Selected quad for the lemma: diversity_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A44503
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The vvay tovvards the finding of a decision of the chiefe controversie now debated concerning church government
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Hales, John, 1584-1656.
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1641
(1641)
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Wing H281; ESTC R17617
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20,569
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46
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i_o take_v to_o have_v be_v infallible_a in_o the_o way_n of_o public_a government_n do_v show_v forth_o that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o one_o overseer_n above_o another_o be_v allow_v of_o then_o i_o think_v the_o first_o question_n will_v be_v decide_v and_o must_v be_v answer_v yea_o but_o then_o the_o second_o question_n will_v come_v into_o consideration_n namely_o that_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v which_o be_v according_a to_o christ_n aim_n be_v answerable_a unto_o the_o mean_n of_o mutual_a edification_n be_v settle_v by_o express_a rule_n be_v practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o have_v be_v continue_v by_o all_o their_o follower_n from_o the_o most_o incorrupt_a primitive_a time_n until_o this_o present_a age_n which_o if_o i_o can_v by_o clear_a word_n of_o scripture_n and_o testimony_n of_o author_n worthy_a of_o credit_n in_o all_o age_n find_v out_o than_o i_o think_v i_o ought_v to_o set_v my_o mind_n at_o rest_n and_o cast_v off_o further_a doubt_n if_o this_o rule_n of_o proceed_v towards_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v thus_o without_o further_a restriction_n and_o exception_n admit_v than_o my_o next_o care_n must_v be_v to_o follow_v it_o close_o and_o take_v heed_n lest_o it_o be_v unsapple_v to_o thing_n indifferent_a either_o in_o nature_n or_o proportion_n from_o those_o wherein_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n with_o their_o true_a follower_n in_o time_n most_o incorrupt_a be_v conversant_a now_o then_o to_o make_v only_o at_o this_o time_n a_o brief_a trial_n of_o this_o way_n for_o hereafter_o if_o need_v be_v matter_n may_v be_v enlarge_v i_o will_v summary_o observe_v that_o which_o be_v clear_a scripture_n concerning_o the_o forename_a head_n first_o i_o find_v that_o the_o end_n wherefore_o christ_n will_v have_v all_o his_o believer_n compact_v and_o gather_v into_o one_o body_n be_v that_o the_o world_n shall_v believe_v and_o know_v these_o two_o thing_n that_o the_o father_n have_v send_v his_o son_n to_o we_o and_o that_o the_o father_n love_v the_o believer_n as_o he_o love_v his_o son_n this_o be_v clear_a in_o ioh._n 17._o 21_o 22_o 23._o another_o end_n of_o this_o union_n be_v that_o the_o believer_n may_v be_v able_a to_o build_v up_o themselves_o in_o grace_n this_o be_v clear_a in_o ephes._n 4._o 16._o another_o end_n be_v that_o they_o may_v preserve_v themselves_o from_o the_o danger_n of_o adversary_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o overthrow_n phil._n 1._o 27_o 28._o gal._n 5._o 13_o 14_o 15._o and_o a_o further_a end_n be_v the_o hold_n up_o of_o the_o credit_n of_o god_n kingdom_n in_o the_o world_n aswell_o by_o life_n as_o by_o doctrine_n phil._n 2._o 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o sequent_a but_o chief_o verse_n 14_o 15_o 16._o from_o whence_o i_o suppose_v these_o assertion_n may_v safe_o be_v gather_v as_o rule_n of_o future_a decision_n 1._o if_o the_o knowledge_n and_o faith_n of_o christ_n if_o the_o father_n love_n to_o all_o believer_n be_v make_v manifest_a unto_o the_o word_n if_o the_o build_n up_o of_o all_o believer_n among_o themselves_o if_o their_o preservation_n from_o adversary_n and_o if_o the_o credit_n of_o god_n kingdom_n both_o in_o life_n and_o doctrine_n be_v uphold_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n more_o direct_o just_o and_o safe_o by_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o overseer_n one_o above_o another_o then_o by_o a_o independency_n of_o spiritual_a person_n and_o charge_n one_o from_o another_o than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v conceive_v that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o overseer_n in_o christ_n church_n be_v more_o answerable_a to_o his_o aim_n in_o compact_v it_o into_o one_o body_n than_o a_o independency_n but_o it_o may_v be_v conceive_v that_o these_o end_n may_v be_v attain_v more_o direct_o just_o and_o safe_o by_o the_o one_o then_o by_o the_o other_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v conceive_v that_o the_o one_o be_v more_o answerable_a to_o his_o aim_n then_o the_o other_o 2._o if_o there_o be_v any_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o spiritual_a charge_n and_o person_n or_o any_o parity_n and_o independency_n of_o charge_n among_o person_n which_o be_v not_o subordinate_a but_o repugnant_a unto_o those_o end_n than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v conceive_v that_o such_o both_o priority_n and_o superiority_n as_o also_o parity_n and_o independency_n be_v altogether_o unlawful_a but_o perhaps_o there_o be_v some_o both_o priority_n and_o superiority_n as_o also_o independency_n and_o parity_n not_o subordinate_a but_o repugnant_a to_o these_o end_n therefore_o it_o be_v to_o be_v conceive_v that_o perhaps_o some_o both_o parity_n and_o independency_n as_o also_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v unlawful_a i_o take_v these_o assertion_n though_o doubtful_o propose_v in_o respect_n of_o particular_n to_o be_v nevertheless_o out_o of_o all_o doubt_n in_o their_o generality_n and_o therefore_o i_o lay_v they_o as_o ground_n of_o future_a direction_n towards_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o point_n second_o concerning_o the_o build_n up_o of_o the_o church_n i_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o to_o build_v up_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o use_v mean_n to_o perfect_v the_o saint_n till_o they_o all_o come_v unto_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n unto_o a_o perfect_a man_n unto_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n that_o they_o may_v not_o always_o be_v carry_v to_o and_o fro_o as_o infant_n with_o divers_a wind_n of_o doctrine_n but_o deal_v true_o in_o love_n may_v grow_v up_o in_o he_o that_o be_v the_o head_n even_o christ_n from_o who_o the_o whole_a body_n fit_o join_v together_o and_o compact_v by_o that_o which_o every_o joint_n supply_v according_a to_o the_o effectual_a work_n in_o the_o measure_n of_o every_o part_n make_v increase_v of_o the_o body_n to_o the_o edify_n of_o itself_o in_o love_n eph_n 4._o 12_o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16._o these_o be_v word_n of_o exceed_v deep_a and_o great_a sense_n and_o yet_o i_o think_v exceed_o clear_a if_o they_o be_v resolve_v into_o single_a proposition_n which_o now_o i_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o do_v because_o i_o must_v be_v brief_a therefore_o i_o will_v again_o take_v up_o these_o rule_n 1._o if_o it_o may_v be_v conceive_v that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o some_o spiritual_a overseer_n over_o other_o be_v a_o more_o direct_a and_o proper_a mean_n then_o a_o parity_n and_o independency_n of_o the_o same_o be_v to_o bring_v all_o the_o saint_n of_o god_n unto_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n and_o therein_o to_o a_o perfect_a manly_a stature_n and_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n then_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o think_v that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v more_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n in_o build_v up_o his_o church_n than_o be_v a_o parity_n and_o independency_n but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v perhaps_o true_a therefore_o the_o consequent_a perhaps_o also_o 2._o if_o i_o find_v that_o the_o independent_a parity_n of_o minister_n do_v keep_v the_o saint_n of_o god_n always_o in_o infancy_n suffer_v they_o to_o be_v carry_v to_o and_o fro_o with_o divers_a wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o make_v a_o open_a way_n to_o the_o slight_n and_o cunning_a craftiness_n of_o man_n whereby_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v then_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o think_v that_o a_o independent_a parity_n of_o minister_n be_v not_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n in_o build_v up_o his_o church_n but_o i_o find_v that_o the_o independent_a parity_n of_o minister_n do_v perhaps_o this_o ergo_fw-la i_o must_v conclude_v that_o it_o be_v not_o perhaps_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n in_o build_v up_o his_o church_n 3._o if_o the_o independent_a parity_n of_o overseer_n may_v seem_v to_o i_o repugnant_a to_o that_o fit_a join_v and_o compact_n of_o all_o believer_n into_o one_o body_n whereby_o as_o member_n one_o of_o another_o they_o shall_v supply_v by_o their_o common_a joint_n each_o one_o towards_o another_o that_o which_o according_a to_o the_o effectual_a work_n in_o the_o measure_n of_o every_o part_n shall_v make_v the_o increase_n of_o the_o body_n to_o build_v itself_o up_o in_o love_n and_o if_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o overseer_n may_v seem_v not_o at_o all_o repugnant_a but_o most_o consonant_a to_o this_o kind_n of_o work_n than_o i_o may_v conceive_v that_o the_o independent_a parity_n be_v not_o at_o all_o and_o that_o the_o superior_a priority_n be_v altogether_o answerable_a unto_o christ_n intention_n in_o build_v up_o his_o church_n but_o the_o former_a may_v seem_v so_o to_o i_o and_o therefore_o also_o the_o latter_a three_o concerning_o the_o officer_n we_o find_v in_o scripture_n these_o by_o name_n 1._o apostle_n 2._o prophet_n 3._o
evangelist_n 4._o pastor_n and_o teacher_n ephes._n 4._o 11._o elsewhere_o we_o find_v other_o name_n of_o gift_n and_o office_n as_o worker_n of_o miracle_n gift_n of_o heal_n help_v governor_n diversity_n of_o tongue_n interpreter_n of_o tongue_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 28_o 29_o 30._o item_n deacon_n exhorter_n ruler_n rom._n 12._o 7_o 8._o and_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 1_o 8._o and_o 5._o 17_o 18_o 19_o from_o whence_o i_o make_v these_o inference_n 1._o if_o these_o officer_n appoint_v for_o the_o first_o building_n of_o christ_n church_n be_v by_o degree_n set_v in_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n one_o above_o another_o than_o i_o may_v conceive_v that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o spiritual_a officer_n be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n church_n but_o these_o officer_n be_v so_o set_v in_o relation_n of_o degree_n one_o above_o another_o therefore_o i_o may_v conceive_v that_o such_o a_o gradation_n of_o spiritual_a officer_n be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n church_n 2._o if_o there_o be_v no_o independent_a parity_n in_o the_o first_o officer_n institute_v in_o christ_n church_n than_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o conceive_v that_o a_o independent_a parity_n be_v not_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n in_o institute_v officer_n in_o his_o church_n but_o there_o be_v no_o independent_a parity_n in_o these_o first_o officer_n institute_v in_o the_o church_n therefore_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o conceive_v that_o a_o independent_a parity_n be_v not_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n here_o two_o thing_n may_v be_v object_v or_o except_v against_o this_o rule_n of_o decision_n first_o that_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v christ_n first_o officer_n be_v equal_a one_o to_o another_o and_o independent_a one_o from_o another_o but_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o i_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o officer_n appoint_v before_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n but_o of_o those_o that_o be_v name_v express_o to_o bear_v office_n in_o the_o church_n already_o constitute_v second_o if_o then_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o inequality_n of_o these_o first_o office-bearer_n do_v proceed_v from_o the_o difference_n of_o extraordinary_a and_o ordinary_a officer_n then_o requisite_a at_o the_o first_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o now_o requisite_a after_o it_o be_v once_o constitute_v then_o i_o answer_v that_o here_o i_o neither_o intend_v nor_o have_v need_n to_o consider_v which_o officer_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o which_o ordinary_a because_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o only_o at_o this_o time_n as_o they_o be_v officer_n extant_a at_o first_o to_o build_v up_o the_o church_n and_o my_o inference_n go_v no_o further_a as_o yet_o nor_o must_v i_o come_v to_o admit_v of_o that_o distinction_n in_o my_o thought_n till_o the_o matter_n itself_o carry_v i_o to_o it_o four_o i_o find_v the_o several_a charge_n and_o duty_n of_o these_o officer_n to_o be_v these_o 1._o christ_n send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n appoint_v they_o to_o be_v his_o witness_n unto_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n of_o that_o which_o he_o have_v do_v for_o our_o salvation_n act_n 1._o 8._o also_o he_o give_v they_o charge_n to_o teach_v all_o man_n to_o observe_v whatsoever_o he_o have_v command_v they_o and_o to_o baptise_v those_o that_o receive_v their_o doctrine_n matth._n 28._o 19_o 20._o this_o they_o do_v and_o so_o gather_v a_o church_n together_o wherein_o at_o first_o the_o faithful_a have_v all_o thing_n common_a bring_v their_o good_n to_o the_o apostle_n foot_n make_v they_o distributer_n thereof_o unto_o such_o as_o have_v need_v but_o the_o apostle_n find_v this_o charge_n impose_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v too_o troublesome_a and_o not_o proper_a unto_o their_o spiritual_a call_n therefore_o they_o betake_v themselves_o unto_o their_o own_o peculiar_a charge_n which_o be_v to_o attend_v unto_o prayer_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n act_n 6._o 4._o and_o give_v advice_n that_o deacon_n shall_v be_v choose_v who_o peculiar_a charge_n at_o their_o first_o institution_n be_v to_o serve_v the_o table_n ibid._n verse_n 2_o 3._o yet_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o also_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o bear_v witness_n of_o christ_n ib._n verse_n 9_o 10._o and_o cap._n 8._o verse_n 5._o and_o baptise_v the_o believer_n ib._n chap._n 8._o vers._n 12._o 38._o beside_o these_o deacon_n we_o find_v that_o the_o church_n be_v constitute_v other_o officer_n in_o it_o be_v name_v and_o say_v to_o be_v different_a in_o charge_n as_o the_o charge_n of_o prophet_n be_v to_o prophesy_v according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n of_o deacon_n to_o attend_v their_o deaconship_n of_o teacher_n to_o attend_v teach_v of_o exhorter_n to_o attend_v exhort_v of_o distributer_n to_o distribute_v of_o ruler_n to_o rule_v with_o diligence_n rom._n 12._o 6._o 7._o 8._o of_o speaker_n with_o tongue_n to_o speak_v and_o of_o interpreter_n to_o interpret_v 1_o cor._n 14._o 27._o beside_o these_o duty_n thus_o general_o mention_v we_o find_v more_o particular_a charge_n mention_v as_o first_o concerning_o the_o duty_n of_o prophet_n how_o they_o ought_v to_o prophesy_v and_o of_o speaker_n with_o tongue_n how_o they_o ought_v to_o speak_v unto_o edification_n in_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 26_o 27_o 28_o 29_o 30_o 31_o 32_o 33._o second_o concerning_o ruler_n where_o we_o find_v the_o charge_n give_v to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n either_o as_o evangelist_n or_o as_o ordinary_a bishop_n and_o overseer_n of_o the_o church_n next_o unto_o the_o apostle_n their_o charge_n be_v to_o set_v in_o order_n thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n leave_v undo_v for_o the_o constitute_n of_o the_o church_n among_o which_o the_o ordain_n of_o elder_n and_o deacon_n in_o every_o church_n be_v a_o chief_a duty_n belong_v to_o they_o 1_o tim._n 1._o 3._o tit._n 1._o 5._o item_n to_o repress_v and_o inhibit_v false_a doctrine_n 1._o tim._n 1._o 3._o tit._n 1._o 10._o 11._o item_n to_o settle_v a_o course_n of_o prayer_n in_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n 2._o 1._o item_n to_o appoint_v due_a maintenance_n for_o widow_n and_o elder_n 1_o tim._n 5._o 9_o 17._o 18._o item_n to_o be_v judge_n in_o matter_n of_o accusation_n against_o elder_n ibid._n verse_n 19_o and_o to_o give_v imposition_n of_o hand_n to_o those_o that_o be_v approve_v and_o fit_a for_o the_o ministry_n ibid_n verse_n 22._o item_n to_o maintain_v their_o authority_n and_o not_o to_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v despise_v therein_o 1_o tim._n 4._o 12._o tit._n 2._o 15._o and_o last_o to_o commit_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v of_o the_o apostle_n unto_o faithful_a man_n able_a to_o teach_v other_o who_o shall_v be_v successor_n in_o that_o place_n 2_o tim._n 2._o 2._o as_o for_o other_o ruler_n in_o the_o pastoral_a charge_n their_o duty_n be_v specify_v to_o be_v a_o watch_n over_o the_o soul_n of_o their_o flock_n as_o those_o which_o must_v give_v a_o account_n heb._n 13._o 17._o and_o in_o do_v this_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o call_v their_o sheep_n by_o name_n to_o lead_v they_o out_o and_o to_o go_v before_o they_o ioh._n 10._o 3._o 4._o item_n to_o defend_v they_o against_o the_o wolf_n though_o they_o hazard_v their_o life_n in_o so_o do_v ib._n verse_n 11._o item_n to_o visit_v the_o sick_a and_o pray_v for_o they_o iam._n 5._o 14._o item_n to_o keep_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n to_o shut_v it_o and_o open_v it_o as_o occasion_n shall_v require_v matth._n 16._o 19_o and_o 18._o 17_o 18._o and_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 4._o 5._o and_o then_o the_o general_a duty_n of_o all_o officer_n be_v that_o as_o every_o one_o have_v receive_v the_o gift_n so_o he_o shall_v minister_v the_o same_o to_o other_o as_o a_o good_a steward_n of_o the_o manifold_a grace_n of_o god_n 1_o pet._n 4._o 10._o from_o all_o this_o i_o make_v these_o inference_n 1._o if_o all_o these_o charge_n and_o duty_n be_v different_a and_o yet_o shall_v be_v administer_v joint_o as_o by_o several_a member_n of_o one_o body_n than_o it_o seem_v such_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n in_o some_o and_o subordination_n in_o other_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v as_o be_v in_o the_o member_n of_o a_o natural_a body_n one_o in_o respect_n of_o another_o but_o all_o these_o charge_n be_v different_a and_o yet_o so_o to_o be_v administer_v as_o be_v mention_v 1_o cor._n 12._o 4_o 5._o and_o till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n therefore_o it_o seem_v such_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n in_o some_o and_o subordination_n in_o other_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v 2._o if_o these_o charge_n in_o their_o natural_a property_n as_o they_o stand_v in_o relation_n one_o to_o another_o be_v repugnant_a to_o a_o independent_a parity_n than_o