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authority_n acknowledge_v church_n scripture_n 3,085 5 6.3603 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A37205 The power of Congregational churches asserted and vindicated in answer to a treatise of Mr. J. Paget intituled The defence of church-government exercised in classes and synods / by John Davenport. Davenport, John, 1597-1670. 1672 (1672) Wing D362; ESTC R24876 69,647 176

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do_v not_o note_v distinct_a species_n or_o kind_n of_o church_n but_o be_v only_o several_a adjunct_n of_o the_o same_o church_n which_o be_v call_v invisible_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o inward_a and_o invisible_a union_n which_o member_n have_v with_o christ_n the_o head_n by_o the_o spirit_n and_o faith_n and_o visible_a in_o respect_n of_o their_o outward_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n which_o be_v visible_a to_o man_n but_o in_o neither_o of_o these_o sense_n be_v the_o catholic_n church_n the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n 1._o not_o as_o invisible_a for_o that_o be_v not_o build_v by_o a_o visible_a profession_n such_o as_o peter_n be_v nor_o be_v the_o ordinance_n dispense_v or_o administer_v visible_o in_o it_o to_z or_o by_o man_n in_o visible_a fellowship_n add_v hereunto_o that_o the_o key_n here_o give_v to_o peter_n can_v shut_v out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n even_o the_o same_o person_n to_o who_o they_o have_v open_v the_o door_n before_o which_o can_v befall_v believer_n in_o the_o visible_a church_n 2._o not_o as_o visible_a for_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o acknowledge_v a_o catholic_n visible_a church_n the_o catholic_n church_n be_v not_o visible_a as_o a_o church_n and_o the_o church_n that_o be_v visible_a be_v not_o catholic_n though_o the_o catholic_n church_n may_v be_v visible_a in_o its_o singular_a member_n yet_o so_o they_o be_v not_o a_o church_n or_o though_o it_o may_v be_v visible_a in_o particular_a congregation_n 56_o see_v mr._n cott._n defence_n of_o the_o way_n of_o congreg_n church_n par_fw-fr 2._o p._n 56_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o be_v catholic_n or_o though_o all_o of_o they_o if_o they_o can_v meet_v together_o may_v be_v call_v a_o catholic_n church_n or_o general_a assembly_n yet_o so_o it_o can_v be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n i._n e._n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n for_o such_o assembly_n 15._o see_v mr._n hooker_n '_o ●_o survey_v part_v 1._o ch_z 14_o &_o 15._o if_o possible_a be_v extraordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a assembly_n be_v not_o fit_a judicatory_n to_o hear_v and_o censure_v ordinary_a offence_n or_o to_o administer_v the_o ordinary_a act_n of_o church-power_n 2._o if_o the_o visible_a catholic_n church_n be_v consider_v as_o totum_fw-la integrale_fw-la which_o be_v such_o a_o whole_a as_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o aggregation_n of_o all_o particular_a church_n as_o a_o army_n be_v make_v up_o of_o all_o the_o several_a regiment_n and_o troop_n or_o a_o kingdom_n of_o all_o the_o city_n and_o county_n within_o it_o it_o can_v be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n i._n e._n of_o all_o church-power_n for_o 1._o particular_a church_n be_v the_o member_n which_o give_v the_o essential_a cause_n whence_o the_o integrity_n of_o this_o whole_a be_v make_v up_o and_o therefore_o in_o nature_n before_o it_o as_o the_o cause_n be_v before_o its_o effect_n 2._o church-officer_n with_o their_o office_n be_v set_v ordinary_o by_o christ_n 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but_o what_o not_o one_o bishop_n over_o many_o church_n but_o many_o bishop_n over_o one_o church_n not_o diocesan_n but_o congregational_a bishop_n phil._n 1.1_o those_o who_o luke_n call_v elder_n in_o act._n 20.17_o paul_n call_v bishop_n in_o v._o 28._o the_o bishop_n which_o the_o apostle_n acknowledge_v to_o be_v christ_n ordinance_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v congregational_a elder_n 1_o tim._n 3_o 1-8_a tit._n 1.5_o 7._o 1_o pet._n 5.1_o 2._o and_o all_o the_o teaching-elders_a be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d fellow-elders_a coequal_a in_o authority_n above_o who_o paul_n acknowledge_v no_o ruler_n in_o the_o church_n but_o rather_o set_v these_o above_o all_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o 3._o euseb_n eccles_n hist_o l._n 6._o c._n 43._o cypr._n ep._n l._n 3._o ep._n 10_o &_o l._n 1._o ep_v 3._o and_o when_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n one_o of_o the_o pastor_n be_v call_v bishop_n by_o way_n of_o eminency_n for_o order_n sake_n yet_o for_o many_o year_n he_o do_v no_o act_n of_o power_n but_z 1._o with_o consent_n of_o the_o presbytery_n 2._o with_o consent_n galat._n dr._n cudw_n on_o the_o postscript_n to_o galat._n and_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n what_o be_v plead_v from_o titus_n his_o ordain_v tit._n 1.5_o help_v not_o their_o cause_n for_o he_o do_v it_o as_o a_o evangelist_n not_o as_o a_o diocesan_n prelate_n and_o the_o office_n of_o evangelist_n together_o with_o the_o apostle_n cease_v the_o postscript_n of_o the_o second_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n where_o he_o be_v call_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o of_o that_o to_o titus_n where_o he_o be_v call_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o cretan_n be_v apocryphal_a as_o the_o rest_n be_v and_o the_o first_o consist_v not_o with_o 2_o tim._n 4.5_o where_o timothy_n be_v call_v a_o evangelist_n and_o therefore_o not_o tie_v to_o personal_a residence_n to_o abide_v in_o one_o place_n as_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n be_v but_o the_o evangelist_n be_v to_o go_v from_o place_n to_o place_n to_o set_v thing_n in_o order_n and_o confirm_v the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o titus_n nor_o be_v the_o postscript_n of_o that_o epistle_n of_o more_o credit_n than_o the_o former_a where_o the_o scribe_n say_v it_o be_v write_v from_o nicopolis_n hiperius_fw-la just_o dislike_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o opinion_n in_o the_o scribe_n which_o he_o say_v be_v from_o tit._n 3.12_o because_o paul_n bid_v titus_n come_v to_o he_o to_o nicopolis_n for_o he_o determine_v to_o winter_n there_o whereas_o if_o he_o be_v there_o at_o that_o time_n he_o will_v have_v say_v i_o purpose_v to_o winter_n here_o not_o there_o as_o beza_n note_v 5._o other_o conclude_v from_o this_o text_n that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n i_o e._n the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v give_v in_o peter_n to_o church-officer_n only_o especial_o to_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n and_o that_o such_o only_a or_o principal_o be_v mean_v in_o this_o grant_n they_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v by_o five_o reason_n especial_o we_o will_v examine_v they_o several_o and_o brief_o 1._o reas_n because_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o steward_n by_o office_n 1_o cor._n 4.1_o 2_o cor._n 4.5_o 1_o tim._n 3.15_o isa_n 22.12_o answ_n 1._o the_o three_o former_a text_n speak_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n office_n and_o in_o they_o of_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n not_o of_o ruling-elders_a but_o i_o suppose_v they_o will_v not_o deny_v the_o ruling-elders_a to_o have_v a_o key_n of_o office_n also_o the_o last_o text_n prove_v only_o that_o the_o key_n sometime_o signify_v office-power_n give_v to_o a_o steward_n which_o none_o deny_v but_o this_o touch_v not_o this_o text_n mat._n 16._o which_o mean_v not_o only_a
that_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v effectual_a for_o their_o eternal_a good_a it_o be_v their_o duty_n when_o the_o sentence_n proceed_v either_o according_a to_o the_o eighteen_o of_o matthew_n upon_o their_o not_o hear_v the_o church_n in_o less_o heinous_a offence_n or_o according_a to_o 1_o cor._n 5._o and_o rev._n 22.15_o upon_o the_o heinous_a nature_n of_o scandal_n give_v by_o they_o against_o common_a light_n to_o humble_v themselves_o under_o the_o mighty_a hand_n of_o god_n that_o he_o may_v exalt_v they_o in_o due_a time_n 1_o pet._n 5.6_o and_o to_o cry_v mighty_o to_o he_o to_o add_v efficacy_n to_o his_o ordinance_n by_o his_o spirit_n that_o their_o spirit_n may_v be_v due_o and_o true_o humble_v their_o corruption_n powerful_o mortify_v and_o their_o soul_n eternal_o save_v be_v sure_a that_o you_o take_v not_o part_n with_o your_o sin_n against_o the_o ordinance_n but_o take_v part_n with_o the_o ordinance_n against_o your_o sin_n and_o account_v it_o your_o honour_n to_o honour_n god_n and_o exalt_v his_o rule_n and_o let_v other_o learn_v hereby_o to_o fear_v not_o join_v with_o the_o church_n but_o persist_v obstinate_o in_o sin_n 2._o corollary_n then_o a_o congregational_a church_n such_o as_o have_v be_v describe_v be_v the_o high_a ecclesiastical_a tribunal_n under_o christ_n in_o its_o own_o matter_n this_o be_v reveal_v to_o john_n as_o that_o frame_n of_o church-government_n which_o shall_v continue_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n when_o he_o see_v a_o throne_n set_v in_o heaven_n the_o trinity_n sit_v upon_o it_o and_o the_o four_o live_a creature_n between_o it_o and_o the_o four_o and_o twenty_o elder_n who_o sit_v round_o about_o the_o throne_n rev._n 4.1_o 9_o thither_o appeal_n must_v be_v make_v according_a to_o christ_n his_o ordinance_n by_o a_o offend_a brother_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o step_n or_o by_o any_o member_n that_o find_v himself_o over-rigorous_o deal●_n with_o by_o his_o brethren_n in_o these_o step_n matth._n 18.17_o 18._o that_o there_o the_o cause_n may_v be_v scan_v and_o sentence_n proceed_v according_a to_o christ_n if_o the_o church_n want_v sufficient_a light_n or_o consent_n for_o the_o sentence_n they_o be_v to_o seek_v help_n from_o other_o by_o their_o light_n and_o counsel_n but_o still_o preserve_v the_o power_n of_o censure_n entire_o in_o the_o church_n where_o christ_n have_v place_v it_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o every_o member_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n require_v that_o there_o be_v some_o chief_a tribunal_n in_o the_o exerci●●_n of_o church-government_n unto_o which_o appeal_n must_v be_v last_o make_v juridical_o and_o from_o which_o no_o appeal_n may_v be_v grant_v and_o expect_v 2._o that_o this_o chief_a tribunal_n must_v have_v no_o ecclesiastical_a power_n above_o it_o and_o 3._o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v judial_o censure_v by_o any_o power_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n all_o the_o question_n be_v which_o be_v the_o chief_a tribunal_n that_o say_v some_o must_v be_v the_o class_n under_o which_o such_o church_n stand_v and_o the_o synod_n under_o which_o the_o class_n be_v subordinate_a and_o they_o give_v this_o reason_n because_o the_o end_n for_o which_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n be_v that_o all_o offence_n may_v be_v remove_v mat._n 18.15_o 16_o etc._n etc._n which_o they_o say_v can_v be_v do_v if_o you_o put_v the_o chief_a power_n of_o judgement_n into_o a_o congregational_a church_n for_o what_o if_o a_o elder_a what_o if_o the_o whole_a edership_n yea_o what_o if_o the_o whole_a church_n offend_v the_o church_n can_v censure_v their_o elder_n for_o that_o be_v to_o rule_v their_o ruler_n and_o to_o judge_v their_o judge_n nor_o will_v they_o censure_v themselves_o but_o a_o classis_fw-la or_o synod_n of_o many_o elder_n may_v and_o will_v reform_v all_o by_o judicial_o censure_v all_o answ_n 1._o this_o argument_n be_v build_v upon_o a_o mistake_n or_o error_n in_o the_o foundation_n of_o it_o for_o the_o rule_n prescribe_v in_o matth._n 18._o be_v ●●t_n for_o removal_n of_o all_o offence_n but_o of_o such_o private_a and_o less_o heinous_a offence_n as_o grow_v public_a and_o notorious_a only_o by_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o the_o delinquent_n for_o if_o offence_n be_v public_a and_o heinous_a in_o themselves_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o direct_a church_n to_o proceed_v by_o those_o step_n 1_o cor._n 5.11_o rev._n 22.15_o 2._o nor_o do_v it_o make_v the_o people_n ruler_n of_o their_o ruler_n or_o judge_n of_o their_o judge_n when_o we_o say_v that_o the_o church_n have_v a_o power_n over_o they_o in_o case_n of_o delinquency_n for_o excommunication_n be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o the_o high_a rule_n or_o authority_n but_o of_o the_o high_a judgement_n and_o therefore_o the_o power_n of_o it_o may_v well_o be_v in_o the_o whole_a church_n as_o their_o privilege_n without_o any_o 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just_o inflict_v by_o the_o church_n from_o parity_n of_o reason_n the_o mayor_n in_o a_o free_a city_n or_o corporation_n be_v in_o the_o right_a administration_n of_o his_o office_n above_o the_o court_n none_o but_o he_o can_v perform_v the_o act_n peculiar_a to_o his_o place_n yet_o if_o he_o corrupt_v the_o people_n pervert_v justice_n or_o be_v any_o way_n gross_o and_o scandalous_o delinquent_a the_o court_n can_v censure_v and_o despose_v he_o for_o the_o whole_a have_v power_n over_o any_o member_n to_o preserve_v its_o purity_n and_o peace_n and_o safety_n against_o any_o in_o the_o body_n that_o will_v corrupt_v disturb_v or_o destroy_v the_o same_o and_o the_o covenant_n bind_v every_o member_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o whole_a either_o to_o be_v reform_v or_o remove_v from_o communion_n of_o it_o thereby_o 3._o their_o plaster_n be_v not_o suitable_a to_o heal_v the_o sore_n of_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v either_o too_o broad_a when_o offence_n of_o brethren_n may_v be_v heal_v by_o church-censure_n within_o themselves_o or_o it_o be_v too_o narrow_a for_o 1._o those_o assembly_n be_v too_o seldom_o and_o can_v sit_v together_o long_o enough_o to_o remove_v the_o many_o offence_n that_o fall_v out_o frequent_o in_o church_n 2._o non_fw-fr can_v they_o excommunicate_v a_o church_n nor_o any_o officer_n or_o member_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n by_o warrant_n from_o christ_n 3._o class_n and_o synod_n and_o general_a council_n may_v be_v under_o just_a offence_n as_o well_o as_o church_n and_o who_o shall_v censure_v they_o 4._o this_o plaster_n hinder_v the_o heal_n of_o the_o sore_n of_o church_n for_o pronunciatum_fw-la appellatio_fw-la est_fw-la jus_o per_fw-la quod_fw-la prima_fw-la sententia_fw-la tantisper_fw-la extinguitur_fw-la donec_fw-la de_fw-la causae_fw-la cognition_n ad_fw-la superiorem_fw-la devolutâ_fw-la fuerit_fw-la pronunciatum_fw-la if_o a_o delinquent_n dislike_a the_o church_n proceed_v appeal_v from_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o classis_fw-la and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n from_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o classis_fw-la to_o a_o provincial_a synod_n then_o to_o a_o national_a synod_n then_o to_o a_o ecumenical_a council_n which_o may_v not_o assemble_v in_o a_o age_n while_o the_o appeal_n depend_v he_o shall_v stand_v as_o uncensured_a for_o this_o be_v the_o law_n of_o appeal_n now_o how_o can_v that_o heal_v which_o be_v cross_v to_o the_o prescription_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n the_o only_a wise_a physician_n he_o say_v tell_v the_o church_n and_o if_o he_o neglect_v to_o hear_v the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a &_o publican_n but_o he_o who_o appeal_v from_o the_o church_n do_v not_o hear_v the_o church_n therefore_o he_o that_o so_o do_v deserve_v to_o be_v cut_v off_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o christ_n which_o this_o tradition_n of_o appeal_n from_o church_n in_o re_fw-mi propriâ_fw-la
to_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a judicatories_n contradict_v and_o so_o make_v the_o commandment_n of_o christ_n void_a and_o of_o none_o effect_n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o the_o church_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n be_v the_o high_a tribunal_n under_o christ_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v proper_a to_o itself_o 3._o corollary_n then_o entireness_n of_o church-government_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n complete_v with_o its_o officer_n in_o re_fw-mi propriâ_fw-la will_v well_o consist_v with_o that_o communion_n of_o church_n which_o the_o scripture_n establish_v the_o reason_n be_v because_o both_o be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n and_o christ_n ordinance_n do_v not_o interfere_v as_o the_o communion_n of_o neighbour-family_n do_v not_o cross_v the_o complete_a government_n of_o several_a family_n within_o themselves_o respective_o in_o thing_n proper_o domestical_a and_o as_o communion_n among_o kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n hinder_v not_o the_o entireness_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o each_o kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n within_o itself_o in_o its_o proper_a concernment_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o church_n therefore_o church-communion_n must_v be_v only_o in_o a_o way_n of_o brotherly_a association_n for_o mutual_a helpfulness_n in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n but_o not_o in_o way_n of_o subordination_n or_o subjection_n of_o one_o church_n to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n whether_o of_o another_o church_n or_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o several_a church_n assemble_v in_o class_n or_o synod_n the_o communion_n of_o church_n in_o the_o former_a way_n be_v exercise_v according_a to_o rule_n in_o sundry_a case_n as_o 1._o in_o mutual_a care_n 2._o in_o recommendation_n of_o member_n 3._o in_o participation_n of_o such_o ordinance_n as_o be_v for_o comfort_n and_o strengthen_v the_o member_n of_o other_o church_n occasional_o 4._o in_o relieve_v and_o succour_v one_o another_o 5._o in_o countenance_v by_o give_v the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n unto_o a_o church_n in_o its_o first_o gather_v and_o unto_o elder_n at_o their_o ordination_n 6._o in_o consult_v one_o with_o another_o when_o we_o have_v occasion_n to_o require_v the_o judgement_n and_o counsel_n of_o other_o church_n concern_v any_o person_n or_o cause_n 16._o see_v these_o particular_n prove_v in_o the_o platform_n of_o church-discipline_n published-by_a the_o synod_n at_o cambridge_n in_o new-england_n anno._n 1649._o the_o eight_o month_n chap._n 15._o &_o 16._o wherewith_o they_o may_v be_v better_o acquaint_v than_o ourselves_o 7._o in_o admonish_v one_o another_o in_o case_n of_o public_a scandal_n all_o these_o and_o if_o withdraw_a fellowship_n upon_o just_a cause_n be_v add_v to_o they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o apostle_n may_v do_v to_o another_o without_o exercise_v church-government_n over_o they_o communion_n of_o church_n in_o the_o latter_a way_n of_o subordination_n or_o subjection_n to_o other_o church_n or_o synod_n in_o re_fw-mi propriâ_fw-la the_o scripture_n no_o where_o approve_v not_o of_o one_o church_n to_o another_o for_o there_o be_v a_o parity_n among_o church_n and_o par_fw-fr in_o parem_fw-la non_fw-la habet_fw-la imperium_fw-la nor_o of_o one_o church_n to_o a_o synod_n make_v up_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o sundry_a neighbour-churche_n the_o assembly_n in_o act._n 15._o be_v a_o pattern_n they_o say_v of_o such_o a_o synod_n let_v we_o see_v how_o their_o classical_a assembly_n answer_v it_o 1._o that_o be_v no_o set_a meeting_n monthly_a or_o quarterly_a but_o mere_o occasional_a act._n 15.1_o 2._o 2._o if_o be_v not_o a_o assembly_n of_o elder_n meet_v apart_o from_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n where_o they_o assemble_v verse_n 22_o 23._o 3._o it_o be_v but_o a_o meeting_n of_o two_o church_n that_o of_o antioch_n send_v their_o messenger_n with_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o that_o at_o jerusalem_n the_o apostle_n who_o residence_n for_o the_o present_a be_v there_o join_v with_o they_o verse_n 4_o 6._o 4._o that_o assembly_n give_v their_o judgement_n both_o of_o the_o doctrine_n teach_v at_o antioch_n &_o of_o the_o person_n that_o teach_v it_o as_o troublesome_a and_o subverter_n verse_n 24._o but_o do_v neither_o excommunicate_v they_o nor_o command_v the_o church_n to_o excommunicate_v they_o 5._o they_o direct_v and_o charge_v the_o church_n from_o the_o word_n what_o they_o shall_v do_v verse_n 28_o 29._o but_o they_o do_v not_o do_v their_o act_n of_o power_n for_o they_o 6._o nor_o do_v this_o assembly_n exercise_v church-government_n over_o that_o church_n at_o antioch_n or_o any_o other_o church_n or_o church_n in_o admission_n of_o their_o member_n or_o in_o ordination_n of_o their_o officer_n or_o in_o administration_n of_o the_o seal_n or_o in_o excommunicate_v or_o in_o reverse_v or_o nullify_n the_o censure_n inflict_v by_o the_o church_n for_o these_o be_v res_fw-la propria_fw-la to_o every_o particular_a church_n within_o itself_o yet_o because_o i_o study_v peace_n and_o consent_n with_o godly_a brethren_n so_o far_o as_o it_o may_v stand_v with_o truth_n i_o willing_o grant_v that_o other_o church_n and_o synod_n right_o gather_v and_o order_v have_v so_o much_o power_n and_o authority_n even_o in_o these_o matter_n as_o i_o can_v find_v any_o warrant_n for_o in_o scripture_n be_v willing_a also_o to_o yield_v further_o if_o it_o can_v be_v clear_v from_o scripture_n that_o more_o be_v due_a unto_o they_o there_o be_v two_o case_n wherein_o the_o res_fw-la propria_fw-la of_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v fall_v under_o the_o cognizance_n and_o determination_n of_o other_o church_n or_o synod_n 1._o when_o they_o want_v sufficient_a light_n or_o competent_a consent_n among_o themselves_o which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n provide_v that_o they_o have_v liberty_n to_o choose_v such_o a_o church_n or_o church_n for_o this_o purpose_n as_o themselves_o approve_v to_o be_v fit_a for_o attainment_n of_o their_o end_n in_o seek_v light_n as_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n agree_v to_o send_v to_o that_o at_o jerusalem_n though_o two_o hundred_o mile_n distant_a from_o they_o but_o if_o they_o have_v sufficient_a light_n within_o themselves_o and_o hold_v it_o forth_o convict_o from_o scripture_n the_o elder_n and_o principal_a member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o major_a part_n of_o the_o brethren_n by_o far_o consent_v therein_o no_o rule_n require_v or_o allow_v that_o for_o the_o wilfulness_n of_o a_o delinquent_n who_o will_v not_o hear_v the_o church_n or_o of_o two_o or_o three_o brethren_n who_o side_n with_o he_o and_o refuse_v to_o join_v with_o the_o church_n in_o censure_v he_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v hinder_v from_o proceed_v till_o other_o church_n or_o elder_n have_v be_v consult_v for_o if_o this_o be_v grant_v 1._o it_o will_v disturb_v all_o church-proceeding_n 2._o and_o if_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o a_o classis_fw-la it_o must_v issue_v there_o by_o the_o vote_n of_o the_o major_a part_n if_o as_o many_o elder_n in_o that_o assembly_n dissent_n as_o brethren_n do_v before_o in_o the_o church-meeting_n so_o that_o nothing_o be_v gain_v thereby_o and_o if_o the_o delinquent_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n appeal_v to_o a_o synod_n there_o may_v be_v the_o same_o issue_n and_o so_o appeal_n may_v be_v draw_v further_o till_o a_o delinquent_n wrest_v himself_o at_o last_o from_o all_o power_n of_o censure_n the_o second_o case_n be_v when_o that_o which_o be_v res_fw-la propria_fw-la in_o the_o thing_n do_v simple_o consider_v become_v res_fw-la communis_fw-la in_o the_o cause_n or_o ground_n of_o proceed_v for_o though_o receive_v of_o member_n election_n and_o ordination_n of_o officer_n and_o administration_n of_o seal_n and_o censure_n be_v act_n of_o the_o power_n give_v by_o christ_n to_o particular_a church_n yet_o it_o never_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n to_o establish_v by_o that_o grant_n a_o absolute_a power_n in_o such_o church_n to_o corrupt_v the_o faith_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o themselves_o and_o in_o other_o church_n if_o therefore_o a_o church_n that_o be_v plant_v a_o noble_a vine_n whole_o a_o a_o right_a seed_n shall_v turn_v into_o the_o degenerate_a plant_n of_o a_o strange_a vine_n unto_o god_n and_o become_v heretical_a or_o schismatical_a or_o scandalous_o corrupt_v and_o therefore_o receive_v into_o their_o fellowship_n know_v heretic_n and_o schismatic_n and_o choose_v such_o into_o office_n and_o refuse_v to_o admit_v into_o fellowship_n or_o office_n such_o as_o be_v sound_a in_o the_o faith_n because_o they_o be_v sound_a in_o the_o faith_n and_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o cast_v out_o from_o their_o fellowship_n such_o as_o testify_v according_a to_o rule_n against_o these_o evil_n and_o refuse_v to_o consent_v with_o they_o therein_o etc._n etc._n the_o neighbour_n church_n or_o church_n or_o elder_n and_o brethren_n assemble_v in_o a_o synod_n if_o the_o evil_n spread_v to_o the_o disturb_v corrupt_a or_o scandalize_a