Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	bind_v	earth_n	loose_v	5,255	5	10.5190	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A81213	The moderator: endeavouring a full composure and quiet settlement of those many differences both in doctrine and discipline, which have so long disturbed the peace and welfare of this common-wealth. Intended (especially at this time) to beget a brotherly love and unity amongst the ministers and people of all the three nations; the Parliament having now appointed a committee for receiving proposals for the propagation of the gospel. Brotherly unity amongst all Christians, especially amongst the ministers of Christ, being in it self so excellent and comely at all times, and (considering the danger and sad consequences of our present divisions) so desirable and necessary at this time: I conceive all overtures and counsels having a true tendency thereunto, worthy the publike light, and do therefore approve the publication of this ensuing discourse. Joseph Carly.	Caryl, Joseph, 1602-1673, attributed name.	1652 (1652)	Wing C780B; Thomason E664_1; ESTC R206830	94,748	118

among_o we_o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o faithfulness_n and_o constancy_n to_o be_v expect_v from_o those_o that_o profess_v christianity_n have_v enter_v into_o solemn_a protestation_n vow_n and_o covenant_n to_o stand_v unite_v according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o a_o common-reformation_n and_o the_o settlement_n of_o our_o union_n therein_o if_o i_o say_v there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o love_v to_o truth_n zeal_n for_o righteousness_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o christian_a covenant_n i_o may_v adjure_v such_o as_o pretend_v thereunto_o to_o show_v themselves_o at_o this_o time_n therein_o for_o their_o own_o and_o their_o brethren_n preservation_n that_o by_o the_o duty_n of_o brotherly_a unity_n in_o the_o holy_a profession_n they_o may_v be_v find_v to_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n without_o blame_n for_o as_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o the_o faith_n once_o give_v to_o the_o saint_n can_v be_v maintain_v by_o any_o without_o a_o good_a conscience_n so_o the_o integrity_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n can_v be_v keep_v without_o observe_v the_o end_n of_o the_o holy_a commandment_n which_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o love_n out_o of_o a_o pure_a heart_n now_o this_o practice_n among_o miinister_n in_o their_o ministerial_a charge_n can_v be_v none_o other_o but_o a_o conscionable_a concurrence_n of_o their_o spirit_n in_o that_o aim_n wherein_o the_o all_o relate_v unto_o christ_n to_o strengthen_v one_o another_o hand_n in_o the_o work_n of_o his_o service_n for_o their_o unity_n and_o love_n to_o each_o other_o can_v have_v no_o truth_n but_o as_o it_o relate_v unto_o he_o nor_o can_v it_o relate_v otherwise_o unto_o he_o then_o by_o fulfil_v his_o will_n in_o do_v the_o work_n of_o his_o service_n and_o if_o this_o aim_v be_v lose_v in_o any_o let_v they_o pretend_v what_o they_o will_v their_o conscience_n be_v not_o sound_a their_o performance_n be_v not_o acceptable_a nor_o will_v their_o endeavour_n be_v for_o ever_o establish_v hence_o it_o be_v that_o because_o many_o have_v leave_v off_o to_o aim_v sincere_o at_o this_o who_o either_o delight_n to_o stand_v whole_o by_o themselves_o and_o give_v way_n to_o divide_v principle_n and_o practice_n or_o think_v it_o more_o expedient_a to_o stand_v whole_o associate_v but_o give_v way_n to_o the_o mean_n of_o humane_a power_n to_o trust_v more_o thereunto_o then_o to_o the_o duty_n of_o christian_a love_n and_o serviceablenesse_n therefore_o it_o be_v just_a with_o god_n to_o withdraw_v from_o such_o of_o both_o side_n that_o walk_v in_o these_o way_n and_o from_o their_o undertake_n the_o blessing_n of_o his_o presence_n so_o that_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o want_n of_o his_o strength_n to_o go_v along_o and_o conduct_v to_o guide_v they_o all_o their_o hand_n be_v weaken_v nothing_o which_o be_v undertake_v do_v prosper_v the_o service_n of_o christ_n house_n be_v not_o advance_v the_o steward_n thereof_o be_v either_o divide_v by_o themselves_o or_o scatter_v by_o other_o and_o general_o they_o be_v as_o man_n without_o a_o heart_n afraid_a one_o of_o another_o and_o through_o these_o their_o breach_n a_o whole_a deluge_n of_o damnable_a error_n and_o a_o full_a current_n of_o all_o unrighteous_a wicked_a and_o scandalous_a practice_n have_v overwhelm_v and_o almost_o drown_v the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o very_a floodgate_n of_o hell_n seem_v to_o be_v open_v upon_o we_o and_o have_v cover_v we_o with_o the_o proud_a wave_n of_o all_o licentiousness_n and_o although_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o it_o be_v just_a with_o god_n to_o suffer_v satan_n thus_o far_o to_o prevail_v against_o all_o for_o the_o sin_n of_o all_o and_o to_o make_v this_o breach_n upon_o the_o leader_n for_o their_o ministry_n a_o doubt_n answer_v concern_v the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n fail_v in_o the_o ministry_n yet_o it_o be_v far_o from_o i_o to_o think_v as_o some_o do_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n be_v fail_v in_o this_o our_o age_n at_o if_o there_o be_v neither_o true_a church_n nor_o ministry_n any_o more_o among_o we_o or_o any_o where_n in_o this_o world_n but_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n have_v prevail_v against_o the_o church_n which_o christ_n do_v once_o institute_v by_o his_o apostle_n a_o new_a mission_n must_v be_v expect_v and_o a_o new_a foundation_n lay_v for_o the_o erect_n of_o his_o kingdom_n i_o say_v god_n forbid_v that_o i_o shall_v think_v so_o yea_o let_v god_n be_v true_a but_o every_o man_n a_o liar_n for_o i_o believe_v that_o heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v pass_v 19_o rom._n 3._o 4._o matth._n 24._o 3●_n matth._n 16._o 16_o 17_o 18_o 19_o away_o but_o the_o word_n that_o be_v go_v out_o of_o christ_n mouth_n shall_v not_o pass_v away_o now_o christ_n upon_o a_o special_a occasion_n say_v distinct_o unto_o his_o disciple_n three_o thing_n which_o be_v these_o 1_o that_o his_o church_n shall_v be_v build_v upon_o the_o rock_n of_o that_o truth_n whereof_o the_o apostle_n make_v confession_n which_o be_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n 2_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o that_o church_n 3_o and_o last_o that_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n with_o authority_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v on_o earth_n whatever_o shall_v be_v bind_v and_o loosen_v in_o heaven_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o this_o church_n these_o promise_n i_o believe_v to_o be_v so_o sure_a that_o they_o shall_v never_o fail_v therefore_o i_o must_v conclude_v that_o neither_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o the_o church_n which_o be_v build_v thereupon_o nor_o the_o ministerial_a authority_n of_o the_o key_n give_v to_o that_o church_n shall_v fail_v so_o long_o as_o this_o world_n do_v last_o forwhat_o although_o some_o do_v not_o believe_v and_o be_v disobedient_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n shall_v their_o unbelief_n and_o disobedience_n make_v the_o faith_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n without_o effect_n god_n forbid_v yea_o all_o man_n be_v to_o be_v find_v liar_n that_o god_n may_v be_v find_v true_a for_o he_o have_v conclude_v all_o in_o unbelief_n that_o he_o may_v have_v mercy_n upon_o all_o therefore_o in_o his_o say_n he_o shall_v be_v justifify_v and_o when_o he_o be_v judge_v overcome_v we_o must_v therefore_o acknowledge_v that_o by_o our_o unrighteousness_n the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v commend_v and_o that_o although_o we_o of_o this_o nation_n shall_v utter_o fail_v he_o and_o be_v no_o more_o worthy_a to_o be_v count_v his_o church_n yet_o that_o he_o will_v never_o fail_v to_o do_v what_o he_o have_v say_v unto_o the_o seed_n of_o christ_n among_o man_n and_o never_o recall_v the_o word_n which_o he_o have_v speak_v concern_v his_o church_n but_o 21._o isa_n 59_o 21._o this_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v that_o wheresoever_o there_o be_v a_o society_n of_o man_n believe_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o with_o their_o mouth_n make_v open_o profession_n of_o this_o truth_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n there_o be_v a_o church_n existent_a and_o wheresoever_o a_o church_n be_v existent_a there_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o key_n be_v not_o want_v because_o christ_n have_v say_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o i_o shall_v then_o confident_o conclude_v from_o these_o premise_n two_o thing_n first_o see_v there_o be_v society_n of_o believer_n which_o be_v here_o existent_a and_o know_v to_o be_v build_v upon_o that_o truth_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n that_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o fail_n in_o particular_a duty_n whereof_o they_o be_v guilty_a that_o yet_o god_n promise_v for_o the_o main_n will_v never_o be_v want_v to_o they_o as_o to_o his_o church_n second_o i_o may_v infer_v this_o also_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o advantage_n which_o satan_n seem_v to_o have_v get_v both_o against_o the_o ministry_n of_o this_o church_n and_o against_o their_o administration_n therein_o whereby_o he_o do_v blast_v they_o and_o the_o fruit_n of_o their_o labour_n yet_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o he_o shall_v never_o prevail_v so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v void_a the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v to_o have_v a_o right_n to_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o thereby_o to_o the_o administration_n of_o all_o christ_n ordinance_n now_o than_o although_o indeed_o it_o be_v very_o sad_a and_o lamentable_a that_o the_o builder_n themselves_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o want_v to_o their_o duty_n as_o by_o their_o division_n to_o give_v such_o a_o advantage_n unto_o satan_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v able_a visible_o to_o pull_v down_o more_o than_o they_o be_v able_a to_o build_v up_o yet_o

concern_v the_o usefulness_n and_o commendablenesse_n of_o brotherly_a unity_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n sect._n i._n what_o the_o communion_n and_o correspondency_n be_v wherein_o our_o unity_n be_v to_o be_v settle_v hitherto_o we_o have_v reflect_v upon_o that_o which_o do_v make_v the_o study_n of_o brotherly_a love_n and_o unity_n among_o we_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o avoid_v the_o danger_n of_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n and_o the_o guilt_n of_o hinder_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o world_n now_o we_o shall_v reflect_v also_o upon_o the_o usefulness_n and_o commendablenesse_n of_o the_o duty_n in_o reference_n unto_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n it_o be_v no_o generous_a disposition_n to_o be_v draw_v by_o mere_a necessity_n and_o fear_n unto_o a_o duty_n but_o to_o be_v move_v thereunto_o by_o the_o loveliness_n of_o grace_n and_o by_o that_o which_o be_v excellent_a therein_o be_v praise_v worthy_a and_o argue_v a_o noble_a and_o virtuous_a inclination_n therefore_o we_o shall_v set_v ourselves_o to_o work_v upon_o this_o inclination_n and_o endeavour_v to_o waken_v it_o in_o every_o one_o that_o have_v ingenuity_n and_o my_o aim_n shall_v be_v rather_o to_o deal_v with_o the_o understanding_n of_o all_o able_a to_o consider_v of_o their_o way_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o which_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v a_o duty_n then_o with_o the_o affection_n of_o any_o to_o persuade_v they_o unto_o a_o performance_n before_o they_o be_v convict_v of_o that_o which_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n therein_o for_o i_o shall_v speak_v to_o minister_n and_o such_o as_o i_o must_v suppose_v to_o be_v conscionable_a and_o to_o those_o i_o know_v nothing_o so_o effectual_a to_o persuade_v as_o to_o evidence_n unto_o they_o that_o a_o matter_n be_v conformable_a unto_o the_o will_n of_o god_n for_o nothing_o but_o this_o do_v interest_n conscience_n into_o action_n now_o lest_o i_o shall_v be_v mistake_v in_o that_o which_o i_o shall_v desire_v to_o offer_v as_o a_o duty_n of_o the_o ministry_n i_o shall_v contract_v all_o which_o for_o the_o present_a i_o have_v to_o say_v to_o one_o assertion_n which_o have_v open_v i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a the_o assertion_n be_v this_o that_o although_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o any_o outward_a enemy_n or_o of_o 12_o act._n 20._o 28_o 29_o 30._o phil._n 1._o 27._o 1_o cor._n 1._o 10_o 11_o 12_o inward_a breach_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o prevent_n of_o which_o to_o study_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v whole_o necessary_a yet_o that_o for_o the_o true_a 1_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o duty_n 2_o of_o their_o ministerial_a charge_n nothing_o be_v more_o conscionable_a 3_o nothing_o more_o profitable_a 4_o nothing_o more_o commendable_a 5_o and_o nothing_o more_o suitable_a to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n 6_o and_o the_o perfect_a 7_o of_o the_o saint_n then_o to_o 8_o maintain_v a_o brotherly_a communion_n 9_o and_o correspondency_n one_o with_o another_o and_o that_o such_o as_o lay_v not_o this_o duty_n to_o heart_n but_o love_v rather_o to_o stand_v and_o walk_v by_o 10_o themselves_z and_o to_o maintain_v the_o principle_n 11_o of_o a_o singular_a distance_n from_o their_o brethren_n in_o the_o ministry_n will_v not_o be_v able_a in_o the_o end_n to_o approve_v their_o conscience_n unto_o god_n that_o they_o walk_v worthy_a of_o the_o call_n wherewith_o they_o be_v call_v this_o assertion_n be_v somewhat_o large_a therefore_o to_o open_v the_o part_n thereof_o that_o my_o meaning_n may_v be_v the_o better_o understand_v i_o shall_v say_v of_o the_o several_a head_n thereof_o thus_o 1_o that_o by_o the_o true_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v mean_v none_o but_o such_o person_n as_o be_v authorize_v by_o a_o ordinary_a and_o regular_a way_n of_o call_v to_o administer_v the_o public_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n 2_o that_o by_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o ministerial_a charge_n be_v mean_v the_o work_n which_o in_o and_o towards_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v as_o a_o office_n and_o such_o be_v to_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o prayer_n to_o have_v the_o care_n of_o gather_v and_o constitute_v the_o church_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o saint_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n as_o one_o body_n in_o christ_n to_o dispense_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o those_o that_o belong_v unto_o it_o and_o to_o exercise_v church_n discipline_n over_o those_o that_o be_v liable_a to_o it_o all_o which_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o attend_v as_o occasion_n be_v offer_v and_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n do_v require_v 3_o that_o when_o i_o say_v a_o thing_n be_v conscionable_a i_o mean_v that_o it_o be_v prescribe_v by_o god_n in_o his_o word_n as_o a_o duty_n which_o can_v be_v neglect_v without_o contract_n of_o guilt_n unto_o the_o conscience_n 4_o when_o i_o say_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v profitable_a i_o mean_v that_o it_o do_v yield_v in_o its_o own_o kind_a some_o benefit_n to_o he_o that_o use_v it_o 5_o when_o i_o say_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v commendable_a i_o mean_v that_o it_o have_v quality_n for_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v and_o embrace_v by_o all_o 6_o by_o brotherly_a communion_n and_o correspondency_n i_o mean_v not_o a_o bare_a name_n and_o profession_n of_o brotherhood_n but_o a_o real_a conjunction_n of_o the_o thought_n of_o the_o desire_n and_o affection_n and_o of_o the_o endeavour_n of_o man_n proceed_v from_o this_o principle_n that_o they_o acknowledge_v one_o another_o to_o be_v the_o child_n of_o the_o same_o father_n or_o at_o least_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o same_o master_n for_o as_o a_o master_n be_v a_o father_n to_o servant_n so_o fellow-servant_n be_v brethren_n in_o service_n 7_o by_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o communion_n and_o correspondency_n i_o mean_v a_o constant_a follow_v of_o the_o duty_n thereof_o through_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o some_o profess_a engagement_n oblige_v thereunto_o 8_o by_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o this_o duty_n to_o be_v aim_v at_o i_o mean_v beside_o the_o general_a praise_n due_a to_o he_o for_o all_o his_o goodness_n a_o more_o special_a manifestation_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o his_o name_n in_o all_o his_o saint_n 9_o by_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o this_o duty_n to_o be_v advance_v i_o mean_v three_o thing_n 1_o the_o build_n of_o they_o up_o into_o one_o body_n by_o the_o oneness_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n as_o christ_n and_o the_o father_n be_v one_o that_o they_o 23_o joh._n 17._o 22_o 23_o may_v be_v perfect_a in_o one_o 2_o the_o strengthen_n of_o they_o with_o might_n by_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o inner_a man_n that_o be_v knit_v together_o in_o love_n they_o may_v be_v comfort_v unto_o 16._o ephes_n 3._o 16._o all_o riches_n of_o the_o full_a assurance_n of_o understanding_n to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o christ_n 2._o col._n 2._o 2._o 3_o the_o powerful_a propagate_a of_o the_o gospel_n of_o truth_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v a_o testimony_n thereunto_o to_o convict_v it_o that_o christ_n be_v send_v of_o the_o father_n and_o a_o mean_n to_o call_v in_o all_o the_o elect_a of_o god_n to_o 23._o john_n 17._o 23._o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n out_o of_o it_o 10._o by_o the_o stand_n and_o walk_v by_o one_o self_n i_o mean_v not_o the_o distinction_n of_o charge_n as_o if_o none_o may_v stand_v or_o walk_v in_o a_o distinct_a office_n wherein_o another_o have_v no_o right_a to_o intermeddle_v or_o the_o maintain_n of_o the_o particular_a right_n belong_v to_o particular_a congregation_n for_o i_o hold_v that_o every_o church_n have_v within_o itself_o a_o right_n to_o all_o christ_n ordinance_n in_o respect_n that_o it_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n but_o i_o mean_v the_o disjoint_v of_o man_n practice_n and_o the_o divide_n of_o their_o affection_n and_o purpose_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o distinct_a charge_n whereby_o as_o party_n in_o opposition_n to_o one_o another_o they_o set_v up_o mark_n of_o distinction_n and_o separation_n between_o themselves_o and_o other_o who_o they_o can_v deny_v to_o belong_v to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o same_o foundation_n with_o themselves_o 11_o by_o the_o maintain_n of_o principle_n of_o a_o singular_a distance_n i_o mean_v such_o a_o plea_n for_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o particular_a association_n of_o professor_n as_o do_v make_v void_a the_o fit_a joint_v and_o compact_n of_o themselves_o together_o with_o other_o that_o stand_v upon_o the_o same_o foundation_n that_o according_a to_o the_o purpose_n of_o god_n the_o whole_a building_n may_v be_v fit_o frame_v together_o and_o grow_v unto_o

to_o follow_v it_o 1_o cor._n 9_o vers_fw-la 19_o till_o 24._o now_o if_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n do_v thus_o behave_v themselves_o with_o indifferency_n and_o apply_v themselves_o without_o respect_n of_o person_n by_o their_o ministry_n unto_o all_o that_o be_v any_o way_n capable_a of_o the_o outward_a mean_n of_o edification_n though_o great_a sinner_n otherwise_o how_o can_v the_o practice_n of_o a_o separation_n or_o of_o a_o semiseparation_n be_v warrant_v and_o that_o even_o from_o those_o who_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o profession_n can_v be_v deny_v to_o be_v our_o brethren_n shall_v we_o dare_v to_o put_v upon_o matter_n that_o be_v mere_o circumstantial_a and_o upon_o thing_n no_o where_o express_o enjoin_v but_o rather_o take_v up_o by_o ourselves_o more_o weight_n then_o upon_o all_o these_o fundamental_a duty_n of_o christianity_n and_o upon_o the_o undeniable_a practice_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o the_o work_n of_o their_o ministry_n if_o we_o do_v make_v ourselves_o and_o our_o own_o way_n the_o measure_n of_o all_o perfection_n sure_o we_o become_v perfect_a idol_n to_o and_o idolater_n of_o ourselves_o in_o god_n worship_n for_o if_o in_o the_o outward_a mean_n of_o worship_v and_o draw_v near_o to_o god_n in_o public_a though_o his_o own_o ordinance_n be_v observe_v as_o he_o have_v appoint_v they_o as_o to_o the_o outward_a man_n for_o to_o the_o inward_a fellowship_n he_o himself_o alone_o do_v admit_v whosoever_o he_o please_v yet_o if_o then_o we_o love_v to_o set_v ourselves_o at_o a_o distance_n from_o other_o or_o reject_v other_o from_o be_v partaker_n with_o we_o of_o the_o ordinance_n either_o because_o we_o count_v they_o in_o holiness_n inferior_a to_o we_o or_o because_o we_o be_v not_o satisfy_v concern_v their_o sincerity_n or_o because_o they_o come_v not_o up_o to_o join_v in_o opinion_n with_o we_o concern_v all_o the_o circumstantial_o of_o our_o way_n if_o i_o say_v for_o these_o or_o such_o like_a cause_n we_o stand_v aloof_o in_o the_o common_a profession_n and_o think_v that_o god_n be_v not_o where_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o our_o way_n and_o society_n do_v we_o not_o idolise_v ourselves_o do_v we_o not_o make_v ourselves_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o all_o perfection_n and_o say_v in_o our_o heart_n stand_v thou_o by_o thyself_o come_v not_o near_o for_o i_o be_o holy_a than_o thou_o and_o what_o 5._o isa_n 65._o 5._o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o opposite_a to_o the_o love_n humility_n and_o condescension_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o the_o way_n of_o their_o ministry_n let_v we_o therefore_o take_v heed_n to_o this_o snare_n let_v we_o count_v nothing_o perfect_a but_o that_o which_o upon_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o common_a profession_n be_v conformable_a to_o the_o example_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v and_o draw_v sinner_n unto_o god_n not_o by_o a_o distance_n but_o by_o a_o condescension_n unto_o they_o in_o their_o weakness_n as_o for_o the_o communion_n and_o correspondency_n which_o the_o primitive_a minister_n maintain_v one_o with_o another_o in_o the_o ministerial_a work_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o it_o do_v tend_v to_o these_o four_o end_n first_o to_o advance_v the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o profession_n of_o christianity_n second_o to_o build_v up_o and_o confirm_v those_o that_o have_v receive_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o they_o may_v be_v settle_v therein_o three_o to_o preserve_v those_o that_o be_v settle_v from_o the_o danger_n of_o seducer_n four_o and_o last_o to_o strengthen_v themselves_o in_o the_o work_n of_o their_o employment_n towards_o the_o church_n all_o which_o aim_n be_v still_o necessary_a to_o be_v follow_v and_o therefore_o the_o mean_n which_o be_v serviceable_a thereunto_o and_o which_o they_o then_o use_v must_v not_o now_o be_v neglect_v if_o they_o can_v be_v set_v afoot_o first_o we_o find_v then_o that_o for_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n among_o the_o gentile_n some_o go_v forth_o to_o preach_v unto_o they_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o take_v nothing_o of_o they_o to_o receive_v such_o and_o bring_v they_o forward_o on_o their_o journey_n after_o a_o godly_a sort_n be_v a_o work_n of_o holy_a communion_n commend_v in_o gajus_n by_o the_o apostle_n john_n as_o be_v a_o duty_n which_o all_o aught_o to_o intend_v and_o the_o ground_n why_o all_o aught_o to_o intend_v it_o be_v that_o all_o may_v be_v fellow-helper_n to_o the_o truth_n this_o practice_n than_o be_v still_o to_o 8._o 3_o john_n 6._o 7_o 8._o be_v follow_v by_o all_o that_o be_v call_v to_o the_o ministry_n so_o long_o as_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o truth_n shall_v be_v necessary_a second_o for_o the_o confirmation_n and_o edification_n of_o convert_n in_o the_o faith_n by_o the_o care_n of_o neighbour_n minister_n correspond_v with_o those_o that_o do_v convert_v they_o we_o have_v a_o example_n in_o act_n 8._o 14._o where_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n send_v to_o samaria_n two_o of_o their_o number_n to_o confirm_v the_o believer_n and_o build_v they_o up_o in_o the_o faith_n in_o like_a manner_n when_o they_o hear_v that_o some_o be_v turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n in_o antioch_n they_o send_v barnabas_n and_o he_o go_v to_o the_o same_o end_n and_o purpose_n act_v 11._o 20_o 21_o 22_o 23._o three_o for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o truth_n from_o the_o danger_n of_o seducer_n and_o the_o decision_n of_o doubt_n in_o doctrine_n and_o practice_v cast_v in_o among_o the_o professor_n to_o trouble_v they_o we_o have_v a_o example_n of_o brotherly_a communion_n and_o correspondency_n in_o act_n 15._o vers_fw-la 1._o till_o 30._o where_n one_o church_n do_v crave_v and_o another_o do_v contribute_v assistance_n counsel_n and_o authority_n in_o a_o synodical_a way_n towards_o the_o decision_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o difference_n which_o break_v forth_o among_o they_o four_o the_o example_n wherein_o minister_n among_o themselves_o do_v strengthen_v one_o another_o in_o the_o work_n of_o their_o employment_n towards_o the_o church_n be_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n who_o have_v communicate_v together_o concern_v the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v gal._n 2._o vers_fw-la 2._o and_o make_v know_v to_o one_o another_o their_o practice_n verse_n 3_o 4_o 5_o 6._o to_o gain_v mutual_a approbation_n and_o confirmation_n therein_o verse_n 6._o 7_o 8._o they_o do_v enter_v into_o a_o contract_n of_o followship_n verse_n 9_o and_o a_o obligation_n of_o communion_n and_o communication_n of_o good_a thing_n between_o their_o church_n verse_n 9_o 10._o nor_o be_v it_o find_v lawful_a or_o answerable_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o upon_o humane_a consideration_n or_o partial_a respect_n that_o communion_n shall_v be_v break_v verse_n 11._o till_o the_o end_n from_o all_o which_o again_o do_v follow_v that_o which_o former_o have_v be_v conclude_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o conscionable_a nothing_o more_o commendable_a nothing_o more_o profitable_a and_o nothing_o more_o suitable_a to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o saint_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n then_o that_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v maintain_v a_o brotherly_a communion_n and_o correspondency_n one_o with_o another_o and_o that_o such_o as_o neglect_v this_o duty_n walk_v not_o worthy_a of_o the_o call_n wherewith_o they_o be_v call_v in_o imitation_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n sect._n v._o concern_v that_o which_o concern_v the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o itself_o if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o ministerial_a office_n in_o itself_o and_o consider_v that_o whereunto_o it_o have_v a_o special_a reference_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o all_o minister_n that_o be_v faithful_a to_o their_o charge_n be_v bind_v at_o all_o time_n to_o have_v respect_n unto_o four_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v their_o relation_n unto_o christ_n as_o they_o be_v under_o he_o who_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n the_o second_o be_v their_o relation_n to_o the_o church_n as_o therein_o they_o be_v officer_n the_o three_o be_v their_o relation_n to_o the_o work_n of_o their_o charge_n in_o the_o office_n the_o four_o be_v their_o relation_n to_o their_o fellow-labourer_n in_o these_o work_n none_o of_o these_o respect_n must_v be_v want_v because_o without_o their_o subordination_n unto_o christ_n they_o be_v no_o minister_n nor_o be_v they_o otherwise_o in_o christ_n but_o as_o they_o be_v member_n of_o his_o church_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v count_v member_n without_o a_o work_n to_o perform_v because_o the_o use_n of_o every_o member_n be_v to_o be_v a_o organ_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o the_o body_n now_o the_o soul_n of_o this_o body_n be_v