirits sent forth Heb. 1.14 They act by divine Commission and Authority so all Gospel Ministers can shew the broad seal of heaven They are employed by the great God to carry on his designe of gathering the Elect I look not upon him as a lawfull Pastor that hath not a lawfull call or is not sent Rom. 10.15 of such God complains as who runne without any mission Jer. 14.13 Secondly Propter munus officium quo funguntur as the Angels are messengers to publish the mind of God so are also Ministers as the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 4.1 To them are committed choice treasure for the enriching of souls Thirdly Propter eximiam scientiam quâ excellūt They whose lips are to preserve knowledge must have more then an ordinary competency 2. Q Wherein doth the resemblance hold between Stars and Ministers 1 Stars are the clearest and brightest part of Heaven such are Pastors in the firmament of the Church they should out-shine others in their knowledge of divine mysteries and have a clearer insight in the hidden things of the Gospell they should have a double portion of the Spirit as was upon Elijah and as they are to be more eminent in spirituall endowments and inward qualifications so also in a close walking with God and a Gospel conversation they are to benefit others both by soundnes of doctrine and integrity of life it is their duty to teach both by precept and example 2. Stars shine not in their own but a mutatitious light all their Iustre and resplendency is borrowed from the Sun so what ever gifts of wisdome and discerning of utterance and opening the mind of Christ are in dispensors of the word it flowes from Iesus Christ all the beauty glory and shining of Christs Embassadors is from him In the 5 Mat. ver 14. we read that the Disciples are the lights of the world but it is to be understood by way of participation not originally for Christ is called the true light Joh. 1.8.9 he only properly deserves the name of light being so by nature not by dimanation from another as the creatures have it Christ is that eternall uncreated ray which darts upon every one that is born both naturall and heavenly light he is the Sun of righteousnes the great fountain of light who sends forth and displays his beames for the illumination of all the elect it is not the studying of Arts Sciences it is not skill in tongues and originall languages of Scripture which can bring us to the knowledge of God if Christ and his Spirit be abstracted and separated our apprehensions will be but historicall and notionall