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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
kingdom_n church_n government_n reform_a 1,712 5 10.4048 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A43317 Reformation of church-government in Scotland cleared from some mistakes and prejudices by the commissioners of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, now at London / published by especiall command. Church of Scotland. General Assembly. Commission.; Henderson, Alexander, 1583?-1646. 1644 (1644) Wing H1437; ESTC R42074 13,323 24

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reformation_n of_o church-government_n in_o scotland_n clear_v from_o some_o mistake_n and_o prejudice_n by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n now_o at_o london_n publish_a by_o especial_a command_n edinburgh_n print_v by_o evan_n tyler_n printer_n to_o the_o king_n most_o excellent_a majesty_n 1644._o reformation_n of_o church-government_n in_o scotland_n clear_v from_o some_o mistake_n and_o prejudice_n while_o we_o the_o mean_a of_o many_o our_o brethren_n occasion_n for_o a_o time_n separate_v from_o our_o particular_a calling_n and_o station_n and_o send_v forth_o into_o this_o kingdom_n for_o a_o more_o public_a employment_n be_v in_o all_o humility_n and_o patience_n wait_v what_o the_o lord_n who_o be_v about_o some_o great_a work_n in_o his_o church_n for_o which_o be_v raise_v so_o great_a commotion_n in_o these_o and_o other_o kingdom_n of_o the_o earth_n will_v be_v please_v to_o do_v for_o reformation_n of_o 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scripture_n we_o give_v these_o three_o evidence_n 1_o the_o great_a pain_n they_o take_v in_o search_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o after_o they_o have_v find_v it_o their_o grievous_a suffering_n from_o the_o civil_a authority_n in_o defence_n thereof_o of_o both_o which_o afterward_o in_o the_o own_o place_n 2_o the_o restless_a objection_n and_o continual_a opposition_n of_o politic_a man_n and_o court_n sycophant_n against_o presbyterial_a government_n as_o incompatible_a with_o monarchy_n and_o their_o manner_n 3_o and_o the_o necessary_a assertion_n of_o the_o true_a policy_n of_o the_o church_n by_o divine_n in_o both_o kingdom_n between_o who_o there_o be_v no_o notable_a difference_n demonstrate_v that_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o unalterable_a because_o divine_a and_o yet_o compliable_a with_o every_o lawful_a kind_n of_o human_a policy_n and_o civil_a government_n and_o able_a to_o keep_v a_o whole_a kingdom_n or_o state_n in_o a_o right_a and_o
join_v in_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n the_o church_n of_o scotland_n much_o as_o all_o other_o reform_a church_n have_v use_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o church-censure_n of_o all_o sort_n especial_o the_o grave_a of_o excommunication_n with_o such_o sharpness_n and_o severity_n and_o yet_o with_o such_o caution_n and_o moderation_n as_o it_o have_v be_v very_o powerful_a and_o effectual_a to_o preserve_v the_o name_n of_o god_n from_o be_v blaspheme_v the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n from_o contagion_n and_o the_o delinquent_n bring_v under_o censure_n from_o destruction_n which_o be_v the_o end_n propose_v by_o they_o in_o execute_v the_o censure_n or_o the_o church_n and_o where_o such_o scandal_n arise_v whether_o in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n or_o practice_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o make_v the_o name_n of_o god_n to_o be_v blaspheme_v be_v dangerous_a for_o the_o church_n and_o waste_v the_o conscience_n of_o the_o sinner_n themselves_o be_v accompany_v with_o obstinacy_n and_o contempt_n of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n they_o do_v apply_v this_o last_o remedy_n according_a to_o the_o order_n prescribe_v by_o christ_n against_o scandalous_a transgressor_n to_o limit_v the_o censure_n of_o excommunication_n in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n to_o the_o common_a and_o uncontroverted_a principle_n and_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o manner_n to_o the_o common_a and_o universal_a practice_n of_o christianity_n and_o in_o both_o to_o the_o party_n know_a light_n be_v the_o dangerous_a doctrine_n of_o the_o arminian_n and_o socinian_o open_v a_o wide_a door_n and_o proclaim_v liberty_n to_o all_o other_o practice_n and_o error_n which_o be_v not_o fundamental_a and_o universal_o abhor_v by_o all_o christian_n and_o tend_v to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n which_o we_o wish_v all_o sound_n and_o sober_a spirit_n to_o abstain_v from_o lest_o it_o render_v they_o and_o their_o profession_n suspect_v of_o some_o such_o opinion_n and_o practice_n as_o in_o charity_n we_o judge_v to_o be_v far_o from_o their_o mind_n and_o way_n two_o main_a objection_n be_v make_v against_o the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n together_o for_o which_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n of_o scotland_n have_v do_v and_o suffer_v so_o much_o of_o old_a and_o of_o late_a one_o be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o the_o authoritative_a power_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n and_o that_o the_o exhortation_n of_o particular_a church_n one_o to_o another_o the_o protestation_n of_o one_o against_o another_o and_o the_o withdraw_n of_o communion_n one_o from_o another_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a remedy_n and_o no_o less_o effectual_a against_o all_o offence_n than_o excommunication_n itself_o especial_o if_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v vouchsafe_v his_o assistance_n and_o interpose_v his_o authority_n for_o strengthen_v the_o sentence_n of_o noncommunion_n to_o this_o we_o answer_v 1._o that_o this_o objection_n suppose_v a_o case_n which_o have_v not_o be_v find_v in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n for_o the_o space_n of_o above_o fourscore_o year_n and_o which_o we_o believe_v be_v never_o hear_v of_o in_o any_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n except_o those_o of_o the_o separation_n the_o pronounce_n of_o non-communion_n or_o excommunication_n against_o a_o whole_a church_n our_o excommunication_n have_v be_v execute_v and_o but_o seldom_o against_o particular_a member_n never_o against_o a_o whole_a church_n and_o we_o think_v never_o shall_v be_v and_o therefore_o this_o imaginary_a fear_n of_o that_o which_o never_o fall_v forth_o be_v not_o considerable_a rule_n be_v make_v for_o ordinary_a and_o usual_a case_n 2._o what_o shall_v be_v the_o remedy_n where_o the_o censure_n be_v mutual_a and_o two_o or_o more_o church_n mutual_o protest_v and_o pronounce_v the_o sentence_n of_o non-communion_n one_o against_o other_o unless_o there_o be_v a_o common_a presbytery_n or_o synod_n make_v up_o of_o the_o whole_a which_o may_v decide_v the_o controversy_n and_o give_v order_n unto_o the_o several_a church_n this_o non-communion_n may_v prove_v a_o mean_a of_o division_n rather_o than_o union_n 3._o in_o this_o exhortation_n protestation_n and_o non-communion_n there_o be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v find_v then_o one_o particular_a member_n may_v do_v against_o another_o which_o yet_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v unsufficient_a for_o remove_v of_o offence_n unless_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o which_o both_o of_o they_o be_v member_n shall_v interveine_v be_v it_o in_o the_o power_n of_o particular_a member_n to_o submit_v or_o not_o submit_v as_o they_o please_v there_o will_v be_v as_o great_a difference_n and_o division_n among_o member_n as_o now_o there_o be_v among_o church_n 4._o what_o shall_v be_v do_v if_o the_o magistrate_n be_v negligent_a or_o care_n for_o none_o of_o those_o thing_n or_o if_o his_o authority_n can_v be_v obtain_v or_o if_o he_o be_v of_o another_o religion_n and_o foment_n the_o difference_n for_o his_o own_o politic_a end_n have_v not_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n provide_v remedy_n in_o the_o church_n for_o all_o the_o internal_a necessity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o constitute_v it_o a_o perfect_a body_n within_o itself_o 5._o by_o what_o probability_n can_v it_o be_v make_v to_o appear_v to_o any_o rational_a man_n and_o indifferent_a mind_n that_o no_o authority_n shall_v be_v as_o valide_fw-la as_o authority_n against_o the_o obstinate_a that_o via_fw-la admonitionis_fw-la and_o requisitionis_fw-la be_v equal_a with_o via_fw-la citationis_fw-la and_o publicae_fw-la authoritatis_fw-la there_o can_v be_v so_o much_o as_o trial_n and_o examination_n of_o the_o offence_n without_o authority_n unless_o the_o party_n be_v willing_a to_o appear_v that_o persuasion_n and_o jurisdiction_n that_o the_o deliver_n over_o to_o satan_n and_o thereby_o strike_v the_o conscience_n with_o the_o terror_n of_o god_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o a_o special_a and_o strong_a ratification_n in_o heaven_n and_o any_o other_o ecclesiastical_a way_n whatsoever_o which_o must_v be_v inferior_a to_o this_o and_o depend_v only_o upon_o persuasion_n on_o the_o one_o part_n and_o free_a will_n on_o the_o other_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v a_o like_a efficacious_a no_o man_n will_v say_v but_o in_o civil_a matter_n it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o have_v ado_n with_o our_o neighbour_n who_o have_v no_o more_o authority_n over_o we_o than_o we_o have_v over_o he_o and_o another_o thing_n to_o have_v to_o do_v with_o civil_a power_n which_o have_v authority_n over_o both_o the_o other_o objection_n be_v church_n that_o by_o this_o authority_n and_o order_n of_o government_n one_o church_n have_v power_n over_o another_o which_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o liberty_n and_o equality_n christ_n have_v endue_v his_o church_n with_o and_o be_v no_o other_o but_o a_o new_a prelatical_a dominion_n set_v over_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o this_o we_o answer_v 1._o that_o we_o be_v very_o far_o from_o impose_v or_o acknowledge_v any_o such_o collateral_a power_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n over_o another_o nay_o not_o of_o the_o great_a in_o all_o respect_n whatsoever_o over_o the_o small_a for_o god_n have_v make_v they_o equal_a one_o to_o another_o the_o power_n which_o we_o maintain_v be_v aggregative_a of_o the_o officer_n of_o many_o congregation_n over_o the_o particular_a member_n of_o their_o corporation_n even_o as_o a_o member_n of_o the_o natural_a body_n be_v not_o subject_a to_o another_o but_o each_o one_o of_o they_o to_o the_o whole_a man_n consist_v of_o they_o all_o and_o as_o one_o member_n of_o parliament_n one_o counsellor_n or_o to_o go_v low_a one_o member_n of_o a_o company_n be_v not_o subject_a to_o another_o but_o every_o one_o to_o the_o whole_a college_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o town_n and_o city_n so_o be_v it_o with_o particular_a congregation_n combine_v in_o one_o presbytery_n all_o the_o reform_a church_n acknowledge_v the_o independency_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n upon_o another_o 2._o it_o be_v as_o miserable_a a_o mistake_n to_o compare_v presbytery_n and_o prelate_n together_o for_o the_o court_n of_o prelate_n be_v altogether_o foreign_a and_o extrinsical_a to_o the_o congregation_n over_o which_o they_o rule_v and_o then_o indeed_o the_o metropolitan_a church_n usurp_v and_o tyrannize_v over_o other_o church_n but_o the_o power_n of_o presbytery_n in_o intrinsical_a and_o natural_a they_o be_v constitute_v of_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o particular_a congregation_n over_o which_o they_o be_v set_v so_o that_o another_o without_o themselves_o do_v not_o bear_v rule_n over_o they_o but_o all_o of_o they_o together_o by_o common_a consent_n do_v rule_n over_o every_o one_o which_o be_v a_o most_o mild_a and_o free_a form_n of_o church-government_n it_o be_v no_o more_o contrary_a to_o the_o liberty_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n to_o be_v rule_v by_o a_o common_a collegiate_a presbytery_n or_o ecclesiastic_a senate_n than_o it_o be_v for_o a_o member_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n to_o be_v rule_v by_o his_o own_o particular_a eldership_n 3._o be_v this_o way_n of_o government_n as_o well_o know_v by_o experience_n unto_o other_o as_o it_o be_v unto_o we_o it_o will_v be_v account_v rather_o subsidium_fw-la then_o dominium_fw-la and_o will_v be_v look_v at_o rather_o as_o auxiliary_a to_o particular_a minister_n and_o eldership_n then_o authoratative_a over_o they_o especial_o since_o they_o neither_o ordain_v nor_o depose_v minister_n they_o discern_v no_o censure_n nor_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n of_o any_o member_n without_o the_o knowledge_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o congregation_n which_o be_v particular_o concern_v therein_o whatsoever_o their_o authority_n be_v the_o minister_n and_o particular_a eldership_n be_v advise_v assist_v and_o strengthen_v rather_o than_o command_v enjoin_v or_o force_v which_o the_o particular_a church_n shall_v much_o rather_o choose_v then_o through_o want_n of_o counsel_n and_o assistance_n suffer_v themselves_o to_o run_v rash_o upon_o deposition_n or_o excommunication_n and_o afterward_o either_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o neighbour_a church_n to_o the_o public_a confession_n of_o their_o error_n which_o lessen_v their_o authority_n afterward_o or_o to_o have_v the_o sentence_n of_o non-communion_n pronounce_v against_o they_o which_o must_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o schism_n or_o scandal_n so_o much_o for_o the_o present_a have_v we_o say_v person_n not_o for_o confutation_n but_o mere_o for_o justify_v our_o own_o and_o other_o reform_a church_n against_o such_o misrepresent_n and_o mistake_n as_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v too_o frequent_a in_o this_o place_n at_o this_o time_n to_o the_o pervert_n and_o abuse_v of_o simple_a and_o unstable_a mind_n which_o will_v never_o be_v bring_v to_o a_o consistence_n and_o unity_n without_o this_o true_a order_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n from_o heaven_n upon_o his_o own_o ordinance_n be_v magistrate_n and_o civil_a power_n acquaint_v with_o the_o power_n thereof_o they_o will_v find_v their_o authority_n increase_v their_o work_n more_o easy_a and_o their_o place_n more_o comfortable_a thereby_o such_o as_o be_v most_o adverse_a to_o this_o order_n and_o government_n if_o they_o allow_v no_o material_a difference_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n or_o practice_n may_v enjoy_v their_o peace_n and_o all_o the_o comfort_n of_o their_o ministry_n and_o profession_n under_o it_o without_o controlment_n from_o that_o authoritative_a power_n which_o they_o so_o much_o apprehend_v the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o god_n have_v bless_v with_o so_o much_o learning_n and_o piety_n by_o this_o reformation_n and_o uniformity_n with_o other_o reform_a church_n which_o all_o of_o we_o have_v solemn_o swear_v and_o subscribe_v sincere_o real_o and_o constant_o through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o endeavour_v in_o our_o several_a place_n and_o calling_n shall_v be_v a_o praise_n in_o the_o earth_n finis_fw-la the_o occasion_n our_o intention_n the_o government_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n be_v know_v the_o reformer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n the_o rule_n and_o pattern_n of_o their_o reformation_n their_o certainty_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n their_o consent_n with_o other_o reform_a church_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v call_v calvinian_o their_o reformation_n be_v not_o frame_v to_o state_n end_v the_o reformer_n not_o bias_v but_o benefit_v by_o education_n they_o intend_v presbyterial_a government_n from_o the_o beginning_n what_o they_o give_v unto_o the_o magistrate_n their_o diligent_a search_n for_o true_a church-government_n and_o the_o good_a hand_n of_o god_n upon_o they_o the_o defence_n thereof_o against_o adversary_n on_o both_o hand_n their_o suffering_n for_o the_o true_a church_n government_n their_o exercise_n of_o that_o true_a church_n government_n for_o which_o they_o have_v do_v and_o suffer_v so_o much_o this_o government_n necessary_a for_o church_n live_v together_o this_o government_n agree_v with_o the_o liberty_n and_o equality_n of_o particular_a church_n this_o government_n useful_a and_o beneficial_a to_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n
of_o god_n be_v exercise_v more_o uncorrupt_o where_o more_o faithful_a diligence_n of_o the_o pastor_n do_v flourish_v or_o more_o free_a or_o willing_a obedience_n be_v give_v by_o the_o people_n nor_o yet_o where_o there_o be_v great_a reverence_v of_o the_o whole_a religion_n among_o all_o order_n and_o afterwards_o neither_o do_v it_o only_o keep_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n free_a from_o corruption_n but_o it_o do_v also_o both_o deliver_v in_o writing_n and_o exercise_v in_o practice_n that_o sincere_a manner_n of_o government_n whereby_o man_n be_v make_v partaker_n of_o salvation_n revel._n of_o the_o apocal._n cap._n 37._o the_o other_o be_v cartwright_n yea_o the_o scottish_a nation_n which_o be_v some_o year_n behind_o we_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o first_o day_n almost_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o truth_n do_v by_o many_o degree_n in_o the_o way_n of_o purity_n outstrip_v we_o these_o two_o witness_n unto_o which_o we_o may_v add_v many_o other_o from_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o other_o nation_n bear_v testimony_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n as_o may_v prove_v she_o to_o be_v no_o church_n or_o bar_v communion_n in_o worship_n with_o she_o as_o the_o liturgy_n ceremony_n and_o prelacy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n or_o that_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o be_v of_o the_o same_o kind_n equal_o destructive_a of_o the_o essence_n of_o a_o church_n and_o equal_o impedetive_a of_o communion_n and_o worship_n all_o visible_a church_n which_o have_v be_v or_o shall_v be_v at_o any_o time_n on_o earth_n consist_v of_o person_n good_a and_o bad_a sheep_n and_o goat_n wheat_n and_o tare_n such_o as_o walk_v christianly_o and_o such_o as_o walk_v inordinate_o which_o therefore_o must_v also_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n yet_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n admit_v not_o either_o ignorant_a or_o open_o profane_a and_o scandalous_a person_n to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n if_o any_o pastor_n and_o particular_a eldership_n be_v negligent_a in_o their_o duty_n it_o be_v their_o fault_n who_o be_v to_o bear_v their_o own_o guiltiness_n and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n which_o stand_v in_o force_n against_o it_o we_o may_v be_v very_o confident_a that_o the_o godly_a people_n who_o do_v transplant_v themselves_o out_o of_o this_o island_n the_o fame_n of_o who_o piety_n and_o zeal_n shall_v never_o suffer_v detraction_n or_o the_o small_a diminution_n from_o our_o thought_n or_o word_n may_v have_v live_v in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n enjoy_v the_o pure_a ordinance_n of_o god_n with_o peace_n in_o their_o conscience_n and_o comfort_n to_o their_o soul_n and_o will_v have_v willing_o come_v into_o scotland_n when_o they_o go_v into_o new-england_n can_v they_o have_v be_v free_a of_o the_o usurpation_n and_o tyranny_n of_o prelate_n and_o the_o prelatical_a party_n which_o at_o that_o time_n do_v reign_v and_o rage_n in_o that_o kingdom_n vex_v the_o godly_a ministry_n and_o people_n there_o with_o many_o and_o bitter_a suffering_n the_o two_o extreme_n of_o the_o true_a form_n of_o church-government_n hand_n which_o stand_v in_o the_o middle_a way_n betwixt_o popish_a and_o prelatical_a tyranny_n and_o brownistical_a and_o popular_a anarchy_n be_v contrary_a one_o to_o another_o and_o have_v their_o own_o degree_n of_o tyranny_n or_o anarchy_n in_o themselves_o which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o subdivision_n fraction_n and_o difference_n among_o themselves_o but_o both_o side_n agree_v and_o strong_o join_v in_o oppose_v the_o true_a government_n which_o stand_v constant_o and_o without_o variation_n between_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o be_v contrary_a to_o both_o this_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v otherwise_o that_o on_o what_o hand_n the_o invasion_n be_v hot_a there_o the_o defence_n be_v strong_a against_o prelacy_n which_o have_v many_o friend_n and_o therefore_o make_v many_o enemy_n to_o presbytery_n the_o presbyterial_a power_n and_o pen_n be_v long_o plead_v no_o soon_o be_v the_o prelatical_a party_n by_o the_o power_n and_o blessing_n of_o god_n begin_v to_o be_v subdue_v in_o this_o island_n but_o arise_v unexpected_o the_o opposition_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n wait_v the_o opportunity_n strong_a than_o it_o be_v before_o which_o move_v some_o of_o our_o divine_n of_o late_a to_o write_v on_o this_o hand_n in_o defence_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n as_o other_o have_v do_v before_o they_o in_o other_o church_n in_o france_n beza_n and_o against_o morellius_n sadeel_n two_o national_a synod_n also_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o france_n the_o one_o at_o orleans_n in_o the_o year_n 1561._o another_o at_o rothel_n 1571._o and_o in_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n govern_v by_o presbytery_n and_o assembly_n the_o 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