christ_n commission_n be_v the_o limit_v and_o appropriate_v power_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o spiritual_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n alone_o and_o which_o no_o temporal_a potentate_n can_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o execute_v without_o break_v in_o upon_o christ_n institution_n and_o subvert_v the_o very_a end_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o original_a separation_n and_o therefore_o if_o no_o more_o have_v be_v intend_v by_o the_o independent_a authority_n of_o christ_n church_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o priestly_a office_n than_o this_o that_o they_o who_o derive_v not_o this_o authority_n from_o the_o state_n can_v not_o have_v it_o take_v away_o by_o they_o and_o that_o the_o secular_a power_n be_v by_o christ_n commission_n exclude_v from_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o the_o divine_a office_n specify_v in_o it_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v declare_v her_o judgement_n in_o favour_n of_o such_o a_o claim_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v enter_v into_o no_o dispute_n against_o it_o but_o then_o he_o who_o himself_o have_v no_o authority_n to_o baptize_v may_v yet_o be_v a_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o care_n and_o fidelity_n of_o those_o who_o do_v and_o he_o who_o have_v no_o power_n to_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord's-supper_n or_o to_o ordain_v minister_n may_v yet_o be_v capable_a of_o take_v cognizance_n of_o the_o neglect_v and_o of_o the_o miscarriage_n commit_v in_o those_o performance_n so_o that_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o minister_v in_o the_o holy_a office_n and_o service_n of_o the_o church_n and_o another_o to_o have_v rule_n and_o government_n and_o a_o judicial_a cognizance_n of_o the_o care_n fidelity_n and_o good_a or_o evil_a conduct_n of_o those_o who_o do_v this_o lead_v i_o to_o consider_v 2._o that_o beside_o the_o ministration_n in_o holy_a office_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o ordination_n there_o be_v other_o power_n and_o authority_n claim_v by_o the_o church_n such_o be_v all_o the_o general_a power_n of_o government_n of_o assemble_v in_o synod_n of_o consult_v one_o another_o on_o important_a occasion_n of_o make_v law_n or_o canon_n of_o appoint_v to_o particular_a church_n or_o district_v their_o proper_a pastor_n of_o determine_v religious_a debate_n and_o dispute_n of_o prescribe_v rule_n of_o order_n and_o discipline_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o as_o not_o be_v express_o mention_v in_o or_o appropriate_v by_o christ_n commission_n as_o the_o other_o divine_a office_n of_o religion_n be_v can_v belong_v to_o the_o church_n only_o of_o common-right_a as_o it_o be_v a_o society_n and_o as_o such_o act_n of_o government_n be_v the_o constant_a and_o common_a right_n of_o every_o establish_v community_n a_o society_n can_v subsist_v without_o government_n as_o therefore_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v by_o christ_n commission_n constitute_v a_o spiritual_a society_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o it_o thereby_o obtain_v a_o certain_a right_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o all_o such_o authority_n in_o government_n as_o other_o establish_v community_n be_v usual_o possess_v of_o the_o question_n than_o be_v not_o whether_o the_o church_n have_v a_o right_a to_o the_o exercise_n of_o such_o authority_n for_o it_o be_v undeniable_o evident_a that_o she_o have_v but_o what_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o that_o authority_n and_o how_o far_o it_o will_v hold_v good_a to_o the_o exclusion_n of_o the_o secular_a power_n now_o unless_o it_o can_v be_v make_v appear_v that_o these_o power_n of_o government_n be_v by_o christ_n commission_n specify_v and_o appropriate_v to_o the_o priesthood_n as_o the_o divine_a office_n of_o its_o holy_a ministration_n be_v there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o reason_n or_o ground_n of_o this_o claim_n than_o that_o of_o common_a right_n and_o necessity_n to_o the_o support_n of_o this_o spiritual_a community_n and_o to_o the_o attainment_n of_o the_o great_a end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v ordain_v we_o see_v therefore_o that_o in_o this_o controversy_n a_o great_a regard_n be_v to_o be_v have_v to_o the_o distinction_n here_o make_v between_o the_o divine_a office_n of_o the_o christian_a priesthood_n and_o the_o more_o general_a power_n of_o government_n the_o former_a be_v allow_v to_o be_v appropriate_v to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n only_o the_o latter_a be_v those_o power_n and_o authority_n which_o our_o present_a controversy_n and_o dissension_n be_v about_o and_o if_o i_o be_o right_a in_o state_v the_o church_n claim_n and_o title_n thereto_o i_o shall_v certain_o be_v right_o in_o the_o determination_n of_o this_o dispute_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o due_a execution_n of_o christ_n commission_n the_o church_n have_v undoubted_a right_n thereto_o and_o if_o dr._n hickes_n and_o his_o friend_n have_v go_v no_o far_o in_o claim_v a_o right_a to_o the_o exercise_n of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n independent_o on_o the_o secular_a than_o as_o that_o shall_v be_v find_v necessary_a to_o the_o propagation_n and_o establishment_n of_o christianity_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o all_o christian_n will_v have_v come_v into_o it_o i_o for_o my_o part_n can_v make_v no_o scruple_n to_o affirm_v that_o by_o virtue_n of_o christ_n commission_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n to_o preach_v and_o propagate_v the_o gospel_n and_o to_o gather_v he_o a_o church_n thereby_o they_o have_v a_o undoubted_a right_n and_o authority_n to_o do_v every_o thing_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o spiritual_a office_n which_o shall_v be_v find_v necessary_a to_o the_o support_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o church_n but_o if_o man_n will_v not_o content_v themselves_o with_o this_o without_o go_v far_o if_o they_o will_v claim_v a_o universal_a inherent_a authority_n of_o do_v every_o thing_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o please_v by_o themselves_o and_o to_o be_v the_o sole_a proper_a and_o rightful_a judge_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n and_o matter_n with_o a_o divine_a right_o to_o exclude_v the_o secular_a authority_n at_o their_o pleasure_n and_o to_o make_v null_a and_o invalid_n every_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v by_o the_o temporal_a power_n in_o these_o affair_n without_o the_o clergy_n approbation_n and_o consent_n this_o i_o think_v a_o most_o unreasonable_a and_o unrighteous_a demand_n and_o i_o have_v these_o six_o thing_n to_o plead_v against_o it_o i._o such_o a_o claim_n seem_v contrary_a to_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o power_n that_o we_o be_v now_o reason_v about_o they_o be_v not_o the_o peculiar_a appropriate_v office_n of_o the_o priesthood_n such_o as_o minister_a in_o the_o divine_a service_n administer_a sacrament_n etc._n etc._n which_o we_o have_v already_o own_a king_n and_o prince_n to_o be_v exclude_v from_o but_o they_o be_v the_o church_n common_a power_n of_o government_n which_o belong_v to_o her_o only_a of_o common_a right_n and_o to_o the_o general_n exercise_n of_o which_o other_o society_n be_v entitle_v as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n now_o these_o general_a power_n of_o government_n be_v no_o otherwise_o to_o be_v exercise_v exclusive_a of_o and_o independent_o on_o the_o secular_a authority_n than_o the_o necessity_n of_o affair_n require_v they_o so_o to_o be_v and_o that_o authority_n which_o have_v no_o other_o reason_n or_o foundation_n than_o its_o usefulness_n or_o necessity_n as_o a_o mean_n to_o the_o attain_n to_o such_o a_o end_n certain_o lose_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o its_o force_n and_o obligation_n in_o all_o those_o instance_n in_o which_o it_o cease_v to_o be_v useful_a or_o necessary_a and_o where_o the_o end_n may_v be_v as_o effectual_o obtain_v without_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o all_o that_o difference_n which_o be_v observable_a in_o history_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o these_o very_a power_n under_o heathen_a and_o under_o christian_a emperor_n and_o governor_n when_o their_o heathen_a governor_n cast_v they_o off_o and_o leave_v they_o to_o themselves_o they_o then_o manage_v all_o thing_n by_o themselves_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o affair_n require_v that_o they_o shall_v so_o do_v but_o when_o the_o christian_a emperor_n take_v the_o affair_n of_o christian_n into_o their_o cognizance_n and_o make_v law_n and_o pass_v sentence_n and_o execute_v judgement_n therein_o the_o christian_a bishop_n and_o clergy_n unanimous_o give_v way_n and_o very_o ready_o submit_v thereto_o it_o may_v possible_o have_v some_o weight_n with_o some_o of_o my_o reader_n to_o observe_v that_o even_o dr._n hickes_n in_o the_o collection_n of_o paper_n late_o publish_v by_o his_o friend_n and_o which_o be_v write_v and_o publish_v on_o purpose_n to_o carry_v up_o the_o power_n of_o the_o priesthood_n and_o a_o independent_a authority_n as_o high_a as_o possible_o he_o can_v yet_o come_v in_o
church_n seem_v whole_o inconsistent_a with_o that_o interest_n and_o care_n and_o concern_v for_o religion_n which_o christian_n king_n and_o prince_n be_v always_o suppose_v to_o have_v and_o the_o regulation_n and_o defence_n of_o which_o be_v one_o great_a end_n and_o purpose_n of_o all_o their_o authority_n till_o i_o see_v far_a reason_n against_o it_o than_o what_o have_v yet_o be_v show_v i_o can_v but_o believe_v that_o the_o civil_a government_n in_o their_o way_n and_o by_o a_o due_a exercise_n of_o their_o power_n be_v concern_v for_o the_o good_a of_o man_n soul_n to_o promote_v virtue_n and_o true_a religion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o christ_n flock_n and_o if_o they_o be_v then_o to_o exclude_v their_o jurisdiction_n in_o all_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n and_o matter_n be_v to_o rob_v they_o of_o one_o great_a part_n of_o their_o sovereignty_n it_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o confine_v all_o the_o authority_n of_o prince_n only_o to_o the_o preservation_n of_o peace_n and_o order_n and_o justice_n in_o human_a society_n without_o any_o regard_n to_o god_n and_o religion_n and_o i_o know_v of_o no_o good_a reason_n that_o can_v be_v give_v for_o this_o for_o although_o '_o god_n the_o father_z for_o the_o honour_n of_o our_o bless_a redeemer_n and_o the_o more_o effectual_a accomplish_v our_o redemption_n have_v give_v he_o a_o church_n and_o a_o kingdom_n within_o his_o own_o dominion_n and_o allow_v he_o his_o proper_a minister_n and_o governor_n of_o this_o church_n under_o his_o own_o divine_a authority_n yet_o i_o hope_v these_o gentleman_n will_v not_o say_v that_o this_o carry_v along_o with_o it_o a_o devolution_n of_o all_o power_n and_o authority_n in_o religious_a affair_n from_o prince_n to_o bishop_n from_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o state_n to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o it_o do_v not_o than_o the_o secular_a power_n ought_v not_o in_o any_o such_o affair_n to_o have_v their_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n exclude_v that_o will_v be_v to_o subvert_v one_o of_o the_o main_a end_n of_o their_o institution_n which_o be_v that_o under_o they_o we_o may_v live_v peaceable_a and_o quiet_a life_n in_o godliness_n as_o 2._o 1_o tim._n two_o 2._o well_o as_o in_o common_a honesty_n these_o gentleman_n i_o know_v will_v allow_v king_n and_o prince_n to_o exercise_v all_o their_o authority_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o church_n and_o for_o the_o protection_n of_o its_o power_n and_o the_o support_v of_o it_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o its_o law_n although_o nothing_o to_o its_o disadvantage_n and_o be_v it_o so_o then_o at_o last_o that_o by_o virtue_n of_o christ_n commission_n king_n and_o prince_n have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v with_o religious_a matter_n than_o only_o under_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o church_n to_o minister_v to_o the_o support_n of_o the_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n when_o ever_o they_o think_v sit_v so_o to_o modify_v their_o power_n i_o hope_v that_o all_o christian_a emperor_n and_o king_n will_v be_v sensible_a what_o honour_n and_o favour_n such_o churchman_n intend_v they_o in_o admit_v they_o to_o so_o great_a a_o privilege_n and_o must_v they_o in_o all_o other_o case_n be_v discharge_v of_o all_o regard_n and_o concern_v for_o god_n and_o religion_n in_o the_o government_n of_o their_o people_n sure_o i_o be_o that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o under_o the_o jewish_a dispensation_n when_o this_o separation_n of_o the_o priesthood_n from_o the_o secular_a power_n first_o begin_v king_n do_v then_o intermeddle_v in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n and_o regulate_v the_o affair_n of_o religion_n and_o have_v jurisdiction_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n the_o ark_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o none_o may_v look_v into_o or_o so_o much_o as_o touch_v it_o but_o the_o priest_n alone_o be_v yet_o so_o far_o under_o the_o vi_o 2_o sam._n vi_o government_n and_o authority_n of_o king_n david_n xv_o 2_o sam._n xv_o that_o he_o command_v it_o to_o be_v remove_v first_o to_o this_o place_n and_o then_o to_o that_o he_o also_o distribute_v the_o several_a course_n both_o of_o the_o priest_n xxiv_o 2_o chron._n xxiii_o xxiv_o xxiv_o and_o levite_n and_o give_v the_o levite_n a_o new_a law_n for_o their_o office_n that_o they_o who_o before_o begin_v not_o their_o attendance_n till_o the_o thirty_o year_n of_o their_o age_n shall_v now_o begin_v it_o at_o the_o twenty_o he_o take_v the_o ark_n from_o the_o tabernacle_n 5._o 2_o chron._n i_o 3_o 5._o of_o the_o congregation_n and_o leave_v that_o behind_o at_o gibeon_n he_o build_v a_o new_a tent_n for_o it_o at_o jerusalem_n how_o come_v he_o to_o meddle_v so_o much_o with_o that_o which_o be_v in_o the_o peculiar_a custody_n of_o the_o priest_n the_o like_a be_v afterward_o 4._o 2_o chron._n xxiv_o xxiii_o 4._o do_v by_o hezekiah_n who_o also_o by_o his_o royal_a decree_n appoint_v the_o passover_n to_o be_v keep_v and_o call_v all_o the_o ten_o tribe_n of_o israel_n to_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o celebration_n of_o it_o who_o have_v be_v hinder_v from_o it_o for_o a_o long_a time_n before_o solomon_n thrust_v out_o abiathar_n from_o be_v 35._o 1_o king_n two_o 27_o 35._o priest_n unto_o the_o lord_n which_o let_v the_o adversary_n say_v what_o they_o will_v to_o evade_v it_o be_v as_o much_o a_o deprivation_n as_o any_o one_o of_o those_o they_o now_o complain_v of_o and_o when_o he_o have_v do_v this_o he_o put_v zadock_n the_o priest_n in_o the_o room_n of_o abiathar_n the_o altar_n of_o bethel_n be_v destroy_v by_o king_n josiah_n idolatry_n be_v frequent_o punish_v and_o suppress_v by_o their_o king_n and_o the_o suffer_a religion_n to_o be_v corrupt_v by_o introduce_v evil_a and_o idolatrous_a novelty_n into_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v often_o charge_v as_o a_o crime_n and_o a_o blemish_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o their_o government_n now_o as_o the_o instance_n mention_v in_o which_o they_o do_v exert_v their_o power_n be_v undeniable_a act_n of_o church_n government_n and_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n so_o the_o charge_n and_o imputation_n of_o gild_n upon_o they_o in_o their_o neglect_v of_o this_o kind_n plain_o show_v that_o they_o have_v a_o just_a authority_n and_o a_o rightful_a jurisdiction_n therein_o and_o if_o the_o jewish_a king_n be_v allow_v to_o have_v power_n and_o authority_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n and_o the_o priesthood_n claim_v no_o independent_a power_n in_o church_n government_n under_o that_o dispensation_n in_o which_o the_o administration_n of_o divine_a office_n be_v as_o much_o separate_v from_o the_o secular_a magistrate_n as_o it_o be_v now_o under_o the_o gospel_n some_o very_a good_a reason_n some_o strong_a proof_n some_o very_a bright_a and_o clear_a evidence_n shall_v be_v produce_v to_o convince_v one_o that_o the_o jurisdiction_n which_o king_n exercise_v under_o one_o dispensation_n be_v quite_o take_v away_o by_o the_o other_o especial_o too_o when_o this_o claim_v authority_n be_v not_o to_o be_v limit_v to_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o matter_n of_o divine_a revelation_n only_o but_o be_v extend_v to_o a_o judicial_a cognizance_n in_o all_o our_o moral_a action_n as_o well_o as_o in_o those_o that_o be_v pure_o religious_a and_o for_o the_o king_n and_o potentate_n of_o the_o world_n not_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o sanction_n and_o determination_n of_o such_o man_n in_o all_o case_n of_o morality_n be_v arrogant_o call_v disobedience_n to_o their_o spiritual_a superior_n 21._o vindic._n prop._n 21._o and_o rehellion_n against_o the_o legate_n and_o vicegerent_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o restrain_v ecclesiastical_a person_n in_o any_o extravagant_a proceed_n of_o this_o kind_a be_v represent_v by_o some_o man_n as_o downright_a persecution_n what_o a_o original_a piece_n of_o spiritual_a pride_n be_v this_o i_o will_v desire_v any_o reader_n serious_o to_o consider_v that_o if_o such_o doctrine_n as_o these_o have_v be_v preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a christian_n whether_o it_o will_v not_o have_v be_v the_o great_a disadvantage_n imaginable_a to_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o whether_o it_o will_v not_o have_v give_v all_o the_o secular_a potentate_n of_o the_o world_n a_o great_a and_o invincible_a prejudice_n against_o it_o what_o heathen_a emperor_n or_o king_n will_v have_v embrace_v this_o religion_n or_o give_v any_o countenance_n at_o all_o to_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o who_o shall_v have_v be_v tell_v that_o in_o the_o very_a minute_n that_o this_o religion_n be_v profess_v by_o he_o and_o become_v establish_v in_o his_o dominion_n he_o be_v to_o lose_v one_o half_a of_o his_o authority_n over_o his_o people_n that_o he_o be_v no_o long_o to_o have_v that_o fullness_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o power_n which_o he_o have_v before_o and_o which_o other_o king_n and_o emperor_n enjoy_v round_o about_o he_o but_o be_v
to_o this_o distinction_n of_o the_o church_n communicable_a and_o uncommunicable_a authority_n whatever_o indirect_a end_n he_o may_v have_v to_o serve_v in_o his_o endeavour_n to_o support_v the_o spiritual_a authority_n of_o the_o nonjure_v deprive_v bishop_n yet_o he_o be_v too_o well_o acquaint_v with_o primitive_a church_n history_n to_o think_v that_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n authority_n be_v alike_o exclusive_a of_o the_o secular_a power_n and_o according_o as_o i_o find_v he_o quote_v p._n 27._o he_o allow_v that_o the_o church_n on_o valuable_a consideration_n may_v in_o some_o case_n modify_v the_o exercise_n of_o her_o just_a power_n and_o make_v grant_n and_o concession_n to_o the_o state_n pray_v mind_v that_o for_o if_o prince_n and_o state_n may_v on_o any_o consideration_n be_v admit_v to_o a_o share_n of_o the_o church_n just_a power_n then_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a that_o in_o such_o case_n it_o be_v not_o jesus_n christ_n that_o by_o his_o divine_a law_n exclude_v they_o but_o these_o churchman_n themselves_o but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n he_o mention_n and_o they_o be_v such_o as_o these_o that_o the_o church_n shall_v consent_v not_o to_o call_v synod_n without_o acquaint_v the_o king_n and_o obtain_v his_o leave_n if_o possible_a not_o to_o make_v foreigner_n or_o clerk_n of_o a_o foreign_a allegiance_n bishop_n to_o make_v no_o bishop_n but_o what_o shall_v be_v suppose_v worthy_a of_o the_o king_n nomination_n to_o give_v the_o builder_n and_o endower_n of_o church_n the_o honour_n and_o privilege_n of_o present_v worthy_a clerk_n to_o supply_v the_o cure_n of_o they_o and_o nobleman_n to_o erect_a chapel_n and_o to_o choose_v chaplain_n for_o their_o family_n there_o be_v than_o it_o seem_v case_n and_o consideration_n in_o and_o upon_o which_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o sacred_a power_n of_o the_o church_n king_n may_v have_v authority_n in_o call_v synod_n in_o nominate_v bishop_n and_o in_o the_o presentation_n of_o clerk_n to_o the_o cure_n of_o soul_n here_o i_o will_v ask_v in_o what_o case_n and_o upon_o what_o consideration_n any_o of_o these_o king_n or_o noble_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o administer_v sacrament_n and_o ordain_v minister_n i_o know_v that_o this_o will_v not_o be_v allow_v at_o all_o by_o any_o mean_n or_o on_o any_o consideration_n whatever_o it_o seem_v then_o that_o in_o dr._n hickes_n own_o opinion_n although_o some_o of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n be_v exclusive_a and_o uncommunicable_a to_o lay_v hand_n yet_o other_o they_o may_v be_v admit_v to_o a_o share_n of_o if_o the_o consideration_n be_v but_o good_a and_o the_o authority_n not_o abuse_v now_o i_o will_v willing_o know_v what_o be_v the_o true_a foundation_n of_o this_o difference_n which_o dr._n hickes_n himself_o admit_v of_o i_o will_v have_v it_o open_o declare_v whether_o christ_n commission_n have_v appropriate_v these_o power_n to_o the_o church_n which_o may_v be_v so_o modify_v and_o have_v exclude_v secular_a potentate_n from_o they_o or_o on_o what_o foot_n that_o modification_n stand_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n let_v they_o add_v why_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n authority_n to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o safety_n and_o good_a order_n of_o a_o kingdom_n may_v not_o be_v allow_v as_o just_a a_o consideration_n and_o as_o good_a a_o reason_n of_o his_o exercise_v authority_n in_o such_o affair_n as_o any_o munificent_a act_n of_o beneficence_n or_o protection_n but_o to_o bring_v this_o debate_n with_o dr._n hickes_n and_o his_o friend_n to_o a_o short_a issue_n either_o jesus_n christ_n by_o his_o gospel_n and_o his_o divine_a commission_n to_o his_o apostle_n have_v appropriate_v all_o ecclesiastical_a authoritty_a to_o the_o clergy_n only_o and_o exclude_v the_o secular_a power_n from_o it_o or_o he_o have_v not_o if_o he_o have_v and_o the_o certainty_n of_o that_o be_v make_v appear_v than_o they_o ought_v on_o no_o consideration_n whatsoever_o to_o be_v allow_v any_o share_n therein_o because_o that_o be_v act_v contrary_a to_o christ_n commission_n and_o law_n but_o if_o he_o have_v not_o than_o the_o church_n have_v no_o divine_a right_o at_o all_o of_o exclude_v their_o authority_n and_o act_v independent_o the_o consequence_n of_o this_o be_v plain_a and_o undeniable_a for_o to_o exclude_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o secular_a power_n where_o christ_n by_o his_o divine_a commission_n have_v not_o exclude_v they_o be_v to_o do_v it_o without_o reason_n and_o contrary_a to_o justice_n but_o that_o which_o dr._n hickes_n and_o his_o friend_n lay_v the_o great_a stress_n upon_o be_v 1._o the_o nature_n of_o the_o society_n and_o 2._o the_o power_n by_o which_o it_o subsist_v in_o the_o beginning_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o society_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v christ_n spiritual_a kingdom_n or_o ii_o vindication_n non-juring_a church_n prop._n i._n ii_o incorporation_n which_o have_v a_o be_v independent_a on_o the_o secular_a power_n for_o above_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o government_n of_o it_o be_v interweave_v with_o the_o secular_a government_n and_o law_n i_o grant_v all_o this_o to_o be_v true_a but_o because_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v great_a stress_n lay_v on_o this_o independency_n so_o much_o talk_v of_o i_o desire_v that_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v what_o it_o mean_v for_o in_o a_o christian_a country_n the_o church_n and_o state_n be_v not_o two_o distinct_a society_n like_o the_o kingdom_n of_o france_n and_o spain_n make_v up_o of_o different_a people_n and_o subject_n inhabit_v different_a territory_n but_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o body_n of_o man_n consider_v in_o two_o different_a relation_n and_o capacity_n the_o same_o person_n be_v at_o once_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o subject_n of_o the_o state_n and_o so_o constitute_v but_o one_o society_n of_o man_n under_o two_o capacity_n of_o government_n and_o even_o in_o this_o twofold_a capacity_n their_o affair_n their_o duty_n and_o obligation_n be_v so_o mix_v and_o interweave_v that_o in_o a_o christian_a state_n it_o be_v scarce_o practicable_a for_o the_o church_n to_o govern_v and_o manage_v her_o spiritual_a affair_n without_o influence_v and_o affect_v the_o state_n nay_o in_o the_o extent_n of_o spiritual_a power_n now_o claim_v it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a so_o to_o do_v so_o that_o this_o contest_v for_o a_o independent_a authority_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o struggle_v to_o take_v the_o management_n of_o religion_n and_o all_o religious_a affair_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o king_n and_o prince_n and_o if_o they_o once_o do_v this_o the_o state_n must_v be_v bring_v to_o depend_v upon_o the_o church_n because_o the_o church_n will_v be_v independent_a on_o the_o state_n and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v in_o a_o very_a fine_a condition_n in_o short_a while_o such_o a_o power_n be_v contend_v for_o the_o church_n and_o state_n must_v inevitable_o clash_v and_o disagree_v and_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o consult_v and_o secure_v the_o public_a peace_n without_o a_o subordination_n of_o the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o in_o their_o administration_n of_o government_n and_o as_o to_o the_o church_n have_v a_o be_v independent_a on_o the_o secular_a power_n for_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n it_o proceed_v only_o from_o the_o necessity_n of_o her_o circumstance_n and_o affair_n at_o that_o time_n that_o she_o act_v independent_o on_o the_o secular_a potentate_n it_o be_v when_o christianity_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o persecution_n and_o the_o secular_a power_n refuse_v to_o intermeddle_v in_o her_o government_n then_o it_o be_v very_o true_a that_o she_o subsist_v of_o herself_o and_o this_o prove_v undeniable_o that_o the_o church_n have_v a_o capacity_n so_o to_o do_v when_o need_n require_v but_o it_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v a_o desirable_a thing_n for_o she_o to_o be_v in_o such_o a_o case_n or_o that_o she_o have_v a_o divine_a right_n and_o power_n to_o exclude_v the_o secular_a potentate_n if_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o interpose_v their_o authority_n but_o i_o shall_v speak_v more_o particular_o to_o this_o hereafter_o i_o be_o now_o only_o show_v what_o weak_a and_o insufficient_a reason_n man_n allege_v for_o a_o independent_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o which_o i_o think_v this_o be_v a_o very_a great_a instance_n that_o because_o she_o do_v once_o so_o subsist_v out_o of_o necessity_n therefore_o she_o must_v always_o do_v so_o out_o of_o choice_n or_o have_v a_o divine_a right_o so_o to_o do_v when_o ever_o she_o please_v 2._o but_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o spiritual_a kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v also_o a_o royal_a priesthood_n a_o kingdom_n of_o priest_n the_o chief_a priest_n of_o which_o be_v regal_a priest_n or_o