Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	bishop_n	church_n	pastor_n	3,273	5	9.0845	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80670	Councill humbly propounded for the speedy settlement of these long disturbed nations. Wherein is offered such a King, such a church-government, such liberty for tender consciences, as that the royalist, Presbiterian, and persons of different judgements (the three great interests of our nations) may acquiess in.		1660 (1660)	Wing C6515; Thomason E1021_14; ESTC R208448	4,891	8

COUNCILL Humbly propounded FOR THE SPEEDY SETTLEMENT OF THESE LONG Disturbed Nations WHEREIN Is offered such a King such a Church-Government such liberty for Tender consciences as that the Royalist Presbiterian and persons of different Judgements the three great Interests of our Nations may acquiess in LONDON Printed by M. Simmons for H. C. In the Year 1660. COUNCILL HUMBLY PROPOUNDED FOR THE Speedy settlement of these long disturbed Nations I Have observed that generally books written for the healing of our breaches have looked to one single Interest only when as in reason and religion also we ought to accommodate our selves as far as equity will give leave to the minds of others for self humor is a disturbing thing and we are not made to swallow up one another but rather to endeavour to our utmost power to give satisfaction to all sober Interests and this I conceive is the high-way to compose our differences I have here propounded that which may in reason and conscience can but will comply give content to the Royalist Presbiterian and Congregational Interests It is certainly a good though difficult work to unite parties and to bring 2. if it be possible 3. into one for my own particular I am little concerned in affairs among us so as to be bettered or worsted any other wayes then the Common weal shall suffer and as I am pained with longing till I see my native Country settled upon foundations of righteousnesse and peace I have therefore studied what may be abated of the humor of each side and partie and what allowed to one another and have taken into my thoughts what materially relates to our differences and I find one vanity much abounding among the sons of men that they will take up something that one way or other suits with their own convenience and then are so weded to their own case as not to see the least reason in anothers be there never so much and it is too much the unhappinesse of English men that they like a thing upon a meer fancie rather then upon grounds in reason which puts upon earnest desire of change continually I have likewise considered this maxim that that which in it self is best yet may not be best for such a people so and so qualified And as good food may be dangerous when a body is not rightly prepared to receive it so may a civil Government which may have many conveniences in it prove the destruction of a people not constituted to embrace it and that by the woful warrs and force that must be to maintain that which mens affection opposeth and now what ever the things I propound may be in themselves absolutely considered yet I am fully satisfied as the case stands amongst us they are the things only that can settle us and are no ways repugnant to honesty and conscience which is chiefly to be preferred I have impartially discoursed with all sorts and parties and watched where any strength should lay against my affirmations finding none able to gain-say them in point of solid argument is that only which moves me to think them so reasonable as to present them to publick view I think not fit to insert here the grounds of what I offer because of their tediousnes your ability at first sight to see into the reason of them more then my self Upon long deliberation and much weighing them now I beleeve if at this turn prejudice and rigor be not laid aside and such moderation prudence and charity as to do good against evil made use of by authority wickednesse be not suppressed among the people that our wounds wil be only skinned over and shortly break out againe to the great danger of the whole body First therefore the genius of the people of England not yeilding to a Common-wealth-government but requiring a Kingly one let moderate Monarchy be establisht wherein the King may rule with Christian Prudence and Policie wherein the peoples reall good may be had in regard and their true freedome secured and the rights and priviledges of the peoples Representatives in Parliament maintained and wherein also each estate may be obliged to promote together good Lawes for the Land Some there be that cannot be contented with Royall Majestie as a title for the King or great magnificent excellent Soveraigne but dread and adore him under the termes of sacred infinite as one that can doe no wrong but how this honour to man tendeth to the honour of God let the impartiall judge 2. As to Church-government let an Assembly besummon'd of English Scots French and Dutch Protestant ministers Episcopalians Presbyteriant and Congregationall persons whereof Dr. Hamond Mr. Peirson Dr Seman Mr. Pool Mr. Nie Dr. Owen and Mr. Baxter would doe well to be seaven being versed in the Controversie who may freely debate and consider what the Magistrates power and businesse is in matters of Religion and what government Christ hath appointed for his Church and that we may have neither name or thing establisht but what the word of God alloweth of and that tradition and custome may be no offence seeing the holy Scriptures are able to make the man of God wise to salvation through faith in Christ therefore if this golden rule allow of Bishops let us have them or Elders let us have them and such Pastors Deacons and Church Officers neither more lesse or any other all made good by such clear proofe and sound evidence printed that no consciencious person may be constrained either to flie or suffer through a non-conformitie and such only left as will comply with any thing that shall comport with their ease and profit and if what be done in Church-affaires be fully proved the gain-sayers mouth will be stopt and the Churches be more pure and intire giving no occasion for separation from them Now I doe humbly conceive this following course would doe very well as to these matters namely if any place doe want a Minister let any foure of the Parish have libertie to bring in one to preach upon tryall afterward let some good men in the Parish present one that they doe judge fit to Authoritie with desire to be admitted to be their Minister and to receive the maintenance allowed but regard should be had as near as may be to the generalitie of tose that are good in the Parish as to the choice and the Minister setled his worke should be to gather out of the Parish into the Church all such as shall be fit and to administer the Sacraments to them and to baptize their Children and the Ministers further worke should be on the Lords day in the morning to begin with a short preyer for a blessing on the whole day or the Lords prayer that those that do scruple formes may come in afterward and then to read a Chjapter in the Old Testament often the 20 Exod. and in the Psalmes and a Chapter in the New Testament and then proceed to singing a

Psalme prayer and preaching as usually but not to be confin'd to a forme of words in prayer but the substance only laid downe as it is excellently well by the last Assembly and in the afternoone before Sermon to have on one Lords day Catechizing another a Chapter read in the old and New Testament and on the third expounding of some part of Scripture and so constantly the Minsters worke should be also to bury and preach in season and out of season Thus far most sober good men of the Episcopalian Presbyterian or Congregationall partie might agree and if the Scripture requires no more it is pittie more should be imposed but there is a difference which should be decided with much wariness and that is about Ordination Some hold that a Church constituted as I have before mentioned should choose ruling Elders who should ordaine and that the Apostles being vertually Elders did upon this account ordaine others hold the Apostles ordained as extraordinary Officers and so Ordination ceaseth but it is generally received that laying on of the hands of the Presbyterie is an Eldership of Pastors of Churches which if it may be made good from Scripture then I conceive the ensuing expedient would tend very much towards reconciling of Brethren let eight Parishes be constituted a Diocesse or Classis the Pastors of which to choose out one to be Bishop President or Chaireman who with two or three or more of the rest of the Presbyters may ordaine here is the Bishop that is without Lordliness and that hath a flock to take care of Thirdly As for liberty for tender consciences there need be no more then this that none should be debarred meerly meeting in private about the service of God I do not meane by private that the doors shall be shut but in other places besides the Church and a penalty upon those that hinder them for they may meet for the purpose of good discourse repeating of Sermons besides its hard to thrust out those that differ only in circumstantialls and if I mistake not very Reverend fathers have highly approved that perticular Churches with their Minister should choose out such as God hath endeued to speak to edification wherefore let only such be suppressed as shall preach or publish blasphemy treason or such grosse errors as the Parliament shall think fit to punish this is not like to touch any truly godly and then it is to be hoped that men will spend their heat against fundamentall errors though retaining good will and compassion for the infected and that an agreement in greater truths will swallow up differences about the lesser and reconcile christians in love to one another these three forementioned particulars are not only very soveraign for the healing of our Nations but I think I may call them the essentialls of settlement and they will gain all the three great parties amongst us and bind peace fast to us but though these are the main things necessary yet there are two things more that very much conduce to the making of our settlement such a compleat and happy one as is to be wished The first is An act of Indempnitie and forgetfullnesse for all words books writings actions Military and civill in relation to our Wars differences changes extended as far as possible this will turn anger into love but as for the war at first it was a breach between the three estates neither of which alone had power to make a Law therefore to make the war with the King all one as if it was undertaken by private persons is to nullifie the power of the House of Commons and an enslavery of the people and for what hath been done since things have been out of course christianity teacheth us not revenge wherefore let reason guided with clemency rule herein Secondly That the Nations mind may go on and the Parliament not change from the intentions of the people that an act be made that on such a certaine day every three years the Sheriffe of each Country shall under a penalty summon the Country to choose Knights and Burgesses to serve in Parliament who shall sit on such a certain day likewise as shall be appointed and the foregoing Parliament if not dissolved shall end the day before the new one cometh to sit some generall qualifications would do well as to choose no Atheist Papist Drunkard Whore-monger common swearers or profane person these things being done other necessaries would be easie you should not be daily in danger of plots our common enemy would not be of in our own bowels there would be no more expectation of tumults or of more tossings and things would be in such a quiet posture as Military Officers may be turned into Civil swords into plough-shares and every one may then set under his own Vine eating the fruit of his own labor This will not only maintaine peace at home but defend our peace from enemies abroad then you will have a fair opportunity to set forward trade to hear complaints redresse grievances to ease burthens prevent fraud to take off oppression to consider poor prisoners for debt to equal elections for Parliament men to cause Justice to be administred impartially to suppresse scandalous profane and obsceen books to regulate the Law and its charges so as that the poorest wronged may have right in all things to be a terror to evildoers but a prais to thē that do well then will righteousness run downe as a mighty stream and God even our God will bless us but whoever hath power given them and shall neglect the poor and needy suffer violence and wickednesse love their own ease judge for reward this their sin will be bitterness in the latter end unto them Now there be these three things I would leave with you for the publick good Namely First That a house be set up in every County with three overseers for the poor that they which can work should the other be provided for near the Sea if a trade was mannaged busses for fishing may be used and many lame and blind imployed about the nets in the mean time the coining of Copper tokens or Farthings would much serve the good of the poor Secondly That the art of Navigation may be strengthned for through the neglect and breaking of it Seamen and shipping the walls of our Nation is much lessened and decayed and is in danger if not lookt after to fall and come to ruine Thirdly As you would have God preserve us from the plague and sword take a more effectual course then ever to prevent and punish swearing cursing whoring drunkennesse cheating Idle and loose gaming and all prophanesse and debaucherie otherwise what peace on earth if heaven should fight against us I remember before our late troubles we was troubled with an uncivil wicked crew given up to gaming drinking violence playes and all manner of sensual vanitie who cared for no more religion then to nick name those that was indeed religious and to vilifie stricknesse and cry down and abuse those whose tender consciences could not conform to imposed ceremonies FINIS