Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	apostle_n	church_n	know_v	2,755	5	4.1178	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A87723	The unlimited authority of Christs disciples cleared or the present church and ministery vindicated. Or Christs disciples authority for the practice of his commands is unlimitted. Being a brief answer to a book intituled (A sober Word to a serious people.) There the writer saith, Christ gave his commissions not to disciples as disciples, but to apostles. But here is by Scripture proved, that the authority & commissions, given to disciples, (as disciples considered) are of a far larger extent, then the authority of commissions given to apostles. Written by Thomas Kilcop.	Killcop, Thomas.	1651 (1651)	Wing K441; Thomason E1377_5; ESTC R209289	19,252	48

that deny the forme Thirdly the power specified Thes 1.5 is not as he would have it visible gifts as tongues and miracles but it is what he by that place opposeth to wit reall and visible obedience Fourthly the power promised and waited for Luk 24.45 49. is not as he would have it the power of authority but of abillity Authority to pray preach chuse Officers and the like was given when that commission Math. 28 was given these they might do and did do while they waited therefore was their waiting for the power of ability to teach all Nations which they had not til tongues fell on them they had authority to Disciplise the Nations when the Commission so to do was given them but they must abide at Jerusalem til ability be also given He whose heart is Godward having abillity and oportunity wanteth not authority for as was shewn authority hath its residence among Disciples and so in this that he most glorieth in he mainly mistakes Quest Were not miracles rather to confirme the word then to witnesse persons being sent Heb. 2.4 He ans as to confirme the word Mar. 16 20 so also to witnesse persons being sent Christs works testified that the Father sent him Io. 5 36 11 42 20 21 and as the Father sent forth him so he sent forth them Jo. 17 18 Act 413 14 ●6 therefore their works testifie their being sent of Christ the signes of an Apostle were wrought among you 2 Cor 12 12. I Answer the people oposing Christ he tells them of severall that bore witnesse of him as first Iohn chap. 5. v 33. 2dly his works v 36 Thirdly the Father v 37. Fourthly the Scripture v 39 all these were witnesses of his being the Messiah that so by coming to him they might have life v 40 That miracles was among others one witnesse that Christ is the Messiah is true but that they were also appointed to witnesse who are the witnesses of Christ is false for Iohn who did bear witnesse of Christ wrought none Ioh. 10 41 also some that opose the truths of God have wrought miracles and shall againe Deuter. 13 1 2 3 Rev. 13 1● Ob. As he was sent so he sent them into be World Iohn 17 18. I answer though in some things these be sent as he was yet not in every thing not with miracles to witnesse that they are Messiahs as he was sent with miracles to witnesse himself to be the Messiah but as he was sent to bear witnesse to the truth so were they and so was Iohn who wrought not miracles as Christ did Secondly those sent by Christ into the world as he was sent into the World are not Apostles only ●or only miracle workers but other Saints those that were given him out of the World which received and kept his word which knew him to be sent of God as verse 6 7 8 even such as are not of the World as he is not of the world are the very persons that he sendeth into the world as he was sent into the world as v 14 16 17 18. Obj. But the signes of an Apostle were wrought among you I answer that miracles are not the Caracter of an Apostle was lately shewn Secondly this place would have proved it if the fol●owing words were not added with signes wonders and mighty deeds these signes and mighty deeds are an overplus to the signs of an Apostle Thirdly the same Apostle doth to the same people declare other things to be the signes of an Apostle as his having seen Christ and his having brought them into the direct wayes of Christ so in 1 Cor. 9.1.2 Am not I an Apostle am not I free have not I seen Jesus Christ our Lord are not ye my work in the Lord if I be not an Apostle to others yet doubtlesse I am to you for ye are the seal of mine Apostleship in the Lord here are Apostles Charactorized indeed even by the Apostle himself minded as ●●aractors without doubt Therefore would professed Christians trye again whether they have share in the Apostles ministery let them not try it by the miracles that the instruments of their good have wrought but whether the Doctrine taught them and the wayes they are brought into be indeed the truths and wayes of Christ as 2 Cor 13 verse 5. Question Gifts are to be improved for edification and how can it be orderly done out of a Church state He answers as the gift is so must be the improvement and where these are the Church is so glorious they need not take care how to improve them out of a Church Be it wisdome knowledge faith miracles healing prophesie c. or be it joy hope love and the like the spirit is not wanting to teach improvement p. 50. I reply by this rule exhortations and dehortations be in vain in vaine saith Paul stirre the gift that is in thee 2 Tim. 1 6 in vaine saith Peter let every man as he hath received the gift so administer 1 Pet. 4 10. in vain saith John these things I write to you that your joy might be full He answers further what was ever written is for our learning they in the Templestate and wildernesse are our types 1 Cor. 10 11 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 11 8. but some worship was to be in the Temple only Duter 12. but prayer private or publick should be in the land of their Captivity p. 50.51 1 King 1 44.50 51. c. 4 5 16 to teach us that now something is peculiar to a Church as binding and loosing c. I answer it hath been shewn first that we are a Church and that preaching and baptizing hath been by John out of a visible Church state though binding and loosing hath not He addeth some say we have truth others say we have builders and stones are at odds If the true ministery were on foot would this confusion be is not might therefore your vision and a rent your Girdle but God hath given us hope if we cry mightily I reply this declares it so with some but not withall when Michah and others contended the word of the Lord came to me saith one t is not so saith tother but Michah had the word of the Lord and night was not his vision Also that famous Gospell Church at Antioch contended about Circumcisition Act. 15. some had truth on their side but the Church could not distinguish and yet a Church of Christ still and as they had recourse to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem so may we to the Apostles writings and if need be to other Churches Ob. but saith he the builders and stones are at odds I reply So it was with Paul the Corinthians though he had beg it builded espoused them they questioned the truth of his Apostleship 1 Cor. 9.1 2 3. 2 Cor. 11 4 5 6 13.3 yet Paul a true an Apostle they a true Church and had the true ministery Obj. How shall

faith and Baptisme and so a powerlesse people call a giftlesse Ministerie p 17 18 who wanting gift study arts fullfilling Es 28 7 8 till that enlightening be Rev. 18 1 14 6 In the meane while believers make not hast Es 24.28 16 37.32 I Answer first doth Christ give call to the Ministery a first a second and a third way then they that are called the first way only or second or third way only are notwithstanding rightly called and if there be a fourth or fifth way then such as are called thereto the fourth or fift way though not the first second or third are notwithstanding rightly called and so the present Ministery may be rightly called though not called either of the three first wayes But Phillip and others scattered ones Act. 8. 11. which were not Ministers of the Word before were called to the ministery of the word and Baptisme 1. Not by Christ immediatly 2. Nor by Apostles with Churches election 3. Nor by the Church but 4ly By a providence being scattered there is therefore a providentiall call 5. The Evangelist Titus was left in Creta to redress what was wanting and ordain Elders in every City only minding that they be rightly quallified 6. Paul bad Timothy not to hinder any that should desire this Office in case they that desire it are suitably qualified this is a sixt way So then if the present Ministery be thereto called neither of the three first wayes yet are they rightly called if by either of the three last wayes Providentiall Evangelicall or desirable if they be suitably qualyfied 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. But is their call neither of the three first waies 1. To Disciples Christ gave his commission they have authority given them and they have given call to this Ministery 2. The Apostles Ministery I mean the Scripture calleth those that are suitably qualified thereto 3. Christ immediatly hath inwardly called and sterd them up thereto which is authoritive for the practise of a precept already given out as Hagg. 1.14 thus for our call 2dly Our Churches being in the right faith and order Col. 2.5 I meane in the main and consisting of Discples they are not powerlesse as in chap. 2. is shewn and if our Ministers do instrumentally convert and edefie and be indude with extraordinary vertuousnesse as if they be blameless the Husband of one Wife having children not accused of riot nor unrulie if he be not selfe willed not soon angry ●ot given to wi●e nor filthy lukar no striker but a lover of Hosptality and of good men being sober Just Holy Temperate able to convince then is he sutably gifted Tit. 1.5 6 7 8 9. 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3. any man that is thus qualified is sutably gifted Therefore saith Paul to Timothy if any desire the office c and to Titus bidding ordain Elders he addeth if any be blamelesse the Husband of one wife c. Shewing plainly that these are the sutable gifts 2 Though Timothy had a gift conveyed we read not so of all neither is it minded as a requisite to a right call 3. Neither was it conveyed by vertue of his call but by laying on of hands 4. Neither was it the gift of Miracles for he might by stirring it up inlarge it And the signes to wit Miracles that did follow or accompany the word Mark 16 are not minded as a Ministers Caracter neither can it so be for some Ministers of Christ wanted these and some false Ministers have them as John 10 41. with Dutr. 13 1 2 3. and Mat. 24. And they that were bid wait for power Act 1 were not bid not to Preach or Baptise till then but to bide at Jerusalem and not to go to the Nations to teach them till then and so this power is not authority but ability to teach Nations which they had not till with the gift of Tongues they were impowred And if studiousness in the Scripture be the art he saith we have instead of gifts I am sure Paul bid gifted Timothy do this 1 Tim. 4 13 14 15 3. They called Messengers of the Churches 2 Cor. 8 23 Ph. 2 25 are such as were with some Message sent from one Church to another 4 The enlightning he speaks of is but a clearer discovery of received truths for who so teacheth otherwise is to be accursed Gal 8 and the best way to know is to practise what we do know John 7 17. 8 31 5. Without all dispute Believers do make hast to keep Christs commands Psal 119 59 6● Act 2 41 16 33 and so much to the substance of this Book The second part THough his Answer to Objections hangs on these hinges and what hath been spoken might serve as answer to what follows if seriously weighed yet to cleare the truth the better to the weaker sort I shall also wave his Objections and his Answers to them The first Objection propounded and answered by him is for substance thus 1 Ob. Commission to Preach and Baptize was given to Disciples as Disciples Mat. 28 and Disciples while disciples so did John 3 22 24 Mat. 4 21. He Answerth Christ was then with them but when he left them he deligated to them the power that after his resurrection was given him Mat. 28. John 17 18 now they are in Christs stead then Disciples now Master-builders their Ministery is Apostleship not Discipleship Act 1.2 2 41. I Reply Though Christ be not present now as then he was yet are his commands as forcible now as they were then he will destroy at his next ●omming such as disobey him in the time of his ab●●nce Luke 19 14 17. 2. The same men then Disciples now master-builders are imployed in the same work now that they were then 3. And must teach Disciples now to do what he then taught them as minded chap. 2. 4. If Christ had not power given him till after his resurrection as he saith then their preaching and baptizing is his presence was as powerless as ours in his absence To the second branch of the question he answers 1 They might be Apostles before Johns imprisonment though mentioned after I reply not so for it is said they baptized in Jordan and Iohn in Enon for Iohn was not yet in prison 2. He answereth if they were only Disciples yet Baptisme was not theirs but Christs authoritatively he did it but he that hath authority can judge of the fitness of those he baptizeth as did John Philip and Peter Mat. 3. Acts 8 38. 10.40 I reply was their Ministry Christs authoritatively so is ours for we as Disciples do those things that they were bid in Mat. 28. to teach Disciples to do 2 They could not judge infallibly of the fitness of those they baptized witness the unfitness of many that they did baptize Also John confest that he that came after him was he that had his fan in his hand and which would throughly purge his floore 3 Before he

Gods name be great among the Gentiles Mat. 1.11 He answers God will provide he can bring it about Mich. 2.7 10 3 5 6 7 4 Esa 22 7 Rom. 10 15. I reply Though God can and will bring his work about yet it shall not be to our honour or comfort if we refuse to help yea though he want not might yet such as come not forth to help the Lord are cursed bitterly Judg. 4 8 9 5. 23 24. Secondly in the time of Captivity som dwelt in fieled houses when Gods house lay waste they said the time is not come but God sharply reproveth them and giveth them to know they should have gained time for his as well as for their own Obj. No ministery no believing how can they believe on him of whom they have not heard or hear without a preacher Rom. 10.14 He answer by they is ment the Jewes p. 55. 56 they must have a preacher ere they believe they have heard and rejected and so are blinded till the time come for the dispersed to come to Zion I reply that by they is ment the Jewes I fully grant and yet he answers not the Objection for the Apostle draweth their particular from the generall faith cometh sayth he by hearing and hearing by the Word preacht so that no preaching no hearing no hearing no believing how then can they the Jewes believe except they heare or heare without a preacher He addeth not but that some Jewes and Gentiles may hear of God and Christ and believe to salvation without a speciall sending to preach but the Nation shall not The Samaritans and Cornelius believed without authoritive preaching some may by a Godly life some by the scattered ones declaring who were so far from being sent that they were sent after p. 58 59. Therefore though faith come by hearing yet may some believe that have not so heard and this adds strength to the mourners of Zion and to free them from the Bull not to question the present ministery lest also they question their own believing c. I reply If some Jewes though not the Nation may believe without preaching then may some gentiles also and it is but some that now do belive and obey 2dly If some may believe without preaching why may not more do so also 3dly If some believe without so hearing then was the Apostle out in saying faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word preacht 4thly If Paul speak truth in saying faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word preacht then surely where believing is hath been preaching though we say otherwise 5thly It is where the word hath been declared that holy life tends to conversion it convens not without but joyntly with the word 1 Pet. 3.1 6ly Were those scattered far from being sent and yet declared and baptized then may Disciples also do so now though no more sent then they were 7thly They that were sent as he saith after the scantered ones were not sent to declare null nor yet to mend what they had done but to do what they could not do to lay 〈◊〉 hands and convey the spirit 8ly The b●ll he speaketh of hath not been so much among the Churches as among the non-Church ones they have not only questioned the present ministery but their own believing also for want of miracles c. 9ly Though there doth arise comfort not only to the Churches but to such as have not light therein if their conscience can truly witnesse that they have a willing minde then God accepteth according to what we have and so it was with the Eunuch and Cornelius c. but if our not being of a Church and in Christs way be not through want of light but want of love thereto then is our case very dangerous and the true hearted shall not abide long ignorant hereof as was shewn and so it was with the Eunuch and Cornelius and others And therefore hinder not the work of Christ as ye will answer it before the Apostle and high Priest of our profession at the great day of his appearing who will reward every one according to what he did in the flesh whether good or bad ● Minde further these ten Notes I Apostles practice is Disciples pattern Phil. 3 1 Thes 3 6 7. II When people set up God for their God or when God sets up any for his precious people they are engaged to walk in his wayes to keep his Ordinances his commands lawes Deut. 26.17 18. III The worshipping God as he appoints is walking in his way Levit. 26 3. IIII Such as see themselves in wrong wayes ought to enquire for the good old way and to walke therein Ier. 6.16 V God is by promise engaged to teach all that are humble and inquisitive the knowledge of himself and his wayes Prov. 5.1 2 3 4 5. Psa 25 9. VI The Scripture is a guide to finde out Gods wayes and commands to the Law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word there is no light in them Esa 8 20 the Iewes by reading Scripture found dwelling in Boothes a Law for them to observe and so betook themselves to the practise of it with great joy for they had been so long without it that they know it not to be a Law til they found it so to VII be by reading Scripture And as this being given to Israelites Israelites might obey it so Gospel commands were given by Christ to disciples and therefore Disciples may set to the practise of them Matth. 28 19 20 Binde up the testimony among my Disciples Esa 8 16 VIII They whose hearts are now as free to obey Christ as once they were to ferve sin are Christs Disciples or servants Rom. 6.19 IX Miracles do not declare who are Disciples or who have authority to practise Christs commands for 1 False Prophets shall in latter daies work mira●les 2 Thes 2 9 2 To believe and obey without seeing miracles is commendable and the contrary reproveable John 4.48 20 29 1 Pet. 1 8. 3 The miracles that in Scripture we read of are in all ages usefull Iohn 20 30 31. 4 Signes are for such as believe not 1 Cor. 14. 5 Miracles seekers are by Christ termed adultereus Mat. 12 39. X Church meetings is Disciples duty also for 1 One main end of the ministery is the gathering Saints together Eph. 4. 2 To such as gather together in Christs name hath he promised his presence i.e. acceptance Math. 18. 3 The most necessary duties cannot be observed without Church-meetings we are to break bread in remembrance ef Christ but this cannot be done without Church assembling Act. 20.7 1 Cor. 11. We need oft to exhort each other which cannot be except we assemble Heb. 3 10 25 neither can publike prayer be without Church meeting Act. 1 4 We are to love brotherly fellowship 1 Pe. 2.17 Page 29 line 17 for on read no. FINIS