Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
conscience_n according_a heart_n lord_n 1,006 5 3.6378 3 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A75971 The agreement of the associated ministers of the county of Essex: proposed to their particular congregations, and to all such of the county that love the churches peace; with a word of exhortation to brotherly union. 1658 (1658) Wing A776; Thomason E955_2; ESTC R207612 42,278 62

There is 1 snippet containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

Constantinople Ephesus Calcedon and others likewise we declare our owning and resolution to own and maintain the whole Body of Protestant Reformed Doctrine so far as it is joyntly held forth in their Confessions of Faith and in our English Articles the Articles of Ireland 1615. And in the late Confession of Faith by the Assembly of Divines so fully and excellently set forth and having it as to the matter it self long since imprest on our thoughts which some pious and prudent Brethren have published for the Basis ground of their Associating work we think it no diminution but honour if not duty to tread in their exemplary Christian and peaceable steps shewing our ready concurrence with them in building on the same Foundations which are these ensuing Rules 1. THat in the exercise of discipline it is not only the most safe Course but also most conducing to brotherly Union and satisfaction that particular Churches carry on as much of their work with joynt and mutual assistance as they can with conveniency and edification and as little as may be in their actings to stand distinctly by themselves and apart from each other 2. That where different principles lead to the same practice we may joyne together in the same practice reserving to each of us our own principles 3. That where we can neither agree together in principles nor practice we agree to beare with one anothers differences that are of a lesse and disputable nature without making them a ground of division among us Yet notwithstanding we do not thereby bind up our selves from endeavouring to informe one another in those things wherein we differ so that it be done with a spirit of Love and Meeknesse and with resolution to continue brotherly Amity and Association though in those particulars our differences should remain uncomposed Upon these grounds we agree as followeth 1. BEing each of us in our hearts perswaded of our own particular Call by Christ unto the Gospel Ministry and that we are entrusted and imployed as Embassadors Stewards Overseers Guides Watchmen and Labourers in his Church and Vineyard We resolve through his help sincerely and constantly both to endeavour the fulfilling of this our Ministry and to labour in all things that the Ministry be not justly blamed that so we may promote the glory of God in saving the precious souls committed to us 2. We resolve through the grace of Christ to contend dayly to the comprehension of that Ministerial Knowledge and Wisdome whereby we may understand our way and to study more and strive after that excellent Wisdome and Art of winning souls and likewise the putting on growing in and exercising of that Love Faithfulnesse Compassion Humblenesse Meeknesse Long-suffering and such other graces Christ especially enjoyns for the due discharge of our great trust 3. We resolve to endeavour the attaining those high ends the Ministry is appointed unto by all such wayes the Scripture requires and allowes As by Preaching Catechizing private Instructing of and conferring with our people visiting the sick and exemplary walking Together with dispencing the Sacraments Church-Government and Brotherly Union for mutuall Assistance and better carrying on the Work of Christ 1. In preaching we agree to hold forth to our hearers the Word of Life and the whole Councel of God therein contained clearly and plainly to their apprehensions close and home to their Consciences and Hearts by Doctrine Instruction Confutation Exhortation Reproof and Comfort in such manner as the Scripture prescribes and according to that wisdome and opportunity the Lord affords 2. In Catechizing we agree to make use of the shorter Catechisme made by the Assembly which we will endeavour to goe through at least once in the year 3. In private Instruction and Conference we agree as our strength and labours will permit and our people shall offer us occasion which we earnestly desire they should we will instruct them privately and confer with them of the things of God and their souls in that way each of us shall judge most expedient for Edification 4. In visiting the sick it being our peoples duty in case of sicknesse according to that Rule of the Apostle James 5.14 To send for Elders We agree to go to those who shall send for us unlesse the case be such as will not stand with our publike work and then we will deale with them sincerely plainly and effectually as God shall enable us concerning their souls condition and eternal salvation 5. Because every Minister of Christ is to be an example in conversation to his Flock To seale his Doctrine by his Exemplarie doing Therefore we resolve through Christ to have an especial care that our lives be not destructive to our Doctrine but a Confirmation of it and thereby an Instigation to our people to follow us in that we follow Christ 2. Being we are in Scripture enjoyned to love all men and so much as in us lieth to follow peace but especially to evidence both peculiar love to all the godly and such as walk as becometh the Gospel and likewise to delight in their Societie Therefore we shall endeavour in our converse to demeane our selves accordingly Yet not any way denying or with-drawing that charity civility helpfulnesse and duty in any sort due to the scandalous and such as walk inordinately Seeing prophanesse such as Swearing breaking the Lords Sabbath together with Uncleannesse Ryot Drunkennesse and the like enormities are so abominable to God and his Saints pernicious to the practisers and oft so mischievous to others that behold them we resolve besides the publike reproving them to endeavour their suppressing among our people so farre as will stand with our calling and conveniency Reforming Congregations 1. BEcause Reforming Congregations and preserving them being Reformed depends so much upon setling that Order and Government which Christ requires in his Word therefore we shall use our best endeavours to inform our people of the nature necessity and excellency of this Scripture-Order and perswade them to a willing agreement with us namely in such things which are clearly held forth in Scripture and to which we our selves do all agree which though not to every circumstance yet for the substance we shall set down in due place hereafter 2. We agree that every one who professeth Faith in Christ and hopes for Salvation by him ought to joyn himself as a Member to some one or other Visible Church where the Word of God is truly preached and the Sacraments are duly administred and that it is most agreeable to order and edification for those that dwell together in one place to joyn together as Members of the same particular Church and that a peoples meeting together ordinarily to attend upon the publike worship in one place and subjecting themselves to the Ordinances of Christ therein dispenced is a real expression of their consent agreement to joyn as Members to that Church Yet because we conceive the more express this Agreement and Consent is the