Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	add_v	church_n	faith_n	2,553	5	5.1567	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41501	A quære concerning the church-covenant practised in the separate congregations sent with a letter thereunto annexed, from J.G. to T.G., wherein is proved that there is much evill and manifold inconveniences in the exacting and urging such a covenant.	Goodwin, John, 1594?-1665.; T. G.	1643 (1643)	Wing G1195; ESTC R1173	11,880	16

a_o quaere_fw-la concerning_o the_o church-covenant_n practise_v in_o the_o separate_a congregation_n send_v with_o a_o letter_n thereunto_o annex_v from_o j._n g._n to_o t._n g._n wherein_o be_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v much_o evil_a and_o manifold_a inconvenience_n in_o the_o exact_v and_o urge_v such_o a_o covenant_n jmprimatur_fw-la ja._n cranford_n print_v at_o london_n for_o john_n bellamy_n and_o ralph_n smith_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o their_o shop_n at_o the_o three_o golden_a lion_n in_o cornhill_n near_o the_o royal_a exchange_n 1643._o a_o quaere_fw-la concerning_o the_o church-covenant_n practise_v in_o the_o separate_a congregation_n by_o what_o warrant_v of_o scripture_n or_o otherwise_o can_v any_o church_n of_o christ_n impose_v any_o such_o express_a and_o formal_a covenant_n upon_o those_o that_o desire_v membership_n with_o they_o as_o a_o peremptory_a condition_n of_o their_o admittance_n as_o be_v now_o general_o practise_v in_o all_o your_o church_n we_o conceive_v the_o scripture_n nowhere_o justify_v these_o proceed_n but_o rather_o judge_v there_o be_v much_o evil_a and_o manifold_a inconvenience_n in_o the_o exact_v and_o urge_v such_o a_o covenant_n first_o confident_a we_o be_v as_o confidence_n itself_o can_v make_v we_o that_o there_o be_v no_o commandment_n give_v to_o the_o church_n for_o exact_v any_o such_o covenant_n of_o those_o that_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o church-fellowship_n with_o they_o so_o that_o we_o conceive_v any_o such_o exaction_n to_o be_v a_o mere_a human_a invention_n and_o a_o strain_n of_o that_o wisdom_n that_o desire_v not_o only_o to_o exalt_v itself_o above_o all_o that_o be_v practise_v by_o man_n but_o above_o that_o which_o be_v write_v by_o god_n himself_o yea_o though_o instance_n and_o example_n can_v be_v produce_v of_o such_o covenant_n both_o demand_v and_o give_v yet_o this_o may_v stand_v without_o any_o warrant_n of_o lawfulness_n much_o more_o without_o the_o imposition_n of_o any_o necessity_n upon_o church_n at_o this_o day_n to_o make_v the_o like_a demand_n of_o their_o intend_a member_n and_o most_o of_o all_o it_o may_v stand_v without_o any_o necessity_n lie_v upon_o church_n to_o make_v the_o demand_n as_o of_o a_o duty_n of_o absolute_a necessity_n first_o no_o example_n bind_v but_o by_o virtue_n and_o in_o the_o strength_n of_o some_o commandment_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v do_v which_o be_v not_o command_v by_o god_n then_o must_v there_o be_v find_v weakness_n and_o imperfection_n in_o his_o law_n therefore_o to_o make_v any_o thing_n necessary_a which_o the_o law_n of_o god_n make_v not_o necessary_a be_v not_o to_o keep_v the_o law_n but_o as_o james_n say_v to_o judge_v it_o second_o there_o be_v example_n find_v of_o many_o thing_n do_v by_o many_o christian_n yea_o by_o whole_a church_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n not_o only_o lawful_o but_o with_o high_a and_o special_a approbation_n the_o do_v whereof_o in_o these_o time_n be_v not_o only_o no_o way_n necessary_a but_o liable_a to_o much_o question_n whether_o lawful_a or_o convenient_a the_o sell_n of_o land_n and_o house_n by_o those_o that_o be_v the_o possessor_n of_o they_o and_o bring_v and_o lay_v down_o the_o money_n at_o the_o apostle_n foot_n be_v practise_v we_o know_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n act._n 4._o 34_o 35._o and_o as_o tertullian_n witness_v continue_v 200._o year_n together_o in_o the_o church_n but_o i_o know_v no_o man_n now_o that_o plead_v for_o the_o necessity_n of_o any_o such_o practice_n yea_o whether_o it_o will_v not_o be_v much_o inexpedient_a for_o the_o gospel_n and_o consequent_o in_o some_o degree_n unlawful_a if_o now_o put_v in_o practice_n a_o few_o thought_n will_v sufficient_o discover_v three_o and_o last_o there_o be_v no_o question_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o many_o time_n the_o diversification_n of_o circumstance_n and_o aspect_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o course_n of_o god_n providence_n have_v not_o only_o a_o lawful_a power_n of_o dissolve_v the_o bind_a force_n and_o authority_n of_o many_o example_n but_o of_o suspend_v our_o obedience_n to_o many_o rule_n precept_n and_o exhortation_n as_o for_o example_n that_o kind_n of_o salutation_n between_o man_n mention_v gen._n 27._o 26._o 1_o sam_n 20._o 41._o and_o oft_o elsewhere_o be_v general_o leave_v and_o out_o of_o use_n those_o injunction_n of_o paul_n rom._n 16._o 16._o 1_o cor._n 16._o 20._o and_o elsewhere_o greet_v yea_o one_o another_o with_o a_o holy_a kiss_n impose_v no_o such_o literality_n upon_o the_o saint_n in_o these_o day_n as_o they_o do_v when_o they_o be_v write_v neither_o do_v i_o conceive_v nor_o i_o suppose_v you_o that_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v now_o bind_v to_o anoint_v the_o sick_a with_o oil_n because_o this_o be_v command_v james_n 5._o 14._o neither_o do_v i_o conceive_v that_o the_o french_a church_n lie_v under_o any_o guilt_n of_o sin_n for_o suffer_v their_o teacher_n to_o have_v their_o head_n cover_v in_o their_o public_a ministry_n notwithstanding_o that_o rule_n or_o direction_n of_o paul_n 1_o cor._n 11._o 4._o every_o man_n pray_v or_o preach_v have_v any_o thing_n on_o his_o head_n dishonour_v his_o head_n because_o that_o topical_a custom_n among_o the_o grecian_n upon_o which_o paul_n build_v this_o rule_n or_o assertion_n be_v whole_o disuse_v by_o their_o nation_n and_o the_o contrary_a general_o practise_v among_o they_o though_o i_o do_v not_o think_v this_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v restrain_v to_o the_o teacher_n only_o but_o to_o concern_v as_o well_o the_o whole_a assembly_n of_o man_n present_a who_o be_v all_o here_o say_v to_o pray_v or_o prophecy_n in_o a_o passive_a sense_n as_o woman_n also_o be_v that_o be_v to_o partake_v of_o these_o ordinance_n with_o the_o teacher_n other_o like_a instance_n may_v be_v give_v and_o doubtless_o the_o rule_n that_o cameron_n give_v who_o be_v a_o man_n of_o as_o much_o learning_n sharpness_n of_o wit_n and_o happiness_n in_o open_v the_o scripture_n as_o any_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o france_n yea_o i_o may_v say_v in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n have_v enjoy_v of_o latter_o time_n be_v most_o true_a there_o be_v many_o thing_n command_v in_o paul_n epistle_n whereof_o there_o be_v no_o use_n at_o this_o day_n viz._n as_o touch_v the_o literal_a and_o precise_a observation_n as_o be_v that_o of_o prophesy_v 1_o cor._n 14._o and_o concerning_o the_o habit_n of_o woman_n prophesy_v which_o belong_v not_o to_o our_o time_n but_o concerning_o prophesy_v we_o shall_v god_n willing_a move_v some_o special_a quere'_n afterward_o and_o i_o very_o believe_v that_o one_o main_a reason_n and_o grand_a occasion_n of_o all_o separation_n from_o we_o on_o that_o hand_n you_o be_v go_v be_v because_o the_o word_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n fit_v to_o particular_a occasion_n and_o to_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v be_v take_v and_o apply_v by_o such_o man_n to_o themselves_o and_o other_o as_o they_o find_v they_o without_o due_a respect_n have_v to_o those_o weighty_a and_o material_a difference_n that_o be_v between_o one_o and_o the_o other_o as_o may_v be_v demonstrate_v at_o large_a if_o it_o be_v any_o part_n of_o our_o present_a purpose_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n evident_a it_o be_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o though_o particular_a instance_n can_v be_v produce_v wherein_o the_o covenant_n so_o much_o magnify_v so_o indispensable_o urge_v by_o your_o church_n general_o upon_o their_o member_n before_o their_o particular_a admission_n yea_o by_o some_o master_n of_o your_o way_n defend_v in_o write_v as_o the_o very_a form_n and_o essence_n of_o a_o true_a church_n the_o write_v here_o have_v go_v a_o long_a time_n under_o your_o own_o name_n but_o of_o late_a i_o hear_v you_o have_v disclaim_v it_o have_v be_v practise_v by_o former_a church_n and_o put_v upon_o those_o which_o desire_v membership_n with_o they_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o conclude_v a_o necessity_n now_o lie_v upon_o all_o church_n to_o do_v the_o like_a except_o there_o be_v a_o precept_n or_o command_n find_v for_o the_o do_n of_o it_o no_o nor_o yet_o to_o prove_v a_o lawfulness_n of_o do_v it_o except_o circumstance_n lie_v clear_a and_o fair_a for_o the_o do_v it_o nay_o a_o precept_n or_o command_v itself_o will_v not_o evince_v a_o necessity_n hereof_o if_o any_o master_n or_o grand_a circumstance_n be_v now_o change_v or_o alter_v upon_o which_o the_o precept_n be_v give_v but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o i_o add_v in_o the_o second_o place_n neither_o do_v the_o scripture_n afford_v any_o instance_n or_o example_n wherein_o any_o such_o covenant_n have_v ever_o be_v demand_v or_o exact_v by_o any_o particular_a church_n of_o those_o who_o desire_v

fellowship_n with_o it_o but_o many_o instance_n there_o be_v wherein_o only_o upon_o a_o sober_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o entertainment_n of_o the_o gospel_n man_n have_v be_v receive_v into_o church_n without_o the_o least_o noise_n or_o mention_n of_o any_o such_o covenant_n act._n 2._o 41._o they_o that_o glad_o receive_v his_o word_n be_v baptise_v and_o the_o same_o day_n there_o be_v add_v unto_o the_o church_n about_o three_o thousand_o soul_n some_o of_o your_o judgement_n strong_o conceit_n that_o they_o espy_v their_o covenant_n in_o these_o word_n be_v add_v but_o sure_o if_o they_o be_v assist_v by_o the_o same_o imagination_n they_o may_v as_o soon_o discover_v it_o in_o those_o word_n gen._n 1._o in_o the_o beginning_n god_n make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n for_o to_o any_o reasonable_a and_o disengage_v apprehension_n that_o word_n be_v add_v with_o the_o number_n of_o convert_v join_v with_o it_o only_o express_v the_o exceed_a great_a work_n of_o god_n in_o make_v so_o great_a a_o enlargement_n or_o addition_n to_o his_o church_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n and_o doubtless_o a_o man_n must_v get_v a_o dispensation_n for_o his_o understanding_n to_o enable_v he_o to_o think_v or_o believe_v that_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o half_a a_o day_n or_o little_o more_o at_o the_o most_o perhaps_o somewhat_o less_o for_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o day_n be_v well_o spend_v before_o peter_n begin_v his_o sermon_n vers._n 15._o and_o how_o long_o he_o continue_v the_o preach_v be_v uncertain_a it_o seem_v he_o be_v not_o very_o brief_a vers._n 40._o three_o thousand_o person_n shall_v particular_o and_o distinct_o one_o after_o another_o in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o before_o the_o same_o person_n be_v examine_v and_o try_v take_v a_o solemn_a covenant_n repeat_v the_o content_n and_o word_n thereof_o doubtless_o the_o art_n and_o method_n of_o such_o dispatch_n be_v utter_o lose_v and_o perish_v at_o this_o day_n either_o the_o covenant_n they_o make_v be_v very_o brief_a and_o but_o a_o act_n to_o you_o or_o else_o the_o motion_n of_o their_o tongue_n in_o speak_v be_v much_o swift_a than_o our_o thought_n you_o must_v favour_v yourself_o beyond_o all_o reason_n in_o both_o these_o supposition_n or_o else_o suppose_v no_o long_o your_o covenant_n here_o beside_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o these_o that_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n be_v baptise_v before_o this_o be_v affirm_v of_o they_o now_o be_v baptise_v and_o that_o in_o a_o orderly_a and_o right_a way_n as_o you_o will_v not_o deny_v this_o do_v immediate_o qualify_v they_o for_o church_n fellowship_n according_a to_o your_o own_o ground_n and_o the_o truth_n itself_o therefore_o they_o need_v not_o the_o mediation_n of_o a_o covenant_n to_o make_v they_o capable_a hereof_o so_o that_o you_o see_v a_o impossibility_n of_o any_o covenant_n to_o be_v imply_v here_o and_o if_o you_o be_v not_o relieve_v at_o this_o door_n there_o be_v little_a hope_n to_o find_v more_o charity_n in_o this_o kind_n at_o other_o philip_n require_v no_o other_o covenant_n or_o condition_n of_o the_o eunuch_n to_o qualify_v he_o for_o baptism_n and_o thereby_o to_o give_v he_o entrance_n into_o the_o church_n but_o only_o to_o believe_v in_o the_o lord_n jesus_n with_o all_o his_o heart_n and_o to_o profess_v it_o to_o he_o act._n 8._o 37._o when_o saul_n assay_v to_o join_v himself_o with_o the_o disciple_n at_o jerusalem_n act._n 9_o 26._o the_o reason_n why_o they_o decline_v he_o for_o a_o time_n be_v not_o because_o they_o tender_v a_o covenant_n to_o he_o and_o he_o refuse_v it_o but_o because_o they_o be_v all_o afraid_a of_o he_o and_o believe_v not_o that_o he_o be_v a_o disciple_n imply_v that_o have_v they_o believe_v this_o concerning_o he_o that_o he_o have_v be_v a_o disciple_n a_o believer_n they_o will_v have_v receive_v he_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n yea_o upon_o barnabas_n his_o mere_a testimony_n of_o he_o without_o any_o covenant_n subscribe_v confession_n make_v or_o word_n speak_v by_o himself_o he_o be_v receive_v vers._n 27._o 28._o so_o again_o act._n 11._o 24._o there_o be_v mention_v make_v of_o many_o that_o be_v add_v or_o join_v to_o the_o lord_n i_o e._n be_v immembr_v into_o the_o church_n but_o no_o more_o word_n of_o any_o such_o covenant_n as_o you_o urge_v than_o a_o deaf_a man_n may_v hear_v if_o you_o peruse_v the_o passage_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n further_o you_o will_v espy_v many_o more_o star_n of_o the_o constellation_n neither_o can_v you_o here_o have_v recourse_n to_o those_o covenant_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n ezra_n 10._o 3._o nehem._n 9_o 38._o to_o pattern_n you_o withal_o for_o than_o you_o flee_v to_o a_o sanctuary_n which_o yourself_o have_v pollute_v by_o destroy_v all_o sympathy_n and_o agreement_n between_o a_o national_a church_n and_o that_o which_o you_o call_v institute_v or_o particular_a and_o beside_o to_o forsake_v the_o guidance_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o seek_v to_o make_v out_o our_o thought_n by_o the_o old_a be_v to_o ask_v the_o twilight_n in_o the_o evening_n whether_o it_o be_v light_a at_o noon_n day_n moreover_o if_o desire_v of_o brevity_n for_o the_o present_a do_v not_o bind_v my_o hand_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o demonstrate_v unto_o you_o what_o a_o solemn_a disagreement_n there_o be_v many_o way_n between_o these_o covenant_n and_o you_o and_o particular_o in_o that_o precise_a circumstance_n which_o must_v have_v relieve_v you_o 3._o to_o i_o there_o be_v no_o imaginable_a use_n or_o necessity_n of_o this_o your_o covenant_n because_o believer_n willing_a or_o agree_v to_o live_v together_o in_o the_o same_o body_n be_v bind_v by_o great_a bond_n a_o thousand_o fold_n then_o any_o covenant_n they_o can_v make_v between_o themselves_o to_o perform_v mutual_o all_o and_o all_o manner_n of_o love_n service_n and_o christian_a duty_n whatsoever_o christ_n himself_o be_v the_o great_a of_o band_n and_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o obligement_n or_o engagement_n whatsoever_o both_o to_o knit_v and_o hold_v christian_n together_o and_o to_o make_v they_o of_o one_o heart_n and_o of_o one_o soul_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o so_o by_o who_o by_o christ_n all_o the_o body_n be_v couple_v and_o knit_v together_o by_o every_o joint_n etc._n etc._n ephes._n 4._o 16._o and_o where_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o other_o band_n with_o he_o and_o beside_o he_o yet_o all_o relate_v to_o he_o indear_v and_o bind_v christian_n together_o as_o close_o as_o ever_o their_o heart_n and_o soul_n will_v pack_v or_o work_v into_o one_o among_o they_o all_o your_o covenant_n come_v not_o into_o any_o mention_n or_o remembrance_n there_o be_v one_o body_n one_o spirit_n even_o as_o you_o be_v call_v in_o one_o hope_n of_o your_o vocation_n there_o be_v one_o lord_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n one_o god_n and_o father_n of_o all_o sure_o if_o they_o have_v be_v join_v and_o joint_v together_o by_o any_o such_o covenant_n as_o you_o speak_v of_o and_o this_o covenant_n be_v of_o divine_a justification_n and_o of_o that_o high_a and_o sovereign_a consequence_n as_o to_o give_v they_o their_o very_a life_n be_v and_o subsistence_n as_o a_o church_n or_o body_n the_o apostle_n can_v not_o have_v so_o far_o forget_v himself_o as_o not_o to_o have_v inventory_v it_o among_o its_o fellow_n especial_o there_o be_v no_o place_n that_o i_o can_v ready_o call_v to_o mind_n more_o commodious_a throughout_o all_o his_o writing_n to_o have_v make_v a_o particular_a and_o a_o express_a mention_n hereof_o then_o here_o and_o for_o my_o part_n i_o free_o and_o ingenuous_o and_o in_o the_o simplicity_n of_o my_o heart_n profess_v unto_o you_o that_o i_o neither_o know_v what_o further_o or_o great_a duty_n or_o service_n of_o love_n in_o any_o kind_n i_o can_v desire_v or_o wish_v of_o those_o my_o brethren_n in_o christ_n upon_o who_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n together_o with_o my_o own_o voluntary_a election_n either_o have_v or_o hereafter_o shall_v cast_v i_o in_o church-fellowship_n than_o what_o they_o stand_v bind_v by_o the_o common_a band_n of_o our_o mutual_a interest_n in_o the_o same_o god_n in_o the_o same_o lord_n in_o the_o same_o baptism_n in_o the_o same_o faith_n in_o the_o same_o hope_n etc._n etc._n to_o exhibit_v tender_a and_o perform_v unto_o i_o without_o the_o express_a of_o any_o such_o covenant_n make_v with_o or_o unto_o i_o nor_o yet_o can_v i_o conceive_v how_o possible_o i_o shall_v have_v any_o better_a rich_a or_o strong_a assurance_n from_o they_o for_o the_o performance_n hereof_o unto_o i_o by_o the_o virtue_n or_o aid_n of_o any_o such_o covenant_n above_o what_o i_o have_v by_o the_o power_n of_o that_o grace_n and_o godliness_n