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	know_v	spirit_n	3,951	5	5.4085	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B20736	The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches walking in brotherly equalitie, or co-ordination, without subjection of one church to another measured and examined bythe golden reed of the sanctuary, containing a full declaration of the church-way in all particulars / by Mr. J. Cotton ...	Cotton, John, 1584-1652.	1645 (1645)	Wing C6471; ESTC R209858	96,219	122

offence_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o their_o brethren_n but_o if_o it_o do_v appear_v that_o the_o dissent_n whether_o of_o one_o or_o more_o brethren_n do_v arise_v from_o such_o darkness_n and_o intricacie_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n as_o that_o the_o officer_n and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n do_v find_v themselves_o either_o unable_a to_o clear_v the_o matter_n full_o or_o at_o least_o unfit_a in_o regard_n of_o some_o prejudice_n which_o may_v be_v conceive_v against_o they_o which_o sometime_o do_v fall_v out_o though_o very_o seldom_o in_o such_o a_o case_n when_o the_o matter_n be_v weighty_a and_o the_o doubt_v great_a on_o both_o side_n than_o with_o common_a consent_n we_o call_v in_o for_o light_n from_o other_o church_n and_o entreat_v they_o to_o send_v over_o to_o we_o such_o of_o their_o elder_n or_o brethren_n as_o may_v be_v fit_a to_o judge_v in_o such_o a_o cause_n upon_o their_o come_n the_o church_n meet_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n the_o whole_a cause_n and_o all_o the_o proceed_n in_o it_o be_v lay_v open_a to_o they_o who_o by_o the_o help_n of_o christ_n ponder_v and_o study_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n the_o truth_n be_v clear_v a_o right_a way_n of_o peace_n and_o concord_n discover_v and_o advise_v and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o brethren_n on_o all_o part_n comfortable_o satisfy_v sect_n iv_o in_o these_o transaction_n we_o know_v not_o what_o may_v be_v subject_a to_o exception_n or_o controversy_n but_o only_o that_o we_o allow_v to_o the_o people_n so_o much_o power_n in_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n both_o in_o bind_v a_o offender_n to_o admonition_n and_o excommunication_n and_o in_o lose_v of_o penitent_n from_o the_o same_o but_o the_o reason_n that_o prevail_v with_o we_o to_o take_v this_o course_n seem_v to_o we_o to_o have_v evident_a ground_n from_o scripture-light_n and_o therefore_o may_v excuse_v we_o from_o follow_v the_o pattern_n of_o such_o church_n as_o rather_o consult_v with_o humane_a wisdom_n then_o divine_a institution_n in_o this_o case_n our_o first_o reason_n be_v take_v from_o the_o royal_a rule_n of_o love_n and_o wisdom_n in_o heal_a offence_n give_v by_o our_o saviour_n matth._n 18.17_o where_o he_o direct_v a_o brother_n offend_v for_o the_o heal_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o offender_n final_o to_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o church_n tell_v say_v he_o the_o church_n now_o we_o can_v find_v throughout_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o ever_o the_o word_n church_n be_v take_v any_o otherwise_o then_o for_o the_o society_n and_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a unless_o it_o be_v once_o where_o it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o civil_a assembly_n act._n 19.41_o but_o never_o for_o one_o bishop_n or_o counsellor_n or_o archdeacon_n for_o neither_o do_v the_o scripture_n acknowledge_v any_o of_o these_o office_n in_o the_o church_n at_o all_o as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o take_v a_o bishop_n as_o now_o they_o stand_v nor_o can_v the_o church_n which_o be_v a_o word_n of_o multitude_n hold_v forth_o a_o bishop_n or_o his_o commissary_n who_o be_v but_o one_o person_n for_o though_o one_o person_n may_v represent_v a_o whole_a church_n when_o he_o be_v send_v forth_o in_o the_o church_n name_n with_o instruction_n from_o the_o church_n yet_o such_o be_v not_o the_o case_n here_o the_o bishop_n come_v in_o his_o own_o name_n and_o the_o commissary_n in_o the_o bishop_n name_n but_o neither_o of_o they_o in_o the_o church_n name_n nor_o with_o instruction_n from_o the_o church_n but_o rather_o with_o destruction_n or_o at_o least_o with_o disturbance_n to_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v the_o word_n church_n take_v throughout_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o a_o assembly_n of_o presbyter_n the_o consistory_n be_v a_o word_n unheard_a of_o there_o nor_o be_v any_o complaint_n direct_v thither_o unless_o it_o be_v to_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o hear_n &_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v say_v to_o be_v assemble_v in_o the_o house_n of_o james_n to_o prepare_v and_o instruct_v paul_n for_o the_o carriage_n of_o his_o matter_n before_o the_o church_n nor_o be_v any_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o the_o presbyter_n alone_o to_o be_v administer_v by_o they_o though_o they_o be_v to_o be_v administer_v by_o they_o in_o the_o presence_n and_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v blame_v for_o neglect_n of_o proceed_v against_o offender_n whether_o balaam_n or_o jezabel_n or_o the_o nicholaitan_n the_o charge_n be_v give_v not_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n only_o but_o to_o the_o church_n also_o themselves_o let_v he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n rev._n 2.17.29_o and_o though_o the_o word_n congregation_n which_o be_v all_o one_o with_o church_n be_v sometime_o put_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o elder_n or_o judge_n of_o the_o congregation_n yet_o 1._o it_o be_v far_o more_o frequent_o put_v for_o the_o elder_n and_o body_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v together_o as_o he_o that_o observe_v the_o several_a place_n shall_v find_v it_o 2._o when_o it_o be_v put_v for_o the_o elder_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o congregation_n as_o numb_a 35.12.24_o 25._o it_o be_v never_o understand_v of_o they_o sit_v in_o a_o consistory_n by_o themselves_o apart_o from_o the_o people_n but_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n who_o also_o have_v liberty_n in_o such_o case_n to_o rescue_v a_o innocent_a from_o unjust_a punishment_n 1_o sam._n 14.45_o object_n in_o mat._n 18.17_o when_o christ_n direct_v the_o brother_n offend_v to_o tell_v the_o church_n he_o speak_v of_o such_o a_o church_n to_o who_o we_o may_v orderly_o and_o ordinary_o complain_v now_o this_o we_o can_v do_v to_o the_o whole_a multitude_n answ_n we_o willing_o grant_v it_o will_v be_v orderly_o to_o tell_v any_o offence_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n before_o it_o be_v present_v to_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o church_n both_o because_o they_o be_v the_o mouth_n and_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n and_o also_o meet_v it_o be_v all_o thing_n be_v prepare_v by_o they_o for_o the_o church_n cognizance_n that_o so_o the_o church_n be_v not_o cumber_v as_o sometime_o it_o may_v with_o unnecessary_a and_o frivolous_a agitation_n but_o though_o the_o elder_n in_o such_o a_o case_n have_v power_n to_o direct_v and_o persuade_v what_o be_v best_a to_o be_v do_v yet_o not_o power_n to_o judge_v and_o determine_v public_a case_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o the_o brother_n offend_v be_v satisfy_v in_o their_o advice_n answ_n 2._o when_o a_o whole_a multitude_n be_v assemble_v in_o a_o body_n any_o offence_n may_v be_v orderly_a and_o ordinary_o tell_v unto_o they_o by_o a_o complainant_n especial_o in_o case_n any_o officer_n among_o they_o shall_v call_v he_o forth_o to_o tell_v his_o complaint_n as_o the_o levite_n orderly_o tell_v his_o complaint_n to_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n assemble_v at_o mispah_n judg._n 20.3_o 4_o etc._n etc._n object_n 2._o the_o church_n christ_n direct_v unto_o he_o presuppose_v to_o be_v the_o ordinary_a executioner_n of_o all_o discipline_n and_o censure_n which_o the_o multitude_n be_v not_o and_o the_o reason_n ratify_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n do_v show_v the_o number_n of_o they_o to_o be_v small_a mat._n 18.20_o where_o two_o or_o three_o etc._n etc._n answ_n the_o multitude_n of_o the_o church_n do_v ordinary_o execute_v all_o discipline_n and_o censure_n by_o the_o presbyter_n and_o the_o presbyter_n by_o their_o consent_n the_o promise_n make_v to_o two_o or_o three_o ver_fw-la 20._o respect_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o the_o cause_n when_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o church_n but_o the_o two_o or_o three_o brethren_n who_o deal_v in_o the_o cause_n before_o it_o come_v to_o the_o church_n as_o in_o like_a sort_n the_o promise_n of_o bind_v in_o heaven_n what_o the_o church_n bind_v in_o earth_n ver_fw-la 19_o pertain_v to_o the_o ratify_n of_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n mention_v in_o the_o verse_n before_o to_o wit_n in_o vers_fw-la 17._o a_o second_o reason_n why_o we_o allow_v such_o power_n to_o the_o people_n in_o church-censure_n be_v take_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o incestuous_a person_n and_o that_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n direction_n for_o in_o the_o 1_o cor._n 5.4_o 5._o he_o direct_v the_o whole_a church_n of_o corinth_n to_o who_o he_o write_v that_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n when_o say_v he_o you_o be_v gather_v together_o

demerit_n as_o expose_v he_o to_o the_o just_a censure_n of_o excommunication_n but_o if_o a_o member_n be_v importunate_o desirous_a to_o remove_v whole_o from_o the_o church_n where_o he_o be_v unto_o another_o and_o yet_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o removal_n favour_n of_o nothing_o but_o levity_n or_o covetousness_n or_o schism_n or_o the_o like_a according_a to_o their_o covenant_n of_o brotherly_a love_n and_o faithfulness_n the_o brethren_n of_o his_o own_o church_n labour_v to_o convince_v he_o of_o his_o sinful_a weakness_n herein_o to_o dissuade_v he_o from_o his_o purpose_n to_o which_o counsel_n god_n usual_o tow_v his_o heart_n to_o stoop_v and_o submit_v but_o if_o after_o all_o their_o dissuasion_n they_o shall_v see_v the_o bent_n of_o his_o spirit_n unremovable_o set_v upon_o removal_n in_o such_o a_o case_n if_o his_o sin_n be_v not_o apparent_a and_o his_o danger_n imminent_a they_o use_v indulgence_n towards_o he_o as_o not_o willing_a to_o make_v the_o church_n of_o god_n a_o prison_n to_o any_o man_n but_o when_o man_n thus_o depart_v god_n usual_o follow_v they_o with_o a_o bitter_a curse_n either_o take_v away_o their_o life_n from_o they_o or_o blast_v they_o with_o poverty_n or_o expose_v they_o to_o scandal_n where_o they_o come_v or_o in_o entertain_v they_o with_o such_o restless_a agitation_n that_o they_o be_v drive_v to_o repent_v of_o their_o former_a rashness_n and_o many_o time_n to_o desire_v to_o return_v to_o the_o church_n from_o which_o they_o have_v break_v away_o sect_n iii_o our_o three_o way_n of_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n be_v by_o way_n of_o consultation_n whereof_o we_o have_v give_v some_o touch_n before_o as_o 1._o in_o time_n of_o the_o gather_n of_o a_o church_n the_o brethren_n who_o desire_v to_o enter_v into_o church-estate_n do_v give_v notice_n to_o all_o the_o church_n about_o they_o and_o desire_v the_o presence_n of_o their_o elder_n and_o of_o such_o other_o brethren_n as_o they_o shall_v see_v meet_a to_o send_v to_o help_v they_o with_o their_o counsel_n in_o discover_v the_o spirit_n and_o competent_a gift_n of_o such_o member_n as_o shall_v join_v with_o they_o in_o that_o work_n and_o further_o to_o give_v counsel_n and_o direction_n in_o the_o order_n of_o that_o day_n as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o 2._o in_o the_o choice_n and_o ordination_n of_o officer_n one_o church_n be_v wont_a to_o send_v to_o all_o the_o rest_n about_o they_o for_o such_o elder_n and_o brethren_n as_o may_v give_v counsel_n and_o direction_n to_o their_o proceed_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o same_o as_o the_o matter_n shall_v require_v as_o have_v be_v former_o deliver_v 3._o in_o case_n of_o difference_n of_o judgement_n among_o the_o brethren_n of_o a_o church_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o church-censure_n and_o the_o like_a to_o prevent_v all_o suspicion_n of_o partiality_n or_o prejudice_n the_o church_n be_v sometime_o occasion_v to_o send_v to_o the_o neighbour-churche_n one_o or_o more_o for_o the_o assistance_n of_o some_o of_o their_o elder_n and_o brethren_n to_o help_v they_o with_o their_o counsel_n in_o discover_v and_o judge_v of_o the_o cause_n depend_v among_o they_o who_o give_v advice_n according_a to_o the_o word_n do_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o christ_n heal_v jealousy_n and_o compose_v difference_n and_o settle_v peace_n and_o love_n among_o they_o and_o this_o also_o have_v be_v mention_v before_o 4._o in_o doubtful_a case_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n whether_o of_o judgement_n or_o practice_n where_o yet_o no_o difference_n have_v rise_v but_o all_o or_o most_o be_v uncertain_a what_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v as_o whether_o a_o child_n may_v be_v baptize_v by_o right_a of_o his_o grandfather_n covenant_n or_o the_o like_a the_o church_n do_v sometime_o send_v letter_n or_o messenger_n to_o crave_v the_o counsel_n of_o other_o church_n who_o deliberate_a by_o consider_v and_o argue_v the_o matter_n and_o agree_v upon_o what_o they_o conceive_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n each_o church_n send_v their_o judgement_n and_o their_o reason_n either_o by_o elder_n or_o by_o messenger_n to_o the_o church_n that_o send_v to_o they_o sect_n iv_o a_o four_o way_n of_o our_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n be_v by_o way_n of_o congregation_n or_o gather_v together_o many_o church_n or_o the_o messenger_n of_o many_o church_n to_o examine_v and_o discuss_v either_o some_o corrupt_a opinion_n or_o suspicious_a practice_n which_o be_v scatter_v and_o find_v in_o many_o church_n at_o once_o can_v well_o be_v heal_v in_o any_o one_o alone_a in_o which_o case_n the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n desirous_a to_o maintain_v verity_n and_o unity_n of_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o integrity_n of_o life_n throughout_o all_o the_o church_n do_v both_o acquaint_v our_o magistrate_n be_v nurse_n father_n to_o the_o church_n with_o the_o necessary_a occasion_n and_o end_n of_o a_o general_a and_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n and_o do_v also_o solicit_v the_o church_n to_o send_v some_o fit_a person_n at_o such_o a_o time_n to_o such_o a_o church_n where_o the_o assembly_n be_v most_o seasonable_o hold_v to_o consider_v and_o discern_v of_o the_o matter_n in_o question_n and_o agitation_n the_o assembly_n be_v meet_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o presence_n call_v for_o by_o humble_a and_o earnest_a prayer_n the_o matter_n to_o be_v discuss_v and_o clear_v be_v propound_v by_o some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o that_o church_n where_o we_o meet_v or_o by_o some_o other_o appoint_v by_o they_o and_o consent_v to_o by_o the_o assembly_n when_o the_o matter_n be_v propound_v the_o elder_n do_v declare_v their_o judgement_n of_o the_o point_n in_o order_n one_o after_o another_o together_o with_o their_o reason_n from_o the_o word_n at_o which_o time_n it_o be_v free_a for_o any_o man_n present_a and_o all_o may_v be_v present_a if_o they_o will_v as_o well_o the_o messenger_n of_o the_o church_n as_o other_o after_o leave_v orderly_o crave_v or_o obtain_v to_o propound_v their_o doubt_n without_o offence_n whence_o disputation_n do_v arise_v as_o in_o act._n 15.7_o till_o all_o party_n be_v either_o satisfy_v or_o convince_v and_o so_o the_o matter_n in_o controversy_n be_v clear_v and_o this_o course_n be_v take_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o all_o the_o point_n remain_v which_o may_v seem_v to_o some_o not_o so_o full_o clear_v and_o agree_v upon_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o such_o as_o may_v admit_v further_a discussion_n yea_o and_o difference_n of_o apprehension_n without_o disunion_n of_o affection_n or_o disturbance_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n yet_o for_o satisfaction_n of_o god_n people_n the_o mean_a while_n in_o such_o thing_n each_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o his_o christian_a liberty_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v all_o come_v they_o judge_v and_o mind_n one_o thing_n if_o any_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v who_o in_o simplicity_n of_o heart_n seek_v the_o truth_n and_o in_o meekness_n of_o wisdom_n and_o love_n hold_v forth_o the_o same_o we_o hope_v god_n will_v in_o time_n reveal_v the_o same_o unto_o he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n all_o agree_v in_o this_o one_o not_o to_o condemn_v nor_o to_o despise_v one_o another_o in_o difference_n of_o weakness_n according_a to_o the_o apostle_n rule_v rom._n 14.2_o 3_o 4._o sect_n v._o a_o five_o way_n of_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n be_v by_o contribution_n or_o communication_n in_o yield_a supply_n to_o one_o another_o want_n for_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a precedent_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o any_o of_o our_o brethren_n shall_v fall_v into_o such_o decay_n as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o supply_v their_o onw_n necessity_n in_o outward_a thing_n among_o themselves_o we_o shall_v take_v it_o our_o bind_a duty_n to_o minister_v to_o their_o want_n according_a to_o our_o ability_n act._n 11.29_o 30._o rom._n 15.25_o 26._o hitherto_o the_o lord_n have_v be_v please_v out_o of_o his_o all-sufficient_a goodness_n so_o to_o supply_v we_o all_o each_o church_n within_o itself_o as_o that_o we_o have_v have_v scarce_o any_o occasion_n never_o but_o once_o to_o exercise_v our_o mutual_a love_n and_o liberality_n to_o one_o another_o in_o this_o kind_n but_o if_o need_n shall_v require_v we_o consider_v aforehand_o what_o mutual_a help_n god_n require_v of_o we_o from_o one_o towards_o another_o in_o such_o a_o case_n also_o if_o any_o of_o our_o church_n do_v want_v some_o fit_a member_n to_o employ_v in_o some_o public_a office_n among_o they_o and_o shall_v make_v know_v their_o want_n to_o some_o other_o church_n who_o may_v abound_v in_o such_o blessing_n as_o sometime_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n have_v four_o or_o five_o prophet_n among_o they_o act._n 13.1_o when_o other_o want_v the_o church_n that_o abound_v in_o such_o help_n