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
A59415	An account of the late establishment of Presbyterian-government by the Parliament of Scotland anno 1690 together with the methods by which it was settled, and the consequences of it : as also several publick acts, speeches, pleadings, and other matters of importance relating to the Church in that kingdom : to which is added a summary of the visitation of the universities there in a fifth letter from a gentleman at Edinburgh, to his friend at London.	Sage, John, 1652-1711.	1693 (1693)	Wing S284; ESTC R13590	68,884	110

indeed it was not Preached till after Presbytery was established and so you may think it is inartificially done to bring it in here but I had rather take a reproof for transgressing the rules of History than not record the Testimony of such a vigorous Witness especially considering how notable it is for it is in real sense that Christ was a Martyr for Presbyterian Government His very words are these Church-Government is no light matter it is an ordinance of God the Royal Diadem of Christ he was a Martyr on this head it was his Ditty on the Cross. Joh. 19. 19. Iesus of Nazareth King of the Iews A wonderful Sermon this was as ever you read I was once at the pains to number the particulars he had amassed in it And if my memory serves me they were about 180. I have thus given you this tast of their Sermons at once though it is not so exactly agreable to the true order of things that you may have the fuller view of them and I might not be obliged to make so many interruptions as another method would have required And by this sample you may judge both of the parts and zeal of the rest of the Brethren for it is not to be doubted but those whose Sermons were not judged accurate enough for the Press were yet every whit as much heated with the holy fire according to the proportions of their Capacities as these first Rate-men But neither was all this yet enough for securing the precious Interest It was necessary to set other tools also a going One there was which I believe had no inconsiderable influence there was a generation of Female Advocates belike some of them Disciples of such as Mr. David Williamson Ladies and Gentlewomen who came at that time and stay'd at Edinburgh and made it their work by all imaginable ways to influence the Members of Parliament into a zealous disposition to carry on the work There was also great throngs of the Preachers still in Town who could not have any other business but to do what they could for advancing the Cause but I believe the Holy Sisters the Citizens Wives and some of themselves too were as successful in making Proselytes as the Preachers for they had better occasion to traffick with such of the Members as stay'd at their houses or were of their acquaintance And besides they had t'other shilling in greater readiness to give for a pint of Sack and that goes very far with well disposed People After all these there was a certain company of Planets little Luminaries Members of Parliament some of whom I could name if it were needful who made it their trade early and late in season and out of season in all companies and on all occasions to vex the more intelligent and to fright the less discerning and very many were such into a forwardness for Presbytery Nay more yet it was confidently talked that not a few of the meaner sort of Members got Money and were kept upon Pension that they might be servicable By these and other such Arts was the Cause carried on and no Methods were left unessayed till a competent number of Votes were secured for every thing that the Commissioner intended While in the mean time the Club was entirely broken and the generality of the Kingdom who were of other Principles found themselves obliged to live quietly and wait a more proper season for diligence and action And so much for the first part of my undertaking Come we now to the Second Which is to give you a brief Account how this Act was prepared debated voted and at last got the Royal Assent in the House It was introduced according to its quality by the Earl of Sutherland who presented an Act to the House concerning it upon the day of I have seen a Copy of it and thought once upon Transcribing it for your use but it was tediously long and coarsely worded and it contained little more than what you have in the Printed Act and therefore after some more thinking I judged it not worth the pains Although it was believed that it was compiled by some of the Brethren who were best studied in the matter some other schemes were also given in by some other Members but his Lordship 's got the preference It was most regarded and best liked by Melvil and Crawford who probably had seen it before and so it was particularly recommended to the Committee which was nominated for Church Affairs Eighteen were at first named to be of that Committee viz. Noblmen Barons Burgesses Earl of Crawford Sir Iohn Maxwell Sir Tho. Stewart of Coltness E. of Sutherland Sir Patrick Hume Anderson for Glascow V. of Arburthnet Sir Iohn Monro Smith for St. Andrews V. of Stair Laird of Levingston William Heggins L. Cardross Laird of Brodie Iames Kenman L. Carmichael Laird of Dalfoilly Patrick Mordock All of the true stamp except the Laird of Levingston who it was thought was named merely for shew or that it might not be said they were all Presbyterians Besides these first Eighteen I think other two were added afterwards but I have forgot their names This Committee met very often and commonly they had some of the leading Ministers with them for advice At last after many an hour and much pains spent about it it was returned by the Committee to the House on Friday the 23d of May more briefly and distinctly digested indeed and much more smoothly worded and yet without any substantial alteration or difference betwixt it and the E. of Sutherland's Copy Being thus prepared and returned to the House in the first place it was twice read over all the Members composing themselves to a diligent and headful Attention This done not a few points in it were debated and several Amendments were made But before I proceed further I will set it down as it was at last agreed upon and made a Law and then give you a brief account of some particulars in it which may perchance contribute something to your better understanding of it ACT Ratifying the Confession of Faith and settling Presbyterian Church-Government Iune 7. 1690. OUR Soveraign Lord and Lady the King and Queens Majesties and the three Estates of Parliament conceiving it to be their bound Duty after the great deliverance that God hath lately wrought for this Church and Kingdom in the first place to settle and secure therein the true Protestant Religion according to the truth of Gods word as it hath of a long time been Professed within this Land As also the Government of Christ ' s Church within this Nation agreeable to the word of God and most conducive to the advancement of true Piety and Godliness and the establishing of Peace and Tranquillity within this Realm And that by an Article of the Claim of Right it is declared that Prelacy and the Superiority of any Office in the Church above Presbyters is and hath been a great and unsupportable Grte vance and Trouble