Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
authority_n	apostle_n	church_n	divine_a	2,865	5	6.3937	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A86352	A breif [sic] enquiry into the ground, authority, and rights, of ecclesiastical synods; upon the principles of Scripture and right reason occasion'd by a late book, intitul'd, Municipium ecclesiasticum: &c.	Hill, Samuel, 1648-1716.; Hill, Samuel, 1648-1716. Municipium ecclesiasticum, or, The rights, liberties, and authorities of the Christian church.	1699 (1699)	Wing H2005B; ESTC R178160	16,608	46

they_o just_o claim_v or_o exercise_v this_o authority_n but_o only_o in_o such_o a_o measure_n or_o degreé_n as_o it_o be_v actual_o communicate_v to_o they_o which_o be_v premise_v and_o the_o truth_n thereof_o i_o take_v to_o be_v so_o evident_a as_o neither_o to_o need_v nor_o be_v capable_a of_o any_o proof_n i_o shall_v from_o thence_o draw_v some_o very_a plain_a corollary_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o two_o question_n but_o just_a now_o propose_v 18._o and_o first_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v in_o what_o thing_n may_v a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n have_v authority_n from_o the_o proposition_n now_o lay_v down_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n can_v possible_o be_v so_o great_a as_o to_o make_v that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v false_a become_v true_a or_o that_o to_o become_v lawful_a which_o be_v against_o god_n law_n for_o this_o will_v be_v to_o alter_v the_o very_a nature_n of_o thing_n or_o law_n of_o god_n which_o power_n be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n nor_o in_o all_o mankind_n take_v together_o nor_o yet_o second_o can_v they_o have_v any_o authority_n to_o make_v that_o a_o part_n of_o religion_n which_o almighty_a god_n have_v not_o alread_o make_v so_o for_o although_o the_o modes_n and_o circumstance_n of_o worship_n and_o religion_n may_v be_v settle_v and_o determine_v by_o the_o church_n yet_o to_o make_v any_o thing_n become_v a_o part_n of_o religion_n that_o be_v to_o say_v essential_a to_o it_o and_o thereby_o immutable_o and_o perpetual_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v a_o prerogative_n that_o belong_v to_o god_n alone_o but_o three_o in_o doubt_n or_o controversy_n concern_v matter_n of_o faith_n or_o point_n of_o doctrine_n a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n may_v have_v power_n to_o consult_v and_o debate_v the_o thing_n in_o dispute_n and_o to_o declare_v their_o sense_n and_o opinion_n concern_v they_o for_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o may_v lawful_o be_v do_v not_o only_o by_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o even_o by_o any_o prudential_a assembly_n of_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n which_o forbid_v or_o any_o way_n hinder_v they_o so_o to_o do_v but_o four_o when_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n have_v thus_o determine_v any_o point_n of_o faith_n or_o doctrine_n their_o authority_n can_v extend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o oblige_v any_o man_n either_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o have_v so_o determine_v if_o it_o be_v against_o his_o persuasion_n or_o to_o profess_v it_o if_o he_o do_v not_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v impossible_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o late_a unlawful_a as_o be_v forbid_v by_o god_n and_o therefore_o both_o of_o they_o exclude_v by_o the_o first_o of_o those_o corollary_n which_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o in_o this_o present_a section_n five_o but_o if_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n shall_v determine_v any_o thing_n in_o favour_n of_o a_o error_n and_o even_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n yet_o if_o the_o error_n be_v a_o innocent_a one_o that_o be_v to_o say_v contain_v nothing_o which_o be_v any_o way_n contrary_a either_o to_o the_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o a_o good_a life_n although_o a_o man_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v or_o profess_v such_o a_o error_n contrary_a to_o the_o conviction_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n yet_o still_o he_o may_v be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o be_v quiet_a and_o not_o to_o give_v any_o public_a opposition_n to_o such_o a_o determination_n for_o fear_n of_o disturb_v the_o peace_n or_o break_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n thereby_o for_o although_o every_o christian_a be_v require_v according_a to_o his_o ability_n earnest_o to_o contend_v for_o that_o faith_n i._n e._n that_o religion_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n yet_o for_o such_o truth_n as_o have_v no_o necessary_a influence_n either_o upon_o faith_n or_o practice_n we_o be_v not_o where_o command_v to_o contend_v and_o if_o we_o can_v stand_v up_o for_o such_o a_o truth_n without_o the_o hazard_n of_o confusion_n or_o disturbance_n in_o the_o church_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v quiet_a and_o permit_v other_o man_n to_o abound_v in_o their_o own_o sense_n until_o such_o time_n as_o god_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o bring_v their_o understanding_n to_o a_o better_a disposition_n and_o not_o to_o sacrifice_v peace_n and_o unity_n which_o the_o law_n of_o god_n require_v we_o careful_o to_o maintain_v unto_o such_o a_o truth_n as_o we_o be_v not_o command_v to_o teach_v to_o other_o or_o zealous_o ourselves_o to_o contend_v for_o and_o last_o if_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n due_o empower_v shall_v make_v any_o decree_n to_o determine_v our_o practice_n in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v indifferent_a in_o itself_o and_o no_o way_n determine_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n from_o thence_o i_o do_v conceive_v will_v arise_v a_o undoubted_a obligation_n to_o obedience_n and_o conformity_n to_o be_v pay_v unto_o such_o a_o decree_n which_o be_v so_o make_v for_o if_o the_o church_n by_o a_o voluntary_a agreement_n may_v lawful_o lay_v a_o restraint_n upon_o themselves_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v indifferent_a which_o no_o man_n i_o presume_v will_v doubt_v what_o can_v hinder_v but_o that_o they_o may_v give_v a_o power_n unto_o a_o synod_n to_o lay_v the_o like_a restraint_n upon_o they_o for_o whatever_o obligation_n people_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n may_v lawful_o lay_v themselves_o under_o the_o very_a same_o obligation_n to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n may_v certain_o be_v lay_v upon_o they_o by_o their_o representative_n due_o choose_v and_o authorize_v 19_o second_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v over_o what_o person_n may_v a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n have_v authority_n from_o that_o fundamental_a proposition_n which_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o §_o 17._o together_o with_o the_o three_o proposition_n which_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o §_o 15._o these_o follow_a conollary_n will_v evident_o arise_v which_o will_v make_v up_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o it_o viz._n first_o that_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n can_v have_v no_o more_o authority_n than_o what_o be_v vest_v in_o the_o body_n of_o that_o church_n by_o which_o they_o be_v empower_v to_o sit_v and_o act._n for_o the_o church_n can_v give_v no_o more_o authority_n than_o what_o it_o first_o have_v in_o itself_o nor_o can_v a_o synod_n which_o be_v but_o a_o part_n of_o the_o church_n have_v any_o great_a power_n than_o what_o the_o whole_a be_v original_o endow_v with_o second_o but_o whatsoever_o authority_n be_v lawful_o vest_v in_o the_o collective_a body_n of_o the_o church_n the_o same_o may_v by_o they_o be_v delegated_a to_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n for_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n which_o shall_v hinder_v such_o a_o delegation_n as_o this_o and_o where_o a_o society_n be_v very_o numerous_a as_o the_o church_n be_v it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a for_o it_o to_o exert_v and_o exercise_v that_o power_n and_o authority_n which_o be_v original_o diffuse_v throughout_o the_o whole_a body_n otherwise_o than_o by_o appoint_v and_o delegate_a their_o representative_n to_o do_v it_o for_o they_o as_o the_o legislative_a power_n which_o in_o a_o commonwealth_n be_v original_o found_v in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n can_v never_o be_v bring_v to_o any_o useful_a effect_n if_o there_o be_v not_o appoint_v parliament_n or_o assembly_n of_o the_o estate_n on_o purpose_n to_o represent_v and_o act_n for_o they_o three_o therefore_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o a_o ecumenical_a synod_n may_v have_v authority_n over_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o a_o national_a provincial_a or_o diocesan_n one_o can_v extend_v its_o authority_n no_o far_o than_o the_o people_n province_n or_o diocese_n for_o and_o from_o which_o it_o be_v appoint_v and_o choose_v because_o one_o such_o limit_a or_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o vest_v with_o any_o power_n or_o superiority_n over_o another_o and_o four_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o synod_n be_v great_a or_o less_o according_a as_o it_o be_v give_v they_o by_o the_o church_n which_o choose_v and_o appoint_v they_o provide_v that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o communicate_v great_a power_n to_o they_o than_o what_o be_v original_o vest_v in_o its_o self_n 20._o to_o conclude_v this_o point_n as_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o derive_v their_o succession_n down_o from_o the_o apostle_n have_v thereby_o a_o divine_a authority_n communicate_v to_o they_o to_o perform_v their_o respective_a office_n and_o to_o teach_v and_o govern_v their_o respective_a flock_n according_a to_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v by_o god_n law_n from_o which_o no_o variation_n must_v upon_o any_o account_n be_v allow_v of_o or_o admit_v so_o be_v

not_o from_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o that_o general_a design_n which_o he_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o more_o full_o by_o revelation_n have_v make_v know_v unto_o we_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o forbid_v they_o not_o but_o leave_v they_o at_o their_o own_o liberty_n to_o form_v themselves_o into_o such_o civil_a community_n and_o to_o erect_v such_o form_n and_o scheme_n of_o government_n among_o themselves_o as_o they_o in_o their_o own_o prudence_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o agree_v upon_o in_o like_a manner_n that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o society_n institute_v by_o christ_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n that_o he_o have_v give_v divers_a law_n and_o direction_n to_o this_o society_n and_o that_o for_o the_o better_a observe_v and_o enforce_v of_o these_o direction_n and_o law_n order_n and_o government_n be_v necessary_a in_o the_o church_n be_v thing_n by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v deny_v or_o gainsay_v but_o that_o god_n have_v lay_v down_o any_o complete_a and_o exact_a model_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n either_o for_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o general_a or_o for_o the_o part_n of_o it_o as_o nation_n or_o kingdom_n in_o particular_a be_v what_o i_o can_v no_o where_n find_v but_o shall_v be_v very_o glad_a if_o it_o be_v real_o so_o to_o see_v such_o clear_a and_o evident_a proof_n thereof_o as_o may_v safe_o be_v rely_v on_o although_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v grant_v that_o all_o christian_n in_o general_a and_o in_o particular_a the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v under_o a_o obligation_n as_o they_o have_v opportunity_n and_o as_o occasion_n shall_v call_v upon_o they_o to_o deliberate_v and_o consult_v about_o such_o thing_n as_o may_v most_o conduce_v to_o the_o promote_a of_o the_o great_a end_n and_o design_n of_o christianity_n and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o to_o have_v such_o meeting_n as_o they_o apprehend_v may_v be_v most_o serviceable_a to_o this_o purpose_n to_o which_o therefore_o every_o good_a christian_n ought_v for_o his_o part_n to_o consent_v and_o as_o much_o as_o lie_v in_o he_o to_o concur_v yet_o how_o any_o certain_a form_n or_o prescript_n of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n either_o general_n national_a provincial_a or_o diocesan_n due_o invest_v with_o authority_n can_v from_o hence_o be_v infer_v without_o any_o far_a human_a appointment_n i_o can_v in_o the_o least_o imagine_v and_o however_o a_o man_n may_v put_v a_o specious_a and_o plausible_a gloss_n upon_o the_o matter_n yet_o to_o affirm_v that_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n without_o assign_v any_o law_n or_o command_n of_o god_n either_o immediate_o or_o else_o by_o good_a consequence_n to_o make_v good_a those_o particular_n that_o i_o have_v but_o now_o deny_v §_o 5._o must_v i_o think_v upon_o a_o through_o examination_n be_v find_v most_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a 8._o but_o it_o may_v be_v it_o will_v be_v far_o object_v that_o it_o be_v beyond_o dispute_n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v hold_v ecclesiastical_a synod_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v well_o presume_v that_o there_o be_v a_o command_n for_o this_o although_o we_o do_v not_o find_v it_o record_v express_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o i_o do_v indeed_o allow_v that_o the_o apostle_n with_o some_o other_o do_v sometime_o meet_v together_o for_o the_o determine_n and_o settle_v of_o some_o thing_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n and_o benefit_n of_o religion_n act._n 1.15_o and_o 6.2_o and_o 15.6_o and_o therefore_o i_o will_v not_o say_v but_o that_o they_o do_v or_o may_v have_v hold_v ecclesiastical_a synod_n but_o why_o must_v we_o suppose_v that_o they_o have_v a_o particular_a command_n from_o god_n for_o the_o do_v of_o that_o which_o common_a prudence_n and_o natural_a reason_n must_v needs_o suggest_v to_o all_o sober_a man_n in_o the_o like_a circumstance_n or_o if_o they_o have_v any_o special_a command_n from_o god_n for_o the_o hold_v any_o of_o those_o meeting_n which_o yet_o be_v more_o than_o we_o can_v tell_v i_o can_v see_v how_o such_o a_o unrecord_v and_o unknown_a command_n can_v ever_o be_v reckon_v as_o a_o stand_n and_o perpetual_a rule_n to_o the_o church_n 9_o second_o although_o there_o be_v no_o manner_n of_o divine_a institution_n proper_o speak_v yet_o i_o free_o allow_v that_o in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n there_o be_v a_o very_a good_a prudential_a foundation_n for_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o such_o thing_n be_v suggest_v unto_o we_o partly_o by_o god_n law_n and_o partly_o by_o natural_a reason_n as_o must_v needs_o convince_v every_o sober_a and_o think_v man_n that_o it_o be_v high_o convenient_a that_o upon_o some_o occasion_n ecclesiastical_a synod_n shall_v be_v convene_v and_o hold_v for_o as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n oblige_v every_o man_n to_o do_v as_o much_o good_a as_o he_o be_v able_a in_o his_o place_n and_o station_n and_o to_o promote_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o all_o man_n as_o far_o as_o he_o have_v or_o can_v procure_v opportunity_n for_o so_o do_v so_o do_v our_o own_o reason_n sufficient_o assure_v we_o that_o these_o thing_n may_v upon_o many_o occasion_n be_v expedit_v and_o set_v forward_o and_o free_a from_o such_o obstruction_n and_o impediment_n as_o too_o often_o do_v arise_v much_o better_a by_o the_o joint_n and_o unanimous_a endeavour_n of_o many_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n concur_v together_o than_o by_o the_o distinct_a and_o separate_a labour_n of_o each_o of_o those_o man_n several_o and_o apart_o as_o also_o that_o no_o man_n ordinary_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v more_o fit_a to_o handle_v judge_n and_o determine_v whatever_o relate_v to_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n than_o they_o who_o have_v make_v these_o very_a thing_n their_o chief_a care_n and_o business_n that_o be_v to_o say_v than_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n whenever_o therefore_o any_o doubt_n or_o difficulty_n arise_v about_o any_o thing_n wherein_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n be_v concern_v which_o can_v more_o ready_o or_o easy_o be_v assoil_v and_o remove_v nothing_o i_o think_v can_v be_v more_o proper_a and_o rational_a than_o that_o a_o convenient_a number_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v assemble_v together_o in_o order_n to_o consult_v and_o declare_v their_o sense_n and_o judgement_n in_o the_o case_n and_o because_o such_o assembly_n will_v signify_v little_a or_o nothing_o if_o every_o man_n be_v still_o leave_v at_o his_o liberty_n either_o to_o give_v or_o refuse_v submission_n to_o their_o determination_n it_o be_v therefore_o very_o proper_a that_o all_o those_o man_n for_o who_o sake_n and_o upon_o who_o account_n the_o assembly_n meet_v shall_v be_v under_o some_o obligation_n to_o acquiesce_v in_o and_o be_v obedient_a unto_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v there_o conclude_v upon_o and_o decree_v the_o ground_n and_o extent_n of_o which_o obligation_n shall_v be_v inquire_v into_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o fair_a and_o rational_a account_n of_o and_o foundation_n for_o the_o assemble_v and_o hold_v of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n but_o by_o no_o mean_n to_o denominate_v they_o of_o divine_a institution_n any_o more_o than_o parliament_n or_o any_o other_o assembly_n which_o be_v hold_v for_o the_o promote_a of_o the_o temporal_a welfare_n and_o happiness_n of_o man_n to_o the_o forward_v of_o which_o every_o man_n be_v as_o real_o though_o perhaps_o not_o as_o high_o oblige_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n as_o he_o be_v to_o advance_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n or_o promote_v the_o salvation_n of_o other_o 10._o three_o although_o i_o will_v not_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o determine_v whether_o the_o apostle_n have_v any_o immediate_a command_n from_o god_n for_o the_o hold_n of_o any_o of_o those_o assembly_n or_o synod_n as_o some_o will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v of_o which_o we_o but_o just_a now_o be_v speak_v §_o 8._o which_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v they_o may_v or_o whether_o therein_o they_o follow_v only_o the_o dictate_v of_o common_a prudence_n which_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v judge_v be_v altogether_o as_o probable_a as_o the_o other_o yet_o until_o i_o shall_v see_v some_o better_a reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a i_o can_v but_o think_v that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n downward_o all_o the_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n that_o ever_o have_v be_v hold_v in_o the_o church_n have_v be_v pure_o and_o altogether_o of_o human_a institution_n although_o as_o i_o have_v say_v in_o the_o precede_a section_n there_o may_v have_v be_v a_o prudential_a foundation_n for_o they_o in_o the_o

law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n as_o indeed_o there_o be_v for_o parliament_n or_o such_o sort_n of_o assembly_n in_o the_o state_n as_o well_o as_o for_o synod_n in_o the_o church_n for_o if_o no_o other_o rule_n or_o law_n can_v be_v find_v except_v only_o first_o the_o voluntary_a agreement_n of_o the_o church_n itself_o and_o afterward_o the_o law_n of_o civil_a state_n when_o they_o become_v christian_n either_o first_o for_o the_o call_n of_o any_o such_o assembly_n at_o all_o or_o the_o appoint_v of_o time_n or_o place_n for_o their_o meeting_n or_o second_o for_o prescribe_v and_o determine_v who_o and_o what_o person_n shall_v compose_v they_o or_o three_o for_o the_o empower_a they_o to_o act_n or_o oblige_v other_o to_o submit_v to_o they_o then_o it_o must_v follow_v that_o they_o be_v pure_o and_o altogether_o of_o human_a institution_n according_a to_o what_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o §_o 4._o but_o no_o other_o law_n or_o rule_n for_o any_o of_o these_o thing_n do_v ever_o yet_o appear_v to_o i_o upon_o the_o most_o impartial_a search_n that_o i_o have_v be_v able_a to_o make_v and_o therefore_o i_o can_v judge_v they_o to_o be_v of_o any_o other_o institution_n than_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v and_o let_v thus_o much_o suffice_v for_o the_o first_o enquiry_n 11._o as_o to_o the_o second_o enquiry_n viz._n what_o right_a ecclesiastical_a synod_n have_v to_o meet_v and_o act_n antecedent_n to_o the_o law_n of_o each_o kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n by_o a_o right_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n i_o understand_v not_o only_o a_o natural_a but_o such_o a_o moral_a power_n of_o perform_v such_o a_o action_n as_o that_o it_o will_v be_v unlawful_a for_o another_o man_n to_o hinder_v or_o obstruct_v the_o same_o thus_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a to_o make_v use_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v honest_o get_v for_o the_o preserve_n and_o sustain_v of_o his_o own_o life_n and_o also_o to_o worship_n god_n according_a as_o he_o have_v appoint_v in_o order_n to_o his_o own_o salvation_n nor_o can_v it_o at_o least_o ordinary_o be_v lawful_a for_o any_o man_n to_o debar_v or_o prohibit_v another_o in_o or_o from_o the_o do_n of_o either_o of_o these_o thing_n let_v we_o then_o but_o set_v ourselves_o to_o inquire_v how_o far_o and_o in_o what_o case_n it_o may_v be_v either_o lawful_a or_o unlawful_a for_o any_o person_n to_o hinder_v a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n from_o act_v or_o meet_v and_o this_o will_v lead_v we_o to_o a_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o their_o right_n to_o meet_v and_o act_n together_o with_o the_o just_a extent_n and_o measure_n of_o it_o 12._o in_o the_o first_o place_n then_o where_o any_o person_n meet_v together_o in_o order_n to_o do_v good_a and_o it_o also_o sufficient_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o probability_n of_o any_o evil_a consequence_n of_o their_o meeting_n such_o a_o assembly_n as_o this_o ought_v not_o upon_o any_o account_n or_o by_o any_o one_o either_o to_o be_v prohibit_v or_o disturb_v for_o as_o every_o man_n be_v under_o a_o obligation_n himself_o to_o do_v all_o the_o good_a which_o he_o have_v a_o opportunity_n for_o so_o ought_v he_o not_o by_o parity_n of_o reason_n to_o be_v any_o hindrance_n to_o any_o other_o man_n in_o their_o do_v whatever_o good_a may_v lie_v in_o their_o power_n 13._o but_o second_o wherever_o there_o be_v a_o just_a and_o well_o ground_a suspicion_n that_o such_o a_o meeting_n or_o assembly_n will_v prove_v in_o the_o end_n to_o be_v of_o evil_a consequence_n however_o well_o it_o may_v perhaps_o by_o some_o be_v design_v as_o far_o as_o any_o person_n or_o person_n lie_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o prevent_v the_o evil_a that_o be_v so_o just_o beforehand_o suspect_v so_o far_o be_v they_o oblige_v to_o hinder_v as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v the_o convening_n of_o such_o a_o assembly_n i_o mean_v upon_o a_o supposition_n that_o the_o evil_a consequence_n be_v not_o by_o any_o other_o way_n to_o be_v avoid_v this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v as_o plain_a as_o any_o thing_n almost_o can_v be_v and_o therefore_o if_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o understanding_n foresee_v and_o believe_v that_o the_o meeting_n of_o any_o assembly_n although_o upon_o the_o design_n and_o business_n of_o religion_n will_v probable_o create_v feud_n and_o animosity_n among_o the_o people_n or_o keep_v up_o and_o heighten_v those_o which_o be_v already_o raise_v which_o in_o the_o end_n may_v tend_v to_o faction_n or_o division_n in_o the_o church_n or_o state_n as_o he_o be_v oblige_v by_o the_o trust_v repose_v in_o he_o to_o preserve_v and_o maintain_v peace_n and_o quietness_n and_o good_a order_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n so_o will_v it_o consequent_o be_v his_o duty_n as_o far_o as_o he_o be_v invest_v with_o lawful_a power_n for_o it_o to_o prevent_v and_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o any_o such_o meeting_n 14._o three_o although_o any_o number_n and_o of_o any_o man_n whatsoever_o may_v lawful_o assemble_v together_o whensoever_o it_o be_v for_o a_o good_a end_n and_o no_o evil_a consequence_n of_o such_o a_o meeting_n be_v foresee_v or_o just_o to_o be_v suspect_v yet_o even_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n have_v no_o right_a to_o meet_v together_o as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o can_v have_v no_o authority_n so_o to_o transact_v matter_n as_o to_o lay_v a_o obligation_n upon_o other_o §_o 1._o except_o they_o have_v a_o lawful_a power_n and_o commission_n for_o their_o so_o do_v for_o whosoever_o in_o any_o case_n act_n without_o a_o sufficient_a commission_n may_v undoubted_o be_v oppose_v by_o every_o man_n who_o be_v any_o way_n concern_v in_o the_o matter_n and_o may_v just_o be_v obstruct_v and_o hinder_v in_o their_o proceed_n by_o those_o who_o have_v lawful_a authority_n over_o they_o 15._o here_o then_o for_o the_o full_a and_o final_a determination_n of_o this_o second_o enquiry_n let_v this_o question_n be_v propose_v viz._n from_o whence_o do_v a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n derive_v its_o power_n and_o authority_n to_o sit_v and_o act_n as_o a_o synod_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o take_v it_o first_o to_o be_v very_o plain_a from_o what_o i_o have_v say_v §_o 5._o that_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n do_v not_o derive_v their_o power_n and_o authority_n immediate_o from_o god_n for_o if_o they_o do_v they_o must_v be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o second_o as_o for_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n our_o very_a enquiry_n suppose_v he_o as_o yet_o to_o have_v no_o hand_n in_o the_o matter_n three_o than_o it_o must_v remain_v that_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n do_v immediate_o derive_v their_o power_n and_o authority_n antecedent_o to_o the_o civil_a law_n only_o from_o the_o church_n its_o self_n immediate_o i_o say_v for_o that_o all_o lawful_a power_n and_o authority_n whatsoever_o be_v mediate_o and_o ultimate_o derive_v from_o god_n i_o free_o grant_v for_o neither_o can_v we_o find_v any_o other_o person_n from_o who_o immediate_o to_o fetch_v the_o power_n of_o such_o synod_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o power_n which_o god_n have_v give_v to_o all_o man_n over_o themselves_o the_o church_n may_v in_o some_o case_n invest_v a_o synod_n with_o a_o authority_n over_o its_o self_n as_o well_o as_o the_o people_n in_o their_o civil_a capacity_n may_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o a_o parliament_n 16._o the_o sum_n than_o be_v this_o that_o as_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n be_v of_o human_a institution_n so_o antecedent_o to_o the_o civil_a law_n their_o power_n and_o authority_n be_v immediate_o derive_v only_o from_o the_o church_n as_o the_o power_n of_o a_o parliament_n be_v from_o the_o people_n in_o their_o civil_a capacity_n and_o whenever_o a_o synod_n be_v due_o appoint_v by_o the_o church_n it_o have_v a_o right_a to_o sit_v and_o act_n nor_o ought_v it_o to_o be_v therein_o hinder_v or_o obstruct_v by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n except_o he_o have_v just_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o some_o ill_a consequence_n will_v unavoidable_o follow_v from_o their_o sit_v and_o act_v which_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o prevent_v and_o let_v this_o suffice_v for_o the_o second_o enquiry_n 17._o the_o three_o enquiry_n contain_v two_o distinct_a question_n viz._n first_o in_o what_o thing_n and_o second_o over_o what_o person_n may_v a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n have_v authority_n but_o still_o antecedent_n to_o the_o civil_a law_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v lay_v this_o down_o as_o a_o fundamental_a proposition_n viz._n that_o as_o no_o assembly_n can_v have_v great_a authority_n than_o what_o be_v original_o lodge_v in_o those_o person_n by_o who_o they_o be_v appoint_v and_o empower_v so_o neither_o can_v