and_o true_o prove_v that_o no_o circumcise_a person_n be_v ever_o before_o christ_n day_n prohibit_v those_o ceremony_n and_o sacrament_n which_o god_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n have_v ordain_v among_o they_o upon_o any_o delinquency_n in_o moral_n or_o piety_n of_o life_n nay_o i_o have_v withal_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o one_o whosoever_o to_o forbid_v they_o and_o i_o have_v by_o pregnant_a testimony_n from_o scripture_n and_o reason_n make_v it_o out_o that_o neither_o christ_n nor_o his_o apostle_n teach_v or_o act_v contrary_a beside_o i_o think_v i_o have_v demonstrate_v that_o what_o our_o adversary_n offer_v on_o their_o own_o behalf_n can_v maintain_v the_o opinion_n they_o will_v build_v on_o it_o so_o that_o now_o i_o see_v not_o any_o far_a rub_n nothing_o that_o can_v shock_v this_o conclusion_n that_o that_o excommunication_n which_o shut_v out_o christian_n from_o the_o sacrament_n for_o pure_a immorality_n and_o the_o viciousness_n of_o their_o life_n be_v never_o ordain_v by_o god_n but_o be_v a_o figment_n and_o invention_n of_o man_n for_o so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o derive_v its_o original_n from_o scripture_n that_o the_o invention_n and_o trick_n of_o it_o be_v rather_o declaim_v against_o and_o condemn_v there_o lxix_o if_o any_o yet_o reply_n that_o at_o this_o rate_n we_o bespatter_v we_o condemn_v whole_a shoal_n of_o pious_a bishop_n who_o quick_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n begin_v this_o excommunicate_a sinner_n i_o must_v tell_v they_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o speak_v against_o a_o opinion_n and_o another_o against_o the_o assertor_n or_o author_n of_o it_o many_o in_o our_o age_n of_o no_o less_o piety_n than_o learning_n have_v examine_v have_v sift_v and_o confute_v sundry_a ancient_a and_o as_o i_o may_v say_v catholic_n error_n error_n that_o creep_v early_o into_o the_o church_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o limbus_n patrum_fw-la purgatory_n pray_v to_o saint_n exorcism_n in_o baptism_n coelibacy_n of_o the_o priesthood_n unction_n in_o baptism_n and_o at_o the_o point_n of_o death_n prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a and_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o case_n how_o in_o question_n and_o yet_o i_o know_v not_o any_o man_n that_o have_v it_o charge_v on_o he_o as_o a_o crime_n bare_o for_o that_o he_o hereby_o condemn_v his_o predecessor_n if_o man_n will_v needs_o labour_v to_o enforce_v this_o excommunication_n upon_o the_o church_n as_o a_o law_n of_o god_n promulgation_n i_o can_v never_o be_v bring_v to_o commend_v it_o therefore_o though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n i_o can_v but_o high_o praise_v and_o approve_v of_o their_o zeal_n and_o good_a intention_n who_o first_o give_v rise_v to_o it_o for_o their_o aim_n be_v hereby_o to_o curb_v the_o restiff_n and_o unwieldy_a humour_n of_o vicious_a man_n since_o they_o can_v not_o imagine_v a_o more_o commodious_a and_o effectual_a way_n of_o do_v it_o and_o very_o many_o as_o we_o see_v even_o to_o this_o day_n walk_v on_o in_o this_o beat_a and_o public_a path_n do_v it_o because_o other_o before_o they_o do_v it_o have_v never_o so_o much_o as_o take_v it_o into_o their_o consideration_n whether_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n that_o stand_v with_o holy_a scripture_n or_o no._n lxx_o i_o can_v at_o present_v say_v much_o of_o the_o very_a time_n when_o excommunication_n have_v its_o first_o rise_n only_o that_o towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o second_o century_n after_o christ_n i_o meet_v with_o something_o like_o it_o then_o attempt_v and_o set_v up_o for_o above_o one_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n i_o do_v not_o find_v any_o one_o suspend_v or_o put_v by_o from_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n for_o unholiness_n of_o life_n they_o that_o be_v full_a verse_v in_o the_o history_n and_o write_n of_o the_o father_n may_v perchance_o speak_v better_a and_o clear_a in_o this_o point_n they_o that_o shall_v careful_o peruse_v what_o socrates_n in_o his_o five_o book_n of_o eccles_n history_n chap._n 19_o have_v transmit_v to_o we_o i_o very_o believe_v will_n without_o much_o difficulty_n confess_v with_o we_o that_o this_o custom_n of_o excommunicate_v have_v its_o first_o epoch_n or_o commencement_n in_o the_o church_n about_o the_o time_n of_o novatus_n yet_o sozomen_n in_o his_o seven_o book_n chap._n 16._o pretend_v other_o cause_n for_o its_o institution_n beside_o which_o we_o read_v that_o about_o the_o year_n of_o the_o lord_n 200._o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n admit_v not_o to_o the_o lord_n supper_n they_o who_o refuse_v to_o forgive_v injury_n but_o i_o have_v observe_v that_o till_o that_o time_n none_o be_v deny_v the_o communion_n but_o heretic_n and_o such_o as_o swerve_v from_o or_o renounce_v the_o christian_a faith_n but_o be_v that_o how_o it_o will_v this_o be_v both_o certain_a and_o evident_a that_o excommunication_n be_v first_o introduce_v into_o the_o church_n for_o the_o restraint_n and_o punishment_n of_o vice_n and_o afterward_o when_o the_o church_n have_v get_v the_o sword_n into_o their_o hand_n as_o well_o as_o the_o key_n at_o their_o girdle_n that_o be_v when_o the_o magistrate_n king_n and_o prince_n become_v christian_n and_o subject_v themselves_o to_o the_o faith_n yet_o do_v the_o churchman_n not_o let_v go_v this_o power_n but_o continue_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o by_o their_o bishop_n partly_o for_o that_o the_o episcopal_a order_n be_v then_o believe_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n partly_o for_o that_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v fond_a and_o tenacious_a of_o that_o power_n which_o make_v they_o formidable_a to_o king_n and_o emperor_n and_o be_v therefore_o a_o morsel_n too_o sweet_a to_o be_v part_v with_o without_o regret_n and_o they_o easy_o wrought_v other_o into_o a_o belief_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o author_n and_o institutor_n of_o it_o since_o themselves_o have_v before_o so_o forward_o and_o so_o willing_o swallow_v it_o superstition_n too_o in_o a_o little_a time_n have_v ascribe_v so_o much_o virtue_n to_o the_o sacrament_n that_o it_o give_v strength_n to_o the_o opinion_n for_o it_o be_v believe_v and_o public_o own_v by_o their_o write_n that_o there_o be_v some_o that_o can_v not_o die_v till_o they_o have_v be_v housel_v and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n either_o therefore_o this_o error_n make_v man_n dread_a excommunication_n or_o excommunication_n lead_v they_o into_o the_o error_n for_o how_o facile_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o to_o impose_v upon_o the_o credulity_n of_o the_o illiterate_a and_o weak_a vulgar_a that_o life_n be_v annex_v to_o the_o receive_n and_o death_n to_o the_o deprivation_n of_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n since_o the_o denial_n of_o this_o to_o a_o sinner_n be_v the_o high_a and_o last_o punishment_n that_o they_o see_v inflict_v on_o he_o lxxi_o but_o for_o the_o person_n that_o execute_v and_o denounce_v this_o excommunication_n as_o far_o as_o our_o conjecture_n can_v carry_v we_o in_o this_o affair_n they_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v at_o first_o such_o elder_n as_o we_o read_v of_o 1_o cor._n 6._o 4._o who_o supply_v the_o place_n and_o defect_n of_o magistracy_n in_o the_o church_n together_o with_o the_o ministry_n but_o afterward_o all_o this_o authority_n be_v devolve_v upon_o the_o bishop_n who_o take_v cognizance_n of_o all_o suit_n make_v up_o difference_n give_v judgement_n and_o do_v every_o thing_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o decision_n of_o right_a and_o distribute_v justice_n betwixt_o man_n and_o man_n as_o we_o perceive_v by_o the_o history_n of_o those_o time_n and_o by_o st._n augustine_n complain_v of_o so_o much_o then_o lie_v on_o the_o bishop_n hand_n of_o this_o nature_n ambrose_n affirm_v that_o those_o sort_n of_o elder_n who_o assistance_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o in_o the_o church_n on_o all_o occasion_n be_v in_o vogue_n and_o authority_n when_o yet_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o bishop_n and_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o these_o elder_n be_v to_o have_v a_o authority_n as_o to_o that_o employment_n of_o judge_v as_o long_o as_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v under_o the_o pressure_n of_o a_o heathen_a magistrate_n which_o give_v we_o to_o understand_v that_o as_o under_o a_o christian_a government_n that_o employment_n will_v be_v useless_a and_o be_v therefore_o to_o cease_v so_o excommunication_n upon_o supposition_n that_o they_o have_v exercise_v such_o a_o thing_n before_o yet_o shall_v it_o in_o a_o christian_a kingdom_n cease_v for_o we_o must_v note_v that_o these_o elder_n be_v instead_o of_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o manage_v civil_a affair_n and_o be_v no_o ecclesiastical_a judicature_n which_o nowadays_o be_v of_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o the_o civil_a for_o it_o be_v plain_o say_v that_o they_o be_v to_o deal_v in_o suit_n and_o controversy_n of_o law_n thing_n relate_v to_o this_o life_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o it_o lxxii_o it_o will_v
agree_v that_o christ_n speak_v of_o a_o church_n which_o be_v then_o in_o be_v i_o mean_v the_o church_n in_o judea_n but_o quick_o shall_v we_o be_v divide_v again_o in_o our_o enquiry_n what_o christ_n understand_v by_o the_o word_n church_n for_o sometime_o it_o be_v put_v for_o the_o whole_a congregation_n or_o multitude_n gather_v together_o sometime_o for_o the_o senate_n council_z or_o elder_n which_o be_v its_o governor_n thus_o find_v we_o the_o hebrew_n word_n to_o signify_v a_o church_n company_n or_o congregation_n as_o num._n 35._o 24_o 25._o josh_n 20._o 6._o psal_n 82._o 1._o and_o elsewhere_o which_o the_o septuagint_n render_v by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o congregation_n now_o there_o be_v argument_n of_o no_o little_a weight_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o conclude_v that_o christ_n in_o this_o passage_n of_o st._n matthew_n will_v not_o have_v we_o understand_v by_o the_o word_n church_n the_o multitude_n or_o congregation_n of_o people_n but_o the_o jewish_a senate_n or_o council_n call_v sometime_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o first_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o christ_n do_v not_o innovate_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o form_n of_o judicature_n or_o government_n which_o be_v administer_v agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n nor_o do_v he_o himself_o or_o permit_v his_o disciple_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o what_o moses_n have_v right_o institute_v by_o god_n command_n now_o moses_n do_v ordain_v that_o such_o suit_n and_o controversy_n shall_v be_v decide_v not_o by_o the_o multitude_n but_o by_o the_o senate_n or_o sanedrim_n of_o such_o and_o such_o place_n which_o at_o first_o be_v hold_v at_o the_o gate_n of_o each_o city_n where_o the_o elder_n sit_v to_o judge_v have_v christ_n think_v of_o introduce_v any_o thing_n here_o contrary_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o moses_n his_o disciple_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v high_o move_v at_o it_o who_o be_v all_o their_o life_n strict_a observer_n of_o the_o law_n let_v every_o man_n think_v with_o himself_o what_o dust_n and_o triumph_n the_o pharisee_n will_v have_v raise_v can_v they_o have_v in_o truth_n fix_v so_o criminal_a a_o action_n upon_o he_o that_o he_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n have_v stir_v up_o the_o people_n against_o the_o magistrate_n what_o fair_a pretext_n can_v they_o have_v wish_v to_o lay_v sedition_n to_o his_o charge_n than_o by_o prove_v upon_o he_o this_o attempt_n to_o set_v up_o the_o people_n against_o the_o magistrate_n contrary_a to_o god_n determination_n to_o commit_v to_o they_o the_o examination_n of_o witness_n to_o give_v they_o a_o power_n to_o convene_v who_o they_o will_v before_o they_o to_o grant_v they_o cognizance_n of_o gause_n and_o power_n of_o judicature_n second_o christ_n command_v to_o tell_v it_o unto_o that_o church_n which_o have_v power_n to_o send_v for_o and_o call_v before_o they_o the_o party_n accuse_v which_o may_v hear_v the_o cause_n which_o may_v examine_v witness_n and_o therefore_o he_o command_v we_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o take_v two_o or_o three_o that_o the_o fact_n may_v be_v competent_o prove_v and_o last_o which_o may_v pronounce_v their_o sentence_n and_o judgement_n in_o the_o case_n but_o every_o one_o must_v know_v that_o these_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v do_v by_o the_o crowd_n the_o multitude_n without_o choose_v some_o set_a person_n who_o may_v manage_v and_o moderate_a matter_n it_o must_v be_v a_o very_a small_a congregation_n a_o very_a handful_n of_o man_n who_o can_v be_v able_a of_o themselves_o without_o the_o elder_n to_o dispatch_v such_o cause_n for_o which_o reason_n some_o have_v right_o judge_v that_o this_o precept_n of_o christ_n can_v not_o hold_v well_o can_v be_v of_o little_a or_o no_o use_n but_o when_o the_o church_n consist_v of_o very_a few_o member_n but_o now_o since_o that_o they_o who_o thus_o preside_v in_o these_o affair_n be_v in_o very_a truth_n nothing_o but_o the_o senate_n the_o sanedrim_n the_o session_n of_o the_o elder_n it_o again_o follow_v that_o christ_n command_v not_o to_o tell_v it_o unto_o the_o multitude_n but_o to_o the_o council_n or_o sanedrim_n and_o true_o in_o christ_n time_n the_o people_n have_v not_o the_o power_n of_o choose_v their_o magistracy_n and_o governor_n we_o must_v needs_o therefore_o by_o the_o word_n church_n understand_v the_o jewish_a senate_n or_o council_n as_o it_o be_v plain_a the_o disciple_n do_v from_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v therefore_o if_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o the_o people_n we_o be_v then_o to_o tell_v it_o unto_o a_o church_n which_o have_v right_a and_o authority_n to_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o a_o senate_n or_o council_n as_o be_v that_o of_o the_o jewish_a church_n but_o our_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o choose_v such_o a_o council_n as_o the_o jewish_a sanedrim_n be_v nay_o in_o christ_n time_n the_o jew_n themselves_o have_v not_o that_o liberty_n as_o i_o tell_v you_o just_a now_o we_o may_v add_v that_o when_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o multitude_n it_o general_o use_v the_o word_n people_n multitude_n child_n of_o israel_n or_o the_o like_a comprehensive_a word_n but_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v relate_v to_o be_v say_v or_o do_v in_o the_o synagogue_n or_o in_o all_o the_o congregation_n i_o need_v not_o tell_v you_o that_o this_o form_n of_o speech_n be_v usual_a at_o this_o very_a day_n for_o we_o say_v we_o have_v communicate_v the_o matter_n to_o such_o a_o kingdom_n or_o state_n when_o we_o have_v acquaint_v only_o the_o king_n senate_n or_o govern_v part_n of_o such_o state_n or_o kingdom_n we_o recount_v how_o this_o or_o that_o nation_n have_v reward_v a_o man_n when_o the_o representative_n only_o in_o such_o a_o diet_n or_o parliament_n have_v be_v liberal-handed_n to_o they_o it_o be_v so_o common_a a_o thing_n to_o use_v phrase_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o it_o be_v wonderful_a so_o few_o shall_v have_v observe_v it_o but_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o christ_n alter_v not_o the_o custom_n of_o his_o time_n nor_o introduce_v any_o novelty_n or_o change_n into_o their_o court_n of_o judicature_n or_o measure_n and_o way_n of_o judge_v nor_o do_v his_o disciple_n betray_v any_o suspicion_n of_o innovation_n or_o alteration_n and_o therefore_o his_o command_n be_v to_o acquaint_v the_o sanedrim_n before_o their_o denier_n resort_v to_o the_o heathen_a magistracy_n xlix_o now_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o holy_a writ_n as_o well_o as_o other_o history_n that_o the_o sanedrim_n be_v the_o legal_a magistracy_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o that_o in_o christ_n day_n they_o both_o keep_v and_o use_v the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n many_o thing_n in_o the_o narratives_n of_o the_o passion_n of_o christ_n beside_o other_o testimonial_n evince_n as_o much_o they_o send_v arm_v man_n to_o take_v jesus_n they_o proceed_v in_o examine_v witness_n as_o the_o law_n require_v at_o least_o they_o pretend_v so_o they_o command_v he_o to_o be_v set_v before_o they_o in_o judgement_n they_o deliver_v he_o bind_v to_o pilate_n after_o they_o have_v first_o public_o condemn_v he_o they_o open_o condemn_v stephen_n and_o command_v he_o to_o be_v stone_v they_o seize_v the_o apostle_n and_o put_v they_o in_o the_o common_a prison_n they_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v beat_v after_o a_o general_n consult_v hold_v about_o they_o they_o give_v letter_n and_o authority_n to_o paul_n to_o bring_v any_o that_o he_o find_v of_o that_o way_n bind_v to_o jerusalem_n for_o to_o be_v punish_v the_o jew_n themselves_o with_o the_o elder_n and_o high_a priest_n that_o be_v the_o sanedrim_n say_v it_o in_o express_a term_n by_o their_o speaker_n tertullus_n who_o accuse_v paul_n before_o foelix_n act_v 24._o v_o 2._o add_v v_o 6._o that_o they_o take_v he_o and_o will_v have_v judge_v he_o according_a to_o their_o law_n but_o that_o lysias_n come_v upon_o they_o and_o with_o great_a violence_n take_v he_o away_o out_o of_o their_o hand_n and_o act_v 23._o v_o 3._o say_v paul_n to_o the_o high_a priest_n sit_v thou_o to_o judge_v i_o after_o the_o law_n and_o command_v i_o to_o be_v smite_v contrary_a to_o the_o law_n and_o afterward_o act_v 26._o v_o 10._o paul_n confess_v before_o king_n agrippa_n and_o festus_n that_o many_o of_o the_o saint_n he_o shut_v up_o in_o prison_n have_v receive_v authority_n from_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o when_o they_o be_v put_v to_o death_n he_o give_v his_o voice_n against_o they_o and_o punish_v they_o often_o in_o every_o synagogue_n and_o compel_v they_o to_o blaspheme_v and_o far_o persecute_v they_o into_o strange_a city_n still_o act_v under_o the_o authority_n derive_v from_o the_o high_a priest_n as_o when_o he_o be_v go_v to_o damascus_n
a_o treatise_n of_o excommunication_n wherein_o it_o be_v full_o learned_o and_o modest_o demonstrate_v that_o there_o be_v no_o warrant_n precept_n or_o precedent_n either_o in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n for_o excommunicate_v any_o person_n or_o debar_v they_o the_o sacrament_n whilst_o they_o make_v a_o outward_a profession_n of_o the_o true_a christian_n faith_n write_a original_o in_o latin_a by_o the_o famous_a and_o pious_a thomas_n erastus_n doctor_n in_o physic_n about_o the_o year_n 1568._o brethren_n you_o have_v be_v call_v unto_o liberty_n only_o use_v not_o liberty_n for_o a_o occasion_n to_o the_o flesh_n but_o by_o love_n serve_v one_o another_o gal._n 5._o v._n 13._o london_n print_v for_o l._n curtis_n 1682._o to_o the_o pious_a reader_n and_o such_o as_o be_v studious_a of_o truth_n thomas_n erastus_n a_o physician_n send_v greeting_n je_v any_o light_v upon_o this_o treatise_n shall_v wonder_v what_o motive_n or_o provocation_n make_v i_o busy_a myself_o in_o this_o controversy_n about_o excommunication_n i_o shall_v as_o concise_o as_o true_o acquaint_v the_o world_n with_o the_o rise_n and_o occasion_n of_o it_o it_o be_v now_o much_o about_o sixteen_o year_n since_o some_o man_n have_v fall_v into_o a_o kind_n of_o excommunicate_a frenzy_n under_o the_o specious_a title_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n and_o as_o they_o contend_v sacred_a in_o itself_o and_o enjoin_v the_o church_n by_o god_n and_o fain_o will_v they_o have_v the_o whole_a church_n taint_v with_o the_o like_a that_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o they_o propose_v shall_v be_v thus_o that_o a_o select_a number_n of_o elder_n shall_v sit_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o judge_v who_o be_v fit_a and_o who_o unfit_a to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n i_o can_v not_o but_o wonder_v to_o see_v they_o consult_v of_o such_o matter_n at_o such_o a_o time_n when_o we_o have_v neither_o fit_a person_n to_o excommunicate_v or_o to_o be_v excommunicate_v for_o scarce_o a_o thirteen_o part_n of_o the_o people_n understand_v and_o approve_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o reformation_n which_o be_v then_o but_o bloom_a the_o residue_n be_v our_o profess_a enemy_n so_o that_o no_o man_n who_o have_v his_o wit_n about_o he_o but_o must_v needs_o see_v that_o such_o a_o matter_n must_v unavoidable_o introduee_v dangerous_a division_n among_o we_o and_o therefore_o i_o think_v it_o not_o then_o so_o proper_a a_o enquiry_n how_o some_o may_v be_v shut_v out_o of_o the_o church_n as_o how_o more_o may_v be_v bring_v in_o and_o that_o the_o best_a thing_n we_o can_v apply_v ourselves_o to_o will_v be_v the_o propagate_a save_a truth_n beside_o they_o who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o supervisor_n be_v not_o so_o much_o superior_a to_o the_o other_o in_o age_n experience_n part_n judgement_n virtue_n or_o eminency_n that_o they_o can_v manage_v so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n with_o that_o port_n and_o dignity_n that_o be_v requisite_a since_o therefore_o i_o see_v that_o their_o desire_n can_v not_o have_v the_o labour_a effect_n without_o the_o church_n ruin_n and_o subversion_n i_o be_v ever_o and_o anon_o caution_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v weigh_v well_o what_o they_o do_v and_o not_o rash_o attempt_v what_o they_o may_v after_o too_o late_o repent_v but_o though_o as_o yet_o i_o very_o think_v that_o excommunication_n have_v be_v a_o thing_n command_v in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o find_v it_o command_v after_o that_o manner_n that_o they_o propose_v so_o that_o since_o christ_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o have_v leave_v we_o at_o large_a for_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o i_o set_v my_o thought_n on_o work_n what_o may_v be_v the_o best_a way_n and_o course_n under_o our_o circumstance_n and_o will_v be_v attend_v with_o the_o least_o distraction_n and_o inconvenience_n which_o i_o do_v with_o the_o close_a application_n and_o diligence_n upon_o some_o reflection_n that_o i_o have_v how_o fatal_a and_o turbulent_a to_o christianity_n this_o have_v former_o prove_v and_o be_v still_o little_o better_o as_o it_o be_v manage_v whilst_o i_o be_v upon_o these_o thought_n and_o look_v a_o little_a back_n upon_o what_o the_o ancient_n have_v write_v on_o this_o subject_n i_o find_v it_o weak_a in_o all_o point_n than_o i_o have_v before_o suspect_v so_o that_o i_o can_v not_o but_o begin_v to_o doubt_v of_o the_o very_a thing_n my_o next_o resort_n be_v to_o the_o schoolman_n among_o who_o i_o meet_v with_o as_o little_a satisfaction_n then_o come_v i_o to_o our_o modern_a writer_n who_o no_o whit_n mend_v the_o matter_n nay_o i_o observe_v that_o they_o do_v most_o manifest_o differ_v among_o themselves_o in_o some_o thing_n which_o quicken_v my_o diligence_n in_o the_o enquiry_n so_o i_o lay_v by_o these_o commentator_n a_o while_n and_o betake_v my_o myself_o to_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o perusal_n of_o which_o i_o mark_v and_o note_v with_o all_o the_o exactness_n i_o can_v what_o be_v discrepant_a from_o and_o what_o agreeable_a unto_o the_o common_o receive_v opinion_n and_o true_o it_o be_v no_o ordinary_a assistance_n to_o i_o in_o this_o matter_n to_o take_v a_o survey_n with_o myself_o of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o government_n for_o thus_o think_v i_o with_o myself_o god_n in_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o deut._n v._n 6_o 7_o 8._o bear_n witness_n to_o their_o law_n that_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n that_o have_v statute_n and_o judgement_n so_o righteous_a and_o that_o for_o their_o law_n sake_n it_o shall_v be_v say_v of_o they_o sure_o this_o great_a nation_n be_v a_o wise_a and_o understand_a people_n therefore_o it_o seem_v necessary_a with_o i_o that_o to_o have_v a_o church_n glorious_o and_o wise_o model_v it_o must_v make_v near_o approach_n to_o the_o judaical_a form_n but_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o in_o this_o jewish_a church_n thing_n be_v never_o so_o institute_v by_o god_n as_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v distinct_a procedure_v in_o the_o punish_a immorality_n one_o by_o the_o civil_a and_o another_o by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n what_o hinder_v then_o but_o that_o even_o now_o too_o that_o that_o church_n which_o god_n have_v bless_v with_o a_o christian_a magistracy_n may_v sit_v down_o content_v under_o one_o form_n of_o government_n i_o then_o communicate_v my_o thought_n to_o learned_a good_a and_o pious_a man_n so_o far_o as_o that_o i_o press_v they_o not_o to_o consider_v the_o matter_n slight_o and_o cursory_o for_o i_o can_v not_o but_o deem_v it_o very_o unnecessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v two_o head_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n where_o the_o body_n be_v but_o one_o and_o that_o their_o mandate_n injunction_n decretal_n and_o all_o the_o act_n of_o a_o govern_v authority_n shall_v be_v distinct_a as_o hitherto_o they_o have_v be_v so_o that_o the_o government_n of_o one_o shall_v not_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o inspection_n or_o control_v of_o the_o other_o but_o both_o their_o jurisdiction_n be_v chief_a in_o their_o kind_n for_o such_o a_o church-senate_n or_o convocation_n of_o select_a elder_n will_v they_o in_o truth_n have_v frame_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v the_o supreme_a right_n and_o power_n of_o punish_v vice_n even_o in_o the_o magistrate_n themselves_o but_o not_o with_o corporal_a punishment_n but_o by_o prohibit_v they_o the_o sacrament_n first_o private_o and_o if_o on_o this_o they_o reform_v not_o then_o in_o a_o more_o solemn_a and_o public_a manner_n but_o my_o opinion_n be_v as_o i_o always_o tell_v they_o that_o one_o supreme_a magistrate_n of_o god_n institution_n and_o of_o the_o true_a faith_n might_n and_o have_v as_o good_a right_n now_o to_o restrain_v vice_n as_o heretofore_o under_o the_o law_n and_o i_o take_v i_o a_o instance_n from_o solomon_n glorious_a reign_n which_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o type_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n reign_v upon_o earth_n now_o neither_o under_o he_o nor_o yet_o under_o moses_n the_o judge_n or_o any_o other_o the_o king_n or_o when_o govern_v by_o the_o optimacy_n have_v we_o any_o footstep_n of_o two_o so_o distinct_a judicature_n over_o man_n action_n and_o manner_n nature_n say_v musculus_fw-la allow_v not_o two_o absolute_a and_o independent_a government_n without_o any_o subordinacy_n of_o one_o to_o the_o other_o to_o lord_n it_o over_o the_o same_o people_n i_o must_v confess_v i_o receive_v great_a aid_n and_o improvement_n of_o these_o my_o thought_n from_o the_o person_n with_o who_o i_o confer_v they_o for_o in_o some_o thing_n their_o observation_n outgo_v my_o own_o and_o where_o they_o do_v not_o they_o furnish_v i_o many_o material_a hint_n to_o mend_v they_o by_o but_o still_o i_o keep_v myself_o quiet_a from_o any_o public_a contest_v in_o this_o affair_n and_o enter_v not_o into_o any_o debate_n about_o it_o where_o i_o be_v
apostolic_a power_n a_o thing_n he_o often_o do_v threaten_v in_o his_o epistle_n but_o nowhere_o have_v he_o preach_v this_o doctrine_n which_o be_v the_o question_n now_o in_o hand_n that_o any_o shall_v be_v interdict_v the_o sacrament_n nor_o have_v he_o command_v presbyter_n or_o any_o other_o to_o do_v it_o but_o have_v he_o be_v dispose_v to_o have_v this_o way_n give_v check_n to_o wickedness_n he_o will_v assure_o have_v ordain_v that_o sinner_n shall_v have_v be_v keep_v from_o sacrament_n till_o they_o become_v reform_v in_o their_o manner_n especial_o since_o he_o have_v before_o appoint_v or_o ordain_v elder_n in_o the_o same_o church_n 1_o cor._n 6._o v._n 5._o and_o have_v correct_v the_o abuse_n the_o miss-celebration_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n but_o perhaps_o we_o may_v have_v more_o to_o say_v to_o this_o hereafter_o xxxvii_o as_o we_o find_v no_o mention_n make_v of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o receive_n and_o celebrate_v this_o sacrament_n so_o neither_o do_v any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n appear_v in_o its_o institution_n nor_o indeed_o have_v the_o scripture_n take_v any_o notice_n thereof_o in_o her_o explication_n of_o the_o use_n and_o end_n of_o sacrament_n whereas_o have_v sacrament_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n for_o this_o as_o well_o as_o other_o end_n and_o purpose_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v for_o penalty_n upon_o offence_n and_o offender_n some_o mention_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v of_o it_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o this_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v that_o we_o may_v commemorate_v in_o the_o most_o solemn_a manner_n the_o death_n of_o our_o lord_n that_o we_o may_v pay_v our_o homage_n in_o a_o public_a recognition_n and_o thankfulness_n for_o the_o deliverance_n he_o have_v purchase_v for_o we_o that_o we_o may_v remind_v ourselves_o and_o by_o our_o presence_n bear_v testimony_n to_o other_o that_o we_o have_v no_o other_o food_n of_o life_n but_o a_o crucify_a saviour_n no_o other_o drink_n but_o his_o blood_n pour_v out_o for_o we_o that_o we_o may_v declare_v ourselves_o as_o well_o penitent_a for_o our_o past_a course_n of_o life_n as_o that_o we_o have_v enter_v upon_o thought_n and_o resolution_n of_o a_o better_a and_o that_o we_o embrace_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v the_o member_n of_o christ_n belong_v unto_o his_o church_n in_o which_o we_o desire_v pious_o and_o religious_o both_o to_o live_v and_o die_v have_v the_o scripture_n anywhere_o prohibit_v any_o man_n from_o perform_v these_o thing_n but_o you_o may_v perhaps_o say_v some_o man_n have_v too_o frequent_o relapse_v to_o their_o former_a bad_a course_n and_o become_v not_o one_o whit_n the_o better_a i_o answer_v he_o that_o by_o the_o aid_n and_o impulse_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n have_v the_o thought_n of_o his_o heart_n right_a at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o receive_n the_o scripture_n turn_v he_o not_o away_o but_o god_n only_o know_v whither_o and_o how_o long_o he_o will_v hold_v on_o his_o good_a purpose_n and_o resolution_n it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o hope_v always_o the_o best_a of_o all_o man_n however_o we_o may_v sometime_o be_v mistake_v nay_o we_o ought_v to_o address_v our_o hearty_a prayer_n to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v vouchsafe_v to_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v both_o we_o and_o they_o in_o all_o true_a religion_n and_o virtue_n but_o still_o the_o sinner_n be_v to_o be_v tell_v of_o his_o fault_n be_v to_o be_v reprehend_v admonish_v and_o advise_v that_o he_o may_v so_o try_v himself_o that_o as_o the_o apostle_n caution_n he_o eat_v and_o drink_v not_o damnation_n to_o himself_o xxxviii_o last_o whether_o be_v the_o sacrament_n either_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o institution_n or_o the_o intrinsic_a dignity_n of_o their_o nature_n of_o great_a worth_n than_o the_o word_n that_o word_n of_o god_n which_o christ_n preach_v or_o be_v there_o more_o necessity_n of_o the_o use_n of_o those_o than_o of_o this_o none_o without_o the_o word_n can_v or_o can_v be_v save_v but_o who_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o many_o have_v be_v and_o yet_o may_v be_v save_v without_o the_o sacrament_n especial_o the_o lord_n supper_n provide_v they_o be_v not_o contemner_n of_o they_o the_o apostle_n seem_v to_o have_v think_v so_o too_o when_o he_o say_v he_o be_v not_o send_v to_o baptize_v but_o to_o preach_v the_o word_n do_v not_o almost_o all_o man_n say_v that_o the_o word_n be_v plain_a and_o visible_a and_o set_v before_o our_o eye_n what_o word_n signify_v to_o our_o ear_n why_o do_v we_o therefore_o make_v no_o attempt_n to_o shut_v any_o out_o from_o the_o word_n but_o do_v it_o from_o the_o sacrament_n especial_o the_o eucharist_n and_o that_o contrary_a unto_o or_o at_o least_o much_o beside_o the_o interest_n of_o god_n express_v command_v do_v they_o say_v it_o be_v because_o the_o word_n be_v for_o all_o but_o that_o the_o sacrament_n be_v institute_v only_o for_o convert_v to_o the_o word_n i_o know_v all_o that_o and_o speak_v not_o therefore_o of_o turk_n and_o pagan_n such_o as_o never_o come_v within_o the_o church_n pale_a but_o of_o such_o as_o god_n have_v call_v and_o ingraft_v into_o his_o church_n such_o as_o own_o the_o doctrine_n and_o desire_v at_o least_o to_o all_o outward_a appearance_n to_o be_v worthy_a partaker_n of_o these_o sacrament_n thirty-nine_o hitherto_o have_v i_o strong_o demonstrate_v that_o there_o be_v no_o word_n or_o instance_n no_o footstep_n or_o precedent_n to_o be_v find_v either_o of_o christ_n or_o among_o his_o apostle_n of_o such_o chastizement_n or_o rather_o restraint_n and_o coertion_n put_v upon_o wicked_a man_n since_o therefore_o neither_o the_o old_a nor_o new_a testament_n have_v command_v this_o sort_n of_o punish_v but_o the_o clean_a contrary_n be_v often_o find_v in_o both_o of_o they_o we_o may_v just_o think_v this_o excommunication_n as_o far_o i_o mean_v as_o it_o exclude_v man_n from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o sacrament_n for_o improbity_n of_o life_n and_o viciousness_n of_o moral_n rather_o a_o invention_n of_o man_n than_o any_o law_n of_o god_n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o we_o examine_v what_o those_o who_o oppose_v we_o have_v to_o say_v for_o themselves_o and_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n that_o all_o that_o they_o say_v have_v nothing_o of_o proof_n or_o force_n in_o it_o xl._o they_o tell_v you_o of_o a_o precept_n mat._n 18._o 15_o 16_o 17._o and_o in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n they_o tell_v you_o too_o of_o a_o example_n or_o instance_n of_o that_o kind_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 3_o 4_o 5._o and_o 1_o tim._n 1._o 19_o 20._o we_o will_v take_v they_o in_o order_n and_o first_o for_o that_o in_o matthew_n xli_o it_o be_v not_o the_o design_n of_o christ_n in_o that_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n to_o set_v up_o any_o new_a model_n of_o government_n or_o form_n of_o put_v excommunication_n in_o execution_n but_o to_o instruct_v his_o disciple_n how_o they_o shall_v avoid_v give_v of_o fence_n or_o scandal_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o right_v themselves_o in_o private_a injury_n do_v they_o for_o since_o they_o who_o fly_v present_o to_o the_o magistrate_n to_o right_v they_o especial_o where_o the_o magistrate_n as_o be_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v then_o under_o be_v a_o heathen_a and_o profane_a do_v often_o give_v occasion_n of_o offence_n and_o scandal_n thereby_o to_o the_o weak_a he_o first_o exhort_v and_o advise_v they_o that_o they_o rather_o forgive_v injury_n than_o run_v to_o the_o magistrate_n upon_o every_o slight_a occasion_n thus_o far_o do_v he_o nothing_o but_o call_v to_o their_o mind_n that_o precept_n of_o moses_n leu._n 19_o 17._o which_o ecclus_n 19_o 13._o have_v a_o little_a more_o full_o paraphrase_v after_o this_o he_o direct_v that_o if_o they_o be_v necessitate_v to_o resort_v to_o the_o magistrate_n for_o redress_n that_o yet_o they_o shall_v not_o if_o they_o will_v avoid_v scandal_n accuse_v their_o fellow-brethren_n the_o jew_n before_o the_o roman_a judicature_n till_o their_o own_o magistrate_n fail_v in_o do_v they_o justice_n the_o like_a precept_n have_v st._n paul_n give_v 1_o cor._n 6._o 1_o etc._n etc._n which_o place_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o comment_n upon_o this_o that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o christian_n go_v not_o to_o law_n with_o christian_n before_o the_o unbeliever_n this_o therefore_o be_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a sense_n of_o this_o of_o st._n matthew_n if_o thy_o brother_n that_o be_v a_o jew_n trespass_n against_o thou_o try_v to_o make_v up_o the_o matter_n betwixt_o yourselves_o alone_o but_o if_o alone_o you_o can_v do_v it_o try_v what_o may_v be_v do_v by_o the_o arbitrement_n and_o mediation_n of_o two_o or_o three_o of_o your_o brethren_n the_o jew_n still_o and_o if_o this_o way_n you_o have_v not_o a_o just_a satisfaction_n and_o amends_o make_v