Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	truth_n	worship_n	worshipper_n	5,370	5	12.3554	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89779	The temple measured: or, A brief survey of the temple mystical, which is the instituted church of Christ. Wherein are solidly and modestly discussed, most of the material questions touching the constitution and government of the visible church militant here on earth. Together with the solution of all sorts of objections which are usually framed against the model and platform of ecclesiastical polity, which is here asserted and maintained. In particular here are debated, the points of so much controversie, touching the unity of the church, the members of the church, the form of the church, and church covenant, the power of the church, the officers of the church, and their power in church-government, the power of magistrates about the church, and some church acts, as admission of members, and other things set down in the table before the book. / By James Noyes teacher of the church at Newbery in New England.	Noyes, James, 1608-1656.	1646 (1646)	Wing N1460; Thomason E359_12; ESTC R201171	85,622	104

Jerusalem is the mother of us all 3. She is described with breasts to declare how she nurseth her new born babes with the milk of the Word But how and by whom doth the Church conceive bring forth and breed up her children Her head is indued with variety of gifts for teaching discerning and governing that is the seat of wisdom and government the body is the region of subjection To conclude the key of authority is in God the key of excellency is in Christ the key of ministry is in the Church fundamentally in the Presbyterie for execution A primo omnia per ordinem omnia ad finem omnis perfectio rerum omnium quies ordo est perfectionis sola inevitabilis via Isaacus a Telia I understand by the keys in the Text the official or stewardlike power of administring the word and prayer the seals and censures in the Church Election is an act of essential authority directly and primarily of derived authority secondarily and consequenter In case the Presbyterie doth censure the Church by vertue of derived authority and the Church the Presbyterie by vertue of essential authority other Churches must judge which cause is just by the rule of Christ in the Word Presbyters are not subject to the common members in censures of superiority In Israel the Elders or magistrates were primitively elected by a Democratical power and yet were not subject to a Democratical power being once elected A power in the people to set up and depose their Magistrates in way of authority constituteth a Democracy The fraternity hath a defensive power to non-communicate with their Elders or power of a defensive excommunication with reference to their Elders One Church hath a co-ordinate power of defence Jus est vel rectorium vel aequatorium in relation to another Church not offensive power In an Aristocracy or Monarchy the people have a defensive power to repel injury not an offensive power The Elders of the Church have power of order to act in all Churches upon the intreaty or consent either of Elders or the Churches themselves 1. Pro. 3. It is natural to all bodies to act for their mutual edification 2. The seals and such like administrations have a common relation to admit members to dispence censures hath a particular relation to a particular Church but the word and seals have a common and general relation to all Churches equally 3. There is a sacred-aptitude though no indeleble Character imprinted on Elders else they are not accomodated to administer holy things especially such things as are holy by institution This ministerial aptitude or fitnesse hath relation to holy things in all Churches there is nothing wanting to execution but orderly permission 4. The ground of dividing the Church into particular Churches doth warrant this power We are many Temples or Churches for edification sake If there had been many Temples in Judea what could have hindred the Priests from ministring as occasion required in any of them 5. We allow communion of Members why not of Ministers As Ministers depend on their particular Church for Authority to dispense holy things so Members depend on their particular Church for Authority to partake of holy things As it is a priviledge to partake so it is grounded upon Authority a Member may challenge communion And it is a priviledge also to dispense holy things though dependent on Authority 6. The Churches do mutually allow and ratifie one anothers acts One Church admitteth Members for all Churches and one Church electeth Officers for all Churches one gate of Jerusalem admitteth into the whole City Rev. 21. One Elder hath a general relation to the universal Church as well as a special relation to his particular Church To say no more it is sufficient that such a power of Elders tendeth to the edification of the Churches while nothing can be produced in oppositum The Apostle doth implicitely command us to do all things which are for edification confideratis considerandus when he commandeth us to do all things in such a maner as may be for edification 1 Cor. 14. What hath been said for the Unity of the Church doth shew that there is no ataxis or disorder in this communion of Elders There was no question in Primitive days concerning the power of Eldere in respect of Ordination Administration of the Seals and Preaching of the Word in all Churches It is commonly known that Anicatus permitted Polycarpus to administer the Sacrament in his Church See Magdebar Centariatores Concerning the Power of Synods and Councels or Churches Assembled CHurches have no power to invent Instituted mediums of Worship Pro. 1. or to make Laws concerning means of Worship which are not natural or to Institute mediums of Worship which are not contained in the first Commandment A Papist asked a Protestant What if our holy Mother the Church determine it The Protestant answered the Papist What if our heavenly Father determine otherwise 1. To make any thing holy for signification or operation which God hath not or more holy then God hath made it by Nature or Institution is so far Idolatrous or Superstitious and is Imagery forbid in the second Commandment 2. The Prophets and Apostles were charged to teach only what God had commanded and they professed they could do no more Deut. 4. Matth. 28. 3. Exod. 30. 1 Cor. 14.37 The Lord Christ condemned and opposed the Traditions of men both by Practise and Doctrine Matth. 15. 4. Our Saviour hath taken upon himself to Institute all holy Times Offices and Ordinances He is sufficiently wise and faithful we derogate from him in adding to his Institution 5. Kings themselves who are most independent and absolute have been corrected by God for taking upon them such a power 1 Chron. 13. 6. Circumstances which are natural means of Worship may be superstitiously abused by excess in using of them even remote means of Worship Quatenûs non expedit non licet as Canonical hours c. So far as any thing is excessively used in Gods Worship it grows unnatural and becomes an Image of mans invention We are to avoid appearances of Superstition as well as of other sins whether they are appearances in the opinion of men or in the nature of the things themselves in respect of their neer Neighborhood unto that which is evil Appearances of Superstition may be opposite to goodness when they are not contrary to truth Excessive use of remote circumstances in Worship whispers unto the weak that they are substantial means of Worship Invented means of Worship are unsuitable unto the nature of God who is a Spirit a Spirit hath no shadows to Christ who is not hid now in the vail of legal Ordinances to the great light of the Gospel the Word and the Church the shadows are longest when the Sun is lowest John 4. Phil. 3.3 we are called to Worship God in the Spirit It is a patching of that vail which

The Temple measured OR A brief Survey of the Temple mystical Which is the Instituted CHURCH of CHRIST Wherein are solidly and modestly discussed Most of the material Questions touching the Constitution and Government of the Visible Church Militant here on Earth Together with The solution of all sorts of OBJECTIONS which are usually framed against the Model and Platform of Ecclesiastical Polity which is here asserted and maintained In particular here are debated The points of so much Controversie touching the Unity of the Church The Members of the Church The Form of the Church and Church Covenant The Power of the Church The Officers of the Church and their Power in Church-Government The Power of Magistrates about the Church and some Church Acts as Admission of Members and other things set down in the Table before the Book By JAMES NOYES Teacher of the Church at Newbery in New England LONDON Printed for EDMUND PAXTON and are to be sold at his Shop in Pauls chain over against the Castle Tavern neer to the Doctors Commons 1647. READER IT is a thing well known to them of New-England and too well known amongst our selves in what excentrick motions the judgements of some of the Elders and Churches there have of late been carried about matters pertaining to Church-Administrations yet hitherto for the most part they do concur in their practise though not all acted upon the same principles nor regulated in all things by the same Catholique and individual Rule For the practise of some is directly upon particular Rules of Scripture by them apprehended and acknowledged The practise of others to whom the former Rules seem misapplied is upon more general Rules of Scripture viz. Rules of Charity and Christian Peace which do by consequence only and not directly lead them to an Identity and Uniformity in their practise with the rest of their Brethren A general Rule may very well supersede a particular it is a maxime planted in the nature of things which do often act contrary to the Rule of their particular nature for the conservation of the universe and were we as well grounded upon it as our Brethren of New-England be we should both the more prefer the Peace and Tranquility of this Church which is a general good above our own private Interest and the less censure them who upon the same principle have somtimes taken and will doubtless have the wisdom always to take just Animadversion upon them that cause Divisions and are disturbers of the Churches Peace though they may haply plead their Conscience and transform themselves into Angels of Light As for this Reverend Author who amongst others is not satisfied touching the Charter of the Churches where he lives and cannot yet finde in Scripture that the Lord Jesus did ever give them Commission to the full exercise of that Government which is there Established he did after long silence at length acquaint his People and the Reverend Presbyters of that countrey with his doubtings concerning the way they went in And upon conference had with them about the particulars controverted betwixt them finding himself still unsatisfied both in their Arguments against him and Answers to him in neither of which he could perceive so much truth as might convince him of Error or move him from his own principles but perceiving rather that jealousies and misunderstandings of him did arise in the hearts of his Reverend fellow-Presbyters whose love he did always estimate at a high rate therefore that he might the more freely and fully and at once declare what are the points he holds and wherein he can or cannot concur with them and the Reasons why he hath drawn up and published these short notes in the mean time resolving that love shall set bounds to his enquiry after truth and not under pretence of seeking truth to transgress the Rule and Law of love according to the Apostles direction Eph. 4.15 Following the truth in Love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In all this Treatise it will be evident at first sight that he is altogether free from a Spirit of Faction seeking only truth and satisfaction and therefore he hath ingeniously and impartially laid down his Judgement which is in some things coincident with the judgment of the Reverend Presbyters in New-England in some things consenting with our Reverend Assembly here in England and in some things distant from them both being neither for Aristotle nor for Plato but for Truth neither for Paul nor for Apollo but for Christ In his Stile he does affect to make his words and his matter commensurable for the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power The truth is 1 Cor. 4.20 it is an Argument of want of Argument and of most odious Sophistry in most of the Disputers of this world that they cannot speak of an Argument but it must be ushered in with an out-braving Preface to raise the esteem of the Author or Cause that so the affections being bribed with fair speeches the understanding may be won to assent to Error which is the subtilty of the Serpent not the simplicity of Christ the jugling of a Seducer not the craft of one that can do nothing against the truth but for the truth Farewel THE TABLE COncerning the Vnity of the Church Pag. 1. Of the matter and quantity of the Church p. 5. Of the Form of the Church p. 8. Of the Power of the Church p. 10. Of the Officers of the Church p. 16. Of the Power of the Presbytery p. 29. Of the Power of Synods and Councels p. 49. Of the Power of Magistrates about the Church p. 58. Of their Power of Iurisdiction in the Church p. 60. Of Admission of Members p. 62. Of Imposition of hands p. 69. Concerning Excommunication p. 74. Concerning the Retention of unnatural mediums of Worship p. 80. Concerning the Morality of the Sabbath p. 83. Of the beginning and ending of the Sabbath p. 89. Of the maner of observing the Sabbath p. 93. The Temple measured OR A brief Survey of the Temple mystical Concerning the Vnity of the Church THe Militant Church of Christ upon earth Pro. 1. is one integral Body visible and hath power to act in Synods and Councels to the end of the world 1. The Apostles and Prophets and Evangelists were visible members of the Universal or Catholike and Integral Church They could not be members of any particular Church because they were not constituted members of any particular Church by special reference to any particular Church That which constitutes one a member of a particular Church doth so constitute him a member of that Church as that he is not in that respect a member of all Churches or of any other Therefore the Apostles c. were members of no visible Church if they were not members of a visible Church Universal 2. Acts 15. 1 Cor. 16. The Apostles were visible Heads of the whole Church and did Decree and Ordain with reference to the

judicial power It is but equal that governors or rulers should have judicial power to constrain obedience which is inconsistent with a necessity of the members consent If an absolute Aristocracy be for the general lesse dangerous then a Democracy there is lesse danger in the church then in the Common-wealth from such an Aristocracy because the medium of government in the church is rather swasive then coactive Elders are to govern verbo non gladia Such governors do best become the Church as may eminently represent the kingly office of Christ at least as evidently as the priestly and prophetical office of Christ It is supposed that a King or Monarch may be complete in respect of ordinary execution and yet the Soveraignty or Majesty reside in the Kingdom and an Aristocracy may be complete in respect of ordinary execution and yet that Soveraignty or Majesty reside in the Common-wealth Where the people have power to set up and pul down Magistrates with an offensive power there is a Democracy in being or constitution if not in ordinary action or execution Epist 67. and 68. Arg. 10. Num. 21.16.17 1 Chr. 26. And a power defensive or a power to except and interpose in case of just defence is connatural to all bodies or beings civil or natural where the Soveraignty or Majestie is lost or given away to such as bear the ensignes of authority Bexa is for an implicite consent of the people in election but resolute against it in other cases non tantum periculosum sed etiam iniquuns esse totum caetum is suffragia witti Epist. 83. pag. 36. 10. The relations of elders to churches do challenge power complete They are antitypical the eyes heads fathers princes of the Congregation Moses and the Princes did represent Christ and his Apostles and Elders They are the Captains of the Lords Host Moses and the Princes digged the well and sang to it to denote how Christ and the Elders do digge the well of salvation and sing the new song of salvation to the Israel of God Though pro●ati● uni●● be probati● nullius sometimes yet such as these both together and apart may be vehemently perswasive Some do scruple at the calling of the Ministere heads of the Churches and indeed there is no universal head beside Christ but yet ministers may be called heads of particular churches in that sence as they are fathers and rulers 11. It was Gods Ordinance in Israel In all Courts Arg. 11. Lev. 13. Num. 35. Deut. 19.12 in the Temple in the Cities of Refuge in the Synagogues the elders had full power of execution The Priests did onely determine concerning the Leprosie The Levits themselves did open and shut were porters under the Priests This Ordinance of God seemeth to be grounded on moral equity we generally find an equity in Gods Ordinances as well as a ceremony And it is most sutable to nature it being unnatural for the multitude to execute I is true that the people of God are ●●●●isted to a ne●●● communion with God in worship then under the Law but it is true in respect of the Elders as well as of the common members And we are freed from the ceremony of the Mosaical Ordinances not from the equity 12. Arg. 12. That power which is ascribed to the Priests and Levites Ezek. 44.23 24. must needs type out the power of elders in the Christian church The whole chapter and prophesie concerneth the Christian church The civil acts in Israel were a typical pattern of the Christian church as well as the Temple The Priests and the Levits must stand in judgement and judge and determine controverfies in the church Deut. 19.17 By their word shall all strife be tryed Deut. 21.5 They shall give the sentence of judgement and thou shalt not decline from their judgement they are separated for this purpose by the Lord Deut. 17.9.11 Allegories are Argumentative when they are evident And though all things are not exactly typed out in the ceremonies at least in all ceremonies yet it is our duty to observe that which is representative The Priests were types of all spiritual men in opposition to natural men but they were types also of Elders in respect of their special office as they are opposed to the Saints in general 13. Arg. 13. Elders are titles of authority the notation thereof alludes to the Elders under the Law Pastors are titles of authority the notation thereof alludes to the use of the phrase in the Scriptures and it is applyed even to Civil Magistrates Shepherds do govern as well as feed and Elders are to feed by authority as well as by doctrine The Priests under the Law had complete power in the Temple 1. To admit into the outward Court 2. To administer at the Altar and Laver the Covenants and Doctrines and the sence of Regeneration and Justification of Mortification and Vivification 3 To administer about the Table and Candlestick for the increase of faith and love and joy Thus the Elders are to institute and make disciples and after institution by the doctrine of the Covenants to confirm by Baptism and then build them up unto perfection by teaching them all things Matth. 28.18 Go make Disciples in all Nations baptizing them and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Admission into the outward Court seemeth to signifie initiation into the visible Church the Altar and Laver and Table the gradual proceeding from grace to grace of those that are worshippers of God in spirit and in truth of inward worshippers of God of such as belong to the mystical Church Rev. 11.2 3. c. True converts are first brought to the altar of faith repentance and mortification and then to the laver for the confirmation of sanctification and justification by the doctrines and seals of the blood and spirit of Christ 14. What the Apostles could do in all Churches Arg. 14. that the ordinary Elders can do in respect of ordinary administrations and ordinary exemption within the sphaeres of their particular Churches And the Apostles could admit excommunicate threaten the rod make decrees c. They did not ask the vote of the Church in admissions or excommunications Acts 2. 1 Tim. 1. Philip himself could admit without the Church Acts 8. Paul bids Timothy and Titus to command and rebuke Tit. 1. Mr. Cartwright hath done enough for this point in his Reply If the Apostles had deprived the people of any power due to them in respect of their Elders they would have taken election out of their hands If the Apostles had power in all Churches in respect of ordinary administrations as Elders then they differ from ordinary Elders but as an Aristocracy in a Common-wealth from an Aristocracy in one City or as the great Synedrion of elders in Jerusalem from the lesser Synedrions in the Cities What power the Apostles had in all Churches as elders that power all elders must have in their