Selected quad for the lemma: order_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
A87016
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Considerations of present use concerning the danger resulting from the change of our church-government. By H.H. D.D.
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Hammond, Henry, 1605-1660.
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1646
(1646)
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Wing H527; Thomason E344_17; ESTC R200971
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9,929
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18
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and_o the_o mention_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v as_o clear_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o revelation_n which_o have_v be_v clear_v by_o irrefragable_a evidence_n to_o belong_v to_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o rule_v elder_a in_o s._n paul_n that_o must_v have_v double_a honour_n and_o titus_n leave_v in_o crete_n to_o set_v in_o order_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v want_v and_o to_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o many_o other_o more_o clear_a mention_n of_o the_o several_a title_n and_o office_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n than_o there_o be_v of_o the_o name_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n the_o obscure_a mention_n of_o that_o in_o scripture_n be_v explain_v in_o the_o writing_n and_o story_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n particular_o in_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n and_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n concern_v episcopacy_n be_v as_o clear_o explicate_v and_o unfold_v by_o the_o same_o ignatius_n even_o in_o every_o one_o of_o those_o epistle_n of_o he_o which_o vedelius_fw-la as_o great_a a_o enemy_n of_o this_o order_n as_o geneva_n have_v produce_v any_o after_o his_o fiery_a trial_n of_o that_o author_n have_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v he_o the_o use_n of_o that_o continue_a from_o the_o apostle_n time_n though_o not_o so_o universal_o till_o the_o jewish_a sabbath_n be_v fair_o lay_v asleep_o till_o these_o day_n in_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o all_o particular_a church_n that_o we_o read_v of_o and_o the_o like_a use_n and_o practice_n of_o this_o continue_v universal_o without_o any_o exception_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n till_o this_o day_n in_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o that_o signify_v the_o eastern_a and_o the_o western_a church_n and_o in_o each_o particular_a church_n till_o about_o this_o last_o century_n and_o in_o this_o of_o we_o from_o the_o plantation_n of_o the_o gospel_n till_o this_o day_n these_o be_v parallel_n enough_o to_o even_o the_o balance_n and_o i_o profess_v to_o know_v no_o one_o more_o which_o may_v weigh_v it_o down_o on_o that_o side_n and_o to_o make_v it_o now_o seasonable_a todemand_a whether_o it_o will_v not_o be_v think_v a_o act_n contrary_a to_o religion_n whether_o that_o signify_v christian_a piety_n or_o meekness_n or_o awe_n to_o all_o that_o be_v sacred_a for_o any_o particular_a national_a church_n or_o part_v thereof_o without_o any_o more_o warrant_n than_o be_v now_o offer_v for_o this_o present_a change_n to_o remove_v the_o service_n of_o god_n from_o the_o lord_n day_n to_o any_o other_o day_n in_o the_o week_n which_o sure_o be_v as_o small_a a_o difference_n as_o that_o betwixt_o presbyterial_a and_o episcopal_a government_n can_v by_o any_o be_v conceive_v to_o be_v or_o instead_o of_o our_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n to_o set_v apart_o either_o a_o eight_o or_o a_o sixth_o day_n and_o so_o to_o change_v that_o apostolical_a institution_n if_o that_o seem_v strange_a or_o be_v startle_v at_o as_o unfit_a to_o be_v venture_v on_o or_o yield_v to_o i_o shall_v desire_v the_o same_o plea_n may_v be_v enter_v for_o this_o and_o that_o conscience_n may_v be_v secure_v that_o either_o both_o be_v lawful_a or_o that_o the_o difference_n be_v clear_a and_o the_o advantage_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n side_n or_o that_o it_o may_v be_v resolve_v that_o this_o be_v unlawful_a as_o well_o as_o that_o a_o five_o argument_n will_v be_v this_o that_o the_o make_n or_o yield_v to_o this_o change_n will_v be_v a_o scandal_n very_o worthy_a to_o be_v consider_v in_o they_o that_o so_o yield_v towards_o those_o which_o oppose_v this_o government_n as_o unlawful_a for_o this_o yield_a will_v be_v a_o appear_a acknowledgement_n that_o their_o contrary_a pretension_n be_v true_a and_o so_o a_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o error_n which_o be_v no_o light_a one_o but_o the_o same_o for_o which_o aërius_n be_v and_o any_o other_o opposer_n will_v certain_o have_v be_v anathematise_v and_o turn_v out_o of_o the_o catholic_a church_n for_o a_o heretic_n which_o be_v one_o special_a kind_n of_o scandalize_a or_o occasion_v the_o fall_n of_o our_o brethren_n and_o withal_o a_o nourish_v they_o in_o their_o uncharitable_a opinion_n not_o only_o of_o we_o but_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v all_o antichristian_a if_o this_o be_v so_o which_o be_v another_o cause_v my_o brother_n to_o offend_v nay_o a_o kind_n of_o countenance_v that_o unchristian_a i_o be_o sure_a unprotestant_n doctrine_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o take_v up_o arm_n against_o lawful_a superior_n and_o establish_a law_n and_o propagate_a our_o opinion_n in_o religion_n by_o that_o mean_n which_o perchance_o some_o may_v be_v betray_v to_o by_o this_o example_n other_o bring_v to_o believe_v consentaneous_a to_o protestant_a doctrine_n if_o they_o which_o be_v thus_o guilty_a be_v thus_o gratify_v which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o change_n in_o our_o doctrine_n if_o it_o be_v real_o acknowledge_v so_o be_v it_o in_o this_o respect_n another_o act_n of_o scandal_n if_o it_o thus_o appear_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o that_o which_o will_v make_v any_o heathen_a prince_n unwilling_a to_o embrace_v our_o religion_n if_o this_o disloyal_a persuasion_n be_v conceive_v to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o it_o a_o sixth_o argument_n which_o to_o i_o be_v of_o no_o small_a force_n i_o will_v yet_o but_o name_n and_o refer_v it_o to_o other_o to_o consider_v of_o that_o no_o man_n be_v a_o priest_n or_o lawful_o ordain_v minister_n of_o any_o christian_a church_n but_o he_o that_o be_v call_v and_o send_v by_o god_n that_o there_o be_v now_o no_o way_n in_o this_o kingdom_n to_o have_v that_o call_n or_o mission_n due_o but_o from_o bishop_n who_o be_v the_o only_a person_n who_o have_v the_o power_n of_o ordain_v other_o give_v to_o they_o in_o their_o assumption_n to_o that_o order_n by_o those_o who_o have_v it_o before_o and_o can_v derive_v it_o from_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v it_o immediate_o from_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o other_o power_n a_o priest_n or_o presbyter_n may_v be_v think_v or_o say_v to_o have_v common_a with_o a_o bishop_n it_o be_v yet_o the_o constant_a judgement_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n for_o 1500._o year_n that_o this_o of_o ordination_n be_v not_o compatible_a to_o one_o or_o more_o bare_a presbyter_n without_o a_o bishop_n and_o it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o satisfy_v any_o reasonable_a man_n in_o whatsoever_o may_v be_v produce_v of_o sound_n or_o probability_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o therefore_o if_o any_o office_n or_o order_n or_o ministry_n in_o the_o church_n be_v considerable_a this_o which_o be_v the_o stand_a wellhead_n and_o spring_n of_o all_o the_o other_o must_v be_v think_v so_o also_o have_v premise_v these_o argument_n of_o so_o much_o weight_n sufficient_a to_o support_v the_o burden_n design_v to_o they_o i_o shall_v add_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la some_o inferior_a one_o though_o they_o amount_v not_o so_o far_o as_o alone_o of_o themselves_o to_o conclude_v it_o direct_a irreligion_n yet_o to_o add_v to_o the_o former_a heap_n some_o aggravation_n as_o 1._o that_o to_o yield_v to_o this_o change_n be_v to_o disclaim_v those_o bless_a mean_n of_o god_n providence_n which_o bring_v we_o to_o our_o baptism_n to_o all_o our_o spiritual_a life_n and_o growth_n that_o we_o have_v attain_v to_o and_o that_o be_v a_o great_a ingratitude_n to_o that_o government_n 2._o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o pride_n and_o insolency_n to_o prefer_v any_o scheme_n of_o humane_a and_o modern_a invention_n before_o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n the_o primitive_a and_o for_o so_o many_o year_n the_o universal_a church_n have_v authorize_v and_o therefore_o i_o can_v almost_o adventure_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o framer_n of_o the_o covenant_n have_v oblige_v themselves_o secret_o to_o maintain_v episcopacy_n by_o put_v in_o those_o word_n the_o best_a reform_a church_n that_o i_o may_v escape_v think_v they_o so_o insolent_a as_o to_o prefer_v any_o church_n before_o those_o which_o they_o can_v but_o know_v have_v use_v episcopacy_n 3._o it_o be_v a_o great_a tempt_a of_o god_n providence_n in_o not_o be_v content_v with_o that_o form_n which_o have_v prosper_v so_o happy_o with_o we_o and_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n though_o subject_a as_o all_o that_o be_v humane_a or_o mix_v with_o flesh_n be_v even_o the_o very_a grace_n of_o god_n in_o we_o to_o be_v abuse_v and_o put_v it_o to_o the_o adventure_n whatsoever_o inconvenience_n the_o next_o may_v be_v subject_a to_o of_o the_o inconvenience_n that_o presbytery_n do_v infallible_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o and_o the_o unreconcileablenesse_n of_o they_o with_o monarchical_a government_n in_o the_o state_n sufficient_a evidence_n have_v be_v give_v and_o if_o there_o
great_a fruit_n of_o government_n and_o if_o it_o may_v be_v agree_v that_o it_o be_v very_o expedient_a and_o will_v be_v take_v in_o good_a part_n that_o governor_n hereafter_o be_v more_o severe_a as_o well_o as_o more_o diligent_a more_o courageous_a as_o well_o as_o more_o laborious_a in_o use_v the_o weapon_n of_o their_o warfare_n to_o cut_v off_o or_o to_o cure_v without_o any_o respect_n of_o person_n wheresoever_o there_o be_v need_n of_o they_o i_o shall_v hope_v this_o objection_n will_v then_o be_v thorough_o answer_v if_o as_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o a_o second_o consideration_n apportion_v to_o the_o former_a head_n will_v be_v this_o whether_o suppose_v government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v a_o considerable_a part_n of_o religion_n the_o change_n of_o it_o from_o establish_a episcopacy_n to_o any_o other_o namely_o to_o that_o of_o presbytery_n by_o many_o without_o any_o superior_a over_o they_o or_o as_o that_o be_v opposite_a to_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o a_o sin_n against_o religion_n that_o it_o be_v or_o will_v be_v so_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o convince_v the_o gainsayer_n by_o these_o step_n or_o degree_n of_o proof_n which_o though_o perhaps_o not_o each_o single_a yet_o all_o be_v put_v together_o will_n i_o believe_v where_o prejudice_n do_v not_o hinder_v be_v sufficient_a to_o do_v it_o 1._o because_o this_o government_n by_o bishop_n superior_a to_o presbyter_n be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n but_o this_o be_v a_o affirmation_n as_o demonstrable_a by_o ecclesiastical_a record_n as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v or_o as_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n which_o we_o receive_v be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n and_o in_o regard_n it_o have_v by_o other_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v i_o shall_v therefore_o whole_o spare_v the_o repeat_n of_o that_o trouble_n and_o add_v unto_o it_o 2._o that_o it_o have_v the_o example_n though_o not_o the_o distinct_a precept_n of_o christ_n who_o with_o his_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o many_o other_o disciple_n in_o time_n of_o his_o residence_n upon_o earth_n superior_a one_o to_o the_o other_o be_v the_o copy_n of_o which_o the_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o follow_a age_n be_v a_o transcript_n who_o be_v therefore_o by_o s._n ignatius_n s._n johns_n contemporary_a allow_v to_o receive_v honour_n the_o bishop_n as_o christ_n the_o presbyter_n as_o the_o apostle_n the_o deacon_n as_o the_o seventy_o 3._o that_o as_o far_o as_o concern_v superiority_n of_o one_o order_n to_o the_o other_o which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o eject_v the_o presbytery_n which_o suppose_v a_o ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d or_o equality_n of_o all_o it_o be_v authorize_v by_o sacred_a scripture-practice_n where_o it_o appear_v that_o when_o judas_n fall_v 1._o act_n 1._o from_o his_o orb_n of_o motion_n the_o dignity_n of_o be_v one_o of_o the_o twelve_o be_v by_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o by_o lot_n bestow_v upon_o mathias_n who_o though_o before_o a_o disciple_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o till_o then_o assume_v to_o that_o dignity_n four_o that_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v in_o this_o manner_n apostolical_a there_o be_v little_a colour_n of_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o the_o preserve_n of_o it_o be_v of_o as_o great_a moment_n as_o many_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n not_o only_o because_o many_o doctrine_n be_v not_o so_o explicit_o deliver_v by_o christ_n but_o that_o they_o need_v far_a explicate_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o be_v therefore_o by_o the_o church_n ground_v not_o in_o any_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o in_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o also_o because_o it_o be_v in_o god_n providence_n think_v fit_v that_o government_n shall_v be_v settle_v not_o by_o christ_n personal_o but_o by_o the_o apostle_n that_o be_v mediate_o by_o christ_n as_o doctrine_n be_v by_o christ_n immediate_o christ_n in_o his_o life_n time_n give_v they_o the_o ground_n of_o a_o church_n divine_a truth_n the_o word_n of_o his_o father_n the_o acknowledgement_n of_o which_o be_v the_o rock_n on_o which_o his_o church_n be_v build_v on_o this_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o build_v and_o gather_v member_n and_o to_o settle_v the_o whole_a edifice_n ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d or_o ordinate_o and_o that_o they_o may_v not_o err_v in_o that_o work_n the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v promise_v to_o descend_v upon_o they_o and_o christ_n by_o that_o power_n of_o he_o to_o be_v with_o they_o in_o eminent_a manner_n ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o government_n be_v necessary_a to_o this_o settle_n be_v undoubted_o thus_o refer_v and_o leave_v to_o they_o by_o christ_n and_o so_o their_o authority_n in_o institute_v that_o which_o they_o institute_v as_o evident_o deduce_v from_o christ_n as_o their_o power_n of_o preach_v what_o they_o preach_v or_o baptise_v who_o they_o baptize_v and_o have_v go_v thus_o far_o i_o can_v but_o resume_v my_o consideration_n thus_o far_o make_v more_o considerable_a and_o appeal_v to_o any_o sober_a conscience_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o some_o irreligion_n thus_o to_o displace_v or_o remove_v that_o which_o the_o apostle_n to_o who_o only_o by_o christ_n it_o be_v entrust_v according_a to_o christ_n own_o sampler_n and_o scripture-ground_n think_v fit_a to_o settle_v in_o the_o church_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o as_o before_o we_o prove_v nay_o whether_o if_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n be_v to_o be_v anathematise_v for_o teach_v any_o other_o doctrine_n then_o what_o one_o apostle_n have_v teach_v it_o will_v not_o be_v matter_n of_o just_a terror_n to_o any_o that_o shall_v have_v any_o part_n in_o the_o guilt_n of_o institute_v any_o other_o government_n then_o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n have_v institute_v especial_o when_o the_o act_n of_o counsel_n tell_v we_o that_o what_o s._n paul_n denounce_v against_o the_o heterodox_n angel_n the_o church_n do_v practice_v against_o aerius_n anathematise_v he_o for_o impugn_v this_o government_n which_o now_o we_o speak_v of_o and_o if_o still_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o this_o be_v blemish_v by_o this_o one_o exception_n that_o this_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o affirm_v in_o scripture_n or_o there_o command_v to_o posterity_n to_o continue_v and_o retain_v for_o ever_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v by_o say_v that_o which_o may_v be_v a_o four_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o irreligiousnesse_n of_o such_o change_n that_o there_o be_v as_o much_o or_o more_o to_o be_v say_v in_o both_o those_o respect_n both_o for_o mention_v of_o this_o institution_n in_o scripture_n and_o for_o apostolical_a precept_n for_o continue_v of_o it_o for_o this_o government_n as_o for_o some_o other_o thing_n who_o change_n will_v be_v acknowledge_v very_o irreligious_a i_o will_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n of_o which_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v be_v say_v to_o the_o set_n up_o the_o authority_n and_o immutability_n of_o it_o which_o will_v not_o be_v say_v of_o episcopacy_n a_o ground_n of_o it_o there_o be_v in_o nature_n some_o time_n to_o be_v set_v apart_o to_o the_o special_a public_a service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o like_a ground_n there_o be_v in_o nature_n for_o this_o that_o some_o person_n shall_v be_v design_v to_o and_o reward_v for_o the_o special_a public_a service_n of_o god_n a_o pattern_n of_o that_o there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n one_o day_n in_o the_o seven_o define_v for_o god_n quotum_fw-la or_o portion_n the_o like_a pattern_n there_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n for_o this_o a_o government_n by_o high-priest_n priest_n and_o levite_n that_o be_v a_o institution_n not_o of_o christ_n in_o his_o life_n time_n immediate_o but_o of_o his_o apostle_n after_o his_o departure_n invest_v with_o such_o power_n the_o like_a institution_n there_o be_v of_o this_o by_o the_o same_o apostle_n after_o christ_n ascension_n direct_v and_o assist_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o occasion_n of_o pitch_v on_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n be_v a_o solemn_a action_n of_o christ_n his_o resurrection_n on_o that_o day_n the_o occasion_n of_o this_o the_o several_a distinct_a order_n in_o the_o church_n in_o christ_n time_n christ_n apostles_n disciple_n and_o the_o manifest_a superiority_n of_o he_o before_o all_o of_o they_o who_o affirm_v himself_o their_o lord_n even_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o his_o office_n ministerialll_v his_o come_n to_o minister_n to_o they_o and_o of_o the_o apostle_n before_o the_o disciple_n as_o even_o now_o be_v show_v the_o mention_n of_o that_o be_v find_v once_o in_o the_o revelation_n distinct_o ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d ãâã_d the_o lord_n day_n and_o twice_o or_o thrice_o more_o in_o equipollent_a term_n the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n