the_o conformity_n of_o the_o discipline_n and_o government_n of_o those_o who_o be_v common_o call_v independent_n to_o that_o of_o the_o ancient_a primitive_a christian_n by_o dr._n lewis_n du_n moulin_n sometime_o history_n professor_n of_o oxford_n qui_fw-la repertâ_fw-la veritate_fw-la aliquid_fw-la ulterius_fw-la discutit_fw-la mendacium_fw-la quaerit_fw-la valentinianus_n &_o martianus_n london_n print_v for_o richard_n janeway_n 1680._o the_o table_n of_o the_o chapter_n chap._n 1._o of_o prejudices_fw-la in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n common_o urge_v against_o the_o tenet_n and_o principle_n of_o nestorius_n to_o serve_v by_o way_n of_o introduction_n to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la that_o be_v form_v against_o the_o independent_n pag._n 1._o chap._n 2._o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o congregational_a may_v above_o any_o other_o establishment_n of_o the_o church_n beside_o that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o reasonable_a and_o that_o all_o other_o have_v insuperable_a inconvenience_n p._n 3._o chap._n 3._o that_o upon_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n that_o every_o supreme_a authority_n either_o in_o the_o popish_a or_o the_o presbyterian_a church_n be_v subject_a to_o ernour_n mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr condom_n have_v reason_n to_o approve_v of_o the_o congregational_a may_v and_o the_o independency_n of_o particular_a church_n on_o any_o other_o authority_n than_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o word_n p._n 8._o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o design_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n be_v most_o holy_a and_o most_o reasonable_a when_o they_o labour_v to_o retain_v a_o conformity_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o other_o reform_a church_n but_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n of_o the_o veneration_n they_o have_v for_o calvin_n and_o for_o the_o church_n which_o follow_v his_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n p._n 12._o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o congregational_a church_n do_v most_o rational_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o synod_n and_o pastor_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n p._n 14._o chap._n 6._o a_o answer_n to_o those_o who_o say_v that_o the_o congregational_a way_n be_v incompatible_a with_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o that_o it_o deprive_v the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o right_n he_o have_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v introductory_n of_o irreligion_n ignorance_n and_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n p._n 16._o chap._n 7._o that_o the_o congregational_a way_n have_v be_v practise_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 23._o chap._n 8._o of_o the_o great_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n that_o come_v from_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n in_o the_o world_n p._n 34._o chap._n 9_o that_o the_o most_o judicious_a divine_n of_o france_n and_o other_o place_n without_o think_v of_o it_o do_v natural_o fall_v into_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n of_o the_o judgement_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v make_v of_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n of_o their_o discipline_n and_o conduct_v p._n 38._o chap._n 10._o of_o the_o wise_a and_o prudent_a carriage_n of_o the_o independent_n and_o of_o their_o way_n to_o get_v further_o off_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n than_o any_o other_o and_o to_o condemn_v all_o the_o way_n of_o reconciliation_n with_o it_o and_o the_o church_n that_o hold_v any_o communion_n with_o rome_n that_o the_o endeavour_n to_o come_v near_o it_o be_v damnable_a and_o pernicious_a as_o be_v sufficient_o see_v in_o the_o present_a posture_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o england_n p._n 43._o chap._n 11._o a_o continuance_n of_o the_o same_o matter_n concern_v the_o wise_a carriage_n of_o those_o church_n that_o be_v for_o their_o way_n congregational_a when_o they_o condemn_v all_o manner_n of_o speak_v like_a to_o rome_n and_o all_o practice_n that_o do_v any_o whit_n savour_n of_o they_o and_o the_o six_o maxim_n on_o which_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o church_n be_v found_v a_o confirmation_n of_o that_o by_o a_o history_n take_v out_o of_o the_o life_n of_o joseph_n hall_n p._n 47._o chap._n 12._o a_o apology_n for_o the_o author_n of_o the_o conformity_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n with_o that_o of_o the_o ancient_a primitive_a christian_n that_o a_o disinterest_v person_n such_o as_o he_o be_v be_v the_o most_o fit_a to_o write_v about_o these_o matter_n of_o the_o obligation_n he_o have_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n for_o the_o light_n he_o have_v give_v he_o p._n 53._o chap._n 13._o the_o explication_n of_o one_o difficulty_n which_o run_v throughout_o the_o whole_a precedent_n discourse_n p._n 58._o chap._n 14._o remark_n upon_o the_o fault_n that_o some_o may_v find_v in_o the_o title_n of_o this_o discourse_n p._n 60._o chap._n ult._n a_o answer_n to_o those_o who_o accuse_v the_o independent_n for_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o late_a civil_a war_n in_o england_n and_o particular_o for_o have_v have_v a_o immediate_a hand_n in_o the_o death_n of_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o p._n 68_o the_o conformity_n of_o the_o government_n of_o those_o who_o be_v common_o call_v independent_n with_o that_o of_o the_o ancient_a primitive_a christian_n chap._n i._o of_o prejudices_fw-la in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n common_o urge_v against_o the_o tenet_n and_o principle_n of_o nestorius_n to_o serve_v by_o way_n of_o introduction_n to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la that_o be_v form_v against_o the_o independent_n it_o be_v above_o fifty_o year_n since_o some_o learned_a and_o judicious_a person_n as_o well_o of_o the_o gown_n as_o other_o have_v now_o bring_v to_o light_v a_o important_a and_o necessary_a truth_n which_o the_o strength_n of_o prejudice_n and_o a_o general_n and_o opinionative_n blindness_n that_o have_v last_v for_o more_o than_o this_o thousand_o year_n have_v keep_v under_o a_o bushel_n it_o be_v that_o of_o nestorius_n which_o the_o eminent_a authority_n of_o cyril_n have_v make_v to_o pass_v during_o all_o that_o time_n and_o even_o from_o the_o three_o ecumenical_a council_n for_o a_o absolute_a lie_n and_o with_o which_o all_o the_o learned_a both_o the_o general_n and_o particular_a council_n all_o the_o father_n and_o all_o the_o new_a doctor_n of_o both_o communion_n have_v be_v so_o successive_o prepossess_v that_o they_o have_v think_v it_o near_o concern_v their_o honour_n not_o only_o to_o deny_v it_o but_o even_o to_o be_v continual_o throw_v their_o anathema_n at_o the_o head_n of_o the_o poor_a nestorius_n who_o they_o have_v make_v to_o pass_v for_o a_o abominable_a heretic_n although_o at_o the_o bottom_n nestorius_n be_v he_o of_o the_o two_o who_o be_v by_o far_o the_o more_o orthodox_n and_o the_o honest_a man_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n cyril_n be_v the_o heretic_n for_o it_o be_v with_o the_o authority_n of_o cyrillus_n as_o with_o that_o eminent_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o which_o monsieur_n appal_v will_v have_v all_o man_n fix_v and_o with_o which_o he_o think_v to_o overwhelm_v and_o undo_v mounseur_fw-fr claude_n not_o to_o make_v any_o application_n of_o this_o history_n to_o what_o have_v happen_v to_o myself_o in_o particular_a as_o to_o the_o necessary_a truth_n i_o have_v promulge_v and_o advance_v i_o will_v content_v myself_o with_o fix_v to_o one_o which_o be_v like_a to_o that_o of_o nestorius_n it_o be_v that_o about_o those_o who_o be_v call_v independent_n who_o though_o they_o will_v not_o yield_v in_o exactness_n of_o live_v or_o in_o holiness_n of_o doctrine_n to_o any_o of_o the_o protestant_n in_o europe_n for_o they_o be_v lead_v more_o than_o other_o christian_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v a_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n moderation_n and_o of_o a_o sound_a mind_n and_o they_o be_v far_a off_o from_o the_o spirit_n of_o malignity_n and_o persecution_n and_o their_o doctrine_n have_v more_o of_o conformity_n with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a christian_n than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o and_o though_o to_o conclude_v their_o confession_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o most_o nervous_a and_o sinewy_a the_o most_o orthodox_n and_o coutch_v up_o in_o term_n so_o strong_a and_o powerful_a that_o of_o all_o piece_n which_o yet_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n fince_n the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v the_o most_o full_a and_o perfect_a yet_o have_v they_o have_v the_o unhappiness_n to_o be_v load_v with_o injury_n by_o our_o synod_n and_o by_o those_o of_o our_o divine_n who_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a in_o learning_n and_o of_o a_o life_n and_o piety_n the_o most_o exemplary_a and_o that_o too_o in_o a_o manner_n altogether_o inhuman_a and_o barbarous_a so_o far_o as_o that_o mounseur_fw-fr amyâ—auld_n call_v they_o fool_n enthusiast_n and_o such_o as_o be_v infamous_a in_o their_o life_n mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr aille_fw-fr the_o father_n say_v of_o they_o that_o it_o
to_o obey_v he_o reasonable_o without_o make_v use_n of_o our_o iwn_a illumination_n to_o know_v it_o and_o to_o judge_v whither_o it_o be_v just_a and_o reasonable_a to_o obey_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n if_o he_o will_v not_o have_v a_o humane_a judgement_n submit_v to_o that_o which_o discover_v its_o infallibility_n with_o so_o much_o dazzle_v and_o lustre_n unless_o reason_n lead_v one_o to_o it_o by_o a_o argument_n à _fw-fr fortiori_fw-la will_v he_o approve_v of_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o independent_n as_o reasonable_a when_o they_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o a_o judgement_n that_o be_v humane_a and_o fallible_a but_o the_o true_a constitution_n of_o synod_n according_a to_o they_o when_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n of_o divine_n and_o of_o faithful_a people_n and_o the_o true_a use_n they_o make_v of_o they_o and_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v make_v of_o they_o be_v to_o ask_v and_o receive_v from_o they_o advice_n and_o counsel_n as_o one_o expect_v and_o as_o one_o ought_v to_o receive_v it_o from_o wise_a and_o experience_a man_n and_o not_o by_o way_n of_o command_n and_o impulse_n that_o be_v all_o the_o authority_n that_o the_o great_a archbishop_n of_o armagh_n and_o mr._n baxter_n give_v they_o when_o they_o consider_v they_o as_o such_o and_o also_o the_o ecumenical_a synod_n which_o be_v hold_v under_o constantine_n and_o martian_a have_v no_o more_o before_o those_o emperor_n give_v to_o their_o conclusion_n the_o force_n and_o prevalence_n of_o canon_n and_o the_o sanction_n of_o imperial_a law_n they_o take_v the_o apostolical_a synod_n for_o the_o model_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o synod_n at_o least_o of_o that_o which_o they_o will_v attribute_v to_o themselves_o and_o although_o it_o be_v the_o only_a synod_n that_o be_v guide_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o infallibility_n and_o its_o authority_n be_v much_o more_o eminent_a otherwise_o than_o that_o of_o all_o the_o synodal_n assembly_n in_o the_o succeed_a age_n yet_o it_o never_o go_v as_o the_o other_o have_v do_v since_o to_o throw_v out_o anathema_n at_o the_o head_n of_o those_o who_o refuse_v to_o be_v obedient_a to_o they_o but_o it_o only_o conclude_v with_o this_o exhortation_n if_o you_o keep_v these_o canon_n you_o will_v do_v well_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o power_n and_o call_n of_o pastor_n and_o of_o their_o ordination_n and_o according_a to_o the_o good_a maxim_n of_o monsieur_n mestrozat_n mounseur_fw-fr pajon_n and_o mounseur_fw-fr claude_n and_o their_o doctor_n be_v the_o first_o who_o have_v establish_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o schism_n as_o to_o what_o respect_v the_o power_n the_o authority_n and_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o pastor_n they_o acknowledge_v no_o other_o in_o the_o church_n than_o that_o which_o be_v confine_v in_o every_o particular_a church_n and_o which_o go_v not_o beyond_o persuasion_n or_o at_o the_o far_a a_o declaration_n that_o it_o make_v that_o it_o no_o long_o own_v such_o and_o such_o either_o for_o the_o pastor_n or_o member_n of_o its_o society_n and_o this_o be_v what_o be_v do_v by_o a_o natural_a right_n and_o not_o in_o shoot_v out_o the_o thunderclap_n of_o excommunication_n or_o deposition_n against_o they_o for_o excommunication_n be_v not_o a_o business_n that_o be_v much_o dispute_v of_o among_o they_o the_o heretic_n and_o the_o wicked_a be_v condemn_v by_o their_o own_o confession_n have_v no_o need_n to_o be_v excommunicate_v because_o they_o be_v excommunicate_v of_o themselves_o as_o the_o bishop_n godean_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o paraphrase_n upon_o the_o eleven_o verse_n of_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistile_a to_o titus_n a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n reject_v know_v that_o he_o that_o be_v such_o be_v subvert_v and_o sin_v be_v condemn_v of_o himself_o and_o it_o be_v what_o he_o say_v after_o saint_n jerome_n if_o any_o one_o of_o their_o assembly_n practise_v excommunication_n it_o be_v that_o of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n it_o be_v not_o a_o privation_n from_o the_o holy_a supper_n but_o a_o ejection_n of_o the_o body_n out_o of_o the_o assembly_n no_o long_o to_o be_v reckon_v any_o of_o their_o member_n chap._n vi_o a_o answer_n to_o those_o who_o say_v that_o the_o congregational_a way_n be_v incompatible_a with_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o that_o it_o deprive_v the_o magistrate_n of_o the_o right_n he_o have_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v introductory_n of_o irreligion_n ignorance_n and_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n the_o four_o and_o twenty_o chapter_n of_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n condemn_v those_o who_o speak_v of_o they_o as_o of_o person_n that_o despise_v superior_a power_n for_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o their_o way_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v as_o mounseur_fw-fr daille_n believe_v pernicious_a and_o such_o as_o trouble_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o world_n or_o which_o over-throws_a the_o government_n of_o it_o and_o the_o authority_n both_o of_o sovereign_n and_o their_o state_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v no_o way_n in_o the_o world_n which_o contribute_v more_o to_o the_o strengthen_n of_o empire_n especial_o of_o monarchy_n and_o which_o ought_v less_o disquiet_v the_o crown_a head_n for_o fear_n lest_o they_o shall_v cause_v by_o it_o any_o commotion_n in_o the_o state_n than_o they_o for_o as_o they_o do_v not_o set_v up_o and_o establish_v any_o ecclesiastical_a tribunal_n independent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n which_o draw_v along_o with_o it_o the_o two_o three_o of_o the_o most_o considerable_a person_n of_o the_o state_n especial_o those_o who_o be_v most_o nice_a and_o scrupulous_a in_o religion_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o trouble_v make_v by_o league_n and_o confederation_n in_o that_o manner_n as_o may_v be_v in_o all_o the_o presbyterian_a church_n of_o a_o nation_n and_o as_o those_o practice_n it_o when_o they_o form_n to_o themselves_o as_o oft_o time_n they_o have_v do_v a_o assembly_n of_o their_o deputy_n all_o the_o world_n know_v that_o these_o general_a and_o national_a assembly_n of_o the_o clergy_n have_v be_v formidable_a to_o king_n and_o parliament_n because_o they_o be_v as_o a_o altar_n and_o a_o sovereign_n ecclesiastical_a power_n oppose_v to_o a_o sovereign_n and_o civil_a power_n of_o which_o there_o have_v be_v see_v pernicious_a effect_n in_o scotland_n and_o which_o france_n will_v have_v find_v if_o the_o reform_a religion_n have_v prevail_v over_o the_o romish_a and_o i_o be_o very_o much_o persuade_v that_o nothing_o so_o much_o divert_v henry_n the_o four_o from_o the_o thought_n he_o may_v have_v have_v to_o establish_v the_o reform_a religion_n in_o france_n as_o the_o apprehension_n he_o have_v that_o his_o action_n be_v somewhat_o free_a may_v be_v too_o far_o look_v into_o and_o examine_v by_o the_o synod_n and_o the_o consistory_n and_o that_o his_o person_n shall_v be_v bring_v under_o their_o jurisdiction_n as_o therefore_o the_o independent_n do_v condemn_v these_o maxim_n and_o these_o practice_n which_o be_v absolute_o contrary_a to_o they_o how_o ill_o intend_v soever_o they_o be_v or_o may_v be_v it_o be_v no_o more_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o set_v up_o in_o a_o kingdom_n a_o sovereign_n ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n than_o for_o all_o the_o company_n of_o merchant_n and_o tradesman_n or_o for_o all_o the_o family_n of_o france_n to_o erect_v a_o tribunal_n and_o a_o merchandize_v or_o ecumenical_a power_n which_o may_v be_v equal_a with_o that_o of_o the_o civil_a state_n in_o a_o word_n as_o the_o congregational_a church_n do_v neither_o receive_v ordinance_n nor_o commandment_n from_o their_o synod_n but_o only_a counsel_n and_o advice_n and_o that_o they_o can_v assemble_v in_o a_o body_n by_o their_o deputy_n they_o give_v a_o great_a advantage_n unto_o magistrate_n to_o possess_v a_o entire_a and_o perfect_a sovereignty_n and_o to_o take_v for_o their_o motto_n divide_v &_o impera_fw-la for_o those_o who_o deprive_v their_o synod_n of_o all_o authority_n and_o who_o do_v not_o attribute_v to_o themselves_o any_o other_o power_n than_o that_o of_o persuasion_n be_v the_o most_o remote_a of_o all_o from_o frame_v to_o themselves_o either_o a_o empire_n or_o one_o to_o be_v chief_a over_o they_o it_o be_v true_a their_o weakness_n be_v their_o subscribe_v to_o that_o maxim_n of_o cicero_n libr._n de_fw-fr officiis_n ut_fw-la tutela_fw-la sic_fw-la procuratio_fw-la reipublicae_fw-la ad_fw-la utilitatem_fw-la eorum_fw-la qui_fw-la commissi_fw-la sunt_fw-la non_fw-la ad_fw-la eorum_fw-la quibus_fw-la commissa_fw-la est_fw-la gerunda_fw-la est_fw-la and_o to_o that_o of_o salvian_n libr._n de_fw-fr providentia_fw-la infinitam_fw-la regiae_n majestatis_fw-la potestatem_fw-la isti_fw-la agnoscunt_fw-la qui_fw-la infinitam_fw-la divini_fw-la numinis_fw-la
nor_o learned_a enough_o to_o give_v a_o right_a judgement_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n carneades_n say_v that_o the_o state_n of_o athens_n be_v unhappy_a in_o which_o wise_a man_n make_v fair_a overture_n and_o give_v good_a counsel_n but_o fool_n judge_v of_o they_o and_o order_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o their_o idle_a and_o extravagant_a fancy_n and_o indeed_o wise_a man_n may_v consult_v but_o it_o be_v the_o great_a number_n or_o the_o long_a and_o best_a sword_n that_o determine_v which_o be_v too_o often_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o have_v more_o strength_n of_o power_n than_o force_n of_o judgement_n so_o that_o by_o this_o establishment_n of_o a_o national_a ecclesiastical_a government_n thousand_o of_o christian_n and_o faithful_a soul_n be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o religion_n of_o a_o whole_a empire_n according_a to_o the_o establishment_n which_o shall_v be_v make_v of_o it_o by_o a_o idolatrous_a rehoboam_n by_o a_o arrian_n constantius_n by_o a_o apostate_n julian_n by_o a_o popish_a mary_n queen_n of_o england_n as_o to_z that_o which_o shall_v be_v set_v up_o by_o a_o david_n by_o a_o constantine_n the_o the_o great_a and_o by_o a_o queen_n elizabeth_n of_o ever_o bless_a memory_n which_o inconvenience_n neither_o can_v nor_o ever_o will_v be_v able_a to_o happen_v in_o a_o place_n where_o the_o congregational_a way_n shall_v be_v establish_v it_o may_v be_v one_o sovereign_a who_o shall_v be_v as_o heretic_n as_o constantius_n will_v issue_v forth_o his_o command_n for_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o heresy_n in_o all_o the_o place_n of_o his_o dominion_n as_o theodosius_n the_o second_o make_v another_o for_o that_o of_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n when_o he_o command_v that_o all_o the_o subject_n of_o his_o empire_n shall_v receive_v the_o faith_n from_o damaseus_fw-la of_o rome_n and_o from_o peter_n of_o alexandria_n but_o it_o may_v likewise_o fall_v out_o that_o that_o same_o emperor_n to_o wit_n theodosius_n the_o second_o may_v make_v two_o ordinance_n which_o may_v mutual_o destroy_v one_o another_o for_o he_o convoke_v the_o first_o synod_n of_o ephesus_n which_o condemn_v the_o opinion_n of_o nestorius_n and_o some_o year_n after_o he_o convoke_v the_o second_o synod_n of_o ephesus_n which_o contradict_v it_o and_o allow_v the_o opinion_n of_o nestorius_n 2._o this_o same_o inconvenience_n be_v verify_v by_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n i_o mean_v that_o of_o luther_n and_o of_o calvin_n for_o as_o the_o reformation_n be_v that_o of_o a_o national_a church_n of_o the_o same_o extent_n with_o that_o of_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o sovereign_n where_o it_o be_v establish_v so_o likewise_o do_v it_o carry_v the_o obligation_n into_o germany_n sweedland_n and_o denmark_n that_o they_o shall_v submit_v to_o consubstantiation_n without_o any_o body_n have_v the_o liberty_n to_o form_v assembly_n to_o themselves_o which_o may_v reject_v it_o which_o church_n may_v do_v if_o they_o be_v independent_a the_o same_o inconvenience_n be_v happen_v and_o must_v happen_v from_o the_o national_a establishment_n of_o the_o reformation_n which_o calvin_n have_v make_v in_o england_n holland_n some_o part_n of_o germany_n and_o elsewhere_o and_o how_o pure_a soever_o the_o reformation_n be_v as_o for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o holy_a man_n it_o be_v extreme_o defective_a as_o to_o the_o discipline_n the_o power_n ecclesiastic_a and_o that_o tribunal_n which_o he_o erect_v in_o geneva_n distinct_a and_o independent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o pretend_a divine_a right_n and_o power_n which_o have_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o those_o infinite_a disorder_n confusion_n and_o even_a schism_n in_o england_n scotland_n holland_n and_o geneva_n even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o calvin_n as_o we_o read_v in_o his_o epistle_n 3._o one_o great_a convenience_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o a_o national_a government_n be_v that_o it_o be_v always_o ground_v upon_o humane_a principle_n cruel_a and_o barbarous_a as_o to_o constrain_v to_o persecute_v and_o even_o to_o burn_v those_o who_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n do_v not_o embrace_v that_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n or_o of_o the_o magistrate_n that_o establish_v it_o and_o do_v not_o conform_v to_o all_o the_o practice_n that_o he_o appoint_v and_o command_v 4._o they_o say_v that_o this_o national_a establishment_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n deprive_v man_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o his_o natural_a and_o religious_a liberty_n in_o the_o choice_n he_o ought_v to_o make_v of_o his_o god_n and_o of_o the_o worship_n he_o ought_v to_o render_v he_o and_o to_o which_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v constrain_v but_o persuade_v neither_o to_o be_v bring_v to_o it_o by_o custom_n nor_o by_o birth_n nor_o likewise_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n unless_o he_o be_v convince_v that_o his_o ordinance_n and_o command_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v conformable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o they_o press_v mighty_o upon_o this_o consideration_n that_o this_o establishment_n dive_v man_n of_o the_o same_o liberty_n in_o his_o religious_a life_n as_o he_o have_v in_o the_o civil_a where_o he_o be_v not_o restrain_v by_o any_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o choose_v his_o house_n his_o wife_n his_o master_n his_o servant_n his_o lawyer_n his_o physician_n his_o call_v nor_o any_o one_o particular_a manner_n how_o to_o govern_v his_o family_n provide_v it_o may_v be_v do_v without_o break_v the_o public_a peace_n 5._o they_o say_v that_o how_o unjust_a or_o how_o extravagant_a soever_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n may_v be_v for_o the_o regulate_v of_o polity_n yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o unreasonable_a neither_o in_o the_o magistrate_n general_o to_o command_v the_o practice_n of_o they_o nor_o in_o all_o subject_n submit_v to_o they_o without_o reserve_n or_o exception_n so_o long_a as_o the_o importance_n of_o those_o law_n do_v not_o extend_v beyond_o the_o present_a life_n but_o if_o it_o reach_v further_o and_o conscience_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n be_v concern_v therein_o they_o believe_v that_o a_o uniformity_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o religion_n which_o shall_v be_v impose_v upon_o we_o how_o good_a so_o ever_o the_o thing_n may_v be_v in_o its_o self_n it_o will_v be_v wicked_a and_o unreasonable_a because_o it_o will_v do_v violence_n to_o the_o conscience_n of_o which_o the_o magistrate_n be_v not_o the_o master_n nor_o the_o arbiter_n as_o he_o be_v of_o the_o body_n and_o estate_n of_o men._n chap._n iii_o that_o upon_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n that_o every_o supreme_a authority_n either_o in_o the_o popish_a or_o the_o presbyterian_a church_n be_v subject_a to_o error_n mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr condom_n have_v reason_n to_o approve_v of_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o the_o independency_n of_o particular_a church_n on_o any_o other_o authority_n than_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o word_n but_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o do_v more_o reasonable_o establish_v the_o independency_n of_o particular_a church_n nor_o which_o more_o powerful_o destroy_v this_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n by_o a_o divine_a right_n and_o the_o necessity_n there_o be_v that_o a_o person_n or_o a_o particular_a church_n shall_v depend_v upon_o its_o ordinance_n unless_o that_o supreme_a authority_n be_v infallible_a for_o if_o it_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n do_v violence_n to_o the_o christian_a liberty_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o so_o degenerate_a into_o a_o tyrannical_a authority_n there_o be_v nothing_o i_o say_v which_o establish_v more_o reasonable_o the_o independency_n of_o particular_a church_n nor_o which_o more_o powerful_o destroy_v their_o dependency_n than_o the_o account_n which_o the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n give_v of_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o independent_n and_o of_o the_o sentence_n that_o the_o synod_n of_o charenton_n pronounce_v against_o they_o they_o believe_v say_v he_o that_o every_o faithful_a member_n ought_v to_o follow_v the_o illumination_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n without_o submit_v his_o judgement_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o body_n nor_o any_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n and_o they_o do_v not_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nor_o to_o embrace_v the_o decision_n of_o synod_n when_o after_o a_o due_a and_o through_o examination_n of_o they_o they_o find_v they_o reasonable_a that_o which_o they_o refuse_v to_o do_v be_v to_o submit_v their_o judgement_n to_o that_o of_o any_o assembly_n because_o it_o be_v a_o society_n of_o man_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n the_o gospel_n itself_o be_v not_o more_o true_a than_o this_o persuasion_n of_o independent_n and_o that_o bishop_n can_v not_o approve_v of_o one_o more_o reasonable_a to_o wit_n that_o a_o particular_a person_n or_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o submit_v
their_o faith_n their_o religion_n nor_o the_o guidance_n of_o their_o manner_n to_o a_o authority_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n but_o only_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v a_o infallible_a authority_n upon_o this_o ground_n the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n have_v reason_n to_o condemn_v the_o synod_n of_o charenton_n for_o have_v tax_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o independent_n with_o error_n which_o consist_v as_o say_v the_o synod_n in_o what_o they_o teach_v that_o every_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o its_o own_o law_n without_o any_o dependence_n upon_o any_o in_o matter_n ecclesiastical_a and_o without_o any_o obligation_n to_o acknowledge_v the_o authority_n of_o synod_n for_o its_o governance_n and_o conduct_n than_o a_o little_a after_o this_o same_o synod_n decide_v that_o this_o sect_n be_v as_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o state_n as_o to_o the_o church_n that_o it_o open_v a_o door_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o irregularity_n and_o extravagancy_n that_o it_o take_v away_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o bring_v any_o remedy_n to_o they_o and_o that_o if_o it_o have_v field-room_n enough_o it_o will_v form_v to_o itself_o as_o many_o religion_n as_o parish_n or_o particular_a assembly_n these_o last_o word_n say_v the_o bishop_n discover_z that_o it_o be_v principal_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o the_o synod_n will_v establish_v dependency_n since_o the_o great_a inconvenience_n that_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o into_o which_o the_o faithful_a people_n of_o god_n will_v fall_v by_o independency_n be_v that_o they_o will_v frame_v as_o many_o religion_n as_o parish_n then_o say_v he_o of_o necessity_n according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o synod_n each_o church_n and_o by_o a_o strong_a reason_n each_o particular_a must_v depend_v as_o to_o what_o respect_v faith_n upon_o a_o supreme_a authority_n which_o reside_v in_o some_o assembly_n or_o in_o some_o body_n to_o which_o authority_n all_o the_o faithful_a people_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o submit_v their_o judgement_n this_o bishop_n can_v take_v notice_n of_o nothing_o more_o unreasonable_a and_o more_o extravagant_a in_o our_o synod_n than_o to_o oblige_v a_o private_a person_n to_o submit_v himself_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o assembly_n who_o decision_n be_v not_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o be_v to_o say_v not_o infallible_a it_o be_v true_a that_o pre-supposing_a all_o supreme_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n whether_o in_o the_o protestant_n or_o romish_a be_v subject_a to_o error_n the_o government_n of_o the_o adversary_n of_o rome_n of_o independent_n or_o other_o protestant_n be_v equal_o justifiable_a when_o they_o refuse_v to_o pay_v submission_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o rome_n since_o that_o it_o be_v incomparable_o more_o defective_a than_o that_o which_o the_o protestant_n set_v up_o in_o their_o church_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o upon_o this_o ground_n the_o government_n of_o the_o independent_n be_v more_o justifiable_a and_o more_o reasonable_a than_o that_o of_o other_o protestant_n who_o blind_o submit_v themselves_o to_o a_o tribunal_n subject_a to_o error_n and_o who_o conduct_n and_o gonance_n be_v beyond_o all_o comparison_n further_o off_o from_o reason_n than_o be_v that_o of_o the_o papist_n for_o pre-supposing_a that_o the_o authority_n of_o rome_n be_v infallible_a the_o submission_n which_o the_o people_n pay_v to_o that_o supreme_a authority_n be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o reasonable_a as_o that_o of_o the_o protestant_n be_v the_o less_o when_o they_o submit_v to_o a_o supreme_a authority_n which_o they_o themselves_o believe_v be_v subject_a to_o error_n in_o short_a the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n have_v great_a reason_n to_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o protestant_n be_v mighty_o beside_o the_o cushion_n and_o to_o blame_v for_o condemn_v the_o infallibility_n of_o rome_n so_o long_o as_o the_o incontestability_n and_o indisputableness_n which_o they_o invest_v their_o supreme_a authority_n withal_o carry_v the_o same_o obligation_n along_o with_o it_o to_o obedience_n and_o submission_n a_o great_a divine_a of_o we_o who_o relate_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o protestant_n hereupon_o libr._n 1._o cap._n 8._o de_fw-la clavibus_fw-la express_v himself_o in_o these_o word_n huius_fw-la ligamenti_fw-la quo_fw-la pastor_n ecelesiae_fw-la constringunt_fw-la peccatores_fw-la tanta_fw-la est_fw-la vis_fw-la &_o certitudo_fw-la ut_fw-la christus_fw-la pronunciet_a si_fw-la quid_fw-la ligaverint_fw-la pastor_n in_fw-la terris_fw-la id_fw-la fore_fw-la ligâ—tum_fw-la in_o coelo_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la deum_fw-la ratum_fw-la habiturum_fw-la hanc_fw-la ligationem_fw-la potest_fw-la fieri_fw-la aliquando_fw-la ut_fw-la ligatio_fw-la sit_fw-la injusta_fw-la vult_fw-la tamen_fw-la christus_fw-la eam_fw-la ratam_fw-la esse_fw-la non_fw-la enim_fw-la fas_fw-la est_fw-la homini_fw-la qui_fw-la injust_a excommunicatus_fw-la est_fw-la invaaere_fw-la sacram_fw-la coenam_fw-la &_o invitis_fw-la pastoribus_fw-la irrumpere_fw-la in_o communionem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la be_v not_o that_o to_o tell_v we_o that_o a_o man_n excommunicate_v unjust_o be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o submit_v himself_o to_o the_o excommunication_n pronounce_v against_o he_o by_o a_o authority_n which_o have_v err_v as_o when_o it_o be_v give_v by_o a_o authority_n which_o have_v not_o err_v and_o be_v not_o that_o to_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o every_o way_n whither_o just_o or_o unjust_o a_o person_n deliver_v to_o satan_n as_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o all_o protestant_n except_v my_o father_n that_o to_o deliver_v to_o satan_n and_o to_o excommunicate_v be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n ought_v not_o to_o dispute_v oâ—â—_n resist_v that_o authority_n which_o have_v deliver_v he_o up_o to_o that_o evil_a spirit_n to_o conclude_v be_v not_o that_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o canon_n si_fw-mi papa_n distinct_a 40_o which_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n permit_v a_o person_n cast_v thus_o to_o the_o devil_n although_o against_o all_o right_a and_o justice_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pope_n to_o resist_v that_o supreme_a authority_n the_o bishop_n likewise_o have_v no_o less_o good_a reason_n to_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o conjunction_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o romish_a church_n in_o one_o body_n will_v be_v unreasonable_a if_o they_o be_v not_o cement_v by_o infallibility_n and_o to_o divest_v it_o of_o its_o infallibility_n be_v to_o break_v it_o in_o piece_n be_v to_o cast_v every_o of_o its_o least_o part_n into_o independency_n and_o to_o give_v liberty_n to_o every_o of_o they_o to_o govern_v themselves_o according_a to_o their_o own_o mode_n and_o way_n and_o to_o do_v their_o business_n by_o themselves_o but_o here_o we_o shall_v observe_v as_o we_o go_v along_o that_o of_o two_o depth_n of_o satan_n the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o infallibility_n the_o first_o be_v a_o lie_n a_o imposture_n and_o a_o cheat_n but_o that_o presuppose_v that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o cheat_n but_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a and_o true_a and_o the_o use_n of_o which_o be_v necessary_a in_o the_o church_n infallibility_n be_v natural_o and_o reasonable_o a_o consequence_n of_o it_o and_o in_o truth_n our_o reformer_n have_v place_v incontestability_n in_o the_o room_n of_o infallibility_n but_o it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o if_o infallibility_n be_v a_o pure_a cheat_n the_o other_o be_v a_o pure_a and_o absolute_a tyranny_n and_o it_o be_v less_o reasonable_a in_o not_o be_v a_o natural_a consequence_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n incontestability_n be_v a_o thousand_o time_n worse_o than_o infallibility_n except_o it_o be_v in_o one_o thing_n and_o that_o be_v that_o it_o have_v not_o be_v of_o so_o long_a a_o duration_n it_o be_v here_o no_o doubt_n wherein_o the_o illumination_n of_o humane_a reason_n be_v not_o so_o great_a to_o our_o first_o reformer_n as_o to_o the_o generation_n of_o man_n in_o this_o age_n for_o as_o those_o soresaw_v in_o it_o that_o a_o submission_n of_o so_o many_o prince_n and_o people_n who_o differ_v in_o custom_n law_n and_o language_n to_o a_o authority_n subject_a to_o error_n be_v not_o only_o unreasonable_a but_o also_o impossible_a to_o prevent_v the_o revolt_n both_o of_o king_n and_o people_n they_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o justice_n invest_v it_o with_o infallibility_n and_o it_o be_v here_o too_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n triumph_v over_o we_o and_o have_v great_a reason_n for_o it_o on_o his_o side_n when_o he_o reproach_n we_o that_o we_o have_v be_v deficient_a in_o our_o politic_n in_o not_o erect_v among_o we_o a_o infallible_a tribunal_n and_o that_o we_o be_v much_o to_o blame_v for_o oblige_v the_o faithful_a people_n of_o god_n with_o so_o much_o rigour_n and_o severity_n to_o submit_v to_o a_o tribunal_n subject_a to_o error_n but_o those_o of_o rome_n be_v not_o so_o for_o they_o oblige_v their_o people_n to_o submit_v to_o one_o that_o be_v infallible_a but_o the_o independent_n as_o they_o be_v lead_v by_o
the_o illumination_n of_o grace_n and_o reason_n so_o likewise_o be_v they_o most_o reational_o and_o with_o great_a justice_n and_o piety_n disengage_v not_o only_o from_o a_o pretend_a infallible_a tribunal_n but_o also_o from_o the_o tyranny_n of_o such_o dependence_n or_o submission_n to_o a_o authority_n subject_n to_o error_n as_o to_o the_o assertion_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o charenton_n that_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o independent_n open_v the_o door_n to_o all_o manner_n of_o irregularity_n and_o extravagance_n that_o assertion_n i_o say_v seem_v plausible_a at_o the_o first_o as_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v not_o only_o plausible_a but_o most_o reasonable_a in_o matter_n pure_o civil_a in_o which_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o last_o resort_v and_o refuge_n and_o appeal_v from_o court_n to_o court_n in_o the_o territory_n of_o a_o sovereign_n there_o will_v be_v as_o many_o court_n erect_v independent_a one_o on_o the_o other_o not_o only_o as_o there_o be_v family_n but_o as_o there_o be_v private_a person_n which_o inconvenience_n be_v not_o one_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n faith_n doctrine_n and_o divine_a worship_n in_o which_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o one_o be_v the_o last_o resort_n wherein_o the_o business_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v without_o any_o further_a appeal_n and_o where_o none_o ought_v to_o be_v constrain_v but_o exhort_v and_o persuade_v a_o synod_n be_v to_o persuade_v a_o particular_a church_n to_o embrace_v such_o a_o faith_n but_o it_o have_v neither_o right_a nor_o power_n to_o force_v it_o now_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v to_o do_v the_o same_o as_o to_o one_o of_o its_o member_n and_o if_o it_o carry_v any_o constraint_n with_o it_o it_o no_o long_o act_n as_o a_o church_n and_o as_o a_o assembly_n of_o christian_n and_o faithful_a people_n but_o as_o a_o magistrate_n at_o least_o like_o a_o arbiter_n and_o judge_n to_o who_o jesus_n christ_n send_v the_o plant_v in_o the_o eighteen_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n in_o these_o word_n tell_v it_o to_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v tell_v it_o to_o a_o assembly_n which_o have_v neither_o any_o court_n nor_o any_o power_n nor_o jurisdiction_n and_o where_o the_o party_n intimate_v might_o decline_v or_o refuse_v the_o judgement_n without_o damage_n as_o it_o appear_v by_o those_o word_n of_o jesus_n christ_n if_o he_o dres_n not_o hearken_v to_o the_o church_n for_o by_o these_o word_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o etc._n etc._n jesus_n christ_n do_v not_o command_v the_o church_n to_o proceed_v to_o a_o excommunication_n of_o that_o party_n that_o have_v do_v the_o wrong_n but_o he_o advise_v the_o offend_a party_n to_o cite_v the_o other_o who_o have_v deprive_v himself_o of_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o brother_n before_o the_o natural_a judge_n as_o well_o of_o the_o publican_n as_o of_o the_o heathen_n the_o one_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o state_n and_o the_o other_o be_v of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o emperor_n in_o short_a the_o church_n as_o such_o and_o consider_v as_o christian_n and_o honest_a man_n have_v no_o more_o jurisdiction_n that_o a_o college_n of_o philosopher_n chap._n iu._n that_o the_o design_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n be_v most_o holy_a and_o most_o reasonable_a when_o they_o labour_v to_o retain_v a_o conformity_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o other_o reform_a church_n but_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n of_o the_o veneraiton_n they_o have_v for_o calvin_n and_o for_o the_o church_n which_o follow_v his_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n the_o design_n of_o produce_v their_o confession_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v the_o very_a masterpiece_n of_o a_o extreme_o judicious_a government_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o person_n most_o perfect_a in_o the_o study_n of_o divinity_n the_o principal_a design_n they_o have_v in_o the_o composition_n of_o their_o confession_n be_v to_o declare_v and_o testify_v to_o the_o world_n that_o although_o every_o church_n may_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o differ_v from_o other_o in_o discipline_n they_o ought_v nevertheless_o to_o labour_v above_o all_o thing_n to_o retain_v and_o keep_v the_o same_o faith_n in_o matter_n that_o be_v essential_a with_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n this_o be_v what_o the_o congregational_a party_n have_v do_v with_o great_a care_n and_o circumspection_n in_o the_o make_n of_o their_o confession_n for_o beside_o that_o they_o do_v but_o a_o very_a little_a differ_v from_o that_o of_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o divide_v from_o they_o but_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n they_o have_v also_o endeavour_v to_o have_v their_o faith_n conformable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o as_o to_o their_o discipline_n it_o be_v very_o simple_a and_o naked_a they_o have_v no_o other_o than_o that_o which_o saint_n paul_n give_v in_o three_o word_n to_o wit_n that_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n they_o have_v especial_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o good_a roman_a emperor_n under_o constantine_n theodosius_n martianus_n and_o justinian_n under_o who_o they_o keep_v a_o strict_a uniformity_n in_o faith_n and_o that_o correspondence_n be_v maintain_v by_o letter_n which_o they_o call_v literae_fw-la testimoniales_n circulares_fw-la ecclesiasticae_fw-la formatae_fw-la though_o otherwise_o they_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o differ_v one_o from_o another_o even_o under_o one_o and_o the_o same_o emperor_n in_o discipline_n in_o custom_n and_o in_o ceremony_n saint_n austin_n epist_n ad_fw-la tanuarium_fw-la 119._o &_o epist_n 86._o ad_fw-la casulanum_fw-la presbyterum_fw-la permit_v any_o church_n to_o differ_v from_o other_o in_o ceremony_n and_o in_o manner_n of_o government_n provide_v that_o they_o agree_v with_o they_o in_o unity_n of_o faith_n the_o historian_n socrates_n libr._n 5._o cap._n 21._o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v two_o church_n in_o all_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o observe_v one_o and_o the_o same_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o god_n the_o jesuit_n mainbourg_n how_o zealous_a soever_o he_o be_v to_o the_o uniformity_n of_o rome_n in_o his_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n yet_o he_o cease_v not_o to_o say_v and_o to_o maintain_v that_o the_o diversity_n of_o usage_n custom_n and_o practice_n be_v compatible_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n one_o ought_v not_o say_v he_o never_o to_o separate_v for_o the_o diversity_n and_o custom_n which_o may_v be_v different_a the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o without_o the_o wound_a the_o unity_n of_o faith_n pag._n 303._o of_o his_o three_o book_n of_o the_o treatise_n of_o schism_n among_o the_o grecian_n i_o have_v read_v as_o much_o in_o a_o great_a lawyer_n it_o be_v godefrey_n the_o son_n certissima_fw-la olim_fw-la fidei_fw-la contesseratio_fw-la erat_fw-la unà _fw-la eucharistiam_fw-la sâ—mere_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dicebantur_fw-la non_fw-la in_o eadem_fw-la disciplina_fw-la sed_fw-la fidâ—_n we_o must_v also_o do_v they_o this_o justice_n that_o there_o be_v no_o doctor_n who_o have_v a_o great_a veneration_n for_o the_o doctrine_n and_o memory_n of_o caloin_n nor_o who_o desire_n with_o more_o ardent_a zeal_n to_o have_v a_o strict_a and_o close_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n which_o follow_v the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o holy_a man_n than_o their_o pastor_n although_o they_o believe_v that_o they_o may_v have_v as_o i_o have_v say_v the_o liberty_n to_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n without_o think_v themselves_o guilty_a either_o of_o separation_n or_o schism_n chap._n v._o that_o the_o congregational_a church_n do_v most_o rational_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o synod_n and_o pastor_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v a_o great_a wrong_n and_o injury_n do_v to_o the_o independent_n to_o affirm_v that_o they_o condemn_v synod_n since_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o establish_v the_o true_a use_n of_o they_o as_o the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n who_o have_v more_o charity_n for_o they_o than_o other_o synod_n and_o our_o divine_n acknowledge_v the_o independent_n say_v he_o do_v not_o refuse_v to_o embrace_v and_o comply_v with_o the_o decision_n of_o synod_n when_o after_o they_o have_v due_o examine_v they_o they_o find_v they_o not_o unreasonable_a that_o which_o they_o refuse_v to_o do_v be_v to_o submit_v their_o judgement_n to_o that_o of_o any_o assembly_n or_o society_n subject_a to_o error_n the_o independent_n argue_v as_o mr._n pajon_n do_v though_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o say_v he_o shall_v come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o dwell_v on_o the_o earth_n again_o with_o all_o the_o ray_n of_o glory_n that_o be_v roand_v about_o he_o to_o teach_v we_o and_o to_o guide_v and_o direct_v we_o yet_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o we_o
that_o of_o thuanus_n before_o his_o history_n and_o the_o preface_n of_o casaubon_n in_o his_o edition_n of_o polybius_n it_o will_v no_o doubt_n be_v expect_v that_o i_o shall_v add_v the_o order_n which_o be_v observe_v and_o practise_v in_o the_o independent_a church_n to_o their_o confession_n which_o ought_v to_o follow_v but_o as_o they_o profess_v a_o perfect_a harmony_n among_o themselves_o so_o likewise_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v this_o same_o absolute_a necessity_n as_o to_o that_o which_o concern_v discipline_n for_o except_v some_o few_o apostolical_a and_o perpetual_a rule_n which_o admit_v no_o change_n according_a to_o time_n and_o place_n concern_v the_o equality_n of_o pastor_n that_o choice_n that_o every_o church_n be_v to_o make_v of_o its_o pastor_n in_o which_o monsieur_n mestrezat_n and_o monsieur_n claude_n make_v the_o true_a ordination_n to_o consist_v the_o solemn_a benediction_n of_o that_o pastor_n by_o fast_v and_o prayer_n and_o the_o refusal_n they_o make_v of_o their_o ministry_n and_o of_o their_o member_n which_o some_o call_v excommunication_n and_o deposition_n except_v i_o say_v these_o act_n their_o order_n be_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n decent_o and_o in_o order_n in_o the_o church_n as_o saint_n paul_n require_v but_o they_o be_v govern_v as_o all_o other_o society_n and_o as_o they_o explain_v themselves_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n article_n vii_o in_o these_o word_n there_o be_v some_o circumstance_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o divine_a worship_n which_o be_v common_a with_o all_o the_o action_n of_o man_n which_o be_v practise_v in_o all_o society_n and_o which_o may_v â—o_o be_v regulate_v by_o natural_a light_n and_o christian_a prudence_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v always_o to_o be_v observe_v this_o be_v all_o the_o discipline_n which_o the_o independent_n practise_v then_o government_n be_v that_o of_o well_o order_n d_o republic_n that_o can_v possible_o be_v too_o exact_a for_o the_o regulate_v of_o manner_n but_o which_o have_v but_o very_o few_o law_n for_o that_o of_o polity_n they_o be_v far_o from_o that_o maxim_n in_fw-la pâ—ssima_fw-la republicà _fw-la pluri_fw-la ne_fw-la leges_fw-la but_o how_o â—ise_v soever_o their_o carriage_n and_o government_n be_v how_o sound_a and_o orthodox_n their_o doctrine_n and_o how_o exact_a and_o scrupulous_a their_o â—ives_n yet_o they_o can_v escape_v the_o tyranny_n of_o those_o little_a sincere_a judgement_n which_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o grave_a person_n have_v make_v of_o they_o so_o that_o it_o need_v be_v no_o surprise_n at_o all_o if_o the_o doctor_n of_o rome_n how_o illuminate_v soever_o and_o sincere_a they_o have_v seem_v to_o be_v have_v have_v for_o so_o many_o age_n and_o have_v still_o to_o this_o day_n so_o great_a a_o aversion_n for_o our_o religion_n how_o holy_a soever_o it_o be_v and_o have_v pass_v judgement_n so_o little_o favourable_a of_o it_o as_o to_o draw_v from_o our_o moral_n consequence_n that_o be_v as_o far_o from_o purity_n and_o truth_n as_o they_o be_v from_o our_o intention_n this_o i_o say_v need_v be_v no_o surprise_n at_o all_o to_o we_o since_o that_o amyrauld_n daillé_n and_o so_o many_o other_o of_o their_o gown_n have_v not_o pass_v any_o less_o sinister_a judgement_n of_o a_o generation_n of_o man_n as_o holy_a as_o any_o in_o the_o world_n i_o mean_v of_o the_o independent_n no_o more_o than_o of_o their_o carriage_n government_n and_o doctrine_n as_o to_o their_o carriage_n and_o government_n whether_o in_o private_a or_o in_o the_o church_n i_o do_v not_o believe_v there_o be_v any_o better_o regulate_v more_o wise_a more_o prudent_a more_o illuminate_v nor_o more_o religious_a as_o to_o their_o doctrine_n their_o confession_n of_o faith_n shall_v witness_v what_o it_o be_v since_o that_o of_o all_o those_o that_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n of_o that_o nature_n it_o be_v a_o piece_n the_o most_o perfect_a pure_a and_o orthodox_n and_o in_o which_o it_o may_v well_o nigh_o be_v say_v the_o christian_a religion_n may_v be_v find_v complete_a though_o there_o shall_v only_o be_v remain_v that_o single_a piece_n in_o all_o the_o bookseller_n shop_n in_o the_o world_n chap._n x._o of_o the_o wise_a and_o prudent_a carriage_n of_o the_o independent_n and_o of_o their_o way_n to_o get_v further_o off_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n than_o any_o other_o and_o to_o condemn_v all_o the_o way_n of_o reconciliation_n with_o it_o and_o the_o church_n that_o hold_v any_o communion_n with_o rome_n that_o the_o endeavour_n to_o come_v near_o it_o be_v damnable_a and_o pernicious_a as_o be_v sufficient_o see_v in_o the_o present_a posture_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o england_n those_o who_o shall_v approve_v of_o the_o wise_a conduct_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n in_o the_o compose_n of_o a_o confession_n that_o have_v so_o much_o conformity_n with_o the_o pure_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n will_v be_v easy_o persuade_v that_o neither_o wisdom_n nor_o prudence_n have_v be_v want_v to_o they_o when_o with_o that_o conformity_n of_o faith_n that_o there_o be_v between_o they_o and_o the_o church_n that_o be_v at_o great_a distance_n from_o popery_n they_o have_v preserve_v to_o themselves_o their_o liberty_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o discipline_n to_o do_v their_o business_n a_o part_n independant_o one_o on_o the_o other_o and_o on_o all_o other_o authority_n beside_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n without_o make_v use_n of_o that_o way_n of_o reconciliation_n which_o have_v be_v practise_v in_o all_o age_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o conference_n and_o synod_n which_o have_v rather_o sharp'n_v and_o exasperate_v spirit_n and_o perpetuate_v quarrel_n than_o any_o way_n appease_v and_o hush_v they_o and_o whereof_o all_o the_o advantage_n that_o can_v be_v hope_v be_v at_o most_o to_o make_v such_o a_o accord_n as_o it_o may_v be_v dissemble_v or_o disguise_n or_o else_o suppress_v the_o truth_n this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o appear_v in_o the_o colloquy_n of_o poissy_n where_o the_o great_a defender_n of_o transubstantiation_n and_o those_o who_o combat_v and_o oppose_v it_o as_o a_o vile_a monster_n of_o rome_n concur_v together_o upon_o the_o article_n of_o the_o real_a presence_n in_o the_o eucharist_n and_o this_o be_v what_o appear_v also_o in_o the_o overture_n of_o reconciliation_n which_o be_v make_v in_o the_o year_n 1578._o in_o the_o synod_n of_o saint_n foy_n with_o the_o lutheran_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o a_o formulary_a or_o precedent_n of_o such_o a_o profession_n of_o faith_n as_o shall_v be_v general_a and_o common_a with_o all_o church_n as_o they_o propose_v to_o draw_v up_o but_o that_o overture_n can_v only_o tend_v to_o a_o reconciliation_n as_o difficult_a as_o that_o of_o find_v a_o medium_fw-la between_o transubstantiation_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o our_o church_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o it_o certain_o our_o church_n be_v never_o able_a to_o draw_v back_o from_o the_o purity_n of_o our_o doctrine_n nor_o from_o the_o sincerity_n with_o which_o they_o express_v it_o without_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n guilty_a of_o great_a prevarication_n and_o moreover_o the_o lutheran_n will_v never_o have_v yield_v to_o go_v off_o from_o their_o engagement_n to_o luther_n and_o his_o consubstantiation_n if_o both_o have_v comply_v and_o meet_v at_o half_a way_n it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o most_o wretched_a peace_n quae_fw-la as_o saint_n austin_n speak_v fit_a dispenaio_fw-la veritatis_fw-la the_o present_a posture_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o england_n be_v a_o very_a clear_a and_o convince_a proof_n that_o the_o endeavour_n of_o those_o reconciler_n how_o good_a soever_o their_o design_n be_v be_v ruinous_a both_o to_o church_n and_o state_n there_o have_v be_v a_o attempt_n for_o above_o this_o last_o age_n to_o get_v into_o a_o neighbourhood_n and_o vicinity_n with_o rome_n think_v to_o sweeten_v the_o spirit_n and_o temper_n of_o those_o of_o its_o communion_n to_o draw_v they_o over_o to_o we_o or_o at_o at_o least_o to_o make_v but_o one_o communion_n of_o two_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n there_o be_v several_a of_o the_o ceremony_n retain_v and_o fifty_o year_n afterward_o other_o of_o they_o be_v introduce_v they_o have_v attempt_v to_o bring_v in_o image_n and_o so_o to_o pass_v from_o thence_o to_o worship_v of_o they_o every_o where_o the_o altar_n be_v new_a set_v up_o on_o purpose_n no_o doubt_n to_o make_v there_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n to_o smoak_n which_o be_v apparent_a by_o the_o bowing_n and_o cringing_n to_o those_o altar_n or_o at_o least_o to_o the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v set_v or_o as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o be_v to_o the_o east_n the_o ordination_n of_o romish_a pastor_n be_v hold_v for_o good_a and_o for_o that_o
that_o their_o spirit_n be_v not_o that_o of_o contention_n nor_o animosity_n one_o against_o another_o but_o of_o peace_n and_o concord_n if_o the_o book_n of_o that_o excellent_a author_n eutychius_n the_o patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n have_v appear_v with_o all_o its_o truth_n and_o have_v be_v see_v by_o all_o those_o that_o have_v eye_n and_o will_v use_v they_o during_o the_o life_n of_o monsieur_n salmasius_n mounseur_fw-fr blundel_n etc._n etc._n they_o have_v be_v yet_o more_o strong_o persuade_v than_o they_o be_v that_o all_o those_o circumstance_n so_o distant_a from_o the_o relation_n that_o eutychius_n make_v of_o they_o savour_v as_o much_o of_o romance_n as_o those_o three_o cross_n which_o helena_n mother_n of_o constantine_n find_v or_o as_o the_o donation_n of_o that_o emperor_n to_o silvester_n certain_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n do_v clear_o appear_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o those_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o god_n and_o not_o man_n when_o he_o raise_v up_o the_o good_a bishop_n of_o alexandria_n to_o recommend_v they_o to_o constantine_n and_o when_o he_o incline_v the_o heart_n of_o that_o prince_n to_o hearken_v to_o his_o counsel_n for_o if_o the_o emperor_n have_v let_v himself_o be_v overrule_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o counsel_n by_o any_o other_o bishop_n as_o he_o do_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o life_n the_o first_o establishment_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n have_v be_v that_o of_o arrianisme_n whereas_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n take_v the_o first_o possession_n under_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n this_o serve_v most_o powerful_o to_o gain_v it_o credit_n and_o to_o make_v it_o pass_v and_o transmit_v it_o to_o posterity_n i_o will_v ask_v here_o by_o the_o way_n those_o that_o deprive_v the_o sovereign_a magistrate_n of_o the_o intendance_n of_o regulate_v by_o a_o sovereign_a authority_n in_o all_o place_n either_o of_o a_o empire_n or_o a_o territory_n the_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o give_v he_o no_o other_o authority_n than_o that_o of_o a_o private_a person_n i_o will_v ask_v those_o i_o say_v what_o expedient_a a_o good_a bishop_n such_o as_o this_o of_o alexandria_n can_v be_v able_a to_o find_v out_o to_o authorise_v the_o faith_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o of_o arrius_n in_o case_n god_n have_v not_o incline_v the_o heart_n of_o constantine_n to_o establish_v it_o by_o his_o command_n in_o all_o the_o place_n of_o his_o empire_n i_o ought_v not_o to_o forget_v here_o one_o circumstance_n in_o our_o author_n that_o extreme_o fortify_v the_o right_a of_o the_o magistrate_n especial_o if_o he_o be_v orthodox_n to_o the_o sovereign_a intendance_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o which_o moreover_o strong_o prove_v that_o the_o rule_n canon_n censure_n and_o anathemas_n of_o council_n be_v only_a council_n and_o the_o declaration_n of_o wise_a and_o experience_a man_n before_o the_o magistrate_n have_v give_v they_o authority_n by_o his_o sanction_n in_o short_a this_o passage_n of_o eutychius_n be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o pprophecy_n of_o s._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 6._o 2._o know_v you_o not_o that_o the_o saint_n shall_v judge_v the_o world_n that_o be_v to_o say_v know_v you_o not_o that_o god_n will_v one_o day_n establish_v faithful_a magistrate_n who_o shall_v be_v governor_n in_o chief_a of_o the_o church_n he_o say_v than_o that_o the_o choice_n of_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n be_v make_v constantine_n enter_v into_o their_o assembly_n and_o after_o he_o have_v salute_v and_o harrangued_a to_o they_o he_o lay_v his_o sceptre_n upon_o the_o table_n his_o ring_n and_o his_o sword_n and_o say_v to_o they_o i_o give_v you_o the_o power_n of_o regulate_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n that_o do_v the_o father_n humble_o thank_v he_o for_o the_o authority_n which_o he_o be_v please_v to_o fortify_v they_o with_o and_o render_v he_o his_o sceptre_n his_o ring_n and_o his_o sword_n it_o be_v true_a if_o constantine_n have_v be_v a_o arrian_n his_o erroneous_a opinion_n have_v do_v as_o much_o mischief_n as_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n to_o that_o of_o arrius_n and_o wherewith_o he_o be_v possess_v do_v good_a by_o its_o establishment_n but_o it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o if_o the_o sovereign_n of_o a_o empire_n have_v no_o other_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n than_o that_o of_o a_o private_a person_n it_o will_v never_o be_v possible_a and_o it_o can_v never_o happen_v that_o a_o orthodox_n prince_n will_v be_v able_a to_o establish_v the_o true_a religion_n by_o his_o commandment_n in_o all_o the_o place_n of_o his_o empire_n it_o be_v true_a by_o this_o sovereign_a authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n error_n and_o impiety_n may_v as_o well_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n as_o truth_n and_o piety_n but_o it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o when_o the_o sovereign_a magistrate_n either_o have_v no_o part_n nor_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o religion_n as_o during_o the_o three_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n nothing_o can_v keep_v the_o bishop_n as_o be_v those_o two_o thousand_o and_o forty_o eight_o of_o who_o eutychius_n speak_v from_o divind_a into_o many_o erroneous_a party_n and_o the_o orthodox_n party_n to_o be_v always_o the_o least_o in_o number_n and_o this_o can_v happen_v when_o god_n give_v to_o the_o church_n such_o prince_n as_o resemble_v constantine_n the_o great_a theodosius_n and_o martian_a it_o happen_v notwithstanding_o that_o during_o such_o disorder_n and_o such_o confusion_n of_o diverse_a opinion_n as_o be_v those_o of_o the_o two_o thousand_o and_o forty_o that_o god_n reserve_v always_o a_o small_a number_n of_o good_a pastor_n as_o be_v those_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o who_o form_n in_o a_o great_a empire_n such_o as_o be_v the_o roman_a several_a little_a congregation_n all_o like_a to_o those_o of_o our_o independent_n who_o god_n make_v use_v of_o amid_o the_o great_a corruption_n and_o confusion_n to_o keep_v and_o perpetuate_v to_o himself_o a_o orthodox_n and_o faithful_a people_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v true_a then_o that_o whither_o god_n give_v a_o christian_a magistrate_n but_o a_o heretic_n or_o whether_o he_o do_v not_o give_v any_o if_o he_o be_v not_o possible_o a_o heathen_a as_o during_o the_o three_o first_o age_n the_o inconvenience_n be_v great_a but_o it_o be_v otherwise_o certain_a that_o when_o god_n bless_v his_o church_n with_o a_o magistrate_n that_o favour_v the_o orthodox_n and_o true_a worshipper_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v incomparable_o more_o happy_a than_o under_o any_o other_o establishment_n of_o religion_n or_o of_o the_o state_n for_o although_o persecution_n ought_v to_o unite_v christian_n by_o a_o holy_a and_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o by_o a_o life_n correspondent_a to_o it_o yet_o it_o have_v not_o that_o efficacy_n nor_o that_o virtue_n to_o produce_v those_o two_o good_a effect_n which_o common_o follow_v under_o the_o reign_n of_o good_a prince_n as_o david_n hezekiah_n josiah_n constantine_n theodosius_n etc._n etc._n under_o who_o the_o people_n be_v unite_v well_o otherwise_o and_o keep_v in_o good_a order_n and_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o and_o a_o good_a religion_n which_o they_o be_v not_o under_o persecution_n for_o even_o the_o church_n be_v not_o without_o disorder_n and_o violent_a shake_n under_o the_o best_a and_o most_o orthodox_n prince_n which_o happen_v by_o their_o indulgence_n who_o keep_v not_o up_o that_o authority_n they_o ought_v to_o take_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o who_o delegate_v it_o to_o the_o clergy_n and_o permit_v they_o to_o exercise_v by_o a_o pretend_a power_n derive_v from_o jesus_n christ_n independent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n and_o who_o in_o short_a raise_v up_o bishop_n to_o such_o a_o greatness_n and_o wealth_n as_o to_o have_v credit_n enough_o to_o partake_v and_o share_v the_o sovereignty_n and_o to_o dispute_v the_o moiety_n of_o it_o with_o he_o who_o of_o right_n be_v the_o sovereign_n of_o the_o whole_a leave_v he_o the_o temporal_a sovereignty_n and_o reserve_v to_o themselves_o the_o spiritual_a as_o they_o call_v it_o but_o these_o matter_n i_o discourse_v of_o in_o my_o book_n not_o yet_o print_v entitle_v a_o essay_n towards_o a_o true_a ecclesiastical_a history_n one_o theophilus_n of_o alexandria_n and_o his_o successor_n cyrillus_n be_v equal_a and_o go_v check_v by_o jowl_n in_o authority_n with_o the_o emperor_n and_o have_v build_v a_o empire_n in_o that_o of_o their_o sovereign_n for_o even_o those_o and_o their_o successor_n have_v build_v several_a of_o they_o when_o a_o pope_n be_v set_v up_o among_o they_o who_o subjugate_v they_o all_o and_o make_v they_o all_o agree_v to_o set_v up_o but_o one_o catholic_n church_n for_o before_o there_o be_v in_o
omnipotentiam_fw-la non_fw-la credunt_fw-la it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v accuse_v for_o deprive_v the_o magistrate_n from_o the_o same_o authority_n and_o sovereign_a intendence_n over_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n as_o over_z that_o of_o the_o civil_a but_o notwithstanding_o they_o do_v sufficient_o satisfy_v all_o reasonable_a and_o considerate_a person_n of_o this_o in_o the_o four_o and_o twenty_o chapter_n of_o their_o confession_n beside_o those_o who_o condemn_v that_o collaterality_n of_o government_n and_o of_o tribunal_n the_o one_o ecclesiastical_a and_o the_o other_o civil_a in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o territory_n and_o who_o believe_v that_o it_o come_v from_o the_o forge_n of_o antichrist_n and_o that_o it_o have_v introduce_v popery_n into_o the_o world_n do_v not_o trouble_v themselves_o about_o resolve_v the_o difficulty_n nor_o about_o assign_v to_o each_o his_o law_n his_o court_n his_o officer_n his_o sovereign_n and_o the_o measure_n of_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n i_o add_v that_o as_o the_o force_n and_o efficacy_n of_o law_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o whither_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a nor_o in_o their_o goodness_n justice_n and_o truth_n but_o in_o the_o will_n of_o he_o or_o those_o who_o sit_v at_o the_o helm_n of_o affair_n the_o congregational_a church_n must_v of_o necessity_n acknowledge_v the_o force_n of_o all_o those_o law_n whither_o for_o the_o ecclesiastical_a or_o the_o civil_a state_n only_o they_o affirm_v that_o as_o the_o magistrate_n be_v not_o infallible_a he_o may_v possible_o abuse_v his_o right_n and_o orr_n either_o in_o the_o publication_n or_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o law_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o they_o be_v and_o as_o they_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o obey_v all_o civil_a law_n no_o more_o be_v they_o oblige_v to_o obey_v all_o law_n ecclesiastical_a they_o affirm_v also_o that_o as_o the_o empire_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v not_o over_o the_o body_n but_o over_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n the_o magistrate_n who_o be_v the_o protector_n and_o defender_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o territory_n sin_n extreme_o when_o he_o make_v law_n and_o ordinance_n that_o do_v violence_n to_o the_o body_n of_o his_o subject_n and_o that_o take_v from_o they_o that_o liberty_n which_o every_o man_n ought_v to_o have_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o his_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o serve_v god_n but_o that_o crime_n which_o be_v impose_v on_o they_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v one_o be_v incomparable_o less_o than_o that_o of_o presbyterian_a church_n all_o which_o follow_v the_o establishment_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o calvin_n who_o set_v up_o in_o geneva_n a_o ecclesiastical_a tribunal_n independent_a and_o distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n insomuch_o that_o a_o learned_a man_n name_v mounseur_fw-fr jurieu_fw-fr have_v write_v a_o large_a book_n wherein_o he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o sovereign_a magistrate_n consider_v as_o such_o have_v not_o any_o jurisdiction_n nor_o intendence_n over_o the_o collect_v church_n in_o his_o dominion_n and_o that_o he_o have_v no_o other_o right_n than_o that_o of_o inspection_n and_o consider_v as_o a_o christian_a and_o one_o of_o his_o principal_a member_n wherein_o mounseur_fw-fr jurieu_fw-fr be_v more_o independent_a than_o the_o independent_n themselves_o and_o he_o do_v not_o afford_v so_o much_o authority_n to_o the_o magistrate_n over_o the_o church_n that_o be_v collect_v within_o his_o territory_n and_o dominion_n as_o the_o independent_n do_v the_o independent_a church_n and_o their_o pastor_n be_v very_o wide_a from_o these_o thought_n and_o practice_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o every_o congregation_n be_v as_o that_o of_o every_o family_n what_o liberty_n soever_o it_o have_v to_o govern_v itself_o according_a to_o its_o own_o way_n and_o humour_n it_o be_v not_o neither_o in_o right_n nor_o in_o power_n nor_o even_o in_o will_n to_o set_v up_o a_o tribunal_n distinct_a from_o and_o independent_a on_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n after_o all_o a_o prince_n who_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o establish_v a_o arbitrary_a power_n in_o his_o kingdom_n that_o shall_v depend_v only_o upon_o god_n and_o his_o sword_n may_v imagine_v he_o shall_v be_v less_o hinder_v by_o several_a thousand_o of_o independent_a congregation_n not_o only_o on_o he_o and_o on_o his_o court_n but_o also_o the_o one_o independent_a on_o the_o other_o than_o by_o one_o entire_a body_n of_o all_o those_o church_n which_o shall_v set_v up_o by_o their_o deputy_n a_o ecclesiastical_a tribunal_n distinct_a from_o and_o independent_a on_o the_o civil_a for_o the_o strengeh_a of_o all_o those_o independent_a congregation_n will_v be_v like_o that_o of_o several_a thread_n which_o may_v easy_o be_v break_v one_o after_o another_o whereas_o the_o strength_n of_o all_o those_o church_n join_v in_o one_o body_n will_v be_v like_a to_o that_o of_o all_o those_o thread_n twist_v together_o which_o it_o will_v be_v almost_o if_o not_o absolute_o impossible_a to_o break_v or_o to_o undo_v but_o by_o the_o same_o way_n that_o alexander_n take_v to_o break_v the_o gordian-knot_n as_o the_o independent_a church_n do_v come_v the_o near_a to_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n so_o likewise_o they_o be_v further_o off_o than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o reform_a church_n from_o that_o thought_n and_o practice_v which_o have_v accomplish_v the_o mystery_n of_o inquity_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o so_o consequent_o that_o of_o the_o pope_n in_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o secular_a power_n under_o the_o mask_n and_o disguise_n of_o religion_n and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n as_o to_o the_o objection_n that_o be_v make_v against_o they_o that_o in_o case_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o other_o ecclesiastical_a establishment_n in_o a_o kingdom_n than_o they_o the_o three_o fourth_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n will_v live_v in_o great_a negligence_n and_o a_o gross_a ignorance_n of_o religion_n to_o that_o they_o say_v that_o their_o way_n do_v not_o exempt_a pastor_n from_o attend_v upon_o the_o office_n of_o their_o ministry_n at_o all_o time_n and_o place_n both_z within_z and_o without_o their_o particular_a congregation_n and_o to_o take_v the_o same_o pain_n as_o the_o presbyterian_a minister_n do_v for_o what_o repect_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o most_o public_a place_n also_o they_o do_v very_o much_o approve_v that_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v erect_v academy_n and_o college_n assign_v tithe_n and_o revenue_n and_o temple_n establish_v person_n to_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o instruction_n of_o people_n in_o public_a to_o invite_v they_o to_o it_o and_o to_o excite_v the_o ignorant_a to_o frequent_v the_o school_n and_o the_o lecture_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o art_n and_o science_n where_o they_o shall_v go_v for_o the_o love_n of_o virtue_n and_o knowledge_n without_o be_v constrain_v as_o to_o the_o crime_n of_o schism_n which_o be_v impose_v on_o they_o as_o their_o be_v separate_v from_o all_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o donatist_n the_o novatian_o and_o the_o luciferian_o do_v it_o be_v a_o false_a accu_fw-la sation_n those_o who_o accuse_v they_o of_o schism_n do_v not_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o schism_n 1._o it_o be_v not_o schism_n when_o a_o particular_a church_n separate_v from_o another_o church_n as_o the_o church_n of_o luther_n from_o that_o of_o calvin_n nor_o the_o protestant_n from_o the_o papist_n nor_o even_o one_o particular_a reform_a church_n from_o some_o other_o with_o which_o it_o make_v before_o but_o one_o body_n of_o a_o church_n but_o true_a schism_n be_v form_v among_o the_o member_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o particular_a church_n as_o be_v that_o of_o corinth_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o schism_n when_o a_o number_n of_o heretic_n separate_v from_o the_o orthodox_n party_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n to_o make_v a_o congregation_n apart_o to_o the_o end_n they_o may_v profess_v their_o heresy_n with_o great_a liberty_n but_o it_o be_v a_o apostasy_n and_o a_o abandon_v and_o forsake_v of_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n or_o church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v catholic_n and_o visible_a and_o upon_o this_o ground_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o a_o schismatical_a but_o a_o apostate_n church_n although_o it_o be_v one_o for_o the_o first_o reason_n because_o that_o what_o engagement_n or_o tie_v soever_o all_o its_o member_n have_v to_o one_o head_n however_o they_o be_v not_o all_o agree_v together_o schism_n proper_o be_v when_o the_o member_n of_o one_o church_n be_v at_o variance_n as_o be_v those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n there_o be_v always_o a_o schism_n in_o the_o romish_a church_n 3._o there_o be_v no_o schism_n among_o several_a particular_a church_n that_o
commend_v what_o i_o do_v not_o approve_v in_o the_o bottom_n of_o my_o heart_n since_o i_o do_v not_o join_v myself_o to_o it_o they_o will_v say_v likewise_o that_o i_o have_v have_v no_o other_o design_n than_o to_o gain_v my_o own_o sentiment_n credit_v with_o which_o they_o say_v i_o be_o most_o fond_o in_o love_n in_o adjust_v they_o to_o those_o of_o the_o independent_n and_o because_o i_o condemn_v ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o excommunication_n which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o possess_v the_o world_n with_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o so_o they_o shall_v banish_v the_o use_n of_o it_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o i_o shall_v join_v myself_o to_o their_o assembly_n it_o will_v be_v no_o argument_n that_o i_o shall_v approve_v of_o all_o the_o thing_n they_o do_v and_o all_o they_o believe_v as_o they_o can_v conclude_v by_o my_o not_o join_v to_o their_o congregation_n that_o i_o have_v not_o the_o congregational_a way_n in_o great_a and_o high_a esteem_n than_o 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do_v retain_v it_o jure_fw-la societatis_fw-la &_o vi_o &_o virtute_fw-la paoti_fw-la &_o federis_fw-la eniti_fw-la however_o it_o be_v both_o of_o they_o make_v use_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o excommunication_n very_o innocent_o for_o they_o do_v not_o set_v up_o a_o national_a tribunal_n independent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n and_o they_o attribute_v to_o their_o synod_n no_o other_o authority_n than_o that_o of_o persuasion_n both_o from_o wise_a and_o experience_a person_n moreover_o from_o the_o manner_n that_o they_o express_v themselves_o in_o the_o vii_o article_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n one_o may_v conclude_v that_o beside_o the_o jurisdiction_n which_o work_v upon_o heart_n by_o the_o word_n they_o acknowledge_v no_o other_o than_o that_o which_o be_v take_v by_o a_o natural_a right_n and_o that_o wisdom_n and_o prudence_n have_v not_o be_v want_v to_o they_o by_o their_o have_v in_o a_o joint_a consent_n agree_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o doctrine_n because_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a and_o perpetual_a right_n but_o in_o not_o have_v establish_v any_o thing_n determinative_o to_o be_v a_o perpetual_a rule_n upon_o a_o arbitrary_a and_o changeable_a matter_n and_o of_o humane_a right_n as_o be_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pastor_n in_o their_o conduct_n and_o government_n but_o although_o they_o shall_v have_v retain_v some_o usage_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o excommunication_n which_o be_v so_o many_o relic_n of_o rome_n that_o have_v accomplish_v the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n and_o bring_v the_o pope_n into_o the_o world_n they_o will_v be_v no_o less_o privilege_v than_o st._n paul_n and_o the_o other_o apostle_n who_o after_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o great_a measure_n than_o all_o the_o holy_a man_n that_o have_v be_v before_o they_o yet_o they_o always_o retain_v some_o leven_a of_o affection_n to_o the_o moysaicall_a ceremony_n if_o the_o christian_n that_o come_v from_o paganism_n have_v always_o keep_v some_o pollution_n of_o it_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v any_o great_a surprise_n to_o see_v the_o pure_a church_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o not_o thorough_o cleanse_v from_o all_o the_o impurity_n of_o rome_n for_o these_o consideration_n i_o feed_v myself_o with_o the_o hope_n that_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o independent_a church_n who_o be_v too_o much_o illuminate_v long_o to_o remain_v in_o the_o belief_n and_o use_n of_o this_o illusion_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n which_o have_v bring_v episcopacy_n that_o be_v the_o first_o step_n of_o ascension_n to_o the_o papacy_n and_o after_o that_o excommunication_n and_o infallibility_n and_o that_o they_o will_v put_v in_o practice_n instead_o of_o excommunication_n that_o denunciation_n which_o s._n paul_n recommend_v to_o his_o disciple_n and_o son_n timothy_n it_o be_v that_o in_o case_n any_o disorderly_a or_o wicked_a person_n of_o the_o congregation_n can_v be_v persuade_v to_o change_v his_o opinion_n and_o life_n and_o voluntary_o to_o leave_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n it_o shall_v be_v publish_v aloud_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o faithful_a shall_v be_v exhort_v to_o shun_v his_o company_n and_o in_o case_n that_o he_o persevere_v in_o such_o refractoriness_n he_o ought_v to_o be_v expel_v by_o force_n as_o well_o from_o the_o table_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o from_o the_o church_n and_o this_o be_v what_o may_v be_v practise_v by_o a_o natural_a right_n &_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la societatis_fw-la without_o any_o need_n of_o make_v such_o expulsion_n of_o credit_n by_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o by_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v in_o short_a i_o hope_v they_o will_v be_v persuade_v by_o this_o consideration_n that_o the_o benefit_n which_o come_v by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o excommunication_n will_v never_o recompense_v the_o 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fourteen_o remark_n upon_o the_o fault_n that_o some_o may_v find_v in_o the_o title_n of_o this_o discourse_n i_o will_v finish_v these_o conderation_n by_o the_o discussion_n and_o explication_n of_o the_o title_n of_o this_o discourse_n to_o which_o some_o have_v except_v because_o they_o find_v there_o be_v not_o one_o ecclesiastical_a government_n even_o of_o those_o which_o differ_v most_o from_o one_o another_o that_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o this_o conformity_n as_o indeed_o they_o have_v either_o more_o or_o less_o for_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o they_o no_o not_o even_o of_o those_o that_o be_v the_o far_a off_o from_o the_o doctrine_n and_o government_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n and_o that_o have_v but_o very_o little_a agreement_n one_o with_o the_o other_o there_o be_v not_o one_o i_o say_v but_o what_o have_v in_o something_o a_o conformity_n with_o they_o every_o way_n of_o government_n boast_v of_o their_o retain_v this_o conformity_n with_o the_o ancient_a christian_n i_o myself_o pretend_v to_o this_o glory_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n not_o long_o since_o a_o learned_a minister_n of_o roüen_o publish_v a_o book_n entitle_v the_o conformity_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n of_o france_n to_o that_o of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n beside_o though_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v not_o any_o agreement_n with_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o france_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o two_o discipline_n so_o disagree_v to_o each_o other_o shall_v have_v both_o of_o they_o much_o conformity_n to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n yet_o it_o have_v so_o happen_v that_o a_o famous_a divine_a in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o english_a translation_n of_o the_o novelty_n of_o popery_n maintain_v very_o zealous_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o mounseur_fw-fr larroque_n have_v do_v in_o favour_n of_o those_o of_o france_n if_o i_o be_v say_v he_o to_o speak_v to_o frenchman_n i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o convince_v they_o full_o that_o we_o retain_v in_o england_n more_o of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolic_a government_n than_o all_o the_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n dr._n floyd_n and_o dr._n tillotson_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n but_o i_o believe_v that_o this_o conformity_n be_v much_o what_o like_v to_o that_o which_o be_v between_o jesus_n christ_n and_o st._n francis_n for_o i_o do_v open_o maintain_v that_o of_o all_o the_o establishment_n of_o religion_n that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v wide_a from_o the_o discipline_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n but_o he_o be_v not_o the_o only_a person_n have_v speak_v after_o this_o manner_n england_n be_v full_a of_o book_n upon_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o conformity_n of_o its_o hierarchy_n and_o of_o its_o episcopal_a government_n to_o that_o of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n the_o bishop_n bilson_n andrews_n hall_n morton_n and_o pearson_n find_v it_o in_o clemens_n romanus_n and_o in_o ignatius_n some_o of_o the_o doctor_n of_o rome_n meet_v with_o it_o in_o denis_n the_o areopagite_n but_o unless_o this_o conformity_n be_v restrain_v to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o which_o i_o find_v more_o footstep_n in_o the_o congregational_a way_n than_o in_o any_o other_o i_o believe_v we_o be_v all_o in_o a_o error_n as_o to_o what_o concern_v our_o conformity_n to_o the_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o life_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n above_o all_o the_o disagreement_n be_v find_v in_o the_o life_n which_o be_v heretofore_o much_o more_o exact_a and_o exemplary_a than_o in_o these_o last_o time_n it_o be_v the_o devotion_n of_o our_o day_n be_v but_o cold_a and_o languish_a in_o comparison_n of_o they_o it_o be_v in_o that_o that_o their_o glory_n do_v consist_v whereas_o we_o be_v in_o have_v a_o great_a knowledge_n and_o a_o more_o full_a and_o ample_a illumination_n into_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n than_o the_o first_o christian_n have_v also_o to_o be_v better_o verse_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o apostolical_a conduct_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o its_o authority_n and_o of_o that_o of_o its_o pastor_n who_o be_v the_o christian_n that_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n i_o will_v finish_v where_o i_o begin_v and_o that_o shall_v be_v by_o the_o force_n of_o those_o prejudices_fw-la wherewith_o all_o christian_n as_o well_o protestant_n as_o papist_n be_v anticipate_v and_o prepossess_v when_o they_o general_o imagine_v that_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v more_o orthodox_n and_o pure_a in_o doctrine_n than_o that_o of_o the_o follow_a age_n because_o of_o their_o nearness_n with_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o i_o be_o as_o much_o persuade_v of_o the_o contrary_a as_o of_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n never_o build_v a_o temple_n near_o to_o which_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o salvation_n have_v not_o build_v a_o chapel_n but_o than_o it_o be_v a_o chapel_n both_o great_a and_o more_o spacious_a than_o the_o temple_n itself_o for_o during_o the_o time_n while_o god_n build_v a_o little_a temple_n wherein_o he_o have_v circumscribe_v the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o a_o small_a flock_n of_o faithful_a people_n who_o conform_v themselves_o to_o the_o purity_n their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o life_n a_o number_n incomparable_o great_a of_o false_a apostle_n false_a doctor_n and_o false_a brethren_n separate_v from_o they_o for_o even_o in_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n of_o christianity_n all_o or_o the_o most_o part_n of_o sincere_a person_n and_o also_o of_o father_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o false_a allay_n mix_v among_o their_o gold_n this_o be_v what_o we_o learn_v from_o eutychius_n who_o live_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n from_o who_o we_o have_v the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n in_o arabyck_n publish_v by_o mr._n selden_n and_o mr._n pocock_n and_o who_o they_o recommend_v for_o a_o author_n of_o a_o irreprochable_a fidelity_n there_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o constantine_n the_o great_a send_v to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o his_o empire_n letter_n to_o let_v they_o understand_v that_o they_o be_v to_o make_v choice_n of_o the_o most_o religious_a bishop_n and_o those_o that_o be_v most_o learned_a in_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o that_o they_o then_o immediate_o set_v themselves_o to_o obey_v the_o order_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o that_o two_o thousand_o and_o forty_o eight_o bishop_n come_v to_o the_o town_n of_o nice_a whereof_o near_o two_o thousand_o how_o pious_a and_o sincere_a soever_o otherwise_o they_o be_v be_v either_o most_o ignorant_a or_o most_o erroneous_a in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o they_o be_v either_o manichee_n or_o murcionite_n or_o montanist_n or_o valentinian_o or_o samosatenian_o or_o arrian_n and_o in_o that_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n there_o be_v but_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o who_o have_v a_o affection_n for_o and_o engage_v themselves_o to_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n which_o be_v that_o of_o alexander_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n this_o relation_n according_a to_o eutychius_n be_v much_o more_o probable_a than_o after_o that_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v report_v by_o eusebius_n by_o socrates_n by_o baronius_n and_o by_o mounseur_fw-fr claude_n for_o what_o likelihood_n be_v there_o that_o that_o number_n of_o bishop_n convoke_v from_o all_o place_n of_o europe_n a_o great_a part_n of_o africa_n and_o also_o of_o asia_n phoenicia_n greece_n maceaonia_n thessalia_n palestine_n arabia_n pamphilia_n bythinia_n capadocia_n thrace_n cilicia_n pontus_n persia_n and_o scythia_n shall_v amount_v but_o to_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n there_o be_v also_o less_o likelihood_n that_o those_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n shall_v appear_v so_o sharp_a and_o so_o divide_v among_o themselves_o as_o to_o put_v out_o libel_n of_o accusation_n one_o against_o another_o and_o that_o during_o their_o session_n they_o make_v a_o cruel_a war_n within_o themselves_o these_o accusation_n may_v be_v true_a as_o to_o the_o other_o bishop_n who_o be_v as_o much_o divide_v in_o affection_n as_o in_o judgement_n but_o not_o of_o these_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o who_o because_o they_o be_v all_o orthodox_n and_o child_n of_o peace_n and_o well_o unite_v in_o their_o affection_n such_o as_o be_v alexander_n spiridion_n and_o paphnutius_fw-la be_v choose_v by_o constantine_n and_o alexander_n out_o of_o the_o multitude_n of_o heretic_n factious_a and_o contentious_a person_n beside_o the_o unanimity_n of_o these_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n in_o the_o compose_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o council_n have_v but_o four_o bishop_n that_o refuse_v subscribe_v to_o it_o plain_o show_v