Selected quad for the lemma: hand_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
hand_n	bishop_n	church_n	presbyter_n	4,517	5	10.4419	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80836	[Analēpsis anelēphthē] the fastning of St. Petrrs [sic] fetters, by seven links, or propositions. Or, The efficacy and extent of the Solemn League and Covenant asserted and vindicated, against the doubts and scruples of John Gauden's anonymous questionist. : St. Peters bonds not only loosed, but annihilated by Mr. John Russell, attested by John Gauden, D.D. the league illegal, falsly fathered on Dr. Daniel Featley: and the reasons of the University of Oxford for not taking (now pleaded to discharge the obligations of) the Solemn League and Covenant. / By Zech. Crofton ...	Crofton, Zachary, 1625 or 6-1672.	1660 (1660)	Wing C6982; ESTC R171605	137,008	171

signification yet by long and common appropriation as obvious to vulgar capacity to denote a special kind of government in the Church as tyranny in reference to the Common-wealth Yet it is restrained by a more particular denomination Hierarchy holy government by the order of holy high Priesthood as some do fancy and specifical description by its enumerated substantial parts Archbishops Bishops Deans Deans and Chapters in which it formally existed and separable adjuncts Commissaries Chancellors and other Officers depending thereupon so that these not in sensu composito that the removal of any one Officer might suffice but complexo the Government conaining all or any of these is the object sworne against appears to every unprejudiced Reader and so it squares with the Act expressed by the most significant word which could be devised viz. Extirpate which certainly every ordinary reader knoweth to amount unto more than mutation by dismembring some separable adjuncts thereupon dependent as Commissaries or Chancellors or by limitation and regulation which yet makes the Bishops holy hands essential to all acts of confirmation of Catechumenists or Ordination of Ministers or Jurisdiction in the Church though there be never so many grave learned and pious Presbyters and Pastors a few of whom may be his Lordships Council without any intrinsecal authority in themselves and without him whilst all men know to extirpate signifieth una cum stirpe evellere to pluck up by the very root In this point if the words of the Oath were not sufficiently clear and the Lawyers rule Lex currit cum praxi may point us to a Comment The Petition opposed by the * Bishop Hall Remonstrant defended by Smectymnuus presented to the Parliament the debates many speeches and resolves in the Houses which preceded and produced the advice of the Assembly of Divines Ordinances of Parliament and Oath of His most Sacred Majesty as King of Great Britain in pursuit of the Covenant which ensued upon the swearing the same hath written this sense in such legible Characters that all may run and read it And although I would not require any thing more I can take nothing lesse because God alloweth no abatements in an Oath than what hath been sworn though it should appear good and profitable but not necessary necessitate precepti divini However others may flagge and faulter or fall off from the Covenant I must tell the assertors of the Presbyterial Government that if they have no conscience they are hedged into the observance of it on the account of Credit Reasons of the present judgment of the University of Oxford concerning the Solemn League and Covenant Sect. 7 p. 21. for the University of Oxford as with them combin'd to their reproach from the Jesuites and Sectaries hath charged it to be their property to swear one thing in their words and in their own sense to mean another to invent Oaths and Covenants for the Kingdom dispence vvith them vvhen they please swear and forswear as the wind turneth like a godly Presbyter which if any of them will dare to verifie they shall give me leave to mourn alone for their iniquity for by Gods grace my soul shall not enter into the secrets of an Art so sinful and shameful before God and men but study that Rule Be vvise as Serpents but innocent as Doves Courteous Reader I have held thee too long in the threshold I shall stay thee no longer save to tell thee if in any thing I seem indiscreet it is in venturing something of Answer to the Reasons of the University of Oxford which every simple Anti-covenanter and scurrilous Pamphleter not able by the least Casuistical consideration to discharge the Covenant do revive and run into as the Gordian knot never to be loosed and to which my Antagonist Dr. Gauden beaten out of his own Divinity doth retreat as to his impregnable Castle of confidence which may indeed savour something of arrogancy in any single opponent by whose over-matched weaknesse the cause may suffer Give me leave to tell thee the dread hereof hath smothered in silence what is now drawn out by the reputation of unansvverable Reasons they have received amongst the enemies of the Covenant I cannot live by an implicite faith but in a case of conscience must examine the considerations of the most learned Society General Councils are more authoritative and authentick than any single University yet they have erred and their errors have been detected by single persons And how foolish soever I may seem I have so much wit as to know Timidi ignavi nunquam erigent Trophaeum Honor attends not Dastards And again Trophaeum ferre me à forti viro pulchrum est sin autem vincar vinci à tali nullum est probrum It is an honor to Scanderbeg to beat not any shame to be beaten by the numerous Turks If I be vanquished by their more learned pens it can be to me no disgrace nor to truth any great dammage whilst my being over-poured in so good a cause will engage more able men who have any zeal for or conscience of the Oath of God which lieth on us our King and Kingdom to appear for the relief and defence thereof In expectation of which I cast my self on thy candor and ingenuity Zach. Crofton ΑΝΑΛΗΨΙΣ ΑΝΕΛΗΦΘΗ The Fastning of St Peter's Fetters OR The Solemn League and Covenant and its Conscience-binding Power Asserted and Vindicated c. in an Epistle to the Right Worshipful Sir Lawrence Bromfield Knight and Colonel in LONDON The PREFACE Right Worshipful IF without suspition of blasphemy and irreverence towards Sacred men and Sacred writ I may pursue Dr. John Gauden's Metaphor I cannot but tell you mens prophane neglect and contempt of the Covenant did not a little perplex me but that Solemn and Sacred Oaths should be deemed St. Peters Bonds and that Protestant Divines dreaming of an Apostolical Priority should by Popish Arguments attempt his Release to the Re-establishment of the Papatum alterius mundi as it was is and must be owned of Episcopacy in Lawn sleeves exercising Paternal Authority over their brethren as the peoples * Dr. John Ganden's Analysis of the Covenant p. 17. equals and inferiors because in black coats did much more afflict my spirit Sir in sence hereof I did send out my Analepsis after the Doctors Analysis and made bold to withstand St. Peter to his face for he was to be blamed and indeed condemned as * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word in Gal. 2.11 doth signifie and brought him back to prison it must be so esteemed with silence hearkning for his joyful songs under Christ his Masters yoke and in those holy Stocks and resolved submissively to wait on God to perfect the peace and purity of his Church in England and plead the quarrel of the Covenant but the Grating Files of some more willing than able to dismiss my prisoner have disturbed my rest Truly Sir I love St. Peter better in

of his Executors fancy to clear his way to preferment it gives us arguments by number not by weight the force of any of them is in the Oxford-Reasons that fountain that feeds and Fort that guards all exceptions against the Covenant and shall in its place be considered The fourth and last Pamphlet no lesse ridiculous than the rest The doubts and scruples concerning the Covenant weighed as scarce having a grain of true Religion or a scruple of a Right Reason is the doubts and scruples against taking the Solemn League and Covenant published by an aliquis Nemo a man in the Moon and so like to be resolved by Nuper Nunquam but this is ushered into the world at its * Being reprinted new birth by the learned Epistle of Dr. John Gauden and is offered to the consideration of Sir Lawrence Bromfield and Mr. Zachary Crofton and so makes the Exchange ring and streets roar with Dr. Gauden's Reply to Mr. Croftons Answer about the Covenant and so calls for regard which otherwise was as fit ware for the Tobacco-shops as any the rest Truly Sir I could not read this Epistle without astonishment for that instead of those clear pregnant and constant beams of right reason and true Religion which shineth with the brightness and stability of Divine and Human Laws and might be the pillars of this truth firm support of duty sure bounds of obedience and safe repose of conscience which he promised in his Analysis and I demanded in my Analepsis he doth idem iisdem verbis asserere affirm the same thing without distinction in the same terms without variation or other demonstration onely as having obtained his fancied paternal authority he doth something more Magisterially prescribe the performing of the Covenant against Schism which he would have us take on his word to de Presbytery to which Doctor Usher would have reduced Episcopacy and Superstition before we consider its obligation against Episcopacy and in a grave passion brandeth the Covenant himself hath sworn with the Epithite of a lawless unnational Covenant and stigmatizeth the exactors thereof as covetous crafty men engaged in the sacrilegious depredations of the Church and unstable souls Which cannot be found in me My 8 l. per annum will not more acquit me from the one than my Sequestration for adhereing to the Covenant will acquit me from the other But he addeth Or silly souls and such an one I may be yet will play the fool in glorying in such godly simplicity In this heat he chargeth all Civillians and Casuists with foolish and fanatick Superstition as well as mad and violent Schism in teaching men to avoid what is good honest just and lawful because of a supposed and confessed abuse thereof Not so much as favouring Hezekiah who demolished the brazen Serpent nor Paul in his resolution never to eat flesh in his future diet We may be assured he will never be so superstitious or schismatical as to cut off his right hand or pluck out his right eye which are good honest just lawfull members in case they offend him though the Lord Christ himself hath so directed But Sir with what face think you can Dr. Gauden again urge against the Covenant the defect of Authority its sad effects the obscurity ambiguity and seeming discrepancy of the Covenant for the discharge of its obligation whilst he hath been fully and soberly answered as to these things and hath made no Reply How is it that he presseth forward his Episcopacy without distinction and yet I have told him there is Papal Episcopacy to be extirpated and a Presbyterial Presidency pointed unto them by the Primate of Armagh to be advanced Knoweth he not qui bene distinguit bene docet Or doth he disdain to take truth from so mean an hand He is a Minister so am I though my poor estate numerous family or want of the Kings grace will not allow me to write D. D. But seriously Sir though Popish do me-thinks Protestant Bishops should not disdain a Reformation in a Luthers hand Let him then consult Dr. Sanderson De Juramento and if he square with or I differ from his Divinity let him be humm'd and me be hist contra I believe he would not have us think him so ambitious of his Episcopal See to which some say he is promoted as for it to break his Covenant and brow-beat his brethren and rage against the Oath of God with à non amote and being demanded a reason can say no more than Non possum dicere quare Sure he is not so stout a Sophister as to pass the premises and stand to the denial of the conclusion If he have attained to a Papal-Episcopal-Chair I hope he will not pretend to the Infallibility of it and bind our faith on his ipse dixit Verily Sir I cannot but say to the Doctor concerning his Analysis and this Epistle as Erasmus to Faber of Vienna Mente cares si res agitur tibi seria rursus Fronte cares si sic ludis amice Faber Whether he be proudly mad or foolishly pertinacious I will not judge but must yet call on him to remember the Covenant and consider from whence he is fallen and repent He had need to run to the common Refuge the Oxford Reasons but it is well if they prove not a broken Reed more to wound than defend him Sir notwithstanding these and the like Squibs and Crackers flung out against the Solemn League and Covenant to make prophane men sport and expose it to vulgar scorn more than satisfie conscience the Covenant keeps the field in its full force and vigour and St. Peters bonds abide I shall not therefore waste time and paper to trace their follies and tire my Reader with an answer to words without weight but in the pursuit of the edification of souls the end of my Ministerial Writing as well as Preaching Fasten St. Peters Fetters and secure my Prisoner by a Chain made of those Seven Links or Propositions which being cleared and confirmed will extend the influence and enforce the obligation of the Covenant against that prophane opposition which is made unto it viz. 1. The asserting of the Solemn League and Covenant and its obliging force is a duty indispensably incumbent on every man in his place but especially on the Ministers of the Gospel 2. The irregularities in first making the Covenant will not discharge its obligation now it is made and sworn 3. The matter sworn in the Solemn League and Covenant is just and lawful to be maintained and pursued 4. The form and manner of making the Solemn League and Covenant was good and allowable 5. The Ambiguities and Contradictions of the words in the Solemn League are imagined and not real 6. The Covenant in its quality and for its obligation is publick and National as well as private and personal 7. The Solemn League and Covenant is in the nature of it permanently binding and no way to be absolved or

these learned men do cite is limited unto the Laws of the Land which the People in Parliament assembled shall choose according to which the King is bound to Rule for otherwise this Coronation Oath will not only bind the perpetuation of this Government by Prelacy but also to the Restitution of the Abbies and Monasteries demolished and the Popes Supremacy expelled all which were granted to the Clergy by the glorious King St. Edward 2. But admit we these learned men the sense they seem to put upon the Kings Supremacy methinks the modest expressions of the Covenant might have anticipated this exception it only binding us within our places and callings which might be by humble advice and supplication to the King by vertue of His Supream Authority to effect it to endeavour the extirpation of this Prelacy that is the Government by Arch-bishops Bishops Deans Deans and Chapters and the like but such was their affection to it that they could not desire nay they could not but beg of God that he would not suffer the King to assent thereunto which affection we must not think to abate untill their judgements be better inform'd 3. As to the benefit which did redound to the Crown by the Collation of Bishopricks and Deanaries by their first fruits and yearly tenths and profits in vacancies though some question the Kings propriety not in respect of the Law of the Land but of the Law of God I shall not insist on that only say That the constant enjoyment of the full possessions of them will make a much greater revenue and maintain to the King a greater Honour and Estate than the first fruits tenths and profits of vacancies although such vacancies as the Kings of England have by vertue of this Argument continued for the space of 5 10 15 20. or sometimes thirty years together taking the profits to themselves or bestowing them on their attendants and undoubtedly there is the same capacity to extirpate the whole Government as some Episcopal Seas and to enlarge the Revenues of the Crown by the Reversion of all the profits of the Government and the abolishment thereof as to continue so long vacancies moreover I would desire to know what is in this Argument more prevalent for Arch-bishops Bishops and their Cathedral Churches than for Abbots and Priors their Monasteries and houses 4. As to the agreeableness of this Government in the Church to the Civil constitution of the Kingdom I only say that I question whether the Lord Christ who declared his Kingdom not to be of this World will allow or do appoint the Governments of the World to be the square of Government in his Church and I confess I can hardly reconcile it to his Regal Power and Faithful Administration in his House and I must have a better Comment on the Text than I have yet met withall if it be not prohibited in these terms The Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them and they are great and exercise authority upon them but it shall not be so among you but whosoever will be great among you let him be your M nister and whosoever will be Chief among you let him be your servant Matth. 20.25.29 27. Mark 10.42 43 44. Luke 22.23 24. The sense whereof made Pope Gregory write himself Servus Servorum Dei Whitehead and others refuse Coverdalle and many others decline their Bishopricks as having in them aliquid commune eum Antichristo I think the Clown his question to the Bishop of Cullen were worth considering What will become of the Bishops when the Dukes be damned Yet the agreeableness of Prelacy with Englands ill Government hath not been so obvious to others as these Gentlemen suppose the vigilant eye and strong hand wherewith in all Ages it hath been restrained these Petrae and Rupes Winchester and Rivallo in the time of King Henry the 3d. were judged very dangerous when they constrained a Covenant without and against the Kings consent to remove them as evil Counsellours Matthew Paris our old Historian notes Bishops to have ever been the Make-bates between the King and People screwing up the Kings Prerogative beyond thee onstitutions of the Kingdom and liberties yea safety of the Subjects and chargeth all the Wars Broiles Mischiefs and Evils of the Barons Wars to have sprung from and been acted by the Bishops And when ngKi Philip lay on his death-bed He charged His son If He would Rule by his Nobles He must keep his Bishops low The premuniries by which they have ever been awed and their late High Commission authorizing them to act any appellation provocation priviledge exemption proclamation law statute whatsoever notwithstanding and their bold Usurpation in their own name and authorities and under their own seals to issue forth Process Excommunications Censures and other Judgements and their Imperial Canons in 1640. do bespeak them prejudicial to the Civil Government and Constitution of the Kingdom and I think a private society should with very much of modesty affirm the agreeableness of this Government after the Parliament on mature deliberation and debate as most proper Judges Vote of the 10th of June had voted this Government to have been found by long experience very prejudicial to the Civil State of these Kingdoms Now Sir as to the so often Canted Aphorisme of King James No Bishop No King with which the Prelates and their Priests do too much strive to rivet their Government unto the Crown I must be free to say that it is more politick than pious and of no more warrant or authority than the Spaniards one universal Emperour and one Pope or universal Bishop and when the Scots loyal adherence to and advancement of His most Sacred Majesty unto the Ruine of their Kingdom Loss of their lives and Estates Exile and Imprisonment of their Nobles and Conquest of their Land together with the uncessant struglings of the Covenant Interest under Sequestration Imprisonments Banishments and death of many not ceasing till they had by Gods blessing effected the Happy and Honourable Restitution of King and Kingdom be well considered I hope these learned Masters and Scholars of Oxford will see some proceedings that may at least weaken their belief in this political Maxime We have seen Sir the strength of these learned exceptions unto the second Article of the Covenant the great eye-sore of our Age and find little or nothing therein to charge the matter thereof with falshood or injustice but that notwithstanding the grudging of proud and profane men it stands in this respect established they have herein been long and constrained me to stay too long in consideration of what they urge but as they so I shall be more brief and contracted in their following exceptions wherein they suggest many to be great ones but profess to take up with few which we must needs imagine not to be of the least weight Unto the third Article they except nothing as to the matter of the promise Subjectio quinta