Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	call_v	church_n	congregation_n	1,735	5	9.2238	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85548	The shipwrack of all false churches: and the immutable safety and stability of the true Church of Christ. Occasioned: by Doctour Chamberlen his mistake of her, and the holy scriptures also, by syllogising words, to find out spirituall meanings, when in such cases it is the definition, not the name, by which things are truly knowne.	Graunt, John, of Bucklersbury.	1652 (1652)	Wing G1594; Thomason E674_21; ESTC R207205	29,575	28

Lords Supper and all which for the more cleare condemnation in disobeying the Gospel Now forasmuch as the Congregation and Common-wealth of England in these respects is like the Congregation or Common-wealth of Israel and that in Gods great House as the Apostle saith There are both honourable and dishonourable Vessels servants evill slow and negligent as good and diligent Virgins foolish as well as wise some spirituall but most carnall and all to be provided for by the Stewards of this great House such as are in supreame authority not onely in matters between man and man but also in duties between God and man not onely for meum and tuum but also for the publick worship and service of God And as Moses Solomon and Jehosaphat provided not onely corporally but spiritually for Israel so and in like manner the supream authority of England ought to provide for every one his portion that no lack or want may befall any capacity neither of carnall or spirituall Christians and as wholesome and good lawes for men so pious and decent Rules for Gods publick worship so far as it concernes their power and direction And consider also the Jewes before Christs Incarnation had a Rule for most of their externall Ordinances by the Word as the expresse day for Gods Worship and the Tribe who to wait on the service also the time when the member what and the parties themselves both active and passive for Circumcision And for the Passeover what for the matter the kinde the age the preparation the parties who to provide it and the manner for participation Now there is no such expresse Provision for the carnall Ordinances of God since Christs Incarnation and ascension 't is true there 's example for Baptisme but no command who shall Baptize neither when for time nor how for manner whether all parts of the body in generall or which member in particular And so for the Supper of the Lord Bread and Wine are the Elements in the institution thereof and in the future practice injoyned but who shall provide it and what kinde of wine or what sort of Bread or who in particular shall blesse or administer it or how the Communicants shall take it is not in the word determined and without these and the like circumstances the Ordinances cannot be celebrated Now if the present Authority should give Rules for the whole Common-wealth or Congregation for all perticulars as formerly they have done in a Parochiall way for time place persons and administrations thereby the spirituall and heavenly Christian is bound to yield obedience as the carnall and outward Christian for as the Saints are free as they relate to the person of a true Christian for so their communion is above the reach and rule of any outward direction for their Baptisms they are spirituall as I have shewed before their Teacher exceeds all Teachers from men for they havean Vnction from the holy one that teacheth them all things And they stand not in need of any private or carnall mens teaching yet as they stand or sustain the persons or Members of a State or Common-wealth and under Authority so Gods Law binds them to be obedient to every Ordinance of man and their communion externally with carnall Christians doth no more prevent or preinic● their communion spiritually then Cain's externall communion corrupted Abel's Ishmaels defiled Isaacks or the proud Pharisees polluted the penitent Publicans And although inwardly and spiritually yet not externally nor corporally severed one from another till the harvest least with extirpating the bad the good may suffer prejudice And therefore it appears plainly that in a Common-wealth that professes the Faith the carnall with the spirituall may commuicate in the externall Ordinances of Gods worship except the injunctions are evill and unlawfull as were the abominations of Antichrist from which the Saints are commanded to separate least by pertaking with her sins they shall be punished with the participation of her plagues And also that it is in the power of the Magistrate to order all externalls for the publick worship of God that are not already so done by the S●iptures Now if this be so then what ground or warrant have you or any man whatsoever to select form and order Congregations of your selves when the whole Common-wealth is congregated already by Christian Authority And how can those that are under this Authority cast off their obedience to which in conscience they are bound and gather Churches out of Churches without any warrant from God or man for they were in the profession and communion of Gods Ordinances before and emboddyed and congregated before by Acts of the Nationall Congregation the high Court of Parliament And what other things they doe ordaine and constitute that was not done before by the said Authority the wisest and learnedst of them all cannot shew rightly nor prove plainly but it will appear to be their owne imagination tradition and phancy by duely considering the Scriptures with what is abovesaid in the distinction between the spirtuall and carnall Christians as also the distinction between the externall part of Gods Ordinances and the Divine and Heavenly part I am sure these Rules are according to the practice of our Lord and his Apostles they never neglected the publick nor disobeyed the Magistrate therein nor contemned participation with them yet let us alwayes bear in minde that the faithfull and regenerate Christians are the Church of God and although the carnall Christians are amongst them in externall participation yet they are not of them nor doe spiritually participate with them The consequence of selected Church-gatherings admits of many absurdities as I have shewed in former discoveries Thus much Doctour for the publique good hath your private mistaken conference occasioned and we have more yet to make knowne upon the next opportunity And my conclusion shall be a word or two to the State and Authority of this Nation against an ancient continued superstitious distinction of the people of this whole Common-wealth even of all degrees from the highest to the lowest that distinguish the whole into two parts Church and Common-wealth Clergie and Layetie Now in common reason if in this Nation the publike Ministry for those are they they mean by Clergy although no man can prove it by Scripture be the Church then the State Magistracy and the rest of the people are not the Church or Congregation of England which seems to crosse the Scriptures denomination for the whole Nation of the Jewes Priests and People are often called the Congregation or Church and the Reason is beyond exception because they were a people professing and communicating in the externall Ordinances of God and but a small remnant of the multitude faithfull to communicate spiritually Now as spirituall and heavenly Christians are Gods peculiar little house vineyard or Church so outward Christians may bear the name of his Vineyard Church or great House also as an outward Jew or Christian bears the

any other title to the Doctours purpose In the second place he continues his speech to his persecuting enemies which I hope upon second thoughts he doth not understand to be his Church In the third place he graciously informs and confirms his faithfull servant Phillip in the Mystery of his Divinity as of his Humanity and that his words are the works of God but not a word in the Doctours meaning And in the 24. verse as he speaks of them that love him so he speaks of them that hate him whom to affirme to be his Church is to blaspheme her And in the last place John 5. 19 30. the Lord speaks of himselfe as distinguishable from the Father and also declareth the hypostaticall union of both Natures Humane and Divine The true meaning of these Scriptures being thus considered shewes plainly that his doctrine and their intention were at a vast distance for it is far from their meaning that the Church of Christ may play the Harlot and of pure become base and unclean because they testifie that she is so long to last and continue holy even every member of her his body as Jesus Christ her head is to be Christ who was yesterday and to day and for ever And s●ving your learning Sir this doctrine sheweth that you are still tainted with the old leaven of corrupt Popery and Arminianisme which will be more manifested when I come to shew what the true Church of Christ is indeed discovering thereby your fancie more particulerly and exactly Another conclusion that he would teach the people was That his Church was a Baptized Church and had the true marks of a true Church which is the true Preaching the Word and the true administration of the Sacraments as he calls them Here the Gentleman is at a losse also and beats the air as before and that which he saith is to as little purpose his terms not being cleared to what sense he means from their various ac●eptations But the truth is his owne meaning by Baptisme is but that which is outward that any man may bear witnesse to that is present as he affirms in page 23. So then his Baptisme is of the same nature as his Church is both carnall the inside foule as Simon Magus his heart was not right in the sight of God his estate naturall and miserable in the Gall of bitternesse and in the bond of iniquity yet washt and cleansed without Where doe you read in the Scriptures that the Churches of God true spirituall Christians did ever brag and boast of the fleshly and carnall parts of the Ordinances of the Gospel as you have done No they see those are shaddows elementary representations and say that it is not Baptism in the flesh that saves not but the Baptism of the heart the heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and the body washed with pure water by this spirituall Baptisme men are saved So also they affirm that 's not Circumcision that is in the flesh but that is Circumcision that is of the heart in the spirit and not in the Letter inward spirituall and heavenly Baptisme And this Circumcision is that which Gods Church glories in and not the outward that Divells may participate of as well as Saints But the Doctour fears not to avouch that the washing with the Old Ford or Thames water and the like places is that Baptisme which the Scripture in a speciall sense speaks of by which men are regenerated because he maketh it the true mark of the rue Church Indeed this is the opinion of the stupid obdurat hard-hearted Jews and Papists and of most carnall Protestants in which they are all alike But as the true Church of Christ is spirituall so is her Baptisme and so are her fruits and manifestations her marks and seals by which she is distinguished from all other Churches that are false as when I come to establish the truth shall be cleared But the Doctour further affirmeth that their Baptized Churches have the true Preaching of the Word and he thinks himselfe to be none of the meanest amongst the rest and therefore in the first place and in the behalf of all the Baptized Churches as he calls them we will examine his owne true Preaching of the word as he affirms in page 24. That his Church and all other Baptized Churches baptize such as shall be saved according to Mark 16. 16. because as he saith they are beleivers and repenters Again saith he they that Baptize such as confesse with their mouth the Lord Jesus and beleeve in their hearts that God hath raised him from the dead Rom. 10. baptizeth such as shall be saved But baptized Churches baptize such as confesse with their mouth the Lord Jesus and beleeve with their hearts that God raised him from the dead therefore baptized Churches baptize such as shall be saved This professed workman for want of true understanding to divide the word aright hath from his own mouth eternalized his own shame for want of a clear and true distinction in the same terms that have divers meanings And that his folly may the more be manifested we will ingeniously consider the Scriptures the first we read thus He that beleeveth and is baptized shall be saved Now to find out the true meaning hereof two terms of necessity must be opened for one and the same term admitting of divers meanings in Scripture that sense must be distinguished from all others of like nature that is properly and only intended in that place Now for the term Faith it hath divers significations in the Scripture somtimes it is referred unto God somtimes unto men when unto God then it implyeth or intendeth nothing else but the sure and certain unalterablenesse of his promise and decree If unto men then it signifieth and intendeth either the doctrine of the Gospel it selfe or their faithfulnes that declare it or else some speciall gifts which the Spirit of God indueth his servants with now of such gifts there are but three sorts that bear the name of faith Somtimes the knowledge and certain understanding of the truth of Gods word is called Faith which for distinction sake may be called and that truly The Faith of knowledge or Historicall Faith which Faith although all the Saints under the Scriptures administration of the Gospel have yet it is not peculiar to them alone but common to all perishing Christians such as the Doctours Church consisteth of and may abundantly exceed in yea even Sathan himselfe The second gift of the holy Ghost is that by which any one miraculously doth such things as causeth admiration in the beholders exceeding naturall effects and is often in holy Writ called by the name of Faith and so may be denominated Miraculous Faith But with this gift the unholy may more excell then the holy men of God for John the Baptist did no Miracle but Iudas the Traytour did many in which gift of Faith the Priests and Juglers of Rome were famous as

said he had been taught of God and that shewes he is a Child of God a holy man as I have instanced before in the Apostle Peters description to this purpose and by bringing forth of his treasure he means the administration of his spirituall gifts from the supernaturall store house within him Again our Lord saith Whosoever beleeveth in me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of water of Life This he spake saith the Text of the gifts they should receive that beleeved on him This effectuall faith which is twice repeated and that to which the Word of God witnesseth to be satisfying drink to the thirsty soule sheweth such a one to be Regenerate and the flowing fountain proceeding from him those heavenly gifts of the Holy Ghost And agreeable to this is that which is spoke of Stephen that Holy Martyr when those choyce and learned Students of the Synagogues of the Libertines men of four severall Nations Cyrenians Allexandrians Cyreans and As●ans these even such were not able to resist the wisdome and the spirit by which he spake So the Prophet Micha speaking to the shame of such Prophets that speak without an answer from God that have no Vision but their own to whom the day the light of Gods truth is darke over them and the Sun is gone downe from them and yet will Prophesie though they confound themselves But truly saith he I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgement and of might to declare unto Jacob c. That is to Preach to Jacob And so the Apostle Paul speaking of the Gospel of Christ Whereof saith he I am made a Minister according to or by the gift of grace given to me by or through the effectuall working of his power And so he testifies to another Church Whereof I am made a Minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you fully That is perfectly truly and spiritually to preach the Word of God And so Peter and John testified to the face of such at Jerusalem as had Crucified our Lord with wicked hands and proceeded also to forbid them to speak any more to anyman in his name notwithstanding their threatnings we cannot said they but speake the things we have seene and heard What Gods Messengers see hear and learne of the Father that they declare that they preach Christ gives the gifts God hath set them in his Church his body but every member hath not the same Office therefore the differing gifts give being to different Offices and Officers and all spirituall as the whole body is and are approved of and allowed by the rest of the Members all the Saints Now I should have spoken of the keyes power and rich treasures of this Church but Doctour you are not able to bear it at this time that is neither to understand it nor receive it But you will say I will answer all that he hath said in one word for all that he hath spoken is to be understood of the invisible Church but all my Disputes are of visible Congregations and Sir what you mean by them your owne words declare page 23. as is touch before such as any man may know saith he and if that be so then I am sure they consist of naturall and carnall men and of the same nature are their administrations for the Apostle saith The naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Again to say the true Church of Christ is invisible is the old cunning cheat of the Devil to keep men from Repentance and from attaining that eye salve through which they might discerne the things that belong unto their peace and depart from Babylon and make haste to Sion But saith the Doctour The Baptized Churches have forsaken Babylon and admit of none but Baptized Members nothing but pure Ordinances we are knit together in Church fellowship But by your leave if ye be carnall and cannot discerne the Church of God and therefore deny her visibility which her Lord affirmeth of her to be a City set upon a Hill a candle on a Table the Light of the World the Salt of the Earth If you cannot discerne the true Church and yet you professe your selves Churches then you are no other then the carnall Jewes Church Jerusalem from below which is in bondage with her Children and the Righteousnesse thereof but the Righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees who used to wash the out-side and fl●sh as you doe but inwardly and in heart very foule and adulterous notwithstanding all their seeming holinesse of separation stand further off I am holier then thee their boasting of their Prayers and of their Ordinances and their compassing Sea and Land to make a Proselyte to convert men to their Church and yet in so doing make them more the Child of the devil then they were before and thereby make them the rather a stink in the Lords nostrills I tell you plainly Doctour there are but two Churches in the whole World one carnall the other spirituall two seeds the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent two sorts of Children them of light and them of darknesse two heards of Cattell the fat and the lean two kinds of people the cursed and the blessed and I advise you therefore to trust no longer in lying words saying The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord for no outward conceivings or humane traditions or inventions can be Gods House Church and Temple but those before described and as the Holy Prophet saith The Temple of the Lord are these such as throughly repent of their sinnes and amend their wayes and their doings c. And therefore Doctour I advise you againe now heedfully and speedily to mind the Apostles counsell To day if you will hear his voyce harden not your heart least you enter not into his rest where he teacheth you and me and all that to enter into Gods rest through Faith is by Repentance And because I will omit no means to take you off from minding so much your false Church I will shew you in what condition you and all men else stand in this C●mmon-wealth of England Consider this I pray you that this Common-wealth being a University of Believers the whole multitude consisteth of two sorts The one sort Regenerate Believers such as are borne of God whose spirituall estate is before described and this sort onely are the Church of Christ as before also is affirmed The second sort of Believers are outward Christians and are indewed with the common Faith onely from which faith and grace they may fall and perish and yet before their apostacy have equall right with spirituall Christians in outward externall Ordinances as the letter of the word and prayer the washing away the filth of the body and the corporall signes of the