Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n according_a court_n law_n 1,543 5 4.8094 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A45243 A review and examination of a pamphlet lately published bearing the title Protesters no subverters, and presbyterie no papacy, &c. / by some lovers of the interest of Christ in the Church of Scotland. Hutcheson, George, 1615-1674. 1659 (1659) Wing H3828; ESTC R36812 117,426 140

There are 4 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

covenant_n or_o a_o divide_n from_o it_o although_o the_o offender_n in_o his_o conscience_n believe_v it_o to_o be_v no_o sin_n yea_o peradventure_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v a_o duty_n otherwise_o it_o have_v be_v tyranny_n over_o the_o conscience_n to_o punish_v those_o who_o kill_v the_o apostle_n because_o they_o think_v they_o be_v do_v god_n good_a service_n joh._n 16.2_o 2._o but_o see_v all_o man_n and_o even_o church-judicatories_a be_v fallible_a let_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o a_o sentence_n be_v unjust_a and_o be_v it_o still_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v but_o suppose_v and_o not_o yield_v for_o as_o it_o can_v hardly_o be_v imagine_v that_o a_o judge_n will_v pronounce_v a_o sentence_n which_o he_o account_v unjust_a so_o we_o desire_v that_o our_o suppose_v the_o injustice_n of_o their_o sentence_n be_v understand_v without_o any_o prejudice_n to_o judicatories_n right_o in_o maintain_v the_o justice_n of_o their_o own_o sentence_n and_o let_v the_o question_n be_v of_o a_o church_n so_o constitute_v and_o sound_n and_o orthodox_n as_o be_v before_o express_v and_o of_o sentence_n such_o as_o we_o have_v qualify_v for_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o and_o we_o do_v hold_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v submit_v unto_o and_o suffer_v under_o without_o counteracting_a and_o that_o the_o former_a consideration_n press_v submission_n in_o general_a do_v take_v place_n even_o in_o this_o case_n this_o we_o may_v easy_o confirm_v from_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o godly_a in_o all_o age_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n who_o as_o they_o put_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o subjection_n and_o obedience_n so_o in_o their_o practice_n they_o do_v cheerful_o suffer_v under_o unjust_a sentence_n and_o do_v vindicate_v the_o aspersion_n cast_v upon_o their_o nonobedience_n by_o their_o readiness_n to_o submit_v and_o suffer_v who_o so_o will_v be_v please_v to_o peruse_v parker_n on_o the_o cross_n chap._n 4._o sect._n 12_o 14_o 15._o will_v find_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o own_v non-submission_n to_o these_o unjust_a sentence_n of_o bishop_n for_o their_o nonconformity_n that_o they_o do_v own_o submission_n and_o vindicate_v their_o practice_n in_o submit_v from_o the_o aspersion_n cast_v upon_o they_o for_o it_o and_o do_v encourage_v themselves_o and_o the_o church_n by_o believe_v that_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o ministry_n shall_v be_v the_o lord_n gain_v and_o the_o church_n it_o be_v the_o positive_a judgement_n of_o beza_n as_o we_o hear_v before_o from_o his_o epist_n 12._o that_o godly_a man_n in_o england_n shall_v not_o continue_v to_o preach_v against_o the_o queen_n and_o bishop_n will_v where_o he_o add_v that_o have_v in_o these_o case_n attest_v their_o own_o innocence_n and_o assay_v all_o remedy_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n they_o shall_v yield_v to_o manifest_a violence_n the_o provincial_n assembly_n of_o south-holland_n meet_v at_o delft_n go_v a_o further_a length_n against_o the_o remonstrant_n act._n synod_n dordr_n pag._n 86_o 87._o where_o have_v speak_v several_a thing_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o arminian_o argument_n against_o a_o synod_n and_o their_o submission_n thereunto_o because_o the_o member_n thereof_o be_v all_o fallible_a man_n and_o have_v assert_v that_o there_o be_v ground_n of_o confidence_n that_o christ_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n will_v be_v present_a and_o direct_v a_o lawful_a synod_n gather_v together_o in_o his_o fear_n to_o judge_v in_o matter_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o nothing_o shall_v be_v decree_v therein_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o his_o truth_n and_o kingdom_n they_o express_o add_v sed_fw-la fac_fw-la aliquid_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la decretum_fw-la iri_fw-la etc._n etc._n but_o let_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o some_o such_o thing_n be_v decree_v yet_o truth_n will_v not_o therefore_o still_o be_v keep_v at_o under_o but_o will_v in_o due_a time_n break_v forth_o again_o but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n order_n quietness_n and_o peace_n ought_v to_o be_v keep_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n for_o god_n be_v not_o the_o god_n of_o confusion_n or_o disorder_n but_o of_o peace_n and_o therefore_o will_v have_v all_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v in_o his_o church_n orderly_o peaceable_o and_o quiet_o now_o there_o can_v be_v no_o order_n nor_o peace_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n if_o every_o man_n be_v permit_v to_o teach_v what_o he_o will_v and_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o doctrine_n nor_o submit_v himself_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o any_o synod_n according_a to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 14.29.32_o another_o instance_n in_o stead_n of_o many_o be_v the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o these_o author_n of_o the_o treatise_n former_o mention_v against_o the_o brownist_n suffer_v for_o the_o cause_n of_o nonconformity_n they_o be_v challenge_v by_o the_o brownist_n for_o go_v to_o the_o bishop_n court_n for_o stand_v and_o fall_v at_o their_o commandment_n or_o yield_v to_o their_o suspension_n and_o deprivation_n after_o they_o have_v give_v their_o reason_n for_o their_o go_v to_o these_o court_n and_o reverence_v and_o yield_v to_o their_o censure_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n wh●ch_n do_v establish_v conformity_n they_o add_v pag._n 41._o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o church_n be_v not_o to_o be_v obey_v when_o it_o su●pendeth_v and_o deprive_v we_o for_o such_o cause_n as_o we_o in_o our_o conscience_n know_v to_o be_v insufficient_a we_o answer_v that_o it_o lie_v in_o they_o to_o depose_v that_o may_v ordain_v and_o they_o may_v shut_v that_o may_v open_v and_o that_o as_o he_o may_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n execute_v a_o ministry_n by_o the_o ordinance_n and_o call_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v privy_a to_o himself_o of_o some_o u●…fitnesse_n if_o the_o church_n will_v press_v he_o to_o it_o so_o may_v he_o who_o be_v privy_a to_o himself_o of_o no_o fault_n that_o deserve_v deprivation_n cease_v from_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o ministry_n when_o he_o be_v press_v thereunto_o by_o the_o church_n and_o if_o a_o guiltless_a person_n put_v out_o of_o his_o charge_n by_o the_o church_n authority_n may_v yet_o continue_v in_o it_o what_o proceed_n can_v there_o be_v against_o guilty_a person_n who_o in_o their_o own_o conceit_n be_v always_o guiltless_a or_o will_v at_o least_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o see_v they_o also_o will_v be_v ready_a always_o to_o object_n against_o the_o church_n judgement_n that_o they_o be_v call_v of_o god_n and_o may_v not_o therefore_o give_v over_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o ministry_n at_o the_o will_n of_o man_n by_o which_o it_o evident_o appear_v that_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o these_o ancient_a worthy_n and_o suffer_v presbyterian_o have_v be_v pointblank_o opposite_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o these_o new_a teacher_n and_o modeller_n of_o government_n and_o that_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o argument_n in_o this_o pamphlet_n be_v not_o unknown_a to_o they_o when_o they_o thus_o determine_v and_o practise_v as_o may_v appear_v from_o the_o very_a last_o word_n above_o cite_v and_o from_o what_o we_o have_v elsewhere_o cite_v of_o their_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n take_v from_o act._n 4.19_o 20._o but_o that_o we_o may_v make_v this_o truth_n appear_v more_o distinct_o we_o premit_fw-la these_o general_a consideration_n 1._o that_o the_o wise_a lord_n have_v be_v please_v to_o intrust_v the_o government_n of_o his_o house_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o fallible_a man_n who_o not_o only_o may_v but_o sometime_o actual_o do_v err_v 2._o that_o no_o judge_n either_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a have_v any_o commission_n or_o authority_n from_o god_n to_o sin_n or_o enact_v a_o unjust_a sentence_n and_o that_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v restrict_v to_o church-judicatories_a only_o can_v be_v doubt_v by_o any_o christian_n who_o hold_v the_o magistrate_n authority_n and_o commission_n to_o be_v from_o god_n who_o do_v not_o authorise_v any_o to_o sin_n for_o as_o power_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n to_o edification_n and_o not_o to_o destruction_n so_o magistrate_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v a_o terror_n to_o good_a work_n but_o to_o the_o evil_a rom._n 13.3_o 3._o that_o every_o particular_a wrong_a act_n or_o act_n do_v not_o divest_v a_o judge_n of_o his_o authority_n though_o it_o be_v grant_v he_o have_v no_o commission_n or_o authority_n to_o do_v these_o act_n as_o they_o assert_v p._n 96._o praecog_n 5._o but_o he_o remain_v the_o judge_n and_o lawful_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o nation_n as_o be_v clear_a in_o right_a reason_n and_o by_o scripture_n rule_n for_o if_o it_o be_v assert_v that_o a_o unjust_a sentence_n one_o or_o more_o do_v make_v void_a the_o authority_n of_o the_o judge_n this_o will_v overthrow_v all_o government_n ecclesiastical_a civil_a or_o
vile_a idolater_n withal_o if_o even_o when_o a_o church_n be_v not_o god_n wife_n but_o idolatrous_a yet_o her_o child_n be_v bind_v by_o that_o command_n to_o plead_v with_o she_o as_o a_o mother_n before_o she_o get_v a_o actual_a bill_n of_o divorce_n then_o certain_o a_o true_a church_n keep_v the_o purity_n of_o religion_n shall_v not_o have_v her_o nakedness_n discover_v to_o the_o world_n by_o divulge_v the_o faultinesse_n of_o some_o of_o her_o member_n or_o teacher_n without_o deal_v with_o herself_o to_o take_v course_n therewith_o and_o it_o have_v be_v long_o since_o tell_v they_o in_o the_o observation_n pag._n 17._o that_o mr._n burrough_n be_v of_o another_o spirit_n who_o advise_v that_o we_o shall_v plead_v with_o a_o church_n orderly_o in_o so_o far_o as_o may_v be_v and_o by_o her_o judicatories_n and_o minister_n which_o be_v her_o mouth_n and_o peaceable_o sit_v down_o when_o we_o have_v discharge_v our_o conscience_n but_o they_o have_v observe_v no_o such_o rule_n nor_o moderation_n three_o but_o to_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o charge_n they_o make_v a_o long_a deduction_n of_o a_o story_n that_o the_o body_n of_o the_o ministry_n have_v be_v corrupt_a under_o prelate_n that_o the_o general_n assembly_n have_v acknowledge_v this_o remain_a corruption_n and_o therefore_o judge_v that_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n be_v not_o able_a or_o willing_a to_o purge_v themselves_o they_o find_v it_o necessary_a for_o several_a year_n to_o appoint_v commission_n to_o try_v and_o censure_v minister_n and_o elder_n as_o be_v according_o do_v that_o these_o visitation_n again_o appoint_v in_o the_o year_n 1650._o be_v not_o keep_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o war_n and_o that_o since_o that_o time_n few_o or_o none_o have_v be_v purged-out_a by_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n but_o many_o of_o those_o who_o be_v former_o purged-out_a be_v taken-in_a without_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o their_o repentance_n answ_n as_o we_o be_v very_o unwilling_o bring_v upon_o the_o necessity_n of_o vindicate_v our_o own_o and_o other_o integrity_n when_o we_o believe_v the_o lord_n be_v call_v we_o and_o our_o brethren_n also_o to_o be_v rather_o lament_v after_o he_o and_o confess_v before_o he_o our_o fail_n and_o miscarriage_n for_o which_o he_o be_v contend_v with_o we_o so_o we_o hope_v we_o may_v without_o vanity_n say_v what_o have_v be_v open_o avow_v by_o some_o of_o their_o own_o side_n that_o whatever_o fail_n be_v among_o we_o we_o have_v general_o as_o well_o qualify_v a_o ministry_n as_o any_o other_o reform_a church_n they_o know_v we_o be_v sure_o this_o long_a story_n be_v a_o very_a poor_a proof_n of_o their_o charge_n and_o they_o have_v better_a make_v it_o out_o by_o prove_v or_o offer_v to_o prove_v it_o at_o least_o against_o the_o particular_a person_n in_o their_o respective_a judicatories_n for_o 1._o it_o be_v a_o very_a unconcludent_a proof_n against_o the_o present_a ministry_n of_o this_o church_n that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v corrupt_a and_o prelatical_a before_o the_o year_n 1638._o and_o that_o the_o general_n assembly_n do_v then_o and_o after_o complain_v of_o it_o for_o now_o in_o so_o far_o as_o we_o know_v of_o this_o church_n few_o of_o they_o be_v alive_a or_o unpurged-out_a by_o the_o commission_n they_o speak_v of_o and_o other_o church-judicatories_a who_o be_v corrupt_v under_o prelacy_n and_o no_o wonder_n if_o twenty_o year_n make_v a_o great_a change_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o a_o land_n and_o general_o the_o ministry_n do_v now_o consist_v either_o of_o those_o who_o be_v opposite_a to_o prelacy_n or_o who_o have_v be_v since_o plant_v and_o if_o some_o few_o of_o these_o be_v in_o the_o ministry_n who_o be_v lead_v away_o in_o the_o time_n of_o prelate_n as_o we_o believe_v they_o have_v proportionable_o their_o own_o share_n of_o those_o on_o their_o side_n so_o those_o who_o we_o know_v of_o they_o adhere_v to_o the_o judicatories_n of_o the_o church_n may_v hold_v up_o their_o face_n against_o all_o malice_n and_o detractor_n for_o their_o sincere_a renounce_n of_o that_o course_n their_o ability_n to_o serve_v god_n in_o the_o gospel_n of_o his_o son_n and_o their_o blameless_a and_o godly_a conversation_n and_o we_o believe_v many_o of_o their_o opposer_n will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o compare_v with_o they_o in_o any_o reform_a church_n 2._o though_o we_o judge_v it_o great_a presumption_n in_o they_o to_o assert_v the_o inability_n far_o more_o the_o unwillingness_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n to_o purge_v themselves_o because_o the_o general_n assembly_n do_v appoint_v visitation_n see_v the_o assembly_n themselves_o do_v give_v no_o such_o reason_n of_o their_o deed_n and_o they_o may_v well_o take_v their_o own_o way_n of_o visit_v and_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o church_n to_o the_o good_a like_n of_o the_o respective_a judicatories_n and_o without_o any_o such_o imputation_n upon_o they_o yet_o have_v it_o be_v so_o as_o they_o assert_v in_o the_o time_n when_o they_o make_v complaint_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o ministry_n who_o do_v only_o in_o a_o external_a way_n renounce_v prelacy_n the_o case_n must_v needs_o now_o be_v alter_v when_o as_o be_v say_v these_o man_n be_v general_o go_v 3._o because_o the_o assembly_n 1650._o do_v appoint_v visitation_n for_o trial_n and_o censure_n which_o do_v not_o meet_v must_v we_o therefore_o conclude_v the_o body_n of_o the_o ministry_n corrupt_v sure_o their_o commission_n be_v to_o try_v before_o they_o censure_v and_o may_v it_o not_o as_o well_o be_v suppose_v they_o may_v have_v try_v and_o yet_o find_v nothing_o like_o the_o clamour_n these_o man_n raise_v and_o will_v not_o the_o ensue_a assembly_n have_v approven_v they_o if_o they_o have_v use_v diligence_n unless_o also_o they_o have_v cast_v out_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o minister_n as_o this_o charge_n must_v bear_v it_o where_o they_o visit_v this_o seem_v to_o we_o strange_a argue_v that_o because_o a_o assembly_n appoint_v man_n first_o to_o try_v and_o then_o to_o censure_v as_o they_o find_v man_n guilty_a which_o import_v at_o most_o but_o a_o presumption_n that_o some_o guilty_a person_n may_v be_v find_v where_o they_o visit_v for_o we_o remember_v not_o that_o either_o information_n or_o accusation_n against_o any_o person_n or_o person_n within_o these_o bound_n give_v a_o rise_n to_o most_o of_o these_o visitation_n therefore_o the_o plurality_n in_o those_o bound_n must_v be_v corrupt_a and_o these_o visitator_n can_v not_o have_v give_v a_o faithful_a account_n unless_o they_o have_v cast_v they_o out_o and_o that_o if_o synod_n and_o presbytery_n have_v not_o purge_v out_o many_o since_o for_o even_o the_o purge_n of_o a_o few_o will_v not_o suffice_v they_o therefore_o they_o be_v cool_v in_o their_o zeal_n we_o serious_o profess_v that_o as_o we_o do_v not_o omit_v to_o search_v out_o the_o fault_n of_o minister_n by_o enquiry_n at_o visitation_n presbyterial_a or_o synodical_a as_o need_n require_v or_o otherways_o by_o formal_a process_n when_o either_o there_o be_v a_o scandal_n raise_v on_o they_o or_o information_n or_o accusation_n given-in_a against_o they_o and_o we_o dare_v appeal_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o these_o our_o brethren_n join_v with_o we_o in_o that_o work_n whether_o we_o have_v not_o be_v most_o exact_a not_o only_o in_o continue_v they_o under_o process_n be_v it_o for_o year_n so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v any_o probability_n to_o prove_v any_o thing_n against_o they_o but_o in_o censure_v the_o least_o thing_n that_o we_o find_v which_o yet_o have_v oftentimes_o be_v very_o little_a after_o some_o year_n toil_n according_a to_o the_o strict_a rule_n of_o discipline_n so_o that_o we_o know_v no_o cause_n these_o witness_n have_v to_o complain_v of_o we_o but_o that_o we_o will_v not_o thrust-out_a man_n whether_o we_o can_v find_v they_o guilty_a by_o a_o orderly_a way_n of_o trial_n or_o not_o if_o we_o take_v pleasure_n to_o recriminate_a we_o can_v easy_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o have_v do_v less_o these_o year_n by-gone_a for_o purging-out_a those_o of_o their_o own_o judgement_n in_o place_n where_o they_o have_v power_n than_o have_v be_v do_v by_o we_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o of_o our_o judgement_n for_o albeit_o it_o be_v not_o our_o way_n to_o make_v such_o clamour_n of_o the_o corruption_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o man_n of_o their_o judgement_n as_o they_o do_v of_o we_o yet_o it_o be_v know_v that_o diverse_a of_o they_o be_v suspect_v of_o insufficiency_n and_o diverse_a report_n of_o gross_a scandal_n have_v be_v vent_v of_o other_o of_o they_o of_o which_o they_o have_v take_v little_a or_o no_o notice_n 4._o as_o for_o the_o repon_n of_o some_o man_n to_o the_o ministry_n who_o be_v former_o depose_v we_o believe_v that_o these_o
their_o evil_a course_n though_o we_o know_v nothing_o do_v but_o the_o naked_a testimony_n of_o judicatories_n against_o they_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o repine_v iv_o as_o to_o their_o vindication_n of_o their_o endeavour_n to_o set_v up_o extrajudiciall_a committee_n of_o equal_a number_n for_o manage_v of_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o church_n to_o which_o they_o speak_v pag._n 31._o 39_o we_o can_v but_o observe_v a_o notable_a piece_n of_o nimbleness_n in_o their_o manage_n of_o this_o defence_n for_o they_o bring-in_a this_o challenge_n mention_v in_o the_o declaration_n only_o as_o it_o be_v complain_v of_o that_o the_o not_o grant_v of_o that_o overture_n of_o extrajudiciall_a committee_n of_o equal_a number_n of_o both_o judgement_n to_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o respective_a party_n be_v a_o cause_n of_o breaking-up_a the_o conference_n for_o union_n without_o mention_v that_o other_o part_n of_o the_o complaint_n that_o they_o endeavour_v and_o with_o much_o eagerness_n prosecute_v that_o design_n employ_v all_o their_o credit_n with_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n for_o that_o effect_n to_o have_v the_o same_o impose_v upon_o we_o when_o they_o be_v at_o london_n only_o they_o huddle-up_a what_o be_v say_v of_o that_o as_o a_o resume_v and_o prosecute_n that_o same_o point_n as_o if_o the_o author_n of_o the_o declaration_n be_v complain_v in_o both_o place_n of_o their_o break_n off_o the_o conference_n only_o upon_o this_o matter_n and_o so_o all-along_a they_o hold_v we_o to_o the_o article_n as_o propound_v to_o we_o only_o they_o give_v a_o hint_n of_o a_o overture_n the_o same_o for_o substance_n as_o it_o be_v propound_v to_o we_o without_o speak_v to_o what_o a_o overture_n it_o be_v and_o when_o or_o how_o given-in_a this_o be_v indeed_o a_o handsome_a or_o rather_o unhandsome_a conveyance_n or_o shift_v of_o what_o they_o have_v no_o will_n to_o meet_v with_o for_o to_o say_v no_o more_o any_o unbiased_a person_n will_v see_v a_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o a_o desire_n to_o have_v a_o extraordinary_a overture_n take_v place_n in_o a_o church_n by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v and_o some_o private_a person_n endeavour_v and_o that_o after_o other_o design_n to_o the_o great_a prejudice_n if_o not_o ruin_v of_o this_o church_n have_v miscarry_v in_o their_o hand_n to_o have_v such_o thing_n impose_v upon_o the_o church_n by_o the_o civil_a power_n when_o they_o have_v no_o commission_n from_o the_o church_n for_o that_o effect_n and_o know_v it_o be_v dessent_v from_o in_o a_o former_a conference_n by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o who_o they_o will_v have_v it_o impose_v this_o be_v a_o usurpation_n upon_o a_o church_n and_o her_o government_n which_o we_o believe_v no_o sound_a presbyterian_a will_v justify_v nor_o any_o other_o who_o be_v not_o erastians_n as_o be_v judge_v by_o godly_a presbyterian_o upon_o the_o place_n when_o these_o proposal_n be_v make_v to_o who_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n owe_v thanks_o for_o their_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n against_o such_o project_n but_o to_o consider_v what_o they_o say_v leave_v that_o distinction_n betwixt_o the_o essential_o and_o circumstantial_o of_o government_n pag._n 33_o 34._o to_o which_o we_o have_v speak_v before_o they_o confess_v it_o be_v a_o overture_n out_o of_o the_o common_a road_n of_o ordinary_a procedure_n pag._n 37._o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v but_o in_o petitorio_fw-la with_o it_o and_o have_v need_v to_o make_v their_o argument_n for_o persuade_v we_o to_o run_v out_o of_o the_o way_n which_o we_o believe_v to_o be_v of_o god_n very_o pungent_a and_o press_a before_o we_o can_v yield_v to_o their_o desire_n we_o conceive_v their_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o head_n first_o that_o the_o decay_a and_o distemper_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n call_v for_o and_o allow_v such_o a_o overture_n otherwise_o they_o profess_v they_o will_v be_v as_o far_o from_o press_v it_o as_o any_o other_o pag._n 32_o 33._o which_o be_v upon_o the_o matter_n as_o we_o may_v hear_v more_o full_o afterward_o that_o be_v they_o once_o the_o plurality_n and_o in_o power_n they_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o let_v it_o out_o of_o their_o hand_n or_o let_v any_o such_o committee_n be_v set_v over_o they_o or_o any_o party_n presume_v to_o nominate_v a_o equal_a half_a of_o these_o committee_n this_o we_o do_v very_o easy_o believe_v but_o now_o so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v out_o and_o can_v be_v content_a of_o their_o lot_n and_o share_n in_o government_n as_o their_o number_n in_o judicatories_n allow_v all_o must_v be_v corrupt_a and_o all_o the_o judicatories_n cast_v loose_a and_o tread_v upon_o as_o unwilling_a and_o unable_a to_o do_v a_o good_a turn_n but_o to_o the_o matter_n as_o we_o know_v no_o other_o distemper_n nor_o unpeaceableness_n of_o this_o church_n but_o what_o themselves_o have_v make_v and_o continue_v and_o therefore_o may_v cure_v it_o whenever_o they_o please_v to_o weary_a of_o these_o course_n so_o for_o the_o suppose_a corruption_n thereof_o we_o have_v already_o consider_v how_o they_o have_v make_v it_o out_o only_o we_o bless_v god_n they_o will_v find_v no_o unsound_a doctrine_n or_o worship_n nor_o scandal_n in_o conversation_n approven_v in_o this_o church_n nor_o yet_o that_o this_o church_n be_v upon_o the_o decline_a hand_n since_o our_o difference_n as_o to_o the_o plant_n of_o able_a and_o honest_a minister_n and_o we_o do_v again_o assert_v that_o whatever_o corruption_n there_o be_v in_o member_n of_o this_o church_n yet_o this_o remedy_n once_o admit_v of_o turn_v the_o government_n out_o of_o the_o channel_n which_o we_o believe_v to_o be_v of_o god_n will_v be_v far_o worse_o than_o the_o disease_n and_o a_o preparative_n of_o most_o dangerous_a consequence_n whenever_o any_o party_n shall_v be_v please_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o yea_o if_o upon_o the_o supposal_n of_o our_o corruption_n they_o infer_v the_o necessity_n of_o extrajudicial_a committee_n may_v not_o other_o gather_v much_o more_o from_o such_o premise_n be_v it_o even_o a_o separation_n from_o we_o or_o a_o prelacy_n as_o their_o committee_n be_v in_o effect_n in_o some_o honest_a hand_n to_o control_v we_o in_o our_o act_n they_o again_o inculcate_v pag._n 33._o that_o general_a assembly_n conceive_v extraordinary_a visitation_n needful_a when_o the_o church_n be_v in_o a_o better_a condition_n than_o now_o and_o when_o not_o a_o few_o in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n do_v say_v it_o be_v a_o foundation_n for_o a_o imputation_n upon_o synod_n and_o presbytery_n answ_n but_o to_o repeat_v nothing_o of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o the_o present_a case_n of_o this_o church_n any_o body_n with_o half_a a_o eye_n may_v see_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o a_o general_n assembly_n the_o supreme_a nationall_n church-judicatory_a their_o appoint_v their_o own_o delegate_n choose_v without_o respect_n to_o faction_n by_o plurality_n of_o suffrage_n for_o go_v about_o a_o work_n and_o this_o extrajudicial_a committee_n choose_v by_o party_n to_o do_v the_o affair_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n must_v it_o not_o be_v strange_a argue_v that_o because_o general_a assembly_n appoint_v visitation_n to_o try_v and_o censure_v therefore_o they_o shall_v conclude_v guilt_n be_v find_v on_o the_o plurality_n of_o minister_n whereas_o themselves_o have_v find_v it_o otherwise_o where_o they_o have_v power_n and_o make_v trial_n of_o man_n and_o where_o they_o make_v as_o great_a a_o clamour_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n of_o our_o judgement_n as_o now_o they_o raise_v of_o they_o in_o other_o place_n and_o therefore_o also_o either_o must_v they_o who_o be_v a_o divide_v party_n have_v matter_n try_v in_o a_o extrajudiciall_a way_n without_o order_n otherwise_o they_o will_v do_v what_o they_o can_v to_o overturn_v the_o church_n they_o retort_v pag._n 37_o 38._o that_o though_o they_o have_v not_o the_o same_o power_n the_o general_n assembly_n have_v so_o to_o do_v yet_o the_o assembly_n ground_n and_o reason_n move_v they_o to_o appoint_v these_o visitation_n do_v yet_o remain_v viz._n that_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n be_v not_o so_o healthy_a as_o to_o do_v these_o thing_n of_o themselves_o which_o be_v much_o more_o true_a now_o when_o malignant_a man_n be_v get_v above_o hatch_n and_o sundry_a of_o they_o set_v to_o the_o helm_n answ_n but_o 1._o be_v it_o not_o great_a presumption_n to_o parallel_v visitation_n appoint_v by_o assembly_n and_o choose_v by_o themselves_o according_a to_o order_n and_o these_o committee_n choose_v by_o party_n do_v synod_n choose_v such_o visitation_n according_a to_o order_n as_o they_o do_v upon_o occasion_n within_o their_o own_o bound_n who_o will_v condemn_v it_o but_o for_o party_n to_o impose_v a_o nomination_n on_o a_o synod_n be_v another_o matter_n
2._o be_v it_o not_o as_o great_a presumption_n in_o they_o to_o judge_v that_o to_o have_v be_v the_o assembly_n move_v cause_n in_o appoint_v visitation_n which_o they_o have_v not_o given-out_a themselves_o but_o only_o of_o some_o few_o presbytery_n here_o and_o there_o especial_o in_o the_o remote_a corner_n as_o if_o they_o can_v appoint_v none_o but_o where_o their_o delegate_n must_v find_v guilt_n whether_o it_o be_v or_o not_o may_v they_o not_o well_o enough_o appoint_v visitation_n to_o try_v and_o know_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o church_n in_o several_a corner_n and_o to_o censure_v where_o they_o find_v aught_o amiss_o without_o conclude_v that_o synod_n and_o presbytery_n be_v unhealthy_a to_o do_v their_o work_n we_o can_v instruct_v they_o appoint_v place_n to_o be_v visit_v where_o our_o brethren_n themselves_o will_v be_v loath_a to_o say_v judicatory_n be_v not_o able_a nor_o willing_a either_o to_o do_v that_o work_v themselves_o yea_o their_o mention_v the_o miscarriage_n only_o of_o some_o presbytery_n as_o the_o cause_n why_o they_o appoint_v they_o to_o be_v visit_v do_v clear_o assoil_v other_o place_n appoint_v also_o to_o be_v visit_v where_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o may_v be_v see_v from_o the_o commission_n themselves_o but_o to_o clear_v this_o matter_n a_o little_a it_o seem_v these_o witness_n have_v a_o faculty_n of_o forget_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o to_o their_o purpose_n for_o other_o who_o be_v at_o the_o assembly_n 1648._o at_o which_o time_n these_o visitation_n first_o begin_v those_o of_o the_o isle_n and_o highland_n only_o except_v and_o the_o assembly_n follow_v do_v very_o well_o remember_v that_o albeit_o the_o enormity_n of_o some_o few_o presbytery_n do_v call-for_a such_o visitation_n and_o albeit_o all_o these_o commission_n be_v draw_v up_o in_o the_o general_a and_o ordinary_a form_n give_v power_n to_o try_v and_o censure_v any_o fault_n that_o shall_v be_v find_v and_o that_o in_o some_o of_o they_o in_o any_o presbytery_n within_o a_o province_n as_o well_o as_o another_o yet_o the_o assembly_n be_v move_v to_o appoint_v most_o of_o these_o visitation_n neither_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o general_a corruption_n or_o averseness_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o presbytery_n to_o do_v that_o work_n nor_o yet_o main_o for_o cognosce_v upon_o other_o scandal_n but_o chief_o for_o the_o trial_n and_o censure_n of_o such_o as_o have_v accession_n to_o the_o sinful_a course_n and_o defection_n of_o the_o time_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n wherein_o the_o judicatory_n be_v like_a to_o meet_v with_o difficulty_n from_o person_n within_o the_o several_a bound_n who_o be_v either_o actual_o carrying-on_a or_o censure_v for_o these_o course_n and_o not_o as_o yet_o reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o assembly_n do_v fall_v upon_o that_o way_n as_o the_o most_o effectual_a in_o that_o exigent_n for_o carrying-on_a the_o work_n notwithstanding_o these_o difficulty_n and_o do_v choose_v rather_o to_o take_v that_o matter_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o own_o delegate_n than_o let_v presbytery_n wrestle_v therein_o with_o much_o disadvantage_n in_o several_a place_n which_o be_v well_o remember_v will_v commend_v much_o the_o prudence_n of_o the_o assembly_n but_o not_o at_o all_o reflect_v upon_o the_o presbytery_n 3._o we_o have_v already_o clear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o cause_n to_o assert_v that_o this_o church_n be_v in_o a_o worse_a condition_n now_o than_o when_o many_o of_o these_o be_v in_o who_o be_v now_o purge_v out_o or_o that_o there_o be_v any_o malignant_a faction_n among_o we_o except_o they_o will_v call_v they_o so_o who_o do_v oppose_v their_o irregularity_n and_o therefore_o they_o will_v first_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o faction_n stand_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n before_o they_o so_o often_o cast_v it_o upon_o we_o 4._o as_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o maintain_v the_o language_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n against_o the_o proceed_n of_o assembly_n who_o it_o may_v be_v be_v afterward_o for_o just_a cause_n put_v to_o the_o door_n nor_o yet_o to_o believe_v all_o that_o they_o assert_v of_o this_o kind_n so_o that_o they_o dare_v not_o fasten_v this_o upon_o any_o presbytery_n or_o synod_n though_o they_o be_v please_v to_o speak_v of_o not_o a_o few_o in_o they_o be_v to_o we_o a_o proof_n that_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n be_v not_o unwilling_a to_o have_v that_o work_n do_v as_o they_o allege_v and_o withal_o the_o carping_n of_o some_o man_n at_o the_o regular_a and_o orderly_a proceed_n of_o their_o superior_a judicatory_n who_o have_v they_o be_v in_o these_o time_n may_v have_v learn_v not_o to_o submit_v to_o they_o since_o they_o judge_v not_o their_o sentence_n just_a shall_v not_o stop_v our_o mouth_n from_o challenge_v the_o usurpation_n of_o other_o they_o tell_v we_o also_o pag._n 38_o 39_o that_o to_o avoid_v this_o overture_n they_o do_v offer_v that_o the_o commission_n and_o visitation_n of_o the_o assembly_n 1650._o may_v sit_v if_o not_o by_o authority_n derive_v from_o that_o assembly_n yet_o by_o the_o mutual_a condescendencie_n and_o approbation_n of_o presbytery_n whereby_o also_o they_o may_v have_v power_n to_o compose_v difference_n ans_fw-fr but_o they_o have_v before_o that_o time_n approven_v their_o own_o protestation_n and_o condemn_v two_o general_a assembly_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n sit_v in_o that_o commission_n without_o so_o much_o as_o a_o copy_n of_o their_o commission_n as_o a_o judicatory_a to_o continue_v so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v please_v to_o protest_v against_o any_o subsequent_a general_n assembly_n and_o to_o manage_v all_o the_o public_a affair_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o case_n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o we_o to_o accord_v the_o overture_n of_o set_v up_o court_n who_o commission_n be_v long_o ago_o expire_v and_o some_o of_o which_o they_o have_v strive_v to_o keep_v up_o upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o assembly_n nor_o do_v we_o see_v that_o presbytery_n except_o convene_v in_o a_o general_n assembly_n and_o by_o give_v a_o new_a commission_n can_v authorise_v man_n to_o act_v in_o so_o universal_a and_o large_a a_o capacity_n where_o themselves_o have_v no_o jurisdiction_n or_o authorise_v man_n in_o no_o other_o province_n to_o exercise_v jurisdiction_n over_o themselves_o second_o that_o our_o exception_n against_o this_o extrajudiciall_a committee_n be_v irrelevant_a to_o this_o purpose_n they_o speak_v several_a thing_n pag._n 34_o 35_o 36_o 37._o whereof_o we_o give_v this_o brief_a account_n 1._o they_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o desire_v none_o to_o be_v in_o these_o visitation_n but_o member_n of_o the_o respective_a synod_n answ_n but_o then_o sure_a the_o committee_n in_o whole_a be_v of_o equal_a number_n will_v be_v but_o a_o small_a number_n if_o any_o at_o all_o in_o some_o synod_n where_o few_o or_o none_o of_o their_o judgement_n be_v 2._o they_o tell_v we_o that_o no_o power_n be_v desire_v to_o be_v give_v they_o but_o what_o be_v ecclesiastical_a and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o proceed_v by_o any_o rule_n but_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o act_n of_o uncontroverted_a assembly_n where_o we_o must_v at_o all_o occasion_n lay_v by_o other_o assembly_n because_o they_o be_v please_v to_o controvert_v and_o question_v they_o answ_n but_o they_o shall_v first_o have_v clear_v to_o we_o that_o such_o a_o court_n so_o choose_v be_v a_o court_n of_o christ_n institution_n and_o that_o to_o be_v equal_o divide_v of_o different_a judgement_n and_o these_o choose_v not_o by_o the_o synod_n but_o the_o respective_a party_n be_v scripturall_a qualification_n of_o a_o church-judicatory_a 3._o they_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o desire_v not_o their_o power_n to_o be_v derive_v from_o any_o fountain_n but_o from_o the_o synod_n itself_o answ_n but_o yet_o they_o endeavour_v to_o have_v it_o impose_v upon_o the_o synod_n that_o they_o shall_v give_v they_o that_o power_n and_o the_o synod_n may_v just_o question_v if_o they_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o give_v their_o power_n to_o person_n who_o they_o have_v not_o the_o credit_n to_o choice_n who_o election_n qualification_n that_o they_o be_v of_o both_o judgement_n in_o equal_a number_n work_v and_o way_n of_o their_o call_v they_o to_o a_o account_n be_v all_o impose_v upon_o they_o and_o prescribe_v to_o their_o hand_n 4._o they_o tell_v we_o the_o nomination_n be_v make_v by_o no_o forinsick_a person_n party_n or_o power_n but_o by_o intrinsic_a member_n of_o the_o synod_n itself_o answ_n but_o they_o well_o know_v that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o way_n of_o church-government_n where_o nomination_n go_v by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o judicatories_n 5._o they_o tell_v we_o we_o wrong_v