Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	according_a	ghost_n	holy_a	3,685	5	4.7162	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A34096	An exhortation of the churches of Bohemia to the Church of England wherein is set forth the good of unity, order, discipline, and obedience in churches rightly now, or to be constituted : with a description premised of the order and discipline used in the churches of the Brethren of Bohemia / by J. Amos Commenius.	Comenius, Johann Amos, 1592-1670.	1661 (1661)	Wing C5507; ESTC R27266	107,538	185

Batchelors and Masters betake themselves others both Commons and Nobles learned and unlearned elsewhere thereabout in great numbers giving themselves diligently to the reading of the Scriptures prayer and works of piety Their Pastors were of the Calixtines which renounced the superstitions and addressed themselves after the form of the Apostolical simplicity among which Micael Bradacius Pastor of Zamberg a pious and devout old man was the chiefest These all called one another mutually by the common and to the godly dear name of Brethren and Sisters by which means it was that the title of the Brethren of Bohemia is given to them by way of eminency even to this day 51. They began indeed to call themselves The Brethren of the Law of Christ as well to distinguish themselves from the orders of the Papists as also from the Benedictines Franciscans c. as to insist upon the foundation of Mr. Huss viz. That the Law of Christ is sufficient for the Government of the Church Militant c. But afterward when they observed it was drawn into a calumny the adversaries crying that they founded a new Order of Monks they left it off saluting one another not amiss with the title of THE BROTHERLY VNITED CHVRCHES or the VNITY OF THE BRETHREN For as the Church is the company of them which are called out of the world to partake of salvation by Faith in Christ knit together by the Laws of mutual charity even so Vnity Ecclesiastical is with us the company of Churches knit together in the Laws of mutual love for the mutual edification of one another in the common salvation fully according to the mind of the holy Ghost Psal 133. and Ephes 4. and elsewhere set down in the Scriptures 52. But Satan was wroth with those beginnings of the Church undertaking a Reformation according to the Laws of the Gospel he therefore raised a new and horrible tempest to overwhelm it for the fame of this flying all abroad the Priests every where stirred up the people to hate them Choak they cried choak the spark least it grow into a flame Rokysan himself who one would think strange puts on the disposition of an enemy and accuses them of headstrong impiety for there was no want of such as would traduce them to the King and Consistory with variety of imputations 53. Hereupon it came to pass in the year 1461. that our Brother Gregory with some others visiting the Brethren at Prague they being assembled together in a certain house were betrayed and taken Where take notice of this remark of providence The Governor entring stayed at the door of the room where they were met and bespake them in these words of Scripture All you that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution You therefore that are here follow me to prison for he was a good man and meant well to the business of the Brethren but could not do otherwise because of the command of his betters 54. The King by reason of the complaints the wicked made of them to him was perswaded that the Brethren of the Taborites as they called them had some plot in hand therefore he commanded that that holy man Gregory should be put upon the rack but he falling into a deep Trance or extasie felt no pain and so they left him upon the rack by the tormentors for dead Rokyzan his Unkle coming in to him and finding him dead on the wrack lamented over him with many tears redoubling it I would I were in thy place O my Gregory but he afterward coming to himself related the vision which in this wheel he had seen That he was carried into a most pleasant meadow in the midst of which stood a tree loaden with fruit and many kinds of birds sitting on the leaves feeding on it there standing in the middle a youth governing the birds with a cane so that none of them durst get away out of order In which sight without doubt God intended to give the picture of that Church whereof he was as the Patriarch He saw also other three men keeping the same tree which six years after when they were in very deed chosen by vote to be the Superintendents he remembred and assured us that they were the very same by the very lineaments of their faces in that vision 55. So Gregory by the mediation of Rokyzan was dismissed but then Patents came forth by the Kings order inhibiting all the Pastors the ministration of the holy Ordinances without the ceremonies and threatning the punishment of death to any that should dare to adminster without the said ceremon●es to the Brethren known by the now odious name of Piccardi The Brethren therefore being reduced to great streights and as sheep bereaved of their shepherd run to Rokyzan beseeching him by the glory of God and his own salvation that he would not desert that cause which he knew to be Gods nor hinder the turning away of many from the way of error which they were earnestly providing for and that he would not by any means with-hold the known truth in unrighteousness That even the chief of all the Clergy in the Kingdom must give an account of all both things and persons wherewith they are intrusted and the like But when they saw he was hardned at length they took their leaves of him inserting these words in their last letter Rokyzan thou art of the world and wilt perish with the world 56. At which words being vexed he exasperated the King again against them and out comes new Patents in the name of th● King and Consistory That those execrable persons should not be tolerated in any place of Bohemia or Moravia But howbeit they were not wanting which would have them taken and put to death yet Jodocus Rosenbergius Bishop of W●atislavia disswaded them from it giving this reason that Martyrdom was as half-raw-rosting which easily breeds worms meaning that the faithful multiplied by being diminished by martyrdoms and that they would be better reduced if they were banished in all parts For when they are come to that pass saith he that they know not which way to turn themselves they will return to their sound mind 57. Upon this a sore Inquisition was resolved and executed upon the Brethren and so hot it was that most of them especially the chief being dispersed into the Mountains and woods dwelt in caves or dens neither yet there being sufficiently safe therefore they dared not to make any fire for kitchin use save only in the night least the smoak going forth should betray them and then sitting about the fire in the sharp cold air they would spend their time in reading the Scriptures and holy conferences and as oft as they came forth in the deep snow to provide them necessaries least they should be traced they trod all in the same foot-prints the last man drawing after him a Turpentine bough to cover all that it might seem to be only the track of some Countryman

Christendome and at last asking of Crato which of all those Sects he thought came nearest the Apostolical simplicity he answered I know not unless if that be not to be yielded to the Brethren which they call the Piccards Saith Caesar again Even I think so too Whereupon Crato was bold to perswade the Brethren to dedicate their new Edition of the German salter which he knew they were in ha●d withal to Casar And so they did Anno 1566. whereas first they insert in the Dedicatory Epistle to him that there was life in that and all good men hoped that his August Majestie would promo●e the general Reformation of the Church and hereunto they quicken him by the example of David Jehosaphat Josiah Constantine Theodosius and so after that they doubted not for the furtherance of so publique a good work to present His Majestie this mite with all their whole talent according to that measure which God had been pleased to distribute any gift unto them as it plainly appears in the preface it self being still prefixed to all the those Books of Psalters printed ever since It is very likely this pious Prince wanted not a good will hereunto if by the leave of their arts that beleagure the Scepters of Kings and tie their hands he could have done any thing 109. In the third year indeed of his Reign 1565. the haters of the Truth work out a new Persecution against the Brethren abusing to that purpose the Authority of the Chancellour of Bohemia Lord Joachim of New-house who going to Vienna made means by various importunate sollicitations that Caesar should be constrained though it were much against his minde to agree to the putting in execution of the Wladislavian Edict against the Piccards with a new Mandat But the goodness of God watched on the behalf of his own and would not suffer this most excel●ent Prince either to be defiled with the blood of the innocent or to be sunk by the sighs of the oppressed For as the Chancellour returned back prepared or furnished with the Broad-Seal he was scarce yet out of the gates of Vienna but as he was going over the bridge of the River Danubium so it was that the pillars giving way the bridge fell asunder and delivered him to the waters to be ingulfed so that he and his Retinue was drowned six horsemen onely swiming out and a young man of the Nobility whom God preserved even to decrepit old age to be a lasting witness of this dreadful judgement who also professed the Religion of the Brethren for the Vindication of which he had found God by experience at that time so vigilant This man as he was swiming in the waters spying his Lord wrought up from the deep and scrabling in the waters ready to sink again got hold of his gold chain about his neck and held till the fishermen which he saw were coming that way in a boat came and helped him out So the Baron was gotten out howbeit dead but for the Cabinet or Trunk wherein the In●truments of the bloody cruelty were laid up that was utterly lost in the waters so that never man saw it after neither durst any man ever attempt the like mischief again Thuanus also relates this story in his 36 Book and calculates this very case to be the fourth Id. of Decemb. 100. When the Copies of the Confession of the Brethren even of the last Edition at Tubinga were so dispersed that there were none to be had it was printed again at Witteberg 1573. better then the former Editions with the ancient Preface of Luther and the Epistle of Professors then yet living Wherein these words were inserted We commend you and your Churches for bearing so good a minde that after the example of your Fathers you place your care and diligence especially in this that you may make proficiency in the knowledge of Christ daily and faithfully transmitting the precious trust of the Word wherewith you are charged both to them that are about you and them that come after you We approve also well of your holding up the strictness of Church Discipl●ne which is after the example of the ancient Church without superstition or any snares imposed on the conscience c. Witteberg Feb. 8. 1573. 111. Mr. Zanchy now living at Heidelberg having this Confession sent him by Mr. Crato returned in answer these words Having heedfully and with great content of Spirit perused the Brethrens Confession that you sent me not onely I perceive that your whole Doctrine is agreeable to the holy Scriptures but methinks I apprehend in you that sincere and true Christian piety which is from the very heart inasmuch as you seem to make it your drift not as some utterly to subvert and root out without making any difference even to the very foundations whatever is found in the Church of Rome but to constitute Churches after the true Apostolical and by consequence Salvifical Square of Piety rejecting what is to be rejected correcting what is to be corrected and retaining what is to be retained which indeed is the true and legitimate way of Reforming Churches And I would all Churches in imitation of those our very good Brethren would diligently take the same course so without doubt there would be more Piety Peace Concord Charity whereby God is glorified and the Kingdom of Christ advanced felt in our selves and seen in others And to what end I pray is the whole holy Scripture the preaching of the Gospel the administration of the Sacraments the Institution of Discipline save onely that by these outward helps we being sustained held up assisted through the operation of the holy Spirit in us may profit more and more daily both in faith and charity in the endeavouring of good works and an holy life And as the Apostle saith That the man of God may be perfect being furnished unto every good work Therefore howbeit I grant you in part that which you write that in those there is more conscience then knowledge yet absolutely I do not for those Weaklings seem to me to be wiser in their ignorance then many wise men with their multiplied knowledge c. 112. Lasitius subjoyns as touching the same Confession of the Brethren the testimony of Stanislaus Sarnicius reckned by Starovolscius one of the Century of Polonian Writers but he was a Minister of the Word of God of the Helvetian Confession and afterwards the Superintendent of the Diocess of Cracovia which is after this manner If any man asks me what the Bohemian Confession differs from the Augustan and Helvetian I can make it out that all the Confessions of Germany and France do design this especially to refute and condemn the Popish abuses onely the Confession of the Successors of Huss the Martyr doth not onely pull down what is contrary to but also repairs and restores that building of the new man by Regeneration and of the Church well qualified 113. Not much unlike was the judgement of the Divines of

those mysteries of Christianity are commonly not at all or negligently taught thence it is that most Christians know not what 't is to be Christians much less are such indeed Adam sways all Christ very few because very few endeavour to put off the old man and to put on the new which is created after God and to be transformed into him and made one Spirit with him 1 Cor. 6.17 and so to become by regeneration the Sons of God and to cease from sin as he doth When as notwithstanding the grace of God which bringeth salvation in Christ hath appeared to all men that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we may live soberly righteously and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope of glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ who hath given himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purifie us to himself a peculiar people zealously studious of good works Tit. 2. Therefore it is to be earnestly desired and endeavoured that Christians would at last begin seriously to be a people renouncing the world resigned to God having their commoration indeed for a while on earth but their conversation in heaven Phil. 3.10 Thus as touching the salvation of the Church I have let you understand from § 30. hitherto my desires yea the desires of Christ and all the Saints in heaven and earth and now because there is no effect without its cause and what God ordinarily doth he doth by ordinary means Men I demand now if we saw God at this day looking about for a man which should stop the gap and stand up in the breach he were like to finde any such and whether if he found none he would not pour down the fiery storm of his wrath as of old he did Ezek. 22.30 31. Or if we heard him say Whom shall I send Who will go for us whether or no there will be found an Isaiah which may say Behold here am I send me Jsa 6.8 God have mercy and send some not Jsaiah's only which should in speaking be nothing else but for a witness to further hardness of heart and ruine ib. v. 9. c. but also Elias's which may turn the heart of the Fathers to the children c. Matth. 4.4 O stir up also David's and Solomon's Jehosaphat's and Josias's Zerubbabel's and Constantine's c. to be glorious repairers of the collapsed ruinous condition of the Church And wheresoever in all the world God shall vouchsafe to raise up such they will also in like manner daigne God this honour as to do nothing but according to the prescript of his Will because this is no work of man to be done after the wisdom of man but his who said to Moses Look to it and do according to the pattern which I have shewed unto thee Exod. 25. v. 40. and to Joshua Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left Josh 1.7 That therefore they may be assured and the faithful people with them that 't is the Lord which repaireth his own house they must take that of the Lord for an everlasting rule It was not thus in the beginning Matth. 19.8 i. e. Have a care that that which is not of Divine Institution but contrary thereunto be taken away Matth. 15.13 and what ever is instituted by God but through carelesness of man neglected or hath by guile been changed be restored Matth. 5.17 c. Let things indifferent remain indifferent i. e. things which only custome hath brought in if they be not prejudicial to piety be patiently born and not without urgent necessity taken away Another thing to be piously observed is That nothing be done by Tumult and Violence against the consent of the Church or any part thereof but by the common counsel and consent lest there be given occasion of new breaches Wise is that counsel of wise Elihu Let us chuse us out judgement and see among our selves what is best Job 34.4 Out of which place it is plain 1. That it cannot be otherwise but that men somtimes will be of different apprehensions 2. 'T is not alwayes necessary that they must be divided there being given to men a liberty of choice as to the debating and determining of their affairs 3. That that determination may and ought to be done patiently or peaceably and with a rational deliberation The best way then is when any controversie arises as there are too many arisen among us that the parties be called together and patiently heard and reason compared with reason Scripture with Scripture until coming to the bottome of the thing there remains nothing to any which he can justly desire or rationally contradict I was upon it before § 35. to wish that some greater and more famous Church would try to undertake the business viz. of a more full and holy Reformation then can hitherto be found and I cannot give it over in as much as a beginning must some where and by some be made if we expect a Change of Christianity for the better Now because there is no Church to be seen under the whole Heaven which hath more eyes upon it and which is better supplyed with meanes conducing to so great an affaire nor where there doth sway a more adventuring zeale to seek out the things which are best nor yet to whom God hath given such excellent opportunities as are found in the Church of England I addresse therefore again to thee thou Spouse of Christ and shall pray for happy successe to attend thy proceedings Verily O thou English Church thou art indeed in this our Age a City set upon an Hill which cannot be hid Mat. 5.14 where Christ the light of the World darts his brightest beames and wherein so many lightened Candles Books of profound spirituall wisdome have been held forth in their Candlesticks That of your light so many Christian Nations borrow their light reading your books and striving frequently to translate them into their own Tongues that what the Apostle in his time said of his Thessalonians may be said of you The Gospel of God is amongst you not in word only but in power and in the holy Ghost even in much abundance and you are become the patterns to all that believe 1 Thess 1.5 7. Which grace we must not envie in you but pray for your increase therein and imitate the zeal of your piety I said that you were supplyed with means of a further Reformation before others because you having framed among you now for the space of an whole age Meditations of all the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God and printed Books of all such kinde of subjects you seem to have done as Solomon did the first six years when he was to build his glorious Temple unto God seeking to get stuff in a readiness felling Wood in Libanus squaring Stones casting Vessels and carrying together Gold and precious Stones for the glory of the House of God As therefore the setting up of this at