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	holy_a	pillar_n	2,667	5	9.8906	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A84133	The Anabaptists ground-work for reformation: or, New planting of churches, that no man, woman, nor child, may be baptized, but such as have justifying faith, and doe make profession thereof, before, to the baptizer, found false, with all things depending thereon. As being contrary to the Scriptures, and to the examples of Christ and his Apostles, ... Proved by severall arguments. Whereunto one T.L. a principall baptizer, (and apostle in their account) hath given his answers. Unto which answers, replies are also made by I.E. and some arguments annexed, proving, that the children of all such beleevers as were baptized, and so received into the Church, might be baptized, and received also. With a brief declaration what the true reformation is, and shal be, farre above these Anabaptists, and all such carnall builders conceits. And who the two witnesses of God are, by whom chiefly it is to be performed. Imprimatut [sic]. Iames Cranford,	Etherington, John, fl. 1641-1645.; Lamb, Thomas, d. 1686.	1644 (1644)	Wing E3381; Thomason E50_2; ESTC R23515	28,610	37

through the name of Christ a gift of the Spirit of God sufficient to make him a fit subject for Baptisme then he did his being in the gall of bitternesse and bond of iniquitie through the spirit of Satan sometime after All one as if T. L. should say and argue to prove that Judas his t●eason against Christ so wickedly acted by him when the Divell was entred into him so long after he had through the word of Christ and gift of the holy Ghost beleeved and was baptized made him as fit a subject for baptisme as the faith that he had when he was baptized in the esteeme of Luke and the rest of the Evangelists that writ of him which were very blasphemous to speake or once to goe about to argue to such purpose And whereas T. L. in his third place saith By this reasoning it will follow that a person which in case were in the Church should be excommunicated out of it by the rule should be received into the Church by baptisme which were contradictious In this T. L. saith true in respect to his owne reasoning for if Simon Magus his being in the gall of bitternesse c. made him as fit a subject for baptisme as the faith he had when he was baptized then he was now well fitted by T. L. his arguing to be baptized again and it is very probable if one may judge upon probabilities which is T. L. his rule that he hath baptized some such persons himselfe again and again And let me ask T. L. if it be not contradictious for a Baptizer though as great an Apostolicke one as himselfe to judge all that he baptizeth to have justifying faith and to be a Church of regenerate Saints and yet be but a Church of hypocrites for any certaintie of judgement he hath to the contrary The fifth Argument If Christ and his Apostles knew that there were and would be in the Church such beleeving Disciples baptized according to the rule of Christ as would be like the stony and thorny ground as well as good ground hypocrites and such as would offend the little ones that beleeved in Christ and despise him hold heresies c. and that it must needs be so that they which are approved may be known Then did not Christ nor his Apostles judge and account all that were and would be in the Church to be of the little ones that beleeved in Christ of the approved ones But Christ and his Apostles knew that there were and would be such in the Church as well as of the little ones the approved ones as it is evident by Matth. 13.21 22. Ioh. 6.64 65. Acts 5.1 2. Acts 8.13 Acts 20.29 30. Matth. 18.6 7. 1 Cor. 11.18 19. and sundry other places Therefore they did not so account and judge of all The Answer of T. L. I answer this argument confounds things that are to be distinguished First we must distinguish between the judgement and account of Christ which was above the rule given to the Apostles to judge by and the Apostles judgement according to the same rule Secondly we must distinguish between being and what possibly they might be and the Apostles judgement in relation to both Thirdly we are to distinguish between the whole joyntly and the parts severally and the Apostles judgement in relation to either Lastly we are to distinguish of the persons in respect of the time of their comming for baptisme and the time of their continuance in the Church These things thus premised the answer is easie First that Christ knowing things infallibly did not account of all that were admitted into the Church by baptisme to be true beleevers and approved and yet no rule to baptize any other but such as were so judged when they were admitted by them that admitted them and none of the places alledged doe prove the contrary The Apostles indeed might judge that those whom they conceived to have justifying faith according to probabilitie might possibly be destitute of it according to certainty And that although there were contentions and some great faults in the Church in the generall so concluded by the Apostles yet not determined who were the particulars alwayes that caused the same might leave the search of that to the Congregation who were to censure them accordingly And also having found the particulars they being in the Church the event of private and brotherly admonition and reprehension must be tried before they be excommunicated Whereas if they were not of the Church they must manifest repentance for every evill known before they be received to baptisme Matth. 3.6 Act. 2.38 The Reply of I. E. First where T. L. saith the Argument confounds things that are to be distinguished he speaks not truly it confounds nothing only it proves sufficiently that Christ and his Apostles did know and so may we by their testimonies and our owne experience that there alwayes were and would be in the Church baptized according to rule such as the places quoted doe describe and that the Church in the outward state thereof generally considered was never nor is otherwise to be judged of There will be false brethren false teachers hypocrites such as hold heresies stony ground thorny ground covetous persons lovers of this present world proud boasters lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God carnall corrupt persons whose belly is their God minding earthly things having eys full of adultery contentious c. And also of Gods elect some yet remaining like some of the former of them unregenerate and some regenerate sanctified ones justified by faith in Iesus Christ whom the holy Ghost calleth good ground trees of righteousnesse the children of wisedome the children of God the called of God in Iesus Christ beloved of God Saints by calling sanctified in Iesus Christ the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of truth the body and spouse of Christ living stones built on Iesus Christ the chief corner stone a spirituall house a Kingly Priesthood which doe offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Iesus Christ and of whom Christ saith And upon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it c. For although the other evill sorts are altogether with these in the outward state of the Church partaking with them in common things yet these onely properly and truly spiritually and inwardly considered are the Church of the living God his Temple and Tabernacle And to this Church doe all the most speciall peculiar priviledges and treasures graces gifts and promises belong And when the Apostles wrote their Epistles to the severall distinct Churches as that of Rome Corinth and the rest they directed them chiefly to these who were beloved of God called to be Saints sanctified in Christ Iesus as appeareth plainly Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 Eph. 1.1 Phil. 1.1 Col. 1.2 1 Thess 1.1.4 1 Pet. 1.2 Although they did not sever them by name nor by person from the

of the earth with their armies gather themselves together against him and his Armies and doe what they can the Beast shall not recover out of his consumption he must be taken and with him the false prophet his Clergy that wrought miracles before him and both be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone And those Kings of the earth and the rest of his armies be slain with the sword of him that sits on the white horse which comes out of his mouth c. as the Lord hath spoken Rev. 19. For who art thou O thou great Mountain Babel before him Thou also shalt become a plain like all thy predecessors and Monarchs before thee The man whose name is the Branch he hath laid the foundation of the house of God and he shall finish it even to the full perfection And now as hitherto the Lord by his word of truth the golden oyle of his two Olive trees with which through his holy Spirit he hath lighted his golden Candlestick in her seven Lamps so that she can and hath of late held forth the same again in some measure to the world whereby the abominations of Antichrist and his Church hath been in part discovered from day to day to this presennt And as their glory decayeth so accordingly shall the face of her the Lords true Church by degrees be seen more and more to shine in her true spirituall light and beautie untill she come neerest like unto the primitive state that she in this last corrupt age of the world can come to which upon the full end and desolation of the Beast and his Church will be Then many things which now remaine even to some of Gods chosen servants hid and obscure though foretold in Scripture shall bee knowne and understood Then shall shee the true Church indeed come clean forth of that wildernesse of her secret resting place where shee had been fed so long and be farre more visible then now shee is She will not be divided into so many Sects as now are of those that falsly take on them her name having so many severall independent Leaders as there are independent Sects and as many Sects as every one that will rise to draw Disciples after him can by speaking perverse things unto them make Nay she shall be as she alwayes hath been in such respects and is undivided though disperst holding faith and truth without confusion or division yet not without some persecution and affliction which as the Lord fore-told her must bee a part of her portion in this world And although she may and shall in respect of her severall places of abode be distinguished by the names of the places yet shall she not be divided nor any one part independent from the other nor from the whole no more then the parts members of one body are nor one part say or think of another I have no need of thee no more then the members of one body may Neither shall they bee free from all kind of dependancie on the Magistracie or State where they are But as they being in place of authoritie are in duty bound to have speciall care of the glory worship and service of God and to see that he be not dishonored by Idolatry superstition or any blasphemous erronious Antichristian doctrines nor any kind of abominations or grosse wickednesses lest they by allowing or permitting the same upon knowledge be found guilty of their sinne and perish with them And also to see that the Church as well as the State be ordered and so setled in a forme of goverment according to the word of God and so protected and defended by them that all the people may peaceably be taught in the wayes of truth and salvation So the Church and Children of God are bound to submit and bee obedient And although they are free and independent from men in all spirituall things concerning God and their owne Consciences not having in such respects any supreme Head Ruler or Teacher over them but Christ their Lord nor may So call any man on earth Lord because one is their Lord nor any man Doctor because one is their Doctor even He the Lord himselfe who hath appointed no one in his stead during the time of his personall absence so to bee over his Church but his holy Spirit onely the Spirit of truth the Comforter which he hath sent and is with his Church to the worlds end to rule and governe it to teach and guide her and all her children in the wayes of truth as being the great moderator of all his spirituall matters yet are they not therefore free from all dependencie on the Magistracie or State But if they shall falle in their duties before mentioned and doe and command things contrary as hath been hitherto most commonly in all Kingdomes and States in the world Then are the Children free and not bound to obey but rather to suffer unto death they are to give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods as Christ hath commanded This Church if ever it come so neere the primitive state as is hoped upon good ground it will shee will be so eminent in every part where she shall be so severed and distinguisht that if one brother trespasse against another and will not bee reconciled it may bee knowne where to goe and tell it to the Church according to the Rule of Christ Matth. 18. which Church if the trespasser shall refuse to heare hee is then to be unto his brother in account as a Heathen and a Publican For of this Church and her children it was that Christ spake when he said Verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven vers 18. And therefore hee saith againe If two of you shall agree on earth he saith not any two in the outward state of the Church But Two of you meaning of his truly faithfull ones as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven For where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them For although there are and will be many within the outward state and pale of the Church that are not truly faithfull that are not of her in respect of her inward spirituall state of true Repentance justifying Faith power of the Spirit Wisedome from above Christ speakes not here unto them nor of them they though they bee never so great in place and power externall and wisedome naturall have nothing to doe with these excellent treasures They have no part with the Spouse herselfe therein it is to her and her children alone that Christ hath promised given and will give those speciall peculiar graces and those keyes of the Kingdome of heaven that whatsoever they shall bind on earth shall be

servants as hee saith Rev. 17.14 He who in righteousnesse doth judge and make war hath been with those his Armies fighting and prevailing all this while against the Beast and those Kings of the earth and their Armies who gathered themselves together against him and against his Armies according as it was foretold Rev. 19.11 12 13 14 15 19. and as at this day we see All these things have already thus farre passed and proceeded otherwise that reformation which is and hath been within those yeares of Kingdoms and Cities and peoples revolt from the Beast and his Church that mother of harlots and abominations of the earth which we have seen read and heard of and which cost the lives of so many thousands that testified and maintained the truth of Gods two witnesses against them had not been But God for his Elect sake that they might bee delivered from their abominations and cruelties and know his truth and be saved as he had determined and foretold would have it so And so those dayes of their abominiation and great tribulation which by their power they forced are thus as in England so in other kingdoms parts where they had to doe shortned according to his word and as good and comfortable experience hath proved unto us for which we are greatly bound to give thankes unto God So that wheras some say the two witnesses are not yet slain so not risen and that the Beast must get up again out of his consumption and kill them and then after 3 years natural and a halfe they to rise again conceiving that because these words Rev. 11.7 And when they have finished their testimony the Beast which ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit shall make warre against them and kill them c. are spoken after the description of their prophesying in Sackcloth a thousand two hundred and threescore days which is the time of the Beasts reigne and will have the two witnesses to bee the Christian Magistracie and Ministry or as some say the two Testaments and the Ministry or two speciall men c. In all which they are utterly deceived for first although these words And when they have finished their t●stimony c. come after the description of their prophesying in sackcloth yet have they not respect to a finishing of their prophsying in sackcloth for their prophesying in sackcloth shal never be finished till all Gods elect are accoplished neither did they ever otherwise prophesie but in sackcloth that is in mourning All the Prophets and the Apostles the witnessers of their word and testimony both in speaking and writing did it in mourning in teares suffering also alwayes with them and being hated of the world for their word sake So that the words in ver 7. of finishing their testimony cannot have respect to their prophesying in sackcloth 1260 dayes but must needs be understood of that finishing their testimony before spoken of And again the Text saith not The Beast that descendeth shall kill them as if he were to kill them a little before his death but the beast that ascendeth c. shewing plainly that he was to kill them at his rising and not at his dying And the three dayes and a halfe of their bodies lying dead in the streets of the Beasts great citie are the three propheticall years and a halfe of the beasts reigne and not three naturall years and a halfe as they of the Church of Rome and some of our owne also would have it And whereas they are said to prophesie all the time in sackcloth while their bodies lie dead and unburied in the streets of Sodom through their malice yet they prophesie against them all the time notwithstanding and the judgements of God which they have spoken with their mouth against the Beast and his Church shall surely come upon them Neither doe nor did their bodies lie dead and unburied in the Church of the Saints at any time though they were never so few or never so disperst into the desart or wildernesse they alwayes retained them alive and prophesying but yet in sackcloth with much opposition And for any Magistrates Ministers Men or Angels to be the two witnesses or equall with them is not possible neither may such an opinion be admitted or thought of for what creature or creatures in heaven or earth may or can be said to empty the golden oyle out of themselves into the golden Candlestick which is the Church of God whereof his true Ministers are part but onely the two Testaments of God those two Olive branches and two speciall Candlestickes being both one which alwayes stood before the ruler of the whole earth as well in the Prophet Zacharies time and before it as now since who have the golden oyle in themselves naturally as the Olive trees have their oyle and doe hold forth their light to all the world as in Zach. 4.11 12 13 14. And who may be said to smite the earth with all maner of plagues so often as they will but they if they say the word it is done All that the holy Prophets and Apostles have spoken and written was their word and testimony not their own Therefore the Lord calleth them his two Witnesses Rev. 11.3 And I will give unto my two Witnesses c. because they are his own word according as the holy Angel answered the Prophet Zachariah when he desired to know what they were saying This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel saying Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts Who art thou O thou great Mountain c. Zach. 4.6 7. Neither may any Minister of God Apostle Prophet or Angel say or think when he writeth or speaketh the things of God that he writeth or speaketh his own words Neither may any man in the name of the Lord speak his own words but if he speak in his name he ought alwayes to speak as the Oracles of God as the Lord saith Therefore have I cut them down by my Prophets and slain them with the words of my mouth So then the two witnesses being the two Testaments of God which are his two Candlestickes also that carry in them the light of his truth and power of his Spirit which the Beast at his rising had killed but are now come to life again even the Spirit and life of Gods own word whereby also he made the worlds which name belongs onely to him who sitteth on the white horse The Lamb Iesus Christ the Branch the Stone that hath the seven Eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the world spoken of in Zach. 3.8.9 and 4.10 Rev. 5.6 Even that head Stone which Zerubabel was to bring forth he that is King of Kings and Lord of Lords who hath the sharp sword in his mouth He as he hath prevailed thus farre against the Beast and his Armies so he shall go on and prosper in his war let the Beast and the Kings

bound in heaven and whatsoever they shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven as he also declared Matth. 16. vers 18 19. Neither is the Prince or Magistrate having the same grace exempted from these priviledges because he is in place of authoritie but rather the more to be honoured that way This Church I say shall now daily in respect of her light of Faith and Truth and other graces and gifts of the Spirit increase and by the word of Gods two Testaments and power of his Spirit wherewith hee hath and will replenish her shall not onely convince the Antichristian people and wicked perishing World of sinne of righteousnesse and of judgement but also and more especially by the same Word of Truth and power of his Spirit bring forth and accomplish all her owne children even the full number of Gods elect the generation of his first-borne which within the very time of this present last age will bee fully perfected as the Prophet Daniel declareth Dan. 12.12.13 according to the words of Christ Matth. 24.29 Rev. 11.14 For as the true estate of the primitive Church of Christ lasted but a short time before the Dragon raised his great persecution against her and her Child the first fruits wherewith shee was then in travell to bee delivered by which meanes shee was inforced to flie into the Wildernesse and so the great light of her bright shining graces shee being then clothed with the Sunne and having the Moon under her feet and on her head a Crowne of twelve Starres which made her so visible like a Citie set upon a Hill that cannot bee hid and as a Candle in a Candlestick which giveth light to all that are in the house was elipsed and hidden in obscuritie in comparison of her first estate as you may read and perceive Rev. 12. So now after the desolation of Antichrist which is now neere at hand the time will bee as short wherein her light shall in a measure so shine againe and shee shall travell to bring forth her last fruits unto God and to the Lamb before the Dragon the Devill Satan who in respect of his former practices as Revel 12. and before hee hath been so long time bound shall bee loosed again out of his prison and goe unto the Kings of the earth and of the whole World to deceive the Nations that are in the foure quarters of the Earth even Gog and Magog and gather them together and bring them downe in number like the sand of the Sea and compasse the Camp of the Saints about and the beloved Citie and so for a little season greatly trouble her even till fire shall come down from God out of heaven and devoure them as it is written Rev. 16.14 Rev. 20.7.8.9 according to Ezek. 38.39 chapters And then the Lord JESUS CHRIST will come in his glory and all his holy Angels with him and then he shall sit in the throne of his glory and all the dead both good and bad shall bee raised and with the living bee brought before him and hee will separate the Sheep from the Goats the Books shall bee opened and they shall bee judged every man according to his workes as it is written Matth. 25.31 31 32 33 34 c. John 5.28 29. Revel 20.11 12 13 c. And so the judgement being passed and the corrupt state of this world dissolved there shall bee new heavens and a new earth and the holy Citie new Jerusalem the Bride the Lambs wife shall bee manifested from heaven in her perfect glory with all her children according as it is often in Scripture foretold of her Esay 49.14 15 c. Esay 60. Esay 65. Esay 66. Rev. 21. and 22. The whole house of Israel all Gods elect and chosen people of all Nations and times shall now bee perfectly and fully delivered from all their captivities and troubles sorrowes teares graves dust and shall sorrow and weep no more as the Lord hath promised Rev. 21.4 and sundry other places And hee their Lord and King Christ Jesus shall reigne over them in Mount Sion for ever and ever world without end as it is also written Esay 9.7 Ezek. 37.34 35. Dan. 2.44 Dan. 7.14 Mich. 4.7 Luke 1.33 Rev. 11.15 REV. 22. 12 13 14 15. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his workes shall be I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last Blessed are they that doe his commandements that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the Citie For without are Dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murderers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie FINIS Page 2. line the last save two Acts 5.1 2 3 Acts 19.14 15 c. Page 6. line 7. Joh. 6.64 65. This is licensed and entred according to Order