of_o communion_n impose_v put_v we_o out_o of_o capacity_n to_o assemble_v with_o our_o brethren_n in_o public_a these_o i_o now_o but_o propose_n but_o intend_v to_o dispute_v they_o as_o they_o fall_v in_o in_o the_o doctor_n be_v discourse_n sect_n ii_o of_o parochial_a church_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o three_o part_n the_o reverend_a author_n reduce_v the_o plea_n for_o separation_n to_o four_o head_n 1._o such_o as_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n 2._o to_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n with_o it_o 3._o to_o the_o conscience_n of_o dissenter_n 4._o to_o the_o parity_n of_o reason_n as_o to_o our_o separation_n from_o rome_n under_o the_o first_o he_o rank_v 1._o that_o the_o parish_n church_n be_v not_o of_o christ_n institution_n 2._o that_o diocesan_n church_n be_v unlawful_a 3._o that_o the_o national_a church_n have_v no_o foundation_n 4._o that_o the_o people_n be_v deprive_v of_o their_o right_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o their_o pastor_n about_o these_o four_o last_o mention_v he_o spend_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o this_o three_o part_n of_o his_o book_n and_o a_o very_a small_a part_n of_o it_o upon_o the_o second_o head_n which_o be_v that_o which_o he_o know_v his_o antagonist_n do_v most_o general_o insist_v on_o and_o lay_v most_o weight_n on_o but_o it_o be_v easy_a go_v over_o the_o hedge_n where_o it_o be_v low_a sect._n 2._o he_o begin_v with_o parochial_a church_n because_o it_o be_v separation_n from_o those_o that_o be_v most_o conspicuous_a he_o say_v the_o nonconformist_n at_o first_o keep_v communion_n with_o they_o i_o have_v before_o disprove_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o and_o also_o give_v reason_n why_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o who_o do_v so_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o we_o he_o say_v since_o the_o congregational_a way_n prevail_v in_o england_n the_o present_a dissenter_n be_v general_o fall_v into_o it_o at_o least_o so_o far_o as_o concern_v communion_n with_o our_o parochial_a church_n ans._n there_o be_v a_o withdraw_n from_o the_o parochial_a church_n because_o of_o unlawful_a term_n of_o communion_n before_o the_o present_a congregational_a way_n be_v either_o know_v or_o prevail_v and_o to_o say_v that_o dissenter_n be_v general_o fall_v into_o the_o congregational_a way_n i_o suppose_v that_o he_o mean_v by_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o restraint_n he_o will_v be_v angry_a if_o i_o say_v persecution_n that_o they_o be_v under_o make_v presbyterian_a meeting_n de_fw-fr facto_fw-la in_o many_o place_n independent_a because_o they_o can_v associate_v for_o discipline_n but_o we_o have_v not_o quit_v our_o principle_n for_o that_o sect._n 3_o i_o do_v not_o interpose_v in_o his_o contest_v with_o dr._n o._n about_o the_o parochial_a church_n in_o england_n be_v true_a church_n or_o about_o dr._n oh_o reason_n for_o separate_v from_o they_o but_o i_o can_v pass_v our_o reverend_a author_n ingenuity_n in_o acknowledge_v p._n 221._o that_o tyranny_n over_o man_n conscience_n be_v a_o good_a ground_n of_o separation_n which_o be_v our_o great_a plea_n for_o withdraw_v from_o their_o assembly_n they_o impose_v on_o we_o term_n of_o communion_n that_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o no_o other_o warrant_n for_o but_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o will_n and_o they_o exclude_v we_o because_o we_o can_v yield_v to_o they_o if_o this_o be_v not_o tyranny_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n let_v any_o unbiased_a person_n judge_v and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o judge_v to_o be_v we_o have_v good_a ground_n for_o separation_n by_o the_o dr_n own_o confession_n sect._n 4._o our_o author_n sect._n 2._o maintain_v a_o long_a debate_n with_o dr._n o._n about_o this_o question_n whether_o one_o church_n be_v that_o which_o ordinary_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n or_o divers_a assembly_n that_o meet_v ordinary_o in_o divers_a place_n for_o worship_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v divers_a church_n this_o question_n be_v stiff_o debate_v on_o both_o side_n between_o the_o congregational_a and_o episcopal_a brethren_n the_o reason_n of_o their_o so_o much_o concern_v in_o it_o be_v the_o one_o ascribe_v all_o church_n power_n to_o every_o congregation_n that_o ordinary_o meet_v for_o worship_n and_o so_o make_v that_o the_o high_a roll_a church_n the_o other_o place_v rule_v church-power_n only_o in_o the_o bishop_n and_o so_o make_v a_o diocesan_n church_n to_o be_v the_o low_a roll_a church_n the_o presbyterian_o go_v a_o middle_a way_n they_o stand_v not_o on_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whether_o a_o congregation_n shall_v be_v call_v a_o church_n or_o only_o the_o combination_n of_o more_o congregation_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n they_o find_v the_o word_n use_v both_o way_n in_o scripture_n and_o the_o word_n itself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v any_o convention_n civil_a or_o religious_a as_o 1_o cor._n 1._o 2._o all_o the_o christian_n in_o corinth_n with_o their_o officer_n be_v call_v the_o church_n and_o yet_o 1_o cor._n 14._o 34._o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v several_a meeting_n among_o they_o ordinary_o that_o may_v bear_v each_o of_o they_o that_o name_n of_o church_n when_o the_o apostle_n forbid_v that_o their_o woman_n shall_v speak_v in_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o must_v mean_v the_o church_n in_o corinth_n for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v that_o he_o will_v particular_o have_v mention_v their_o woman_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o he_o have_v not_o mean_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n where_o they_o be_v like_a to_o usurp_v that_o authority_n the_o dr._n say_v p._n 235._o that_o it_o do_v not_o once_o fail_v that_o where_o church_n be_v speak_v of_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n they_o be_v the_o church_n of_o a_o province_n here_o it_o fail_v sect._n 5._o but_o leave_v the_o word_n let_v we_o understand_v the_o thing_n which_o i_o shall_v set_v down_o in_o a_o few_o assertion_n 1._o all_o visible_a christian_n be_v member_n of_o one_o great_a body_n whereof_o christ_n be_v the_o head_n to_o wit_n his_o universal_a church_n which_o if_o it_o can_v so_o meet_v together_o as_o to_o be_v teach_v and_o rule_v ordinary_o by_o the_o same_o officer_n there_o need_v be_v no_o distinction_n of_o church_n in_o the_o world._n and_o it_o be_v probable_a it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o gospel_n till_o the_o increase_n of_o believer_n make_v it_o needful_a to_o divide_v into_o several_a â—_z that_o may_v be_v ordinary_o teach_v and_o rule_v by_o their_o several_a officer_n 2._o the_o several_a company_n of_o believer_n with_o their_o several_a officer_n each_o of_o which_o in_o scripture-sence_n may_v be_v call_v a_o church_n be_v to_o be_v such_o as_o may_v common_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o partake_v of_o god_n ordinance_n we_o read_v of_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sure_o then_o they_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o convenience_n of_o people_n live_v together_o that_o so_o they_o may_v usual_o meet_v together_o 3._o these_o single_a congregation_n be_v furnish_v with_o one_o or_o more_o pastor_n and_o elder_n have_v rule_v power_n within_o themselves_o for_o christ_n have_v give_v rule_v power_n to_o all_o the_o pastor_n and_o elder_n and_o not_o place_v it_o single_a in_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n for_o at_o philippi_n phil._n 2._o 1._o all_o church-officer_n be_v divide_v into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n a_o plurality_n of_o which_o be_v in_o that_o church_n though_o in_o one_o city_n where_o our_o brethren_n acknowledge_v that_o more_o diocesan_n than_o one_o can_v not_o be_v 4._o the_o church_n power_n in_o single_a congregation_n be_v not_o independent_a but_o be_v to_o be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o power_n of_o they_o associate_v together_o this_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o church_n in_o corinth_n be_v there_o also_o call_v a_o church_n if_o there_o be_v not_o divers_a religious_a assembly_n ordinary_o they_o can_v not_o be_v call_v church_n if_o they_o be_v not_o associate_v they_o can_v not_o be_v call_v a_o church_n and_o wherein_o they_o can_v be_v associate_n except_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o government_n be_v not_o easy_a to_o guess_v 5._o the_o association_n of_o church_n for_o government_n may_v be_v divers_a as_o their_o convenience_n of_o meet_v together_o for_o that_o end_n give_v they_o opportunity_n hence_o particular_a assembly_n lesser_a and_o great_a association_n have_v their_o congregational_a classical_a provincial_a and_o national_a presbytery_n or_o assembly_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n the_o lesser_a in_o subordination_n to_o the_o great_a and_o if_o ecumenical_a synod_n can_v as_o convenient_o and_o due_o assemble_v all_o the_o rest_n shall_v be_v subordinate_a to_o they_o see_v every_o one_o of_o they_o shall_v
make_v a_o part_n of_o these_o sect._n 6._o but_o because_o the_o diversity_n of_o civil_a power_n and_o frequent_a clashing_n of_o they_o in_o divers_a nation_n make_v this_o hardly_o practicable_a therefore_o the_o high_a church-power_n be_v usual_o in_o national_a assembly_n and_o though_o i_o be_o far_o from_o the_o opinion_n of_o they_o who_o think_v that_o church_n government_n shall_v be_v model_v according_a to_o the_o civil_a government_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o contrary_a of_o which_o i_o have_v assert_v elsewhere_o against_o the_o learned_a author_n who_o i_o now_o dispute_v with_o yet_o in_o this_o particular_a it_o not_o only_o may_v but_o must_v be_v suit_v to_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n this_o be_v no_o essential_a part_n of_o church-government_n nor_o institute_v but_o a_o circumstance_n of_o it_o determinable_a by_o necessity_n and_o conveniency_n on_o the_o same_o score_n where_o a_o congregation_n can_v have_v no_o other_o to_o associate_v with_o it_o may_v act_v independent_o and_o be_v blameless_a 6._o though_o christian_n shall_v so_o divide_v themselves_o into_o particular_a church_n as_o they_o may_v attend_v the_o ordinance_n together_o ordinary_o yet_o be_v not_o this_o meeting_n together_o but_o their_o be_v under_o the_o particular_a inspection_n of_o the_o same_o officer_n that_o make_v one_o particular_a church_n for_o 1._o one_o congregation_n may_v increase_v to_o that_o number_n that_o one_o place_n can_v contain_v they_o and_o yet_o continue_v one_o congregation_n till_o they_o be_v regular_o divide_v thus_o it_o be_v in_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a church_n 2._o where_o parochial_a bound_n be_v so_o large_a as_o all_o the_o people_n can_v always_o travel_v to_o one_o place_n the_o pastor_n or_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n may_v well_o have_v place_n more_o convenient_a for_o some_o of_o they_o where_o he_o or_o they_o may_v administer_v the_o ordinance_n to_o they_o sometime_o as_o in_o chapel_n of_o ease_n and_o yet_o they_o all_o continue_v one_o particular_a church_n 3._o it_o be_v a_o frequent_a case_n with_o family_n that_o but_o a_o part_n of_o they_o at_o one_o time_n can_v leave_v the_o house_n to_o wait_v on_o public_a ordinance_n and_o the_o rest_n at_o another_o time_n yet_o be_v they_o one_o congregation_n 4._o in_o a_o time_n of_o persecution_n where_o the_o flock_n be_v but_o small_a and_o may_v easy_o be_v contain_v in_o one_o house_n the_o danger_n of_o numerous_a meeting_n may_v be_v such_o as_o it_o may_v be_v needful_a that_o but_o a_o part_n of_o they_o shall_v come_v together_o at_o once_o and_o that_o by_o turn_n as_o we_o be_v necessitate_v at_o this_o time_n to_o do_v this_o do_v not_o make_v divers_a congregation_n all_o this_o consider_v we_o be_v little_o concern_v whether_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n in_o a_o city_n or_o more_o whether_o those_o call_v church_n do_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n or_o not_o as_o long_o as_o the_o one_o party_n can_v prove_v that_o each_o meeting_n be_v rule_v independant_o by_o itself_o nor_o the_o other_o that_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n rule_v over_o more_o church_n than_o one_o and_o over_o their_o presbyter_n sect._n 7._o before_o i_o part_v with_o this_o discourse_n of_o the_o dr_n about_o the_o unity_n of_o church_n i_o take_v notice_n of_o his_o confident_a assert_v p._n 226._o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o change_n of_o church-government_n so_o sudden_o from_o its_o first_o institution_n even_o though_o the_o church_n fall_v into_o heresy_n very_o soon_o yet_o this_o change_n can_v not_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n he_o have_v assert_v before_o and_o i_o have_v answer_v it_o praef._n sâ—ct_n 9_o his_o further_a consideration_n to_o enforce_v what_o he_o have_v say_v be_v not_o weighty_a to_o wit_n that_o government_n be_v so_o nice_a and_o tender_a a_o point_n thâ—t_v they_o cut_v of_o who_o hand_n it_o be_v take_v by_o those_o who_o usurp_v it_o will_v certain_o have_v complain_v this_o he_o enlarge_v upon_o but_o i_o answer_v 1._o it_o may_v be_v they_o do_v that_o they_o do_v not_o be_v not_o prove_v by_o the_o silence_n of_o history_n a_o negative_a argument_n here_o be_v not_o concludent_fw-la especial_o consider_v the_o lameness_n of_o the_o history_n of_o the_o first_o century_n and_o what_o we_o have_v of_o it_o be_v by_o those_o who_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o the_o usurpation_n 2._o he_o do_v not_o consider_v that_o man_n may_v sleep_v while_o other_o be_v rob_v they_o as_o christ_n foretell_v matth._n 13._o 25._o 3._o we_o may_v rational_o think_v that_o government_n in_o the_o church_n which_o then_o be_v no_o lordly_a dominion_n but_o a_o painful_a ministry_n or_o serviâ—e_v and_o make_v unpleasant_a by_o the_o cross_a humour_n of_o they_o that_o need_v it_o most_o be_v not_o then_o so_o â—ice_n and_o tender_a a_o point_n to_o honest_a and_o well-meaning_a presbyter_n as_o it_o be_v now_o to_o our_o aspire_a churchman_n they_o be_v man_n of_o another_o stamp_n they_o be_v willing_a to_o lie_v by_o if_o the_o work_n be_v do_v and_o they_o may_v think_v that_o other_o may_v do_v it_o better_o than_o they_o this_o be_v not_o to_o justify_v they_o but_o to_o take_v off_o man_n wonder_n at_o this_o and_o man_n of_o high_a part_n and_o spirit_n may_v easy_o by_o degree_n wrest_v power_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o as_o good_a man_n as_o themselves_o who_o be_v not_o so_o foreseeing_a as_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v nor_o so_o tincture_v with_o ambition_n as_o they_o though_o other_o way_n good_a and_o eminent_a men._n and_o we_o need_v the_o less_o wonder_n at_o this_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o this_o thing_n be_v not_o do_v sudden_o but_o by_o insensible_a step_n in_o the_o space_n of_o three_o or_o four_o hundred_o year_n cyprian_n who_o the_o dr._n lay_v most_o weight_n on_o in_o this_o matter_n live_v in_o the_o three_o century_n &_o even_o then_o we_o deny_v that_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n be_v settle_v what_o the_o dr._n say_v under_o this_o head_n of_o the_o plurality_n of_o congregation_n in_o the_o several_a city_n that_o seem_v to_o prove_v episcopal_a power_n over_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v answer_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o next_o section_n where_o it_o be_v more_o proper_a also_o what_o he_o here_o say_v against_o popular_a election_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o its_o place_n because_o i_o will_v not_o confound_v subject_n so_o divers_a sect_n iii_o whether_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n be_v lawful_a the_o second_o plea_n for_o separation_n that_o the_o learned_a dr._n consider_v be_v the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n which_o he_o take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o prove_v to_o be_v 1._o primitive_a 2._o not_o repugnant_a to_o any_o institution_n of_o christ_n 3._o that_o its_o discipline_n as_o exercise_v in_o england_n do_v not_o overthrow_v the_o be_v of_o parochial_a church_n all_o this_o he_o manage_v sect._n 8_o etc._n etc._n i_o may_v shun_v this_o whole_a debate_n have_v above_o disow_v this_o as_o a_o plea_n for_o separation_n except_o in_o so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v require_v to_o own_o it_o but_o because_o we_o look_v on_o this_o episcopacy_n as_o unlawful_a to_o be_v use_v or_o own_a i_o shall_v examine_v what_o the_o dr._n say_v in_o defence_n of_o it_o this_o be_v do_v already_o to_o much_o more_o advantage_n than_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o i_o by_o the_o learned_a author_n of_o no_o evidence_n for_o diocesan_n church_n or_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o defence_n of_o that_o piece_n under_o the_o title_n of_o diocesan_n church_n not_o yet_o discover_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n which_o may_v supersede_n all_o that_o i_o have_v to_o say_v and_o shall_v make_v i_o say_v the_o less_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o these_o two_o most_o learned_a book_n yet_o lest_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o hiatus_fw-la in_o this_o discourse_n i_o shall_v not_o whole_o decline_v this_o debate_n with_o the_o doctor_n sâ—ct_n 2._o mr._n b_n frame_n of_o church-government_n which_o the_o dr._n disprove_v p._n 242_o 243._o be_v singular_a himself_o can_v best_o defend_v it_o wherefore_o i_o leave_v it_o and_o shall_v attend_v the_o dr_n proof_n of_o the_o three_o particular_n above_o mention_v first_o assert_v a_o few_o thing_n that_o may_v clear_v our_o way_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n that_o we_o quarrel_n it_o be_v apply_v in_o scripture_n to_o all_o the_o ordinary_a roll_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n as_o distinguish_v from_o her_o servant_n the_o deacon_n phil._n 1._o 1._o and_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o call_v a_o good_a work_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 1._o and_o apply_v to_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n act._n 20._o 28._o 2._o we_o meddle_v not_o with_o their_o title_n and_o revenue_n those_o be_v the_o magistrate_n
divide_v into_o province_n if_o a_o minister_n in_o england_n shall_v say_v there_o be_v many_o minister_n in_o our_o country_n it_o will_v not_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v under_o his_o charge_n vule_a mention_v cresceus_fw-la who_o have_v 120_o bishop_n under_o he_o the_o dr._n shall_v have_v prove_v that_o he_o have_v sole_a jurisdiction_n over_o they_o and_o all_o their_o church_n or_o that_o he_o can_v act_v any_o thing_n in_o church_n matter_n without_o they_o and_o so_o that_o he_o be_v more_o than_o precedent_n in_o their_o meeting_n when_o they_o come_v together_o about_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n these_o be_v the_o goodly_a argument_n from_o antiquity_n by_o which_o man_n think_v to_o wreath_n on_o our_o neck_n the_o yoke_n of_o domination_n sect._n 5._o he_o bring_v another_o proof_n for_o his_o diocesan_n bishop_n sect._n 20._o from_o athanasius_n his_o have_a charge_n over_o the_o church_n of_o alexandira_n and_o these_o of_o maraeotis_n and_o 1._o epiphamus_n say_v that_o athanasius_n do_v often_o visit_v neighbour_n church_n especial_o those_o of_o maraeotis_n ans._n so_o have_v many_o presbyterian_a minister_n do_v to_o neighbour_a parish_n that_o be_v destitute_a and_o yet_o never_o pretend_v to_o episcopal_a power_n over_o they_o that_o this_o be_v a_o act_n of_o charity_n not_o of_o episcopal_a authority_n appear_v because_o epiphamus_n call_v they_o neighbour_n church_n not_o a_o part_n of_o athanasiu_n church_n and_o that_o he_o mention_v other_o neighbour_n church_n beside_o these_o of_o maraeotis_n which_o athanasius_n say_v be_v subject_a to_o he_o next_o athanasius_n say_v maraeotis_n be_v a_o region_n belong_v to_o alexandria_n which_o never_o have_v neither_o bishop_n nor_o suffragan_n in_o it_o but_o all_o the_o church_n there_o be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n but_o every_o presbyter_n be_v fix_v in_o his_o particular_a village_n ans._n maraeotis_n or_o mâ—ria_n as_o ptolemy_n call_v it_o be_v a_o lake_n not_o far_o from_o alexandria_n now_o call_v lago_n 〈◊〉_d i_o suppose_v athanasius_n mean_v the_o country_n about_o that_o lake_n which_o it_o seem_v have_v then_o few_o church_n and_o christian_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o fit_a they_o shall_v associate_v for_o discipline_n with_o these_o of_o alexandria_n be_v very_o near_o to_o it_o their_o subjection_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n do_v not_o prove_v his_o sole_a jurisdiction_n over_o they_o but_o only_o that_o they_o be_v so_o by_o the_o association_n of_o presbyter_n of_o which_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n be_v moderator_n subjâ—cton_n to_o a_o bishop_n in_o our_o day_n signify_v to_o be_v under_o his_o jurisdiction_n by_o himself_o because_o man_n have_v set_v up_o such_o bishop_n but_o it_o can_v be_v make_v to_o signify_v the_o same_o in_o the_o dialect_n of_o these_o time_n unless_o it_o be_v aliunde_fw-la prove_v that_o they_o be_v such_o bishop_n which_o be_v not_o do_v by_o such_o a_o argument_n as_o this_o wherefore_o i_o deny_v the_o drs_n three_o consequence_n that_o he_o draw_v from_o this_o passage_n p._n 254._o to_o wit_n that_o these_o be_v under_o the_o mediate_a inspection_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n so_o that_o the_o whole_a government_n belong_v to_o he_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o shadow_n of_o reason_n for_o such_o a_o inference_n his_o disputation_n that_o follow_v about_o the_o christian_n of_o alexandria_n meet_v in_o diverse_a assembly_n i_o meddle_v not_o with_o it_o be_v nothing_o against_o we_o whether_o it_o weâ—e_v so_o or_o otherwise_o sect._n 6._o the_o last_o proof_n that_o he_o bring_v be_v out_o of_o theodoret_n which_o he_o say_v be_v plain_a enough_o of_o itself_o to_o show_v the_o great_a extent_n of_o diocesan_n poweâ—_n he_o say_v he_o have_v the_o pâ—storal_a charge_n of_o 800._o he_o shall_v have_v say_v 80_o churches_n and_o that_o so_o many_o parish_n be_v in_o his_o diocese_n the_o dr._n insult_v much_o on_o this_o testimony_n but_o without_o cause_n for_o 1._o theodoret_n live_v in_o the_o five_o century_n and_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o by_o that_o time_n episcopal_n ambition_n have_v in_o some_o place_n encroach_v on_o the_o government_n institute_v by_o christ_n and_o which_o have_v be_v keep_v more_o entire_a in_o former_a age_n 2._o it_o be_v much_o suspect_v by_o learned_a man_n that_o theodoret_n epistle_n be_v not_o genuine_a and_o the_o dr._n do_v not_o deny_v that_o heretic_n have_v feign_v epistle_n in_o theodoret_n name_n as_o leontius_n say_v which_o do_v darogate_a much_o from_o the_o credit_n of_o these_o that_o can_v be_v well_o prove_v to_o be_v true_a 3._o theodoret_n do_v not_o say_v that_o he_o have_v the_o pastoral_a charge_n of_o these_o church_n but_o that_o he_o have_v be_v pastor_n in_o they_o the_o former_a expression_n look_v like_o a_o sole_a power_n in_o he_o and_o therefore_o the_o dr._n think_v fit_a so_o to_o vary_v the_o phrase_n the_o other_o hint_v no_o more_o power_n than_o be_v consistant_fw-la with_o a_o party_n every_o minister_n be_v a_o pastor_n in_o the_o church_n to_o who_o association_n he_o belong_v 4._o but_o whatever_o be_v in_o that_o this_o show_v the_o extent_n of_o theodoret_n power_n as_o to_o place_n or_o bound_n but_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o he_o alone_o exercise_v that_o power_n and_o therefore_o be_v no_o proof_n of_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n sect._n 7._o before_o i_o proceed_v i_o shall_v return_v to_o examine_v the_o doctor_n be_v allegation_n for_o diocesan_n power_n p._n 230._o which_o i_o above_o refer_v to_o this_o place_n he_o assert_v that_o the_o presbyter_n and_o whole_a church_n be_v under_o the_o particular_a care_n and_o government_n of_o cyprian_a this_o assertion_n be_v too_o big_a for_o the_o proof_n that_o he_o bring_v for_o it_o to_o wit_n that_o cyprian_n reprove_v some_o of_o the_o presbyter_n for_o receive_v penitent_n without_o consult_v he_o and_o complain_v of_o the_o affront_v do_v to_o his_o place_n as_o bishop_n and_o discharge_v the_o like_a to_o be_v do_v for_o the_o future_a lucian_n say_v that_o the_o martyr_n have_v agree_v that_o the_o lapse_v shall_v be_v receive_v on_o repentance_n but_o their_o cause_n be_v to_o be_v hear_v before_o the_o bishop_n and_o several_a passage_n to_o this_o purpose_n to_o all_o which_o i._n a._n by_o deny_v the_o consequence_n cyprian_n as_o i_o cite_v above_o do_v not_o take_v on_o he_o to_o receive_v the_o lapse_v without_o the_o presbyter_n will_v it_o thence_o follow_v that_o he_o have_v no_o power_n at_o all_o but_o it_o be_v sole_o in_o they_o even_o so_o that_o the_o presbyter_n especial_o that_o some_o of_o they_o as_o the_o dr._n himself_o state_v the_o case_n may_v not_o do_v it_o without_o cyprian_a do_v not_o prove_v that_o the_o presbyter_n and_o whole_a church_n be_v under_o his_o government_n it_o amount_v to_o no_o more_o but_o this_o that_o in_o a_o presbytery_n regular_o constitute_v especial_o where_o they_o have_v devolve_v the_o power_n of_o call_v and_o preside_v in_o their_o meeting_n on_o a_o fix_a and_o constant_a moderator_n it_o be_v very_o irregular_a that_o a_o part_n shall_v meet_v about_o discipline_n without_o the_o rest_n and_o particular_o without_o consult_v he_o who_o they_o have_v so_o choose_v beside_o i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o cyprian_n show_v too_o much_o zeal_n in_o this_o cause_n and_o may_v possible_o attempt_v to_o stretch_v his_o power_n a_o little_a too_o far_o as_o afterward_o many_o do_v he_o be_v a_o holy_a and_o meek_a man_n but_o such_o may_v be_v a_o little_a too_o high_a to_o this_o same_o purpose_n be_v his_o other_o citation_n of_o moses_n and_o maximus_n commend_v cyprian_n for_o not_o be_v want_v to_o his_o office._n cyprian_n epistle_n to_o the_o clergy_n of_o carthage_n that_o the_o dr._n cit_v show_v there_o be_v disorder_n commit_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o receive_v the_o lapse_v in_o that_o not_o only_o some_o presbyter_n take_v it_o on_o they_o without_o a_o regular_a meeting_n of_o the_o whole_a but_o even_o deacon_n meddle_v with_o it_o which_o be_v out_o of_o their_o way_n his_o citation_n of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n commend_v the_o martyr_n for_o not_o take_v on_o they_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n be_v whole_o out_o of_o the_o way_n for_o none_o ever_o suppose_v that_o every_o martyr_n have_v church-power_n that_o they_o delay_v some_o part_n of_o discipline_n till_o they_o have_v a_o new_a bishop_n prove_v as_o little_a as_o the_o rest_n for_o it_o be_v fit_a one_o shall_v moderate_v in_o their_o meeting_n and_o custom_n have_v obtain_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v fix_v in_o that_o office_n which_o be_v not_o from_o the_o beginning_n cyprian_n appoint_v some_o to_o visit_v when_o he_o can_v not_o do_v it_o by_o reason_n of_o persecution_n neither_o be_v a_o precedent_n for_o our_o bishop_n do_v their_o
fitness_n for_o the_o communion_n he_o say_v 1._o the_o great_a offender_n abstain_v of_o themselves_o and_o they_o that_o come_v be_v usual_o the_o most_o devouâ—_n 2._o if_o debauch_a person_n come_v it_o be_v upon_o some_o awaken_n of_o conscience_n then_o both_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v more_o contrary_a to_o common_a experience_n 3._o he_o say_v this_o do_v not_o defile_v right_a communicant_n that_o be_v true_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o cause_n of_o separation_n but_o it_o be_v the_o church_n fault_n and_o shall_v be_v amend_v 5._o and_o 6._o some_o presbyterian_a church_n and_o the_o church_n of_o constantinople_n be_v for_o a_o time_n without_o discipline_n this_o be_v no_o imitable_a example_n sect_n v._o the_o national_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n debate_v have_v now_o examine_v what_o the_o dr._n say_v for_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n i_o proceed_v to_o consider_v the_o next_o ground_n for_o separation_n plead_v by_o some_o to_o wit_n the_o national_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o have_v above_o declare_v that_o i_o look_v on_o this_o as_o no_o ground_n for_o separation_n yea_o nor_o cause_n of_o complaint_n if_o it_o be_v take_v sano_fw-la sensu_fw-la though_o i_o think_v every_o organise_v congregation_n have_v a_o govern_v power_n in_o itself_o yet_o this_o power_n be_v not_o independent_a but_o subordinate_a to_o the_o association_n of_o such_o church_n these_o association_n may_v be_v great_a or_o small_a one_o contain_v in_o another_o and_o so_o subordinate_a to_o it_o as_o the_o conveniency_n of_o meeting_n for_o discipline_n do_v allow_v and_o because_o the_o association_n of_o church_n in_o a_o whole_a nation_n contain_v all_o the_o church_n in_o it_o and_o may_v all_o meet_v in_o their_o representative_n for_o the_o govern_v they_o all_o in_o common_a this_o we_o own_o as_o a_o national_a church_n wherefore_o on_o this_o head_n i_o have_v no_o debate_n with_o the_o dr._n except_o in_o so_o far_o as_o he_o be_v for_o national_a and_o provincial_a officer_n in_o this_o national_a church_n arch-bishop_n and_o bishop_n put_v but_o provincial_n and_o national_a synod_n in_o the_o place_n of_o these_o and_o i_o shall_v contend_v no_o further_o i_o shall_v not_o then_o meddle_v with_o the_o substance_n of_o this_o his_o discourse_n but_o only_o note_v a_o few_o thing_n sect._n 2._o the_o first_o thing_n that_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v p._n 289._o where_o the_o dr._n make_v the_o institution_n of_o the_o apostolic_a function_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o twelve_o man_n to_o be_v a_o argument_n against_o church_n power_n of_o govern_v themselves_o this_o prove_v nothing_o for_o the_o ordinary_a government_n of_o the_o church_n must_v be_v regulate_v by_o what_o the_o apostle_n appoint_v which_o be_v a_o abide_a thing_n not_o by_o their_o own_o govern_v the_o church_n which_o cease_v with_o they_o next_o p._n 290._o he_o say_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n from_o the_o apostle_n be_v matter_n of_o faâ—t_n attest_v by_o the_o most_o early_o know_v honest_a and_o impartial_a witness_n which_o i_o deny_v and_o have_v disprove_v the_o next_o remark_n shall_v be_v upon_o p._n 291._o where_o he_o plead_v for_o bishop_n join_v together_o and_o become_v one_o national_a church_n he_o shune_v mention_v a_o primate_n under_o and_o in_o who_o they_o unite_v and_o this_o he_o seem_v to_o vindicate_v from_o make_v way_n for_o papal_a usurpation_n and_o and_o universal_a head_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o its_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a so_o unite_v and_o no_o way_n repugnant_a to_o the_o design_n of_o the_o institution_n and_o not_o usurp_v the_o right_n of_o other_o nor_o assume_v more_o than_o can_v be_v manage_v this_o he_o say_v a_o universal_a pastor_n must_v do_v and_o he_o therefore_o mention_v this_o that_o any_o one_o may_v see_v that_o the_o force_n of_o this_o reason_n will_v never_o justify_v the_o papal_a usurpation_n i_o can_v for_o all_o this_o see_v that_o it_o be_v more_o justifiable_a or_o consistent_a with_o christ_n institution_n to_o unite_v a_o national_a church_n under_o a_o primate_n than_o to_o unite_v the_o universal_a church_n under_o a_o pope_n save_v that_o the_o one_o be_v a_o further_o remove_v from_o parity_n that_o christ_n institute_v and_o so_o a_o great_a evil_n than_o the_o other_o but_o magis_fw-la &_o minus_fw-la non_fw-la variant_n speciem_fw-la to_o clear_v this_o i_o shall_v run_v over_o these_o four_o quality_n that_o he_o mention_v in_o their_o unite_n under_o a_o primate_n and_o consider_v whether_o they_o do_v agree_v better_a to_o he_o than_o to_o a_o pope_n the_o first_o be_v it_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a so_o unite_v if_o we_o judge_v by_o intention_n no_o doubt_n this_o intention_n will_v be_v pretend_v to_o by_o the_o papist_n also_o and_o be_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la as_o much_o plead_v by_o they_o and_o with_o as_o specious_a pretence_n and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n sad_a experience_n show_v that_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o do_v conduce_v to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a but_o be_v improve_v to_o tyrannize_a over_o man_n conscience_n and_o rend_v and_o harassing_n the_o church_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o superstitious_a concept_n of_o corrupt_a men._n sect._n 3_o the_o second_o this_o union_n be_v no_o way_n repugnant_a to_o institution_n this_o he_o shall_v have_v prove_v we_o deny_v it_o let_v he_o show_v we_o more_o institution_n or_o warrant_v for_o a_o metropolitan_a than_o for_o a_o pope_n if_o we_o shall_v own_v bishop_n as_o successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n yet_o a_o archbishop_n a_o metropolitan_a a_o patriarch_n a_o pope_n must_v still_o be_v beside_o institution_n except_o the_o dr._n will_v own_o a_o imparity_n among_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o be_v for_o peter_n supremacy_n the_o three_o be_v that_o in_o this_o union_n there_o be_v no_o usurp_v the_o right_n of_o other_o i_o say_v there_o be_v as_o real_o as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o papacy_n for_o it_o be_v the_o right_n of_o every_o one_o of_o christ_n minister_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n in_o equality_n of_o power_n with_o the_o rest_n this_o be_v take_v from_o they_o and_o put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o that_o right_a that_o the_o bishop_n have_v usurp_v from_o the_o presbyter_n the_o primate_n usurp_v from_o he_o and_o the_o pope_n do_v no_o more_o but_o usurp_v the_o same_o from_o all_o the_o metropolitan_o and_o patriarch_n that_o they_o have_v usurp_v from_o these_o under_o they_o the_o four_o be_v not_o assume_v more_o than_o can_v be_v manage_v nothing_o but_o prejudice_n can_v hinder_v a_o man_n of_o the_o doctor_n understanding_n to_o see_v that_o the_o bishop_n assume_v more_o power_n than_o he_o can_v manage_v as_o real_o as_o the_o primate_n or_o the_o patriarch_n yea_o or_o the_o pope_n do_v for_o as_o the_o pope_n can_v administer_v the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n to_o all_o christian_n in_o his_o own_o person_n no_o more_o can_v a_o primate_n to_o a_o whole_a nation_n nor_o a_o bishop_n to_o a_o diocese_n consist_v of_o many_o thousand_o of_o people_n and_o hundred_o of_o congregation_n and_o as_o the_o bishop_n can_v do_v all_o this_o by_o the_o parochial_a clergy_n for_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o by_o his_o chancellor_n archdeacon_n &c._n &c._n for_o his_o discipline_n such_o as_o it_o be_v and_o as_o the_o primate_n can_v rule_v a_o whole_a national_a church_n by_o his_o and_o the_o bishop_n court_n so_o can_v the_o pope_n rule_v all_o christian_a people_n ut_fw-la cunque_fw-la by_o cardinal_n patriarch_n metropolitan_o bishop_n by_o his_o legate_n or_o other_o officer_n of_o his_o appointment_n i_o challenge_v the_o doctor_n or_o any_o man_n to_o show_v such_o a_o difference_n between_o a_o national_a officer_n and_o a_o oecumenick_n officer_n in_o the_o church_n as_o make_v one_o lawful_a and_o the_o other_o unlawful_a the_o pope_n usurp_v a_o plenitude_n of_o civil_a power_n and_o more_o gross_o abuse_v his_o pretend_a church_n power_n will_v not_o make_v this_o difference_n for_o we_o speak_v of_o a_o pope_n and_o primate_n as_o such_o abstract_v from_o all_o accident_n of_o such_o a_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n sect._n 4._o pag._n 292._o he_o seem_v to_o expose_v the_o frame_n of_o church-government_n too_o much_o to_o the_o reason_n or_o rather_o fancy_n of_o man_n when_o he_o say_v that_o union_n be_v the_o best_a way_n to_o preserve_v the_o church_n the_o preservation_n of_o which_o christ_n design_v by_o his_o institution_n we_o may_v reasonable_o infer_v that_o whatever_o tend_v to_o promote_v this_o union_n and_o to_o prevent_v notable_a inconvenience_n be_v within_o the_o design_n of_o the_o first_o institution_n though_o it_o be_v not_o