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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n church_n faith_n unity_n 2,197 5 9.0779 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A41563 Spiritual order and Christian liberty proved to be consistent in the Churches of Christ and impositions upon the consciences of believers in religious practices found to be antichristian and destructive to both / by R.G. a protestant. Gordon, Robert, fl. 1669-1675. 1675 (1675) Wing G1291; ESTC R29926 14,410 15

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of_o rome_n from_o the_o tru●h_n and_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n upon_o this_o very_a principle_n a_o external_n judge_n in_o the_o church_n one_o or_o more_o to_o have_v a_o infallible_a judgement_n to_o who_o all_o be_v to_o submit_v though_o unconvince_v the_o admit_v whereof_o in_o any_o christian-church_n be_v the_o ready_a way_n i_o know_v of_o to_o make_v void_a their_o great_a principle_n of_o union_n conviction_n and_o choice_n and_o to_o introduce_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o implicit_a obedience_n to_o all_o manner_n of_o innovation_n church-ruler_n shall_v please_v to_o impose_v without_o a_o possibility_n in_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o remedy_v it_o for_o to_o add_v so_o long_o as_o he_o or_o they_o abide_v in_o the_o conduct_n of_o that_o spirit_n in_o their_o own_o particular_a and_o so_o not_o in_o a_o decay_n be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o they_o of_o rome_n assert_v of_o themselves_o and_o the_o great_a question_n here_o remain_v undetermined_a viz._n who_o shall_v be_v judge_n of_o the_o life_n or_o decay_n of_o this_o one_o or_o more_o whether_o the_o pope_n and_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n or_o the_o dissent_v protestant_n the_o very_a assume_v such_o a_o power_n in_o themselves_o at_o trent_n be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n in_o the_o conscience_n of_o dissent_v protestant_n of_o their_o decay_n then_o and_o it_o be_v so_o now_o obj._n but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o infallible_a judgement_n to_o be_v expect_v now_o in_o the_o church_n how_o be_v these_o word_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o and_o how_o be_v the_o church_n the_o ground_n and_o pillar_n of_o truth_n i_o answer_v the_o necessity_n of_o this_o infallible_a judgement_n in_o one_o or_o more_o in_o the_o church_n can_v no_o more_o be_v conclude_v from_o these_o word_n than_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n over_o emperor_n and_o king_n and_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n from_o the_o word_n of_o our_o lord_n to_o peter_n feed_v my_o sheep_n these_o expression_n in_o plainness_n import_v only_o this_o that_o jesus_n christ_n will_v be_v so_o present_a with_o his_o holy_a catholic_n church_n in_o the_o world_n so_o long_o as_o it_o shall_v last_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o so_o as_o in_o it_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v preserve_v and_o process_v which_o be_v not_o applicable_a to_o any_o one_o particular_a church_n for_o many_o that_o be_v such_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v long_o since_o so_o far_o prevail_v upon_o by_o heresy_n persecution_n and_o devastation_n that_o they_o have_v lose_v not_o only_o a_o church-state_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o also_o their_o very_a be_v in_o the_o world_n yet_o christ_n presence_n remain_v with_o his_o church_n so_o as_o it_o continue_v in_o the_o world_n the_o ground_n and_o pillar_n of_o truth_n against_o which_o the_o power_n of_o darkness_n shall_v never_o so_o far_o prevail_v so_o as_o it_o shall_v not_o have_v a_o be_v in_o the_o world_n or_o shall_v cease_v to_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o pillar_n of_o truth_n obj._n but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o infallible_a judgement_n now_o to_o be_v expect_v in_o the_o church_n will_v not_o both_o the_o dissenter_n &_o they_o that_o be_v dissent_v from_o be_v in_o the_o mist_n both_o hit_v at_o random_n and_o will_v not_o religion_n degenerate_a into_o sceptism_n i_o answer_v there_o be_v no_o such_o hazard_n where_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o understanding_n of_o they_o be_v own_v and_o preserve_v and_o where_o people_n be_v call_v upon_o not_o to_o embrace_v outward_a appointment_n too_o hasty_o but_o wait_v the_o conduct_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o lead_v into_o all_o truth_n according_a 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not_o be_v so_o in_o christian_a society_n without_o the_o brand_n of_o tyranny_n i_o answer_v the_o chief_a liberty_n plead_v for_o in_o this_o discourse_n be_v not_o on_o their_o behalf_n who_o break_v the_o fundamental_a spiritual_a band_n of_o the_o church_n unity_n which_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n by_o conviction_n and_o choice_a unite_n they_o together_o in_o one_o voluntary_a joint_a communion_n neither_o be_v it_o plead_v for_o on_o their_o behalf_n who_o break_v the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o a_o christian_a society_n as_o such_o to_o wit_n those_o who_o walk_v scandalous_o in_o a_o disorder_a profane_a conversation_n unsuitable_a to_o the_o holiness_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o those_o who_o avowed_o maintain_v and_o obstinate_o adhere_v unto_o those_o damnable_a heresy_n as_o be_v manifest_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o very_a fundamental_a principle_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n from_o all_o such_o as_o have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n but_o deny_v the_o power_n thereof_o and_o as_o have_v err_v concern_v the_o truth_n overthrow_v the_o faith_n of_o some_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o christian_n be_v to_o turn_v from_o and_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o now_o in_o all_o christian_a society_n walk_v according_a to_o that_o pattern_n as_o be_v clear_a in_o the_o new-testament_n but_o if_o person_n make_v outward_a band_n of_o church-unity_n as_o necessary_a condition_n of_o church_n communion_n which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o first_o church_n and_o impose_v they_o contrary_a to_o the_o apostle_n rule_n of_o expediency_n edification_n peace_n and_o charity_n oblige_v all_o person_n in_o the_o church_n notwithstanding_o any_o unclearness_n in_o themselves_o to_o a_o submissive_a obedience_n thereunto_o as_o unto_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o man_n and_o woman_n meeting_n or_o be_v deny_v the_o spiritual_a fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o case_n the_o stand_v fast_o to_o christian_a liberty_n 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further_a this_o spiritual_a government_n and_o christian_a liberty_n be_v not_o only_o consistent_a and_o be_v according_o practise_v in_o the_o first_o church_n but_o i●_n be_v also_o necessary_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o because_o thereby_o the_o spiritual_a unity_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n be_v preserve_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n from_o confusion_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n from_o tyranny_n all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n and_o yet_o in_o charity_n and_o to_o edification_n therefore_o the_o apostle_n paul_n find_v division_n to_o be_v enter_v into_o the_o church_n at_o corinth_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o like_a at_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o those_o church_n he_o lead_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o spiritual_a government_n and_o christian_a liberty_n as_o the_o most_o proper_a remedy_n to_o recover_v and_o preserve_v they_o in_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o he_o that_o will_v be_v 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but_o be_v to_o wait_v on_o the_o lord_n to_o clear_v the_o matter_n to_o their_o understanding_n they_o be_v to_o do_v nothing_o of_o this_o kind_n doubt_o but_o in_o clearness_n and_o faith_n for_o what_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n a_o error_n here_o be_v a_o error_n in_o the_o foundation_n because_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n and_o further_o that_o church-government_n may_v not_o degenerate_a into_o tyranny_n and_o to_o preserve_v christian-liberty_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o wherein_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v the_o great_a end_n of_o government_n be_v to_o preserve_v church-vnity_n that_o there_o be_v no_o schism_n in_o the_o body_n christian_n be_v therefore_o require_v to_o be_v of_o one_o mind_n but_o in_o the_o lord_n their_o unity_n be_v in_o the_o spirit_n not_o in_o a_o uniformity_n of_o outward_a practice_n we_o find_v that_o in_o the_o first_o church_n they_o walk_v in_o different_a outward_a practice_n some_o observe_v a_o day_n and_o some_o not_o observe_v it_o some_o eat_v and_o some_o not_o eat_v and_o that_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o church_n wherein_o they_o be_v command_v by_o the_o apostle_n paul_n as_o a_o rule_n in_o such_o case_n to_o all_o christian_a society_n not_o to_o judge_v one_o another_o because_o of_o they_o whence_o i●s_v manife_a that_o not_o outward_a different_a practice_n break_v the_o spiritual_a unity_n of_o the_o church_n but_o judge_v one_o another_o because_o of_o they_o he_o that_o observe_v a_o day_n or_o other_o outward_a appointment_n in_o the_o church_n do_v it_o in_o the_o lord_n may_v have_v unity_n with_o he_o that_o observe_v it_o not_o also_o in_o the_o lord_n it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o it_o will_v be_v so_o still_o where_o god_n and_o not_o man_n power_n and_o not_o form_n be_v exalt_v for_o indeed_o the_o true_a ground_n of_o unity_n among_o christian_n be_v not_o that_o such_o a_o person_n be_v conform_v to_o i_o in_o outward_a practice_n but_o because_o i_o find_v he_o in_o what_o he_o do_v differ_v from_o i_o walk_v in_o his_o integrity_n according_a to_o his_o own_o understanding_n in_o the_o lord_n and_o this_o be_v the_o strong_a band_n of_o unity_n betwixt_o we_o then_o if_o we_o be_v both_o without_o inward_a convincement_n in_o one_o uniform_a practice_n nothing_o be_v more_o pleasant_a to_o behold_v in_o christian_a society_n while_o we_o see_v but_o in_o part_n and_o every_o individual_a be_v to_o see_v for_o himself_o then_o different_a sort_n and_o size_n of_o christian_n every_o one_o in_o their_o own_o station_n learn_v their_o own_o lesson_n from_o christ_n to_o who_o they_o be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n and_o yet_o in_o their_o different_a practice_n have_v unity_n in_o the_o lord_n one_o with_o another_o this_o be_v indeed_o lovely_a to_o a_o spiritual_a eye_n though_o to_o the_o carnal_a eye_n it_o seem_v undecent_a and_o disorderly_a indeed_o uniformity_n in_o a_o christian_a society_n be_v much_o to_o be_v desire_v but_o the_o lord_n be_v to_o be_v wait_v upon_o to_o bring_v people_n to_o this_o christianity_n be_v begin_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o so_o it_o must_v be_v continue_v nothing_o must_v be_v receive_v by_o force_n of_o church-authority_n or_o argument_n of_o man_n wisdom_n but_o as_o by_o convincement_n the_o conscience_n be_v persuade_v thereunto_o where_o the_o lord_n alone_o be_v to_o rule_v who_o lead_v his_o people_n into_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o different_a outward_a practice_n thus_o without_o force_a or_o constrain_v commentary_n and_o meaning_n by_o repeat_v the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o new-testament_n its_o manifest_a to_o he_o who_o the_o power_n of_o a_o outward_a form_n of_o word_n without_o life_n or_o the_o way_n of_o unrighteousness_n have_v not_o blind_v that_o both_o spiritual_a order_n and_o christian_a liberty_n be_v establish_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o first_o church_n now_o that_o this_o spiritual_a government_n and_o christian_a liberty_n be_v consistent_a in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o christian_a society_n necessary_o follow_v beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o contradiction_n because_o it_o be_v so_o appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o first_o church_n second_o because_o they_o walk_v in_o their_o church-fellowship_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o both_o which_o be_v already_o clear_v neither_o can_v any_o man_n suppose_v either_o that_o the_o apostle_n give_v forth_o inconsistent_a and_o unpracticable_a instruction_n to_o the_o church_n or_o that_o even_o in_o their_o own_o time_n while_o present_a among_o they_o they_o be_v never_o practise_v though_o give_v forth_o except_o he_o design_v to_o lessen_v their_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n or_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n convey_v to_o we_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v but_o
immediate_a revelation_n of_o the_o light_n in_o his_o own_o particular_a then_o receive_v which_o he_o be_v to_o abide_v in_o harken_v unto_o and_o obey_v be_v so_o very_o manifest_a that_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o desert_v the_o cause_n of_o immediate_a revelation_n once_o so_o fierce_o contend_v for_o to_o be_v in_o every_o man_n to_o lead_v he_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o on_o 〈◊〉_d acknowledgement_n of_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o that_o light_n within_o of_o itself_o so_o to_o lead_v they_o in_o who_o it_o be_v or_o to_o preserve_v they_o therein_o it_o remain_v in_o order_n to_o the_o close_n of_o this_o discourse_n to_o examine_v some_o of_o the_o argument_n of_o old_a muster_v up_o by_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n against_o the_o protestant_n and_o long_o since_o refute_v by_o they_o and_o manifest_v in_o their_o conscience_n to_o have_v no_o force_n in_o they_o against_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n treat_v of_o in_o this_o discourse_n yet_o now_o again_o raise_v out_o of_o that_o rubbish_n to_o uphold_v this_o little_a new_a erect_a papacy_n be_v the_o body_n to_o be_v without_o government_n and_o if_o so_o will_v it_o not_o turn_v into_o the_o confusion_n of_o the_o ranter_n every_o one_o have_v liberty_n to_o do_v what_o he_o please_v be_v not_o this_o rather_o a_o carnal_a licentiousness_n than_o christian_a liberty_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v not_o plead_v for_o here_o that_o every_o one_o or_o indeed_o any_o one_o shall_v do_v what_o he_o please_v but_o that_o none_o shall_v be_v constrain_v or_o impose_v upon_o to_o do_v what_o other_o please_v but_o they_o shall_v be_v leave_v free_a to_o do_v what_o god_n please_v they_o that_o be_v christ_n be_v lead_v by_o his_o spirit_n who_o conduct_n can_v introduce_v confusion_n or_o licentiousness_n in_o they_o especial_o who_o own_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o their_o outward_a rule_n indeed_o such_o thing_n may_v enter_v into_o a_o christian_a society_n but_o its_o only_a then_o when_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o leading_n of_o god_n spirit_n according_a to_o they_o be_v depart_v from_o but_o be_v we_o not_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o true_a church_n believe_v be_v not_o the_o infallible_a spirit_n of_o god_n in_o his_o church_n if_o so_o what_o will_v you_o believe_v if_o not_o as_o the_o true_a church_n do_v believe_v i_o answer_v this_o be_v the_o old_a reason_n of_o carnal_a wisdom_n whereby_o christ_n be_v justle_v out_o of_o his_o office_n and_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n trample_v upon_o to_o introduce_v a_o implicit_a blind_a obedience_n the_o strength_n of_o which_o argument_n be_v at_o large_a solid_o refute_v and_o the_o deceit_n lurk_v under_o that_o cover_v clear_o lay_v open_a by_o w._n pen_n a_o protestant_n in_o his_o book_n entitle_v a_o address_n to_o protestant_n the_o perusal_n whereof_o be_v recommend_v to_o the_o people_n call_v quaker_n for_o their_o information_n herein_o i_o be_o say_v he_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o true_a church_n believe_v but_o not_o because_o she_o so_o believe_v but_o because_o i_o be_o convince_v in_o my_o conscience_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o she_o believe_v otherwise_o my_o faith_n may_v be_v false_a though_o she_o be_v true_a we_o have_v the_o same_o rule_n for_o our_o faith_n the_o true_a church_n have_v and_o the_o same_o reason_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o she_o have_v the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o believer_n who_o make_v up_o the_o whole_a church_n have_v the_o same_o rule_n of_o faith_n with_o i_o in_o particular_a therefore_o i_o believe_v as_o the_o whole_a church_n believe_v but_o upon_o the_o same_o principle_n and_o motive_n upon_o which_o every_o one_o in_o particular_a believe_v who_o first_o make_v up_o a_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v conviction_n and_o choice_n and_o though_o i_o ought_v thus_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n believe_v and_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n rest_v in_o his_o catholic_n church_n yet_o i_o be_o not_o therefore_o blind_o without_o examination_n and_o convincement_n to_o give_v up_o my_o whole_a concern_v temporal_a and_o spiritual_a unto_o any_o particular_a society_n of_o christian_n even_o though_o i_o be_v engage_v as_o one_o among_o they_o in_o church-fellowship_n as_o unto_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o man_n or_o womens-meeting_n the_o generality_n among_o who_o may_v be_v in_o a_o decay_n and_o the_o dissenter_n may_v be_v the_o few_o who_o keep_v their_o garment_n undefiled_a as_o most_o ordinary_o in_o age_n past_o it_o have_v happen_v actual_o to_o be_v in_o other_o christian_a society_n obj._n but_o be_v there_o not_o a_o government_n in_o the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o be_v there_o not_o governor_n and_o govern_v and_o shall_v it_o not_o be_v so_o still_o be_v not_o the_o elder_n to_o seed_v the_o flock_n and_o rule_v over_o they_o and_o be_v not_o the_o flock_n to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o they_o and_o to_o follow_v their_o faith_n as_o they_o that_o must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o it_o be_v not_o tyranny_n then_o to_o exercise_v this_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n how_o come_v it_o to_o be_v so_o now_o i_o answer_v church-government_n be_v spiritual_a and_o only_o to_o be_v exercise_v spiritual_o in_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o govern_v not_o as_o lording_n it_o over_o their_o conscience_n by_o a_o ecclesiastic_a jurisdiction_n but_o by_o persuasion_n and_o conviction_n to_o become_v manifest_a in_o their_o conscience_n wait_v till_o the_o lord_n shall_v reveal_v it_o to_o they_o thus_o be_v spiritual_a government_n exercise_v in_o the_o first_o church_n by_o their_o governor_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n edification_n peace_n and_o charity_n and_o thus_o do_v the_o govern_v submit_v themselves_o in_o the_o lord_n whereby_o they_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o different_a outward_a practice_n which_o be_v depart_v from_o the_o government_n become_v tyrannous_a obj._n but_o the_o infallible_a judgement_n in_o reference_n to_o difference_n in_o the_o church_n though_o it_o be_v fix_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n ought_v it_o not_o to_o be_v exercise_v by_o one_o or_o more_o certain_a person_n or_o person_n in_o the_o general_a meeting_n of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o body_n so_o long_o as_o he_o or_o they_o abide_v in_o the_o conduct_n of_o that_o spirit_n and_o be_v not_o in_o a_o decay_n and_o what_o can_v be_v the_o hazard_n to_o say_v that_o in_o such_o a_o church_n there_o be_v still_o a_o infallible_a judgement_n in_o one_o or_o more_o so_o guide_v to_o who_o all_o be_v to_o submit_v in_o respect_n we_o be_v not_o to_o imagine_v that_o in_o a_o christian_a society_n there_o must_v be_v no_o order_n make_v or_o execute_v for_o the_o better_a regulate_v of_o the_o society_n or_o that_o among_o they_o matter_n controvert_v shall_v never_o be_v final_o determine_v i_o answer_v in_o such_o a_o society_n matter_n controvert_v may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v final_o determine_v by_o person_n of_o the_o society_n to_o who_o they_o shall_v be_v refer_v and_o it_o rest_v in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o one_o particular_a church_n to_o make_v order_n for_o the_o better_a govern_v of_o the_o church_n the_o exercise_n whereof_o may_v be_v commit_v by_o the_o church_n to_o particular_a elder_n and_o overseer_n to_o who_o in_o their_o act_n of_o government_n they_o be_v accountable_a but_o in_o the_o frame_n such_o order_n and_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o church-government_n the_o rule_n of_o expediency_n edification_n peace_n and_o charity_n be_v ever_o to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o desciple_n may_v be_v preserve_v tender_a under_o the_o feel_n of_o christ_n government_n within_o they_o that_o 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