Selected quad for the lemma: glory_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
glory_n	knowledge_n	light_n	shine_v	6,882	5	9.8263	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A53671	A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of the New Testament, by way of question and answer with an explication and confirmation of those answers.	Owen, John, 1616-1683.	1667 (1667)	Wing O721; ESTC R9489	80,905	231

to be members of a visible Church of Christ was before declared and that is that which the Lord Jesus hath made the indispensible condition of entring into his Kingdom namely of being born again John 3.33 This worke being secret hidden and invisible the Church cannot judge of directly and in its own form or nature but in the means effects and consequents of it which are to be testified unto it concerning them who are to be admitted unto its fellowship and communion it is required therefore of them First that they be of a conversation free from blame in the world for whereas one end of the gathering of Churches is to hold forth and express the holiness of the doctrine of Christ and the power of his grace in turning Men from all ungodliness unto sobriety righteousness and honesty it is required of them that are admitted into them that they answer this end And this the principle of grace which is communicated unto them that believe will effect and produce For although it doth not follow that every one who hath attained an unblameable honesty in this World is inwardly quickened with a true principle of saving grace yet it doth that they who are indowed with that principle will be so unblameable And although they may on other accounts be evil spoken of yet their good conversation in Christ will justify it self Secondly competent knowledge in the mysteries of the Gospel is another means whereby the great qualification inquired after is testified unto the Church For as without this no priviledge of the Gospel can be profitably made use of nor any duty of it be rightly performed so saving light is of the essence of conversion and doth inseparably accompany it 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Where this is wanting it is impossible for any person to evidence that he is delivered from that blindness darkness and ignorance which all men are under the power of in the state of nature Such a measure then of light and knowledge as whereby men are enabled to apprehend aright of the person and offices of Christ of the nature of his mediation the benefits thereof and the obedience that he requires at the hands of his Disciples is expected in them who desire to be admitted into the fellowship of the Church Thirdly hereunto is to be added soundness in the faith For the unity of faith is the foundation of Love and all the duties thereof which in an especiall manner are to be performed towards the Church called therefore the house-hold of faith There is among the members of the Church one faith Ephes. 4.5 The common faith the faith once delivered unto the saints Jude 3. Which is the sound doctrine 1 Tim. 1.10 Which those that will not endure must be turned from 2 Tim. 4.3 the faithful word that is to be held fast Tit. 1.9 1 Tim. 1.19 And which we are to be sound in Tit. 1.13 Contained in a form of sound words as to the profession of it 2 Tim. 1.13 And this soundness in the unity of the faith as it should be improved unto oneness of mind and oneness of accord in all the things of God Phil. 2.2 Though it may admit of some different apprehensions in some things wherein some may have more clear and distinct discoveries of the mind and will of God than others which hinders not but that all may walk according to the same rule Phil. 3.15 16. So it is principally to be regarded in the fundamentall truths of the Gospel in and by the faith whereof the Church holdeth on the head Jesus Christ Coloss. 2.19 And in the fundamentall principles of Gospel worship the joynt celebration whereof is the next end of the gathering the Church for without a consent of mind and accord herein no duty can be performed unto edification nor the peace of the Church be preserved and these principles are those which we have explained Fourthly it is required that these things be testified by them unto the Church with the acknowledgement of the worke of Gods grace towards them and their resolution through the power of the same grace to cleave unto the Lord Christ with full purpose of heart and to live in all holy obedience unto him They come to the Church as Disciples of Christ professing that they have learnt the truth as it is in Jesus which what it infers the Apostle teacheth at large Ephes. 4.20 21 22 23 24. See also Acts 11.23 Acts 8.21 22 23. And this by themselves to be testified unto the Church First that they may be received in love without dissimulation as real partakers in the same faith hope and salvation with themselves as living members of the mystical body of Christ. Secondly That on all ensuing occasions they may be minded of their own profession and engagements to stir them up thereby unto faithfulness stedfastness and perseverance Hereupon are the Elders of the Church to judge by the rule of truth in Love and meekness concerning their condition and meetness to be laid as living stones in the house of God so as that they may 1. Reject false hypocritical pretenders if in or by any means their hypocrisie be discovered unto them Acts 8.20 23. Titus 1.10 Jer. 15.19 2. That they may direct and encourage in the way such as appear to be sincere instructing them principally in the nature of the way whereinto they are engaging the duties dangers and benefits of it Acts 18.26 Act. 14.22 1 Cor. 3.22 23. 3. To propose them their conditions their desires their resolutions unto the Church after their own expressions of them to be considered of in love and meekness Acts 9.26 27. Whereupon those that are approved do give up themselves unto the Lord to walk in the observation of all his commands and ordinances and to the Church for the Lords sake 2 Cor. 8.5 abiding in the fellowship thereof whereunto they are admitted Acts 2.41 42. Quest. 51. Wherein doth the especial form of a particular Church whereby it becomes such and is distinguished as such from all others consist Answ. In the special consent and agréement of all the members of it to walk together in the observation of the same Ordinances numerically hence its constitution and distinction from other Churches doth procéed Exod. 19.5 8. Chap. 24.3 7. Deut. 26.17 2 Cor. 8.5 Acts 14.23 Acts 20.28 Heb. 13.17 Explication It hath been before declared what especial agreement or covenant there ought to be among all the members of the same Church to walk together in a due subjection unto and observance of all the institutions of the Lord Christ. And this is that which gives it its special form and distinction from all other Churches In the general nature of a Church all Churches do agree and equally partake There is the same law of the constitution