of_o nature_n and_o nation_n or_o suppose_v he_o in_o conscience_n deny_v jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v the_o mediator_n or_o such_o and_o such_o book_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n yea_o or_o that_o there_o be_v any_o use_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o we_o must_v only_o depend_v on_o revelation_n and_o herein_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o nation_n leave_v he_o now_o he_o in_o conscience_n think_v he_o be_v bind_v to_o establish_v this_o as_o a_o rule_n to_o all_o other_o which_o to_o he_o be_v the_o truth_n and_o in_o conscience_n to_o oppose_v all_o contrary_a doctrine_n what_o then_o will_v become_v of_o subject_n liberty_n the_o word_n be_v not_o make_v the_o rule_n to_o regulate_v this_o ruler_n conscience_n according_a as_o we_o say_v it_o shall_v for_o if_o that_o be_v so_o his_o rule_n there_o be_v a_o remedy_n and_o way_n to_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o rule_n but_o his_o conscience_n judgement_n and_o fantasy_n touch_v the_o rule_n that_o be_v by_o this_o tenent_n make_v his_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o he_o must_v be_v leave_v free_o to_o act_v without_o restraint_n the_o mischief_n necessary_o follow_v this_o if_o once_o cry_v up_o we_o leave_v to_o such_o of_o our_o opposite_n sad_o and_o serious_o to_o consider_v of_o the_o nature_n &_o power_n of_o synod_n the_o second_o question_n quest_n 2._o what_o be_v the_o ground_n from_o scripture_n to_o warrant_v synod_n answ_n in_o answer_n to_o this_o question_n we_o shall_v propound_v to_o consideration_n three_o argument_n from_o scripture_n and_o five_o reason_n argument_n argum_fw-la 1_o take_a from_o act_n 15._o a_o orderly_a assembly_n of_o qualify_a church-messenger_n elder_n and_o other_o brethren_n in_o time_n of_o controversy_n and_o danger_n concern_v weighty_a matter_n of_o religion_n for_o the_o consider_v dispute_v find_v out_o and_o clear_n of_o the_o truth_n from_o the_o scripture_n and_o establish_v of_o peace_n among_o the_o church_n be_v found_v upon_o act_n 15._o but_o a_o synod_n be_v a_o orderly_a assembly_n of_o qualify_a church-messenger_n elder_n and_o other_o brethren_n in_o time_n of_o controversy_n and_o danger_n concern_v weighty_a matter_n of_o religion_n for_o the_o consider_v dispute_v find_v out_o and_o clear_v of_o the_o truth_n from_o the_o scripture_n and_o establish_v of_o peace_n among_o the_o church_n ergo_fw-la a_o synod_n be_v found_v upon_o act_n 15._o distin_n 1_o for_o the_o confirm_v of_o this_o argument_n three_o distinction_n be_v to_o be_v premise_v and_o some_o objection_n to_o be_v satisfy_v the_o first_o distinction_n be_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o question_n the_o other_o with_o the_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o objection_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o text._n the_o necessity_n of_o synod_n be_v either_o 1_o absolute_a 2_o respective_a synod_n be_v not_o necessary_a absolute_o i._n e._n unto_o the_o being_n but_o respective_o i._n e._n unto_o the_o well-being_n of_o church_n distin_n 2_o in_o this_o synod_n some_o thing_n be_v first_o extraordinary_n and_o not_o exemplary_a some_o whereof_o be_v certain_o so_o and_o the_o rest_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v so_o unto_o divers_a as_o 1_o the_o quality_n of_o some_o of_o the_o member_n sc_n apostle_n v._o 6.23_o 2_o the_o style_n v._o 28._o 3_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o their_o sentence_n as_o immediate_o and_o political_o bind_v at_o least_o as_o some_o expound_v the_o place_n 4_o the_o object_n upon_o who_o they_o impose_v the_o keep_n of_o their_o decree_n viz._n absent_a church_n vers_fw-la 23._o chap._n 16.4_o some_o of_o which_o be_v neither_o call_v nor_o have_v ordinary_a member_n or_o messenger_n there_o other_o be_v ordinary_a ergo_fw-la exemplary_a as_o 1_o the_o public_a meeting_n of_o church-messenger_n elder_n and_o other_o brethren_n 2_o the_o propound_v of_o matter_n to_o be_v consider_v 3_o the_o dispute_v of_o they_o v._o 7._o 4_o the_o joint_a resolution_n of_o the_o question_n out_o of_o and_o according_a to_o the_o scripture_n v._o 15_o 16._o 5_o the_o declaration_n and_o delivery_n thereof_o unto_o the_o church_n to_o be_v accept_v of_o and_o keep_v by_o they_o act_v 16._o v._o 4._o 6_o order_n in_o all_o the_o apostle_n be_v elder_n and_o member_n of_o every_o church_n ergo_fw-la here_o be_v assemble_v elder_n and_o messenger_n of_o all_o church_n ergo_fw-la in_o some_o respect_n it_o may_v be_v call_v a_o universal_a counsel_n distin_n 3_o hence_o look_v upon_o what_o be_v extraordinary_a so_o it_o may_v warrant_v the_o great_a counsel_n look_v upon_o what_o be_v ordinary_a therein_o and_o so_o it_o warrant_v the_o small_a counsel_n in_o this_o synod_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v the_o substantial_o matter_n and_o form_n circumstantials_n constant_o such_o as_o necessary_o accompany_v every_o synod_n occasional_o which_o accompany_v the_o synod_n pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la i_o e._n according_a to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o this_o time_n and_o this_o place_n that_o which_o be_v command_v as_o continual_o bind_v act_v 15._o be_v the_o circumstantial_o of_o a_o synod_n the_o constant_a circumstantial_o and_o such_o occasional_o as_o be_v to_o edification_n pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la these_o two_o last_o distinction_n right_o apply_v may_v satisfy_v many_o light_a objection_n which_o we_o shall_v not_o therefore_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o argum_fw-la 2_o take_a by_o proportion_n from_o gal._n 2.2_o if_o in_o time_n of_o controversy_n about_o weighty_a matter_n of_o religion_n the_o assemble_v together_o of_o apostle_n who_o know_v the_o truth_n before_o they_o come_v on_o to_o the_o synod_n and_o one_o of_o they_o be_v great_a than_o all_o particular_a church_n be_v needful_a for_o the_o testify_a to_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o truth_n which_o be_v less_o than_o the_o find_n out_o testify_v to_o carrying_z on_z of_o the_o truth_n if_o warrant_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n then_o the_o assemble_v together_o of_o church_n by_o themselves_o or_o by_o church-messenger_n either_o of_o which_o be_v a_o synod_n to_o the_o find_v our_o testify_v to_o and_o better_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o truth_n be_v warrantable_a out_o of_o the_o scripture_n but_o in_o such_o time_n of_o controversy_n the_o assemble_v together_o of_o apostle_n one_o of_o who_o be_v great_a than_o all_o particular_a church_n for_o the_o testify_a to_o and_o better_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o truth_n be_v warrant_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n gal._n 2.2_o ergo_fw-la in_o such_o time_n of_o controversy_n the_o assemble_v together_o of_o church_n by_o themselves_o or_o by_o the_o church-messenger_n either_o of_o which_o be_v a_o synod_n for_o the_o find_v out_o testify_v to_o and_o better_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o truth_n be_v warrant_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n the_o argument_n proceed_v from_o the_o great_a to_o the_o lesser_a thus_o if_o the_o truth_n in_o time_n of_o weighty_a controversy_n have_v need_v of_o the_o help_n of_o the_o assemble_v together_o of_o apostle_n then_o in_o like_a time_n it_o have_v much_o more_o need_n of_o the_o assemble_v together_o of_o church_n if_o apostle_n at_o such_o time_n have_v need_n of_o the_o help_n of_o other_o apostle_n than_o church_n in_o like_a time_n have_v need_n of_o the_o help_n of_o other_o church_n such_o assembly_n the_o example_n whereof_o be_v record_v and_o approve_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v warrant_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n argum_fw-la 3_o but_o the_o orderly_a assembly_n of_o the_o qualify_a people_n of_o god_n for_o the_o consider_v of_o matter_n of_o religion_n in_o time_n of_o weighty_a controversy_n be_v such_o assembly_n the_o example_n whereof_o be_v record_v &_o commend_v in_o the_o scripture_n erg_fw-mi the_o orderly_a assembly_n of_o qualify_a person_n for_o the_o consider_v of_o matter_n of_o religion_n in_o time_n of_o weighty_a controversy_n be_v warrant_v out_o of_o the_o script_n prove_v minor_n prove_v ezra_n 7.14_o ezra_n inquire_v of_o the_o lord_n id_fw-la est_fw-la consult_v of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n 1_o chron._n 13.2_o david_n consult_v with_o the_o congregation_n concern_v the_o carry_n of_o the_o ark_n to_o its_o place_n 2_o chr._n 30.2_o hezekiah_n have_v take_v counsel_n of_o all_o his_o prince_n and_o all_o the_o congregation_n on_o in_o jerusalem_n to_o keep_v the_o passeover_n in_o the_o second_o month_n the_o approve_a example_n of_o the_o godly_a of_o imitable_a and_o useful_a nature_n in_o practical_a case_n be_v a_o rule_n unto_o we_o reason_n 1_o from_o the_o cause_n when_o the_o cause_n of_o a_o synod_n remain_v there_o opportunity_n be_v have_v the_o warrantable_a use_n of_o synod_n remain_v but_o under_o the_o gospel_n the_o cause_n of_o synod_n remain_v ergo_fw-la under_o the_o gospel_n the_o use_n of_o synod_n be_v warrantable_a the_o cause_n of_o synod_n be_v either_o prevent_v remove_v of_o or_o recover_v from_o
the_o covenant_n of_o grace._n discover_v the_o great_a work_n of_o a_o sinner_n reconciliation_n to_o god._n by_o john_n cotton_n minister_n at_o boston_n in_o new_a england_n whereunto_o be_v add_v certain_a query_n tend_v to_o accommodadation_n between_o the_o presbyterian_a and_o congregationall_a church_n also_o a_o discussion_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n power_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n by_o the_o same_o author_n london_n print_v by_o m._n s._n for_o francis_n eglesfield_n and_o john_n allen_n at_o the_o marigold_n and_o rise_v sun_n in_o paul_n churchyard_n 1655._o to_o the_o true_o virtuous_a and_o religious_a my_o ever_o honour_a and_o much_o esteem_v friend_n m_o ris_z catharine_n hodson_n the_o sure_a mercy_n of_o david_n if_o either_o religion_n or_o civility_n have_v any_o virtue_n to_o oblige_v certain_o i_o be_o much_o your_o debtor_n it_o will_v be_v but_o a_o compliment_n which_o usual_o derive_v its_o pedigree_n from_o the_o vain_a assentation_n to_o promise_v any_o adequate_a satisfaction_n for_o those_o many_o favour_n you_o be_v please_v to_o make_v i_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o design_n of_o these_o few_o line_n be_v to_o testify_v to_o yourself_o and_o the_o world_n that_o i_o be_o real_o thankful_a or_o hearty_o desire_v to_o be_v so_o the_o follow_a treatise_n which_o concern_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n i_o commend_v rather_o to_o your_o practice_n then_o protection_n it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v a_o orphan_n entertain_v it_o for_o the_o father_n sake_n and_o i_o shall_v undertake_v you_o shall_v gain_v no_o mean_a satisfaction_n for_o your_o pain_n the_o two_o small_a tract_n at_o the_o end_n be_v of_o good_a use_n to_o those_o for_o who_o they_o be_v intend_v in_o the_o first_o the_o reverend_a author_n undertake_v a_o good_a office_n which_o be_v to_o become_v umpire_n betwixt_o dissent_v brethren_n next_o to_o their_o not_o fall_v out_o the_o best_a thing_n be_v to_o agree_v i_o have_v often_o think_v that_o if_o man_n do_v more_o attend_v to_o the_o interest_n of_o grace_n and_o be_v less_o particular_a in_o their_o end_n the_o quarrel_n about_o the_o way_n will_v not_o be_v so_o endless_a as_o to_o that_o latter_a tract_n about_o the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o matter_n touch_v the_o first_o table_n of_o late_a day_n it_o have_v fall_v much_o under_o question_n wise_a and_o good_a man_n who_o have_v attend_v to_o the_o scripture_n with_o a_o single_a eye_n have_v look_v upon_o the_o magistrate_n as_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n a_o revenger_n to_o execute_v wrath_n upon_o he_o that_o do_v evil_a rom._n 13.4_o under_o the_o name_n of_o evil_n comprehend_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d aristot_n eth._n 5._o 13._o whatsoever_o be_v commit_v about_o holy_a thing_n child_n be_v command_v obedience_n to_o their_o parent_n in_o all_o thing_n col._n 3.20_o felius_fw-la inquit_fw-la augustinus_n reges_fw-la si_fw-la svam_fw-la potestatem_fw-la ad_fw-la dei_fw-la cultuum_fw-la maximè_fw-la dilatandum_fw-la majestati_fw-la ejus_fw-la famulam_fw-la faciant_fw-la de_fw-fr civet_n dei_fw-la 5._o c._n 14._o all_o thing_n comprehend_v holy_a thing_n and_o the_o command_n of_o a_o father_n be_v less_o than_o that_o of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n that_o which_o relate_v in_o this_o little_a book_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n i_o commend_v to_o your_o special_a meditation_n every_o truth_n have_v its_o value_n but_o not_o of_o equal_a concernment_n unto_o all_o among_o all_o the_o parcel_n of_o sacred_a word_n none_o more_o just_o challenge_v our_o serious_a study_n and_o affectionate_a inquisition_n than_o this_o mystery_n that_o have_v be_v hide_v from_o age_n and_o generation_n colos_n 1.26_o comprehend_v in_o the_o covenant_n or_o grace_n which_o be_v a_o constellation_n of_o great_a and_o precious_a promise_n communicate_v the_o most_o beneficial_a influence_n of_o rich_a everlasting_a and_o undeserved_a mercy_n by_o jesus_n christ_n the_o mediator_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o the_o need_v of_o lose_v heavy_a load_a sinner_n this_o be_v the_o city_n of_o refuge_n and_o sure_a sanctuary_n to_o which_o distress_a soul_n have_v always_o flee_v and_o find_v security_n when_o the_o â—…owes_n and_o the_o wave_n of_o temptation_n have_v beat_v upon_o they_o here_o they_o have_v successful_o cast_v the_o anchor_n of_o their_o hope_n for_o the_o mountain_n shall_v depart_v and_o the_o hill_n be_v remove_v but_o my_o kindness_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o thou_o neither_o shall_v the_o covenant_n of_o my_o peace_n be_v remove_v say_v the_o lord_n that_o have_v mercy_n on_o thou_o oh_o thou_o afflict_a and_o toss_v with_o tempest_n and_o not_o comfort_v i_o will_v etc._n etc._n isai_n 54.10,11,12_o they_o only_o know_v how_o much_o sweet_a than_o the_o honey_n and_o the_o honey_n comb_n the_o gen._n 33.9,11_o esau_n look_v upon_o his_o substance_n and_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o have_v much_o or_o abundance_n jacob_n look_v upon_o his_o portion_n in_o jehovah_n &_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o have_v all_o thing_n thus_o it_o shall_v be_v translate_v large_a content_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v who_o have_v taste_v the_o grace_n of_o that_o covenant_n the_o spiritual_a sense_n which_o you_o have_v of_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v so_o right_o exercise_v that_o your_o experience_n exceed_v all_o the_o argument_n of_o knowledge_n that_o i_o be_o able_a to_o administer_v but_o this_o covenant_n be_v our_o grand_a charter_n and_o the_o great_a reason_n of_o our_o hope_n for_o another_o life_n i_o refer_v you_o to_o the_o perusal_n of_o the_o follow_a treatise_n and_o shall_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n bespeak_v a_o blessing_n from_o heaven_n upon_o your_o meditation_n in_o it_o i_o question_v not_o but_o still_o you_o pursue_v that_o thrive_a course_n in_o religion_n which_o many_o be_v want_v to_o themselves_o in_o and_o that_o be_v to_o keep_v off_o from_o unedifying_a dispute_n and_o question_n which_o have_v add_v nothing_o to_o christianity_n but_o discord_n scruple_n and_o a_o loss_n of_o the_o vital_n of_o godliness_n beside_o the_o expense_n of_o precious_a hour_n which_o you_o have_v improve_v to_o more_o considerable_a advantage_n you_o run_v well_o let_v nothing_o hinder_v you_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o you_o have_v wrought_v that_o you_o may_v receive_v a_o full_a reward_n live_v as_o much_o as_o you_o can_v to_o the_o interest_n of_o another_o world_n for_o the_o land_n of_o immanuel_n be_v a_o excellent_a soil_n the_o pure_a air_n be_v above_o where_o the_o spirit_n breathe_v free_o and_o the_o soul_n enjoy_v a_o condition_n proportionable_a to_o itself_o in_o as_o much_o as_o nothing_o can_v fit_v it_o but_o that_o which_o bear_v some_o similitude_n to_o its_o be_v your_o warfare_n be_v not_o yet_o accomplish_v as_o you_o must_v wrestle_v with_o god_n by_o prayer_n so_o you_o must_v wrestle_v with_o principality_n and_o power_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d de_fw-fr supercoelestibus_fw-la eph_n 6.12_o vide_fw-la mat._n 10.32_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mei_fw-la causââ—…_n illius_fw-la causa_fw-la vide_fw-la mat._n 26.21_o all_o you_o shall_v be_v offend_v because_o of_o i_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d aâ—ovi_fw-la or_o because_o of_o heavenly_a thing_n the_o nature_n of_o satan_n be_v to_o tempt_v and_o we_o have_v that_o in_o our_o nature_n fit_v to_o comply_v with_o any_o temptation_n let_v he_o be_v conqueror_n or_o conquer_v he_o be_v restless_a he_o may_v go_v away_o for_o a_o season_n till_o god_n be_v please_v to_o let_v out_o his_o chain_n and_o then_o he_o come_v again_o be_v we_o faithful_a to_o the_o death_n and_o there_o be_v a_o crown_n of_o life_n provide_v for_o we_o now_o the_o god_n of_o all_o grace_n 1_o pet._n 5.10_o who_o have_v call_v we_o into_o his_o eternal_a glory_n by_o christ_n jesus_n after_o you_o have_v suffer_v a_o while_n make_v you_o perfect_a establish_v strengthen_v settle_v you_o so_o pray_v your_o very_a much_o oblige_v friend_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o gospel_n w._n retchfordâ—_n to_o the_o reader_n if_o either_o author_n or_o matter_n may_v tend_v to_o commend_v any_o treatise_n i_o may_v take_v occasion_n from_o both_o these_o respect_n to_o speak_v to_o the_o high_a commendation_n of_o all_o these_o three_o ensue_a treatise_n the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v such_o as_o who_o commendation_n be_v in_o the_o gate_n of_o all_o the_o daughter_n of_o zion_n and_o therefore_o need_v not_o epistle_n of_o commendation_n from_o any_o other_o the_o name_n of_o mr._n john_n cotton_n the_o author_n of_o the_o two_o former_a be_v like_o a_o precious_a ointment_n pour_v forth_o and_o although_o his_o bless_a soul_n be_v now_o amid_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a in_o the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n that_o be_v above_o yet_o his_o holy_a work_n and_o labour_v leave_v