Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	apostle_n	church_n	law_n	2,624	5	4.8536	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61215	The mutual duties of elders and people Delivered in a discourse at Beckles in Suffolk, Octob. 13. 1697. At the setting apart of Mr. John Killinghal, to the office of an elder, over a Church of Christ there. By John Stackhouse, elder of a Church of Christ in Norwich.	Stackhouse, John, dissenting minister.	1698 (1698)	Wing S5104; ESTC R220764	32,438	41

Authority Christ will not have his Children fed only with uncertain and slender Supplies from their Brethren to whom he doth vouchsafe Spiritual Gifts which as there is occasion they must make manifest for the profiting of others but he doth also appoint such as should give every one their portion of Meat in due season that shall preach the Word in season and out of season that shall give themselves wholly to those Things and make it their main Business whilst they live Christian love and faithfulness in exhorting one another should help forward the Work of the Ministers and not tempt any to despise them that are set over them as useless So much for the Connexion it being joined by the copulative Particle and. In the Text observe First A loving and earnest Compellation we beseech you Brethren and oh that we could at this time so beseech you as that we might prevail Secondly You have a description of the Persons to whom the Duties mentioned in the Text are to be performed 1. They are described from their Work they labour among you they labour in the Word and Doctrine chiefly So in 1 Tim. 5. 17. They labour among you The Greek may be rendred in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you they labour in you as a Builder labours in the House that he buildeth they labour in your Hearts and Souls That Beloved is our desire and the end of all our Labour to make suitable impressions of the Word of God upon your Souls by the power of the Spirit accompanying our Labours that we might be able to say as the Apostle does 1 Cor. 9. 1. Ye are our Work in the Lord. 2. You have their Dignity They are set over you that is To rule you and govern you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such as stand before you that is the first signification of the word such as do excel you or that rule you So the word is rendred 1 Tim. 3. 4 5. One that Ruleth well his own House having his Children in subjection with all gravity for if a Man know not how to Rule his own House how shall he take care of the Church of God The same word in both Verses is rendred to Rule which in the Text is rendred by being over Tho' it is not so absolute a Rule as the Rule of a Father is in his Family yet it does import somewhat of ordering and governing he that knows not how to rule his own House how shall he take care of the Church of God The Elder is not a mute Person in the Church of God but as a Father hath more to do to order his Family than any other person hath in the Family so the Elder hath more to do to order the Church than any private Brother hath And unto this the Apostle doth subjoin a limitation it is in the Lord it is not a Civil Dominion but it is a Spiritual Rule it is according to the Lord's Institution and Laws it is in his Name and Authority and it is for his Glory only it is in the Things that belong to Religion and the Worship of the Lord. Thirdly These Persons are described from one special instance of their Work they admonish you The third Particular is the Duty of the People to their Ministers and the manner of proposing it doth carry great enforcement to it they to whom these Duties are to be performed being so described as before there is great Evidence that those Duties must be performed to them I. They must know them Now to know doth signifie more than barely the being acquainted with them and giving them an opportunity of being acquainted with you tho' some Church-Members are very much guilty of neglecting that and it implies more than barely to know their Gifts for according to the Hebrew Phrase words of Sence do connote the Affections and the Effects thereof As not knowing signifies neglecting as it was spoken to Christ in Isaiah 55. 5. Thou shalt call a Nation that thou knowest not whom thou hadst neglected for so many Ages Acts 14. 16. and 17. 30. as the poor Gentiles were neglected So 1. Knowing doth signifie First acknowledging them to be such as they are and should be accounted by you to be So 1 Cor. 16. 18. Acknowledge ye them that are such acknowledge them own them I will not know a wicked person saith the Psalmist Psalm 101. 4. He explains it in the 6th Verse He shall not stay within my House I will not own him for my Servant There arose a King in Israel that knew not Joseph surely Joseph and his Benefits that he had procured to Egypt and the Kings thereof could not be forgotten in fifty Years time but he would not own that he was any way obliged to the Memory of Joseph to shew Kindness to his Posterity and Kindred but he used them cruelly Thus also I understand that in Acts 23. 5. I knew him not to be God's high priest I did not own him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and acknowledge him to be God's High-Priest he being but a base Intruder and the Office it self being determined by the Sacrifice of our great High-Priest Jesus Christ who hath accomplished all that was tipified by that Office which was now become nothing but a matter of Traffick for Gain and worldly Grandure 2. Know them that is mind them and consider them as in that passionate Lamentation of our Redeemer over Jerusalem Luke 19. 42. Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day the things that belong to thy peace That is Oh that thou hadst minded them and hadst considered them So Paul knowing that one part of the Counsel were Pharisees and the other Sadduces Acts 23. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is considering it 3. Knowing imports caring and providing for them Lord what is Man that thou takest knowledge of him Psalm 144. 3. that thou dost care for him or provide for him The righteous man regardeth the life of his beast Prov. 12. 10. In the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is he knows it and much more should you regard the Life of your Elders 4. Knowing imports loving the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous Psalm 1. 6. Depart from me I know you not Matth. 7. 23. If any man love God the same is known of God 1 Cor. 8. 3. i. e. If any Man love God the same is beloved of God for we love him because he first loved us That is the first Duty you must know them you must acknowledge them you must mind and consider them and what they say you must care and provide for them and love them II. But Secondly You must esteem them very highly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 superabundantly Oh be not afraid that you should abound too much in your esteeming them III. And Thirdly You must love them esteem them highly in love hereunto is added the true Motive of your esteeming them and loving them that is for their Works

care for the tender Lambs they must care for those that are oppress'd with Infirmities they must not over-drive the Flock and they must diligently know the state of their Flock whether increasing or decaying in grace They must be very careful to avoid that reproof that God gives by Ezekiel against the Shepherds in that day Ezek. 34. 2 3 4. Woe be to the Shepherds of Israel that feed themselves should not the Shepherds feed the flock Ye eat the fat and clothe you with the wooll ye kill them that are fed but ye feed not the flock The diseased have ye not strengthned nor healed that which was sick neither have ye bound up that which was broken neither have ye brought again that which was driven away neither have ye sought that which was lost but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them Oh this is a severe Reproof a dreadful Charge to be given in against any that are called to be Shepherds or Pastors it behoves us all to keep our selves unspotted and to be faithful 8. They are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teachers or Doctors Isa 20. v. 30. Thine eyes shall see thy Teachers they shall no more be removed into corners 1 Cor. 12. 28. God hath set some in the Churches first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers Therefore they must be apt to teach Therefore that is inculcated as the qualification of a Bishop 1 Tim. 3. 2. He must be apt to teach And they must hold fast the faithful Word and be able by sound Doctrine to exhort and convince gain-sayers Titus 1. 8. They must exhort instruct and comfort the Church with all Authority these things command and teach 1 Tim. 4. 11. Charge them that are rich in this World cap. 6. 17. They must reprove publickly such as do sin publickly they must give an open reproof for open sins 1 Tim. 5. 20. Them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear and they must take heed to themselves and to their Doctrine There must be great care and great solicitousness 1 Tim. 4. 16. in us that what we speak in the Name of the Lord be indeed the Mind of the Lord and cordially believed and submitted unto by our selves as such 9. And lastly They are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders or Presbyters If any Man be sick let him send for the Elders of the Church James 5. 14. The Elders that are among you I exhort who am also an Elder 1 Pet. 5. 1. But with Elders there must be Wisdom and an Ability to give Counsel and Gravity they must not be Novices they must Rule well and be Examples to the People Thus in general from their Names and Titles I have shewed you that they are over you in the Lord. II. I shall shew you a little in Particular what you are to understand by this being over you in the Lord. 1. It is a Power communicated by Christ's Word of Command or Institution the Constitutions of the Gospel do prescribe it Matth. 28. 20. teaching them to do whatsoever things I have commanded you And if any do assume more than Christ doth grant and command in his Word such are Usurpers Thieves and Robbers vainly pretending to what they do not receive and derive from Christ by his Word 2. The Rule that Chrst hath entrusted and committed to them by his Word is the guidance of the Church in all things belonging to the Worship of God for the ordering and disposing of all things in the Church for Christ's Glory and the Churches Edification they are to care for all the Spiritual Concernments of the whole Society that is committed to them they are to care for the House of God 1 Tim. 3. 5. 3. They have their Power immediately by the Church but not from the Church Christ doth apply the Office tho' the Church designs the Person The Church chuseth them and the Holy Ghost makes them Overseers Acts 20. 28. They are sent by Christ John 13. 20. He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me They are Ambassadors for Christ they do act in his stead and by the Authority that he hath committed to them As a King in his absence may appoint Officers to wait upon his Queen and to manage the Affairs of his Kingdom and may also give Rules that upon the death of any of them she should Dr. Goodwin's Government of Churches chuse new ones yet still their Authority is such as the King hath vouchsafed in his Commission to them not what the Queen gives them by chusing them 4. The Obligation of the Members of the Church to a free and voluntary and uncompelled Obedience to them doth arise from the Authority of Jesus Christ which the Elders exercise according to his Laws Your Obedience I say must be free and voluntary yet you are obliged to obey them because they exercise the Authority of Christ according to his Laws They do not act by the Authority of the Church when they declare the consent and determination of the Church in the common Affairs of the Church The Church doth in consenting exercise their Liberty and their Privilege according to the order of the Gospel for the order of the Gospel is such that no act can take place in the Church without their own consent but whilst the Church doth thus exercise their Liberty and the Elders do declare the consent of the Church yet still they act by the Authority of Christ and in his Name Matth. 28. 3 last Verses All Power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you Note here That because all Power is given unto me therefore I do authorize you to disciple and baptize all Nations and to teach them to observe all the Institutions of Worship that I have commanded you All Gospel Ministrations are grounded upon the Power that is given to Christ and that not only with respect to the Apostles themselves but also with respect to ordinary Elders that are their Successors for so it follows Lo I am with you always to the end of the World So in Tit. 2. 15. These things teach and exhort and rebuke with all all authority let no Man despise thee They must not act Imperiously nor Precariously but they are to act in their Ministration with all Authority and this Authority is not their own Authority but Christ's and the Authority of Christ must be be freely owned no Man must despise them Thus I have spoken to their Dignity they are over you in the Lord. II. Consider their Work they labour among you and admonish you And here let me shew you Summarily First What their Work is And Secondly That it is a labour I. As for their Work the Apostle speaks Eph. 4.

sake That is the third part of the Text the Duties that are required from the People to their Ministers IV. He exhorts to another Duty that is that they should be at Peace one with another and with their Elders It seems to have connexion with the former Duties either as an effect and then you must understand it thus in your conscientious knowing esteeming and loving your Elders your mutual Peace will be best maintained and preserved But if any do despise their Elders Schism and Division will presently arise Or else this Be at Peace among your selves may be joined to the former as a means and then you may understand it thus mutual Peace will help you to carry it to your Elders according to your Duty but if you are divided one from another you will fail in your Duty to your Elders and quarrel with them also From these Verses I propose these Points of Doctrine to you I. That such as are set over a Church of Christ must labour among them and admonish them II. That it is the Duty of the whole Church and of every particular Member of the Church to know esteem and love most abundantly them that are over them in the Lord. III. That the Elder 's faithfully attending to his Work and the Peoples conscientious discharge of their Duty to their Elder and mutual Peace are strictly joined together I will make what haste I can a little to open and apply these Doctrines to you Doct. I. That such as are set over a Church of Christ must labour among them and admonish them Give me leave to open unto you their Dignity and their Duty and so to apply it I. For their Dignity First They are set over a Church Secondly In the Lord. 1. They are set over a Church of Christ we are not set over many Churches but each over that particular Church where Christ doth place us it is an human Device to set one Man over many Churches but Elders are over particular Churches And in the right Execution of their Office and the Duties of their Office they are over the whole Church and every Member thereof tho' as to their Persons they may be under them As Luther said In regard of my Person I will fall down before any Man but in regard of the Truth of Christ which I administer I look upon even the Kings of the Earth to be but as Dust. Whatever weakness or darkness may be in an Elder yet in his Holy Administrations he is over even all the People As the Master of a Ship whilst he guides the Ship aright in the work of guiding the Ship is over all that are in the Ship Mr. Shepherd s Cav●●● tho' a King were in it yet it belongs to the Master to order and guide the Ship It is true indeed that the Elders are the Servants of the Church for Jesus sake 2 Cor. 4. 5. But you are not from thence to argue that they are properly your Servants to be commanded by you but they are Servants that is they are to lay out themselves wholly in seeking the profit and edification of the Church according to the Duty of their Office And A● Acts 13. 36. they are also the Servants of Christ to do his Work to the Church Thus in Col. 4. 12. Epaphras who is one of you a servant of Christ saluteth you always labouring fervently for you in prayer c. So the Apostle saith The servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2. 24. And being the Servants of Christ they must not persuade any to believe Men or please Men Do I now persuade men or God or do I seek to please men for if I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ Gal. 1. 10. In the same Sence they are called Men of God 1 Tim. 6. 11. dedicated to his service in an especial manner they are instituted by Christ they receive their Authority from Christ by the Church they depend on Christ for the faithful discharge of their Work and their Authority is not to be taken from them unless they forfeit their Calling by such Errors and scandalous Enormities as deserve Excommunication till then they are over you and are your Rulers 2. They are over the Church in the Lord it is not an earthly Dignity no Magisterial Dictatorship no rigid Authority no Secular Grandure belongs to them So our Lord told his Apostles in Luke 22. 26. ye shall not be so i. e. ye shall not exercise Lordship and Authority in a rigid way but he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger and he that is chief it is the same word that is rendred Governor Matth. 2. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as he that doth serve We are not to lord it over Gods heritage 1 Pet. 5. 3. The means of the Elders executing their Office are not carnal means but Spiritual not carnal Force nor carnal Policy but the Word of God the Sword of the Spirit The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. Elders must not make their own Will but the Will of Christ the Rule of all their Actings in the Church of Chirst It is in the Lord. I design briefly to open unto you how they are over the Church in the Lord. First In General And Secondly In Particular I. In General I shall shew you That all the Names and Titles that are given to the Ministers of Churches in the Scripture do both speak Authority entrusted to them by Christ and to be exercised by them in the Name of Christ and for his Glory and do also import a tender Care Kindness Compassion and Watchfulness that they ought to have of the Flock 1 Tim. 3. 5. How shall he care for the House of God They do also import their faithfulness and subjection to their Lord Jesus Christ 1. They are called the Messengers of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2. 7. They are called the Angels of the Churches Angels sent The word here used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often rendred Angel As 2 Sam. 14. 17 20. by Jesus Christ unto the Churches Rev. 1. 20. They are called Ambassadors to treat with Sinners in the Name of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5. 20. And they must not speak their own Words but their Lords Words they must not seek their own Will or their own Glory but his that sent them and they are compassionately to intreat poor Rebels to seek Peace with Christ and they are carefully to watch to preserve Peace between Christ and poor Souls 2. They are called the Fathers of the People So Elijah was called My Father my Father 2 Kings 2. 12. Even Idolaters did own this Title Micha in Mount Ephraim Judges 17. 10. desired the Levite to be a Father to him the Men of Dan told the Levite