Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	bishop_n	city_n	elder_n	3,358	5	10.0309	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A53674	A brief vindication of the non-conformists from the charge of schisme as it was managed against them in a sermon preached before the Lord Mayor by Dr. Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Pauls.	Owen, John, 1616-1683.	1680 (1680)	Wing O723; ESTC R30840	37,860	60

in_o it_o the_o saint_n whereof_o it_o be_v constitute_v with_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n phil._n 1._o 1._o but_o that_o church_n be_v so_o complete_a the_o apostle_n appoint_v other_o particular_a congregational_a church_n in_o the_o same_o province_n who_o have_v officer_n of_o their_o own_o with_o a_o power_n of_o government_n these_o he_o mention_n and_o call_v the_o church_n of_o macedonia_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 1._o 23._o wherefore_o we_o need_v no_o more_o direction_n in_o this_o matter_n then_o what_o be_v give_v we_o by_o the_o apostle_n authority_n in_o the_o name_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n nor_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o who_o afterward_o take_v another_o course_n of_o add_v believer_n from_o other_o place_n unto_o the_o church_n first_o plant_v unless_o it_o be_v in_o case_n of_o a_o disability_n to_o enjoy_v church-communion_n among_o themselves_o elsewhere_o whatever_o therefore_o be_v pretend_v unto_o the_o contrary_a we_o have_v plain_a scripture_n evidence_n and_o practice_n for_o the_o errect_v particular_a distinct_a congregation_n with_o power_n for_o their_o own_o rule_n and_o edification_n in_o the_o same_o province_n be_v it_o as_o small_a as_o those_o that_o be_v of_o samaria_n or_o galilee_n it_o can_v sure_o be_v say_v that_o these_o church_n be_v national_a whereof_o there_o be_v many_o in_o one_o small_a province_n of_o a_o small_a nation_n nor_o yet_o metropolitical_a or_o diocesan_n nor_o i_o suppose_v will_v it_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o they_o be_v entrust_v with_o power_n to_o rule_n and_o govern_v themselves_o in_o all_o ordinary_a case_n especial_o when_o in_o every_o one_o of_o they_o elder_n be_v ordain_v which_o the_o apostle_n be_v careful_a to_o see_v do_v act._n 14._o 22._o this_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o what_o we_o plead_v as_o unto_o particular_a congregation_n 3._o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o any_o of_o the_o first_o church_n do_v for_o a_o long_a time_n increase_v in_o any_o city_n unto_o such_o a_o number_n as_o may_v exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n for_o such_o they_o may_v continue_v to_o be_v notwithstanding_o a_o multiplication_n of_o bishop_n or_o elder_n in_o they_o and_o occasional_a distinct_a assembly_n for_o some_o act_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o it_o seem_v if_o they_o do_v begin_v to_o exceed_v in_o number_n beyond_o a_o just_a proportion_n for_o their_o edification_n they_o do_v immediate_o erect_v other_o church_n among_o they_o or_o near_o they_o so_o whereas_o there_o be_v a_o mighty_a increase_n of_o believer_n at_o corinth_n act._n 18._o 10_o there_o be_v quick_o plant_v a_o distinct_a church_n at_o cenchrea_n which_o be_v the_o port_n of_o the_o city_n rom._n 16._o 1._o and_o notwithstanding_o the_o great_a number_n of_o 5000_o that_o be_v convert_v at_o jerusalem_n upon_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o be_v they_o so_o dispose_v of_o or_o so_o disperse_v that_o some_o year_n after_o this_o there_o be_v such_o a_o church_n only_o there_o as_o do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n as_o occasion_n do_v require_v even_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o brethren_n who_o be_v call_v the_o church_n in_o distinction_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n who_o be_v their_o governor_n act._n 15._o 4_o 12._o chap._n 21._o 22._o nor_o be_v that_o church_n of_o any_o great_a number_n when_o they_o all_o depart_v afterward_o and_o go_v out_o unto_o pella_n a_o village_n beyond_o jordan_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o people_n city_n and_o temple_n and_o though_o many_o alteration_n be_v before_o that_o time_n introduce_v into_o the_o order_n and_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o appear_v that_o when_o cyprian_n be_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n at_o carthage_n that_o the_o whole_a community_n of_o the_o member_n of_o that_o church_n do_v meet_v together_o to_o determine_v of_o thing_n that_o be_v for_o their_o common_a interest_n according_a unto_o what_o be_v judge_v to_o be_v their_o right_n and_o liberty_n in_o those_o day_n which_o they_o can_v not_o have_v do_v have_v they_o not_o all_o of_o they_o belong_v unto_o the_o same_o particular_a church_n and_o congregation_n but_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v plead_v elsewhere_o if_o occasion_n be_v give_v thereunto_o but_o yet_o 4._o i_o must_v say_v that_o i_o can_v discern_v the_o least_o necessity_n of_o any_o positive_a rule_n or_o direction_n in_o this_o matter_n nor_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n require_v by_o we_o on_o the_o like_a occasion_n for_o this_o distribution_n of_o believer_n into_o particular_a congregation_n be_v that_o which_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o the_o duty_n of_o man_n with_o respect_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o such_o church_n do_v indispensible_o require_v for_o what_o be_v the_o end_n of_o all_o church_n for_o which_o they_o be_v institute_v be_v it_o not_o the_o edification_n of_o they_o that_o do_v believe_v they_o will_v find_v themselves_o mistake_v who_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v design_v to_o be_v subservient_fw-fr unto_o the_o secular_a interest_n of_o any_o sort_n of_o man_n what_o be_v the_o mean_v appoint_v of_o christ_n in_o such_o church_n for_o that_o end_n be_v they_o not_o doctrine_n and_o fellowship_n break_v bread_n and_o prayer_n that_o be_v the_o joint_a celebration_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n in_o preach_v the_o word_n administer_a the_o sacrament_n mutual_a watchfulness_n over_o one_o another_o and_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o discipline_n which_o he_o have_v appoint_v unto_o his_o disciple_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o need_n of_o a_o new_a revelation_n to_o direct_v man_n who_o be_v oblige_v to_o preserve_v church_n in_o their_o use_n unto_o their_o proper_a end_n to_o take_v care_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o will_v obstruct_v and_o hinder_v they_o in_o the_o use_n of_o mean_n unto_o that_o end_n of_o their_o edification_n whereas_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o ordinary_o these_o mean_n can_v be_v use_v in_o a_o due_a manner_n but_o in_o such_o church_n as_o wherein_o all_o may_v be_v acquaint_v with_o what_o all_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o very_a institution_n itself_o be_v a_o plain_a command_n to_o plant_v erect_v and_o keep_v all_o church_n in_o such_o a_o state_n as_o wherein_o this_o end_n may_v be_v attain_v and_o therefore_o if_o believer_n in_o any_o place_n be_v so_o few_o or_o so_o destitute_a of_o spiritual_a gift_n as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a of_o themselves_o jont_o to_o observe_v these_o mean_n for_o their_o edification_n it_o be_v their_o duty_n not_o to_o join_v by_o themselves_o in_o a_o church-state_n but_o to_o add_v themselves_o as_o member_n unto_o other_o church_n and_o so_o when_o they_o be_v so_o many_o as_o that_o they_o can_v orderly_o communicate_v together_o in_o all_o these_o ordinance_n in_o the_o way_n of_o their_o administration_n appoint_v in_o the_o scripture_n unto_o the_o edification_n of_o they_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o church_n to_o dispose_v of_o their_o church-state_n and_o relation_n into_o that_o way_n which_o will_v answer_v the_o end_v of_o it_o that_o be_v into_o more_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n i_o speak_v not_o these_o thing_n in_o opposition_n unto_o any_o other_o church-state_n which_o man_n may_v erect_v or_o establish_v out_o of_o a_o opinion_n of_o its_o usefulness_n and_o conveniency_n much_o less_o against_o that_o communion_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v among_o those_o particular_a church_n or_o their_o association_n for_o their_o common_a rule_n and_o government_n in_o and_o by_o their_o officer_n but_o only_o to_o manifest_v that_o those_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o adhere_v unto_o the_o institution_n of_o particular_a church_n in_o a_o peculiar_a way_n do_v not_o thereby_o deserve_v the_o imputation_n of_o so_o great_a and_o intolerable_a a_o gild_n as_o they_o be_v here_o charge_v withal_o and_o whereas_o i_o have_v hereby_o discharge_v all_o that_o i_o design_v with_o respect_n unto_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o nonconformist_n as_o they_o be_v here_o distinguish_v i_o may_v here_o give_v over_o the_o pursuit_n of_o this_o argument_n but_o because_o i_o seek_v after_o truth_n and_o satisfaction_n alone_o in_o these_o thing_n i_o shall_v a_o little_a far_o consider_v what_o be_v offer_v by_o this_o reverend_a author_n unto_o the_o same_o purpose_n with_o what_o we_o have_v pass_v through_o so_o therefore_o he_o proceed_v pag._n 26._o to_o pag._n 27._o if_o that_o of_o which_o we_o read_v the_o clear_a instance_n in_o scripture_n must_v be_v the_o standard_n of_o all_o future_a age_n much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v for_o limit_v church_n to_o private_a family_n then_o to_o particular_a congregation_n for_o do_v we_o not_o read_v of_o the_o church_n that_o

by_o the_o court_n of_o bishop_n chancellor_n commissary_n etc._n etc._n be_v unknown_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o in_o its_o administration_n be_v very_o remote_a from_o give_v a_o true_a representation_n of_o the_o authority_n wisdom_n love_n and_o care_n of_o christ_n to_o his_o church_n which_o be_v the_o sole_a end_n of_o all_o church_n rule_n and_o discipline_n the_o yoke_n hereof_o many_o account_n themselves_o not_o oblige_v to_o submit_v unto_o 5._o there_o be_v in_o such_o church_n a_o total_a deprivation_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o people_n secure_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o rule_n and_o practice_n of_o several_a age_n from_o the_o beginning_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o pastor_n whereby_o they_o be_v also_o deprive_v of_o all_o use_n of_o their_o light_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o provide_v for_o their_o own_o edification_n 6._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o there_o be_v want_n of_o due_a mean_n of_o edification_n in_o many_o of_o those_o parochial_a church_n and_o yet_o provision_n be_v make_v by_o the_o government_n that_o those_o church_n be_v under_o that_o none_o shall_v by_o any_o way_n provide_v themselves_o of_o better_a mean_n for_o that_o great_a end_n of_o all_o church_n society_n it_o be_v on_o these_o and_o the_o like_a reason_n that_o the_o nonconformist_n can_v join_v in_o total_a communion_n such_o as_o the_o rule_n plead_v for_o require_v with_o parochial_a church_n in_o this_o state_n as_o be_v say_v the_o lord_n christ_n have_v institute_v particular_a congregation_n require_v all_o believer_n to_o walk_v in_o they_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o those_o who_o be_v necessiate_v to_o decline_v the_o communion_n of_o parochial_a church_n as_o they_o be_v state_v at_o present_a to_o join_v themselves_o in_o and_o unto_o such_o congregation_n as_o wherein_o their_o edification_n and_o liberty_n may_v be_v better_o provide_v for_o according_a unto_o rule_n but_o hereon_o the_o reverend_a author_n proceed_v to_o oppose_v such_o particular_a congregation_n or_o church_n i_o think_v as_o unto_o their_o original_n and_o necessity_n for_o so_o he_o speak_v page_z 25_o to_o page_n 26._o but_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v further_o i_o have_v never_o yet_o see_v any_o tolerable_a proof_n that_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v limit_v to_o congregation_n howbeit_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o clear_a and_o evident_a in_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o so_o necessary_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o many_o wise_a man_n whole_o unconcern_v in_o our_o controversy_n do_v take_v it_o for_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v grant_v by_o all_o without_o dispute_n so_o speak_v chief_a justice_n hobart_n page_n 149._o in_o the_o case_n of_o colt_n and_o glover_n cont_n bishop_n coventry_n and_o litchfield_n and_o we_o know_v well_o that_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o its_o great_a purity_n be_v but_o voluntary_a congregation_n of_o believer_n submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o apostle_n and_o after_o to_o other_o pastor_n to_o who_o they_o do_v minister_n of_o their_o temporal_n as_o god_n do_v move_v they_o of_o the_o same_o judgement_n be_v those_o who_o esteem_v the_o first_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v democratical_a so_o speak_v paulus_n sharpius_n in_o the_o beginning_n the_o government_n of_o the_o holy_a church_n have_v altogether_o a_o democratical_a form_n all_o the_o faithful_a intervening_a in_o the_o chief_a deliberation_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o all_o do_v intervene_v at_o the_o election_n of_o mathias_n unto_o the_o apostleship_n and_o in_o the_o election_n of_o the_o six_o deacon_n and_o when_o st._n peter_n receive_v cornelius_n a_o heathen_a centurion_n unto_o the_o faith_n he_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o to_o all_o the_o church_n likewise_o in_o the_o council_n celebrate_v in_o jerusalem_n the_o apostle_n the_o priest_n and_o the_o other_o faithful_a brethren_n do_v intervene_v and_o the_o letter_n be_v write_v in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o these_o three_o order_n in_o success_n of_o time_n when_o the_o church_n increase_v in_o number_n the_o faithful_a retire_n themselves_o to_o the_o affair_n of_o their_o family_n and_o have_v leave_v those_o of_o the_o congregation_n the_o government_n retain_v only_o in_o the_o minister_n and_o become_v aristocratical_a save_v the_o election_n which_o be_v popular_a and_o other_o also_o of_o the_o same_o judgement_n may_v be_v add_v but_o let_v we_o hear_v the_o reason_v of_o this_o learned_a author_n against_o this_o apprehension_n this_o he_o enter_v upon_o page_z 26._o it_o be_v possible_a at_o first_o there_o may_v be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o one_o city_n than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n for_o worship_n but_o where_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o when_o they_o multiply_v into_o more_o congregation_n they_o do_v make_v new_a and_o distinct_a church_n under_o new_a officer_n with_o a_o separate_a power_n of_o government_n of_o this_o i_o be_o well_o assure_v there_o be_v no_o mark_n nor_o footstep_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o will_v appear_v credible_a to_o any_o considerate_a man_n that_o the_o 5000_o christian_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n make_v one_o state_v and_o fix_v congregation_n for_o divine_a worship_n not_o if_o we_o make_v all_o the_o allowance_n for_o stranger_n which_o can_v be_v desire_v but_o if_o this_o be_v grant_v where_o be_v the_o unalterable_a rule_n that_o assoon_o as_o the_o company_n become_v too_o great_a for_o one_o particular_a assembly_n they_o must_v become_v a_o new_a church_n under_o peculiar_a officer_n and_o a_o independent_a authority_n it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o those_o who_o contend_v so_o much_o for_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n of_o all_o thing_n pertain_v to_o worship_n and_o discipline_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o produce_v nothing_o in_o so_o necessary_a a_o point_n i_o answer_v 1_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o a_o impartial_a account_n may_v ere_o long_o be_v give_v of_o the_o state_n and_o way_n of_o the_o first_o church_n after_o the_o decease_n of_o the_o apostle_n wherein_o it_o will_v be_v make_v appear_v how_o they_o do_v insensible_o deviate_v in_o many_o thing_n from_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o first_o institution_n so_o as_o that_o though_o their_o mistake_n be_v of_o small_a moment_n and_o not_o prejudicial_a unto_o their_o faith_n and_o order_n yet_o occasion_n be_v administer_v to_o succeed_a age_n to_o increase_v those_o deviation_n until_o they_o issue_v in_o a_o fatal_a apostasy_n a_o eminent_a instance_n hereof_o be_v give_v we_o in_o the_o discourse_n of_o paulus_n sharpius_n about_o matter_n benificiary_a late_o make_v public_a in_o our_o own_o language_n 2_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n herein_o seem_v to_o i_o evident_o to_o be_v exemplify_v in_o the_o scripture_n for_o although_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v not_o express_v mention_n make_v that_o these_o or_o those_o particular_a church_n do_v divide_v themselves_o into_o more_o congregation_n with_o new_a officer_n yet_o be_v there_o instance_n of_o the_o erection_n of_o new_a particular_a congregation_n in_o the_o same_o province_n as_o distinct_a church_n with_o a_o separate_a power_n of_o government_n so_o the_o first_o church_n in_o the_o province_n of_o judea_n be_v in_o jerusalem_n but_o when_o that_o church_n be_v complete_a as_o to_o the_o number_n of_o they_o who_o may_v communicate_v therein_o unto_o their_o edification_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o add_v the_o believer_n of_o the_o adjacent_a town_n and_o place_n unto_o that_o church_n but_o erect_v other_o particular_a congregation_n all_o the_o country_n over_o so_o there_o be_v different_a church_n in_o judea_n galilee_n and_o samaria_n that_o be_v many_o in_o each_o of_o they_o act._n 9_o 31._o so_o the_o apostle_n mention_n the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o be_v in_o judea_n 1_o thes_n 2._o 14._o and_o no_o where_o speak_v of_o they_o as_o of_o one_o church_n for_o worship_n order_n and_o government_n so_o he_o speak_v again_o that_o be_v constant_o gal._n 1._o 22._o i_o be_v unknown_a by_o face_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n and_o that_o these_o church_n be_v neither_o national_a nor_o diocessans_n but_o particular_a congregation_n be_v as_o i_o suppose_v sufficient_o evident_a so_o be_v it_o in_o the_o province_n of_o galatia_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o church_n therein_o that_o shall_v be_v comprehensive_a of_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o that_o province_n but_o many_o particular_a church_n there_o be_v as_o it_o be_v testify_v chap._n 1._o ver_fw-la 2._o so_o be_v it_o also_o in_o macedonia_n the_o first_o church_n plant_v in_o that_o province_n be_v at_o philipi_n as_o it_o be_v declare_v act._n 16._o and_o it_o be_v quick_o bring_v into_o complete_a order_n so_o as_o that_o when_o the_o apostle_n write_v unto_o it_o there_o be_v