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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heart_n	believe_v	truth_n	word_n	3,712	5	4.2368	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A78217	Ichnographia. Or A model of the primitive congregational way: wherein satisfaction is offered, by unfolding (according to the Scriptures) what the right order of the Gospel, and way of the saints in the visible worshipping of God is, in the dayes of the New Testament. And how the saints in these dayes may walk up to it, notwithstanding their present hindrances. Together with the maine points in controversie, touching the right visible church-state Christ hath instituted under the Gospel, with the extent of church-officers, and power of particular visible churches, and continuance of divine ordinances and institutions under the defection and apostasie of Antichrist. By W. Bartlet, Minister of the Gospel, at Wapping.	Bartlet, William, 1609 or 10-1682.	1647 (1647)	Wing B986; Thomason E381_17; ESTC R201418	140,788	175

if Christ hath instituted as we have shewed such an externall Church politye for his Saints to observe to his comming again how then dare men deny it may they not as well deny the scriptures themselves by placing all in the office and worke of the spirit within us without the use of any externall rule or meanes to worship God by And the truth is that to this at last men come speaking very basely and unworthily if not blasphemously of the scriptures But before I leave those men if it may please the Lord to sh●w them the ev●ll of their way I would faine know of them whether it were not the practice of Jesus Christ himselfe in the dayes of his fl sh and his Apostles after him whom he substituted in his roome and appointed to give out his divine will concerning the ordinances of his kingdome to live in the use and practic● of outward worship and ordinances Did not Christ himselfe pract ce preaching praying Baptisme Supper c. and so the Apostles after him and did they not give the Churches this in charge that they sh●uld tread in their steps and be followers of them as they were of Christ and can it be denyed that the O●dinan●es of God are those sacred things in and by which the Saints come to have lively fellowship and communion with God N●ither let men think it sufficient to say that they have fellowship with God without and above ordinances for then it would follow that men should live in fellowship with God without worshipping and serving of him in that way he hath prescribed viz. by observing those duties and ordinances which Jesus Christ hath instituted and commanded in his Word as preaching prayer singing receiving the Sacraments executing the censures c. in Church fellowship as hath been and shall be farther noted in the following discourse And therefore if these men desire to be found in the number of those that Christ calls his friends ●●hn 14.15 let them labour to doe what he hath commanded them and not slight the way of his visible worship and ordinances which he hath instituted for his Churches to walk in till his comming againe when he shall deliver up the Kingdome to his Father and have put downe all rule and authority and power in 1 Cor. 15.14 2. The other sort of men contrary minded to this blessed truth are those that teach and write for sound doctiine that Jesus Christ hath not sole power of headship over the Church in appointing and ordering this visible Church-state for all Nations to observe and ke●p but it is in the power of men also to appoint and set up a frame of Church-Government and order for men to serve and worship God by according to the nature and frame of those States and Kingdomes wherein they live and the foundation they build on is by distinguishing betweene a Supreame principall headship and a Ministeriall subordinate headship They doe not deny but Christ is the supreame Head over all but then they would faine make the world believe if it lay in their power that there is a secondary and subordinate headship which Iesus Christ hath deligated in his room and hath left power and authority with to make lawes to his Church and they say that this Ministeriall headship may stand wel enough with the Principal and Supream as a Vice-Roy may stand with a King but I utterly deny it affirming it to be a distinction coined in the Popes conclave at Rome and holy Baines in his Commentary on Col. 2.19 shews it to be altogether unsound 1. Because it is contradictory for it is such an essentiall property of an head to be principall and have rule that what is not thus is not an head 2. Who ever heard of any secundary ministeriall head in a naturall body without deformity Now it is a naturall body with which Christ doth compare himselfe in this respect 3. That which is a ministeriall head must doe the work of an head but that none can doe the work is double internall or externall influence regiment or direction Of the first it is granted for the other of Regiment The Apostle themselves w● not Heads of but servants 〈◊〉 the Churche● Id. ibid. the Scripture denyeth it to any but Christ the Prince of Pastors leaving to all other a power ministeriall onely to serve the Churches as superior unto them 4. No Direction which is dependent is the direction of an Head as the hand leading and drawing up the foot directeth it but is not an head to it because the direction of the hand commeth from the principality of the head reported unto it As for those instances that are brought for the upholding of the former distinction he answers them cleerly and shews that the union of the Church the Scripture teacheth to depend on Christ and his S●irit and not on a visible head Men may have many names properly attributed to them but this improperly Kings may suffer men to be called Noble Wise Rich but to be called Kings within his Dominion is not permitted because there is nothing more derogatory from the glory of his Crowne So here And what this l●arned man hath spoken in the former place is confirmed both by Ancient and Moderne Divines against the Papists as is easie to prove And sufficient might be added from the Sermons which have been pr●ached for these severall yeeres before the Honourable Houses of Parliament by learned men of all sorts but I suppose it is needl●s in a busines so cleere and palpable Now if Jesus Christ be sole Head and none joyned in commission with him for the ordering of these affaires that concerne his own and his Fathers spiritu●ll and eternall Kingdom then doubtlesse no Powers on earth Civill or Ecclesiasticall can challenge that honour and authority to themselves which is onely p●oper to Jesus Christ and which he hath reserved to himselfe alone and is communicable to none other besides him Now there are some things which Christ hath reserved to himselfe as for example to erect a spirituall Church and Kingdome to himselfe like himselfe 2. To appoint a ministery worship order government both internall and externall sutable thereunto 3. To give out glorious Gospell truths and doctrines of salvation for the Saints to belleeve and practise 4. To raign and rule in and over the hearts and consciences of the Saints by the mighty Scepter of his Word and Spirit 5. To forgive sinnes to heale diseases to blesse O●dinances to c●allenge praises command homage duty service of the whole man from sinners these and the like things are proper to J●sus Christ as he is the great high Priest Prophet and King of his Church and not communicable to Angels or men and therefore let not humane powers take that to them which is none of their due but belongs to Christ alone Quest What is their due then Ans M. Sprig in his Ancient Bounds hath spoken so much and

primitive Churches to shew for and is doubted of by those with whom it should prevaile can that do it The former meanes will remedy evils if men be consciencious the latter will not do it if men be not consciencious Obj. But the Magistrate must come in and helpe Ans Then in Church helpe there is little difference between the Presbyters and the Independents whatsoever they pretend to the contrary in the point of church power 2. If you interesse the Magistrates power he must then either by himselfe or by some commission take cognizance of the jus and fact wherein his power is to be exercised he must not act upon an implicite beliefe that the acts of the church are right 3. Will you call in his power in all matters of difference wherein your selves cannot agree or will you only desire his power to helpe when either the hainousnesse of the matter or the turbulency of the carriage manifests stubbornnesse If in the former case then you make the Magistrate the Iudge of all controversies in Religion which I believe you are not willing to do If in the latter only wee are agreed Why then is there such a stirre such an out-cry against that which is called the Independent way as if there must needs be a confusion of all things if liberty in it be granted The Lord judge between us and our bretheren in this thing to him wee referre our names and our cause Thus that eminent and famous servant of Christ in the conclusion of his Vindication against M. Edwards And if any desire further satisfaction touching the undue power of the classicall way he may read at large M. Damports Reply to M. Paget sect 27. p. 226 to 231. and 254 255. 5. The next inference from the former position is this That those of the Congregationall way commonly known by the nick-name of Independents do not walke without a rule for what they do in appropriating the administrations of Seales and Censures to their own particular Congregations nor sinne against Christ in refusing to administer the Seales to such as are not in fellowship with them nor any other true visible Church of Christ I know it is layd to the charge of such as if they were proud and scornfull but it is no other then an aspersion for if this be the revealed will of Christ that the administration of the Seales is limited to Pastors and Teachers and they to their owne particular charge then if they had all the humility in the world that is in the hearts of the Saints yet that would not allow them to go against the least part of the revealed will and mind of Christ which they should do if they should administer Church ordinances to such as are of no Church and refuse also to sit downe in fellowship with them For as M. Burroughs in his Heart Divisions p. 166. hath well and rightly observed In all worship that belongs to Saints as Saints they joyfully joyn with them that is as I conceive in prayer hearing of the word holy conference and duties of such like nature that concerne christian communion but as for that worship that belongs to Saints as gathered into a society under officers so they judge it unreasonable that any should have the benefit of the priviledges of the Church and yet be under no power nor discipline of any Church but live at liberty and pick choose ordinances where they please if they walk disorderly have no Church to call them to an account And therfore hence forward let not men censure us as they have done for the discharge of our duty to Jesus Christ Indeed if it were meere will and not conscience that did lead guide us it were another matter but when through riches of mercy we can upon good grounds appeale to the Lord that it is meer conscience and not will that leads and swayes us let them take heed how they passe such unrighteous judgement on their bretheren lest that of our Saviour light on them Mat. 7.1 2. Iudge not that ye be not judged for with what judgement ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again I would only desire to know this one thing of such rash and bitter censurers of their brethren what profit advantage it can be to us to expose our names to reproach our persons to contempt and all we have to hazard if wee were not perswaded of the truth of what wee practise and that we should sinne against God if wee should to please men do the contrary Besides is it not wel known that we strive to go so farre as we may possibly with a good conscience for the satisfying of those that are contrary minded what would men have yet further of us unlesse it be to sin against the light of truth God hath revealed to us let but a few things be duely considered then see whether we are guilty of those abominable and foule crimes that are laid to our charge 1. Those of the Congregationall way are content to receive such into communion and church fellowship upon their proffering themselves that differ from them in their judgement in things of lesser consequence and moment so long as they have good evidence and testimony of their upright conversation and find them willing to sit down with them and submit themselves to the churches proceedings as farre as God shall give them light 2. They are studious of taking notice of the least breathings of Christ in those that offer themselves to joyn with them in Church communion whether poore or rich condiscending to the meanest worke of grace where they have any the least hintes of truth and sincerity being assured that Christ hath appointed his green Pastures for his weake Lambes as well as for his grown sheep 3. They are willing to give liberty to any such poore soules to manifest what God hath done for them in uniting them to Christ the foundation not to make a confession of their sinnes as many report for the satisfying of those that shall have communion with them in the holy things of God which is no more then reason requires either before the whole Church publiquely or else if they are weake and bashfull as many are to the * And thus much the Presbyterians themselves practise in their admission of men and women to the Sacrament Pastor in private with one or two more of the Church and they to transmit it to the Church 4. If they meet with broken language and bad and low expressions as oftentimes it falles out yet they make not that a ground of refusall so there be sufficient testimony of the holines of the life viz. such a profession as carries with it no palpable contradiction in mens walking but is accompanied with the power of Religion and godlines 5. They bind not any to a formall and expresse written covenant at their comming in as they

want of good principles and sound hearts at the first If their ends had been good at first and their hearts upright they had never gone out to crooked wayes of their own or others but as the Apostle saith 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us because they were not of us so such as fall away from the truth to the embracing damnable heresies do therefore fall away because they were never properly of the truth certainly when men venture on the pure and sound wayes of God with unsound and base ends the Lord justly suffers them to fall such as have not the glory of God but themselves in their eye the Lord shall in just judgement lead such forth with the workers of iniquity Psal 125. last verse 6. Though this way of the Lord may have such evill weeds to grow up in it yet it doth not allow of them but labours either the reforming or casting of them out when they are discovered as a sound Constitution doth those distempers it lyes under as Mat. 18.11 1 Cor. 4.4 5. 2 Thes 3.6.14 Rev. 2. and as a learned Author saith What flaming Sword is there in the hand of a classicall Presbytery to keep men out of errours which may not be in a congregation In one Congregation there may be as many Presbyters as from many Congregations make a Classis and why then may they not do the selfe same acts their offices office is the same therefore the promise of assistance is the same and if the councell and advice of other neighbour Churches be required a Congregation may have that as well Anatomist Anatomised p. ●0 and perhaps sooner then a Classis can which must stay for a Provinciall Synod 7. Lastly let it be considered that there have been as the former Author observes as great defections both of Ministers and people unto errours under Presbyteriall Government as under any other as is cleare in the Low Countryes where so many Ministers and People have turned Arminians Papists Socinians greater errours then the denyall of Paedobaptisme and yet those of the Presbyterian way here are not free of that as is well known besides other evils of more dangerous consequence as might be named Impediment 6 6. Another impediment why the godly do not enter on this way of the Gospell is because they s●y this way cryes up toleration for all sorts of Religion and liberty of mens consciences and so every man may do as he list and what confusion and destruction will this soon produce in Church and state For the removall of this impediment let these few things be considered 1. That this is a great untruth and so nothing but a slander and an evill report that some evill Spyes give out upon the view they have taken of this holy L●nd from some base private ends its much to be feared of their own which the Searcher of all hearts will in due time reveale and discover And that it is so is evident from the workes of some of no mean abilities for learning and godlines that have been in the Congregationall way 1. That late precious servant of Iesus Christ M. Ier. Burroughs who was eminent for his Gospell annointings in his Heart Divisions chap. 7. pag. 41. where he spends most of that chapter to this purpose pag. 42 43 44. and at last towards the end of the chapter pag. 45. he hath these following words And consider now my bretheren whether the Congregationall way be such as if it be suffered there will be no helpe to reduce an erring or hereticall church but all Religions Arianisme Mahumetisme any thing must be suffered Surely men do not deale fairely in raysing such mighty accusations upon such poore and weake grounds This great aspersion and huge out-cry that these men would have all Religions suffered and in their way there is no helpe against any hereticall Congregations moulders and vanishes away before you So likewise in his Sermon before the House of Lords November 26. 1645. pag. 45. where speaking to them excellently in the behalfe of the Saints that have been faithfull to them in the trust committed to their charge though they could not come up fully in some things to them they have published to the world and therefore desires them not to listen to any who should whisper such suggestions or vent such things as tend to he exasperating of their spirits against those deare servants of Christ he hath these words There is a great out-cry against the Toleration of all Religions and we are willing to joyne against such a tolleration But that which fils the mouthes of many in this is the heate of their spirits against those that differ from them in any thing that they might with the more strength be able by this to strike at them suffer not your power to be abused to serve mens designes be faithfull with God encourage those that feare him and God will take care of your honours c. 2. Master Thomas Goodwin of whose worth without flattery speake it the Kingdome is not ignorant in that notable Sermon of his before the honourable House of Commons called The great Interest of States and Kingdomes p. 53. where pressing that Honourable House to looke well to their interest meaning the Saints that are in England to maintaine and preserve them and make provision for them as they meant to preserve the Kingdome he hath these words to our purpose If any man thinke I am a pleading for a liberty of all opinions of what nature and how grosse soever I humbly desire them to remember that I only plead for Saints and I I answer plainly the Saints they need it not The Apostle tels us there are damnable heresies 2. Pet. 2.1 2. and they will soon un-Saint men there are errours that are Capitall not holding the Head Col. 2. Do but distinguish these from others and let this be one foundation laid for this union 3. Master John Goodwin whose innocency and integrity in the cause of Christ and great worke and labour of love to Christ and his Churches I doubt not but in due time shall be cleared and rewarded abundantly In his Reply with another Brother to A. S. 2. Edit pag. 24. whose words to our purpose are these Nor on the other hand do I speake this to intimate that I approve a toleration of the broaching of all opinions or any toleration of some practises And that men might see what he sayes if they will not shut their eyes wilfully against the light he reduceth his discourse to 3. Heads 1 The least venting of any opinion against Fundamentals as Judaisme denying Christ to be the true Messiah Arianisme and Socixianisme opposing the Deiety of Jesus Christ Arminianisme that quest●ons the person of the Holy Ghost Papisme that holds justication by works or that Anababtisme that denyes the derivation of Adams originall corruption to us c. the venting of these and the like opinions he acknowledgeth to be

have in a little roome given you an Epitome or compendium of the substantiall parts of the Congregationall way according as it is held forth to us in the Scripture especially that which hath been most of all controverted and called into question and so have endeavoured to answer the desire of those that would have us to prove our first Argument The Lord adde his blessing CHAP. VIII This Chapter containes a short exhortation to three sorts of persons 1. Such as are truly godly but are yet strangers to this order of the Gospell 2. Such as are open enemies to this way of the Lord. 3. Such as God hath shewed mercy unto in bringing them to Sion and put their soules in possession of this heavenly priviledge 1. TO such as are godly but yet remaine in their old confusion and are strangers to the right order of the Gospel and instituted way of worshipping God My request is that they would not slight what hath been laid before them and brought unto them but as they tender the honour of Jesus Christ and the comfortable condition of their own soules with all readinesse of mind to receive and entertain what they shall find upon due tryall and examination to be the truth more Arguments then I have formerly given need not to be prest upon you only this I shall make bold to adde and leave upon your soules whether it be not fully declared from Heaven by signes and wonders that God is greatly displeased with your hitherto-neglect of building his house and contenting your selves with any formes of worship and traditions of men so you may enjoy your outward and temporall accommodations as if the enjoyment of communion and fellowship with God the Father and his Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the right and pure wayes of his worship were not infinitely to be preferred before all these sublunary and earthly things and if so why then should you not hasten your repentance and reformation to the purpose in this busines I say to the purpose because halfe worke cannot will not please the Lord Joel 2.12 13. 't was the commendation of Caleb and Joshuah that they followed the Lord fully and wholly in all that the Lord commanded them and made knowne to them to be his will Num. 14.24 and they found the benefit of it for they entered into that good Land whereas the rest that failed of their duty herein even a Moses an Aaron came short so I say it wil be your commendation and shall be your righteousnesse before the Lord if you halt no longer between God and Baal and love no longer to abide in the Tents of the Edomites but make haste to Sion to Ierusalem to build the house of the Lord otherwise if you continue as before loving the flesh-pots of Egypt and the waters of Abanah and parphar rivers of Damascus before and beyond the milke and honey of this Land of Canaan and those Wells of salvation that are to be found in Syon it may be a just and righteous thing with the Lord that you should never live to see better dayes You know what Jesus Christ said to the Cripple that he had shewed mercy to go thy wayes and sinne no more Joh. 5.1 lest a worse thing happen unto thee so give me leave to say to you go your wayes and sinne no more after the old way of dishonouring God and Iesus Christ by worshipping him after the inventions and traditions of men You know he is a jealous God and will not give his glory to any other be he never so great mighty or learned in the World you know he hath borne long with you and winked at your former ignorance Act. 17.2 30. but now he c●ls upon you to repent even of this sinne of false worship he might have cut you off and swept you away in the common deluge of the Sword that was lately on the Land but he hath dealt more kindly and favourably with you wherefore be not as the Israelites of old after such great mercies received to fall upon new provocations lest a worse evill befall you then any yet If our deliverances worke us not up to those holy ends for which they are given us certainly our latter end will be worse then the beginning Yet God waites to see what his People will do in this worke of his pure worship in the building of his house in the honouring of his Son in the setting him up above all in hi● Kingly and Propheticall as well as in his Priestly office which hitherto even the Saints themselves most unkindly have neglected in a great measure Why should you not therefore Velis et Remis with all possible might hasten to answer the Lords expectation Oh trust not your own hearts any longer Oh hearken not to the Syren-like songs and enchantments of the world Oh build not upon the precepts and examples of men no not the wisest greatest learnedest whatsoever but on Iesus Christ as he hath revealed and made himselfe known to us in his Word honour him according to his excellent greatnes and love him according to his excellent goodnes then you shall be honoured loved of him his father more then ever you have yet been Oh wherefore hath God called you out of the world Why hath Christ dyed for you by his blessed Spirit marryed you to himselfe made you partakers of the divine nature if it be not to honour and serve him as he hath required you in his wor● When the Death-bed comes then it will be too late to say would God I had followed the Lord fully and honoured him in lifting up of his Son Jesus Christ in al the wayes of the Gospel though it had cost me the losse of all my outward enjoyments Wherefore that as your lives so your deaths may be sweet and comfortable to you resolve upon this work kiss● the Son bow to his Scepter helpe build up the wall of Sion and throw downe Babylon that you may be found in the number of those that follow the Lambe who are called and chosen and faithfull Rev. 17.24 2. For you that are open enemies to this holy way of the Lord and desperately set your selves by your Pennes and tongues to hinder the progresse and prosperity of it let me tell you from the Lord that of all other men that shall drinke of the cup of the Wine of Gods indignation you are like to have the bottome for if they shall be cursed that come not forth to helpe the Lord what then shall become of those that come forth in all the strength of their rage and malice against the Lord If Jesus Christ will be angry with those that refuse to yeeld him Osculum subjectionis the kisse of subjection and will have those brought forth before him and slain 〈◊〉 27. that will not have him to raign over them what will he do th●n with those that lay their hands upon