a_o brief_a essay_n concern_v the_o independency_n of_o church-power_n that_o the_o non-complying_a bishop_n and_o clergy_n be_v at_o the_o revolution_n due_o authorize_v in_o their_o respective_a charge_n be_v by_o none_o deny_v that_o they_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o be_v deprive_v by_o a_o synod_n of_o bishop_n or_o have_v any_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n pass_v agâin_v they_o be_v equal_o evident_a for_o though_o there_o be_v some_o bishop_n in_o the_o upper_a house_n when_o the_o act_n of_o deprivation_n pass_v against_o their_o brethren_n yet_o their_o vote_n suppose_v they_o legal_a be_v foreign_a to_o their_o character_n and_o give_v in_o virtue_n of_o a_o mere_o civil_a capacity_n they_o vote_v not_o as_o bishop_n but_o as_o lord_n of_o parliament_n and_o since_o the_o right_n by_o which_o they_o sit_v be_v a_o lay-privilege_n the_o act_n which_o they_o do_v in_o consequence_n of_o such_o a_o privilege_n must_v be_v of_o the_o same_o secular_a nature_n the_o case_n stand_v thus_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n suppose_v it_o legal_o constitute_v can_v void_a a_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n and_o unmake_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v brief_o undertake_v to_o maintain_v the_o negative_a by_o show_v the_o church_n power_n to_o be_v distinct_a from_o and_o independent_a of_o the_o state_n but_o to_o prevent_v misconstruction_n i_o desire_v to_o be_v understand_v that_o by_o church_n power_n i_o mean_v only_o that_o which_o be_v pure_o spiritual_a and_o that_o ecclesiastic_o as_o such_o can_v make_v no_o direct_a or_o indirect_a claim_n to_o any_o other_o and_o therefore_o first_o they_o be_v no_o less_o the_o subject_n of_o prince_n than_o the_o laity_n second_o their_o mere_o secular_a estate_n their_o civil_a privilege_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v all_o under_o the_o cognizance_n of_o the_o state_n of_o which_o they_o may_v be_v legal_o though_o not_o always_o equitable_o disseize_v whenever_o the_o legislative_a authority_n of_o a_o kingdom_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o do_v it_o have_v premise_v this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v their_o independency_n in_o thing_n pure_o relate_v to_o their_o function_n 1._o from_o the_o original_a of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n 2._o from_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o it_o 3._o from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n 1._o from_o the_o original_a of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o perform_v the_o office_n of_o religion_n be_v neither_o any_o gift_n of_o the_o people_n nor_o hold_v by_o commission_n from_o king_n and_o prince_n it_o spring_v from_o a_o great_a original_a and_o derive_v no_o low_a than_o heaven_n itself_o our_o bless_a saviour_n who_o redeem_v the_o church_n be_v please_v to_o settle_v the_o administration_n of_o it_o by_o his_o own_o appointment_n from_o he_o the_o apostle_n receive_v authority_n to_o teach_v and_o govern_v such_o as_o be_v convert_v by_o they_o the_o word_n of_o their_o commission_n be_v plain_a and_o express_v with_o all_o imaginable_a advantage_n as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o even_o so_o send_v i_o you_o whosoever_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v etc._n etc._n st._n john_n 20._o 21_o 23._o upon_o this_o account_n the_o apostle_n be_v call_v the_o ambassador_n and_o minister_n of_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 4._o 1._o and_o the_o people_n be_v command_v to_o obey_v and_o submit_v themselves_o to_o those_o who_o have_v this_o spiritual_a authority_n heb._n 13._o 17._o neither_o be_v this_o power_n to_o expire_v with_o the_o apostle_n but_o be_v convey_v by_o succession_n through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v the_o same_o cause_n for_o its_o continuance_n as_o for_o its_o first_o institution_n and_o according_o we_o find_v from_o st._n paul_n that_o one_o reason_n of_o his_o give_v titus_n the_o super-intendency_a of_o crete_n be_v to_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n tit._n 1._o 5._o thus_o clemens_n romanus_n 1._o ep._n ad_fw-la cor._n tell_v we_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o travel_n use_v to_o ordain_v bishop_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o advantage_n of_o such_o as_o be_v only_a christian_n in_o prospect_n as_o well_o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v already_o convert_v and_o thus_o the_o sacred_a order_n have_v be_v continue_v without_o interruption_n for_o near_a 1700_o year_n now_o our_o saviour_n we_o know_v be_v no_o temporal_a prince_n he_o refuse_v to_o interpose_v in_o a_o case_n of_o property_n and_o declare_v express_o that_o his_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n st._n luke_n 12._o 14._o st._n john_n 18._o 36._o from_o whence_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o authority_n which_o our_o saviour_n give_v the_o church_n can_v have_v no_o dependence_n upon_o the_o state_n because_o it_o be_v never_o derive_v from_o thence_o it_o be_v true_a all_o power_n both_o sacred_a and_o civil_a come_v original_o from_o god_n yet_o under_o the_o jewish_a and_o especial_o under_o the_o christian_a institution_n the_o crown_n and_o mitre_n have_v be_v divide_v and_o though_o the_o same_o person_n be_v capable_a of_o both_o yet_o the_o claim_n must_v be_v make_v upon_o a_o different_a account_n and_o convey_v by_o title_n perfect_o distinct_a and_o since_o the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n do_v not_o hold_v of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n it_o can_v be_v forfeit_v to_o he_o as_o the_o state_n can_v consecrate_v bishop_n and_o priest_n so_o neither_o can_v they_o recall_v their_o character_n or_o restrain_v they_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o function_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n a_o privilege_n shall_v be_v either_o extinguish_v or_o limit_v by_o those_o who_o be_v never_o master_n of_o the_o grant_n for_o what_o a_o man_n have_v no_o power_n to_o give_v he_o can_v have_v no_o right_a to_o take_v away_o this_o will_v further_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o mean_n by_o which_o the_o advantage_n of_o christianity_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o now_o that_o the_o sacrament_n be_v necessary_a for_o this_o purpose_n be_v evident_a from_o scripture_n for_o concern_v baptism_n it_o be_v say_v that_o except_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o water_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n he_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n st._n john_n 3._o 5._o and_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v style_v by_o st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 10._o 6._o the_o communion_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v the_o mean_n by_o which_o the_o benefit_n of_o christ_n death_n be_v apply_v to_o we_o so_o that_o without_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o sacrament_n we_o can_v have_v no_o pretence_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n no_o title_n to_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n spirit_n nor_o any_o assurance_n of_o a_o bless_a immortality_n now_o i_o suppose_v none_o of_o the_o laity_n will_v pretend_v to_o a_o authority_n to_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n they_o will_v not_o challenge_v a_o right_a to_o seal_v covenant_n in_o god_n name_n or_o to_o represent_v he_o in_o act_n of_o solemn_a blessing_n and_o absolution_n no_o man_n as_o the_o apostle_n argue_v ought_v to_o take_v this_o honour_n to_o himself_o but_o he_o that_o be_v call_v of_o god_n as_o be_v aaron_n heb._n 5._o 4._o the_o fate_n of_o corah_n and_o uzziah_n numb_a 16._o 2._o chron._n 26._o be_v sufficient_a to_o deter_v all_o secular_a person_n from_o a_o encroachment_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o if_o make_v god_n will_v both_o punish_v the_o usurpation_n and_o null_n the_o act_n as_o a_o prince_n will_v be_v oblige_v to_o do_v in_o point_n of_o government_n if_o any_o person_n shall_v forge_v a_o commission_n in_o his_o name_n now_o since_o the_o sacrament_n which_o be_v both_o necessary_a to_o make_v we_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o convey_v the_o advantage_n of_o christianity_n to_o we_o be_v by_o our_o saviour_n special_a appointment_n entrust_v with_o the_o clergy_n and_o the_o administration_n of_o they_o be_v lodge_v in_o their_o hand_n from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o those_o who_o have_v the_o sole_a right_n of_o admit_v into_o a_o society_n or_o exclude_v from_o it_o and_o of_o dispense_n the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v the_o proper_a and_o only_a governor_n of_o that_o society_n and_o can_v have_v no_o dependence_n upon_o any_o other_o second_o the_o independency_n of_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n may_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o it_o i_o suppose_v i_o need_v not_o prove_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o contain_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o last_o revelation_n which_o god_n intend_v to_o make_v to_o the_o world_n now_o this_o be_v grant_v we_o must_v suppose_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n found_v his_o church_n upon_o such_o law_n and_o give_v it_o such_o last_a principle_n of_o government_n as_o shall_v best_o maintain_v its_o continuance_n and_o secure_v those_o important_a truth_n he_o
have_v entrust_v it_o with_o lest_o of_o all_o can_v we_o imagine_v he_o will_v build_v it_o upon_o a_o sandy_a foundation_n and_o make_v it_o depend_v upon_o the_o arbitrary_a power_n of_o its_o enemy_n our_o saviour_n foresee_v that_o all_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n will_v disbelieve_v and_o many_o of_o they_o persecute_v his_o doctrine_n for_o several_a age_n together_o and_o therefore_o will_v be_v very_o improper_a person_n to_o have_v be_v trust_v with_o the_o sovereign_a administration_n of_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n have_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v derive_v from_o they_o or_o depend_v upon_o their_o allowance_n christianity_n have_v be_v a_o very_a short_a live_v religion_n and_o never_o out-grown_a its_o infancy_n in_o this_o case_n the_o public_a assembly_n ordination_n sacrament_n and_o discipline_n must_v have_v lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o unbeliever_n and_o the_o clergy_n ought_v not_o to_o have_v execute_v their_o function_n nor_o take_v care_n of_o their_o flock_n unless_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n will_v have_v give_v they_o leave_v for_o if_o the_o spiritual_a supremacy_n be_v the_o right_n of_o prince_n though_o they_o may_v possible_o abuse_v the_o management_n of_o this_o prerogative_n yet_o it_o ought_v to_o lie_v absolute_o at_o their_o disposal_n and_o under_o their_o regulation_n and_o for_o any_o person_n to_o meddle_v in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n without_o a_o commission_n from_o they_o but_o especial_o against_o their_o command_n will_v be_v a_o open_a violation_n of_o their_o right_n which_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o though_o for_o the_o support_n of_o the_o best_a religion_n because_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o do_v ill_o that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o and_o since_o no_o society_n can_v subsist_v without_o government_n and_o discipline_n if_o the_o bishop_n can_v exercise_v no_o spiritual_a authority_n without_o a_o lay-permission_n it_o will_v be_v in_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n power_n to_o make_v the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o church_n impracticable_a and_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v depend_v upon_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n but_o beside_o the_o absurdity_n of_o this_o way_n of_o reason_v we_o have_v in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a primitive_a church_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n be_v perfect_o svi_fw-la juris_fw-la and_o never_o under_o the_o control_v of_o the_o secular_a magistrate_n thus_o when_o the_o sanhedrim_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o act_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o have_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o captain_n of_o the_o temple_n when_o they_o imprison_v the_o apostle_n and_o command_v they_o not_o to_o speak_v at_o all_o nor_o teach_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n act._n 4._o 19_o to_o this_o their_o answer_n be_v plain_a and_o positive_a whether_o it_o be_v right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n to_o hearken_v unto_o you_o more_o than_o unto_o god_n judge_v you_o verse_n 20._o that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o have_v a_o commission_n from_o heaven_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n which_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o execure_v and_o which_o no_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n have_v any_o authority_n to_o revoke_v whereas_o have_v the_o church_n be_v under_o the_o check_n of_o the_o state_n in_o matter_n pure_o spiritual_a st._n peter_n and_o st._n john_n be_v much_o to_o blame_v for_o refuse_v to_o obey_v their_o superior_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v acquiesce_v in_o the_o sanhedrims_n prohibition_n and_o not_o to_o have_v pursue_v their_o function_n after_o they_o be_v so_o solemn_o silence_v and_o thaâ—_n by_o those_o who_o themselves_o own_v to_o be_v ruler_n of_o the_o people_n act._n 4._o 8._o either_o therefore_o the_o church_n must_v be_v constitute_v independent_a of_o the_o state_n or_o the_o apostle_n can_v never_o be_v clear_v of_o the_o charge_n of_o sedition_n the_o same_o imputation_n will_v upon_o the_o modern_a principle_n affect_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n for_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n who_o hold_v public_a assembly_n govern_v their_o clergy_n and_o their_o people_n and_o perform_v all_o part_n of_o their_o office_n not_o only_o without_o any_o authority_n from_o their_o respective_a prince_n but_o often_o contrary_a to_o their_o express_a command_n which_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o it_o will_v be_v superfluous_a to_o enlarge_v upon_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o these_o be_v heathen_a prince_n but_o when_o the_o emperor_n become_v part_n of_o the_o church_n the_o case_n be_v otherwise_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o change_n of_o the_o emperor_n religion_n can_v not_o gain_v they_o any_o such_o new_a jurisdiction_n as_o be_v pretend_v for_o as_o magistracy_n in_o general_n do_v not_o imply_v a_o right_n to_o spiritual_a authority_n so_o neither_o do_v the_o denomination_n of_o christian_a give_v it_o any_o such_o advantage_n for_o i_o suppose_v spiritual_a dominion_n be_v no_o more_o found_v in_o grace_n than_o temporal_a in_o short_a if_o prince_n receive_v any_o such_o authority_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o christianity_n it_o must_v be_v convey_v either_o by_o revelation_n or_o imply_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o baptism_n as_o to_o the_o point_n of_o revelation_n the_o scripture_n no_o where_o teach_v we_o that_o prince_n upon_o their_o turn_n christian_n shall_v have_v their_o commission_n enlarge_v with_o the_o addition_n of_o episcopal_n or_o priestly_a power_n i_o grant_v it_o be_v foretell_v that_o king_n shall_v be_v nurse_v father_n to_o the_o church_n isa._n 49._o 23._o but_o then_o it_o be_v add_v that_o they_o shall_v bow_v down_o to_o she_o with_o their_o face_n towards_o the_o earth_n and_o elsewhere_o that_o they_o shall_v minister_v to_o she_o or_o serve_v she_o isa._n 60._o 10._o we_o see_v therefore_o we_o must_v not_o strain_v upon_o the_o letter_n in_o these_o expression_n nor_o press_v the_o metaphor_n too_o far_o unless_o we_o will_v conclude_v contradiction_n therefore_o the_o character_n of_o their_o be_v nurse_n father_n be_v sufficient_o fulfil_v by_o their_o afford_v christian_n protection_n and_o encouragement_n under_o their_o government_n and_o by_o finish_v the_o contempt_n of_o religion_n but_o that_o the_o magistrate_n conversion_n shall_v alter_v the_o seat_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n put_v a_o period_n to_o the_o apostolical_a succession_n and_o dissolve_v the_o church_n into_o the_o state_n be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o least_o hinted_a and_o as_o for_o baptism_n there_o be_v no_o authority_n of_o any_o kind_n imply_v in_o the_o receive_v that_o sacrament_n if_o there_o be_v every_o christian_n will_v have_v a_o equal_a share_n in_o this_o privilege_n which_o will_v make_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n monstrous_a in_o which_o all_o its_o member_n will_v be_v governor_n and_o so_o none_o under_o a_o obligation_n of_o be_v govern_v if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o the_o oxford_n greek_n manuscript_n publish_v the_o last_o year_n have_v prove_v by_o a_o collection_n of_o several_a instance_n that_o bishop_n though_o unjust_o deprive_v have_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o peace_n lay_v down_o their_o function_n and_o not_o contest_v their_o right_n with_o their_o successor_n provide_v they_o be_v not_o heretic_n and_o that_o the_o people_n make_v no_o scruple_n to_o communicate_v with_o the_o new_a bishop_n to_o this_o it_o may_v be_v return_v that_o this_o manuscript_n have_v be_v late_o undertake_v and_o show_v to_o be_v altogether_o unserviceable_a to_o the_o publisher_n design_n vid._n a_o vindication_n of_o the_o deprive_v bishop_n etc._n etc._n where_o the_o learned_a vindicator_n have_v prove_v first_o that_o though_o the_o instance_n allege_v in_o the_o manuscript_n be_v applicable_a to_o the_o present_a dispute_n they_o will_v fall_v far_o short_a of_o gain_v the_o cause_n i_o shall_v just_o mention_v some_o of_o his_o reason_n he_o have_v show_v the_o author_n of_o the_o manuscript_n to_o be_v defective_a in_o point_n of_o antiquity_n and_o little_o more_o than_o 400_o year_n old_a and_o that_o none_o of_o the_o instance_n rise_v high_a than_o the_o four_o century_n that_o they_o be_v not_o universal_a in_o respect_n of_o place_n all_o of_o they_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o greek_a church_n and_o most_o to_o the_o single_a see_v of_o constantinople_n far_o the_o learned_a vindicator_n observe_v that_o the_o precedent_n cite_v by_o the_o manuscript_n be_v naked_o represent_v without_o show_v whether_o the_o people_n who_o desert_v the_o deprive_v bishop_n believe_v they_o unjust_o deprive_v if_o they_o do_v not_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n they_o withdraw_v their_o obedience_n neither_o do_v his_o instance_n prove_v that_o the_o people_n think_v they_o try_v by_o a_o incompetent_a authority_n as_o well_o as_o unjust_o deprive_v now_o this_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v prove_v to_o have_v make_v the_o manuscript_n
serviceable_a to_o the_o publisher_n purpose_n for_o though_o a_o unjust_a sentence_n ought_v to_o be_v submit_v to_o when_o pronounce_v by_o a_o proper_a judge_n yet_o when_o the_o cause_n do_v not_o lie_v within_o the_o cognizance_n of_o the_o court_n all_o the_o proceed_n be_v null_a and_o void_a it_o shall_v have_v be_v make_v out_o that_o the_o bishop_n insist_v on_o their_o right_n and_o challenge_v submission_n from_o their_o people_n for_o if_o they_o acquiesce_v the_o case_n do_v not_o come_v up_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n but_o here_o the_o manuscript_n fail_v as_o it_o do_v also_o in_o clear_v whether_o the_o behaviour_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o people_n be_v found_v upon_o principle_n at_o that_o time_n own_v for_o if_o want_v of_o due_a information_n or_o fear_v or_o interest_n make_v they_o act_n as_o they_o do_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o their_o example_n the_o vindicator_n procee_v to_o give_v in_o counter-evidence_n and_o prove_v from_o st._n cyprian_n who_o dispute_v the_o case_n of_o sehism_n at_o large_a and_o live_v in_o a_o age_n very_o valuable_a for_o antiquity_n and_o integrity_n that_o the_o catholic_n church_n maintain_v the_o right_n of_o canonical_a bishop_n both_o against_o secular_a magistrate_n and_o schismatical_a intruder_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o case_n of_o cornelius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o be_v own_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n notwithstanding_o the_o opposition_n make_v by_o decius_n the_o emperor_n and_o novarian_n the_o anti-bishop_n and_o martian_a bishop_n of_o arles_n be_v refuse_v the_o communion_n of_o his_o brethren_n for_o own_v that_o of_o schismatic_n he_o observe_v that_o the_o principle_n insist_v on_o by_o st._n cyprian_n be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o his_o own_o age_n but_o maintain_v likewise_o by_o st._n augustin_n and_o optatus_n in_o their_o dispute_n against_o the_o donatist_n the_o vindicator_n pursue_v the_o argument_n and_o prove_v the_o antibishop_n and_o their_o adherent_n guilty_a of_o heresy_n for_o the_o avoid_n of_o which_o the_o author_n of_o the_o manuscript_n himself_o allow_v separation_n to_o be_v justifiable_a and_o necessary_a this_o charge_n he_o press_v upon_o they_o not_o only_o because_o they_o defend_v their_o novelty_n by_o principle_n but_o by_o such_o principle_n as_o strike_v at_o the_o root_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n for_o their_o be_v bishop_n suppose_v all_o spiritual_a as_o well_o as_o civil_a authority_n derive_v from_o the_o state_n which_o doctrine_n make_v it_o impossible_a for_o the_o church_n to_o subsist_v in_o a_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o since_o no_o society_n whether_o spiritual_a or_o secular_a can_v stand_v without_o a_o intrinsic_a power_n of_o government_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o society_n can_v be_v have_v any_o long_a than_o the_o society_n whence_o they_o arise_v continues_z from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o those_o opinion_n which_o destroy_v any_o society_n must_v destroy_v all_o those_o advantage_n which_o be_v design_v in_o the_o constitution_n and_o guard_v by_o it_o such_o tenant_n when_o they_o relate_v to_o the_o church_n may_v with_o propriety_n enough_o be_v call_v fundamental_a error_n which_o bring_v they_o under_o the_o modern_a and_o receive_v notion_n of_o heresy_n the_o learned_a vindicator_n in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o his_o book_n go_v on_o and_o show_v that_o though_o the_o oxford_n manuscript_n how_o favourable_a soever_o will_v have_v be_v a_o very_a slender_a defence_n for_o the_o antibishop_n and_o their_o party_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o countenance_n of_o this_o record_n the_o instance_n produce_v be_v foreign_a to_o the_o present_a controversy_n for_o in_o all_o the_o case_n mention_v in_o this_o manuscript_n except_v that_o of_o callinicus_n which_o be_v dubious_a and_o not_o to_o their_o purpose_n either_o the_o deprivation_n be_v pass_v in_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n or_o be_v ground_v upon_o resignation_n or_o heresy_n or_o else_o the_o deprive_v bishop_n insist_v upon_o their_o right_n and_o with_o their_o people_n form_v distinct_a communion_n from_o their_o intruder_n and_o thus_o in_o the_o course_n of_o 900_o year_n which_o be_v the_o length_n of_o the_o manuscript_n they_o have_v not_o one_o instance_n to_o prove_v that_o a_o lay-deprivation_n have_v any_o force_n against_o the_o spiritual_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n so_o singular_a as_o well_o as_o destructive_a be_v the_o principle_n our_o adversary_n establish_v themselves_o upon_o last_o the_o learned_a vindicator_n subjoin_v a_o collection_n of_o canon_n draw_v from_o those_o call_v the_o apostle_n from_o the_o council_n of_o gangra_n antioch_n carthage_n and_o constantinople_n which_o in_o all_o rational_a conjecture_n be_v add_v by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o manuscript_n though_o omit_v by_o the_o publisher_n in_o these_o canon_n it_o be_v solemn_o decree_v that_o if_o any_o deacon_n or_o priest_n shall_v despise_v their_o bishop_n and_o hold_v separate_a meeting_n from_o he_o unless_o he_o be_v deprive_v by_o a_o synod_n they_o be_v to_o be_v degrade_v this_o fault_n in_o the_o laity_n be_v punish_v with_o excommunication_n and_o if_o a_o bishop_n withdraw_v communion_n from_o his_o metropolitan_a unless_o synodical_o deprive_v he_o be_v to_o be_v depose_v by_o all_o which_o we_o may_v understand_v how_o far_o these_o council_n be_v from_o suppose_v that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v any_o power_n to_o deprive_v ecclesiastic_n of_o their_o spiritual_a authority_n these_o be_v some_o of_o the_o head_n upon_o which_o the_o learned_a vindicator_n proceed_v and_o which_o he_o maintain_v with_o admirable_a strength_n of_o reason_n and_o authority_n if_o the_o reader_n be_v incline_v to_o see_v the_o argument_n pursue_v at_o length_n and_o with_o its_o just_a advantage_n he_o may_v please_v to_o consult_v his_o excellent_a discourse_n from_o the_o independency_n of_o the_o church_n thus_o prove_v these_o conclusion_n natural_o follow_v first_o that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o state_n to_o deprive_v the_o church_n governor_n of_o their_o pure_o spiritual_a authority_n than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n to_o remove_v the_o magistracy_n or_o disincorporate_v the_o state_n for_o all_o punishment_n and_o censure_n suppose_v jurisdiction_n in_o the_o person_n who_o inflict_v it_o but_o this_o supposition_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o notion_n of_o independency_n those_o who_o be_v independent_a be_v in_o this_o sense_n equal_a so_o far_o as_o their_o independency_n reach_v and_o have_v no_o privilege_n to_o command_v or_o duty_n to_o obey_v on_o either_o side_n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v second_o that_o the_o bishop_n notwithstanding_o the_o lay-deprivation_n have_v the_o same_o spiritual_a authority_n they_o former_o have_v and_o their_o people_n the_o same_o obligation_n to_o remain_v in_o their_o communion_n the_o consequence_n of_o which_o be_v three_o that_o the_o antibishop_n who_o be_v possess_v of_o their_o see_v have_v no_o authority_n to_o govern._n these_o the_o people_n be_v bind_v to_o avoid_v upon_o the_o score_n of_o intrusion_n and_o schism_n i_o say_v upon_o the_o score_n of_o schism_n for_o since_o they_o have_v subject_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o the_o civil_a supremacy_n give_v up_o as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v the_o fundamental_a right_n of_o the_o church_n and_o make_v the_o be_v of_o religion_n precarious_a and_o dependent_a on_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o magistrate_n since_o they_o have_v either_o usurp_v the_o authority_n of_o lawful_a and_o canonical_a bishop_n or_o own_a those_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o such_o invasion_n the_o charge_n of_o schism_n and_o separation_n must_v lie_v at_o their_o own_o door_n such_o dangerous_a innovation_n as_o these_o as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v maintain_v must_v cut_v off_o all_o religious_a correspondence_n and_o make_v communion_n impracticable_a insomuch_o that_o those_o who_o join_v with_o the_o intruder_n will_v just_o fall_v under_o the_o same_o imputation_n of_o schism_n for_o revolt_a from_o their_o lawful_a bishop_n and_o make_v themselves_o one_o with_o those_o who_o be_v divide_v from_o the_o church_n four_o this_o privilege_n of_o independency_n in_o matter_n pure_o spiritual_a will_v reach_v the_o inferior_a clergy_n for_o their_o authority_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o bishop_n and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o they_o it_o can_v be_v subordinate_a or_o relate_v to_o no_o other_o head_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o therefore_o these_o can_v be_v no_o more_o discharge_v the_o exercise_n of_o their_o function_n by_o a_o lay_v power_n than_o the_o bishop_n thus_o we_o see_v communion_n with_o the_o pretend_a church_n of_o england_n must_v be_v unlawful_a even_o suppose_v the_o law-authority_n unexceptionable_a and_o that_o the_o church-service_n remain_v unaltered_a however_o let_v we_o put_v the_o case_n for_o we_o may_v suppose_v any_o thing_n that_o the_o deprive_v authority_n be_v itself_o defective_a