Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	bishop_n	church_n	common_a	1,634	5	5.8770	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96167	An answer to W.R. his narration of the opinions and practises of the churches lately erected in Nevv-England. Vindicating those Godly and orthodoxall churches, from more then an hundred imputations fathered on them and their church way, by the said W.R. in his booke. Wherein is plainely proved, 1. That the grounds of his narration are sandie and insufficient. 2. That the maner of his handling it, unloving and irregular. 3. That the matter of it, ful of grosse mistakes & divers contradictions. 4. That the quotations extremely wrested, and out of measure abused. 5. That his marginall notes impertinent and injurious. / By Thomas Welde, Pastour of the Church of Roxborough in Nevv-England. This is licensed and entred according to order.	Weld, Thomas, 1590?-1662.	1644 (1644)	Wing W1262; Thomason E3_18; ESTC R2769	70,175	76

collect_v out_o of_o scripture_n and_o set_v down_o in_o writing_n 2._o yet_o we_o see_v no_o ground_n to_o impose_v such_o a_o platform_n upon_o church_n but_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o liberty_n therein_o because_o we_o know_v not_o that_o christ_n ever_o enjoin_v it_o and_o therefore_o we_o desire_v w._n r._n not_o to_o stumble_v at_o our_o church_n much_o less_o take_v upon_o he_o so_o masterly_a to_o control_v we_o because_o we_o have_v it_o not_o to_o the_o marginall_n of_o art_n 2._o he_o wonder_v how_o we_o so_o soon_o fall_v into_o such_o a_o exact_a form_n of_o discipline_n objection_n 1_o without_o a_o platform_n we_o answer_v he_o yea_o he_o tell_v we_o himself_o answ_n we_o have_v it_o from_o that_o pattern_n of_o wholesome_a word_n write_v in_o the_o scripture_n god_n good_a spirit_n open_v our_o eye_n to_o see_v it_o and_o some_o other_o also_o lay_v aside_o prejudice_n and_o humble_o set_v themselves_o to_o wait_v on_o god_n for_o light_n may_v come_v to_o see_v a_o exacter_n form_n of_o discipline_n then_o it_o may_v be_v hither_o to_o they_o have_v do_v but_o why_o do_v no_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n say_v he_o beside_o your_o objection_n 2_o self_n see_v this_o way_n but_o all_o oppose_v it_o bless_a be_v god_n it_o be_v not_o so_o many_o thousand_o do_v see_v and_o follow_v it_o answ_n so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o oppose_v it_o and_o even_o england_n be_v come_v near_o it_o by_o many_o step_n of_o late_a then_o before_o he_o that_o have_v bring_v they_o from_o episcopacy_n impose_v form_n and_o popish_a ceremony_n etc._n etc._n can_v carry_v they_o on_o further_a 2._o most_o of_o such_o as_o do_v not_o walk_v in_o but_o oppose_v our_o way_n be_v they_o that_o either_o have_v not_o hear_v our_o ground_n or_o else_o have_v not_o impartial_o weigh_v they_o and_o hence_o have_v receive_v a_o prejudice_n against_o our_o practice_n 3._o to_o reveal_v light_n be_v a_o free_a act_n of_o the_o father_n of_o light_n he_o may_v choose_v what_o truth_n he_o will_v manifest_v and_o when_o and_o to_o who_o and_o in_o what_o measure_n he_o will_v dispense_v they_o as_o christ_n say_v mat._n 25.11_o father_n i_o thank_v thou_o thou_o have_v reveal_v these_o thing_n so_o it_o be_v father_n because_o thy_o good_a will_n be_v so_o objection_n 3_o but_o we_o tie_v ourselves_o to_o a_o precedent_n why_o not_o rather_o to_o a_o platform_n answ_n 1._o let_v he_o consider_v well_o if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o reproach_n injurious_o cast_v upon_o we_o who_o endeavour_n be_v and_o have_v be_v as_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n not_o to_o follow_v man_n or_o church_n precedent_n further_o than_o we_o see_v they_o follow_v christ_n for_o though_o at_o first_o a_o precedent_n may_v be_v look_v at_o as_o a_o directory_n into_o the_o right_a way_n yet_o the_o practice_n may_v be_v ground_v on_o the_o truth_n itself_o discern_v and_o not_o upon_o the_o precedent_n according_a to_o john_n 4.42_o they_o be_v first_o lead_v to_o christ_n by_o the_o woman_n yet_o after_o believe_v on_o he_o for_o his_o own_o sake_n and_o the_o truth_n they_o discern_v to_o be_v in_o he_o ob._n ob._n all_o our_o church_n say_v he_o in_o new-england_n &_o their_o member_n do_v clear_o see_v the_o shine_a light_n of_o discipline_n by_o a_o clear_a evidence_n of_o the_o way_n reveal_v to_o they_o and_o yet_o do●_n ti●_n themselves_o to_o a_o precedent_n ans_fw-fr be_v not_o here_o a_o contradiction_n for_o if_o we_o all_o have_v full_a clear_a shine_a light_n ☞_o ☞_o than_o we_o need_v no_o spectacle_n of_o a_o precedent_n or_o if_o we_o tie_v ourselves_o to_o a_o precedent_n it_o be_v because_o we_o conceive_v we_o have_v not_o full_a and_o clear_a light_n of_o our_o own_o objection_n 4_o but_o we_o have_v have_v division_n among_o we_o ans_fw-fr 1._o those_o division_n be_v not_o cause_v by_o our_o church_n discipline_n but_o by_o certain_a vile_a opinion_n bring_v to_o we_o from_o england_n which_o i_o fear_v be_v your_o own_o case_n this_o day_n and_o yet_o no_o blame_n you_o will_v say_v 2._o through_o rich_a mercy_n they_o be_v long_o since_o subdue_v by_o the_o light_n and_o power_n of_o his_o truth_n o_o that_o you_o can_v say_v the_o same_o of_o all_o the_o loose_a opinion_n here_o if_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v so_o for_o which_o we_o sigh_v daily_o to_o heaven_n on_o your_o behalf_n and_o dare_v not_o reproach_v you_o with_o it_o 3._o when_o these_o division_n do_v fall_n it_o be_v while_o our_o discipline_n stand_v which_o show_v that_o our_o discipline_n breed_v they_o not_o but_o destroy_v they_o rather_o objection_n 5_o to_o the_o margin_n on_o article_n 3_o if_o a_o impose_v platform_n by_o imperious_a power_n be_v unlawful_a in_o other_o why_o do_v we_o so_o rigorrous_o press_v other_o to_o our_o precedent_n answ_n to_o impose_v a_o thing_n and_o that_o by_o a_o imperious_a power_n which_o may_v possible_o be_v erroneous_a in_o itself_o or_o without_o evidence_n to_o other_o conscience_n on_o who_o it_o be_v press_v can_v be_v lawful_a but_o for_o we_o to_o make_v the_o perfect_a word_n our_o pattern_n then_o careful_o inform_v other_o therein_o and_o after_o information_n lead_v they_o by_o it_o be_v certain_o much_o differ_v from_o the_o other_o and_o far_o from_o a_o slavish_a invitation_n by_o ourselves_o or_o rig●●●_n press_v of_o a_o precedent_n upon_o other_o both_o which_o here_o he_o impute_v very_o unjust_o to_o we_o as_o god_n have_v keep_v we_o hitherto_o from_o such_o imperious_a rigour_n so_o i_o hope_v by_o his_o grace_n he_o will_v ever_o do_v but_o we_o forbear_v give_v of_o our_o privilege_n to_o such_o as_o conform_v not_o to_o our_o objection_n 6_o way_n 1._o if_o it_o be_v our_o way_n and_o not_o christ_n ans_fw-fr it_o be_v our_o great_a sin_n and_o in_o part_n the_o same_o with_o the_o prelate_n of_o late_a but_o to_o forbear_v give_v privilege_n to_o such_o as_o submit_v not_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o participation_n be_v no_o rigour_n but_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o christ_n himself_o will_v do_v if_o in_o our_o place_n 2._o it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o all_o other_o society_n in_o the_o world_n do_v who_o first_o require_v conformity_n before_o they_o permit_v to_o any_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o liberty_n 3._o do_v we_o any_o more_o herein_o than_o the_o reverend_a assembly_n themselves_o at_o this_o day_n who_o will_v not_o willing_o admit_v unto_o church-imployment_n and_o privilege_n any_o of_o a_o contrary_a judgement_n in_o point_n of_o discipline_n and_o yet_o i_o hope_v you_o will_v not_o say_v that_o either_o these_o or_o those_o exercise_n rigour_n but_o we_o will_v not_o own_o such_o as_o sister_n church_n that_o differ_v from_o we_o though_o objection_n 7_o but_o in_o some_o thing_n in_o church_n discipline_n do_v not_o the_o church_n of_o england_n differ_v from_o we_o not_o only_o in_o some_o thing_n but_o in_o many_o as_o w._n r._n ans_fw-fr ☜_o ☜_o himself_o say_v and_o yet_o we_o own_v they_o as_o sister_n church_n witness_v his_o own_o quote_v author_n discourse_v of_o covenant_n p._n 36._o at_o large_a mr._n cotton_v print_v letter_n all_o which_o affirm_v in_o effect_n and_o some_o in_o word_n that_o we_o bless_v the_o womb_n that_o bear_v we_o and_o the_o pap_n that_o give_v we_o suck_v we_o entreat_v w._n r._n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n to_o clear_v himself_o from_o a_o slander_n in_o such_o a_o general_a accusation_n of_o his_o brethren_n yet_o we_o more_o rigid_o impose_v our_o pattern_n then_o any_o church_n ever_o do_v objection_n 8_o how_o great_a a_o aspersion_n this_o be_v i_o leave_v other_o to_o judge_n answ_n and_o the_o lord_n himself_o to_o convince_v he_o of_o why_o have_v there_o ever_o be_v so_o much_o as_o any_o attempt_n among_o we_o to_o suspend_v excommunicate_a ☜_o ☜_o deprive_v banish_v imprison_v any_o for_o dissent_v from_o we_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n as_o of_o late_a in_o england_n for_o nonconformity_n or_o to_o raise_v a_o bloody_a war_n for_o bishop_n &_o a_o service_n book_n as_o against_o our_o brethren_n in_o scotland_n or_o to_o slander_v falsify_v author_n render_v many_o godly_a church_n odious_a to_o the_o world_n as_o w._n r._n himself_o have_v do_v in_o this_o book_n mere_o for_o difference_n from_o he_o in_o point_n of_o church_n government_n we_o have_v indeed_o civil_o &_o ecclesiastical_o censure_v divers_a there_o among_o we_o but_o it_o be_v for_o obstinacy_n in_o weighty_a point_n in_o religion_n sedition_n in_o the_o state_n scandalous_a practice_n as_o also_o manifest_a contempt_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n there_o but_o not_o any_o for_o inconformity_n in_o church_n discipline_n answer_v to_o chap._n ii_o he_o say_v art_n 1._o 2._o that_o

haply_o to_o the_o great_a detriment_n of_o our_o cause_n for_o that_o we_o be_v unwilling_a to_o blow_v a_o fire_n 2._o when_o we_o do_v appear_v in_o pulpit_n or_o press_n whether_o it_o be_v without_o instigation_n or_o no_o and_o how_o spare_v we_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o until_o some_o late_a force_a reply_n and_o how_o inoffensive_a in_o our_o carriage_n and_o preach_n we_o leave_v to_o all_o godly_a to_o judge_v 3._o instance_n but_o in_o the_o holland_n brethren_n apology_n be_v it_o impetuous_o do_v be_v it_o a_o mock_v narrative_n a_o mere_a gull_a as_o this_o man_n most_o abusive_o style_v it_o be_v it_o not_o rather_o full_a of_o peaceablenesse_n modesty_n and_o candour_n and_o seasonable_o needful_a as_o that_o reverend_a man_n affirm_v in_o print_n 4._o do_v not_o w._n r._n know_v that_o about_o this_o time_n of_o promise_n and_o paction_n or_o a_o while_n after_o our_o brethren_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a way_n do_v write_v a_o letter_n into_o scotland_n with_o many_o of_o their_o hand_n to_o it_o tell_v the_o minister_n there_o they_o do_v approve_v of_o their_o government_n and_o will_v join_v in_o the_o furtherance_n of_o it_o now_o for_o he_o to_o bind_v our_o hand_n and_o seal_v up_o our_o mouth_n and_o then_o underhand_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o fore-determine_a the_o matter_n and_o be_v engage_v in_o that_o way_n before_o any_o solemn_a dispute_n and_o yet_o to_o accuse_v we_o for_o break_v paction_n seem_v neither_o rational_a nor_o fair_a other_o thing_n i_o shall_v speak_v to_o the_o preface_n afterward_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o book_n only_o this_o he_o will_v make_v the_o reader_n believe_v to_o forestall_v he_o that_o there_o be_v some_o seem_a contradiction_n in_o our_o tenet_n &_o apparent_a repugnance_n to_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n or_o light_n of_o common_a sense_n but_o what_o real_a contradiction_n be_v in_o his_o narrative_n and_o manifest_a repugnance_n in_o his_o animadversion_n to_o scripture_n rule_v light_n of_o reason_n and_o common_a sense_n too_o by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n i_o shall_v make_v to_o appear_v but_o with_o a_o sad_a heart_n i_o must_v tell_v he_o that_o such_o thing_n shall_v be_v write_v by_o a_o brother_n who_o we_o have_v so_o much_o esteem_v and_o reverence_v but_o see_v now_o it_o be_v do_v rather_o then_o so_o many_o precious_a saint_n and_o church_n shall_v suffer_v wrongful_o i_o be_o force_v to_o uncover_v if_o other_o be_v right_o inform_v and_o himself_o convince_v i_o have_v my_o end_n to_o the_o narration_n in_o general_n as_o he_o say_v he_o have_v lay_v by_o the_o thought_n of_o it_o a_o good_a while_n through_o many_o discouragement_n so_o i_o conceive_v if_o he_o have_v cast_v they_o by_o for_o ever_o &_o make_v the_o place_n of_o conception_n their_o grave_n he_o have_v deal_v better_a for_o the_o truth_n and_o himself_o but_o he_o be_v very_o angry_a for_o want_v of_o narratives_n one_o he_o must_v have_v and_o one_o he_o will_v have_v be_v it_o right_n or_o wrong_n and_o if_o neither_o new-england_n nor_o holland_n brethren_n be_v worth_a a_o narrative_a let_v he_o come_v he_o will_v frame_v one_o himself_o and_o this_o shall_v be_v no_o mock_n narrative_n no_o mere_a gull_a as_o the_o holland_n brethren_n produce_v but_o a_o more_o solid_a thing_n now_o what_o it_o be_v will_v appear_v if_o we_o weigh_v three_o thing_n that_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o he_o build_v it_o be_v sandy_a and_o insufficient_a the_o manner_n of_o his_o proceed_n unloving_a and_o irregular_a the_o matter_n of_o it_o 1._o full_o of_o gross_a mistake_n contrariety_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o contradiction_n to_o itself_o 2._o his_o quotation_n abuse_v extreme_o and_o wrest_v 3._o his_o marginal_a note_n very_o scandalous_a and_o offensive_a and_o according_a to_o this_o method_n we_o will_v proceed_v and_o undertake_v to_o make_v all_o these_o particular_n good_a in_o our_o answer_n first_o for_o his_o ground_n you_o will_v think_v that_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o all_o his_o work_n be_v found_v and_o all_o new-england_n church_n tax_v have_v need_n be_v sound_a even_o adequate_a or_o else_o he_o will_v not_o prove_v himself_o a_o wise_a builder_n but_o they_o be_v these_o three_o 1._o our_o own_o print_a book_n 2._o private_a letter_n 3._o other_o good_a intelligence_n as_o himself_o say_v in_o his_o title_n for_o the_o print_a book_n which_o he_o quote_v they_o be_v the_o writing_n of_o some_o godly_a and_o learned_a man_n there_o but_o that_o these_o be_v right_o conceive_v know_v 1._o these_o book_n five_o in_o number_n be_v not_o write_v from_o all_o the_o elder_n two_o of_o they_o but_o from_o one_o only_a another_o from_o some_o few_o none_o of_o they_o from_o all_o 2._o not_o write_v to_o the_o church_n here_o as_o a_o platform_n of_o our_o practice_n but_o send_v as_o a_o answer_n to_o some_o one_o or_o more_o brethren_n in_o england_n that_o desire_a satisfaction_n to_o some_o quaetee_n of_o their_o own_o whereof_o w._n r._n himself_o be_v one_o 3._o nor_o intend_v by_o they_o for_o the_o press_n much_o less_o to_o be_v make_v a_o standard_n to_o prove_v our_o church_n opinion_n and_o way_n by_o but_o publish_v by_o some_o well-minded_a here_o without_o their_o knowledge_n yea_o against_o the_o mind_n of_o some_o of_o they_o yet_o if_o he_o have_v keep_v close_o to_o these_o in_o his_o narration_n he_o have_v save_v his_o credit_n and_o my_o pain_n but_o you_o shall_v see_v he_o have_v so_o abuse_v and_o wrest_v they_o i_o dare_v say_v in_o well-near_a a_o hundred_o place_n that_o his_o assertion_n be_v not_o their_o say_n and_o word_n but_o his_o own_o and_o they_o will_v leave_v he_o to_o quit_v himself_o as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v for_o as_o scripture_n itself_o the_o rule_n of_o all_o thing_n abuse_v be_v no_o scripture_n so_o the_o writing_n of_o man_n pervert_v be_v no_o more_o they_o this_o we_o shall_v make_v plentiful_o appear_v sundry_a private_a letter_n lie_v by_o he_o as_o he_o say_v send_v from_o new-england_n but_o name_n only_o two_o letter_n of_o their_o name_n be_v another_o ground_n of_o his_o story_n and_o whatsoever_o any_o one_o of_o these_o writ_n though_o never_o so_o private_o and_o unknown_a to_o any_o other_o man_n in_o any_o of_o all_o the_o church_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o new-england_n but_o to_o show_v the_o invalidity_n yea_o and_o impossibility_n of_o this_o to_o be_v a_o good_a ground_n consider_v 1._o these_o be_v incompetent_a proof_n and_o liable_a to_o great_a and_o just_a exception_n for_o 1._o some_o there_o be_v contrary_a to_o we_o in_o their_o opinion_n antinomian_o familist_n antichurchians_n etc._n etc._n and_o even_o some_o of_o his_o cite_a letter_n as_o near_o as_o we_o can_v gather_v be_v from_o some_o of_o these_o 2._o other_o that_o write_v letter_n from_o thence_o be_v weak_a in_o judgement_n not_o understand_v what_o the_o church_n hold_v or_o not_o able_a to_o express_v aright_o what_o they_o themselves_o understand_v be_v all_o these_o fit_a to_o be_v the_o church_n interpreter_n do_v not_o w._n r._n himself_o in_o his_o preface_n say_v scribimus_fw-la omnes_fw-la indocti_fw-la doctique_fw-la 3._o other_o may_v be_v novice_n &_o not_o well_o verse_v in_o our_o way_n nor_o ripe_a to_o give_v the_o church_n verdict_n 4._o some_o other_o haply_o be_v but_o in_o part_n of_o our_o judgement_n and_o not_o come_v off_o full_o to_o the_o church_n practice_n there_o 5._o other_o be_v prejudice_v against_o the_o place_n and_o person_n and_o prejudice_n himself_n know_v can_v hardly_o speak_v well_o and_o we_o know_v diverse_a such_o have_v write_v letter_n which_o it_o be_v like_a be_v fall_v into_o his_o hand_n therefore_o these_o can_v be_v build_v upon_o for_o competent_a witness_n and_o whereas_o he_o say_v in_o his_o postcript_n pag._n 50._o object_n that_o these_o letter_n come_v from_o member_n of_o church_n and_o many_o from_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n it_o be_v answer_v that_o member_n of_o church_n and_o minister_n too_o ans_fw-fr may_v be_v liable_a to_o some_o or_o other_o and_o some_o of_o they_o possible_o to_o many_o of_o the_o say_a exception_n neither_o be_v it_o in_o our_o power_n nor_o in_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o cure_v all_o their_o member_n or_o minister_n either_o of_o their_o distemper_n for_o if_o it_o be_v you_o will_v not_o suffer_v your_o own_o church_n in_o many_o of_o their_o member_n and_o minister_n to_o be_v so_o infect_v with_o sundry_a gross_a error_n as_o they_o be_v 2._o a_o testimony_n against_o whole_a church_n have_v need_n be_v sure_a that_o man_n may_v trust_v unto_o it_o but_o how_o can_v we_o be_v assure_v 1._o whether_o such_o letter_n as_o he_o cite_v be_v ever_o write_v from_o new

of_o error_n deliver_v before_o all_o the_o people_n so_o as_o it_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o the_o people_n &_o a_o reproach_n to_o the_o minister_n etc._n etc._n all_o this_o be_v his_o own_o addition_n then_o for_o the_o other_o cite_v author_n answer_n to_o 32_o q._n 78_o he_o deal_v more_o gross_o with_o he_o then_o the_o former_a who_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n pointblank_o against_o he_o yet_o he_o bold_o give_v he_o up_o for_o a_o author_n his_o word_n be_v these_o we_o never_o know_v any_o minister_n that_o do_v call_v upon_o the_o people_n thus_o to_o do_v i._n e._n to_o propound_v question_n and_o such_o call_n upon_o they_o be_v far_o from_o we_o some_o think_v the_o people_n have_v a_o liberty_n to_o ask_v a_o question_n upon_o very_o urgent_a and_o weighty_a cause_n none_o judge_v the_o ordinary_a practice_n of_o it_o necessary_a but_o if_o not_o meek_o and_o wise_o carry_v inconvenient_a if_o not_o utter_o unlawful_a and_o therefore_o such_o ask_n of_o question_n be_v seldom_o use_v in_o any_o in_o most_o church_n near_o true_a it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o opinion_n some_o be_v bold_a in_o this_o kind_n but_o these_o man_n be_v long_o since_o go_v the_o synod_n and_o sermon_n have_v reprove_v this_o disorder_n so_o that_o a_o man_n may_v now_o live_v from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o year_n to_o another_o in_o these_o congregation_n and_o not_o hear_v any_o man_n open_v his_o mouth_n in_o such_o kind_n of_o question_n these_o the_o author_n word_n ☞_o ☞_o now_o good_a reader_n do_v we_o the_o favour_n to_o give_v righteous_a judgement_n whether_o these_o word_n cite_v by_o he_o make_v for_o he_o or_o against_o he_o where_o be_v 1_o giving_z leave_n 2_o a_o course_n of_o give_v leave_n 3_o to_o any_o 4_o to_o object_n and_o urge_v pro_fw-la and_o con_v and_o 6_o which_o be_v horrible_o gross_a to_o implead_v the_o minister_n of_o error_n at_o the_o first_o dash_n and_o that_o open_o before_o all_o the_o people_n etc._n etc._n whereas_o his_o own_o cite_a author_n tell_v he_o the_o contrary_a 1_o that_o it_o be_v do_v not_o often_o but_o seldom_o 2_o not_o many_o question_n but_o a_o question_n 3_o not_o upon_o sleight_n but_o weighty_a and_o very_a urgent_a ground_n 4_o not_o rash_o and_o bold_o but_o wise_o and_o meek_o 5_o and_o this_o not_o peremptory_o conclude_v of_o by_o all_o but_o some_o only_o think_v they_o have_v a_o liberty_n 6_o and_o not_o that_o it_o be_v now_o so_o much_o do_v but_o be_v for_o a_o time_n by_o the_o bold_a opinionist_n who_o be_v now_o chase_v away_o long_o ago_o see_v what_o a_o vast_a gulf_n betwixt_o the_o author_n and_o w._n r._n now_o for_o he_o to_o read_v over_o distinct_o all_o these_o expression_n in_o this_o book_n for_o that_o answer_n be_v write_v to_o himself_o from_o godly_a man_n in_o new-england_n yet_o to_o produce_v it_o as_o a_o proof_n for_o his_o art_n and_o the_o marg._n which_o in_o common_a sense_n be_v contrary_a to_o it_o i_o stand_v amaze_v at_o it_o and_o wonder_v with_o what_o face_n he_o can_v print_v it_o or_o have_v do_v it_o how_o he_o can_v let_v his_o book_n be_v keep_v from_o the_o fire_n thus_o long_o yet_o further_o note_n our_o narratour_n undertake_v to_o relate_v only_o such_o church-course_n as_o be_v general_o by_o the_o church_n in_o new-england_n practise_v as_o pag._n 1._o title_n how_o then_o can_v he_o with_o honesty_n bring_v in_o this_o ask_v of_o question_n among_o such_o kind_n of_o general_a church_n course_n of_o we_o whereas_o his_o author_n plain_o say_v this_o ask_n of_o question_n be_v not_o generally_n practise_v nor_o by_o all_v the_o church_n but_o seldom_o in_o any_o church_n and_o in_o most_o church_n never_o at_o all_o and_o that_o one_o may_v live_v as_o he_o say_v from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o year_n to_o another_o in_o our_o congregation_n and_o not_o here_o any_o man_n open_v his_o mouth_n in_o such_o kind_n of_o question_n what_o will_v not_o w._n r._n bold_o attempt_v against_o his_o brethren_n of_o the_o independent_a way_n and_o their_o church_n that_o cite_v these_o very_a word_n i_o have_v relate_v to_o prove_v such_o church_n course_n in_o new-england_n as_o be_v general_o practise_v among_o we_o answer_v to_o chap._n xiiii_o to_o marg._n on_o the_o title_n some_o say_v he_o grow_v rich_a of_o the_o word_n independent_a some_o utter_o renounce_v it_o yet_o most_o own_a it_o answer_n if_o the_o word_n be_v right_o take_v as_o in_o answer_n to_o 32._o q._n 46._o it_o be_v expound_v for_o one_o church_n that_o be_v not_o under_o the_o power_n of_o another_o or_o in_o subjection_n to_o a_o presbytery_n but_o as_o have_v receive_v power_n from_o christ_n to_o govern_v herself_o according_a to_o his_o law_n then_o all_o accord_n to_o it_o but_o if_o the_o word_n independent_a be_v abusive_o take_v as_o it_o be_v often_o with_o the_o vulgar_a for_o such_o a_o society_n as_o be_v neither_o subject_n to_o magistracy_n nor_o regard_v the_o counsel_n of_o other_o church_n but_o be_v a_o conceit_a and_o selfe-sufficient_a people_n that_o stand_v only_o on_o their_o own_o leg_n then_o we_o have_v cause_n to_o be_v rich_a of_o a_o word_n that_o may_v render_v we_o odious_a without_o cause_n to_o marg._n of_o 1_o art_n that_o we_o have_v store_n of_o imperative_fw-it church_n who_o may_v command_v yea_o compel_v both_o member_n and_o minister_n to_o act_v ans_fw-fr another_o slander_n without_o ground_n or_o proof_n or_o truth_n which_o i_o leave_v here_o upon_o record_n god_n our_o conscience_n and_o our_o brethren_n bear_v we_o witness_n how_o tender_a our_o church_n be_v but_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o act_v without_o light_n much_o more_o to_o command_v or_o compel_v both_o which_o very_a word_n though_o the_o thing_n require_v be_v lawful_a be_v odious_a in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n most_o fit_o become_v the_o synagogue_n of_o antichrist_n have_v he_o a_o licence_n to_o speak_v any_o thing_n to_o art_n 2._o we_o hold_v our_o church_n power_n absolute_a and_o imperial_a answ_n all_o we_o use_v to_o speak_v of_o our_o church-power_n be_v that_o it_o be_v ministerial_a which_o be_v far_o from_o absolute_a and_o imperial_a word_n fit_a for_o emperor_n of_o this_o world_n than_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n i_o charge_v it_o on_o his_o conscience_n as_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n either_o to_o make_v this_o appear_v or_o else_o vindicate_v we_o as_o become_v a_o honest_a christian_n to_o do_v and_o for_o his_o two_o print_a author_n cite_v for_o we_o can_v come_v at_o his_o private_a letter_n if_o there_o be_v any_o one_o word_n or_o show_v of_o ground_n from_o they_o to_o maintain_v his_o speech_n let_v i_o bear_v the_o shame_n of_o it_o for_o i_o here_o avouch_v the_o contrary_a under_o my_o hand_n to_o art_n 3._o and_o marg._n that_o we_o deny_v all_o representation_n of_o church_n absent_a and_o all_o authoritative_a deputation_n of_o messenger_n to_o act_v for_o they_o ●nsw_n ●nsw_n 1._o the_o reader_n may_v well_o see_v it_o be_v his_o own_o say_n not_o we_o for_o he_o bring_v no_o proof_n but_o from_o barrow_n and_o johnson_n who_o can_v well_o give_v in_o their_o testimony_n for_o our_o church_n way_n in_o new-england_n because_o they_o never_o come_v there_o yea_o be_v in_o their_o grave_n both_o or_o one_o long_v before_o ever_o we_o have_v a_o be_v in_o new-england_n 2._o there_o be_v no_o truth_n in_o it_o for_o we_o hold_v a_o church_n may_v delegate_v some_o man_n and_o send_v they_o forth_o in_o their_o name_n and_o stead_n with_o authority_n to_o act_v for_o they_o in_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a business_n of_o trust_n as_o act._n 15.2_o and_o yet_o he_o have_v bold_o now_o twice_o or_o thrice_o affirm_v the_o same_o thing_n of_o we_o and_o bring_v no_o proof_n at_o all_o for_o it_o and_o it_o be_v answer_v before_o cap._n 2._o art_n 3._o marg._n yet_o some_o tell_v we_o say_v he_o that_o mr._n p._n and_o mr._n w._n be_v send_v hither_o by_o the_o church_n to_o negotiate_v for_o they_o etc._n etc._n answ_n 1._o some_o tell_v we_o sir_n you_o be_v a_o man_n of_o judgement_n and_o gravity_n able_a to_o instruct_v other_o you_o know_v you_o may_v not_o blemish_v your_o brethren_n and_o sl●nder_a church_n upon_o such_o poor_a and_o weak_a ground_n as_o it_o be_v report_v i_o be_o inform_v some_o tell_v we_o and_o yet_o how_o oft_o in_o your_o book_n have_v you_o use_v this_o course_n of_o deal_n towards_o your_o bretbren_n and_o their_o church_n some_o tell_v we_o indeed_o be_v warrant_n enough_o for_o people_n that_o have_v no_o other_o business_n to_o make_v three_o farthing_n book_n of_o and_o thereby_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o tale_n but_o oh_o far_o be_v