Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	apostle_n	church_n	elder_n	5,779	5	10.2377	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A83501	Reasons against the independant government of particular congregations: as also against the toleration of such churches to be erected in this kingdome. Together with an answer to such reasons as are commonly alledged for such a toleration. Presented in all humility to the Honourable House of Commons, now assembled in Parliament. By Tho. Edvvards, minister of the Gospel.	Edwards, Thomas, 1599-1647.; England and Wales. Parliament.	1641 (1641)	Wing E233; Thomason E167_16; ESTC R21753	47,020	78

the_o whole_a way_n of_o the_o separation_n for_o the_o heal_n of_o that_o great_a schism_n spring_v up_o of_o late_a in_o this_o church_n i_o think_v good_a for_o the_o present_a necessity_n to_o set_v forth_o these_o few_o and_o short_a reason_n more_o time_n be_v require_v to_o review_v transcribe_v and_o print_v large_a treatise_n now_o that_o which_o first_o move_v i_o to_o the_o draw_n up_o of_o these_o reason_n both_o against_o independent_a government_n and_o against_o the_o toleration_n of_o it_o be_v the_o credible_a information_n give_v i_o of_o some_o petition_n draw_v to_o be_v present_v to_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o for_o a_o toleration_n of_o some_o congregation_n to_o enjoy_v a_o independent_a government_n and_o to_o be_v exempt_a from_o the_o government_n which_o shall_v be_v establish_v by_o law_n now_o though_o i_o believe_v hope_v and_o pray_v daily_o that_o god_n will_v keep_v that_o honourable_a house_n from_o ever_o give_v any_o countenance_n much_o less_o grant_v any_o such_o petition_n yet_o consider_v how_o many_o there_o be_v of_o that_o way_n some_o inhabit_v in_o this_o kingdom_n other_o who_o be_v come_v over_o into_o england_n on_o purpose_n be_v send_v as_o messenger_n of_o their_o charibe_n to_o negotiate_v in_o that_o behalf_n and_o observe_v how_o diligent_o and_o close_o they_o follow_v it_o by_o daily_o attend_v at_o westminster_n by_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o the_o company_n of_o sundry_a member_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o by_o preach_v often_o at_o westminster_n the_o more_o to_o ingratiate_v themselves_o and_o their_o cause_n print_v also_o their_o desire_n of_o a_o toleration_n for_o independent_a government_n and_o that_o with_o cast_v of_o dirt_n upon_o the_o reformation_n and_o government_n of_o this_o national_a church_n what_o ever_o it_o may_v be_v as_o witness_v the_o protestation_n protest_v i_o a_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o a_o sufferer_n for_o it_o these_o many_o year_n last_o past_a be_v one_o who_o desire_v as_o free_a a_o passage_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o as_o through_o a_o reformation_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o any_o of_o they_o have_v think_v it_o my_o duty_n that_o i_o may_v discharge_v a_o good_a conscience_n to_o god_n and_o to_o the_o kingdom_n to_o print_v these_o reason_n at_o this_o time_n that_o so_o when_o any_o of_o those_o petition_n come_v to_o be_v propound_v in_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o under_o specious_a pretence_n and_o fair_a pretext_n there_o may_v by_o these_o reason_n appear_v a_o snake_n under_o the_o green_a grass_n neither_o speak_v i_o this_o as_o if_o i_o will_v intimate_v that_o that_o honourable_a house_n can_v be_v take_v with_o colour_n and_o fair_a gloss_n i_o know_v that_o great_a body_n be_v so_o full_a of_o wisdom_n and_o so_o eagle_n eye_v that_o they_o can_v both_o see_v into_o and_o foresee_v a_o far_o off_o the_o many_o evil_n and_o mischief_n of_o independency_n and_o toleration_n but_o i_o suppose_v these_o reason_n may_v have_v their_o use_n among_o some_o to_o furnish_v they_o the_o more_o with_o ground_n against_o such_o petition_n for_o satisfy_v also_o scruple_n instill_v by_o the_o independent_a man_n into_o some_o other_o as_o also_o to_o demonstrate_v to_o the_o petitioner_n the_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o demand_n my_o aim_n therefore_o be_v by_o this_o follow_a discourse_n l._n humbl●_z to_o crave_v leave_n to_o enter_v in_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o a_o caveat_n both_o against_o independent_a government_n of_o particular_a congregation_n and_o against_o their_o toleration_n and_o to_o present_v to_o the_o house_n a_o writ_n of_o ne_fw-fr admittas_fw-la fetch_v out_o from_o the_o court_n of_o heaven_n and_o from_o the_o record_n of_o holy_a scripture_n reason_n against_o the_o independent_a government_n of_o particular_a congregation_n reason_n i._n the_o church_n gather_v and_o constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n water_v by_o evangelist_n and_o prophet_n and_o after_o plant_v and_o water_v have_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n with_o all_o other_o officer_n as_o they_o say_v set_v over_o they_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o own_o election_n yet_o it_o be_v evident_a these_o church_n can_v not_o well_o stand_v nor_o subsist_v of_o themselves_o with_o all_o these_o officer_n but_o many_o of_o they_o have_v be_v much_o endanger_v and_o subject_a to_o have_v be_v ruin_v if_o some_o other_o beside_o these_o church_n and_o officer_n have_v not_o upon_o occasion_n interpose_v and_o that_o authorotative_o as_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o elder_n of_o other_o church_n as_o do_v appear_v by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o many_o epistle_n as_o to_o corinth_n galatia_n colossian_n timothy_n titus_n 15._o act_n 2._o cor._n 12._o chap._n 20._o ver._n 24._o 2._o cor._n 13._o chap._n 1._o 2._o 10._o ver._n the_o particular_n whereof_o i_o shall_v evince_v more_o large_o hereafter_o now_o if_o these_o primitive_a church_n who_o have_v all_o the_o officer_n and_o be_v settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o all_o point_n according_a to_o christ_n order_n yet_o in_o those_o time_n can_v not_o do_v well_o independent_o how_o can_v we_o think_v that_o any_o particular_a congregation_n in_o these_o time_n which_o can_v be_v so_o settle_v have_v no_o apostle_n nor_o any_o infallible_a man_n to_o direct_v they_o can_v do_v well_o without_o dependency_n and_o though_o it_o will_v be_v say_v these_o extraordinary_a officer_n be_v now_o cease_v yet_o let_v they_o consider_v whether_o there_o be_v not_o need_v of_o some_o way_n to_o supply_v this_o want_n to_o the_o particular_a church_n now_o but_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o ordinary_a officer_n of_o pastor_n teacher_n elder_n with_o the_o body_n of_o the_o congregation_n will_v suffice_v for_o the_o govern_v every_o particular_a congregation_n independent_o to_o that_o i_o answer_v according_a to_o their_o principle_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n there_o be_v all_o these_o officer_n in_o particular_a congregation_n and_o settle_v in_o a_o perfect_a way_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o particular_a church_n need_v a_o dependency_n upon_o apostle_n evangelist_n prophet_n and_o presbyter_n of_o other_o church_n and_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v set_v over_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o crete_n now_o though_o some_o of_o these_o be_v cease_v and_o so_o this_o power_n may_v be_v cease_v as_o it_o be_v in_o particular_a man_n yet_o that_o the_o congregation_n shall_v not_o need_v it_o now_o in_o these_o time_n as_o well_o as_o then_o no_o solid_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v but_o there_o be_v much_o more_o reason_n for_o it_o now_o which_o therefore_o must_v be_v in_o some_o other_o way_n be_v it_o synod_n and_o counsel_n to_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o each_o particular_a by_o the_o conjunction_n of_o the_o whole_a the_o whole_a help_v every_o part_n and_o supply_v what_o be_v lack_v to_o it_o and_o this_o reason_n have_v the_o more_o strength_n in_o it_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v church_n in_o city_n it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o say_v in_o every_o city_n or_o in_o every_o church_n 1_o tit._n 5._o 14._o act._n 23._o which_o church_n also_o have_v good_a store_n of_o preach_v minister_n among_o they_o as_o appear_v by_o act_n 13._o v._n 1._o act._n 20._o v._n 36_o 37._o compare_v with_o ver._n 28._o so_o that_o in_o all_o case_n of_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n have_v many_o minister_n to_o resolve_v and_o determine_v matter_n and_o to_o have_v carry_v they_o with_o the_o more_o gravity_n and_o authority_n they_o may_v have_v subsist_v the_o better_a independent_o whereas_o most_o particular_a congregation_n now_o have_v but_o few_o minister_n one_o or_o two_o nay_o according_a to_o their_o principle_n there_o may_v be_v none_o nor_o no_o officer_n at_o all_o and_o yet_o these_o congregation_n must_v be_v independent_a have_v all_o power_n and_o government_n independent_o before_o officer_n as_o well_o as_o after_o reason_n ii_o that_o government_n and_o power_n which_o cause_n man_n to_o run_v upon_o the_o manifest_a violation_n of_o the_o constant_a practice_n and_o example_n of_o the_o church_n during_o all_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o put_v church_n upon_o practice_n that_o be_v absurd_a unreasonable_a and_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o good_a of_o their_o soul_n that_o government_n be_v not_o of_o divine_a institution_n nor_o to_o be_v receive_v but_o such_o be_v the_o independent_a power_n and_o government_n of_o particular_a congregation_n the_o major_a be_v of_o undoubted_a truth_n and_o will_v be_v deny_v by_o none_o for_o the_o minor_a i_o will_v prove_v it_o in_o these_o follow_a instance_n first_o their_o independency_n force_v they_o either_o to_o have_v minister_n and_o officer_n without_o be_v ordain_v contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n and_o example_n of_o the_o church_n

they_o can_v grow_v up_o in_o grace_n and_o knowledge_n as_o become_v a_o church_n of_o christ_n there_o may_v be_v also_o all_o barbarousness_n and_o disorder_n for_o want_n of_o gift_n in_o government_n in_o these_o weak_a officer_n all_o which_o tend_v to_o the_o prejudice_n and_o hazard_v of_o the_o soul_n hence_o this_o be_v give_v as_o the_o great_a reason_n by_o divine_n of_o the_o examination_n of_o minister_n before_o ordination_n and_o that_o to_o be_v by_o learned_a and_o able_a man_n because_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o profitable_a to_o the_o church_n then_o good_a pastor_n so_o nothing_o more_o pernicious_a than_o bad_a and_o unlearned_a minister_n second_o suppose_v they_o may_v choose_v well_o namely_o able_a man_n both_o for_o part_n and_o soundness_n 784._o in_o the_o faith_n and_o it_o be_v lawful_a also_o for_o the_o people_n to_o ordain_v yet_o it_o may_v so_o fall_v out_o according_a to_o their_o principle_n of_o a_o church_n that_o these_o visible_a saint_n can_v ordain_v officer_n as_o have_v no_o gift_n of_o prayer_n for_o public_a especial_o not_o able_a to_o conceive_v prayer_n concerning_o the_o action_n in_o hand_n namely_o the_o ordination_n of_o a_o minister_n neither_o have_v they_o any_o gift_n to_o make_v public_a exhortation_n and_o admonition_n to_o the_o pastor_n of_o his_o duty_n nor_o be_v able_a to_o know_v what_o to_o say_v to_o he_o at_o the_o admission_n of_o he_o into_o his_o office_n what_o shall_v be_v do_v now_o shall_v the_o work_n be_v stay_v and_o the_o church_n want_v a_o minister_n till_o she_o be_v able_a to_o do_v these_o work_n and_o duty_n they_o may_v for_o aught_o can_v be_v say_v be_v long_o nay_o ever_o without_o minister_n and_o so_o without_o preach_v of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n which_o can_v but_o be_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o their_o salvation_n but_o to_o grant_v they_o that_o which_o need_v not_o be_v grant_v according_a to_o their_o principle_n that_o this_o church_n shall_v have_v some_o office_n as_o suppose_v a_o roll_a elder_n yet_o when_o a_o pastor_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v these_o elder_n who_o have_v a_o gift_n in_o government_n may_v not_o be_v able_a nor_o competent_a to_o try_v and_o examine_v the_o gift_n and_o part_n of_o a_o pastor_n nay_o yield_v they_o to_o have_v a_o pastor_n and_o the_o church_n will_v now_o choose_v a_o teacher_n one_o single_a pastor_n though_o able_a in_o his_o gift_n of_o exhortation_n and_o application_n may_v not_o be_v so_o able_a to_o try_v the_o gift_n requisite_a to_o a_o teacher_n who_o gift_n must_v be_v for_o exposition_n and_o controversy_n to_o preserve_v pure_a doctrine_n hence_o amesius_n speak_v of_o call_n of_o minister_n to_o a_o church_n say_v that_o here_o be_v need_n of_o direction_n and_o help_n 39_o of_o presbyter_n both_o of_o the_o same_o church_n and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o neighbour_n church_n but_o if_o he_o be_v able_a to_o try_v and_o examine_v yet_o how_o shall_v this_o teacher_n be_v ordain_v there_o be_v but_o one_o minister_n if_o minister_n of_o neighbour_n church_n may_v not_o join_v also_o consider_v if_o they_o do_v not_o fall_v into_o that_o which_o they_o complain_v against_o in_o the_o episcopacy_n namely_o for_o one_o man_n to_o have_v the_o sole_a power_n of_o ordination_n so_o that_o by_o all_o these_o particular_n you_o may_v see_v the_o assumption_n prove_v reason_n iii_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v that_o christ_n will_v institute_v such_o a_o government_n of_o his_o church_n which_o afford_v no_o help_n nor_o allow_v no_o way_n or_o remedy_n no_o not_o for_o one_o time_n or_o prima_fw-la vice_fw-la for_o innocent_a person_n that_o be_v wrong_v but_o where_o be_v no_o place_n for_o appeal_n the_o party_n oppress_v must_v be_v the_o sole_a judge_n of_o the_o cause_n it_o be_v count_v a_o unequal_a unreasonable_a thing_n in_o government_n that_o party_n shall_v be_v judge_n at_o all_o much_o less_o the_o sole_a and_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o way_n for_o person_n oppress_v to_o be_v right_v but_o now_o in_o this_o independent_a church_n government_n there_o be_v no_o relief_n no_o not_o at_o first_o for_o injure_a person_n nor_o way_n of_o appeal_n to_o other_o who_o be_v not_o party_n to_o hear_v their_o cause_n and_o determine_v here_o only_a party_n be_v judge_n and_o no_o other_o may_v be_v admit_v as_o for_o instance_n in_o one_o of_o their_o congregation_n the_o great_a number_n of_o that_o church_n as_o it_o do_v and_o may_v oft_o fall_v out_o be_v against_o the_o pastor_n or_o teacher_n and_o some_o other_o member_n upon_o a_o difference_n in_o some_o point_n of_o doctrine_n and_o be_v the_o great_a number_n the_o elder_n also_o take_v part_n with_o they_o they_o proceed_v most_o unjust_o to_o censure_n of_o deprivation_n and_o excommunication_n now_o if_o all_o the_o power_n lie_v independent_o in_o this_o particular_a church_n so_o as_o there_o may_v be_v no_o other_o as_o synod_n to_o appeal_v unto_o to_o hear_v the_o cause_n and_o right_v they_o this_o minister_n and_o brethren_n thus_o censure_v must_v lie_v under_o these_o oppression_n without_o all_o remedy_n and_o be_v debar_v from_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n without_o help_n what_o remedy_n there_o be_v in_o such_o case_n as_o this_o we_o desire_v they_o to_o show_v we_o and_o that_o such_o case_n as_o this_o may_v not_o and_o do_v fall_v out_o can_v be_v deny_v now_o that_o christ_n shall_v institute_v such_o a_o government_n in_o his_o church_n where_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o any_o but_o party_n proper_o so_o term_v to_o be_v sole_a judge_n and_o where_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o redress_n for_o the_o innocent_a in_o case_n of_o injury_n which_o may_v and_o do_v ordinary_o fall_v out_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v imagine_v by_o reasonable_a man_n it_o be_v speak_v of_o by_o these_o man_n for_o a_o strange_a practice_n in_o the_o bishop_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v judge_n in_o their_o own_o cause_n and_o give_v vote_n in_o it_o though_o yet_o there_o be_v beside_o they_o three_o time_n their_o number_n of_o voice_n in_o the_o house_n of_o lord_n how_o much_o more_o unreasonable_a may_v they_o judge_v it_o in_o their_o way_n of_o church_n government_n where_o party_n who_o be_v judge_n be_v great_a in_o number_n so_o that_o i_o may_v speak_v of_o the_o independency_n of_o their_o congregation_n as_o cameron_n speak_v of_o the_o popular_a government_n of_o their_o congregation_n *_o 21._o it_o be_v not_o credible_a that_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v both_o king_n of_o righteousness_n and_o king_n of_o peace_n will_v have_v government_n to_o be_v in_o this_o way_n which_o have_v no_o mean_n nor_o way_n for_o righteousness_n nor_o peace_n in_o his_o church_n beside_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n record_v in_o scripture_n for_o our_o example_n be_v against_o it_o and_o give_v we_o ground_n for_o appeal_v to_o other_o out_o of_o that_o church_n and_o not_o to_o have_v the_o party_n the_o judge_n act_n 15._o 1_o 2._o because_o the_o dissension_n and_o disputation_n be_v between_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o they_o of_o judaea_n who_o teach_v circumcision_n therefore_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n think_v it_o not_o fit_a that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n shall_v determine_v and_o end_v it_o but_o send_v to_o other_o apostle_n and_o elder_n who_o be_v not_o party_n against_o they_o of_o judaea_n and_o they_o shall_v determine_v for_o they_o all_o else_o have_v not_o the_o dissension_n and_o disputation_n be_v between_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o certain_a of_o judaea_n and_o that_o in_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o antioch_n they_o be_v able_a to_o have_v determine_v it_o without_o send_v to_o jerusalem_n but_o the_o church_n judge_v it_o unequal_a that_o they_o who_o be_v the_o party_n in_o the_o controversy_n shall_v be_v the_o judge_n reason_n iv._o the_o light_n and_o law_n of_o nature_n with_o right_a reason_n be_v against_o the_o independency_n of_o particular_a church_n dictate_v and_o lead_v we_o to_o dependency_n a_o subordination_n and_o a_o consociation_n in_o government_n in_o all_o society_n and_o body_n it_o be_v thus_o by_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n and_o it_o be_v find_v necessary_a among_o body_n natural_a and_o body_n politic_a that_o the_o several_a part_n and_o particular_a member_n do_v join_v in_o one_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a and_o that_o the_o whole_a being_n great_a than_o a_o part_n the_o several_a part_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o and_o order_v by_o the_o whole_a as_o in_o a_o man_n body_n the_o foot_n though_o it_o have_v its_o proper_a use_n and_o operation_n be_v dress_v launch_v and_o order_v not_o by_o itself_o but_o by_o the_o hand_n and_o eye_n in_o city_n and_o great_a town_n

which_o he_o establish_v by_o the_o example_n and_o judgement_n of_o other_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 33._o 1_o cor._n 11._o 16._o the_o equity_n of_o which_o be_v that_o the_o order_n agree_v upon_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o many_o church_n be_v of_o great_a force_n and_o authority_n to_o bind_v so_o paul_n though_o a_o apostle_n submit_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o what_o be_v agree_v upon_o by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n though_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o jewish_a and_o legal_a ceremony_n act_n 21._o from_o the_o 18._o ver._n to_o the_o 27._o ver._n thus_o in_o a_o case_n of_o great_a dissension_n and_o disputation_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n act_n 15._o 1_o 2._o ver._n why_o do_v that_o church_n send_v to_o jerusalem_n for_o resolution_n in_o that_o difficult_a case_n to_o be_v determine_v and_o bind_v by_o the_o decree_n and_o order_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n in_o that_o synod_n and_o be_v not_o bind_v nor_o determine_v by_o their_o own_o church_n only_o especial_o have_v two_o such_o excellent_a man_n with_o they_o as_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n who_o judgement_n they_o may_v have_v rest_v upon_o sure_o this_o be_v do_v for_o this_o end_n to_o teach_v we_o that_o divers_a church_n in_o difficult_a case_n ought_v to_o meet_v by_o their_o minister_n and_o some_o choice_n man_n to_o determine_v of_o matter_n for_o those_o church_n according_a to_o the_o word_n to_o which_o all_o those_o church_n shall_v submit_v neither_o will_v it_o help_v they_o to_o say_v this_o be_v extraordinary_a for_o what_o synod_n can_v say_v it_o seem_v good_a to_o we_o and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o those_o decree_n bind_v they_o who_o be_v not_o present_a not_o to_o answer_v these_o exception_n now_o but_o reserve_v the_o answer_n to_o a_o large_a tractate_n upon_o this_o subject_a grant_v it_o that_o something_o in_o this_o synod_n be_v singular_a and_o extraordinary_a yet_o this_o be_v not_o for_o one_o church_n to_o send_v to_o another_o and_o that_o to_o their_o ordinary_a officer_n the_o elder_n act_n 15._o 2._o ver._n to_o this_o end_n that_o by_o common_a consent_n difficult_a case_n may_v be_v determine_v and_o enjoin_v upon_o particular_a church_n by_o more_o than_o their_o own_o church_n for_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v ordinary_a and_o so_o bind_v be_v a_o example_n found_v upon_o rule_n of_o common_a equity_n reason_n and_o communion_n of_o church_n and_o not_o upon_o temporary_a or_o extraordinary_a ground_n and_o that_o appear_v thus_o for_o unless_o it_o be_v to_o teach_v the_o succeed_a church_n this_o and_o to_o be_v a_o ground_n for_o synod_n and_o dependency_n in_o government_n in_o case_n of_o difference_n and_o difficulty_n there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o great_a use_n nor_o end_n of_o it_o for_o as_o for_o the_o satisfy_n of_o the_o question_n and_o resolve_v the_o case_n paul_n alone_o be_v at_o antioch_n one_o who_o be_v immediate_o and_o infallible_o inspire_v by_o the_o spirit_n be_v able_a of_o himself_o to_o have_v satisfy_v that_o controversy_n about_o circumcision_n much_o more_o barnabas_n be_v with_o he_o and_o other_o in_o that_o church_n reason_n vi_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o synod_n be_v nowhere_o forbid_v by_o god_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n nor_o speak_v against_o either_o direct_o or_o by_o consequence_n as_o they_o say_v be_v for_o one_o man_n to_o have_v the_o power_n luk._n 22._o 25._o 26._o ver._n for_o though_o no_o one_o minister_n as_o some_o say_v be_v great_a than_o another_o yet_o all_o be_v great_a than_o one_o or_o a_o few_o in_o synod_n here_o be_v no_o erect_v or_o appoint_v of_o a_o officer_n or_o office_n in_o the_o church_n which_o christ_n have_v not_o appoint_v which_o be_v the_o exception_n make_v against_o episcopacy_n but_o here_o be_v only_o the_o officer_n appoint_v by_o christ_n and_o that_o form_n of_o government_n which_o be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n namely_o aristocratical_a here_o be_v no_o vary_v of_o the_o form_n of_o church_n government_n from_o aristocratical_a to_o monarchical_a as_o they_o speak_v of_o episcopacy_n but_o the_o government_n by_o synod_n be_v most_o aristocratical_a whereas_o the_o independent_a way_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v but_o only_o oligarchical_a have_v but_o a_o few_o officer_n in_o a_o church_n or_o else_o democratical_a if_o put_v into_o the_o body_n of_o the_o congregation_n now_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n forbid_v there_o be_v no_o transgression_n for_o sin_n be_v a_o transgression_n of_o the_o law_n 1_o john_n 3._o 4._o and_o such_o action_n the_o church_n may_v lawful_o do_v wherein_o no_o law_n of_o god_n be_v break_v as_o be_v confess_v by_o themselves_o in_o the_o five_o argument_n of_o zion_n prerogative_n but_o here_o be_v no_o law_n break_v 11._o this_o never_o be_v speak_v against_o nor_o liable_a to_o those_o exception_n put_v in_o by_o they_o against_o episcopacy_n but_o find_v agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n and_o light_n of_o nature_n concerning_o society_n to_o general_a rule_n in_o the_o word_n of_o edification_n order_n peace_n pureness_n loveliness_n etc._n etc._n to_o example_n also_o and_o practice_n in_o scripture_n and_o what_o though_o there_o be_v not_o a_o express_a precept_n or_o a_o command_n in_fw-la terminis_fw-la for_o it_o yet_o not_o be_v against_o scripture_n but_o so_o agreeable_a to_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o all_o before_o say_v no_o sober_a godly_a minister_n or_o christian_n shall_v refuse_v communion_n with_o a_o church_n or_o submission_n to_o it_o and_o go_v and_o set_v up_o a_o church_n against_o a_o church_n and_o foment_n a_o schism_n for_o that_o for_o if_o they_o will_v do_v so_o and_o will_v not_o go_v upon_o general_a rule_n equity_n of_o example_n light_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n they_o must_v forsake_v be_v fix_v member_n of_o any_o particular_a congregation_n and_o forsake_v all_o church_n in_o the_o independent_a way_n and_o profess_o join_v themselves_o to_o no_o assembly_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o institute_a worship_n because_o they_o must_v practice_v as_o great_a matter_n concerning_o external_a government_n and_o worship_n of_o what_o ever_o church_n or_o government_n they_o be_v of_o as_o this_o be_v namely_o the_o association_n of_o church_n let_v they_o produce_v a_o particular_a word_n for_o the_o order_n of_o god_n worship_n what_o must_v be_v perform_v first_o what_o second_o what_o three_o what_o four_o and_o so_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o that_o no_o ordinance_n nor_o part_n of_o worship_n may_v be_v in_o another_o order_n let_v they_o if_o they_o can_v show_v a_o particular_a word_n or_o rule_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o their_o church_n covenant_n which_o yet_o be_v a_o essential_a point_n namely_o the_o form_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o produce_v what_o be_v require_v in_o the_o word_n particular_o as_o the_o form_n of_o excommunication_n or_o as_o the_o form_n of_o ordination_n let_v they_o set_v down_o the_o outward_a worship_n and_o gesture_n of_o the_o external_a reverence_n which_o must_v be_v use_v and_o no_o other_o way_n in_o the_o several_a ordinance_n of_o god_n as_o word_n prayer_n sing_v of_o psalm_n read_v scripture_n baptism_n lord_n supper_n excommunication_n which_o if_o they_o can_v as_o we_o know_v they_o be_v not_o able_a neither_o in_o these_o nor_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v name_v let_v they_o then_o learn_v that_o many_o thing_n in_o government_n and_o discipline_n have_v but_o general_a rule_n with_o equity_n of_o practice_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o join_v nor_o have_v to_o do_v in_o church_n government_n and_o discipline_n till_o they_o have_v particular_a command_n to_o walk_v thus_o and_o no_o otherwise_o they_o shall_v stay_v long_o enough_o and_o be_v of_o no_o church_n reason_n vii_o this_o consociation_n and_o combination_n in_o way_n of_o synod_n be_v grant_v by_o themselves_o as_o lawful_a and_o expedient_a in_o sundry_a case_n and_o particular_n as_o that_o one_o church_n be_v require_v aught_o to_o give_v a_o account_n to_o other_o and_o to_o be_v content_a that_o matter_n of_o difference_n and_o importance_n shall_v be_v hear_v by_o other_o church_n as_o also_o to_o be_v advise_v and_o counsel_v by_o other_o church_n to_o have_v also_o doctrine_n that_o be_v questionable_a try_v and_o judge_v of_o by_o synod_n to_o be_v admonish_v and_o to_o be_v reprove_v also_o in_o case_n they_o deserve_v it_o and_o in_o case_n they_o will_v not_o amend_v and_o reform_v upon_o admonition_n and_o reproof_n of_o synod_n and_o assembly_n than_o they_o be_v to_o be_v complain_v of_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n that_o he_o may_v do_v his_o duty_n for_o this_o see_v christ_n on_o his_o throne_n vid._n pag._n 32._o examin._n of_o prelate_n petition_n zion_n prerog._n pag._n 63._o