Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	catholic_n	particular_a	union_n	3,907	5	9.8315	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90063	Irenicum; or, An essay towards a brotherly peace & union, between those of the congregational and presbyterian way; shewing out of the most learned and renowned divines of the congregational way, that their positions concerning 1. Church matters and members. 2. Church constitution and form. 3. Church state. 4. Church officers and ordination. 5. Church government and censures. 6. Church combinations and synods. 7. Communion with and separation from churches. are sufficient for the establishing a firme and lasting peace between them and the Presbyterians ... In pursuance of the good design begun at the Savoy, where it was agreed, and declared, that such reforming churches as consist of persons sound in the faith, and of conversation becoming the Gospel, ought not to refuse the communion of each other ... Drawn up and published by Discipulus de Tempore Junior.	Newcomen, Matthew, 1610?-1669.; D. T.	1659 (1659)	Wing N910; Thomason E978_1; ESTC R202985	58,516	89

yet we do not do it in their ways 7. A Combination of Churches or a Classical Church is a pure Gospel Church according to the most perfect platform it is the new jerusalem that came down from heaven Rev. 21.16 See answ to quest 7. therefore they are much mistaken that say it is an Antichristian platform 8. Classes and Synods Provincial and National are lawful and warrantable See answ to quest 9. therefore they exceedingly prevaricate who go about to render them either ridiculous as some or odious as others 9. A Synod is an Ordinance of Christ necessary though not to the being yet to the well-being of Churches See answ to quest 10. therefore it is as necessary as the rest of discipline which is necessary only for the well-being of Churches not to their being And secondly therefore it is no more improper to have Combinations or Synods fixed and stated than it is to have other meetings for Discipline so fixed 10. Delegation to be a member of a Synod is a lawful Gospel-employment See answ to quest 11. 11. All the Churches of a Nation may meet together to consult and to renew their Covenant for Reformation if the Covenant constitute the Church quere whither they be not now a National Church See answ to quest 12. 12. The practice of the Church in Hezekiahs dayes and in Josiahs dayes is a president for National Synods and Councils See answ to quest 12. 13. Synods are useful and have power in cases of difficulty and in such cases particular Churches are bound to make use of them See answ to quest 13. and 15. and in case of male-administration and in such cases the Consociated Churches are bound to take cognizance of it redresse it See answ to quest 13. 14. Synods have power and authority from Christ not only to direct and give counsel and declare the minde of Christ but also to command and injoyne See answ to quest 19. 15. Synods have some part of the binding power of the Keyes See answ to quest 14. Quere why not all as well as some and where Christ hath made the Partition 16. The decrees and injunctions of Synods so far as they are agreeable to the Word of God binde not only materially because they are agreeable to the Word but formally because they are the decrees of a Synod which is the Ordinance of Christ See answ to quest 14. and 15. 17. In the determination of the major part of a Synod approved by the Christian Magistrate particular Churches are bound to acquiesce upon pain 1. Of being guilty of disturbing the order and peace of the Church 2. Of non-communion 3. Of punishment by the Magistrate See answ to quest 15. if so then first the Magistrate may use compulsion and coercion in matter of Religion Secondly the vote of the major part of the late Assembly at Westminster had more obliging power than some body would own and some body is guilty of something 18. The decrees of Synods though erroneous yet if not fundamentally erring are not to be rejected or scorned but received and submitted to rather than peace and order disturbed See answ to quest 17. If I understand this aright our brethren say as much as can be desired if not more O that any thing near this had been practised 19. It is not easily to be granted that Synods erre and particular persons and Churches that are contrary-minded have the truth See answ to quest 7. 20. Appeals are warrantable by the Law of God and the Law of nature and necessary in all Societies because of the ignorance or iniquity of them that are Judges See answ to quest 20. therefore great is either their ignorance or their iniquity who deny the members of their society this just and necessary liberty of appeals CHAP. VII Of Communion with and Separation from the true Church Question 1. WHether there is an universal visible Church Platform of Discipline Answ There may be acknowledged an universal visisible Church Platform of discipline chap. 2. sect 3. Quest 2. What relation or respect do particular visible Churches bear to the universal visible Church Answ A Congregational Church by the institution of Christ is a part of the militant visible Church Platform of Discipline Platform of Discipline sect 6. This Catholick Mystical Church is the Materia prima out of which Political Churches by their combination are formed Defence of the 9. positions pag. 104. The Catholick Church is in some respects the first Church and particular Churches ortae Ibid. pag. 78. Quest 3. Is every particular person bound to be of some particular congregation Answ Every faithful person is bound by vertue of positive precept to joyn himself to some such single congregation Mr. Owen having the markes and notes by which a true Church may be known and discerned Dr. Owen in his Eshcol Preface A 3. It is the part of all Christians who look for salvation by Christ Jesus to joyn themselves to one or other particular Church of Christ Mr. Cotton of the way c. pag. 2. line 10. Quest 4. But is a man bound to joyn himself to the Church of that place where his dwelling is Answ Members ought to joyn themselves to the Church where they do inhabit if it may be Platform of Discipline otherwise they can neither perform the duties nor receive the priviledges of members such an example tolerated in some is apt to corrupt others which if they should follow would threaten the confusion and dissolution of Churches contrary to Scripture Platform of discipline chap. 13. sect 6. 2. All believers of one place are bound to joyn together in one congregation unless through their being too numerous they are by common consent distinguished into more which order cannot be disturbed without the guilt of schisme Dr. Owens Eshcol Prefao A. 3. Quest 5. But is a man bound after he hath once joyned himself to a Church to continue a member of this Church all his dayes Answ 1. Church-members may not remove and depart from the Church Platform Discipline and so one from another as they please but ought to dwell together Platform of discipline chap. 13. sect 1. 2. Peoples joyning with a Parish at the calling and electing of a Minister at his first coming hath such just weight in it and is such an engagement as we do not judge it safe for such to remove from such a Minister unless it be upon such grounds as may give him due satisfaction Platform of discipline Preface pag. 7. 3. To separate from a Church either out of contempt of their holy fellowship or out of covetuousness or for greater enlargements with just grief to the Church or out of Schisme or want of love or out of a spirit of contention in respect of some unkindness or some evil onely conceived or indeed in the Church which might and should be tolerated and healed with a spirit of meekness and of which the Church is

Peace That this his undertaking might be the more successeful he produceth and improveth the judgement of those Divines onely whose parts and piety have rendred them eminent who also have published to the world their apprehensions in this Controversie viz. Mr. Cotton Mr. Hooker Mr. Norton Mr. Shepherd together with the Platform of Church-Government in N. Engl. which was attested by all the Elders convened in a National Assembly there and because the names of Mr. Cotton and Mr. Hooker are superlatively famous in the Churches of Christ therefore their judgement is most frequently insisted upon During their abode in old England they were of one mind heart and way with the good old Non conformists who were real Presbyterians so far as the Brethren of their most intimate acquaintance did conceive and it is strongly believed that they would not have left their native Country for conscience sake in case they might have been freed from the unsupportable yoak of Episcopal subscription and conformity whereof this may be a probable evidence that very few if any Non-conformists of special note who stayed in England ever turned Independents As for the most if not all of our English Independents they did at once step over the heads of Non-conformists from conformity unto Independency or as reverend Mr. Ball was wont with dislike to express it they did at one jump leap out of the Surplice and Church Assemblies also Our brethren of the Savoy Assembly are too lavish in nominating some worthy men as favorites of their cause for no other reason yet appearing but because they were known Non-conformists Dr. Reynolds by appearing at the Hampton-court conference discovered himself a friend unto Non-conformity but he was ever opposite to them who made a Schism in or from the Church of England Dr. Chadderton also a known Non-conformist did dislike separation from the Church of England Dr. Whittaker and Mr. Perkins also were of his judgement And it would be no hard task to undertake the nomination of many Non-conformists who publikely in print have witnessed their hearty dislike of all wayes of separation from the Congregations in England notwithstanding the sinful mixtures in them vid. Mr. Cartwright Mr. Travers Mr. Hildersam Master Dorrel Master Bradshaw Master * Vide Mr. Balls answer to Mr. Cans book intituled Necessity of Separation from Non-conformists groun●s Ball and Mr. Rathband Mr. Hildersam did much grieve when he understood that the Brethren in New England did depart from the Presbyterian Government and he said This mischief had been prevented if my counsel at Mr. Higginsons going over had been taken which was that brethren driven thither by Episcopal persecution should agree upon the Church Government before they depart from hence And it is well known that many Presbyterian non-conformists did by a letter sent unto New England bewaile their departing in practice as they heard from the way of Church government which they owned here As heretofore Mr. Parker Mr. Knew-stubs Mr. Udall Mr. Sherwood Mr. Fen Mr. Egerton Mr. Balmford Mr. Baines Mr. Foord and the many scores suspended in Q. Eliz. and K. James's reign so of later times Mr. Dod Mr. Cleaver Mr. Wight Mr. Bourne Mr. Pierson as also Mr. Hinde Mr. Nicolds Mr. Langley whom Bishop Morton mentioneth in his Defence of Ceremonies as Non-conformists Were Presbyterians and utterly against even Semi-separation Unto these might be added Mr. John Paget Mr. Pot Ministers of the Reformed English Church at Amsterdam and Mr. Hering with Mr. Thomas Paget their Successors The godly Ministers of Scotland are generally Non-conformists but the world knoweth that they are Antagonists to Independency And is it not probable that if Mr. Cotton and Mr. Hooker had stayed in their Native Countrey they would not have been at such a distance from Church-fellowship with their Presbyterian Brethren as old England Independents are For doubtless their conscientious tendernesse would have wrought them to practices answerable unto their judgement held forth in this book These two Worthies all their life long were studious and laborious in the Work of the Ministry they were Patterns of Humility Meeknesse Love self-denial and all pious practices in their Families Relations and whole Conversation By them Gods Ordinances publickly Administred were highly prized constantly frequented and the Sabbath strictly observed as holy to the Lord. They neither covetously nor vain-gloriously sought great things in the world by ingrossing places of Honor command and profit for themselvs The life of faith and the power of godlinesse shined most gloriously in them all their dayes and how few in old England who boast of these Worthies as their Predecessors in wayes of Independency do merit such a character of commendation let them determin who are best acquainted with their conversation in their several stations and capacities And when this book hath been seriously perused let the Judicious Reader give sentence whether in their Church-administrations they be not so unlike unto them that they must either disclaim their Patronage or change their present practices It is a high commendation given of learned Mr. Calvine that in his Institutions Commentaries and other works he doth sibi constare always agree with himself whereas many others especially such who are much versed in Polemical debates do often cross shins with themselves through inconsiderateness or forgetfulness This is not spoken to cast reproach upon any good man but to give an Item unto all wisely to weigh what they Puhlish and what they Practice The Peace-makers are blessed but those that sowe discord amongst brethren are an abomination to the Lord. M●● 5.9 Prov. 6.19 The wisdom which is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle easie to be intreated Therefore follow peace and holinesse L●● 3.17 Love the truth and peace Consider what is said Heb. 12.14 ●ath 8.19 and what may be suggested in this ensuing Treatise and the Lord give a right understanding in all things An Advertisement to the READER LEt the Reader take notice that these words in the second line of the fourth page Nations holy by Covenant therefore Churches and these words in the fifteenth line of the same page and according to this sense may we not say Saint Saul Saint Demas Saint Judas and that a Church made up of such as these is a Church of Saints Both these sentences should have been put in the margent being not the words of the Reverend Author there cited but Observations which the Collector conceived he might justly make upon his words IRENICVM OR AN ESSAY Towards a Brotherly PEACE and UNION CHAP. I. Of the matter of a Church under the New Testament and who are fit to be Church-members Question I. WHat is the matter of a Church now in the New Testament Answ The Church of the Old Testament consisted of no other matter than of such as professed the faith of the God of Israel and of their seed and the Church of the New Testament consisteth of the like Mr.

Cotton of Infant Baptism page 132. line 11 12. Quest 2. Who then may be admitted or accounted members of the Church in the New Testament and who not Answ The ignorant persons that are grosly ignorant of the first principles and foundations of Religion are not to be received members into the Church or if born in the Church yet so continuing in their ignorance to their ripe age are not to be confirmed members That is they are not to be admitted to the seal of the Lords Supper and so are not to be admitted to other rights of a Church-member as election of officers admission of members censure of offenders c. Mr. Cotton Holiness of Church-members pag. 19. line 32. 2. Atheists Witches Papists and all Hereticks who either deny the faith or profess a false faith against the foundation of Christian Religion they are not to be received members into the Church without reformation and repentance Pag. 20. l. 4. 3. Notorious persons scandalous for any gross crime as Idolatry Adultery Fornication Drunkenness Oppression Perjury Profaneness Lying are not to be received into the Church or not continued in it Ibi. pag. 20. line 11. Quest 3. Yea but if a man be not tru●ly converted and regenerate is not that enough to make him uncapable of Church-membership though he b● neither grosly ignorant nor notoriously scandalous Answ Irregeneration alone doth not keep any from Church fellowship Mr. Cotton unless it be accompanied with such fruits as are openly scandalous and do convincingly manifest unregeneration as gross ignorance palpable hypocrisie or such like spiritual wickednesses Mr. Cotton Holiness of Church-members p. 92. line 35. And therefore though it be comfortable and desireable in the admission of members into the Church when the whole Church and all the members thereof are satisfied in the sincerity of the regeneration of such who are to be received especially in the first planting or gathering of Churches yet neither in judgement nor in practice do we suspend their admission till we be convinced in our consciences of the certain and unfallible signes of their regeneration Mr. Cotton holinesse of Church members p. 2. line ult And as for that the Members should at several times in several companies repair to those that are to be admitted to examine the time and manner of their conversion I am afraid it is a presumed kind of liberty which wants precept and example for any thing that ever appeared to me in the Scripture Mr. Hooker Survey of Discipline part 3. page 5. Object 1. But is it not said John 3.3 5. except a man be born again of water and of the Holy Ghost he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven therefore he cannot be admitted into the Church for that is the kingdom of heaven except he be regenerate Answ By the kingdom of heaven there is meant not the Church of God but the state of glory Mr. Cotton of Infant Baptism pag. 139. line 2. Object 2. But it is spoken of the new Hierusalem Rev. 21.27 which is the Gospel-Church that no unclean thing shall enter thereinto therefore no unregenerate person ought to be admitted into the Church Answ That text is a part of the description of the pure Church of the Jews after their last conversion called the new Hierusalem by the condition of such Proselites as from among the Nations shall enter into fellowship with them they shall not be prophane persons corrupters and defilers of others nor makers of images which are abominations and lyes and that the description agreeth to infants though unregenerate as well as to others Mr. Cotton of Infant bapt p. 133. l. 24. Quest 4. But is there not more required to Church-membership then that a man be neither ignorant nor scandalous Is there not positive holinesse required why else are the members of the Churches in the New Testament so frequently called Saints Answ Saints by external calling as distinct from Saints by internal calling are the true matter of the visible Church Mr. Hookers Survey of discipline part 1. pag. 21. line 28. Quest 5. Who then are Saints by external calling Answ There are three sorts of holiness one by imputation from Christ a second by regeneration from the spirit a third by separation to God and his worship and to participation of the Ordinances through the Covenant many enjoy this last holiness though they do not enjoy the two former Mr. Cotton of infant baptisme p. 125. line 1. And they may be holy by covenant who are not yet holy by the spirit of regeneration Ibid. pag. 67. line 30. and they w ho believe with temporary or historical faith onely may be holy by covenant Ibid. line 28. And the covenant of grace is holy because it gives right to holy priviledges and denominates them holy whether persons families or Nations nations holy by covenant therefore Churches those whom God calls to such covenant with himself Mr. Cotton of infant bapt for it separates them from other people and sets them apart to the Lord and his holy worship as it is Deut. 7.6 7 8. Ibid. pag. 111. line 11. Quest 6. But can any be said to be in or belong unto the covenant of grace but those that are in the state of grace Answ There is a twofold state of grace one adherent which some not unfitly call federal grace sanctifying to the purifying of the flesh Heb 9.13 the other inherent sanctifying the inward man And of this there are two sorts one whereby persons in covenant are sanctifyed by common graces which makes them serviceable and useful in their callings as Judas Demas and such like hypocrites and according to this fence may we not say Saint Saul Saint Demas Saint Judas and that the Church made up of such as these is a Church of Saints The other whereby persons in covenant are sanctified unto union and communion with Christ Mr. Cotton of infant baptisme p. 43. l. 16. Now though all that are in the Church be not sanctified and in the state of grace in this last and strictest fence yet in the two former they may Quest 7. But seeing faith is the condition of the covenant are not all who believe not excluded from the covenant and must they not first come to faith before they can come to the Covenant Answ 1. There is no place proves all are excluded from the outward dispensation of the Covenant but Believers onely Mr. Cotton of infant baptism p. 58. l. 12. If the covenant were onely to them that believe then the faith whereby we believe is not given to any by the covenant Ibid. p. 62. l. 3. If the Church consists onely of real Saints then real sanctifying grace is never given to any in the Churchy but alwayes in the world 2. It is not first faith and then to the covenant but first the covenant and then faith written and wrought in the heart by the spirit to fulfill the covenant Mr. Cotton f infant baptisme page 54.