Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	apostle_n	bishop_n	presbyter_n	3,386	5	10.4987	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41549	The reformed bishop, or, XIX articles tendered by Philarchaiesa, well-wisher of the present government of the Church of Scotland, as it is settled by law, in order to the further establishment thereof.	Gordon, James, Pastor of Banchory-Devenick.	1679 (1679)	Wing G1279; ESTC R10195	112,676	318

suppose it was not of such a Latitude as the then Third and now Fourth Part of the Terraqueal Globe at least of the known World Nor the Dimension of all Asia the Lesser called Anatolia by the Greeks as being East from them and now Natolia by the Turks Neither was it the Roman Asia in its greatest Latitude which comprehended the great Kingdom of Pergamus viz. Ionia Aeolis Lydia Caria with the two Mysia's and Phrygia's The Proconsular Asia was yet less for it comprehended only Ionia and Aeolis with the Islands of the Aegaean Sea and about the Hellespont But Asia propr●● dicta of which the Apostle and Irenaeus speak was least of all for it had no more in it but Ionia and Ae●li● as I herom t●stisies and Erasmus is of the same opinion that Asia in the Acts ●mports only that Country where Epheus stood that is Ionia Now though 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 as it is distinguished ●●om the Greater consisted of many other Provinces over and above what we have expressed 〈◊〉 Bithynia Paphlagonia 〈…〉 Pontus Armenia the Lesser Ly●aonia Pisidia Isauria Lycia● and 〈◊〉 yet all of them amount not ●igh to the Dimension of the Famous Kingdom of France And though Ionia was very Fertile and consequently Populous yet the Dimension thereof being but small it was ●asie for St. Paul staying at Miletus a little City on the Coast of I●nia● not far from Ephesus and St. Hi●rom saith truly within ten Furlongs of the Ostiary 〈◊〉 that famous River Meander to call fo● all the Bishops of that Province to come unt● him We have insisted the longer upon this ●istorico-Geographical Digression to demonstrate to the World that Presbyterians make much adoe about nothing and build their largest Hopes on a sandy Foundation But let us grant to them which I know D. Hammond and they that follow him will not yield that the Apostle in his Epistles to Timothy and Titus us●th these Names promis●uously what have they gain'd thereby Were Bishops of old called Elders So were the Apostles in Scripture sometimes termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet no man in his right Wits but will grant that they had a Superiority over Presbyters and Deacons Use is certainly the best master of Words For Nomina being ex ins●ituto that which is applyed to signifie such a Notion of the Mind may by common Consent import a contrary Conception as is well observed by that glorious and learned Martyr King Charles the first in his Dispute at Newport in the Isle of Wight where that Royal Champion like another Athanasius fighting against the World tells those Presbyterian Ministers That he is not much concerned whether they call Episcopatus Ordo or Gradus or what Name they give it provided they acknowlege the Superiority of those Church-Officers over Presbyters and Deacons This was formerly ●●●●uated by that great and good Prince in his Disputation with M. Henderson at New-castle whom he routed both Horse and Foot and s●nt home that Apostle of the Covenan● a Royal Proselyte For this great Athleta like to the invincible Hercules in all his Labours was in all the Disputes that he managed with his unparallel'd ●en more than Conquerour through Him that loved him Yea Salmatius and Blondel the two great Champions of Presbytery are constrain'd 〈…〉 least in the 〈…〉 betwixt Presbyters and 〈◊〉 And if Blondel from the year 〈◊〉 which he makes the Epocha of that 〈◊〉 Impropriation had made a 〈◊〉 to CXI he would have found S. Ignatius in his Epistles which are accounted 〈◊〉 cl●arly and frequ●ntly distinguishing betwixt Bishops Presbyters and Deacons and that in no less than 35 several 〈…〉 which we have no leisure to 〈…〉 accounted 〈◊〉 for these 〈…〉 so fully vindicated by 〈…〉 and D. Pearceson that all the Gratings of Salmasius Blondel Capellus and D. Owen will never file off the least Atom from their Solidity I hope all they of the Episcopal Order and Way will pardon this Digression I shall therefore only deprecate for the Tediousness thereof if these insignificant Lines chance to fall into the hands of others all my Design being to speak a Word for Truth and to give an evidence to the World that I am no bigot Presbyterian But we have not yet done with this Article For there is something yet quod cadit in Consequentiam Let not therefore the Governours of our Church be inaccessible to any of their Presbyters nor suffer them to dance Attendance at their Gates as if they were the poor Yeomen of their Guard Clemens Rom. in his excellent Epistle describes the Lord Jesus to this Purpose whom all Church-men ought to imitate Dominus noster I. Christus Sceptrum magnificentiae non venit in jactantia Superbiae arrogantiae quamvis potuerit sed in humilitate For I would have them to remember That it is not Nature but only the Providence of God that hath made the Difference betwixt them and it 's possible rather the Grace of their Prince than any Merit of their own which hath dignified them with such a Title And if the same be substracted their ●rest would instantly fall down to the Point base of the Shield And when Presbyters come where Bishops are let them enjoy a ferene Countenance without any supercilious Command to keep their Distance or according to the new coyn'd Phrase Know your Measures But I wish they consider and practise that sober Measure which an Heathen Poet prescribes unto all Mushroms of a Night's growth Fortunam reverenter habe quicunque repente Dives ab exili c. For good Words never hurt the Mouth nor excoriate the Tongue And when any Presbyter who is sufficiently known to have been constantly of sound Principles and Practice conform shall with all due respect Represent some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Ecclesiastical Government For I believe they think not themselves we are living in Platonis Republica sed in Faece Romuli to whic● Regret he is prompted by his Loyal●y 〈◊〉 Church and State let him not be 〈◊〉 away as presumptuous and Impertinent to tender an Admonition be it never to Brotherly and humble to one that i● forsooth so much his Superiour as if the ingenuous Presbyter had committed a Solaecism greater than that of 〈◊〉 who pr●sum'd to teach the Great 〈◊〉 the Stratagems of War But 〈…〉 them to remember That Humanum 〈◊〉 aliquando bonus 〈…〉 and hath need to be awaken'd to 〈◊〉 his Charge and 〈…〉 times suggest 〈…〉 Alexander the Great 〈…〉 to Abdolominus a poor Gardiner 〈◊〉 of the Blood Royal of Sid●n That 〈◊〉 spake bett●● 〈…〉 point of 〈◊〉 than eve● 〈◊〉 heard from any of his greatest Captains Yea Anti●●●us the Great declared solemnly That he had learned more concerning Tru●hs as to the Interest of his Government from a poor Countrey Peasant in one Night's Con●renee with him than he had done from all hs Courtiers heretofore For if such Presbyters be discountenanced and their