Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	believe_v	church_n	err_v	2,567	5	9.5136	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A03087	A simple, and religious consultation of vs Herman by the grace of God Archebishop of Colone, and prince Electour. [et] c. by what meanes a Christian reformation, and founded in Gods worde, of doctrine, administration of the deuine sacramentes, of ceremonies, and the hole cure of soules, and other ecclesiastical ministeries may be begon among men committed to our pastorall charge, vntil the Lorde graunt a better to be appoynted either by a free, and Christian cou[n]sayle, general, or national, or elles by the states of the empire of the natio[n] of Germanie, gathered together in the holye Gost; Einfaltigs Bedencken, warauff ein christliche in dem Wort Gottes gegrünte Reformation an Lehr, Brauch der heyligen Sacramenten un Ceremonien, Seelsorg und anderem Kirchendienst, biss auff eines freyen, christlichen, gemeinen oder nationals Concilii, oder dess Reichs Teutscher Nation Stende, im Heyligen Geyst versamelt, Verbesserung, bei denen so unserer Seelsorge befohlen, anzurichten seye, English	Wied, Hermann von.; Melanchthon, Philipp, 1497-1560.; Bucer, Martin, 1491-1551.	1547 (1547)	STC 13213; ESTC S103980	258,817	620

partly heathnishe opinions of the diuine nature as Manicheus whiche fayned that there were two Goddes one good an other euyll both eternall and partly they haue Iewishe errours of the sonne of God and the holie Goste as Samosatenus and suche lyke Neither is it obscure that they perteine not to the churche of Christe whiche wythdrawe from Christe the Lorde the glorie of a Mediatoure assignynge the remission of synnes to the deseruynges of workes and deuising peculiar workes or worshippinges of God The same thynge do they whiche denie originall synne and seeke iustice thorowe theyr owne worthines whiche take awaye proprietie of goodes whiche cōdemne officers and iudgementes ordeined by the commaundement of God as the Anabaptistes do these felowes pinche from Christ and from the holiegoste whiche holy goste rebuketh original synne and ordeyneth and defēdeth politike ordres Wherof it appeareth that suche be not the true membres of the churche bycause that either they refuse all togyther the doctrine of the Apostles or mangle some article of the the same interpretyng them agaynst the vniuersal consent of the true churche The seconde thynge required to the vnnitie of the churche is concorde concernyng the ryght vse of those sacramentes whiche Christe instituted The third is obedience towardes the ministerie of the Gospell in all those thynges for whiche we haue the commaundementes of God I meane that the people heare the worde of God of the ministers of the Gospell whiche be lawfully called and teache sincerely Item that they receyue the Sacramentes of them and obey them if thorowe the authoritie and iurisdiction of the churche ordeyned of Christe they be warned rebuked and punished for their synnes or excommunicated For the ministers must be necessarely obeied in those thinges which are commaunded in the Gospell Luke x. He that heareth you heareth me etc. Hebr. xiij Obey thē that be your gouerners for they watche for your soules as men that shall gyue accompte of their office etc. But the faythfull ministers suffre persecution of the open aduersaries of the Gospel and the administration by it selfe is full of great difficulties cares and miseries Wherfore it is a great crosse if there be added vnto it arrogant behauiour and contempt of theyr hearers So contrarie wyse it is a great consolation and disburthenyng of theyr labours and paynes when their hearers obey them in the Lorde and declare a thankfull mynde for their labours and cares Whiche thinge maketh also for thys purpose that the cōsent of the whole church be maynteyned that the doctrine of Christe be sette forth more and more Finally that the offices of loue be busely excercised and that the instauration of the whole churche go wel forwarde As cōtrarie wyse where there is contempte and stubburnes of the subiectes the holie cōcord of the people of God is drawen a sundre the doctrine of the Gospell is obscured and corrupted mutuall offices of edification are hindred and manie other offences sprynge vp and the wylde behauiour of manie encreaseth Therefore that the churche of the Lorde may be maynteyned and grow forth he cōmaunded him selfe that necessarie obedience should be shewed to the ministers of congregations in those thynges whiche be committed vnto them in the Gospell For they muste exercise the authoritie of Christ not of their owne Wherefore of them selues they haue no ryght to commaunde anie thing to the people of Christ neither ought the people to obey them if they do so For christian men can obey no man in those thinges whiche be agaynste God as all those thynges be whiche are ordeyned and enacted concernyng religion not of the cōmaundement of Christe But whyle the pastours require enioyne those thynges for which they haue the commaundement of Christe they that in thys case refuse to obey caste of the yoke of Christe Paule wyth a great spirite exhorteth to thys concorde of the church and agreinge togyther of the membres of Christe amonge them selues both in other places and also in the epistle to the Eph. iiij Therefore I whiche am a prisoner of the Lorde exhorte you that you so walke as it becometh the vocation wherwith ye are called with all submission and meakenes with softnes of mynde sufferynge one an other thorowe loue labourynge to keepe the vnitie of spirite by the bonde of peace One bodie and spirite etc. But it is manifest that Paul calleth that the vnitie of the spirite in thys place that is in the true doctrine of Christe and in the obedience of the commaundementes of God For the holie goste worketh thys vnitie in them whiche beleue and thys vnitie of spirite bryngeth and preserueth the true peace and edification of the churche And the maner and ordre of chosynge or callynge the ministers of the congregation which the holie goste hath appoynted in the scriptures maketh for the preseruation of thys vnitie For as S. Paule sayeth Ephe. iiij Christe ascending vp on high ledde captiuitie captyue and gaue gyftes vnto men prophetes apostles feeders and teachers And though Christe hym selfe as the apostle wytnesseth doth chose and appoynt ministers to his churche yet he doth the same for the moste parte by the worke and ministerie of his churche To whiche churche he hath cōmaunded to bringe vp and to teache perpetuallye some vnto thys ministerye whiche beinge furnished for the same ministerie must be called and appointed by lawfull chosynge and triall Wherefore there hath remayned euer in the churche a maner to bryng vp and frame some to the holie offices of the church and also to receyue them whē they be brought vp and furnished and to ordeyne them when they be fitte for that purpose And thys ordinaunce must be euer religiously kepte that the churche may euer be edified by me●e teachers and curates as the Apostle teacheth diligently and comendeth to the Ephe. iiij and. i. Timo. iij. Tit. i. And thys must be one of the principal charges of the byshoppes that euer some be brought vp and taught and afterwarde also chosen and ordeyned beinge tryed to execute the same religiously as the apostle prescribed to his Timothe Tite and it was enacted and renued afterwarde by the decrees and canons of many counselles ¶ Of christian prayer TRue Christen praier healpeth also verie muche to the conseruation maynteynyng and encreasyng of godlines as we warned before For thorowe it we muste aske and receyue what so euer we loke for of God by fayth But thys exercise also of religion is waxen so colde yea is so quenched almoste that scarcely any know howe to praye truly and christianly In the begynnyng of the church the studie of praying so florished that not a fewe miracles were done by prayer wherof we haue manie exemples Neither should the strength of prayer be any thynge lesse nowe if we dyd applie it studiously and wyth true fayth Therfore that the diligencie of prayer maye be restored againe it shal be the ministers dutie to exhorte the people vnto it diligētly

ye Wherefore let vs constitute hym a Doctoure of authoritie and iudge of all writinges Peruse Cypriās boke ij Epistle iij. And that Christ ought only to be heard the father witnesseth also from heauen saying this is my sonne in whom I am well pleased heare hym Wherfore if Christ only oughte to be hearde we must not looke what any mā before vs hath thought good to bee doone but what Christe fyrste dyd whych is before all All preachinges ought to be taken out of the holie scriptures Forasmuch as thā this doctrine of God the father and of oure Lorde Jesus Chryst is taught in no wrytinges but in the wrytynges of the Propheies and the Apostles and seyng that there is none other doctrine wherin the wyll of God from the begynnyng concernyng mannes saluation is set furth with more certayne and strong testimonies Paule saiyng also that the churche Ephe. ij is buylded therupon it is ryght necessary that al the ministers of the Gospel read often pondre the hole deuine scripture with the feare of God and exquisite diligence both that they them selues maye be better learned and also that they may enstruct other of the euerlastyng wyl of God of the law of synne of the wrath of God of grace and ryghteousnes promysed for Chryst the mediatour of lyfe euerlastyng and paynes euerlasting which the dispisers of the word must nedes suffre This wysdome as Paule witnesseth to the Corinth doth far excel al mans wisdom For he saith we speake the wisdome of God in mistery which is hid whych God predestinated before the worldes vnto our glory whyche none of the prynces of this worlde hath knowne but God hath opened it vnto vs by his spirit i. Corin. xi Wherefore forasmuch as God hathe propouned vnto vs this his holesome and heauenlye doctryne onely in the writynges of the Prophetes of the holy Apostles and because we cannot receiue the same certaine and vndouted els where al shepherdes preachers ought to exercyse them selues diligently daye and nyght in these holy and deuyne bokes that they may be apter to teach other As the holy S. Ciprian to Pompeius agaynst Stephanes Epistle I● behoueth a byshop not only to teach but also to learne For he dothe better teache which dayely encreaseth and profiteth in learnynge better thynges Se. s Augu. also boke v. of Baptisme agaynste the Donatistes Cha. xvi Gost requireth it in them by name that they declare and shewe them selues approued to God and such workemen of Christ as nede not to be ashamed of their mynistery and whych also may rightly deuide the word of truth and teach other with fruite ij Timoth. ij Item that they holde fast that faythful word whych is accordyng to doctryne that they may bee able to exhort thorough holsome doctrine and to conuince the agaynsayers therof Titu i. In which deuine precept propouned to al teachers ministers of congregations the pastours and preachers shall obserue diligently Fyrst that it is required of thē that in teachyng they hold fast the certayne and faythful word that is to say to whych certayne and vndouted fayth ought to be geuē Wherof it foloweth that thei must take ryght diligent hede that they myngle none opinions of men with their doctryne and preachyng but that they teache religiously and deliuer to the people the syncere worde Ther be ma ▪ of God For this saiyng is euer true Euery man is a lyar Psalm Cxvi And Paule saith The natural man vnderstandeth not those thynges that be of the spirite of God for thei be folyshnes vnto hym and he cannot perceiue them i. Cori. ij After the same sort sayth Esay xl Al flesh is grasse and al the glory therof is as the flour of the felde the grasse wythereth and the floure fadeth But the word of the lorde abideth for euer Seing then that men of theyr owne nature be deceyued and can not of them selues vnderstande the doctrine of grace and seinge that theyr glorie or excellencie by whiche worde the prophete would chiefely signifie mannes wysedome falleth awaye lyke a floure howe can mannes reason and wisdome when it is not guyded and directed by the spirite and worde of God perceyue and teache anie certentie and truth chiefely concernyng diuine matters and the restitution of man And although al christian men haue the spirite of God whiche as he leadeth eche one into all truth as muche as is sufficient for his owne saluation and for the profitte of the congregation so he hath witnessed in man the gospell of Christe wyth goodly bookes and wrytynges and doeth euen vnto thys daye wytnesse and preache neuerthelesse fleshe and bloude abyde in al men be they neuer so holy and spiritual as Augustine I can not denie nether ought to denie that as in oure elders them selues so there be many thinges in so manie my workes that may be blamed wyth ryghte iudgement and no rashenes at all longe as they lyue here whiche fleshe and bloude perceyue not the thynges that pertayne vnto God The sense and vnderstandyng of the fleshe remayneth whiche stryueth agaynst God Wherfore in thys lyfe there neyther hath ben nor is anie man endued wyth so great holines or doctrine but that it hath chaunced hym often to fall and to be deceyued Wherefore as Saynte Augustine so lykewyse other fathers and olde doctours allowed not all the writinges and sentences of them whiche had taughte eyther before them or in theyr tyme for thys cause that those thynges came from men so excellent in godlines and learnynge but as farre as euerie man confirmed his doctrine The same antour in the Epistle to saint Hierome and sentence with the worde of God and sure reasons And they counted those onely reasons to be sure and certaine which thei perceiued to be deriued out of the word of God Of which sort those be with which S. Paule proueth that a woman muste couer Howe we muste iudge of the wrytynges of the fathers hyr heade in the congregation and kepe silence and not teache men i. the Corhinth xi and. xiiii For the apostle cōfirmeth these thynges wyth thys reason namely because the worde of God testifieth that the womā is of the man that she was made after the man and first admitted the gyle of Satan Item that she oughte to be subiecte to hy husbande Wherfore al cōfirmations of godlie doctrine consiste in the onely testimonie of the Vppon what foundation al godly doctrine ought to stand scripture vpon wihche scripture al that we either beleue or teache of God and oure Christe oughte to be grounded For thys scripture only setteth before vs the word of God vnmixte and certayne wherunto onely we ought to giue credence in diuine matters for it was not taught of mē but of the holy goste from heauen as S. Petre wytnesseth sayinge knowe this first that euerie prophetical scripture is not of priuate interpretation For prophecie was not at

office of al pastours and curates of soules that they vtterly bid al worldly and fleshly cares and busines farewel and caste the same frō thē as beside the lawe of god the canons require with great seueritie For cōcerning the necessaries of life we wil faith fully procure that euery mā shal be liberally prouided for that beinge discharged of the care of this lyfe they maye wholy gyue thē selues both to lerne the holy scripture and to study the same day and night whiche onely enstructeth vnto saluation thorowe fayth in Christ and also to prayers wyth which only we may obteyne the true vnderstandyng of the scripture and the gift and grace to de liuer the same wholsomely vnto other and luckely to serue Christ the Lorde in thys office vnto the edification of the cōgregation Fourthly we cōmaund that the pastours haue often cōuocations and godly exercises in the same whiche we wyl appoynte in certeyne and conuenient places and tymes as the cōmoditie of the cōgregatiōs and ministers shall suffre and herein they shall vse none excuse excepte it be verie necessarie In these conuocations one shall faythfully enstructe warne and exhorte an other of the sincere vnderstandyng of the scriptures and of the holesome administracion of their office For seing that the knowledge and vse of a pastorall office is so miserably lost we wyll appoynte by oure visitors as much as we maye some pastours and teachers in certaine places which be some what more furnished in the knowledge and religion of the holie ministerie to whōe the other pastours and ministers dweling nigh aboute shal resorte euery weke or as often as it shal be conuenient and shal heare of them the exposition of the scriptures and other thinges pertaning to pastoral cure so better furnish thē selues vnto their office And if cases and difficultes hapē in theyr ministerie out of which thei can not vnfolde thē selues let thē vse the counsel of these men And if they be warned that thei haue erred or don amis in ani thing let them take that warninge in good parte and regarde it wel and diligentli amend thē selues in that wherein they erred and lette them if they haue not fully execuited theyr office in anye pointe recompense the same studiously Further more we wil also institute greatter conuocations to be kepe twise a yere and beside those we wyll haue two to be kepte euerie yere in our cite of Colone as the olde custome is wherunto the Deanes onli shal resort and thei which haue some peculier busines there or be called thither To these conuocatiōs than the pastours and Deanes euery man according to his ordre shal come together studiouslye neyther shal they absent them selues from thens except it be for a necessary cause we wil prouyde also that euery congregation shal be visited euery yeare by mete visiters whiche if they haue perceiued any faute to haue crept into the parishes which thei them selues cānot amende they shall propoune the same in the greater conuocations that it maye be amēded by the authoritie of a synode Wher for we wyl chuse men excellyng in wysdom faythfulnes and authoritie asmuche as the Lord shal geue to rule this conuocatiōs and to execute visitations to whom we wil geue such authoritie that they maye resist fautes and inconueniences whan they aryse and vse fit remedies Nowe all the actes of conuocations and visitations must be referred hereunto that al parishes may haue faythful and mete ministers whych may execute their ministerye faythfully accordyng to Gods worde and want not iust defence against vniust violēce and cauillations of wicked menne And that thei which haue not faithfully executed the holy ministery or be found to haue committed any faut in their liuyng be corrected or if that cannot be brought to passe that they be remoued from the holy ministery Finally forasmuch as sondry chaunses diseases and other lets of the holy ministery happen dayly vnto pastours as vnto mē this thing shal also be decreed in cōuocations visitations whā it happeneth to some minister by reason of siknes or some other cause that he cannot execute his ministery himselfe that some of his felowes if ther be sondry ministers in the same congregation as it happeneth in tounes or some of his neighbours if any haue no felow as it is wont to be in vilages shal supply the rome of the minister so empesched that the peple be not ani wher defrauded of the holye ministery of Christ ❧ Of the reformation of canonical colledges CAnonical colledges ar now a daies for the most parte of two sortes Some ther be into which the sons of Dukes Erles knightes and noble men are only receiued Ther be other in to which the children of other men ar admitted Nowe where as all these wil be counted clearkes and partly also priestes deacons subdeacons and some cānons that is to say reguler clarkes if a lawful and canonical reformation of these persons shoulde be taken in hand it behoued surely that al thei shuld buckle thē selfes to that maner of ministring to the cōgregatiō also of liuyng which the rules prescribe to such persons that is to sai they should apply them selues to the cure of soules and to the edifiyng of the reste of the cōgregatiō in the doctrine of Christ I mean that the preistes should endeuour thē selues to preach and minister the sacramentes and gouerne ecclesiastical discipline the deacons and subdeacons should apply the ministery of the same doctrine and sacramēts and the distributing of almes wherūto the other orders of the clerks shuld set their hands also eueri mā according to his place degre For this is the proper office of al the cleargie as the authorities of the cānōs and olde fathers testifie to fede the flocke of Christ Clerkes fede the shepe I am fed sayth Ierome to He liodo where he numbreth him selfe amonge Monckes and sheweth a difference betwne Monckes and clearkes And where as in a christian reformation of churches we ought to haue a regard here vnto to seke this thing with al diligēc nāely that al thinges may be restored in the cōgregations right cōmodiously with as lytle offence of mē as may be that the reformatiō consist not only in glorious writinges nothing in dede for the christian mē must do al thinges sincerly therfor in the reforma●iō of ecclesiasticall matters we must brynge to passe that the holy ministery and hole doctrine of Christ may be restored to a sure instauratiō of religion and to the welth of the vniuersal congregatiō This ende thā being set before vs sincerely regarded we think this way of reformation should be taken in hand in canonical colleges First we wil that our reuerēd chapter of the hiest and principal colledge shal retaine and kepe styl their free and canonical election of al their felowes and prelates al their dignitie old laws libertes and preuileges as they hane had of old time and vse