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	holy_a	word_n	2,175	5	3.9389	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90063	Irenicum; or, An essay towards a brotherly peace & union, between those of the congregational and presbyterian way; shewing out of the most learned and renowned divines of the congregational way, that their positions concerning 1. Church matters and members. 2. Church constitution and form. 3. Church state. 4. Church officers and ordination. 5. Church government and censures. 6. Church combinations and synods. 7. Communion with and separation from churches. are sufficient for the establishing a firme and lasting peace between them and the Presbyterians ... In pursuance of the good design begun at the Savoy, where it was agreed, and declared, that such reforming churches as consist of persons sound in the faith, and of conversation becoming the Gospel, ought not to refuse the communion of each other ... Drawn up and published by Discipulus de Tempore Junior.	Newcomen, Matthew, 1610?-1669.; D. T.	1659 (1659)	Wing N910; Thomason E978_1; ESTC R202985	58,516	89

Covenant with God and conclude and determine upon a course that may tend to the healing and salvation of them all this was frequent in the Old Testament in the time of Asa Hezekiah and Josiah these and the like examples were not peculiar to the Israelites as one intire National Church these examples hold forth no superiority in one Church or Court over another but all of them in an equal manner give advice in common and therefore such examples are fit precedents for Churches of equal power within themselves to assemble together and take order with one accord for the Reformation of them all Mr. Cotton of the Keyes pag. 24 l. 22. Quest 13. But what is the work that properly belongs to Synods Answ It belongs unto Synods and Councels to debate and determine controversies of faith and cases of conscience Platforin of Discipline to clear from the Word holy directions for the holy worship of God and good government of the Church to bear witnesse against male-administration and corruption of doctrine and manners in any particular Church and to give direction for the Reformation thereof Platforme of Discipline from N. E. chap. 16. sect 14. In any part of the Churches way Mr. Cotton which is more hard to hit right upon as in Elections Ordinations and censures of eminent persons in office it is a safe and holy faithful office of the vigilancy of the community of Churches to be present with them and helpful to them in the Lord and at all times when a particular Church shall wander out of the way whither out of the way of truth or peace the community of the Churches may by no means be excused from reforming them again into their right way according to the authority which the Lord hath given them for the publick edification of all the several Churches within their Covenant Mr. Cotton of the Keyes page 58. line 36. Quest 14. What is then that power or authority which Synods and Combinations of Churches have in these cases is it only declarative and directive or consultative Answ We dare not say that their power reacheth no further than giving counsel Mr. Cotton for such as their ends be for which according to God they do assemble such is the power given them of God as may attain those ends As they meet to minister light and peace to such Churches as through want of light and peace lye in error or doubt at least and variance so they have power by the grace of Christ not only to give light and counsel in matter of truth and practice but also to command and injoyn the things to be believed and done The expresse words of the Synodal Letter imply no lesse It seemeth good to the Holy Ghost and us to lay upon you no other burden this burden therefore to observe these necessary things which they speak of they had power to impose it is an act of the binding power of the Keyes to binde burdens and this binding ariseth not only materially from the weight of the matters imposed which are necessary necessitare praecepti from the Word but also formally from the authority of the Synod which being the Ordinance of Christ binds the more for the Synods sake As a truth of the Gospel taught by a Minister of the Gospel it bindeth to faith and obedience not only because it is Gospel but also because it is taught by a Minister for his Callings fake and surely also a Synod sometimes meeteth to convince and admonish and offending Church or Presbytery they have power if they cannot heal the offenders to determine to withdraw communion from them and further seeing they meet likewise sometimes for general Reformation they have power to decree and publish such Ordinances as may conduce according to God to such Reformation examples whereof we have Nehem. 10.32 39. 2 Chron. 15.12 13. Mr. Cotton of the Keys page 25. line 10. Quest 15. How farre then are particular Churches bound to submit themselves to the directions or decrees of Synods Answ Particular Churches are so far subject to the Consociation of Churches Mr. Hooker that they are bound in case of doubt and difficulty to crave their counsel and if it be according to God to follow it or if the particular Churches erre from the rule and continue obstinately therein the Consociation have authority to renounce the right hand of fellowship Mr. Hookers Survey part 2. page 80. line 10. The Synods directions and determinations so far as consonant to the Word of God are to be received with reverence and submission not only for their agreement therewith but secondarily for the power whereby they are made as being an Ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his Word Platforme of Discipline from New England chap. 16. sect 5. Particular Churches are bound to acquiesce in the lawful decrees of Synods received by the major part of the Churches and approved by the Christian Magistrate Mr. Nortons answ to Apollonius page 118. line 3. And this 1. Under the danger of incurring the guilt of disturbing the order of the Church 2. Under the penalty of non-communion by the rest of the Churches 3. Under the penalty of civil punishment to be inflicted by the Magistrate as the matter shall require Mr. Norton ib. l. 9 c. Quest 16. But hath the Synod authority to determine or conclude any thing that shall binde the Churches but according to the instruction which they have received before from the Churches Answ We do not so apprehend it for what need Churches send to a Synod for light and direction in ways of truth and peace if they be resolved before hand how far they will go but if the Elders be gathered in the Name of Christ in a Synod and proceed according to rule the Word of Christ they may consider and conclude sundry points expedient for the estate of their Churches which the Churches were either ignorant or doubtful of before Mr. Cotton of the Keys pag. 26. line 33. Quest 17. But what if the Synod conclude and determine against the truth and the Church stand for the truth Answ 1. It is not readily to be granted though neither is it simply to be denyed that in Reformed times Mr. Norton the opinion of a particular Church should be more sound than the opinion of a Synod 2. As it is in civil things there is an absolute truth and there is a judicial truth and the sentence of the supreme civil Judge suppose the Parliament is true quoad homines though it be not absolutely true so it is in Ecclesiastical things the Synod being the supreme and highest Judge of the question the sentence of the Synod though it be not absolutely true yet it is Ecclesiastically true Scil. in foro exteriore 3. Although the truth after some new decrees of a new Synod repealing the act of the former may remain with the Church 4. If the error be not fundamental publick order is to

Peace That this his undertaking might be the more successeful he produceth and improveth the judgement of those Divines onely whose parts and piety have rendred them eminent who also have published to the world their apprehensions in this Controversie viz. Mr. Cotton Mr. Hooker Mr. Norton Mr. Shepherd together with the Platform of Church-Government in N. Engl. which was attested by all the Elders convened in a National Assembly there and because the names of Mr. Cotton and Mr. Hooker are superlatively famous in the Churches of Christ therefore their judgement is most frequently insisted upon During their abode in old England they were of one mind heart and way with the good old Non conformists who were real Presbyterians so far as the Brethren of their most intimate acquaintance did conceive and it is strongly believed that they would not have left their native Country for conscience sake in case they might have been freed from the unsupportable yoak of Episcopal subscription and conformity whereof this may be a probable evidence that very few if any Non-conformists of special note who stayed in England ever turned Independents As for the most if not all of our English Independents they did at once step over the heads of Non-conformists from conformity unto Independency or as reverend Mr. Ball was wont with dislike to express it they did at one jump leap out of the Surplice and Church Assemblies also Our brethren of the Savoy Assembly are too lavish in nominating some worthy men as favorites of their cause for no other reason yet appearing but because they were known Non-conformists Dr. Reynolds by appearing at the Hampton-court conference discovered himself a friend unto Non-conformity but he was ever opposite to them who made a Schism in or from the Church of England Dr. Chadderton also a known Non-conformist did dislike separation from the Church of England Dr. Whittaker and Mr. Perkins also were of his judgement And it would be no hard task to undertake the nomination of many Non-conformists who publikely in print have witnessed their hearty dislike of all wayes of separation from the Congregations in England notwithstanding the sinful mixtures in them vid. Mr. Cartwright Mr. Travers Mr. Hildersam Master Dorrel Master Bradshaw Master * Vide Mr. Balls answer to Mr. Cans book intituled Necessity of Separation from Non-conformists groun●s Ball and Mr. Rathband Mr. Hildersam did much grieve when he understood that the Brethren in New England did depart from the Presbyterian Government and he said This mischief had been prevented if my counsel at Mr. Higginsons going over had been taken which was that brethren driven thither by Episcopal persecution should agree upon the Church Government before they depart from hence And it is well known that many Presbyterian non-conformists did by a letter sent unto New England bewaile their departing in practice as they heard from the way of Church government which they owned here As heretofore Mr. Parker Mr. Knew-stubs Mr. Udall Mr. Sherwood Mr. Fen Mr. Egerton Mr. Balmford Mr. Baines Mr. Foord and the many scores suspended in Q. Eliz. and K. James's reign so of later times Mr. Dod Mr. Cleaver Mr. Wight Mr. Bourne Mr. Pierson as also Mr. Hinde Mr. Nicolds Mr. Langley whom Bishop Morton mentioneth in his Defence of Ceremonies as Non-conformists Were Presbyterians and utterly against even Semi-separation Unto these might be added Mr. John Paget Mr. Pot Ministers of the Reformed English Church at Amsterdam and Mr. Hering with Mr. Thomas Paget their Successors The godly Ministers of Scotland are generally Non-conformists but the world knoweth that they are Antagonists to Independency And is it not probable that if Mr. Cotton and Mr. Hooker had stayed in their Native Countrey they would not have been at such a distance from Church-fellowship with their Presbyterian Brethren as old England Independents are For doubtless their conscientious tendernesse would have wrought them to practices answerable unto their judgement held forth in this book These two Worthies all their life long were studious and laborious in the Work of the Ministry they were Patterns of Humility Meeknesse Love self-denial and all pious practices in their Families Relations and whole Conversation By them Gods Ordinances publickly Administred were highly prized constantly frequented and the Sabbath strictly observed as holy to the Lord. They neither covetously nor vain-gloriously sought great things in the world by ingrossing places of Honor command and profit for themselvs The life of faith and the power of godlinesse shined most gloriously in them all their dayes and how few in old England who boast of these Worthies as their Predecessors in wayes of Independency do merit such a character of commendation let them determin who are best acquainted with their conversation in their several stations and capacities And when this book hath been seriously perused let the Judicious Reader give sentence whether in their Church-administrations they be not so unlike unto them that they must either disclaim their Patronage or change their present practices It is a high commendation given of learned Mr. Calvine that in his Institutions Commentaries and other works he doth sibi constare always agree with himself whereas many others especially such who are much versed in Polemical debates do often cross shins with themselves through inconsiderateness or forgetfulness This is not spoken to cast reproach upon any good man but to give an Item unto all wisely to weigh what they Puhlish and what they Practice The Peace-makers are blessed but those that sowe discord amongst brethren are an abomination to the Lord. M●● 5.9 Prov. 6.19 The wisdom which is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle easie to be intreated Therefore follow peace and holinesse L●● 3.17 Love the truth and peace Consider what is said Heb. 12.14 ●ath 8.19 and what may be suggested in this ensuing Treatise and the Lord give a right understanding in all things An Advertisement to the READER LEt the Reader take notice that these words in the second line of the fourth page Nations holy by Covenant therefore Churches and these words in the fifteenth line of the same page and according to this sense may we not say Saint Saul Saint Demas Saint Judas and that a Church made up of such as these is a Church of Saints Both these sentences should have been put in the margent being not the words of the Reverend Author there cited but Observations which the Collector conceived he might justly make upon his words IRENICVM OR AN ESSAY Towards a Brotherly PEACE and UNION CHAP. I. Of the matter of a Church under the New Testament and who are fit to be Church-members Question I. WHat is the matter of a Church now in the New Testament Answ The Church of the Old Testament consisted of no other matter than of such as professed the faith of the God of Israel and of their seed and the Church of the New Testament consisteth of the like Mr.