Selected quad for the lemma: head_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
head_n	church_n	member_n	mystical_a	3,558	5	10.4248	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91367	The vvay to heaven discovered: and, the stumbling-blocks (cast therein by the world, flesh, and devill) removed. Or, The ready way to true happines: leading to the gate of full assurance. With a word of reproof to the scattered, discontented Members of the late Parliament. And a word of advise to the present supreme authority of England. / By Robert Purnell.	Purnell, Robert, d. 1666.	1653 (1653)	Wing P4243; Thomason E1489_2	94,272	222

power of the spirit and so are become new creatures partakers of Christ a chosen Generation a royall Priesthood an holy Nation Kings and Priests unto God Members of Christ anoynted with the same holy Unction and to the same glory and dignity only in subordination to him as the Members to the head the yonger brethren to the first-born for in all things Christ hath the preheminence and yet they are all one in him according to the spirit however different according to the flesh one from nother according to the spirit they are Sion the beloved City the Kingdome and temple of God and he and his glory appertaineth to them and is their portion glorious things are spoken of thee O thou City of god the most high in the midst of thee he shall exalt thee and delight in thee This is Sion that no man regardeth the place and habitation that God hath chosen in which he will dwell and rest for ever because he hath loved and desired it yea God the Father disdains not to count them his Sons and Daughters the Son is not ashamed to call them Brethren the Holy Ghost is pleased to make them his Temples they are called effectually justified freely sanctified graciously and shall be glorified eternally they are servants of God not only servants but friends not only friends but Sons not only Sons but Heires to inherit his Kingdome not only Heirs but co-heirs with Christ no condemnation shall befall them nothing in the world shall separate them from the love of God in Jesus Christ all things in the world shall work together for their good all the surest promises are theirs all the richest graces are theirs all the sweetest comforts are theirs all the highest priviledges are theirs all the noblest hopes are theirs what shall we say theirs is Christ and in Christ all things O happy happy is that Assembly of Saints that thus have the Lord to be their God Obj. But I cannot see nor heare of any such pure Church upon earth as you have hinted at and with whom to joyn I know not therefore let me intreat you to lend me your advice in giving me some clear characters of a visible Church that are pure in doctrine and holy Life and Conversation that I may sit down there Answ The Church of God in Scripture is resembled to a naturall body wherein are many Members united each to other and to one head and by one spirit growing up in unity Now as in the naturall body there may be many infirmities and many things are lyable to offend and hurt it so also it is in this mysticall sometimes it may be subject to distempers by undigested humors the want of through closing with and drinking in Divine truths or the receiving untruths may occasion a surfet sometimes windy humours of pride high-mindednesse and lying spirits getting into some of its Members may distemper it Sometimes Feaverish heats of violent headinesse in stead of well-tempered zeale for God and godlinesse may inflame it and sometimes the cold anguish or Palsy-humours of deadnesse in and benumednesse to spirituall motions in its tendency to its spirituall and supream end may so sease upon him as much to impaire its strength and to outward appearance bring it nigh unto death but God whose temple it is commande thee not to judge according to outward appearance but to judge righteous judgement Because he whose Temple it is hath provided for it against such distempers both Meat and Medicine to feed and cure it so is every one that through grace is brought to beleeve in Christ and gathered up in the fellowship with those that have fellowship with the Father and the Son in one spirit 1 Joh. 1. 3. Now this body may have many weaknesses within and enemies without indangering it yea that many parts of it may be sorely laid open to infections from divers that seem to be of it or at least converse with it and so to poyson it by the insnarement of false Prophets holding forth false Christs these deseivers in stead of hastening mens growth up in Christ which they pretend doe secretly and subtilely corrupt men from the simplicity that is in Christ These are those hirelings that Christ speaks of that come to us in sheeps clothing but let us beware of them and hold fast the head ftom whence we receive the right and true Spirit that we may grow up together by that which every joynt supplyeth so shall our feet abide within the gates of new Jerusalem and the Lord himselfe shall dwell amongst us judge rule and teach us and in his teachings we shall not be vainly pust up with a Carnall minde Now if thou wouldst finde out an Assembly of Saints living stones not only hewn and squared but built up together a Spirituall house Eph. 2. 20 21. and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner-stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom the true Church of Christ is built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit this holy City this Spouse this Kings Daughter Wise of the Lambe this Virgin this garden inclosed may be known 1. By her keeping up the garment of Christs righteousnesse within viz. pure distinct in the doctrinall part Secondly by her keeping up or putting on the garment of Christs holinesse without viz. holy in life and conversation and so I shall proceed to lay down some characters of both by which this true Church may be discerned 1. That Church that is pure in doctrine doth hold the Scriptures known by the names of the Old and new Testament are the holy Word of God and the rule of knowing and living unto God whosoever betakes himselfe to any other way cannot be saved see and well consider these Scriptures 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. and 2 Cor. 15. 1 2 3. and 2 Cor. 1. 13. Act. 26. 22. and John 5. 39. John 4. 22. and 2 Pet. 2. 1. and 2 Pet. 3. 12. A true Church holdeth that all men by nature are dead in Trespasses and sins nay that all persons by nature are children of wrath being guilty of Adams sinne and sinfull in their owne nature deserving thereby eternall damnation from which no person no not by the death of Christ who is not regenerated and borne againe or made a new creature is freed from Acts 17. 30 31. and Acts 26. 17 18 19 20. and Luke 24. 47. and Acts 20. 20 21. and John 5. 24 25. 3. A true Church holdeth that there is an Almighty God filling Heaven and Earth with his presence who is the Creatour and Governour and Judge of the world Heb. 11. 6. Rom. 1. 19 20 21. and 1 Cor. 1. 21. and 2 Thes 1. 8. Rom. 1. 18. 25. and 1 Cor. 8. 5 6. and that this God is one Lord and yet there is a Trinity in Vnity and a Vnity in Trinity viz.

them hath promised to open our understanding that we may be able to understand and apply them ibid. Three questions answered concerning the Promises by whom and to whom they are made 29 The fift stumbling-block cast in the way is that I know not how to apply the Promises saith a mis-giving-heart 32 Means to help a soul to apply the Promises understandingly orderly particularly and strongly 32 Means to help us to forgive all injuries done to us 37 The sixt stumbling-block cast in the way by the World Flesh or Devil is to perswade the poor drooping soul that the Day of Mercy is past his Glass is run out his Sun is set the Doore of Mercy is shut the Golden Scepter is taken in 39 This stumbling-block also is removed and the doore of the Kingdome of Heaven opened 40 The seventh stumbling-block cast in the way is I feare I am not elected to Salvation 44 This block is removed and the nature of Election and Reprobation discovered 45 The eight stumbling-block cast in the way is that I fear I am none of Gods Child because I have so many fearfull thoughts cast into me one after another 46 This block is also removed and the way to Heaven cleared 47 The ninth stumbling-block cast in the way is that surely saith another I am none of the Lords beloved because he followeth me with affliction w●ath and misery 49 Proved by many instances that a man may be dearly beloved although sorely afflicted And so this block is fully removed 50 The tenth stumbling-block cast in the way of many a p●ecious Ch●istian is that I have been a Blasphemer my selfe and caused many others to blaspheme therefore no hope for me 52 This block also is removed and Satan concerning the same foyled 53 The eleventh stumbling-block cast in the way is Oh Sir I have fallen into one and the same sin often 54 This block is removed and many scruples of conscience answered 55 The twelfth stumbling-block cast in the way is that I have according to the command of Christ examined my selfe whether I were in the Faith and finde I am not 56 This block removed and assurance of salvation discovered 57 The thirteenth stumbling-block cast in the way is that I have been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and am fallen away 60 This block also removed and falling away distinguished 63 The fourteenth stumbling-block cast in the way is Oh saith a poor misgiving soule I cannot believe 65 This block removed and ability to believe is promised 66 The fifteenth stumbling-block cast in the way is that I feare I have sinned against the Holy Ghost 70 The nature of this sin discovered and this feare removed 71 The sixteenth stumbling-block cast in the way is all a mans sins may be set in order before him and the judgements of God due unto him for them and he despairing under them 79 For the removing of this block consider all thy sins put together are but finite but the mercy of God is infinite 82 The seventeenth stumbling-block cast in the way is oh Sir there is no hope of me for I am ignorant of the Trinity I do not know God he will come in flaming fire against me 88 This block is removed and the Trinity revealed or the blessed mystery thereof in some good measure unfolded 89 The eighteenth stumbling-block cast in the way is that I have no hope of being saved because many Heathens have out-stript me in the way of civil obedience 106 This block also removed and the compleat righteousness and obedience for Christians unfolded 107 The nineteenth stumbling-block cast in the way is O Sir I feare I have but only a form of godlinesse withou● power 121 This block removed by a clear distinction of a power in and with a form and a form without a power 122 The twentieth stumbling block cast in the way is oh Sir I have no power to doe any thing that you have laid before me 136 This block removed and the power that the Creature received from the Creator declared 137 The one and tw●ntieth stumbling block cast in the way is that there are so many Opinions and Societies all pretending to b● in the right way that I know not with whom to joyn 147 This block also removed and the true Church of Christ from all false Churches discovered 148 A word of friendly reproofe to the scattered and d●scontented Members of the late Parliament 191 And a word of advice to the present Supream Authority of England Scotland and Ireland 197 There are many other particulars held forth in this li●tle Book very seasonable and usefull the heads whereof for some reasons I forbeare to mention in this Table FINIS