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book_n church_n prayer_n public_a 3,025 5 6.8559 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A70435 A letter of many ministers in old England requesting the judgement of their reverend brethren in New England concerning nine positions written Anno Dom. 1637 : together with their answer thereunto returned, anno 1639 : and the reply made unto the said answer and sent over unto them, anno 1640 / by Simeon Ash, and William Rathband. Ashe, Simeon, d. 1662.; Rathband, William, d. 1695. 1643 (1643) Wing L1573A; ESTC R11945 105,990 100

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in_o the_o temple_n and_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o provide_v such_o thing_n for_o they_o that_o be_v to_o offer_v when_o the_o pharisee_n corrupt_v the_o law_n by_o false_a gloss_n teach_v for_o doctrine_n man_n precept_n make_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_v through_o their_o tradition_n under_o pretence_n of_o long_a prayer_n devour_v widow_n house_n teach_v the_o law_n but_o practise_v it_o not_o when_o they_o be_v such_o and_o do_v such_o thing_n they_o be_v ungodly_a minister_n but_o we_o never_o find_v that_o the_o prophet_n our_o saviour_n the_o apostle_n do_v either_o forbear_v themselves_o or_o warn_v the_o faithful_a not_o to_o communicate_v with_o such_o in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o worship_n we_o read_v our_o saviour_n charge_v his_o disciple_n to_o beware_v of_o the_o leaven_n of_o the_o
fideles_fw-la ab_fw-la infidelibus_fw-la discerni_fw-la possunt_fw-la 1._o cor._n 5._o 12._o but_o herein_o dr._n ames_n manifest_o show_v that_o by_o they_o that_o be_v without_o heathen_n and_o unbeliever_n must_v be_v understand_v and_o not_o believer_n and_o godly_a man_n though_o of_o no_o particular_a settle_a society_n for_o the_o time_n for_o thus_o we_o conceive_v he_o argue_v the_o sign_n and_o evidence_n whereby_o the_o faithful_a be_v to_o be_v discern_v from_o unbeliever_n must_v not_o be_v confound_v but_o unless_o christian_n make_v themselves_o actual_a member_n of_o a_o society_n or_o church_n the_o sign_n whereby_o the_o faithful_a be_v discern_v from_o unbeliever_n will_v be_v obscure_v and_o darken_v and_o if_o this_o be_v his_o reason_n how_o can_v that_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v allege_v for_o confirmation_n unless_o by_o man_n without_o infidel_n be_v understand_v again_o doctor_n ames_n in_o the_o same_o book_n lib._n 4._o ca._n 27._o speak_v of_o infant_n to_o be_v receive_v it_o be_v require_v he_o say_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n in_o respect_n of_o outward_a profession_n and_o estimation_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o that_o there_o be_v hope_n they_o shall_v be_v instruct_v and_o bring_v up_o in_o the_o same_o covenant_n 2._o that_o baptism_n do_v most_o proper_o belong_v to_o those_o infant_n who_o parent_n at_o least_o one_o of_o they_o be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o not_o without_o because_o baptism_n be_v a_o sign_n and_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n 3._o that_o child_n that_o be_v cast_v forth_o be_v in_o charity_n to_o be_v esteem_v the_o child_n of_o christian_a parent_n when_o there_o be_v no_o just_a cause_n of_o presume_v the_o contrary_a that_o in_o admit_v unto_o baptism_n a_o difference_n must_v be_v put_v between_o the_o infant_n of_o those_o who_o in_o some_o sort_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n but_o open_o break_v the_o covenant_n of_o god_n and_o the_o child_n of_o other_o 1._o because_o a_o distinction_n must_v be_v observe_v in_o holy_a thing_n between_o the_o clean_a and_o unclean_a see_v else_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n can_v be_v preserve_v from_o all_o pollution_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o that_o which_o he_o add_v touch_v the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n bear_v in_o fornication_n excommunication_n and_o papist_n which_o be_v more_o than_o sufficient_a to_o clear_v his_o meaning_n in_o the_o former_a passage_n to_o this_o may_v be_v add_v that_o he_o hold_v it_o not_o necessary_a that_o christian_n shall_v gather_v themselves_o into_o a_o particular_a society_n but_o as_o opportunity_n and_o occasion_n shall_v offer_v itself_o so_o that_o it_o be_v never_o his_o mind_n to_o censure_v they_o who_o be_v not_o gather_v into_o church-covenant_n because_o they_o want_v mean_n or_o opportunity_n as_o man_n without_o in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n his_o judgement_n be_v further_o manifest_v in_o his_o second_o manuduction_n pa._n 33._o so_o many_o parish_n assembly_n of_o england_n say_v he_o as_o have_v any_o competent_a number_n of_o good_a christian_n in_o they_o unite_v to_o worship_n god_n ordinary_o in_o one_o society_n so_o many_o have_v the_o essence_n and_o integrall_a form_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n and_o all_o they_o have_v entire_a right_n to_o christ_n and_o to_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o enjoy_v he_o how_o ever_o they_o be_v defective_a in_o the_o purity_n of_o their_o combination_n and_o in_o the_o complete_a free_a exercise_v of_o their_o power_n whereupon_o a_o reverend_a 182._o elder_n now_o among_o you_o draw_v this_o conclusion_n ergo_fw-la to_o dischurch_n they_o whole_o and_o to_o separate_v from_o they_o as_o no_o church_n of_o christ_n or_o to_o deny_v baptism_n to_o the_o infant_n of_o their_o know_a member_n be_v not_o warrantable_a by_o any_o rule_n of_o scripture_n that_o i_o know_v nor_o justify_v by_o any_o assertion_n or_o practice_n answ_n 5._o consideration_n we_o may_v add_v hereunto_o for_o a_o five_o consideration_n the_o evil_a and_o pernicious_a consequence_n of_o extend_v communion_n in_o church_n privilege_n beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o church_n fellowship_n for_o thus_o 1._o the_o extraordinary_a office_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o ordinary_a office_n of_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n will_v be_v much_o confound_v if_o the_o latter_a be_v as_o illimited_a as_o the_o former_a in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o own_o particular_a church_n 2._o the_o distinction_n of_o church_n assembly_n from_o the_o confuse_a multitude_n be_v abrogate_a if_o without_o membership_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n the_o parent_n may_v communicate_v with_o the_o church_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o their_o seed_n in_o baptism_n 3._o the_o church_n shall_v endanger_v the_o profane_v of_o the_o seal_n and_o want_v one_o special_a mean_n whereby_o the_o grace_n and_o piety_n of_o man_n may_v be_v discern_v and_o make_v know_v for_o if_o without_o respect_n to_o their_o church_n estate_n man_n of_o approve_a piety_n as_o you_o say_v be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o fellowship_n in_o the_o seal_n how_o shall_v their_o piety_n be_v approve_v to_o the_o church_n not_o by_o their_o own_o report_n of_o themselves_o alone_o without_o attestation_n of_o such_o as_o be_v approve_v by_o the_o church_n and_o how_o can_v such_o bear_v witness_n to_o their_o approve_a piety_n who_o against_o light_n refuse_v to_o profess_v subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n by_o orderly_o join_v themselves_o in_o fellowship_n with_o some_o approve_a church_n of_o christ_n as_o member_n thereof_o when_o they_o have_v opportunity_n thereunto_o see_v such_o fellowship_n be_v a_o action_n of_o piety_n require_v of_o all_o believer_n in_o the_o second_o commandment_n and_o true_a piety_n frame_v man_n spirit_n to_o have_v respect_n to_o all_o god_n commandment_n and_o we_o have_v have_v much_o experience_n of_o it_o that_o man_n of_o approve_a piety_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o have_v be_v find_v too_o light_a not_o only_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o other_o but_o even_o of_o their_o own_o conscience_n when_o they_o have_v come_v to_o trial_n in_o offer_v themselves_o to_o be_v member_n of_o church_n with_o such_o a_o blessing_n have_v god_n follow_v this_o order_n of_o take_v hold_v of_o church-covenant_n by_o public_a profession_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n before_o man_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o seal_n but_o this_o mean_n of_o discovery_n of_o man_n piety_n and_o sincerity_n will_v be_v utter_o lose_v if_o man_n shall_v be_v admit_v unto_o the_o lord_n table_n without_o enter_v in_o church-fellowship_n reply_n if_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o divine_a institution_n to_o admit_v of_o approve_a christian_n lawful_o baptize_v walk_v in_o the_o faith_n member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o partaker_n of_o church_n privilege_n among_o we_o to_o the_o lord_n supper_n or_o their_o child_n to_o baptism_n because_o they_o 213._o be_v not_o enter_v into_o church_n fellowship_n according_a to_o your_o order_n than_o it_o be_v unlawful_a though_o no_o such_o evil_a consequence_n be_v to_o be_v fear_v but_o if_o by_o accident_n some_o abuse_n shall_v fall_v out_o the_o evil_a be_v to_o be_v prevent_v by_o all_o lawful_a mean_n but_o the_o faithful_a be_v not_o utter_o to_o be_v debar_v 23._o of_o the_o order_n of_o god_n whereto_o they_o have_v right_a and_o title_n by_o his_o free_a grant_n and_o gracious_a invitation_n and_o no_o question_n but_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n may_v be_v profane_v many_o time_n when_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o dispenser_n to_o put_v back_o or_o expel_v such_o as_o profane_v they_o if_o the_o congregation_n shall_v admit_v of_o or_o tolerate_v a_o unworthy_a member_n the_o church_n privilege_n be_v profane_v and_o yet_o we_o conceive_v you_o will_v say_v the_o pastor_n be_v not_o faulty_a in_o receive_v he_o when_o the_o church_n do_v tolerate_v unworthy_o if_o he_o do_v what_o pertain_v to_o his_o office_n to_o keep_v the_o holy_a thing_n of_o god_n from_o contempt_n but_o in_o the_o case_n propound_v there_o be_v no_o fear_n or_o danger_n of_o such_o consequence_n necessary_a to_o follow_v for_o the_o question_n be_v not_o of_o all_o sort_n at_o randame_n but_o of_o christian_n profess_v the_o faith_n entire_o 80._o lawful_o baptize_v know_v and_o approve_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o judicious_a visible_a member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n among_o we_o often_o admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n whether_o these_o either_o sufficient_o know_v unto_o you_o or_o orderly_o recommend_v may_v upon_o desire_n and_o suit_n themselves_o be_v admit_v to_o communicate_v in_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o their_o child_n to_o be_v baptize_v what_o fear_n be_v there_o now_o that_o the_o extraordinary_a office_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o ordinary_a office_n of_o
ever_o in_o ordinary_a way_n the_o sacrament_n be_v lawful_o dispense_v or_o receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o god_n since_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o they_o now_o the_o premise_n be_v liable_a to_o so_o many_o exception_n the_o conclusion_n to_o be_v lay_v upon_o they_o will_v fall_v of_o itself_o and_o thereunto_o we_o oppose_v the_o direct_a contrary_n that_o infidel_n convert_v to_o the_o faith_n or_o godly_a christian_n former_o visible_a believer_n know_v and_o approve_a member_n of_o congregation_n profess_v the_o entire_a faith_n and_o join_v together_o in_o the_o lawful_a use_n of_o the_o sacrament_n for_o substance_n according_a to_o the_o institution_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o desire_v and_o expect_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o be_v dispense_v to_o they_o and_o to_o their_o seed_n though_o for_o the_o present_a they_o be_v not_o join_v into_o such_o church-state_n and_o call_v of_o minister_n as_o you_o require_v answer_v 7._o consideration_n that_o our_o practice_n may_v not_o be_v censure_v as_o novel_a and_o singular_a give_v we_o leave_v to_o produce_v a_o precedent_n of_o the_o like_a care_n observe_v and_o approve_v by_o public_a countenance_n of_o state_n in_o the_o day_n of_o edward_n 6._o of_o bless_a and_o famous_a memory_n who_o in_o the_o year_n 1550._o grant_v johannes_n alasco_n a_o learned_a noble_a man_n of_o poland_n under_o the_o great_a seal_n of_o england_n liberty_n to_o gather_v a_o church_n of_o stranger_n in_o london_n and_o to_o order_v themselves_o according_a as_o they_o shall_v find_v to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o scripture_n among_o other_o godly_a order_n establish_v in_o that_o church_n that_o which_o concern_v the_o administration_n of_o baptism_n to_o prevent_v the_o profanation_n of_o it_o we_o will_v repeat_v in_o alascoes_n own_a word_n baptism_n in_o our_o church_n say_v he_o be_v administer_v in_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o church_n after_o the_o public_a sermon_n for_o see_v baptism_n do_v so_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n that_o none_o ought_v to_o be_v drive_v thence_o which_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o it_o who_o be_v not_o a_o member_n of_o it_o true_o it_o be_v equal_a that_o that_o shall_v be_v perform_v public_o in_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o common_a again_o he_o add_v now_o see_v our_o church_n be_v by_o god_n blessing_n so_o establish_v by_o the_o king_n majesty_n that_o they_o may_v be_v as_o it_o be_v one_o parish_n of_o stranger_n disperse_v throughout_o the_o whole_a city_n or_o one_o body_n corporate_a as_o it_o be_v call_v in_o the_o king_n grant_v and_o yet_o all_o stranger_n do_v not_o join_v themselves_o to_o our_o church_n yea_o there_o be_v those_o who_o while_o they_o avoid_v all_o church_n will_v pretend_v to_o the_o english_a church_n that_o they_o be_v join_v with_o we_o and_o to_o we_o that_o they_o be_v 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to_o baptism_n in_o our_o church_n who_o have_v not_o make_v public_a profession_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o willing_o submit_v himself_o to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n lest_o otherwise_o they_o who_o present_v their_o child_n to_o baptism_n may_v in_o time_n plead_v that_o they_o belong_v to_o our_o church_n and_o so_o shall_v deceive_v the_o english_a church_n and_o their_o minister_n to_o those_o which_o present_v infant_n to_o baptism_n they_o propound_v three_o question_n the_o first_o be_v be_v these_o infant_n which_o you_o offer_v the_o seed_n of_o this_o church_n that_o they_o may_v lawful_o be_v here_o baptize_v by_o our_o ministry_n etc._n etc._n answer_v yea._n this_o instance_n be_v the_o more_o to_o be_v regard_v because_o alasco_n affirm_v in_o the_o preface_n of_o that_o book_n that_o this_o liberty_n be_v by_o the_o king_n grant_v to_o they_o out_o of_o his_o desire_n to_o settle_v alike_o reformation_n in_o the_o english_a church_n which_o in_o effect_n you_o see_v the_o same_o with_o our_o practice_n in_o this_o particular_a reply_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o stranger_n in_o london_n record_v by_o john_n alasco_n be_v far_o different_a from_o your_o judgement_n and_o practice_n not_o in_o some_o by-circumstance_n but_o in_o the_o main_a point_n in_o question_n for_o your_o judgement_n be_v that_o true_a visible_a believer_n baptize_v and_o partaker_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n in_o other_o church_n not_o yet_o gather_v into_o church-estate_n or_o fellowship_n have_v no_o right_a or_o interest_n in_o the_o seal_n they_o nor_o their_o seed_n but_o this_o church_n of_o stranger_n hold_v no_o such_o opinion_n as_o their_o own_o word_n which_o you_o have_v omit_v do_v plain_o speak_v and_o paul_n testify_v say_v they_o that_o by_o christ_n ordinance_n the_o church_n itself_o without_o exception_n of_o any_o member_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v account_v clean_o or_o holy_a by_o the_o ministry_n of_o baptism_n whence_o we_o may_v easy_o see_v that_o baptism_n do_v neither_o belong_v to_o those_o who_o be_v altogether_o without_o the_o church_n nor_o to_o be_v deny_v to_o any_o member_n of_o the_o church_n second_o they_o hold_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o one_o and_o the_o same_o with_o they_o for_o so_o they_o profess_v yet_o nevertheless_o that_o we_o may_v open_o show_v that_o the_o english_a church_n and_o we_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o church_n though_o we_o differ_v somewhat_o from_o they_o both_o in_o language_n and_o ceremony_n we_o do_v not_o refuse_v that_o the_o english_a may_v as_o public_a witness_n of_o the_o church_n offer_v the_o infant_n of_o our_o member_n to_o baptism_n in_o our_o church_n if_o they_o have_v both_o the_o use_n of_o our_o language_n and_o a_o certain_a testimony_n of_o their_o piety_n as_o in_o like_a manner_n our_o member_n be_v accustom_v to_o offer_v the_o infant_n of_o the_o english_a to_o baptism_n in_o the_o english_a church_n if_o your_o judgement_n be_v this_o of_o the_o english_a church_n your_o judgement_n in_o acknowledge_v we_o member_n of_o true_a church_n and_o practice_v in_o debar_v visible_a believer_n and_o their_o seed_n from_o the_o seal_n be_v opposite_a the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o three_o this_o order_n be_v observe_v by_o they_o to_o prevent_v the_o imposture_n of_o some_o who_o whilst_o they_o avoid_v all_o church_n pretend_v to_o the_o english_a that_o they_o be_v join_v to_o the_o stranger_n and_o to_o the_o stranger_n that_o they_o be_v join_v to_o the_o english_a but_o you_o debar_v know_v christian_n who_o desire_v to_o join_v themselves_o with_o you_o not_o to_o prevent_v imposture_n of_o they_o who_o avoid_v all_o church_n yea_o you_o debar_v they_o as_o man_n have_v no_o right_a to_o the_o sacrament_n because_o they_o be_v not_o in_o church-fellowship_n and_o herein_o you_o can_v show_v no_o precedent_n ancient_a or_o modern_a either_o from_o scripture_n or_o monument_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o your_o practice_n be_v without_o example_n so_o without_o warrant_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a reason_n why_o we_o can_v consent_v unto_o you_o in_o this_o particular_a which_o we_o thus_o propound_v 1_o reason_n that_o sacred_a order_n which_o god_n have_v set_v in_o his_o visible_a church_n for_o all_o his_o saint_n to_o keep_v and_o walk_v by_o that_o be_v religious_o to_o be_v observe_v but_o for_o man_n to_o set_v up_o that_o as_o a_o necessary_a order_n which_o god_n never_o allow_v approve_a or_o command_v be_v great_a presumption_n now_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o ordain_v that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v a_o set_a member_n of_o a_o particular_a society_n or_o body_n politic_a of_o faithful_a people_n join_v together_o in_o spiritual_a church-fellowship_n by_o covenant_n before_o he_o be_v admit_v unto_o the_o lord_n supper_n
be_v subject_a to_o god_n and_o christ_n by_o the_o intervention_n of_o the_o people_n only_o they_o have_v it_o from_o they_o and_o not_o from_o god_n but_o they_o preach_v or_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n rule_n or_o feed_v and_o if_o they_o depend_v immediate_o upon_o the_o faithful_a viz._n two_o or_o three_o gather_v together_o in_o covenant_n they_o must_v draw_v what_o in_o order_n they_o be_v to_o preach_v unto_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o from_o he_o must_v the_o ambassador_n learn_v his_o errand_n from_o indelebili_fw-la who_o he_o receive_v his_o commission_n we_o forbear_v to_o press_v the_o 227._o confession_n and_o reason_n of_o such_o as_o maintain_v this_o opinion_n that_o the_o officer_n of_o christ_n be_v both_o of_o and_o for_o the_o people_n and_o that_o in_o relation_n as_o the_o officer_n be_v call_v servant_n the_o church_n may_v be_v call_v lord_n 4._o moreover_o if_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v first_o and_o immediate_o to_o the_o community_n of_o the_o faithful_a what_o reason_n can_v be_v allege_v why_o in_o defect_n of_o officer_n the_o church_n may_v not_o rule_v govern_v feed_v bind_v loose_a preach_v and_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n or_o if_o any_o fail_v in_o any_o office_n why_o she_o may_v not_o supply_v that_o want_n by_o her_o power_n for_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n do_v contain_v both_o authority_n and_o exercise_n power_n be_v give_v to_o this_o end_n that_o it_o may_v be_v exercise_v as_o it_o be_v vouchsafe_v but_o the_o church_n when_o she_o be_v destitute_a of_o officer_n can_v exercise_v those_o act_n of_o rule_n nor_o by_o her_o power_n supply_v the_o want_n of_o any_o officer_n only_o she_o have_v a_o ministry_n of_o call_v one_o who_o christ_n have_v describe_v that_o from_o christ_n he_o may_v have_v power_n of_o office_n give_v he_o in_o the_o vacant_a place_n for_o these_o reason_n not_o to_o insist_v on_o any_o more_o we_o judge_v the_o multitude_n or_o community_n of_o the_o faithful_a not_o to_o be_v the_o immediate_a receptacle_n of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n and_o so_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n not_o to_o belong_v to_o they_o if_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v ask_v in_o this_o point_n to_o omit_v other_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n speak_v full_o and_o express_o for_o we_o in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o disci_fw-la cap._n 1._o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v take_v for_o they_o that_o exercise_v spiritual_a function_n in_o the_o congregation_n of_o they_o that_o profess_v the_o truth_n have_v a_o certain_a power_n grant_v by_o god_n according_a to_o which_o it_o use_v a_o proper_a jurisdiction_n and_o government_n exercise_v to_o the_o comfort_n of_o the_o whole_a flock_n power_n be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n grant_v by_o god_n the_o father_n through_o the_o mediator_n jesus_n christ_n unto_o his_o church_fw-mi gather_v and_o have_v its_o ground_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n by_o they_o unto_o who_o the_o spiritual_a government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o lawful_a call_n be_v commit_v the_o policy_n of_o the_o church_fw-mi flow_v from_o this_o power_n be_v a_o order_n or_o spiritual_a form_n of_o government_n which_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o member_n appoint_v thereto_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o be_v give_v immediate_o to_o the_o office-bearer_n by_o who_o it_o be_v exercise_v to_o the_o weal_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n ut_fw-la universam_fw-la scripturam_fw-la evolvat_fw-la d._n erastus_n nunquam_fw-la tamen_fw-la inventurum_fw-la verba_fw-la ligandi_fw-la &_o solvendi_fw-la aliis_fw-la quam_fw-la publico_fw-la ministerio_fw-la fungentibus_fw-la &_o quidem_fw-la meet_v aphoricè_fw-la divinae_fw-la videlicet_fw-la &_o spiritualis_fw-la potestatis_fw-la respectu_fw-la tribui_fw-la sunt_fw-la enim_fw-la judicialia_fw-la haec_fw-la verba_fw-la etc._n etc._n beza_n de_fw-fr presb._n p_o 60._o see_v helvet_n conf_n ca._n 18._o sect._n nunc_fw-la ergo_fw-la etc._n etc._n belgic_a confess_v art_n 3._o argentinens_fw-la conf_n art_n 13._o bohem._n confess_v art_n 14._o vi_o position_n that_o none_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v as_o member_n but_o they_o must_v promise_v not_o to_o depart_v or_o remove_v unless_o the_o congregation_n will_v give_v leave_n answer_n our_o answer_n hereto_o be_v brief_o this_o we_o judge_v it_o expedient_a and_o most_o according_a to_o rule_v that_o such_o brethren_n as_o be_v in_o covenant_n with_o the_o church_n and_o we_o as_o fellow-member_n and_o have_v commit_v their_o soul_n to_o our_o charge_n as_o minister_n shall_v not_o forsake_v our_o fellowship_n nor_o obrupt_o break_v away_o from_o we_o when_o and_o whither_o they_o please_v but_o first_o approve_v themselves_o therein_o to_o their_o brethren_n conscience_n and_o take_v their_o counsel_n in_o so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n for_o which_o we_o propound_v to_o confider_v these_o two_o reason_n follow_v the_o former_a be_v draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church-covenant_n which_o consist_v in_o these_o four_o particular_n 1._o every_o member_n at_o his_o admission_n do_v open_o profess_v and_o solemn_o promise_v that_o by_o christ_n help_n assist_v he_o will_v not_o only_o in_o general_n give_v up_o himself_o as_o to_o the_o lord_n to_o be_v guide_v by_o he_o so_o to_o the_o church_n according_a to_o god_n to_o be_v direct_v by_o it_o which_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o macedonia_n do_v in_o a_o parallel_n case_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 5._o but_o also_o in_o particular_a that_o he_o will_v perform_v all_o duty_n of_o brotherly_a love_n and_o faithfulness_n to_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n as_o of_o diligent_a watchfulness_n over_o all_o his_o brethren_n thereby_o to_o prevent_v sin_n so_o of_o faithful_a admonition_n after_o their_o fall_n to_o regain_v they_o to_o the_o lord_n from_o their_o sin_n the_o former_a be_v enjoin_v hebr._n 3._o 13._o and_o the_o want_n thereof_o deep_o condemn_v in_o cain_n that_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v that_o duty_n of_o be_v his_o brother_n keeper_n gen._n 4._o 9_o the_o latter_a give_v in_o charge_n to_o the_o church-member_n of_o israel_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n levit._n 19_o 17._o and_o so_o by_o christ_n himself_o matth._n 18._o 15._o and_o by_o paul_n also_o to_o the_o galat._n c._n 6._o 1_o 2._o second_o the_o engagement_n be_v not_o make_v only_o by_o the_o member_n admit_v into_o the_o church_n but_o by_o the_o church_n back_o again_o to_o the_o member_n so_o that_o thereby_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o general_a and_o every_o member_n thereof_o in_o particular_a stand_v as_o well_o in_o conscience_n bind_v to_o perform_v all_o duty_n of_o love_n and_o watchfulness_n to_o he_o as_o he_o do_v to_o they_o and_o this_o we_o do_v according_a to_o the_o golden_a rule_n of_o love_n and_o equity_n enjoin_v by_o our_o saviour_n matth._n 7._o 12._o fear_v that_o contrary_a practice_n of_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n so_o much_o condemn_v by_o christ_n of_o lay_v great_a burden_n upon_o other_o than_o we_o ourselves_o be_v willing_a to_o undergo_v matth._n 23._o 4._o 3._o these_o promise_n thus_o lawful_o and_o mutual_o make_v that_o member_n as_o also_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v bind_v not_o only_o every_o one_o for_o himself_o active_o to_o perform_v they_o but_o passive_o also_o to_o suffer_v his_o brethren_n to_o do_v those_o office_n upon_o and_o towards_o himself_o if_o he_o neglect_v the_o former_a he_o shall_v falsify_v his_o covenant_n so_o solemn_o before_o god_n angel_n and_o man_n make_v and_o so_o not_o only_o break_v promise_n to_o his_o brother_n contrary_a to_o psal_n 15._o 4._o but_o also_o in_o some_o sort_n commit_v the_o sin_n of_o ananias_n and_o saphira_n in_o lie_v against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n condemn_v and_o punish_v severe_o by_o god_n own_o hand_n act._n 5._o 3._o 5._o 10._o if_o he_o fail_v in_o the_o latter_a he_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o sin_n of_o breach_n of_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o man_n as_o in_o the_o former_a but_o shall_v also_o be_v guilty_a of_o this_o folly_n of_o despise_a counsel_n so_o much_o condemn_v prov._n 12._o 15._o and_o 1._o 7._o and_o shall_v also_o proclaim_v this_o his_o folly_n and_o pride_n by_o show_v to_o all_o the_o church_n that_o he_o be_v wise_a in_o his_o own_o eye_n and_o lean_v to_o his_o own_o wisdom_n both_o reprove_v prov._n 3._o 7._o and_o 23._o 4._o see_v need_n of_o no_o further_a light_n to_o be_v hold_v forth_o by_o his_o brethren_n than_o what_o he_o apprehend_v himself_o which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a property_n of_o folly_n 4._o from_o all_o these_o thing_n premise_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o can_v do_v no_o less_o and_o yet_o we_o do_v no_o more_o then_o require_v a_o member_n before_o he_o depart_v according_a to_o our_o covenant_n thus_o lawful_o