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be_v reform_v in_o the_o last_o age_n be_v erroneous_a or_o idolatrous_a than_o any_o suppose_a irregularity_n that_o may_v be_v in_o the_o way_n of_o manage_v it_o can_v never_o blemish_v that_o work._n it_o be_v certain_a that_o all_o rule_n be_v only_o for_o quiet_a time_n in_o the_o day_n of_o peace_n and_o order_n the_o transgress_a of_o establish_a rule_n be_v without_o doubt_v a_o very_a censurable_a thing_n but_o this_o must_v not_o be_v apply_v to_o all_o time_n for_o though_o in_o a_o settle_a time_n we_o know_v how_o much_o respect_n we_o owe_v to_o judge_n and_o minister_n of_o state_n yet_o if_o these_o very_a person_n will_v go_v to_o set_v on_o a_o rebellion_n and_o authorise_v it_o all_o that_o respect_n ought_v present_o to_o be_v throw_v off_o chap._n ii_o some_o general_a consideration_n upon_o what_o be_v allege_v of_o the_o uncanonical_a proceed_n in_o the_o progress_n of_o our_o reformation_n it_o have_v a_o very_a ill_a grace_n to_o see_v a_o man_n of_o the_o roman_a communion_n talk_v so_o high_o of_o the_o obligation_n to_o obey_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n so_o as_o almost_o to_o vnchurch_n we_o upon_o some_o suppose_a irregularity_n in_o our_o reformation_n for_o what_o be_v the_o whole_a constitution_n of_o the_o papacy_n but_o one_o continue_a contradiction_n to_o all_o the_o ancient_a cannon_n and_o what_o be_v the_o whole_a modern_a canon_n law_n but_o the_o exaltation_n of_o the_o papal_a authority_n above_o all_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n clear_a in_o the_o primitive_a time_n than_o the_o establish_n the_o authority_n of_o metropolitan_n that_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a the_o equal_v the_o bishop_n of_o constantinople_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o 2d_o and_o four_o general_n council_n the_o establish_v the_o independency_n of_o those_o church_n that_o be_v in_o possession_n of_o it_o and_o so_o free_v they_o from_o all_o subordination_n to_o other_o see_v which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o 3d_o general_n council_n and_o yet_o though_o here_o we_o see_v the_o four_o first_o general_n council_n all_o concur_v to_o establish_v this_o form_n of_o government_n the_o papal-power_n be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o break_n in_o upon_o all_o these_o canon_n what_o be_v more_o uncanonical_a than_o the_o establish_n legatine_n court_n the_o receive_n of_o appeal_n the_o oblige_v of_o bishop_n to_o sue_v for_o their_o bull_n in_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n the_o dispense_n with_o all_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n the_o exempt_n all_o the_o regulars_n from_o obedience_n to_o their_o bishop_n which_o be_v not_o only_o contrary_a to_o the_o express_a canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n but_o be_v plain_o contrary_a to_o that_o authority_n that_o bishop_n derive_v from_o christ_n to_o govern_v the_o flock_n commit_v to_o their_o care_n in_o short_a the_o whole_a system_n of_o the_o church_n and_o court_n of_o rome_n be_v so_o direct_a a_o revolt_n from_o all_o the_o primitive_a canon_n that_o it_o be_v a_o degree_n of_o confidence_n which_o i_o do_v not_o envy_v in_o our_o author_n for_o he_o to_o talk_v of_o uncanonical_a proceed_n canon_n be_v rule_v establish_v either_o by_o provincial_a synod_n or_o more_o general_a council_n which_o import_v no_o more_o but_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v common_o observe_v for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v look_v on_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o former_a time_n as_o thing_n so_o sacred_a and_o unalterable_a that_o they_o can_v never_o be_v dispense_v with_o the_o schism_n of_o the_o two_o pope_n at_o rome_n and_o avignon_n and_o all_o that_o be_v do_v in_o consequence_n of_o it_o be_v uncanonical_a with_o a_o witness_n and_o yet_o how_o be_v all_o that_o bury_v by_o the_o council_n of_o constanâ—â—_n and_o though_o one_o of_o the_o two_o obedience_n be_v certain_o in_o a_o state_n of_o schism_n yet_o all_o that_o be_v pass_v over_o and_o without_o any_o submission_n of_o either_o side_n all_o be_v heal_v up_o the_o whole_a constiution_n of_o metropolitan_o with_o their_o provincial_a synod_n which_o be_v the_o ancient_a and_o clear_a of_o all_o the_o primitive_a rule_n arise_v only_o out_o of_o the_o several_a division_n of_o the_o province_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n when_o then_o the_o civil_a constitution_n of_o all_o europe_n be_v so_o much_o alter_v from_o what_o it_o be_v then_o all_o that_o fabric_n subsist_v now_o rather_o upon_o a_o respect_n to_o ancient_a rule_n than_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o canon_n which_o can_v no_o more_o remain_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v build_v be_v now_o remove_v and_o one_o may_v as_o well_o pretend_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v the_o old_a roman_a law_n or_o the_o feudal_n law_n because_o those_o law_n be_v once_o receive_v among_o we_o as_o to_o tell_v we_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v all_o the_o ancient_a canon_n especial_o those_o that_o have_v a_o visible_a relation_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n therefore_o the_o subordination_n of_o church_n of_o synod_n and_o metropolitan_o and_o patriarch_n that_o be_v only_o the_o knit_n into_o one_o body_n and_o under_o several_a degree_n of_o subordination_n a_o church_n that_o be_v all_o under_o one_o civil_a society_n and_o empire_n have_v sink_v with_o the_o roman_a empire_n so_o that_o the_o tear_v that_o empire_n in_o piece_n have_v quite_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o that_o ecclesiastical_a subordination_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o that_o yet_o keep_v up_o among_o we_o it_o be_v rather_o for_o the_o preserve_n of_o order_n than_o that_o we_o be_v under_o any_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n to_o submit_v to_o such_o constitution_n and_o therefore_o as_o oft_o as_o a_o great_a conjuncture_n of_o affair_n carry_v along_o with_o it_o consideration_n that_o be_v of_o more_o weight_n than_o the_o adhere_n to_o ancient_a form_n than_o all_o these_o may_v be_v well_o supersede_v for_o all_o rule_n be_v temporary_a thing_n and_o make_v according_a to_o several_a emergence_n and_o occasion_n which_o alter_v frequent_o it_o be_v a_o very_a unreasonable_a thing_n to_o expect_v that_o every_o church_n shall_v at_o all_o time_n conform_v itself_o to_o they_o and_o though_o we_o condemn_v that_o dissolution_n of_o all_o the_o canon_n which_o the_o church_n and_o court_n of_o rome_n have_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n we_o can_v acknowledge_v any_o such_o bind_a authority_n in_o they_o that_o they_o can_v never_o be_v dispense_v with_o the_o method_n of_o those_o man_n with_o who_o we_o deal_v be_v wonderful_a now_o they_o reproach_v our_o church_n with_o a_o violation_n of_o ancient_a canon_n and_o yet_o when_o we_o lie_v to_o their_o charge_n some_o of_o the_o canon_n that_o their_o council_n have_v make_v in_o these_o late_a age_n such_o as_o those_o of_o the_o lateran_n for_o the_o extirpation_n of_o heretic_n and_o for_o the_o pope_n power_n of_o depose_v heretical_a prince_n they_o tell_v we_o that_o great_a difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o decree_n that_o be_v make_v in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n since_o though_o they_o assert_v a_o infallibility_n in_o the_o one_o yet_o the_o other_o be_v transient_a thing_n in_o which_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o admit_v of_o so_o absolute_a a_o authority_n this_o be_v false_a with_o relation_n to_o decree_n that_o declare_v a_o christian_n duty_n or_o a_o rule_n of_o morality_n for_o decree_n in_o such_o matter_n do_v import_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o doctrine_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v found_v and_o therefore_o a_o church_n may_v indeed_o even_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o believe_v she_o infallible_a err_v in_o a_o particular_a judgement_n against_o such_o or_o such_o a_o heretical_a prince_n for_o that_o be_v found_v on_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n she_o may_v be_v infallible_a still_o even_o though_o she_o be_v surprise_v in_o matter_n of_o fact._n but_o she_o can_v be_v infallible_a if_o in_o declare_v the_o duty_n of_o subject_n towards_o heretical_a prince_n or_o of_o the_o pope_n authority_n in_o those_o case_n she_o have_v set_v rule_n contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god._n in_o such_o matter_n as_o these_o be_v i_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n be_v for_o ever_o obligatory_a upon_o all_o those_o who_o believe_v she_o infallible_a therefore_o since_o our_o author_n urge_v so_o much_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o canon_n i_o will_v glad_o know_v what_o he_o think_v of_o these_o which_o be_v not_o i_o confess_v ancient_n yet_o they_o be_v enact_v by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o that_o body_n
stretch_v their_o jurisdiction_n a_o little_a too_o much_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n those_o who_o have_v submit_v so_o tame_o to_o the_o one_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o reproach_v we_o for_o bear_v the_o other_o servitude_n even_o suppose_v that_o we_o grant_v that_o to_o be_v the_o case_n and_o if_o in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o reformation_n some_o of_o our_o bishop_n or_o other_o writer_n have_v carry_v the_o royal_a supremacy_n too_o far_o either_o in_o act_n of_o convocation_n or_o in_o their_o write_n as_o those_o thing_n be_v personal_a matter_n in_o which_o we_o be_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v who_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o assert_v a_o infallibility_n in_o our_o church_n so_o their_o excess_n in_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o natural_a that_o we_o have_v all_o possible_a reason_n to_o excuse_v it_o or_o at_o least_o to_o censure_v it_o very_o gentle_o for_o as_o all_o party_n and_o person_n be_v carry_v by_o a_o bias_n very_o common_a to_o mankind_n to_o magnify_v that_o authority_n which_o favour_n and_o support_v they_o so_o the_o extreme_n of_o the_o papal_a tyranny_n and_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n that_o have_v former_o prevail_v may_v have_v carry_v they_o a_o little_a too_o far_o into_o the_o opposite_a extreme_a of_o raise_v the_o civil_a power_n too_o high_a but_o after_o all_o we_o find_v that_o when_o theodosius_n come_v to_o the_o empire_n he_o see_v the_o eastern_a half_n of_o it_o overrun_v with_o arrianism_n and_o as_o the_o arrian_n be_v in_o possession_n and_o be_v the_o more_o numerous_a so_o they_o have_v synod_n of_o bishop_n that_o have_v meet_v oft_o and_o in_o vast_a number_n and_o have_v judge_v in_o their_o favour_n their_o synod_n be_v both_o more_o numerous_a than_o that_o of_o nice_n and_o be_v a_o more_o just_a representative_a of_o the_o catholic_n church_n since_o there_o be_v very_o few_o of_o the_o western_a bishop_n in_o that_o which_o be_v hold_v at_o nice_a and_o as_o for_o the_o fraud_n and_o violence_n that_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n to_o carry_v matter_n in_o those_o synod_n it_o be_v very_o like_o the_o arrian_n both_o deny_v they_o and_o be_v not_o want_v to_o recriminate_a on_o the_o orthodox_n so_o when_o there_o be_v a_o pretence_n of_o general_n council_n on_o both_o hand_n here_o be_v a_o very_a perplex_a case_n but_o theodosius_n find_v a_o short_a way_n to_o get_v out_o of_o it_o and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o call_v a_o new_a general_n council_n or_o of_o examine_v the_o history_n of_o the_o several_a pretend_a council_n which_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v do_v according_a to_o our_o author_n system_v he_o pass_v a_o law_n which_o be_v the_o first_o law_n in_o justinian_o code_n by_o which_o he_o require_v all_o person_n to_o profess_v that_o faith_n which_o be_v profess_v by_o damasus_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o peter_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n and_o yet_o this_o law_n which_o be_v a_o high_a invasion_n on_o the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n than_o any_o that_o be_v commit_v in_o our_o reformation_n be_v never_o so_o much_o as_o censure_v on_o the_o contrary_a theodosius_n be_v high_o magnify_v for_o it_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o he_o pay_v any_o particular_a respect_n to_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n in_o this_o for_o his_o join_v peter_n of_o alexandria_n with_o damasus_n show_v that_o he_o make_v the_o faith_n of_o these_o bishop_n the_o measure_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o he_o resolve_v to_o protect_v not_o because_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o see_v but_o because_o he_o believe_v their_o faith_n be_v orthodox_n the_o case_n be_v almost_o the_o same_o in_o england_n in_o which_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o the_o independent_a authority_n of_o our_o metropolitan_n ought_v to_o be_v assert_v which_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o that_o many_o corruption_n in_o the_o worship_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o worship_n of_o image_n that_o be_v condemn_v by_o two_o very_a numerous_a general_n council_n one_o in_o the_o east_n at_o constantinople_n and_o another_o in_o the_o west_n at_o francfort_n aught_o to_o be_v reform_v if_o upon_o all_o this_o the_o supreme_a civil_a authority_n of_o this_o nation_n have_v enact_v such_o a_o law_n as_o theodosius_n have_v do_v command_v all_o to_o follow_v the_o doctrine_n profess_v by_o the_o two_o arch-bishop_n of_o this_o church_n it_o have_v be_v no_o other_o but_o a_o copy_n after_o that_o pattern_n which_o theodosius_n have_v set_v we_o with_o the_o approbation_n of_o all_o antiquity_n and_o yet_o it_o can_v be_v pretend_v that_o our_o king_n and_o parliament_n act_v in_o so_o summary_n a_o way_n for_o they_o go_v much_o more_o slow_o and_o mature_o to_o work._n upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n the_o civil_a authority_n have_v a_o power_n to_o command_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v just_a and_o lawful_a and_o in_o that_o case_n the_o law_n that_o flow_v from_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v obey_v and_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n be_v sinful_a we_o must_v not_o indeed_o obey_v in_o that_o case_n but_o we_o must_v submit_v and_o bear_v what_o we_o do_v not_o like_a and_o suffer_v where_o we_o can_v obey_v so_o that_o lawful_a or_o unlawful_a seem_v to_o be_v the_o only_a measure_n that_o ought_v to_o govern_v our_o obedience_n and_o as_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o morality_n no_o body_n can_v deny_v that_o the_o civil_a authority_n have_v a_o full_a scope_n though_o that_o be_v still_o limit_v by_o this_o that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o injustice_n immorality_n or_o turpitude_n in_o the_o action_n that_o be_v command_v but_o where_o this_o be_v not_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v all_o the_o law_n that_o relate_v to_o those_o matter_n and_o where_o it_o be_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v and_o to_o bear_v our_o burden_n without_o give_v ourselves_o the_o trouble_n to_o inquire_v how_o far_o the_o civil_a authority_n ought_v to_o be_v carry_v in_o such_o matter_n we_o set_v the_o same_o measure_n to_o our_o obedience_n in_o matter_n of_o reveal_v religion_n if_o the_o king_n pass_v law_n contrary_a to_o scripture_n we_o can_v indeed_o obey_v they_o because_o of_o that_o high_a authority_n to_o which_o we_o be_v subject_a and_o in_o obedience_n to_o which_o we_o pay_v all_o submission_n to_o those_o who_o god_n have_v set_v over_o we_o but_o if_o they_o be_v lawful_a and_o conform_v to_o the_o scripture_n we_o ought_v to_o obey_v they_o without_o examine_v whether_o the_o king_n have_v proceed_v in_o the_o pass_v such_o law_n by_o the_o rule_n that_o become_v quiet_a and_o regular_a time_n and_o if_o a_o hezekiah_n or_o a_o josias_n shall_v rise_v up_o and_o find_v the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o subject_n the_o priest_n as_o well_o as_o the_o people_n engage_v in_o idolatry_n if_o he_o shall_v reform_v they_o and_o suppress_v that_o corrupt_a way_n of_o worship_n we_o ought_v instead_o of_o examine_v critical_o the_o method_n or_o step_n by_o which_o he_o have_v bring_v about_o that_o change_n rather_o to_o rejoice_v in_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n for_o blessing_n we_o with_o such_o a_o prince_n so_o that_o let_v man_n man_n write_v and_o dispute_v as_o long_o as_o they_o will_v on_o these_o matter_n the_o whole_a cause_n must_v be_v bring_v to_o this_o short_a issue_n either_o the_o thing_n that_o our_o prince_n and_o legislator_n enact_v at_o the_o reformation_n be_v in_o themselves_o just_a and_o good_a and_o necessary_a or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v than_o they_o have_v a_o authority_n over_o we_o in_o all_o lawful_a thing_n as_o they_o do_v well_o to_o enact_v these_o law_n so_o we_o do_v well_o to_o obey_v they_o but_o if_o they_o be_v neither_o just_a nor_o good_a nor_o necessary_a than_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o as_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o they_o to_o enact_v they_o so_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o we_o to_o obey_v they_o and_o all_o other_o reason_v upon_o this_o subject_a be_v but_o illusion_n by_o which_o weak_a mind_n may_v perhaps_o be_v wrought_v upon_o but_o they_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v such_o evident_a fallacy_n to_o man_n of_o sense_n that_o without_o enter_v into_o a_o strict_a enquiry_n of_o what_o may_v be_v allege_v for_o they_o they_o will_v easy_o shake_v they_o off_o in_o short_a if_o the_o reformation_n appear_v to_o be_v a_o good_a thing_n in_o itself_o than_o all_o argue_v against_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o be_v but_o mere_a trifle_n and_o look_v like_o man_n who_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v and_o to_o mislead_v people_n by_o false_a colour_n of_o truth_n chap._n iu._n reflection_n on_o the_o eight_o thesis_n lay_v down_o by_o our_o author_n upon_o the_o ground_n that_o have_v hitherto_o be_v open_v it_o will_v not_o be_v hard_a to_o make_v a_o very_a clear_a