Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	church_n	communion_n	universal_a	2,106	5	9.1629	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85985	The blessed peace-maker and Christian reconciler: intended for the healing of all unatural and unchristian divisions, in all relations: according to the purport of that divine oracle, pronounced by the Prince of Peace himself, Matth. 5.9. By Claudius Gilbert, B.D. minister of the Gospel at Limrick.	Gilbert, Claudius, d. 1696?	1658 (1658)	Wing G701; Thomason E939_3; ESTC R202209	119,212	155

which may gradually unite our Hearts and Hands till our Minds may be further united sutably to the Precepts and Promises of the Soveraign Peace-maker We read of two Springs in Palaestina near the famous Castle of Machaerus one whereof is extreamly hot and sweet the other as excessively cold and bitter Whilst they run at distance they are little usefull and much offensive but their uniting makes a Soveraign Bath for internal and external distempers The choise Composure of those medicinal waters gives name to the pleasant streams of Callichoc in their further progress What a mercy were it if the excess of our prejudiced Spirits that have been hitherto so pernicious might be thus harmoniously corrected into a sweet and saving compliance Such a blessed correspondency would then be of singular advantage towards the great Business of this Generation Some have been too hot and others too cold some appear too mild and others too bitter Labor we to better one another by Christian readiness to receive and give the right hand of fellowship for mutual Assistance Two eyes may discern the Truth better then one Two hands may help and heal one another Two legs are still mutually serviceable Have not divers Persons and Societies found the Benefit of some attempts this way in several Counties and Parts of these Nations Do not forraign Ministers and Churches reap the many Emoluments thereof Let each of us ●ay most blame on our selves for what hath been amiss and be more industrious to avoid those rocks that so many have often split on Beware we must of those corruptions that will still be obstructing Gods Work Pride and self love Jealousies and Prejudices pre-engagements and all other Lets must be removed The many causes of our distempers must be taken away to perfect the cure Self-denyal and all other Graces must be very active towards Peace-making in the Catholick Church Could all Christians meet together in one as the Primitive Church did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it were most desireable But seeing their increase hath occasioned distinction of Churches they should all labor to unite still to the utmost degree and to maximum quod sic The many Shephards and Flocks of Christ may be thereby a mutual comfort and Help This greatt Family may live in one House though not in one Room This great Garden may have many Beds dressed variously This Kingdom of Christ may unite many Corporations into one entire Body though diversified in Circumstantials This great Army of the Lord of Hoasts this Mahanaim may compose many Soldiers into Union under their General though otherwise variously distinguished What we get by strife and by our distance will never quit cost Whilst we walk together as far we may Christ will meet and walk with us also according to his Word to lead us further into his wayes of Peace Secondly The Church Political visible as considerable in each particular Congregation cals for Unity towards Peace-making The various debates about this also we meddle not with and would rejoyce to see all such unhappy differences Scripturally composed by a judicious Moderation Enough is granted by wise Christians to help every one unto Peace-making in all the Churches of the Saints That all such Christians who live near one another should join together as far as they can for Divine Worship is unanimously owned It should not be any slight matter should keep them from it Christs Sheep should not be as scattered Lambs wandring in the wilds and among the rocks but unite sociably for their own safety guidance and helpfulness Though Stones and Timber be of some use when standing alone yet is it not much better to have them knit together into a Fabrick for Beauty strength and usefulness An Arch Building closely cemented by united force is made serviceable to singular uses carrying with it a singular comliness Strength and Grace united increase wonderfully in vigorousness How efficacious prove the Sun-beams though weak if dispersed when united into a Burning-glass How infirm deform and unserviceable are the members of any Body when dislocated broken or luxated by inward distempers or outward accidents What pitty is it that any Christian should neglect his Duty and hinder his own good by needless scruples or inconsiderable doubts Wo to him that is alone saith Solomon upon good reason Such loose Christians are still exposed to Foxes and Wolves Deceits and Snares Security and self-conceitedness yea to all kind of evil Satanical Spirits and Instruments prevail easily with solitary Persons Man is a sociable Creature saith the Philosopher much more the Christian Many Duties of Christianity cannot be performed without Christian Communion whereto we are so frequently directed and quickened There can be no Communion without some coupling and uniting Bond to knit and cement those Things and Persons that were sundred before The consent of rational creatures is the Bond of Union that glues them together whether virtually o● actually implicitly or explicitly In Baptism Christians were virtually by a Parental consent given up to the Lord and united to his people When they grow up to years of discretion is it not expedient they should solemnly ratifie the same in an explicite actual manner as they intend to enjoy the priviledge and perform the Duty of belonging to Christs family and Kingdom However this expression be made whether by discourse writing or otherwise is it not needfull in these times of so much distraction and revolt The expediency thereof hath been cleared by sundry learned Pens The Churches of Christ in all ages and places have had some way for their adult members to testifie their homage to Christ in their proper stations As Providence disposes of mens abode are they not bound to own Gods people and close with them there in the best manner that may be most usesul and satisfactory Should not a Christian be alwayes ready to give an Account or Reason of his hope to any that ask him much more to Church Guides as there is occasion Doth not a Christians Baptismal Covenant engage him to use all possible means conducing to Peace-making in the Church Is not Union towards Communion a special help thereto How can he pretend to the universal Church that regard snot the particular Church where Providence hath cast his abode Is it the mark of a friend of Christ to neglect or slight Communion with his people If there be doubts or offences either given or taken about persons or things there is a due course appointed of Christ to give and receive satisfaction meet All inded are obliged to keep themselves pure and Purify themselves whether personally or Ecclesiastically but this duty doth not intrench on others that obliges all Christians to use all diligence for Christian Union and Communion All Church-Officers are indeed peculiarly concerned to look to their charge yet doth not that absolve any private Christian from attending the duty of his place and making

crowned in famous Caleb Canst thou cheerfully sacrifice and venture thy All upon that account rather then the publique should suffer Art thou a Patriot and a Christian of a brave temper of an heavenly resolution Dost thou prefer Jerusalems Weal before thy chiefest Joy Art thou still labouring in thy place to be doing all the good thou canst unto all sorts especially to the houshold of faith Dost thou study news on this chief account that thou maiest sympathize effectually with Christs Interest and friends in all parts whatever Dost thou delight in thy Neighbours good as heartily as if it were thy own Art thou of Timothies noble disposition full of royall Blood from a Divine stock naturally caring for the good of others when the most are still unworthily selfish That Peace is not good whose chief end is not Divine and publique but selfish and low Moses and Paul shewed their readiness to be accounted as cursed on earth in being blotted out of the Lords Church-Book by excommunication or cut off from the living they could not desire to be blotted out of Gods choise-Book of eternal Election it being sinfull and impossible if it might advance Gods Honor and the publique Good Such a Spirit becomes all Christians that profess the name of such a self-denying Sav●our who underwent the worst of all evil for their good in subordination to Gods Glory 6. The Effects of a good Peace must necessarily be also very good All good is diffusive and communicative in its kind and way What comes from God the cheif good must needs be proportionably active for God in all possible good A blessed Peace cannot but have a spreading Influence into every Relation Condition and Occasion Being the effect of Divine Grace it cannot but act still graciously and produce effects answerable to its stock and nature The seed and the fruit must needs resemble each other As much as our Peace hath of Grace in it so far will it conduce to the preservation and augmentation the Corroboration and excitation of every Grace in our several places It will appear in the way of faith and love sincerity and self-denyal prudence and patience diligence and dependance zeal and courage meekness and lowliness thankfulness and obedience Such a Peace will still be found in that gracious Train of Divine Virtues which still accompany the God of Peace in his progress among the Sons of men Is thy Peace thus actively productive in a gracious way Doth it make thee more humble and wise more faithfull and fruitfull in thy general and particular Calling Doth it still direct quicken and enable thee to do more for men with God and for God with men in every motion of thy proper Sphere Art thou more vigorous and industrious in improving Gods mercy and performing thy Duty according to the Instructions of Gods Will summed up in the first and second Table of his gracious Law Dost thou so acknowledge him in all his wayes and thine in every Ordinance and Providence that he may direct thy paths to the discharge of a good Conscience in honouring and enjoying him Is there no duty thou wouldst willingly neglect no Mercy thou wouldst forget no Temptation thou woudlst not resist no Corruption thou wouldst not mortifie no Affliction thou wouldst not bear no sin thou wouldest not forbear for his sake through the constant supplies of his Holy Spirit Is not thy Peace like the worlds Peace that renders men more secure and selfish sensual and sinfull but like the Churches Peace making them to increase in number and Grace still Dost thou abound more and more in all the fruits of the Spirit often repeated by the Apostles as those famous Christians did whose good Conscience was a continual Feast An evil Peace still makes men worse but a good Peace makes them better in every relation Object But where is that man to be found thus qualified Do not the great Professors turn Apostates and prove Hypocrites Doth not much evil appear in the best of them Do they not come much short of the good they profess An. 1. There are many such described in the word and scattered up and down in the world though their number be comparatively but small in respect of others Christs Flock is little 2. Many Hypocrites creep in among the best Wheat never comes up without Weeds and Tares The one must not be blamed for the other No rich Minerals without Oare 3. The best have much evil remaining in them the Wheat doth not come up without chaff nor grain without hull but they do still observe and bewail it they oppose and mortifie it they abhor it and judge themselves for it 4. Though they come short of the good they profess yet do they still desire it and delight in it it s their purpose and endeavour still they grieve for the want of it esteeming it in others and are restless till they attain thereto The case of graceless hearts is quite different Vse 4. If Peace be such a blessing it must needs speak singular Consolation to all the children and friends of Peace This Blessedness is their grand Portion both free and full choise and sure My Peace saith Christ I leave with you Peace I give unto you and not as the world gives it Let not your heart faint nor be troubled for in me you shall have Peace though in the world you meet with trouble This precious Cordial should be carefully laid up that it may be orderly laid out A broken Heart is the best vial that should receive and will best preserve this Elixi● and Liquor of life Such a heart is fitted by the hand of heaven for such a spirituous Extract and Quintessence The God of Peace and the Peace of God delights to visit and to dwell with such This Specifick Antidote will prove of wonderfull use against all Temptations and Corruptions all Tribulations and Desertions The best will find abundant need of it in their pilgrimage through this wilderness of sin and sorrow Object This is comfort indeed were it but mine I should for ever rejoyce but I cannot see my right thereto being so full of evil and empty of good My heart is still dark and dead cold and stiff bent to evil backward to good Ans 1. Is it so indeed Art thou not mistaken thy distemper may occasion thee to mis-judge thy self They that have most Grace do most feel and bewail corruption They are most secure that are most graceless They that know Peace best do most long for it and are most eager after the same 2. Thou must distinguish to prevent and remove mistakes 1. Between the presence and the sense of Grace as likewise of Peace There is Peace with God made sure to Gods weakest children though they be not alwaies assured thereof The Sun continues still in his Light and course above though many Inferiour things often interpose to cloud and eclipse it

of the said good Laws sutably to their several Capacities whether in the whole Common-wealth or in particular Corporations and Societies thereof 5. Peace Oeconomical is also to be made in every Family and looked after according to each particular Relation and station therein Conjugally between man and wife Parentally between Parents and Children Despotically between Masters and Servants This blessed work is to be attended that all Offices of Duty and Love may be seasonably and effectually performed therein sutably to the Lords Will made known to his Word Quest But what is to be done about these various Kinds of Peace Answ In each of them there are two main Essentials of singular Import to be accordingly minded still Unity and Order 1. Unity is the great Principle that must knit into one the different parts of every Society God alone is one pure entire Being one perfect Infinite unchangeable eternal Act. Creatures are finite compounded Beings whose parts require Union towards Communion Rational Beings as men and Angels must look first to their Relative Union unto God the Soveraign Being and Source of all Beings that they may not want Peace with him and in themselves Closing with him and keeping close to him are then mainly to be attended in and through Christ who must uphold the Elect Angels and recover his Elect among men Among all natural Things unity is still the great Peace-maker This makes the sweet Harmony in the Body when every part is joyned to each other by fit Ligaments that the whole may be kept in Peace under its Head Thus also in things artificial as in Musick Building and all Compositions Union effects that due agreement of many into one in a fit way of Correspondency whence a sutable Peace Thus with all Societies it is whether Spiritual Political or Oeconomical There must be Union for due Communion answerable to their several constitutions Their Being and strength support and life depend hereupon So far as any departs from Unity he departs from Peace Therefore did the Philosophers account the number of 2 accursed because it was the first dividing Number The Church of Christ is such a Body as needs this most peculiarly whether considered as invisible and more mystical or as visible and more Political 1. The Church invisible mystical consists of all the Elect of God effectually called being Coetus vocatorum part whereof is triumphant in Glory part militant in Grace The Lords Spirit cements them into one under Christ their Head thence are they said to be one Spirit being glued to the Lord as the Original elegantly phrases it As by faith regenerate persons are united to Christ so by Love are they knit to his Body Peace is thus made and kept when we cordially love every Christian bearing his Image upon his account with a singular constant efficacious Love without partiality self-respects or Hypocrisie When we no sooner perceive that aliquid Christi as Calvin was wont to phrase it that resemblance of Christ though it seems never so small and a minimum quod sic but our affections are endeared to such an Object by gracious Sympathy we appear united to Christ himself being thus knit to the members of his Body This unfained Love of the Brethren with a pure fervent heart so much commended and urged by Peter John and other Apostles as by Christ himself is the great Peace-maker Therefore are we bid to love the Brother-hood and love as Brethren not in word and Tongue but in deed and in truth to testifie our spiritual Resurrection from a sinfull death into the life of Grace by the Spirit of Christ incorporating of us unto himself Nothing should keep us from this blessed Union either in others or our selves If they be poor and weak under corruptions and various distempers yet we should own them by this endearing love because they are his and our fellow-members We despise not the members of our Bodies when infirm and diseased but pitty and tender them the more What though they be distant by place or Opinion Interest or Affection from us Yea though they seem to be opposite and set against us that should not estrange our heart from them Calvin would still express his endeared respects to Luther as to an eminent servant of Jesus Christ though he was too much and often abused by his violent Spirit and blind zeal We should not be overcome of evil but still labor to overcome evil with good Though others corruptions cannot suffer them to be so free and frequent with us or hearty to us yet the Grace of God in us should own whatever is of his Grace in them really and actively This Unity of the Spirit should thus be efficaciously kept in the Bond of Peace among all the members of Christs Body mystical 2. The Church of Christ is considerable as a Body Political and visible The many controversies about it we heartily wave wishing that all others might do the like still for the Peace thereof It admits also of a double respect whence its denomination of Catholick or Universal and Particular 1. Whether the Church Catholick be totum integrale or universale we dispute not what is granted of all sober Christians about the same we would and should still improve towards Peace-making There are general Rules of Faith and Order wherein all Christian Societies do agree together though they dissent in the particular Applications or Explications thereof So far should all Christians labor to unite and to own each other for Peace and Communion Doth not our professed Belief of the Holy Catholick Church and Communion of Saints engage direct and excite us thereto Though we cannot bring all others to our particular Judgement and Practice supposed by us to be most Scriptural yet are we not bound to labor for the utmost degree of Christian Communion wiih all the Churches of Christ in the World as far as may be possibly attained Are not those things wherein we agree with all Societies sound in the main sufficient to unite us so far and to make us to own each other in the wayes of Christ Will not this be of singular help through the blessing of Heaven to further Ecclesiastical Peace by the healing of our unchristian Divisions Have we not wrangled too long already Is it not possible to find out some Expedients that may unite us in the wayes of Peace Are we not tired yet with our sinfully wofull Contentions Can judicious Christians willingly still keep their distances and differences Will not such Fractions Luxations and Convulsions prove bitterness in the latter end If we do not strive to yield one to the other we are like to break all We shall never meet without mutual condescensions The Ministers of Christ are especially concerned in this great work Be we heartily humbled for our former evils opposing this Thing so dear to Christ and of such import to his Interest Labor we more for such Christian Associations

order in regular motions the worth and use thereof effectually appear The disordering of any part therein hinders the whole and renders it useless Whilst Order is observed in an Army by good Discipline there is safety and strength honor and vigor towards success for friends against foes The breaking of rank and neglect of Orders soon confounds all to shame and ruine Thus proved it in the Christians Army after their great success against the Turk in Hungaria whilst they kept order they routed them all having mastered Bag and Baggage and cleared the field But their disorderly scattering themselves to follow their prey gave long after time to the flying enemy to rally return and put all to the sword Unity and Order appear thus to be the main Props and Pillars of Peace in every consideration They are the Poles of that Axel tree whereon moves the Welfare of all things These great essentials do well resemble the radical moisture and the native Heat of the Body natural giving both Being and well Being to all Thus is the Health of all Persons and Societies Political and Spiritual to be studied and procured maintained restored that we may be blessed Peace-makers indeed through the Lords Assistance and blessing in removing all distempersopposing the same Quest But how shall we be able to perfest this Cure and promote this Work How shall we proceed Answ Our course herein must be answerable to the Method of a wise Physician 1. By removing all Lets and Obstructions 2. By using fit helps proportioned to the Patients case 1. Remove and prevent all Lets and Obstructions all causes and grounds of all distempers opposing our Peace whether in Principles or Practice 1. All principles of division and disorder are to be avoided with all possible care as the great enemies of true Peace All errors and sins are of this Nature breeding diseases in the Body Politick and Spiritual as also in mens souls much like ill humors that cause distempers in the Body natural What course may best be taken with such we have handled more largely in our Antidote against errors and the Libertine schooled lately published whereto we must refer you for further satisfaction All sorts of men in superior and inferior places are concerned herein to shun and prevent these woful Obstructers of Peace according to their import and tendency They are very multipliciously various some being much more pernicious then others in their Nature Grounds and Consequents 1. Such as strike at the foundation of Christianity and Peace are most intolerable To such Paul would not give place no not for an hour Mark saith he such whether Principles or Persons which make divisions and offences among you and avoid them knowing that such serve not the Lord Jesus but their own belly and carnal Interest contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Be therefore wise unto that which is good and simple concerning evil and the God of Peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly Paul curses those that bring another Gospel though they may seem to be Angels of light and pretend an immediatte infallible call such as the Apostles had Christ is the personal foundation Divine Scripture the Doctrinal Foundation that layes the ground of Faith Repentance and Obedience by making man acquainted with the Divine Nature and All-sufficiency of the Trinunity with the Person and Office of Christ with mans creation and fall his forlorn state insufficiency and unworthiness through sinfull corruption depraving whole man in every power and part out of which there is no recovery but by Union to Christ and being new born for Communion with him on conjugal terms through his sanctifying Spirit What ever Principle subverts those Foundations doth also subvert Peace and being contrafundamental to Religion is intolerable among Christians especially when obstinately turbulently maintained 2. There are other Principles that are not so directly subversive yet do much endanger the Foundation by picking at it and wasting gradually the cement and vigor thereof or at least come near it and are termed circafundamentals likely to pervert both Grace and Peace if cherished and improved sutably to their proper tendency as most Arminian Tenets divers Antinomian points c. If men be not very sober and meek judicious and humble in their inclinations towards such Principles they will much endanger themselves and others with their superstructure of Wood Hay and Stubble so dissonant from the Gold Silver and precious Stones that should be built on Christs Foundation in sound Scripture-truth though they may themselves be saved as through fire hardly escaping whilst their trash consumes 3. Other Principles are further distant from the foundation being more to the surface and more circumstantial which some term supra-fundamentals and yet divert Christians several wayes from Unity and Order and so far from Peace These admit also of a variable Latitude more or less hurtfull as they are variously owned and promoted These are largely discoursed of by many worthy friends of Truth and Peace in their published Tracts Such are the Opinions for Universal toleration cherishing of Divisions and Schisms rigid pressing to Uniformity in every circumstance of prudentially humane Imposition urging liberty in lawfull things beyond the limits of expediency rash judging of others as going against their Light that jump not with us accounting every difference in Religion a new Religion severe engaging to one party or way in our Judgement to the prejudice of other Christians though godly and wise humble and sober misjudging of all alterations though on rational and Scriptural Grounds slight esteeming of some Evangelical Ordinances as if they were but external indifferent Forms c. Beware we of these and the like Principles if we would be found blessed Peace-makers Such leaven will sour and swell apace in every relation to the disturbance of all kind of Peace Such ill humors will soon degenerate into higher degrees of putrefactions in mens heads and hearts if any way cherished and distemper all parts and spirits very wofully If such weeds be not carefully eradicated and plucked up by the root they will spread apace and soon overgrow all to the spoiling and choaking of all good Plants in all Spiritual and civil Gardens A few such mutineering Opinions and Lusts in the Kingdom of Christ and all Societies will quickly increase factions and fractions and augment divisions and discords every-where Such Arch-traitors and Seditious Principles will be still plotting and stirring mischief against our Peace whilst they are owned and not dealt with in an effectual way Such sinfull Brats are dearer to men then the fruit of their Bodies and will be more pampered and contended for then any thing else Mens Lusts and Opinions are so much their own that without a special measure of mortifying Grace they will still be cockered and maintained to the dreadfull prejudice of Unity