Selected quad for the lemma: word_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
word_n	feed_v	flock_n	shepherd_n	3,009	5	10.4867	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60357	Vincentius redivivus, a funeral sermon preached Octob. 27, 1678 upon the occasion of the much bewailed death of that reverend and eminent servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Vincent ... / by Samuel Slater.	Slater, Samuel, d. 1704.	1679 (1679)	Wing S3979; ESTC R23647	37,199	50

the rule over you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your Guides such as are appointed by God to point out the way you should go and do themselves go before you in it such as do not only shew the way but lead the way this is the primary signification of the word And it hath been metaphorically translated and applied to them whose business lies in ordering and governing others both in Church and State to persons in Magistratical and Ecclesiastical office And without all peradventure godly Magistrates whether Supreme or Inferior who rule in the fear of God and with Prudence and Righteousness manage the affairs of State are worthy to be remembred Though a Pharoah did rise up who knew not Ioseph let not the man be found in Israel who remembers not Ioseph nor a Protestant in England to whom the Memory of an Edward and Elizabeth is not precious But it is evident from the words themselves that the Apostle here did not intend the Civil Magistrate but Gospel-Ministers whose work is not only to instruct but also to rule in the Church of God they have power to command the rich in this world they are to rebuke with all authority Paul had his rod too which he knew how to use when need required They are the Masters of the Assemblies Elders that rule as well as labour in the Word and Doctrine Shepherds that are to feed the flock of God yea and to order it and to reduce those sheep that wander Yet let them remember they are under authority though chief men among the brethren yet but men though Masters of the Assemblies yet servants of Christ such as rule but such as must be ruled by the Word and in case of male-administration are liable to censure Their authority is of no farther extent than their warrant they are to lead and be followed not blindfold not as infallible persons not as being above the possibility of erring but with caution and limitation follow your guides Christians but look to your way 1 Cor. 11. 11. Be ye followers of me even as I am of Christ just so and no otherwise so far be sure to follow me but not a foot farther But we shall speak more particularly 1. Those whom you are to remember are the Ministers of the Gospel the Embassadors of the glorious King of Saints the Pastors and Angels of the Churches in whom though poor earthen vessels God hath laid up heavenly treasure for the inriching of many Alexander Caesar William the Conqueror may be remembred but never let a Paul a Calvin an Vsher a Caryl a Manton a Vincent be forgotten there is no need of canonizing them God made them Saints while they lived though the Pope dubs his Saints after they are dead as the Heathen made gods whose Ape he is It would be a sin to worship them to pray to them or to put up your prayers to God by them as his Master of Requests there is but one M●diator between God and man the man Christ Iesus yet let them live they do so in Gods sight let them do so in your remembrance and esteem 2. Those whom you are specially to remember are your Pastors Christs Ministers in your Congregations so the Apostle directs them that have the rule over you It is the fashion of some to applaud and admire other Preachers while they despise and slight their own which is a shrewd argument of a wanton spirit It would be their wisdom and is their duty to like the disposals which God hath made Accordingly think you of them honour them who rule over you who have laboured among you who spent themselves for you their relation to you was very near being your spiritual Fathers if not those that begot you yet those that nursed y●● and travailed for many among you by preaching and prayer with tears and groans with earnest longings to see Christ formed in you Oh how dear w●s their love answerable to their relation they watched over you and watched for you they brake their rest and wasted themselves in providing and dealing out food to you when it may be some among you thought much of returning to them a sorry and pitiful acknowledgment or reward However let● such narrow souls remember them now that will cost them nothing 3. Those whom you are to remember are your deceased Pastors loquitur de iis qui jam obierunt Jun. the Apostle here means those who had compleated their work and were gone to rest Let those Ministers of Christ who are alive and remain who at this day live and labour among you be in your thoughts and esteem and prayers count them worthy of double honour Trample not them under your feet whose feet are beautiful being messengers of peace that bring and rejoyce to bring you glad tidings of great good the very best that ever the world had Our Saviour pronounceth a wo against those dissembling Hypocrites that build the tombs of the prophets and garnish the Sepulchres of the righteous but despise the labours and blow upon the reputations and starve the bodies and persecute the persons of those that are alive Matth. 23. 29. Give unto both their due let it never be said that dear Mr. Thomas Vincent is out of mind now he is out of sight Though now his place know him no more though his Family and Pulpit know him no more let it never be said his People had forgot him too No no as God hath received and glorified his Soul and looks after his dust of which he will not lose the smallest atom do you preserve his memory and count his name a precious and fragrant oyntment Thus you see Pastors your Pastors your deceased Pastors are to be remembred Quest. But what all of them be they never so erroneous or flagicious Answ. I do not say so the Holy Apostle doth not mean so if any be corrupt in their Opinions unsound in their Doctrines or disorderly in their Lives if in their Sermons they bring you any other Gospel than that which Christ and his Apostles did or if Preaching the same Gospel and holding to the form of wholesome words they contradict it by an unsuitable carriage and by an unholy life destroy what they build it had been well for the World and the Church and themselves too if they had never been born and the sooner they are forgotten the better When their bodies are laid in a bed of dust let their ●●ames be buried in the grave of forgetfulness May their Memorial perish with them Those who are worthy to be remembred have these qualifications which you find in the Text. 1. They are such as have spoken to you the Word of God not the sentiments of Philosophers nor the notions and counsels of learned and civilized Heathen not Aristotles Ethicks and Plutarchs Morals or Plato's Divinity though some good use may be made of them Doubtless natural light is beautiful and lovely But what need have we of the glistering of