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	spirit_n	3,973	5	5.1707	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90064	Jerusalems vvatch-men, the Lords remembrancers: a sermon preached at the Abbie at VVestminster, before both Houses of Parliament, and the Assembly of Divines, upon their solemn fast, Iuly 7. 1643. / By Matth: Nevvcomen M.A. and Minister of the Gospell at Dedham in Essex. Published by order of both Houses of Parliament.	Newcomen, Matthew, 1610?-1669.	1643 (1643)	Wing N911; Thomason E63_7; ESTC R8797	23,198	43

these promises notwithstanding al their counter-machinations of his enemies Isay 46.10 My counsell shall stand and I will doe all my pleasure Yet fourthly It is not the Lords pleasure to accomplish these things unto his Church but in and by his peoples prayers Ierem. 33.3 Call unto mee and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not Ezek. 36.37 I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to doe it for them Doctrine applyed Sed quò feror some use I would gladly make of this point if I knew what I might afford variety of profitable instructions but it is not for me to presume to instruct so Honourable Learned and Religious an Assembly give me leave to apologize for my selfe with Elihu Iob. 32.6 I said I am of few days and yee are old wherefore I was afraid and durst not shew you mine opinion I said dayes should speak and multitudes of yeares should teach wisdome The Lord knows glad would I have been to sit at any of your feet to learn rather then to stand hereto teach and to receive rather then to give instruction therefore I decline that work For Reproof In the next place this truth might serve for reproofe and if such an application would not lead me besides my Auditory ô with what vehemency might a man from hence in the name and by the Spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ thunder indignation and wrath upon the heads of those who though they have usurped and possessed the place of such as should be the Lords Remembrancers yet in stead of performing the duty of this text have practised the cleane contrary in stead of praying that God would establish his Church in truth have endevored nothing but to undermine the truth to subvert adulterate the truth their folly as the Apostle speakes 2 Tim. 3.9 is manifest unto all men God hath unmasked them and all that will see may see their designe was to let in such an inundation of popery and Socinianisme as should have drowned the truth of God for ever in stead of praying that God would establish his Church in peace they have acted the part of those unclean spirits the frogs spoken of Rev. 16.14 stirring up the kings of the earth to battle against the Church of God first in Scotland who were the Incendiaries what the fuell of the war there And since that in England have not the warres of both kingdomes had the same fuell and fomenters and who are they but the Iesuitizing clergie of England who like the uncleane spirit we reade of Mark 9. fearing they shall now be cast out of their long possession rent and tear the kingdom and lay it wallowing not as he did the child there in its foam but in its bloud What shall I speake of such a clergie who in stead of praying that God would make his Church a praise have endeavoured nothing more then to rob the Church of all that might make it praise-worthy in stead of desiring that the Church might enjoy fulnesse of ordinances endeavouring to strip the Church of them all to abolish Sabbaths to bring the delight of dayes the Queen of dayes under the curse of Iobs birth day Let it not be joyned to the days of the year let it not come into the number of the months to excommunicate preaching and praying and cast them quite out of the Church to turn the sacrament of the Lords supper into a sacrifice of the altar In stead of praying that all ordinances and offices might be administred according to Christs rule and order would have all things in Gods house worship done according to their own fancy will lust humour What shal we say to such a Clergy they dote upon the name still Arist de Hist Anim. l. 8. c. 27. let them enjoy it Aristotle speaks of a little worm called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is pestilently noxious destructive to Bee-hives no lesse noxious and destructive hath our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the greatest part of them been to the true Church of God amongst us against whom the Church of God may powre out as sad complaints to her Lord Iesus Christ as sometimes she did Cant. 5. The watchmen the keepers of the wall found me they smote me they took away my vaile let such read their doom 2 Pet. 2 their judgement now of a long time lingreth not their damnation sleepeth not I had not turned aside to this reproofe for I look for none of this generation here this day had it not been to provoke my selfe and you to a more serious and deep humiliation for those abominations of the late times which though many of us have seen and observed even then and some of us have felt and smarted under the violences thereof yet few I fear amongst us have had our hearts so humbled for the iniquity of thē as they should have beene the Lord help us so to take to heart this day our own and other mens sins that he may forgive our iniquities and heal our Land But I return to my Auditory and the only boldnesse I shall assume brethren and fathers is but to do as much as Naamans servant did unto his Lord exhort you to doe that which you know God would have you doe pray for Ierusalem and I am confident I might spare even this it is your work daily but God having called me this day to speak unto you for Zions sake I cannot hold my peace Qui monet ut facias quod facis dum monet laudat The Doctrine applyed for exhortation Is it the duty of Ministers in a speciall manner to pray uncessantly that God would establish Ierusalem and make it a praise in the earth then let every one of us by solemn engagements to God to his Church bind our selves to the performance of this duty and surely brethren if ever there were times that called for this duty if ever there were men called to this duty this is the time we are the Men. First 1. Enforced from the time present for the time if ever there were time that did command the most importune and uncessant prayers of all Gods ministers and people for here I will take in all that they should cry mightily to the Lord night and day in the behalf of Ierusalem keep no silence give him no rest til he establish and make Ierusalem a praise in the earth if ever there were a time that did exact this Now is the time Had I art or grace enough to present before you the lively or rather gastly deadly face of Ierusalem the Churches of Christ Iesus at this time I know it would command tears and prayers from the most flinty heart in this congregation could I let you see Ierusalem like that man in the parable Luke 10.30 that went down from Ierusalem fallen among theeves and by them stripped and wounded and left halfe dead while

literally signifies the people of Ierusalem the Nation of the Jews whom God hath in his righteous indignation scattered over the face of the earth as chaffe before the wind these we may pray for I meane the remnant according to the election of Grace that God would gather them againe according to his promise And so all Israel shall be saved Rom. 11.26 But yet this is not that Ierusalem here meant neither The Ierusalem meant in this place is the Mystical Ierusalem that Ierusalem whereof this was but a type the new * Revel 21.2 which text seemes to referre to this of Isaiah speak the same language for as here ver 4.5 God saith The Lan I shall be married And God will rejoyce over Jerusalem as a bridegroome rejoyceth over his bride so here John sees this Ierusalem prepared as a bride adorned for her husband Ierusalem comming downe from God out of Heaven And so it implyes two things First the Church of God in the utmost latitude of it the whole Catholique Church dispersed over the world the generall assembly and Church of the first borne is unto us Mount Sion the City of the living God the heavenly Ierusalem Heb. 12.22 23. for which we are to pray that God would establish and make it a praise in the earth And secondly by Ierusalem Mysticall we are to understand that particular Church in which we live of which we are to which we stand in the same relation that the Iews did to Ierusalem for this we are to pray that God would establish and make it a praise in the earth And so I come to the second thing to be explained Secondly for what we must pray the subjectum quod or what it is we are to pray for Two things we find mentioned in the text first that God would establish secondly that God would make his Church a praise in the earth First that God would establish his Church First that God would establish his Church for though the Church hath a strong foundation and walles and bulwarkes strong yet it is in it selfe but a weake building Mat. 16.18 earthly tabernacles planted on a rock Isaiah 26 1. 2 Cor. 5. That which God speakes of the earth may be applyed to the Church Psal 75.3 The earth and all the inhabitants of it are dissolved I beare up the Pillars of it All the commissures and contignations of this great fabrick of the Universe would be loosned and disjoynted if God did not put under his everlasting armes and beare up and establish the Pillars of it So would it be in the Church of God therefore we must pray that God would establish his Church In two things and that in two things first in Truth secondly in Peace First in truth against all errors Secondly in Peace against enemies Fi●●… in Truth First we must pray that God would establish his Church in truth The Church is said 1 Tim. 3.15 to be the pillar and ground of truth not as the Papists affirme as if truth were grounded upon the judgement and determination of the Church the Church is indeed the Pillar of truth not because it holds up the truth but because it holds forth the truth the metaphor is taken not from Pillars that are supporters of houses but from such Pillars as anciently were wont to be fixed in market places and other places of publique meeting upon which they hung their lawes as the leges 12. Tabularum at Rome that they might be publique to the view and notice of all men as amongst us Proclamations for the same end are pasted upon posts such a Pillar of truth we grant the Church is and ought to be a Pillar to hold forth the truth to the view of all men a Pillar to which all men resorting may read and know the truth it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Pillar and ground of truth the word in the Originall is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in the first and native signification is a seat the Pillar and seat of truth the place of truths abode and residence its proper ubi where truth is always to be found this the Church of God is or ought to be Now though the Church of God should be thus yet we know there is no Church but it is subject unto error The Apostle tells us there must be Heresies 1 Cor. 11.19 and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and our Saviour tells us that there shall arise some such subtill masters of heresie that they shall seduce if it were possible the very elect of God Mark 13.22 Therefore we must pray that God would establish his Church in truth against all errors Ephes 6.14 Truth it is the Churches girdle A Church quae hanc Zo nā perdidit aut soluta est as the Latine proverb is a Church that hath lost this girdle of truth or hath this girdle loosed is an Adulterous beggerly Church therefore yee that are the Lords Remembrancers keep no silence give him no rest till he establish his Church in truth Secondly in Peace And as in truth so secondly in Peace Peace is one of the richest blessings of heaven a comprehensive blessing a circle of blessings I will not rhetoricate in the praises of it the want of peace hath made us know what peace is worth in the enjoyment of this rich desirable blessing we must intreat the Lord to establish Ierusalem his Church yee that are the Lords Remembrancers keep no silence give him no rest till he establish Ierusalem in peace And this peace is threefold Civill with the Nations Ecclesiasticall with its own members and spirituall or celestiall with its head and God First 1. Civill we must pray that God would establish his Church in peace among the Nations the Church of God is among the Nations Cant. 2.2 as the lilly among the Thorns the lot of Israel was among the uncircumcised Heathens so is the Churches yet hath her God promised peace in the middest of enemies Mic. 4.3 He shall judge among many people and rebuke strong Nations afar off and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks Nation shall not lift up a sword against Nation neither shall they learn war any more but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his figtree and none shall make them afraid for the mouth of the Lord of Hoasts hath spoken it You that are the Lords Remembrancers keep no silence give him no rest till he establish his Church in this peace Secondly there is peace Ecclesiasticall peace of the Church with its own members Secondly Ecclesiasticall peace in the bowels and bosome of the Church wee must pray that God would establish his Church in that that the Church may not languish and die of Antiochus his disease a torment in her bowels that there may be no incomposable divisions no irreconciliable rents no

their labours have already tasted and shall reap in full answers in due time if we faint not Thirdly you have the promise of our Lord Iesus Christ Mat. 18.20 Where two or three are met together in my Name there am I in the middest of them To be met together in the Name of Christ implies 3. things 1o. Convenire ex vocatione Camero in Myrothe● 2o. Convenire animo sequendi praescriptum Dei 3o. Ita ut unusquisque diffidat sibi soli Deo fidat And if ever any in all these particulars were met together in the Name of Christ then are you and therefore may with a holy humble confidence challenge this promise of our Lord Iesus to be in the midst among you Christ being in the midst of you implies not only his adesse but his praeesse too as Psalm 82.1 And if God be thus with us who can be against us Rom. 8. Fourthly some sweet encouraging engaging experiences we have had of the accomplishment of this promise He must have a heart more ignorant and unbeleeving then the Apostles Idiot that should come in and be an eare-witnesse of your proceedings and not worship God and report 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That God is in you of a truth Verily I have often from my heart wished that your greatest Adversaries and Traducers might be witnesses of your Learned grave pious debates which were able to silence if not convert Malignity it selfe Goe on in this your might Judges 6.14 hath not the Lord sent you is not the Lord with you goe on in this your might Pergite quo coepistis pede In that Spirit of wisdome and Love and zeal for Truth wherein you have proceeded hitherto goe on still to Love the Truth and Peace Peace is precious and so is every grain and selvage of Gods truth It was a saying of Basil Mag. and it well resembles him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. qui sacris literis innutriti sunt ne unicam quidem syllabam Divinorum Dogmatum prodere sustinent sed pro his omnia si opus sit genera mortis libenter subeunt The Lord strengthen your hands and hearts unto the great work that lies before you raise you above all discouragements and oppositions fill you more and more with a Spirit of Wisdome discerning Resolution Courage Zeale faithfulnesse make you in this work of Reforming his Church as Zachariah and Haggai were inre-building the Temple ut Ecclesiam hanc quam invenistis minus quam Lateritiam reddatis plusquam Marmoream Suet. in vitâ Aug. which is the sincere desire and prayer of him who is Lesse then the least of all Gods mercies and Employments MATTH NEVVCOMEN A SERMON PREACHED BEfore the Assembly of Lords Commons and Divines upon their Fast July 7. 1643. Isaiah 62. the latter part of the 6. and 7. ver Yee that make mention of the Lord keep not silence And give him no rest till he establish and till hee make Ierusalem a Praise in the earth BEholding the face of the Church in this Chapter The Chapt. analysed into 4. parts it appears to me as the Garden of God made glad with four precious gracious promises like the four Rivers that watered the Eden of the Lord. Gen. 2. In the first the Lord promiseth to raise his Church out of a low afflicted estate into an illustrious glorious condition v. 1. For Zions sake I will not hold my peace and for Ierusalems sake I wil not rest for so with a Learned Expositor I take the words to be the words of God promising a Soultetus ad loc not of the Prophet praying For Zions sake I will not hold my peace c. untill the righteousness therof go forth as brightnesse and the salvation of it as a Lampe that burneth which righteousnesse shall be so glorious that all the Kings and Nations of the earth shall behold and admire it v. 2. It shall be as a crown of glory and a Royall Diademe in the hand of God v. 3. And a new Name breathing nothing but delight and pleasure will God put upon his Church because the Lord God delighteth in her v. 4 5. In the second place the Lord promiseth to raise up unto his Church Instruments fit for himselfe to use in this great work of Restoring his Church and making it glorious v. 6 7. I have set watchmen upon thy walls O Ierusalem which shall not hold their peace night nor day yee that are the Lords Remembrancers c. In the third the Lord promiseth to continue this his Churches felicity and confirmes this promise with an Oath The Lord hath sworn by his Right hand and by the arm of his strength Surely c. v. 8 9. In the fourth the Lord promiseth an encrease and dilatation of his Church by meanes of this prosperity and glory Goe thorough goe thorough the gates prepare yee the way of the people c. Lift up a Standard for the people c. v. 10 11 12. Our Text lies in the second part of this Chapter wherein the Lord having 1 promised unto his Church Instruments and means fit for himselfe to use in the effecting of the great things before promised I have set for I will set an usuall Hebraisme thereby to shew the certainty of the thing promised I have set watchmen upon thy wals O Jerusalem And having 2 undertaken for the Fidelity and sedulity of these watchmen which shall never hold their peace night nor day Presently by an Apostrophe turnes to these watchmen and gives them a charge to see they make good what he had undertaken Yee that make mention of the Lord keep not silence give him no rest till he establish and till he make Ierusalem a praise in the earth In the words you may please to consider these three things The text divided First the Persons called upon disciphered thus yee that make mention of the Lord. Secondly the service or employment they are called unto described Negatively keep no silence and give him no rest Thirdly the Duration or extent of this employment till he establish and till he make Ierusalem a praise in the earth For the first of these the persons called upon Explained they are thus characterised yee that make mention of the Lord the margent reads it yee that are the Lords Remembrancers the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Vulgar qui Reminiscimini Domini Pagninus qui Reminiscimini Iehovae Arias Montanus Rememorantes Dominum Jun. Trem. qui Commemoratis Iehovam All which unlesse it be our marginall reading imply no other then what is the common duty and disposition of all the people of God to remember the Lord and make mention of the Lord only that The Lords Remembrancers seems to have something in it peculiar to some ranke and order of men yee that are the Lords Remembrancers yee to whom it doth ex officio belong to put the Lord in mind of his people and