Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

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

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76322	A testimony of the ministers in the province of Essex, to the trueth of Iesus Christ, and to the solemn league and covenant; as also against the errors, heresies, and blasphemies of these times, and the toleration of them. Sent up to the ministers within the province of London, subscribers of the first testimony.	Biddle, John, 1615-1662, attributed name.	1648 (1648)	Wing B1674C; Thomason E438_4; ESTC R204749	3,798	12

A TESTIMONY OF THE Ministers in the Province of Essex TO THE Trueth of Iesus Christ AND TO The Solemn League and Covenant AS ALSO Against the Errors Heresies and Blasphemies of these times and the Toleration of them Sent up to the Ministers within the Province of London Subscribers of the First TESTIMONY May 3 d. LONDON Printed by A. M. for Tho. Vnderhill at the Bible in Woodstreet M.DC.XLVIII TO OUR REVEREND AND deare Brethren in the Lord and in his work Ministers of the Gospel in the Province of London Subscribers to the late Testimony to the Trueth of Iesus Christ Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied Reverend and Dear Brethren 1. THE hearty zeal we owe to the glory of our gracious God so mightily working for us his unworthy Ministers and People in this land by stopping that deluge of Popery Superstition and Prophaneness ready of late yeares by a prevailing Faction to have overwhelmed us 2. The Conscience of that Sacred Bond of our solemn League and Covenant thereupon taken against Popery Superstition Heresie Schisme and Prophanenesse 3. The sad observation of that unthankfull requitall made for such transcendent mercies by so many more violent evills ever since not only to break out into lawlesse liberty and licentiousnesse but to contend for the sufferance and exercise of many dangerous things in matters of Doctrine and Worship 4. The active vigilancy of Satans Emissaries for sowing the. Tares of pernicious Errors detestable Heresies and horrid Blasphemies 5. The remembrance of that day of Humiliation enjoyned by Authority of Parliament and observed by us not long since for suppressing the growth and spreading of those abominations so farre in this Land 6. The feare of some dreadfull Iudgement the rod of Gods anger against us an hypocriticall Nation and a people of his wrath in case Reformation answerable to our Covenant solemnly sworne and humiliation publikely professed should not accordingly be endeavoured 7. The desire of our soules not to be partakers of other mens sins lest we partake with them also in their plagues 8. The hope we have in the Lord who hath put into the hearts of the honourable Houses of Parliament to acknowledge That never any of Gods servants since the foundation of the world had more high and strong engagements heartily and sincerely to endeavour the compleat establishment of purity and unity in the Church of God That the same gracious God will also give them an heart to finish it 9. The sence of our duty not onely as Christians earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the Saints but also as Ministers to beare witness to the trueth and stand up for the confirmation thereof against all gainsayers 10. The exemplary publike Testimony given by your selves our faithfull Brethren in your late Attestation to the Truth of Iesus Christ and to our solemn League and Covenant are amongst divers considerations no small inducements to us the Ministers of the Gospel in the County of Essex to give you the right hand of fellowship not only by preaching the truth against raigning Errors Heresies and Blasphemies of these corrupt times but by preserving and transmitting that Sacred Depositum as much as in us lyeth unto all posterity We therefore whose names are hereunto subscribed doe hereby declare and testifie to your selves and to all our Brethren the Ministers and Members of this and all the Churches of Christ 1. That the Confession of Faith Directorie for Worship and Humble Advice for Church Government presented by the Reverend Assembly of Divines to the Honourable Parliament are as we conceive so agreeable to the Word that we cannot but exceedingly blesse the Name of our God for his presence with that Assembly Professing our hearty concurrence therein and cheerfull readinesse to submit thereto resolving likewise to continue humble Suitors at the throne of Grace That our gracious God in his due time would stirre up the Parliament to establish the foresaid Confession of Faith and Advice for Church-Government with their Civill Sanction as they have already the Directory for Worship 2. That we look upon our solemne League and Covenant as a most choice blessing from God to these Churches and Kingdomes so happily united therein Earnestly intreating the Lord to give us grace that we and all his people may continue faithfull therein and not to charge upon us but of his abundant mercy to pardon wherein our selves or the Kingdome have any way therefrom hitherto receded 3. That however we judge it most agreeable to Christianity That tender Consciences of Dissenting Brethren bee tenderly dealt withall yet we dare not carry in our bosomes such steely Consciences and rockie hearts as not to mourne in our soules That after those strong engagements and such a solemn day of publike humiliation for suppressing those growing and spreading Errors and Heresies yet in stead thereof under colour of Liberty of Conscience the same still are boldly and publikely vented and maintained as much if not more then ever before to the great dishonour of the great and dreadfull name of Almighty God the subversion of his most holy Truth the contempt of the publique Worship Ordinances and Ministerie of Iesus Christ the perdition of unstable soules the grief and scandall of friends to Religion and the great reproach of our Church and Kingdome the which however some may perhaps count wisedome to countenance and connive at yet for our parts we do solemnlie and sincerelie professe as in the presence of Almightie God the Searcher and judge of all hearts That from our soules we doe utterly detest and abhor as all former cursed doctrines of Popery Arminianisme and Socianisme So likewise all the damnable Errors Heresies and Blasphemies of these present evill times whether of Anti-Scripturists Familists Antinomians Anti-Trinitarians Arrians Anabaptists or whatsoever is found contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of Godliness In all humility beseeching the God of all grace to direct stablish strengthen settle and still to preserve us and all his faithfull people from being led away with the Error of the wicked to fall from our own stedfastnesse from our hearts fervently praying that the Lord Iesus may not have a controversie with this Church and Kingdome for suffering any thing which his soul abhors withall ever desirous to blesse his holy Name for your pious forwardnesse in faithfull witness-bearing to the Truth of Christ and perswading our selves that this your zeal will provoke others to the like Attestation We commend you to God and the word of his grace and remaine Yoor unfained loving Brethren and fellow-Labourers in the work of the Lord. John Bedle Minister of Bar●eston William Sandford Minister of Rooding alba Iohn Smith Minister of Dunmow magna Francis Hill Minister of Rooding alta Henry Bates Minister of Mashbery Samuel Noel Minister of Canfield parva Francis Bridge Minister of Much Canfeild Martin Alderson Minister of Dunmow Parva Samuel Newton Minister of Sanford Magna Isaac Pennington Minister of Sanford Parva