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	religion_n	word_n	3,061	5	3.7397	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A97108	Tolleration iustified, and persecution condemn'd. In an answer or examination, of the London-ministers letter whereof, many of them are of the synod, and yet framed this letter at Sion-Colledge; to be sent among others, to themselves at the Assembly: in behalf of reformation and church-government, 2 Corinth. II. vers. 14. 15. And no marvail, for Sathan himself is transformed into an angell of light. Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers transform themselves, as though they were ministers of righteousnesse; whose end shall be according to their works.	Walwyn, William, 1600-1681.	1646 (1646)	Wing W692A; Thomason E319_15; ESTC R200561	14,731	18

mention notable instances of late actions of service in Independents and Seperatists which arising but from hopes of such a freedome can yet scarce be paraleld by any age or story 3. They say it is much to be doubted lest the power of the Magistrate should not only be weakned but even utterly overthrowne considering the principles and practices of Independents together with their compliance with other Sectaries sufficiently knowne to be antimagistraticall An injurious but common scandal this whereof much use has been made to the misleading the People into false apprehensions of their brethren the Seperatists to the great increase of enmity and disaffection amongst us whereof the Ministers are most especially guilty Let any impartiall man examine the principles and search into the practises of the separation and he must needs conclude that they are not the men that trouble England but those rather that lay it to their charge the seperation indeede and Independents are enemies to Tyranny none more and oppression from whence I beleeve has arisen the forementioned scandall of them but to just Government and Magistracy none are more subject and obedient and therefore the Ministers may do well to lay aside such obloquies which will otherwise by time and other discovery turne to their own disgrace In the last place they say 't is opposite to the Covenant 1. Because opposite to the Reformation of Religion according to the Word of God and example of the best Reformed Churches I answer 1 That the example of the best reformed Churches is not binding further then they agree with the Word of God so that the Word of God indeed is the only rule Now the word of God is expresse for tolleration as appea●es by the Parable of the Tares growing with the wheate by those two expresse and positive rules 1. Every man should be fully perswaded of the t●uth of that way wherein he serves the Lord 2. That whatsoever is not of faith is sinne and 3. by that rule of reason and pure nature cited by our blessed Saviour namely whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you that do you unto them 2. They say it is destructive to the 3. Kingdomes nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion and Goverment I answer that the same tolleration may be allowed in the 3. Kingdomes together with the same Religion and Government whether it shall be Presbiterian or Independent or Anabaptisticall Besides that I suppose which is principally intended by this part of the Covenant 't is the Union of the 3. Kingdomes and making them each desensive and helpfull to the other which a tolleration will be a meanes to further because of the encouragement that every man will have to maintaine his so excellent freedome which he cannot better do then by maintaining them ●ll because of the Independency they will have one upon the other 3. 'T is expresly contrary to the extirpation of Schisme and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of Godlinesse I answer That when it is certainly determined by Judges that cannot err who are the Schismaticks there may be some seeming pretence to extirpate them though then also no power or force is to be used but lawfull means only as the wise men have interpreted it that is Schisme and Heresie when they appeare to be such are to be rooted out by reason and debate the sword of the Spirit not of the Flesh arguments not blowes unto which men betake themselves upon distrust of their own foundations and consciousnesse of their owne inability Besides as the Presbiters judge others to be a Schisme from them so others judge them to be a Schisme from the Truth in which sence only the Covenant can be taken 4. Hereby we shall be involved in the guilt of other mens sinnes and thereby be endangered to receive of their plagues I answer that compulsion must necessarily occasion both much cruelty and much Hypocrisie whereof the Divines labouring so much for the cause which is persecution cannot be guiltlesse 5. It seemes utterly impossible if such a tolleration should be granted that the Lord should be one and his name one in the 3. Kingdomes I suppose they mean by that phrase it is impossible that our iudgements and profession should be one so I believe it is whether there be a Tolleration or no But certainly the likeliest way if there be any thereunto is by finding out one truth which most probably will be by giving libetty to every man to speak his minde and produce his reasons and arguments and not by hearing one Sect only That if it does produce a forc'd unity it may be more probably in errour then in truth the Ministers being not so likely to deal clearly in the search thereof because of their interests ar the Laity who live not thereupon but enquire for truth for truths sake and the satisfaction of their own mindes And thus I have done with the Argumentive part of the Letter I shall onely desire that what I have said may be without prejudice considered And that the People would look upon all sorts of men and writings as they are in themselves and not as they are represented by others or forestall'd by a deceitfull rumour or opinion In this controversie concerning Tolleration I make no question but the Parliament will judge justly between the two parties who have both the greatest opportunity and abilities to discern between the integrity of the one side and the interest of the other That the one party pleads for toleration for the comfort and tranquility of their lives and the peaceable serving of God according to their consciences in which they desire no mans disturbance That the other that plead against it may I would I could say onely probably be swayed by interest and self-respects their means and preheminence I make no question but the Parliament before they proceed to a determination of matters concerning Religion will as they have heard one party the Divines so likewise reserve one ear for all other sorts of men knowing that they that give sentence all partees being not heard though the sentence be just which then likely will not be yet they are unjust Besides the Parliament themselves are much concerned in this controvers●e since upon their dissolution they must mixe with the people and then either enjoy the sweets of freedome or suffer under the most irksome yoke of Priestly bondage and therefore since they are concern'd in a double respect first as chosen by the People to provide for their safety and Freedome whereof Liberty of conscience is the principall branch and so engag'd by duty secondly as Members of the Common-wealth and so oblig'd to establish Freedome out of love to themselves and their posterity I shall only add one word more concerning this Letter which is this That 't is worth the observation that the same men are part of the contrivers of it and part of those to whom 't was sent Mr. Walker being President of Sion Colledge Mr. Seaman one of the Deans observe that word and Mr. Roborough one of the Assistants all three Members of the Synod who with the rest framing it seasonably and purposely to meet with the Letter from Scotland concerning Church Government may w●ll remove the wonder and admiration that seem'd to possesse one of the Scotch grand Divines in the Synod at the concurrence of Providence in these two Let●ers of the politick and confederated ordering whereof he could not be ignorant FINIS