Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	according_a	body_n	member_n	3,100	5	7.2395	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44503	The vvay tovvards the finding of a decision of the chiefe controversie now debated concerning church government	Hales, John, 1584-1656.	1641 (1641)	Wing H281; ESTC R17617	20,569	46

i_o take_v to_o have_v be_v infallible_a in_o the_o way_n of_o public_a government_n do_v show_v forth_o that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o one_o overseer_n above_o another_o be_v allow_v of_o then_o i_o think_v the_o first_o question_n will_v be_v decide_v and_o must_v be_v answer_v yea_o but_o then_o the_o second_o question_n will_v come_v into_o consideration_n namely_o that_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v which_o be_v according_a to_o christ_n aim_n be_v answerable_a unto_o the_o mean_n of_o mutual_a edification_n be_v settle_v by_o express_a rule_n be_v practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o have_v be_v continue_v by_o all_o their_o follower_n from_o the_o most_o incorrupt_a primitive_a time_n until_o this_o present_a age_n which_o if_o i_o can_v by_o clear_a word_n of_o scripture_n and_o testimony_n of_o author_n worthy_a of_o credit_n in_o all_o age_n find_v out_o than_o i_o think_v i_o ought_v to_o set_v my_o mind_n at_o rest_n and_o cast_v off_o further_a doubt_n if_o this_o rule_n of_o proceed_v towards_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v thus_o without_o further_a restriction_n and_o exception_n admit_v than_o my_o next_o care_n must_v be_v to_o follow_v it_o close_o and_o take_v heed_n lest_o it_o be_v unsapple_v to_o thing_n indifferent_a either_o in_o nature_n or_o proportion_n from_o those_o wherein_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n with_o their_o true_a follower_n in_o time_n most_o incorrupt_a be_v conversant_a now_o then_o to_o make_v only_o at_o this_o time_n a_o brief_a trial_n of_o this_o way_n for_o hereafter_o if_o need_v be_v matter_n may_v be_v enlarge_v i_o will_v summary_o observe_v that_o which_o be_v clear_a scripture_n concerning_o the_o forename_a head_n first_o i_o find_v that_o the_o end_n wherefore_o christ_n will_v have_v all_o his_o believer_n compact_v and_o gather_v into_o one_o body_n be_v that_o the_o world_n shall_v believe_v and_o know_v these_o two_o thing_n that_o the_o father_n have_v send_v his_o son_n to_o we_o and_o that_o the_o father_n love_v the_o believer_n as_o he_o love_v his_o son_n this_o be_v clear_a in_o ioh._n 17._o 21_o 22_o 23._o another_o end_n of_o this_o union_n be_v that_o the_o believer_n may_v be_v able_a to_o build_v up_o themselves_o in_o grace_n this_o be_v clear_a in_o ephes._n 4._o 16._o another_o end_n be_v that_o they_o may_v preserve_v themselves_o from_o the_o danger_n of_o adversary_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o overthrow_n phil._n 1._o 27_o 28._o gal._n 5._o 13_o 14_o 15._o and_o a_o further_a end_n be_v the_o hold_n up_o of_o the_o credit_n of_o god_n kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n aswell_o by_o life_n as_o by_o doctrine_n phil._n 2._o 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o sequent_a but_o chief_o verse_n 14_o 15_o 16._o from_o whence_o i_o suppose_v these_o assertion_n may_v safe_o be_v gather_v as_o rule_n of_o future_a decision_n 1._o if_o the_o knowledge_n and_o faith_n of_o christ_n if_o the_o father_n love_n to_o all_o believer_n be_v make_v manifest_a unto_o the_o word_n if_o the_o build_n up_o of_o all_o believer_n among_o themselves_o if_o their_o preservation_n from_o adversary_n and_o if_o the_o credit_n of_o god_n kingdom_n both_o in_o life_n and_o doctrine_n be_v uphold_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n more_o direct_o just_o and_o safe_o by_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o overseer_n one_o above_o another_o then_o by_o a_o independency_n of_o spiritual_a person_n and_o charge_n one_o from_o another_o than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v conceive_v that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o overseer_n in_o christ_n church_n be_v more_o answerable_a to_o his_o aim_n in_o compact_v it_o into_o one_o body_n than_o a_o independency_n but_o it_o may_v be_v conceive_v that_o these_o end_n may_v be_v attain_v more_o direct_o just_o and_o safe_o by_o the_o one_o then_o by_o the_o other_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v conceive_v that_o the_o one_o be_v more_o answerable_a to_o his_o aim_n then_o the_o other_o 2._o if_o there_o be_v any_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o spiritual_a charge_n and_o person_n or_o any_o parity_n and_o independency_n of_o charge_n among_o person_n which_o be_v not_o subordinate_a but_o repugnant_a unto_o those_o end_n than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v conceive_v that_o such_o both_o priority_n and_o superiority_n as_o also_o parity_n and_o independency_n be_v altogether_o unlawful_a but_o perhaps_o there_o be_v some_o both_o priority_n and_o superiority_n as_o also_o independency_n and_o parity_n not_o subordinate_a but_o repugnant_a to_o these_o end_n therefore_o it_o be_v to_o be_v conceive_v that_o perhaps_o some_o both_o parity_n and_o independency_n as_o also_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v unlawful_a i_o take_v these_o assertion_n though_o doubtful_o propose_v in_o respect_n of_o particular_n to_o be_v nevertheless_o out_o of_o all_o doubt_n in_o their_o generality_n and_o therefore_o i_o lay_v they_o as_o ground_n of_o future_a direction_n towards_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o point_n second_o concerning_o the_o build_n up_o of_o the_o church_n i_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o to_o build_v up_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o use_v mean_n to_o perfect_v the_o saint_n till_o they_o all_o come_v unto_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n unto_o a_o perfect_a man_n unto_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n that_o they_o may_v not_o always_o be_v carry_v to_o and_o fro_o as_o infant_n with_o divers_a wind_n of_o doctrine_n but_o deal_v true_o in_o love_n may_v grow_v up_o in_o he_o that_o be_v the_o head_n even_o christ_n from_o who_o the_o whole_a body_n fit_o join_v together_o and_o compact_v by_o that_o which_o every_o joint_n supply_v according_a to_o the_o effectual_a work_n in_o the_o measure_n of_o every_o part_n make_v increase_v of_o the_o body_n to_o the_o edify_n of_o itself_o in_o love_n eph_n 4._o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16._o these_o be_v word_n of_o exceed_v deep_a and_o great_a sense_n and_o yet_o i_o think_v exceed_o clear_a if_o they_o be_v resolve_v into_o single_a proposition_n which_o now_o i_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o do_v because_o i_o must_v be_v brief_a therefore_o i_o will_v again_o take_v up_o these_o rule_n 1._o if_o it_o may_v be_v conceive_v that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o some_o spiritual_a overseer_n over_o other_o be_v a_o more_o direct_a and_o proper_a mean_n then_o a_o parity_n and_o independency_n of_o the_o same_o be_v to_o bring_v all_o the_o saint_n of_o god_n unto_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n and_o therein_o to_o a_o perfect_a manly_a stature_n and_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n then_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o think_v that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v more_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n in_o build_v up_o his_o church_n than_o be_v a_o parity_n and_o independency_n but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v perhaps_o true_a therefore_o the_o consequent_a perhaps_o also_o 2._o if_o i_o find_v that_o the_o independent_a parity_n of_o minister_n do_v keep_v the_o saint_n of_o god_n always_o in_o infancy_n suffer_v they_o to_o be_v carry_v to_o and_o fro_o with_o divers_a wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o make_v a_o open_a way_n to_o the_o slight_n and_o cunning_a craftiness_n of_o man_n whereby_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v then_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o think_v that_o a_o independent_a parity_n of_o minister_n be_v not_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n in_o build_v up_o his_o church_n but_o i_o find_v that_o the_o independent_a parity_n of_o minister_n do_v perhaps_o this_o ergo_fw-la i_o must_v conclude_v that_o it_o be_v not_o perhaps_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n in_o build_v up_o his_o church_n 3._o if_o the_o independent_a parity_n of_o overseer_n may_v seem_v to_o i_o repugnant_a to_o that_o fit_a join_v and_o compact_n of_o all_o believer_n into_o one_o body_n whereby_o as_o member_n one_o of_o another_o they_o shall_v supply_v by_o their_o common_a joint_n each_o one_o towards_o another_o that_o which_o according_a to_o the_o effectual_a work_n in_o the_o measure_n of_o every_o part_n shall_v make_v the_o increase_n of_o the_o body_n to_o build_v itself_o up_o in_o love_n and_o if_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o overseer_n may_v seem_v not_o at_o all_o repugnant_a but_o most_o consonant_a to_o this_o kind_n of_o work_n than_o i_o may_v conceive_v that_o the_o independent_a parity_n be_v not_o at_o all_o and_o that_o the_o superior_a priority_n be_v altogether_o answerable_a unto_o christ_n intention_n in_o build_v up_o his_o church_n but_o the_o former_a may_v seem_v so_o to_o i_o and_o therefore_o also_o the_o latter_a three_o concerning_o the_o officer_n we_o find_v in_o scripture_n these_o by_o name_n 1._o apostle_n 2._o prophet_n 3._o

the_o way_n towards_o the_o find_n of_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o chief_a controversy_n now_o debate_v concerning_o church_n government_n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1641._o the_o way_n towards_o the_o find_n of_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o chief_a controversy_n now_o debate_v concerning_o church-government_n first_o i_o presuppose_v i_o be_o to_o speak_v to_o man_n that_o make_v conscience_n of_o their_o way_n and_o consequent_o study_v to_o walk_v by_o a_o rule_n i_o presuppose_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o they_o desire_v to_o walk_v be_v chief_o the_o clear_a word_n of_o god_n but_o where_o this_o can_v be_v have_v that_o the_o principle_n and_o inditement_n of_o sound_a reason_n they_o will_v not_o reject_v and_o last_o when_o reason_n may_v be_v doubtful_a that_o they_o will_v neither_o be_v singular_a and_o wilful_a in_o their_o own_o sense_n but_o incline_v to_o hear_v the_o judgement_n of_o other_o nor_o unwilling_a to_o yield_v unto_o that_o wherein_o all_o such_o as_o be_v esteem_v to_o be_v most_o rational_a do_v agree_v with_o such_o man_n i_o desire_v to_o speak_v and_o will_v tell_v they_o that_o i_o find_v in_o the_o controversy_n of_o this_o time_n divers_a little_a treaty_n put_v forth_o many_o bitter_o and_o indiscreet_o some_o modest_o and_o wise_o write_v some_o for_o and_o some_o against_o episcopacy_n all_o of_o they_o stand_v for_o particular_a tenet_n labour_v to_o uphold_v their_o own_o form_n of_o government_n as_o the_o best_a and_o only_o lawful_a ordinance_n of_o god_n none_o that_o i_o have_v meet_v withal_o do_v look_n upon_o the_o matter_n without_o partiality_n to_o seek_v concerning_o the_o point_n chief_o to_o be_v question_v a_o decision_n which_o i_o think_v may_v be_v take_v from_o undoubted_a ground_n and_o undeniable_a principle_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o put_v something_o to_o paper_n also_o in_o this_o kind_n as_o it_o be_v to_o make_v a_o trial_n whether_o or_o no_o the_o way_n to_o decide_v this_o great_a controversy_n may_v not_o be_v find_v out_o so_o as_o to_o give_v present_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o more_o simple_a and_o scrupulous_a and_o to_o show_v to_o the_o more_o learned_a and_o judicious_a who_o doubt_n lie_v deep_a a_o method_n whereby_o to_o resolve_v themselves_o if_o they_o will_v follow_v the_o same_o without_o prejudice_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o do_v i_o take_v then_o the_o matter_n chief_o questionable_a though_o not_o hitherto_o main_o and_o express_o question_v to_o be_v this_o whether_o or_o no_o christ_n have_v not_o for_o the_o unite_n and_o build_n up_o of_o his_o church_n institute_v some_o overseer_n or_o bishop_n for_o i_o use_v these_o name_n indifferent_o to_o be_v before_o and_o above_o other_o in_o church_n government_n or_o whether_o for_o the_o unite_n and_o build_n up_o of_o his_o church_n he_o have_v make_v all_o overseer_n to_o be_v equal_a and_o independent_a one_o from_o another_o if_o the_o first_o be_v affirm_v than_o the_o question_n must_v be_v what_o that_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v which_o christ_n have_v allow_v of_o and_o how_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v exercise_v above_o other_o but_o if_o the_o last_o be_v maintain_v than_o we_o must_v be_v teach_v what_o that_o prime_a and_o unsubordinate_a authority_n of_o every_o overseer_n be_v in_o his_o peculiar_a charge_n and_o how_o he_o shall_v exercise_v it_o now_o to_o find_v a_o way_n to_o decide_v these_o question_n i_o be_o as_o one_o who_o be_v doubtful_a that_o i_o may_v bear_v a_o part_n of_o the_o burden_n of_o those_o who_o be_v in_o doubt_n therefore_o to_o be_v able_a to_o resolve_v myself_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o lay_v some_o ground_n from_o whence_o inference_n may_v be_v make_v appliable_a to_o the_o question_n now_o in_o hand_n the_o ground_n must_v be_v clear_a doctrine_n of_o holy_a scripture_n concerning_o the_o matter_n which_o be_v fundamental_a in_o the_o question_n the_o inference_n must_v be_v rule_n take_v from_o those_o doctrine_n whereby_o my_o understanding_n may_v be_v direct_v to_o go_v the_o straight_a way_n towards_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o question_n and_o the_o application_n must_v be_v a_o consideration_n of_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o thing_n now_o debate_v so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v determinable_a by_o the_o rule_n which_o may_v be_v find_v out_o thus_o then_o to_o find_v ground_n of_o decision_n i_o must_v take_v notice_n first_o of_o thing_n fundamental_a to_o the_o question_n which_o i_o suppose_v be_v these_o 1._o to_o what_o end_n christ_n have_v gather_v together_o and_o compact_v into_o one_o body_n several_a believer_n which_o be_v call_v his_o church_n 2._o what_o it_o be_v proper_o to_o build_v up_o his_o church_n 3._o what_o officer_n be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n to_o be_v the_o builder_n of_o his_o church_n 4._o what_o their_o several_a charge_n and_o duty_n be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o how_o they_o be_v to_o administrate_v the_o same_o every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o gift_n and_o place_n 5._o how_o these_o that_o be_v commit_v to_o their_o charge_n be_v to_o behave_v themselves_o towards_o they_o 6._o how_o according_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o rule_n proceed_v from_o his_o spirit_n the_o chief_a builder_n his_o immediate_a follower_n the_o apostle_n do_v put_v all_o in_o execution_n here_o then_o their_o practice_n in_o the_o way_n of_o government_n be_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o if_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v find_v clear_o in_o scripture_n i_o hope_v they_o will_v afford_v i_o some_o light_n to_o satisfy_v the_o doubt_n of_o my_o weak_a conscience_n which_o now_o must_v be_v full_a of_o scruple_n for_o other_o man_n sake_n but_o when_o i_o shall_v have_v gather_v all_o that_o from_o clear_a scripture_n can_v be_v gather_v in_o these_o matter_n if_o yet_o something_o shall_v be_v find_v obscure_a and_o doubtful_a concerning_o particular_n now_o agitate_a whereof_o perhaps_o no_o clear_a precept_n be_v extant_a in_o scripture_n from_o whence_o i_o may_v be_v able_a to_o gather_v such_o inference_n as_o may_v settle_v my_o conscience_n and_o put_v it_o out_o of_o doubt_n concerning_o some_o question_n in_o government_n as_o whether_o this_o or_o that_o in_o such_o or_o such_o a_o case_n ought_v either_o to_o be_v or_o not_o to_o be_v do_v then_o i_o think_v i_o shall_v do_v well_o to_o look_v first_o upon_o the_o apostle_n practice_n in_o like_o case_n or_o if_o that_o be_v perhaps_o also_o either_o unknown_a or_o not_o well_o know_v as_o not_o record_v in_o the_o word_n than_o i_o suppose_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o consider_v the_o laudable_a practice_n of_o other_o time_n and_o chief_o those_o who_o most_o immediate_o follow_v the_o apostolical_a age_n take_v notice_n of_o that_o which_o they_o do_v in_o such_o like_a case_n that_o if_o perhaps_o in_o all_o church_n of_o all_o age_n and_o place_n i_o find_v some_o undoubted_a token_n of_o universal_a consent_n i_o may_v be_v willing_a to_o rest_v in_o it_o and_o not_o affect_v singularity_n chief_o if_o i_o shall_v also_o find_v that_o all_o the_o church_n of_o this_o present_a age_n do_v either_o consent_n full_o thereunto_o or_o at_o least_o do_v not_o so_o far_o dissent_v from_o the_o same_o as_o to_o condemn_v other_o who_o follow_v not_o their_o different_a practice_n in_o such_o case_n in_o all_o which_o church_n i_o say_v i_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n in_o those_o case_n which_o shall_v be_v thus_o doubtful_a of_o their_o form_n of_o government_n so_o far_o as_o i_o shall_v find_v the_o same_o subordinate_a unto_o the_o main_a end_n for_o which_o christ_n gather_v his_o church_n and_o not_o repugnant_a but_o consonant_n unto_o the_o rule_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v clear_o record_v for_o i_o conceive_v that_o if_o it_o can_v be_v make_v apparent_a that_o either_o the_o end_n for_o which_o christ_n gather_v a_o church_n or_o the_o mean_n of_o build_v it_o up_o appoint_v by_o he_o or_o the_o rule_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v to_o the_o builder_n which_o be_v to_o be_v their_o follower_n or_o their_o own_o practice_n in_o govern_v the_o church_n according_a to_o god_n will_n be_v repugnant_a to_o all_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o one_o pastor_n above_o another_o than_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o no_o such_o government_n ought_v to_o be_v admit_v but_o if_o this_o not_o only_o can_v be_v make_v apparent_a but_o rather_o the_o contrary_n namely_o that_o both_o the_o aim_n of_o christ_n in_o compact_v his_o church_n into_o one_o body_n and_o the_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v build_v up_o and_o the_o rule_n give_v to_o the_o builder_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o chief_a master_n builder_n who_o