Selected quad for the lemma: prayer_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
prayer_n	church_n	hand_n	imposition_n	2,100	5	10.5630	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96457	A plea for the ministry, or Certain propositions asserted out of the Scriptures concerning the ministry. As concerning its continuance. Ordination. Work. Maintenance. With the answers of divers objections that occurre. / By William Wickins pastor of Andrew Hubbard, London.	Wickins, William, 1614-1699.	1650 (1650)	Wing W2085; Thomason E615_15; ESTC R204178	8,546	11

Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a pefect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Particular Officers are here designed some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers and all is for the work of the Ministry And the continuance is clear 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ and when all this the Saints perfected the Church edified to a fulnesse and we all come to compleatnes but in the end when as the Apostle saith the Church shall be presented to Christ without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5.27 If it be said that Apostles Prophets and Evangelists be ceased We answer there are yet pastors and teachers the others laid the foundation and had office and gifts accordingly these do build thereupon but if we will take away them also then we must conclude which we cannot with any reason that we are all come to a perfect man and to the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ PROP. II. That no man ought to assume this office unto himself uncalled Proof HEbr. 5.4 And no man takes this honour to himself but he that is called of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No man may doe it can doe it without sinne and an undue usurping of honour 1. This honour what if we say honourable Office for it is plain the Apostle speaks of an office 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that ministeriall for man in things pertaining to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as he phrases it v. 1 Again 1 Aaron was called of God v. 4 As was Aaron 2 Christ glorified not himself v. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee 3 For whom is it then meet to honour himself by putting himself into an honourable office for man in things appertaining to God uncalled Yea but the Apostle speaks of the High-priesthood as Leviticall in Aaron and according to the order of Melchizedech in Christ A. 1 That principally he doth 2 That by proportion it must extend to all Ministeriall officers Per analogiam For first they are for men in things appertaining to God and shall every one that will consecrate himself though he be of the lowest of the people or that are least esteemed in the Church as the Apostle terms it he saith of them and that in things appertaining to men that they should be set to judge 1 Cor. 6.4 If then ye have judgements of things pertaining to this life set them to judge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who are least esteemed in the Church Secondly it is an honour Thirdly an office both these are not to be taken but given PROP. III. That an externall mediate calling by men is necessary in the ordinary state of the Church Proof 1. THerefore did the Apostles ordain Elders in every Church Acts 14.23 And when they had a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See D. Seamon of ordination p. 10 c. ordained them b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders in every c Church 2. And therefore was Titus left at Creet e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so used in the New Testament Tit. 1.5 For this cause left I thee in Creet that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee We need not fear that any will assert these to be civil Elders since that Titus was left by Paul to ordain them but Elders here in the Church are to be ordained by Titus as in order to the setting of things in order that were wanting Yea this is done not according to the Prudence of Titus but the appointment of Paul and therefore it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as I have appointed thee All which had been superfluous if an externall mediate call by man were not requisite For what may be said pro or con concerning the word That thou maiest ordain in the originall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I refer to that solid Piece of the Learned Author Dr Seaman in his Treatise of Ordination p. 6. 3. And therefore also are rules left on record to note out fit persons for this office 1 Tim. 3.2 c. A Bishop then must be c. not for any only to judge himself by but thereby to be judged ver 14 15. These things write I unto thee that thou maiest know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the house of God These things must needs referre to what is immediatly before to wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the qualifications of such as are to be made Deacons or Bishops 4. A Caveat given that hands be laid on no man suddenly 1 Tim. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Timothy had no need to be warned in had an internall call from God been sufficient PROP. IV. That in calling to the Ministry Ordination is to be used by Prayer Fasting and Imposition of Hands Proof FIrst For Fasting and Prayer 1. Acts 14.23 And when they had ordained them Elders in every Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and had prayed with fasting c. And there is not any ground of quarrell about this by reason of the manner of delivering the words because 2. the very weightinesse of the work it self presses so much on us Secondly For Imposition of Hands the place a little above 1 Tim 5.22 and the Imposition of Hands in this place is the more to be considered because it is given in among the standing rules for a man of God to proceed by in the Church and the connexion it hath with that that follows viz. Neither be partakers of other mens sins Keep thy self pure It was used in the time of the old Law and likewise in the Apostles time accompanied with the bestowing of the gifts of the Spirit yet likewise we finde it to extend it self further as in this place so 1 Tim. 4.14 where is spoken of the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery and Act. 13.2 Paul and Barnabas being to be separated to the work whereunto God had called them they fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them and sent them away so that notwithstanding whatever may seem to be urged against it as ceremoniall in the law or as being accompanied with gifts now ceased yet by those later Scriptures it may well be looked upon as a solemn Apostolicall rite fit to be used in setting one apart to the work of the