it_o for_o which_o cause_n they_o say_v we_o shall_v not_o use_v it_o in_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n lest_o we_o seem_v to_o sympolize_v with_o they_o therein_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o several_a thing_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o 1._o that_o though_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v strict_o enjoin_v kneel_v at_o the_o elevation_n of_o the_o host_n yet_o in_o the_o act_n of_o receive_v it_o be_v not_o require_v by_o any_o cannon_n or_o constitution_n of_o they_o dr._n john_n burges_n of_o great_a note_n in_o his_o time_n in_o his_o treatise_n touch_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n kneel_v or_o in_o his_o defence_n of_o the_o three_o innocent_a ceremony_n chap._n 21._o pag._n 67._o and_o pag._n 479._o of_o his_o rejoynder_n as_o he_o be_v recite_v for_o i_o have_v not_o his_o book_n have_v these_o word_n with_o we_o the_o bishop_n or_o minister_n communicate_v kneel_v as_o well_o as_o the_o people_n but_o with_o the_o papist_n the_o pope_n when_o himself_o perform_v the_o office_n receive_v sit_v as_o be_v a_o type_n of_o christ_n the_o mass_n priest_n receive_v stand_v by_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o mass_n for_o confirmation_n of_o all_o which_o he_o cite_v several_a author_n he_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o the_o people_n receive_v kneel_v and_o say_v that_o the_o priest_n do_v so_o too_o until_o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n beget_v the_o canon_n for_o his_o stand_n but_o he_o deny_v that_o kneel_v in_o the_o very_a time_n of_o receive_v be_v ever_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n any_o rite_n of_o or_o for_o adoration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n itself_o and_o say_v never_o any_o pope_n enjon_v it_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o direction_n in_o the_o mass_n for_o it_o the_o reverend_a dr._n stilliigfleet_n have_v assert_v much_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n in_o his_o unreasonableness_n of_o separation_n pag._n 15._o 2._o how_o or_o after_o what_o manner_n soever_o kneel_v have_v be_v abuse_v by_o the_o papist_n to_o bad_a purpose_n yet_o the_o abuse_n of_o a_o thing_n otherwise_o lawful_a in_o itself_o do_v not_o make_v the_o use_n of_o it_o unlawful_a when_o separate_v from_o that_o abuse_n kneel_v be_v abuse_v by_o the_o papist_n in_o their_o prayer_n to_o the_o virgin_n mary_n and_o other_o saint_n but_o this_o do_v not_o make_v the_o use_n of_o kneel_v unlawful_a in_o our_o prayer_n to_o almighty_a god_n 3._o our_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n kneel_v in_o compliance_n with_o public_a order_n and_o authority_n can_v be_v no_o appearance_n or_o cause_n of_o suspicion_n of_o bread-worship_n because_o the_o same_o authority_n which_o require_v our_o kneel_v therein_o have_v declare_v in_o the_o rubric_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o office_n of_o communion_n that_o no_o adoration_n be_v thereby_o intend_a or_o aught_o to_o the_o do_v to_o the_o bread_n and_o wine_n or_o to_o any_o corporal_a presence_n of_o christ_n natural_a flesh_n and_o blood_n but_o be_v intend_v and_o mean_v for_o a_o signification_n and_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o benesit_n of_o christ_n therein_o give_v by_o this_o we_o see_v all_o appearance_n and_o suspicion_n of_o require_v kneel_v in_o order_n to_o any_o bread-worship_n be_v quite_o take_v away_o 4._o stand_v be_v a_o gesture_n of_o adoration_n as_o well_o as_o kneel_v mark_v xi_o 25._o and_o yet_o the_o dissenter_n do_v not_o think_v it_o unlawful_a for_o that_o reason_n to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n stand_v and_o if_o its_o be_v a_o gesture_n of_o adoration_n be_v no_o just_a exception_n against_o the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n than_o the_o adoration_n suppose_v or_o employ_v in_o the_o gesture_n of_o kneel_v can_v be_v no_o just_a exception_n against_o the_o use_n of_o that_o gesture_n neither_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o same_o duty_n 5._o kneel_v its_o be_v a_o gesture_n of_o adoration_n be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v the_o use_n of_o it_o unlawful_a in_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n as_o that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a reason_n why_o it_o be_v not_o unlawful_a but_o fit_a and_o convenient_a for_o no_o good_a christian_n will_v deny_v but_o that_o it_o high_o become_v we_o inward_o to_o adore_v our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o the_o act_n of_o receive_v the_o bread_n and_o wine_n for_o his_o wonderful_a love_n in_o die_v for_o we_o and_o for_o give_v his_o flesh_n for_o the_o life_n of_o the_o world_n and_o if_o so_o than_o it_o can_v be_v incongruous_a or_o unfit_a to_o express_v and_o signify_v this_o internal_a act_n of_o adoration_n by_o another_o that_o be_v external_a for_o we_o be_v to_o worship_n and_o glorify_v he_o both_o in_o our_o body_n and_o our_o spirit_n and_o now_o i_o think_v no_o man_n atho_fw-mi understand_v and_o consider_v these_o thing_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o think_v it_o unlawful_a to_o kneel_v in_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n the_o content_n or_o the_o head_n of_o enquiry_n query_n i._n what_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o visible_a pag._n 3_o query_n ii_o what_o be_v it_o which_o prepare_v or_o qualify_v person_n for_o that_o relation_n to_o god_n in_o christ_n which_o make_v they_o visible_a member_n of_o his_o church_n 6._o query_n iii_o what_o may_v that_o be_v by_o which_o people_n be_v make_v visible_a church-member_n 9_o query_n iu._n how_o and_o when_o be_v the_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o man_n enter_v into_o by_o which_o people_n be_v external_o unite_v to_o christ_n and_o visible_o make_v member_n of_o his_o church_n 13_o query_n v._n how_o can_v infant_n become_v visible_a church-member_n by_o covenant_v with_o god_n since_o they_o seem_v natural_o uncapable_a of_o do_v such_o a_o thing_n 19_o query_n vi_o whether_o in_o the_o baptise_n of_o child_n that_o method_n of_o proceed_v be_v not_o most_o proper_a by_o which_o the_o child_n be_v most_o direct_o make_v to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n by_o their_o parent_n 38_o query_n vii_o for_o what_o reason_n be_v church-membership_a say_v to_o be_v invisible_a as_o well_o as_o visible_a in_o some_o and_o yet_o but_o only_o as_o visible_a in_o other_o and_o from_o whence_o do_v this_o difference_n arise_v 41_o query_n viii_o whether_o man_n be_v no_o otherwise_o member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o visible_a then_o as_o they_o be_v repute_v member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a 53_o query_n ix_o whether_o god_n have_v grant_v any_o right_n to_o church-priviledge_n to_o those_o who_o be_v only_o of_o the_o church_n as_o visible_a but_o not_o as_o invisible_a 123_o query_n x._o why_o and_o for_o what_o reason_n may_v it_o be_v conceive_v do_v almighty_a god_n own_o and_z and_o allow_v other_o to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n as_o visible_a than_o only_o such_o as_o be_v of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a 173_o query_n xi_o what_o be_v it_o that_o make_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o visible_a and_o particular_a church_n and_o what_o make_v the_o difference_n between_o one_o particular_a church_n and_o another_o 207_o query_n xii_o whether_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o extent_n and_o latitude_n of_o visible_a church-membership_a and_o communion_n which_o have_v be_v discourse_v of_o the_o great_a usefulness_n of_o a_o national_a settlement_n or_o constitution_n for_o the_o public_a emercise_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o all_o part_n of_o a_o nation_n profess_v christianity_n may_v not_o fair_o be_v infer_v and_o conclude_v 225_o query_n xiii_o wherein_o may_v catholick-church_n communion_n consist_v and_o how_o and_o by_o what_o mean_n be_v it_o best_o preserve_v 265_o query_n fourteen_o what_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o schism_n 300_o query_n xv._o suppose_v thing_n touch_v visible_a church-membership_a and_o communion_n to_o be_v as_o they_o have_v be_v represent_v in_o our_o former_a inquiry_n yet_o how_o do_v they_o tend_v to_o lessen_v our_o church-division_n 349_o errata_fw-la the_o run_v title_n of_o the_o book_n mistake_v pag._n 22._o l._n 23._o deal_n since_o p._n 31._o l._n 1._o after_o all_o add_v these_o p._n 39_o l._n 27._o for_o proper_o r._n property_n p._n 48._o l._n 5._o f._n who_o r._n when_o l._n 25._o deal_n also_o p._n 54._o l._n 15._o f._n man_v r._n mens_fw-la p._n 57_o l._n 16._o f._n man_n r._n man_n p._n 61._o l._n 12._o f._n take_v r._n break_v p._n 62._o l._n 2._o f._n in_o r._n on_o p._n 118._o l._n 8._o f._n qualify_v r._n qaalified_a p._n 195._o l._n 2._o f._n bein_z r._n being_z p._n 335._o l._n 19_o f._n rule_n r._n cure_n catholicism_n or_o several_a inquiry_n touch_v the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o visible_a church-membership_n and_o communion_n etc._n etc._n notion_n narrow_a than_o those_o which_o will_v hold_v scripture-measure_n concern_v the_o church_n and_o what_o it_o
house_n be_v do_v by_o their_o confederation_n and_o covenant_n as_o the_o cement_n by_o which_o the_o christian_n be_v unite_v and_o combine_v in_o one_o particular_a church_n fit_o frame_v together_o as_o the_o phrase_n be_v ephes_n 2._o but_o st._n peter_n be_v not_o here_o speak_v to_o any_o one_o particular_a church_n as_o such_o when_o he_o say_v you_o be_v build_v up_o a_o spiritual_a house_n but_o to_o the_o stranger_n scatter_v abroad_o throughout_o pontus_n galatia_n cappadocia_n asia_n and_o bethynia_n as_o appear_v chap._n 1.1_o and_o no_o one_o sure_o can_v think_v that_o these_o christian_n thus_o scatter_v and_o at_o this_o distance_n can_v become_v one_o particular_a church_n by_o such_o a_o mutual_a confederation_n as_o these_o hold_v necessary_a for_o the_o form_v a_o particular_a church_n and_o if_o not_o it_o must_v be_v by_o virtue_n of_o somewhat_o else_o than_o such_o a_o particular_a church_n covenant_n as_o these_o dissent_v brethren_n think_v to_o find_v here_o by_o which_o christian_n in_o so_o many_o distant_a part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o aforesaid_a be_v build_v up_o one_o spiritual_a house_n and_o that_o doubtless_o must_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o which_o all_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n become_v one_o spiritual_a house_n of_o god_n for_o so_o they_o be_v for_o when_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o be_v high_a priest_n over_o the_o house_n of_o god_n heb._n 10.21_o and_o to_o be_v faithful_a as_o a_o sen_n over_o his_o own_o house_n heb._n 3.6_o house_n in_o these_o place_n can_v signify_v less_o than_o the_o universal_a christian_a church_n who_o be_v call_v the_o household_n of_o faith_n and_o how_o do_v all_o these_o christian_n become_v the_o house_n of_o god_n but_o by_o be_v join_v and_o devote_v to_o he_o by_o the_o baptismal_a covenant_n and_o thereby_o to_o one_o another_o among_o who_o he_o dwell_v and_o be_v worship_v as_o in_o his_o holy_a temple_n for_o by_o this_o they_o all_o become_v one_o body_n which_o be_v but_o another_o metaphor_n under_o which_o to_o express_v the_o same_o thing_n ephes_n 2.21_o 22._o 1_o cor._n 12.13_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o make_v person_n member_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a that_o qualify_v they_o for_o particular_a church_n membership_n and_o that_o be_v the_o baptismal_a covenant_n and_o to_o make_v any_o other_o covenant_n beside_o this_o so_o necessary_a to_o qualify_v man_n for_o particular_a church_n membership_n and_o communion_n as_o to_o make_v this_o of_o god_n own_o appointment_n insufficient_a for_o that_o end_n be_v a_o great_a impeachment_n of_o it_o and_o contain_v in_o it_o such_o consequence_n as_o the_o abetter_n of_o it_o will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o countenance_v if_o they_o be_v aware_a of_o it_o for_o so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v assert_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a appointment_n the_o formal_a cause_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o essential_a to_o its_o be_v and_o be_v make_v the_o condition_n of_o communion_n when_o god_n have_v no_o where_o appoint_v or_o require_v it_o so_o long_v it_o may_v be_v charge_v with_o these_o evil_n 1._o with_o a_o teach_n for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n a_o piece_n of_o vain_a worship_n condemn_v by_o our_o saviour_n mat._n 15.9_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o add_v to_o god_n word_n or_o a_o say_n he_o say_v when_o he_o have_v not_o say_v it_o 2._o it_o be_v in_o some_o sort_n and_o in_o part_n a_o make_v void_a the_o command_n or_o institution_n of_o god_n that_o man_n may_v establish_v their_o own_o tradition_n for_o whereas_o the_o baptismal_a covenant_n qualify_v man_n for_o particular_a church_n membership_n by_o bring_v they_o into_o the_o universal_a church_n this_o opinion_n deny_v the_o baptismal_a covenant_n to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o this_o end_n and_o set_v up_o this_o other_o confederate_v in_o its_o room_n 3._o it_o contain_v in_o it_o the_o unchurch_a of_o all_o those_o gospel_n church_n that_o be_v or_o ever_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v not_o be_v thus_o unite_v by_o church_n covenant_v for_o to_o say_v this_o be_v the_o form_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o the_o formal_a cause_n of_o it_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v that_o none_o be_v real_o church_n without_o it_o for_o matter_n and_o form_n be_v essential_a to_o the_o be_v of_o church_n as_o well_o as_o they_o be_v of_o other_o thing_n now_o to_o unchurch_n all_o church_n that_o have_v not_o be_v thus_o confederate_a be_v a_o great_a thing_n indeed_o if_o we_o consider_v how_o few_o year_n it_o be_v since_o such_o covenant_n be_v hear_v of_o in_o any_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o by_o how_o inconsiderable_a a_o number_n of_o congregation_n it_o have_v be_v use_v since_o it_o have_v be_v hear_v of_o these_o thing_n consider_v it_o be_v matter_n of_o a_o very_a venturous_a and_o dare_a nature_n as_o for_o the_o other_o part_n of_o our_o enquiry_n touch_v that_o which_o make_v the_o difference_n between_o one_o particular_a church_n and_o another_o we_o may_v conceive_v of_o it_o thus_o 1._o it_o consist_v partly_o in_o that_o which_o do_v distinguish_v one_o town_n from_o another_o or_o one_o great_a neighbourhood_n from_o another_o and_o that_o be_v the_o bound_n of_o habitation_n and_o this_o distinction_n be_v as_o well_o convenient_a yea_o necessary_a for_o ecclesiastical_a order_n and_o peaceable_a government_n as_o it_o be_v for_o civil_a and_o do_v as_o well_o accommodate_v the_o end_n of_o the_o one_o as_o of_o the_o other_o and_o without_o this_o a_o peaceable_a and_o orderly_a government_n in_o the_o whole_a church_n will_v be_v impracticable_a even_o as_o it_o will_v be_v in_o a_o universal_a empire_n and_o thus_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v difference_v and_o distinguish_v one_o from_o another_o that_o at_o rome_n from_o that_o at_o corinth_n and_o that_o at_o ephesus_n from_o that_o at_o philippi_n yea_o that_o at_o cenchrea_fw-mi from_o that_o at_o corinth_n which_o yet_o border_v upon_o corinth_n and_o so_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o indeed_o that_o difference_n which_o be_v make_v between_o church_n and_o church_n by_o vicinity_n of_o neighbourhood_n and_o cohabitation_n do_v best_a answer_v the_o end_n of_o particular_a church_n association_n such_o as_o be_v assemble_v together_o for_o public_a worship_n and_o mutual_a assistance_n in_o all_o christian_a office_n of_o brotherly_a love_n and_o friendship_n but_o this_o alone_a do_v not_o constitute_v christian_n dwell_v together_o in_o the_o same_o place_n a_o particular_a christian_a church_n though_o by_o their_o be_v of_o the_o church_n universal_a they_o be_v as_o fit_a matter_n qualify_v for_o it_o but_o 2._o that_o which_o do_v constitute_v such_o to_o be_v a_o particular_a church_n as_o that_o signify_v a_o company_n of_o christian_n in_o local_a communion_n in_o divine_a worship_n consist_v in_o the_o participation_n of_o gospel_n ordinance_n be_v the_o place_n over_o they_o one_o or_o more_o church-officer_n to_o minister_v to_o they_o therein_o by_o which_o officer_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o place_n where_o they_o dwell_v and_o where_o they_o assemble_v for_o worship_n they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o other_o like_a church_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o other_o church-officer_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n for_o by_o such_o their_o joint_a local_a communion_n in_o the_o worship_n administer_v by_o their_o spiritual_a guide_n or_o pastor_n they_o be_v unite_v with_o he_o and_o among_o themselves_o as_o one_o worship_v congregation_n by_o which_o union_n also_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o other_o particular_a church_n as_o other_o particular_a church_n in_o like_a manner_n be_v from_o they_o those_o of_o the_o independent_a churchway_n do_v indeed_o hold_v particular_a church_n as_o such_o to_o be_v antecedent_n to_o any_o church-officer_n over_o they_o which_o be_v the_o reason_n which_o dr._n owen_n in_o his_o inquiry_n concern_v church_n do_v allege_v to_o prove_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n and_o to_o prove_v particular_a church_n to_o be_v antecedent_n to_o church_n officer_n he_o quote_v act_n 14.23_o where_o it_o be_v say_v of_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o when_o they_o have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n etc._n etc._n as_o for_o this_o proof_n of_o his_o assertion_n i_o shall_v consider_v it_o by_o and_o by_o but_o shall_v first_o examine_v and_o try_v what_o be_v in_o the_o assertion_n itself_o which_o i_o be_o incline_v to_o think_v will_v be_v find_v full_a of_o mistake_n and_o that_o the_o contrary_n will_v be_v find_v true_a viz._n that_o the_o evangelical_n ministry_n be_v and_o always_o have_v be_v antecedent_n to_o the_o existence_n of_o christian_a church_n and_o indeed_o a_o instrumental_a cause_n of_o their_o be_v and_o this_o be_v true_a not_o only_o of_o particular_a church_n but_o also_o
be_v that_o make_v man_n to_o be_v of_o it_o and_o concern_v church-communion_n and_o what_o it_o be_v that_o qualify_v man_n for_o it_o have_v be_v the_o true_a reason_n and_o cause_n of_o our_o church-division_n and_o separation_n in_o great_a part_n where_o such_o notion_n have_v be_v entertain_v my_o present_a design_n therefore_o which_o i_o intend_v to_o pursue_v in_o these_o paper_n be_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o true_a measure_n which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n give_v we_o of_o these_o thing_n that_o thereby_o we_o may_v the_o more_o steady_o and_o with_o the_o more_o certainty_n make_v a_o true_a judgement_n of_o those_o separation_n in_o church-communion_n which_o have_v be_v make_v and_o applaud_v by_o some_o i_o shall_v begin_v with_o what_o concern_v the_o be_v of_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o visible_a and_o then_o inquire_v how_o and_o by_o what_o mean_v man_n become_v member_n of_o it_o after_o this_o i_o shall_v inquire_v further_a what_o it_o be_v that_o qualify_v man_n for_o and_o which_o give_v they_o a_o right_a to_o external_a communion_n in_o this_o church_n as_o exercise_v in_o particular_a congregation_n and_o likewise_o into_o the_o nature_n of_o catholick-communion_n and_o schism_n and_o the_o usefulness_n of_o national-constitution_n for_o the_o furtherance_n of_o christian_a religion_n query_n i._n what_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o visible_a the_o universal_a church_n as_o visible_a be_v that_o body_n company_n or_o society_n of_o people_n throughout_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o consist_v of_o all_o such_o as_o be_v visible_o join_v or_o unite_v to_o god_n in_o christ_n as_o head_n by_o a_o religious_a bond._n and_o that_o which_o do_v distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o other_o people_n in_o the_o world_n be_v that_o relation_n they_o bear_v to_o god_n different_a from_o that_o in_o which_o all_o other_o people_n stand_v relate_v to_o he_o and_o this_o relation_n be_v a_o religious_a relation_n by_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v near_o to_o god_n than_o all_o other_o people_n be_v all_o other_o people_n be_v relate_v as_o humane_a creature_n to_o god_n as_o their_o creator_n and_o governor_n but_o these_o be_v relate_v to_o he_o by_o another_o kind_n of_o bond_n &_o obligation_n such_o as_o be_v spiritual_a and_o of_o a_o religious_a nature_n of_o which_o i_o be_o to_o say_v more_o afterward_o and_o then_o as_o this_o relation_n be_v external_n and_o visible_a so_o that_o by_o which_o this_o relation_n be_v effect_v and_o wrought_v be_v something_o visible_a also_o which_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o relation_n itself_o be_v say_v to_o be_v visible_a now_o the_o person_n thus_o visible_o relate_v to_o god_n in_o christ_n be_v not_o all_o religious_o relate_v to_o he_o alike_o some_o of_o they_o be_v relate_v and_o unite_v to_o he_o internal_o and_o invisible_o by_o a_o invisible_a bond_n of_o union_n over_o and_o beside_o their_o visible_a relation_n to_o he_o by_o that_o which_o be_v visible_a when_o as_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v relate_v to_o he_o only_o external_o or_o if_o in_o any_o respect_n internal_o also_o yet_o not_o so_o or_o by_o such_o a_o relation_n as_o will_v entitle_v they_o to_o the_o internal_a and_o best_a sort_n of_o privilege_n of_o god_n people_n such_o as_o justification_n reconciliation_n pardon_v and_o eternal_a life_n but_o yet_o this_o difference_n do_v not_o make_v this_o body_n of_o people_n which_o be_v external_o one_o by_o a_o relation_n to_o god_n common_a to_o the_o whole_a to_o become_v two_o universal_a church_n for_o all_o which_o essential_o belong_v to_o the_o be_v of_o the_o universal_a church_n be_v not_o limit_v and_o restrain_v to_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o internal_a and_o invisible_a state_n do_v differ_v from_o and_o excel_v the_o other_o for_o the_o external_n relation_n to_o god_n without_o which_o the_o universal_a church_n do_v not_o exist_v be_v common_a to_o the_o worse_a part_n of_o it_o as_o well_o as_o the_o better_a by_o reason_n whereof_o they_o can_v be_v two_o church_n and_o be_v but_o one_o one_o part_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n differ_v from_o another_o indeed_o in_o respect_n of_o internal_a and_o invisible_a state_n before_o god_n this_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o scripture_n but_o than_o it_o be_v as_o plain_a from_o thence_o that_o as_o touch_v their_o external_n and_o visible_a state_n they_o be_v one_o and_o that_o the_o same_o external_a privilege_n belong_v to_o the_o one_o as_o to_o the_o other_o of_o which_o more_o afterward_o we_o have_v not_o indeed_o the_o word_n visible_a and_o invisible_a use_v in_o scripture_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o two_o different_a state_n of_o man_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o church_n but_o yet_o we_o have_v those_o different_a state_n of_o they_o sufficient_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n which_o we_o mean_v by_o those_o word_n i_o need_v not_o instance_n in_o scripture_n of_o this_o nature_n because_o they_o be_v sufficient_o and_o common_o know_v and_o i_o shall_v have_v further_a occasion_n to_o mention_v they_o afterward_o query_n ii_o what_o be_v it_o which_o prepare_v or_o qualify_v person_n for_o that_o relation_n to_o god_n in_o christ_n which_o make_v they_o visible_a member_n of_o his_o church_n there_o be_v something_o previous_a to_o that_o by_o which_o the_o relation_n in_o man_n to_o god_n be_v wrought_v which_o make_v they_o visible_a member_n of_o his_o church_n and_o which_o do_v capacitate_v they_o for_o it_o and_o that_o be_v their_o be_v external_o call_v by_o god_n to_o be_v of_o the_o true_a religion_n person_n lare_fw-la first_o to_o become_v disciple_n before_o they_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n and_o their_o become_a disciple_n and_o their_o be_v call_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n this_o be_v the_o foundation_n in_o which_o that_o relation_n be_v lay_v and_o upon_o which_o that_o which_o do_v effect_v it_o be_v build_v and_o people_n be_v thus_o call_v either_o 1._o when_o they_o be_v convert_v from_o a_o false_a religion_n to_o own_o and_o profess_v the_o true_a and_o thus_o the_o pagan_n be_v call_v by_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o be_v disciple_n or_o 2._o when_o almighty_a god_n cause_v they_o to_o be_v bear_v and_o to_o be_v educate_v in_o the_o true_a religion_n as_o those_o be_v who_o be_v bear_v of_o parent_n external_o in_o covenant_n with_o god_n thus_o the_o jewish_a people_n from_o abraham_n time_n downward_o be_v call_v to_o be_v god_n people_n and_o to_o profess_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o according_o they_o be_v style_v god_n call_v once_o by_o the_o prophet_n isa_n 48.12_o harken_v to_o i_o o_o jacob_n and_o israel_n my_o call_v and_o how_o be_v they_o call_v abraham_n indeed_o he_o be_v call_v extraordinary_o by_o god_n who_o appear_v to_o he_o when_o he_o be_v in_o mesopotamia_n before_o he_o dwell_v in_o charran_n act._n 7.2_o but_o his_o posterity_n be_v call_v by_o be_v bear_v to_o and_o educate_v in_o the_o same_o religion_n which_o he_o himself_o be_v of_o and_o so_o be_v his_o child_n child_n from_o generation_n to_o generation_n and_o thus_o have_v it_o be_v in_o call_v person_n to_o be_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n at_o the_o first_o erection_n of_o the_o church_n as_o christian_a man_n be_v extraordinary_o call_v by_o the_o preach_a and_o miracle_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o they_o be_v call_v and_o convert_v from_o the_o pagan_a and_o jewish_a religion_n to_o own_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o since_o the_o time_n of_o first_o plant_v the_o gospel_n up_o and_o down_o in_o the_o world_n god_n ordinary_a and_o common_a method_n of_o call_v man_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v be_v by_o their_o christian_a parent_n educate_v they_o in_o it_o and_o indeed_o their_o be_v bear_v of_o parent_n in_o a_o especial_a relation_n to_o god_n be_v in_o itself_o a_o providential_a call_v which_o qualify_v they_o for_o the_o privilege_n of_o be_v so_o relate_v also_o for_o upon_o that_o account_n they_o be_v both_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o now_o style_v a_o holy_a seed_n that_o be_v a_o seed_n separate_v from_o the_o infidel_n world_n to_o god_n and_o by_o this_o the_o female_n of_o the_o jew_n become_v church-member_n and_o by_o this_o be_v their_o male_n qualify_v to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n by_o circumcision_n at_o eight_o day_n old_a but_o of_o these_o thing_n further_a mention_n will_v be_v make_v in_o the_o process_n of_o our_o inquiry_n query_n iii_o what_o may_v that_o be_v by_o which_o people_n be_v make_v visible_a church-member_n that_o by_o which_o people_n be_v constitute_v complete_o visible_a church-member_n be_v a_o mutual_a covenant_v between_o god_n and_o they_o between_o christ_n
as_o they_o own_v he_o only_o for_o their_o god_n according_a to_o their_o covenant_n with_o he_o though_o otherwise_o they_o have_v great_a guilt_n upon_o they_o this_o still_o confirm_v what_o be_v say_v before_o that_o though_o the_o immorality_n of_o this_o people_n for_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o be_v such_o in_o other_o respect_n as_o that_o all_o that_o they_o have_v do_v in_o covenant_v and_o in_o a_o partial_a performance_n of_o covenant_n can_v not_o give_v they_o the_o reputation_n of_o be_v member_n of_o the_o invisible_a church_n yet_o their_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o partial_a performance_n of_o it_o in_o worship_v he_o only_o with_o a_o worship_n of_o his_o own_o appointment_n do_v denominate_v they_o in_o a_o external_a and_o visible_a respect_n to_o be_v his_o people_n and_o so_o his_o as_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o by_o the_o way_n then_o if_o those_o of_o this_o church_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v style_v saint_n a_o holy_a people_n and_o the_o like_a upon_o other_o account_n and_o in_o other_o respect_n than_o their_o be_v real_o and_o inherent_o holy_a as_o i_o have_v show_v they_o be_v by_o inspire_a man_n than_o it_o can_v be_v conclude_v but_o that_o the_o people_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v so_o likewise_o when_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o epistle_n to_o they_o style_v they_o saint_n the_o sanctify_a in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o the_o like_a for_o the_o same_o epithet_n and_o appellation_n signify_v but_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o in_o the_o new_a in_o both_o they_o signify_v a_o people_n separate_v from_o the_o pagan_a unbelieve_a world_n unto_o god_n among_o who_o some_o be_v more_o so_o and_o some_o less_o some_o by_o external_a covenant_n and_o profession_n and_o some_o by_o that_o and_o much_o more_o to_o wit_n by_o the_o renovation_n of_o the_o whole_a inner_a man_n i_o the_o rather_o note_v this_o as_o i_o pass_v along_o because_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n lay_v so_o great_a a_o stress_n as_o they_o do_v upon_o st._n paul_n still_v the_o church_n to_o who_o he_o write_v saint_n for_o the_o prove_v as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o that_o none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v save_o sanctify_a be_v church-matter_n or_o to_o be_v admit_v as_o church-member_n except_o when_o it_o be_v do_v through_o mistake_n of_o they_o that_o admit_v they_o have_v take_v a_o brief_a survey_n how_o thing_n stand_v relate_v touch_v visible_a church-membership_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o inquire_v how_o matter_n stand_v declare_v touch_v the_o same_o under_o the_o new_a and_o our_o inquiry_n must_v be_v whether_o person_n adult_n be_v by_o no_o other_o mean_n visible_a church-member_n unless_o they_o be_v reputative_o member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a or_o whether_o they_o do_v not_o become_v true_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n in_o scripture_n account_n by_o their_o voluntary_a covenant_v by_o baptism_n with_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n though_o it_o shall_v be_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v not_o enough_o in_o they_o to_o denominate_v they_o member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o it_o do_v not_o become_v those_o who_o admit_v man_n into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n and_o the_o baptismal_a covenant_n to_o think_v the_o best_a of_o they_o who_o be_v so_o admit_v and_o to_o hope_v they_o do_v it_o with_o a_o sincere_a mind_n when_o they_o therein_o give_v up_o themselves_o too_o god_n but_o whether_o their_o due_a admission_n thereto_o do_v depend_v upon_o such_o a_o judgement_n in_o those_o that_o admit_v they_o or_o whether_o such_o person_n may_v be_v refuse_v and_o not_o suffer_v to_o covenant_n with_o god_n in_o baptism_n and_o thereby_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n though_o they_o offer_v themselves_o thereto_o and_o desire_v it_o in_o case_n those_o who_o office_n and_o place_n it_o be_v to_o admit_v man_n thereto_o shall_v be_v unsatisfied_a touch_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o save_a conversion_n or_o regeneration_n or_o thus_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o the_o duty_n of_o every_o man_n that_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n in_o baptism_n to_o do_v it_o with_o a_o sincere_a mind_n and_o with_o all_o his_o heart_n but_o whether_o this_o be_v require_v by_o way_n of_o condition_n without_o which_o it_o be_v neither_o lawful_a for_o the_o person_n himself_o to_o covenant_n with_o god_n nor_o for_o other_o to_o suffer_v he_o to_o do_v it_o if_o they_o suspect_v he_o will_v do_v it_o with_o such_o a_o frame_n of_o mind_n as_o be_v short_a of_o regeneration_n nor_o be_v the_o question_n whether_o a_o man_n may_v not_o be_v refuse_v admission_n into_o the_o church_n in_o case_n there_o be_v cause_n to_o suspect_v he_o to_o have_v a_o evil_a design_n in_o desire_v it_o to_o betray_v the_o christian_n to_o their_o enemy_n upon_o account_n of_o which_o suspicion_n its_o probable_a the_o disciple_n refuse_v saul_n join_v with_o they_o after_o his_o conversion_n though_o he_o desire_v it_o until_o they_o have_v receive_v better_a satisfaction_n concern_v he_o but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o such_o as_o have_v only_o some_o general_n and_o in_o distinct_a belief_n that_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n by_o his_o death_n and_o that_o the_o way_n of_o christianity_n be_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n and_o do_v desire_v admission_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v further_o instruct_v in_o that_o way_n and_o in_o order_n thereto_o be_v willing_a to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o to_o be_v baptise_a i_o say_v the_o question_n be_v whether_o such_o may_v be_v suffer_v to_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n suppose_v they_o as_o yet_o to_o have_v no_o thorough_a save_a work_n of_o conversion_n wrought_v in_o they_o but_o only_o so_o much_o as_o may_v be_v hope_v be_v preparatory_a and_o dispository_n thereto_o but_o yet_o have_v something_o though_o not_o all_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o it_o and_o who_o profession_n be_v serious_a and_o sincere_a so_o far_o as_o it_o go_v as_o that_o be_v oppose_v to_o dissemble_v know_o and_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o may_v and_o that_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o such_o covenant_n by_o baptism_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o their_o be_v saving_o regenerate_v and_o that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o own_v unregenerate_a man_n receive_v into_o the_o visible_a church_n by_o such_o covenant_n in_o baptism_n to_o be_v as_o well_o member_n of_o it_o as_o the_o regenerate_v i_o shall_v offer_v several_a thing_n 1._o and_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o this_o first_o as_o a_o foundation_n to_o build_v upon_o in_o this_o proof_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n unlawful_a in_o itself_o for_o some_o such_o as_o be_v not_o of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a by_o regenerate_a grace_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n to_o be_v his_o people_n nor_o be_v such_o a_o qualification_n enjoin_v as_o a_o necessary_a condition_n of_o do_v so_o when_o all_o the_o male_n at_o age_n in_o abraham_n house_n be_v command_v to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n by_o circumcision_n and_o when_o his_o seed_n after_o he_o be_v require_v to_o cause_v all_o the_o male-stranger_n buy_v with_o their_o money_n to_o do_v the_o like_a and_o when_o the_o proselyte_n from_o among_o the_o gentile_n be_v require_v to_o circumcise_v themselves_o and_o all_o their_o male_n and_o thereby_o to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o god_n i_o say_v in_o all_o this_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o their_o be_v circumcise_a in_o heart_n enjoin_v as_o a_o condition_n of_o their_o so_o enter_v into_o covenant_n by_o circumcision_n the_o lord_n also_o command_v joshua_n to_o circumcise_v all_o the_o hebrew_n male_n that_o in_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n have_v be_v bear_v in_o the_o wilderness_n which_o be_v a_o enter_v they_o into_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o this_o without_o any_o condition_n of_o such_o qualification_n as_o will_v have_v make_v they_o of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a nay_o almighty_a god_n at_o another_o time_n command_v all_o israel_n man_n woman_n and_o child_n and_o the_o stranger_n in_o their_o camp_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o into_o his_o oath_n deut._n 29.10_o 11_o 12._o this_o command_n be_v absolute_a and_o peremptory_a also_o and_o without_o condition_n the_o lord_n do_v not_o in_o this_o nor_o in_o any_o of_o the_o other_o instance_n require_v man_n to_o enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o he_o only_o upon_o this_o condition_n that_o they_o do_v already_o true_o fear_v he_o and_o sincere_o love_v he_o or_o otherwise_o to_o forbear_v no_o
the_o visible_a church_n as_o member_n of_o the_o invisible_a will_v be_v thereby_o strengthen_v in_o their_o self-flattery_n and_o good_a opinion_n they_o have_v of_o themselves_o touch_n their_o good_a and_o safe_a condition_n when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o matter_n and_o when_o they_o find_v the_o good_a opinion_n they_o have_v of_o themselves_o thus_o strengthen_v by_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o church_n concur_v with_o they_o therein_o they_o will_v be_v under_o the_o great_a temptation_n and_o in_o so_o much_o the_o great_a danger_n of_o rest_v secure_o in_o that_o unsafe_a condition_n to_o the_o great_a hazard_n of_o their_o soul_n we_o know_v or_o have_v abundant_a reason_n to_o suspect_v that_o many_o that_o have_v but_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n be_v laodicean_n like_v less_o apt_a to_o suspect_v the_o goodness_n of_o their_o own_o condition_n before_o god_n than_o they_o that_o be_v true_o sincere_a how_o much_o less_o will_v they_o suspect_v it_o and_o how_o much_o more_o will_v they_o be_v confirm_v in_o the_o good_a opinion_n of_o themselves_o though_o false_a when_o they_o have_v the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o church_n to_o back_v they_o in_o it_o and_o that_o after_o inspection_n have_v be_v make_v into_o their_o life_n and_o sign_n of_o their_o conversion_n approve_v of_o as_o the_o manner_n be_v of_o those_o that_o go_v that_o way_n of_o this_o danger_n and_o of_o this_o great_a inconvenience_n some_o of_o the_o new_a england_n divine_v grow_v sensible_a after_o they_o have_v make_v trial_n of_o that_o way_n a_o great_a while_n for_o in_o their_o answer_n to_o mr._n davenport_v apologetical_a preface_n pa._n 43_o 44._o they_o express_v themselves_o in_o these_o word_n indeed_o when_o man_n confound_v these_o two_o and_o do_v the_o visible_a church_n interest_n unto_o such_o condition_n and_o qualification_n as_o be_v repute_v enough_o to_o salvation_n this_o may_v tend_v to_o harden_v man_n and_o to_o make_v they_o conceit_n that_o if_o once_o they_o be_v but_o get_v into_o the_o church_n they_o be_v sure_a of_o heaven_n when_o as_o alas_o it_o may_v be_v they_o be_v far_o from_o it_o but_o now_o there_o be_v no_o such_o danger_n do_v arise_v from_o man_n be_v own_v visible_a church_n member_n from_o their_o profess_v to_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o from_o their_o covenant_a to_o endeavour_v to_o live_v according_a to_o it_o such_o profession_n and_o such_o covenant_a do_v indeed_o give_v ground_n of_o hope_n to_o the_o church_n that_o such_o will_v not_o be_v so_o regardless_o of_o their_o own_o salvation_n as_o not_o to_o be_v willing_a to_o learn_v their_o duty_n and_o to_o endeavour_v to_o do_v it_o that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v but_o yet_o such_o hope_n of_o the_o church_n concern_v their_o good_a performance_n for_o the_o future_a do_v not_o minister_v any_o occasion_n of_o confidence_n in_o such_o man_n that_o they_o have_v already_o perform_v what_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o salvation_n as_o a_o receive_v they_o into_o the_o church_n and_o unto_o communion_n as_o have_v in_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o church_n already_o perform_v it_o will_v do_v this_o act_n of_o the_o church_n in_o receive_v they_o into_o communion_n in_o her_o external_a privilege_n in_o hope_n of_o their_o improve_n they_o to_o the_o save_n of_o their_o soul_n give_v they_o no_o ground_n of_o confidence_n of_o the_o safety_n and_o goodness_n of_o their_o condition_n thereby_o further_o than_o they_o be_v careful_a to_o make_v their_o call_v and_o election_n sure_a by_o use_v all_o diligence_n in_o improve_n the_o opportunity_n and_o mean_n of_o do_v so_o by_o their_o be_v in_o the_o church_n man_n be_v too_o prone_a to_o lay_v too_o great_a a_o stress_n upon_o their_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o communion_n though_o the_o church_n have_v pass_v no_o judgement_n thereby_o of_o their_o be_v of_o the_o invisible_a church_n how_o much_o more_o will_v they_o do_v so_o in_o case_n it_o have_v st._n paul_n be_v sensible_a i_o doubt_v not_o how_o prone_a many_o christian_n be_v to_o lay_v too_o much_o stress_n mere_o upon_o their_o be_v of_o the_o church_n and_o partaker_n in_o the_o external_a communion_n thereof_o for_o which_o cause_n he_o caution_v the_o christian_n against_o flatter_v themselves_o with_o a_o opinion_n of_o their_o safe_a condition_n upon_o that_o account_n and_o labour_v to_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o danger_n they_o be_v in_o for_o all_o that_o if_o they_o shall_v rest_v therein_o without_o grow_v better_a and_o better_a thereby_o 1_o cor._n 10._o i_o will_v not_o say_v he_o that_o you_o shall_v be_v ignorant_a brethren_n how_o that_o all_o our_o father_n be_v baptize_v unto_o moses_n in_o the_o cloud_n and_o in_o the_o sea_n and_o do_v all_o eat_v the_o same_o spiritual_a meat_n and_o drink_v the_o same_o spiritual_a drink_n and_o yet_o with_o many_o of_o they_o god_n be_v not_o well_o please_v but_o overthrow_v they_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o these_o thing_n be_v our_o example_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o lust_n after_o evil_a thing_n as_o they_o lust_v then_o enumerate_v their_o miscarriage_n and_o what_o befall_v they_o thereupon_o and_o further_o tell_v they_o that_o these_o thing_n happen_v to_o they_o for_o example_n or_o type_n to_o we_o and_o be_v write_v for_o our_o admonition_n upon_o who_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v come_v thereby_o give_v they_o to_o understand_v that_o though_o they_o be_v baptize_v and_o receive_v into_o the_o church_n and_o do_v participate_v of_o the_o same_o spiritual_a meat_n and_o drink_n in_o the_o sacrament_n with_o the_o best_a in_o the_o church_n yet_o if_o they_o do_v not_o take_v warning_n by_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o those_o that_o have_v be_v of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o it_o as_o well_o as_o they_o to_o avoid_v the_o like_a they_o may_v perish_v as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o do_v for_o all_o their_o communion_n in_o the_o church_n 5._o another_o reason_n against_o refuse_v all_o such_o communion_n in_o the_o visible_a church_n who_o be_v not_o judge_v to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a be_v take_v from_o the_o danger_n of_o such_o a_o practice_n in_o another_o respect_n and_o that_o be_v the_o danger_n of_o mistake_v the_o good_a for_o bad_a and_o of_o refuse_v the_o sincere_a christian_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o carnal_a and_o unregenerate_a there_o be_v so_o little_a visible_a difference_n between_o what_o many_o of_o the_o same_o person_n be_v a_o little_a before_o they_o have_v save_v grace_n and_o what_o they_o be_v when_o they_o have_v it_o only_o in_o the_o low_a degree_n that_o man_n will_v be_v in_o great_a danger_n of_o mistake_v if_o they_o shall_v make_v a_o judgement_n of_o their_o spiritual_a state_n under_o such_o circumstance_n and_o the_o difficulty_n of_o not_o mistake_v in_o this_o case_n will_v be_v still_o increase_v when_o that_o very_o little_a of_o true_a grace_n which_o be_v in_o some_o man_n be_v great_o obscure_v by_o the_o courseness_n of_o their_o natural_a temper_n and_o disposition_n beside_o the_o prejudice_n which_o some_o good_a man_n have_v against_o other_o upon_o account_n of_o some_o difference_n in_o opinion_n will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o discern_v true_a grace_n in_o some_o of_o they_o in_o who_o it_o be_v and_o perhaps_o in_o some_o good_a degree_n too_o this_o age_n have_v furnish_v we_o with_o too_o many_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o narrowness_n of_o spirit_n and_o severity_n of_o many_o by_o reason_n of_o which_o many_o of_o those_o in_o who_o god_n himself_o find_v save_v grace_n will_v be_v refuse_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n for_o want_v of_o it_o if_o that_o opinion_n shall_v general_o obtain_v that_o none_o shall_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v to_o its_o communion_n but_o upon_o the_o reputation_n of_o their_o be_v of_o the_o church_n as_o invisible_a some_o do_v understand_v the_o danger_n of_o root_n up_o the_o wheat_n if_o the_o tare_n shall_v be_v gather_v from_o among_o it_o to_o lie_v in_o the_o danger_n of_o mistake_v the_o wheat_n for_o the_o tare_n if_o the_o one_o shall_v be_v attempt_v to_o be_v gather_v from_o the_o other_o and_o if_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o reason_n why_o our_o saviour_n will_v have_v they_o both_o to_o grow_v together_o till_o the_o harvest_n it_o will_v be_v pat_o to_o what_o i_o have_v say_v on_o this_o reason_n but_o if_o it_o be_v not_o as_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v it_o be_v not_o yet_o than_o it_o so_o much_o the_o more_o confirm_v that_o to_o be_v our_o savious_n meaning_n which_o i_o have_v suggest_v elsewhere_o for_o i_o do_v not_o
know_v any_o three_o sense_n pretend_v to_o among_o interpreter_n but_o indeed_o there_o be_v danger_n in_o both_o respect_n and_o therefore_o i_o know_v no_o inconvenience_n if_o we_o understand_v the_o parable_n in_o reference_n to_o both_o now_o it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o conceive_v how_o bad_a a_o thing_n it_o will_v be_v if_o such_o as_o have_v true_a grace_n shall_v be_v refuse_v admittance_n into_o the_o visible_a church_n or_o to_o its_o communion_n only_o because_o it_o be_v so_o little_a that_o man_n can_v discern_v it_o to_o be_v so_o for_o such_o a_o discouragement_n may_v be_v enough_o to_o set_v they_o back_o again_o to_o quench_v the_o smoke_a flax_n and_o to_o expose_v they_o to_o the_o loss_n of_o that_o very_a little_a grace_n in_o its_o beginning_n which_o they_o have_v a_o thing_n point_fw-fr blank_a against_o that_o admonition_n and_o caution_n of_o our_o saviour_n mat._n 18.10_o take_v heed_n that_o you_o despise_v not_o one_o of_o these_o little_a one_o query_n xi_o what_o be_v it_o that_o make_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o visible_a and_o particular_a church_n and_o what_o make_v the_o difference_n between_o one_o particular_a church_n and_o another_o the_o query_n be_v double_a i_o shall_v answer_v to_o that_o first_o which_o be_v first_o and_o do_v say_v the_o universal_a church_n differ_v from_o a_o particular_a church_n in_o two_o respect_n 1._o the_o universal_a church_n differ_v from_o a_o particular_a as_o the_o whole_a differ_v from_o a_o part_n and_o a_o particular_a church_n differ_v from_o the_o universal_a as_o a_o part_n differ_v from_o the_o whole_a for_o otherwise_o they_o be_v material_o the_o same_o only_o with_o this_o difference_n the_o one_o contain_v all_o visible_a church_n matter_n and_o the_o other_o but_o a_o part_n of_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o necessary_a to_o qualify_v the_o matter_n of_o which_o a_o particular_a church_n do_v consist_v than_o what_o make_v all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o member_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n unless_o it_o be_v what_o belong_v to_o the_o officer_n of_o it_o as_o such_o 2._o if_o by_o a_o particular_a church_n we_o understand_v one_o single_a congregation_n than_o a_o particular_a church_n differ_v from_o the_o universal_a as_o those_o of_o which_o it_o do_v consist_v do_v assemble_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o public_a worship_n which_o the_o universal_a church_n can_v do_v now_o though_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o its_o existence_n possible_o it_o may_v but_o if_o by_o a_o particular_a church_n we_o understand_v so_o many_o single_a worship_a congregation_n as_o be_v unite_v under_o one_o and_o the_o same_o church_n government_n and_o governor_n in_o a_o city_n province_n or_o kingdom_n then_o a_o particular_a church_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v difference_v from_o the_o church_n universal_a by_o this_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n under_o which_o it_o be_v otherwise_o unite_a than_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o such_o be_v or_o can_v be_v and_o such_o a_o particular_a church_n we_o suppose_v the_o church_n in_o jerusalem_n in_o corinth_n and_o in_o other_o great_a city_n to_o have_v be_v the_o scripture_n so_o account_v they_o when_o yet_o each_o of_o they_o consist_v of_o more_o single_a worship_a assembly_n than_o one_o as_o may_v well_o be_v presume_v on_o several_a account_n not_o here_o to_o be_v mention_v there_o be_v another_o thing_n which_o the_o congregationalist_n make_v essential_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o particular_a church_n for_o they_o make_v it_o the_o form_n or_o formal_a cause_n of_o it_o which_o will_v be_v another_o difference_n between_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o a_o particular_a if_o their_o opinion_n and_o assertion_n be_v admit_v concern_v it_o and_o that_o be_v that_o church_n covenant_n or_o mutual_a engagement_n to_o walk_v together_o in_o the_o way_n and_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o by_o this_o each_o one_o of_o their_o single_a congregation_n distinguish_v itself_o from_o all_o other_o and_o they_o account_v this_o so_o necessary_a as_o to_o make_v it_o a_o condition_n of_o communion_n without_o which_o they_o will_v not_o admit_v person_n otherwise_o well_o approve_v of_o by_o themselves_o to_o sacramental_a communion_n that_o be_v unless_o they_o be_v under_o this_o engagement_n to_o they_o or_o some_o other_o sister_n church_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n but_o this_o be_v so_o much_o the_o worse_o because_o it_o be_v do_v and_o require_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o divine_a appointment_n when_o god_n have_v appoint_v no_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v such_o a_o piece_n of_o superstition_n as_o the_o enjoin_v the_o use_n of_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v free_a from_o so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v not_o enjoin_v as_o thing_n of_o divine_a appointment_n but_o only_o as_o of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o such_o reason_n to_o scruple_n they_o as_o there_o be_v to_o scruple_n this_o practice_n upon_o those_o term_n there_o be_v two_o text_n of_o scripture_n upon_o which_o more_o especial_o and_o principal_o they_o ground_n this_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o they_o which_o i_o shall_v a_o little_a inquire_v into_o the_o one_o be_v 2_o cor._n 8.5_o which_o dr._n o._n to_o this_o end_n quote_v more_o than_o once_o in_o his_o late_a book_n the_o word_n be_v these_o and_o this_o they_o do_v not_o as_o we_o hope_v but_o first_o give_v their_o own_o self_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o unto_o we_o by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n the_o we_o here_o in_o the_o text_n be_v st._n paul_n and_o timotheus_n from_o who_o this_o epistle_n come_v chap._n 1.1_o and_o if_o so_o how_o can_v the_o church_n of_o macedonia_n give_v themselves_o to_o st._n paul_n and_o timothy_n possible_o signify_v their_o mutual_a covenant_v one_o with_o another_o among_o themselves_o and_o be_v it_o not_o as_o strange_a also_o that_o they_o shall_v give_v themselves_o to_o paul_n and_o timothy_n in_o order_n to_o the_o constitute_v themselves_o church_n when_o as_o that_o give_v themselves_o to_o paul_n and_o timothy_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v do_v then_o when_o they_o be_v already_o church_n as_o the_o whole_a context_n from_o ver_fw-la 1._o do_v show_v and_o if_o their_o give_a themselves_o to_o paul_n and_o timothy_n be_v one_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o do_v more_o than_o paul_n and_o timothy_n hope_v for_o than_o such_o a_o confederation_n be_v not_o likely_a to_o be_v mean_v by_o it_o as_o be_v essential_o necessary_a to_o their_o existence_n as_o church_n this_o certain_o will_v not_o have_v be_v more_o than_o they_o hope_v for_o if_o it_o have_v be_v their_o duty_n and_o of_o so_o great_a a_o necessity_n this_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v how_o impertinent_o this_o scripture_n be_v allege_v but_o the_o whole_a context_n show_v that_o the_o thing_n st._n paul_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v quite_o of_o another_o nature_n and_o that_o be_v the_o liberality_n of_o the_o church_n of_o macedonia_n towards_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o their_o zeal_n in_o be_v otherwise_o serviceable_a to_o so_o good_a a_o work_n wherein_o they_o do_v indeed_o exceed_v the_o expectation_n of_o paul_n and_o timothy_n for_o their_o poverty_n to_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v by_o suster_v for_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o deep_a that_o st._n paul_n it_o seem_v scarce_o think_v it_o fit_a to_o receive_v any_o thing_n of_o they_o and_o it_o be_v upon_o their_o earnest_a entreaty_n that_o he_o do_v and_o yet_o they_o do_v not_o only_o thus_o give_v above_o their_o ability_n but_o beside_o their_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o god_n as_o ready_a to_o suffer_v further_o for_o he_o if_o call_v to_o it_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o st._n paul_n &_o timothy_n also_o to_o assist_v they_o in_o that_o charitable_a work_n they_o have_v in_o hand_n by_o their_o further_a endeavour_n to_o promote_v it_o among_o other_o for_o they_o entreat_v paul_n and_o timothy_n earnest_o to_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o fellowship_n of_o minister_a to_o the_o saint_n the_o manage_n of_o that_o affair_n and_o procure_v they_o to_o send_v titus_n to_o corinth_n to_o promote_v the_o same_o business_n as_o appear_v by_o ver_fw-la 6._o this_o scripture_n though_o so_o great_a a_o stranger_n to_o this_o opinion_n as_o you_o see_v yet_o be_v that_o which_o so_o far_o as_o ever_o i_o can_v perceive_v be_v chief_o depend_v upon_o in_o this_o cause_n they_o bring_v in_o also_o as_o favour_v their_o notion_n and_o practice_n the_o say_n of_o st._n peter_n to_o the_o christian_n you_o also_o as_o lively_a stone_n be_v build_v up_o a_o spiritual_a house_n a_o holy_a priesthood_n etc._n etc._n 1_o pet._n 2.5_o and_o they_o do_v it_o seem_v suppose_v that_o these_o live_a stone_n be_v so_o lay_v together_o as_o to_o to_o make_v a_o spiritual_a
of_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o christian_a which_o yet_o in_o order_n of_o nature_n be_v antecedent_n to_o particular_a church_n the_o gather_n of_o christ_n a_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n at_o first_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o apostolical_a ministry_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o their_o assistant_n the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n christ_n be_v the_o chief_a corner_n stone_n eph._n 2.20_o and_o the_o foundation_n be_v antecedent_n to_o the_o superstructure_n all_o the_o addition_n that_o have_v be_v since_o make_v to_o the_o visible_a church_n have_v be_v by_o the_o ministerial_a office_n by_o let_v all_o the_o particular_a member_n of_o that_o addition_n into_o it_o by_o baptism_n and_o when_o man_n be_v ordain_v minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o be_v not_o ordain_v minister_n of_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n but_o minister_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o church_n in_o general_n let_v no_o man_n glory_n in_o man_n for_o all_o thing_n be_v you_o whether_o paul_n or_o apollo_n or_o cephas_n all_o be_v you_o and_o you_o be_v christ_n 1_o cor._n 3.21_o 22._o paul_n apollo_n and_o cephas_n be_v they_o in_o common_a with_o other_o not_o they_o appropriate_o and_o their_o be_v send_v or_o call_v to_o be_v minister_n to_o this_o ot_fw-mi that_o particular_a church_n be_v but_o the_o application_n of_o their_o general_a capacity_n to_o particular_a use_n and_o exercise_n to_o wit_n that_o of_o ministration_n to_o such_o a_o people_n in_o particular_a and_o this_o ministerial_a power_n they_o bring_v with_o they_o to_o the_o church_n or_o people_n among_o who_o they_o be_v place_v but_o do_v not_o receive_v it_o from_o they_o and_o it_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o their_o ministry_n and_o ministration_n that_o a_o particular_a body_n of_o people_n can_v act_v or_o perform_v any_o public_a act_n of_o communion_n peculiar_a to_o a_o church_n as_o such_o and_o therefore_o as_o they_o can_v act_v as_o a_o church_n without_o such_o a_o ministry_n so_o neither_o can_v they_o proper_o be_v a_o church_n without_o it_o the_o first_o thing_n st._n paul_n mention_n ephes_n 4.11.12_o for_o which_o our_o saviour_n christ_n give_v apostle_n prophet_n evangelist_n pastor_n and_o teacher_n be_v for_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o saint_n or_o for_o the_o join_v they_o together_o or_o for_o the_o make_v they_o up_o or_o for_o the_o compact_n or_o knit_v they_o together_o for_o thus_o various_o be_v that_o word_n render_v by_o expositor_n but_o all_o to_o the_o same_o sense_n for_o it_o be_v for_o the_o knit_v they_o and_o hold_v they_o together_o as_o one_o body_n in_o their_o several_a public_a assembly_n for_o worship_n and_o edification_n and_o indeed_o a_o church_n be_v so_o call_v from_o several_a christian_n assemble_v together_o for_o public_a worship_n their_o union_n wherein_o be_v make_v by_o their_o joint_a concurrence_n with_o their_o spiritual_a pastor_n in_o his_o ministration_n for_o which_o end_n and_o purpose_n such_o officer_n be_v give_v and_o appoint_v by_o christ_n as_o the_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n now_o allege_v show_v and_o now_o as_o for_o the_o text_n allege_v by_o the_o doctor_n in_o which_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n be_v say_v to_o have_v ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n act_v 14.23_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v the_o church_n there_o speak_v of_o to_o be_v such_o antecedent_o to_o any_o ministerial_a act_n or_o power_n by_o which_o they_o become_v such_o for_o they_o have_v be_v make_v church_n in_o some_o sort_n by_o the_o plant_n of_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n who_o also_o as_o church_n officer_n minister_v to_o they_o while_o they_o be_v among_o they_o for_o this_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n by_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n be_v do_v in_o their_o return_n to_o the_o place_n where_o they_o have_v preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o make_v disciple_n before_o and_o they_o return_v to_o they_o to_o confirm_v they_o and_o to_o ordain_v elder_n among_o they_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o two_o precedent_a verse_n compare_v with_o the_o text_n itself_o beside_o st._n luke_n do_v not_o write_v this_o history_n till_o after_o the_o apostle_n have_v thus_o ordain_v elder_n in_o the_o church_n mention_v by_o he_o so_o that_o they_o be_v indeed_o church_n then_o when_o he_o write_v those_o word_n and_o it_o be_v proper_a for_o he_o to_o style_v they_o so_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v suppose_v they_o have_v be_v none_o before_o they_o have_v elder_n ordain_v in_o they_o so_o that_o this_o text_n can_v be_v no_o proof_n of_o that_o for_o which_o the_o doctor_n do_v allege_v it_o query_n xii_o whither_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o extent_n and_o latitude_n of_o visible_a church-membership_n and_o communion_n which_o have_v be_v discourse_v of_o the_o great_a usefulness_n of_o a_o national_a settlement_n or_o constitution_n for_o the_o public_a exercise_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o all_o part_n of_o a_o nation_n profess_v christianity_n may_v not_o fair_o be_v infer_v and_o conclude_v now_o the_o reason_n why_o visible_a church-membership_n &_o communion_n be_v better_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o due_a extensiveness_n than_o they_o will_v be_v if_o the_o term_n and_o condition_n of_o enjoy_v those_o privilege_n be_v limit_v and_o restrain_v to_o the_o same_o term_n which_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o invisible_a church_n membership_n and_o communion_n be_v be_v this_o viz._n because_o these_o privilege_n under_o such_o a_o extent_n and_o latitude_n tend_v more_o to_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v be_v save_v than_o they_o will_v or_o can_v do_v if_o they_o be_v limit_v and_o restrain_v to_o the_o same_o term_n and_o condition_n of_o enjoyment_n as_o invisible_a church_n membership_n and_o communion_n be_v this_o have_v be_v show_v in_o our_o ten_o inquiry_n and_o it_o be_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v better_a that_o the_o exercise_n of_o god_n public_a worship_n shall_v be_v set_v up_o in_o all_o part_n of_o a_o nation_n profess_v christianity_n by_o a_o national_a authority_n and_o that_o all_o such_o professor_n shall_v be_v thereby_o oblige_v to_o frequent_v it_o than_o it_o be_v to_o leave_v all_o such_o to_o their_o own_o liberty_n to_o promote_v and_o frequent_v it_o or_o to_o forbear_v and_o neglect_v to_o do_v so_o as_o the_o way_n call_v independency_n do_v for_o the_o national_a way_n tend_v more_o to_o propagate_v and_o promote_v the_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n than_o the_o congregational_a way_n do_v and_o therefore_o must_v needs_o be_v abundant_o better_a that_o it_o do_v so_o be_v too_o apparent_a to_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o that_o have_v but_o common_a reason_n when_o these_o thing_n follow_v be_v but_o due_o consider_v 1._o better_a provision_n be_v make_v by_o a_o public_a establishment_n for_o the_o instruction_n of_o such_o a_o nation_n in_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n than_o can_v reasonable_o be_v expect_v without_o it_o unless_o provision_n be_v make_v by_o public_a authority_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o a_o gospel_n ministry_n in_o all_o part_n of_o a_o nation_n there_o will_v certain_o be_v a_o great_a want_n of_o a_o public_a ministry_n in_o many_o place_n of_o it_o than_o by_o reason_n of_o such_o a_o public_a provision_n there_o be_v will_v people_n think_v we_o of_o themselves_o in_o all_o place_n of_o a_o nation_n provide_v a_o better_a maintenance_n for_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n among_o they_o if_o leave_v whole_o to_o themselves_o than_o there_o be_v make_v by_o public_a authority_n if_o they_o will_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o those_o place_n be_v general_o worst_a supply_v with_o minister_n where_o the_o public_a have_v make_v least_o provision_n for_o their_o maintenance_n and_o general_o where_o there_o be_v the_o great_a failure_n in_o this_o there_o be_v the_o least_o face_n of_o religion_n and_o great_a hazard_n of_o man_n soul_n where_o there_o be_v no_o vision_n the_o people_n perish_v say_v solomon_n prov._n 29.18_o and_o the_o people_n be_v destroy_v for_o lack_n of_o knowledge_n say_v the_o prophet_n hos_n 4.6_o 2._o if_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v all_o leave_v to_o themselves_o to_o choose_v what_o minister_n they_o please_v without_o any_o public_a approbation_n and_o allowance_n of_o some_o appoint_v by_o public_a authority_n to_o judge_n of_o their_o fitness_n many_o will_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o choose_v man_n of_o erroneous_a principle_n and_o such_o as_o will_v corrupt_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n the_o consequence_n of_o which_o will_v be_v great_a opposition_n and_o contention_n between_o the_o orthodox_n and_o the_o erroneous_a and_o make_v of_o party_n and_o endless_a strife_n to_o the_o destruction_n
direct_a schism_n and_o prepare_v the_o way_n to_o reconciliation_n for_o when_o it_o do_v indeed_o appear_v by_o comply_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v and_o by_o other_o true_o christian_a behaviour_n of_o person_n that_o through_o error_n of_o judgement_n differ_v from_o their_o brethren_n in_o other_o thing_n that_o that_o difference_n proceed_v pure_o from_o conscience_n though_o erroneous_a and_o not_o from_o a_o worse_a principle_n their_o case_n be_v true_o pitiable_a and_o call_v for_o tenderness_n towards_o they_o from_o they_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o and_o to_o treat_v they_o according_o be_v certain_o the_o way_n to_o gain_v upon_o they_o and_o to_o make_v they_o the_o more_o capable_a of_o receive_v information_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o their_o scruple_n whereas_o when_o they_o be_v otherwise_o treat_v with_o severity_n it_o tend_v to_o spoil_v their_o good_a temper_n and_o to_o exasperate_v they_o and_o to_o make_v they_o out_o of_o disgust_n to_o they_o who_o have_v so_o deal_v with_o they_o to_o unite_v into_o party_n and_o make_v head_n against_o they_o to_o the_o imbroil_v the_o church_n in_o grievous_a schism_n 2._o there_o be_v another_o and_o worse_a division_n or_o schism_n than_o mere_a difference_n in_o judgement_n and_o practice_n in_o some_o lesser_a thing_n and_o that_o division_n lie_v more_o in_o christian_n unchristian_a manage_v their_o difference_n than_o in_o the_o difference_n that_o be_v in_o their_o opinion_n and_o practice_n when_o it_o be_v but_o about_o some_o thing_n wherein_o the_o good_a or_o hurt_n of_o man_n will_v be_v little_o concern_v if_o they_o can_v be_v separate_v from_o their_o effect_n and_o this_o division_n lie_v in_o the_o immoderate_a manner_n of_o contend_v for_o that_o wherein_o christian_n differ_v as_o thus_o when_o they_o do_v not_o content_v themselves_o with_o offer_v their_o argument_n fair_o and_o peaceable_o for_o that_o wherein_o they_o differ_v but_o fall_v out_o with_o their_o brethren_n for_o not_o submit_v to_o but_o oppose_v they_o both_o in_o their_o argument_n and_o practice_n as_o when_o they_o set_v they_o at_o naught_o and_o censure_v they_o as_o insincere_a as_o not_o true_o lover_n of_o truth_n but_o that_o they_o be_v bias_v by_o some_o undue_a interest_n of_o honour_n reputation_n or_o gain_v or_o humour_n or_o self-will_n and_o that_o these_o prevail_v with_o they_o more_o than_o truth_n now_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o be_v of_o a_o provoke_a nature_n and_o lay_v a_o temptation_n upon_o their_o brethren_n passion_n and_o tend_v direct_o to_o alienate_v affection_n and_o minister_v to_o unpeaceable_a contending_n and_o be_v a_o direct_a breach_n of_o peace_n though_o man_n have_v truth_n on_o their_o side_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v schismatical_a in_o labour_v to_o propagate_v or_o to_o defend_v that_o truth_n when_o they_o go_v far_o in_o do_v so_o than_o speak_v the_o truth_n in_o love_n i_o mean_v in_o way_n of_o controversy_n though_o those_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o may_v possible_o be_v move_v with_o undue_a motive_n to_o oppose_v they_o and_o the_o reason_n for_o what_o they_o hold_v yet_o because_o whether_o they_o be_v so_o or_o no_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o which_o they_o be_v not_o competent_a judge_n it_o lie_v out_o of_o their_o reach_n and_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n who_o only_o be_v the_o searcher_n of_o heart_n therefore_o whatever_o they_o may_v fear_v or_o suspect_v yet_o they_o shall_v forbear_v either_o to_o pronounce_v or_o insinuate_v any_o such_o hard_a thing_n against_o their_o brethren_n by_o which_o they_o become_v judge_n of_o evil_a thought_n which_o if_o they_o do_v not_o they_o stir_v up_o strife_n and_o violate_v peace_n by_o cause_v unquietness_n and_o disorder_n in_o the_o church_n and_o destroy_v charity_n weaken_v yea_o wound_v the_o very_a spirit_n of_o the_o church_n communion_n which_o without_o doubt_n be_v schism_n though_o it_o shall_v never_o proceed_v to_o actual_a separation_n this_o mingle_n of_o man_n passion_n and_o unchristian_a censure_n and_o insinuation_n with_o their_o argument_n hinder_v the_o due_a operation_n of_o their_o argument_n upon_o their_o antagonist_n mind_n though_o they_o shall_v have_v truth_n on_o their_o side_n for_o the_o wrath_n of_o man_n work_v not_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n but_o hinder_v it_o jam._n 1.20_o whereas_o though_o man_n do_v differ_v yet_o so_o long_o as_o they_o propose_v and_o reply_v one_o to_o another_o no_v otherwise_o than_o as_o suppose_v both_o side_n to_o be_v only_o in_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n they_o may_v live_v love_o and_o peaceable_o together_o and_o enjoy_v edify_v and_o comfortable_a communion_n one_o with_o another_o their_o difference_n in_o judgement_n notwithstanding_o 3._o there_o be_v a_o division_n and_o consequent_o a_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n of_o a_o high_a nature_n than_o the_o former_a and_o that_o be_v when_o the_o person_n that_o divide_v or_o cause_n division_n in_o the_o church_n unnecessary_o gather_v into_o a_o party_n and_o do_v after_o a_o sort_n unite_v and_o combine_v themselves_o together_o the_o more_o public_o and_o avowed_o to_o maintain_v and_o carry_v on_o the_o cause_n they_o have_v espouse_v in_o opposition_n to_o their_o brethren_n and_o industrious_o labour_v to_o increase_v their_o number_n as_o hope_v thereby_o in_o time_n to_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v their_o opposite_n to_o submit_v to_o they_o and_o to_o give_v up_o their_o cause_n now_o if_o the_o thing_n or_o thing_n they_o after_o this_o manner_n contend_v for_o shall_v be_v unprofitable_a for_o the_o church_n in_o case_n they_o shall_v obtain_v or_o of_o so_o little_a use_n or_o benefit_n as_o that_o it_o can_v never_o reasonable_o be_v expect_v that_o it_o shall_v countervail_v the_o hurt_n that_o be_v or_o will_v be_v do_v to_o the_o church_n to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o general_a by_o be_v obtain_v in_o such_o a_o way_n it_o will_v be_v a_o most_o grievous_a schism_n thus_o to_o divide_v and_o imbroil_v the_o church_n upon_o so_o mean_v a_o account_n a_o division_n or_o schism_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v term_v faction_n which_o be_v a_o side_v or_o make_v of_o party_n in_o the_o church_n and_o of_o this_o nature_n in_o some_o sort_n be_v the_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n for_o their_o division_n be_v factious_a division_n for_o they_o proceed_v to_o make_v of_o party_n their_o crime_n in_o this_o charge_v upon_o they_o by_o st._n paul_n be_v term_v division_n in_o our_o bibles_n but_o the_o word_n be_v faction_n in_o the_o margin_n 1_o cor._n 3.3_o and_o part_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n render_v sedition_n in_o our_o translation_n be_v division_n or_o faction_n in_o the_o margin_n gal._n 5.20_o this_o sort_n of_o division_n which_o be_v accompany_v with_o faction_n or_o make_v of_o party_n be_v more_o than_o be_v find_v in_o some_o division_n which_o yet_o be_v sinful_a now_o when_o a_o schism_n grow_v up_o to_o this_o height_n to_o a_o combine_a strength_n it_o be_v much_o worse_a than_o while_o it_o be_v act_v only_o by_o a_o few_o apart_o and_o in_o a_o more_o private_a way_n and_o less_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o then_o there_o be_v more_o of_o contempt_n in_o it_o and_o more_o be_v corrupt_v by_o it_o and_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o community_n more_o disturb_v and_o because_o usual_o by_o endeavour_n of_o increase_v the_o party_n much_o more_o evil_a be_v perpetrate_v by_o slander_n naughty_a insinuation_n and_o suggestion_n against_o those_o they_o divide_v from_o and_o combine_v against_o than_o be_v find_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o division_n at_o first_o or_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o error_n on_o which_o the_o division_n first_o begin_v this_o factious_a division_n be_v likewise_o aggravate_v further_o when_o it_o partake_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o sedition_n and_o we_o see_v in_o the_o forecited_n place_n gal._n 5._o the_o same_o word_n signify_v division_n faction_n and_o sedition_n now_o sedition_n i_o conceive_v be_v a_o division_n accompany_v with_o a_o combination_n of_o man_n against_o the_o government_n either_o of_o church_n or_o state_n under_o which_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v set_v they_o it_o be_v their_o act_v thing_n contrary_a to_o that_o government_n far_o than_o the_o necessity_n of_o not_o sin_v against_o god_n do_v oblige_v they_o to_o the_o disturb_v of_o the_o public_a peace_n thereby_o or_o it_o may_v be_v so_o perhaps_o by_o seek_v to_o alter_v any_o thing_n amiss_o or_o inconvenient_a in_o the_o government_n in_o a_o undue_a way_n that_o be_v by_o act_v out_o of_o their_o sphere_n or_o the_o place_n or_o rank_n in_o which_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v set_v they_o their_o go_v beyond_o their_o bound_n in_o it_o
or_o their_o do_n more_o to_o accomplish_v it_o than_o the_o law_n or_o government_n under_o which_o they_o be_v allow_v they_o for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o seditious_a i_o conceive_v for_o man_n to_o endeavour_v to_o get_v any_o thing_n amiss_o in_o the_o government_n to_o be_v alter_v in_o a_o regular_a way_n that_o be_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o the_o government_n or_o public_a constitution_n allow_v i_o need_v not_o say_v how_o much_o the_o two_o bond_n the_o one_o of_o peace_n the_o other_o of_o charity_n be_v break_v by_o this_o sort_n of_o division_n which_o be_v accompany_v either_o with_o faction_n or_o sedition_n nor_o how_o great_a the_o schism_n be_v that_o be_v make_v thereby_o but_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o division_n of_o this_o kind_n can_v be_v without_o much_o envy_v and_o strife_n and_o where_o these_o be_v there_o be_v confusion_n and_o every_o evil_a work_n as_o st._n james_n have_v tell_v we_o chap._n 3.16_o 4._o another_o sort_n of_o division_n in_o the_o church_n be_v that_o which_o be_v make_v by_o a_o unjust_a separation_n of_o one_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n from_o another_o in_o the_o business_n of_o their_o communion_n in_o their_o solemn_a worship_n and_o this_o be_v a_o division_n of_o a_o very_a high_a nature_n indeed_o especial_o when_o it_o be_v accompany_v with_o the_o three_o sort_n of_o division_n before_o insist_v on_o for_o if_o such_o a_o division_n be_v unjust_o make_v it_o be_v point_v blank_a contrary_n to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o unity_n of_o communion_n among_o christian_n which_o be_v teach_v and_o practise_v by_o man_n inspire_v by_o the_o spirit_n in_o reference_n both_o to_o solemn_a worship_n and_o christian_a fellowship_n as_o have_v be_v former_o explain_v by_o such_o a_o division_n the_o church_n peace_n be_v break_v with_o a_o high_a hand_n great_a offence_n be_v thereby_o take_v at_o other_o and_o cause_n of_o offence_n give_v to_o they_o and_o a_o wide_a gap_n open_v for_o debate_n strife_n contention_n and_o confusion_n to_o enter_v in_o to_o a_o dreadful_a destruction_n of_o charity_n the_o spirit_n and_o life_n of_o christianity_n without_o which_o faith_n itself_o be_v dead_a and_o all_o other_o religious_a performance_n little_o available_a it_o concern_v we_o great_o therefore_o and_o some_o man_n more_o especial_o very_o diligent_o to_o inquire_v how_o far_o the_o division_n and_o separation_n that_o do_v abound_v in_o our_o day_n and_o in_o this_o nation_n be_v unjust_o or_o just_o make_v to_o do_v which_o i_o do_v not_o know_v a_o more_o compendious_a way_n than_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o national_a constitution_n about_o god_n public_a worship_n and_o the_o power_n of_o give_v be_v to_o it_o and_o how_o far_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o observe_v it_o that_o such_o national_a constitution_n as_o have_v be_v make_v in_o several_a nation_n for_o reformation_n from_o popery_n and_o for_o the_o establish_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n and_o worship_n in_o the_o room_n of_o it_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n have_v be_v so_o far_o approve_v of_o by_o god_n as_o that_o he_o do_v reckon_v and_o esteem_v those_o nation_n his_o kingdom_n upon_o that_o account_n i_o have_v find_v as_o i_o conceive_v in_o our_o twelve_o inquiry_n which_o with_o what_o else_o be_v there_o produce_v and_o argue_v for_o the_o usefulness_n of_o such_o national_a constitution_n i_o take_v to_o be_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o authorise_v a_o national_a authority_n in_o such_o a_o undertake_n now_o when_o ever_o the_o form_n of_o such_o national_a constitution_n be_v undertake_v by_o they_o to_o who_o it_o do_v belong_v they_o must_v needs_o find_v that_o though_o the_o essential_o and_o substance_n of_o all_o divine_a worship_n be_v express_o and_o particular_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n yet_o there_o be_v several_a circumstance_n and_o accident_n of_o worship_n which_o pertain_v to_o the_o external_a administration_n of_o the_o substance_n which_o be_v not_o otherwise_o determine_v in_o scripture_n than_o by_o general_a rule_n as_o that_o edification_n order_n and_o decency_n be_v always_o observe_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v not_o particular_o determine_v and_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n such_o be_v those_o i_o instance_a in_o in_o another_o of_o our_o inquiry_n concern_v prayer_n though_o all_o the_o substantial_a part_n of_o it_o be_v determine_v in_o scripture_n yet_o we_o be_v not_o where_o limit_v to_o pray_v with_o a_o set_a form_n nor_o without_o one_o to_o use_v or_o not_o to_o use_v book-prayer_n to_o kneel_v or_o to_o stand_v in_o pray_v nor_o direct_v whether_o in_o the_o public_a worship_n there_o shall_v be_v several_a distinct_a and_o short_a prayer_n use_v for_o several_a thing_n or_o whether_o all_o prayer_n matter_n fit_a for_o a_o public_a assembly_n shall_v be_v comprise_v in_o one_o or_o more_o long_a prayer_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v touch_v several_a external_a circumstance_n that_o be_v to_o be_v use_v in_o all_o other_o part_n of_o public_a worship_n this_o be_v the_o case_n it_o will_v necessary_o fall_v under_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o who_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o form_n a_o public_a constitution_n for_o worship_n which_o of_o these_o will_v tend_v most_o to_o the_o peace_n unity_n and_o edisication_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o decency_n and_o order_n whether_o to_o leave_v all_o aside_o termine_v circumstance_n of_o worship_n to_o every_o one_o choice_n who_o be_v to_o administer_v the_o holy_a thing_n or_o in_o these_o thing_n to_o choose_v for_o they_o and_o to_o determine_v by_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n what_o shall_v be_v observe_v suppose_v we_o then_o that_o upon_o serious_a consideration_n and_o consultation_n they_o come_v to_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o their_o own_o mind_n that_o to_o leave_v all_o both_o minister_n and_o people_n to_o their_o own_o choice_n in_o such_o undetermined_a circumstance_n in_o god_n public_a worship_n will_v tend_v to_o great_a division_n disorder_n and_o confusion_n as_o it_o do_v in_o the_o late_a time_n of_o general_a liberty_n and_o that_o then_o we_o shall_v have_v one_o oppose_v another_o in_o their_o different_a way_n and_o make_v of_o party_n one_o against_o another_o to_o endless_a branglement_n and_o to_o the_o eat_v out_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o suppose_v also_o that_o upon_o such_o consideration_n as_o these_o they_o come_v to_o a_o resolution_n to_o determine_v all_o undetermined_a circumstance_n of_o public_a worship_n by_o the_o use_n of_o a_o liturgy_n except_o only_o what_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o the_o pulpit_n as_o that_o which_o tend_v most_o in_o their_o judgement_n to_o peace_n unity_n edification_n order_n and_o decency_n and_o when_o they_o have_v go_v thus_o far_o in_o general_n they_o will_v necessary_o be_v lead_v to_o proceed_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o the_o choice_n of_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o administration_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o public_a worship_n in_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v they_o govern_v themselves_o according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o their_o understanding_n by_o those_o general_a rule_n which_o direct_v all_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v for_o edification_n order_n and_o decency_n and_o when_o they_o have_v do_v so_o and_o bring_v thing_n to_o the_o best_a issue_n they_o can_v yet_o consider_v that_o all_o man_n and_o the_o best_a of_o man_n be_v fallible_a it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v mistake_v in_o some_o thing_n and_o that_o such_o and_o such_o a_o circumstance_n or_o mode_n of_o administration_n of_o worship_n will_v have_v better_o and_o more_o full_o agree_v with_o the_o general_a rule_n than_o those_o they_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o but_o yet_o if_o their_o fail_n and_o and_o mistake_v therein_o do_v not_o extend_v to_o the_o corrupt_a of_o god_n worship_n in_o the_o essence_n or_o substance_n of_o it_o but_o only_o to_o the_o order_n of_o some_o less_o useful_a circumstance_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o external_a manner_n of_o performance_n of_o that_o worship_n there_o will_v be_v no_o just_a cause_n of_o separate_n from_o communion_n in_o it_o upon_o that_o account_n for_o those_o who_o separate_v from_o communion_n in_o the_o worship_n which_o be_v every_o lord_n day_n perform_v in_o our_o parochial_a assembly_n according_a to_o our_o liturgy_n be_v oblige_v to_o prove_v one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n against_o it_o if_o they_o will_v justify_v their_o separation_n from_o it_o either_o first_o that_o the_o worship_n be_v corrupt_a in_o the_o essence_n or_o substance_n of_o it_o or_o second_o that_o the_o fault_n or_o defect_n in_o the_o external_n manner_n of_o performance_n of_o it_o be_v such_o as_o do_v fall_v short_a of_o and_o
our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n or_o any_o other_o holy_a man_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o christianity_n do_v ever_o decline_v the_o public_a worship_n or_o the_o use_n of_o god_n ordinance_n in_o such_o assembly_n where_o bad_a man_n as_o well_o as_o good_a have_v communion_n in_o they_o such_o a_o mixture_n of_o bad_a with_o good_a can_v hinder_v good_a man_n from_o any_o growth_n in_o grace_n by_o those_o ordinance_n if_o they_o have_v but_o a_o due_a care_n to_o make_v the_o best_a improvement_n of_o they_o they_o can_v and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o need_n of_o separate_n and_o new_a associate_a in_o reference_n to_o man_n own_o growth_n in_o grace_n though_o we_o shall_v suppose_v it_o possible_a they_o can_v be_v sure_a it_o be_v simple_o lawful_a which_o make_v such_o separation_n on_o the_o one_o have_v and_o associate_a on_o the_o other_o the_o more_o inexcusable_a when_o it_o cause_v so_o much_o hurt_v to_o the_o church_n in_o general_n and_o such_o obstruction_n to_o the_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o world_n as_o have_v be_v show_v it_o do_v and_o will_v do_v more_o if_o it_o shall_v more_o general_o prevail_v the_o few_o name_n in_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n do_v not_o defile_v their_o garment_n by_o communicate_v with_o the_o great_a number_n of_o those_o that_o have_v nor_o do_v they_o thereby_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o the_o benefit_n which_o christ_n design_v they_o by_o his_o ordinance_n either_o by_o have_v their_o mind_n discompose_v by_o such_o a_o mixture_n of_o communicant_n or_o otherwise_o for_o if_o they_o have_v we_o can_v think_v that_o our_o saviour_n who_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o golden_a candlestick_n search_v the_o reins_o and_o the_o heart_n to_o give_v to_o every_o one_o according_a to_o their_o work_n will_v have_v applaud_v they_o as_o he_o do_v with_o promise_n of_o great_a reward_n say_v they_o shall_v walk_v with_o i_o in_o white_a for_o they_o be_v worthy_a rev_n 3.4_o and_o now_o for_o a_o conclusion_n that_o no_o man_n may_v take_v offence_n at_o the_o discourse_n in_o these_o paper_n nor_o at_o i_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o i_o must_v inform_v those_o that_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o do_v so_o of_o two_o thing_n first_o that_o if_o i_o have_v discern_v that_o what_o be_v herein_o plead_v have_v have_v no_o better_a foundation_n than_o some_o few_o obscure_a text_n of_o scripture_n of_o dubious_a and_o uncertain_a interpretation_n i_o shall_v not_o thus_o far_o have_v engage_v in_o it_o as_o i_o have_v do_v but_o if_o it_o shall_v appear_v to_o other_o as_o it_o do_v to_o i_o that_o i_o have_v the_o general_a stream_n of_o the_o scripture_n on_o my_o side_n herein_o both_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o of_o the_o new_a both_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n i_o hope_v i_o shall_v be_v excuse_v for_o make_v this_o essay_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o those_o that_o most_o need_v it_o second_o that_o i_o take_v the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o discourse_n in_o these_o paper_n to_o be_v perfect_o agreeable_a to_o christian_a charity_n as_o tend_v to_o no_o man_n hurt_n but_o to_o the_o general_a good_a of_o all_o sort_n else_o i_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v satisfy_v in_o it_o for_o i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o think_v any_o thing_n orthodox_n in_o divinity_n which_o be_v against_o charity_n now_o if_o the_o extent_n of_o visible_a church-membership_n and_o communion_n plead_v for_o tend_v more_o to_o the_o conversion_n of_o such_o of_o they_o as_o be_v unregenerate_a and_o not_o otherwise_o obnoxious_a to_o excommunication_n than_o the_o exclude_v such_o from_o both_o will_v do_v than_o what_o i_o plead_v for_o be_v great_a charity_n to_o they_o and_o this_o extent_n of_o visible_a church-membership_n and_o communion_n tend_v to_o propagate_v and_o spread_v the_o christian_a religion_n among_o those_o that_o be_v yet_o without_o the_o church_n more_o than_o the_o narrow_a way_n can_v do_v as_o have_v be_v show_v and_o therefore_o its_o matter_n of_o charity_n to_o they_o also_o and_o in_o that_o this_o more_o general_a way_n of_o visible_a church-membership_n and_o communion_n be_v not_o plead_v to_o the_o deny_v the_o usefulness_n of_o excommunication_n in_o reference_n to_o capital_a offender_n but_o the_o contrary_a that_o be_v matter_n of_o charity_n to_o they_o also_o because_o by_o that_o they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o shame_n and_o so_o unto_o repentance_n when_o they_o see_v all_o sober_a christian_n ashamed_a to_o own_v they_o or_o to_o be_v number_v with_o they_o as_o be_v a_o disgrace_n to_o the_o religion_n they_o profess_v and_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o be_v less_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o church-discipline_n upon_o the_o proper_a object_n of_o it_o than_o our_o dissent_v friend_n be_v that_o i_o think_v it_o a_o piece_n of_o great_a uncharitableness_n towards_o gross_a sinner_n when_o it_o be_v neglect_v by_o they_o to_o who_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o do_v belong_v only_o i_o will_v have_v the_o scripture_n rule_v observe_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o not_o use_v such_o severity_n as_o to_o exclude_v all_o such_o from_o church-communion_n as_o may_v be_v suspect_v to_o be_v unregenerate_a when_o yet_o not_o guilty_a of_o any_o heresy_n scandalous_a crime_n or_o gross_a ignorance_n for_o man_n may_v give_v occasion_n of_o suspicion_n of_o their_o unregeneracy_n by_o such_o sinful_a neglect_n of_o do_v good_a as_o yet_o may_v be_v no_o just_a ground_n of_o excommunication_n neither_o be_v this_o more_o extensive_a way_n of_o visible_a church-membership_n and_o communion_n hurtful_a to_o those_o that_o be_v good_a but_o give_v they_o opportunity_n of_o do_v the_o more_o good_a and_o therefore_o be_v no_o matter_n of_o uncharitableness_n unto_o they_o neither_o for_o this_o will_v not_o hinder_v they_o from_o be_v as_o good_a as_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v if_o nothing_o else_o do_v they_o may_v be_v as_o strict_a as_o they_o will_v in_o reference_n to_o themselves_o and_o they_o will_v not_o be_v at_o the_o less_o but_o the_o more_o liberty_n to_o converse_v with_o the_o best_a man_n for_o their_o own_o improvement_n in_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o then_o it_o will_v be_v beneficial_a to_o they_o by_o put_v they_o into_o a_o capacity_n and_o give_v they_o a_o opportunity_n of_o do_v more_o good_a than_o otherwise_o they_o can_v for_o while_o good_a man_n do_v not_o separate_v themselves_o from_o formal_a professor_n of_o the_o same_o religion_n nor_o exclude_v they_o from_o communion_n with_o they_o in_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n they_o the_o better_o preserve_v their_o own_o esteem_n among_o they_o and_o the_o esteem_n of_o that_o wherein_o they_o excel_v they_o and_o they_o will_v be_v the_o more_o ready_a to_o hearken_v to_o they_o in_o their_o advice_n and_o counsel_n and_o in_o their_o admonition_n or_o reproof_n and_o the_o soon_o be_v bring_v to_o imitate_v their_o virtue_n whereas_o a_o contrary_a carriage_n produce_v contrary_a effect_n for_o separation_n from_o neighbour_n as_o no_o member_n of_o a_o true_o christian_a church_n when_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o breed_v more_o or_o less_o estrangedness_n between_o they_o and_o that_o beget_v prejudices_fw-la against_o they_o and_o jealousy_n and_o suspicion_n concern_v they_o as_o man_n want_v in_o true_a christian_a charity_n and_o humility_n which_o will_v make_v they_o the_o less_o value_v and_o their_o good_a counsel_n and_o exhortation_n the_o less_o regard_v and_o their_o good_a example_n in_o what_o be_v worthy_a imitation_n the_o less_o take_v with_o and_o the_o less_o gain_v upon_o such_o man_n a_o discourse_n likewise_o which_o evince_v a_o more_o extensive_a visible_a church-membership_n and_o communion_n to_o be_v approve_v of_o by_o god_n than_o these_o dissent_v brethren_n will_v allow_v must_v needs_o be_v matter_n of_o charity_n to_o themselves_o more_o especial_o for_o it_o tend_v to_o rescue_v and_o deliver_v they_o from_o such_o error_n as_o make_v they_o injurious_a to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o world_n and_o what_o good_a man_n be_v there_o that_o will_v not_o be_v glad_a to_o be_v deliver_v from_o such_o apprehension_n as_o make_v he_o troublesome_a even_o to_o good_a man_n themselves_o without_o any_o cause_n and_o from_o such_o opinion_n as_o have_v kindle_v a_o fire_n of_o contention_n and_o discord_n in_o the_o church_n destructive_a of_o that_o christian_a charity_n without_o which_o all_o we_o do_v in_o religion_n will_v signify_v nothing_o it_o be_v certain_o a_o great_a grief_n to_o all_o good_a man_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o bar_n in_o the_o way_n to_o keep_v they_o at_o any_o undue_a distance_n from_o one_o another_o and_o consequent_o it_o must_v be_v very_o grateful_a to_o they_o when_o ever_o it_o be_v remove_v this_o more_o general_a way_n of_o visible_a church-membership_n and_o communion_n be_v then_o more_o useful_a and_o beneficial_a to_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n than_o the_o other_o be_v and_o true_o hurtful_a to_o none_o i_o say_v it_o be_v a_o way_n and_o method_n so_o full_o of_o charity_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o and_o so_o agreeable_a to_o moral_a principle_n of_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n as_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v will_v commend_v itself_o to_o right_a reason_n and_o to_o that_o natural_a light_n that_o be_v in_o man_n if_o it_o shall_v not_o have_v have_v that_o evidence_n from_o supernatural_a revelation_n to_o back_n and_o authorise_v it_o which_o it_o have_v the_o consideration_n of_o which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o great_a motive_n to_o i_o to_o engage_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o so_o i_o hope_v it_o will_v plead_v my_o excuse_n in_o every_o good_a man_n conscience_n for_o this_o undertake_n for_o indeed_o i_o that_o do_v certain_o know_v my_o own_o mind_n do_v know_v that_o i_o have_v more_o love_n and_o true_a respect_n for_o the_o person_n who_o opinion_n i_o have_v herein_o oppose_v than_o to_o wish_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o tend_v to_o their_o hurt_n and_o now_o methinks_v i_o may_v reasonable_o promise_v this_o to_o myself_o that_o such_o as_o love_v truth_n for_o truth_n sake_n and_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o will_v buy_v the_o truth_n but_o not_o sell_v it_o at_o any_o rate_n whatsoever_o shall_v not_o be_v unwilling_a to_o lay_v aside_o all_o prejudice_n and_o self_n interest_n and_o to_o consider_v impartial_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n by_o what_o hand_n soever_o it_o be_v prepare_v and_o yet_o that_o be_v all_o that_o i_o desire_v from_o they_o for_o who_o sake_n this_o discourse_n be_v compose_v the_o end_n
or_o of_o the_o ill_a effect_n of_o they_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v any_o occasion_n of_o they_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o be_v a_o accidental_a occasion_n of_o division_n and_o actual_o to_o divide_v and_o separate_v causeless_o and_o look_v how_o much_o the_o one_o be_v worse_a than_o the_o other_o by_o so_o much_o must_v the_o dissenter_n be_v more_o in_o fault_n by_o their_o actual_a division_n and_o separation_n than_o they_o can_v with_o any_o appearance_n of_o reason_n pretend_v the_o other_o to_o be_v for_o the_o severity_n of_o their_o imposition_n now_o that_o the_o imposition_n of_o the_o liturgy_n be_v no_o necessary_a cause_n of_o division_n and_o separation_n will_v appear_v in_o that_o the_o defect_n object_v against_o it_o be_v no_o sufficient_a cause_n of_o separation_n from_o the_o worship_n perform_v according_a to_o it_o and_o this_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v make_v out_o to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o any_o man_n who_o prejudice_n be_v not_o great_a than_o his_o reason_n in_o my_o inquire_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o schism_n among_o the_o follow_a discourse_n in_o which_o discourse_n i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o remove_v those_o bar_n and_o stumbling-block_n out_o of_o the_o dissenter_n way_n which_o have_v keep_v they_o from_o communion_n with_o our_o parochial_a congregation_n and_o this_o with_o a_o design_n of_o ease_n to_o they_o as_o well_o as_o service_n to_o the_o church_n otherways_o but_o this_o their_o narrow_n and_o lessen_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o the_o term_n of_o admission_n into_o it_o and_o of_o share_n in_o the_o external_n privilege_n of_o it_o and_o likewise_o their_o confine_v the_o administration_n of_o its_o worship_n to_o one_o circumstantial_a mode_n as_o only_o lawful_a when_o almighty_a god_n have_v not_o do_v so_o be_v of_o very_o pernicious_a consequence_n for_o it_o have_v we_o see_v divide_v the_o protestant_n among_o themselves_o and_o cast_v they_o into_o party_n and_o then_o engage_v they_o in_o contentious_a dispute_n one_o against_o another_o which_o have_v beget_v a_o kind_n of_o strangeness_n and_o shiness_fw-mi in_o they_o towards_o each_o other_o yea_o and_o disaffection_n too_o and_o the_o opposition_n beget_v upon_o this_o account_n rise_v still_o high_o and_o high_o and_o more_o and_o more_o threaten_v ruin_n to_o both_o party_n first_o and_o last_o and_o the_o papist_n themselves_o can_v never_o have_v contrive_v a_o more_o likely_a way_n to_o disgrace_v the_o reformation_n to_o lay_v low_a the_o protstant_a interest_n to_o enfeeble_v its_o strength_n and_o to_o break_v down_o its_o fence_n and_o make_v way_n for_o the_o return_n of_o popery_n than_o we_o ourselves_o have_v take_v by_o divide_v ourselves_o by_o needless_a and_o unreasonable_a scruple_n and_o by_o make_v a_o reformation_n of_o the_o reformation_n as_o necessary_a as_o the_o first_o reformation_n from_o popery_n be_v and_o for_o want_v of_o it_o to_o make_v a_o second_o separation_n as_o necessary_a as_o the_o first_o for_o what_o will_v or_o can_v they_o do_v more_o than_o separate_v in_o case_n popery_n be_v in_o place_n of_o protestant_a worship_n and_o however_o a_o emendation_n in_o some_o thing_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a concern_n may_v be_v very_o convenient_a and_o desirablee_v when_o it_o can_v be_v have_v in_o a_o legal_a way_n yet_o to_o make_v this_o as_o necessary_a as_o the_o first_o reformation_n from_o popery_n be_v and_o a_o separation_n from_o parochial_a communion_n for_o want_n of_o it_o as_o necessary_a as_o our_o first_o separation_n from_o popery_n be_v be_v so_o unreasonble_a that_o it_o be_v a_o marvellous_a thing_n that_o man_n of_o any_o reputation_n for_o wisdom_n shall_v not_o see_v it_o and_o be_v full_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v likewise_o that_o they_o shall_v run_v so_o desperate_a a_o hazard_n as_o they_o do_v of_o lose_v all_o the_o benefit_n they_o have_v of_o the_o national_a reformation_n from_o popery_n rather_o than_o be_v deny_v or_o want_v that_o further_a reformation_n as_o they_o esteem_v it_o which_o they_o desire_v and_o be_v it_o not_o marvellous_a also_o that_o they_o will_v not_o do_v what_o they_o can_v do_v towards_o prevent_v of_o it_o by_o comply_v with_o public_a order_n as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v for_o they_o themselves_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o believe_v that_o very_o many_o especial_o of_o the_o more_o know_v of_o they_o can_v join_v in_o the_o common_a prayer_n make_v in_o our_o parochial_a assembly_n yea_o and_o more_o than_o so_o however_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v they_o refrain_v from_o do_v so_o and_o one_o will_v think_v the_o apostle_n injunction_n if_o it_o be_v dossible_a and_o as_o much_o as_o in_o you_o lie_v live_v peaceable_o with_o all_o man_n shall_v weigh_v more_o with_o they_o than_o any_o politic_a consideration_n whatsoever_o especial_o when_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o safety_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v in_o it_o as_o it_o be_v and_o as_o they_o know_v it_o be_v it_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v believe_v that_o they_o can_v think_v that_o not_o to_o comply_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v shall_v be_v a_o more_o likely_a way_n to_o come_v into_o their_o end_n for_n far_o as_o it_o be_v fair_a and_o reasonable_a than_o to_o do_v so_o be_v god_n almighty_n grant_v the_o thing_n which_o belong_v to_o our_o peace_n may_v not_o still_o be_v hide_v from_o our_o eye_n i_o have_v be_v inform_v and_o do_v perceive_v that_o many_o of_o the_o dissenter_n can_v come_v to_o church_n but_o can_v not_o kneel_v in_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n by_o reason_n whereof_o they_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o law_n though_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o church_n for_o who_o help_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o this_o case_n i_o shall_v here_o add_v a_o few_o word_n which_o be_v omit_v in_o a_o more_o proper_a place_n one_o reason_n of_o this_o scruple_n of_o they_o be_v take_v from_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n use_v another_o gesture_n at_o the_o first_o institution_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n but_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v 1._o that_o if_o the_o circumstance_n attend_v the_o first_o institution_n of_o this_o supper_n shall_v oblige_v we_o to_o a_o imitation_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o in_o what_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o ordinance_n itself_o than_o we_o may_v not_o receive_v it_o but_o in_o the_o night_n and_o after_o another_o supper_n be_v first_o eat_v and_o in_o the_o gesture_n and_o posture_n of_o lie_v upon_o couch_n or_o bed_n for_o under_o those_o circumstance_n it_o be_v first_o institute_v and_o receive_v but_o now_o the_o different_a practice_n of_o christian_n in_o after_o time_n do_v declare_v that_o they_o have_v not_o hold_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o imitate_v they_o in_o these_o circumstance_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n they_o shall_v because_o these_o thing_n be_v but_o accidental_a to_o the_o ordinance_n itself_o and_o be_v all_o occasion_v by_o this_o supper_n be_v institute_v at_o the_o paschal_n supper_n and_o from_o the_o jew_n gesture_n use_v therein_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o their_o country_n and_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o gesture_n do_v no_o more_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o ordinance_n than_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o other_o accidental_a circumstance_n do_v 2._o scripture_n example_n be_v no_o far_o bind_v to_o we_o than_o they_o be_v agreeable_a to_o some_o precept_n or_o rule_n of_o duty_n otherwise_o but_o now_o there_o be_v no_o precept_n enjoin_v any_o one_o gesture_n to_o be_v use_v in_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n as_o exclusive_a of_o any_o other_o and_o therefore_o any_o may_v be_v make_v use_n of_o when_o require_v by_o the_o government_n over_o we_o for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n but_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o one_o gesture_n require_v by_o our_o saviour_n as_o necessary_a and_o as_o exclusive_a of_o other_o no_o doubt_n but_o st._n paul_n will_v have_v make_v mention_n of_o it_o when_o he_o make_v know_v to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n what_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o lord_n touch_v his_o last_o supper_n but_o we_o see_v no_o such_o thing_n be_v mention_v by_o he_o chap._n 11._o 3._o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v alter_v the_o gesture_n in_o their_o eat_v the_o passeover_n from_o what_o be_v use_v at_o the_o first_o institution_n of_o it_o our_o saviour_n we_o see_v comply_v there_o with_o and_o conform_v to_o what_o be_v then_o become_v customary_a in_o that_o church_n and_o if_o we_o do_v the_o like_a for_o the_o like_a reason_n who_o can_v blame_v we_o for_o it_o without_o reproach_v our_o bless_a saviour_n their_o other_o reason_n of_o their_o scruple_n be_v take_v from_o the_o papist_n have_v abuse_v this_o gesture_n of_o kneel_v to_o idolatry_n in_o worship_v the_o bread_n by_o