Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	believe_v	church_n	infallible_a	2,836	5	9.7883	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93925	The church, the proper subject of the new covenant. Delivered first in three sermons at Rochester Afterwards contracted into two, and delivered againe at Gravesend. Together with a covenant to walke with God. By Will: Sandbrooke, LL:B:Ox. and Minister of Margarets Rochester.	Sandbrooke, William, d. 1658.	1646 (1646)	Wing S571A; ESTC R229760	9,881	72

himselfe to that combination is properly a member of that particular visible Church distinct from other Churches From whence the maine businesse wherein the difficulty seemed highest and caused the most violence was in a third maine conclusion 3. The members of a Church or a certaine number of Beleevers may further confaederat amongst themselves by a bond or covenant to a close walking with Christ And yet not breake fellowship or communion with the bodie congregation or particular parrish or Church whereof they are members This because I observed it offended both sides against my intention to either I did explaine it and deliuer the same thus SECT I. I Meane it thus It is a lawfull and in some sense a necessary act for beleevers of acquaintance or relation to joyne in a compact or agreement amongst thēselves by way of covenant to walke with Christ and to build up each other in a mutuall communication of their experience and guifts in the way of Christ Heb. 3.13 for mutuall consolation in the Gospell SECT 2. YET I added further to explaine my self that such confaederacie compact and agreement should not cause them to seperate or to breake fellowship with the whole congregation for indeed the whole congregation should joyne but hold a correspondency with the rest in the publique ordinances in such places as is appointed by authority for such assemble that so they may walke in order and peaceablenesse The reason of this my assertion was removing that which is the grand argument which caused the seperation and division A mixture of beleevers and unbeleevers say they in any ordinance pollutes the ordinance To this I then answered in sum to the argument 1 The vnfitnesse of any person in an ordinance doth not necessarily prejudice the same ordinance to a beleever 2. Nor doth it altogether detract the effectuall presence of Christ from beleevers I meane thus that for as much as that infallible Spirit of discerning doth not now abide in the Church who is positively anunbeleever that we may unreservedly conclude such a person though professing with his mouth to beleeve is yet in the truth and reality of things is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it doth not I say prejudice the ordinance to a beleever For indeed I grant where there is such an absolute inspection into and unreserved conjunction of the spirits of men that we know their hearts frame of their Spirits it were utterly unlawfull to hold fellowship with them that are unbeleevers But now where no such infallibility can be supposed as is our case I conceive the ordinance is not prejudised for in the former case of manifest conviction we are partakers of other mens sinnes in this not And I conceive the case of Alexander Hymeneus and Philetus cunning Hypocrites in an Apostolicall Church 2. Tim. 2.15 did not disband the congregation nor did Christ deny his Church to them So that however it be true that Christ walkes amongst the Seven Golden Candelsticks all of pure Gold yet even in those Churches there were Hereticall Doctrines unbeleevers yet the Church disbanded not but a command was given to the Angell in the name of the Church for an ejection Once more for Dependance upon the Congregation I conceive those Churches spoken of in severall houses to be but members of some full and compleate congregation or Church in Rome or else where My reason I laied downe thus forasmuch as 1. In so small a company as a family all the ordinances of Christ could not have a full course which is essentiall to a Church in the very resolution of Episcopall Presbyteriall and Congregationall Churches 2. Every officer could not have a compleate and entire place and power to execute that authority Christ had bequeathed to a Church So that in issue I did conclude in this from first to last in these two propositions 1 Though one or more Families or divers Persons may joyne in confederacy to walke with Christ 2. Yet their conjunction and fellowship with that congregation or Church into which they are admitted whether you 'le call it parochiall or congregationall ought to be inviolable where the ordinances of Christ have cheerefull latitude of extention This was the summe of what was then delivered in these things in which I did understand the exception did arise on both sides and now let wisemen judge The third conclusion in the desmition being dispatcht the Fourth followed thus 4. Con. 4. The end of this confederacie of beleevers into a Church in giving themselves entirely up to Christ SECT 1. TO enjoye a speciall and effectuall communion with Christ For for this purpose they give themselves up to him and are joyned with him now to what purpose is union and fellowship except it be for communion and participation see 1 Cor. 1.9 Now to this I added as a consectary and issue SECT II. THis fellowship and Communion was also a spirituall and reciprocall communion with the members of the Church amongst themselves The ground of this conclusion I told you was because 1. they every one sympathize in breathing as it were the same life of Christ and 2. they have the same spirit of Christ ergo spiritual communion must be sensibly raised in their spirits when each Act amongst them is nothing but a beam of the same glory of CHRIST dwelling in them Esay 44.5 Acts 2.46 Now as a medium by which all the efficacy of this communion should be poured out upon them and enjoy an effectuall and special energy in Christs communion with them I laid downe 3. This fellowship and Communion in its true spiritual vigour efficacy with Christ amongst themselves is in the exercise use and power of his owne holy Ordinances The reason is John 14.22 Cant. 1.7.8 he intending thus to manifest himself to them and not to the world sets out limits and bounds where he wil shew himselfe Isa 56.7 Acts 9.31 Isa 25.6 And thus was that fourth conclusion finished and with it the work of that time Ther was yet a fifth conclusion in this description of a Church which I did omit for want of time only naming of it and reserving its prosecution for this occasion But being prevented loving my own peace I shall only name it again 5. This communion that a Church enjoyeth with Christ and Beleevers amongst themselves in his Ordinances Is maintained by assembling themselves together to communicate in such ordinances as Christ will shew his glory upon them 1 Cor. 14.23 16.1.2 Art Ch. En. 19. And see now how it fel out in this very point rests all the difficulty as it must bee explained which in the generall is confest as true on all hands yet what my particular thoughts and judgement was I never yet spake word yet these men on both sides would needes tell mee what I would say when in truth I knew not fully my selfe Yet Brethren for quietnesse and peace sake I 'le lay down some things in generall