people_n as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o star_n but_o the_o last_o can_v be_v therefore_o of_o necessity_n the_o first_o must_v be_v understand_v we_o conceive_v then_o as_o by_o church_n or_o candlestick_n be_v understand_v many_o professor_n or_o church_n for_o under_o church_n here_o such_o who_o thus_o plead_v will_v grant_v more_o particular_a church_n to_o be_v comprehend_v for_o say_v they_o they_o be_v diocesian_a church_n in_o a_o unite_a way_n of_o worship_v or_o government_n so_o by_o angel_n many_o church-guids_a in_o a_o unite_a way_n of_o govern_v may_v be_v understand_v minister_n be_v call_v star_n for_o these_o reason_n 1._o to_o signify_v and_o point_v out_o the_o eminence_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o office_n that_o it_o be_v a_o glorious_a and_o shine_v office_n 2._o to_o point_v out_o what_o be_v the_o especial_a end_n of_o this_o office_n it_o be_v to_o give_v light_n as_o the_o use_n of_o star_n be_v to_o give_v light_n to_o the_o world_n so_o its_o minister_n main_a employment_n to_o shine_v and_o give_v light_a to_o other_o to_o make_v the_o world_n which_o be_v a_o dark_a night_n to_o be_v lightsome_a in_o which_o sense_n mat._n 5.14_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n 3._o it_o be_v to_o signify_v that_o they_o be_v but_o subservient_fw-fr light_n our_o lord_n jesus_n be_v the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n that_o light_n that_o great_a light_n and_o minister_n be_v lesser_a light_n 4._o it_o be_v to_o point_v out_o the_o way_n how_o minister_n become_v lightsome_a star_n receive_v their_o light_n from_o the_o sun_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o borrow_a light_n be_v make_v lightsome_a so_o minister_n be_v make_v lightsome_a and_o shine_v to_o give_v other_o light_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o light_n that_o they_o receive_v from_o christ_n they_o be_v light_n but_o their_o light_n be_v star_n light_n a_o borrow_a light_n and_o eclipse_n betwixt_o jesus_n christ_n and_o they_o will_v darken_v they_o see_v they_o have_v no_o light_n but_o what_o they_o receive_v from_o he_o this_o will_v learn_v minister_n and_o people_n a_o right_a uptake_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o office_n and_o keep_v off_o contrary_a extreme_n that_o both_o respective_o be_v subject_n unto_o the_o second_o part_n be_v expound_v the_o seven_o candlestick_n be_v the_o seven_o church_n as_o before_o he_o expound_v the_o seven_o star_n to_o be_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n the_o church_n be_v call_v candlestick_n for_o these_o reason_n 1._o because_o the_o candlestick_n be_v that_o which_o proper_o the_o light_n be_v set_v into_o and_o it_o be_v fit_v for_o receive_v of_o light_n though_o it_o have_v none_o of_o its_o own_o so_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v that_o wherein_o christ_n jesus_n set_v his_o light_n 1_o cor._n 12.28_o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n first_o apostle_n second_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n the_o church_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o candlestick_n to_o the_o candle_n the_o proper_a seat_n of_o the_o apostle_n prophet_n and_o minister_n after_o they_o 2._o though_o the_o candlestick_n give_v no_o light_n yet_o it_o make_v the_o light_n set_v on_o it_o to_o be_v the_o more_o useful_a to_o other_o as_o mat._n 5.14_o you_o be_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n a_o city_n set_v on_o a_o hill_n can_v be_v hide_v neither_o do_v man_n light_v a_o candle_n to_o put_v it_o under_o a_o bushel_n but_o on_o a_o candlestick_n that_o it_o may_v give_v light_n to_o all_o that_o be_v in_o the_o house_n so_o minister_n be_v set_v in_o the_o church_n and_o their_o set_n in_o the_o church_n be_v the_o way_n whereby_o god_n preserve_v light_a ordinary_o and_o make_v it_o shine_v and_o so_o the_o excellent_a comely_a order_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n kyth_n in_o this_o that_o it_o be_v like_o a_o city_n set_v on_o a_o hill_n and_o hence_o the_o church_n be_v call_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n 1_o tim._n 3.15_o the_o light_n of_o the_o truth_n be_v set_v in_o the_o church_n as_o on_o a_o pillar_n to_o make_v it_o kith_v the_o more_o and_o be_v see_v the_o further_a that_o other_o may_v fall_v in_o love_n with_o it_o and_o lay_v both_o these_o together_o the_o minister_n be_v light_n and_o the_o church_n candlestick_n it_o hold_v out_o a_o near_a and_o sib_a relation_n betwixt_o minister_n and_o people_n as_o if_o the_o people_n be_v dark_a without_o minister_n and_o the_o minister_n will_v not_o shine_v far_o nor_o be_v useful_a if_o they_o have_v not_o church_n to_o bear_v they_o up_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o strain_v this_o similitude_n too_o far_o as_o if_o church_n may_v be_v church_n without_o minister_n much_o less_o before_o minister_n be_v set_v in_o they_o as_o a_o candlestick_n still_o be_v a_o candlestick_n without_o a_o light_n but_o certain_o very_o dark_a that_o be_v not_o the_o scope_n but_o it_o be_v to_o show_v that_o in_o constitute_v church_n what_o be_v christ_n esteem_n both_o of_o minister_n and_o people_n and_o what_o be_v the_o mutual_a relation_n that_o stand_v betwixt_o they_o each_z to_z other_o we_o know_v that_o the_o church_n organise_v be_v but_o one_o body_n whereof_o the_o pastor_n be_v a_o principal_a part_n and_o that_o these_o derogate_v not_o to_o the_o other_o relation_n betwixt_o minister_n and_o people_n as_o to_o be_v father_n to_o they_o to_o beget_v they_o to_o nourish_v they_o as_o a_o nurse_n do_v in_o give_v suck_n to_o be_v mother_n travel_v in_o birth_n with_o they_o in_o which_o respect_n particular_a church_n and_o christian_n have_v their_o be_v from_o minister_n as_o such_o instrument_n who_o have_v beget_v they_o by_o the_o immortal_a seed_n of_o the_o word_n 2._o golden_a candlestick_n 1._o to_o point_v out_o comparative_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n above_o all_o other_o society_n in_o the_o world_n and_o positive_o the_o excellency_n that_o be_v among_o the_o church_n as_o gold_n be_v the_o most_o excellent_a mettle_n so_o the_o church_n be_v the_o choice_n and_o waill_v of_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o it_o be_v god_n garden_n 2._o to_o let_v we_o see_v what_o be_v believer_n duty_n and_o what_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v oblige_v to_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v as_o gold_n that_o will_v abide_v the_o trial_n and_o have_v no_o dross_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v thorough_o sincere_a as_o gold_n to_o be_v like_o every_o sort_n of_o mettle_n will_v not_o be_v enough_o quest._n how_o can_v these_o church_n be_v call_v gold_n see_v many_o of_o they_o be_v of_o so_o little_a worth_n that_o they_o can_v scarce_o abide_v the_o trial_n as_o pergamos_n thyatira_n sardis_n etc._n etc._n and_o laodicea_n be_v so_o corrupt_a that_o she_o have_v no_o commendation_n at_o all_o answ._n our_o lord_n jesus_n design_v the_o visible_a church_n or_o church_n not_o according_a to_o the_o plurality_n but_o according_a to_o the_o better_a part_n and_o when_o there_o be_v any_o gold_n he_o count_v by_o it_o even_o as_o one_o may_v call_v a_o heap_n a_o heap_n of_o corn_n though_o the_o great_a part_n be_v chaff_n 3._o there_o be_v something_o essential_a to_o the_o church_n as_o visible_a which_o make_v they_o get_v this_o denomination_n for_o the_o visible_a church_n have_v a_o comparative_a excellency_n beyond_o other_o that_o be_v without_o and_o jesus_n christ_n look_v not_o to_o what_o they_o be_v but_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n he_o call_v they_o golden_a candlestick_n even_o as_o he_o call_v the_o minister_n star_n though_o there_o be_v some_o among_o they_o of_o little_a worth_n as_o that_o angel_n of_o laodicea_n because_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n they_o be_v so_o so_o the_o church_n write_v to_o by_o the_o apostle_n be_v call_v saint_n and_o holy_a in_o so_o far_o as_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o profession_n and_o church-state-relation_n that_o they_o stand_v in_o to_o god_n they_o be_v so_o 3._o he_o design_v they_o so_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o obligation_n to_o let_v they_o see_v what_o they_o shall_v be_v and_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v this_o be_v a_o main_a reason_n why_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v call_v a_o holy_a people_n not_o for_o any_o great_a holiness_n that_o often_o be_v among_o they_o all_o but_o because_o they_o be_v separate_v from_o other_o people_n to_o be_v a_o peculiar_a people_n to_o he_o in_o which_o respect_n the_o child_n of_o believer_n be_v call_v holy_a 1_o cor._n 7._o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o any_o personal_a holiness_n but_o of_o a_o holiness_n in_o respect_n of_o a_o federall_n or_o covenant_n relation_n in_o which_o respect_n they_o be_v separate_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n who_o have_v not_o a_o external_a right_n to_o
be_v godly_a and_o according_a to_o conscience_n do_v exercise_v his_o power_n for_o her_o good_a and_o then_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v suppose_v that_o the_o magistrate_n profess_v willingness_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n how_o shall_v it_o be_v judge_v whether_o such_o and_o such_o a_o magistrate_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o govern_v or_o whether_o they_o be_v to_o assume_v government_n to_o themselves_o it_o will_v come_v to_o this_o that_o it_o must_v rest_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n of_o these_o private_a christian_n whether_o they_o will_v admit_v the_o magistrate_n to_o govern_v or_o not_o and_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o that_o author_n if_o they_o judge_v he_o according_a to_o their_o light_n to_o be_v one_o that_o take_v no_o care_n of_o the_o church_n they_o shall_v assume_v that_o power_n to_o themselves_o for_o elsewhere_o he_o affirm_v the_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n to_o be_v the_o great_a decider_n and_o that_o a_o man_n have_v better_o do_v according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o a_o err_a conscience_n than_o against_o it_o yea_o 3._o according_a to_o his_o ground_n they_o may_v not_o only_o assume_v power_n in_o ecclesiastic_a thing_n but_o equal_o in_o civil_a thing_n also_o and_o will_v he_o say_v that_o the_o church_n of_o france_n may_v take_v power_n in_o civil_a thing_n as_o they_o do_v in_o ecclesiastic_a and_o not_o wrong_v the_o magistrate_n or_o can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o be_v a_o privilege_n to_o the_o magistrate_n which_o make_v he_o so_o to_o depend_v both_o in_o thing_n ecclesiastic_a and_o civil_a upon_o a_o people_n estimation_n of_o he_o 4._o by_o these_o ground_n either_o a_o church_n shall_v never_o assume_v power_n under_o any_o magistrate_n however_o careless_a and_o profane_a and_o so_o as_o be_v grant_v wrong_v herself_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o by_o assume_v power_n they_o declare_v that_o they_o account_v the_o magistrate_n a_o heathen_a erroneous_a or_o atheistical_a etc._n etc._n and_o be_v not_o that_o a_o great_a irritation_n and_o probable_a occasion_n of_o division_n betwixt_o the_o magistrate_n and_o church_n than_o to_o continue_v this_o power_n distinct_a under_o all_o magistrate_n equal_o and_o true_o it_o look_v not_o like_o god_n ordinance_n that_o put_v his_o church_n oftentimes_o in_o this_o strait_a that_o it_o must_v either_o suffer_v prejudice_n or_o disclaim_v and_o provoke_v the_o magistrate_n so_o as_o to_o account_v he_o a_o atheist_n unworthy_a of_o government_n but_o to_o have_v forfeit_v so_o much_o of_o his_o power_n etc._n etc._n and_o suppose_v a_o profane_a â—on_n succeed_v in_o the_o magistracy_n to_o a_o gracious_a father_n or_o profane_a man_n be_v choose_v to_o succeed_v other_o who_o bare_a rule_n before_o they_o even_o in_o church-affair_n which_o case_n be_v often_o incident_a what_o straight_o will_v it_o be_v to_o the_o church_n either_o to_o continue_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o magistrate_n as_o former_o or_o with_o so_o much_o disadvantage_n upon_o personal_a consideration_n to_o assume_v a_o power_n which_o former_o they_o do_v not_o 5._o either_o the_o church_n assume_v that_o power_n contrary_a to_o the_o magistrate_n command_n and_o so_o there_o be_v clear_a ground_n of_o a_o persecution_n and_o war_n or_o it_o be_v with_o his_o good_a will_n or_o at_o least_o permission_n and_o that_o must_v presuppose_v this_o that_o he_o do_v account_v himself_o heathen_a erroneous_a or_o profane_a which_o can_v easy_o be_v expect_v especial_o from_o a_o man_n not_o so_o deny_v and_o mortify_v as_o such_o a_o magistrate_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v for_o delegated_a it_o can_v be_v see_v in_o that_o case_n this_o assume_v of_o authority_n be_v not_o call_v for_o 6._o it_o may_v be_v ask_v what_o degree_n of_o erroneousnesse_n profanity_n or_o carelessness_n in_o a_o magistrate_n may_v warrant_v a_o church_n to_o assume_v this_o power_n see_v even_o among_o heathen_n there_o be_v degree_n and_o if_o so_o then_o how_o shall_v that_o be_v judge_v suppose_v a_o christian_a magistrate_n shall_v neglect_v church_n affair_n otherwise_o than_o as_o they_o fall_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o civil_a government_n in_o which_o respect_n heathen_n do_v own_v they_o or_o suppose_v he_o shall_v own_v some_o sentence_n punish_v some_o scandal_n which_o it_o seem_v aurelian_a do_v in_o expelling_a samosatenâ—s_n and_o severus_n in_o command_v to_o give_v again_o to_o the_o church_n a_o place_n where_o they_o use_v to_o meet_v that_o some_o rogue_n have_v violent_o put_v they_o from_o say_v that_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o god_n shall_v be_v worship_v there_o than_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v employ_v for_o such_o a_o use_n now_o what_o be_v call_v for_o in_o such_o a_o case_n may_v be_v a_o debate_n whether_o may_v not_o such_o heathen_n be_v account_v to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o it_o become_v not_o these_o primitive_a christian_n to_o have_v retain_v power_n during_o their_o reign_n or_o what_o may_v be_v think_v of_o christian_a magistrate_n that_o do_v no_o more_o and_o it_o may_v be_v less_o than_o these_o whether_o be_v these_o to_o be_v retain_v or_o not_o 7._o it_o may_v be_v ask_v in_o such_o case_n whether_o be_v explicit_a confederate_n for_o that_o end_n necessary_a or_o not_o and_o suppose_v some_o will_v not_o submit_v willing_o how_o can_v they_o be_v compel_v or_o if_o so_o be_v they_o liable_a to_o no_o censure_n because_o of_o their_o obstinacy_n it_o be_v good_a that_o these_o thing_n be_v clear_v if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o this_o be_v a_o practicable_a thing_n and_o often_o to_o be_v practise_v it_o be_v further_a say_v that_o the_o church_n great_a hazard_n be_v from_o the_o great_a power_n of_o churchman_n and_o not_o of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o experience_n show_v therefore_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o give_v they_o power_n answ._n so_o the_o great_a danger_n of_o error_n be_v from_o church_n teacher_n shall_v they_o therefore_o have_v no_o teacher_n so_o the_o great_a hazard_n of_o tyranny_n to_o a_o state_n in_o civil_a thing_n be_v from_o a_o civil_a government_n be_v it_o not_o therefore_o to_o be_v allow_v yea_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o that_o corrupt_a church-officer_n wrong_v the_o church_n most_o and_o that_o both_o in_o government_n and_o doctrine_n because_o in_o both_o they_o come_v near_a her_o heart_n and_o therefore_o when_o they_o miscarry_v it_o can_v be_v but_o worse_o than_o when_o a_o authority_n more_o extrinsic_a do_v miscarry_v and_o by_o their_o power_n they_o have_v ever_o great_a access_n to_o do_v her_o good_a or_o evil_n and_o this_o rather_o confirm_v what_o be_v say_v that_o proper_o the_o power_n do_v belong_v to_o she_o and_o have_v need_v to_o be_v well_o manage_v because_o corruptio_fw-la optimi_fw-la est_fw-la pessima_fw-la but_o be_v it_o ever_o hear_v of_o that_o church_n authority_n well_o manage_v do_v hurt_v to_o the_o church_n or_o state_n either_o under_o what_o ever_o magistrate_n it_o follow_v only_o that_o the_o abuse_n of_o church_n power_n be_v ill_a but_o no_o more_o 2._o we_o come_v now_o in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o consider_v wherein_o this_o authority_n be_v exercise_v which_o we_o shall_v speak_v to_o only_o in_o so_o far_o as_o these_o epistle_n give_v ground_n and_o we_o will_v find_v it_o to_o be_v in_o these_o four_o 1._o there_o be_v a_o trial_n thou_o have_v try_v they_o that_o call_v themselves_o apostle_n etc._n etc._n which_o trial_n infer_v authority_n to_o cite_v and_o warn_v party_n to_o call_v and_o examine_v witness_n 1_o tim._n 5.19_o to_o take_v oath_n which_o be_v requisite_a to_o trial_n and_o witness_v as_o that_o alone_a which_o put_v a_o end_n to_o strife_n among_o man_n heb._n 6._o therefore_o mat._n 18._o the_o lord_n give_v the_o same_o rule_n concern_v procedor_fw-la by_o witness_v in_o the_o church_n which_o moses_n give_v in_o reference_n to_o all_o court_n that_o out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n etc._n etc._n shall_v every_o matter_n be_v establish_v this_o show_v also_o that_o they_o may_v receive_v the_o complaint_n of_o offend_a brethren_n as_o be_v in_o mat._n 18._o keep_v meeting_n for_o that_o end_n lead_v inquiry_n upon_o the_o cry_a fame_n of_o offence_n as_o be_v like_a they_o do_v in_o this_o case_n of_o ephesus_n and_o in_o a_o word_n do_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v needful_a for_o complete_n trial_n for_o where_o the_o end_n be_v approven_v the_o mean_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o attain_n thereof_o must_v be_v approven_v also_o 2._o there_o be_v a_o power_n here_o to_o judge_v and_o determine_v thou_o have_v find_v they_o liar_n which_o do_v respect_v these_o two_o 1._o the_o nature_n of_o offence_n they_o must_v judge_v what_o be_v truth_n and_o what_o error_n otherways_o they_o can_v not_o tell_v
rather_o to_o make_v but_o three_o step_n in_o these_o persecution_n and_o so_o to_o include_v that_o last_o and_o most_o horrid_a massacre_n by_o dioclesian_n under_o this_o seal_n and_o to_o take_v the_o seal_n follow_v as_o express_v no_o new_a matter_n but_o add_v for_o explication_n and_o consolation_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o forego_v sad_a event_n and_o therefore_o differ_v in_o the_o type_n common_a to_o the_o first_o four_o seal_n as_o will_v be_v more_o particular_o clear_a in_o the_o open_n of_o it_o this_o seal_n than_o contain_v the_o sad_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o last_o persecution_n of_o dioclesian_n take_v in_o with_o it_o the_o former_a interval_n after_o the_o persecution_n of_o decius_n 1._o because_o in_o this_o time_n persecution_n come_v to_o its_o height_n the_o church_n have_v now_o all_o her_o former_a trial_n lie_v upon_o she_o and_o new_a degree_n add_v to_o the_o former_a partly_o because_o it_o be_v the_o trial_n immediate_o go_v before_o the_o change_n of_o the_o church_n persecute_v condition_n the_o cry_n of_o soul_n and_o the_o comfortable_a answer_n in_o the_o seal_n follow_v be_v the_o result_n of_o this_o sad_a condition_n partly_o because_o the_o story_n in_o the_o event_n and_o particular_n of_o that_o persecution_n will_v be_v find_v exceed_o answerable_a to_o this_o type_n which_o we_o shall_v consider_v 1._o in_o general_a and_o then_o 2._o in_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n thereof_o 1._o in_o the_o general_a the_o church_n after_o decius_n his_o persecution_n almost_o except_o in_o that_o of_o gâ—llus_n and_o aurelianus_n have_v peace_n in_o a_o great_a measure_n from_o outward_a persecution_n for_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o four_o year_n together_o but_o during_o that_o time_n have_v fall_v from_o the_o simple_a purity_n and_o power_n of_o the_o gospel_n into_o jar_n division_n and_o strive_n among_o themselves_o as_o euseb._n lib._n 8._o cap._n 1._o and_o many_o other_o observe_v by_o which_o god_n be_v provoke_v and_o the_o church_n make_v contemptible_a upon_o which_o follow_v this_o horrid_a persecution_n begin_v in_o the_o ninteenth_fw-mi year_n of_o dioclesian_n about_o the_o three_o hundred_o year_n this_o dioclesian_n be_v engage_v in_o many_o war_n choose_v for_o a_o colleague_n to_o himself_o in_o the_o empire_n one_o herculâ—us_n maximianus_n and_o while_o their_o war_n increase_v every_o one_o of_o they_o choose_v a_o helper_n to_o themselves_o who_o be_v call_v caesar_n yet_o have_v not_o the_o stile_n of_o augustus_n as_o the_o emperor_n have_v dioclesian_n choose_v one_o maximinus_n to_o help_v he_o in_o the_o east_n who_o be_v also_o call_v iâ—vius_n maximianus_n choose_v constantiâ—s_v governor_n of_o britan_n he_o be_v constantins_n father_n and_o a_o good_a man_n these_o emperor_n set_v themselves_o together_o to_o root_n out_o christianity_n out_o of_o all_o the_o province_n of_o the_o empire_n join_v together_o craft_n and_o violence_n for_o that_o end_n 1._o put_v to_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o soldier_n and_o officer_n to_o sacrifice_n with_o they_o to_o idol_n or_o to_o quit_v their_o service_n 2._o make_v that_o same_o offer_n to_o magistrate_n with_o promise_n to_o both_o if_o they_o shall_v obey_v 3._o by_o throw_v down_o all_o church_n 4._o inhibit_v all_o meeting_n of_o christian_n and_o such_o like_a and_o when_o these_o wrought_v not_o their_o end_n they_o fall_v to_o open_a violence_n give_v out_o public_a edict_n against_o christian_n stir_v up_o all_o against_o they_o and_o follow_v their_o cruelty_n so_o hot_o with_o a_o profane_a emulation_n who_o shall_v go_v beyond_o other_o in_o persecute_v save_o constantiâ—s_n who_o be_v still_o friendly_a to_o christian_n that_o almost_o no_o province_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v free_a and_o the_o number_n of_o martyr_n be_v by_o all_o during_o that_o time_n count_v innumerable_a to_o make_v out_o the_o conformity_n of_o the_o event_n with_o this_o type_n take_v these_o particular_a consideration_n which_o will_v evidence_n the_o horridnesse_n of_o this_o persecution_n which_o be_v call_v turbo_n persecutionis_fw-la 1._o that_o it_o be_v universal_a through_o all_o the_o empire_n and_o execute_v by_o so_o many_o prime_a persecuter_n combine_v together_o in_o several_a part_n for_o that_o end_n 2._o for_o length_n of_o time_n it_o continue_v full_a ten_o year_n in_o this_o heat_n 3._o particular_a instance_n of_o some_o place_n may_v give_v we_o to_o conjecture_v at_o the_o whole_a in_o particular_a place_n often_o there_o will_v be_v hundreth_n in_o a_o day_n whole_a church_n full_a burn_v at_o once_o some_o whole_a city_n refuse_v to_o sacrifice_v to_o idol_n and_o call_v themselves_o christian_n be_v burn_v whole_a legion_n of_o christian_a soldier_n be_v in_o number_n six_o thousand_o six_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o be_v put_v to_o death_n one_o legion_n be_v instance_a who_o after_o a_o most_o godly_a oratiâ—â—â—â—_n maximianus_n by_o mauritius_n their_o commander_n with_o he_o be_v kill_v because_o they_o â—â—fused_v to_o act_v in_o persecute_v christian_n even_o after_o they_o twice_o be_v decimate_n for_o that_o cause_n though_o they_o willing_o yield_v to_o serve_v against_o all_o public_a enemy_n in_o some_o place_n the_o blood_n of_o the_o slay_v of_o itself_o make_v little_a brook_n and_o colour_a great_a river_n as_o it_o be_v in_o foxâ—_n pag._n 103._o and_o euseb._n lib._n 8._o chap._n 11_o and_o 12._o also_o chap._n 10._o who_o affirm_v he_o have_v see_v the_o actor_n of_o that_o persecution_n so_o outwearied_a and_o their_o sword_n so_o blunt_v with_o kill_v that_o they_o behoove_v to_o be_v relieve_v with_o fresh_a actor_n in_o one_o month_n of_o that_o time_n seventeen_o thousand_n be_v reckon_v to_o be_v kill_v and_o by_o mâ—dâ—_n in_o locum_fw-la out_o of_o famous_a writer_n that_o in_o egypt_n alone_o which_o be_v but_o one_o little_a province_n of_o many_o belong_v to_o the_o empire_n there_o be_v one_o hundred_o forty_o and_o four_o thousand_o martyr_n which_o may_v give_v a_o hint_n of_o what_o great_a number_n the_o whole_a put_v together_o may_v draw_v to_o 4._o the_o diversity_n of_o death_n use_v by_o these_o persecuter_n on_o the_o christian_n may_v be_v gather_v first_o froâ—_n the_o many_o engine_n purposely_o make_v for_o â—hat_n end_n as_o iron_n grate_v to_o â—osâ—_n on_o brazen_a bull_n iron_n pike_n in_o barrel_n and_o such_o like_a never_o hear_v of_o before_o second_o the_o many_o way_n use_v to_o kill_v they_o draw_v with_o horse_n cleave_v with_o tree_n cast_v to_o wild_a beast_n send_v to_o sea_n in_o boat_n without_o any_o provision_n and_o thousand_o of_o this_o kind_a to_o be_v see_v in_o fox_n his_o table_n of_o these_o torture_n and_o in_o euseb._n lib._n 8._o who_o affirm_v there_o be_v a_o emulation_n among_o the_o wicked_a people_n who_o may_v invent_v the_o moâ—â—â—â—â—ouring_a death_n unto_o christian_n 5._o this_o cruelty_n may_v appear_v by_o this_o that_o none_o of_o whatsoever_o relation_n be_v spare_v friend_n neice_n child_n be_v put_v to_o death_n yea_o this_o dâ—â—â—â—siaâ—_n put_v his_o own_o wife_n sirena_n to_o death_n upon_o that_o account_n and_o as_o no_o natural_a relation_n so_o no_o good_a office_n of_o the_o most_o faithful_a friend_n find_v place_n to_o divert_v that_o rage_n it_o be_v report_v of_o one_o eustacâ—ius_n who_o have_v return_v victor_n over_o these_o enemy_n against_o who_o he_o be_v send_v that_o on_o the_o day_n of_o his_o triumph_n and_o entry_n to_o the_o city_n he_o and_o his_o family_n be_v put_v to_o death_n because_o he_o refuse_v to_o sacrifice_v with_o the_o emperor_n at_o his_o entry_n profess_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o christian_a unto_o the_o emperor_n who_o out_o of_o honour_n to_o he_o have_v go_v forth_o to_o meet_v he_o 6._o add_v to_o these_o the_o great_a mortality_n and_o death_n that_o be_v throughout_o the_o world_n in_o this_o dioclesian_n time_n it_o be_v record_v by_o euseb._n lib._n 8._o cap._n 10_o that_o man_n die_v fast_o than_o the_o live_n be_v able_a to_o bury_v they_o by_o which_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o dog_n be_v so_o accustom_v to_o eat_v dead_a man_n flesh_n that_o they_o become_v a_o terror_n to_o the_o live_n lest_o they_o shall_v eat_v they_o also_o which_o make_v they_o in_o all_o place_n endeavour_v the_o kill_n of_o all_o dog_n as_o be_v record_v by_o he_o 7._o consider_v that_o many_o excellent_a minister_n step_v out_o at_o this_o time_n to_o comfort_v god_n people_n and_o to_o draw_v their_o mind_n upward_o to_o a_o creature-contemning_a and_o spiritual_a walk_n as_o arnobius_n and_o cyprian_a who_o upon_o a_o very_a like_o occasion_n write_v his_o treatise_n de_fw-fr mortalitate_fw-la under_o the_o nine_o persecution_n from_o all_o which_o consideration_n we_o may_v see_v a_o event_n answerable_a to_o the_o type_n which_o may_v be_v well_o call_v death_n with_o such_o a_o convoy_n commission_n and_o
to_o be_v as_o a_o city_n set_v on_o a_o mountain_n or_o hill_n matth._n 5._o these_o be_v mountain_n for_o eminency_n in_o the_o church_n as_o civil_a governor_n or_o government_n be_v in_o the_o state_n 2._o this_o mountain_n be_v say_v to_o be_v burn_v which_o we_o conceive_v to_o be_v kindle_v with_o pride_n and_o contention_n flow_v therefrom_o as_o christ_n say_v he_o come_v to_o send_v fire_n on_o the_o earth_n and_o it_o be_v already_o kindle_v which_o be_v to_o be_v expound_v variance_n among_o these_o in_o near_a relation_n so_o also_o fire_n it_o be_v take_v for_o contention_n in_o jothams_n parable_n judg._n 9_o compare_v vers_fw-la 20._o with_o vers_n 23._o which_o be_v the_o more_o clear_a here_o that_o it_o follow_v upon_o the_o former_a trumpet_n as_o take_z fire_n from_o it_o and_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o church-governor_n that_o be_v kindle_v by_o it_o this_o fire_n have_v kindle_v within_o their_o bowel_n break_v out_o and_o infect_v other_o and_o spread_v this_o division_n under_o this_o trumpet_n at_o the_o back_n of_o the_o former_a heresy_n and_o sad_a state_n which_o the_o church_n be_v in_o have_v to_o do_v not_o only_o with_o open_a heretic_n but_o with_o pride_n and_o contention_n among_o churchman_n themselves_o whereby_o exceed_o the_o church_n be_v wrong_v and_o way_n be_v make_v for_o the_o inbringing_a of_o more_o corruption_n and_o antichrist_n rise_v 2._o the_o object_n it_o be_v cast_v into_o the_o sea_n 1._o by_o the_o sea_n in_o scripture_n among_o the_o prophet_n be_v understand_v a_o numerous_a people_n as_o to_o fit_v on_o many_o water_n revel_v 17.15_o by_o this_o than_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v that_o though_o this_o infection_n begin_v among_o the_o churchman_n yet_o be_v it_o cast_v in_o the_o sea_n that_o be_v spread_v far_o off_o among_o the_o people_n so_o it_o be_v in_o this_o time_n and_o so_o it_o use_v to_o be_v 2._o by_o sea_n be_v understand_v in_o scripture_n nation_n beyond_o sea_n often_o the_o west_n part_n of_o the_o world_n because_o they_o be_v by_o the_o sea_n divide_v from_o judea_n as_o by_o the_o earth_n or_o land_n be_v understand_v the_o east_n parâ—_n isa._n 60.5_o etc._n etc._n and_o thus_o it_o may_v well_o here_o look_v to_o rome_n africa_n and_o the_o west_n upon_o which_o this_o storm_n main_o do_v fall_v as_o the_o first_o do_v fall_v on_o the_o church_n in_o the_o east_n chief_a which_o be_v call_v the_o earth_n 3._o by_o sea_n in_o this_o pprophecy_n be_v understand_v the_o ordinance_n in_o discipline_n worship_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o exercise_n of_o religion_n because_o in_o these_o and_o by_o these_o christian_n in_o this_o world_n of_o the_o church_n do_v converse_v together_o traffic_n one_o with_o another_o communicate_v one_o with_o another_o as_o man_n do_v by_o sea_n and_o ship_n who_o otherways_o be_v at_o a_o distance_n so_o chap._n 18._o in_o the_o antichristian_a world_n their_o churchman_n be_v compare_v to_o man_n in_o ship_n or_o merchant_n who_o among_o other_o thing_n trade_n for_o man_n soul_n which_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o no_o other_o but_o their_o churchman_n vers_fw-la 15._o and_o their_o go_v about_o their_o superstition_n be_v compare_v to_o trade_v in_o ship_n and_o sea_n whereby_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o here_o especial_o a_o storm_n upon_o ordinance_n worship_n and_o discipline_n be_v signify_v as_o in_o the_o former_a the_o doctrine_n be_v set_v upon_o yet_o discipline_n and_o counsel_n be_v in_o some_o vigour_n both_o have_v some_o authority_n from_o without_o by_o constantine_n unity_n and_o respect_n from_o within_o as_o at_o nice_a foundnesse_n and_o solidity_n in_o proceed_v but_o in_o the_o succeed_a age_n all_o be_v change_v first_o emperor_n become_v arian_n counsel_n become_v heterodox_n unity_n be_v break_v partly_o by_o schism_n among_o themselves_o partly_o by_o the_o pelagian_n and_o donatist_n which_o at_o this_o time_n come_v to_o a_o height_n separation_n from_o church_n flow_v from_o pride_n under_o the_o pretext_n of_o the_o unholinesse_n of_o the_o church_n member_n begin_v and_o continue_v long_o trouble_v especial_o the_o west_n part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o former_o be_v free_a and_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n be_v foist_v with_o humane_a invention_n by_o man_n who_o be_v not_o heretic_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n spoil_v break_a dissolve_v and_o burn_v pride_n consume_v all_o and_o make_v it_o contemptible_a so_o it_o be_v say_v of_o babylon_n jer._n 21.25_o i_o will_v make_v thou_o a_o burn_a mountain_n when_o the_o dissolution_n of_o her_o authority_n be_v prophesy_v of_o 3._o the_o effect_n of_o this_o mountain_n cast_v in_o the_o sea_n record_v here_o be_v two_o the_o one_o the_o effect_n of_o the_o other_o 1._o the_o water_n be_v turn_v into_o blood_n show_v they_o be_v corrupt_v that_o be_v the_o great_a evidence_n of_o corruption_n in_o they_o allude_v to_o the_o plague_n of_o egypt_n exod._n 7.19_o which_o show_v that_o by_o that_o forego_v rend_v discipline_n be_v weaken_v ordinance_n corrupt_v and_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o alter_v they_o be_v before_o useful_a now_o they_o be_v hurtful_a as_o be_v abuse_v by_o this_o fiery_a mountain_n fall_v into_o they_o so_o the_o synod_n counsel_n and_o ministry_n in_o many_o place_n become_v such_o as_o be_v rather_o for_o destruction_n than_o edification_n and_o church_n be_v rend_v and_o divide_v and_o stumbling_n lay_v before_o poor_a people_n whereby_o the_o second_o effect_n follow_v that_o be_v as_o in_o water_n turn_v to_o blood_n fish_n can_v live_v so_o by_o these_o error_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n which_o both_o now_o continue_v together_o poor_a soul_n be_v destroy_v simplicity_n of_o worship_n corrupt_v with_o ceremony_n and_o tradition_n and_o all_o church_n man_n almost_o who_o trade_n in_o these_o ship_n be_v undo_v and_o destroy_v with_o this_o ambition_n for_o blood_n signify_v any_o death_n even_o spiritual_a death_n ezek._n 3.18_o his_o blood_n will_v i_o require_v of_o thou_o etc._n etc._n which_o be_v his_o spiritual_a kill_n of_o they_o and_o here_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v their_o be_v kill_v with_o self-seeking_a and_o pride_n and_o so_o to_o be_v dead_a while_o they_o be_v alive_a 1_o tim._n 5.6_o and_o deadly_a to_o other_o also_o in_o sum_n then_o by_o the_o second_o trumpet_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o government_n and_o governor_n who_o heighten_v their_o place_n beyond_o christ_n order_n and_o exercise_v that_o power_n not_o for_o edification_n but_o for_o destruction_n contrary_a to_o its_o nature_n in_o fiery_a contention_n flow_v from_o their_o pride_n and_o ambition_n by_o which_o the_o eminency_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o respect_n be_v dissolve_v in_o its_o authority_n and_o become_v low_a as_o a_o mountain_n do_v which_o be_v consume_v by_o fire_n from_o within_o whereby_o many_o dreadful_a effect_n tend_v both_o to_o the_o wrong_v of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o exceed_v hurtful_a to_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n who_o live_v under_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o pass_v and_o so_o the_o church_n life_n as_o it_o be_v bring_v into_o great_a hazard_n than_o under_o open_a heretic_n for_o application_n of_o this_o we_o will_v find_v it_o suit_n well_o with_o the_o contention_n that_o follow_v on_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o then_o burst_v out_o among_o churchman_n exceed_v hurtful_o unto_o the_o church_n for_o clear_v whereof_o we_o may_v observe_v these_o thing_n from_o the_o story_n of_o that_o time_n 1._o division_n and_o contention_n abound_v as_o be_v clear_a from_o the_o many_o complaint_n of_o emperor_n and_o father_n especial_o gregoriâ—â—_n next_fw-la who_o therefore_o take_v a_o prejudice_n at_o counsel_n because_o so_o much_o contention_n follow_v that_o of_o nice_n as_o also_o by_o the_o many_o contrary_a synod_n and_o contest_v for_o precedency_n in_o they_o among_o churchman_n who_o continue_v till_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n carry_v away_o the_o title_n of_o universal_a bishop_n as_o will_v appear_v more_o under_o the_o five_o trumpet_n 2._o the_o time_n of_o these_o contention_n will_v agree_v to_o this_o for_o this_o fire_n of_o pride_n be_v kindle_v and_o the_o foundation_n lay_v for_o carry_v on_o these_o contest_v to_o that_o height_n from_o the_o former_a heresy_n some_o act_n be_v make_v whereby_o some_o bishop_n especial_o they_o of_o rome_n be_v prefer_v to_o other_o because_o they_o be_v more_o free_a of_o that_o infection_n and_o be_v more_o able_a to_o help_v the_o truth_n and_o these_o who_o be_v persecute_v for_o it_o in_o the_o east_n as_o particular_o that_o seven_o canon_n at_o sardica_n overture_v by_o osius_n for_o that_o end_n from_o which_o rome_n take_v advantage_n afterward_o 3._o in_o these_o counsel_n upon_o this_o occasion_n
and_o christ_n jesus_n the_o true_a ark_n become_v discernible_a and_o visible_a in_o the_o efficacy_n of_o his_o office_n or_o we_o may_v consider_v the_o ark_n as_o it_o include_v the_o law_n therefore_o it_o be_v here_o call_v the_o ark_n of_o his_o testament_n so_o it_o imply_v that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n former_o veil_v to_o the_o people_n so_o as_o they_o dare_v not_o read_v it_o nor_o have_v it_o in_o their_o own_o tongue_n now_o by_o this_o reformation_n it_o be_v become_v familiar_a to_o they_o they_o hear_v it_o in_o their_o own_o language_n may_v read_v it_o in_o their_o family_n carry_v it_o about_o with_o they_o the_o vengeance_n of_o god_n against_o enemy_n be_v set_v forth_o in_o these_o word_n and_o there_o be_v lightning_n voice_n thundering_n and_o a_o earthquake_n and_o great_a bail_n expression_n that_o be_v use_v chap._n 6._o when_o the_o great_a temporal_a judgement_n of_o god_n against_o heathenish_a persecuter_n be_v consummate_v it_o be_v also_o mention_v chap._n 16._o we_o take_v this_o to_o be_v the_o general_a hint_n of_o what_o the_o seven_o vial_n afterward_o express_v as_o be_v say_v for_o chap._n 15.5_o 6._o immediate_o after_o the_o open_n of_o the_o temple_n the_o seven_o angel_n with_o the_o vial_n come_v forth_o as_o be_v former_o keep_v up_o now_o they_o appear_v by_o this_o similitude_n of_o open_v the_o temple_n this_o be_v set_v forth_o that_o as_o in_o the_o jewish_a time_n during_o their_o great_a defection_n there_o be_v still_o some_o temple_n and_o church_n and_o at_o the_o time_n of_o reformation_n there_o be_v no_o new_a temple_n build_v nor_o new_a circumcision_n institute_v nor_o priest_n appoint_v but_o corruption_n be_v remove_v and_o the_o temple_n and_o priest_n put_v again_o to_o their_o own_o proper_a use_n and_o duty_n so_o during_o the_o defection_n of_o antichrist_n there_o shall_v still_o be_v a_o church_n temple_n ordinance_n and_o minister_n and_o that_o the_o bridge_n of_o the_o gospel_n again_o to_o public_a in_o the_o world_n after_o that_o shall_v not_o be_v by_o erect_v a_o new_a church_n and_o new_a ordinance_n or_o appoint_v new_a officer_n but_o shall_v be_v by_o the_o purge_n away_o of_o the_o former_a corruption_n and_o apply_v of_o the_o ordinance_n and_o officer_n to_o their_o own_o former_a use_n for_o it_o be_v the_o same_o temple_n after_o reformation_n which_o be_v before_o but_o now_o it_o be_v open_v the_o woman_n chap._n 12._o be_v the_o same_o under_o persecution_n while_o she_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n during_o the_o 1260._o day_n that_o she_o be_v before_o her_o flee_v and_o continue_v to_o be_v the_o same_o after_o her_o return_n from_o the_o wilderness_n only_o that_o which_o by_o antichrist_n addition_n be_v veil_v and_o corrupt_v now_o by_o their_o removal_n become_v more_o visible_a and_o pure_a upon_o this_o ground_n it_o be_v that_o the_o revive_n again_o of_o religion_n be_v common_o call_v reformation_n not_o as_o bring_v in_o any_o thing_n new_a but_o as_o purge_v what_o former_o be_v corrupt_v upon_o this_o ground_n baptism_n continue_v to_o be_v baptism_n though_o transmit_v through_o they_o and_o a_o ministry_n continue_v to_o be_v a_o ministry_n except_o we_o say_v there_o be_v no_o ordinance_n and_o minister_n before_o the_o time_n of_o reformation_n and_o so_o no_o church_n which_o be_v express_o contrary_a to_o the_o scope_n and_o letter_n of_o this_o and_o the_o follow_a chapter_n from_o this_o also_o it_o appear_v there_o need_v no_o new_a constitution_n of_o a_o church_n that_o be_v bring_v from_o popery_n such_o as_o may_v be_v call_v for_o from_o heathen_n who_o be_v not_o christian_n but_o the_o purge_n away_o the_o dross_n of_o antichristianism_n and_o the_o practical_a adhere_n to_o the_o purity_n and_o power_n of_o the_o gospel_n even_o as_o there_o be_v great_a odds_o among_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o recover_n of_o they_o from_o their_o gross_a defection_n and_o the_o admission_n of_o pagan_n unto_o the_o church_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v infer_v from_o this_o either_o that_o then_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v and_o so_o be_v now_o a_o true_a church_n or_o that_o we_o have_v our_o ordination_n from_o it_o and_o be_v behold_v to_o antichrist_n for_o that_o this_o first_o be_v much_o urge_v by_o papist_n in_o this_o dilemma_n either_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o so_o there_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v a_o separation_n from_o it_o or_o she_o be_v not_o the_o true_a church_n and_o so_o there_o be_v none_o for_o many_o year_n except_o she_o be_v acknowledge_v for_o such_o to_o this_o we_o answer_v 1._o by_o distinguish_v the_o church_n from_o antichrist_n and_o his_o worship_n bring_v into_o the_o church_n and_o add_v to_o the_o ordinance_n thereof_o for_o obscure_v the_o worship_n of_o christ._n there_o be_v a_o true_a church_n that_o be_v the_o subject_n that_o be_v not_o deny_v on_o which_o antichrist_n usurp_v and_o as_o a_o extrinsic_a accident_n set_v himself_o down_o in_o that_o temple_n yet_o be_v the_o temple_n and_o church_n now_o different_a from_o his_o addition_n as_o the_o temple_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v from_o the_o corruption_n that_o be_v accidental_o bring_v in_o upon_o it_o in_o the_o time_n of_o corruption_n thus_o the_o word_n of_o god_n sacrament_n prayer_n ordination_n etc._n etc._n be_v continue_v which_o be_v as_o the_o material_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o as_o such_o be_v not_o antichristian_a the_o add_v of_o tradition_n to_o that_o word_n put_v of_o false_a gloss_n on_o it_o corrupt_v of_o the_o sacrament_n by_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a addition_n pray_v to_o saint_n and_o image_n erect_v a_o antichristian_a hierarchy_n in_o the_o place_n of_o ordination_n and_o these_o who_o shall_v be_v officer_n in_o christ_n house_n and_o many_o such_o like_a thing_n these_o be_v antichristian_a indeed_o and_o may_v as_o we_o see_v be_v separate_v from_o the_o former_a again_o 2._o we_o may_v distinguish_v professor_n who_o be_v either_o such_o as_o receive_v the_o complete_a worship_n of_o the_o popish_a church_n receive_v indeed_o the_o scripture_n but_o with_o such_o tradition_n and_o gloss_n as_o do_v upon_o the_o matter_n make_v the_o command_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_n that_o pray_v but_o to_o angel_n saint_n image_n etc._n etc._n that_o use_v sacrament_n but_o withal_o their_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a addition_n and_o so_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n or_o they_o be_v such_o who_o close_o with_o the_o material_n to_o say_v so_o that_o be_v abuse_v in_o popery_n and_o do_v abandon_v all_o these_o destructive_a addition_n that_o be_v who_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o way_n of_o free_a grace_n and_o hate_v their_o merit_n of_o work_n satisfaction_n pennance_n etc._n etc._n who_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n but_o abominate_a their_o transubstantiation_n mass_n and_o all_o that_o depend_v on_o these_o that_o pray_v to_o the_o true_a god_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o abhor_v their_o idolatry_n etc._n etc._n so_o in_o other_o thing_n now_o in_o the_o application_n we_o say_v 1._o that_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o popish_a church_n in_o the_o large_a extent_n thereof_o proper_o and_o its_o worshipper_n or_o member_n that_o without_o choice_a drink_n in_o their_o doctrine_n complex_o as_o it_o be_v hold_v out_o by_o they_o and_o worship_n according_a to_o these_o principle_n in_o that_o sense_n the_o popish_a church_n be_v no_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o be_v true_o antichristian_a and_o these_o two_o can_v stand_v together_o to_o be_v antichrist_n church_n and_o christ_n spouse_n at_o one_o time_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o church_n material_o as_o distinguish_v from_o these_o addition_n of_o antichrist_n in_o her_o minister_n and_o member_n concur_v in_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o true_a doctrine_n and_o in_o practice_n and_o worship_n according_o hate_v and_o abominate_v these_o superstition_n and_o idolatrous_a corruption_n and_o invention_n we_o say_v that_o be_v the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n which_o do_v not_o receive_v these_o but_o keep_v the_o former_a principle_n material_o both_o in_o faith_n and_o practice_n and_o therefore_o it_o will_v follow_v only_o on_o the_o former_a objection_n that_o that_o church_n on_o which_o popery_n obtrude_v itself_o and_o which_o yet_o do_v abhor_v it_o that_o be_v the_o true_a church_n which_o we_o grant_v but_o that_o as_o distinct_o consider_v as_o pure_a from_o their_o antichristian_a invention_n at_o least_o so_o far_o as_o antichristian_a now_o from_o the_o church_n which_o retain_v the_o foundation_n and_o do_v adhere_v to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n that_o be_v in_o the_o word_n we_o do_v never_o separate_v nor_o from_o those_o that_o continue_v so_o but_o do_v separate_v from_o the_o antichristian_a church_n that_o do_v obscure_a and_o
immediate_o after_o their_o birth_n as_o it_o be_v and_o in_o their_o very_a infancy_n even_o as_o pharaoh_n seek_v to_o destroy_v the_o jew_n male_a child_n exod._n 1.23_o 3._o as_o christ_n be_v bear_v and_o preserve_v till_o he_o have_v finish_v the_o work_n commit_v to_o he_o notwithstanding_o of_o all_o the_o enemy_n malice_n and_o craft_n so_o shall_v it_o be_v with_o the_o church_n seed_n 4._o as_o he_o immediate_o after_o his_o birth_n be_v pursue_v make_v to_o flee_v and_o carry_v to_o egypt_n so_o shall_v it_o be_v with_o the_o gospel-church_n who_o shall_v be_v make_v to_o flee_v immediate_o after_o the_o first_o delivery_n this_o allusion_n be_v the_o more_o probable_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o egypt_n will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v about_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a which_o be_v here_o the_o time_n of_o the_o church_n wildernesse-condition_n for_o he_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o thirty_o year_n of_o herod_n reign_n he_o do_v not_o flee_v immediate_o as_o appear_v by_o mary_n continue_v till_o her_o purification_n luk._n 2._o and_o by_o herod_n kill_v the_o young_a child_n of_o about_o two_o year_n old_a mat._n 2._o and_o he_o return_v from_o egypt_n immediate_o after_o herod_n death_n who_o reign_v full_a thirty_o four_o year_n whereby_o the_o suitablenesse_n of_o this_o time_n may_v be_v gather_v and_o last_o as_o herod_n vent_v his_o malice_n upon_o the_o child_n of_o bethlehem_n where_o christ_n be_v bear_v after_o his_o escape_n so_o do_v the_o devil_n here_o vent_v his_o malice_n upon_o the_o church_n seed_n after_o her_o deliverance_n we_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o chapter_n which_o contain_v the_o church_n first_o war_n with_o the_o dragon_n not_o but_o the_o dragon_n fight_v also_o under_o antichrist_n but_o more_o covert_o and_o in_o another_o shape_n here_o more_o palpable_o which_o be_v first_o summary_o propose_v to_o vers_n 7._o then_o 2._o prosecute_v more_o particular_o vers._n 1._o in_o this_o first_o part_n the_o party_n be_v describe_v 1._o the_o defender_n be_v set_v out_o in_o three_o thing_n 1._o she_o be_v a_o woman_n that_o be_v the_o church_n as_o she_o be_v ordinary_o call_v partly_o 1._o for_o infirmity_n and_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o wrong_n 2._o as_o in_o subordination_n to_o christ_n as_o her_o husband_n 3._o as_o the_o mother_n of_o believer_n and_o she_o be_v one_o woman_n though_o here_o the_o whole_a gospel-church_n be_v represent_v to_o show_v a_o unity_n in_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n which_o be_v the_o only_a object_n of_o persecution_n and_o that_o she_o be_v but_o one_o church_n woman_n mother_n or_o wife_n and_o there_o can_v be_v more_o 2._o she_o be_v describe_v by_o she_o adorn_v or_o stateliness_n in_o three_o thing_n 1._o she_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o sun_n set_v out_o the_o pure_a doctrine_n that_o she_o profess_v and_o the_o shine_a conversation_n of_o believer_n in_o that_o primitive_a time_n who_o have_v put_v on_o the_o lord_n rom._n 13._o and_o own_v his_o word_n and_o testimony_n which_o be_v call_v the_o sun_n in_o the_o eight_o chapter_n especial_o what_o concern_v his_o impute_a righteousness_n and_o satisfaction_n 2._o the_o moon_n be_v under_o her_o foot_n whether_o by_o the_o moon_n here_o we_o understand_v earthly_a temporal_a thing_n which_o be_v mutable_a and_o spot_a like_o the_o moon_n or_o jewish_a feast_n new_a moon_n etc._n etc._n call_v the_o rudiment_n of_o the_o world_n col._n 2._o it_o come_v to_o one_o to_o wit_n to_o set_v out_o the_o deniednesse_n and_o mortifiednesse_n of_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n despise_v worldly_a thing_n and_o adhere_v to_o christ_n and_o have_v a_o conversation_n heavenly_a which_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v unto_o col._n 3.1_o in_o opposition_n direct_o to_o the_o rest_v on_o these_o new_a moon_n and_o other_o element_n of_o the_o world_n as_o well_o as_o be_v in_o opposition_n to_o worldly_a thing_n 3._o she_o have_v a_o crown_n of_o twelve_o star_n that_o be_v faithful_a minister_n carry_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o follow_v it_o so_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o that_o eph._n 2.20_o 22._o and_o revel_v 21.14_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lamb_n twelve_o apostle_n be_v write_v on_o the_o twelve_o foundation_n this_o be_v a_o crown_n that_o be_v it_o be_v her_o glory_n and_o credit_n to_o have_v faithful_a minister_n and_o to_o be_v follow_v and_o avow_v their_o doctrine_n as_o paul_n call_v the_o thessalonian_n his_v crown_n this_o be_v a_o well_o adorn_v church_n in_o a_o suffer_a time_n we_o take_v these_o three_o more_o particular_o to_o be_v express_v vers_fw-la 11._o the_o first_o by_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o lamb_n that_o be_v the_o garment_n the_o second_o the_o word_n of_o the_o testimony_n that_o be_v the_o crown_n three_o they_o care_v not_o for_o their_o life_n and_o love_v they_o not_o unto_o death_n that_o be_v the_o trample_n of_o the_o moon_n under_o their_o foot_n or_o undervalue_v temporal_a thing_n for_o the_o life_n be_v most_o care_v for_o as_o job_n 2._o skin_n for_o skin_n yea_o all_o that_o a_o man_n have_v will_v he_o give_v for_o his_o life_n the_o three_o part_n of_o the_o description_n be_v vers_n 2._o in_o she_o travail_v and_o cry_v express_v two_o thing_n 1._o a_o fruitful_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o beauty_n so_o travail_v and_o bring_v forth_o do_v signify_v in_o scripture_n and_o be_v well_o apply_v to_o the_o gospel-church_n which_o be_v a_o mother_n isa._n 54.1_o gal._n 4.19_o with_o 26_o 27._o 2._o and_o although_o it_o do_v signify_v a_o fruitful_a condition_n yet_o also_o it_o be_v a_o sorrowful_a and_o afflict_a condition_n as_o you_o know_v the_o travail_v of_o a_o woman_n ordinary_o hold_v forth_o and_o christ_n call_v it_o joh._n 16.21_o sorrow_n or_o pain_n till_o the_o child_n be_v bring_v forth_o in_o a_o word_n this_o primitive_a church_n be_v pure_a fruitful_a and_o afflict_a as_o her_o cry_n import_v with_o great_a pain_n do_v minister_n beget_v gal._n 4.19_o and_o with_o great_a hazard_n be_v the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n own_v and_o great_a wrestle_n have_v she_o in_o prayer_n to_o god_n and_o suffering_n from_o man_n to_o be_v rid_v of_o this_o sorrowful_a condition_n ere_o she_o get_v free_a of_o it_o the_o enemy_n pursue_v be_v describe_v vers_fw-la 3_o and_o 4._o in_o four_o or_o five_o particular_n and_o it_o be_v call_v as_o the_o former_a a_o great_a sign_n or_o wonder_n represent_v to_o john_n in_o heaven_n because_o great_a thing_n be_v signify_v by_o these_o here_o the_o party_n be_v exceed_o unequal_a she_o a_o woman_n the_o enemy_n be_v a_o dragon_n some_o say_v there_o be_v a_o utter_a antipathy_n between_o man_n and_o dragon_n whereas_o other_o ravenous_a creature_n for_o meat_n destroy_v man_n these_o for_o delight_n do_v it_o and_o whereas_o man_n can_v endure_v to_o look_v on_o other_o creature_n yet_o not_o so_o well_o on_o the_o dragon_n and_o serpent_n however_o it_o be_v a_o most_o ravenous_a beast_n by_o which_o be_v represent_v in_o scripture_n sometime_o the_o devil_n sometime_o some_o great_a persecuter_n act_v by_o the_o devil_n the_o supreme_a commander_n so_o be_v pharaoh_n call_v and_o as_o he_o be_v the_o first_o oppressor_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n so_o this_o represent_v the_o first_o oppressor_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n both_o come_v in_o here_o the_o devil_n first_o that_o be_v clear_a vers_fw-la 9_o then_o the_o roman_a empire_n primely_a instrumental_a in_o persecute_v christian_n that_o appear_v by_o the_o description_n of_o the_o dragon_n shape_n he_o have_v seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n which_o seven_o head_n chap._n 17_o be_v clear_o to_o be_v expound_v seven_o hill_n and_o seven_o king_n or_o sort_n of_o government_n and_o these_o ten_o horn_n to_o be_v ten_o king_n which_o be_v to_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o empire_n they_o have_v not_o then_o receive_v power_n chap._n 17._o therefore_o they_o have_v not_o here_o crown_n as_o chap._n 13._o and_o express_o she_o be_v vers_n 18._o of_o that_o chapter_n call_v the_o city_n which_o reign_v over_o the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n at_o that_o time_n the_o devil_n be_v chief_a and_o the_o roman_a empire_n or_o emperor_n his_o depute_v in_o this_o for_o the_o devil_n act_v not_o immediate_o yet_o what_o he_o do_v by_o instrument_n be_v attribute_v to_o he_o as_o chap._n 2.10_o this_o be_v a_o great_a dragon_n to_o show_v his_o power_n red_a to_o express_v his_o cruelty_n and_o have_v seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n to_o express_v he_o who_o especial_o be_v instrumental_a in_o exercise_v that_o cruelty_n the_o roman_a emperor_n like_o pharaoh_n who_o be_v call_v a_o dragon_n psal._n 74.15_o isai._n 27.1_o ezek_n 29.3_o
of_o the_o east_n 1._o because_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o part_n of_o the_o world_n we_o live_v in_o who_o before_o they_o enjoy_v the_o gospel_n they_o be_v east_n to_o we_o and_o so_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o native_a western_a kingdom_n and_o king_n make_v also_o now_o to_o hate_v the_o whore_n 2._o because_o many_o of_o they_o live_v there_o it_o be_v like_a since_o the_o first_o captivity_n and_o last_o dispersion_n when_o they_o may_v be_v make_v to_o join_v against_o antichrist_n in_o the_o west_n which_o make_v he_o so_o afraid_a their_o expedition_n will_v look_v as_o come_v from_o the_o east_n and_o so_o the_o turk_n will_v be_v in_o their_o way_n as_o euphrates_n be_v in_o cyrus_n way_n impede_v the_o intake_n of_o babylon_n till_o it_o be_v dry_v so_o this_o of_o mystical_a babylon_n 3._o because_o possible_o if_o not_o probable_o after_o the_o turk_n destruction_n god_n may_v give_v they_o great_a possession_n and_o dominion_n in_o the_o east_n and_o make_v they_o much_o instrumental_a for_o spread_v of_o the_o gospel_n to_o other_o king_n in_o these_o part_n beside_o ordinary_o any_o rise_n of_o light_n to_o the_o church_n and_o of_o christ_n come_n be_v speak_v as_o from_o the_o east_n so_o chap._n 7.2_o and_o mat._n 24._o it_o be_v like_a lightning_n as_o it_o be_v a_o new_a day_n or_o morning_n break_v up_o in_o the_o church_n 2._o for_o the_o next_o thing_n what_o this_o way_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v it_o seem_v to_o be_v one_o or_o all_o of_o these_o three_o 1._o it_o be_v to_o the_o church_n 2._o to_o help_v down_o the_o pope_n 3._o to_o their_o own_o possession_n the_o turk_n stand_v mar_v all_o and_o his_o remove_n will_v further_o all_o these_o to_o clear_v it_o that_o their_o way_n may_v be_v prepare_v take_v in_o this_o general_n the_o remove_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o may_v hinder_v they_o in_o their_o way_n towards_o the_o church_n or_o in_o the_o former_a expedition_n for_o 1_o not_o only_o be_v they_o to_o be_v look_v on_o here_o as_o come_n to_o the_o true_a church_n now_o separate_v from_o antichrist_n but_o 2._o as_o concur_v to_o have_v a_o main_a hand_n in_o his_o overthrow_n hence_o he_o be_v so_o afraid_a at_o their_o conversion_n for_o it_o seem_v that_o now_o all_o true_a convert_n be_v to_o be_v employ_v in_o ruine_v he_o and_o he_o have_v a_o hebrew_n name_n abaddon_n to_o show_v their_o abhorrency_n of_o he_o as_o other_o do_v and_o the_o place_n of_o his_o ruin_n and_o the_o praise_n for_o the_o same_o be_v in_o hebrew_n chap._n 19_o point_v at_o a_o special_a hand_n which_o they_o be_v to_o have_v in_o his_o last_o overthrow_n and_o in_o reference_n to_o these_o two_o end_n of_o the_o jew_n conversion_n to_o wit_n of_o join_v to_o the_o church_n and_o of_o go_v against_o antichrist_n there_o be_v to_o they_o a_o twofold_a let_v in_o their_o way_n to_o forbear_v now_o their_o go_v to_o their_o own_o land_n there_o be_v a_o great_a stumble_n from_o the_o superstitious_a worship_n of_o papist_n who_o be_v call_v christian_n and_o a_o stumble_n at_o the_o long_o prevail_v of_o the_o enemy_n of_o christian_n the_o turk_n wonder_v that_o if_o christ_n be_v god_n how_o he_o suffer_v such_o blasphemy_n and_o blasphemer_n the_o first_o in_o a_o great_a part_n be_v remove_v by_o god_n judgement_n on_o the_o pope_n and_o rome_n in_o the_o five_o vial_n the_o second_o be_v to_o be_v remove_v now_o by_o this_o that_o no_o stumble_a or_o let_v remain_v for_o though_o they_o will_v do_v something_o and_o possible_o now_o have_v the_o pope_n discover_v to_o they_o their_o zeal_n be_v more_o hot_a against_o he_o than_o other_o because_o by_o his_o mean_n they_o have_v be_v much_o harden_v yet_o the_o turk_n become_v their_o enemy_n and_o be_v engage_v to_o that_o whore_n support_v they_o be_v impede_v while_o the_o turkish_a empire_n stand_v this_o vial_n remove_v that_o impediment_n his_o power_n be_v weaken_v whether_o by_o themselves_o or_o by_o other_o or_o by_o draw_v of_o many_o to_o christianity_n from_o he_o we_o be_v not_o to_o determine_v but_o access_n be_v give_v to_o they_o both_o to_o pull_v antichrist_n down_o and_o probable_o to_o win_v to_o their_o own_o possession_n by_o his_o ruin_n and_o this_o lead_v to_o the_o three_o thing_n propose_v to_o wit_n how_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o turk_n or_o their_o weaken_n may_v be_v call_v the_o prepare_v of_o their_o way_n which_o be_v clear_a 1._o whether_o we_o look_v to_o the_o jew_n conversion_n it_o strengthen_v they_o that_o christ_n be_v god_n and_o give_v they_o hope_n of_o come_v home_o on_o which_o they_o lie_v great_a weight_n or_o 2._o whether_o we_o look_v to_o their_o undertake_n against_o antichrist_n or_o 3._o their_o return_n to_o their_o own_o land_n all_o which_o three_o as_o we_o say_v seem_v to_o be_v point_v at_o here_o the_o stand_n of_o the_o turk_n obstruct_v all_o these_o three_o and_o the_o overturning_a of_o he_o will_v strengthen_v all_o and_o give_v they_o liberty_n without_o fear_n in_o the_o profess_v of_o christ._n for_o further_o clear_v of_o this_o that_o these_o two_o event_n to_o wit_n the_o jew_n conversion_n and_o the_o turk_n downfall_n be_v prophesy_v of_o here_o we_o shall_v confirm_v both_o several_o from_o these_o reason_n that_o the_o jew_n conversion_n must_v be_v understand_v here_o appear_z for_o 1._o it_o be_v certain_a their_o conversion_n in_o the_o last_o day_n be_v speak_v of_o and_o to_o be_v expect_v and_o it_o can_v suit_n with_o no_o time_n better_o than_o of_o this_o six_o vial_n which_o be_v after_o the_o pope_n overthrow_n in_o respect_n of_o his_o seat_n at_o rome_n and_o before_o the_o seven_o vial_n which_o bring_v the_o end_n neither_o be_v it_o like_v that_o so_o great_a and_o concern_v a_o business_n of_o the_o church_n will_v be_v omit_v in_o this_o pprophecy_n and_o it_o can_v be_v bring_v in_o no_o where_o so_o clear_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n mention_v chap._n 7._o be_v nothing_o to_o this_o purpose_n as_o be_v say_v there_o 2._o the_o prophet_n seem_v to_o foretell_v their_o restore_n in_o these_o same_o term_n see_v isa._n 11.15_o and_o 16._o which_o chapter_n speak_v of_o the_o day_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o jew_n restore_v suit_v with_o that_o time_n as_o can_v be_v deny_v the_o expression_n in_o sum_n be_v that_o as_o god_n when_o he_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n dry_v up_o the_o sea_n and_o jordan_n so_o when_o he_o bring_v they_o from_o assyria_n which_o be_v beyond_o this_o euphrates_n from_o judea_n he_o shall_v smite_v that_o river_n and_o the_o remove_n of_o all_o impediment_n be_v set_v out_o under_o that_o expression_n neither_o be_v it_o for_o nought_o that_o dry_n of_o water_n be_v a_o peculiar_a mercy_n show_v to_o israel_n in_o their_o first_o deliverance_n and_o that_o allusion_n be_v make_v to_o that_o in_o their_o follow_a restitution_n to_o be_v a_o confirmation_n to_o their_o faith_n therein_o as_o isa._n 44.27_o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n that_o dry_v up_o the_o river_n and_o say_v to_o the_o deep_a be_v dry_a etc._n etc._n when_o yet_o no_o particular_a river_n be_v to_o be_v dry_v up_o but_o thereby_o to_o mind_v they_o of_o what_o he_o have_v do_v 3._o if_o we_o look_v further_o to_o the_o explication_n of_o this_o chap._n 19_o there_o be_v much_o joy_n in_o the_o church_n praise_v god_n that_o he_o reign_v and_o that_o in_o a_o eminent_a way_n that_o his_o wife_n have_v make_v herself_o ready_a and_o the_o marriage_n be_v come_v etc._n etc._n and_o can_v these_o agree_v so_o well_o to_o any_o event_n as_o to_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o rom._n 11._o shall_v be_v as_o a_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a or_o can_v the_o joy_n be_v so_o great_a or_o the_o marriage_n be_v make_v ready_a without_o they_o especial_o consider_v if_o now_o they_o be_v not_o among_o christ_n friend_n when_o in_o the_o word_n follow_v he_o be_v on_o his_o march_n against_o all_o his_o enemy_n and_o can_v the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v merry_a if_o the_o jew_n be_v among_o these_o enemy_n but_o from_o chap._n 19_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o there_o be_v here_o a_o notable_a and_o singular_a accession_n to_o the_o church_n and_o what_o one_o can_v have_v these_o effect_n so_o as_o this_o 4._o it_o be_v not_o unworthy_a the_o observe_n that_o here_o so_o many_o hebrew_n expression_n and_o phrase_n be_v use_v and_o not_o so_o any_o where_o else_o which_o seem_v to_o plead_v a_o special_a interest_n that_o the_o hebrew_n have_v in_o the_o event_n of_o this_o vial_n 1._o the_o place_n be_v name_v in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n armageddon_n why_o hebrew_n be_v there_o to_o put_v on_o that_o name_n
these_o be_v 2._o that_o will_v not_o attain_v the_o scope_n propose_v here_o which_o be_v in_o part_n the_o recover_n of_o the_o offend_a party_n therefore_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o jezebel_n vers_fw-la 21.22_o i_o give_v her_o space_n to_o repens_fw-la and_o do_v threaten_v she_o but_o conditional_o which_o show_v that_o he_o mean_v no_o such_o extraordinary_a off-cutting_a of_o they_o it_o remain_v then_o that_o it_o must_v be_v the_o exercise_v of_o a_o ordinary_a authority_n and_o government_n and_o therefore_o such_o must_v be_v in_o the_o church_n the_o second_o thing_n to_o make_v out_o the_o argument_n be_v that_o this_o authority_n and_o power_n in_o the_o church_n be_v distinct_a and_o independent_a from_o any_o civil_a government_n which_o from_o the_o text_n may_v thus_o appear_v 1._o the_o subject_n be_v distinct_a to_o wit_n church-officer_n 2._o the_o object_n be_v distinct_a to_o wit_n the_o church_n and_o the_o member_n thereof_o alone_o and_o as_o such_o it_o be_v not_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o pergamos_n and_o thyatira_n but_o the_o church-member_n that_o be_v under_o the_o same_o 3._o the_o matter_n fall_v under_o that_o cognition_n be_v distinct_a to_o wit_n that_o which_o be_v hurtful_a to_o soul_n as_o the_o seduce_a of_o christ_n servant_n and_o scandal_n consider_v as_o such_o 4._o the_o censure_n inflict_v be_v different_a to_o wit_n no_o civil_a mulct_n upon_o estate_n nor_o punishment_n upon_o body_n nor_o cancel_v of_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o burgeship_n in_o town_n or_o such_o like_a but_o seclusion_n from_o church-priviledge_n and_o membership_n 5._o the_o end_n be_v distinct_a to_o wit_n the_o reclaim_n of_o the_o party_n offend_v and_o the_o bring_n of_o they_o to_o repentance_n and_o the_o prevent_n of_o soul-hurt_a to_o other_o and_o the_o vindication_n of_o christ_n name_n 6._o the_o manner_n be_v different_a there_o be_v no_o external_a pomp_n nor_o power_n or_o force_n in_o the_o manage_v thereof_o such_o as_o be_v in_o civil_a government_n for_o that_o be_v not_o here_o conceivable_a consider_v the_o afflict_a and_o persecute_a condition_n of_o these_o church_n but_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o mouth_n and_o trial_n and_o censure_n and_o 7._o they_o differ_v in_o their_o rise_n civil_a power_n be_v derive_v from_o superior_n to_o inferior_n but_o this_o have_v no_o rise_n or_o derivation_n from_o any_o civil_a power_n although_o for_o the_o time_n these_o city_n and_o nation_n want_v it_o not_o but_o do_v arise_v from_o that_o intrinsic_a economy_n and_o power_n which_o accompany_v the_o very_a be_v of_o a_o church_n and_o which_o by_o christ_n appointment_n do_v reside_v in_o such_o a_o number_n of_o person_n consider_v as_o a_o church_n which_o do_v not_o reside_v in_o other_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o same_o town_n nor_o do_v in_o these_o before_o this_o their_o church-state_n 8._o the_o account_n upon_o which_o this_o government_n do_v consider_v person_n and_o action_n be_v distinct_a from_o the_o civil_a man_n be_v not_o consider_v as_o man_n nor_o as_o indweller_n in_o such_o and_o such_o place_n oneâ—y_v but_o as_o christ_n servant_n and_o action_n be_v not_o consider_v either_o as_o profitable_a or_o hurtful_a to_o man_n simple_o but_o as_o profitable_a or_o hurtful_a to_o their_o spiritual_a estate_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v seduce_v of_o christ_n servant_n and_o as_o such_o the_o deed_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n and_o jezebel_n be_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o it_o 2._o we_o say_v as_o it_o be_v a_o distinct_a government_n from_o the_o civil_a so_o it_o be_v independent_a as_o to_o it_o and_o if_o the_o former_a be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v a_o authority_n and_o government_n include_v here_o and_o in_o the_o former_a respect_n exercise_v as_o distinct_a from_o the_o civil_a power_n then_o in_o be_v it_o will_v also_o necessary_o follow_v that_o this_o authority_n be_v independent_o exercise_v in_o reference_n to_o that_o civil_a power_n for_o 1._o there_o be_v no_o derivation_n of_o this_o church-power_n from_o that_o civil_a power_n as_o be_v say_v therefore_o it_o can_v be_v dependent_a on_o it_o see_v it_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v derive_v it_o and_o although_o some_o except_a as_o be_v hint_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o power_n in_o father_n husband_n and_o other_o such_o natuâ—rall_a relation_n over_o child_n wife_n etc._n etc._n which_o yet_o be_v dependent_a on_o the_o magistrate_n yet_o suppose_v that_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n parent_n do_v combine_v in_o one_o society_n and_o government_n among_o themselves_o as_o a_o church_n do_v and_o in_o that_o case_n have_v a_o distinct_a government_n can_v that_o authority_n and_o government_n be_v account_v dependent_a see_v no_o superior_a authority_n can_v mar_v they_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o power_n without_o injustice_n more_o than_o a_o magistrate_n can_v mar_v a_o father_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o authority_n towards_o his_o child_n when_o he_o do_v it_o just_o so_o this_o church-power_n not_o be_v a_o personal_a privilege_n but_o belong_v to_o she_o as_o a_o body_n and_o society_n of_o many_o member_n combine_v together_o have_v that_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n as_o be_v grant_v and_o we_o add_v if_o jesus_n christ_n allow_v they_o she_o can_v therefore_o be_v mar_v 〈◊〉_d any_o authority_n in_o the_o exercise_v of_o that_o government_n what_o ever_o injust_a violence_n may_v do_v 2._o it_o appear_v to_o be_v independent_a in_o this_o that_o there_o be_v a_o church-government_n among_o christian_n even_o when_o magistrate_n be_v set_v themselves_o to_o undo_v the_o same_o if_o then_o government_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v so_o order_v in_o the_o lord_n providence_n that_o civil_a government_n may_v be_v for_o hundred_o of_o year_n enemy_n to_o the_o church_n as_o be_v in_o these_o primitive_a time_n then_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o the_o church-government_n and_o authority_n be_v not_o place_v in_o the_o magistrate_n or_o civil_a governor_n because_o in_o that_o case_n either_o she_o shall_v have_v no_o government_n at_o all_o which_o by_o these_o epistle_n will_v be_v find_v false_a or_o she_o must_v have_v a_o government_n and_o authority_n destructive_a to_o she_o which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o end_n thereof_o or_o in_o the_o last_o place_n her_o authority_n must_v be_v independent_a save_v of_o jesus_n christ_n alone_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o consider_v now_o that_o these_o to_o who_o christ_n write_v be_v not_o civil_a magistrate_n there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o access_n to_o expostulate_v with_o they_o for_o their_o ommission_n if_o they_o may_v not_o have_v act_v independent_o on_o they_o 3._o it_o may_v appear_v thus_o that_o if_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n can_v repeal_v by_o his_o authority_n any_o of_o their_o sentence_n then_o be_v their_o authority_n independent_a as_o to_o he_o now_o suppose_v a_o church_n just_o to_o degrade_v or_o depose_v a_o false_a teacher_n or_o to_o cut_v off_o a_o rot_a member_n can_v any_o magistrate_n by_o his_o authority_n continue_v that_o man_n to_o be_v a_o minister_n or_o that_o member_n to_o be_v a_o church-member_n what_o ever_o violence_n may_v do_v suppose_v some_o emperor_n as_o in_o some_o case_n julian_n do_v have_v take_v the_o recognition_n of_o ephesus_n sentence_n against_o these_o false_a apostle_n and_o have_v declare_v it_o null_a will_v not_o still_o their_o sentence_n have_v stand_v in_o force_n notwithstanding_o or_o suppose_v pergamos_n or_o thyatira_n have_v cut_v off_o jezebel_n or_o the_o nicolaitan_n from_o their_o society_n can_v any_o civil_a magistrate_n heathen_a or_o christian_n have_v enact_v they_o to_o be_v continue_v church-member_n and_o this_o do_v not_o only_o flow_v from_o the_o injustice_n of_o the_o matter_n for_o suppose_v a_o proconsul_n have_v just_o degrade_v some_o judge_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o town_n of_o ephesus_n have_v just_o casten_z out_o some_o member_n from_o their_o society_n yet_o by_o the_o emperor_n interpose_v his_o authority_n as_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n both_o may_v have_v be_v full_o restore_v though_o injust_o so_o as_o they_o may_v have_v be_v real_o again_o magistrate_n and_o burgess_n of_o such_o a_o city_n which_o can_v be_v say_v in_o this_o case_n no_o emperor_n authority_n can_v have_v constitute_v such_o though_o injust_o to_o have_v be_v officer_n or_o member_n at_o all_o of_o these_o church_n the_o difference_n then_o i_o say_v can_v consist_v in_o the_o injustice_n of_o the_o matter_n alone_o for_o both_o be_v injust_a but_o it_o must_v consist_v in_o this_o that_o civil_a sentence_n be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n but_o church-sentence_n be_v not_o although_o by_o violence_n they_o may_v have_v countenance_v such_o and_o such_o person_n and_o have_v make_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o sentence_n in_o many_o thing_n void_a yet_o
can_v their_o authority_n have_v never_o reach_v to_o the_o formal_a remove_n of_o they_o as_o in_o civil_a case_n be_v hâ—nted_v three_o to_o make_v out_o the_o argument_n we_o say_v that_o this_o distinct_a independent_a power_n here_o mention_v be_v a_o thing_n that_o agree_v to_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o condition_n and_o be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o any_o one_o time_n as_o suppose_v because_o the_o church_n want_v christian_a magistrate_n at_o this_o time_n it_o have_v be_v lawful_a to_o exercise_v authority_n independent_a from_o they_o which_o in_o other_o case_n where_o the_o magistrate_n be_v christian_a be_v not_o to_o be_v grant_v therefore_o we_o say_v 1._o that_o which_o be_v attribute_v to_o these_o church_n here_o agree_v to_o they_o as_o church_n and_o therefore_o to_o all_o church_n at_o all_o time_n for_o the_o duty_n be_v common_a and_o the_o hazard_n be_v common_a to_o church_n at_o all_o time_n therefore_o this_o remedy_n of_o church-discipline_n must_v be_v perpetual_a also_o it_o be_v the_o cure_n that_o be_v appoint_v for_o such_o a_o disease_n and_o that_o often_o repeat_v word_n he_o that_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n do_v speak_v in_o all_o age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n alswell_o as_o then_o 2._o if_o all_o other_o direction_n exhortation_n etc._n etc._n in_o these_o epistle_n be_v perpetual_a and_o bind_v to_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n than_o this_o must_v be_v so_o also_o and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n give_v why_o this_o be_v to_o be_v account_v temporary_a more_o than_o the_o other_o especial_o consider_v that_o christ_n send_v of_o this_o revelation_n be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o servant_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o especial_o be_v aim_v at_o in_o these_o epistle_n as_o the_o forcit_v close_o do_v confirm_v it_o must_v then_o be_v injurious_a to_o christ_n mind_n to_o scâ—ape_v out_o so_o much_o as_o concern_v government_n as_o not_o belong_v to_o his_o church_n for_o so_o many_o age_n 3._o if_o the_o ground_n require_v the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n in_o the_o church_n during_o this_o time_n be_v perpetual_a agree_v to_o all_o age_n than_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v astrict_v to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o church_n be_v under_o heathen_a magistrate_n alone_o but_o the_o ground_n be_v perpetual_a for_o that_o be_v not_o because_o the_o magistrate_n be_v a_o heathen_a but_o that_o the_o person_n offend_v may_v be_v bring_v to_o repentance_n and_o the_o seduce_a of_o other_o may_v be_v prevent_v now_o these_o end_n be_v perpetual_a which_o the_o church_n be_v to_o study_v in_o all_o time_n and_o see_v church_n authority_n and_o government_n be_v here_o hold_v forth_o as_o a_o mean_v appoint_v by_o jesus_n christ_n for_o attain_v of_o these_o end_n it_o must_v therefore_o be_v of_o perpetual_a use_n to_o the_o church_n also_o although_o these_o truth_n be_v clear_a from_o the_o word_n yet_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o be_v partly_o exception_n partly_o objection_n insist_v on_o by_o adversary_n which_o we_o shall_v speak_v a_o little_a to_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o intend_a purpose_n will_v permit_v a_o forcited_a author_n pag._n 545._o do_v confident_o undervalue_v all_o argument_n to_o this_o purpose_n and_o deny_v all_o distinctnesse_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n by_o any_o power_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o to_o maintain_v it_o do_v 1._o assert_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o power_n whatsoever_o be_v supreme_o in_o the_o magistrate_n whether_o heathen_a or_o christian_n by_o that_o place_n rom._n 13.2_o he_o heap_v up_o with_o many_o big_a word_n several_a absurdity_n that_o accompany_v as_o he_o allege_v that_o opinion_n of_o a_o distinct_a church-government_n which_o he_o call_v invidious_o the_o build_n of_o a_o empire_n within_o a_o empire_n yet_o 3._o he_o grant_v that_o where_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n take_v not_o on_o he_o the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n and_o maintain_v it_o not_o in_o that_o case_n by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o nation_n the_o church_n come_v to_o have_v a_o authority_n or_o somewhat_o equivalent_a in_o the_o place_n of_o that_o whereby_o she_o be_v qualify_v for_o the_o order_n of_o what_o concern_v her_o member_n during_o that_o case_n of_o such_o a_o magistracy_n allanerly_a and_o deny_v any_o other_o authority_n to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n during_o the_o time_n that_o these_o epistle_n be_v write_v but_o what_o be_v by_o voluntary_a confederacy_n and_o association_n of_o member_n among_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o say_v that_o they_o have_v and_o exercise_v no_o less_o authority_n during_o that_o time_n in_o civil_a thing_n for_o which_o end_n he_o make_v use_v of_o that_o place_n 1_o corinth_n 6.1_o 2._o etc._n etc._n in_o reference_n to_o all_o which_o we_o say_v 1._o that_o authority_n can_v be_v deny_v here_o however_o it_o be_v derive_v see_v it_o be_v a_o power_n to_o excommunicate_v and_o exauthorate_a officer_n and_o member_n which_o they_o assume_v as_o he_o speak_v pag._n 654._o yea_o a_o power_n equivalent_a to_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n because_o it_o be_v a_o power_n adequate_a for_o the_o time_n to_o this_o end_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n pag._n 545._o and_o therefore_o we_o say_v if_o this_o confederate_n or_o up-making_a of_o this_o government_n be_v a_o thing_n jure_v call_v for_o and_o necessary_a to_o be_v do_v for_o this_o end_n it_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o assert_v also_o and_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n that_o be_v what_o place_n or_o person_n be_v to_o associate_v together_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o christian_a prudence_n but_o if_o it_o mean_v of_o a_o voluntary_a association_n and_o confederacy_n such_o as_o trade_n and_o craft_n use_v in_o their_o society_n as_o that_o alone_a which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o power_n this_o we_o altogether_o deny_v because_o 1._o if_o that_o confederate_a be_v call_v for_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n than_o it_o be_v not_o voluntary_a and_o free_a and_o this_o authority_n be_v not_o ground_v mere_o upon_o voluntary_a confederate_n because_o as_o it_o be_v not_o arbitrary_a to_o a_o convert_a christian_n to_o be_v baptise_a or_o not_o so_o be_v baptise_a it_o be_v not_o arbitrary_a to_o he_o whether_o to_o join_v with_o the_o church_n or_o not_o and_o be_v join_v submit_v to_o its_o government_n be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n to_o he_o and_o it_o become_v not_o authority_n to_o he_o because_o he_o submit_v to_o it_o but_o he_o be_v to_o submit_v to_o it_o because_o it_o be_v authority_n and_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o these_o false_a apostle_n or_o jezebel_n or_o the_o nicolaitan_n have_v never_o consent_v to_o subject_n themselves_o to_o the_o discipline_n of_o these_o church_n as_o by_o their_o take_v such_o name_n of_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n to_o themselves_o it_o be_v like_a they_o do_v never_o yet_o notwithstanding_o have_v these_o church_n authority_n over_o they_o and_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o submit_v unto_o they_o 2._o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o authority_n that_o the_o church_n have_v in_o such_o a_o case_n be_v equivalent_a to_o what_o the_o magistrate_n have_v and_o may_v exercise_v and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o equivalent_a to_o this_o than_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n under_o such_o magistrate_n will_v not_o be_v so_o perfect_a as_o to_o their_o church-state_n and_o well-being_n as_o otherways_o which_o can_v be_v say_v without_o wrong_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n as_o if_o he_o have_v leave_v his_o church_n destitute_a of_o inward_a power_n when_o she_o have_v least_o outward_a protection_n but_o if_o it_o be_v such_o a_o power_n it_o can_v be_v arbitrary_a and_o mere_o ground_v upon_o the_o confederacy_n but_o must_v be_v authoritative_a upon_o a_o other_o account_n and_o may_v authoritative_o enjoin_v one_o to_o confederate_n and_o so_o confederate_v be_v not_o the_o ground_n that_o constitute_v the_o power_n but_o a_o mean_a make_v way_n for_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o 3._o if_o it_o be_v ask_v what_o evidence_n or_o proof_n can_v be_v give_v of_o such_o voluntary_a confederate_n in_o the_o church_n for_o that_o time_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o show_v that_o universal_o in_o all_o the_o church_n there_o be_v such_o formal_a compact_n actual_o agree_v upon_o and_o yet_o that_o there_o be_v government_n and_o authority_n in_o they_o all_o be_v evident_a 4._o suppose_v confederacy_n to_o have_v be_v yet_o can_v they_o never_o have_v constitute_v a_o authority_n and_o government_n distinct_a and_o independent_a from_o the_o civil_a supreme_a power_n especial_o while_o the_o supreme_a power_n oppose_v the_o same_o as_o suppose_v to_o keep_v the_o similitude_n propon_v
consuetudo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la be_v ever_o take_v when_o give_v as_o a_o ground_n of_o any_o practice_n as_o contradistinguish_v from_o divine_a institution_n as_o in_o the_o last_o cite_v word_n of_o jerom_n be_v clear_a also_o it_o may_v have_v its_o own_o weight_n that_o he_o be_v now_o write_v to_o jerom_n who_o judgement_n in_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o unknown_a to_o he_o he_o must_v therefore_o be_v suppose_v to_o use_v the_o same_o as_o it_o be_v understand_v by_o he_o also_o in_o that_o book_n which_o be_v entitle_v libre_fw-la quaestionum_fw-la veteris_fw-la &_o novi_fw-la testamenti_fw-la among_o august_n his_o work_n quaest._n 101._o when_o he_o have_v prove_v from_o 1_o tim._n 3._o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v one_o quid_fw-la est_fw-la enim_fw-la episcopus_fw-la nisi_fw-la primus_fw-la presbyter_n and_o after_o he_o mark_v that_o although_o the_o bishop_n use_v to_o style_v presbyter_n compresbyteri_n yet_o say_v he_o they_o never_o say_v to_o the_o deacon_n condiaconi_fw-la and_o whoever_o be_v the_o author_n it_o show_v that_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n this_o title_n bishop_n be_v rather_o give_v as_o a_o note_n of_o respect_n to_o some_o eminent_a minister_n than_o as_o that_o which_o do_v constitute_v a_o different_a office_n or_o officer_n especial_o jurâ—_n divino_fw-la and_o that_o there_o be_v another_o kind_n of_o identity_n between_o minister_n and_o bishop_n than_o any_o of_o they_o and_o deacon_n though_o minister_n virtual_o comprehend_v that_o office_n also_o it_o be_v like_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o all_o antiquity_n do_v condemn_v aerius_n who_o opinion_n be_v say_v to_o be_v this_o that_o he_o take_v away_o all_o distinction_n betwixt_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n answ._n it_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o learned_a rivetus_n in_o his_o catholicus_n orthodoxus_n in_o his_o reply_n to_o the_o same_o charge_n give_v by_o ballius_fw-la tractatu_fw-la secundo_fw-la quaest._n 22._o that_o aerius_n be_v condemn_v by_o they_o not_o simple_o as_o maintain_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o truth_n in_o this_o but_o as_o imprudent_o in_o practice_n brangle_v the_o order_n then_o establish_v among_o they_o to_o the_o hazard_n of_o their_o union_n and_o there_o be_v two_o clear_a proof_n of_o this_o 1._o because_o where_o the_o same_o tenant_n be_v maintain_v as_o in_o jerom_n and_o other_o yet_o where_o these_o person_n continue_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n they_o be_v never_o brand_v with_o any_o name_n of_o heresy_n for_o the_o same_o 2._o because_o even_o augustine_n who_o reckon_v up_o this_o heresy_n of_o aerius_n do_v yet_o acknowledge_v this_o difference_n to_o be_v by_o no_o divine_a constitution_n as_o we_o have_v former_o see_v and_o who_o will_v consider_v the_o roll_n of_o heresy_n set_v down_o by_o these_o father_n will_v find_v that_o oftentimes_o such_o be_v reckon_v among_o heretic_n who_o much_o rather_o ought_v to_o be_v account_v schismatic_n it_o be_v observable_a also_o that_o even_o adversary_n grant_v that_o none_o of_o these_o father_n do_v condemn_v he_o for_o deny_v that_o distinction_n to_o be_v jure_fw-la divino_fw-la for_o which_o see_v estius_n lib._n 4._o pag._n 35._o but_o for_o deny_v it_o simple_o and_o so_o now_o we_o leave_v our_o second_o consideration_n the_o three_o consideration_n be_v that_o there_o be_v some_o footstep_n of_o this_o identity_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o most_o corrupt_a writing_n of_o the_o most_o impure_a schoolman_n which_o may_v appear_v in_o these_o three_o 1._o in_o that_o general_o episcopacy_n be_v hold_v to_o be_v no_o distinct_a order_n from_o presbytery_n and_o that_o presbytery_n or_o priesthood_n as_o they_o speak_v be_v the_o high_a order_n in_o all_o their_o hierarchy_n and_o this_o be_v current_a as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o lombardus_fw-la the_o master_n of_o sentence_n hugo_n aquinas_n thomas_n waldensis_n and_o general_o of_o all_o the_o thomist_n at_o least_o and_o though_o they_o seem_v to_o make_v bishop_n to_o be_v of_o a_o more_o eminent_a degree_n yet_o by_o estius_n and_o some_o other_o allege_v by_o he_o this_o be_v not_o think_v sufficient_a to_o distinguish_v one_o office_n from_o another_o and_o indeed_o consider_v their_o doctrine_n in_o all_o the_o other_o branch_n or_o order_n of_o their_o hierarchy_n it_o will_v well_o follow_v that_o these_o two_o be_v the_o same_o order_n can_v be_v admit_v to_o be_v distinct_a officer_n see_v in_o no_o other_o order_n such_o a_o distinction_n be_v admit_v 2._o we_o may_v gather_v it_o from_o their_o acknowledge_v of_o this_o to_o have_v be_v a_o truth_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n thus_o lombardus_fw-la the_o great_a master_n of_o sentence_n lib._n 4._o distinct_a 24._o when_o he_o give_v the_o reason_n why_o only_o two_o order_n to_o wit_n presbyteratus_n and_o diaconatus_n be_v mention_v by_o way_n of_o excellency_n in_o the_o canon_n and_o be_v call_v ordines_fw-la sacri_fw-la he_o subjoin_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n quia_fw-la hos_fw-la soâ—os_fw-la primitiva_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la legitur_fw-la habuisse_fw-la &_o the_o his_o solis_fw-la prâ—ceptum_fw-la apostoli_fw-la habemus_fw-la and_o do_v for_o this_o end_n cite_v 1_o tim._n 3._o and_o act._n 6._o again_o that_o great_a school-man_n cajetan_n on_o titus_n 1.5_o and_o 7._o have_v these_o word_n ubi_fw-la adverte_fw-fr eundem_fw-la gradum_fw-la idemque_fw-la officium_fw-la significari_fw-la à _fw-la paulo_n nomine_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la &_o nomine_fw-la episcopiâ—_n nam_fw-la praemisit_fw-la idcirco_fw-la reliqui_fw-la te_fw-la in_o creta_n ut_fw-la constituas_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la &_o modo_fw-la probando_fw-la regulam_fw-la dicit_fw-la oportet_fw-la enim_fw-la episcopum_fw-la etc._n etc._n by_o which_o word_n the_o identity_n of_o these_o two_o office_n be_v most_o clear_o assert_v and_o confirm_v and_o this_o also_o will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o many_o more_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v how_o then_o these_o more_o eminent_a degree_n of_o bishop_n archbishop_n patriarch_n etc._n etc._n do_v enter_v into_o the_o church_n and_o how_o these_o difference_n have_v arisen_a answ._n the_o same_o lombardus_fw-la in_o that_o same_o place_n de_fw-la quadripartito_fw-la ordine_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la do_v ommit_v his_o former_a allege_v of_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o other_o thing_n which_o he_o abuse_v and_o out_o of_o isidorus_n lay_v it_o down_o thus_o borum_fw-la autem_fw-la discretio_fw-la à _fw-la gentilibus_fw-la introducta_a videtur_fw-la qui_fw-la suos_fw-la flamines_fw-la alios_fw-la simpliciter_fw-la flamines_fw-la alios_fw-la archiflamines_a alios_fw-la prâ—to-flamines_a apellabant_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la enim_fw-la gentilium_fw-la flamines_fw-la dicebantur_fw-la etc._n etc._n which_o be_v in_o sum_n this_o difference_n seem_v to_o be_v bring_v in_o from_o the_o gentile_n who_o use_v so_o to_o style_v their_o priest_n as_o to_o call_v some_o priest_n simple_o other_o archpriest_n other_o again_o first-priest_n etc._n etc._n and_o consider_v that_o the_o root_n of_o the_o roman_a hierarchy_n to_o wit_n papacy_n and_o the_o order_n thereof_o do_v arise_v from_o the_o superstitious_a christian_n their_o imitate_v of_o the_o heathenish_a pontifex_fw-la maximus_fw-la whereof_o we_o may_v see_v somewhat_o cap._n 13._o lect_n 4._o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o these_o inferior_a pillar_n be_v of_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o show_n from_o the_o word_n for_o such_o difference_n it_o will_v seem_v that_o this_o great_a master_n have_v not_o go_v to_o the_o gentile_n to_o be_v behold_v to_o they_o for_o the_o same_o also_o estius_n when_o he_o be_v to_o prove_v the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n he_o have_v these_o word_n quod_fw-la autem_fw-la jure_fw-la divino_fw-la sint_fw-la episcopi_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la superiores_fw-la et_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la ita_fw-la clarum_fw-la est_fw-la è_fw-la sacris_fw-la literis_fw-la aliunde_fw-la tamen_fw-la abunde_fw-la probari_fw-la potest_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o lib._n 4._o senten_a distinct_a 24._o and_o so_o he_o cit_v pope_n constitution_n canon_n of_o council_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o three_o place_n this_o will_v appear_v from_o the_o consider_v of_o the_o answer_n that_o general_o be_v give_v by_o they_o to_o these_o place_n of_o scripture_n allege_v whereby_o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o a_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o which_o be_v general_o one_o of_o these_o two_o 1._o some_o say_v that_o though_o the_o office_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v distinct_a yet_o the_o title_n of_o presbyter_n and_o bishop_n be_v common_a but_o we_o have_v find_v already_o this_o to_o be_v a_o miserable_a shift_n because_o 1._o this_o identity_n of_o the_o name_n so_o circumstantiate_v prove_v the_o identity_n of_o the_o office_n as_o be_v say_v 2._o because_o these_o place_n do_v not_o only_o apply_v the_o title_n indifferent_o but_o do_v indifferent_o apply_v the_o duty_n qualification_n and_o every_o other_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o such_o officer_n and_o office_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o speak_v of_o the_o one_o in_o scripture_n but_o it_o be_v also_o speak_v of_o
why_o shall_v they_o not_o be_v seek_v for_o if_o innocent_n why_o shall_v they_o be_v punish_v yet_o do_v this_o occasion_n much_o calmness_n to_o christian_n especial_o in_o these_o part_n the_o persecution_n stir_v by_o hadrian_n be_v stay_v by_o the_o apology_n which_o quadratus_n and_o aristides_n present_v to_o he_o anton._n pius_n be_v make_v to_o relent_v by_o that_o apology_n of_o justin_n martyr_n anton._n philosophus_fw-la by_o a_o extraordinary_a providence_n be_v change_v and_o make_v to_o befriend_v christian_n which_o be_v thus_o in_o the_o marcâ—manick_n war_n he_o and_o his_o army_n be_v bring_v to_o great_a strait_n be_v overpower_v with_o the_o enemy_n and_o enclose_v among_o mountain_n without_o water_n so_o that_o he_o and_o they_o be_v like_a to_o perish_v for_o thirst_n a_o legion_n of_o christian_a soldier_n who_o then_o be_v in_o the_o army_n do_v separate_v themselves_o from_o the_o rest_n and_o before_o they_o all_o fall_v down_o to_o prayer_n they_o obtain_v from_o the_o lord_n not_o only_a water_n in_o abundance_n but_o a_o glorious_a victory_n over_o the_o enemy_n the_o lord_n cause_v it_o to_o rain_v with_o such_o fire_n and_o thunder_n upon_o the_o enemy_n as_o make_v they_o to_o give_v back_n this_o legion_n upon_o this_o occasion_n be_v by_o he_o call_v legio_n fulminatrix_fw-la and_o this_o miracle_n prevail_v so_o with_o the_o emperor_n that_o present_o he_o give_v out_o a_o edict_n most_o favourable_a to_o christian_n ordain_v that_o they_o shall_v neither_o be_v seek_v for_o nor_o punish_v if_o present_v but_o that_o their_o accuser_n shall_v be_v punish_v see_v that_o his_o safety_n and_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o empire_n depend_v upon_o their_o prayer_n and_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o mark_v that_o so_o many_o persecution_n together_o be_v restrain_v by_o god_n during_o this_o time_n for_o it_o make_v it_o the_o more_o applicable_a unto_o therestraint_n insinuate_v in_o this_o seal_n which_o can_v be_v find_v in_o persecution_n at_o no_o other_o time_n 12._o we_o may_v add_v that_o in_o no_o age_n the_o church_n have_v more_o well_o qualify_v man_n nor_o at_o any_o time_n have_v more_o appear_v for_o she_o against_o all_o sort_n of_o enemy_n as_o may_v be_v witness_v by_o the_o apology_n of_o the_o foresay_a quadratus_n aristides_n apollonius_n melito_n asiâ—nus_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o sundry_a other_o bold_o and_o learned_o plead_v the_o christian_n cause_n against_o persecuter_n and_o be_v present_v to_o several_a emperor_n there_o be_v also_o much_o dispute_v with_o heathen_n as_o origen_n contra_fw-la celsum_fw-la with_o jew_n as_o justin_n dialog_n cum_fw-la trâ—phâ—ne_n and_o tertullian_n adversus_fw-la gentes_fw-la &_o â—udâ—os_fw-la so_o also_o against_o many_o heretic_n as_o witness_v ireneus_fw-la his_o write_n and_o tertullian_n de_fw-fr prescription_n adversus_fw-la hereticos_fw-la yea_o many_o able_a and_o holy_a man_n appear_v also_o to_o prevent_v and_o remove_v schism_n and_o difference_n in_o the_o church_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o ireneus_fw-la and_o polycarp_n their_o pain_n and_o travel_n to_o keep_v a_o good_a understanding_n between_o the_o church_n in_o the_o east_n and_o in_o the_o west_n not_o only_o by_o write_v serious_a exhortation_n to_o peace_n and_o forbearance_n one_o of_o another_o and_o in_o reprove_v the_o vehemency_n of_o some_o too_o fervent_o advance_v their_o own_o judgement_n with_o hurt_n to_o the_o church_n peace_n but_o also_o by_o their_o travel_v from_o east_n to_o west_n to_o compose_v their_o difference_n who_o labour_n for_o a_o time_n god_n blessed_v till_o about_o anno_fw-la 200._o when_o victor_n excommunicate_v the_o church_n of_o the_o east_n which_o rash_a deed_n be_v condemn_v by_o many_o vide_fw-la apud_fw-la euseb._n cent._n magd._n baron_fw-fr in_o the_o history_n belong_v to_o that_o time_n by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o as_o there_o be_v never_o more_o to_o do_v with_o well_o qualify_a minister_n so_o be_v the_o church_n well_o furnish_v with_o they_o which_o do_v well_o agree_v with_o the_o qualification_n of_o the_o three_o beast_n represent_v like_o a_o man_n in_o the_o type_n as_o be_v say_v by_o these_o christian_a religion_n be_v preserve_v from_o heathen_n without_o and_o vindicate_v from_o heretic_n within_o and_o the_o substantial_o of_o the_o gospel_n be_v keep_v from_o hurt_n the_o white_a horse_n be_v still_o conquer_a and_o many_o be_v bring_v in_o to_o christ_n so_o that_o the_o heathen_n idolatrous_a templ_n be_v almost_o desolate_a no_o man_n haunt_v they_o nor_o buy_v their_o sacrifice_n as_o the_o same_o plinius_n in_o the_o forcited_a place_n complean_v and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o place_n almost_o where_o christianity_n be_v not_o and_o though_o all_o other_o monarchy_n have_v their_o bound_n and_o be_v limit_v yet_o this_o dominion_n of_o christ_n have_v none_o but_o spread_v over_o all_o and_o therefore_o behoove_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o tertul._n at_o length_n prove_v apol._n cap._n 37._o etc._n etc._n yea_o christian_n do_v so_o increase_v that_o as_o the_o same_o author_n affirm_v have_v they_o but_o withdraw_v from_o their_o town_n and_o country_n they_o have_v leave_v they_o almost_o desolate_a and_o terrible_a to_o the_o indweller_n that_o remain_v and_o yet_o all_o this_o be_v without_o humane_a force_n and_o help_v but_o as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o alone_a voice_n of_o he_o who_o throne_n be_v among_o the_o four_o beast_n all_o which_o be_v consider_v we_o suppose_v it_o will_v not_o be_v unanswerable_a to_o the_o type_n nor_o any_o strain_n of_o the_o scope_n thus_o to_o apply_v it_o see_v this_o seal_n do_v especial_o speak_v out_o these_o four_o agree_v better_a to_o the_o event_n of_o this_o time_n than_o any_o other_o as_o 1._o a_o decay_a state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o some_o thing_n worse_o than_o the_o former_a whereby_o she_o become_v black_a 2._o a_o remarkable_a restraint_n upon_o the_o instrument_n and_o effect_n of_o this_o sad_a decay_n 3._o a_o sort_n of_o seem_a justice_n in_o the_o author_n and_o abettor_n of_o these_o evil_n 4._o with_o a_o sober_a improve_n of_o part_n and_o ability_n by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o rational_a way_n oppose_v themselves_o to_o these_o evil_n all_o which_o we_o have_v find_v in_o the_o event_n and_o therefore_o conceive_v it_o not_o unfit_o to_o be_v resemble_v by_o this_o type_n as_o differ_v both_o from_o the_o seal_n precede_v and_o the_o other_o follow_v and_o from_o it_o thus_o understand_v we_o may_v observe_v 1._o that_o the_o church_n be_v subject_a to_o more_o sort_n of_o trial_n than_o one_o and_o when_o one_o come_v there_o be_v ready_o a_o second_o that_o follow_v before_o the_o outgate_n of_o that_o and_o the_o last_o trial_n be_v ordinary_o the_o sad_a and_o bring_v the_o church_n low_a obs._n 2._o that_o man_n may_v be_v good_a civil_a and_o moral_a man_n in_o thing_n belong_v to_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o yet_o be_v exceed_v great_a enemy_n to_o religion_n and_o the_o church_n or_o that_o the_o most_o excellent_a man_n in_o the_o world_n for_o part_n if_o they_o be_v not_o sanctify_v be_v often_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ._n the_o church_n have_v peace_n under_o commodus_n and_o heliogabolus_n but_o suffer_v by_o trajan_n severus_n hadrian_n and_o antoninus_n pius_n who_o government_n be_v excellent_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n which_o make_v many_o in_o that_o time_n without_o force_n submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o roman_n yet_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o what_o concern_v the_o church_n there_o be_v none_o great_a enemy_n to_o they_o which_o proceed_v partly_o fâ—om_o the_o nature_n of_o fleshly_a wisdom_n which_o rom._n 8.7_o be_v enmity_n to_o god_n partly_o because_o man_n of_o that_o temper_n have_v more_o settle_a principle_n of_o persecution_n within_o they_o not_o act_v by_o profane_a fury_n as_o other_o but_o from_o delude_a zeal_n this_o make_v they_o more_o eager_a more_o constant_a and_o more_o vehement_a in_o the_o pursue_v of_o christian_n than_o the_o principle_n of_o profanity_n use_v to_o do_v as_o we_o see_v in_o paul_n who_o in_o his_o blind_a zeal_n further_v persecution_n more_o than_o many_o other_o 3._o because_o the_o more_o wise_a and_o civil_a one_o be_v without_o religion_n the_o more_o foolish_a do_v religion_n appear_v to_o he_o and_o the_o more_o furnish_n have_v he_o to_o persecute_v with_o 4._o the_o person_n of_o such_o man_n have_v more_o weight_n with_o other_o to_o provoke_v they_o to_o their_o practice_n and_o to_o abhor_v as_o a_o gross_a ill_n the_o thing_n they_o persecute_v it_o be_v nothing_o think_v of_o to_o see_v nero_n and_o domitian_n persecute_v christian_n but_o when_o trajan_n antoninus_n pius_n and_o such_o like_a oppose_v christianity_n that_o make_v man_n abhor_v it_o while_o such_o man_n otherwise_o blameless_a cry_v out_o upon_o it_o
that_o though_o god_n people_n be_v liable_a to_o many_o suffering_n yet_o their_o consolation_n be_v consider_v do_v far_o exceed_v they_o all_o 2._o that_o god_n people_n be_v not_o to_o place_v their_o consolation_n on_o this_o side_n of_o time_n it_o consist_v most_o in_o their_o comfortable_a be_v and_o enjoy_v of_o god_n after_o this_o 3._o that_o in_o suffer_v time_n they_o will_v comfort_v themselves_o in_o the_o happy_a outgate_n of_o their_o suffering_n and_o look_v more_o to_o these_o thing_n which_o be_v eternal_a than_o to_o the_o thing_n see_v which_o be_v but_o temporal_a 4._o it_o be_v a_o certain_a truth_n that_o soul_n have_v a_o life_n and_o be_v when_o the_o body_n turn_v unto_o dust_n and_o that_o they_o exist_v be_v separate_v from_o body_n the_o soul_n at_o man_n creation_n be_v difference_v from_o the_o body_n as_o not_o be_v make_v of_o that_o substance_n but_o in_o a_o peculiar_a way_n be_v create_v and_o infuse_v by_o god_n gen._n 2._o at_o death_n the_o soul_n be_v contradistinguish_v from_o the_o body_n matth._n 10.28_o the_o one_o die_v the_o other_o can_v after_o death_n they_o be_v difference_v also_o both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o godly_a and_o wicked_a as_o these_o place_n eccles._n 12.7_o philip._n 1.23_o act._n 7.59_o christ_n word_n to_o the_o thief_n luk._n 23._o and_o that_o parable_n of_o the_o rich_a glutton_n and_o lazarus_n abundant_o do_v clear_a 5._o the_o soul_n of_o believer_n especial_o of_o sufferer_n be_v in_o a_o most_o happy_a condition_n after_o death_n to_o wit_n under_o the_o altar_n in_o paradise_n abraham_n bosom_n with_o christ_n jesus_n etc._n etc._n god_n have_v a_o special_a care_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o all_o his_o saint_n they_o be_v precious_a to_o he_o their_o reward_n be_v great_a in_o heaven_n mat._n 5._o and_o sufferer_n with_o he_o they_o do_v in_o a_o special_a manner_n reign_v with_o he_o which_o be_v well_o consider_v there_o will_v be_v no_o great_a cause_n to_o scare_v at_o suffering_n 6._o from_o the_o description_n of_o these_o martyr_n observe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o every_o suffering_n for_o every_o thing_n which_o will_v denominate_v one_o a_o martyr_n of_o christ_n it_o must_v be_v for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o for_o that_o testimony_n or_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v so_o account_v it_o be_v record_v by_o baron_n a_o 19_o of_o dioclesian_n that_o in_o these_o primitive_a persecution_n especial_o that_o last_o that_o many_o assume_v to_o themselves_o out_o of_o pride_n and_o have_v ascribe_v unto_o they_o by_o other_o the_o title_n of_o martyr_n unjust_o wherefore_o it_o be_v appoint_v that_o where_o any_o christian_n suffer_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o suffering_n shall_v be_v diligent_o observe_v that_o these_o who_o be_v find_v worthy_a may_v be_v enroll_v and_o that_o none_o other_o but_o such_o shall_v be_v account_v so_o this_o afterward_o turn_v to_o much_o superstition_n and_o give_v occasion_n to_o that_o superstitious_a canonise_a of_o saint_n which_o afterward_o follow_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n yet_o have_v it_o a_o honest_a intent_n in_o the_o author_n thereof_o as_o 1._o to_o keep_v the_o credit_n of_o martyrdom_n from_o that_o contempt_n which_o come_v upon_o it_o when_o man_n that_o be_v scandalous_a in_o their_o conversation_n be_v so_o repute_v 2._o to_o bound_v that_o carnal_a itch_a pride_n in_o many_o who_o because_o of_o that_o honour_n to_o be_v account_v martyr_n thrust_v themselves_o unwarrantable_o into_o suffer_v this_o honour_n be_v especial_o deny_v to_o three_o sort_n of_o sufferer_n 1._o to_o these_o who_o by_o profaneness_n in_o their_o conversation_n heresy_n in_o their_o doctrine_n schism_n in_o their_o practice_n have_v walk_v unbecoming_a the_o gospel_n hence_o the_o catholic_n so_o the_o orthodox_n be_v call_v when_o they_o be_v lead_v to_o suffer_v with_o marcionits_n novatian_n or_o other_o such_o like_a for_o sometime_o persecution_n rage_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v christian_n by_o name_n do_v still_o disclaim_v all_o fellowship_n with_o these_o heretic_n in_o their_o error_n as_o not_o account_v they_o witness_n to_o christ_n in_o their_o suffering_n a_o second_o sort_n that_o be_v deny_v be_v such_o as_o without_o god_n call_v by_o their_o rashness_n occasion_v their_o own_o suffering_n such_o as_o these_o who_o be_v unasked_a profess_v they_o be_v christian_n and_o that_o they_o have_v the_o bible_n but_o will_v not_o give_v it_o a_o three_o sort_n refuse_v be_v such_o as_o have_v faint_v in_o their_o confession_n former_o though_o afterward_o they_o shall_v become_v sufferer_n this_o be_v not_o do_v as_o if_o they_o account_v they_o not_o martyr_n indeed_o but_o that_o thereby_o they_o may_v prevent_v faint_a when_o any_o shall_v be_v call_v to_o a_o testimony_n so_o baron_n pag._n 746._o and_o 760._o where_o he_o set_v down_o the_o decree_n of_o one_o mensurius_n a_o bishop_n in_o africa_n ordain_v none_o that_o occasion_v their_o own_o suffering_n to_o be_v enroll_v and_o give_v this_o reason_n for_o it_o quia_fw-la non_fw-la divino_fw-la instinctu_fw-la ducti_fw-la sed_fw-la temeritate_fw-la acti_fw-la id_fw-la saciunt_fw-la 7._o observe_v that_o the_o give_v of_o a_o testimony_n by_o outward_a confession_n of_o the_o truth_n when_o called-for_a be_v necessary_a and_o commendable_a as_o well_o as_o foundnesse_n of_o faith_n yea_o it_o be_v oftentimes_o the_o outward_a testify_v of_o the_o truth_n before_o man_n more_o than_o the_o faith_n of_o it_o before_o god_n that_o bring_v on_o suffer_v and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o abhor_v in_o the_o primitive_a christian_n than_o dissemble_v of_o a_o testimony_n to_o evite_v suffer_v as_o appear_v in_o augustins_n write_n de_fw-fr mendacio_n &_o contra_fw-la mendacium_fw-la and_o the_o writing_n of_o other_o to_o that_o purpose_n wherein_o three_o sort_n that_o creep_v in_o in_o these_o time_n be_v sharp_o condemn_v as_o first_o these_o who_o call_v themselves_o nicodemite_n but_o false_o from_o nicodemus_n who_o be_v say_v to_o come_v to_o christ_n by_o night_n and_o not_o open_o allege_v it_o to_o be_v enough_o to_o be_v inward_o sound_a and_o to_o keep_v their_o heart_n mind_n and_o intention_n clean_o though_o they_o do_v not_o evidence_n or_o express_v that_o soundness_n to_o other_o such_o thought_n they_o may_v be_v christian_n and_o yet_o let_v none_o other_o know_v it_o a_o second_o sort_n be_v the_o priscillianist_n who_o be_v most_o vile_a heretic_n particular_o assert_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o god_n substance_n do_v also_o maintain_v and_o practice_v this_o that_o they_o may_v hide_v their_o opinion_n and_o carry_v so_o with_o these_o they_o converse_v with_o as_o if_o they_o be_v of_o one_o mind_n with_o they_o a_o three_o sort_n be_v such_o as_o out_o of_o a_o mislead_a zeal_n to_o discover_v the_o former_a do_v counterfeit_a as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v maintainer_n of_o that_o error_n to_o make_v these_o heretic_n the_o more_o free_o to_o communicate_v their_o tenet_n unto_o they_o the_o primitive_a father_n utter_o condemn_v all_o these_o as_o inconsistent_a with_o christian_a simplicity_n which_o require_v a_o testimony_n of_o the_o mouth_n as_o well_o as_o faith_n in_o the_o heart_n obs._n 8._o that_o every_o truth_n of_o the_o word_n may_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o suffer_v warrantable_o for_o the_o least_o thing_n that_o have_v a_o truth_n in_o it_o as_o well_o as_o the_o more_o concern_v fundamental_a truth_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o so_o not_o to_o be_v dispense_v with_o by_o his_o people_n 9_o every_o truth_n in_o the_o word_n have_v a_o outward_a testimony_n join_v to_o it_o and_o sometime_o may_v be_v called-for_a upon_o very_o great_a hazard_n 10._o when_o it_o be_v called-for_a this_o testimony_n or_o confession_n to_o any_o truth_n before_o man_n be_v no_o less_o necessary_a and_o aught_o as_o peremptory_o to_o be_v hold_v and_o stick_v to_o as_o the_o former_a therefore_o it_o be_v call_v rom._n 10._o confession_n unto_o salvation_n and_o called-for_a by_o a_o peremptory_a certification_n math._n 10.32_o 33._o obs._n 11._o that_o these_o who_o be_v sound_a in_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o word_n will_v be_v also_o exceed_o tenacious_a of_o their_o testimony_n in_o scripture_n and_o in_o primitive_a time_n we_o will_v find_v the_o saint_n stick_v at_o and_o hazard_v themselves_o on_o thing_n which_o appear_v of_o very_o small_a moment_n yet_o be_v to_o they_o of_o great_a concernment_n because_o of_o the_o testimony_n which_o be_v involve_v in_o they_o which_o they_o will_v not_o let_v go_v such_o be_v mordecai_n ester_n 3_o daniel_n 6._o his_o not_o shuting_z of_o his_o window_n when_o this_o persecution_n of_o dioclesian_n begin_v the_o persecuter_n seek_v but_o the_o bibles_n the_o poor_n coat_n money_n or_o cup_n wherewith_o they_o serve_v to_o be_v give_v they_o as_o some_o evidence_n of_o their_o cede_a
but_o they_o refuse_v to_o accept_v deliverance_n upon_o these_o term_n yea_o when_o the_o soldier_n partly_o weary_v to_o be_v so_o bloody_a partly_o desirous_a of_o seem_a victory_n over_o christian_n do_v profess_v themselves_o content_a to_o take_v any_o old_a paper_n or_o clout_n in_o place_n of_o the_o bible_n or_o poor_n coat_n they_o refuse_v to_o give_v any_o ecvola_n as_o it_o be_v call_v from_o the_o greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o castaway_n clout_n yea_o when_o soldier_n will_v violent_o pluck_v such_o thing_n from_o they_o against_o their_o will_n they_o will_v follow_v they_o profess_v their_o adherance_n unto_o the_o truth_n and_o that_o they_o have_v not_o any_o way_n willing_o deliver_v these_o thing_n as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o baronius_n an._n 303._o pag._n 748._o it_o be_v report_v of_o one_o marcus_n aretbusius_fw-la who_o be_v put_v to_o torment_v under_o julian_n because_o he_o will_v not_o build_v the_o idol_n temple_n which_o he_o have_v former_o demolish_v when_o they_o be_v content_a to_o accept_v some_o part_n of_o the_o expense_n from_o he_o and_o to_o spare_v his_o life_n he_o refuse_v to_o give_v obolum_fw-la or_o one_o penny_n sozom._n lib._n 5.9_o cent._n magd._n cent._n 4._o pag._n 797_o and_o 833._o tertullian_n also_o the_o corona_n militis_fw-la make_v mention_n of_o a_o christian_a soldier_n who_o when_o other_o after_o their_o victory_n carry_v their_o crown_n upon_o their_o head_n for_o honour_n of_o their_o idol_n he_o notwithstanding_o of_o all_o hazard_n carry_v his_o in_o his_o hand_n profess_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o christian._n by_o which_o and_o many_o other_o instance_n we_o may_v see_v how_o resolute_o they_o hold_v fast_o their_o testimony_n from_o which_o especial_o they_o be_v call_v martyr_n or_o witness_n and_o by_o which_o often_o not_o only_o many_o weak_a one_o be_v strengthen_v but_o also_o many_o persecuter_n convince_v and_o make_v to_o cry_v out_o certain_o great_a be_v the_o god_n of_o the_o christian_n while_o as_o they_o see_v that_o no_o allurement_n on_o the_o one_o side_n nor_o terror_n on_o the_o other_o can_v make_v they_o loose_v their_o grip_n but_o still_o truth_n and_o christ_n be_v bear_v witness_n unto_o and_o well_o speak_v of_o by_o they_o that_o be_v a_o good_a word_n which_o polycary_n have_v to_o the_o proconsul_n who_o take_v much_o pain_n to_o draw_v he_o to_o pity_v himself_o and_o to_o deny_v christ_n by_o his_o swear_n by_o the_o life_n or_o good_a fortune_n of_o the_o emperor_n he_o refuse_v say_v these_o fourscore_o and_o six_o year_n have_v i_o serve_v he_o and_o he_o have_v never_o once_o do_v i_o wrong_n how_o then_o can_v i_o deny_v he_o lecture_n vii_o vers._n 10._o and_o they_o cry_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n say_v how_o long_o o_o lord_n holy_a and_o true_a do_v thou_o not_o judge_v and_o avenge_v our_o blood_n on_o they_o that_o dwell_v on_o the_o earth_n 11._o and_o white_a robe_n be_v give_v unto_o every_o one_o of_o they_o and_o it_o be_v say_v unto_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v rest_v yet_o for_o a_o little_a season_n until_o their_o fellow-servant_n also_o and_o their_o brethren_n that_o shall_v be_v kill_v as_o they_o be_v shall_v be_v fulfil_v we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n in_o this_o seal_n that_o be_v what_o john_n hear_v in_o these_o two_o 1._o a_o serious_a suit_n 2._o a_o gracious_a yet_o a_o wise_a return_n the_o suit_n be_v in_o these_o word_n vers_fw-la 10._o and_o they_o cry_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n say_v how_o long_o lord_n do_v thou_o not_o avenge_v our_o blood_n etc._n etc._n concern_v this_o cry_n we_o will_v premit_fw-la these_o general_n 1._o we_o be_v not_o to_o conceive_v that_o soul_n audible_o speak_v to_o the_o ear_n of_o man_n more_o than_o they_o be_v visible_a to_o their_o eye_n see_v they_o want_v material_a organ_n it_o be_v therefore_o to_o be_v understand_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o scope_n only_o as_o we_o say_v in_o the_o former_a 2._o neither_o have_v soul_n in_o glory_n any_o sense_n of_o suffering_n as_o if_o they_o be_v affect_v with_o they_o it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o that_o happy_a estate_n wherein_o they_o be_v as_o absolute_o free_a of_o all_o tribulation_n and_o anxiety_n and_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n 3._o nor_o do_v they_o carry_v any_o revengeful_a thought_n to_o heaven_n to_o desire_v vengeance_n for_o particular_a wrong_n do_v unto_o they_o that_o agree_v not_o to_o saint_n as_o saint_n on_o earth_n much_o less_o in_o heaven_n where_o there_o be_v perfect_a purity_n 4._o neither_o be_v they_o conscious_a of_o the_o particular_a suffering_n of_o saint_n on_o earth_n isa._n 63.16_o yet_o may_v this_o cry_n of_o vengeance_n be_v apply_v to_o they_o in_o a_o threefold_a sense_n 1._o as_o it_o express_v their_o respect_n to_o their_o head_n christ_n who_o final_a victory_n they_o in_o a_o holy_a way_n long_o for_o desire_v to_o have_v all_o his_o enemy_n under_o his_o foot_n as_o will_v be_v at_o the_o last_o day_n which_o be_v the_o day_n of_o their_o full_a redemption_n 2._o as_o it_o proceed_v from_o their_o sympathy_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o member_n of_o christ_n body_n in_o which_o respect_n they_o may_v be_v say_v to_o long_a for_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o bride_n and_o the_o vindicate_a of_o she_o in_o general_a from_o all_o her_o suffering_n 3._o it_o may_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o guilt_n that_o stick_v to_o their_o persecuter_n from_o their_o innocent_a suffering_n which_o in_o some_o sense_n plade_v for_o vengeance_n from_o god_n on_o the_o persecuter_n even_o after_o their_o death_n as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o abel_n blood_n gen._n 4._o that_o it_o cry_v to_o god_n against_o cain_n to_o which_o it_o be_v like_a this_o do_v allude_v so_o that_o cry_v for_o vengeance_n signify_v this_o much_o that_o their_o innocent_a suffering_n be_v not_o forget_v by_o god_n but_o be_v as_o effectual_a to_o procure_v vengeance_n from_o he_o who_o be_v holy_a and_o true_a as_o if_o they_o be_v daily_o cry_v for_o it_o more_o particular_o this_o prayer_n have_v three_o part_n 1._o the_o petition_n itself_o to_o wit_n vengeance_n 2._o the_o object_n against_o who_o they_o pray_v 3._o the_o argument_n whereby_o this_o petition_n be_v enforce_v the_o petition_n be_v in_o these_o word_n lay_v down_o by_o way_n of_o complaint_n do_v thou_o not_o avenge_v our_o blood_n including_z in_o it_o a_o desire_n that_o their_o blood_n may_v be_v avenge_v in_o the_o sense_n former_o lay_v down_o we_o take_v it_o main_o to_o respect_v god_n final_a sentence_n of_o persecuter_n at_o the_o last_o day_n of_o judgement_n 1._o because_o many_o of_o these_o who_o guilt_n make_v they_o liable_a to_o this_o vengeance_n during_o the_o former_a persecution_n be_v already_o dead_a and_o so_o be_v without_o the_o reach_n of_o temporal_a judgement_n 2._o because_o it_o be_v such_o a_o vengeance_n which_o be_v seek_v that_o put_v a_o end_n to_o persecution_n as_o the_o reason_n of_o suspend_v this_o vengeance_n which_o be_v give_v in_o the_o answer_n clear_v it_o to_o wit_n that_o their_o brethren_n and_o fellow-servant_n be_v yet_o to_o be_v kill_v and_o therefore_o there_o behoove_v to_o be_v a_o suspending_a to_o satisfy_v that_o desire_n 3._o because_o the_o guilt_n of_o saint_n blood_n draw_v on_o that_o judgement_n and_o the_o end_v mention_v to_o wit_n christ_n final_a victory_n and_o the_o saint_n absolute_a freedom_n do_v import_v no_o less_o yet_o may_v it_o have_v its_o partial_a fulfil_n by_o temporal_a judgement_n at_o particular_a time_n upon_o particular_a person_n as_o may_v contribute_v in_o part_n to_o the_o vindicate_a of_o truth_n and_o the_o former_a end_n such_o as_o god_n judgement_n upon_o persecuter_n under_o the_o follow_a seal_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v always_o reserve_v the_o full_a decision_n between_o god_n people_n and_o their_o enemy_n until_o the_o great_a day_n wherein_o this_o petition_n shall_v be_v full_o satisfy_v 2._o the_o object_n of_o this_o petition_n the_o man_n that_o dwell_v on_o the_o earth_n not_o as_o if_o all_o that_o be_v upon_o the_o earth_n be_v include_v under_o this_o imprecation_n there_o be_v many_o godly_a then_o live_v in_o the_o world_n but_o they_o be_v so_o design_v 1._o because_o often_o and_o particular_o in_o these_o time_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n be_v persecuter_n and_o by_o act_v connive_a approve_v delight_v or_o such_o like_a way_n do_v make_v themselves_o guilty_a one_o way_n or_o other_o of_o the_o blood_n of_o saint_n 2._o they_o be_v so_o style_v to_o show_v what_o sort_n of_o man_n they_o mean_v to_o wit_n wicked_a man_n or_o great_a man_n who_o aim_v no_o further_o than_o this_o earth_n and_o to_o have_v a_o portion_n
type_n that_o it_o may_v well_o be_v take_v in_o and_o account_v as_o a_o universal_a change_n upon_o the_o world_n which_o will_v appear_v by_o consider_v these_o two_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n 1._o what_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n be_v immediate_o before_o this_o change_n 2._o consider_v what_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n become_v immediate_o thereafter_o 1._o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n before_o constantine_n government_n be_v for_o outward_a persecution_n under_o the_o extreme_a suffering_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v as_o be_v hint_v at_o in_o the_o expound_v of_o the_o four_o seal_n among_o the_o four_o chief_a governor_n that_o then_o be_v to_o wit_n dioclesian_n maximianus_n herculeus_n galerius_n maximinus_n call_v also_o jovius_n and_o constantius_n constantine_n father_n only_o this_o last_o have_v a_o favour_n to_o christian_n the_o other_o three_o being_n most_o cruel_a persecuter_n about_o constantius_n death_n start_v up_o maxentius_n to_o usurp_v the_o empire_n at_o rome_n who_o for_o a_o time_n prevail_v and_o continue_v as_o barbarous_a and_o cruel_a as_o any_o of_o the_o other_o against_o this_o maxentius_n jovius_n send_v one_o severus_n who_o he_o call_v cesar_n who_o be_v overthrow_v by_o he_o after_o who_o he_o prefer_v one_o maximinus_n his_o nephew_n who_o in_o persecute_v be_v nothing_o behind_o any_o of_o the_o former_a a_o little_a after_o licinius_n who_o be_v constitute_v cesar_n in_o his_o room_n who_o for_o a_o time_n have_v counterfit_o befriend_v christian_n for_o fear_n of_o constantine_n yet_o afterward_o fall_v into_o most_o gross_a blasphemy_n and_o persecution_n all_o of_o these_o have_v this_o for_o their_o aim_n to_o root_v out_o christianity_n by_o cruelty_n and_o subtlety_n leave_v nothing_o undo_v to_o accomplish_v it_o their_o cruelty_n vent_v in_o these_o persecution_n and_o their_o subtlety_n may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o law_n we_o find_v enact_v against_o the_o church_n in_o these_o time_n as_o 1._o that_o all_o the_o bibles_n cup_n and_o church-furniture_n shall_v be_v deliver_v up_o and_o destroy_v it_o be_v from_o this_o give_v up_o of_o the_o bible_n that_o christian_n who_o make_v defection_n be_v call_v after_o that_o traditores_fw-la that_o deliver_v up_o their_o bibles_n etc._n etc._n be_v account_v recede_v from_o the_o truth_n or_o the_o testimony_n thereof_o 2._o that_o man_n and_o woman_n shall_v not_o meet_v together_o for_o religious_a exercise_n but_o man_n apart_o and_o woman_n apart_o 3._o that_o none_o shall_v teach_v woman_n but_o woman_n 4._o that_o no_o meeting_n shall_v be_v keep_v within_o the_o circuit_n of_o town_n but_o in_o the_o field_n upon_o the_o pretext_n of_o healthfulness_n 5._o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o meeting_n of_o minister_n or_o correspondence_n among_o they_o in_o synod_n or_o otherways_o which_o be_v prohibit_v as_o a_o thing_n dangerous_a to_o the_o state_n 6._o that_o all_o the_o old_a temple_n shall_v be_v build_v and_o all_o the_o meeting-place_n of_o the_o christian_n destroy_v 7._o that_o no_o minister_n shall_v be_v permit_v but_o where_o ever_o find_v they_o shall_v be_v cast_v into_o prison_n which_o law_n at_o last_o end_v in_o open_a persecution_n against_o all_o that_o profess_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o to_o be_v call_v a_o christian_a be_v a_o most_o horrid_a crime_n unto_o these_o law_n afterward_o julian_n who_o be_v eminent_o teach_v of_o the_o devil_n to_o undermine_v christianity_n after_o it_o have_v flourish_v for_o a_o time_n in_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n add_v these_o four_o or_o more_o plain_o and_o crafty_o form_v they_o out_o of_o what_o be_v before_o he_o 1._o that_o no_o christian_n shall_v be_v admit_v to_o any_o trust_n civil_a or_o military_a but_o he_o who_o first_o sacrifice_v to_o idol_n this_o be_v observe_v former_o under_o dioclesian_n 2._o that_o the_o child_n of_o no_o christian_n shall_v be_v admit_v to_o school_n of_o learning_n or_o be_v educate_v in_o humane_a science_n that_o by_o that_o mean_v he_o may_v bring_v in_o ignorance_n among_o the_o christian_n that_o they_o may_v be_v the_o less_o able_a to_o vindicate_v christianity_n and_o may_v be_v the_o less_o thought-of_a among_o other_o 3._o that_o no_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n among_o they_o shall_v have_v any_o allowance_n of_o maintenance_n for_o before_o he_o in_o constantius_n time_n they_o have_v allowance_n settle_v by_o public_a authority_n intend_v thereby_o to_o overturn_v the_o church_n know_v that_o the_o church_n can_v consist_v without_o the_o ministry_n neither_o a_o ministry_n without_o it_o be_v maintain_v his_o four_o device_n to_o undo_v christianity_n be_v in_o despite_n of_o it_o to_o give_v way_n to_o all_o other_o religion_n by_o public_a tolerate_n of_o they_o therefore_o in_o his_o time_n be_v the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n of_o apollo_n at_o delphus_n intend_v and_o the_o jew_n encourage_v to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o destroy_a temple_n at_o jerusalem_n both_o which_o be_v miraculous_o by_o earthquake_n impede_v and_o his_o practice_n in_o reference_n to_o this_o be_v observe_v chap._n 2._o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o thyatira_n from_o which_o particular_n with_o what_o be_v say_v in_o open_v the_o four_o seal_n it_o may_v appear_v how_o sad_a the_o condition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v when_o constantine_n begin_v to_o govern_v let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o it_o become_v within_o some_o few_o year_n thereafter_o the_o estate_n which_o the_o church_n be_v bring_v unto_o after_o that_o time_n be_v short_o thus_o after_o constantius_n death_n constantine_n be_v declare_v emperor_n while_o he_o be_v in_o britain_n continue_v in_o these_o part_n for_o a_o time_n while_o the_o forementioned_a persecuter_n especial_o maxentius_n who_o live_v at_o rome_n be_v become_v hateful_a to_o all_o not_o so_o much_o for_o their_o persecute_v of_o christian_n as_o by_o their_o tyranny_n adultery_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o vile_a cruelty_n upon_o every_o sort_n of_o person_n whereupon_o constantine_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o his_o colour_n be_v encourage_v to_o march_v towards_o rome_n have_v before_o he_o as_o his_o end_n the_o liberate_v of_o the_o empire_n from_o such_o tyranny_n of_o so_o many_o tyrant_n and_o be_v doubtful_a what_o religion_n to_o follow_v at_o the_o noon_n day_n or_o a_o little_a after_o there_o appear_v to_o he_o in_o the_o heaven_n a_o fiery_a cross_n with_o this_o inscription_n in_o legible_a letter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n in_o hoc_fw-la vince_n in_o this_o overcome_v this_o vision_n be_v see_v by_o many_o other_o with_o he_o as_o socrates_n lib._n 1._o cap._n 1._o affirm_v by_o which_o sign_n he_o be_v not_o only_o animate_v to_o go_v to_o rome_n while_o he_o be_v hesitate_v but_o also_o to_o embrace_v christianity_n and_o the_o profession_n of_o christ._n in_o sign_n whereof_o he_o always_o carry_v the_o cross_n with_o that_o inscription_n for_o his_o colour_n and_o set_v it_o up_o at_o rome_n when_o he_o enter_v victor_n in_o it_o this_o story_n euseb._n de_fw-fr vita_fw-la constantini_n lib._n 1._o cap._n 22._o affirm_v he_o hear_v constantine_n himself_o assert_v to_o be_v truth_n with_o a_o oath_n after_o this_o he_o with_o his_o army_n march_v towards_o rome_n and_o in_o the_o way_n have_v discover_v to_o he_o the_o treachery_n of_o maximinianus_fw-la his_o own_a father_n in_o law_n by_o god_n mercy_n he_o be_v deliver_v from_o it_o &_o it_o return_v upon_o the_o author_n when_o he_o come_v to_o rome_n god_n deliver_v the_o tyrant_n maxentius_n into_o his_o hand_n maxentius_n and_o his_o chief_a officer_n be_v put_v to_o flight_n on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o river_n tiber_n be_v necessitate_v to_o return_v by_o a_o bridge_n per_fw-la pontem_fw-la milvium_n as_o they_o call_v it_o whereupon_o he_o have_v make_v device_n in_o a_o secret_a way_n to_o have_v drown_v constantine_n by_o which_o he_o and_o these_o that_o be_v with_o he_o be_v drown_v in_o the_o river_n upon_o which_o occasion_n as_o eusebius_n report_v lib._n 9_o cap._n 8._o christian_n take_v occasion_n to_o sing_v that_o word_n in_o the_o 9_o psalm_n vers_fw-la 16._o the_o lord_n be_v know_v by_o the_o judgement_n which_o he_o execute_v the_o wicked_a be_v snare_v in_o the_o work_n of_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o that_o word_n psal._n 7.15_o he_o make_v a_o pit_n and_o dig_v it_o and_o he_o himself_o be_v fall_v into_o it_o etc._n etc._n after_o this_o constantine_n have_v the_o peaceable_a possession_n of_o the_o west_n have_v afterward_o two_o difficulty_n the_o first_o from_o maximinus_n aim_v to_o drive_v on_o persecution_n and_o the_o death_n of_o constantine_n together_o euseb._n lib._n 1._o de_fw-la vita_fw-la constantini_n cap._n 40._o the_o second_o be_v from_o licinius_n emperor_n of_o the_o east_n with_o who_o constantine_n have_v make_v
peace_n and_o have_v give_v his_o sister_n to_o he_o in_o marriage_n who_o for_o a_o time_n do_v counterfeit_a christianity_n yet_o within_o five_o year_n become_v a_o most_o cruel_a enemy_n to_o constantine_n and_o all_o other_o christian_n and_o be_v the_o author_n of_o many_o of_o the_o former_a cruel_a edict_n as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o former_a place_n of_o eusebius_n lib._n 1._o cap._n 43_o 44_o 45_o 46_o etc._n etc._n against_o these_o also_o constantine_n set_v himself_o not_o only_o by_o arm_n but_o by_o prayer_n to_o god_n and_o fast_v over_o who_o god_n give_v he_o glorious_a victory_n as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v ibid._n lib._n 1._o cap._n 51._o lib._n 2._o cap._n 11_o 12_o 13_o 14_o etc._n etc._n after_o which_o follow_v a_o most_o comfortable_a and_o joyful_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n as_o euseb._n have_v it_o lib._n 2._o cap._n 19_o out_o of_o which_o general_n we_o may_v gather_v and_o observe_v these_o particular_n for_o make_v out_o the_o answerablnesse_n of_o this_o event_n unto_o this_o type_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o change_n from_o what_o be_v before_o as_o 1._o this_o judgement_n be_v upon_o many_o great_a man_n as_o dioclesian_n maximianus_n galerius_n maximinus_n maxentius_n licinius_n all_o which_o have_v the_o title_n of_o emperor_n or_o caesar_n beside_o what_o come_v on_o many_o great_a captain_n under_o they_o as_o particular_o on_o pontetius_fw-la culianus_fw-la theotimus_n and_o many_o other_o remarkable_o plague_v of_o god_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o forecited_a story_n 2._o christianity_n that_o be_v before_o destroy_v be_v now_o public_o by_o authority_n countenance_v idolatry_n that_o be_v before_o countenance_v be_v now_o abhor_a by_o all_o idol-temple_n every_o where_o be_v destroy_v or_o shut_v up_o and_o christian_a church_n build_v and_o minister_n provide_v rather_o more_o sumptuous_o than_o spare_o as_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o euseb._n lib._n 3._o cap._n 47._o 49._o 52_o 53_o 56_o etc._n etc._n 3._o the_o law_n be_v just_a contrary_n to_o what_o they_o be_v none_o but_o christian_n be_v admit_v to_o office_n and_o though_o constantine_n take_v not_o the_o way_n of_o discover_v his_o servant_n which_o his_o father_n constantius_n do_v who_o give_v out_o as_o jebu_n that_o he_o will_v admit_v of_o none_o to_o serve_v he_o but_o such_o as_o sacrifice_v to_o idol_n but_o afterward_o expel_v the_o sacrificer_n and_o keep_v the_o refuser_n say_v they_o will_v not_o be_v faithful_a to_o he_o who_o have_v never_o be_v faithful_a to_o god_n yet_o be_v he_o zealous_a in_o have_v faithful_a man_n about_o he_o and_o to_o have_v religious_a worship_n not_o only_o in_o public_a but_o particular_o in_o his_o own_o family_n school_n be_v appoint_v minister_n encourage_v martyr_n or_o confessor_n rather_o who_o be_v in_o exile_n be_v bring_v back_o these_o who_o have_v be_v put_v from_o office_n be_v restore_v synod_n be_v convocat_n and_o countenance_v by_o constantin_n own_o presence_n as_o that_o of_o niece_n be_v heresy_n be_v condemn_v toleration_n of_o other_o religion_n or_o of_o schism_n among_o christian_n be_v not_o suffer_v and_o many_o such_o like_a law_n and_o practice_n just_a opposite_a to_o what_o be_v before_o 4._o consider_v the_o great_a victory_n he_o obtain_v over_o enemy_n and_o the_o account_n upon_o which_o he_o pursue_v they_o his_o first_o war_n against_o maxentius_n be_v undertake_v as_o particular_o call_v unto_o it_o by_o christ_n himself_o his_o last_o war_n against_o licinius_n be_v not_o occasion_v out_o of_o any_o temporal_a design_n to_o advance_v his_o own_o greatness_n for_o he_o be_v desirous_a to_o live_v peaceable_o with_o he_o but_o to_o restrain_v his_o persecution_n by_o force_n when_o all_o other_o fair_a mean_n attempt_v by_o he_o have_v be_v frustrate_v god_n give_v many_o singular_a evidence_n of_o his_o own_v he_o in_o these_o victory_n 5._o consider_v the_o time_n when_o these_o persecuter_n be_v surprise_v it_o be_v even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o actual_a opposition_n to_o christ_n while_o profess_o they_o have_v state_v persecution_n against_o his_o servant_n and_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v withdraw_v from_o it_o but_o go_v on_o contemptuous_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n who_o they_o call_v novitius_fw-la in_o opposition_n to_o the_o old_a plurality_n of_o god_n who_o they_o worship_v 6._o consider_v the_o remarkablnesse_n of_o god_n judgement_n upon_o these_o persecuter_n and_o the_o terrible_a effect_n both_o in_o deed_n and_o word_n which_o they_o produce_v in_o they_o not_o only_o to_o the_o conviction_n of_o other_o but_o also_o to_o the_o convince_a of_o themselves_o that_o christ_n be_v their_o party_n such_o terror_n of_o conscience_n seize_v on_o they_o as_o be_v palpable_a before_o the_o world_n dioclesian_n and_o maximianus_n herculeus_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o greatness_n and_o heat_n of_o persecution_n both_o in_o one_o day_n devest_v themselves_o of_o the_o imperial_a dignity_n choose_v rather_o to_o live_v as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o cave_n and_o den_n of_o the_o earth_n than_o to_o continue_v in_o their_o authority_n a_o thing_n unheard-of_a before_o in_o the_o world_n this_o partly_o proceed_v from_o displeasure_n that_o they_o attain_v not_o their_o end_n in_o destroy_v christianity_n but_o rather_o find_v it_o to_o grow_v under_o they_o partly_o from_o terror_n of_o conscience_n arise_v from_o that_o as_o if_o they_o have_v gather_v clear_o that_o they_o be_v contend_v with_o god_n in_o that_o thereafter_o both_o of_o they_o put_v violent_a hand_n in_o themselves_o dioclesian_n be_v send_v for_o by_o constantine_n upon_o suspicion_n choose_v rather_o to_o poison_v himself_o than_o to_o see_v he_o maximianus_n herculeus_n endeavour_v again_o to_o recover_v his_o authority_n be_v discover_v in_o his_o design_n by_o his_o daughter_n constantine_n wife_n he_o be_v pursue_v and_o besiege_v by_o he_o and_o be_v either_o kill_v or_o dure_v the_o siege_n hang_v himself_o as_o be_v diverse_o report_v by_o writer_n the_o three_o maxentius_n be_v remarkable_o drown_v as_o be_v say_v before_o with_o many_o of_o his_o chief_a officer_n which_o make_v the_o christian_n compare_v his_o destruction_n in_o the_o water_n with_o pâ—araoh's_n drown_v in_o the_o red-sea_n maximinus_fw-la jovius_n through_o intemperance_n become_v corpulent_a be_v smite_v with_o bile_n in_o the_o secret_a part_n out_o of_o which_o issue_v abundance_n of_o vermin_n in_o a_o most_o loathsome_a disease_n so_o that_o physician_n be_v either_o suffocate_v by_o his_o smell_n or_o be_v kill_v by_o he_o because_o they_o can_v not_o cure_v he_o one_o of_o his_o physician_n tell_v he_o it_o be_v god_n judgement_n on_o he_o for_o persecution_n which_o no_o man_n can_v remove_v at_o last_o the_o conviction_n be_v so_o bear_v in_o upon_o himself_o that_o he_o acknowledge_v his_o wrong_n do_v to_o the_o church_n to_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o plague_n and_o therefore_o be_v strike_v with_o terror_n give_v out_o edict_n that_o the_o persecution_n shall_v cease_v church_n shall_v be_v build_v and_o that_o in_o their_o meeting_n prayer_n shall_v be_v put_v up_o for_o he_o as_o former_o use_v to_o be_v which_o edict_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o eusâ—bius_n lib._n 8._o cap._n 28_o 29._o where_o the_o end_n also_o of_o dioclesian_n and_o herculius_n be_v set_v down_o the_o other_o tyrant_n in_o the_o east_n to_o wit_n maximinus_n who_o be_v call_v cesar_n have_v be_v industrious_a to_o invent_v torture_n for_o christian_n especial_o to_o pull_v out_o their_o eye_n be_v at_o last_o defeat_n and_o in_o a_o base_a habit_n make_v to_o hide_v himself_o and_o thereafter_o pursue_v by_o sickness_n which_o make_v both_o his_o eye_n to_o leap_v out_o by_o which_o he_o be_v necessitate_v to_o confess_v that_o only_o the_o god_n of_o christian_n be_v god_n and_o that_o he_o have_v be_v mistake_v concern_v the_o god_n who_o he_o choose_v to_o worship_v all_o which_o he_o have_v find_v to_o be_v truth_n by_o experience_n itself_o which_o word_n be_v utter_v by_o he_o be_v even_o expire_a as_o eusebius_n testify_v de_fw-la vita_fw-la constantius_n lib._n 2._o cap._n 52._o ljoinius_fw-la again_o who_o can_v not_o be_v fear_v from_o persecution_n by_o any_o of_o these_o example_n though_o in_o some_o thereof_o himself_n have_v be_v actor_n while_o he_o be_v in_o confederatie_n with_o constantine_n be_v after_o many_o defect_n and_o flight_n convince_v of_o his_o folly_n and_o make_v to_o vent_v his_o indignation_n against_o these_o idolatrous_a priest_n who_o have_v make_v he_o disdain_v constantin_n god_n and_o put_v confidence_n in_o the_o multitude_n of_o old_a god_n as_o they_o call_v they_o so_o that_o he_o and_o his_o chief_a associate_n be_v take_v and_o bring_v to_o punishment_n by_o constantius_n be_v make_v to_o understand_v how_o great_a and_o admirable_a the_o god_n
have_v access_n at_o their_o solemn_a time_n and_o this_o allusion_n hold_v forth_o that_o as_o the_o inner_a court_n be_v compare_v with_o the_o outer_a be_v small_a and_o as_o many_o have_v access_n to_o this_o which_o be_v not_o admit_v to_o the_o former_a so_o during_o this_o time_n the_o number_n of_o true_a worshipper_n shall_v be_v few_o though_o the_o multitude_n of_o nominal_a professor_n shall_v be_v great_a because_o the_o lord_n will_v set_v apart_o some_o few_o to_o himself_o and_o disow_v the_o rest_n even_o as_o if_o under_o the_o old_a testament_n he_o have_v appoint_v the_o outer_a court_n to_o be_v divide_v from_o the_o inner_a the_o great_a part_n have_v be_v reject_v but_o the_o better_a part_n reserve_v so_o shall_v it_o be_v in_o the_o gospel-church_n at_o that_o time_n some_o few_o like_o the_o temple_n shall_v be_v order_v and_o set_v aside_o for_o himself_o and_o the_o visible_a body_n of_o professor_n leave_v out_o without_o any_o such_o special_a care_n which_o leave_v or_o cast_v out_o we_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o same_o as_o not_o to_o be_v seal_v and_o so_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o god_n chap._n 7._o and_o this_o measure_n will_v be_v sound_a to_o belong_v to_o the_o same_o person_n who_o be_v seal_v the_o second_o allusion_n of_o measure_v respect_v that_o vision_n ezek._n 40.41_o etc._n etc._n and_o it_o may_v signify_v 1._o the_o lord_n put_v a_o difference_n among_o professor_n of_o that_o time_n and_o that_o profession_n will_v not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v man_n pass_v but_o they_o must_v be_v try_v and_o put_v to_o the_o touchstone_n and_o that_o the_o lord_n will_v do_v so_o 2._o it_o hold_v out_o the_o lord_n set_v apart_o of_o some_o for_o himself_o in_o opposition_n to_o other_o who_o be_v neglect_v thus_o the_o land_n be_v to_o be_v measure_v ezek._n 47.18_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n israel_n be_v often_o call_v the_o rod_n of_o god_n inheritance_n psal._n 74._o 2._o jer._n 10.16_o etc._n etc._n as_o measure_v by_o to_o he_o in_o opposition_n to_o all_o other_o nation_n 3._o it_o signify_v a_o care_n and_o special_a oversight_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o reference_n to_o these_o in_o the_o temple_n beside_o other_o as_o if_o he_o be_v building_n and_o prepare_v a_o house_n for_o they_o even_o like_o a_o little_a sanctuary_n to_o rest_v in_o during_o that_o time_n thus_o measure_v of_o the_o temple_n here_o be_v oppose_v to_o the_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o outer_a court_n to_o the_o gentile_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v measure_v or_o so_o take_v notice_n of_o by_o the_o lord_n and_o this_o agree_v with_o that_o chap._n 12.14_o of_o provide_v a_o place_n for_o the_o woman_n i.e._n the_o church_n during_o the_o same_o time_n and_o last_o this_o measure_n of_o the_o temple_n be_v oppose_v to_o the_o open_n of_o it_o chap._n 15._o and_o open_v of_o it_o there_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o enlarge_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n and_o bring_v of_o the_o gospel_n to_o open_a light_n this_o here_o must_v signify_v a_o secret_a retire_a state_n of_o the_o church_n want_v that_o splendour_n and_o visibility_n of_o ordinance_n which_o it_o have_v before_o this_o time_n and_o which_o after_o the_o seven_o trumpet_n sound_v it_o be_v to_o have_v a_o three_o allusion_n be_v unto_o daniel_n prophesy_v of_o antiochus_n his_o make_v desolate_a of_o the_o material_a temple_n dan._n 7.13_o and_o so_o the_o meaning_n will_v be_v that_o as_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o their_o sanctuary_n be_v tread_v upon_o during_o such_o a_o time_n under_o antiochus_n so_o shall_v the_o visible_a face_n of_o the_o church_n be_v abuse_v and_o overrun_v by_o antichrist_n follower_n during_o his_o tyranny_n over_o the_o same_o yet_o still_o will_v the_o lord_n preserve_v a_o remnant_n as_o in_o that_o former_a case_n vers._n 1._o now_o it_o will_v be_v easy_a more_o particular_o to_o clear_v the_o word_n wherein_o there_o be_v 1._o something_o do_v 2._o something_o say_v and_o there_o be_v give_v unto_o i_o a_o reed_n like_o unto_o a_o rod._n a_o reed_n be_v use_v in_o measure_v either_o to_o find_v out_o the_o quantity_n of_o a_o thing_n or_o the_o regularity_n of_o a_o thing_n or_o for_o the_o divide_n and_o set_v apart_o of_o it_o it_o be_v give_v to_o john_n not_o only_o to_o signify_v the_o smallnesse_n of_o that_o number_n which_o shall_v be_v set_v apart_o for_o god_n for_o as_o number_v import_v fewness_n so_o measure_v do_v smallnesse_n and_o the_o regularnesse_n of_o their_o worship_n beside_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n but_o to_o show_v that_o the_o church_n during_o this_o time_n be_v not_o to_o be_v reckon_v by_o the_o multitude_n but_o that_o the_o rule_n behove_v to_o be_v apply_v for_o discern_v of_o it_o and_o these_o who_o be_v furnish_v by_o a_o measure_n reed_n shall_v find_v it_o out_o and_o none_o other_o that_o which_o be_v say_v may_v be_v take_v up_o in_o these_o three_o 1._o what_o he_o shall_v measure_v 2._o what_o he_o shall_v not_o measure_v 3._o why_o his_o direction_n what_o to_o do_v be_v rise_v and_o measure_v the_o temple_n of_o god_n and_o the_o altar_n and_o they_o that_o worship_n therein_o the_o temple_n here_o be_v that_o which_o we_o call_v the_o court_n of_o priest_n where_o the_o altar_n stand_v it_o be_v oppose_v to_o the_o outer_a court_n in_o the_o follow_a verse_n these_o that_o worship_n therein_o point_v out_o true_a worshipper_n who_o rest_v not_o in_o the_o outer_a court_n with_o the_o multitude_n to_o who_o they_o be_v oppose_v vers_fw-la 2._o but_o like_o priest_n to_o god_n they_o worship_v he_o in_o the_o temple_n where_o the_o altar_n be_v signify_v the_o continuance_n of_o the_o prescribe_a worship_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o will-worship_n of_o other_o particular_o their_o continue_v to_o make_v use_n of_o christ_n sacrifice_n which_o be_v signify_v by_o the_o altar_n which_o the_o multitude_n do_v not_o inquire_v for_o these_o be_v to_o be_v set_v apart_o after_o they_o be_v try_v and_o find_v for_o god_n himself_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o direction_n be_v what_o shall_v not_o be_v measure_v and_o that_o be_v the_o court_n without_o the_o temple_n leave_n or_o cast_v it_o out_o and_o measure_v it_o not_o sai_z he_o by_o which_o be_v understand_v the_o visible_a face_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o in_o respect_n of_o external_a professor_n be_v like_a unto_o the_o outer_a court_n during_o the_o jewish_a service_n this_n not_o measure_v of_o it_o imply_v a_o slight_n and_o misregard_v of_o it_o and_o not_o set_v it_o apart_o as_o the_o former_a as_o the_o follow_a word_n do_v clear_a 3._o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v for_o it_o be_v give_v to_o the_o gentile_n and_o the_o holy_a city_n shall_v they_o tread_v under_o foot_n forty_o and_o two_o month_n where_o 1._o the_o state_n of_o the_o outer_a court_n be_v set_v down_o to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o gentile_n 2._o the_o height_n and_o continuance_n of_o their_o tyranny_n be_v express_v the_o holy_a city_n shall_v they_o tread_v under_o foot_n forty_o and_o two_o month_n by_o the_o law_n gentiles_n be_v inhibit_v the_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n of_o the_o people_n in_o this_o outer_a court_n so_o this_o give_v to_o the_o gentile_n must_v suppose_v a_o profane_v of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o corrupt_v and_o mix_v of_o public_a ordinance_n and_o worship_n even_o as_o admission_n of_o gentile_n to_o the_o outer_a court_n will_v have_v be_v under_o the_o law_n for_o which_o paul_n be_v complain_v of_o act_v 21._o by_o gentiles_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o proper_o pagan_n for_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a to_o possess_v the_o visible_a church_n and_o to_o partake_v its_o name_n for_o it_o continue_v to_o be_v the_o outer_a court_n even_o while_o it_o be_v give_v to_o they_o and_o be_v tread_v on_o by_o they_o beside_o as_o be_v hint_v the_o time_n of_o their_o tread_v of_o it_o will_v fall_v under_o the_o time_n of_o antichrist_n sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o his_o vassal_n and_o follower_n they_o be_v call_v gentile_n in_o this_o respect_n that_o although_o they_o seem_v to_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o christian_n and_o so_o do_v not_o destroy_v but_o possess_v the_o outer_a court_n and_o retain_v the_o name_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n yet_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o defection_n from_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o of_o the_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a worship_n propagate_v by_o they_o they_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v account_v gentile_n than_o christian_n in_o which_o respect_n their_o head_n antichrist_n chap._n 13._o be_v say_v to_o have_v a_o name_n of_o blasphemy_n even_o as_o the_o pagan_a head_n have_v
he_o seek_v to_o corrupt_v the_o church_n indirect_o that_o by_o overturning_a the_o ordinance_n in_o she_o he_o may_v mar_v her_o former_a beauty_n that_o she_o appear_v in_o vers_fw-la 1._o as_o a_o woman_n clothe_v with_o the_o sâ—n_n that_o so_o she_o be_v no_o woman_n may_v be_v no_o mother_n whereby_o indirect_o he_o may_v gain_v his_o point_n in_o poison_v the_o seed_n this_o be_v do_v by_o the_o awaken_n and_o spread_v of_o schism_n and_o heresy_n in_o the_o church_n which_o though_o they_o do_v not_o direct_o strike_v against_o the_o be_v of_o christian_n or_o particular_a professor_n yet_o do_v they_o no_o less_o strike_v against_o the_o life_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o purity_n and_o power_n of_o its_o ordinance_n without_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o church_n although_o man_n as_o man_n continue_v to_o live_v hence_o we_o may_v gather_v the_o second_o and_o three_o difference_n to_o wit_n in_o the_o instrument_n that_o he_o make_v use_v of_o and_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o pursue_v this_o new_a design_n which_o be_v not_o violent_o and_o open_o by_o heathen_a man_n who_o be_v without_o as_o former_o he_o have_v do_v but_o more_o subtle_o and_o covert_o by_o profess_v christian_n he_o endeavour_v this_o he_o be_v now_o say_v to_o persecute_v not_o as_o if_o he_o have_v not_o former_o persecute_v but_o to_o show_v that_o although_o he_o have_v alter_v his_o way_n in_o the_o former_a respect_n yet_o be_v his_o design_n no_o less_o malicious_a in_o respect_n of_o himself_o nor_o hurtful_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o church_n than_o the_o former_a be_v 2._o the_o occasion_n of_o this_o his_o new_a heat_n against_o the_o church_n and_o the_o change_n of_o his_o former_a way_n be_v set_v down_o and_o when_o the_o dragon_n see_v that_o he_o be_v cast_v unto_o the_o earth_n which_o import_v 1._o the_o ground_n of_o his_o irritation_n to_o wit_n the_o former_a foil_n which_o he_o have_v get_v â—he_n be_v so_o indefatigable_a a_o enemy_n that_o have_v get_v one_o defeat_n he_o do_v and_o that_o the_o more_o incessant_o endeavour_v to_o recover_v what_o be_v lose_v which_o ought_v to_o make_v man_n most_o vigilant_a even_o then_o when_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v most_o advantage_n 2._o it_o show_v the_o reason_n why_o now_o he_o seek_v the_o corrupt_a of_o the_o church_n the_o mother_n in_o this_o new_a subtle_a way_n and_o do_v not_o direct_o pursue_v the_o child_n as_o he_o have_v do_v because_o now_o by_o his_o former_a overthrow_n he_o find_v himself_o cast_v unto_o the_o earth_n so_o that_o he_o can_v not_o have_v man_n direct_o to_o owâ—_n his_o design_n and_o to_o give_v he_o obedience_n as_o former_o when_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n be_v for_o he_o 3._o it_o show_v the_o immediate_a connexion_n of_o this_o his_o design_n and_o what_o follow_v thereupon_o with_o the_o church_n former_a deliverance_n so_o that_o no_o soon_o do_v he_o find_v himself_o disappoint_v of_o one_o mean_v but_o he_o do_v assay_v another_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v how_o the_o former_a deliverance_n can_v be_v such_o ground_n of_o joy_n to_o the_o church_n see_v this_o do_v immediate_o follow_v upon_o it_o answ._n 1._o it_o be_v certain_o great_a ground_n of_o praise_n and_o honour_n to_o god_n and_o great_a ground_n of_o joy_n and_o rejoice_v to_o the_o saint_n in_o itself_o what_o ever_o effect_n accidental_o through_o satan_n malice_n and_o man_n corruption_n may_v follow_v upon_o it_o for_o by_o it_o the_o lord_n eminent_o vindicate_v his_o name_n truth_n and_o servant_n from_o former_a reproach_n and_o oppression_n and_o give_v unto_o his_o church_n great_a freedom_n if_o it_o have_v be_v well_o improven_v 2._o although_o the_o devil_n instant_o begin_v this_o new_a design_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o at_o once_o bring_v to_o a_o height_n and_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v matter_n of_o rejoice_v to_o the_o church_n to_o have_v that_o interval_n which_o follow_v between_o the_o height_n of_o heathenish_a persecution_n and_o that_o of_o antichrist_n which_o be_v to_o come_v beside_o other_o reason_n give_v in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o former_a lecture_n vers._n 14._o the_o church_n safety_n be_v set_v forth_o in_o these_o circumstance_n 1._o in_o the_o mean_a by_o which_o she_o be_v preserve_v to_o the_o woman_n be_v give_v two_o wing_n of_o a_o great_a eagle_n this_o allude_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n bring_v israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v as_o upon_o eagle's_n wing_n exod._n 19.4_o that_o be_v a_o wonderful_a and_o speedy_a delivery_n so_o that_o the_o mean_v use_v by_o the_o devil_n to_o hurt_v be_v not_o able_a to_o reach_v his_o end_n we_o take_v it_o to_o be_v that_o same_o which_o be_v mention_v chap._n 7.1_o 2_o etc._n etc._n of_o the_o lord_n seal_v his_o elect_n against_o that_o come_a storm_n and_o that_o same_o chap._n 11.1_o of_o his_o command_a to_o measure_v the_o temple_n because_o 1._o both_o these_o relate_v to_o the_o same_o person_n to_o wit_n the_o true_a church_n and_o 2._o to_o the_o same_o time_n to_o wit_n immediate_o after_o heathenish_a persecution_n and_o 3._o to_o the_o same_o scope_n to_o wit_n the_o preservation_n of_o the_o lord_n own_o from_o these_o tempestuous_a storm_n or_o flood_n which_o by_o the_o trumpet_n be_v to_o come_v upon_o the_o visible_a church_n 2._o the_o place_n whereto_o the_o woman_n be_v to_o flee_v be_v mention_v that_o she_o may_v flee_v into_o the_o wilderness_n it_o be_v call_v her_o place_n because_o vers_n 6._o it_o be_v prepare_v of_o god_n for_o she_o and_o do_v set_v forth_o the_o lord_n sovereignty_n in_o order_v her_o safety_n and_o by_o special_a providence_n carry_v out_o the_o place_n of_o her_o security_n as_o have_v appoint_v it_o for_o she_o long_o before_o the_o trial_n come_v by_o wilderness_n we_o be_v not_o to_o conceive_v any_o such_o particular_a place_n in_o any_o desert_n but_o hereby_o be_v mean_v that_o the_o lord_n see_v to_o the_o safety_n of_o his_o church_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o confusion_n of_o the_o world_n as_o if_o she_o be_v local_o remove_v from_o all_o fellowship_n with_o they_o to_o a_o desert_n more_o particular_o it_o allude_v to_o the_o lord_n way_n of_o bring_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n who_o immediate_o after_o their_o great_a and_o joyful_a delivery_n from_o pharaoh_n out_o of_o egypt_n be_v not_o bring_v unto_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n but_o for_o a_o long_a time_n live_v in_o the_o wilderness_n where_o though_o they_o be_v free_v from_o their_o former_a oppression_n and_o have_v much_o liberty_n to_o worship_n god_n public_o which_o they_o have_v not_o in_o egypt_n yet_o want_v they_o not_o many_o trial_n and_o through_o their_o corruption_n many_o sin_n so_o here_o be_v hold_v forth_o a_o wildernesse-state_n of_o the_o church_n contemporary_a with_o and_o suitable_a unto_o the_o prophet_n prophesy_v in_o sackcloth_n which_o we_o may_v take_v up_o particular_o to_o consist_v in_o these_o 1._o in_o a_o condition_n that_o be_v safe_a as_o be_v now_o out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o hazard_n 2._o as_o in_o a_o great_a part_n latent_fw-la and_o not_o discernible_a to_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n as_o if_o she_o have_v be_v remove_v to_o some_o desert_n 3._o a_o comfortless_a and_o solitary_a outward_a condition_n with_o which_o although_o the_o true_a church_n be_v not_o immediate_o pinch_v after_o heathenish_a persecution_n yet_o be_v the_o most_o faithful_a ever_o liable_a thereto_o in_o all_o the_o church_n trial_n and_o it_o come_v to_o a_o height_n under_o antichrist_n with_o who_o this_o wildernesse-state_n do_v contemporate_a 4._o it_o hold_v forth_o a_o eclipse_n of_o the_o visible_a and_o spiritual_a lustre_n and_o beauty_n of_o the_o church_n which_o do_v not_o now_o shine_v among_o man_n as_o former_o it_o do_v no_o more_o than_o if_o she_o be_v remove_v to_o a_o wilderness_n 3._o in_o this_o verse_n we_o have_v the_o lord_n care_v of_o she_o and_o provision_n for_o she_o during_o this_o time_n she_o be_v not_o to_o starve_v there_o though_o now_o the_o world_n about_o she_o be_v become_v a_o wilderness_n yet_o she_o be_v nourish_v that_o be_v 1._o have_v spiritual_a food_n provide_v for_o she_o and_o bless_v of_o god_n to_o she_o so_o that_o when_o tradition_n superstition_n idolatry_n and_o that_o which_o can_v nourish_v do_v abound_v among_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o who_o be_v call_v christian_n even_o than_o she_o have_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n appoint_v for_o she_o and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o the_o world_n know_v not_o whence_o it_o come_v in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o allusion_n to_o god_n way_n of_o feed_v the_o israelite_n extraordinary_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o to_o his_o provide_v for_o elias_n by_o