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member_n be_v guilty_a of_o a_o sinful_a and_o dangerous_a schism_n and_o whilst_o he_o continue_v therein_o can_v have_v no_o roason_n to_o expect_v the_o blessing_n of_o those_o promise_n 3._o that_o there_o may_v be_v sometime_o a_o just_a cause_n of_o separation_n as_o when_o a_o church_n make_v the_o condition_n of_o her_o communion_n such_o as_o a_o man_n can_v communicate_v with_o she_o without_o sin_n and_o danger_n but_o in_o this_o case_n particular_a member_n ought_v to_o be_v mighty_a wary_a and_o cautious_a for_o it_o be_v not_o every_o dissatisfaction_n of_o their_o own_o or_o every_o irregularity_n of_o that_o church_n that_o will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a cause_n of_o separation_n unless_o the_o term_n of_o her_o communion_n be_v manifest_o and_o apparent_o sinful_a 4._o that_o the_o great_a end_n and_o design_n of_o excommunication_n be_v the_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n of_o the_o person_n excommunicate_v it_o do_v not_o therefore_o make_v void_a the_o promise_n 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his_o apostle_n and_o impose_v they_o as_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o all_o those_o of_o her_o communion_n qu._n 4._o or_o do_v it_o consist_v in_o the_o law_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n of_o christian_n so_o important_a and_o bind_a as_o that_o by_o the_o contempt_n thereof_o one_o must_v lose_v eternal_a happiness_n ans_fw-fr this_o query_n be_v very_o little_a different_a from_o the_o former_a and_o have_v i_o think_v receive_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n in_o the_o solution_n of_o that_o for_o by_o matter_n of_o morality_n there_o wherein_o i_o say_v the_o be_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v consist_v i_o mean_v moral_a and_o unchangeable_a truth_n which_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v and_o believe_v by_o all_o christian_n and_o moral_a action_n which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o and_o for_o our_o belief_n and_o performance_n of_o these_o thing_n we_o have_v such_o law_n and_o rule_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o be_v bind_v unto_o 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i_o willing_o grant_v and_o if_o this_o concession_n will_v do_v this_o enquirer_n any_o service_n much_o good_a may_v do_v he_o with_o it_o for_o if_o the_o see_v of_o the_o original_a write_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n or_o be_v present_a to_o hear_v they_o deliver_v those_o law_n and_o rule_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v they_o obligatory_a then_o ought_v we_o to_o have_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o write_v and_o preach_v the_o same_o thing_n over_o again_o not_o only_o in_o every_o age_n but_o in_o every_o year_n &_o every_o day_n of_o that_o year_n and_o in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n too_o but_o let_v we_o proceed_v and_o see_v what_o mighty_a use_n this_o enquirer_n will_v make_v of_o this_o wire_n draw_v this_o query_n qu._n 6._o whether_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n by_o his_o institution_n other_o person_n successive_o
in_o all_o age_n be_v in_o order_n choose_v and_o authorize_v as_o pastor_n and_o church_n magistrate_n to_o preserve_v teach_v and_o promulgate_v those_o bind_a rule_n to_o all_o nation_n ans_fw-fr that_o the_o bless_a jesus_n out_o of_o his_o abundant_a care_n and_o goodness_n for_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o that_o great_a work_n which_o he_o have_v begin_v for_o the_o promote_a of_o that_o holy_a religion_n which_o he_o have_v institute_v and_o the_o well_o order_v of_o that_o church_n which_o he_o have_v found_v do_v appoint_v certain_a order_n of_o man_n and_o endow_v they_o with_o gift_n which_o may_v qualify_v they_o for_o their_o several_a employment_n we_o do_v very_o believe_v for_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n first_o apostle_n secondary_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n after_o that_o miracle_n than_o gift_n of_o heal_a help_n government_n diversity_n of_o tongue_n 1_o cor._n 12.28_o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o say_v he_o give_v some_o apostle_n and_o some_o prophet_n and_o some_o evangelist_n and_o some_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n eph._n 4.11_o but_o that_o he_o ever_o institute_v any_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church-magistrate_n i_o never_o read_v yet_o if_o by_o his_o church-magistrate_n he_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o st._n paul_n do_v by_o government_n we_o shall_v not_o quarrel_v with_o he_o about_o the_o word_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o these_o officer_n to_o preserve_v those_o law_n and_o rule_n which_o he_o leave_v and_o to_o teach_v and_o promulgate_v they_o to_o all_o nation_n we_o ready_o grant_v but_o than_o what_o shall_v we_o think_v of_o those_o who_o either_o add_v thereto_o or_o diminish_v therefrom_o who_o either_o alter_v those_o bind_a law_n and_o rule_n or_o make_v new_a one_o of_o their_o own_o and_o impose_v they_o upon_o other_o as_o if_o they_o be_v of_o equal_a force_n and_o authority_n with_o those_o deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n i_o can_v easy_o give_v instance_n to_o show_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v guilty_a both_o way_n but_o i_o be_o not_o willing_a to_o transgress_v the_o method_n which_o the_o enquirer_n have_v propound_v by_o enter_v upon_o discourse_n of_o thing_n not_o demand_v qu._n 7._o be_v they_o clergyman_n or_o layman_n by_o who_o immediate_o they_o be_v choose_v and_o authorize_v in_o those_o high_a function_n ans_fw-fr we_o do_v very_o believe_v be_v well_o assure_v by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a christian_n and_o by_o the_o usage_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n that_o it_o only_o appertain_v to_o clergyman_n by_o the_o solemn_a imposition_n of_o hand_n to_o set_v apart_z other_o to_o those_o sacred_a function_n and_o that_o they_o have_v sufficient_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o authorise_v they_o to_o perform_v those_o holy_a office_n i_o never_o hear_v this_o deny_v by_o any_o of_o the_o reform_a religion_n and_o therefore_o this_o enquirer_n might_n if_o he_o have_v so_o please_v have_v spare_v this_o query_n qu._n 8._o be_v all_o christian_n in_o succeed_a age_n bind_v to_o believe_v what_o those_o succeed_a pastor_n or_o supreme_a church-magistrate_n teach_v they_o as_o bind_v law_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o the_o write_n by_o they_o collect_v preserve_v and_o deliver_v in_o a_o different_a language_n from_o the_o original_a be_v the_o true_a copy_n of_o original_a apostolic_a write_n and_o that_o the_o sentence_n interpretation_n and_o use_n thereof_o deliver_v by_o they_o in_o supreme_a council_n for_o unity_n and_o peace_n and_o to_o prevent_v schism_n and_o error_n be_v rule_n which_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o follow_v ans_fw-fr this_o query_n be_v a_o song_n of_o three_o part_n to_o answer_v all_o which_o direct_o i_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o take_v it_o in_o piece_n and_o consider_v the_o part_n several_o and_o though_o the_o answer_n thereunto_o will_v very_o well_o admit_v and_o do_v almost_o necessary_o require_v a_o long_a discourse_n yet_o i_o remember_v the_o enquirer_n have_v confine_v i_o to_o a_o method_n which_o i_o have_v promise_v to_o observe_v and_o therefore_o in_o my_o answer_n thereunto_o i_o shall_v be_v as_o short_a as_o possible_a without_o enter_v upon_o discourse_n of_o thing_n not_o demand_v qu._n 1._o be_v all_o christian_n in_o succeed_a age_n bind_v to_o believe_v what_o those_o succeed_a pastor_n or_o supreme_a church-magistrate_n teach_v they_o as_o bind_v law_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n ans_fw-fr whatever_o have_v be_v teach_v as_o a_o bind_a law_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n by_o all_o the_o pastor_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v for_o christ_n have_v promise_v to_o be_v with_o his_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n matt._n 28.20_o and_o to_o build_v it_o upon_o a_o rock_n so_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o matt._n 16.18_o and_o by_o his_o spirit_n of_o truth_n to_o guide_v it_o into_o all_o truth_n joh._n 16.13_o the_o universal_a church_n therefore_o be_v thus_o secure_v from_o error_n we_o have_v no_o apprehension_n of_o be_v deceive_v thereby_o but_o though_o we_o owe_v this_o deference_n to_o the_o one_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n and_o the_o unite_a body_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o governor_n thereof_o yet_o no_o particular_a church_n nor_o any_o particular_a pastor_n or_o governor_n thereof_o nor_o any_o number_n of_o they_o less_o than_o the_o whole_a have_v any_o reason_n to_o claim_v the_o same_o for_o whilst_o man_n be_v man_n they_o be_v and_o will_v be_v fallible_a and_o be_v so_o they_o may_v and_o oftentimes_o do_v err_v and_o though_o the_o whole_a body_n can_v yet_o any_o particular_a member_n may_v be_v deceive_v and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v not_o greedy_o to_o swallow_v all_o that_o be_v teach_v by_o they_o but_o to_o examine_v well_o what_o they_o teach_v before_o we_o give_v our_o assent_n thereunto_o otherwise_o we_o may_v easy_o be_v impose_v upon_o qu._n 2._o be_v all_o christian_n in_o succeed_a age_n bind_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o writing_n collect_v by_o those_o succeed_a pastor_n or_o supreme_a church-magistrate_n and_o by_o they_o preserve_v and_o deliver_v in_o a_o different_a language_n from_o the_o original_a be_v the_o true_a copy_n of_o original_a apostolic_a write_n ans_fw-fr that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v faithful_o collect_v and_o preserve_v by_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o copy_n hand_v down_o to_o we_o though_o in_o a_o language_n different_a from_o the_o original_a be_v true_a copy_n we_o do_v not_o at_o all_o doubt_n for_o we_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o universal_a church_n shall_v conspire_v together_o to_o impose_v a_o falsehood_n upon_o posterity_n but_o that_o these_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o believe_v not_o only_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n but_o for_o several_a other_o reason_n as_o this_o gent._n can_v but_o know_v if_o he_o have_v be_v conversant_a in_o our_o write_n which_o reason_n may_v here_o fit_o be_v produce_v if_o i_o be_v not_o confine_v by_o the_o enquirer_n to_o a_o short_a method_n and_o have_v promise_v to_o observe_v the_o same_o i_o shall_v therefore_o only_o add_v that_o if_o by_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v he_o mean_v that_o it_o be_v a_o bind_a law_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o for_o this_o reason_n we_o shall_v believe_v those_o copy_n to_o be_v true_a we_o deny_v it_o because_o we_o can_v find_v any_o such_o law_n deliver_v by_o they_o but_o if_o by_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v he_o only_o mean_v that_o consider_v by_o who_o they_o be_v hand_v to_o we_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o they_o we_o ready_o comply_v with_o he_o qu._n 3._o be_v all_o christian_n in_o succeed_a age_n bind_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o sentence_n interpretation_n and_o use_n of_o those_o write_n deliver_v by_o those_o pastor_n or_o supreme_a church-magistrate_n in_o supreme_a council_n for_o unity_n and_o peace_n and_o to_o prevent_v schism_n and_o error_n be_v rule_n which_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o follow_v ans_fw-fr what_o this_o enquirer_n mean_v by_o supreme_a church-magistrate_n and_o supreme_a council_n be_v somewhat_o hard_a to_o be_v understand_v for_o to_o constitute_v two_o supremes_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o body_n will_v make_v it_o look_v a_o little_a monstrous_a if_o by_o the_o council_n be_v supreme_a he_o mean_v that_o be_v above_o the_o supreme_a church-magistrate_n i._n e._n the_o pope_n for_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o that_o he_o intend_v he_o all_o along_o by_o that_o
sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o other_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o none_o have_v fail_v of_o their_o duty_n therein_o qu._n 12._o whether_o all_o that_o be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v not_o true_a according_a to_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n so_o deliver_v ans_fw-fr all_o that_o be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v undoubted_o true_a according_a to_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n thereof_o qu._n 13._o whether_o a_o obstinate_a contradiction_n of_o any_o one_o truth_n thus_o deliver_v in_o scripture_n though_o there_o appear_v no_o necessity_n it_o shall_v have_v be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v not_o injurious_a to_o that_o divine_a authority_n and_o veracity_n and_o which_o unrepented_a of_o shall_v bring_v damnation_n ans_fw-fr a_o obstinate_a contradiction_n of_o any_o one_o plain_a truth_n deliver_v in_o holy_a scripture_n be_v certain_o a_o very_a great_a injury_n to_o divine_a authority_n and_o veracity_n qu._n 14._o when_o difficulty_n do_v arise_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n or_o matter_n of_o faith_n whither_o the_o dicision_n of_o those_o controversy_n be_v carry_v and_o whether_o the_o present_a church_n of_o every_o age_n be_v not_o to_o decide_v it_o ans_fw-fr it_o be_v undoubted_o the_o practice_n and_o be_v most_o rational_a that_o the_o present_a church_n in_o every_o age_n shall_v decide_v such_o controversy_n for_o the_o priest_n lip_n shall_v preserve_v knowledge_n and_o they_o shall_v inquire_v the_o law_n at_o his_o mouth_n and_o no_o question_n the_o church_n have_v authority_n to_o declare_v matter_n of_o faith_n but_o not_o to_o make_v any_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n qu._n 15._o whether_o every_o particular_a person_n be_v to_o have_v a_o authoritative_a power_n in_o this_o decision_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o universal_o leave_v to_o the_o head_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n assemble_v together_o ans_fw-fr every_o particular_a person_n have_v undoubted_o a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n allow_v he_o in_o matter_n of_o that_o nature_n but_o the_o authoritative_a power_n of_o decide_v and_o determine_v be_v in_o the_o head_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n assemble_v together_o for_o that_o end_n qu._n 16._o whether_o such_o a_o force_n of_o hope_n or_o fear_n can_v possible_o happen_v at_o once_o upon_o all_o the_o head_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n assemble_v together_o or_o after_o consent_v to_o those_o that_o be_v assemble_v as_o shall_v make_v they_o declare_v that_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n reveal_v by_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o so_o deliver_v to_o they_o to_o have_v be_v the_o ever_o esteem_a sense_n of_o scripture_n or_o perpetual_a tradition_n which_o be_v not_o so_o ans_fw-fr whilst_o man_n be_v man_n they_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o hope_n and_o fear_n and_o subject_a to_o the_o power_n and_o force_v of_o they_o if_o therefore_o we_o consider_v the_o head_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n as_o such_o we_o can_v allow_v they_o a_o exemption_n therefrom_o and_o consequent_o there_o may_v be_v no_o impossibility_n in_o the_o thing_n propound_v we_o grant_v that_o in_o a_o general_n council_n lawful_o assemble_v we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o hope_v for_o the_o presence_n direction_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n â—…t_v how_o far_o the_o passion_n and_o humour_n of_o man_n may_v frustrate_v our_o hope_n we_o know_v not_o this_o we_o certain_o know_v that_o the_o act_n of_o one_o council_n have_v be_v make_v void_a by_o another_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o one_o of_o they_o do_v declare_v something_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n reveal_v by_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o so_o deliver_v unto_o they_o qu._n 17._o whether_o the_o decision_n of_o such_o assembly_n or_o general_a council_n be_v not_o always_o esteem_v obligatory_a in_o the_o church_n and_o whether_o particular_a person_n or_o church_n obstinate_o gainsay_v such_o decision_n receive_v by_o a_o much_o major_a part_n of_o the_o church_n diffuse_v be_v not_o always_o esteem_v to_o have_v incur_v those_o anathema_n pronounce_v by_o such_o council_n ans_fw-fr if_o those_o assembly_n or_o council_n be_v true_o general_a we_o do_v very_o much_o reverence_v their_o authority_n and_o think_v their_o decision_n to_o be_v obligatory_a but_o we_o do_v not_o think_v all_o to_o be_v such_o that_o be_v call_v so_o as_o for_o instance_n the_o council_n of_o trent_n be_v by_o some_o sort_n of_o man_n look_v upon_o as_o a_o general_a council_n and_o all_o their_o religion_n almost_o build_v upon_o the_o authority_n thereof_o and_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o england_n never_o receive_v the_o decision_n of_o that_o council_n nor_o do_v the_o galican_n church_n for_o many_o year_n and_o yet_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o do_v for_o all_o that_o esteem_v themselves_o to_o have_v incur_v the_o anathema_n pronounce_v by_o that_o council_n qu._n 18._o whether_o the_o universal_a church_n do_v not_o in_o all_o age_n practice_n this_o way_n of_o decide_v controversy_n and_o whether_o these_o be_v not_o as_o universal_a a_o tradition_n of_o this_o as_o the_o practice_n be_v universal_a without_o interruption_n ans_fw-fr universal_a practice_n will_v amount_v to_o a_o universal_a tradition_n and_o that_o this_o have_v be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a weight_n we_o deny_v not_o nor_o shall_v we_o oppose_v the_o same_o course_n now_o provide_v the_o council_n be_v free_a and_o general_a but_o the_o enquirer_n go_v on_o some_o will_v perhaps_o say_v that_o such_o council_n can_v err_v in_o fundamental_o but_o may_v in_o not_o fundamental_o i_o ask_v these_o qu._n what_o be_v fundamental_o and_o what_o not_o ans_fw-fr those_o thing_n which_o be_v essential_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o religion_n may_v proper_o be_v call_v fundamental_a but_o those_o thing_n which_o only_o respect_v order_n and_o decency_n therein_o and_o vary_v according_a to_o time_n and_o place_n and_o be_v alterable_a by_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o see_v cause_v these_o be_v not_o fundamental_a qu._n whether_o there_o be_v not_o some_o thing_n fundamental_o to_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o to_o every_o particular_a ans_fw-fr there_o may_v be_v some_o thing_n fundamental_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n which_o be_v not_o so_o to_o every_o particular_a member_n of_o that_o church_n but_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v â—…ndamental_a to_o the_o be_v of_o religion_n be_v equal_o so_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o every_o member_n thereof_o qu._n whether_o a_o obstinate_a denial_n of_o what_o be_v fundamental_a or_o necessary_a to_o the_o universal_a church_n or_o grant_v as_o i_o may_v say_v upon_o what_o be_v fundamental_a by_o a_o particular_a person_n be_v not_o in_o time_n a_o fundamental_a error_n especial_o after_o a_o universal_a declaration_n of_o it_o as_o truth_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n ans_fw-fr this_o query_n as_o it_o be_v here_o word_a be_v hardly_o reconcileable_a to_o sense_n but_o i_o suppose_v his_o meaning_n be_v whether_o for_o any_o particular_a person_n obstinate_o to_o deny_v what_o be_v fundamental_a or_o necessary_a to_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o declare_v to_o be_v a_o truth_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v not_o a_o fundamental_a error_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o every_o particular_a christian_n ought_v with_o all_o deference_n to_o submit_v his_o own_o private_a judgement_n to_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o church_n and_o though_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v so_o plain_a to_o he_o yet_o he_o ought_v rather_o to_o suspect_v his_o own_o than_o that_o of_o the_o church_n but_o if_o in_o some_o thing_n he_o can_v be_v satisfy_v and_o therein_o happen_v to_o differ_v from_o the_o church_n provide_v he_o do_v not_o thereby_o break_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n it_o will_v hardly_o amount_v to_o a_o fundamental_a error_n but_o what_o if_o it_o be_v declare_v by_o the_o church_n to_o be_v a_o truth_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n will_v not_o that_o make_v it_o so_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o no_o declaration_n of_o the_o church_n how_o universal_a soever_o it_o be_v can_v make_v that_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o real_o be_v not_o so_o and_o therefore_o in_o that_o case_n we_o must_v have_v recourse_n to_o their_o write_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o either_o in_o express_a word_n contain_v therein_o or_o by_o sound_a consequence_n draw_v therefrom_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o comply_v with_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o a_o fundamental_a error_n to_o differ_v therein_o qu._n whether_o the_o universal_a church_n assemble_v in_o a_o general_n council_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v just_o esteem_v the_o decider_n of_o what_o be_v fundamental_a and_o what_o