member_n be_v guilty_a of_o a_o sinful_a and_o dangerous_a schism_n and_o whilst_o he_o continue_v therein_o can_v have_v no_o roason_n to_o expect_v the_o blessing_n of_o those_o promise_n 3._o that_o there_o may_v be_v sometime_o a_o just_a cause_n of_o separation_n as_o when_o a_o church_n make_v the_o condition_n of_o her_o communion_n such_o as_o a_o man_n can_v communicate_v with_o she_o without_o sin_n and_o danger_n but_o in_o this_o case_n particular_a member_n ought_v to_o be_v mighty_a wary_a and_o cautious_a for_o it_o be_v not_o every_o dissatisfaction_n of_o their_o own_o or_o every_o irregularity_n of_o that_o church_n that_o will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a cause_n of_o separation_n unless_o the_o term_n of_o her_o communion_n be_v manifest_o and_o apparent_o sinful_a 4._o that_o the_o great_a end_n and_o design_n of_o excommunication_n be_v the_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n of_o the_o person_n excommunicate_v it_o do_v not_o therefore_o make_v void_a the_o promise_n of_o god_n nor_o utter_o deprive_v the_o sentence_a person_n of_o the_o benefit_n thereof_o but_o only_o by_o a_o temporary_a correction_n show_v he_o his_o folly_n and_o danger_n and_o call_v upon_o he_o by_o a_o timely_a repentance_n and_o amendment_n to_o recover_v himself_o out_o of_o the_o one_o and_o prevent_v the_o other_o but_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o if_o a_o man_n obstinate_o continue_v in_o that_o condition_n and_o live_v and_o die_v under_o that_o sentence_n his_o condition_n will_v be_v very_o dangerous_a these_o may_v serve_v as_o general_a answer_n to_o this_o query_n but_o if_o by_o the_o separation_n or_o excommunication_n here_o mention_v be_v mean_v as_o no_o question_n it_o be_v a_o separation_n of_o excommunication_n from_o the_o society_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n then_o we_o have_v this_o further_a to_o say_v 1._o that_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n have_v separate_v herself_o from_o the_o one_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n by_o set_v up_o such_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n as_o be_v never_o teach_v practise_v nor_o allow_v either_o by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n or_o their_o successor_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n 2._o that_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n have_v make_v the_o condition_n of_o her_o communion_n such_o as_o none_o without_o sin_n and_o danger_n can_v communicate_v with_o she_o and_o by_o that_o mean_n have_v justify_v a_o separation_n from_o she_o 3._o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v not_o nor_o ever_o have_v any_o lawful_a power_n or_o authority_n over_o the_o church_n of_o england_n nor_o be_v we_o subject_a to_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o that_o see_v whether_o we_o consider_v it_o as_o episcopal_n or_o as_o metropolitan_a or_o as_o patriarchal_a and_o therefore_o we_o can_v be_v just_o charge_v with_o a_o separation_n therefrom_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o for_o some_o time_n she_o have_v tyrannical_o usurp_v a_o unjust_a power_n over_o we_o and_o keep_v we_o in_o bondage_n and_o slavery_n to_o she_o but_o god_n be_v thank_v we_o at_o last_o find_v a_o opportunity_n to_o shake_v off_o those_o chain_n and_o deliver_v ourselves_o from_o the_o servitude_n under_o which_o we_o have_v so_o long_o groan_v and_o this_o we_o have_v do_v and_o be_v still_o ready_a to_o justify_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o be_v no_o sinful_a separation_n 4._o that_o a_o excommunication_n thunder_v out_o by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n against_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v but_o only_a brutum_fw-la fulmen_fw-la a_o insignicant_a scarecrow_n which_o upon_o mature_a consideration_n we_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o be_v afraid_a of_o for_o she_o have_v no_o power_n over_o we_o we_o be_v not_o accountable_a to_o she_o nor_o subject_n to_o any_o sentence_n pronounce_v by_o she_o and_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o that_o pretend_a separation_n or_o excommunication_n from_o the_o society_n and_o unity_n of_o that_o church_n which_o they_o make_v so_o much_o noise_n with_o we_o be_v in_o no_o apprehension_n of_o lose_v the_o benefit_n of_o those_o promise_n which_o god_n have_v make_v to_o his_o one_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n of_o grace_n here_o and_o eternal_a happiness_n hereafter_o qu._n 3._o do_v christian_a religion_n consist_v in_o matter_n of_o morality_n or_o ceremony_n of_o indifferency_n to_o be_v accept_v or_o reject_v and_o alter_v at_o the_o choice_a judgement_n and_o well_o like_v of_o private_a person_n corporation_n or_o state_n ans_fw-fr religion_n in_o general_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o in_o its_o essential_o or_o as_o it_o be_v clothe_v with_o circumstantial_o the_o former_a of_o which_o be_v unalterable_a but_o the_o latter_a may_v be_v subject_a to_o change_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o particular_a fall_n under_o the_o same_o consideration_n the_o be_v whereof_o consist_v indeed_o in_o matter_n of_o morality_n which_o be_v innitute_v and_o ordain_v by_o christ_n be_v not_o alterable_a by_o men._n but_o the_o order_n and_o decency_n which_o be_v thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o well_o be_v of_o that_o religion_n consist_v in_o ceremony_n and_o thing_n indifferent_a which_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n alterable_a and_o be_v the_o institution_n of_o man_n may_v be_v alter_v by_o man_n but_o not_o by_o any_o private_a person_n for_o whatsoever_o have_v be_v establish_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n can_v be_v alter_v by_o any_o particular_a member_n or_o any_o number_n of_o man_n who_o be_v member_n of_o that_o body_n nor_o by_o any_o authority_n less_o than_o that_o by_o which_o at_o first_o it_o be_v establish_v and_o here_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n may_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v by_o what_o power_n and_o authority_n she_o have_v make_v so_o bold_a with_o the_o very_a essential_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n alter_v some_o and_o add_v other_o make_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v never_o teach_v by_o christ_n nor_o his_o apostle_n and_o impose_v they_o as_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o all_o those_o of_o her_o communion_n qu._n 4._o or_o do_v it_o consist_v in_o the_o law_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n of_o christian_n so_o important_a and_o bind_a as_o that_o by_o the_o contempt_n thereof_o one_o must_v lose_v eternal_a happiness_n ans_fw-fr this_o query_n be_v very_o little_a different_a from_o the_o former_a and_o have_v i_o think_v receive_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n in_o the_o solution_n of_o that_o for_o by_o matter_n of_o morality_n there_o wherein_o i_o say_v the_o be_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v consist_v i_o mean_v moral_a and_o unchangeable_a truth_n which_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v and_o believe_v by_o all_o christian_n and_o moral_a action_n which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o and_o for_o our_o belief_n and_o performance_n of_o these_o thing_n we_o have_v such_o law_n and_o rule_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o be_v bind_v unto_o all_o the_o contempt_n whereof_o may_v very_a much_o endanger_v and_o without_o a_o serious_a and_o seasonable_a repentance_n and_o amendment_n will_v certain_o forfeit_v eternal_a happiness_n and_o therefore_o it_o will_v high_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o consider_v whether_o she_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o such_o contempt_n whether_o in_o some_o of_o her_o public_a order_n and_o decree_n she_o have_v not_o apparent_o contradict_v some_o of_o these_o important_a law_n and_o rule_n qu._n 5._o whether_o those_o law_n and_o rule_n teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n bound_v as_o well_o the_o christian_n of_o succeed_a age_n who_o can_v not_o be_v present_a to_o see_v and_o hear_v they_o as_o they_o bind_v those_o who_o be_v present_a hear_v they_o teach_v and_o see_v their_o original_a write_n ans_fw-fr that_o these_o law_n and_o rule_n be_v as_o bind_v to_o i_o now_o as_o they_o be_v to_o any_o of_o the_o disciple_n in_o our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n time_n i_o willing_o grant_v and_o if_o this_o concession_n will_v do_v this_o enquirer_n any_o service_n much_o good_a may_v do_v he_o with_o it_o for_o if_o the_o see_v of_o the_o original_a write_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n or_o be_v present_a to_o hear_v they_o deliver_v those_o law_n and_o rule_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v they_o obligatory_a then_o ought_v we_o to_o have_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o write_v and_o preach_v the_o same_o thing_n over_o again_o not_o only_o in_o every_o age_n but_o in_o every_o year_n &_o every_o day_n of_o that_o year_n and_o in_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n too_o but_o let_v we_o proceed_v and_o see_v what_o mighty_a use_n this_o enquirer_n will_v make_v of_o this_o wire_n draw_v this_o query_n qu._n 6._o whether_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n by_o his_o institution_n other_o person_n successive_o
suspect_v my_o own_o than_o they_o yet_o whatsoever_o testimony_n and_o decree_n be_v propound_v by_o the_o church_n they_o be_v propound_v to_o rational_a man_n and_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v suppose_v that_o man_n ought_v to_o exercise_v that_o reason_n which_o god_n have_v endow_v they_o withal_o in_o judge_v of_o the_o evidence_n upon_o which_o those_o testimony_n and_o decree_n be_v build_v which_o evidence_n if_o they_o do_v not_o prove_v convince_a and_o satisfactory_a they_o can_v command_v their_o own_o belief_n much_o less_o can_v any_o power_n or_o authority_n do_v it_o for_o to_o act_v by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n in_o that_o case_n be_v to_o act_v more_o like_a brute_n than_o men._n and_o therefore_o though_o we_o willing_o own_o that_o there_o be_v as_o much_o credit_n due_a to_o they_o as_o to_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o the_o like_a case_n yet_o can_v we_o not_o grant_v any_o more_o or_o if_o their_o testimony_n and_o decree_n concern_v matter_n of_o fact_n wherein_o our_o obedience_n be_v require_v i._n e._n matter_n of_o discipline_n which_o respect_v the_o order_n and_o decency_n of_o religion_n we_o grant_v that_o obedience_n be_v due_a to_o they_o and_o as_o much_o obedience_n as_o be_v due_a to_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o the_o like_a case_n yet_o still_o a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n be_v to_o be_v allow_v to_o the_o subject_a how_o far_o he_o can_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n active_o obey_v and_o when_o and_o where_o he_o be_v to_o exercise_v his_o passive_a obedience_n but_o this_o caution_n ought_v to_o be_v observe_v by_o every_o private_a christian_a that_o by_o a_o imprudent_a management_n of_o his_o different_a sentiment_n he_o do_v not_o disturb_v the_o peace_n nor_o break_v the_o order_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n qu._n 11._o or_o have_v christ_n leave_v such_o liberty_n to_o all_o succeed_a christian_n that_o they_o need_v not_o believe_v credit_n or_o obey_v any_o the_o testimony_n law_n interpretation_n or_o sentence_n give_v by_o any_o supreme_a legal_a governor_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a in_o their_o respective_a council_n further_o than_o every_o particular_a person_n in_o his_o private_a judgement_n shall_v like_v choose_v and_o accept_v of_o ans_fw-fr this_o query_n i_o take_v to_o be_v full_o answer_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o that_o immediate_o precede_v wherein_o the_o case_n be_v plain_o state_v how_o far_o the_o credit_n and_o obedience_n of_o inferior_n be_v due_a to_o the_o sentence_n and_o determination_n of_o their_o superior_n whether_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a and_o therefore_o without_o say_v the_o same_o thing_n over_o again_o or_o enlarge_n thereupon_o i_o shall_v refer_v you_o thereunto_o qu._n 12._o whether_o a_o few_o particular_a person_n or_o some_o few_o of_o the_o magistrate_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a for_o discontent_n or_o differ_v in_o judgement_n from_o the_o unite_a body_n of_o the_o rest_n may_v under_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n or_o reformation_n separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o unite_a body_n and_o society_n and_o make_v new_a translation_n and_o interpretation_n of_o write_a law_n different_a from_o the_o former_a and_o by_o force_n and_o persuasion_n draw_v people_n from_o their_o old_a society_n unity_n and_o obedience_n to_o new_a congregation_n institution_n and_o rule_n of_o their_o frame_n opposite_a and_o destructive_a to_o the_o former_a ans_fw-fr this_o query_n consist_v of_o several_a part_n and_o therefore_o to_o give_v a_o direct_a and_o apposite_a answer_n thereunto_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o obviate_v the_o several_a part_n thereof_o by_o these_o proposition_n follow_v viz._n 1._o that_o no_o person_n or_o number_n of_o man_n whether_o they_o be_v private_a person_n or_o magistrate_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a aught_o to_o separate_v themselves_o on_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o one_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n 2._o that_o discontent_n or_o differ_v in_o judgement_n only_o be_v no_o sufficient_a ground_n of_o separation_n from_o any_o particular_a church_n whereof_o we_o be_v member_n 3_o that_o a_o bare_a pretence_n of_o conscience_n and_o reformation_n will_v not_o justify_v a_o schism_n nor_o excuse_v those_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o schismatical_a separation_n either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o whole_a community_n be_v far_o more_o valuable_a than_o any_o private_a man_n satisfaction_n and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v lay_v open_a to_o the_o attempt_n of_o any_o schismatical_a pretender_n whatsoever_o 4._o that_o the_o write_v and_o establish_v law_n of_o god_n or_o his_o vicegerent_n upon_o earth_n be_v not_o reversible_a nor_o alterable_a by_o any_o man_n or_o number_n of_o man_n because_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o that_o authority_n by_o which_o at_o first_o they_o be_v establish_v and_o without_o that_o they_o can_v be_v alter_v for_o if_o we_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n unto_o you_o than_o that_o which_o we_o have_v preach_v unto_o you_o let_v he_o be_v accurse_v say_v st._n paul_n gal._n 1.8_o 5._o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o person_n or_o person_n who_o be_v member_n of_o a_o establish_a church_n either_o by_o force_n or_o persuasion_n to_o draw_v people_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n and_o so_o break_v the_o unity_n and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n thereof_o or_o by_o any_o artifices_fw-la whatsoever_o either_o to_o undermine_v or_o batter_v down_o the_o rampart_n i._n e._n the_o establish_a law_n and_o constitution_n of_o that_o church_n these_o proposition_n put_v together_o may_v suffice_v as_o a_o general_a answer_n to_o this_o query_n but_o now_o to_o apply_v they_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n i._n e._n the_o difference_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o on_o that_o account_n be_v the_o query_n propound_v and_o this_o i_o shall_v now_o do_v in_o these_o follow_a particular_n 1._o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n though_o she_o mighty_o pretend_v to_o it_o be_v not_o that_o one_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n that_o she_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n we_o grant_v though_o we_o can_v scarce_o allow_v she_o to_o be_v a_o sound_a member_n thereof_o but_o that_o she_o shall_v pretend_v to_o be_v the_o one_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n either_o diffusive_a or_o representative_a we_o can_v consent_v nor_o have_v she_o ever_o yet_o or_o ever_o will_v be_v able_a to_o make_v goad_n her_o claim_n thereunto_o 2._o that_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n be_v guilty_a of_o a_o sinful_a and_o schismatical_a separation_n from_o the_o unite_a body_n of_o the_o one_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n we_o affirm_v and_o that_o for_o these_o reason_n 1._o because_o she_o usurp_v a_o high_a place_n and_o power_n in_o the_o body_n ecclesiastical_a than_o of_o right_n be_v due_a unto_o she_o thereby_o break_v the_o union_n and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n 2._o because_o she_o have_v voluntary_o divide_v the_o catholic_n church_n both_o in_o faith_n worship_n and_o government_n by_o her_o innovation_n 3._o by_o separate_v both_o by_o her_o doctrine_n and_o censure_n three_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n from_o her_o communion_n and_o as_o much_o as_o in_o her_o lie_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o christ_n 4._o by_o rebel_a against_o general_a council_n and_o usurp_a a_o authority_n over_o they_o 5._o by_o break_v or_o take_v away_o all_o the_o line_n of_o apostolical_a succession_n except_o their_o own_o and_o appropriate_v all_o original_a jurisdiction_n to_o themselves_o 6._o by_o challenge_v a_o temporal_a power_n over_o prince_n either_o direct_o or_o indirect_o which_o have_v be_v a_o great_a occasion_n not_o only_o of_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n but_o of_o sedition_n and_o rebellion_n in_o the_o state_n all_o which_o instance_n have_v be_v charge_v upon_o and_o make_v good_a against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o our_o writer_n and_o may_v be_v so_o again_o whenever_o we_o be_v call_v to_o it_o 3._o it_o be_v not_o therefore_o we_o that_o have_v separate_v from_o they_o but_o they_o from_o we_o whilst_o we_o adhere_v to_o the_o unite_a body_n of_o the_o holy_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n which_o they_o have_v forsake_v 4._o nor_o be_v it_o we_o but_o they_o who_o have_v alter_v the_o write_a and_o establish_v law_n of_o god_n and_o his_o church_n by_o add_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n such_o as_o be_v never_o deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n nor_o teach_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n nor_o comprise_v in_o any_o of_o those_o creed_n receive_v by_o the_o church_n and_o make_v they_o necessary_a condition_n of_o their_o communion_n as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o supremacy_n and_o infallibility_n of_o indulgence_n and_o purgatory_n of_o transubstantiation_n etc._n etc._n 5._o it_o be_v they_o therefore_o and_o
not_o we_o who_o by_o force_n and_o persuasion_n and_o by_o all_o manner_n of_o artifices_fw-la endeavour_v to_o draw_v people_n from_o the_o unity_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n unto_o new_a congregation_n institution_n and_o rule_n of_o their_o own_o frame_n opposite_a to_o and_o destructive_a of_o the_o former_a like_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n of_o old_a they_o compass_v sea_n and_o land_n to_o make_v one_o proselyte_n and_o when_o he_o be_v make_v they_o make_v he_o twofold_a more_o the_o child_n of_o hell_n than_o themselves_o matth._n 23.15_o qu._n 13._o whether_o person_n so_o act_v be_v better_a than_o rebel_n and_o usurper_n or_o such_o as_o simon_n magus_n and_o those_o that_o desert_v the_o apostle_n to_o follow_v he_o and_o therefore_o to_o be_v avoid_v as_o person_n separate_v from_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n ans_fw-fr that_o they_o be_v no_o better_a than_o such_o as_o he_o have_v here_o name_v and_o describe_v we_o willing_o grant_v 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1._o this_o inference_n do_v plain_o imply_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n to_o who_o in_o all_o matter_n in_o difference_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o appeal_n and_o who_o decision_n shall_v be_v final_a now_o if_o this_o be_v real_o so_o then_o 1._o it_o be_v mighty_a strange_a that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o pretend_v faithful_o to_o deliver_v the_o whole_a mind_n and_o will_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n shall_v never_o once_o mention_v such_o a_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n or_o 2._o if_o they_o shall_v omit_v to_o mention_v so_o necessary_a a_o thing_n in_o their_o writing_n and_o only_o deliver_v it_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n to_o their_o immediate_a successor_n it_o be_v no_o less_o strange_a that_o they_o shall_v either_o not_o know_v or_o never_o make_v use_n of_o such_o a_o expedient_a for_o the_o end_n of_o those_o controversy_n that_o arise_v in_o their_o day_n 3._o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o either_o the_o church_n have_v be_v 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