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	universal_a	visible_a	1,943	5	9.1874	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A65833	The accuser of our brethren cast down in righteous judgment against that spirit of hellish jealousie vented in a great confused book, falsly entituled, The Christian-Quaker distinguished from the apostate and innovator, in five parts ; the fallacy and force whereof being herein clearly detected & justly repelled.	Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723.	1681 (1681)	Wing W1887; ESTC R19917	128,311	327

which were established by the appointment of God himself having exalted instead thereof the Word nigh in the Heart and Law written therein under the New Covenant which was not to be like unto the Old can consist with the tenour of the New Covenant for any to attempt the establishment or giving forth of outward Orders Prescriptions Sentences or Decrees to be on that Foot a Bond upon the Consciences of those who have believed in the Everlasting Light especially if they are of the Gentiles stock Observe His principal Objection against outward Order Prescriptions Sentences Decree c. in the Church of Christ lies in the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Answer God had his Ministers Officers and Messengers both under the Old and New Covenant and also Outward Instructions and Doctrines of Faith and Practice under both though the New far excel the Old in Spirituality and Brightness yet there was a Condescention to low Estates under both to believing Jews and Gentiles even in outward Ministries Helps and Services but all center in the Inward Life and Substance Christ's Ministers both Immediately and Instrumentally both in Doctrine of Faith and Practice both with respect to divine Faith and a Christian Conversation good Order and Society under his Government in his Church and therefore all the Effects and Precepts of the New Covenant are not confined within to an Invisibility because that Covenant is inward and the Law of it first written in the Heart we cannot reduce and confine our Assemblies Societies and Christian Counsel and Admonitions which many have need of all to an Invisibility because the New Covenant is Invisible for Visible and Religious Actions Good Instructions and Conversations outward proceed from the Law of the New Covenant in the Heart being of the Nature thereof and that for the Universal benefit and help of others and such as own not this cannot endure sound Doctrine especially the Practical Doctrine Disaffect XXXIII W. R. pag. 75. 1st part We have no ground either from the Word of the Lord the Appearance of Christ or from the Scriptures of Truth since the appearance of Christ in the Flesh to expect that any should be invested with Power from on High to establish such things relating to the Conscience i. e. outward Orders Sentences Decrees c. much less to expect that the Children of Light under the New Covenant should be led by the Eternal Spirit and Word in the Heart unto such a Conformity Observe This still relates to his General Objection against outward Rules and Directions Form of Church-Government Discipline c. but is still contrary to the said Epistle signed by him Arthur Eastmead and others at Anne Traver's 1673. as also Contradictory to what he himself has granted p. 23. 3d part in these words viz. NOT THAT I WOULD BE HEREBY UNDERSTOOD THAT IT S NOT NECESSARY TO BE IN THE EXERCISE OF OUTWARD ORDER WITH RESPECT TO THAT GOSPEL DISCIPLINE WHICH BECOMES THE CHURCH OF CHRIST Thus W. R. has granted both Outward Order and Gospel Discipline as becoming the Church of Christ and as necessary to be Exercised whereby he hath still fairly given away his Cause against Church-Government and the outward Methods and Forms thereof As also observe further how manifestly he hath overturned his Work by what follows and therein behold W. R's Self-Confutation in his own words 3d part p. 82 83. viz. I doubt not but there are many who are ready to conclude That an Universal Unity ought to be established in the Churches by the Assistance of outward Instruments that as we are Members of one Body so we may not only be One in Faith One in Doctrine but also One in Practice with Relation to Discipline Order and Outward Forms of Government My Soul should rejoyce to see that day wherein we might be all so led by the Appearance of Christ's Spirit in us under his Government which ought to be exalted over all as that THIS ONENESS might thereby be witnessed amongst all the Families of God's People at this day Thus far W. R. We need not Explicate upon this Passage it s so plain and Evident a Confutation of the greatest part of his Gainsaying and most general Objections against us in relation to Church-Government and Order among us the People called Quakers Disaffect XXXIV W. R. 1st part pag. 72. Moreover 't is observeable if Report be true this Doctrine hath of late been Exalted No Unity but IN Conformity Observe Here in pursuance of Report as else-where of his Jealousies Doubts and Fears he brings an Ambiguous Doctrine as Reported which as its laid down and Charged without Distinction we own not and do question the Truth of the Report let him place it where he can Disaffect XXXV Of Womens Meetings W. R. 1st part pag. 63. There is amongst many Friends a Difference touching the Meetings of Women separate from the Men. Observe Not amongst many Friends does a Difference appear but amongst a few Heady Rash Spirits who despise those Meetings and the Service of them calling them an Image an Idol c. but W. R. appears more warey in this point in not so directly and absolutely opposing the Meetings themselves as some have done but only giving a History of the different Sences and Jealousies of some about them as also his Friends J. W. and J. S. write more Cautiously in this point of Womens Meetings in these words viz. That 't is not agreeable with the Line of Truth to oppose others in the Exercise and appointed Service of the said Meetings who being Conscious therein c. And if it shall please the Lord to manifest a Service in those Meetings in the Countries as well as Cities the same Integrity towards God which hath dwelt with us these many Years past we believe will become a Bond on us to joyn Hand and Heart with others our Brethren and Sisters therein c. Thus far J. W. and J. S. 4th part pag. 38. Herein they appear'd more moderate than some that take their parts who Oppose Contemn and Vilifie those Meetings Pag. 64. In process of Time some Friends thought it necessary that Marriages might be proposed to the VVomens-Meetings but yet several Friends in divers Counties would not assent that they should be concerned in Marriages at length several of those who appeared for those distinct Meetings to be concerned said The Faithfull see a Necessity and Cause to propose Marriages to the faithful Men and Womens Meetings This being uttered with those of Party with G. F. c. Observe Many faithful Friends who are not for Party for Man but Followers of Christ do see a real Conveniency and Service in proposing Marriages both to the Faithful Men and Faithfull VVomens Meetings distinctly and because our Adversary gives us no valid Reason nor Proof to the contrary we shall only at present cite the Reason given in an Epistle from the Quarterly-Meeting in Suffolk dated Mendlesham the 29th day of

them over whom they had the Rule Thus far W. R. Whereby he has fairly given away his Cause for here he has granted Authority of Rule or Government given to such Members of Christ as had spoken the Word of God unto them over whom they had the Rule whence it follows that all such Members of Christ's Body whether Elders or Overseers c. as have the Word of God to speak or a Testimony from him committed to them to bear to others may have a share and right in Rule and Government in the Church of Christ with respect to them unto whom they speak the Word of God and this may extend to as many faithful Members as grow up in Truth and unto a Testimony so as to have the Word of God to speak But then we ask If such be not of the Church seeing he seems not to own them that had the Rule to be the Church What! were only the Hearers and not the Preachers the Church however W. R. has granted Rule to the Preachers which is not to be tyed up to the First Preachers but also to extend to Others whom God shall raise up and fit for his Service though he has opposed and gainsay'd many faithful Ones in his Book yet he grants such Preachers to be Members of Christ's Body however it appears that the Inferiour Members or Weaker part of the Church owed a Submission to those Superiour in the Church obey them that have the Rule over you c. yet all in the Lord in the Light and clear sight of their Duty in Humbleness of Mind submitting themselves one to another as the Primitive Christians did Also the Members of the true Church were not come to the same Growth to the same Dignity to the same Degree of Judgment to the same Measure of the Gift of Christ nor to the same Stature in him some were more Eminently dignified for the Service of the Church than others were and accordingly were required to be helpful to others and a suitable Submission one to another according to the heavenly Order of the Gospel Church and Body of Christ and diversities of Gifts Operations and Degrees of Growth through the same holy Spirit do not oppose nor contradict nor clash one against another and even they that were appointed Elders and Overseers in his Church were to hold fast the faithful Word as they had been taught that they might be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and convince the Gainsayers Moreover the Church of Christ and every faithful Member thereof hath Power to give Testimony absolute Judgment and Sentence against all Loose Disorderly and Scandalous Wayes and Conversations when duely manifest among any Professors of Truth which dishonour our holy Profession and let up a Spirit of Ranterism and false Liberty and these ought to be testified against judged and condemned and 't is not justly in the Power of any Offender in those cases to make their own choice of any Person whatsoever to evade or make void any such Judgment or Sentence nor ought the Offender to be at his own choice in such criminal Cases of Looseness and Disorderly walking but the Universal Judgment of Truth to be set over the Transgressors Head in a Gospel Way and Order on a Judicial hearing and discovery of the Offence for the Church of Ephesus was commended in not bearing them that were Evil and hating the Deeds of the Nicolaitans Rev. 2. 2 6. But the Church in Pergamos was blamed for having them that held the Doctrine of Balaam and the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans which tended to Ranterism Fornication or Community of Women which was to be judged out with the Light of Truth forever see Euseb. Hist. l. 3. c. 26. W. R. is Impertinent also in his Gainsaying where in pag. 53. 1st part he hath these words viz. Disaffect XXIX It appears evidently to us that preaching up Obedience to that wherein the Conscience through Faith is not satisfied is a handling the Word of God deceitfully This as 't is generally stated and as it is designed is not only unfound but a kind of an Implicit smiting at those whom he writes against tends to make void that first preaching of the Gospel to People Unconvinced and Unsatisfied in their Consciences concerning the most Essential Truths relating to Salvation as that of the Light the Cross of Christ the Narrow Way being Crucified to the World and the Vain Fashions thereof c. which are preached to many before they are satisfied or convinced in their Consciences to come into Obedience in these things yet these things must be preacht that they may be convinced and converted too and we have a Ministry from Christ for that end and as we have received Mercy we faint not but preach the Gospel in much Boldness and Assurance in Christ of the good Effects thereof and are one with the Apostle's Testimony as having renounced the Hidden things of Dishonesty not walking in Craftyness not handling the Word of God deceitfully but by Manifestation of the Truth commending our selves to every mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4. 2. Our preaching is to convince the Conscience and not to leave it dark or unsatisfied in that wherein the Duty of Obedience stands A Blind Conscience is Convincible by Spiritual and Effectual Preaching which hath the Evidence of the Spirit of Christ in it making its way into the Conscience if not wholly hardned and seared through Rebellion and Stubbornness even Gainsayers are to be Exhorted and Convinced by sound Doctrine Titus 1. 9. Disaffect XXX W. R. 1st part pag. 53 54. proceeds thus viz. We have been informed That We are Dark and Blind even by such who tell us They do see publickly Preaching on this wise If you do not see your selves you must then follow us that do see yet we cannot on that foot embrace such Doctrine lest like Blind Men we fall all together into the Ditch Observe This is such a Reflection upon some publick Preachers and Preaching as tends to Scandalize our Friends and Meetings as if still our Design were to preach up a Blind Obedience and an Implicit Faith and to Impose on others to follow us therein and this he often and much harps upon but tells us not who they are that thus preach for we do not approve of such preaching for any to follow us in their Blindness and though 't is probable some may have publickly commended the Example of the Faithfull to be followed by others yet not Exclusive of all sight and sence in the Hearers and Followers of their Examples for our Travel and Desires have always been and are that the Eyes of Peoples Understandings may be opened and enlightned first to see their way and how to follow the Foot-steps of Christ's Flock in his Divine Light and Faith Disaffect XXXI W. R. Sect. 8. pag. 61. first part G. F. hath taken upon him to give forth Directions and Instructions to others and