Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	mountain_n	spirit_n	worship_v	2,218	5	9.6432	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59963	A hind let loose, or, An historical representation of the testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the interest of Christ with the true state thereof in all its periods : together with a vindication of the present testimonie, against the Popish, prelatical, & malignant enemies of that church ... : wherein several controversies of greatest consequence are enquired into, and in some measure cleared, concerning hearing of the curats, owning of the present tyrannie, taking of ensnaring oaths & bonds, frequenting of field meetings, defensive resistence of tyrannical violence ... / by a lover of true liberty.	Shields, Alexander, 1660?-1700.	1687 (1687)	Wing S3431; ESTC R24531	567,672	774

their Love Zeal to keep Christ His Gospel in the Land after they had undergone endured many hazards hardships oppressions persecutions for Meeting in the houses where they were so easily attrapped and with such difficulty could escape the hands of these Cruel Men they were forced to take the Fields though with the unavoidable inconveniences of all Weathers without a shelter yet proposing the advantages both of Conveniency for Meeting in greater Numbers and of Secrecie in the remote recesses of Wild Moors Mountains and of Safety in betaking themselves to inaccessible Natural Strengths safest either for flight or resistence And withal having occasion there to give a Testimony for the Reformation with greater freedom And to this very day though many have a pretended Liberty to meet in houses under the security of a Mans promise whose principle is to keep no faith to Hereeicks and under the shelter shadow of an Antichristian Toleration yet there is a poor people that are out of the Compass of this favour whom all these forementioned reasons do yet oblige to keep the fields that is both for Conveniency Secrecy and Safety they dare not trust those who are still thirsting insatiably after their blood nor give them such advantages as they are seeking to prey upon them by shuting themselves within houses And morover they take themselves to be called indispensably in the present Circumstances to be as publick or more than ever in their Testimony for the Preached Gospel even in the open Fields Now this would be a litle cleared And to essay the same I would offer first Some Concessions Secondly some Postulata or Supposed Grounds Thirdly some more Special Considerations which will conduce to clear the case First That we may more distinctly understand what is the duty here pleaded for and what is that which these people Suffer for here Vindicated let these Concessions be premised 1. Now under the Evangelical Dispensation there is no place more Sacred than another to which the Worship of God is astricted and which He hath chosen for His House Habitation whither He will have His people to resort and attend as under the Legal Typical Dispensation was ordered there was a place where the Lord caused His Name to dwel Deut. 12. 5 11. But now neither in the Mountain nor at Ierusalem the Father will be Worshipped but every where and any where in Spirit in Truth Iohn 4. 21 23 24. And the Apostle wills that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath doubting 1 Tim. 2. 8. We abhor therefore the English Popish Superstition of Consecrated places and assert that all are alike in this respect houses or fields 2. In the Constitute case of the Church or when ever it can be obtained Order Decency Conveniency doth require that there be appointed places sequestrate appropriate for the Meetings of the Lords people according to that General Rule Let all things be done decently in order 1 Cot. 14. ult And in that case private Conventicles set up in a Schismatical Competition with Publick Churches are not to be allowed But even then Private Meetings for prayer conference are necessary Lawful Laudable But now the Church is broken by a Crew of Schismatical Intruders who have occupied the places of Publick Assemblies and thrust out the Lods Ministers It is these we scare at and not the place 3. Suppose a Magistrate should interdict Discharge the publik place of Worship and restrain from the Churches but leave all other places free to meet in or if he should prohibite the houses but leave freedom for the fields or discharge the fields and give Liberty in houses in that case we would not contend for the place out of contempt though it were duty then to witness against such a Sacrilegious Injury done to the Church in taking away their Meeting places yet it were inexpedient to stickle strive for one Spot if we might have another then when only excluded out of a place and not included or concluded and restricted to other places nor otherwise robbed of the Churches priviledges we might go to houses when shut out of Churches and go to fields when shut out of houses and back again to houses when discharged thence But this is not our case for we are either interdicted of all places or if allowed any it is under such confinements as are inconsistent with the freedom of the Gospel and besides we have to do with one from whom we can take no orders to determine our Meetings nor can we acknowledge our Liberty to depend on his Authority or favour which we cannot oune nor trust nor accept of any Protection from him Neither is it the place of fields or houses that we contend for Nor is it that which he mainly opposes but it is the freedom of the Gospel faithfully preached that we are seeking to promove improve and he is seeking to suppress The contest betwixt him us is the Service of God in the Gospel of His Son that we profess without ouning him for the Liberty of its exercise And therefore as an Enemy to the Matter Object of these Religious Exercises which are the eye-sore of Antichrist he prosecutes with such rage the manner Circumstances thereof 4. Even in this case when we are persecuted in one place we flee unto another as the Lord allowes directs Math. 10. 23. And if occasionally we find a house either publick or a Church or a private dwelling house that may be safe or convenient or capacious of the numbers gathered we think it indifferent to meet there or in the Fields But in the present circumstances it is more for the conveniency of the people and more Congruous for the dayes Testimony to keep the Fields in their Meetings even though it irritate the incensed Enemies Which that it may appear Secondly I shall offer some Postulata or Hypotheses to be considered or endeavour to make them good and infer from them the necessity expediency of Field Meetings at this time in these circumstances which consequently vindicate the Sufferings that have been thereupon Stated formerly and are still continued 1. It is necessary at all times that Christians should meet together whether they have Ministers or not and whether the Magistrate allow it or not The Authority of God their necessity duty Interest makes it indispensable in all cases It is necessary for their Mutual help two are better than one for if they fall the one will lift up his fellow Eccles. 4. 9 10. It is necessary for their Mutual encouragment in an evil day to speak often one to another which the Lord hath promised to take special notice of Mal. 3. 16 It is necessary for cherishing Mutual Love which is the New Commandment and the badge of all Christs Disciples Iohn 13. 34 35. a principle which they are all thaught of God. 1 Thess. 4. 9.

private houses or in the fields because of the opposition of His Doctrine by the Iewish Teachers who had appointed that any who ouned Him should be excommunicate And therefore in the like case at it is now His Servants may imitate their Master for though all Christs Actions are not imitable such as these of His Divine Power and the Actions of His Divine Prerogative as His taking of the ass without the ouners liberty and the Actings o● His Mediatory Prerogative which He did as Mediator but all His Gracious Actions and Moral upon Moral grounds and Relative upon the grounds of Relative Duties are not only imitable but the perfect Pattern of imitation Therefore that superstitious ridiculous Cavil that such Meetings in fields or houses are Conventickles gathering separate Congregations is not worth the taking notice of for this would reflect upon Christs and His Apostles w●y of preaching and the constant method of propogating the Gospel in times of persecution in all ages ●ince which hath alwayes been by that way which they call keeping of Conventickles It s absurd to say it is a gathering of separate Congregations it is only a searching or seeking after the Lords sheep that are made to wander through all the Mountains and upon every 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 which is scattered by corrupt Sheeph●●● and the cruelty of the beasts of the field Ezek. 34. 5 6. and preaching to all who will come hear the Word of Truth in such places where they may get it done most safely and may be most free from distraction trouble of their enemies who are waiting to find them out that they may hail them to Prisons or kill them 8. As for the Circumstance of the Time that is specially alledged to be unseasonable especially when there is a litle breathing and some relaxation from the heat of Persecution to break the peace and awaken sleeping Dogs by such irritating Courses is thought not consistent with Christian prudence This is the old pretence of them that were at ease and preferred that to duty But as we know no peace at this time but a peace of Confederacy with the enemies of God which we desire not to partake of and know of no relaxation of Persecution against such as continue to witness against them So let what hath been said above in the 3. Hypothesis of the necess●ty of publickness in our Meetings at such a time as this is be considered And let the Scripture be consulted and it will appear not only that in preaching the Gospel there must be a Witness Testimony kept up as is proved above and not only that Ministers must preach the Word and be instant in season out of season 2 Tim. 4. 2. But that such a time as this is the very Season of a Testimony For in the Scripture we find that Testimonies are to be given in these Seasons especially 1. When the enemies of God beginning to relent from their stiffness severity would compound with His Witnesses and give them some Liberty but not total as Pharaoh would let the Children of Israel go but stay their flocks And now our Pharaoh will give some Liberty to serve God but with a Reservation of that part of the matter of it that nothing be said to alienate the hearts of the Subjects from his arbitrary Government But Moses thought it then a season to testifie though the bondage of the people should be thereby continued that there should not a hoof be left behind for sayes he we know not with what we must serve the Lord until we c●me 〈◊〉 Exod. 10. 24 25 26. So must we Testify for eve●● closly the Interest of Christ this day 2. When there to ●l●ration of Idolatry and Confederacy with Idolaters and suspending the execution of penal Lawes against them or pardoning of those that should be punished In such a season as this that Messenger that came from Gilgal gave his Testimony at Bochim against their toleration of Idolatrous Altars and Confederacy with the Canaanites Iudg. 2. 1 2. He is called an Angel indeed but he was only such an one as Ministers are who are called so Rev. 2. 1. for Heavenly Spirits have brought a Heavenly Message to particular persons but never to the whole people the Lord hath committed such a treasure to earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4. 7. and this came from Gilgal not from Heaven So the Man of God testified against E●i for his toleration of wicked Priests thô they were his oun Sons 1 Sam. 2. 2● c. So Samuel witnessed against Saul for his toleration indemnity granted to Agag 1 Sam. 15. 23. So the Prophet against Ahab for sparing Benhadad 1 King. 20. 42. The Angel of Ephesus is commended for this and he of pergamus and he of Thyatira is condemned for omitting this Testimony and allowing a toleration of the Nicolaitans Iezebel Revel 2. 2 14 20. In such a Case of universal Complyance with these things and the peoples indulging themselves under the shadow of the protection of such a Confederacy the Servants of the Lord that fear Him must not say a Confederacy tho they should be accounted for signs wonders in Israel Isai. 8. 12 13 18. But now Idolatrous Mass-Altars are set up none thrown doun penal Statutes against Papists are stopt disabled and the Generality of Ministers are Congratulating saying a Confederacy in their Addresses for the same 3. When the Universal Apostacy is come to such a hight that error is prevailing and few syding themselves in an avowed opposition against it as Elijah chose that time when the people were halting between two opinions 1 King. 18. 21. And generally all the Prophets Servants of Christ consulted alwayes the peoples necessity for the timing of their Testimonies And was there ever greater necessity than now when Poperie is coming in like a flood 4. 〈…〉 men are chief in power as when Haman was 〈◊〉 Mordecai would not give him one bowe though all 〈◊〉 people of God should be endangered by such a provocation Esther 3. 2. And when Tyrants Usurpers are set up without the Lords approbation then they that have the Lords Trumpet should set it to their mouth Hos. 8. 1 4. Is not this the case now 5. When upon the account of this their Testimony the Lords people are in greatest danger and enemies design to Massacre them then if they altogither hold their peace at such a time there shall enlargment deliverance arise another way but they and their fathers house shall be destroyed who are silent then as Mordecai said to Esther Est 4. 14. And who knowes not the cruel designs of the Papists now 6. When iniquity is Universally abounding and hypocrisie among Professors then the Servants of the Lord must cry aloud not spare Isai. 58. 1. as the ●ase is this day 7. When the Concern of Truth a 〈…〉 Glory of God is not so illustriously vindicated as He gives us to expect

insinuation of the necessity expediency of it that it is as suitable as the taking away of the dross from silver in order to the production of a vessel Prov. 25. 4 5. Take away the wicked from before the King and his throne shall be established in Righteousness Which is not only there given to Kings for then it would be in the second person spoken to them but to the people to do it before them as the people did with Baals Prophets from before Ahab And Our Progenitors many times have done with wicked Counsellors as may be seen in the foregoing Representation and more fully in the Historie of the Dowglasses and in Knox Calderwoods Histories Hence If it be duty to Reforme the Court and to take away a Kings wicked Sycophants Counsellors Agents Instigators to Tyrannie Then it must be Lawful in some cases of necessity to restrain their Insolency repress their Tyrannie in executing Judgement upon such of them as are most unsupportable who are made drunk with the blood of Innocents But the former is true Therefore 5 For the Omission of the executing of this Judgement on Oppressors Muderers involving the whole Land in blood guiltiness which cannot be expiated but by the blood of them that are so Criminal Not only Magistrates but the whole people have been plagued As for Sauls murdering the Gibeonites the whole Land was plagued until the man that consumed them and devised against them to destroy them seven of his sons were delivered unto them to be hanged up before the Lord 2 Sam. 21. 5 6. So also for the sins of Manasseh The reason was because if the Magistrate would not execute Judgement the people should have done it for not only to the King but also to his Servants and to the people that entered in by the gates the Command is Execute yee Iudgement and deliver the spoyled out of the hand of the Oppressor Jer. 22. 2 3. thô it be true this is to be done by every one in their station salvâ justitia salvo ordine pro modulo vocationis and it chiefly belongs to Judges Magistrates Yet this is no wrong to Justice nor breach of Order nor sinful transgression of peoples vocation not only to hinder the shedding of innocent blood to prevent Gods executing of what He there threatens but also to execute Judgement on the Shedders to prevent their progress in Murdering Villanie when Inferiour as well as Superiour Magistrates are oppressing Tyrannizing Therefore this seeking doing executing judgement is so often required of the people in such a Case when Princes are rebellious Companions of Thieves and in the City where Judgement used to be now Murderers bear sway Isai. 1. 17 21. the Lord is displeased where there is none Isai. 59. 15 16. Jer. 5. 1. See this vindicated in Lex Rex quest 34. pag. 367. and in jus popul cap. 10. pag. 237. 3. That Command concluds the same against Idolaters Apostates and Entycers thereunto Deut. 13. 6. c. If thy brother or thy friend which is as thi● oun soul entyce the secretly saying let us go serve other gods thow shalt not spare nor conceal him but thow shalt surely kill him because the hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God And all Israel shall hear fear and do no more any such wickedness And vers 13. c. If thow shalt hear say in one of thy Cities saying Certain men the Children of Belial are gone out and have withdrawn the Inhabitants of their City saying let us go to serve other gods Then shalt thow enquire and behold if it be truth and the thing certain thow shalt surely smite the Inhabitants of that City with the edge of the sword destroying it utterly This Cause of the Open Entycers to Idolatry was not brought to the Judges as common Idolaters and such who were entyced to serve other gods worship them were to be brought to the gates and to be stoned first by the hands of the Witnesses and afterwards by all the people Deut. 17. 3 5 7. But this is another Law Of which the Iewish Antiquaries and particularly Grotius out of Philo and the Rabb in Loc saith Cum in alijs criminibus soleret reus servari c. i. e. Whereas in other crimes the guilty used to be kept after the sentence a night a day that if he could say any more for himself he might these were excepted from this benefit And not only so but it was permitted to any to execute Judgement upon them viz. Entycers to Idolatry without waiting for a Judge The like was used against the Sacrilegious Robbers of the Temple and priests who sacrificed when they were polluted and those who cursed God by the Name of an Idol and those who lay with an Idolatress chiefly those who denyed the divine Authority of the Law And this behoved to be before the people at least ten which in Hebrew they called Hheda Neither is this to be admired in so grievous a Crime when even the manslayer without the place of refuge might have been killed by the Kins-man of the defunct And upon Numb 15. 30. the punishment of presumptuous Blasphemers he sayes Caeteram hic intelligenda hoc modo c. i. e. But here these are to be understood thus that the guilty shall not be brought to the Judges but be killed by them that deprehended them in the Crime as Phin. has did to Zimri and proves it out of Mamonides Pool Synops. Critic in Loc. And it must be so for in this case no mention is made either of Judges or Witnesses or further Judgement about it than that he that was tempted by the Entycer should fall upon him and let the people know it that they might lay hands on him also otherwise evil men might pretend such a thing when it was not true But in case of a Cities Apostasie and hearkening to Entycers the thing was only to be sollicitously enquired unto and then thô it was chiefly incumbent upon the Magistrate to punish it yet it was not astricted to him but that the people might do it without him As upon this Moral Ground was Israels war stated against Benjamin Judg. 20. 13. when there was no King nor Judge and also when there were Kings that turned Idolaters Tyrants they served them so as here is Commanded Witness Amaziah as is shewed above Hence not only Moses upon the peoples defection into Idolatrie in the Wilderness commanded all on the Lords side every man to put his sword by his side and s●ay every man his brother and every man his Companion and every man his neighbour whereby three thousand fell at that time by the sword of the Levites Exod. 32. 27 28. But also Joash Gideons father upon the same Moral Ground thô he was no Magistrate could say to the Abiezrites Will ye plead for Baal he that will plead for him let him be put