Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	age_n	church_n	time_n	2,142	5	3.6322	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41780	Hear the church, or, An appeal to the mother of us all to all the baptized believers in England, exhorting them to stedfastness in the truth, according to the scriptures : together with some farther considerations of seven queries, sent to the baptized believers in Lincolnshire, concerning the judge of contriversies in matters of religion : in three parts / by Thomas Grantham.	Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.	1687 (1687)	Wing G1536; ESTC R5931	41,980	66

hear_v the_o church_n or_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o mother_n of_o we_o all._n be_v a_o epistle_n to_o all_o the_o baptise_a believer_n in_o england_n exhort_v they_o to_o steadfastness_n in_o the_o truth_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n together_o with_o some_o far_a consideration_n of_o seven_o query_n send_v to_o the_o baptise_a believer_n in_o lincolnshire_n concern_v the_o judge_n of_o controversy_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n in_o three_o part_n by_o thomas_n grantham_n and_o they_o shall_v turn_v away_o their_o ear_n from_o the_o truth_n and_o shall_v be_v turn_v into_o fable_n 2_o tim._n 4._o 4._o but_o i_o will_v show_v thou_o that_o which_o be_v note_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o truth_n and_o there_o be_v none_o that_o hold_v with_o i_o in_o these_o thing_n but_o michael_n your_o prince_n dan._n 10._o 21._o london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1687._o to_o the_o reader_n there_o be_v nothing_o which_o man_n sincere_o religious_a do_v more_o hearty_o desire_n than_o that_o all_o man_n be_v so_o too_o and_o because_o they_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v in_o that_o very_a way_n which_o most_o true_o lead_v to_o life_n they_o therefore_o strive_v that_o all_o may_v know_v it_o and_o walk_v in_o it_o and_o true_o this_o be_v my_o case_n my_o heart_n desire_n and_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o all_o man_n be_v that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v and_o as_o i_o believe_v it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o show_v i_o the_o path_n of_o life_n i_o can_v but_o do_v my_o best_a to_o show_v it_o to_o other_o for_o as_o some_o by_o their_o labour_n have_v be_v helpful_a to_o i_o so_o i_o hope_v i_o may_v be_v helpful_a to_o other_o when_o i_o call_v the_o primitive_a christian_a church_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o mother_n of_o we_o all_o i_o allude_v to_o that_o place_n gal._n 4._o 26._o interpreter_n so_o far_o as_o i_o have_v observe_v take_v jerusalem_n there_o for_o the_o gospel_n catholic_n church_n now_o this_o church_n have_v its_o beginning_n and_o this_o beginning_n be_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o because_o in_o the_o progress_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n for_o near_o one_o thousand_o seven_o hundred_o year_n there_o have_v abundance_n of_o error_n creep_v in_o and_o much_o truth_n in_o the_o ancient_a simplicity_n of_o it_o reject_v i_o think_v it_o high_o rational_a that_o all_o prejudice_n be_v lay_v apart_o men_n shall_v seek_v with_o the_o great_a diligence_n for_o their_o great_a security_n into_o the_o state_n of_o christ_n gospel-church_n as_o by_o himself_o establish_v for_o whatsoever_o have_v not_o be_v plant_v by_o our_o heavenly_a father_n be_v nigh_o to_o its_o be_v root_v up_o god_n almighty_n direct_v we_o all_o be_v the_o hearty_a prayer_n of_o thy_o friend_n thomas_n grantham_n let_v the_o reader_n further_o take_v notice_n that_o these_o paper_n be_v original_o write_v upon_o several_a occasion_n otherwise_o some_o thing_n repeat_v will_v have_v be_v otherwise_o let_v thy_o discretion_n bear_v with_o this_o hear_v the_o church_n the_o first_o part_n contain_v by_o way_n of_o preface_n a_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o first_o christian_a church_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o appeal_n to_o her_o as_o the_o mother_n of_o we_o all._n it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o such_o as_o have_v converse_v with_o the_o history_n of_o the_o age_n which_o have_v be_v since_o the_o come_n of_o our_o lord_n to_o make_v know_v and_o establish_v all_o thing_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o first_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n that_o there_o have_v be_v great_a strive_v among_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o some_o honour_n and_o prerogative_n above_o the_o rest_n sometime_o the_o church_n at_o alexandria_n sometime_o the_o church_n at_o constantinople_n and_o especial_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n press_v very_o hard_o for_o precedence_n of_o honour_n and_o pre-eminence_n of_o power_n few_o mind_v the_o poor_a afflict_a church_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o true_a mother_n of_o all_o true_a christian_a church_n when_o yet_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v leave_v a_o high_a commendation_n upon_o those_o who_o do_v follow_v she_o both_o in_o the_o effectual_a reception_n of_o the_o gospel_n not_o as_o the_o word_n of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o man_n though_o preach_v by_o apostle_n but_o as_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o word_n of_o god_n 1_o thess_n 2._o 13_o 14._o and_o also_o not_o in_o persecute_v but_o in_o suffer_v like_o thing_n of_o their_o countryman_n as_o they_o do_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o we_o desire_v and_o hope_v that_o there_o may_v be_v yet_o all_o due_a consideration_n have_v by_o all_o christian_n in_o these_o day_n of_o the_o heavenly_a frame_n and_o holy_a walk_v of_o that_o mother-church_n unto_o who_o be_v commit_v in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o principle_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n unto_o who_o our_o dear_a lord_n be_v a_o personal_a minister_n and_o do_v actual_o dispense_v to_o and_o communicate_v with_o they_o in_o the_o divine_a mystery_n or_o ordinance_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o who_o be_v pour_v the_o most_o excellent_a gift_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o promise_n it_o be_v this_o church_n from_o who_o according_a to_o the_o prophet_n the_o law_n of_o christ_n shall_v first_o go_v forth_o isa_n 2._o 3._o mich._n 4._o 1_o 2._o here_o be_v the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n establish_v in_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n that_o all_o nation_n may_v flow_v unto_o it_o a_o honour_n not_o give_v to_o other_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 36._o what_o come_v the_o word_n of_o god_n out_o from_o you_o no_o this_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o another_o for_o out_o of_o zion_n shall_v go_v forth_o the_o law_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n from_o jerusalem_n which_o by_o special_a order_n from_o christ_n be_v fulfil_v when_o he_o give_v commandment_n to_o his_o apostle_n that_o repentance_n and_o remission_n of_o sin_n shall_v be_v preach_v in_o his_o name_n in_o all_o nation_n begin_v at_o jerusalem_n luk._n 24._o 47._o and_o here_o it_o be_v that_o the_o spirit_n give_v utterance_n unto_o the_o apostle_n to_o preach_v in_o all_o language_n that_o then_o some_o of_o all_o nation_n who_o be_v at_o that_o very_a time_n at_o jerusalem_n may_v hear_v from_o thence_o the_o joyful_a sound_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o consequent_o keep_v the_o same_o holy_a doctrine_n in_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n as_o it_o be_v there_o deliver_v and_o confirm_v by_o divers_a sign_n and_o miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n math._n 28._o 19_o 20._o heb._n 2._o 4._o act._n 2._o forasmuch_o then_o as_o all_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n be_v indispensible_o bind_v to_o follow_v this_o church_n in_o the_o observation_n of_o all_o thing_n whatsoever_o christ_n command_v they_o we_o hold_v ourselves_o concern_v at_o this_o time_n to_o declare_v our_o unfeigned_a assent_n unto_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o it_o be_v here_o deliver_v and_o our_o humble_a resolution_n to_o keep_v the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n as_o they_o be_v here_o practise_v not_o doubt_v but_o the_o same_o be_v receive_v in_o all_o church_n at_o the_o first_o be_v confident_a of_o this_o very_a thing_n that_o a_o safe_a way_n can_v be_v find_v for_o the_o security_n of_o our_o soul_n from_o the_o manifold_a error_n which_o since_o the_o plantation_n of_o this_o church_n have_v be_v obtrude_v upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n in_o most_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a nation_n to_o the_o intent_n then_o that_o we_o may_v avoid_v error_n and_o cleave_v to_o truth_n we_o shall_v consider_v particular_o though_o very_o brief_o the_o frame_n of_o this_o heavenly_a building_n in_o respect_n of_o her_o foundation_n her_o form_n of_o government_n and_o the_o way_n of_o her_o worship_n in_o order_n to_o her_o perfection_n and_o first_o we_o find_v her_o foundation-principle_n to_o consist_v in_o six_o particular_n call_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n which_o article_n be_v therefore_o call_v the_o foundation_n because_o of_o the_o relation_n they_o have_v to_o christ_n who_o be_v a_o foundation_n to_o his_o church_n as_o hold_v forth_o in_o his_o own_o doctrine_n and_o other_o foundation_n than_o christ_n so_o hold_v forth_o can_v no_o man_n lay_v of_o such_o importance_n be_v these_o sacred_a principle_n that_o we_o find_v the_o ancient_a christian_n use_v to_o call_v they_o the_o christian_a catechism_n chrysostoms_n testimony_n be_v this_o that_o all_o these_o be_v fundamental_a article_n that_o be_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o repent_v from_o dead_a work_n to_o be_v baptize_v into_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v make_v worthy_a of_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n who_o be_v give_v by_o imposition_n of_o

who_o be_v his_o church_n we_o shall_v never_o find_v she_o nor_o do_v he_o reveal_v this_o but_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n there_o must_v we_o find_v the_o church_n of_o god_n or_o no_o where_o for_o none_o but_o enthusiast_n pretend_v to_o any_o other_o revelation_n in_o this_o case_n and_o to_o speak_v feee_o i_o doubt_v the_o papist_n be_v more_o than_o a_o little_a enthusiastical_a for_o rather_o than_o let_v god_n word_n decide_v this_o question_n about_o the_o church_n they_o will_v fly_v to_o miracle_n as_o if_o a_o false_a prophet_n may_v not_o show_v a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n yea_o and_o that_o sign_n and_o wonder_v come_v to_o pass_v too_o and_o yet_o the_o thing_n he_o bring_v it_o to_o prove_v be_v nothing_o but_o a_o lie_n see_v deut._n 15._o sure_o he_o that_o shall_v pretend_v to_o work_v a_o miracle_n or_o wonder_n in_o these_o day_n to_o prove_v such_o or_o such_o a_o people_n to_o be_v the_o church_n i_o shall_v the_o more_o suspect_a both_o he_o and_o his_o church_n because_o we_o have_v a_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n confirm_v by_o miracle_n already_o which_o word_n do_v as_o full_o set_v forth_o the_o church_n as_o it_o set_v forth_o any_o thing_n insomuch_o as_o man_n may_v as_o well_o call_v for_o miracle_n to_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o this_o god_n be_v true_a as_o to_o call_v for_o miracle_n to_o prove_v the_o true_a church_n indeed_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v once_o find_v than_o all_o wise_a and_o modest_a man_n will_v ready_o lend_v a_o ear_n to_o she_o in_o all_o thing_n and_o especial_o when_o she_o undertake_v to_o expound_v the_o dark_a or_o mysterious_a point_n of_o our_o religion_n or_o offer_v her_o judgement_n in_o thing_n doubtful_a for_o as_o for_o the_o common_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n he_o that_o be_v a_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n and_o no_o way_n bias_v by_o interest_n may_v perhaps_o know_v these_o thing_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n or_o at_o least_o such_o as_o call_v themselves_o churchman_n but_o to_o be_v bind_v to_o adhere_v to_o any_o church_n in_o these_o day_n as_o to_o a_o people_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v mistake_v in_o any_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o religion_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o attribute_n too_o high_a for_o any_o society_n of_o sinful_a man_n and_o there_o be_v none_o that_o live_v and_o sin_v not_o for_o see_v god_n have_v not_o tell_v we_o any_o such_o thing_n that_o the_o church_n can_v err_v or_o be_v mistake_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v speak_v and_o if_o it_o be_v only_o proper_a to_o the_o almighty_a to_o say_v he_o can_v lie_v it_o must_v not_o be_v say_v of_o the_o church_n that_o she_o can_v lie_v lest_o he_o reprove_v we_o and_o we_o be_v find_v liar_n rom._n 3._o 4._o let_v god_n be_v true_a and_o every_o man_n a_o liar_n for_o thus_o it_o be_v write_v and_o again_o hos_fw-la 11._o 12._o ephraim_n compass_v i_o about_o with_o lie_n and_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n with_o deceit_n this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o though_o judah_n be_v justify_v as_o to_o these_o impiety_n yet_o chap._n 12._o 2._o god_n tell_v they_o he_o have_v a_o controversy_n with_o they_o also_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o famous_a church_n have_v err_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o other_o be_v as_o liable_a to_o err_v as_o they_o no_o church_n be_v herein_o privilege_v above_o another_o for_o any_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v say_v in_o his_o word_n but_o he_o every_o where_o exhort_v his_o people_n to_o beware_v of_o sin_n error_n and_o apostasy_n and_o command_v every_o one_o that_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v to_o the_o church_n but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v to_o any_o of_o they_o that_o they_o can_v err_v therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o hear_v such_o a_o story_n of_o any_o church_n mat._n 16._o 18._o be_v a_o gracious_a promise_n indeed_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o found_v upon_o himself_o in_o the_o true_a faith_n of_o st._n peter_n but_o this_o promise_n belong_v to_o all_o true_a church_n equal_o yet_o no_o man_n ever_o dare_v affirm_v from_o hence_o that_o no_o true_a church_n can_v possible_o err_v and_o st._n peter_n who_o understand_v this_o promise_n never_o tell_v any_o church_n of_o his_o plant_v that_o they_o can_v not_o err_v but_o rather_o tell_v they_o they_o may_v err_v so_o as_o to_o fall_v from_o their_o steadfastness_n and_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o the_o error_n of_o the_o wicked_a indeed_o if_o any_o church_n can_v be_v assign_v here_o on_o earth_n that_o can_v err_v or_o be_v deceive_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v the_o easy_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o find_v the_o truth_n have_v once_o find_v the_o church_n for_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o need_n to_o know_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o that_o church_n speak_v and_o to_o receive_v her_o determination_n as_o god_n oracle_n but_o then_o i_o consider_v again_o that_o we_o shall_v perhaps_o have_v great_a inconvenience_n also_o for_o if_o all_o the_o decree_v make_v by_o general_a council_n be_v oblige_v to_o we_o and_o be_v bind_v up_o together_o we_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o read_v they_o nor_o i_o doubt_v to_o understand_v they_o it_o will_v then_o be_v our_o best_a at_o the_o long-run_a to_o take_v sanctuary_n at_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o our_o guide_n and_o superior_a to_o the_o church_n but_o i_o consider_v far_o that_o no_o man_n make_v any_o particular_a church_n this_o guide_n but_o do_v refer_v we_o to_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o assemble_v in_o a_o general_n council_n sure_o either_o this_o be_v to_o make_v as_o many_o universal_a church_n at_o least_o as_o there_o have_v be_v age_n since_o christ_n be_v upon_o the_o earth_n or_o if_o all_o make_v but_o one_o universal_a church_n the_o direction_n give_v to_o follow_v her_o sentence_n be_v scarce_o practicable_a for_o how_o long_o will_v it_o be_v before_o a_o man_n can_v be_v assure_v what_o be_v hold_v and_o what_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n indeed_o there_o be_v man_n bear_v of_o great_a confidence_n who_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o catholic_n or_o universal_a church_n have_v always_o hold_v such_o doctrine_n and_o such_o traditior_n as_o be_v unwritten_a etc._n etc._n now_o it_o high_o concern_v all_o christian_n as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v to_o make_v sure_a work_n with_o such_o bold_a talker_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o affirm_v especial_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o be_v that_o they_o appear_v by_o some_o divine_a record_n to_o have_v be_v deliver_v to_o the_o first_o church_n by_o man_n approve_v of_o god_n to_o be_v the_o deliverer_n of_o divine_a institutes_n and_o if_o they_o fail_v here_o it_o will_v be_v ill_o venture_v to_o follow_v they_o in_o their_o after-enquiry_n and_o there_o be_v the_o high_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o stand_v as_o strong_o as_o possible_a for_o the_o first_o age_n for_o such_o pure_a and_o undoubted_a antiquity_n be_v necessary_a in_o our_o case_n from_o the_o tenor_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n argumentation_n against_o the_o jew_n in_o opposition_n to_o a_o tradition_n or_o moysaicall_a precept_n in_o the_o case_n of_o divorce_n mat._n 19_o 8._o from_o the_o beginning_n it_o be_v not_o so_o for_o see_v the_o apostle_n do_v faithful_o deliver_v the_o whole_a counsel_n of_o god_n to_o the_o first_o church_n condemn_v all_o that_o shall_v teach_v otherwise_o than_o they_o have_v teach_v the_o the_o doctrine_n of_o godliness_n or_o that_o shall_v not_o consent_v to_o wholesome_a word_n even_o the_o word_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v therefore_o necessary_a to_o bring_v all_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o the_o test_n of_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o primitive_a antiquity_n for_o that_o church_n which_o have_v that_o argument_n fair_o on_o her_o side_n can_v fail_v of_o all_o other_o argument_n which_o can_v be_v any_o way_n necessary_a for_o her_o justification_n for_o indeed_o this_o first_o argument_n do_v infer_v all_o the_o rest_n and_o they_o that_o have_v not_o this_o have_v none_o of_o the_o other_o which_o thing_n be_v well_o consider_v look_v back_o upon_o your_o principle_n o_o you_o baptise_a christian_n and_o upon_o what_o have_v be_v say_v for_o they_o even_o by_o your_o adversary_n and_o take_v comfort_n for_o whoever_o boast_v of_o the_o best_a antiquity_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o you_o only_o have_v it_o for_o what_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a record_n doubtless_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o if_o so_o let_v the_o

the_o priest_n can_v deceive_v we_o when_o the_o prophet_n tell_v we_o that_o though_o the_o priest_n lip_n shall_v preserve_v knowledge_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v seek_v the_o law_n at_o his_o mouth_n yet_o they_o have_v cause_v many_o to_o stumble_v at_o the_o law_n because_o they_o have_v be_v partial_a in_o the_o law_n mat._n 2._o 8._o it_o suppose_v whoever_o fall_v under_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v as_o sure_o damn_v as_o he_o be_v cast_v or_o hang_v that_o fall_v under_o the_o sentence_n of_o a_o judge_n in_o law._n which_o may_v be_v false_a for_o the_o priest_n do_v joint_o sentence_v our_o bless_a saviour_n say_v we_o have_v a_o law_n and_o by_o our_o law_n he_o ought_v to_o die_v it_o be_v true_a whatsoever_o the_o church_n do_v bind_v on_o earth_n be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n but_o then_o nothing_o be_v bind_v on_o earth_n unless_o she_o judge_v righteous_o for_o it_o be_v write_v that_o the_o curse_v causeless_o shall_v not_o come_v prov._n 26._o 2._o and_o see_v she_o may_v be_v deceive_v at_o least_o by_o false_a witness_n she_o may_v condemn_v the_o innocent_a though_o she_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o do_v so_o which_o show_v she_o be_v not_o infallible_a whatever_o man_n talk_v to_o the_o contrary_n i_o do_v not_o like_o this_o opinion_n therefore_o because_o it_o leave_v not_o liberty_n for_o those_o who_o the_o church_n condemn_v to_o appeal_v so_o much_o as_o to_o almighty_a god_n who_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o man_n whilst_o the_o church_n know_v they_o not_o but_o i_o answer_v to_o the_o objection_n by_o say_v 1._o there_o be_v a_o judgement_n authoritative_a this_o indeed_o must_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o church_n and_o no_o wise_a man_n ever_o think_v otherwise_o and_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n must_v be_v content_a to_o abide_v the_o sentence_n of_o the_o church_n though_o they_o be_v innocent_a till_o god_n clear_v their_o innocency_n but_o all_o this_o while_n we_o suppose_v the_o church_n we_o speak_v of_o to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o that_o she_o judge_n according_a to_o evidence_n and_o yet_o because_o she_o know_v not_o all_o secret_n nor_o all_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n we_o also_o suppose_v she_o may_v possible_o mistake_v though_o never_o so_o honest_a but_o 2._o there_o be_v a_o judgement_n of_o knowledge_n or_o discretion_n by_o which_o man_n receive_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o understanding_n and_o so_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o by_o the_o same_o judgement_n he_o refuse_v what_o be_v false_a as_o understand_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o till_o his_o understanding_n be_v well_o inform_v or_o rational_o satisfy_v by_o convince_a evidence_n he_o can_v if_o he_o have_v the_o understanding_n and_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n do_v either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o salvation_n and_o consequent_o the_o mean_n to_o obtain_v it_o be_v offer_v to_o man_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o choice_n josh_n 24._o 15._o choose_v then_o this_o day_n who_o you_o will_v serve_v heb._n 11._o 25._o moses_n choose_v rather_o to_o suffer_v affliction_n with_o the_o people_n of_o god_n than_o to_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n for_o a_o season_n and_o forasmuch_o as_o all_o man_n be_v not_o call_v at_o the_o same_o moment_n but_o some_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o their_o youth_n other_o in_o their_o middle_a age_n some_o not_o till_o old_a age_n all_o the_o liberty_n which_o we_o contend_v for_o be_v that_o man_n may_v have_v the_o free_a use_n of_o the_o mean_n by_o which_o they_o may_v know_v the_o truth_n and_o be_v allow_v to_o understand_v it_o before_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o sacred_a thing_n that_o they_o may_v not_o only_o be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o but_o also_o be_v able_a to_o do_v as_o they_o be_v also_o exhort_v prove_v every_o man_n his_o own_o work_n that_o he_o may_v have_v rejoice_v in_o himself_o alone_o and_o not_o in_o another_o gal._n 6._o 4_o 5._o thus_o much_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n there_o be_v no_o man_n live_v that_o will_v more_o glad_o than_o myself_o give_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n all_o that_o honour_n and_o obedience_n which_o god_n have_v allow_v she_o but_o to_o say_v she_o can_v err_v be_v to_o make_v she_o more_o like_a god_n than_o she_o be_v i_o think_v all_o that_o can_v be_v safe_o affirm_v be_v that_o she_o shall_v not_o sail_v so_o as_o utter_o to_o cease_v from_o be_v but_o that_o god_n will_v have_v a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v his_o witness_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n though_o the_o apostasy_n be_v never_o so_o great_a or_o seem_o universal_a and_o as_o it_o please_v god_n to_o foreshow_v the_o great_a apostasy_n which_o shall_v be_v find_v among_o the_o christian_a nation_n so_o he_o be_v gracious_o please_v to_o intermix_v some_o word_n of_o comfort_n that_o when_o it_o shall_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v like_o the_o dove_n in_o the_o secret_a place_n of_o the_o stair_n cant._n 2._o 14._o or_o thrust_v into_o prison_n and_o out_o of_o sight_n which_o may_v cause_v the_o faithful_a even_o to_o think_v there_o be_v no_o church_n remain_v like_o that_o of_o the_o prophet_n who_o desire_v rather_o to_o die_v than_o to_o live_v because_o he_o think_v the_o faithful_a have_v utter_o fail_v and_o himself_o leave_v alone_o i_o say_v that_o then_o they_o shall_v remember_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o god_n have_v always_o have_v a_o church_n however_o she_o may_v be_v obscure_v final_o brethren_n my_o heart_n desire_n and_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o you_o be_v that_o you_o may_v be_v of_o one_o mind_n and_o judgement_n in_o all_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o especial_o in_o these_o sacred_a principle_n before_o mention_v and_o in_o the_o constitution_n of_o your_o ministry_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o threefold_a order_n of_o minister_n under_o which_o the_o first_o church_n be_v undoubted_o govern_v viz._n messenger_n elder_n and_o deacon_n and_o i_o do_v the_o rather_o advise_v to_o this_o because_o some_o have_v be_v please_v to_o publish_v in_o print_n that_o there_o be_v only_o two_o office_n remain_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n viz._n elder_n and_o deacon_n this_o presbyterian_a principle_n will_n i_o fear_v undo_v such_o as_o receive_v it_o they_o bold_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o office_n of_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v temporary_a as_o if_o they_o have_v none_o to_o succeed_v they_o what_o i_o have_v former_o write_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o office_n be_v extant_a among_o you_o and_o as_o yet_o unanswered_a and_o to_o that_o i_o refer_v you_o our_o division_n have_v be_v and_o will_v be_v if_o continue_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o truth_n itself_o and_o our_o adversary_n know_v how_o to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o against_o we_o and_o our_o holy_a profession_n though_o they_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o great_a division_n which_o be_v in_o the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n nor_o shall_v they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o their_o own_o and_o to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v see_v they_o be_v no_o more_o happy_a in_o that_o matter_n than_o their_o neighbour_n let_v they_o consider_v what_o bernard_n have_v write_v of_o they_o as_o he_o be_v quote_v by_o the_o learned_a in_o cant._n serm._n 33._o his_o word_n be_v to_o this_o effect_n from_o who_o shall_v the_o church_n hide_v herself_o all_o be_v friend_n and_o all_o be_v enemy_n all_o be_v kinsfolk_n and_o all_o be_v adversary_n all_o be_v household_n servant_n and_o there_o be_v none_o at_o peace_n all_o be_v neighbour_n and_o all_o seek_v but_o their_o own_o profit_n they_o be_v minister_n of_o christ_n and_o serve_v antichrist_n they_o do_v walk_v in_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o lord_n unto_o who_o they_o do_v no_o honour_n thereby_o come_v that_o beauty_n of_o the_o harlot_n which_o thou_o see_v daily_a in_o their_o apparel_n as_o the_o player_n of_o comedy_n as_o in_o the_o apparel_n of_o a_o king_n thereby_o thou_o see_v the_o gold_n in_o the_o bridle_n saddle_n and_o spur_n thereby_o be_v the_o table_n beautify_v with_o meat_n and_o vessel_n thereby_o come_v drunkenness_n and_o gluttony_n thereby_o proceed_v the_o harp_n and_o the_o viol_n thereby_o be_v the_o press_v run_v over_o and_o the_o garner_n full_a answer_v the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o thereby_o be_v the_o box_n full_a of_o ointment_n and_o sweet_a savour_n thereby_o be_v the_o purse_n fill_v therefore_o will_v they_o be_v and_o be_v the_o prince_n of_o the_o church_n the_o provost_n dean_n arch-deacon_n bishop_n arch-bishop_n