Selected quad for the lemma: order_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
order_n	church_n	power_n	set_v	2,412	5	5.6684	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A65878	The popish informer reprehended for his false information against the Quakers meeting in reply to ... An answer to a seditious libel, as he most falsly terms the late innocent declaration from the people of God, called, Quakers, against all seditious conventicles, &c. (wherein their innocency is cleared, and herein vindicated) : unto which is annexed, a brief recital of some accusations cast upon the said people, by one H. Thorndike, one of the prebends of Westminster, in his book entituled, A discourse of the forbearance, or the penalties which a due reformation requires.	Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723.	1670 (1670)	Wing W1946; ESTC R20124	15,096	24

notorious Lyes and forgeries against the Quakers where he tells them of the Rebellion in Germany bringing it as an instance against us though most unjustly and impertinently As also his calling David George the first of our Sect which is a most manifest and absurd Falshood and Abuse for as History mentions of him he was about the year 1544 and held as recorded very blasphemous licencious doctrines as that he was Christ the Messiah and declared Polygamy or the having many Wive to be free and lawful And further it s said Embroyled the lower parts of Germany in Tumults which things both our righteous Principles and innocent Lives do utterly testifie against And as for John of Leyden who lived also about the same time who is said to have had his Meetings all in the night time he is represented as one of the same Principle to allow of the same gross evil of Polygamy whose extravigancies pride and presumption in his causing Wars and Disturbances and assuming Kings-ship as recorded of him our Religion and Example do also condemn as repugnant to the very Nature and Life of Christianity And besides where doth History or intilligent Persons relate that either David George John of Leiden or Cobs Faction were accounted Quakers in their time Do but see the malice and falshood of this Accuser and Informer thus to render such our Presidents whose Example we never followed and if he could nominate thousands of rebellious Persons doth it appear just in him to endeavour the prejudicing and instigation of the Rulers against such as are Innocent and Peaceable both in their Principles and Deportments Surely such cruel and partial Informers as this who hath no more sence either of the common good of the Nation nor what 's consistant with human Society nor yet of their Innocency whom he accuseth but would have People disturbed and persecuted for their Consciences upon his meer false suggestions and evil surmises would bring the Nation to a sad pass if they had their wicked wills who have neither Truth Reason nor hnman Pollicy in their seeking to blow up the Coals of Sedition Strife and Persecution amongst their Neighbours which is never like to compose differences in matters of Religion and Conscience but to make them wider and more incomposible Inform. There is Sedition and Rebellion implyed in the Doctrine you teach at your Conventicles You preach against Dignities and Titles of Honour calling them Antichristian contrary to the Scripture c. Answ. Here is an Accusation of an implicit Sedition and Rebellion in our Doctrine but no proof only a false Accusation added That we preach against Dignities which is a gross Slander for both Dignities and Dominion we own knowing that its Truth and Righteousness which only doth Dignifie and make Worthy and honourable it is Vertue and Wisdom makes honorable worthy and all Titles that are proper thereunto which truly express either the Virtue Dignity or Worth of Rulers and their Dominion we never opposed but flattering complemental deceitful Titles which tend but to please men and gratifie proud spirits we utterly deny as that which our Maker would condemn us for should we use them This Informer had dealt more ingeniously had he told us what those he calls Titles of Honour are which the Scripture commands and which he saith we call Antichristian Inform. To the King belongs Obedience you must obey his Laws and those either actively or passively but you are content with neither Whatsoever is commanded by Authority if it be not contrary to the Word of God must be obeyed actively and not passively Passive Obedience is only required when things contrary to the Word of God are commanded Answ. It is a false Accusation That we are content with neither for we obey both actively and passively Actively so far as stands with our Peace of Conscience in the Sight of God and otherwise we are passive as our patient suffering so deeply hath amply shewed Howbeit this Accusar hath implied That there may be Laws or Commands contrary to the Word of God it is well he will allow the Word of God any room in saying Whatsoever is commanded if it be not contrary to the Word of God it must be obeyed actively So then it follows that whatsoever is contrary must not for indeed the Word and Law of God are indispensable and God hath placed an equal and just Law of Reason in mans heart which neither Statute Presciption nor Custom ought to prevail against but if any be brought in against it they are to be holden for void and against justice and so no Laws according to Doct. Stud. Cap. 2. And no man of what estate or degree soever hath Power to dispence with God's Law 28 H. 8. And now what is according to the Law of God or not ac-according to it the prejudiced persecuting spirit is no meet nor competent Judge to be sure but the patient suffering Spirit and Mind that dwells in the true Light being qualified with Graces and Ornaments of the Spirit of God which are Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance against which there is no Law Gal. 5. Whereas the fruits of the flesh are contrary as Hatred Variance Emulation Stife Sedition Heresies c. above all which the Spirit of Truth and its Fruits are exalted and followed by the Children of Light who are born after the Spirit who are persecuted and oppressed only by such as are born after the flesh and herein are you malicious Persecutors manifest of what seed and birth you are see Gal. 4. 29. Inform. It is not necessary that all things commanded by Authority must have a command or president in Scripture for many things are left indifferent to the discretion of God's Vicegerents as Kings c. A Power is likewise in the Governours of the Church to impose such things as they shall find necessary to be observed in the publick Worship of God and this we may infer from those words of the Apostle The rest will I set in order when I come Answ. To the first part Nothing essential to the Worship of God can truly be deemed indifferent nor differently left to mens discretion for the Law of the Spirit of Life is the true and infallible Rule to Believers in the true Worship and mens judgements ought to be subject thereunto but as for this notion of things indifferent in the Worship of God it has been an inlet to much Idolatry and Superstition amongst Apostates and pretended Christians However it is a gross impiety as also an interfering with their own Principle for any to persecute others meerly for things which themselves deem indifferent which in moderation might better be dispenced with then rigorously to inforce them To the second part This Informer seems to set up a second sort of Governours in the Church besides or above Kings as having power to impose things in worship without either Scripture or President

thereof which is rank Popery tending to encourage Popery and to bege● People into an implicit faith and acceptance of unwritten Traditions from those he counts Governours of the Church but herein he hath plainly opposed the Protestants high esteem and preferment of the holy-Scriptures And his instance of the Apostle The rest will I set in order when I come will make nothing for his purpose to bring dissenters under all the unscriptural Impositions and Ceremonies of these he calls Governours of the Church whether he means the Pope his Cardinals Bishops and Clergy he hath not told us or whether he means some oth●● 〈◊〉 kin to them in their Traditions But herein he has but 〈◊〉 begged the Question as if he took it for granted that conscientious Dissenters must presently upon his bare word believe that these Imposers he now pleads for are in the same Power and Authority and Example with the Apostles and Ministers of Christ in former dayes but Dissenters must have a better demonstration then this mans bare word for it or the Persecution and Cruelty he would instigate to but he has greatly erred in these matters for the true Church had one Head and Law-giver even Christ and wherein the true Ministers and Elders thereof did give directions either for ordering affairs or to follow them It was not from a meer imposition nor outward force nor yet as Lords over Gods Heritage neither to have dominion over their Faith but in the unity of the Spirit of Life as Fellow-Helpers in Christ and as being manifest by the powerful evidence of his Spirit even in their Consciences so said the Apostle Be ye Followers of me as dear Children even as I am of Christ Now such Children as he begot into the Faith knew it their duty to follow him as they knew him a Follower of Christ but this is no ground for either the Pope or his Clergy or any that are popish in their unwritten Traditions to impose them or force them upon such as are none of their Children for that is but a meer usurpation at most and but Antichristian Inform. Honour the King but this you preach against Answ. This is an absolute Slander for the Fear of God to which the true Honour of Kings is joyned we have alwayes owned and preacht up desiring that the Fear of God might not be slighted nor such wicked actions pollutions and corruptions committed in the Nations as do both greatly provoke God and dishonour the King and Government True Honour is a substantial thing not consisting in feigned complements nor deform'd cringes Inform. The best Language he to wit the King can get from you is Thou and Thee as if he were your Fellow this error of yours c. Answ. Is Thou and Thee such bad dishonourable Language Why dost thou then use thee and thou to God in thy Prayers if thou hast so much Religion to pray at all But hast thou not herein accused the Prophets and Apostles with ill Language and with dishonouring Kings and Rulers by using Thou and Thee when they spoke particularly for was it not the Language of Moses to Pharoah who was a King The Lord God hath sent Me unto Thee saying Let my People go that they may serve me but hitherto Thou wouldst not hear And Exod. 7. 16. And how long wilt Thou refuse to humble thy self before me let my People go that they may serve me Chap. 10. 3. And did not the Prophet Nathan say to King David Thou art the man 2. Sam. 12. 7. And did not the three Children answer Nebucadnezar the King Be it known unto Thee O King that we will not serve Thy gods nor worship the golden image which Thou hast set up Dan. 3. 16 17 18. And did not Paul use the word Thee to King Agrippa Act. 26. 2 3. But if this Informer had but remembred his Accidence and the difference between Singular and Plural he need not have counted Thee and Thou to one such ill Language Inform. Serve none else but him who hath called you from a Worldly to a Spiritual Imployment This is the meaning he gives to the words Call no man Master c. Answ. If true Ministers must only serve Christ who hath called them then Christs Followers are not to be imposed upon at mens wills or discretions so called but to obey and follow Christ who is their Leader Master and Governour and this breaks the neck of this Accusers stuff against Quakers Inform. The next thing that belongs to Caesar is Tribute we shall not deny but that you pay Taxes because you are compelled c. Answ. Our paying Taxes is not from compulsion or wrath but for Conscience sake our end and intent therein being honest and reasonable as in the sight of God for the upholding of Government for the execution of Justice and Righteousness our desires being that Rulers might be a terror to Evildoers and a praise to them that do well for the preservation of men in their respective Proprieties Rights and Liberties so that in our paying our Dues we have a Testimony for God and may with a good Conscience clame our Rights and Liberties as men and ought also to have our Freedom as Christians whilst we give to God his Due and to Caesar his Due which neither this Accuser nor all the Devils Agents besides can justly detect us in though to prove that we do not give to God those things due to him he goes on thus Inform. Here you fail what hath been once dedicated to God and set apart for the Maintenance of his Service and Worship doth belong to God Answ. This doth belong is a false Assertion for those many ordinances of Divine Service under the Law with the Sacrifices Offerings divers Washings and many Shaddows which belonged to the outward Tabernacle and Temple have been dedicated for the Service of God in their time which now are ended in Christ as the Tythes are which were given to the Priests for their service at the Tabernacle Numbers 18 which had an end the substance of all being Manifest in Christ. Inform. God hath assigned this payment to his Ministers They that wait at the Alter should live of the Alter and they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel so that whosoever refuseth to pay Tythes to the Ministers doth not give to God the things that belong to God Answ. Here he grosly perverts that Scripture 1 Cor. 9. 13. 14. rendering it as if living of the Gospel were in the same manner of the Priests living of the Alter under the Law whereas at the Altar they pertook of both Tythes and Offerings must they therfore live upon Tythes and Offerings under the Gospel where is then the difference between Law and Gospel and how are Offerings ended under the Gospel and a tenth part of the Tythes of the Children of Israel was to be offered up a heave-Offering unto the Lord Num. 18. 26 27 28 29. But as for the