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A70686 The lawfulnes of the oath of supremacy, and power of the King in ecclesiastical affairs with Queen Elizabeth's admonition, declaring the sence and interpretation of it, confirmed by an act of Parliament, in the 5th year of her reign : together with a vindication of dissenters, proving, that their particular congregations are not inconsistent with the King's supremacy in ecclesiastical affairs : with some account of the nature, constitution, and power of the ecclesiastical courts / by P. Nye ... ; in the epistle to the reader is inserted King James's vindication and explication of the oath of allegiance.; Lawfulnes of the oath of supremacy and power of the King in ecclesiastical affairs Nye, Philip, 1596?-1672. 1683 (1683) Wing N1499; ESTC R22153 63,590 80

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no Invention of Man that by contriving Pipes or any other Artifice can make Water freely and naturally run higher than the Spring-Head Tho that Jurisdiction which hath its rise in a particular Church be pumped up into a Classis or Synod it is but the same it was before Synods saith Parker out of Chamier Polit lib. 3. cap. 13 § 9. Disp de Polit. Eccles p. 5. nullam habeant Authoritatem c. They have no Authority but what is derived from particular Churches So Voetius There seems to be a great Emphasis in those Particles of Propriety Children obey your Parents 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so to Servants 1 phes 6.1 And speaking of the Relation of Husbands and Wives by which is set forth our Obedience to Christ and his Officers it is more appropriate Ephes 5.24 As the Church is subject to Christ so let the Wives be to their own Husbands it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 propriis viris not only theirs but their own Husbands It is said 1 Tim. 3.4 One that ruleth well his own House 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So of Ministers Know them that labour among you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and are ever you in the Lord 1 Thess 5.12 and in Heb. 13.17 it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Duces vestri your Captains Officers in Churches being as exactly limited as in an Army There is no Power in a Superior to command where no Obligation upon the Inferior to obey And therefore the Lord seems by these Expressions to limit both Church and Family-Power within their own Walls This is the Judgment of the Learned of each Persuasion Bishop Davenant Nota est Jurisconsultorum regula c. It is a known Rule of Lawyers A Sentence given by him that is not his Judg is void in Law But particular Churches are not the Judges of private Persons that are of other Churches how much less then over the Churches themselves such Sentences were to be slighted and contemned as of a Judg that presumeth to make Laws out of the bounds of his own Jurisdiction Nec potest De judice cont cap. 16. p. 90. nec debet saith the same Author elsewhere particularis una Ecclesia judiciaria authoritate aliam sibi non subjectam a Catholica abscindere quaelibet enim Ecclesia filios suos ad consensionem in Doctrina publicè stabilita censuris adigit Sed fratres Ecclesiarum externarum monet pro officio charitatis non punit pro imperio potestatis Dr. Field Of the Church lib 5. as a common Resolution of Divines tells us That if a Bishop ventures to do any Act of Jurisdiction out of his own Diocess that is his particular Church so cap. 30. as to excommunicate or absolve or the like all such Acts are utterly void and of no force The same thing saith Dr. Crakanthorp cont Spal cap. 28. pag. 177. Jue divinum Regim p. 230. Every Congregation say our Brethren hath equal Power one as much as another according to the trite and known Axiom Par in parem non habet imperium An Equal hath no Power over an Equal Ecclesiae institutae parochiales integrae sunt Disp de Polit. Eccles p. 3. inter se collaterales potestate Ecclesiastica aequales saith Voetius Which you may English out of the English Puritanism thus Particular Churches are in all Matters equal and are entrusted by Christ with the same Ecclesiastical Power and Authority Cap. 2. § 3. Jewel Reynolds Whitaker and most of our Divines against the Papists are large in their Disputes for a parity of Churches and Mr. Parker hath written a whole Chapter de paritate Ecclesiarum De Polit lib 3. cap. 21. Some make a particular Church to be of larger Extension as a Diocess a Province c. but that altereth not the State of the Question A DIGRESSION 1. Of Independentism Name and Thing 2. It s consistency with the Kings Supremacy THis State of a particular Church namely their equality in respect of Jurisdiction or coercive Power one over another was wont to be expressed by INDEPENDENCY which though now it be a term of Raproach yet formerly made use of by good Authors as very fit and significant to set forth this Priviledge of each particular Church compleat and intire namely their not Dependency or Subjection to the Jurisdiction of another Church as their Head and Superior Dr. Jackson in his learned Treatise of the Church Cap. 15. Cap. 119. useth this term frequently Unity saith he in one place of Discipline or of INDEPENDENT Judicature is essential and necessary to the Church as visible Hence there be as many distinct visible Churches as there be INDEPENDENT Judicatures Ecclesiastick Dr. Sibbs thus Gospel-anointings pag. 94. Particular visible Churches are now God's Tabernacle The Church of the Jews was a National Church but now God hath erected particular Tabernacles Every particular Church under one Pastor is the Church of God a several Church INDEPENDENT The Church of England saith the same Author is called a particular Church from other Nations because it is under a Government Civil which is not dependent on any other Foreign Prince Each Church saith Voctius Desp Cau. Pap. lib. 3. § 3. c. 4. as it hath its proper Form of an Ecclesiastical Body or Society so it s endued with its proper Government and Jurisdiction which it exerciseth DEPENDENTLY upon Christ his Word and Spirit but INDEPENDENTLY in respect of all other Churches Mr. Bates One Company of Men assembled Treatise printed Anno 1613. hath no Authority to impose things upon many Churches 1. None now have Apostolick Authority 2. Each Congregation is a Body INDEPENDENT of any Ecclesiastical Power There is no Ordinance of God for this saith Mr. Banes that Churches within a circuit should be tyed to a certain Head-Church for Government pag. 8. and pag. 13. We affirm that no such Head-Church was ordained either vertually or actually but that all Churches were single Congregations equal INDEPENDENT each of other in regard of Subjection Every true Church saith one now is an INDEPENDENT Congregation A Collection of sundry matters Anno 1601. and in another place The Congregational Body Politick spiritually INDEPENDENT is Christ's Divine Ordinance in the Gospel One ordinary Congregation of Christians is a spiritual Body Politick INDEPENDENT That is it hath the Right and Power of spiritual Administration and Government in it self Confession of Faith p. Anno 1601. and over it self by the common and free consent of the People INDEPENDENTLY and immediately under Christ This was the Opinion generally of N. Conformists as is observed by one of themselves in the Name of the rest as also by B. Downam Sermon at Lambeth p. 5. They that is the N. C. say that every Parish by Right hath sufficient Authority within it self immediately derived from Christ for the Government of it self in all Causes Ecclesiastical To the Parishional Presbytery
over many Churches much more over whole Kingdoms and Provinces of Churches Dr. Bilson speaks much to this purpose Of Supremacy pag. 238. Tho saith he Bishops may be called Governors in respect of the Soul yet only Princes be Governors of Realms Pastors have Flocks and Bishops have Diocesses Realms Dominions and Countries none have but Princes and Magistrates And so the Stile Governor of this Realm belongeth only to the Prince and not to the Priest and importeth a Publick and Princely Regiment The Common-Wealth saith Mr. Baxter containeth all the People in a whole Nation Holy Common-wealth pag. 220. or more as united in one Sovereign But particular Churches have no general Ecclesiastical Officers in whom a Nation must unite as one Church but are as several Corporations in one Kingdom c. We see saith Sir Fr. Bacon in all Laws in the World Considerations about Church-Affairs Offices of Confidence and Skill cannot be exercised by Delegation all such Trust is personal and inherent and may not be transported and delegated as that of Kings which for the most part is hereditary and rather an Office of Interest than Confidence 2. In respect to Causes the Church-Power extends its Censures to no Causes but such as the other may as to Popery Heresy c. But in many Cases the Civil Magistrate extends his Care and Authority where Church-Power moddles not As to Jews and Pagans and such as are not Members of the Church some things may be done by the Magistrate even for these being Members of his Common-Wealth that may conduce to their spiritual Good The Church-Power is limited as 1 Cor. 5.12 So likewise whether the Crime committed be private or publick Matter of Scandal or not or the Person penitent or otherwise these Powers are at liberty to punish or pardon alike and as they shall judg it expedient to be severe or merciful accordingly They may form or reform the Laws and Statutes by which they govern 1 Eliz. cap 1. with 35 Hen 8. making the same Fault Treason in one Age that in the next not so much as Imprisonment But Church-Power is limited the same Crime the same Punishment ever not being in the Power of this Republick to vary in their Process in respect of lesser or greater Censures if the Crime be she same 5. In their Constitution or Tenure Licet omnis Potestas saith Carbo tum Ecclesiastica tum Civilis Carbo de Leg. iib. 2. cap. 8. sit à Deo tamen non eodem modo nam politica licet universe sit jure Divino in particulari est jure Gentium Ecclesiastica omni modo est jure divino à Deo Government in general is of Divine Right but whether in this or that particular Form as in one or a few representing the rest this is humane and hath its Original from Man That Power which is termed an Ordinance of God in Rom. 13. is called an Ordinance of Man in 1 Pet. 2. Church-Power and Government being spiritual hath all particulars for substance both in respect of Persons and Administrations for matter and manner appointed by Jesus Christ and in all Nations to be the same Civil Power even in Ecclesiastical Matters in many things for substance is left to the Prudence of the State in which it is exercised and in the Forms of it various according to the manner of the Nation As for Instance Inspection into Religious Assemblies visiting and observing their Demeanour receiving Complaints by reason of Wrongs Disorders c. These things may be done by the Civil Magistrate in his own Person or by Persons authorized from him these Persons may be many or but one in a Division these Divisions of larger or less Compass And for the manner of Procedure it 's various as Ecclesiastical Courts differ in their manner of Process from Civil or of a Method or Way of handling Causes different from each be established by Law it is equally warrantable There are particular Directions left by Christ according to which the Officers and Persons more especially entrusted with this Power are designed to and invested in their Places and Charge as Election Ordination c. with Fasting and Prayer The other Powers are setled upon and claimed in such ways as the respective Law of Nations design as by Birth Lot Victory Donation or the like as well as Election insomuch as a Woman or Child may have a rightful Claim to this Supreme Trust and the Management of it by themselves or others as shall be appointed CHAP. IV. § 1. Of the Necessity and Vsefulness of a Jurisdiction over Persons and in Causes Ecclesiastical besides what is in Churches § 2. This Power is placed in Kings and such as are the Supreme Governors in a Common-Wealth § 1. FOr the second we shall shew how necessary and useful Civil Power is even in Ecclesiastical or Spiritual Matters notwithstanding the other It is not to be denied that Souls were converted and Churches established and kept up when there was no Assistance but rather Opposition from the Princes of the Earth as in the Apostolick and Primitive Times The Benefit we have now by Christian Mgistrates was then more abundantly supplied the Infancy of Christianity requiring more by the Miracles wrought and the constant Direction and Care of Apostolick and extraordinary Persons who were gifted by Christ for that purpose All the ordinary Helps that now we have by external and more sensual or carnal Means contributing any thing to these great Works is only a pious and Christian Magistracy where a Nation is blessed with it The Benefit hereof is much in a spiritual respect both to the World as likewise to the Church 1. It is tho remote a great Help to bring Men out of their natural Condition unto Life and Salvation We are exhorted to pray for Kings and such as are in Authority 1 Tim. 2. The reason v. 4. For God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledg of the Truth As the Knowledg of the Truth is a means to bring a Soul into a saving State so is the Magistrate being enlightned himself a great Means to bring us to the knowledg of the Truth Those Men were in a great Distance from God in a Rage against Christ and Religion Psal 2.1 they did combine against the strict Ways of the Gospel these poor Heathens being notwithstanding given to Christ by Election v. 8. David useth a twofold Method for reducing them The first is a representing their wretched and miscrable Condition while in this State of Enmity ver 9. Then 2. deals with their Princes and Rulers to be forthwith instructed and serve the Lord i.e. as Kings and Magistrates in their publick Capacity But must not the People be instructed also Such Magistrates will speedily provide and take care for their People that they may be brought to the knowledg of the Truth and therefore it needs not to be mentioned The Magistratical
Professedly assent also to All the Articles of Religion which concern only the Confession of the true Christian Faith and the Doctrin of the Sacraments comprised in a Book entituled Articles whereupon it was agreed by the Arch-bishops and Bishops of both Provinces and the whole Clergy in the Convocation Anno 1562. for the avoiding of diversity of Opinions and for the establishing of consent touching true Religion as is required by Stat. 13 Eliz. cap. 12. And do humbly hope living peaceably under his Majesties Government they shall obtain their share in that Indulgence his Majesty graciously purposed to shew to such persons as through want of full satisfaction differ in smaller matters from the present Establishment A fourth Particular which ariseth from the former 4 Instance is this Families being not subordinate one to another they cannot associate or unite into any large or great Body and therefore do and may more conveniently retain their Government though it be peculiar and distinct in any Common-wealth of what form soever without prejudice to the Peace and Welfare of it So is it with Churches their State and Government as it is appointed by Christ is such as is consistent with and no prejudice unto any civil Powers under whom they are situated And that upon this account principally Having no Dependency in Respect of Power or Jurisdiction one on another they cannot in their own Sphere enlarge themselves by Subordinations to a political Body of any such Extension and Greatness as may render their Obedience or Compliance more doubtful or uncertain It is matter of Jealousie with Princes and States when there is in their Dominions a Body large and extensive firmly joyned and compact in it self of an interest peculiar and not holding of them Particular Churches are of a small compass sometimes comprehended in One ordinarily but of a few Families So that in this respect though their Interest and Government be peculiar they may retain it and for substance the same as Families do throughout the World Which will further appear in the following Considerations 1. It is granted on all hands That the Lord hath limited his Church to a Government which is perpetual and for substance to be the same in all places As also that the Nations from their Civil Government variously and as they judge most prudent 2. Since the Wall of partition by Christs Death was broken down The Gospel and Christian Churches were by Christs commission to be planted in all parts of the World It stands therefore with common reason that the Church Government Christ hath left us is of that Nature as without any substantial Alteration may comply with and not be prejudicial to any Civil Government 3. If particular Churches by Union become one body for extention as large as the Civil State There will hardly be a due and peaceable accord and each enjoy its priviledge and Liberties without prejudice to the other unless these two great bodies be moulded and formed one with respect unto the other The policy therefore of the Nation and the National Church of the Jewes were both respectively formed by the Lord himself 4. Hence this opinion of States-men that there is no form of Church Government left by Christ or his Apostles but to be moulded by the wisdom and discretion of Christian Magistrates as may best sute and joynt in with the Civil Government And of others the contrary The Commonwealth saith one must be made to agree with the Church and the Government thereof with her Government for as the House is before the Hangings therefore the Hangings which came after must be framed to the House which was before so the Church being before there was any Commonwealth and the Commonwealth coming after must be fashioned and made suitable to the Church We need none of these extteams The middle way is this Let not the Churches claim to be National or Provincial Jure divino but leave such disposements to the civil Magistrate and be numbred with those lesser Societies Families Cities Colledges c. For these do retain in themselves much the same form of Government and Freedom therein throughout the World 5. It is not so much a different Form of Government For in each Republick there are contained lesser Societies of all Forms but their Extention and Potency in numerousness of Persons by which they are made up Nor from this Principallity but the nature of their Vnion and Incorporation begets the Jealousies If particular Churches become Diocesan Provincial or National by Union from the Law or Direction of the Civil Magistrate for the better exercise of that Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction the Lord hath intrusted him with and conveniency of such persons as he shall appoint to inspect the Churches in such a case the Greatness of Churches cannot be disturbent to the Civil Government being so directly under its cognizance Holy Common-wealth R. B. p. 2. 220. The Common-wealth saith one containeth all the people in a whole Nation or more united in one Soveraign but particular Churches distinct from the universal united in Christ have no general Ecclesiastical Officers in whom a Nation must Unite as one Church How then become they to be termed a National Church Ans As several Corporations in one Kingdom or as so many Schools that have a peculiar form of Government but such only as is under and united in the Magistrates Government in its kind If this should be claimed as the Law or Priviledge of each Family that the Governors be it the Father or Husband or Master are thereby invested by Nature with the same Power in respect to all Families in a Nation and by several Correspondencies and Subordinations raise and Vnite themselves at last into a general Assembly or Representative And by Vertue of that Enconomical Authority give Laws to the whole Nation though not as their Subjects yet to the same persons under another notion that is as Wives Children Servants There is no well Governed State could entertain such a spreading interest as this without great doubtfulness lest their Authority and Supremacy should hereby be much Ecclipsed 6. But a particular Church consisting only of a few persons in it self and independent on others is necessitated to depend under God upon the Magistrate for protection Which if they should not obtain but be opposed and persecuted yet have no ability to resist being as a Family single and alone not able to defend it self or molest others Nor if they were able is it lawful for a Church to compel by the Sword more than the Magistrate may by the Keyes 2 Chron. 26. Matth. 16.19 with 24 25. or what is peculiar to the sacred Function Vzza erred in the latter and Peter in the former The primitive rule and practice was this being persecuted in one City to fly into another and pray that their flight may not be in the Winter Matth. 10.23.24.20 No nor do we judg that these spiritual weapons the Keyes