Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	faith_n	rule_n	scripture_n	4,181	5	6.7162	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A74979	Excommunicatio excommunicata, or, A censure of the Presbyterian censures and proceedings in the Classis at Manchester wherein is modestly examined what ecclesiastical or civil function [sic] they pretend for their new and usurped power : in a discourse betwixt the ministers of that Classis, and some dissenting Christians.	Allen, Isaac, 17th cent.; Allen, Isaac, 17th cent.; Heyrick, Richard, 1600-1667.	1658 (1658)	Wing A1026A; ESTC R42720	45,307	67

as_o be_v consonant_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o universal_a practice_n of_o primitive_a church_n etc._n etc._n in_o that_o you_o do_v here_o join_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o primitive_a church_n together_o as_o you_o join_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n before_o you_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o make_v up_o the_o rule_n whereby_o we_o must_v judge_v what_o government_n it_o be_v that_o you_o pray_v may_v be_v establish_v of_o these_o two_o viz._n the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o primitive_a church_n or_o that_o it_o be_v the_o universal_a practice_n of_o primitive_a church_n that_o must_v be_v our_o sure_a guide_n and_o comment_n upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o tell_v we_o what_o be_v his_o will_n reveal_v these_o touch_a church_n government_n and_o discipline_n if_o this_o be_v your_o sense_n as_o we_o apprehend_v it_o be_v we_o must_v needs_o profess_v that_o herein_o we_o great_o differ_v from_o you_o as_o not_o conceive_v it_o to_o be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n alone_o and_o the_o approve_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n record_v there_o whether_o it_o be_v the_o universal_a and_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n or_o no_o that_o be_v to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n to_o judge_v by_o in_o this_o or_o any_o other_o controversy_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n but_o yet_o admit_v for_o the_o present_a the_o rule_n you_o seem_v to_o make_v we_o shall_v desire_v to_o know_v from_o you_o what_o that_o church_n government_n be_v which_o be_v so_o consonant_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o universal_a practice_n of_o primitive_a church_n for_o our_o own_o part_n we_o think_v it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a for_o you_o or_o any_o other_o to_o demonstrate_v out_o of_o any_o record_n of_o antiquity_n what_o be_v the_o universal_a practice_n of_o primitive_a church_n for_o the_o whole_a 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church_n our_o faith_n be_v hereupon_o resolve_v into_o a_o most_o uncertain_a ground_n and_o so_o make_v fallible_a and_o turn_v into_o opinion_n for_o what_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n beside_o the_o scripture_n can_v assure_v we_o touch_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n therein_o contain_v that_o they_o be_v such_o indeed_o as_o they_o be_v there_o report_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o themselves_o being_n man_n that_o be_v not_o infallible_o guide_v by_o the_o spirit_n but_o yet_o suppose_v we_o can_v be_v infallible_o assure_v which_o yet_o never_o can_v be_v what_o be_v the_o universal_a and_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n how_o shall_v that_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o assure_v we_o what_o be_v most_o consonant_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n when_o as_o we_o see_v not_o especial_o in_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n errrour_n even_o as_o a_o general_n council_n itself_o be_v subject_a to_o errrour_n but_o that_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n may_v in_o some_o thing_n be_v dissonant_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o so_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o primitive_a church_n can_v be_v no_o certain_a rule_n to_o judge_v by_o what_o church_n government_n be_v most_o consonant_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n reveal_v in_o his_o word_n we_o know_v there_o be_v corruption_n in_o the_o best_a of_o man_n there_o be_v such_o hot_a contention_n betwixt_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n 2._o gal._n 2._o as_o cause_v they_o to_o part_v asunder_o peter_n so_o fail_v in_o his_o practice_n as_o that_o though_o before_o some_o come_v from_o james_n he_o do_v eat_v with_o the_o gentile_n yet_o when_o they_o be_v come_v he_o withdraw_v himself_o fear_v they_o of_o the_o circumcision_n and_o hereupon_o not_o only_o other_o jew_n dissemble_v with_o he_o but_o barnabas_n also_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o their_o dissimulation_n whence_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o example_n of_o the_o best_a man_n even_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o they_o go_v contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n be_v of_o a_o spread_a nature_n and_o the_o better_a the_o person_n that_o give_v the_o bad_a example_n be_v the_o great_a the_o danger_n of_o the_o more_o universal_a leaven_n nay_o we_o find_v that_o not_o only_o some_o few_o apostolical_a man_n have_v their_o fail_n but_o even_o apostolical_a primitive_a church_n do_v in_o the_o very_a face_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o be_v yet_o alive_a make_v great_a defection_n both_o in_o regard_n of_o opinion_n and_o practice_n as_o from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n galatia_n and_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v manifest_a the_o apostle_n also_o tell_v we_o that_o even_o in_o his_o time_n the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n begin_v to_o work_v and_o in_o after_o time_n we_o know_v how_o the_o doctrine_n be_v corrupt_v what_o gross_a superstition_n creep_v into_o the_o church_n what_o domination_n be_v strive_v for_o among_o the_o pastor_n and_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n till_o at_o length_n antichrist_n be_v get_v up_o into_o his_o seat_n unto_o which_o height_n yet_o he_o come_v not_o all_o at_o once_o but_o by_o step_n and_o degree_n beside_o it_o be_v of_o fresh_a remembrance_n that_o notwithstanding_o the_o reformation_n happy_o bring_v about_o in_o our_o own_o church_n in_o regard_n of_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n after_o those_o dismal_a marian_n time_n yet_o the_o corruption_n in_o regard_n of_o government_n continue_v such_o during_o the_o time_n of_o the_o late_a prelacy_n which_o yet_o be_v take_v away_o in_o other_o reform_a church_n that_o the_o pastor_n be_v deprive_v of_o that_o power_n of_o rule_n that_o our_o church_n acknowledge_v do_v belong_v to_o they_o of_o right_a and_o which_o do_v ancient_o belong_v to_o they_o however_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o do_v after_o grow_v into_o a_o long_a disuse_n as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o and_o therefore_o when_o we_o consider_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n that_o the_o superiority_n which_o the_o bishop_n obtain_v at_o the_o first_o above_o the_o presbyter_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o which_o be_v rather_o obtain_v consuetudine_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la then_o by_o divine_a right_n do_v at_o the_o length_n grow_v to_o that_o height_n that_o the_o pastor_n be_v spoil_v of_o all_o power_n of_o rule_n so_o we_o can_v much_o wonder_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o the_o rule_v elder_a be_v quite_o turn_v out_o of_o door_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o be_v and_o exercise_n of_o who_o office_n in_o the_o pure_a time_n there_o be_v notwithstanding_o produce_v testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n by_o divine_n both_o at_o home_n and_o abroad_o that_o have_v write_v about_o that_o subject_n and_o to_o which_o we_o do_v therein_o refer_v you_o as_o there_o do_v remain_v some_o footstep_n and_o shadow_n of_o

this_o time_n and_o to_o such_o person_n we_o think_v herein_o we_o owe_v the_o provincial_n assembly_n unto_o who_o authority_n we_o profess_v ourselves_o to_o be_v subject_a so_o much_o respect_n and_o duty_n as_o to_o submit_v our_o apprehension_n in_o a_o case_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o they_o have_v propound_v unto_o we_o to_o be_v serious_o weigh_v as_o they_o have_v do_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o class_n within_o this_o province_n unto_o their_o judgement_n and_o to_o take_v their_o concurrent_a approval_n along_o with_o we_o before_o we_o proceed_v to_o practice_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o weight_n and_o yet_o we_o have_v declare_v before_o that_o however_o we_o be_v not_o so_o waver_v and_o unsettled_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n as_o to_o resolve_v our_o belief_n into_o the_o determination_n of_o synod_n or_o council_n believe_v no_o more_o nor_o no_o otherwise_o then_o as_o they_o determine_v yet_o that_o it_o be_v not_o out_o of_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o synod_n to_o examine_v try_v and_o authoritative_o to_o censure_v doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o we_o think_v how_o confident_a soever_o you_o may_v be_v of_o the_o soundness_n and_o orthodoxness_n of_o what_o in_o your_o paper_n you_o propound_v in_o way_n of_o exception_n against_o any_o thing_n in_o we_o you_o have_v not_o such_o clear_a and_o inquestionable_a ground_n from_o scripture_n for_o the_o same_o that_o you_o be_v to_o be_v accuse_v of_o waver_v or_o unsettledness_n if_o you_o have_v submit_v the_o same_o to_o have_v be_v examine_v and_o try_v by_o a_o provincial_a assembly_n and_o much_o less_o if_o you_o can_v have_v have_v the_o opportunity_n of_o submit_v it_o to_o the_o censure_n of_o a_o general_n council_n but_o whereas_o mention_v our_o provincial_a assembly_n at_o preston_n you_o call_v it_o a_o new_a term_v provincial_a assembly_n if_o your_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o term_n it_o a_o provincial_a assembly_n in_o stead_n of_o a_o provincial_a synod_n be_v a_o new_a term_n than_o this_o be_v but_o only_o a_o logomachia_n and_o not_o much_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o although_o we_o frequent_o call_v it_o a_o provincial_a synod_n as_o well_o as_o a_o provincial_a assembly_n but_o if_o your_o meaning_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o new_a term_v provincial_a assembly_n at_o preston_n because_o provincial_n synod_n or_o assembly_n have_v be_v hold_v but_o late_o at_o preston_n we_o see_v not_o if_o provincial_a assembly_n be_v warrantable_a and_o have_v be_v of_o ancient_a use_n in_o the_o church_n that_o have_v be_v long_o in_o disuse_a they_o begin_v of_o late_a to_o be_v hold_v at_o preston_n that_o can_v just_o incur_v your_o censure_n but_o if_o the_o antiquity_n of_o such_o assembly_n be_v that_o you_o question_n then_o we_o refer_v you_o to_o what_o dr_n bernard_n in_o the_o book_n of_o his_o above_o quote_v show_v be_v the_o judgement_n of_o dr_n usher_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o that_o know_v he_o or_o be_v acquaint_v with_o his_o work_n to_o have_v be_v a_o great_a antiquary_n however_o we_o allege_v he_o not_o that_o you_o shall_v build_v your_o faith_n upon_o his_o testimony_n and_o which_o we_o think_v may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o vindicate_v provincial_a assembly_n in_o your_o thought_n from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o novelty_n in_o that_o book_n you_o have_v in_o the_o close_a of_o it_o proposal_n touch_v the_o reduction_n of_o episcopacy_n unto_o the_o form_n of_o synodical_a government_n receive_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o it_o thus_o begin_v by_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n all_o presbyter_n be_v charge_v to_o administer_v the_o doctrine_n and_o sacrament_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v command_v and_o as_o this_o realm_n have_v receive_v and_o that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o understand_v what_o the_o lord_n have_v command_v herein_o the_o exhortation_n of_o paul_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n act_n 20.28_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v read_v unto_o they_o at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o ordination_n a_o little_a after_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o ignatius_n by_o presbytery_n mention_v by_o paul_n 1_o tim._n 4.14_o do_v understand_v the_o community_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o presbyter_n or_o elder_n who_o then_o have_v a_o hand_n not_o only_o in_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o sacrament_n but_o also_o in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n and_o for_o further_a proof_n tertullian_n be_v allege_v in_o his_o general_n apology_n for_o christian_n where_o he_o say_v that_o in_o the_o church_n be_v use_v exhortation_n chastisement_n and_o divine_a censure_n for_o judgement_n be_v give_v with_o great_a advice_n as_o among_o those_o who_o be_v certain_a they_o be_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v the_o chief_a foreshow_v of_o the_o judgement_n to_o come_v if_o any_o man_n have_v so_o offend_v that_o he_o be_v banish_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o prayer_n and_o of_o the_o assembly_n and_o of_o all_o holy_a fellowship_n the_o precedent_n that_o bear_v rule_v therein_o be_v certain_a approve_a elder_n who_o have_v obtain_v this_o honour_n not_o by_o reward_n but_o by_o good_a report_n there_o also_o be_v further_o show_v that_o in_o matter_n of_o ecclesiastical_a judicature_n cornelius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n use_v the_o receive_a form_n of_o gather_v together_o the_o presbytery_n and_o that_o cyprian_a sufficient_o declare_v of_o what_o person_n that_o consist_v when_o he_o wish_v he_o to_o read_v his_o letter_n to_o the_o flourish_a clergy_n which_o there_o do_v preside_v or_o rule_n with_o he_o and_o further_o that_o in_o the_o 4_o council_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o bishop_n may_v hear_v no_o man_n cause_n without_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o that_o otherwise_o the_o bishop_n sentence_n shall_v be_v void_a unless_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o 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that_o we_o conceive_v these_o already_o mention_v be_v sufficient_a and_o be_v allege_v by_o the_o aforementioned_a author_n as_o also_o evidence_v what_o his_o own_o judgement_n be_v in_o this_o point_n may_v be_v more_o likely_a to_o sway_v with_o you_o if_o in_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o dissent_n betwixt_o you_o and_o we_o than_o any_o thing_n that_o we_o can_v ourselves_o produce_v but_o in_o this_o reduction_n of_o episcopacy_n to_o the_o form_n of_o synodical_a government_n receive_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n there_o be_v proposal_n of_o assembly_n of_o pastor_n within_o certain_a limit_a bound_n which_o save_v that_o they_o be_v some_o of_o they_o somewhat_o large_a than_o we_o which_o be_v but_o a_o circumstantial_a difference_n do_v hold_v proportion_n with_o the_o classical_a provincial_a and_o national_a assembly_n mention_v in_o the_o form_n of_o our_o church_n government_n as_o also_o the_o time_n propound_v there_o for_o their_o meeting_n the_o power_n of_o these_o assembly_n and_o what_o they_o be_v to_o have_v cognizance_n of_o and_o the_o subordination_n of_o the_o lesser_a to_o the_o great_a with_o liberty_n of_o appeal_n if_o need_n shall_v require_v and_o be_v the_o same_o in_o substance_n as_o with_o we_o and_o all_o these_o be_v propound_v as_o the_o way_n of_o government_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o in_o the_o year_n 1641._o after_o the_o trouble_n that_o have_v rise_v in_o scotland_n about_o episcopacy_n and_o the_o ceremony_n and_o before_o the_o set_n up_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n in_o this_o land_n have_v so_o much_o as_o fall_v under_o debate_n in_o the_o parliament_n so_o far_o as_o ever_o we_o hear_v of_o as_o a_o expedient_a to_o prevent_v the_o trouble_n that_o do_v after_o arise_v in_o this_o land_n about_o the_o matter_n of_o church_n government_n be_v for_o the_o moderate_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o at_o that_o time_n be_v