person_n speak_v of_o who_o st._n paul_n do_v direct_o and_o immediate_o respect_n be_v those_o mention_v chap._n 3._o vers_fw-la 22._o paul_n apollo_n and_o cephas_n who_o be_v separate_v by_o the_o lord_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o appoint_v as_o subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o faith_n and_o salvation_n of_o the_o corinthian_n but_o that_o this_o particular_a direction_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n may_v be_v of_o large_a use_n and_o service_n to_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o general_a it_o be_v most_o rational_a and_o consentaneous_a to_o the_o whole_a scope_n and_o tenure_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o affirm_v that_o all_o those_o who_o according_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n be_v consecrate_v to_o the_o same_o employment_n be_v invest_v with_o the_o same_o authority_n and_o office_n implicit_o include_v in_o the_o expression_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o as_o just_o style_v minister_n of_o christ_n and_o steward_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o paul_n or_o apollo_n or_o cephas_n be_v and_o if_o particular_a commission_n be_v necessary_a to_o constitute_v the_o office_n of_o the_o holy_a order_n the_o negative_a hold_v as_o infallible_o true_a as_o the_o affirmative_a that_o no_o person_n may_v presume_v to_o administer_v any_o office_n appropriate_a to_o this_o sacred_a function_n but_o those_o who_o be_v legal_o call_v to_o and_o canonical_o invest_v with_o it_o for_o the_o gospel_n almost_o as_o oft_o as_o occasion_n be_v offer_v to_o make_v mention_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o dispenser_n of_o it_o plain_o intimate_v that_o the_o master_n of_o our_o religion_n design_n a_o separation_n of_o person_n from_o secular_a employment_n to_o officiate_v in_o the_o ministry_n and_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n as_o in_o 1_o cor._n 12._o the_o apostle_n resemble_v the_o church_n to_o a_o body_n which_o be_v constitute_v of_o several_a member_n and_o every_o one_o design_v to_o serve_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n for_o the_o benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o the_o whole_a that_o the_o foot_n can_v usurp_v the_o office_n of_o the_o head_n nor_o the_o arm_n exercise_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o brain_n but_o every_o one_o discharge_v its_o proper_a function_n that_o there_o be_v no_o schism_n nor_o division_n in_o the_o body_n in_o proportion_n to_o which_o similitude_n the_o state_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o which_o every_o the_o mean_a christian_n be_v a_o member_n in_o particular_a but_o every_o member_n can_v dispose_v and_o regulate_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o whole_a for_o be_v all_o apostle_n be_v all_o prophet_n be_v all_o teacher_n do_v all_o speak_v with_o tongue_n do_v all_o interpret_v verse_n 29.30_o shall_v the_o foot_n say_v unless_o i_o be_o head_n i_o will_v not_o be_v of_o the_o body_n or_o the_o ear_n say_v because_o i_o be_o not_o the_o eye_n i_o be_o not_o sufficient_o honour_v if_o the_o whole_a body_n be_v a_o eye_n where_o be_v the_o hear_n and_o if_o every_o member_n be_v the_o head_n where_o be_v the_o body_n but_o god_n have_v set_v the_o member_n every_o one_o in_o the_o body_n as_o it_o have_v please_v he_o verse_n 16_o 17_o 18._o first_o apostles_n secondary_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n verse_n 28._o and_o that_o this_o distinction_n shall_v remain_v in_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v confident_o conffirm_v by_o the_o apostle_n ephes_n 4.11_o 12_o 13._o wherein_o he_o declare_v that_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n therein_o mention_v to_o be_v give_v for_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o saint_n for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n which_o phrase_n must_v of_o necessity_n denote_v their_o continuance_n in_o the_o church_n till_o the_o number_n of_o god_n elect_n be_v accomplish_v and_o the_o state_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n perfect_o complete_v and_o for_o this_o reason_n st._n paul_n justify_v his_o special_a designation_n to_o the_o apostleship_n 1_o tim._n 2.7_o and_o st._n peter_n exhort_v his_o presbyter_n to_o continual_a diligence_n in_o their_o employment_n as_o their_o proper_a and_o necessary_a duty_n 1_o pet._n 5.1_o 2._o and_o indeed_o if_o we_o search_v into_o the_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o world_n or_o consider_v the_o account_n which_o modern_a historian_n have_v private_o collect_v and_o public_o present_v to_o we_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o faithful_a among_o they_o do_v confident_o assure_v we_o that_o never_o any_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n make_v a_o public_a profession_n of_o religion_n but_o the_o governor_n thereof_o solemn_o appoint_v a_o separation_n of_o person_n who_o constant_a employment_n it_o shall_v be_v to_o solemnize_v and_o celebrate_v the_o mystery_n thereof_o and_o moses_n in_o transcribe_v the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n both_o before_o and_o after_o the_o flood_n and_o under_o the_o admistration_n of_o the_o law_n have_v record_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o same_o custom_n in_o those_o several_a form_n of_o church-government_n thus_o enoch_n and_o noah_n be_v preacher_n of_o righteousness_n to_o the_o old_a world_n abraham_n and_o the_o succeed_a patriarch_n be_v king_n and_o priest_n in_o their_o respective_a family_n and_o due_o administer_v the_o affair_n of_o religion_n to_o their_o several_a charge_n and_o when_o god_n erect_v his_o theocratical_a government_n over_o the_o jew_n who_o he_o have_v choose_v for_o his_o own_o people_n he_o command_v aaron_n and_o his_o son_n to_o be_v set_v apart_o for_o the_o priest_n office_n that_o they_o may_v wait_v at_o the_o altar_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o minister_n to_o the_o people_n in_o holy_a thing_n which_o be_v appoint_v a_o statute_n unto_o he_o and_o to_o his_o seed_n after_o he_o for_o evermore_o exod._n 28.1_o 43._o and_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n must_v be_v deny_v this_o honour_n and_o no_o such_o custom_n observe_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n this_o strange_a innovation_n must_v be_v ground_v upon_o one_o or_o both_o of_o these_o reason_n either_o that_o it_o contain_v matter_n of_o less_o value_n and_o concernment_n to_o christian_n than_o the_o religion_n of_o other_o nation_n to_o the_o proselyte_n of_o it_o or_o else_o that_o they_o be_v so_o plain_a easy_a in_o all_o and_o every_o particular_a doctrine_n that_o the_o mean_a understanding_n can_v comprehend_v their_o most_o intimous_a sense_n and_o meaning_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o most_o illiterate_a to_o be_v deceive_v in_o his_o judgement_n concern_v they_o these_o be_v the_o fair_a pretence_n that_o can_v be_v allege_v against_o the_o necessary_a distinction_n of_o the_o ministerial_a office_n yet_o their_o weakness_n be_v apparent_a at_o the_o first_o view_n and_o their_o absurdity_n so_o gross_a that_o it_o may_v palpable_o be_v feel_v for_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o far_o from_o deserve_v this_o reproach_n and_o contempt_n that_o it_o contain_v matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o importance_n for_o man_n to_o know_v such_o as_o be_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o that_o incomparable_a method_n contrive_v by_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n for_o man_n eternal_a happiness_n comprehend_v matter_n of_o the_o most_o universal_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o propound_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o practical_a religion_n which_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o require_v and_o most_o reasonable_a for_o mankind_n to_o observe_v in_o all_o which_o respect_v it_o infinite_o transcend_v all_o the_o platform_n of_o religion_n entertain_v in_o the_o world_n and_o even_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o jew_n themselves_o and_o though_o those_o practical_a point_n which_o be_v essential_o necessary_a to_o man_n salvation_n be_v extreme_o suitable_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o deliver_v with_o the_o great_a perspicuity_n and_o clearness_n imaginable_a yet_o it_o discourse_v concern_v point_n of_o faith_n of_o the_o great_a depth_n and_o mysteriousness_n which_o be_v altogether_o inconceiveable_a and_o incomprehensible_a and_o do_v exceed_v the_o apprehension_n of_o any_o create_v be_v such_o be_v the_o eternal_a purpose_n and_o decree_n of_o god_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o other_o doctrine_n of_o like_a affinity_n scatter_v up_o and_o down_o the_o gospel_n for_o so_o st._n peter_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o they_o that_o be_v unlearned_a and_o unstable_a so_o wrest_v as_o they_o do_v also_o the_o other_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n 2_o pet._n 3.16_o what_o can_v be_v speak_v of_o such_o infinite_a importance_n what_o can_v be_v deliver_v of_o so_o tremendous_a consequence_n as_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o shall_v not_o the_o
by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o none_o to_o diminish_v aught_o of_o what_o he_o bid_v they_o speak_v for_o though_o they_o enjoy_v under_o christ_n the_o great_a pre-eminence_n imaginable_a in_o relious_a affair_n yet_o they_o dare_v not_o detract_v from_o or_o add_v to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n by_o preach_v up_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o the_o imagination_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n this_o st._n paul_n profess_v of_o himself_o 1_o cor._n 2.1_o to_o 7._o and_o both_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n do_v serious_o protest_v that_o whatever_o they_o deliver_v to_o the_o world_n as_o to_o all_o the_o main_a and_o necessary_a part_n of_o doctrine_n they_o receive_v it_o from_o christ_n in_o person_n or_o by_o revelation_n from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o we_o may_v well_o believe_v consider_v those_o miraculous_a gift_n and_o grace_n which_o be_v communicate_v to_o they_o which_o be_v a_o irrefragable_a demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o power_n of_o god_n by_o which_o they_o speak_v it_o be_v high_o absurd_a to_o imagine_v that_o their_o successor_n shall_v have_v great_a liberty_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o especial_o at_o such_o a_o vast_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o cessation_n of_o miracle_n indeed_o it_o may_v be_v deserve_o account_v a_o miracle_n not_o the_o least_o if_o we_o shall_v be_v sovereign_a lord_n over_o man_n conscience_n or_o have_v absolute_a dominion_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n if_o our_o ambassage_n shall_v be_v of_o a_o unlimited_a nature_n like_o the_o command_n which_o tiberius_n give_v drusus_n upon_o a_o certain_a expedition_n nullis_fw-la certis_fw-la mandatis_fw-la exre_fw-la consulturum_fw-la that_o every_o man_n may_v have_v the_o power_n of_o a_o plenipotentiary_n and_o deliver_v what_o seem_v good_a in_o his_o own_o eye_n when_o every_o tittle_n of_o our_o errand_n be_v comprise_v by_o god_n ratiâ—ed_v and_o confirm_v fâ—om_n heaven_n and_o explicit_o contain_v in_o the_o grand_a charter_n of_o our_o commission_n the_o record_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o as_o the_o civil_a law_n adjudge_v those_o ambassador_n guilty_a of_o high_a treason_n who_o transcend_v the_o bound_n and_o limit_n of_o their_o commission_n and_o both_o modern_a and_o ancient_a history_n record_n that_o such_o presumption_n have_v receive_v a_o just_a recompense_n of_o reward_n the_o apostle_n always_o account_v it_o a_o sacrilege_n most_o horrid_a and_o inexcusable_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o their_o master_n and_o load_v that_o person_n with_o a_o most_o dreadful_a anathema_n who_o shall_v presume_v to_o broach_v his_o own_o invention_n and_o to_o intermingle_v they_o with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n gal._n 1.8_o 9_o if_o we_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n preach_v any_o other_o doctrine_n then_o that_o you_o have_v already_o receive_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v which_o apostolical_a constitution_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n to_o this_o very_a day_n for_o in_o reference_n to_o that_o text_n be_v that_o gloss_n of_o st._n austin_n maledictus_fw-la est_fw-la qui_fw-la quidpiam_fw-la praedicat_fw-la praeterquam_fw-la quod_fw-la in_o scripture_n legis_fw-la and_o evangelii_n recepimus_fw-la and_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v true_a what_o just_a indignation_n may_v the_o master_n of_o our_o religion_n conceive_v against_o the_o presumption_n and_o boldness_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o advance_v the_o pope_n into_o his_o tribunal_n and_o ascribe_v a_o like_a power_n might_n and_o dominion_n to_o he_o as_o to_o the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n for_o though_o christ_n alone_o can_v instruct_v we_o in_o the_o law_n and_o ordinance_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o by_o the_o influence_n of_o his_o spirit_n direct_v we_o in_o the_o way_n of_o life_n though_o that_o pretend_a vicar_n of_o christ_n be_v style_v the_o minister_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o in_o his_o canon_n and_o decree_n subscribe_v himself_o episcopus_fw-la &_o servus_n servorum_fw-la dei_fw-la yet_o dare_v he_o proud_o usurp_v the_o most_o proper_a office_n of_o his_o master_n and_o bold_o assume_v the_o title_n of_o head_n of_o the_o church_n for_o he_o as_o they_o confident_o boast_v have_v receive_v full_a authority_n from_o christ_n to_o deliver_v the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n and_o to_o decide_v all_o controversy_n in_o religion_n who_o according_a to_o they_o be_v certain_o infallible_a when_o he_o act_n as_o head_n of_o the_o church_n who_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v continual_o attend_v in_o council_n lawful_o summon_v and_o in_o his_o consistory_n assist_v he_o to_o judge_n infallible_o of_o spiritual_a affair_n he_o have_v supremacy_n over_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n can_v dispense_v with_o divine_a law_n dissolve_v man_n obligation_n of_o obedience_n to_o they_o and_o secure_v their_o person_n from_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n which_o for_o their_o disobedience_n they_o just_o deserve_v he_o can_v constitute_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n and_o impose_v his_o definition_n on_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o credential_n necessary_a to_o man_n salvation_n the_o key_n of_o heaven_n be_v deliver_v to_o he_o for_o though_o chrit_v alone_a open_v and_o no_o man_n shut_v and_o shut_v and_o no_o man_n open_v rev._n 3.7_o yet_o by_o succession_n to_o st._n peter_n he_o dare_v sit_v and_o reign_v as_o universal_a sovereign_n by_o his_o papal_a authority_n determine_v the_o condition_n of_o life_n and_o death_n and_o according_a to_o man_n observation_n of_o they_o adjudge_v they_o to_o the_o one_o or_o other_o as_o if_o he_o that_o reign_v in_o heaven_n above_o and_o rule_n on_o earth_n beneath_o have_v cease_v to_o execute_v his_o kingly_a office_n over_o the_o church_n and_o have_v derive_v it_o to_o st._n peter_n as_o his_o immediate_a successor_n and_o to_o the_o pope_n as_o universal_a vicar_n that_o these_o be_v indeed_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o not_o the_o slanderous_a suggestion_n of_o protestant_n be_v apparent_o manifest_a not_o only_o from_o the_o write_n of_o their_o private_a doctor_n but_o from_o the_o decretal_n of_o their_o general_a council_n and_o the_o most_o solemn_a bull_n of_o several_a pope_n in_o which_o they_o have_v act_v so_o direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o steward_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o they_o have_v exercise_v authority_n over_o christ_n himself_o and_o by_o their_o tradition_n make_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n of_o no_o effect_n witness_v that_o decree_n concern_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n in_o the_o four_o session_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n celebrate_v under_o paul_n the_o three_o wherein_o it_o be_v declare_v that_o the_o book_n of_o apocrypha_fw-la and_o all_o their_o unwritten_a tradition_n be_v equal_o the_o dictate_v of_o god_n spirit_n with_o the_o most_o canonical_a scripture_n sit_v synodus_fw-la libros_fw-la scriptos_fw-la &_o sine_fw-la sc_fw-la traditiones_fw-la tanquam_fw-la velore_fw-la tenus_fw-la a_o christo_fw-la vel_fw-la a_o spiritu_fw-la sancto_fw-la dictatas_fw-la pari_fw-la pietatis_fw-la affectu_fw-la ac_fw-la reverentiâ_fw-la suscipit_fw-la ac_fw-la veneratur_fw-la si_fw-mi quis_fw-la autem_fw-la sciens_fw-la &_o prudens_fw-la contempscrit_fw-fr anathema_n sit_v and_o as_o necessary_a to_o confirm_v any_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o prescribe_v rule_n for_o the_o regulate_v of_o manner_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v embrace_v with_o the_o like_a affection_n of_o piety_n and_o receive_v with_o the_o same_o religious_a reverence_n under_o peril_n of_o the_o most_o dreadful_a anathema_n and_o now_o i_o appeal_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o and_o sober_a considerate_a man_n whether_o such_o doctrine_n as_o these_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o become_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n or_o not_o rather_o high_o derogatory_n to_o the_o dignity_n and_o honour_n of_o his_o majesty_n as_o be_v palpable_o erroneous_a and_o horrid_o blasphemous_a if_o try_v by_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v the_o only_a canon_n of_o faith_n and_o good_a manner_n we_o have_v hitherto_o consider_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o text_n which_o be_v natural_o contain_v in_o the_o two_o former_a particular_n that_o the_o apostle_n and_o all_o other_o person_n lawful_o consecrate_a into_o their_o spiritual_a office_n be_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o steward_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n now_o both_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o precede_v discourse_n and_o the_o order_n of_o the_o method_n propound_v require_v our_o consideration_n concern_v the_o last_o particular_a which_o contain_v two_o practical_a inference_n deduce_v from_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostle_n assertion_n one_o respect_v the_o man_n to_o who_o these_o person_n be_v employ_v as_o minister_n and_o steward_n let_v a_o man_n so_o account_v of_o we_o the_o other_o relate_n to_o the_o person_n themselves_o to_o who_o this_o office_n be_v commit_v moreover_o it_o be_v require_v in_o steward_n
reverence_v peter_n yet_o will_v not_o i_o be_v call_v a_o petrian_a i_o honour_v paul_n yet_o will_v not_o i_o be_v call_v a_o paulian_a but_o the_o assertion_n of_o lactantius_n though_o very_o severe_a 30._o instit_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 30._o be_v undoubted_o true_a christiani_n esse_fw-la desièrunt_fw-la qui_fw-la christi_fw-la nomine_fw-la amisso_fw-la humana_fw-la and_o externa_fw-la vocabula_fw-la induerunt_fw-la and_o indeed_o it_o be_v such_o a_o reproach_n to_o christianity_n for_o its_o professor_n to_o assume_v those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o de_fw-fr conscience_n prael_n p._n 3._o that_o as_o the_o reverend_a bishop_n sanderson_n sad_o complain_v non_fw-la est_fw-la dignus_fw-la qui_fw-la sit_fw-la christi_fw-la qui_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la unius_fw-la christi_fw-la discipulus_fw-la but_o if_o man_n do_v serious_o design_n the_o peace_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n or_o the_o prosperity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n in_o which_o they_o live_v they_o will_v rejoice_v exceed_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n alone_o will_v reverent_o observe_v the_o lawful_a constitution_n of_o a_o well_o settle_a national_a church_n and_o embrace_v christianity_n in_o its_o purity_n and_o simplicity_n without_o any_o sinister_a respect_n to_o party_n and_o division_n i_o hearty_o wish_v that_o the_o son_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v neither_o by_o their_o flattery_n or_o pusillanimity_n their_o connivance_n or_o lukewarmness_n contribute_v any_o thing_n to_o these_o sad_a distraction_n in_o this_o nation_n and_o i_o humble_o beg_v that_o they_o will_v most_o serious_o declaim_v against_o and_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o suppress_v such_o extravagant_a vanity_n in_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o auditor_n and_o that_o the_o people_n of_o this_o kingdom_n will_v once_o be_v persuade_v into_o this_o necessary_a piece_n of_o christian_a prudence_n not_o to_o think_v of_o their_o teacher_n more_o than_o they_o ought_v but_o whatever_o reverence_n they_o bear_v to_o their_o person_n however_o fair_a and_o plausible_a their_o reason_n may_v seem_v to_o their_o weak_a understanding_n to_o let_v none_o of_o their_o stratagem_n deceive_v their_o soul_n nor_o a_o multitude_n of_o word_n to_o sway_v their_o judgement_n to_o make_v unjust_a separation_n in_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n church_n to_o affront_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o lawful_a power_n by_o which_o under_o god_n they_o be_v protect_v much_o less_o to_o be_v pervert_v from_o any_o one_o article_n in_o the_o christian_a faith_n or_o to_o receive_v any_o doctrine_n that_o overthrow_v it_o for_o this_o be_v the_o command_n of_o he_o who_o be_v the_o only_a potentate_n and_o lord_n over_o heaven_n and_o earth_n mat._n 23.6_o 7_o 9_o though_o your_o patriot_n love_v the_o uppermost_a room_n at_o feast_n and_o the_o chief_a seat_n in_o the_o synagogue_n and_o to_o be_v call_v of_o man_n rabbi_n rabbi_n yet_o call_v no_o man_n your_o father_n upon_o the_o earth_n for_o one_o be_v your_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n 2._o the_o exhortation_n of_o the_o apostle_n admit_v of_o this_o exposition_n that_o man_n account_v so_o worthy_o of_o these_o person_n as_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o steward_n of_o god_n as_o those_o denomination_n be_v apply_v to_o minister_n which_o denote_v their_o servitude_n and_o subjection_n to_o christ_n so_o the_o same_o and_o other_o title_n of_o honour_n be_v attribute_v to_o they_o which_o import_n some_o power_n and_o authority_n inherent_a in_o they_o thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d denote_v their_o dignity_n and_o commission_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n for_o as_o in_o temporal_a kingdom_n when_o ruler_n or_o procurator_n be_v send_v into_o any_o province_n they_o receive_v authority_n to_o regulate_v the_o affair_n thereof_o as_o deputy_n or_o vicegerent_n to_o their_o sovereign_a lord_n so_o christ_n send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n with_o commission_n to_o succeed_v he_o in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o government_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n to_o execu_n in_o his_o name_n several_a office_n in_o the_o church_n which_o he_o in_o person_n perform_v when_o he_o be_v conversant_a with_o it_o thereof_o they_o be_v call_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o tim._n 5.17_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d heb._n 13.17_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o cor._n 12.28_o of_o like_a signification_n be_v that_o honourable_a appellation_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o respect_v the_o eminent_a dignity_n of_o the_o ministerial_a officer_n who_o be_v employ_v by_o the_o prince_n of_o heaven_n as_o his_o ambassador_n to_o treat_v and_o negotiate_v with_o the_o son_n of_o of_o man_n concern_v the_o mysterious_a affair_n of_o his_o glorious_a kingdom_n for_o so_o the_o roman_n give_v the_o title_n of_o legate_n to_o those_o person_n who_o be_v invest_v with_o dignity_n to_o represent_v their_o master_n person_n and_o with_o authority_n to_o manage_v their_o commission_n with_o foreign_a state_n which_o employment_n as_o it_o high_o advance_v the_o dignity_n of_o these_o officer_n so_o it_o just_o require_v from_o man_n a_o honourable_a respect_n to_o their_o message_n and_o a_o reverend_a estimation_n of_o their_o person_n and_o for_o this_o st._n paul_n commend_v his_o belove_a corinthian_n because_o of_o their_o kindness_n and_o obedience_n to_o titus_n that_o out_o of_o respect_n to_o his_o spiritual_a function_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a they_o have_v receive_v he_o 2_o cor._n 7.15_o in_o conformity_n to_o which_o practice_n the_o apostle_n frequent_o insert_v a_o exhortation_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n as_o a_o necessary_a injunction_n to_o the_o church_n 1_o thes_n 5.12_o 13._o we_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n to_o know_v they_o which_o labour_n among_o you_o and_o be_v over_o you_o in_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o esteem_v they_o very_o high_o in_o love_n for_o their_o work_n sake_n and_o heb._n 13.17_o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o and_o submit_v yourselves_o for_o they_o watch_v for_o your_o soul_n as_o they_o that_o must_v give_v account_n and_o from_o hence_o st._n ignatius_n exhort_v the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n to_o unity_n and_o order_n present_v they_o with_o that_o respect_v 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n epist_n ad_fw-la smyrn_n p._n 6._o which_o be_v due_a to_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o proper_a expedient_a thereto_o let_v the_o bishop_n be_v obey_v as_o your_o spiritual_a father_n the_o presbytery_n as_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o deacon_n revere_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o command_n of_o god_n let_v nothing_o be_v do_v without_o the_o bishop_n appointment_n i_o must_v confess_v that_o the_o best_a of_o we_o be_v but_o man_n of_o like_a passion_n and_o infirmity_n with_o other_o and_o consequent_o many_o imperfection_n through_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o humane_a nature_n be_v in_o we_o unavoidable_a and_o perhaps_o there_o may_v be_v some_o in_o sacred_a order_n very_o disorderly_a in_o their_o life_n and_o profane_a in_o their_o manner_n such_o as_o shall_v adorn_v the_o soundness_n of_o their_o doctrine_n by_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o conversation_n but_o bring_v it_o into_o contempt_n and_o derision_n by_o their_o unholy_a and_o vicious_a course_n yet_o so_o long_o as_o their_o doctrine_n be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n and_o till_o they_o be_v suspend_v from_o their_o office_n by_o lawful_a authority_n which_o be_v hearty_o to_o be_v wish_v they_o stand_v in_o christ_n stead_n who_o have_v extend_v his_o precept_n concern_v this_o very_a purpose_n to_o the_o vile_a of_o man_n that_o people_n shall_v follow_v the_o good_a doctrine_n of_o their_o teacher_n not_o the_o evil_a example_n of_o their_o life_n and_o action_n mat._n 23.2_o 3._o so_o that_o though_o the_o person_n for_o his_o immorality_n deserve_v to_o be_v degrade_v into_o the_o low_a rank_n of_o christian_n according_a to_o the_o twenty_o five_o of_o the_o apostle_n canon_n and_o upon_o continue_a disobedience_n after_o sufficient_a admonition_n to_o be_v expel_v the_o christian_a church_n mat._n 18.17_o yet_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o distinguish_v his_o office_n and_o employment_n from_o his_o personal_a vice_n and_o necessary_a to_o respect_v he_o for_o his_o work_n sake_n but_o i_o may_v return_v from_o this_o digression_n and_o take_v up_o a_o just_a reprehension_n against_o a_o impudent_a generation_n of_o man_n who_o be_v not_o afraid_a to_o abuse_v the_o messenger_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o confront_v the_o message_n deliver_v by_o they_o such_o as_o deride_v and_o affront_v their_o person_n as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o refuse_n and_o offscouring_a of_o the_o world_n and_o endeavour_v by_o sacrilege_n and_o injustice_n to_o deprive_v they_o of_o their_o competent_a and_o necessary_a allowance_n which_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v command_v in_o general_a and_o the_o contribution_n of_o charitable_a friend_n with_o the_o just_a authority_n of_o the_o