imply_v authority_n &_o that_o it_o be_v proportionable_o answerable_a to_o the_o take_v away_o by_o death_n &c_n &c_n that_o it_o be_v a_o special_a use_n of_o the_o key_n give_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o apostle_n that_o the_o force_n hereof_o be_v such_o as_o thereby_o a_o man_n be_v not_o only_o cast_v out_o of_o that_o particular_a church_n whereof_o he_o be_v a_o member_n but_o be_v cut_v off_o &_o exclude_v from_o all_o church_n upon_o earth_n as_o on_o the_o contrary_a by_o baptism_n we_o be_v enter_v into_o communion_n with_o all_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o world_n by_o these_o thing_n compare_v together_o we_o may_v observe_v 1._o that_o the_o church_n elder_n may_v by_o their_o sole_a authority_n give_v judiciarie_n sentence_n that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v excommunicate_v answerable_a to_o the_o magistrate_n in_o israel_n that_o give_v sentence_v a_o man_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o death_n 2._o that_o the_o elder_n may_v also_o by_o authority_n in_o particular_a deliver_v a_o man_n to_o satan_n by_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v proportionable_o answerable_a to_o the_o take_v away_o by_o death_n which_o in_o israel_n themselves_o grant_v be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o people_n thus_o do_v the_o elder_n now_o challenge_v by_o proportion_n in_o the_o church_n that_o which_o belong_v both_o to_o magistrate_n and_o people_n in_o the_o common_a wealth_n but_o because_o they_o fear_v the_o 5.26_o people_n they_o shape_v they_o this_o deceitful_a proportion_n that_o their_o avoid_v the_o excommunicate_a person_n be_v the_o execute_n or_o put_v in_o execution_n as_o they_o ambiguous_o speak_v of_o the_o sentence_n answerable_a to_o the_o people_n ston_a of_o a_o malefactor_n in_o israel_n how_o fit_o let_v all_o that_o have_v understand_v judge_n for_o whether_o the_o people_n avoid_v he_o or_o not_o the_o man_n be_v judge_v and_o deliver_v to_o satan_n and_o so_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o church_n as_o on_o the_o contrary_a when_o one_o be_v baptize_v by_o the_o minister_n whether_o the_o people_n keep_v company_n with_o he_o or_o not_o he_o be_v make_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o a_o man_n behead_v in_o israel_n be_v sure_o dead_a whether_o the_o people_n refrain_v from_o touch_v he_o or_o no._n 2._o again_o they_o give_v no_o more_o to_o the_o people_n of_o that_o church_n whereof_o he_o be_v a_o member_n then_o to_o the_o people_n of_o all_o other_o church_n that_o be_v bind_v to_o avoid_v the_o excommunicate_v person_n as_o well_o as_o they_o 3._o yea_o they_o give_v hereby_o their_o people_n no_o more_o power_n than_o the_o pope_n do_v to_o his_o mark_a servant_n for_o he_o also_o will_v have_v the_o people_n avoid_v such_o as_o he_o do_v excommunicate_a and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o boast_a right_a and_o liberty_n of_o the_o people_n they_o have_v as_o much_o in_o the_o great_a bondage_n of_o popery_n as_o now_o when_o they_o be_v carry_v thus_o blindfold_a by_o propertion_n but_o they_o tell_v the_o people_n 34._o that_o if_o any_o can_v except_v against_o the_o elder_n proceed_n they_o shall_v be_v hear_v i_o answer_v first_o before_o who_o and_o unto_o who_o shall_v any_o man_n except_o against_o the_o elder_n be_v it_o not_o before_o and_o unto_o the_o elder_n themselves_o and_o be_v it_o meet_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v judge_n in_o their_o own_o case_n in_o israel_n when_o any_o complain_v of_o wrong_n in_o the_o synagogue_n or_o city_n there_o be_v a_o 19.8.10_o high_a court_n to_o control_v unruly_a elder_n and_o to_o help_v the_o oppress_v but_o now_o 2._o or_o 3._o elder_n in_o a_o church_n bear_v themselves_o upon_o their_o forge_a authority_n from_o mat._n 18.17.20_o may_v be_v lawless_a and_o who_o shall_v let_v they_o in_o their_o proceed_n second_o how_o shall_v the_o people_n except_v when_o by_o these_o man_n doctrine_n they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o hear_n and_o decide_v of_o the_o controversy_n will_v it_o not_o be_v a_o just_a blame_n upon_o they_o if_o they_o except_v against_o a_o matter_n which_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v discuss_v three_o when_o the_o party_n accuse_v shall_v except_v against_o the_o elder_n proceed_n as_o common_o he_o will_v do_v for_o if_o he_o acknowledge_v himself_o to_o have_v sin_v he_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v may_v the_o people_n now_o require_v to_o hear_v the_o case_n debate_v between_o the_o elder_n and_o he_o nay_o they_o plead_v in_o their_o treatise_n on_o math._n 18._o say_v 16._o but_o where_o have_v the_o lord_n appoint_v a_o rule_n of_o further_a proceed_n beyond_o that_o of_o the_o elder_n &_o governor_n for_o hear_v the_o brethren_n cause_n and_o judge_v between_o a_o man_n and_o his_o brother_n etc._n etc._n and_o again_o the_o elder_n also_o be_v the_o church_n officer_n etc._n etc._n so_o as_o when_o they_o have_v hear_v examine_v admonish_v and_o judge_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v as_o do_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n thus_o let_v the_o man_n except_o what_o he_o will_v the_o judgm_n t_o be_v at_o a_o end_n the_o lo_o have_v do_v it_o the_o church_n have_v do_v it_o because_o the_o elder_n have_v do_v it_o and_o it_o must_v be_v presuppose_v that_o they_o have_v do_v it_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n though_o the_o man_n except_o never_o so_o much_o and_o though_o the_o scripture_n foreshow_v of_o judge_n that_o be_v 3.3_o wolf_n not_o spare_v the_o flock_n and_o latter_a day_n abundant_o confirm_v the_o same_o and_o thus_o when_o a_o naboth_n be_v condemn_v by_o wicked_a elder_n if_o any_o except_o on_o his_o behalf_n they_o will_v 2d_o take_v he_o in_o a_o snare_n that_o reprove_v in_o the_o gate_n perhaps_o he_o shall_v hear_v it_o say_v by_o what_o authority_n do_v you_o speak_v &_o be_v you_o one_o of_o the_o church_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o 1â—_n of_o matthew_n for_o the_o elder_n have_v power_n to_o deal_v with_o he_o also_o that_o shall_v except_v and_o can_v easy_o bring_v he_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o contentious_a person_n or_o a_o oppugner_n of_o government_n and_o cast_v he_o likeweise_v out_o of_o the_o church_n that_o a_o man_n sometime_o be_v as_o good_a take_v a_o lion_n by_o the_o paw_n as_o except_v against_o the_o elder_n proceed_n next_o follow_v their_o many_o question_n and_o other_o matter_n impute_v unto_o we_o wherein_o we_o observe_v how_o when_o argument_n fail_v they_o for_o their_o own_o cause_n they_o seek_v to_o darken_v the_o truth_n by_o cast_v cloud_n before_o the_o reader_n eye_n 1._o first_o they_o ask_v whither_o in_o jsrael_n the_o lord_n abridge_v the_o people_n of_o their_o right_n and_o liberty_n etc._n etc._n i_o answer_v no_o but_o these_o man_n that_o by_o wrest_a proportion_n give_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n the_o power_n that_o magistrate_n priest_n and_o people_n have_v in_o israel_n do_v abridge_v the_o people_n of_o their_o right_n as_o before_o be_v manifest_v and_o for_o the_o further_o clear_v of_o it_o see_v there_o be_v diverse_a governor_n in_o israel_n as_o the_o 18._o priest_n and_o levite_n in_o the_o temple_n the_o 4.20_o minister_n in_o the_o synagogue_n the_o 1â—_n elder_n or_o magistrate_n at_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o city_n and_o these_o also_o divers_a and_o of_o unequal_a power_n as_o before_o 16._o be_v show_v i_o ask_v of_o they_o again_o whither_o now_o the_o eldership_n of_o every_o church_n be_v proportionable_a in_o power_n and_o government_n unto_o all_o those_o governor_n and_o if_o not_o unto_o all_o unto_o which_o of_o they_o 2._o second_o they_o ask_v whither_o the_o people_n have_v any_o more_o right_a and_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n government_n now_o than_o the_o people_n of_o jsrael_n have_v in_o those_o day_n i_o answer_v they_o shall_v not_o seek_v to_o entangle_v by_o ambiguity_n of_o term_n first_o we_o give_v not_o to_o the_o people_n government_n as_o before_o 10._o i_o have_v show_v but_o a_o right_n and_o power_n to_o 28.20_o observe_v and_o do_v all_o the_o commandment_n of_o christ_n touch_v his_o prophetical_a priestly_a and_o kingly_a office_n by_o the_o elder_n teach_v guide_v and_o govern_v of_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n 2._o the_o goverm_n t_o in_o israel_n be_v diverse_a by_o magistrate_n in_o the_o gate_n by_o priest_n in_o the_o sanctuary_n by_o minister_n in_o the_o synagogue_n to_o the_o magistracy_n all_o christian_n be_v to_o be_v subject_a 13.1_o now_o as_o they_o be_v then_o for_o it_o be_v a_o 2.13_o humane_a ordinance_n tend_v to_o civil_a peace_n and_o concern_v all_o man_n whither_o within_o the_o church_n or_o without_o indifferent_o the_o external_a priesthood_n of_o israel_n be_v accomplish_v in_o christ_n and_o now_o abolish_v heb._n 7._o
a_o beast_n to_o bear_v rule_n 6._o here_o also_o they_o do_v violence_n to_o the_o apostle_n similitude_n of_o a_o body_n and_o say_v 41._o when_o a_o part_n of_o the_o body_n be_v hurt_v the_o hand_n be_v not_o use_v nor_o seek_v unto_o to_o see_v withal_o nor_o the_o foot_n to_o hear_v neither_o do_v the_o head_n take_v they_o to_o consult_v and_o determine_v what_o to_o do_v but_o when_o the_o head_n itself_o have_v consider_v and_o determine_v than_o it_o use_v the_o help_n of_o the_o hand_n or_o foot_n etc._n etc._n as_o there_o be_v need_n and_o occasion_n i_o answer_v 1._o first_o much_o abuse_n may_v be_v offer_v to_o all_o parable_n by_o wrest_v they_o beyond_o their_o general_a scope_n as_o be_v here_o to_o this_o for_o by_o this_o manner_n of_o reason_v the_o elder_n as_o the_o head_n have_v all_o the_o wit_n and_o the_o people_n as_o the_o hand_n and_o foot_n have_v none_o at_o al._n the_o elder_n as_o the_o eye_n see_v all_o thing_n but_o the_o people_n see_v no_o more_o than_o the_o ear_n for_o if_o the_o people_n have_v some_o understanding_n and_o insight_n into_o matter_n as_o well_o as_o the_o elder_n why_o shall_v they_o not_o be_v use_v also_o in_o consult_v and_o determine_v public_a thing_n which_o concern_v al._n unless_o the_o elder_n now_o have_v such_o abundance_n of_o wisdom_n as_o they_o can_v afford_v enough_o to_o all_o and_o need_v supply_v from_o none_o but_o the_o scripture_n tell_v the_o contrary_a say_v who_o be_v sufficient_a for_o these_o thing_n 2._o cor._n 2.16_o and_o what_o mean_v the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o have_v all_o the_o people_n with_o they_o at_o their_o consolation_n &_o determination_n of_o a_o controversy_n act._n 15.2_o 22_o 23._o and_o why_o do_v th'apostle_n be_v the_o eye_n speak_v to_o the_o multitude_n which_o it_o seem_v see_v no_o more_o than_o do_v the_o hand_n and_o foot_n to_o look_v out_o man_n of_o wisdom_n for_o office_n among_o they_o act._n 6.2.3_o but_o what_o if_o there_o be_v of_o the_o people_n that_o see_v more_o than_o all_o their_o elder_n be_v illuminate_v as_o be_v david_n 119.99.100_o by_o god_n precept_n &_o what_o if_o the_o elder_n be_v blind_a guide_n as_o 15.14_o christ_n caleth_fw-he some_o &_o without_o understanding_n 56.11_o as_o the_o prophet_n complain_v then_o man_n must_v leave_v the_o blind_a eldership_n and_o go_v to_o the_o prudent_a brethren_n and_o they_o must_v consult_v and_o determine_v yea_o without_o the_o elder_n if_o these_o man_n say_v true_a do_v not_o these_o thing_n manifest_a how_o they_o have_v wrest_v the_o similitude_n 2._o second_o it_o be_v direct_v against_o the_o apostle_n meaning_n who_o because_o of_o dissension_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n show_v 12_o by_o that_o similitude_n of_o a_o body_n that_o the_o chief_a member_n have_v need_n of_o the_o inferior_a and_o the_o head_n 21._o can_v say_v to_o the_o foot_n i_o have_v no_o need_n of_o you_o but_o now_o the_o elder_n can_v say_v to_o the_o people_n we_o need_v not_o your_o help_n to_o judge_v and_o determine_v question_n and_o controversy_n this_o gift_n and_o duty_n be_v we_o neither_o be_v you_o bind_v to_o be_v present_a to_o hear_v and_o decide_v public_a cause_n but_o when_o we_o have_v judge_v you_o shall_v execute_v our_o judgement_n and_o if_o the_o people_n again_o shall_v say_v to_o the_o elder_n when_o they_o be_v about_o choice_n of_o officer_n we_o need_v not_o your_o help_n or_o counsel_n you_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o be_v present_a when_o we_o do_v this_o business_n the_o foot_n have_v no_o more_o need_n of_o the_o eye_n to_o go_v than_o the_o eye_n have_v of_o the_o foot_n to_o see_v be_v not_o this_o to_o make_v a_o division_n in_o the_o body_n 25._o which_o th'apostle_n there_o condemn_v 3._o moreover_o it_o be_v vain_a to_o think_v that_o any_o officer_n or_o brother_n in_o the_o church_n shall_v so_o be_v one_o special_a member_n of_o the_o body_n as_o that_o he_o can_v be_v a_o other_o the_o prophet_n in_o israel_n be_v 9.9_o seer_n and_o so_o in_o stead_n of_o eye_n in_o the_o head_n but_o when_o they_o 2.14_o look_v out_o vain_a thing_n then_o as_o the_o lord_n say_v the_o prophet_n that_o teach_v lie_n be_v the_o tail_n jsa_n 9.15_o the_o elder_n by_o direct_v the_o church_n in_o the_o right_a way_n be_v as_o eye_n to_o the_o body_n by_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n and_o censure_n they_o be_v as_o hand_n when_o they_o be_v send_v on_o the_o church_n message_n they_o be_v as_o foot_n when_o they_o reprove_v sin_n they_o be_v as_o the_o mouth_n when_o they_o be_v reprove_v for_o their_o sin_n they_o shall_v be_v as_o ear_n and_o so_o other_o christian_n in_o their_o place_n and_o employment_n and_o as_o god_n have_v bestow_v his_o grace_n upon_o any_o so_o be_v he_o to_o be_v regard_v of_o all_o without_o respect_n of_o person_n neither_o shall_v the_o elder_n be_v mind_v like_o achitophel_n 17._o and_o take_v it_o ill_a if_o at_o any_o time_n their_o counsel_n be_v not_o follow_v a_o man_n may_v see_v that_o in_o the_o church_n which_o solomon_n see_v in_o the_o besiege_a city_n etc._n a_o poor_a wise_a man_n that_o deliver_v the_o city_n by_o his_o wisdom_n though_o both_o he_o and_o his_o wisdom_n be_v despise_v a_o etc._n woman_n in_o abel_n when_o it_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v spoil_v 22._o persuade_v all_o the_o people_n with_o her_o wisdom_n to_o cut_v off_o shebaes_n head_n and_o so_o preserve_v the_o city_n be_v she_o in_o this_o action_n a_o part_n of_o the_o foot_n or_o of_o the_o hart_n and_o head_n in_o that_o body_n may_v we_o think_v 4._o final_o this_o their_o reason_n be_v one_o with_o the_o jesuit_n that_o exclude_v the_o people_n from_o church_n affair_n the_o church_n say_v 25._o bellarmine_n bind_v and_o lose_v but_o by_o their_o prelate_n not_o by_o whosoever_o even_o as_o the_o body_n speak_v but_o by_o the_o tongue_n not_o by_o the_o hand_n thus_o do_v the_o cardinal_n answer_n m._n luther_n argument_n and_o thus_o do_v these_o man_n answer_v we_o 6._o yet_o have_v they_o not_o say_v enough_o but_o they_o will_v make_v it_o 41._o antichristian_a servitude_n to_o have_v the_o people_n bind_v to_o come_v to_o the_o public_a ecclesiastical_a judgement_n unless_o perhaps_o when_o the_o elder_n call_v they_o together_o to_o execute_v their_o sentence_n for_o than_o i_o trow_v they_o be_v bind_v to_o come_v and_o be_v not_o this_o again_o to_o divide_v the_o body_n when_o the_o head_n must_v be_v present_a and_o the_o shoulder_n with_o the_o other_o part_n and_o member_n may_v be_v absent_a the_o apostle_n write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n how_o to_o do_v when_o 11.18.33_o they_o come_v together_o for_o the_o lord_n supper_n write_v also_o to_o they_o how_o 5._o when_o they_o be_v gather_v together_o they_o shall_v deliver_v the_o wicked_a unto_o satan_n we_o find_v no_o difference_n but_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o come_v to_o the_o one_o as_o to_o the_o other_o and_o if_o they_o answer_v they_o be_v bind_v to_o assemble_v for_o to_o excommunicate_v he_o but_o not_o to_o hear_v he_o by_o the_o word_n convince_v in_o the_o trial_n of_o his_o cause_n they_o may_v as_o well_o teach_v the_o people_n they_o be_v bind_v to_o come_v to_o eat_v the_o bread_n and_o wine_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n but_o not_o bind_v to_o hear_v the_o word_n teach_v and_o prepare_v they_o here_o unto_o we_o do_v so_o understand_v god_n law_n that_o when_o it_o command_v we_o any_o thing_n it_o do_v also_o command_v we_o to_o use_v all_o mean_n for_o the_o right_n and_o holy_a performance_n of_o it_o and_o all_o will_v be_v little_a enough_o the_o people_n therefore_o that_o be_v bind_v to_o stone_n a_o idolater_n in_o israel_n be_v bind_v by_o that_o law_n 23.7_o thou_o shall_v not_o slay_v the_o innocent_a to_o look_v that_o he_o be_v due_o convict_v of_o the_o crime_n and_o now_o by_o this_o law_n 5.22_o be_v not_o partaker_n of_o other_o man_n sin_n keep_v thyself_o pure_a every_o sowl_v that_o be_v bind_v to_o cast_v out_o a_o man_n condemn_v for_o heresy_n or_o other_o sin_v be_v also_o bind_v to_o see_v he_o convict_v lest_o 1â—_n diotrephes_n cause_n to_o cast_v out_o faithful_a brethren_n he_o that_o stand_v out_o to_o excommunication_n will_v common_o plead_v his_o cause_n to_o be_v just_a and_o complayn_n that_o the_o elder_n have_v pervert_v judgement_n with_o what_o comfort_n of_o hart_n can_v the_o people_n now_o excommunicate_v he_o if_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v the_o proceed_n against_o he_o and_o yet_o must_v execute_v the_o elder_n sentence_n upon_o he_o let_v wise_a man_n judge_v whither_o this_o be_v not_o spiritual_a tyranny_n which_o the_o elder_n will_v bring_v upon_o the_o
church_n the_o church_n what_o shall_v be_v answer_v before_o the_o magistrate_n we_o with_o signification_n as_o before_o that_o we_o will_v rather_o suffer_v wrong_a then_o sue_v at_o law_n yet_o can_v not_o hinder_v they_o of_o seek_v for_o their_o particular_a right_n &_o if_o in_o so_o do_v the_o church_n right_o be_v call_v in_o question_n that_o then_o some_o certain_a appoint_v shall_v answer_v for_o the_o same_o 3._o those_o our_o brethren_n before_o they_o go_v to_o the_o judge_n entreat_v the_o help_n of_o the_o burgemaster_n the_o chief_n of_o the_o city_n who_o labour_v by_o persuasion_n with_o our_o opposite_n to_o put_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o arbitrement_n of_o good_a man_n choose_v by_o both_o side_n but_o they_o still_o peremptory_o refuse_v 4._o when_o it_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o judge_n they_o also_o at_o first_o both_o persuade_v unto_o and_o nominate_v two_o indifferent_a man_n to_o hear_v the_o case_n but_o when_o our_o opposer_n come_v before_o they_o 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about_o also_o to_o possess_v the_o world_n with_o other_o matter_n so_o 31._o after_o they_o urge_v again_o this_o point_n that_o we_o leave_v the_o treatise_n unanswered_a which_o be_v purposely_o write_v upon_o that_o occasion_n and_o argument_n i_o answer_v 1._o we_o handle_v and_o justify_v the_o cause_n for_o which_o we_o separate_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n in_o much_o dispute_v before_o we_o leave_v they_o and_o this_o for_o they_o be_v as_o we_o ought_v and_o sufficient_a according_a to_o the_o apostle_n practice_v act._n 1â—_n 8.9_o and_o now_o we_o be_v by_o their_o importunacie_n call_v to_o handle_v and_o justify_v they_o before_o the_o world_n in_o writing_n which_o whither_o we_o do_v as_o we_o ought_v the_o sequel_n shall_v show_v to_o the_o judicious_a reader_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o we_o but_o they_o which_o have_v go_v about_o to_o possess_v the_o world_n with_o other_o matter_n for_o the_o thing_n we_o charge_v they_o with_o themselves_o in_o effect_n acknowledge_v 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only_o we_o know_v it_o must_v be_v either_o the_o name_n or_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o will_v have_v and_o we_o never_o think_v they_o so_o vain_a as_o to_o make_v such_o a_o styrr_n for_o a_o name_n or_o title_n we_o hold_v therefore_o to_o the_o power_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o his_o church_n for_o judge_v of_o they_o that_o be_v within_o 1._o cor._n 5.4.12.13_o of_o this_o when_o we_o press_v they_o they_o first_o give_v this_o answer_n that_o the_o elder_n have_v the_o rightful_a power_n to_o excommunicate_v though_o without_o and_o against_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o the_o people_n but_o not_o the_o able_a power_n even_o as_o david_n have_v rightful_a power_n to_o put_v joab_n to_o death_n but_o be_v not_o able_a because_o other_o be_v too_o hard_o for_o he_o 2._o sam._n 3.39_o to_o which_o we_o answer_v in_o matter_n of_o this_o life_n which_o be_v external_a man_n may_v be_v hinder_v by_o outward_a force_n but_o in_o the_o spiritual_a administration_n of_o the_o church_n not_o so_o god_n word_n by_o which_o they_o administer_v be_v not_o in_o bond_n 2_o tim._n 2.9_o but_o if_o one_o man_n only_o have_v the_o power_n from_o christ_n he_o may_v use_v it_o 1.9.10_o against_o all_o the_o world_n so_o upon_o better_a consideration_n a_o week_n after_o they_o affirm_v the_o elder_n to_o have_v both_o rightful_a power_n and_o able_a power_n to_o excommunicate_v though_o without_o and_o against_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o the_o people_n and_o thus_o be_v full_a power_n put_v in_o the_o elder_n hand_n &_o of_o the_o people_n they_o say_v their_o power_n and_o right_n be_v as_o in_o israel_n and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n but_o be_v ask_v what_o that_o be_v answer_v be_v make_v it_o be_v to_o be_v inquire_v so_o the_o poor_a people_n be_v leave_v to_o seek_v their_o right_a where_o they_o can_v find_v it_o the_o elder_n have_v enough_o they_o have_v find_v that_o they_o seek_v for_o as_o paul_n to_o dissuade_v the_o corinthian_n from_o their_o error_n in_o deny_v the_o resurrection_n show_v they_o the_o dangerous_a consequence_n of_o the_o same_o as_o etc._n that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a than_o christ_n be_v not_o rise_v than_o the_o apostle_n preach_v be_v vain_a than_o the_o church_n faith_n be_v also_o vain_a etc._n etc._n so_o i_o hold_v it_o my_o duty_n to_o show_v the_o people_n the_o consequence_n of_o the_o former_a error_n which_o though_o at_o first_o it_o may_v seem_v small_a yet_o be_v it_o as_o a_o strong_a fort_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o country_n which_o if_o the_o enemy_n win_v the_o whole_a land_n be_v soon_o lose_v for_o if_o all_o the_o power_n of_o receive_v in_o and_o cast_v out_o be_v give_v to_o the_o elder_n then_o our_o church_n which_o be_v first_o gather_v and_o constitute_v do_v receiv_o in_o and_o cast_v out_o member_n without_o elder_n be_v not_o plant_v by_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n neither_o have_v they_o authority_n to_o set_v up_o elder_n if_o they_o can_v not_o again_o upon_o desert_n depose_v they_o and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o judge_v their_o brethren_n much_o less_o can_v they_o judge_v their_o elder_n and_o here_o come_v in_o the_o gather_n of_o the_o church_n by_o virtue_n of_o popish_a baptism_n and_o of_o receive_v the_o ministry_n from_o rome_n as_o well_o as_o the_o baptism_n and_o the_o like_a which_o our_o opposite_n be_v and_o must_v necessary_o be_v drive_v unto_o for_o defence_n of_o their_o error_n and_o as_o for_o the_o first_o gather_v of_o this_o church_n they_o say_v a_o error_n in_o the_o do_n overthrow_v not_o the_o action_n for_o isaak_n err_v in_o blessing_n jaakob_n in_o stead_n of_o esau_n yet_o the_o action_n do_v stand_v to_o which_o we_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v do_v by_o a_o person_n
request_v our_o help_n therein_o and_o that_o the_o elder_n will_v no_o way_n aporove_v thereof_o but_o will_v only_o permit_v our_o come_n either_o of_o ourselves_o or_o at_o their_o request_n wherein_o they_o also_o certify_v we_o how_o some_o of_o they_o have_v charge_v the_o exposition_n of_o these_o word_n tell_v the_o church_n mat._n 18_o 17._o tell_v the_o elder_n with_o some_o other_o particular_n thereupon_o depend_v to_o be_v error_n and_o so_o be_v to_o prove_v their_o charge_n and_o therefore_o earnest_o request_v we_o to_o help_v in_o that_o great_a business_n that_o the_o truth_n may_v be_v maintain_v and_o not_o by_o their_o weakness_n injury_v and_o the_o innocent_a condemn_v and_o that_o we_o will_v help_v the_o lord_n against_o the_o mighty_a etc._n etc._n and_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o thus_o earnest_o request_v our_o help_n be_v because_o m._n ainsworth_n be_v so_o spare_v in_o oppose_v of_o mr_n johnsons_n new_a doctrine_n though_o always_o mislike_v it_o as_o they_o scarce_o know_v how_o he_o be_v mind_v in_o the_o thing_n so_o loath_a be_v he_o to_o come_v to_o any_o profess_a and_o public_a opposition_n with_o he_o who_o he_o rather_o hope_v to_o pacify_v by_o moderation_n then_o by_o opposition_n to_o stop_v in_o his_o intend_a course_n beside_o he_o be_v careful_a not_o to_o give_v any_o encouragement_n to_o the_o too_o violent_a opposition_n of_o some_o brethren_n though_o mind_a as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o this_o their_o letter_n and_o earnest_a request_n in_o it_o notwithstanding_o we_o go_v not_o but_o write_v to_o the_o church_n and_o show_v they_o what_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o letter_n be_v desire_v by_o they_o to_o be_v inform_v how_o thing_n stand_v with_o they_o and_o signify_v withal_o our_o unwillingnes_n to_o interpose_v but_o upon_o a_o dew_n and_o necessary_a call_n and_o that_o also_o as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v under_o the_o condition_n of_o best_a hope_n of_o good_a issue_n they_o as_o 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offence_n and_o minister_v occasion_n of_o further_a strife_n which_o phrase_n also_o we_o reprove_v in_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o they_o acknowledge_v amiss_o profess_v notwithstanding_o they_o have_v no_o evil_a meaning_n in_o it_o but_o only_o a_o desire_n to_o provoke_v we_o the_o more_o effectual_o to_o supply_v their_o inability_n against_o those_o with_o who_o they_o have_v to_o deal_v now_o for_o our_o withhold_v the_o copy_n of_o the_o letter_n though_o since_o that_o time_n for_o their_o importunity_n we_o send_v it_o they_o as_o also_o for_o our_o purpose_n of_o come_v unto_o they_o and_o the_o end_n thereof_o we_o will_v here_o insert_v what_o we_o write_v unto_o they_o in_o two_o several_a letter_n thereabouts_o for_o the_o former_a thus_o if_o the_o letter_n whereof_o you_o desire_v a_o copy_n may_v further_o your_o common_a peace_n or_o procure_v good_a to_o any_o we_o shall_v easy_o answer_v your_o desire_n but_o if_o on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v the_o least_o evil_a in_o it_o we_o shall_v hold_v it_o our_o duty_n to_o deal_v with_o the_o party_n offend_v ourselves_o and_o not_o to_o discover_v their_o sin_n and_o loath_a will_v we_o be_v either_o to_o minister_v matter_n of_o further_a scan_n among_o you_o or_o that_o any_o register_n of_o unkindness_n shall_v come_v unto_o you_o from_o our_o hand_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o this_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o only_a cause_n why_o we_o refuse_v to_o send_v this_o letter_n as_o they_o require_v wherein_o if_o we_o fail_v as_o we_o see_v no_o cause_n so_o to_o think_v yet_o be_v it_o the_o error_n of_o our_o love_n and_o great_a desire_n of_o their_o peace_n about_o our_o come_n we_o thus_o write_v our_o purpose_n therefore_o be_v according_a to_o the_o request_n of_o the_o brethren_n which_o have_v move_v we_o and_o our_o duty_n to_o send_v or_o come_v unto_o you_o not_o to_o oppose_v any_o person_n or_o to_o mainteyn_a any_o charge_n of_o error_n but_o by_o all_o other_o brotherly_a mean_n to_o help_v forward_o your_o holy_a peace_n if_o so_o the_o lord_n will_v be_v which_o how_o precious_a it_o be_v unto_o we_o we_o hope_v to_o manifest_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o man_n than_o which_o we_o know_v nothing_o in_o this_o world_n we_o have_v more_o cause_n to_o endeavour_v both_o with_o god_n and_o yourselves_o of_o which_o our_o come_n we_o pray_v you_o to_o accept_v and_o to_o appoint_v we_o some_o such_o time_n as_o seem_v to_o you_o most_o convenient_a wherealso_n we_o shall_v satisfy_v you_o to_o the_o utmost_a both_o touch_v the_o letter_n and_o other_o particular_n in_o all_o equity_n yea_o so_o far_o as_o we_o can_v without_o apparent_a sin_n these_o thing_n notwithstanding_o they_o will_v not_o approve_v but_o only_o permit_v of_o our_o come_n as_o man_n use_v to_o permit_v of_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a and_o which_o in_o deed_n they_o can_v not_o hinder_v and_o so_o we_o come_v unto_o they_o first_o of_o ourselves_o and_o afterward_o at_o the_o request_n of_o m._n ainsworth_n and_o they_o with_o he_o be_v send_v by_o the_o church_n whereof_o we_o be_v and_o so_o inforâ—mâ—_n ourselves_o upon_o they_o for_o the_o deliver_n of_o the_o church_n message_n do_v reprove_v what_o we_o judge_v evil_a in_o they_o and_o that_o we_o confess_v with_o some_o vehemency_n and_o in_o that_o regard_n it_o be_v that_o upon_o the_o motion_n make_v by_o mr._n johnson_n for_o the_o free_a dismission_n of_o such_o member_n with_o they_o unto_o we_o as_o can_v not_o there_o walk_v with_o peace_n of_o conscience_n there_o lie_v no_o other_o cause_n against_o they_o which_o shall_v also_o be_v mutual_o perform_v on_o our_o part_n we_o signify_v as_o he_o write_v that_o we_o little_o think_v they_o have_v be_v so_o inclinable_a to_o peace_n &_o that_o if_o we_o have_v so_o think_v we_o will_v have_v carry_v ourselves_o otherweise_v towards_o they_o than_o we_o do_v and_o good_a cause_n have_v we_o so_o to_o speak_v for_o neither_o be_v the_o same_o 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