in_o his_o catechism_n yet_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o from_o the_o second_o age_n they_o be_v distinguish_v in_o name_n and_o office_n that_o the_o first_o priest_n or_o bishop_n attend_v more_o peculiarly_a upon_o preach_v in_o public_a and_o the_o priest_n and_o deacon_n upon_o the_o function_n of_o lesser_a consequence_n as_o almsgiving_n etc._n etc._n from_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o read_v so_o often_o of_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n that_o such_o a_o one_o create_v so_o many_o priest_n so_o many_o deacon_n and_o that_o hyggen_n in_o the_o year_n 141._o create_v fifteen_o priest_n fifteen_o deacon_n and_o six_o bishop_n that_o eleutherius_fw-la in_o the_o year_n 184_o ordain_v 12_o priest_n 8_o deacon_n and_o 15_o bishop_n not_o to_o serve_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o in_o other_o place_n where_o the_o bishop_n who_o have_v ordain_v they_o be_v to_o attend_v upon_o the_o preach_n in_o public_a and_o the_o priest_n and_o deacon_n upon_o the_o other_o function_n of_o the_o holy_a ministry_n for_o their_o ministry_n be_v less_o fix_v they_o go_v to_o break_v bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n they_o instruct_v they_o comfort_v they_o confirm_v christian_n and_o those_o who_o they_o call_v fideles_fw-la in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o piety_n and_o draw_v over_o jew_n and_o gentile_n to_o they_o and_o they_o baptize_v they_o add_v every_o day_n some_o or_o other_o to_o the_o church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o be_v save_v in_o a_o word_n they_o form_v almost_o as_o many_o independent_a church_n as_o there_o be_v family_n but_o which_o then_o do_v not_o constitute_v a_o communion_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o same_o fideles_fw-la in_o the_o great_a and_o more_o numerous_a assembly_n and_o where_o they_o assist_v not_o only_o at_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o word_n but_o also_o at_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o holy_a supper_n and_o all_o the_o sacred_a ceremony_n as_o mounsieur_fw-fr le_fw-fr sueur_n tell_v we_o i_o must_v needs_o make_v one_o observation_n here_o which_o will_v be_v of_o no_o mean_a consequence_n as_o to_o what_o i_o have_v say_v about_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n priest_n elder_n sacerdote_fw-la and_o deacon_n in_o the_o same_o ministry_n against_o those_o who_o will_v fain_o persuade_v we_o that_o not_o only_o this_o intendance_n of_o a_o bishop_n over_o the_o priest_n but_o also_o the_o prerogative_n that_o they_o attribute_v to_o themselves_o of_o have_v alone_o the_o authority_n and_o the_o right_a to_o ordain_v pastor_n be_v of_o divine_a right_n and_o by_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n i_o must_v needs_o observe_v i_o say_v that_o since_o the_o word_n and_o the_o office_n have_v be_v distinguish_v christian_a antiquity_n never_o think_v this_o intendance_n and_o prerogative_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n because_o it_o be_v in_o the_o liberty_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o abandon_v the_o order_n or_o office_n of_o bishop_n without_o quit_v the_o office_n of_o priest_n or_o of_o minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o indeed_o without_o be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o unless_o he_o be_v constrain_v to_o it_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o deposition_n they_o do_v deprive_v themselves_o then_o of_o a_o humane_a arbitrary_a and_o mutable_a order_n unto_o which_o they_o be_v call_v by_o man_n but_o they_o can_v not_o divest_v themselves_o of_o that_o which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o jesus_n christ_n that_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o council_n of_o ancyra_n in_o the_o year_n 314._o which_o have_v depose_v some_o person_n from_o the_o episcopacy_n jest_n they_o in_o the_o presbytry_n this_o be_v what_o the_o six_o ecumenical_a council_n do_v canon_n twenty_o which_o depose_v a_o bishop_n but_o do_v not_o take_v from_o he_o the_o presbytry_n so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v then_o a_o indelible_a character_n it_o be_v not_o that_o of_o bishop_n but_o that_o of_o tresbyter_n and_o this_o be_v the_o far_o confirm_v and_o more_o strong_o by_o this_o consideration_n that_o as_o it_o be_v a_o usurpation_n or_o at_o least_o a_o right_n pure_o humane_a when_o one_o of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o presbytry_n who_o be_v call_v bishop_n attribute_v to_o himself_o alone_o the_o right_n and_o the_o office_n of_o preach_v in_o public_a and_o not_o of_o communicate_v it_o to_o other_o but_o only_o as_o far_o as_o he_o please_v the_o same_o judgement_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v of_o this_o intendance_n over_o priest_n and_o this_o prerogative_n to_o ordain_v and_o to_o conclude_v that_o neither_o episcopacy_n nor_o the_o power_n to_o ordain_v nor_o that_o to_o preach_v in_o public_a which_o one_o person_n reserve_v peculiar_o to_o himself_o be_v of_o christ_n institution_n this_o be_v if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v a_o observation_n which_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o by_o any_o be_v think_v on_o but_o which_o be_v the_o unravel_v of_o all_o the_o difficulty_n that_o those_o great_a man_n mounsieur_fw-fr daille_n the_o father_n mounsieur_fw-fr larroque_n etc._n etc._n on_o one_o side_n and_o mounsieur_fw-fr pearson_n bishop_n of_o chester_n on_o the_o other_o have_v form_v concern_v either_o the_o establishment_n or_o the_o overthrow_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o here_o now_o be_v the_o resolution_n of_o the_o word_n of_o saint_n jerome_n which_o have_v put_v so_o many_o people_n on_o the_o rack_n and_o have_v spend_v both_o so_o much_o precious_a time_n and_o paper_n quid_fw-la facit_fw-la episcopus_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la facit_fw-la presbyter_n except_o ordinatione_n which_o word_n marsillus_n de_fw-fr padoüa_n understand_v of_o the_o power_n that_o the_o bishop_n reserve_v alone_o to_o himself_o by_o a_o right_n pure_o humane_a to_o regulate_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n because_o it_o will_v be_v a_o thing_n altogether_o absurd_a to_o make_v saint_n jerome_n say_v that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v in_o all_o thing_n equal_v the_o priest_n to_o the_o bishop_n except_o the_o power_n to_o ordain_v and_o now_o also_o you_o may_v see_v by_o all_o these_o declaration_n and_o discovery_n a_o very_a strong_a establishment_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n but_o i_o now_o will_v return_v from_o this_o digression_n to_o pursue_v the_o subject_n i_o leave_v off_o for_o it_o the_o conduct_n and_o government_n of_o the_o christian_n under_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o before_o that_o of_o constantine_n differ_v very_o much_o from_o the_o manner_n which_o be_v observe_v when_o the_o emperor_n be_v christian_n and_o when_o they_o assemble_v together_o both_o more_o public_o and_o in_o great_a number_n enjoy_v their_o full_a liberty_n as_o a_o rigorous_a discipline_n under_o those_o christian_a emperor_n can_v not_o be_v practise_v but_o upon_o a_o small_a number_n in_o great_a town_n as_o rome_n antioch_n alexandria_n canstantinople_n etc._n etc._n most_o of_o the_o person_n who_o can_v not_o be_v distinguish_v one_o from_o another_o in_o the_o crowd_n and_o multitude_n and_o on_o who_o they_o can_v lay_v nothing_o by_o way_n of_o reproach_n either_o enter_v into_o no_o discipline_n and_o be_v neither_o poenitentes_fw-la nor_o catechumeni_fw-la or_o else_o they_o pass_v for_o those_o who_o be_v call_v fideles_fw-la and_o who_o they_o never_o so_o much_o as_o question_v whether_o they_o be_v baptize_v or_o not_o for_o saint_n ambrose_n who_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o very_a good_a man_n and_o one_o of_o the_o fideles_fw-la that_o frequent_v the_o religious_a assembly_n both_o in_o public_a and_o private_a be_v neither_o in_o order_n nor_o baptize_v when_o the_o people_n of_o milan_n take_v he_o and_o carry_v he_o away_o as_o a_o holy_a body_n to_o be_v a_o bishop_n will_v they_o say_v that_o after_o he_o be_v a_o bishop_n he_o pass_v through_o all_o the_o degree_n of_o discipline_n or_o penitence_n and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o catechumen_n and_o afterward_o a_o fidelis_fw-la which_o name_n be_v give_v only_o to_o those_o who_o be_v call_v lay_v or_o secular_a person_n and_o the_o example_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a who_o be_v baptize_v at_o the_o very_a point_n and_o moment_n of_o his_o death_n and_o that_o of_o satyrus_n the_o brother_n of_o ambrose_n and_o of_o valentinian_n who_o that_o father_n so_o high_o commend_v and_o who_o die_v before_o they_o be_v baptize_v be_v a_o very_a strong_a proof_n and_o argument_n for_o that_o which_o i_o here_o maintain_v now_o those_o of_o the_o faithful_a who_o be_v so_o rather_o in_o reality_n than_o the_o name_n do_v not_o under_o those_o christian_a emperor_n quit_v their_o good_a custom_n of_o convert_v their_o house_n and_o their_o family_n into_o so_o many_o little_a church_n they_o perform_v there_o the_o same_o exercise_n of_o piety_n both_o during_o their_o repast_n and_o out_o of_o they_o but_o i_o must_v here_o make_v one_o remark_n by_o the_o way_n upon_o the_o passage_n of_o
impression_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o congregational_a way_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n than_o will_v that_o of_o a_o divine_a of_o a_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o any_o other_o person_n engage_v by_o profession_n either_o to_o the_o episcopal_a presbyterian_a or_o even_o to_o the_o congregational_a way_n as_o reason_n and_o grace_n in_o the_o hope_n of_o glory_n be_v the_o three_o ressort_n or_o principle_n which_o have_v always_o move_v and_o govern_v i_o in_o all_o the_o course_n of_o my_o life_n and_o in_o all_o my_o write_n so_o have_v they_o be_v always_o less_o violent_a by_o the_o prejudices_fw-la and_o interest_n in_o the_o profession_n i_o make_v of_o a_o physician_n than_o if_o i_o have_v be_v either_o a_o divine_a or_o a_o lawyer_n i_o ought_v here_o also_o to_o acknowledge_v my_o obligation_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n not_o only_o for_o the_o first_o hint_n of_o this_o truth_n that_o the_o congregational_a way_n be_v of_o all_o the_o establishment_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n the_o most_o conformable_a to_o reason_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a christian_n but_o for_o have_v absolute_o confirm_v i_o in_o this_o truth_n though_o the_o design_n of_o that_o bishop_n have_v not_o be_v to_o put_v the_o congregational_a way_n above_o the_o romish_a but_o only_o to_o discover_v and_o this_o he_o have_v do_v by_o argument_n that_o come_v very_o near_o to_o demonstration_n that_o go_v upon_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o set_v up_o a_o tribunal_n in_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o submission_n of_o the_o people_n to_o that_o tribunal_n as_o be_v the_o only_a rampiâ—r_n of_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n and_o the_o only_a mean_n of_o unite_n christian_n preserve_v peace_n and_o good_a order_n among_o they_o it_o be_v incomparable_o more_o reasonable_a that_o such_o submission_n shall_v be_v make_v to_o a_o infallible_a tribunal_n than_o to_o one_o that_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n and_o that_o upon_o this_o ground_n of_o all_o the_o ecclesiastical_a way_n in_o the_o world_n which_o acknowledge_v that_o every_o ecclesiastical_a tribunal_n either_o supreme_a or_o subordinate_a that_o every_o council_n either_o ecumenical_a or_o topical_a be_v fallible_a and_o subject_a to_o error_n the_o congregational_a way_n which_o refuse_v all_o manner_n of_o submission_n to_o a_o tribunal_n subject_a to_o error_n be_v the_o most_o reasonable_a and_o the_o most_o just_a chap._n xiii_o the_o explication_n of_o one_o difficulty_n which_o run_v throughout_o the_o whole_a precedent_n discourse_n as_o it_o be_v in_o my_o thought_n to_o finish_v this_o discourse_n by_o the_o word_n finis_fw-la a_o learned_a presbyterian_a come_n in_o and_o have_v apprehend_v my_o design_n put_v one_o objection_n to_o i_o against_o the_o defeat_n and_o overthrow_n i_o pretend_v to_o make_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o tribunal_n in_o the_o church_n he_o say_v that_o since_o that_o tribunal_n which_o require_v the_o people_n to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o it_o be_v as_o much_o set_v up_o in_o a_o independent_a church_n as_o in_o a_o national_a and_o since_o both_o presuppose_v that_o that_o tribunal_n be_v subject_a to_o error_n the_o submission_n of_o the_o people_n be_v altogether_o as_o reasonable_a to_o the_o tribunal_n of_o a_o national_a church_n as_o to_o that_o of_o a_o congregational_a i_o confess_v there_o be_v some_o weight_n in_o this_o objection_n which_o monsieur_n jurieu_o have_v not_o think_v of_o but_o which_o nevertheless_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v answer_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n i_o lay_v down_o 1._o that_o all_o manner_n of_o government_n presbyterian_a congregational_a national_a episcopal_n hierarchical_a papal_a be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n 2._o that_o the_o submission_n require_v and_o give_v to_o all_o manner_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o which_o be_v require_v and_o give_v to_o a_o civil_a and_o political_a government_n the_o ressort_n of_o which_o be_v not_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n nor_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v but_o the_o will_n of_o the_o strong_a and_o most_o numerous_a that_o have_v so_o ordain_v it_o 3._o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o censure_n of_o excommunication_n and_o deposition_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n the_o validity_n of_o which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o justice_n nor_o equity_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o in_o the_o will_n of_o those_o that_o decree_n and_o ordain_v it_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v account_v as_o a_o civil_a punishment_n these_o three_o consideration_n destroy_v that_o erection_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a tribunal_n which_o be_v equal_a with_o the_o civil_a in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o territory_n since_o both_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n it_o will_v be_v a_o pure_a piece_n of_o gallimaufry_n and_o hodgepodge_n to_o offer_v to_o establish_v two_o civil_a government_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o dominion_n or_o territory_n which_o shall_v be_v independent_a one_o on_o the_o other_o also_o this_o difficulty_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v overcome_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o independent_n the_o inconvenience_n of_o a_o excommunicate_v or_o depose_v person_n unjust_o by_o his_o congregation_n be_v not_o great_a so_o long_o as_o it_o do_v not_o extend_v beyond_o his_o jurisdiction_n and_o that_o of_o a_o hundred_o congregation_n in_o one_o territory_n it_o be_v impossible_a but_o that_o at_o least_o there_o may_v be_v one_o to_o recompense_v the_o justice_n of_o his_o cause_n which_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n feasible_a if_o he_o be_v strike_v by_o a_o national_a judgement_n unless_o he_o leave_v his_o country_n and_o since_o the_o person_n oppress_v be_v in_o the_o liberty_n of_o frame_v to_o himself_o a_o congregation_n independent_a on_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o world_n though_o it_o be_v but_o of_o seven_o or_o eight_o person_n his_o innocence_n and_o legitimate_a right_n will_v easy_o furnish_v he_o with_o the_o mean_n to_o do_v it_o i_o add_v further_o that_o a_o person_n who_o be_v sensible_a he_o be_v guilty_a of_o disorder_n can_v easy_o conceal_v they_o in_o the_o crowd_n of_o a_o national_a church_n which_o he_o can_v so_o well_o do_v in_o a_o small_a number_n of_o person_n and_o common_o prevent_v the_o censure_n of_o his_o congregation_n and_o not_o expect_v that_o they_o shall_v excommunicate_v he_o and_o drive_v he_o out_o of_o it_o which_o be_v do_v in_o that_o manner_n as_o st._n jerome_n and_o bishop_n godeau_n will_v have_v the_o heretic_n of_o who_o s._n paul_n speak_v in_o the_o 3_o of_o titus_n 11._o know_v that_o he_o that_o be_v such_o i._n e._n a_o heretic_n be_v subvert_v and_o sin_v be_v condemn_v of_o himself_o to_o do_v when_o he_o excommunicate_v himself_o and_o save_v his_o church_n that_o trouble_n it_o must_v not_o be_v forget_v that_o though_o there_o be_v no_o government_n so_o perfect_a wherein_o one_o can_v find_v some_o fault_n and_o some_o inconvenience_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o be_v find_v less_o in_o the_o congregational_a way_n whereas_o you_o may_v find_v almost_o a_o infinity_n in_o that_o of_o the_o national_a whereof_o a_o thousand_o person_n that_o deserve_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o they_o that_o undergo_v it_o because_o its_o discipline_n be_v like_a to_o spider_n web_n where_o the_o fly_n be_v be_v take_v but_o the_o bird_n pass_v through_o and_o where_o it_o be_v impossible_a in_o a_o town_n or_o a_o church_n of_o many_o thousand_o of_o christian_n that_o one_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n can_v possible_o have_v a_o exact_a inspection_n over_o they_o whereas_o in_o a_o congregational_a church_n compose_v but_o of_o a_o few_o person_n and_o those_o all_o cull_a out_o of_o the_o multitude_n who_o fun_n after_o vanitic_n and_o vice_n one_o have_v but_o little_a or_o no_o use_n of_o excommunication_n and_o deposition_n and_o where_o avarice_n ambition_n heresy_n and_o quarrel_n do_v not_o enter_v as_o in_o national_a church_n these_o consideration_n give_v i_o to_o hope_v that_o the_o learned_a and_o illuminate_v of_o the_o congregational_a way_n will_v agree_v and_o join_v with_o my_o principle_n or_o hypothesis_n to_o establish_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o to_o undo_v with_o case_n the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o objection_n although_o according_a to_o their_o principle_n it_o resemble_v the_o foil_n which_o touch_v the_o person_n but_o do_v not_o wound_v it_o for_o in_o case_n of_o a_o wound_n they_o have_v a_o thousand_o remedy_n to_o heal_v it_o present_o whereas_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n either_o against_o infallibility_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o against_o incontestability_n in_o a_o national_a church_n chap._n
the_o illumination_n of_o grace_n and_o reason_n so_o likewise_o be_v they_o most_o reational_o and_o with_o great_a justice_n and_o piety_n disengage_v not_o only_o from_o a_o pretend_a infallible_a tribunal_n but_o also_o from_o the_o tyranny_n of_o such_o dependence_n or_o submission_n to_o a_o authority_n subject_n to_o error_n as_o to_o the_o assertion_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o charenton_n that_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o independent_n open_v the_o door_n to_o all_o manner_n of_o irregularity_n and_o extravagance_n that_o assertion_n i_o say_v seem_v plausible_a at_o the_o first_o as_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v not_o only_o plausible_a but_o most_o reasonable_a in_o matter_n pure_o civil_a in_o which_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o last_o resort_v and_o refuge_n and_o appeal_v from_o court_n to_o court_n in_o the_o territory_n of_o a_o sovereign_n there_o will_v be_v as_o many_o court_n erect_v independent_a one_o on_o the_o other_o not_o only_o as_o there_o be_v family_n but_o as_o there_o be_v private_a person_n which_o inconvenience_n be_v not_o one_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n faith_n doctrine_n and_o divine_a worship_n in_o which_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o one_o be_v the_o last_o resort_n wherein_o the_o business_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v without_o any_o further_a appeal_n and_o where_o none_o ought_v to_o be_v constrain_v but_o exhort_v and_o persuade_v a_o synod_n be_v to_o persuade_v a_o particular_a church_n to_o embrace_v such_o a_o faith_n but_o it_o have_v neither_o right_a nor_o power_n to_o force_v it_o now_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v to_o do_v the_o same_o as_o to_o one_o of_o its_o member_n and_o if_o it_o carry_v any_o constraint_n with_o it_o it_o no_o long_o act_n as_o a_o church_n and_o as_o a_o assembly_n of_o christian_n and_o faithful_a people_n but_o as_o a_o magistrate_n at_o least_o like_o a_o arbiter_n and_o judge_n to_o who_o jesus_n christ_n send_v the_o plant_v in_o the_o eighteen_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n in_o these_o word_n tell_v it_o to_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v tell_v it_o to_o a_o assembly_n which_o have_v neither_o any_o court_n nor_o any_o power_n nor_o jurisdiction_n and_o where_o the_o party_n intimate_v might_o decline_v or_o refuse_v the_o judgement_n without_o damage_n as_o it_o appear_v by_o those_o word_n of_o jesus_n christ_n if_o he_o dres_n not_o hearken_v to_o the_o church_n for_o by_o these_o word_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o etc._n etc._n jesus_n christ_n do_v not_o command_v the_o church_n to_o proceed_v to_o a_o excommunication_n of_o that_o party_n that_o have_v do_v the_o wrong_n but_o he_o advise_v the_o offend_a party_n to_o cite_v the_o other_o who_o have_v deprive_v himself_o of_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o brother_n before_o the_o natural_a judge_n as_o well_o of_o the_o publican_n as_o of_o the_o heathen_n the_o one_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o state_n and_o the_o other_o be_v of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o emperor_n in_o short_a the_o church_n as_o such_o and_o consider_v as_o christian_n and_o honest_a man_n have_v no_o more_o jurisdiction_n that_o a_o college_n of_o philosopher_n chap._n iu._n that_o the_o design_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n be_v most_o holy_a and_o most_o reasonable_a when_o they_o labour_v to_o retain_v a_o conformity_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o other_o reform_a church_n but_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n of_o the_o veneraiton_n they_o have_v for_o calvin_n and_o for_o the_o church_n which_o follow_v his_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n the_o design_n of_o produce_v their_o confession_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v the_o very_a masterpiece_n of_o a_o extreme_o judicious_a government_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o person_n most_o perfect_a in_o the_o study_n of_o divinity_n the_o principal_a design_n they_o have_v in_o the_o composition_n of_o their_o confession_n be_v to_o declare_v and_o testify_v to_o the_o world_n that_o although_o every_o church_n may_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o differ_v from_o other_o in_o discipline_n they_o ought_v nevertheless_o to_o labour_v above_o all_o thing_n to_o retain_v and_o keep_v the_o same_o faith_n in_o matter_n that_o be_v essential_a with_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n this_o be_v what_o the_o congregational_a party_n have_v do_v with_o great_a care_n and_o circumspection_n in_o the_o make_n of_o their_o confession_n for_o beside_o that_o they_o do_v but_o a_o very_a little_a differ_v from_o that_o of_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o divide_v from_o they_o but_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n they_o have_v also_o endeavour_v to_o have_v their_o faith_n conformable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o as_o to_o their_o discipline_n it_o be_v very_o simple_a and_o naked_a they_o have_v no_o other_o than_o that_o which_o saint_n paul_n give_v in_o three_o word_n to_o wit_n that_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n they_o have_v especial_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o good_a roman_a emperor_n under_o constantine_n theodosius_n martianus_n and_o justinian_n under_o who_o they_o keep_v a_o strict_a uniformity_n in_o faith_n and_o that_o correspondence_n be_v maintain_v by_o letter_n which_o they_o call_v literae_fw-la testimoniales_n circulares_fw-la ecclesiasticae_fw-la formatae_fw-la though_o otherwise_o they_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o differ_v one_o from_o another_o even_o under_o one_o and_o the_o same_o emperor_n in_o discipline_n in_o custom_n and_o in_o ceremony_n saint_n austin_n epist_n ad_fw-la tanuarium_fw-la 119._o &_o epist_n 86._o ad_fw-la casulanum_fw-la presbyterum_fw-la permit_v any_o church_n to_o differ_v from_o other_o in_o ceremony_n and_o in_o manner_n of_o government_n provide_v that_o they_o agree_v with_o they_o in_o unity_n of_o faith_n the_o historian_n socrates_n libr._n 5._o cap._n 21._o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v two_o church_n in_o all_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o observe_v one_o and_o the_o same_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o god_n the_o jesuit_n mainbourg_n how_o zealous_a soever_o he_o be_v to_o the_o uniformity_n of_o rome_n in_o his_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n yet_o he_o cease_v not_o to_o say_v and_o to_o maintain_v that_o the_o diversity_n of_o usage_n custom_n and_o practice_n be_v compatible_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n one_o ought_v not_o say_v he_o never_o to_o separate_v for_o the_o diversity_n and_o custom_n which_o may_v be_v different_a the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o without_o the_o wound_a the_o unity_n of_o faith_n pag._n 303._o of_o his_o three_o book_n of_o the_o treatise_n of_o schism_n among_o the_o grecian_n i_o have_v read_v as_o much_o in_o a_o great_a lawyer_n it_o be_v godefrey_n the_o son_n certissima_fw-la olim_fw-la fidei_fw-la contesseratio_fw-la erat_fw-la unà _fw-la eucharistiam_fw-la sâ—mere_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dicebantur_fw-la non_fw-la in_o eadem_fw-la disciplina_fw-la sed_fw-la fidâ—_n we_o must_v also_o do_v they_o this_o justice_n that_o there_o be_v no_o doctor_n who_o have_v a_o great_a veneration_n for_o the_o doctrine_n and_o memory_n of_o caloin_n nor_o who_o desire_n with_o more_o ardent_a zeal_n to_o have_v a_o strict_a and_o close_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n which_o follow_v the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o holy_a man_n than_o their_o pastor_n although_o they_o believe_v that_o they_o may_v have_v as_o i_o have_v say_v the_o liberty_n to_o differ_v from_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n without_o think_v themselves_o guilty_a either_o of_o separation_n or_o schism_n chap._n v._o that_o the_o congregational_a church_n do_v most_o rational_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o synod_n and_o pastor_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v a_o great_a wrong_n and_o injury_n do_v to_o the_o independent_n to_o affirm_v that_o they_o condemn_v synod_n since_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o establish_v the_o true_a use_n of_o they_o as_o the_o bishop_n of_o condom_n who_o have_v more_o charity_n for_o they_o than_o other_o synod_n and_o our_o divine_n acknowledge_v the_o independent_n say_v he_o do_v not_o refuse_v to_o embrace_v and_o comply_v with_o the_o decision_n of_o synod_n when_o after_o they_o have_v due_o examine_v they_o they_o find_v they_o not_o unreasonable_a that_o which_o they_o refuse_v to_o do_v be_v to_o submit_v their_o judgement_n to_o that_o of_o any_o assembly_n or_o society_n subject_a to_o error_n the_o independent_n argue_v as_o mr._n pajon_n do_v though_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o say_v he_o shall_v come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o dwell_v on_o the_o earth_n again_o with_o all_o the_o ray_n of_o glory_n that_o be_v roand_v about_o he_o to_o teach_v we_o and_o to_o guide_v and_o direct_v we_o yet_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o we_o
differ_v one_o from_o the_o other_o in_o discipline_n but_o that_o retain_v and_o keep_v all_o the_o same_o foundation_n and_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o who_o have_v for_o that_o point_n a_o great_a union_n and_o a_o strict_a correspondence_n with_o other_o church_n and_o this_o be_v so_o no_o more_o be_v there_o any_o schism_n when_o the_o congregationals_n be_v independent_a on_o other_o church_n and_o on_o their_o synod_n but_o when_o their_o church_n be_v so_o among_o themselves_o 4._o there_o be_v no_o schism_n among_o several_a particular_a church_n that_o agree_v in_o one_o and_o the_o fame_n faith_n and_o discipline_n as_o be_v those_o of_o metz_n and_o sedan_n but_o do_v their_o own_o business_n apart_o independant_o not_o only_o on_o one_o another_o but_o likewise_o on_o the_o synod_n it_o be_v with_o independent_a church_n or_o with_o several_a other_o particular_a church_n as_o with_o several_a family_n or_o neighbourhood_n or_o those_o that_o be_v pretty_a distant_a the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o who_o may_v all_o be_v good_a friend_n and_o live_v in_o good_a intelligence_n together_o without_o any_o thing_n of_o schism_n or_o rupture_n between_o they_o and_o yet_o every_o one_o do_v their_o own_o particular_a business_n by_o themselves_o 5._o the_o congregational_a man_n be_v no_o more_o guilty_a of_o schism_n when_o they_o form_n to_o themselves_o congregation_n distinct_a from_o parish_n contrary_a to_o the_o command_n of_o the_o magistrate_n it_o be_v a_o disobedience_n not_o to_o a_o national_a church_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v not_o institute_v much_o less_o invest_v with_o either_o jurisdiction_n or_o power_n to_o make_v law_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n but_o to_o the_o magistrate_n who_o to_o disobey_v be_v not_o schism_n but_o a_o crime_n of_o laesoe_n majestaetis_n or_o rebellion_n but_o yet_o it_o cease_v to_o be_v that_o too_o when_o it_o act_v only_o from_o this_o principle_n of_o obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n now_o this_o clear_n up_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o schism_n which_o strong_o establish_v the_o independency_n of_o the_o church_n and_o make_v it_o altogether_o reasonable_a do_v not_o destroy_v the_o confederation_n of_o the_o church_n into_o one_o body_n even_o under_o a_o national_a synod_n when_o for_o the_o mutual_a preservation_n of_o these_o church_n against_o a_o common_a enemy_n that_o persecute_v they_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o make_v but_o one_o body_n of_o state_n or_o of_o church_n such_o as_o be_v the_o confederation_n of_o our_o church_n in_o france_n but_o then_o that_o necessity_n do_v not_o destroy_v the_o natural_a liberty_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n to_o be_v independent_a it_o be_v a_o confederation_n establish_v with_o prudence_n in_o that_o manner_n as_o be_v that_o of_o the_o city_n of_o achaida_n and_o as_o be_v at_o this_o day_n that_o of_o the_o low-countries_n and_o of_o the_o switzer_n the_o conjunction_n of_o which_o into_o one_o body_n and_o under_o one_o and_o the_o same_o jurisdiction_n do_v not_o divest_v any_o town_n or_o province_n of_o their_o natural_a freedom_n and_o liberty_n to_o be_v independent_a on_o one_o another_o there_o be_v however_o this_o temper_n and_o menage_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o this_o religious_a confederation_n that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v make_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v and_o of_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n which_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o god_n have_v commit_v to_o pastor_n or_o synod_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o confederated_a discipline_n which_o be_v in_o the_o place_n of_o a_o magistrate_n also_o the_o council_n of_o monsieur_n amyraule_n shall_v be_v observe_v and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o that_o the_o city_n of_o achaia_n observe_v before_o viz._n that_o nothing_o shall_v pass_v in_o the_o general_a assembly_n but_o what_o have_v be_v first_o review_v and_o approve_v of_o by_o every_o particular_a church_n and_o this_o be_v that_o wherein_o the_o prudence_n of_o our_o first_o reformer_n in_o france_n have_v be_v want_v when_o they_o sit_v up_o a_o discipline_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a power_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o from_o that_o which_o have_v its_o operation_n upon_o the_o heart_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o of_o a_o power_n fasten_v to_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o to_o that_o of_o bind_v and_o lose_v by_o virtue_n of_o which_o power_n they_o depose_v and_o excommunicate_v that_o be_v to_o say_v as_o mounseur_fw-fr claude_n say_v they_o deliver_v up_o a_o person_n to_o the_o devil_n but_o they_o also_o deliver_v he_o to_o he_o in_o the_o name_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o so_o the_o people_n may_v not_o imagine_v this_o power_n to_o be_v that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n or_o of_o the_o confederate_a discipline_n but_o of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o mediator_n and_o king_n of_o his_o church_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o power_n that_o he_o exercise_n over_o it_o and_o of_o which_o the_o pastor_n and_o minister_n be_v the_o depositer_n as_o to_o those_o who_o blame_v as_o much_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o independent_n as_o that_o of_o the_o donatist_n the_o novatian_o and_o luciferian_o it_o be_v ill_o ground_v the_o vice_n of_o the_o donatist_n be_v in_o that_o they_o own_v no_o other_o church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o the_o world_n than_o they_o for_o they_o rebaptise_v those_o who_o come_v from_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o they_o the_o independent_n be_v far_o from_o these_o thought_n and_o practice_n they_o do_v as_o those_o who_o have_v a_o particular_a care_n of_o their_o health_n withdraw_v into_o a_o better_a place_n and_o sound_a air_n but_o yet_o they_o do_v not_o think_v but_o that_o they_o may_v do_v very_o well_o in_o place_n where_o the_o air_n be_v not_o so_o good_a before_o i_o go_v to_o another_o chapter_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n that_o the_o result_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o congregationals_n their_o church_n and_o their_o pastor_n do_v come_v to_o these_o two_o maxim_n 1._o that_o to_o establish_v peace_n and_o true_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o among_o christian_n we_o must_v go_v back_o to_o the_o materia_fw-la prima_fw-la of_o the_o congregational_a church_n which_o be_v that_o every_o person_n and_o every_o society_n have_v the_o liberty_n to_o deliberate_v and_o consult_v about_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o way_n to_o serve_v god_n and_o to_o take_v upon_o that_o point_n the_o counsel_n of_o wise_a and_o sincere_a person_n provide_v that_o that_o counsel_n tend_v not_o to_o irreligion_n and_o to_o some_o establishment_n of_o such_o maxim_n which_o shock_n the_o natural_a notion_n concern_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n his_o providence_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o necessity_n of_o a_o divine_a worship_n provide_v also_o that_o the_o manner_n which_o every_o person_n and_o every_o church_n have_v choose_v to_o govern_v itself_o by_o do_v not_o trouble_v the_o state_n in_o which_o one_o life_n unless_o that_o trouble_n happen_v by_o accident_n in_o the_o manner_n that_o jesus_n christ_n say_v of_o the_o gospel_n which_o excite_v trouble_n and_o bring_v war_n and_o contention_n into_o the_o world_n 2._o that_o this_o maxim_n of_o a_o national_a church_n in_o every_o territory_n with_o a_o uniformity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n distinct_a from_o the_o civil_a tribunal_n in_o jurisdiction_n and_o officer_n have_v introduce_v the_o pope_n into_o the_o world_n that_o it_o have_v be_v it_o be_v and_o it_o will_v be_v the_o cause_n that_o there_o never_o will_v be_v a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n in_o its_o true_a purity_n unless_o almighty_a god_n reserve_v some_o among_o the_o congregational_a church_n chap._n vii_o that_o the_o congregational_a way_n have_v be_v practise_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n i_o can_v easy_o show_v that_o for_o above_o this_o four_o thousand_o year_n before_o jesus_n christ_n and_o even_o during_o the_o height_n of_o popery_n and_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n god_n have_v always_o reserve_v some_o true_a worshipper_n of_o jesus_n christ_n by_o the_o way_n of_o congregational_a assembly_n there_o be_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o they_o in_o the_o roman_a empire_n during_o the_o persecution_n that_o be_v set_v on_o foot_n by_o the_o arrian_n and_o when_o as_o st._n jerome_n say_v all_o the_o world_n be_v arrian_n but_o to_o come_v more_o particular_o to_o the_o thing_n they_o have_v have_v independent_a church_n in_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n before_o the_o law_n and_o under_o the_o law_n in_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o after_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v of_o they_o in_o the_o time_n of_o exos_fw-la the_o son_n of_o
seth_n for_o so_o must_v be_v understand_v the_o last_o verse_n of_o the_o four_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n when_o man_n begin_v to_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o from_o his_o time_n the_o child_n of_o god_n begin_v to_o form_v themselves_o into_o particular_a congregation_n and_o to_o separate_v from_o those_o that_o run_v after_o the_o world_n and_o its_o vanity_n and_o to_o be_v call_v the_o child_n of_o god_n or_o of_o jehova_n and_o to_o pay_v their_o adoration_n to_o he_o as_o to_o their_o creator_n and_o benefactor_n the_o family_n of_o noah_n and_o his_o ark_n be_v a_o congregational_a church_n which_o god_n have_v separate_v from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n the_o family_n of_o job_n that_o of_o abraham_n josuah_n samuel_n be_v independent_a church_n palestine_n be_v full_a of_o they_o as_o maimonides_n tell_v we_o and_o they_o be_v true_o independent_a because_o they_o neither_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o do_v with_o the_o national_a church_n nor_o with_o its_o tribunal_n nor_o sanhedrim_n and_o so_o likewise_o the_o guide_n who_o be_v call_v prophet_n seer_n and_o doctor_n be_v not_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n but_o of_o another_o tribe_n and_o it_o be_v from_o those_o that_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n come_v which_o jesus_n christ_n speak_v of_o the_o scribes_z the_o pharisee_n and_o the_o esseni_n they_o call_v their_o society_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d college_n house_n of_o prayer_n and_o synagogue_n where_o they_o do_v not_o attend_v upon_o the_o levitical_a worship_n but_o on_o prayer_n exhortation_n and_o the_o expound_v of_o the_o law_n and_o we_o see_v the_o first_o establishment_n of_o they_o in_o the_o first_o verse_n of_o the_o three_o and_o twenty_o chapter_n of_o leviticus_n they_o be_v distant_a one_o from_o the_o other_o the_o space_n of_o a_o sabbath_n day_n journey_n they_o be_v near_a one_o another_o while_o they_o stay_v in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o be_v then_o call_v tent_n as_o be_v those_o of_o corah_n dathan_n and_o abiram_n which_o be_v also_o independent_a church_n david_n call_v the_o congregation_n that_o he_o frequent_v sanctuary_n where_o he_o consult_v the_o mouth_n of_o god_n about_o his_o be_v heal_v from_o his_o prejudices_fw-la against_o the_o dispensation_n of_o god_n towards_o the_o generation_n of_o good_a man_n who_o be_v often_o time_n under_o the_o rod_n and_o in_o affliction_n while_o the_o wicked_a be_v in_o prosperity_n and_o in_o the_o 87_o psalm_n he_o speak_v of_o the_o esteem_n that_o he_o have_v for_o those_o congregation_n or_o house_n of_o prayer_n which_o he_o do_v set_v forth_o by_o the_o tent_n of_o jacob_n although_o that_o which_o he_o have_v for_o the_o ark_n or_o for_o the_o gate_n of_o zion_n and_o for_o his_o propitiatory_a be_v great_a to_o conconclude_v the_o seven_o thousand_o man_n that_o have_v not_o bow_v their_o knee_n to_o baal_n be_v independent_a church_n for_o it_o can_v be_v think_v that_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o person_n can_v assemble_v together_o in_o one_o place_n and_o that_o too_o in_o a_o time_n of_o so_o great_a persecution_n there_o be_v of_o they_o in_o the_o time_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o the_o apostolical_a college_n be_v a_o independent_a church_n and_o in_o his_o time_n two_o or_o three_o person_n assemble_v in_o his_o name_n make_v a_o church_n as_o also_o say_v tertullian_n ubi_fw-la tres_fw-la ibi_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la etiamsi_fw-la laici_fw-la immediate_o after_o the_o ascension_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o first_o assembly_n of_o christian_n in_o jerusalem_n be_v independent_a and_o that_o where_o cornelius_n and_o his_o family_n be_v assemble_v be_v a_o congregational_a church_n of_o which_o st._n peter_n be_v the_o pastor_n for_o some_o day_n philemon_n have_v one_o of_o they_o in_o his_o house_n those_o of_o who_o pliny_n the_o young_a speak_v epist_n 97._o libr._n 10._o be_v other_o of_o they_o affirmabant_fw-la hanc_fw-la fuisse_fw-la summam_fw-la vel_fw-la erroris_fw-la vel_fw-la culpae_fw-la quod_fw-la soliti_fw-la essent_fw-la stato_fw-la die_fw-la ante_fw-la lucem_fw-la convenire_fw-la carmenque_fw-la christo_fw-la quasi_fw-la deo_fw-la dicere_fw-la secum_fw-la inuicem_fw-la seque_fw-la sacramento_n ne_fw-la in_o scelus_fw-la aliquod_fw-la obstringere_fw-la sed_fw-la ne_fw-la furta_fw-la ne_fw-la latrocinia_fw-la ne_fw-la adulteria_fw-la committerent_fw-la ne_fw-la sidem_fw-la fallerent_fw-la ne_fw-la depositunt_fw-la appellati_fw-la abnegarent_fw-la tertullian_n libr._n de_fw-fr coron_n milit._n add_v that_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n in_o those_o assembly_n before_o day_n to_o celebrate_v the_o holy_a supper_n the_o independent_a church_n of_o england_n at_o least_o some_o of_o they_o be_v form_v after_o this_o model_n and_o exact_v from_o their_o member_n that_o they_o shall_v abstain_v from_o those_o crime_n of_o which_o pliny_n make_v mention_v now_o that_o custom_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o time_n of_o pliny_n which_o exact_v from_o the_o member_n of_o their_o church_n a_o life_n perfect_o exemplary_a stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o those_o who_o turn_v into_o raillery_n the_o independent_a assembly_n because_o they_o only_o do_v admit_v of_o those_o that_o be_v holy_a and_o in_o who_o they_o find_v the_o mark_n and_o sign_n of_o regeneration_n and_o who_o oblige_v themselves_o by_o oath_n or_o verbal_a promise_n to_o abstain_v from_o those_o crime_n that_o pliny_n here_o have_v reckon_v up_o or_o to_o undergo_v the_o penalty_n set_v according_a to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n also_o that_o custom_n of_o the_o christian_n testify_v that_o beside_o the_o numerous_a church_n as_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o corinth_n which_o consist_v of_o several_a thousand_o where_o it_o can_v not_o be_v otherwise_o but_o that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o good_a number_n of_o heretic_n and_o debauch_a and_o loose_a person_n there_o be_v establish_v other_o congregational_a take_v out_o of_o the_o great_a church_n whereof_o the_o member_n be_v more_o holy_a and_o more_o orthodox_n and_o who_o resemble_v those_o who_o pliny_n speak_v of_o and_o those_o station_n which_o tertullian_n mention_n where_o beside_o the_o public_a assembly_n some_o family_n set_v a_o part_n by_o themselves_o one_o day_n of_o the_o week_n to_o fast_v to_o prayer_n and_o other_o exercise_n of_o piety_n and_o also_o to_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o holy_a supper_n and_o this_o be_v what_o they_o frequent_o practise_v and_o with_o good_a edification_n for_o it_o be_v with_o small_a church_n as_o with_o small_a state_n little_a republic_n family_n particular_a synod_n of_o twenty_o five_o or_o thirty_o person_n wherein_o it_o be_v much_o more_o easy_a to_o establish_v a_o good_a order_n and_o to_o bring_v those_o who_o be_v of_o it_o unto_o the_o practice_n of_o good_a manner_n and_o life_n than_o in_o great_a state_n in_o great_a church_n and_o ecumenical_a synod_n and_o such_o as_o be_v national_a wherein_o ambition_n envy_n faction_n avarice_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o corruption_n reign_v and_o can_v but_o do_v so_o strada_n say_v very_o judicious_o in_o consessu_fw-la plurium_fw-la senatorum_fw-la aut_fw-la consitiariorum_n part_n suâ—s_fw-la magis_fw-la agit_fw-fr ambitio_fw-la quam_fw-la in_o paucorum_fw-la lucian_n libro_fw-la de_fw-la artibus_fw-la dolosis_fw-la in_o speak_v of_o great_a assembly_n say_v the_o great_a bawler_n have_v the_o great_a advantage_n in_o such_o assembly_n because_o those_o who_o understand_v nothing_o of_o the_o matter_n and_o to_o be_v sure_a be_v always_o of_o the_o great_a number_n judge_v of_o thing_n by_o the_o outside_n and_o so_o give_v the_o cause_n for_o gâ—iâ—ed_n to_o those_o who_o be_v the_o most_o resolute_a and_o clamorous_a these_o consideration_n do_v furnish_v i_o with_o several_a other_o which_o confirm_v i_o in_o this_o opinion_n that_o the_o congregational_a way_n be_v that_o which_o god_n make_v use_v of_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n to_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n those_o who_o be_v not_o christian_n but_o by_o outward_a profession_n from_o a_o state_n of_o nature_n to_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o that_o the_o way_n which_o they_o take_v at_o this_o day_n when_o one_o person_n preach_v to_o several_a thousand_o be_v neither_o proper_o nor_o efficacious_o that_o which_o gain_v soul_n to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o opposition_n of_o the_o government_n at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o church_n to_o that_o of_o the_o ancient_a primitive_a christian_n i_o believe_v there_o will_v be_v find_v but_o very_o little_a conformity_n not_o only_o in_o the_o person_n that_o attend_v upon_o the_o ministry_n but_o also_o in_o the_o place_n and_o manner_n where_o and_o how_o it_o be_v perform_v heretofore_o the_o bishop_n alone_o in_o public_a do_v execute_v the_o office_n of_o preach_v and_o the_o other_o duty_n of_o the_o holy_a ministry_n for_o he_o leave_v those_o of_o lesser_a consequence_n to_o the_o deacon_n but_o at_o this_o day_n
and_o he_o make_v these_o two_o tribunal_n so_o independent_a one_o on_o the_o other_o as_o hot_o to_o maintain_v that_o he_o will_v rather_o suffer_v death_n or_o banishment_n than_o permit_v the_o appeal_n of_o consistorial_n sentence_n to_o the_o magistrate_n to_o be_v short_a the_o congregational_a way_n have_v this_o advantage_n over_o all_o the_o other_o establishment_n of_o religion_n both_o the_o national_a popish_a episcopal_a and_o presbyterian_a church_n these_o can_v subsist_v but_o with_o a_o subordination_n of_o consistory_n colloquy_n provincial_a and_o national_a synod_n thing_n which_o be_v not_o practicable_a but_o under_o secular_a power_n either_o which_o may_v approve_v they_o or_o else_o may_v tolerate_v they_o whereas_o the_o congregational_a way_n subsist_v not_o only_o under_o good_a emperor_n as_o be_v constantine_n the_o great_a and_o theodosius_n the_o first_o but_o also_o under_o the_o pagan_a dioclesian_n and_o under_o a_o arrian_n constantius_n for_o what_o persecution_n soever_o may_v be_v raise_v against_o this_o way_n nothing_o hinder_v but_o that_o a_o minister_n who_o watch_v over_o a_o small_a flock_n may_v go_v to_o visit_v the_o member_n from_o house_n to_o house_n to_o administer_v spiritual_a pasture_n and_o food_n to_o they_o for_o their_o nourishment_n and_o growth_n in_o grace_n to_o conclude_v the_o excellence_n of_o this_o way_n appear_v in_o this_o that_o it_o be_v far_o less_o expose_v to_o persecution_n than_o any_o other_o and_o that_o the_o presbyterian_a and_o the_o episcopal_a do_v fall_n into_o it_o when_o the_o magistrate_n be_v contrary_a to_o they_o chap._n ix_o that_o the_o most_o judicious_a divine_n of_o france_n and_o other_o place_n without_o any_o thought_n of_o it_o do_v natural_o fall_v into_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n of_o the_o judgement_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v make_v of_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n of_o their_o discipline_n and_o conduct_v i_o can_v also_o streng_v hen_n all_o that_o i_o have_v say_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o our_o new_a doctor_n by_o that_o of_o mounsieur_fw-fr rivet_n mounsieur_fw-fr mestrâ—zat_n mounseur_fw-fr pajon_n mounseur_fw-fr claude_n and_o other_o showing_z that_o they_o undesigned_o fall_v into_o the_o opinion_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o independent_n in_o lay_v down_o 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o visible_a church_n of_o divine_a right_n than_o that_o which_o be_v assemble_v together_o in_o one_o place_n to_o attend_v upon_o the_o preach_n and_o hear_v of_o the_o word_n upon_o prayer_n and_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o sacrament_n and_o it_o be_v in_o this_o manner_n that_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n article_n xix_o define_v the_o church_n 2._o that_o such_o a_o church_n be_v independent_a either_o on_o other_o church_n or_o on_o synod_n that_o it_o may_v very_o well_o take_v from_o one_o or_o other_o advice_n and_o counsel_n but_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o command_n 3._o that_o no_o person_n can_v be_v force_v to_o be_v a_o christian_n nor_o to_o join_v with_o one_o church_n rather_o than_o with_o another_o 4._o that_o this_o church_n have_v liberty_n to_o do_v its_o own_o business_n its_o self_n or_o to_o connect_v into_o one_o body_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o church_n of_o france_n have_v do_v that_o it_o have_v the_o liberty_n to_o retire_v from_o that_o connection_n or_o confederacy_n as_o the_o church_n of_o metz_n and_o sedan_n have_v do_v 5._o that_o this_o church_n to_o which_o the_o christian_a be_v join_v be_v oblige_v to_o seek_v and_o to_o preserve_v a_o strict_a communion_n of_o faith_n and_o charity_n with_o the_o other_o church_n but_o yet_o have_v a_o liberty_n of_o have_v a_o separate_a discipline_n 6._o that_o this_o church_n ought_v to_o receive_v the_o fraternal_a admonition_n of_o the_o other_o church_n and_o of_o their_o synod_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o a_o synod_n of_o africa_n act_v upon_o the_o dissension_n which_o happen_v between_o innocent_a the_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n as_o barlaam_n recite_v it_o i_o can_v also_o find_v these_o maxim_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o english_a divine_n and_o show_v that_o in_o treat_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o any_o other_o matter_n of_o divinity_n they_o have_v keep_v the_o language_n of_o the_o independent_n or_o at_o least_o have_v approve_v of_o their_o practice_n the_o learned_a jackson_n chap._n 14._o of_o the_o church_n say_v that_o for_o these_o two_o cause_n one_o may_v lawful_o frame_v congregation_n distinct_a from_o other_o to_o have_v a_o separate_a communion_n 1._o when_o they_o impose_v such_o practice_n as_o be_v contrary_a to_o faith_n and_o charity_n 2._o when_o they_o forbid_v way_n that_o be_v apparent_o most_o edify_a and_o tend_v more_o to_o the_o increase_n and_o strength_n of_o piety_n and_o salvation_n than_o those_o which_o be_v now_o in_o use_n dr._n stillingfleet_n assure_v we_o in_o pag._n 109._o of_o his_o ireniâ—uâ—n_n that_o when_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o territory_n judgement_n and_o church_n be_v different_a the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o a_o christian_n ought_v to_o join_v to_o that_o which_o retain_v most_o of_o the_o evangelical_n purity_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o adhere_v to_o that_o church_n that_o retain_v most_o of_o the_o evangelical_n purity_n and_o in_o pag._n 116._o he_o say_v that_o a_o christian_n be_v oblige_v to_o separate_v from_o church_n although_o orthodox_n in_o the_o essential_a matter_n in_o case_n they_o retain_v some_o mixture_n of_o corruption_n in_o the_o practice_n his_o word_n be_v a_o mixture_n of_o corruption_n as_o to_o the_o practice_n i_o can_v find_v the_o opinion_n of_o this_o learned_a doctor_n in_o several_a place_n up_o and_o down_o monsieur_n claude_n his_o book_n where_o have_v lay_v down_o to_o we_o for_o a_o principle_n that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o that_o of_o bind_v and_o lose_v only_o be_v repose_v in_o the_o faithful_a people_n of_o god_n he_o draw_v this_o conclusion_n from_o it_o that_o private_a church_n ought_v to_o get_v to_o themselves_o such_o member_n as_o they_o know_v to_o be_v more_o particular_o the_o faithful_a and_o to_o remove_v from_o it_o the_o worldly_a person_n to_o who_o god_n have_v not_o affix_v that_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v nor_o commit_v the_o management_n of_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n i_o can_v ascend_v as_o far_o as_o luther_n and_o melancton_n to_o justify_v the_o separation_n even_o from_o church_n that_o have_v not_o any_o error_n in_o their_o doctrine_n luther_n in_o cap._n 4._o geneseos_fw-la etiamsi_fw-la praeterea_fw-la nihil_fw-la peccatum_fw-la esset_fw-la in_o doctrina_fw-la pontificia_fw-la justas_fw-la tamen_fw-la fuisse_fw-la causas_fw-la cur_n ab_fw-la ecclesiá_fw-la romanâ_fw-la nos_fw-la sejungeremus_fw-la but_o the_o independent_n have_v reasonable_o outvie_v luther_n and_o the_o other_o doctor_n for_o they_o hold_v though_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n shall_v not_o have_v any_o defect_n either_o in_o doctrine_n or_o discipline_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v condemn_v for_o separate_v from_o rome_n and_o for_o be_v independent_a on_o the_o romish_a church_n and_o her_o synod_n more_o than_o to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o church_n of_o sedan_n which_o be_v separate_v from_o that_o of_o metz_n in_o regard_n of_o any_o dependence_n one_o upon_o the_o other_o or_o upon_o the_o synod_n that_o be_v common_a with_o they_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n as_o natural_a and_o as_o reasonable_a for_o a_o church_n to_o divide_v itself_o into_o two_o other_o church_n which_o may_v each_o do_v their_o own_o business_n separately_z as_o for_o one_o family_n to_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o other_o whereof_o each_o have_v the_o liberty_n to_o govern_v themselves_o according_a to_o their_o own_o way_n and_o fancy_n 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say_v all_o these_o overture_n of_o peace_n and_o reconciliation_n unless_o the_o two_o party_n that_o be_v both_o under_o error_n and_o that_o be_v both_o at_o a_o equal_a distance_n from_o the_o truth_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o medium_fw-la that_o may_v bring_v they_o to_o some_o establishment_n without_o this_o they_o be_v very_o much_o persuade_v that_o to_o compose_v all_o the_o difference_n which_o be_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v no_o other_o method_n than_o they_o which_o be_v that_o every_o christian_n make_v himself_o of_o that_o assembly_n which_o be_v according_a to_o his_o opinion_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n do_v not_o persecute_v those_o who_o be_v otherwise_o persuade_v they_o be_v not_o then_o lead_v by_o any_o extravagancy_n of_o reason_n when_o they_o put_v among_o the_o idea_n of_o plato_n these_o six_o maxim_n with_o which_o the_o world_n be_v so_o strong_o possess_v 1._o that_o a_o civil_a state_n ought_v to_o 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commend_v what_o i_o do_v not_o approve_v in_o the_o bottom_n of_o my_o heart_n since_o i_o do_v not_o join_v myself_o to_o it_o they_o will_v say_v likewise_o that_o i_o have_v have_v no_o other_o design_n than_o to_o gain_v my_o own_o sentiment_n credit_v with_o which_o they_o say_v i_o be_o most_o fond_o in_o love_n in_o adjust_v they_o to_o those_o of_o the_o independent_n and_o because_o i_o condemn_v ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o excommunication_n which_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o possess_v the_o world_n with_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o so_o they_o shall_v banish_v the_o use_n of_o it_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o i_o shall_v join_v myself_o to_o their_o assembly_n it_o will_v be_v no_o argument_n that_o i_o shall_v approve_v of_o all_o the_o thing_n they_o do_v and_o all_o they_o believe_v as_o they_o can_v conclude_v by_o my_o not_o join_v to_o their_o congregation_n that_o i_o have_v not_o the_o congregational_a way_n in_o great_a and_o high_a esteem_n than_o any_o other_o as_o i_o be_o a_o frenchman_n and_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n i_o join_v to_o the_o church_n of_o my_o own_o nation_n to_o which_o i_o be_o so_o much_o the_o more_o strong_o invite_v by_o the_o holiness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o life_n of_o our_o excellent_a pastor_n mounseur_fw-fr mussard_n and_o mounseur_fw-fr primrose_n and_o because_o they_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o jesus_n christ_n do_v it_o with_o his_o disciple_n not_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o give_v i_o offence_n in_o their_o conduct_n unless_o that_o they_o be_v not_o absolute_o undeceive_v of_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o pastor_n in_o france_n of_o excommunicate_v in_o the_o name_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o of_o interpose_v the_o same_o sacred_a name_n and_o the_o same_o sacred_a authority_n to_o excommunicate_a as_o st._n paul_n make_v use_v of_o to_o deliver_v the_o incestuous_a person_n 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do_v retain_v it_o jure_fw-la societatis_fw-la &_o vi_o &_o virtute_fw-la paoti_fw-la &_o federis_fw-la eniti_fw-la however_o it_o be_v both_o of_o they_o make_v use_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o excommunication_n very_o innocent_o for_o they_o do_v not_o set_v up_o a_o national_a tribunal_n independent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n and_o they_o attribute_v to_o their_o synod_n no_o other_o authority_n than_o that_o of_o persuasion_n both_o from_o wise_a and_o experience_a person_n moreover_o from_o the_o manner_n that_o they_o express_v themselves_o in_o the_o vii_o article_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n one_o may_v conclude_v that_o beside_o the_o jurisdiction_n which_o work_v upon_o heart_n by_o the_o word_n they_o acknowledge_v no_o other_o than_o that_o which_o be_v take_v by_o a_o natural_a right_n and_o that_o wisdom_n and_o prudence_n have_v not_o be_v want_v to_o they_o by_o their_o have_v in_o a_o joint_a consent_n agree_v in_o one_o 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moysaicall_a ceremony_n if_o the_o christian_n that_o come_v from_o paganism_n have_v always_o keep_v some_o pollution_n of_o it_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v any_o great_a surprise_n to_o see_v the_o pure_a church_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o not_o thorough_o cleanse_v from_o all_o the_o impurity_n of_o rome_n for_o these_o consideration_n i_o feed_v myself_o with_o the_o hope_n that_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o independent_a church_n who_o be_v too_o much_o illuminate_v long_o to_o remain_v in_o the_o belief_n and_o use_n of_o this_o illusion_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n which_o have_v bring_v episcopacy_n that_o be_v the_o first_o step_n of_o ascension_n to_o the_o papacy_n and_o after_o that_o excommunication_n and_o infallibility_n and_o that_o they_o will_v put_v in_o practice_n instead_o of_o excommunication_n that_o denunciation_n which_o s._n paul_n recommend_v to_o his_o disciple_n and_o son_n timothy_n it_o be_v that_o in_o case_n any_o disorderly_a or_o wicked_a person_n of_o the_o congregation_n can_v be_v persuade_v to_o change_v his_o opinion_n and_o life_n and_o voluntary_o to_o leave_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n it_o shall_v be_v publish_v aloud_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o faithful_a shall_v be_v exhort_v to_o shun_v his_o company_n and_o in_o case_n that_o he_o persevere_v in_o such_o refractoriness_n he_o ought_v to_o be_v expel_v by_o force_n as_o well_o from_o the_o table_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o from_o the_o church_n and_o this_o be_v what_o may_v be_v practise_v by_o a_o natural_a right_n &_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la societatis_fw-la without_o any_o need_n of_o make_v such_o expulsion_n of_o credit_n by_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o by_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v in_o short_a i_o hope_v they_o will_v be_v persuade_v by_o this_o consideration_n that_o the_o benefit_n which_o come_v by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o excommunication_n will_v never_o recompense_v the_o 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fourteen_o remark_n upon_o the_o fault_n that_o some_o may_v find_v in_o the_o title_n of_o this_o discourse_n i_o will_v finish_v these_o conderation_n by_o the_o discussion_n and_o explication_n of_o the_o title_n of_o this_o discourse_n to_o which_o some_o have_v except_v because_o they_o find_v there_o be_v not_o one_o ecclesiastical_a government_n even_o of_o those_o which_o differ_v most_o from_o one_o another_o that_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o this_o conformity_n as_o indeed_o they_o have_v either_o more_o or_o less_o for_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o they_o no_o not_o even_o of_o those_o that_o be_v the_o far_a off_o from_o the_o doctrine_n and_o government_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n and_o that_o have_v but_o very_o little_a agreement_n one_o with_o the_o other_o there_o be_v not_o one_o i_o say_v but_o what_o have_v in_o something_o a_o conformity_n with_o they_o every_o way_n of_o government_n boast_v of_o their_o retain_v this_o conformity_n with_o the_o ancient_a 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build_v a_o temple_n near_o to_o which_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o salvation_n have_v not_o build_v a_o chapel_n but_o than_o it_o be_v a_o chapel_n both_o great_a and_o more_o spacious_a than_o the_o temple_n itself_o for_o during_o the_o time_n while_o god_n build_v a_o little_a temple_n wherein_o he_o have_v circumscribe_v the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o a_o small_a flock_n of_o faithful_a people_n who_o conform_v themselves_o to_o the_o purity_n their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o life_n a_o number_n incomparable_o great_a of_o false_a apostle_n false_a doctor_n and_o false_a brethren_n separate_v from_o they_o for_o even_o in_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n of_o christianity_n all_o or_o the_o most_o part_n of_o sincere_a person_n and_o also_o of_o father_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o false_a allay_n mix_v among_o their_o gold_n this_o be_v what_o we_o learn_v from_o eutychius_n who_o live_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n from_o who_o 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montanist_n or_o valentinian_o or_o samosatenian_o or_o arrian_n and_o in_o that_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n there_o be_v but_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o who_o have_v a_o affection_n for_o and_o engage_v themselves_o to_o the_o orthodox_n faith_n which_o be_v that_o of_o alexander_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n this_o relation_n according_a to_o eutychius_n be_v much_o more_o probable_a than_o after_o that_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v report_v by_o eusebius_n by_o socrates_n by_o baronius_n and_o by_o mounseur_fw-fr claude_n for_o what_o likelihood_n be_v there_o that_o that_o number_n of_o bishop_n convoke_v from_o all_o place_n of_o europe_n a_o great_a part_n of_o africa_n and_o also_o of_o asia_n phoenicia_n greece_n maceaonia_n thessalia_n palestine_n arabia_n pamphilia_n bythinia_n capadocia_n thrace_n cilicia_n pontus_n persia_n and_o scythia_n shall_v amount_v but_o to_o three_o hundred_o and_o eighteen_o bishop_n there_o be_v also_o less_o likelihood_n that_o those_o 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subscribe_v to_o it_o plain_o show_v