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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	duty_n	general_a	great_a	74	3	2.1258	3	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A83501	Reasons against the independant government of particular congregations: as also against the toleration of such churches to be erected in this kingdome. Together with an answer to such reasons as are commonly alledged for such a toleration. Presented in all humility to the Honourable House of Commons, now assembled in Parliament. By Tho. Edvvards, minister of the Gospel.	Edwards, Thomas, 1599-1647.; England and Wales. Parliament.	1641 (1641)	Wing E233; Thomason E167_16; ESTC R21753	47,020	78

REASONS against the INDEPENDANT GOVERNMENT of Particular CONGREGATIONS As also against the Toleration of such Churches to be erected in this KINGDOME Together with an Answer to such Reasons as are commonly alledged for such a Toleration Presented in all humility to the Honourable House of Commons now Assembled in Parliament By THO. EDVVARDS Minister of the Gospel 1 Cor. 12. 21. And the eye cannot say unto the hand I have no need of thee nor againe the head to the feete I have no need of you Rom. 16. 17. Now I beseech you Brethren marke them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine which you have learned and avoid them LONDON Printed by Richard Cotes for Jo. Bellamie Ralph Smith dwelling at the signe of the three Golden Lions in Corne-hill neere the Royall Exchange 1641. TO THE HONORABLE THE KNIGHTS CITIZENS and BVRGESSES Of the Commons House OF PARLIAMENT T Is not unknowne to You Right Noble and Worthy Senators that the Great and Present Controversie of these Times is about the Church and Church Government In the dayes of Luther Zuinglius Calvin Bucer and the rest of those Worthies the controversie of that age was concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper being generally stiled Bellum Sacramentarium and the Sacramentary Controversie the contention about it even amongst the Servants of God being so sharpe that it produced most sad and wofull effects The e was not any one thing more hindred the cause of God or the free passage of the Word or the progresse of the worke of God begun in the Church then this This weakened and wounded the Protestant party their weapons being turned each against other this made them a gratefull spectacle to their enemies this strengthened the Popish side they placing more confidence in their cause by these differences than in all other wayes besides This Sacramentarie controversie kindled such a fire in many Reformed Churches that it even burnt them up and turned them much a side from that true edification which is in Christ and in the practise of godlinesse And hath proved such a lasting fire that it is not quenched till this day although those Churches have had sword famine and Pestilence to put it out Now in our dayes in this Kingdome the chiefe question is about the Church and the discipline of the Church and our Controversie may fitly be tearmed the Disciplinary Controversie which however it differs from the Sacramentary in the subject matter yet it is too like it in the manner way of it being likely to bring forth as sad births and fruites as did that What Is it not so that we do see already that I may speake with Hierome that our differences about the Church and Discipline are the losse of friends the gaine of enemies and the publicke flames of Divine wrath The great differences in this Kingdome about the Church and Discipline are one of the saddest and greatest symptomes of Gods displeasure against us These contentions and opinions make us forget the proper causes of God and that maine building up of one another which is in faith and love so crastily doth that old Serpent know how to delude our ignorance as Iurius speakes upon a like case Oh there is such a fire kindled in this Kingdome about these points that unlesse the Lord looke downe from Heaven and graciously be pleased to quench it timely it may hazzard the burning and consuming all Now it is the duty of all the Sonnes of Sion to endeavour in their places the putting out this fire before it goe too farre as by povring out buckets of teares and prayers before the Lord so by all other good wayes but especially of the Ministers of the Gospell by all meane both by themselves and by stirring up of others to doe it The serious consideration of which hath stirred up in me strong resolutions to lay out my selfe according to that measure of the gist of Christ bestowed upon me for the healing of this schisme and quenching this fire Now the first borne of this kind though not the first conceived is this present Treatise against Independant Government and the Toleration of it which I here humbly present to this Honourable House submitting it to your grave Judgements and serious Considerations humbly desiring your Acceptance of it Now the Reasons moving me to take this boldnesse to Dedicate this Booke to your Honours are these First that great and generall liberty you grant of free accesse to your Honourable House unto all rankes of persons in this Kingdome both by Petitions and Bookes Secondly that hereby I might take an occasion to testifie my humble duty and thankefullnesse unto together with my high thoughts and estimation of this Honourable House for all the Indefatigable paines and care bestowed on the Publicke Seeing that by You under God and the Kings most Excellent Majesty I and hundreds of my Brethren enjoy so great quietnesse and freedome in our Ministeries Estates Persons after so great a storme and that very worthy deeds are done both to us and to this Nation by your Providence we accept it alwayes and in all places most Noble Patriots with all thankfullnesse and here I offer to you the first fruites of my labours as a lasting Monument of Gratitude Thirdly that by presenting it to You both my selfe and Booke might here take Sanctuary and have your Protection against the many Calumnies and Reproaches which will be cast upon us from that spirit of Separation Neither flye I to this Honourable House as if I were conscious to my selfe of any crimes or just grounds of such revilings for had I not Innocency and Integrity in my actions and intentions I durst not present this Booke to this Just and Honourable House as knowing well you are a refuge onely for Innocent and oppressed persons and persons who seeke the Publicke good Or as if I were not fore-armed to beare them I know whom I serve in this worke and that therefore whoever doth willingly detract from my name doth but adde to my reward I know also t is a Royall priviledge for a man to beare ill when he hath done well and I have long agoe given my backe to the smiters and by the grace of Christ hope to beare all calumnies with much quietnesse of spirit having in part learned that lesson to goe through bad report even amongst good men as well as amongst evill men and to be counted an enemy as Paul was for telling the Truth but I therefore present it to your Honours and put it under your shadow that so your Countenance and Acceptance of it according as you finde it may counter-ballance and weigh downe with all sorts of men the calumnies and censures cast upon it to hinder that good intended by it and may the more commend the Worke to make it take with many for their satisfaction Fourthly I take this boldnesse that so I might have an opportunity