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state_n according_a church_n zion_n 45 3 9.6174 5 false
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A90750 A platform of church-discipline: Gathered out of the Word of God, and agreed upon by the elders and messengers of the Churches assembled in the Synod at Cambridge in Nevv-England: to be presented to the churches and General Court for their consideration and acceptance in the Lord. Congregational Churches in New England. Cambridge Synod.; Mather, Richard, 1596-1669.; Winslow, Edward, 1595-1655. 1653 (1653) Wing P2398; Thomason E692_7; ESTC R206993 39,996 45

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the_o ground_n of_o offence_n 4._o it_o need_v not_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o all_o the_o best_a hearer_n of_o the_o best_a minister_n no_o nor_o the_o most_o of_o they_o will_v depart_v from_o they_o upon_o point_n of_o church-government_n those_o who_o have_v find_v the_o presence_n and_o power_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n breathe_v in_o their_o minister_n either_o to_o their_o conversion_n or_o edification_n will_v be_v slow_a to_o change_v such_o a_o ministry_n of_o faith_n and_o holiness_n for_o the_o liberty_n of_o church-order_n upon_o which_o ground_n and_o sundry_a other_o such_o like_a there_o be_v doubtless_o sundry_a godly_a and_o judicious_a hearer_n in_o many_o parish_n in_o england_n that_o do_v and_o will_v prefer_v their_o relation_n to_o their_o minister_n though_o in_o a_o presbyterial_a way_n above_o the_o congregational_a confoederation_n 5._o but_o if_o all_o or_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o best_a hearer_n of_o the_o best_a minister_n of_o parish_n 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the_o catholic_n church_n 23_o ephes_n 1_o 22_o 23_o &_o 5_o 25_o 26_o 30._o heb._n 22_o 23_o be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o those_o that_o be_v elect_v redeem_a and_o in_o time_n effectual_o call_v from_o the_o state_n of_o sin_n and_o death_n unto_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n in_o jesus_n christ_n 2._o 13_o rom_n 4_o 17_o 2_o tim_n 2_o 12_o c_o 4_o 8_o eph_n 6_o 12_o 13_o this_o church_n be_v either_o triumphant_a or_o militant_a triumphant_a the_o number_n of_o they_o who_o be_v glorify_v in_o heaven_n militant_a the_o number_n of_o they_o who_o be_v conflict_v with_o their_o enemy_n upon_o earth_n 3._o 12_o 2_o tim_n 2_o 19_o rev_n 2_o 17_o 1_o cor_fw-la 6_o 17_o eph_n 3_o 17_o rom_n 1_o 8_o 1_o thes_n 1_o 8_o isay_n 2_o 2_o 1_o tim_n 6_o 12_o this_o militant_a church_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o invisible_a and_o visible_a invisible_a in_o respect_n of_o their_o relation_n wherein_o they_o stand_v to_o christ_n as_o a_o body_n unto_o the_o head_n be_v unite_v unto_o he_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o faith_n in_o their_o heart_n visible_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o their_o person_n and_o in_o particular_a church_n and_o so_o there_o may_v be_v acknowledge_v a_o universal_a visible_a church_n 4._o the_o member_n of_o the_o militant_a visible_a church_n consider_v either_o as_o not_o yet_o in_o church-order_n 12_o act_n 19_o 1_o colos_n 2_o 5_o mat_n 18_o 17_o 1_o cor_fw-la 5_o 12_o or_o as_o walk_v according_a to_o the_o church-order_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o order_n and_o so_o beside_o the_o spiritual_a union_n and_o communion_n common_a to_o all_o believer_n they_o enjoy_v moreover_o a_o union_n and_o communion_n ecclesiastical-political_n so_o we_o deny_v a_o universal_a visible_a church_n
5._o the_o state_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o militant_a visible_a church_n walk_v in_o order_n 19_o gen_n 18_o 19_o be_v either_o before_o the_o law_n oeconomical_a that_o be_v in_o family_n 6_o exod_n 19_o 6_o or_o under_o the_o law_n national_a or_o since_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n 23_o 1_o cor_fw-la 14_o 23_o only_o congregational_a the_o term_n independent_a we_o approve_v not_o therefore_o neither_o national_a provincial_a nor_o classical_a 26_o 1_o cor_fw-la 14_o 36_o 1_o cor_fw-la 1_o 2_o 1_o cor_fw-la 12_o 27_o exod_n 19_o 56_o deut_n 29_o &_o 9_o to_o 15_o act_n 2_o 42_o 1_o cor_fw-la 14_o 26_o 6._o a_o congregational-church_n be_v by_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n a_o part_n of_o the_o militant-visible-church_n consist_v of_o a_o company_n of_o saint_n by_o calling_n unite_v into_o one_o body_n by_o a_o holy_a covenaut_fw-fr for_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o mutual_a edification_n one_o of_o another_o in_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o quality_n and_o quantity_n 1_o 1_o cor_fw-la 1_o 2_o ephes_n 1_o 1_o the_o matter_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n be_v saint_n by_o call_v 2._o by_o saint_n we_o understand_v 2_o heb_fw-mi 6_o 1_o 1_o cor_fw-la 1_o 5_o rom_n 15_o 14_o psal_n 50_o 16_o 17._o act_n 8_o 37_o mat_n 3_o 6_o rom_n 6_o 17_o 1_o cor_fw-la 1_o 2_o phil_n 1.1_o col_n 1_o 2_o 1._o such_o as_o have_v not_o only_o attain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o be_v free_a from_o gross_a and_o open_a scandal_n but_o also_o do_v together_o with_o the_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o repentance_n walk_v in_o blameless_a obedience_n to_o the_o word_n so_o as_o that_o in_o charitable_a discretion_n they_o may_v be_v account_v saint_n by_o calling_n though_o perhaps_o some_o or_o more_o of_o they_o be_v unsound_a and_o hypocrite_n inward_o because_o the_o member_n of_o such_o particular_a church_n be_v common_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n call_v saint_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n in_o christ_n 21._o eph_n 1.1_o 1_o cor_fw-la 5.2.13_o rev_n 21_o 15_o &_o 20._o ezek_n 44_o 7_o &_o 9_o &_o chap_n 23_o 36_o 39_o num_fw-la 29_o &_o 20_o hag_n 2_o 13_o 14_o 1_o cor_fw-la 11.27_o 29_o psal_n 37_o 21_o 1_o cor_fw-la 5_o 6_o 1_o cor_fw-la 7_o &_o 14_o jer_n 2_o 21_o 1_o cor_fw-la 5_o 12_o jer_n 1.4_o gal_n 5_o 4_o 2_o cor_fw-la 12_o 21_o rev_n 2.14_o 15_o &_o 21_o 21._o and_o sundry_a church_n have_v be_v reprove_v for_o receive_v and_o suffer_v such_o person_n to_o continue_v in_o fellowship_n among_o they_o as_o have_v be_v offensive_a and_o scandalous_a the_o name_n of_o god_n also_o by_o this_o mean_n be_v blaspheme_v and_o the_o holy_a thing_n of_o god_n defile_v and_o profane_v the_o heart_n of_o godly_a grieve_v and_o the_o wicked_a themselves_o harden_v &_o holpen_v forward_o to_o damnation_n the_o example_n of_o such_o do_v endanger_v the_o sanctity_n of_o other_o a_o little_a leaven_n leaven_v the_o whole_a lump_n 2._o the_o child_n of_o such_o who_o be_v also_o holy_a 3._o the_o member_n of_o church_n though_o orderly_o constitute_v may_v in_o time_n degenerate_a and_o grow_v corrupt_a and_o scandalous_a which_o though_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v tolerate_v in_o the_o church_n yet_o their_o continuance_n therein_o through_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o discipline_n and_o just_a censure_n do_v not_o immediate_o dissolve_v the_o be_v of_o the_o church_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n and_o corinth_n pergamus_n and_o thyatira_n 4._o 21._o 1_o cor_fw-la 14_o 21._o the_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o quantity_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v of_o great_a number_n than_o may_v ordinary_o meet_v together_o convenient_o in_o one_o place_n 17_o mat_n 18_o 17_o nor_o ordinary_o few_o then_o may_v convenient_o carry_v on_o church-work_n hence_o when_o the_o holy_a scripture_n make_v mention_n of_o the_o saint_n combine_v into_o a_o church-estate_n 7_o rom_n 16_o 1_o 1_o thes_n 1_o 1_o rev_n 2_o 8_o c_o 3_o 7_o in_o a_o town_n or_o city_n where_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n it_o usual_o call_v those_o saint_n the_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n as_o the_o church_n of_o the_o thessalonian_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n philadelphia_n and_o the_o like_a but_o when_o it_o speak_v of_o the_o saint_n in_o a_o nation_n or_o province_n wherein_o there_o be_v sundry_a congregation_n 14_o 1_o cor_fw-la 16_o 1_o 19_o gal_n 1_o 2_o 2_o cor_fw-la 8_o 1_o 1_o thes_n 2_o 14_o it_o frequent_o and_o usual_o call_v they_o by_o the_o name_n of_o church_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n as_o the_o churches_n of_o asia_n galatia_n maccdonia_n and_o the_o like_a which_o be_v further_o confirm_v by_o what_o be_v write_v of_o sundry_a of_o those_o church_n in_o particular_a how_o they_o be_v assemble_v and_o meet_v together_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o one_o place_n 1_o act_n 2_o 46_o c_o 5_o 12_o c_o 6_o 2_o act_v 14_o 27_o s_z 15_o 38_o 1_o cor_fw-la 5_o 4_o c_o 14_o 23_o rom_n 16_o 1_o as_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o church_n at_o antioch_n the_o church_n at_o corinth_n and_o cenchrea_n though_o it_o be_v more_o near_o to_o corinth_n it_o be_v the_o port_n thereof_o and_o answerable_a to_o a_o village_n yet_o be_v a_o distinct_a congregation_n from_o corinth_n it_o have_v a_o church_n of_o its_o own_o as_o well_o as_o corinth_n have_v 5._o nor_o can_v it_o with_o reason_n be_v think_v but_o that_o every_o church_n appoint_v and_o ordain_v by_o christ_n have_v a_o ministry_n ordain_v and_o appoint_v for_o the_o same_o and_o yet_o plain_a it_o be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o ordinary_a officer_n appoint_v by_o christ_n for_o any_o other_o then_o congregational_a church_n 28_o act_n 20_o 28_o elder_n be_v appoint_v to_o feed_v not_o all_o flock_n but_o that_o particular_a flock_n of_o god_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n and_o that_o flock_v they_o must_v attend_v even_o the_o whole_a flock_n and_o one_o congregation_n be_v as_o much_o as_o any_o ordinary_a elder_n can_v attend_v therefore_o there_o be_v no_o great_a church_n than_o a_o congregation_n which_o may_v rodinary_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o from_o of_o a_o visible_a church_n and_o of_o church_n covenant_n saint_n by_o call_v 15_o 1_o cor_fw-la 12_o 27_o 1_o tim_n 3_o 15_o must_v have_v a_o visible-political-union_n among_o themselves_o or_o else_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o a_o particular_a church_n as_o those_o similitude_n hold_v forth_o which_o the_o scripture_n make_v use_v of_o to_o show_v the_o nature_n of_o particular_a church_n as_o a_o body_n a_o building_n or_o house_n hands_z eye_n foot_n and_o other_o member_n must_v be_v unite_v or_o else_o remain_v separate_a be_v not_o a_o body_n stone_n timber_n though_o square_v hew_a and_o polished_a be_v not_o a_o house_n until_o they_o be_v compact_v and_o unite_v so_o saint_n or_o believer_n in_o judgement_n of_o charity_n be_v not_o a_o church_n unless_o orderly_o knit_v together_o 2._o particular_a church_n can_v be_v distinguish_v one_o from_o another_o but_o by_o their_o form_n ephesus_z be_v not_o smyrna_n 1_o revel_v 1_o and_o pergamus_n thyatira_n but_o each_o one_o a_o distinct_a society_n of_o itself_o have_v officer_n of_o their_o own_o which_o have_v not_o the_o charge_n of_o other_o virtue_n of_o their_o own_o for_o which_o other_o be_v not_o praise_v corruption_n of_o their_o own_o for_o which_o other_o be_v not_o blame_v 3._o this_o form_n be_v the_o visible_a covenant_n agreement_n 11_o exod_n 19_o 5_o verse_n 8_o deut_n 29_o 12_o 13_o zach._n 11_o 14_o c_o 9_o 11_o or_o consent_v whereby_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o unto_o the_o lord_n to_o the_o observe_v of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n together_o in_o the_o same_o society_n which_o be_v usual_o call_v the_o church-covenant_n for_o we_o see_v not_o otherwise_o how_o member_n can_v have_v church-power_n one_o over_o another_o mutual_o the_o compare_v of_o each_o particular_a church_n unto_o a_o city_n 2_o ephes_n 2_o 19_o 2_o cor_fw-la 12_o 2_o and_o unto_o a_o spouse_n seem_v to_o conclude_v not_o only_o a_o form_n but_o that_o that_o form_n be_v by_o way_n of_o covenant_n the_o covenant_n 19_o gen_n 17_o 7_o deut_n 29_o 12_o 13_o ephes_n 2_o 12_o 19_o as_o it_o be_v that_o which_o make_v the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o child_n of_o israel_n to_o be_v a_o church_n and_o people_n unot_v god_n so_o be_v it_o that_o which_o now_o make_v the_o several_a societye_n of_o gentil-believer_n to_o be_v church_n in_o these_o day_n 4._o this_o voluntary_a agreement_n