p._n 486._o basil._n in_o order_n to_o a_o clear_a progress_n in_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v first_o discuss_v the_o nature_n and_o power_n of_o the_o church_n by_o which_o a_o step_n shall_v be_v make_v to_o the_o power_n the_o magistrate_n may_v pretend_v to_o in_o matter_n sacred_a the_o apostle_n be_v send_v by_o jesus_n christ_n do_v every_o where_o promulgate_v the_o gospel_n and_o require_v such_o as_o receive_v it_o to_o meet_v often_o together_o for_o joint_a worship_n and_o the_o free_a profession_n of_o the_o faith_n wherein_o they_o be_v particular_o oblige_v to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o sacrament_n the_o apostle_n and_o after_o they_o all_o churchman_n be_v also_o endue_v with_o a_o double_a power_n the_o one_o be_v declarative_n for_o promulgate_a the_o gospel_n the_o other_o be_v directive_n which_o proper_o be_v no_o power_n and_o by_o this_o they_o be_v to_o advise_v in_o such_o matter_n wherein_o they_o have_v no_o warrant_n to_o command_v so_o s._n paul_n write_v 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the_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n have_v they_o be_v the_o plurality_n in_o the_o judicatories_n which_o be_v well_o enough_o foresee_v and_o guard_v against_o by_o your_o clergy_n who_o though_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o serve_v themselves_o of_o they_o for_o a_o while_n yet_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o part_v with_o their_o belove_a authority_n but_o for_o synod_n if_o the_o obligation_n to_o they_o be_v from_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o body_n than_o nothing_o under_o a_o ecumenical_a one_o will_v answer_v this_o which_o yet_o be_v simple_o unpracticable_a now_o as_o for_o your_o national_a synod_n it_o be_v visible_a they_o be_v and_o must_v be_v frame_v according_a to_o the_o division_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o several_a kingdom_n for_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n be_v pretend_v from_o scripture_n tell_v the_o church_n the_o bind_n and_o lose_v of_o sin_n or_o the_o like_a it_o follow_v that_o parochial_a congregation_n and_o the_o pastor_n in_o they_o be_v vest_v with_o a_o 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one_o in_o their_o name_n and_o that_o what_o shall_v be_v agree_v to_o by_o the_o major_a part_n of_o these_o delegate_n shall_v be_v a_o bind_a obligation_n on_o christian_n and_o yet_o i_o know_v you_o will_v think_v the_o independent_o carry_v the_o cause_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o appointment_n of_o these_o superior_a court_n have_v no_o authority_n till_o ratify_v by_o the_o inferior_a which_o will_v resolve_v the_o power_n into_o the_o inferior_a court_n by_o all_o which_o i_o think_v it_o be_v clear_v abundant_o that_o the_o association_n of_o church_n into_o synod_n can_v be_v by_o a_o divine_a warrant_n but_o i_o must_v call_v in_o some_o relief_n for_o i_o grow_v weary_a of_o speak_v too_o long_o eud._n i_o suppose_v none_o will_v deny_v the_o association_n of_o church_n to_o be_v a_o excellent_a mean_n for_o preserve_v
in_o your_o principle_n to_o answer_v this_o and_o see_v how_o you_o will_v clear_v this_o practice_n of_o discipline_n from_o tyranny_n since_o to_o debar_v man_n from_o the_o sacrament_n be_v a_o great_a dominion_n over_o conscience_n than_o the_o determine_n about_o ritual_n but_o to_o come_v near_a home_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a society_n you_o have_v hear_v of_o clepe_v the_o kirk_n which_o have_v divers_a book_n of_o discipline_n contain_v rule_n for_o that_o and_o a_o directory_n for_o worship_n which_o have_v no_o few_o rule_v neither_o they_o have_v also_o a_o frame_n of_o government_n the_o supreme_a judicatory_a whereof_o be_v compose_v of_o three_o minister_n and_o one_o rule_v elder_a from_o each_o presbytery_n a_o roll_a elder_a beside_o from_o each_o burrow_n two_o be_v allow_v the_o metropolis_n and_o a_o commissioner_n be_v send_v from_o each_o university_n and_o in_o this_o high_a court_n the_o king_n come_v in_o with_o the_o privilege_n of_o a_o burgh_n for_o though_o the_o metropolis_n have_v two_o he_o be_v allow_v to_o send_v but_o one_o with_o a_o single_a suffrage_n to_o represent_v he_o and_o this_o court_n pretend_v to_o a_o authority_n from_o christ_n and_o their_o authority_n be_v sacred_a with_o no_o less_o certificate_n than_o he_o that_o despise_v you_o despise_v i_o now_o how_o a_o power_n can_v be_v commit_v to_o delegate_n without_o any_o commission_n for_o it_o from_o the_o superior_a will_v not_o be_v easy_o make_v out_o and_o they_o will_v search_v long_o ere_o they_o find_v a_o divine_a warrant_n for_o this_o court_n unless_o they_o vouch_v mary_n mitchelsons_n testimony_n for_o it_o who_o hysterical_a distemper_n be_v give_v out_o for_o prophecy_n and_o whereas_o they_o be_v so_o tender_a of_o christian_a liberty_n that_o no_o law_n must_v pass_v about_o the_o ritual_n of_o religion_n yet_o their_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o model_n of_o government_n be_v not_o only_o settle_v by_o law_n but_o afterward_o swear_v to_o be_v maintain_v in_o the_o covenant_n wherein_o they_o swear_v the_o preservation_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n in_o scotland_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n these_o be_v the_o tender_a conscience_n that_o can_v not_o hear_v of_o any_o law_n in_o matter_n indifferent_a and_o yet_o will_v have_v all_o swear_v to_o their_o form_n many_o of_o which_o they_o can_v not_o but_o know_v be_v indifferent_a which_o be_v a_o make_v they_o necessary_a at_o another_o rate_n than_o be_v do_v by_o a_o law_n which_o the_o legislator_n can_v repeal_v when_o he_o will_v and_o never_o be_v any_o in_o the_o world_n more_o addict_v to_o their_o own_o form_n than_o they_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o this_o i_o will_v give_v which_o i_o dare_v say_v will_v surprise_v you_o when_o some_o designer_n for_o popularity_n in_o the_o western_a part_n of_o that_o kirk_n do_v begin_v to_o disuse_n the_o lord_n prayer_n in_o worship_n and_o the_o sing_v the_o conclusion_n or_o doxology_n after_o the_o psalm_n and_o the_o minister_n kneel_v for_o private_a devotion_n when_o he_o enter_v the_o pulpit_n the_o general_n assembly_n take_v this_o in_o very_o ill_a part_n and_o in_o a_o letter_n they_o write_v to_o the_o presbytery_n complain_v sad_o of_o a_o spirit_n of_o innovation_n be_v beginning_n to_o get_v into_o the_o kirk_n and_o to_o throw_v these_o laudable_a practice_n out_o of_o it_o mention_v the_o three_o i_o name_v which_o be_v command_v to_o be_v still_o practise_v and_o such_o as_o refuse_v obedience_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v confer_v with_o in_o order_n to_o the_o give_v of_o they_o satisfaction_n and_o if_o they_o continue_v untractable_a the_o presbytery_n be_v to_o proceed_v against_o they_o as_o they_o shall_v be_v answerable_a to_o the_o next_o general_a assembly_n this_o letter_n i_o can_v produce_v authentical_o attest_v but_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a that_o some_o who_o be_v then_o zealous_a to_o condemn_v these_o innovation_n shall_v now_o be_v carry_v with_o the_o herd_n to_o be_v guilty_a of_o they_o i_o be_o become_v hoarse_a with_o speak_v so_o long_o and_o so_o i_o must_v break_v off_o have_v as_o i_o suppose_v give_v many_o great_a precedent_n from_o history_n for_o the_o use_n of_o rite_n in_o divine_a matter_n without_o a_o express_a warrant_n and_o for_o pass_a law_n upon_o these_o and_o have_v clear_v the_o one_o of_o superstition_n and_o the_o other_o of_o tyranny_n eud._n true_o all_o of_o you_o have_v do_v your_o part_n so_o well_o that_o even_o isotimus_n himself_o seem_v half_o convince_v it_o be_v then_o full_o clear_a that_o as_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v obtrude_v on_o our_o belief_n without_o clear_a revelation_n so_o no_o sacred_a duty_n can_v be_v bind_v on_o oâ—r_a obedience_n without_o a_o divine_a warrant_n but_o in_o ritual_n especial_o in_o determine_v what_o may_v be_v do_v in_o a_o variety_n of_o way_n to_o one_o particular_a form_n there_o have_v be_v and_o still_o must_v be_v a_o power_n on_o earth_n which_o provide_v it_o balance_v all_o thing_n right_a and_o consider_v well_o the_o fitness_n of_o these_o rite_n for_o attain_v the_o design_a end_n do_v not_o invade_v god_n dominion_n by_o make_v law_n about_o they_o nor_o will_v the_o pretence_n of_o christian_a liberty_n warrant_v our_o disobedience_n to_o they_o it_o remain_v to_o be_v consider_v who_o be_v vest_v with_o this_o power_n and_o how_o much_o of_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o how_o much_o to_o the_o church_n basil._n i_o now_o engage_v in_o a_o theme_n which_o may_v perhaps_o lay_v i_o open_a to_o censure_v as_o if_o i_o be_v court_v the_o civil_a power_n by_o the_o assert_v of_o their_o right_n but_o i_o be_o too_o well_o know_v to_o you_o to_o dread_v your_o jealous_o much_o in_o this_o and_o i_o be_o too_o little_o know_v to_o myself_o if_o flattery_n be_v my_o foible_a i_o shall_v therefore_o with_o the_o great_a frankness_n and_o ingenuity_n lay_v open_a my_o sense_n of_o this_o matter_n with_o the_o reason_n that_o prevail_v with_o i_o in_o it_o but_o i_o desire_v first_o to_o hear_v isotimus_n his_o opinion_n about_o it_o isot._n i_o do_v not_o deny_v the_o king_n have_v authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o matter_n sacred_a but_o it_o must_v be_v assert_v in_o a_o due_a line_n of_o subordination_n first_o to_o christ_n the_o king_n of_o king_n and_o the_o only_a head_n of_o his_o church_n and_o next_o to_o the_o ruler_n and_o office-bearer_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v entrust_v by_o christ_n as_o his_o ambassador_n with_o the_o soul_n of_o their_o flock_n and_o who_o must_v give_v he_o a_o account_n of_o their_o labour_n therefore_o they_o must_v have_v their_o rule_n only_o from_o he_o who_o empower_v they_o and_o to_o who_o they_o be_v subject_a they_o must_v also_o have_v a_o power_n among_o they_o to_o preserve_v the_o christian_a society_n in_o order_n to_o which_o they_o must_v according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n when_o difficulty_n emerge_n meet_v together_o and_o consult_v what_o may_v be_v for_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o whoso_o refuse_v to_o hear_v the_o church_n when_o she_o err_v not_o from_o her_o rule_n he_o be_v to_o be_v account_v no_o better_a than_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n and_o since_o the_o church_n be_v call_v one_o body_n they_o ought_v to_o associate_v together_o in_o meeting_n see_v also_o they_o have_v their_o power_n of_o christ_n as_o mediator_n whereas_o the_o civil_a power_n hold_v of_o he_o as_o he_o be_v god_n they_o have_v a_o different_a tenor_n distinct_a end_n and_o various_a rule_n therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n be_v among_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n which_o only_o belong_v to_o he_o and_o indeed_o christian_n be_v very_o ill_o provide_v for_o by_o christ_n if_o they_o must_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o secular_a and_o carnal_a man_n who_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o serve_v their_o own_o interest_n at_o the_o rate_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v sacred_a it_o be_v true_a the_o civil_a power_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o convocate_v synod_n to_o consult_v about_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o require_v churchman_n to_o do_v their_o duty_n to_o add_v their_o sanction_n to_o church_n law_n and_o to_o join_v with_o the_o sound_a part_n for_o carry_v on_o a_o reformation_n but_o all_o this_o be_v cumulative_a to_o the_o church_n intrinsic_a power_n and_o not_o privative_a so_o that_o if_o the_o magistrate_n fall_v short_a of_o his_o duty_n they_o be_v notwithstanding_o that_o to_o go_v on_o as_o man_n empower_v by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o he_o who_o despise_v they_o be_v his_o quality_n what_o it_o will_v despise_v he_o that_o send_v they_o see_v p._n 105._o to_o p._n 109._o and_o p._n 467._o to_o
unity_n and_o peace_n but_o to_o assert_v a_o divine_a original_n for_o they_o methinks_v be_v a_o hard_a task_n and_o true_o to_o assert_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o major_a part_n which_o must_v be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o presbytery_n be_v a_o thing_n full_a of_o tyranny_n over_o conscience_n than_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v fear_v from_o episcopacy_n since_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n be_v evil_a which_o hold_v true_a of_o no_o sort_n of_o people_n more_o than_o of_o churchman_n what_o mischief_n may_v be_v expect_v if_o the_o plurality_n must_v decide_v all_o matter_n and_o to_o speak_v plain_o i_o look_v on_o a_o potion_n of_o physic_n as_o the_o best_a cure_n for_o he_o who_o can_v think_v a_o national_a synod_n according_a to_o the_o model_n of_o glasgow_n be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n on_o earth_n or_o that_o court_n to_o which_o he_o have_v commit_v his_o authority_n for_o he_o seem_v beyond_o the_o power_n or_o conviction_n of_o 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of_o successor_n in_o their_o office_n belong_v undoubted_o to_o they_o and_o in_o try_v they_o rule_n be_v express_o give_v out_o in_o scripture_n to_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o adhere_v and_o follow_v they_o but_o as_o for_o other_o thing_n they_o be_v either_o decision_n of_o opinion_n or_o rule_v for_o practice_n in_o the_o former_a their_o authority_n be_v pure_o to_o declare_v and_o in_o that_o they_o act_v but_o as_o man_n and_o we_o find_v whole_a school_n of_o they_o have_v be_v abuse_v and_o in_o the_o other_o they_o only_o give_v advice_n and_o direction_n but_o have_v no_o jurisdiction_n it_o be_v true_a much_o noise_n be_v make_v about_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n p._n 106_o as_o if_o that_o be_v a_o warrant_n for_o synod_n to_o meet_v together_o but_o first_o it_o be_v clear_v no_o command_n be_v there_o give_v so_o at_o most_o that_o will_v prove_v synod_n to_o be_v lawful_a but_o that_o give_v they_o no_o authority_n except_o you_o produce_v a_o clear_a 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tell_v they_o to_o note_v such_o as_o walk_v disorderly_a and_o have_v no_o fellowship_n with_o they_o which_o be_v shrewd_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o at_o first_o all_o thing_n be_v manage_v parochial_o where_o the_o faithful_a be_v also_o admit_v to_o determine_v about_o what_o occur_v but_o for_o synod_n we_o find_v not_o the_o least_o vestige_n of_o they_o before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o century_n that_o synod_n be_v gather_v about_o the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o day_n of_o easter_n and_o the_o follow_a association_n of_o church_n show_v clear_o that_o they_o take_v their_o model_n from_o the_o division_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o so_o according_a as_o the_o province_n be_v divide_v the_o church_n in_o they_o do_v associate_v to_o the_o metropolitan_o and_o become_v subordinate_a to_o they_o and_o these_o be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o patriarch_n by_o which_o mean_v it_o be_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v the_o precedency_n not_o from_o any_o 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whatever_o by_o treaty_n one_o state_n yield_v over_o to_o another_o that_o promise_v donation_n and_o oath_n be_v indeed_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o the_o king_n right_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v first_o found_v but_o now_o his_o title_n to_o our_o obedience_n proceed_v upon_o the_o rule_n of_o justice_n of_o give_v he_o what_o be_v his_o by_o a_o immemorial_n possession_n pass_v all_o prescription_n so_o many_o age_n ago_o that_o the_o first_o vestige_n of_o it_o can_v be_v trace_v from_o record_n or_o certain_a history_n and_o not_o of_o fidelity_n of_o observe_v the_o promise_n of_o our_o ancestor_n to_o he_o though_o i_o do_v not_o deny_v a_o pious_a veneration_n to_o be_v due_a to_o the_o promise_n and_o oath_n of_o parent_n when_o they_o contain_v in_o they_o adjuration_n on_o their_o child_n and_o thus_o the_o gibeonite_n have_v a_o right_a to_o their_o life_n confirm_v to_o they_o by_o the_o compact_a of_o the_o prince_n of_o israel_n they_o and_o their_o posterity_n have_v a_o good_a title_n in_o justice_n to_o their_o life_n which_o be_v base_o invade_v by_o saul_n and_o have_v this_o aggravation_n that_o the_o compact_n make_v with_o they_o be_v confirm_v by_o oath_n for_o which_o their_o posterity_n shall_v have_v have_v a_o just_a veneration_n but_o though_o that_o oath_n do_v at_o first_o find_v their_o title_n to_o their_o life_n and_o their_o exemption_n from_o the_o forfeiture_n all_o the_o amorites_n lie_v under_o yet_o afterward_o their_o title_n be_v preserve_v upon_o the_o rule_n of_o justice_n and_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o forbid_v the_o invade_v the_o life_n of_o our_o neighbour_n when_o by_o no_o injury_n they_o forfeit_v they_o thus_o your_o confound_v the_o title_n of_o inheritance_n and_o prescription_n with_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o they_o first_o accresce_v have_v engage_v you_o into_o all_o this_o mistake_n but_o from_o all_o this_o you_o see_v how_o ill_o found_v that_o reason_n of_o the_o answerer_n of_o the_o dialogue_n be_v for_o prove_v the_o posterity_n of_o these_o who_o take_v the_o covenant_n tie_v by_o their_o father_n oath_n which_o yet_o at_o first_o view_n promise_v as_o fair_a colour_n of_o reason_n as_o any_o part_n of_o his_o book_n have_v he_o not_o intermix_v it_o with_o shameful_a insulting_n and_o rail_n at_o the_o conformist_n which_o i_o suppose_v do_v now_o appear_v as_o ill_o ground_v as_o they_o be_v cruel_a and_o base_a but_o i_o be_o not_o so_o much_o in_o love_n with_o that_o stile_n as_o to_o recriminate_a nor_o shall_v i_o tell_v you_o of_o his_o error_n that_o way_n of_o which_o i_o be_o in_o good_a earnest_n ashamed_a upon_o his_o account_n for_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a thing_n if_o a_o man_n can_v answer_v a_o discourse_n without_o he_o fall_v a_o fleer_a and_o rail_v to_o conclude_v this_o whole_a purpose_n i_o be_o mistake_v if_o much_o doubt_v will_v remain_v with_o a_o ingenuous_a and_o unprejudged_a reader_n if_o either_o we_o or_o 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the_o church_n against_o both_o reason_n and_o religion_n and_o any_o thing_n you_o can_v draw_v from_o christ_n practice_n or_o precept_n in_o acknowledge_v the_o high_a priest_n or_o command_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v what_o the_o pharisee_n teach_v they_o be_v not_o applicable_a to_o this_o purpose_n for_o first_o these_o be_v civil_a magistrate_n as_o well_o as_o ecclesiastic_n and_o doctor_n of_o the_o civil_a and_o judicial_a law_n which_o be_v different_a from_o the_o case_n of_o churchman_n with_o we_o further_n the_o jewish_a church_n be_v still_o in_o possession_n of_o the_o privilege_n give_v they_o from_o god_n and_o so_o till_o christ_n erect_v his_o church_n they_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o join_v with_o in_o worship_n but_o how_o vast_o differ_v our_o case_n from_o this_o see_v from_o p._n 189._o to_o p._n 204._o phil._n you_o have_v give_v a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o large_a reason_n of_o the_o late_a book_n on_o this_o head_n only_o he_o be_v so_o browilled_a in_o it_o that_o there_o be_v whole_a page_n in_o his_o discourse_n which_o i_o confess_v my_o weakness_n can_v reach_v but_o to_o clear_v the_o way_n for_o your_o satisfaction_n in_o this_o matter_n which_o i_o look_v upon_o as_o that_o of_o great_a concernment_n next_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o nonresistance_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v debate_v among_o we_o since_o it_o dissolve_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o open_v a_o patent_n door_n to_o all_o disorder_n ignorance_n and_o profanity_n i_o shall_v consider_v what_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v and_o in_o what_o manner_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o maintain_v and_o preserve_v it_o all_o christian_n be_v command_v to_o love_v one_o another_o and_o to_o live_v in_o peace_n together_o and_o in_o order_n to_o this_o they_o must_v also_o unite_v and_o concur_v in_o joint_a prayer_n adoration_n and_o other_o act_n of_o worship_n to_o express_v the_o harmony_n of_o their_o love_n in_o divine_a matter_n sacrament_n be_v also_o institute_v for_o unite_n the_o body_n together_o be_v solemn_a and_o federal_a stipulation_n make_v with_o god_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o some_o who_o be_v his_o ambassador_n and_o representative_n upon_o earth_n by_o who_o mouth_n the_o worship_n be_v chief_o offer_v up_o to_o god_n and_o who_o must_v be_v solemn_o call_v and_o separate_v for_o their_o employment_n now_o these_o assembling_n of_o the_o saint_n be_v not_o to_o be_v forsake_v till_o there_o be_v such_o a_o corruption_n in_o the_o constitution_n of_o they_o or_o in_o some_o part_n of_o the_o worship_n that_o we_o can_v escape_v the_o guilt_n of_o that_o without_o we_o separate_v ourselves_o from_o these_o unclean_a thing_n wherefore_o the_o warning_n be_v give_v come_v out_o of_o babylon_n that_o we_o be_v not_o partaker_n of_o her_o sin_n and_o so_o receive_v not_o of_o her_o plague_n but_o though_o there_o be_v very_o great_a and_o visible_a corruption_n in_o a_o 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