Of publique reformation of a church This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A10563 of text S2296 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 20834.3). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 15 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A10563 STC 20834.3 ESTC S2296 23247674 ocm 23247674 26440 2240908340

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A10563) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 26440) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1802:24) Of publique reformation of a church 1 broadside. s.n., [Cambridge, England? : 1589?] Place and date of publication suggested by STC (2nd ed.). Reproduction of original in the Lambeth Palace Library. eng Reformation. eebo Of publique reformation of a church [no entry] 1589 1 2649 22 0 0 0 0 0 83.05 D The rate of 83.05 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-08 Assigned for keying and markup 2007-08 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2010-04 Sampled and proofread 2010-04 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
OF PVBLIQVE REFORMATION OF A CHVRCH . Of this Reformation we are to know What it is . This reformation is a bringing of men back vnto God , by puting away euil , and by renewing the performance of all holy dueties decayed , especially in the publique societies of Gods children . 2. Chron 19. 4 , 2. Chron. 34. 35. 2. King . 18. 4. 23. 4. 20. 2. Kings 23. 21. 2. Chron. 29 3 , 25. 30. 30. per totum . 31. 2. ad finem . 2 The necessitie of it , which may appeare 1 By the commanundement of the Lord , not only exacting of euery see man repentance ( whereof this is a most solemne kinde ) but also geuing charge for this matter , Ier. 7. 23 , 24 , 1. King . 18. 36 Psalme 2. 2 By the extraordinarie ministerie of Prophets , and other persons when God so often reysed vp , taught , and assisted extraordinarilie , that they might be his instruments to bring men again to God and to reforme things amisse . Which extraordinarie worke if the Lord , done for the reformation of his Church , declareth the necessitie of it . 3 By the fearefull plagues which God brought vpon the neglectors of reformation . Eli , because he reclaimed not his sonnes , and so the people which for the great iniquitie of the young men abhorred the offering of the Lord , lost the Priesthoode , and make his necke . The young men also perished in a great slaughter of the people . 1. Sam. 2. & 4 Ioash and his people , because they would not obey the word of the Lord in the mouth of Zachariah , to reforme that which was amisse , were forsaken of the Lord , and deliuered into the hands of their enemies . 2. Chron. 24. 20. 25 For this cause the people of Amaziah fell before Ioash . Ierusalem was sacked , the king himselfe taken prisoner , and afterward slaine by treason . 2. Chron. 25. 16. 23. 24. 27. 3 The parts of this reformation , which are 1 Suppresūng of euery idolatrous , superstitious , filthy and strange hind , doctrine , office , vse , or ceremonie remayning . Wherein heede must be taken , that no remnant of the aforesaid be suffered to contunie , because such remnants prouoke God to anger , and were alwaies hurtfull to the Church . Iudg. 8. 27. 2. Chron. 20. 23. 2 Conforming and reducing of the whole state of the Church , that is to say , of the doctrine , officers , forme of gouernment , order &c. of it , to their auntient integritie : that is , to the prescription of the word , or of Christ and his Apostles , wherby the Church was first established . See the 5. point . 2. Kings 23. 24. 2. Chron. 29. 25. 4 The persons who are to work this reformation , which are these . 1 The author & efficient cause of reformations God himselfe . Esai 62. 7. who if he turne not the hearts of men to obey his seruants perswading to reformation it is because hee mindeth to destroy them . 2. Chron. 25. 16. 20. 1. Sam. 2. 25. Pro. 21. 12. 2 The instruments wh●ch the Lord hath sanctified for this worke , these are 1 The prince whose duetie is 1 To call and compell both ministers and people to returne to the ordinances of the Lord , set down in his word 2. Kings 2● . 2. Ch●on . 29. 4. 5 , 15. 2 To be himselfe formost in the pra●ise of publique actions of godlines , that his example may ●…ere vp and strengthen other . 2. Sam. 6. 2. 5. 15. 16. 2. Kings 23. 2. 3. 3 To make lawes for the co●… of reformation . 2. Chron. 15. 13. 2 The ministers , to whom it belongs 1 To pray earnestly and contenually into the Lord , for the setting vp and reforming of his Church . Esay . 62. 7 2 To make knowen the word of Gain that behalfe to the Prince and people . 2. Kings 2● . 8. Exod. 4. 14 & 5. 1. 3 To ioyne with the people , and to ●oe before them in all their suites to them in authoritie , for reformation . Esay . 62. 10. Exod. 4. & 5. 3 So many of the people , especially of the Elders , know the will of God , to whom it belongeth not onely to ioyne in prayers is God for the good of his people . Hest. 4. 16. but also in prayer and godlines to ioyne in this sun with the ministers . 1. Kings 18. 30. Exod. 3. 18. and at the Princes commandement to deface the monuments of idolatrie . 2. Kin. 11 18. 10. 27. 5 The rule and squere whereby the seruantes of the Lord must perform this reformation , which is the word onely , of which we are to obserue 1 The reasons why the word is to be used for the only rule of reformation , which are First , seeing to reforme a church is nothing els buthe renewing of the first building and beautie of it , and by the word only it was first built vp & beautified : therfore by it also it must be reformed . Secondly , forasmuch as the redressing of euery mus seuerall wayes is to be performed by the word . Psal. 11 9. a whole church cannot otherwise be reformed . Thirdly , sith the Lord reprouing the vngodly for haing , reformation , verifieth it hereby , because they cast his lawes behind their backs , Psal. 50. it cannot be auoyded but the reformation of a church is to be deruied from the word . 4 By the examples of such as at the commandement of God , haue either accomplished or laboured any such reformation , who alwayes haue brought and called men to the rules of the word of God . 2. Kings 23. 2. 3. Nehem. 8. 1. 2. 3. 4. Nehem. 10. 29. Gal. 6. 16. Reuel. 3. 3 2 The man not how to vse this rule aright wher men are to obserue that in Abolishing things they must iudge by the word , what s idolatrous , what superstitious , what strange or crept in without warrant from the Lord . &c. and so to abolish them . Conforming . if it be In matters of discipline , 1 Where expresse commandementes of Christ , and examples of the churches are found . 1 They must carefully marke of these commaundements and examples , which are tempora●… and extraordinarie , which otherwise 2 They must embrace and 〈◊〉 , without gainesaying and condictious that which is ordinarie , not onely as the best , but as the onely true and allowed ordinances of the Lord , leauing the extraordinarie things to the Lord , or whole only power it is to break the ordinarie rules of his word . 2 Where expresse direction i● not found , as in some matters of order , and other circumstances , they must take heed that they admit● nothing which is contrarie to the generall rules ●f order , comelines , and edification set down in the word . In doctrine likewise , where expresse and lasting rules are found , they must receiue them as the vndoubted Oracles of God : where any thing is in question that hath not such pla 〈…〉 es they must order and determine euery matter by the analogie of faith . 6 The aduersarie eudeuors against in where we are to note the wilines of Sathan , which hath a seuerall charmeta bring a sleep it it may be , euery one that hath any hand in the worke , as for the 1 Prince , he putteth into his head by flattering courtiers , &c. 1 That these seekers of reformation entend of strengthen themselues , that they may the better rebell against him . Nehem. 2. 9. whereas the ende of reformation is , that no disobedient person may he suffered . Rom. 13. 1. and reformation hath neuer suffered men to rebell against the enemies of it , how much lesse wil it against the friends ? 2 That such exquisite reformation wil make 〈◊〉 , and withdraw the people from following their vocations . Exod. 5. 4. wheras contrariwise , reformation cannot away with any that walke ●…ly . 2. Thess 3. 6. 3 That it is the honor of Princes not to correct the doings of their godly auncestors , 1 Kings 12. 14. whereas the godly kings are commended for reforming not onely that which their wicked auncestors brought in but also which their godly predocessors left vnreformed . 2. Chron. 35. 18. 30. 5. 2. King . 18. 4. 4 That such Reformation wil be more troublesome ●han commodious , which declareth that these politiques are possessed with a lying spirite , for how know they that the Lord will not geue a blessing of peace to his owne ordinarie . 2. Chron. 15 7. Againe , what deuill taught them that greater trouble then commoditie would be in seruing God , as through the abandoning of euill made not the troubles susteyed therein great commodities and blessings to him that suffered them . 2 Ministers he moueth tyrantes to draw them back , 1 By accusing them to be pestulent and seditions fellowes , and mainteyners of fortes . Actes 24. 5. Heretiques . Actes 24. 14. 〈◊〉 persons . Ierem. 15. 10. troublers oft estate . 1. Kings 18. 17. 2 By imprisoning them . Ierem 20. 2. and threatning them with death except they cease Exod. 10. 28. 2. Chron. 25. 16. Iere. 11. 21. yea many times slaying some of them to 〈◊〉 other from following the worke of the Lord . 3 By causing their frends to forsake them . Tit. 4. 10. 16. Al these things being promoters of the ministers blessednes . Mat. 5. ought to make them more bold and forwarde in the worke . Actes 9. 21. Actes 13. 45. 46. Philip. 1. 14. knowing that the Lord will assist them . Tit. 4. 17. 3 The peple whom he seketh to hinder also 1 By vpbrayding them with lack of learning and knowledge . Iohn 7. 40. 2 By causing tyrants to oppresse them by all vngodlymenes . Exod. 5. 6. 7. 8. 3 By sending out false teachers to withdraw them . Against all which the people must arme themselues with knowledge and patience , not forsaking the worke of the Lord for any thing . 7 The solennitie & manner of receiuing this reformation , ( after the hinderances therof ouercome ) wherof we are to know , 1 The pointes & seuerall degrees of this solemnitie , which are 1 A gathering together of all the states of that place where the reformation is to be made . 2. Kings 23. 1. 2. Nehe. 8. 1. 2 A faithfull laying open of the word by preaching in the cares of them all , that they may see where reformation wanteth . 2. Chron. 34. ●0 . Nehem. 8. 4. 8. 3 〈◊〉 prayer , with praysing of God for his godnes in 〈…〉 them a sight of their wants , and a way to reforme them , with humble confession of their former rebellions , disobediences , and backslidings . Nehem. 8. 6. to the end . 4 A solemne couenant to be made with God by the whole state . 2. Kings 11. 17. 2 Chron. 15. 14. 15. In which couenant they promise hence forwarde to forsake all their own ways and intentions , and to cleaue to the commandments of God alone . Vnto this promise was adioyned an oath , and a curse or desire of vengeance to come vpon themselues , if they forsake the wayes of the Lord for any other 2. Kings 11. 17. Nehem. 10 , 29. 2 The reasons why such maner of receiuing this reformation is needfull , which are , 1 Because in a publique deformation of the Church the couenant of our peace is generally broken : wherefore it behoueth vs in returning and reforming our selues , to renewe the same couenant , as generally , and that in as solemne maner as may be , seeing we are to deale , not with earth and ashes , but with the God of infinite maiestie , with whom to deale in light and dissolute manner , especially in such a worke , were great sinne . 2 Because of the commandement of the Lord , who in the publique rebellion of Prince and people , chargeth them which are in authoritie with that people , not only to receiue instruction , to reioyce before the Lord in trembling , &c. but moreouer requireth of them and theirs , a solemne couenant , and the outward testimonie of it , if they wil auoyde the anger of God . Psalme 2. 8 The frutes & blessinges which folow the receuers & workers of this reformation . the Lord alwais geueth a reward vnto it 2. Chron. 15. 7. Forhe 1 Heareth the voice of such , and their prayer commeth vp into hearin , to his holy habitation . 2. Chron. 30. 27. 2 Forgeueth their former transgressions , and though they were is red as crimsen , or scarlet , he maketh them as white as snow or wooll . Esay . 1. 18. 19. 3 Causeth them to dwell in their own land , and not to remoue . Ierem. 4. 1. 7. 3. 4 Maketh them to eate the good of the land . Esay 1. 19. 62. 89. yea he openeth the windowes of heauen , and powreth down vpon them the blessings of the earth in aboundance . Malach. 3. 10. 5 Geueth them rest and quietnes from their enemies . 2. Kings 11. 20. 2. Chron. 14. 5. 15. 15. 19. 20. 30. Esay 31. 7. 8. 9. 6 Geueth them strange victories , and mighty great spoyles of their enemies . 2. Chron. 14. 12 15. 15. 2. 20. 14. 23. 7 Maketh them to rule ouer many nations , & suffereth not other to raigne ouer them . Deu. 15. 6. 8 Maketh at things to prosper that they take in hand . 2. Kings 18. 7. 9 Geueth to that Prince honor & riches in aboundance , establishing the kingdome in his hand 2. Chron. 17. 5. These and infinite blessinges follow this Reformation , wherefore they that wilfully withstande it euidently declare , that they seeke not the wealth , peace , plentie , godly preheminence , and flourishing estate of their Prince and Countrey . FINIS .