Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	according_a	church_n	word_n	2,678	5	4.0797	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A04026	Informations, or a protestation, and a treatise from Scotland Seconded with D. Reignoldes his letter to Sir Francis Knollis. And Sir Francis Knollis his speach in Parliament. All suggesting the vsurpation of papal bishops.	Knollys, Francis, Sir, d. 1643.; Rainolds, John, 1549-1607.; Simson, Patrick, 1556-1618.	1608 (1608)	STC 14084; ESTC S107421	32,696	102

writers As for the new obtruded Lord Bishops to the Kirk of this Realme we haue not heard much of their reasoning as yet for their part only shreuding them selfe by authority and arme of man whence they alledge Donation with power c. To the quhilk albeit many things may be replyed yet we answer thus only with the Apostle The weapons of our warfaire are not carnall 2 Cor 10. 4. The abuse present practise the more is to be lamē ted that such injquity is done in so great light of the Gospell after long profession of the same that in place of light men should imbrace darknes loue the honor of the world more thā the honor of Christ Iesus not onely comming against the truth but also against their owne profession avoument having preached and practised the true Christian Discipline by Ministers and Elders according to the word and Institution of Christ opponing them selfes alwayes unto Antichristiā authority practise of Papal Bishops Is not this to begine in the spirit end in the flesh And who hath bewitched you so Now for conclusion seeyng holy scripture practise of the Apostolicall and Primitiue Kirk and Christian Kirkes in succeeding times the learned sincere Antiquitie both in Councells and by writing with all reformed Kirkes every where truely professing the Gospell with the best of the leater writers of our time Forrain within this Yle stand on our side for Kirk governement by Ministers assisting Elders according to the word against the Governement of Lord Bishops their authority practis in the Kirk of Christ we being I say compassed with such great cloud of witnesses let us hold fast the true profession of Doctrine Discipline according to the word without wavering or halting praying continually That the God of our Lord lesus Christ the Father of glory might giue unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the acknow ledgment of him strenthned with all might throw his glorious power that we being like mindit having the same loue being of one accord and of the same iudgment we may doe that which is pleasant and acceptable in his sight through Christ to whom be praise for ever and ever Amen DOCTOR REIGNOLDS HIS LETTER TO SIR FRAVNcis Knollis concerning Doctor Bancrofts Sermon at Paules crosse 9. Feb 1588. In the Parliament time ALbeit Right Honorable I take greater comforte in labouring to discover and overthrow the Errors of Iesuites and Papists enemyes of Religion thā of the Ministers of Christ yet seeing it hath pleased your Honor to requyer me to shew mine opinion of some thinges which certeine of these men mainteyne stand in I thought it my duty by the example of Levie who sayd of his Father and Mother I regard them not nor acknowledged he his brethren to declare the truth without respect of persons Of the two poynts therfore in Doctor Bancrofts Sermon which your Honor mentioneth one is concernning that he seemeth to avouch The superioritie which Bishops haue among us over the Clergie to be Gods owne Ordinance though not by expresse words yet by necessary consequence In that he affir meth their opiniō who oppugne that that superiority to be Heresie Wherin I must confesse he hath committed an oversight in my judgment and himselfe I thinke if he be advertised ther of will acknowledge it For having said first that Aerius affirmeth that ther was no differēce by the word of God betwixt a Preist and a Bishop and afterward that Martin and his companions do mainteine this opinion of Aerius he addeth that Aerius persisting therein was condemned for an heretike by the generall consent of the whole Church and likwise that Martins and all his companions opini on hath herein been condemned for heresie Touching Martine if any man behaue himselfe otherwayes than in discretion and charitie he ought let the blame be layd where the fault is I defend him not but if by the way he utter a truth mingled with whatsoever else it is not reason that that which is of God should be cōdemned for that which is of man no more thá the doctrine of the resurrection should be reproved because and held by the Pharises Wherefore removing the odious name of Martin from that which in sincerity and loue is to be dealt with it appeareth by the aforesayd words of D. Bancroft that he avoucheth the Superiority which Bishops haue over the Cleargie to be of Gods owne ordinance For he improveth the impugners of it as holding with Aerius that there is no difference by the word of God betwixt a Preist and a Bishop which he could not doe with reason unlesse he himselfe appro ved the Bishops superiority as established by Gods word and he addeth that their opinion who gayne say it is Heresie wherof it insueth he thinke it contrary to Gods word sith Heresy is an error repugnant to the truth of the word of God as according to the Scriptures our owne Church doth teach us Now the Argumēts which he bringeth to proue it an heresy are partely overweake partly untrue overweake that he beginneth with out of Epiphanius untrue that he adjoyneth of the general consent of the Church For though Epiphanius do say that Aerius his assertion is full of solly yet he disproveth not the reason which Aerius stood on out of the scriptures nay he dealeth so in seeking to disproue it that Bellarmine the Iesuite though desirous to make the best of Epiphanius whose opinion herein he mainteyneth against the Protestants yet is forced to confesse that Epiphanius his ans wer is not all of the wisest nor any way can fit the text As for the generall consent of the whole Church which D. Bācrost saith condemned that opinion of Aerius for an Heresy and himselfe for an Heretike because he persisted in it that is a large speach but what proofe hath he that the whole Church did so It ap peareth he saith in Epiphanius It doth not and the contrary appeareth by S. Ierome and sondry others who lived some in the same time som after Epiphanius even S. Austin himself though D. Bancroft cite him as bearing witnes therof likewise I grant S. Austin in his booke of heresies ascribeth this to Aerius for one that he sayd Presbiterum ab episcopo nulla differentia de beri discerni but it is one thing to say there ought to be no difference betwixt the which Aerius saying condemned the Churches order yea made a schisme therein and so is censured by S. Austen counting it an heresie as in Epiphaus he tooke it recorded himselfe as he witnesseth not knowing how farre the name of Heresie should be stretched another thing to say that by the word of God there is no difference betwixt them but by the order and custome of the Church which S. Austen sayth in effect himselfe so farre was he

estate of Christ his Kirke under the Gospell must be inferior unto the estate of the Kirke under the law which had the accomplishment of all offices ministeries and lawes needfull and sufficient for the regiment therof But none will graunt that the estate of the Kirke of Christ is inferior to the estate of the Kirk under the law Therefore the aforesayd offices are sufficient for the Governement of the Kirk of the New Testament And therefore this forme order of Government by the foresayd offices and Ministeries of Preachers and assisting Elders being grounded vpon the written word of God practise of the Apostles Kirkes in their time Rom 12. 6 7 8. Eph 4. 11 12. Act 14 23. et 20. 17. 28. 1. Tim 5. 17. Tit 1 5 c. It can admit no prescription or change by any mortall man or by any humane tradition whatsoever Which forme of Discipline as it hath been practised in the Apostolicall and Primitiue Kirke quhilk is evident by scriptures afore aledged so hath it the testimony of antiquitie in the auncient Kirkes as is collected not very obscurely out of Ignatius Epist ad Trallen Tertul in Apoc. cap. 39. et lib de Baptism Christian. Cyprian lib 2. Epist. 5 et lib. 3 Epist. 10. 18. 22. et lib. 4. 5. Augusti de verb. Dom. in Math Serm. 19. But more clearly out of Ambrose in 1 Tim. 5 1 Ierom in Isai 2. et ad Rustic Epist 16. Possidonius in vita Augustini Socrates Eccle. hist. lib. 5. ca. 20. and others also alledged be the defenders of this christian and true Kirke Governement Amongst the quhilk I cannot passe by for proofes sake the cleare sayinges of Ambrose and Ierom. Ambrose writteth thus upon 1 Tim. 5 Whence it is that both the Synagage and afterward the Kirk had Elders without whos counsell nothing was done in the Kirk Quhilk by what negligence it is growne out of use I know not unlesse perhaps by the slouthfulnes or rather prid of the Teachers whilst they alone will seeme to be something Ierom ad Tit. cap. 1. Vntill schismes were made in religion by the diuely suggestion the Kirkes were governed by the common counsell of Elders and in the same place speaking of the corruption that followed therafter addeth this But this was rather by custome than by the truth of the Lords disposing This forme of Discipline according to the word the Kirk of Scotland hath used many years by past being authorised and ratified by the three Estates in Parliament receaved and practised by all the Preachers within the whole Realme with on consent concord even by thē also who now haue made defection frō it taking upon thē Episcopall authority Siclik it hath the testimony of all the reformed Kirkes in Europe in France in Freisland in Geneva in Helvetia Polonia Vngaria in Palatinatu in Germania Saxonia Bohemia in Suedia Dania and all other reformed Kirkes except Englād alone Siclik also it hath the testimony generally of the Divīes of later times as Zuinglius Martir Aretius Calvinus Bucer Hiperius Bullingerius Musculus Hemingius Beza Olevianus Iunius Sadael Nowel Fulke Whitakers with all other learned famous Preachers in the Countries reformed professing truely the Gospell only Englād excepted wherin also the best yea the greatest parte haue sought and dayly seiks the liberty of the same Governement according to the word most clearely haue defended it with their penne and most pithie writtings and most constantly haue avouched it by their manifold suffrings at home and abrode for the glorifiyng of God and the witnessing of the truth of Christ Iesus All that afore hath been breifly sayd anent the deduction of this purpose may be more largely intreated and more particularly handled if any within this land will proue so obstinat as to refuse consent to the truth of Christ Iesus THE SECOND PART OF KIRKE GOVERNEMENT CONTEINING AREfutation of Episcopall Governement by Lord Bishopes IT pleased our Heavenly Father to compasse us with compassion and mercy whē we were lying in darknes and under the shadow of death by sen ding his owne deare Sonne Christ Iesus with the brightnes of his Gospell delivering us from Idolatry and super stition and the darknes of the former times vnder the bondage and tyranny of Antichrist and that by the Ministery of few not the greatest to the great admiration of the world And forder of the same mercy it hath pleased him from time to time to multiply the nūber of the faithfull and to increase his graces among men for the beutifiyng of his Kirk within this land and finally to croune his owne worke adding the keepstone of sincerity both of doctrine and Discipline as it was prophesied by that holy Martyr M. George Wiseheart quhilk two glorious staues our Kirke hath brooked with Concord Unitie with peace prosperity many yeares within the gates of Ierusalem in this land wherby our Kirk by the unspeak ble bountifulnes of God became famous renoumed and in great accōpt before many others amonge forren Nations and Kirkes reformed in Europe For the which belongeth everlasting prayse to this our boūtifull God through his Sonne Iesus Christ our deare Saviour But now of late hath risen ane whirle wind among our selues like the whirle winde that devoured the children of Iob shaking the foure corners of the house of God and throwing doun the kepston and this wind of discord Schisme and dissention is not come from the wildernes but risē from our owne bowels and the riches of the Temple dispoyled not by Assyri ans Chaldeans or Arabians but by the Preistes and Ministers themselfes hom-bredd and borne in the bosome of our Kirke and fostered sometime by the sincere milke of the Gospell who also haue made avoumemt of the same sinceritie both of Doctrine and Discipline not only in Preaching and practising but also with solemne Oath binding themselfes therto From quhilk an manifest slyding backe and Apostasie is seene this day lamented with greiff by the godly and mocked be the enemyes the Papists and Atheists whose number strength and power daylie in cresseth by this lamentable renting inbringing of Episcopall Gubernation be Lord Bishops quhilk before had ben banished with Antichristian corruptions from the Kirk of Scotland For the working of this Mysterie many intentions haue bene proponed many sheapes cullours haue bene changed As for example in the begining nothing for such was meened but Ministers to haue vote in Parliament and that to vindicat the Ministerie from povertie and cōtempt c. quhilk practise God even then at the begining discovered unto his servantes and they unto the world foretelling the effectes that visibly now appeares before the eyes of the world viz. renting of our Church overthrowing of Christian Discipline setting up a fewe Episcopall men with contempt bondage and povertie of the rest which this day is to be seene to the great greife of the godly and hinderance

in Parliament As likwise the generall assemblie his Majestie being present thereat hes found the same lawfull expedient we wald humbly and most earnestly beseech all such to consider first that the kingdom of Iesus Christ the officebearers and lawes therof nether should nor can suffer any derogation addition diminution or alteratiō besides the prescript of his holy word by any inventions or doings of men Civil or Ecclesiasticall And we are able by the grace of God and will offer our selues to proue that this Bishopprik to be erected is against the word of God the Auncient Fathers and Canons of the Kirke the moderne most learned godly divines the doctrine and Constitution of the Kirke of Scotland since the first reformation of religion within the same Countrie the lawes of the Realme ratifiyng the governement of the Kirk by the generall and Provinciall Assemblies Presbiteries and Sessions also against the weil and Honor of the Kings most excellent Majestie the weale and Honor of the Realme and quietnes thereof the established estate weale of the Kirke in the Doctrine Discipline and patrimonie therof the weale and honor of your LL. the most anciēt estate of this Realme and finally against the weil of all and every one of the good subjects thereof in soule body and substance Next that the Act of Parliamēt granting vote in Parliament to Ministers is with a speciall provision that nothing therby be derogatorie or prejudiciall to the present established Discipline of the Kirk and Iurisdiction therof in generall and Synodall Assemblies Presbiteries and Sessions Thirdly and last the generall Assemblie the King his Majestie sitting voting and consenting therin fearing the cor ruption of that office hes circumscribed and bounded the same with a nūber of Cautions All which to gether with such other as shall be concluded upon by the Assembly were thought expedient to be insert in the body of the Act of Parliament that is to be made for confirmation of their vote in Parliamen as most necessary substantial parts of the same And the said Assemblie hath not agreed to giue therunto the name of Bishops for feare of importing the old Corruption Pompe Tyranny of Papall Bishops but ordained them to be called Commissioners for the Kirke to vote in Parliament And it is of verity that according to thes cautions neither hath those men now called Bi shops entred to that office of Commissionarie to vote in Parl iament neither since their ingyring haue they behaved themselues therin And therefore in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ who shall hold that great Court of Parliament to judge both the quicke and the dead at his glorious manifesta tion and in name of the Kirk in generall so happily well established with in this Realme and whereof the sayd Realme hath reaped the comfortable fruite of peace vnity free from heresie schisme and dissention these 46 yeeres by past also in name of our Presbyteries from quhilk we haue our Commission and in our owne names Officebearers and Pastors within the same for discharging of our necessarie dvty and disburdening of our consciences in particular We except and protest against the sayd Bishopprike Bishops and the erection confirmation or ratification thereof at this present Parliament Most humblie craving that this our Protestation may be admitted by your Honours and registrat amongst the Acts and Statutes of the same incaice as God forbid these Bishoppricks be erected ratified or confirmed therein A TREATISE OF KIRKE GOVERNEMENT CONSISTING OF two partes whereof this former conteineth a Demonstration of true Christian Discipline according to the word of God used in the Kirke of Scotland THis writing is not directed to carie out invectiue speaches with reviling and wrathfull wordes against any in the Kirke of God knowing that the wrath of man accomplisheth not the righteousnes of God But this writting is appoynted to be ane pleader even in the gates of Ierusalem for Sion sake and for truth and righteousnes sake breaking forth from Sion as the light and salvation as ane burning lamp to all beleivers wishing that it may be read of all with indifferencie considered of all with wisedome sobriety and embraced of all that loue truth and righteousnes according to the merite and sincere meaning therof It shall be devided in to two principall heades The one shal conteine an Demonstration of Christian Discipline true Kirk Governement by Ministers and assisting Elders according to the word of God practised in the Apostolique Primitiue Kirke used and practised in the Kirke of Scotland these many yeares receaved and embraced by all the professors within the same and established by lawes and Actes of Parliament to the glorie of God through Christ Iesus and to the weill and comfort of the whole Kirke within this Realme The other parte shall conteine an Refutation of the Episcopall Domination and Lordship begun to be urged in our Kirk of late by Conformitie with England quhilk is of late gredely embraced even by those who not onely had professed teached and practised the true Discipline of the Kirk of Scotland but also with solemne oath had sworne and subscribed to it The matter is of greatest weight concerning the true Discipline and Gubernation of the house of God which is the Kirk of the living God Therefore O Lord of light the author of every good donation send out thy light and thy truth and direct this heart this hand pen aright unto the glory of thy great name and clearing of thy everlasting truth Now all by matters being set a side it shal be expedient needfull for our proceedings to lay downe some positi ons principals as groundes to build vpon enforcing all that haue forsaken the Romane Synogogue to consent First the Lord Iesus by the appoynt ment of his Father is onely head Eph. 1. 21 22 23. King Lord and suprem Governour of his Kirke quhilk with his bloud here one earth he hath sprinkled and wished Apoc 7 14. and having ledd captivitie captiue ascending up to the heavens Eph 4 8. sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Col. 3. 1. Heb 1. 3. ruling his Kirk powerfully by his spirit Scepter of his word Isa 11. 1. 2. 4. 49. 21. psal 110. 2. Heb 1. 8. Onely King and law-giver having power onely by his lawes to bind the conscience of man Isai. 9. 6 7. 33. 22. Iames. 4. 12. Revel 3 7. 1 Tim 6. 15 And therfore let no mortall man equal himselfe in this high prerogatiue with the Sonne of God being in his Kirke only Monarch and only Head Isa. 29. 13. 14. Mich 4. 7. Luc 1 32. 33. 1. Cor 3 18 19. Eph 1 22 4 15 Col 1 18. 2 8 9 10. 18 19 23. Secondly this supreame Governor Isai 9 6 Christ Iesus hath not left his Kirk which is his body mained or imperfect destitute of right Covernement