Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	officer_n	ordain_v	ordination_n	3,414	5	11.2484	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52591	A Declaration of the faith and order owned and practiced in the Congregational churches in England agreed upon and consented unto by their elders and messengers in their meeting at the Savoy, October 12, 1658.	Owen, John, 1616-1683.; Nye, Philip, 1596?-1672.	1659 (1659)	Wing N1487; ESTC R16855	44,499	94

with or calls them to to be continued to the end of the world are Pastors Teachers Elders and Deacons X. Churches thus gathered and assembling for the Worship of God are thereby visible and publique and their Assemblies in what place soever they are according as they have liberty or opportunity are therefore Church or Publique Assemblies XI The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person fitted and gifted by the holy Ghost unto the Office of Pastor Teacher or Elder in a Church is that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church it self and solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer with Imposition of Hands of the Eldership of that Church if there be any before constituted therein And of a Deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage and set apart by Prayer and the like Imposition of Hands XII The Essence of this Call of a Pastor Teacher or Elder unto Office consists in the Election of the Church together with his acceptation of it and separation by Fasting and Prayer And those who are so chosen though not set apart by Imposition of Hands are rightly constituted Ministers of Jesus Christ in whose Name and Authority they exercise the Ministery to them so committed The Calling of Deacons consisteth in the like Election and acceptation with separation by Prayer XIII Although it be incumbent on the Pastors and Teachers of the Churches to be instant in Preaching the Word by way of Office yet the work of Preaching the Word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the holy Ghost for it and approved being by lawful ways and means in the Providence of God called thereunto may publiquely ordinarily and constantly perform it so that they give themselves up thereunto XIV However they who are ingaged in the work of Publique Preaching and enjoy the Publique Maintenance upon that account are not thereby obliged to dispense the Seals to any other then such as being Saints by Calling and gathered according to the Order of the Gospel they stand related to as Pastors or Teachers yet ought they not to neglect others living within their Parochial Bounds but besides their constant publique Preaching to them they ought to enquire after their profiting by the Word instructing them in and pressing upon them whether young or old the great Doctrines of the Gospel even personally and particularly so far as their strength and time will admit XV Ordination alone without the Election or precedent consent of the Church by those who formerly have been Ordained by vertue of that Power they have received by their Ordination doth not constitute any person a Church Officer or communicate Office power unto him XVI A Church furnished with Officers according to the minde of Christ hath full power to administer all his Ordinances and where there is want of any one or more Officers required that Officer or those which are in the Church may administer all the Ordinances proper to their particular Duty and Offices but where there are no teaching Officers none may administer the Seals nor can the Church authorize any so to do XVII In the carrying on of Church-administrations no person ought to be added to the Church but by the consent of the Church it self that so love without dissimulation may be preserved between all the Members thereof XVIII Whereas the Lord Jesus Christ hath appointed and instituted as a means of Edification that those who walk not according to the Rules and Laws appointed by him in respect of Faith and Life so that just offence doth arise to the Church thereby be censured in his Name and Authority Every Church hath Power in it self to exercise and execute all those Censures appointed by him in the way and Order prescribed in the Gospel XIX The Censures so appointed by Christ are Admonition and Excommunication and whereas some offences are or may be known onely to some it is appointed by Christ that those to whom they are so known do first admonish the offender in private in publique offences where any sin before all or in case of non-amendment upon private admonition the offence being related to the Church and the offender not manifesting his repentance he is to be duely admonished in the Name of Christ by the whole Church by the Ministery of the Elders of the Church and if this Censure prevail not for his repentance then he is to be cast out by Excommunication with the consent of the Church XX As all Bel●evers are bound to joyn themselves to particular Church● when and where they have opportunity so to do so non● are to be admitted unto the Priviledges of the Churches who do not submit themselves to the Rule of Christ in the Censures of the Government of them XXI This being the way prescribed by Christ in case of offence no Church-members upon any offences taken by them having performed their duty required of them in this matter ought to disturb any Church-order or absent themselv●s from the publique Assemblies or the Administration of any Ordinances upon that pretence but to wait upon Christ in the further proceeding of the Church XXII The Power of Censures being seated by Christ in a particular Church is to be exercised onely towards particular Members of each Church respectively as such and there is no power given by him unto any Synods or Ecclesiastical Assemblies to Excommunicate or by their publique Edicts to threaten Excommunication or other Church-censures against Churches Magistrates or their people upon any account no man being obnoxious to that Censure but upon his personal miscarriage as a Member of a particular Church XXIII Although the Church is a Society of men assembling for the celebration of the Ordinances according to the appointment of Christ yet every Society assembling for that end or purpose upon the account of cohab●●ation within any civil Precincts and Bounds is not thereby constituted a Church seeing there may be wanting among ●hem what is essentially required thereunto and therefore a Believer living with others in such a Precinct may joyn h●mself with any Church for his edification XXIV For the avoiding of differences that may otherwise arise for the greater Solemnity in the Celebration of the Ordinances of Christ and the opening a way for the large usefulness of the Gifts and Graces of the holy Ghost Saints living in one City or Town or within such distances as that they may conveniently assemble for divine Worship ought rather to joyn in one Church for their mutual strengthning and edification then to set up many distinct Societies XXV As all Churches and all the Members of them are bound to pray continually for the good or prosperity of all the Churches of Christ in all places and upon all occasions to further it Every one within the bounds of their Places and Callings in the exercise of their Gifts and Graces So the Churches themselves when plan●ed by the providence of God so as they may have opportunity and advantage for it ought to hold communion amongst themselves for their peace increase of love and mutual edification XXVI In cases o● difficulties or differences either in point of Doctrine o●●n Administrations wherein either the Churches in general ●●e concerned or any one Church in their Peace Union an● Edification or any Member or Members of any Church 〈◊〉 injured in or by any proceeding in Cens●●es not agre●able to Truth and Order it is according to the minde o● Christ that many Churches holding communion togeth●r do by their Messengers meet in a Synod or Councel to consider and give their advice in or about that matter in ●ifference to be reported to all the Churches concerned Howbeit these Synods so assembled are not entrusted with any Church-Power properly so called or with any Jurisdiction over the Churches themselves to exercise any Censures either over any Churches or Persons or to impose their determinations on the Churches or Officers XXVII Besides these occasional Synods or Councels there are not instituted by Christ any stated Synods in a fixed Combination of Churches or their Officers in lesser or greater Assemblies nor are there any Synods appointed by Christ in a way of Subordination to one another XXVIII Persons that are joyned in Church-fellowship ought not lightly or without just cause to withdraw themselves from the communion of the Church whereunto they are so joyned Nevertheless where any person cannot continue in any Church without his sin either for want of the Administration of any Ordinances instituted by Christ or by his being 1 Cor. 1.10 Acts 15. Rom. 15.6 8 9. v. 9. This perswasion cometh not of him that calleth you Gal. 5.8 1 Pet. 1.5 1 Pet. 3.15 8 Cor. 2. Gal. 1.6 Heb. 5.12 Eph. 4.12 14. Heb. 3.6 Heb. 10.22 June 20. 1648. Aug. 1647 Session ●86 Ordinance of March 14. 1645. Considerations and Cautions from Sion Coll. June 19. 1646. Jus divinum Minist. pub by the Provost of London in the Preface Puritanis Ang. by Dr. Aims near 50 years since as the opinions of Whitehead Gilbe Fox Dearing Greenham Cartwright Venner Fulk Whitaker Rainold Perkins c.

what he asserteth or promiseth and to judge him according to the truth or falshood of what he sweareth II. The name of God onely is that by which men ought to swear and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence Therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious or dreadful name or to swear at all by any other thing is sinful and to be abhorred yet as in matters of weight and moment an Oath is warranted by the Word of God under the New Testament as well as under the Old so a lawful Oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters ought to be taken III. Whosoever taketh an Oath warranted by the Word of God ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully perswaded is the truth neither may any man binde himself by Oath to any thing but what is good and just and what he believeth so to be and what he is able and resolved to perform Yet it is a sin to refuse an Oath touching any thing that is good and just being lawfully imposed by Authority IV. An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words without equivocation or mental reservation It cannot oblige to sin but in any thing not sinful being taken it bindes to performance although to a mans own hurt nor is it to be violated although made to Hereticks or infidels V. A Vow which is not to be made to any Creature but God alone is of the like nature with a promissory Oath and ought to be made with the like religious care and to be performed with the like faithfulness VI Popish monasticall Vows of perpetual single life professed poverty and regular obedience are so far from being degrees of higher perfection that they are superstitious and sinful snares in which no Christian may intangle himself CHAP. XXIV Of the civil Magistrate GOd the supreme Lord and King of all the world hath ordained civil Magistrates to be under him over the people for his own glory and the publique good and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword for the defence and incouragement of them that do good and for the punishment of evil doers II. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a Magistrate when called thereunto in the management whereof as they ought especially to maintain Justice and Peace according to the wholsome Laws of each Commonwealth so for that end they may lawfully now under the new Testament wage war upon just and necessary occasion III. Although the Magistrate is bound to incourage promote and protect the professors and profession of the Gospel and to manage and order civil administrations in a due subserviency to the interest of Christ in the world and to that end to take care that men of corrupt mindes and conversations do not licentiously publish and divulge Blasphemies and Errors in their own nature subverting the faith and inevitably destroying the souls of them that receive them Yet in such differences about the Doctrines of the Gospel or ways of the worship of God as may befal men exercising a good conscience manifesting it in their conversation and holding the foundation not disturbing others in their ways or worship that differ from them there is no warrant for the Magistrate under the Gospel to abridge them of their liberty IV. It is the duty of people to pray for Magistrates to honor their persons to pay them Tribute and other dues to obey their lawful commands and to be subject to their Authority for conscience sake Infidelity or difference in religion doth not make void the Magistrates just and legal Authority nor free the people from their obedience to him from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted much less hath the Pope any power or Jurisdiction over them in their dominions or over any of their people and least of all to deprive them of their Dominions or lives if he shall judge them to be Hereticks or upon any other pretence whatsoever CHAP. XXV Of Marriage MArriage is to be between one man and one woman neither is it lawful for any man to have more then one wife nor for any woman to have more then one husband at the same time II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife for the increase of mankinde with a legitimate issue and of the Church with an holy seed and for preventing of uncleanness III. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry who are able with judgement to give their consent Yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord and therefore such as profess the true Reformed Religion should not marry with Infidels Papists or other Idolaters neither should such as are godly be unequally yoaked by marrying with such as are wicked in their life or maintain damnable Heresie IV. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity forbidden in the Word nor can such incestuous Marriages ever be made lawful by any law of man or consent of parties so as those persons may live together as man and wife CHAP. XXVI Of the Church THe Catholique or Universal Church which is invisible consists of the whole number of the Elect that have been are or shall be gathered into one under Christ the Head thereof and is the Spouse the Body the fulness of him that filleth all in all II. The whole body of men throughout the world professing the faith of the Gospel and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it not destroying their own profession by any Errors everting the foundation or unholiness of conversation are and may be called the visible Catholique Church of Christ although as such it is not intrusted with the administration of any Ordinances or have any officers to rule or govern in or over the whole Body III. The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error and some have so degenerated as to become no Churches of Christ but Synagogues of Satan Nevertheless Christ always hath had and ever shall have a visible Kingdom in this world to the end thereof of such as believe in him and make profession of his name IV. There is no other Head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be Head thereof but is that Antichrist that man of sin and son of perdition that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ and all that is called God whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming V. As the Lord in his care and love towards his Church hath in his infinite wise providence exercised it with great variety in all ages for the good of them that love him and his own Glory so according to his promise we expect that in the latter days Antichrist being destroyed the Jews called and the adversaries of the Kingdom of

crucified and all benefits of his death the Body and Blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in with or under the Bread or Wine yet as really but spiritually present to the Faith of Believers in that Ordinance as the Elements themselves are to their outward senses VIII All ignorant and ungodly persons as they are unfit to enjoy communion with Christ so are they unworthy of the Lords Table and cannot without great sin against him whilest they remain such partake of these holy Mysteries or be admitted thereunto yea whosoever shall receive unworthily are guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord eating and drinking Judgement to themselves CHAP. XXXI Of the state of Man after Death and of the Resurrection of the Dead THe Bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption but their souls which neither die nor sleep having an immortal subsistence immediately return to God who gave them the souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness are received into the highest Heavens where they behold the face of God in light and glory waiting for the full redemption of their bodies And the souls of the wicked are cast into Hell where they remain in torment and utter darkness reserved to the Judgement of the great day Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies the Scripture acknowledgeth none II. At the last day such as are found alive shall not die but be changed and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies and none other although with different qualities which shall be united again to their souls for ever III. The bodies of the unjust shall by the Power of Christ be raised to dishonor the bodies of the just by his Spirit unto honor and be made conformable to his own glorious Body CHAP. XXXII Of the last Judgement GOd hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the World in righteousness by Jesus Christ to whom all Power and Judgement is given of the Father in which day not onely the Apostate Angels shall be judged but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the Tribunal of Christ to give an account of their thoughts words and deeds and to receive according to what they have done in the body whether good or evil II. The end of Gods appointing this day is for the manifestation of the Glory of his Mercy in the eternal salvation of the Elect and of his Justice in the damnation of the Reprobate who are wicked and disobedient for then shall the righteous go into everlasting Life and receive that fulness of joy and glory with everlasting reward in the presence of the Lord but the wicked who know not God and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ shall be cast into eternal torments and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his Power III. As Christ would have us to be certainly perswaded that there shall be a Judgement both to deter all men from sin and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity so will he have that day unknown to men that they may shake off all carnal security and be always watchful because they know not at what hour the Lord will come and may be ever prepared to say Come Lord Jesus come quickly Amen Books sold by John Allen at the Sun Rising in Pauls Church-yard viz. Mr. Caryl's fifth Volume on the Book of Job in quarto Mr. Caryl's seventh Volume on the Book of Job in quarto Beza Novum Testamentum in folio Mr. Allens Scripture Chronology in quarto Dr. Preston's Riches of Mercy in quarto Buxtorfius's Lexicon the best sort in large octavo Mr. Baxter's Call to the Unconverted Mr. Cotton on the Covenant intended suddenly for the Press Mr. Lukin's Practice of Godliness Mr. Burgess of Original sin Pareus on the Revelation in folio Mr. Gataker against Judicial Astrology wherein he proves it to be the way and practice of Heathens and ought not to be so much as named by them that profess the Name of Christ Esay 47.12 13. Jer. 10.2 OF THE INSTITUTION OF CHURCHES AND THE ORDER Appointed in them by JESUS CHRIST I. BY the appointment of the Father all Power for the Calling Institution Order or Government of the Church is invested in a Supreme and Soveraign maner in the Lord Jesus Christ as King and Head thereof II. In the execution of this Power wherewith he is so entrusted the Lord Jesus calleth out of the World unto communion with himself those that are given unto him by his Father that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience which he prescribeth to them in his Word III. Those thus called through the Ministry of the Word by his Spirit he commandeth to walk together in particular Societies or Churches for their mutual edification and the due performance of that publique Worship which he requireth of them in this world IV. To each of these Churches thus gathered according unto his minde declared in his Word he hath given all that Power and Authority which is any way needfull for their carrying on that Order in Worship and Discipline which he hath instituted for them to observe with Commands and Rules for the due and right exerting and executing of that Power V. These particular Churches thus appointed by the Authority of Christ and intrusted with power from him for the ends before expressed are each of them as unto those ends the seat of that Power which he is pleased to communicate to his Saints or Subjects in this world so that as such they receive it immediately from himself VI Besides these particular Churches there is not instituted by Christ any Church more extensive or Catholique entrusted with power for the administration of his Ordinances or the execution of any authority in his name VII A particular Church gathered and compleated according to the minde of Christ consists of Officers and Members The Lord Christ having given to his called ones united according to his appointment in Church-order Liberty and Power to choose Persons fitted by the holy Ghost for that purpose to be over them and to minister to them in the Lord VII The Members of these Churches are Saints by Calling visibly manifesting and evidencing in and by their profession and walking their obedience unto that Call of Christ who being further known to each other by their confession of the Faith wrought in them by the power of God declared by themselves or otherwise manifested do willingly consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ giving up themselves to the Lord and to one another by the will of God in professed subjection to the Ordinances of the Gospel IX The Officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the Church so called and gathered for the peculiar administration of Ordinances and execution of Power or Duty which he intrusts them