Selected quad for the lemma: saint_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
saint_n	body_n	member_n	mystical_a	1,656	5	10.4255	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A37208	The saints anchor-hold, in all storms and tempests preached in sundry sermons, and published for the support and comfort of Gods people, in all times of tryal / by John Davenport ...	Davenport, John, 1597-1670.	1661 (1661)	Wing D366; ESTC R7130	85,681	240

he had rather be one day there then a thousand elsewhere and to be a Door-keeper in Gods House than to dwel in the Tents of wickednesse Psal 84. 9 10. The place of the publick holy assemblies was a Tent a Tabernacle an unfixed a moveable place yet he cals that an House a fixed Mansion The people dwelt in houses firmly built upon foundations yet David accounted the houses of wicked men Tabernacles he looked for no stability in the World but onely in the Church and fellowship of those that are in Covenant See how affectionately he speaks of Church Assemblies and Communion with them Psal 122. 8 9. of the same mind and spirit were the Saints in the Babilonish Captivity Psal 137. 5 6. And the same spirit works the like disposition in all the members of Christs mystical body whether one member suffer all the members suffer with it or one member be honoured all the members rejoyce with it 1 Cor. 12. 26. And they see good reason for their so acting in the concernments of the Churches of Christ For 1. They know that God hath recorded his Name there and his Name is put upon Church members and therefore his Name is honoured or dishonoured as things are well or ill with his Church Hence it was that Josua was so exceedingly afflicted for the flight of the people before Ai though but about thirty six were slain what shall I say when Israel flies before the enemies and the Canaanites will hear of it c. and what wilt thou do to thy great Name Iosh 7. 8 9. Therefore Christ teacheth us to joyn these together immediately Hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come to shew us that answerable to the well being of the Church which is the Kingdome of grace will be the honour of Gods Name in this World 2. They know that the welfare of all States and people where Churches are depends upon the welfare of the Church For so runs the promise Israel shall be a blessing in the midst of the land Isa 19. 24. Hence it was that the Saints could not be satisfied with their own private welfare if the Church of God was in affliction and danger or under reproach As you may see in Vriah 2 Sam. 11. 11. in Nehemiah Neh. 1. 3 4. with 2. 2 c. and in Daniel though he was as highly preferred as a subject could be in the greatest Monarchy Dan. 10. 2 3. Hence also when there hath been a double affliction upon them both publick and private the publick hath swallowed up the private and made it inconsiderable in comparison As we see in Eli. 1 Sam. 4. 18. and his daughter in law the wife of Phineas ver 21 22. Lastly hence it was that when they have had a double opportunity of doing or procuring good to the publick and to their own private they have preferred the publick advantage before their own private interest Thus Terentius a Christian Commander in the Wars under the Emperor Valens who was an Arrian being willed by that Emperor for a special service done by him to demand what he would made his petition to the Emperor which he presented to him in writing that the Christians might have the liberty of a Church by themselves to worship God apart from the Arrians The Emperor read his petition and disliking it tore it and threw it away Terentius meekly gathered up the scattered pieces and professed to the Emperor that if he could not be heard in Gods cause he would not make any suit for his own profit How may this worthy man shame most Christians in these dayes who if their garners may be ful their sheep multiply their oxen be strong to labour their sons be as plants grown up and their daughters polished and set forth with ornaments and there be no complaining in the streets think themselves happy and regard not what becomes of religion and of Christs cause and interest in the Churches take not to heart the afflictions of Gods people if their trading increase one good bargain will more comfort them then all the calamities of the Church can grieve them they can hear and speak of the breaches and ruins of Sion as the Athenians did of news without remorse or regard Brethren it is a weighty matter to read letters and receive intelligence in them concerning the state of the Churches You had need to lift up your hearts to God when you are about to read your letters from our native Country to give you wisdom and hearts duly affected that you may receive such intelligences as you ought For God looks upon every man in such cases with a jealous eye observing with what workings of bowels they read or speak of the concernments of his Church You see in Amos 6. 6. how his wrath was incensed against those who solaced themselves with their private prosperity but were not sick their hearts aked not for the afflictions of Joseph 3. They know that if they with-draw from being helpful to the Church God will do good to his Church without them but he will be avenged upon them that desert or neglect his cause and people This Argument Mordecai used to Hester in Hest 4. 13 14. and it prevailed mightily with her to run the utmost hazard of her own person when there might be hope of some good to the Church thereby ver 16. For the contrary Meroz was cursed by the Angel of the Lord because they came not to the help of the Lord against the mighty Iudg. 5. 23. Though men cannot help the Lord essentially or personally yet they may be said to help him relatively in his cause and people when they own his cause and people and appear on that side when Satan and his instruments raise persecutions and reproaches against them Though the Lord needs not mens help in such cases for when he saw that there was no mon no intercessor his own arm brought salvation unto him Isa. 51. 16. yet it is our duty to shew on whose side we stand For Christ will look at them as his enemies that disown his cause and people at such times as he saith He that is not with me is against me Mat. 12. 30. Are the people and wayes of God under reproach Christ is reproachd in them and with them Rom. 15. 3. Object Ah! but they are called fools and fanaticks Answ When was it otherwise Bernard complained of the like in his time Ipsa Religio in opprobrium venit timor Domini simplicitas reputatur ne dicam fatuitas That is Religion it self comes into reproach and the fear of God is accounted simplicity that I say not folly And before him Augustine describes the scoffs and frumps of luke-warm professors against the zeal of those that were fervent in spirit serving the Lord Quid insanis aiunt nimius est Nuncquid alii non sunt Christiani Ista stultitia est dementia est That is Why art thou mad say they your zeal is