Selected quad for the lemma: order_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
order_n	acknowledge_v	church_n	zion_n	58	3	11.6471	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59072	God, the king, and the church (to wit) government both civil and sacred together instituted ... and throughout all, the Church of England ... vindicated : being the subject of eight sermons, preached ... / and now published by George Seignior ...	Seignior, George, d. 1678.	1670 (1670)	Wing S2417; ESTC R19835	158,466	284

there is one reason more to raise our esteem for such Solemn Conventions as were at this time in Solomon's Porch we are to Magnifie that which is administred and those who do officiate in it because in doing so we may turn away many sinners from the errors of their ways save their souls from death and hide a multitude of sins we may save our selves and those with whom we do converse when they shall behold our meek Conversation as to God and his service coupled with Reverence and Fear This was the truest Respect the choicest Reverence that was here given not barely an Ecstatical Enthusiastical rapid admiration but such a one as had an influence on the course of this life in the hopes of a Better all was in order to salvation Which is the Fourth part of the Text and the subject of the last Discourse The Fourth SERMON The great Benefit which did accrue to the whole Community from the Reverence which was here exhibited or rather from the whole Dispensation at this present BEcause of the judgment from God inflicted which was grievous because of the Signes and Wonders wrought which were terrible because of the publick Convention the place of their meeting their behaviour there all which were holy because of the due distance observed which was solemn because of the awfull Reverence exhibited which was beautiful and glorious because of the Providence of God exerted which was miraculous but yet Constant all these things did work together for good to those who should be saved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Believers were the more added to the Lord Multitudes of men and women So that already you may percieve that this last Discourse is to be confined to these two particulars 1. To consider what was the occasion of this great Benefit implyed in the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the rather or the more and so referring to all those circumstances but now enumerated all contributing to the increase of their Number who were the general Assembly of the first-born Secondly What this great Benefit it self was more particularly and closely to be examined and that in these following Particulars all within the compass of the words themselves First A Conversion or an Effectual Calling 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some that were added and that in an External Communion because they were added therefore the increase of their number was visible added to the Lord but so as to be known in and acknowledged by the Church Secondly a due qualification and that internal in the heart but still in order to an outward profession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They were Believers in the Lord added to the Churches Communion and there holding the Faith which was once delivered to them Thirdly For their Number the Benefit great because it was diffusive the Redemption was the more precious because intimated that it might be Vniversal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They were Multitudes Fourthly No respect of Persons in relation unto Sex in Christ Jesus it is not Male nor Female but a New Creature the weaker Vessel has here its equal honour and proportionable too in its number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There were Multitudes as of Men so of Women of honourable and vertuous Women and of holy Men not a few Fifthly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all this the rather which is again to be considered in relation to the Subject capable of this great benefit the rather because of what they saw and what they heard and so it may denote in these Multitudes an Act of free choice and mature deliberation they saw what was done and they heard what was spoke and were convinced of all so that it was an Act of their judgment and of their reason in that they delivered themselves up to the obedience of their Faith Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes of Men and Women First To begin with that which is in the Text both first and last 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The rather did this great Benefit accrue or the more was it enhanced occasion being given for this increase because of those various circumstances ennumerated all which wrought together for the good of those who should be saved by all which God was pleased to add unto the number of those who were to be blessed in glory everlasting I shall only touch upon each of the forementioned circumstances conducing to this happy increase and so apply the main scope of the former Discourses to the intent that holiness may be promoted Diffusive love and universal Charity may be increased and that the God of Order may be glorified in the hearts of all men First Because of the judgment from God inflicted upon the sin of Sacrilege which was grievous hence Believers were the more added to the Lord and those Multitudes ver 11. Fear came upon the whole Church Ob recentem adhuc ex prodigioso Ananiae interitu metum id tamen progressui Evangelii non obfuit the surprise was sudden and yet still conuinued timor fecit Deum the Gospel of God was glorified from the fears of those who were affrightned the terrours of the Lord did work kindly in order to a through and a pure perswasion Psal 110.2 This was the rod of strength out of Sion in that Christ and his word should rule in medio inimicorum in the midst round about and over all his enemies in the day of so dreadful a power the People were a willing People Fear is properly the coarctation of the Spirits upon any surprise summoning them from the more distant parts of the body to the relief of the nobler parts of the heart chiefly which is the principle seat of life and so it might seem here in the Vnion of the Body of the Church assembled they sought God in the way of his judgments at the dreadful effects of which they could not but be affrightned as men and yet as Christians they did hence take occasion to pluck up their Spirits the more earnestly to attend upon the service of their God securing in the first place the integrity of their Souls towards him in so much that should God kill them all the day long exhibiting himself in nothing but the sad expressions of his wrath that he is a jealous God and a Consuming fire yet they did all of them humbly resolve as one man to put their trust in him Not unlike to this was that glorious and Beneficial effect of the Divine Displeasure against those Exorcists who Sacrilegiously arrogated to themselves the Apostolical gift presuming to cast out Devills in the Name of Jesus saying We adjure thee by Jesus whom Paul Preacheth the evil Spirit knew both the Master and his Servant Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are ye and leaping upon them he prevailed against them so that they fled away naked and wounded The result of all which Act. 19.17 was that when this came to be known to the Jews and the Greeks dwelling at Ephesus

upon the Divine Institution that one must make for the other This being the scope and sum of the whole Paragraph That Government both Civil and Ecclesiastical was at first instituted and established by God himself over such a People whom he would take and choose to himself for his own inheritance and these two instituted not onely at one Time but both in an Vnion in a mutual relation and dependance one upon the other whether the Phrase in the Text as spoken by God himself He shall be and Thou thalt be be by way of precept then it denotes the necessity of this mutual Vnion or whether it be by way of Promise referring to the foregoing verse then it denotes the Vtility and advantage of this Relation since there is no assurance of Gods Blessing on which side soever the Division or Separation be made 'T is pity to divide the Text when the words speak nothing but Vnion I shall endeavour to keep my self close to the scope of them whilst I confine my Discourse unto these Three Particulars First Here is the Promulgation of two great Authorities and that made to those who are Subjects unto Both the Promulgation is to be made by the High Priest who while he speaks for his Prince unto the People doth at the same time declare his own appointment to be of a Divine Right He shall be thy Spokesman to the People He shall be even He shall be to thee instead of a Mouth Secondly Here is the due Execution firm Establishment and sure Administration of both these Authorities whilst the Prince doth defend the Priest he doth so stand by himself the Throne is thus established to him in Righteousness the Kingdom is confirmed in the hands of Moses whilst he is unto Aaron instead of God Thirdly Here is a Promise of success to Both an assurance that God will not be wanting where this Vnion is continued and that taken from the Phrase or manner of expression in the Text relating to the last words of the foregoing verse spoken by God himself by way of Promise He shall be and Thou shalt be and then I will be with thy Mouth and with his Mouth and will teach you what ye shall do This is the sum of the Text and the Designe of what further I have to say from it Of which that I may so speak and you so Hear * Can. Eccl. Angl. 55. that we may all of us profit Let us pray c. First The Promulgation of two great Authorities and that made to those who are Subjects unto Both the Promulgation is from the High Priest who while he speaks for his Prince unto the People doth at the same time declare his own appointment to be of a Divine Right He shall be thy Spokesman unto the People He shall be even He shall be to thee instead of a Mouth He shall be thy Spokesman Et lequetur ipse pro te cum populo He shal speak for thee to the people Targ Onk. that so they may be taught to obey not for wrath but for conscience sake accidet ut sit ipse Tibi in interpretem Targ. Jonath and he shall speak from thee to whomsoever thou thy self shalt go or send him He is to be no other then a Voice crying whether it be in Egypt or in a Wilderness to prepare thy way before thee and to make thy paths strait quicquid Moses mandasset tanquam intellectus concipiens Tostat Abul in loc hoc Aaron loquetur tanquainos exsequens Whatsoever Moses who reigned as King in Jeshurun did dictate out of the abundance of his heart whose wisdom was as the wisdom of an Angel of God to know all things to be done that Aaron the High Priest was to declare and publish and to speak it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Oracles of God Thus the Priests lips are to preserve and to proclaim knowledge the people are to seek the laws of God and of the King at his Mouth that is so far the laws of Both as their salvation may be concerned in the cheerfulness of their obedience and to tell them that if they do in the least resist they shall receive unto themselves damnation For as the Priest is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts so not unfitly is he also the messenger of the Lords Anointed And this may not improperly be the reason of the present Institution in the Text if the Prophet be the Mouth of God well may he be so unto his Prince who is instead of God Jer. 15.19 Thou shalt be as my Mouth says God unto his Prophet even as the Mouth of God The Law of God is dumb it is as a dead letter without a lively Voice to publish it how shall they believe except they hear and how shall they hear without a Preacher The Law of Man is dumb too Promulgatio est de essentia legis Promulgation is of the very essence of a law in order to its being observed and great security there is unto the Subject that the laws of God and Man do not thwart and contradict each other when the Trumpet is blown in Sion and the Voice is from the Sanctuary that bespeaks Obedience unto Both It is not then absurd that the Keeper of the Kings Conscience should be His Confessour he to tell when commanded unto the people what are the thoughts of his heart the practise is as antient as the present Institution in the Text and perhaps as an intimation how fit it is that it should be still continued in those polities that are called Christian the Office is again confirmed upon Aaron by this Repetition of it He shall be even He shall be to thee instead of a Mouth From all which I might raise and prosecute this Observation That the Ministerial Function is the most proper certain effectual and perpetual Mouth of the Common-wealth and that from the Chief Magistrate to the People and therefore is by no means to be excluded Senates Aaron is to be the Mouth of Moses in every thing in which Moses ought to be his God and that is reciprocally and Universally upon all accounts and at all adventures They are the words of him who was both a King and a Preacher Eccles 12.9 The Preacher must be wise to teach the people knowledge how can he find out acceptable words such words as may be as goads or nails fastned in a sure place unless he be permitted to converse with those that are the Masters of Assemblies and so may he speak such words as are given forth from one Shepherd But I need not magnifie the Priest's Office in this particular the happy temperament of the Constitution under which we live is an abundant demonstration to us that the laws by which we are governed were instituted in the fear of God and consequently the Obligation is greater upon the Subject to obey them since the Authority that confirms them is both Spiritual and

which are good and profitable and which tend to peace Which is the Fifth and last Instance of the great Benefit here in the Text unto the whole Community from the present Dispensation and that once again yet another reflection upon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the more or the rather was this great addition made to the Church all this because of what they saw and what they heard which denotes even in the Multitudes in the Women as well as in the Men an act of their free choice upon a most sober and mature deliberation Here was no violence at all offered upon their faculties though it was the terrour of the Lord in a most dreadful judgment yet it kindly perswades them the Signes and Wonders were both Miraculous and Convincing the solemn and holy Convention because Beautiful therefore of it self desireable the Miracles of Providence though they were surpassing yet they were clear and manifest so that at this time as at all others God drew the People unto himself with the cords of a Man that so whilst he drew they might of themselves run after him they were a willing People though it was a day of power they saw what was done they heard what was spoken and throughout they were convinced of all so that it was here an act both of their judgement and their reason in that they did deliver themselves up unto the obedience of Faith Believers were the more or the rather added to the Lord Multitudes of men and women I need not neither have I time to prosecute it as I should here urge that God works with us and within us in order to salvation as we are men and reasonable creatures he proposeth everlasting happiness to us in his Word or by his Church as to our free voluntary choice and whilst he does kindly allure us he doth at the same time leave us in the hand of our own counsel See I have set before you Fire and Water Blessing and a Curse Life and Death chuse you whether you will says God by his Prophet Deu. 30.19 But I am confined both by the time and the Text that I cannot descant so closely as I might upon this Probleme which is indeed too much controverted At present I take it for granted that which I suppose every one experienceth upon consulting his own thoughts that we are all of us as men endued with reason free sreatures and voluntary Agents and that we would do good but evil is present with us because we are not in our judgments or to our senses sufficiently convinced as we might of what is best And therefore since the Design of all that hitherto is inferred from this Text is to promote Vnity and Vniformity amongst Brethren professing Godliness which is here the Holy solemnity The Apostles with the Primitive Christians all with one accord in a holy Place and upon this their persons reverenced the Word of Life was magnified it did not return in vain but accomplished the work for which it was sent for the Benefit was great and exceeding prosperous for a parting now to this subject so much insisted on in one word fain I would perswade shall we suffer the word of exhortation Be entreated to frequent Solomons Porch the Author because of that August solemnity and Ministration that is in it we should with David be glad to go up unto the House chuse to be a Door-keeper in the Porch to wait at the Gates of Wisdom rather than assemble amidst the Congregations of the wicked Tell me says the Spouse to Christ Cant. 1.7 where thou feedest where thou makest thy flocks to rest at noon and this was her kind expostulation Why should I be as one that turneth aside from the flocks of thy Companions our Saviour there feedeth where he is himself fed upon the flocks are there together yea and at rest and that at noon Separation is a work of Darkness chuseth to it self the night To turn aside is to be as one Vae soli alone and woe to him that is alone this the greatest both sin and misery to forsake those flocks which in love and Vnity are companions Behold then may the Separatists of our Age see that I have set before them Fire and Water Blessing and a Curse Life and Death Chuse they whether they will Fire not a strange fire but that of the Sanctuary a pure and bright flame of Love upon Gods Altar Water alas the waters are troubled schism and sedition is a tempestuous sea casting forth mire and dirt Blessing even that which is out of Sion good luck and Prosperity out of the House of the Lord A Curse none more bitter to be cut off from the Congregation what will our Schismaticks thus invade the Priests Office will they excommunicate themselves and deliver themselves up to Satan shall God by his Prophet call unto them and say stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the old way the good way because the old way and amidst all our tumblings and tossings from one post to another we cannot find a better Shall God command peremptorily that we walk in these ways with a promise of rest unto our souls for out of such paths there is nothing but disorder and disquietude and shall we return that answer which the Jews did Jer. 6.16 But they said we will not walk therein Thus the Rebells against their settled and fixed administration of old Korah and his Accomplices Numb 14.2 Moses called them to the Congregation and they said We will not come up they turned their backs to the Tabernacle Satan therefore claimed them for his Synagogue and soon took possession of them Hell from beneath was moved to meet them at their coming The Earth opened her Mouth and they went down alive into the Pit and therefore yet once more may the Sons of Belial who cast off every yoke see this day set before them Life and Death and that in the utmost extremity in the eternity of both Life a Life of of Grace here in order to glory hereafter and still out of Sion goes forth this Blessing the Promise of Life for evermore Christ with whom are the words of eternal Life is not to be found as I must again and again inculcate in the Wilderness or in the secret Chamber but in Solomons Porch by the Chair of Moses not in the Stool of Wickedness or in the Seat of the Scornful he is head of all things to his Church in the Communion of which alone we expect salvation without there is nothing but sin sin that excludes from pardon the wages of which is Death Solomon hath in a Proverb told us the misery of those who turn aside from his Porch The Man that wandreth out of the way out of the beaten path of understanding shall fall into the Congregation of the Dead And now let our Schismaticks chuse for themselves I have in this though a private Person yet with