Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	church_n	old_a	testament_n	6,574	5	8.1314	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17400	The paterne of wholsome words. Or a collection of such truths as are of necessity to be belieued vnto saluation separated out of the body of all theologie made euident by infallible plaine proofes of Scripture. And withall, the seuerall vses such principles should be put to, are abundantly shevved. A proiect much desired, and of singular vse for all sorts of Christians. By N. Bifeild [sic], preacher of Gods word at Isleworth in Middlesex.	Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622.	1618 (1618)	STC 4226; ESTC S120680	139,132	558

the Churches as the common treasure of all the Saints and those both for the honour and vse of them they described by diuers titles They were called the principles of the praises of God Heb. 5.12 The principles of the doctrine of Christ Heb. 6.1 The doctrines of foundation in the same place The patterne of wholesome words 2. Tim. 1.13 The forme of the knowledge of the truth Rom. 2.20 The forme of doctrine into which they were deliuered Rom. 6. All which titles shew the singular vse of them Now if any aske mee how I will know a Principle I answere by these markes First it is such a truth to bee beleeued as is contained in the expresse words of Scripture so as I take a Principle to bee a Doctrine plainely expressed in the Word and so differ from Doctrines that are deduced from the Scriptures onely by consequence or are there but in darke and obscure words Secondly Principles are first truths that is such as haue been from the beginning and haue been beleeued in all ages of the Church Thirdly they are such truthes as being stubbornely and wilfully denied the whole building falles downe and men hold not the foundation Besides any man may be guided herein that will make vse of the iudgement of the Churches in their Creedes and Confessions and Catechismes though it be true that if men narrowly obserue the most Catechismes they either haue not all Principles in or else they haue more then Principles such truths as are strong meate and so prooue hard sayings to the weake Neither am I so transported with any ouerweaning of my selfe in this proiect but that with all readines I shall subiect my endeuors herein to the correction of the godly learned if my labor may prouoke others more sufficient to perfect this worke with such exactnes as is further requisite I shall reioyce in it and thinke I haue attained a happy end I doubt not but that this labour may be of great vse for yonger Diuines to point out a way how they may Catechise with more profit by making the vses of euery Principle as they teach the grounds to the people yea it is one part of the Sabbaths daies best imployment in Sermons to treate in this or the like manner and so to let the people bee truly informed concerning the Characteristicall truthes in their Religion with vse of them in their conuersation Lastly it will be some content vnto ingenious mindes to see the Principles cast into some method for the helpe of memorie and quickening of delight and the more easie learning of them CHAP. II. The Method of the Principles THe Principles concerne either the fountaine and originall of Doctrine and knowledge which is the scripture or word of God or the subiect of knowledge which is God himselfe In God wee consider 1. His Nature 2. His Workes The workes of God as the principles take notice of them are 1. Creation 2. Prouidence The prouidence of God must be considered either in generall or as it concernes man onely The prouidence of God as it concernes man hath Principles that looke vpon him in his fourfold estate In the estate of Innocency In the estate of Corruption or misery In the estate of Grace where the principles consider 1 The meanes of grace viz. Election in God and Redemption in Christ. 2 The subiect of Grace viz. the Church 3 The degrees or sorts of Grace viz. Iustification and Sanctification In the estate of Glory where 1 Of the resurrection of the dead 2 Of the last iudgement 3 Of the glory of Heauen CHAP. III. Of the Scriptures 2. Tim. 3.16 For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God c. THe originall or fountaine of knowledge is the Scripture that is the bookes of the old and new Testament and those bookes were first called Scripture in the new Testament There are two principles concerning the Scripture That they are the very word of God or they flow from God by diuine inspiration That they are perfect without defect or errour euery way sufficient of themselues alone to guide vs in all things needfull to saluation without adding ought to them or diminishing ought from them For the first that they are by diuine inspiration is infallibly euident from the testimony of the Scriptures themselues such as these 2. Tim. 3.16 before recited 2. Pet. 1.20.21 So that ye first know this that no prophecie of the Scriptures is of any priuate interpretation For the prophecie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost And for our more abundant satisfaction there are other testimonies that prooue the Scriptures to bee the very word of God and these both external and internall The externall testimonies are such as these The diuine reuelations with which they were graced from heauen For God was visibly present with Moses the writer of the Law and God testified his presence also by the cloud and smoke about the Arke in the Tabernacle and Temple Fier from heauen deuoured the sacrifices and God gaue answere by the Vrim and Thummim The fulfilling of the prophesies vttered in the Scriptures in seuerall ages The testimony of the Church in all ages acknowledging the bookes of Scripture as the pure word of God The finall confession of the Martyrs who at their death did iustifie so much and willingly died in the defence of the truths contained in the Scriptures The conuersion of the soules of men by the power of the Scriptures and the comfort the godly finde in them in all afflictions The miraculous calling of the men as we may see in Moses and the Apostles that wrote the Scriptures c. The internall testimony is the witnesse of Gods spirit who in the hearts of the godly doth auouch so much and this is a testimony proper to the houshold of God Thus of the first principle The second Principle is that the scriptures are perfect which these places shew 2. Tim. 3.17 That the man of God may bee absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes Psalm 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule the testimony of the Lord is sure and giueth wisdome vnto the simple Gal. 1.8 But though that we or an Angell from heauen preach vnto you otherwise then that which we haue preached vnto you let him bee accursed Duet 12.32 Therefore whatsoeuer I command you take heed you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought there-from Prou. 8.7.8 For my mouth shall speake the truth and my lips abhorre wickednesse All the words of my mouth are righteous there is no leaudnes nor frowardnesse in them The consideration of which principles may serue vs for diuers vses both for instruction and reproofe for triall and for consolation First wee should here be perswaded To study the Scriptures with all diligence and to striue to get

which is the head that is Christ. By whom all the body being coupled and knit together by euery ioynt for the furniture thereof according to the effectual power which is in the measure of euery part receiueth encrease of the body into the edifying of it selfe in loue Thirdly that shee is knit vnto Christ her head by an indissoluble vnion Colos. 1.18 And hee is the head of the body of the Church hee is the beginning and the first horne of the dead that in all things he might haue the preeminence Colos. 2.19 And holdeth not the head whereof all the body furnished and knit together by ioynts and hands encreaseth with the encreasing of God 1. Cor. 12.27 Now ye are the body of Christ and members for your part Ephes. 1.22.23 And hath made all things subiect vnder his feet and hath appointed him ouer all things to be the head to the Church Which is his body euen the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all things So as she is truly bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh Ephes. 5.30 For wee are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones One with Christ not in nature as the Trinity is one nor in person as the two natures in Christ but in spirit Ioh. 4.13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in vs because he hath giuen vs of his spirit For the spirit of the Sonne dwelleth in vs. Fourthly that shee is holy Ephes. 5.27 That he might make it vnto himselfe a glorious Church not hauing spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blame c. 1. Pet. 2.9 But ye are a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light c. Dan. 7.18 And they shall take the kingdome of the Saints of the most high and possesse the kingdome for euer euen for euer and euer And so she is holy 1. By separation from the world in that the godly are consecrated to holy vses they are holy by calling 2. By inchoation of true holinesse in nature and practice Tit. 3.5 Not by the workes of righteousnesse which wee had done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of the new birth and the renuing of the holy Ghost 3. By imputation of Christs holinesse being washed in his blood Heb. 10.10 By the which will we are sanctified euen by the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once made 4. By consummation of all holinesse in the other world Fifthly she is Catholick this is one of the Articles of the Creed the Church is Catholick in three respects 1. In respect of time all the godly being members of this one body though they liue in all the seuerall ages since the beginning of the world 2. In respect of place because all the iust both in heauen and earth are all of this one body Ephes. 1.10 That in the dispensation of the fulnesse of the times hee might gather together in one all things both which are in heauen and which are in earth euen in Christ. And so from all parts of the world is the Church gathered all the particular Churches in the world are but members of this Church vniuersall 3. In respect of persons because it is gathered especially since Christ out of all nations there being no difference put in respect of mens outward condition Reuel 5.9.10 And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof because thou wast killed and hast redeemed vs to God by thy blood out of euery kindred and tongue and people and nation And hast made vs vnto our God Kings and Priests and wee shall raigne on earth Galath 3.28 There is neither Iew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for yee are all one in Christ Iesus Sixthly that shee is militant that is she is in this life exposed to crosses and afflictions and tentations and oppositions 2. Timoth. 4.7.8 I haue sought a good fight and haue finished my course I haue kept the faith For henceforth is laid vp for me the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at the day and not to mee onely but vnto all them also which loue his appearing Luk. 9.24 For whosoeuer will saue his life shall lose it and whosoeuer shall lose his life for my sake the same shall saue it Act. 14.22 Confirming the disciples hearts and exhorting them to continue in the faith affirming that wee must through many afflictions enter into the kingdome of God c. Reuel 1.9 I Iohn euen your brother and companion in tribulation and in the kingdome and patience of Iesus Christ was in the isle called Patmos for the word of God and for the witnessing of Iesus Christ. Reuel 12.11 But they ouercame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their testimony and they loued not their liues vnto the death c. Ephes. 6.12 For we wrastle not against flesh blood but against principalities against powers against the worldly gouernours the princes of the darknesse of this world c. Now the Lord would haue his Church so exposed to crosses both for his owne sake and for hers and for his enemies sake 1. For his owne sake that he might shew his hatred of sin euen in his owne and the glory also of his power and mercy in their deliuerance as well as his iustice in their afflictions 2. For their sakes that being in the warfare humbled and tamed for their sinnes they might not perish with the world 1. Cor. 11. 31.32 and may be herein like to Christ Rom. 8.27 3. For their enemies sake that they may know that they shall neuer bee spared if God spare not his owne children 1. Pet. 4.17 For the time is come that iudgement must begin at the house of God if it first begin at vs what shall the end be of them which obey not the Gospell of God Seuenthly that she is inuincible Matth. 16.18 And I say also vnto thee that thou art Peter and vpon this rocke I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not ouercome it Rom. 8.37 Neuerthelesse in all these things we are more then conquerers through him that loued vs. 38. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come 39. Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 1. Pet. 5.10 And the God of all grace which hath called vs vnto his eternall glory by Christ Iesus after that yee haue suffered a little make you perfect confirme strengthen and stablish you c. The vses of these principles may be either