Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	answer_v	church_n	true_a	2,713	5	5.4919	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A77729	An answer to those questions propounded by the Parliament to the Assembly of Divines, touching jus divinum in matter of church-government. Wherein is clearly proved from Scripture, that the Presbyterial government is jure devino, of divine institution, and according to the will and appointment of Jesus Christ. Licensed, and published according to order.	Bakewell, Thomas, b. 1618 or 19.	1646 (1646)	Wing B526A; Thomason E340_29; ESTC R38569	17,260	20

the Eldership or Presbytery of Church-Officers bearing the name of Church they were persecuted and scattered all abroad but the Apostles and the reason why the Apostles were not scattered as yet was because they were more known at Ierusalem by doing of many Miracles then other Teachers and more convinced their Adversaries then others by their speaking all Languages and wisdom that was given to them yet it is clear by what hath been said That it was not all the people but Church-Officers that was persecuted who are frequently called the Church as hath been shewed Then here is not any footing for any Independent Congregations therefore their Eldership is not Jure Divino nor according to the will and appointment of Jesus Christ Then let us take another instance it may be they will say That Church was an Independent Church Acts 2.47 where it is said The Lord added unto the Church daily such as shall be saved For say they This was at the first planting of it and then they were but few for they were with one accord all in Solomons Porch Acts 5.12 But I say The Disciples were numberlesse as I have proved already and that Church that was in Solomons Porch was only the Church-Officers in a Presbytery consulting for the good of the whole multitude of Believers for mark the next words The Officers being in Solomons Porch the rest durst not joyn with them they being a Presbytery advising for the good of the whole Church only the people magnified them see Acts 5.13 Then here we may see That Church-Officers being together in a Presbytery are honored by the people but do Independents thus when they must all sit and vote with them and in stead of honoring their Church-Officers in Presbyteries and Synods they reproach them and vilifie them and call them Antichristian Governors much like Korah and his company and it is a wonder if such men should dye the common death of men But then it may be they will say That Church unto which all Christians must be added was the invisible Church I Answer That is a truth but not the true meaning of this Text and it is plain this was the Universal visible Church for when any was converted from false Religions to the true Religion they were added to the Christian visible Church as members of it and thus the Lord added daily to the visible Church in the sight of all the people then this Church could not be Independent unto which all Christians were added daily neither did any Minister gather to himself a Church but all Ministers labored to gather Christians to the multitude but not as our Independents do to their company from among other baptized Christians and exclude all the rest saying That they are all Antichristian Idolators and without the Kingly Office of Christ but his flock Then this was not an Independent Church but a Presbyterial Church consisting of many Officers and much people Again this was not an Independent Church for there were many Universal Officers in it and if yet they affirm it to be an Independent Church then I would know who had the peculiar charge of it and who bare the name of it whose work alone was it to gather it as they say into a Church-way Again if this Church did belong to one man as to Peter James or John then why must all Christians be added to Peters Church or Iames's Church or Iohns Church or else be damned Must Mr. Goodwins Members be added to Mr. Burtons Church or Mr. Lockers Members be added to Mr. Holms his Church or be damned Then in my judgement it were good to joyn Churches together betimes by Presbyteries and Synods before it be too late I say let us joyn all the visible Congregations in the Kingdom together and all to the Universal visible Church and as our duty seek the welfare of each other and this will soon split all Independent Churches who are descended from that reprobate who said Am I my Brothers keeper These men are like the Inhabitants of Laish a people that dwelt carelesse secure having no Magistrate in the Land to rule them or to put them to shame and They had no businesse with any man Iudges 18.7 But let all faithful Christians say with Paul The care of all the Churches lies upon me and rejoyce to hear the welfare of the Church in all places of the world and grieve to hear that the walls of Ierusalem are broken down and if need require with the Church of Macedonia send relief to them in Iudea and abhor to say We are Independents we have no relation to them nor they to us let them sink or swim we owe them no duty well we may counsel them and yet we may chuse and they also may chuse whether they will take it Now let all judicious Christians but judge and speak their conscience Whether Presbyterial or Independent Church Government is most agreeing to the Primitive Church and be not carelesse but helpful one to another for all those that are united to Christ are also united one to another and so have relation one to another and stand in need of the help of each other Then I conclude That Congregational Presbyterial Eldership is not according to the Word nor the Primitive Church and therefore not Iure Divino I might here speak of the Churches of Corinth Galatia Philippia and Ephesus which were all governed by Presbyteries and were none of them Independent belonging to one man bearing his name and gathered by him and he alone charged with it But this may suffice The next thing in the first Question to be proved is Whether any particular Church Government be Jure Divino and what is that Government I shall answer this by dividing the Officers in the Church from the Officers in the State and bounding them in their place and station where Christ hath set them and to prove That the one hath a Divine Right of Government from Christ in the State and not in the Church and the other hath a Divine Right of Government in the Church but not in the State I prove it thus Christ hath two Kingdoms the one Temporal and the other Spiritual In the first he rules over the Kingdoms of men as Daniel saith He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19.16 He saith By me Kings Raign Prov. 8.15 Kings are his Deputies on Earth in this Temporal Kingdom to Rule over the State and outward affairs of men and also in relation to the Church they may be as a gard about it to defend it by the power of their Positive Laws and also they may be for much good unto it for saith the Lord Cyrus is my shepheard Isa 44. both to provide and care for the Church and defend it as a Shepheard doth his flock Kings shall minister unto it Isa 60.10 But Cyrus was not placed in the Church he was no member of it for he was a Heathen King yet he