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act_n church_n member_n visible_a 3,063 5 9.7114 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A25697 An Apology for the English Presbyterians with a defence of the heads of agreement assented to by the united ministers in the year 91. 1699 (1699) Wing A3548; ESTC R17890 29,933 88

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the_o old_a nonconformist_n and_o the_o english_a presbyterian_a and_o congregationalist_n for_o the_o ecclesiastical_a presbyterian_o hold_v the_o catholic_n church_n
the_o soul_n of_o the_o congregation_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o pastor_n that_o those_o ecclesiastical_a person_n that_o make_v claim_v to_o great_a power_n and_o authority_n than_o this_o especial_o they_o that_o make_v claim_v jure_fw-la divino_fw-la of_o power_n or_o jurisdiction_n to_o meddle_v with_o other_o church_n than_o that_o one_o congregation_n of_o which_o they_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n do_v usurp_v upon_o the_o suremacy_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n §_o 24_o 25_o 27._o and_o a_o little_a before_o §_o 12._o we_o hold_v that_o the_o king_n have_v power_n to_o remove_v out_o of_o the_o church_n all_o scandalous_a schismatical_a and_o heretical_a teacher_n and_o §_o 14._o that_o the_o king_n only_o have_v power_n within_o his_o dominion_n to_o convene_v synod_n or_o general_a assembly_n of_o minister_n §._o 9_o soon_o after_o this_o protestation_n a_o christian_a and_o modest_a offer_n of_o a_o most_o indifferent_a conference_n or_o disputation_n about_o the_o main_a and_o principal_a controversy_n betwixt_o the_o prelate_n and_o the_o late_o silence_v minister_n in_o england_n be_v make_v in_o which_o viz._n p._n 2_o 3._o the_o nonconform_a minister_n undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o true_a visible_a church_n of_o christ_n but_o a_o particular_a ordinary_a congregation_n only_o that_o every_o true_a visible_a church_n of_o christ_n or_o ordinary_a assembly_n of_o the_o faithful_a have_v by_o christ_n ordinance_n power_n in_o itself_o immediate_o under_o christ_n to_o elect_a and_o ordain_v deprive_v and_o depose_v their_o minister_n and_o to_o execute_v all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n that_o the_o pastor_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n be_v the_o high_a ordinary_a ecclesiastical_a officer_n in_o any_o true_a constitute_v visible_a church_n of_o christ_n that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o overseer_n of_o province_n and_o diocese_n and_o of_o the_o several_a church_n therein_o and_o it_o be_v their_o office_n and_o duty_n enjoin_v they_o by_o god_n to_o take_v knowledge_n to_o punish_v and_o redress_v all_o misgovern_n or_o ill_o treat_v of_o any_o church_n or_o church-officer_n §._o 10_o what_o be_v here_o affirm_v by_o these_o deprive_v minister_n be_v so_o full_a not_o only_o against_o the_o diocesan_n but_o classical_a way_n that_o it_o may_v tempt_v some_o to_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o whilst_o i_o profess_v to_o set_v down_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o english_a presbyterian_o i_o be_o only_o describe_v the_o brownist_n in_o which_o they_o will_v perhaps_o be_v confirm_v when_o they_o consider_v that_o in_o this_o same_o offer_n it_o be_v assert_v that_o the_o pastor_n alone_o ought_v not_o to_o exercise_v ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n over_o his_o church_n but_o other_o ought_v to_o be_v join_v to_o he_o by_o the_o assignment_n of_o the_o same_o church_n neither_o ought_v he_o and_o they_o to_o perform_v any_o main_n and_o material_a ecclesiastical_a act_n without_o the_o free_a consent_n of_o the_o congregation_n however_o it_o be_v very_o manifest_a that_o these_o nonconformist_n be_v far_o from_o close_v with_o brownism_n as_o appear_v from_o what_o they_o answer_v to_o the_o 11_o opposition_n in_o which_o it_o be_v demand_v why_o do_v they_o not_o whole_o with_o the_o brownist_n separate_v and_o get_v they_o to_o amsterdam_n to_o their_o holy_a brethren_n there_o where_o they_o protest_v that_o they_o be_v persuade_v that_o many_o of_o the_o conform_v minister_n be_v true_a minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n endow_v with_o gift_n from_o heaven_n for_o that_o holy_a function_n and_o that_o the_o holy_a church_n which_o they_o teach_v be_v true_a church_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o clear_v they_o from_o the_o reproach_n of_o be_v brownist_n §._o 11_o and_o as_o they_o so_o free_o express_v their_o own_o true_a sense_n in_o these_o matter_n so_o it_o be_v with_o a_o assurance_n that_o none_o of_o the_o conformable_a clergy_n be_v so_o much_o against_o the_o abovementioned_a assertion_n which_o they_o undertake_v to_o maintain_v but_o will_v rather_o close_v with_o they_o than_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o lash_n of_o such_o penalty_n as_o the_o deprive_v minister_n lay_v under_o their_o word_n be_v pag._n 16_o 17._o the_o former_a proposition_n be_v such_o that_o there_o will_v not_o be_v find_v as_o we_o be_v very_o persuade_v in_o our_o conscience_n any_o one_o conformable_a minister_n except_o he_o be_v a_o mask_v papist_n that_o will_v refuse_v to_o subscribe_v to_o any_o one_o of_o they_o if_o so_o be_v it_o will_v please_v the_o king_n and_o state_n by_o law_n to_o urge_v they_o thereunto_o under_o such_o penalty_n as_o the_o minister_n be_v urge_v to_o subscribe_v unto_o the_o article_n devise_v by_o the_o prelate_n yea_o we_o be_v out_o of_o all_o doubt_n that_o the_o prelate_n themselves_o if_o the_o case_n stand_v but_o upon_o the_o save_n of_o their_o temporality_n which_o else_o they_o shall_v lose_v will_v with_o heart_n and_o hand_n subscribe_v to_o any_o one_o of_o the_o aforesaid_a proposition_n beside_o §._o 12_o these_o english_a presbyterian_o be_v so_o full_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a proposition_n which_o they_o offer_v to_o defend_v that_o they_o be_v persuade_v they_o be_v such_o that_o if_o the_o minister_n shall_v not_o constant_o hold_v and_o maintain_v the_o same_o against_o all_o man_n they_o can_v see_v how_o possible_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o divinity_n the_o separation_n of_o our_o church_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o from_o the_o pope_n the_o supreme_a head_n thereof_o can_v be_v justify_v p._n 11._o but_o §._o 13_o as_o this_o offer_n for_o a_o conference_n be_v make_v in_o the_o year_n 1606_o so_o it_o be_v follow_v anno_fw-la 1609_o with_o a_o petition_n of_o the_o deprive_v minister_n in_o which_o they_o declare_v themselves_o 〈◊〉_d as_o we_o hold_v that_o your_o majesty_n within_o your_o dominion_n have_v power_n to_o call_v synod_n and_o to_o dissolve_v they_o so_o we_o hold_v likewise_o that_o rule_v synod_n and_o unite_a presbytery_n exercise_v government_n and_o impose_v law_n and_o decree_n upon_o several_a church_n and_o the_o pastor_n of_o they_o be_v not_o only_o humane_a institution_n but_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o say_a government_n and_o authority_n of_o impose_v law_n altogether_o unlawful_a and_o usurp_a upon_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n we_o acknowledge_v as_o have_v be_v above_o remember_v no_o other_o power_n and_o authority_n for_o the_o oversee_n rule_v and_o censure_v of_o particular_a church_n how_o many_o soever_o in_o number_n in_o the_o case_n of_o their_o misgovernment_n than_o that_o which_o be_v original_o invest_v in_o your_o royal_a person_n and_o from_o it_o derive_v to_o such_o of_o your_o laity_n as_o you_o shall_v judge_v worthy_a to_o be_v depute_a to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o same_o under_o you_o so_o as_o the_o favour_n humble_o solicit_v by_o we_o be_v that_o whereas_o our_o lord_n jesus_n have_v give_v to_o each_o particular_a church_n or_o ordinary_a congregation_n this_o right_n and_o privilege_n viz._n to_o elect_n ordain_v and_o deprive_v she_o own_o minister_n and_o to_o exercise_v all_o other_o part_n of_o lawful_a ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n under_o he_o so_o far_o the_o petition_v minister_n p._n 13_o 14._o who_o in_o p._n 18._o say_v that_o in_o this_o church_n speak_v of_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o the_o officer_n thereof_o which_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o a_o parish_n one_o be_v a_o pastor_n another_o a_o teacher_n other_o elder_n and_o other_o deacon_n §._o 14_o these_o quotation_n out_o of_o the_o old_a english_a presbyterian_o do_v sufficient_o evince_v that_o they_o hold_v that_o proper_o speak_v there_o be_v no_o other_o visible_a church_n but_o what_o be_v congregational_a that_o the_o power_n of_o their_o officer_n be_v not_o to_o be_v stretch_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o a_o single_a congregation_n that_o what_o power_n be_v needful_a beside_o this_o for_o reform_v particular_a church_n be_v invest_v in_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o who_o it_o do_v also_o belong_v to_o convene_v synod_n etc._n etc._n and_o it_o must_v be_v also_o remark_v §._o 15_o that_o in_o these_o instance_n the_o english_a presbyterian_a and_o the_o congregationalist_n be_v most_o entire_o agree_v as_o appear_v not_o only_o from_o what_o be_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o savoy_n confession_n where_o it_o be_v declare_v by_o they_o in_o these_o word_n as_o for_o ourselves_o we_o be_v able_a to_o trace_v the_o footstep_n of_o a_o independent_a congregational_a way_n in_o the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o church_n as_o also_o in_o the_o write_n of_o our_o sound_a protestant_a divine_n and_o that_o which_o we_o be_v much_o satisfy_v in_o a_o full_a concurrence_n throughout_o in_o all_o the_o substantial_a part_n of_o church-government_n with_o our_o reverend_a
four_o reason_n for_o it_o be_v this_o if_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n shall_v be_v admit_v we_o can_v say_v they_o see_v what_o may_v be_v the_o consequence_n thereof_o with_o respect_n to_o those_o difficult_a controversy_n with_o the_o papist_n about_o the_o perpetual_a succession_n of_o the_o church_n some_o year_n before_o luther_n about_o their_o separation_n from_o rome_n about_o the_o first_o gather_v and_o constitute_v reform_v church_n and_o call_v of_o minister_n before_o with_o at_z and_o since_o the_o reformation_n §._o 20_o the_o strength_n of_o what_o they_o offer_v on_o this_o occasion_n lie_v here_o namely_o in_o case_n visible_a saint_n combine_v for_o communion_n in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v power_n by_o virtue_n of_o jesus_n christ_n institution_n to_o call_v and_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n the_o first_o reformer_n in_o combine_v thus_o and_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n act_v in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o authority_n give_v they_o by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o be_v justify_v but_o have_v they_o not_o such_o a_o power_n their_o case_n be_v not_o easy_o defend_v these_o great_a divine_n therefore_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o second_o enquiry_n affirm_v that_o a_o church_n essential_a have_v a_o power_n belong_v unto_o it_o to_o call_v a_o pastor_n so_o that_o these_o learned_a man_n have_v urge_v argument_n sufficient_a to_o justify_v what_o the_o unite_a brethren_n have_v do_v in_o define_v a_o church_n essential_a and_o in_o show_v how_o it_o become_v a_o integral_n organical_a political_a body_n and_o what_o they_o have_v urge_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o fatal_a consequence_n of_o the_o contrary_a doctrine_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o first_o reformation_n have_v enough_o in_o it_o to_o satisfy_v any_o consider_a mind_n about_o the_o reason_n that_o have_v influence_v the_o unite_a brethren_n to_o fix_v their_o foot_n on_o this_o principle_n about_o a_o particular_a church_n essential_a in_o the_o frame_n the_o head_n of_o their_o agreement_n once_o more_o §._o 21_o as_o the_o unite_a brethren_n have_v assert_v particular_a church_n to_o be_v congregational_a so_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o have_v confine_v the_o power_n of_o their_o officer_n to_o their_o own_o church_n for_o in_o the_o section_n of_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n art_n 2._o it_o be_v agree_v that_o none_o of_o our_o particular_a church_n shall_v be_v subordinate_a to_o one_o another_o each_o be_v endow_v with_o equality_n of_o power_n from_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o none_o of_o the_o say_v particular_a church_n their_o officer_n or_o officer_n shall_v exercise_n any_o power_n or_o have_v any_o superiority_n over_o any_o other_o church_n or_o their_o officer_n so_o clear_v it_o be_v that_o this_o article_n by_o deny_v unto_o one_o officer_n single_o and_o to_o many_o officer_n collective_o any_o sort_n of_o power_n or_o superiority_n over_o one_o another_o do_v lay_v a_o impregnable_a bar_n against_o the_o set_n up_o of_o classical_a provincial_a or_o national_a assembly_n invest_v with_o a_o power_n to_o govern_v congregational_a church_n for_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o in_o form_v the_o late_a head_n of_o agreement_n special_a care_n be_v take_v to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o we_o to_o make_v the_o least_o encroachment_n on_o the_o establish_v national_a church_n form_n that_o the_o mound_n and_o barrier_n we_o raise_v to_o keep_v all_o within_o the_o confine_n of_o the_o toleration_n grant_v we_o be_v such_o that_o no_o sincere_a approver_n of_o the_o union_n can_v have_v any_o hand_n in_o erect_v any_o thing_n like_o a_o national_a church_n form_n and_o therefore_o can_v never_o be_v for_o classical_a provincial_a or_o national_a assembly_n of_o minister_n their_o go_v about_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v a_o break_n down_o the_o strong_a mound_n a_o violate_v the_o most_o solemn_a engagement_n and_o a_o tear_v up_o the_o very_a foundation_n on_o which_o the_o late_a union_n be_v build_v which_o can_v never_o be_v answer_v to_o our_o country_n brethren_n nor_o to_o their_o own_o conscience_n much_o less_o unto_o a_o holy_a and_o jealous_a god_n for_o §._o 22_o by_o the_o head_n of_o agreement_n as_o all_o that_o church_n power_n we_o claim_v be_v confine_v to_o particular_a congregational_a church_n and_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n deny_v to_o any_o one_o officer_n or_o officer_n of_o church_n so_o particular_a church_n be_v no_o further_o concern_v to_o give_v any_o account_n of_o their_o own_o act_n beside_o what_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n require_v but_o what_o on_o some_o special_a occasion_n may_v be_v needful_a in_o a_o brotherly_a way_n to_o neighbour_n congregation_n when_o desire_v and_o it_o be_v for_o the_o removal_n of_o scandal_n or_o the_o rectify_v mistake_v but_o for_o state_v classical_a provincial_a or_o natural_a assemble_v and_o the_o come_n under_o the_o obligation_n of_o make_v a_o diligent_a observation_n and_o a_o faithful_a report_n of_o the_o state_n of_o their_o congregation_n unto_o any_o of_o those_o large_a assembly_n there_o be_v not_o one_o word_n in_o our_o agreement_n nor_o can_v any_o of_o our_o number_n consent_n that_o our_o minister_n shall_v take_v upon_o they_o the_o office_n of_o state_v inquisitor_n or_o informer_n for_o as_o such_o a_o employ_v be_v as_o likely_a to_o ruin_n as_o it_o be_v to_o serve_v its_o chief_a contriver_n so_o it_o be_v unworthy_a of_o man_n in_o so_o holy_a a_o function_n and_o contrary_a to_o that_o work_n christ_n jesus_n have_v call_v his_o minister_n unto_o which_o lie_v in_o strenuous_a endeavour_n to_o further_o the_o salvation_n of_o they_o commit_v to_o their_o care_n can_v be_v faithful_o perform_v but_o by_o keep_v within_o the_o pale_a of_o their_o single_a congregation_n and_o see_v this_o be_v what_o be_v grant_v to_o we_o by_o the_o toleration_n to_o which_o we_o have_v hitherto_o confine_v ourselves_o we_o declare_v it_o to_o be_v our_o firm_a resolution_n always_o to_o do_v so_o be_v as_o much_o dissatisfy_v with_o that_o church-form_n which_o endanger_v the_o establish_v church_n as_o any_o in_o that_o church_n can_v be_v for_o §._o 23_o that_o very_a form_n of_o church_n government_n which_o alone_o can_v give_v just_a ground_n of_o suspicion_n be_v as_o destructive_a of_o those_o church_n we_o believe_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n as_o it_o can_v be_v of_o the_o establish_v church_n form_n the_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la classical_a government_n that_o rival_n it_o with_o the_o episcopal_a do_v as_o real_o destroy_v congregational_a church_n by_o make_v they_o but_o part_n of_o a_o proper_a church_n as_o it_o will_v subvert_v the_o diocesan_n be_v it_o set_v up_o among_o we_o yea_o if_o we_o more_o close_o look_v into_o this_o matter_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o classical_a government_n more_o hurtful_a to_o our_o church_n way_n than_o it_o can_v be_v to_o they_o see_v it_o allow_v of_o diocesan_n under_o the_o name_n of_o classical_a and_o strike_v only_o at_o their_o ruler_n and_o not_o at_o their_o church-state_n whilst_o it_o vn-churche_n all_o our_o congregation_n and_o dive_v the_o officer_n of_o that_o power_n which_o we_o think_v christ_n have_v give_v they_o and_o be_v therefore_o more_o formidable_a unto_o and_o dread_v by_o we_o than_o by_o the_o church_n itself_o which_o consideration_n will_v we_o hope_v satisfy_v our_o superior_n and_o every_o thoughtful_a person_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v in_o no_o danger_n from_o we_o §._o 24_o that_o they_o destroy_v our_o church_n way_n be_v far_a evident_a in_o that_o they_o bring_v every_o paroch_n and_o congregation_n under_o the_o government_n of_o their_o classical_a and_o other_o large_a assembly_n by_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n and_o that_o they_o may_v to_o their_o own_o great_a satisfaction_n prove_v thus_o much_o they_o make_v the_o catholic_n church_n visible_a to_o be_v one_o govern_v society_n or_o body_n politic_a which_o must_v necessary_o be_v under_o a_o govern_v head_n either_o of_o one_o single_a person_n or_o of_o many_o collective_o whereby_o they_o run_v so_o far_o as_o to_o destroy_v not_o only_o congregational_a church_n but_o to_o subvert_v that_o very_a principle_n upon_o which_o the_o reformation_n be_v begin_v in_o this_o land_n and_o do_v lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o that_o papal_a anti-christian_n power_n which_o in_o its_o exercise_n have_v shed_v the_o blood_n of_o thousand_o who_o be_v now_o under_o the_o altar_n cry_v how_o long_o holy_a and_o true_a do_v thou_o not_o avenge_v etc._n etc._n and_o against_o which_o we_o have_v by_o the_o oath_n of_o supremacy_n swear_v so_o that_o though_o we_o agree_v with_o our_o classical_a brethren_n of_o scotland_n in_o affirm_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n which_o only_o be_v against_o the_o divine_a not_o