Selected quad for the lemma: virtue_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
virtue_n	apostle_n	faith_n	temperance_n	815	5	10.9534	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A82319	Several sermons and discourses of William Dell Minister of the Gospel; sometimes attending both the generals in the army: and now Master of Gonvil and Caius Colledge in Cambridge. Heretofore published at several times, and on several occasions; and now gathered in one volumn, for the benefit of the faithful, and conviction of the world.	Dell, William, d. 1664.; Goad, Christopher, 1601-1652.; England and Wales. Parliament. House of Commons.	1651 (1651)	Wing D929; Thomason E645_4; ESTC R208819	213,548	263

this_o sense_n may_v be_v say_v to_o come_v forth_o from_o god_n as_o the_o child_n from_o the_o father_n and_o the_o lord_n jesus_n do_v not_o more_o true_o partake_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n than_o these_o do_v partake_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o say_v peter_n great_a and_o precious_a promise_n be_v make_v to_o we_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n other_o have_v only_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n in_o they_o or_o which_o be_v worse_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o the_o faithful_a have_v in_o they_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n communicate_v to_o they_o through_o a_o new_a birth_n 2._o they_o have_v a_o more_o excellent_a spirit_n than_o other_o have_v as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o daniel_n that_o there_o be_v a_o more_o excellent_a spirit_n find_v with_o he_o then_o with_o all_o the_o other_o wise_a man_n now_o the_o excellency_n of_o each_o creature_n be_v according_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o it_o but_o the_o saint_n have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n even_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n dwell_v in_o they_o they_o have_v the_o same_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v in_o their_o flesh_n as_o christ_n have_v dwell_v in_o his_o flesh_n so_o that_o the_o very_a spirit_n of_o god_n be_v find_v in_o the_o faithful_a and_o therefore_o they_o be_v more_o glorious_a than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n 3._o they_o have_v a_o more_o excellent_a lustre_n than_o other_o man_n one_o thing_n that_o appertain_v to_o the_o excellency_n of_o precious_a stone_n be_v the_o lustre_n of_o they_o now_o this_o lustre_n in_o the_o faithful_a be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n upon_o they_o the_o lord_n shall_v arise_v upon_o thou_o and_o his_o glory_n shall_v be_v see_v upon_o thou_o say_v isaiah_n chap._n 60._o and_o paul_n say_v we_o all_o behold_v as_o in_o a_o glass_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v change_v into_o the_o same_o image_n from_o glory_n to_o glory_n even_o as_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o as_o christ_n be_v take_v into_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o father_n so_o be_v we_o take_v into_o the_o glory_n of_o christ_n as_o he_o say_v joh._n 17._o and_o the_o glory_n which_o thou_o give_v i_o i_o have_v give_v they_o for_o the_o head_n and_o member_n be_v take_v into_o the_o same_o glory_n accord_v to_o their_o proportion_n 4._o they_o have_v more_o excellent_a operation_n for_o the_o faithful_a be_v not_o such_o precious_a stone_n that_o be_v only_o for_o show_v but_o they_o also_o have_v some_o virtue_n in_o they_o even_o the_o very_a virtue_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o they_o have_v the_o same_o nature_n and_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o he_o have_v be_v able_a according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o christ_n to_o do_v the_o same_o work_n that_o he_o do_v and_o so_o the_o saint_n be_v excellent_a in_o the_o operation_n of_o faith_n hope_n love_n humility_z meekness_n patience_n temperance_n heavenly_a mindedness_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o this_o regard_n also_o be_v more_o precious_a than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o the_o lord_n call_v they_o his_o jewel_n in_o the_o day_n whrein_o i_o make_v up_o my_o jewel_n and_o elsewhere_o they_o be_v call_v the_o precious_a son_n of_o zion_n the_o people_n of_o god_n be_v a_o most_o precious_a people_n man_n and_o woman_n of_o a_o precious_a anoint_v though_o some_o wicked_a and_o scurrilous_a libeler_n against_o the_o spiritual_a church_n will_v not_o allow_v they_o this_o name_n but_o according_a to_o the_o anoint_v they_o have_v receive_v from_o satan_n reproach_n it_o and_o yet_o still_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o that_o the_o true_o faithful_a be_v precious_a stone_n in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o church_n partake_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o lustre_n and_o operation_n of_o both_o whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_a other_o people_n be_v the_o vile_a of_o the_o earth_n the_o true_a filth_n and_o offscouring_a of_o all_o thing_n psal_n 15._o in_o who_o eye_n a_o vile_a person_n be_v contemn_v a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o natural_a man_n a_o sinful_a and_o unregerate_v man_n who_o have_v no_o other_o nature_n in_o he_o but_o that_o corrupt_a nature_n he_o bring_v into_o the_o world_n though_o in_o this_o present_a world_n he_o may_v be_v a_o gentleman_n or_o a_o knight_n or_o a_o noble_a man_n or_o a_o king_n yet_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n and_o his_o saint_n he_o be_v but_o a_o vile_a person_n and_o a_o poor_a mean_a christian_n that_o yearn_v his_o bread_n by_o hard_a labour_n be_v a_o thousand_o time_n more_o precious_a and_o excellent_a than_o he_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n and_o his_o word_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o thing_n the_o matter_n of_o which_o the_o church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v make_v that_o be_v of_o precious_a stone_n 2._o now_o the_o next_o thing_n observable_a church_n be_v the_o variety_n of_o these_o precious_a stone_n for_o the_o spiritual_a church_n be_v not_o build_v up_o of_o precious_a stone_n of_o one_o sort_n only_o not_o all_o of_o saphire_n or_o all_o of_o agate_n or_o all_o of_o carbuncle_n but_o of_o all_o these_o both_o saphire_n agate_n carbuncle_n and_o many_o other_o precious_a stone_n of_o fair_a colour_n and_o this_o note_n the_o diversity_n of_o gift_n in_o the_o saint_n of_o god_n for_o though_o all_o of_o they_o be_v precious_a stone_n yet_o they_o be_v of_o diversity_n of_o colour_n and_o lustre_n and_o operation_n and_o this_o also_o make_v for_o the_o great_a glory_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o variety_n of_o lustre_n add_v to_o the_o beauty_n and_o ornament_n of_o it_o in_o the_o body_n of_o a_o man_n there_o be_v not_o one_o member_n but_o many_o if_o the_o body_n be_v all_o but_o one_o member_n it_o will_v be_v but_o a_o lump_n of_o flesh_n but_o the_o variety_n of_o member_n with_o their_o several_a gift_n and_o operation_n be_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o body_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n the_o body_n of_o jesus_n christ_n wherein_o be_v divers_a member_n with_o diversity_n of_o gift_n and_o operation_n excellent_o set_v forth_o by_o paul_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 4._o etc._n etc._n now_o there_o be_v diversity_n of_o gift_n but_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o there_o be_v difference_n of_o administration_n but_o the_o same_o lord_n and_o there_o be_v diversity_n of_o operation_n but_o it_o be_v the_o same_o god_n that_o work_v all_o in_o all_o but_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v give_v to_o every_o one_o to_o profit_v withal_o for_o to_o one_o be_v give_v by_o the_o spirit_n the_o word_n of_o wisdom_n to_o another_o the_o word_n of_o knowledge_n by_o the_o same_o spirit_n to_o another_o faith_n by_o the_o same_o spirit_n to_o another_o the_o gift_n of_o heal_v by_o the_o same_o spirit_n to_o another_o the_o work_n of_o miracle_n to_o another_o prophecy_n to_o another_o discern_v of_o spirit_n to_o another_o divers_a kind_n of_o tongue_n to_o another_o interpretation_n of_o tongue_n but_o all_o these_o work_v that_o one_o and_o the_o same_o spirit_n divide_v to_o every_o man_n severally_z as_o he_o will_n here_o you_o see_v be_v diversity_n of_o gift_n and_o administration_n and_o operation_n in_o the_o faithful_a but_o all_o proceed_v from_o one_o and_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o whatsoever_o gift_n proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n there_o be_v a_o excellent_a beauty_n a_o heavenly_a lustre_n in_o it_o and_o therefore_o labour_v to_o distinguish_v between_o those_o gift_n that_o be_v connatural_a to_o thou_o and_o flow_v from_o thy_o own_o spirit_n and_o those_o gift_n that_o be_v supernatural_a and_o flow_v from_o god_n spirit_n in_o all_o the_o operation_n of_o thy_o own_o spirit_n in_o all_o thy_o natural_a ability_n part_n wisdom_n learning_n act_n there_o be_v nothing_o but_o ungloriousness_n deformity_n darkness_n death_n how_o specious_a soever_o they_o may_v appear_v to_o the_o world_n but_o in_o the_o gift_n and_o operation_n that_o flow_v from_o god_n spirit_n there_o be_v a_o heavenly_a beauty_n and_o lustre_n and_o glory_n yea_o even_o in_o weak_a christian_n that_o be_v true_a christian_n you_o shall_v oft_o see_v and_o discern_v a_o excellent_a beauty_n in_o some_o gift_n or_o other_o which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o spirit_n which_o shine_v not_o forth_o so_o clear_o in_o some_o strong_a christian_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o not_o expect_v all_o gift_n in_o all_o man_n and_o that_o every_o man_n shall_v excel_v in_o every_o gift_n for_o then_o one_o will_v be_v say_v to_o another_o i_o have_v no_o need_n of_o thou_o but_o god_n have_v give_v diversity_n of_o gift_n to_o

alteration_n it_o make_v there_o and_o thus_o you_o see_v that_o one_o mean_n that_o christ_n use_v for_o the_o reformation_n of_o his_o church_n be_v the_o word_n but_o here_o i_o must_v further_o declare_v to_o you_o that_o this_o word_n by_o which_o christ_n reform_v the_o church_n gospel-reformes_a be_v not_o the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n for_o the_o law_n make_v nothing_o perfect_a but_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o this_o be_v the_o only_a word_n that_o work_v reformation_n for_o first_o 1._o this_o word_n work_v faith_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v call_v the_o word_n of_o faith_n faith_n because_o faith_n come_v by_o hear_v of_o this_o word_n rom._n 10._o ver_fw-la 8._o and_o ver_fw-la 17._o now_o as_o the_o word_n work_v faith_n so_o faith_n apprehend_v the_o word_n even_o that_o word_n that_o be_v with_o god_n and_o be_v god_n this_o live_n and_o eternal_a word_n dwell_v in_o our_o heart_n by_o faith_n as_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o christ_n may_v dwell_v in_o your_o heart_n by_o faith_n and_o this_o word_n dwell_v in_o we_o by_o faith_n change_v we_o into_o it_o be_v own_o likeness_n as_o fire_n change_v the_o iron_n into_o its_o own_o likeness_n and_o take_v we_o up_o into_o all_o its_o own_o virtue_n and_o so_o the_o word_n dwell_v in_o the_o flesh_n reform_v the_o flesh_n and_o it_o dwell_v in_o we_o through_o faith_n and_o faith_n be_v wrought_v by_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o the_o word_n whereby_o christ_n reform_v be_v not_o the_o word_n without_o we_o as_o the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n be_v but_o the_o word_n within_o we_o as_o it_o be_v write_v the_o word_n be_v nigh_o thou_o even_o in_o thy_o mouth_n and_o in_o thy_o heart_n and_o this_o be_v the_o word_n of_o faith_n if_o thou_o live_v under_o the_o word_n many_o year_n and_o if_o it_o come_v not_o into_o thy_o heart_n it_o will_v never_o change_v thou_o nor_o reform_v thou_o and_o therefore_o the_o reform_a word_n be_v the_o word_n within_o we_o and_o the_o word_n within_o we_o be_v the_o word_n of_o faith_n 2._o the_o gospel_n reform_v righteousness_n because_o it_o do_v not_o only_o reveal_v christ_n righteousness_n as_o it_o be_v write_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n be_v reveal_v from_o faith_n to_o faith_n but_o also_o it_o communicate_v it_o to_o we_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v call_v the_o word_n of_o righteousness_n because_o it_o work_v righteousness_n so_o that_o christ_n the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o through_o this_o word_n of_o righteousness_n and_o when_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n come_v and_o dwell_v in_o we_o what_o reformation_n of_o sin_n do_v this_o work_n all_o sin_n perish_v at_o the_o rebuke_n of_o his_o countenance_n for_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n will_v endure_v no_o sin_n in_o we_o and_o so_o the_o gospel_n reform_v by_o work_a righteousness_n in_o we_o 3._o the_o gospel_n reform_v because_o it_o show_v we_o christ_n and_o by_o show_v we_o he_o it_o change_v we_o into_o his_o image_n christ_n the_o more_o we_o see_v christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n the_o more_o be_v we_o make_v like_a unto_o he_o that_o as_o we_o have_v bear_v the_o image_n of_o the_o earthly_a so_o we_o may_v bear_v the_o image_n of_o the_o heavenly_a adam_n 2._o yea_o the_o gospel_n show_v we_o god_n in_o christ_n in_o all_o his_o glory_n 2._o and_o change_v we_o into_o that_o glory_n of_o god_n which_o be_v show_v we_o we_o all_o say_v paul_n with_o open_a face_n behold_v as_o in_o a_o glass_n and_o this_o glass_n be_v the_o gospel_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v change_v into_o the_o same_o image_n from_o glory_n to_o glory_n even_o as_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o the_o gospel_n by_o show_v we_o god_n change_v we_o into_o the_o image_n of_o god_n and_o god_n through_o the_o gospel_n arise_v on_o we_o till_o his_o glory_n be_v see_v upon_o we_o and_o thus_o you_o see_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o gospel_n reformation_n so_o that_o now_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o only_o reform_v word_n and_o if_o there_o be_v never_o so_o much_o preach_v if_o it_o be_v but_o legal_a it_o will_v reform_v no_o body_n aright_o because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o work_a faith_n nor_o communicate_v righteousness_n nor_o change_a man_n into_o god_n image_n and_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a reformation_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o mean_n of_o reformation_n which_o christ_n use_v which_o be_v the_o word_n and_o this_o word_n the_o gospel_n 2._o mean_n the_o spirit_n for_o the_o spirit_n accompany_v the_o word_n in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n withal_o and_o therefore_o the_o gospel_n be_v call_v the_o ministration_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v the_o word_n and_o spirit_n in_o union_n and_o operation_n in_o the_o law_n there_o be_v the_o letter_n without_o the_o spirit_n and_o so_o that_o can_v do_v nothing_o but_o in_o the_o gospel_n the_o word_n and_o the_o spirit_n be_v always_o join_v and_o therefore_o say_v christ_n the_o word_n that_o i_o speak_v be_v spirit_n and_o life_n that_o be_v they_o come_v from_o the_o spirit_n and_o carry_v spirit_n with_o they_o and_o this_o spirit_n that_o be_v present_a in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o work_n in_o it_o and_o be_v give_v by_o it_o reform_v mighty_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v call_v the_o spirit_n of_o judgement_n and_o burn_a and_o the_o lord_n look_v to_o this_o time_n of_o reformation_n promise_v long_o before_o to_o pour_v out_o his_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n and_o so_o to_o reform_v all_o flesh_n now_o the_o spirit_n pour_v forth_o upon_o the_o flesh_n reform_v it_o two_o way_n 1._o by_o take_v away_o all_o evil_n out_o of_o the_o flesh_n 2._o by_o change_v the_o flesh_n into_o its_o own_o likeness_n 1._o the_o spirit_n pour_v forth_o upon_o the_o flesh_n reform_v it_o all_o by_o take_v all_o evil_a out_o of_o the_o flesh_n as_o first_o all_o sin_n and_o corruption_n say_v paul_n if_o you_o mortify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o flesh_n by_o the_o spirit_n you_o shall_v live_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o flesh_n be_v not_o to_o be_v mortify_v by_o any_o power_n but_o by_o the_o spirit_n all_o pride_n and_o envy_n and_o lust_n and_o covetousness_n and_o carnal_a mindedness_n and_o all_o other_o evil_n of_o the_o flesh_n be_v reform_v by_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o it_o and_o no_o other_o way_n 2._o the_o spirit_n reform_v not_o only_o all_o sin_n in_o the_o church_n but_o all_o error_n error_n and_o heresy_n and_o false_a doctrine_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o that_o of_o paul_n 1_o cor._n 3._o 12._o if_o any_o man_n build_v upon_o this_o foundation_n gold_n silver_z precious_a stone_n wood_n hay_n stubble_n every_o man_n work_n shall_v be_v make_v manifest_a for_o the_o day_n shall_v declare_v it_o because_o it_o shall_v be_v reveal_v by_o fire_n and_o the_o fire_n shall_v try_v every_o man_n work_n of_o what_o sort_n it_o be_v etc._n etc._n so_o that_o a_o man_n may_v lay_v christ_n for_o a_o foundation_n and_o yet_o build_v wood_n hay_n and_o stubble_n upon_o he_o that_o be_v humane_a doctrine_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o man_n and_o false_a and_o wicked_a opinion_n 2._o the_o destruction_n of_o this_o hay_n wood_n and_o stubble_n that_o be_v error_n heresy_n and_o humane_a doctrine_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o people_n build_v on_o christ_n shall_v not_o be_v by_o law_n of_o state_n or_o constitution_n of_o counsel_n but_o by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o be_v as_o fire_n the_o spirit_n shall_v come_v into_o the_o saint_n and_o burn_v up_o all_o that_o corrupt_a and_o false_a doctrine_n that_o will_v not_o endure_v the_o spirit_n and_o error_n shall_v never_o be_v destroy_v but_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n so_o that_o the_o spirit_n reform_v all_o error_n as_o well_o as_o all_o corruption_n in_o the_o faithful_a 2._o the_o spirit_n do_v not_o only_o reform_v the_o flesh_n by_o take_v away_o all_o evil_a out_o of_o it_o whether_o corruption_n or_o error_n but_o also_o it_o change_v the_o flesh_n into_o its_o own_o likeness_n for_o the_o spirit_n be_v as_o fire_n that_o change_v every_o thing_n into_o its_o self_n and_o so_o do_v the_o spirit_n in_o the_o flesh_n make_v the_o flesh_n spiritual_a like_o heavenly_a fire_n it_o change_v man_n into_o its_o own_o likeness_n and_o make_v they_o spiritual_a heavenly_a holy_a meek_a good_a love_a etc._n etc._n and_o thus_o the_o spirit_n reform_v indeed_o when_o the_o spirit_n be_v pour_v forth_o upon_o a_o man_n how_o wonderful_o do_v it_o reform_v he_o this_o work_v a_o change_n in_o he_o in_o good_a earnest_n and_o no_o man_n be_v ever_o true_o reform_v till_o he_o

that_o have_v most_o natural_a power_n and_o ability_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v the_o officer_n so_o among_o spiritual_a man_n in_o the_o church_n they_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v the_o officer_n that_o have_v most_o spiritual_a power_n that_o be_v such_o in_o who_o christ_n and_o the_o spirit_n be_v most_o manifest_a and_o of_o this_o the_o faithful_a of_o all_o sort_n be_v judge_n wherefore_o no_o natural_a part_n and_o ability_n nor_o no_o humane_a learning_n and_o degree_n in_o the_o school_n or_o university_n nor_o no_o ecclesiastical_a ordination_n or_o order_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v sufficient_a to_o make_v any_o man_n a_o minister_n but_o only_o the_o teach_n of_o god_n and_o gift_n receive_v of_o christ_n by_o the_o spirit_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n which_o the_o faithful_a be_v able_a to_o discern_v and_o judge_v of_o 2._o out_o of_o who_o these_o officer_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v and_o that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n and_o nowhere_o else_o indeed_o antichrist_n bring_v in_o humane_a learning_n instead_o of_o the_o spirit_n choose_v his_o minister_n only_o out_o of_o the_o university_n but_o the_o right_a church_n choose_v they_o out_o of_o the_o faithful_a see_v it_o reckon_v no_o man_n learned_a and_o so_o fit_a to_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n but_o he_o that_o have_v hear_v and_o learn_v from_o the_o father_n moreover_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o as_o natural_a power_n be_v found_v on_o a_o natural_a gift_n and_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o man_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o humane_a power_n so_o supernatural_a power_n be_v found_v on_o a_o supernatural_a gift_n and_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o believer_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o this_o spiritual_a power_n and_o so_o a_o man_n must_v needs_o first_o be_v of_o the_o church_n ere_o he_o can_v have_v any_o power_n or_o office_n in_o it_o wherefore_o all_o unbeliever_n and_o carnal_a man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o power_n in_o the_o true_a church_n that_o they_o have_v no_o place_n in_o it_o and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v officer_n that_o they_o be_v not_o member_n for_o they_o that_o neither_o have_v nor_o know_v spiritual_a power_n themselves_o how_o can_v they_o exercise_v it_o among_o other_o 3._o by_o who_o they_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v they_o and_o that_o be_v by_o the_o congregation_n or_o community_n of_o believer_n for_o if_o every_o free_a society_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v its_o own_o officer_n much_o more_o have_v the_o true_a church_n this_o power_n be_v as_o be_v say_v the_o free_a society_n under_o heaven_n and_o so_o the_o true_a church_n be_v not_o to_o have_v officer_n thrust_v over_o they_o by_o other_o but_o be_v to_o choose_v they_o its_o self_n if_o any_o object_n against_o this_o object_n that_o paul_n command_v timothy_n and_o titus_n to_o appoint_v elder_n and_o that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n act._n 14._o 23._o do_v choose_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n with_o prayer_n and_o fast_v and_o therefore_o it_o may_v seem_v that_o the_o congregation_n have_v not_o power_n to_o choose_v its_o own_o minister_n but_o that_o some_o chief_a minister_n must_v appoint_v other_o minister_n in_o each_o congregation_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v answ_n that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o minister_n among_o we_o that_o do_v hold_v the_o place_n of_o the_o apostle_n live_v and_o act_v evident_o in_o the_o virtue_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o power_n of_o the_o spirit_n i_o will_v not_o doubt_v to_o allow_v they_o as_o much_o authority_n in_o ordain_v minister_n as_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n or_o any_o of_o the_o other_o apostle_n have_v but_o since_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o very_o few_o of_o these_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n upon_o they_o how_o shall_v they_o have_v authority_n to_o appoint_v minister_n who_o can_v themselves_o be_v reckon_v believer_n or_o spiritual_a but_o second_o if_o they_o be_v true_a minister_n through_o the_o anoint_v of_o the_o spirit_n yet_o can_v they_o not_o appoint_v minister_n in_o other_o congregation_n without_o their_o own_o consent_n and_o approbation_n but_o those_o who_o the_o whole_a church_n choose_v they_o be_v to_o commend_v to_o god_n by_o prayer_n and_o if_o they_o shall_v refuse_v to_o do_v this_o yet_o he_o who_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o church_n be_v sufficient_o its_o minister_n through_o the_o church_n choice_n alone_o neither_o do_v paul_n or_o barnabas_n or_o timothy_n or_o titus_n appoint_v any_o minister_n by_o their_o own_o single_a authority_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o those_o scripture_n 1_o tim._n 3._o and_o titus_n 1._o where_o paul_n say_v the_o overseer_n or_o elder_n as_o also_o the_o deacon_n or_o minister_n shall_v be_v blameless_a and_o unreprovable_a now_o neither_o timothy_n nor_o titus_n know_v of_o themselves_o who_o be_v blameless_a in_o those_o place_n but_o only_o receive_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n which_o choose_v they_o to_o that_o office_n further_o we_o see_v act_n 6._o that_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n together_o do_v not_o by_o themselves_o appoint_v any_o to_o a_o low_a office_n to_o wit_n to_o be_v deacon_n without_o the_o church_n own_o choice_n of_o they_o but_o say_v the_o twelve_o to_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o disciple_n look_v you_o out_o among_o yourselves_o seven_o man_n of_o honest_a report_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o wisdom_n who_o we_o may_v appoint_v over_o this_o business_n and_o those_o who_o the_o church_n choose_v the_o apostle_n confirm_v wherefore_o if_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o the_o apostle_n at_o their_o own_o pleasure_n to_o appoint_v man_n to_o minister_v so_o much_o as_o alm_n to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o poor_a without_o the_o choice_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n much_o less_o be_v it_o lawful_a for_o they_o to_o appoint_v any_o among_o believer_n to_o the_o hard_a and_o difficult_a work_n of_o the_o ministry_n without_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o approbation_n by_o all_o which_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a have_v power_n in_o themselves_o according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n and_o therefore_o see_v the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n can_v possible_o be_v without_o the_o word_n see_v it_o be_v bear_v and_o nourish_v and_o increase_v and_o strengthen_v and_o preserve_v and_o comfort_v and_o perfect_v by_o it_o and_o see_v the_o generality_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o these_o time_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o destitute_a of_o the_o spirit_n it_o must_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o either_o the_o church_n must_v perish_v for_o want_n of_o the_o word_n or_o else_o according_a to_o what_o we_o have_v hear_v believer_n must_v meet_v together_o as_o they_o can_v convenient_o up_o and_o down_o the_o kingdom_n and_o such_o meeting_n must_v choose_v one_o or_o mo_z fit_a person_n from_o among_o themselves_o to_o be_v their_o elder_n in_o the_o lord_n and_o then_o by_o prayer_n to_o commend_v they_o to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o so_o to_o acknowledge_v they_o for_o their_o pastor_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o what_o believer_n meet_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n do_v in_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v do_v through_o the_o work_n and_o approve_v of_o god_n himself_o and_o beside_o this_o way_n i_o see_v no_o other_o how_o in_o this_o great_a defection_n of_o the_o clergy_n the_o church_n may_v have_v the_o true_a word_n of_o god_n restore_v to_o their_o meeting_n and_o assembly_n again_o now_o this_o thing_n that_o be_v so_o direct_o cross_v to_o the_o way_n and_o work_n of_o antichrist_n for_o many_o age_n together_o and_o be_v so_o opposite_a to_o father_n schoolman_n counsel_n doctor_n antiquity_n custom_n and_o the_o general_a pra●ctice_n of_o the_o kingdom_n can_v be_v hope_v to_o be_v accomplish_v at_o once_o but_o by_o degree_n as_o the_o lightning_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v enlighten_v the_o world_n and_o the_o spirit_n shall_v be_v pour_v forth_o and_o therefore_o in_o this_o matter_n let_v some_o begin_v and_o the_o rest_n follow_v as_o this_o practice_n shall_v be_v clear_v up_o to_o they_o from_o the_o scripture_n for_o none_o be_v to_o be_v force_v in_o this_o matter_n if_o authority_n shall_v entertain_v this_o truth_n but_o the_o spirit_n be_v to_o be_v allow_v its_o own_o liberty_n to_o blow_v when_o and_o where_o and_o on_o who_o he_o list_v neither_o ought_v this_o to_o trouble_v any_o if_o all_o do_v not_o present_o agree_v with_o they_o it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o at_o first_o a_o few_o begin_v who_o other_o may_v follow_v afterward_o as_o god_n shall_v persuade_v they_o now_o as_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v its_o officer_n so_o if_o