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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	apostle_n	authority_n	power_n	9,153	5	4.8677	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A94141	Reasons of the present judgement of the Vniversity of Oxford, concerning [brace] The Solemne League and Covenant. The Negative Oath. The Ordinances concerning discipline and vvorship. Approved by generall consent in a full convocation, 1. Jun. 1647. and presented to consideration.	University of Oxford. Convocation.; Zouch, Richard, 1590-1661.; Langbaine, Gerard, 1609-1658.; Sanderson, Robert, 1587-1663.	1647 (1647)	Wing S623; Thomason E391_15; ESTC R18621	29,824	43

Jure divino in the strictest sense that is to say expressely commanded by God in his Word yet of Apostolicall institution that is to say was established in the Churches by the Apostles according to the mind and after the example of their Master Jesus Christ and that by virtue of their ordinary power and authority derived from him as deputed by him Governors of his Church 2. Or at least that Episcopall Aristocracy hath a fairer pretension and may lay a juster title and claime to a Divine institution then any of the other formes of Church-Government can doe all which yet do pretend thereunto viz. that of the Papall Monarchy that of the Presbyterian Democracy and that of the Independents by Particular Congregations or Gathered Churches 2. But we are assured by the undoubted testimony of Antient Records and later Histories that this forme of Government hath beene continued with such an universall uninterrupted unquestioned succession in all the Churches of God and in all Kingdomes that have beene called Christian throughout the whole world for fifteen hundred yeers together that there never was in all that time any considerable opposition made there against That of Aërius was the greatest wherein yet there was little of consideration beside these two things that it grew at the first but out of discontent and gained him at the last but the reputation of an Heretique From which antiquity and continuance we have just cause to fear that to endeavour the extirpation thereof 1. Would give such advantage to the Papists who usually object against us and our Religion the contempt of antiquity and the love of novelty that we should not be able to wipe off the aspersion 2. Would so diminish the just authority due to the consentient judgement and practice of the universall Church the best interpreter of Scripture in things not clearly exprest for Lex currit cum praxi that without it we should be at a losse in sundry points both of Faith and Manners at this day firmely believed and securely practiced by us when by the Socinians Anabaptists and other Sectaries we should be called upon for our proofes As namely sundry Orthodoxall explications concerning the Trinity and Co-equality of the Persons in the God-head against the Arians and other Heretiques the number use and efficacy of Sacraments the Baptising of Infants Nationall Churches the observation of the Lords-Day and even the Canon of Scripture it self Thirdly in respect of our selves we are not satisfied how it can stand with the principles of Justice Ingenuity and Humanity to require the extirpation of Episcopall Government unlesse it had been first cleerly demonstrated to be unlawful to be sincerely and really endeavoured by us 1. Who have all of us who have taken any Degree by subscribing the 39. Articles testified our approbation of that Government one of those a Articles affirming the very Book containing the form of their Consecration to contain in it nothing contrary to the Word of God 2. Who have most of us viz. as many as have entred into the Ministery received Orders from their hands whom we should very ill requite for laying their hands upon us if we should now lay to our hands to root them up and cannot tell for what 3. Who have sundry of us since the beginning of this Parliament subscribed our names to Petitions exhibited or intended to be exhibited to that High Court for the continuance of that Government Which as we then did sincerely and really so we should with like sincerity and reality still not having met with any thing since to shew us our errour be ready to doe the same again if we had the same hopes we then had of the reception of such Petitions 4. Who hold some of us our livelyhood either in whole or in part by those titles of Deanes Deanes and Chapters c. mentioned in the Articles being members of some Collegiate or Cathedrall Churches And our memories will not readily serve us with any example in this kind since the world began wherein any state or profession of men though convicted as we are not of a crime that might deserve deprivation were required to bind themselves by oath sincerely and really to endeavour the rooting out of that in it selfe not unlawfull together wherewith they must also root out themselves their estates and livelyhoods 5. Especially it being usuall in most of the said Churches that such persons as are admitted members thereof have a personall Oath administred unto them to maintain the honour Immunities Libertyes and profits of the same and whilst they live to seeke the good and not to doe any thing to the hurt hindrance or prejudice thereof or in other words to the like effect Fourthly in respect of the Church of England we are not satisfied how we can swear to endeavour the extirpation of the established Government no necessity or just Cause for so doing either offering it selfe or being offered to our understandings 1. Since all change of Government unavoidably bringeth with it besides those that are present and evident sundry other ●●●onveniences which no wit of man can possibly fore-see to provide against till late experience discover them We cannot be sure that the evils which may ensue upon the change of this Government which hath been of so long continuance in this Kingdome is so deeply roo●ed in the Lawes thereof and hath so neere a conjunction with and so strong an influence upon the Civill State and Government as that the change thereof must infer the necessity of a great alteration to be made in the other also may not be greater then the supposed evils whatsoever they are which by this change are sought to be remedied For there are not yet any come to our knowledge of that desperate nature as not to be capable of other remedy then the utter extirpation of the whole Government it selfe 2. Whereas the House of Commons have b remonstrated that it was far from their purpose or desire to abolish the Church-Government but rather that all the members of the Church of England should be regulated by such Rules of Order and Discipline as are established by Parl●ament and that it was Malignancie to infuse into the people that they had any other meaning We are loth by consenting to the second Article to become guilty of such Infusion as may bring us within the compasse and danger of the fourth Article of this Covenant 3. Since it hath been declared by sundry c Acts of Parliament That the holy Church of England was founded in the state of Prelacy within the Realm of England We dare not by endeavouring the extirpation of Prelacy strike at the very foundation and thereby as much as in us lyeth cooperate towards the ●●ine of this famous Church which in all conscience and d●ty we are bound with out utmost lawfull power to uphold Lastly in respect of our Obligations to His Majesty by our Duty and oathes we are not satisfied how

REASONS Of the present judgement of the Vniversity of OXFORD CONCERNING The Solemne League and Covenant The Negative Oath The Ordinances concerning Discipline and VVorship Approved by generall consent in a full Convocation 1. Jun. 1647. AND Presented to Consideration ACADEMIA OXONIENSIS Printed in the Yeare 1647. A Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happinesse of the King and the Peace and Safety of the three Kingdomes England Scotland and Jreland WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospell and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland by the Providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion having before our eyes the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the honour and happinesse of the Kings Majestie and His Posterity and the true publick Lybertie Safetie and Peace of the Kingdoms wherein every ones private condition is included and calling to mind the treacherous and bloudy plots Conspiracies Attempts and practices of the Enemies of God against the true Religion and Professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdomes ever since the Reformation of Religion and how much their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time increased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdome of England and the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdome of Scotland are present and publick Testimonies We have now at last after other meanes of supplication Remonstrance Protestations and Sufferings for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practice of these Kingdomes in former times and the Example of Gods People in other Nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutuall and solemne League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himselfe with our hands lifted up to the most High God do swear I. THat we shall sincerely really and constantly through the Grace of God endeavour in our severall places and callings the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common Enemies The Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith Form of C●urch Government Directory for Worship and Catechizing That we and our posterity after us may as Brethren live in Faith and Love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us II. That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy that is Church Government by Archbishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Archdeacons and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchy Superstition Heresie Schisme Profanenesse and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of Godlinesse lest we partake in other mens sinnes and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues and that the Lord may be one and his Name one in the three Kingdomes III. We shall with the same sincerity reallity and constancy in our severall Vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Privileges of the Parliaments and the Liberties of the Kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdomes that the world may bear witnesse with our consciences of our Loyaltie and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish His Majesties just power and greatness IIII. We shall also with all faithfullnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill Instruments by hindring the Reformation of Religion dividing the King from his people or one of the Kingdomes from another or making any faction or parties amongst the people contrary to this League and Covenant that they may be brought to publick triall and receive condigne punishment as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve or the supream Judicatories of both Kingdomes respectively or others having power from them for that effect shall judge convenient V. And whereas the happinesse of a blessed Peace between these Kingdomes denied in former times to our progenitours is by the good providence of God granted unto us and hath been lately concluded and setled by both Parliaments we shall each one of us according to our place and interest endeavour that they may remain conjoyned in a firm Peace and Union to all posterity And that Justice may be done upon the wilfull opposers thereof in manner expressed in the precedent Articles VI We shall also according to our places and callings in this common cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdomes assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintaining and pursuing thereof and shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terrour to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed Union and Conjunction whether to make defection to the contrary part or to give our selves to a detestable indifferencie or neutrality i● this caus● which so much concerneth the glory of God the good of the Kingdoms and the honour of the King but shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therei● against all opposition promote th esame according to our power against all lets and impediments whatsoever and what we are not able our selves to suppress or overcome we shall reveal make known that it may be timely prevented or removed All which we shall do as in the sight of God And because these Kingdoms are guilty of many sinnes and provocations against God and his Son Jesus Christ as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers the fruits thereof We professe and declare before God and the world our unfained desire to be humbled for our owne sins and for the sins of these Kingdoms especially that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel that we have not laboured for the puritie and power thereof and that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts nor to walke worthy of him in our lives which are the causes of other sinnes and transgressions so much abounding amongst us And our true and unfained purpose desire and endeavour for our selves and all others under our power and charge both in publick and in private in all duties we owe to God and man to amend our lives and each one to goe before another in the