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	pillar_n	3,742	5	10.1590	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A77398	A brief and plain discussion of that question which of late hath troubled many tender consciences; namely, whether it be lawfull to receive the sacrament of the Lords Supper in those congregations where there is a mixture of some ignorant or prophane persons.		1652 (1652)	Wing B4531; Thomason E678_27; ESTC R206806	11,973	16

whereby we know that we are translated from death to life namely if we love the brethren 1. Ioh. 3.14 But where are we bidden above all things to take heed that we receive not the Sacrament in mixt congregations we are charged in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that there should be no divisions or schismes as the originall is amongst us 1. Cor. 1.10 But where are we charged in the name of the Lord Jesus not to join with any unworthy ones in receiving the Sacrament why should we let go a certainty for an uncertainty a certain unity for some doubtfull degrees of purity for such things as if they be required of us at all yet are not urged upon us with half that clearness and strength of scripture as the other are Though Christ come to set a difference betwixt his own and the world even such as were tyed together by nearest outward relations as father and sonne c. yet he came not to set a difference betwixt his own and his own betwixt the living members of his body for these he prayes that they may be one as be and the father are one Joh. 17.21 these he gives in charge that they love one another John 15.17 And these commands are joined together as things of like necessity and validity namely that we beleeve on the sonne and love one another 1. Ioh. 3.23 Love is the bond of union and communion betwixt all the members of the body How great a breach hath been made in this bond by this branch of separation namely separating from the sacrament dayly experience too sadly shewes How can this bond continue firm when there is a continued withdrawing from those actions wherein Christian union and communion doth principally consist and whereby Christian love is principally preserved What is that division or schism which the Apostle doth so earnestly dehort from 1. Cor. 1.10 but a groundless separation from a true Church And is not this a great degree of such a separation when we separate our selves from them in those actions which are the greatest bonds of union and strongest meanes of spirituall communion Heathens are allowed to join with Christians in other ordinances as hearing the word and prayer but not so in the use of the sacraments because they are not looked at as members of the same body if therefore we will joyn with the members of Jesus Christ only in the use of the other ordinances but uot in the use of the sacraments what privilege do we allow them this vvay or part of spirituall communion vvith us more than heathens are allowed The Apostle chargeth the Corinthians vvith schism because they vvere partially addicted to their teachers one holding of Paul another of Apollo another of Cephes 1. Cor. 1.12 compared vvith 10. yet they did not separate themselves one from another in hearing the vvord or receiving the sacraments if therefore vve practise separation these vvayes hovv can vve acquit our selves from a great degree of that schism vvhich he there condemns Many of our Congregations are not denyed to be true churches even by such as vvithdravv from our sacraments if any should be doubtfull this vvay they may receive satisfaction from scripture-grouuds vvhich therefore may be briefly mentioned 1. That is a true church vvhich is built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles namely the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles Iesus Christ being the chief corner stone Eph. 2.19 20. that divers of our congregations are so it cannot be denyed 2. That is a true church vvhich is the pillar and seat of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 that it to which the truth is as it vvere fastened and by vvhich it is held forth in a constant continued manner As the lavves of a kingdome vvere vvont to be fastned to pillars and by them to be held forth to the veivv of all and so it is in many of our congregations 3. That is a true church vvhere salvation is to be had namely by the use of those ordinances which are there setled and in a constant course administred Thus our Saviour proves the Church of the Jews to be a true Church namely salvation was of the Iews Io. 4.22 It was to be had in an ordinary course by those meanes that were planted among them though all things were then extremely corrupted 4. Those are true Mothers which bring forth true legitimate children to their husbands such do some of our Congregations daily bring forth unto Christ Divers of those who do now withdraw from us will not deny themselves to be truly begotten and brought forth unto Christ in our Congregations Suppose those Logicall notions about the matter and form of a Church which some much insist upon will not exactly agree to many of our Congregations if taken in a strict sense yet if there may be found in them all the essentialls of a true Church namely those great ordinances of sound and saving preaching of the Word and Sacraments administred according to Christs institution for their substance in a setled way and a considerable number of persons submitting themselves really to those ordinances and others also in outward profession they cannot be denyed to be the true Churches of Christ though defective in some things that make much for the well-being though not necessary for the essence or being of a Church Now if divers of our Congregations be the true churches of Christ every true Christian should think how dangerous a thing it is to make a schisme in the body by separating from them and therefore not dare to do this without strong and evident grounds of Scripture leading thereto since there are so strong grounds to the contrary the light of which shine forth as Clearly as the light of the sun at noon tide in a bright Sun-shine day If nothing be allovved in our Congregations destructive to the being of a true Church If nothing be vvanting in them essentiall to the nature of a true Church the oracles and ordinances of God being fixed and setled in them and there being a fixed fellovvship in partaking of them for the substance according to Christs institution let every conscientious Christian seriously consider vvhether he doth not more violate Ghospel-rules by separating to make schismes and breaches in the church of God than by a loving and peaceable joyning with his brethren in partaking of these ordinances to preserve unity and peace without which the Church of God cannot long subsist or have any being at all FINIS