Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	catholic_n	church_n	company_n	1,965	5	9.7065	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61632	The unreasonableness of separation, or, An impartial account of the history, nature, and pleas of the present separation from the communion of the Church of England to which, several late letters are annexed, of eminent Protestant divines abroad, concerning the nature of our differences, and the way to compose them / by Edward Stillingfleet ...	Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.	1681 (1681)	Wing S5675; ESTC R4969	310,391	554

themselves_o when_o they_o see_v no_o hope_n of_o recover_v the_o church_n communion_n if_o they_o once_o fall_v from_o it_o add_v to_o this_o that_o novatus_n or_o novatianus_n for_o the_o greek_n confound_v their_o name_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n 45._o say_v that_o he_o be_v force_v to_o do_v what_o he_o do_v by_o the_o importunity_n of_o the_o brethren_n who_o out_o of_o their_o zeal_n for_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n will_v not_o comply_v with_o the_o loose_a part_n which_o join_v with_o cornelius_n sempron_n and_o therefore_o choose_v he_o to_o be_v their_o bishop_n and_o so_o much_o appear_v by_o pacianus_n that_o novatus_n come_v from_o carthage_n to_o rome_n make_v a_o party_n there_o for_o novatia●us_a in_o opposition_n to_o cornelius_n which_o consist_v chief_o of_o those_o who_o have_v stand_v firm_a in_o the_o persecution_n in_o their_o name_n he_o write_v to_o novatianus_n declare_v that_o he_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o zealous_a party_n at_o rome_n whereas_o cornelius_n have_v admit_v the_o lapse_v to_o communion_n and_o consequent_o corrupt_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n here_o we_o have_v a_o concurrence_n of_o dr._n oh_o plea_n zeal_n for_o reformation_n of_o discipline_n the_o great_a edification_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o assert_v their_o right_n in_o choose_v such_o a_o pastor_n as_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o promote_v their_o edification_n but_o notwithstanding_o these_o fair_a pretence_n 45._o the_o make_v a_o separation_n in_o the_o church_n be_v every_o where_o condemn_v as_o a_o great_a sin_n as_o appear_v by_o st._n cyprian_n dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n theodoret_n epiphanius_n and_o other_o dionysius_n tell_v the_o author_n of_o the_o schism_n 59_o that_o he_o have_v better_o have_v suffer_v any_o thing_n than_o thus_o to_o have_v make_v a_o rent_n in_o the_o church_n and_o it_o be_v as_o glorious_a a_o martyrdom_n to_o die_v to_o prevent_v a_o schism_n as_o to_o avoid_v idolatry_n and_o he_o think_v it_o a_o much_o great_a thing_n the_o one_o be_v a_o martyrdom_n for_o the_o church_n the_o other_o only_o for_o one_o own_o soul_n st._n cyprian_n charge_v those_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o this_o schism_n with_o pride_n and_o arrogance_n and_o do_v unspeakable_a mischief_n to_o the_o church_n by_o break_v the_o peace_n of_o it_o and_o will_v hardly_o allow_v those_o to_o be_v christian_n who_o live_v in_o such_o a_o schism_n when_o as_o epiphanius_n observe_v etc._n they_o still_o plead_v they_o have_v the_o same_o faith_n with_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o yet_o st._n cyprian_n will_v not_o allow_v that_o to_o be_v true_a faith_n which_o have_v not_o charity_n and_o say_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a charity_n where_o man_n do_v thus_o break_v in_o piece_n the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n the_o meletian_o in_o egypt_n agree_v with_o the_o catholic_n christian_n in_o the_o substantial_o of_o religion_n 68_o hold_v the_o same_o faith_n with_o they_o as_o epiphanius_n relate_v the_o story_n and_o their_o schism_n begin_v too_o about_o preserve_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o best_a mean_n for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o people_n they_o allow_v a_o restitution_n for_o the_o lapse_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o after_o a_o very_a severe_a discipline_n and_o a_o utter_a incapacity_n of_o those_o in_o order_n as_o to_o any_o part_n of_o their_o function_n but_o peter_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n think_v the_o mild_a way_n the_o better_a whereupon_o a_o separation_n follow_v and_o the_o meletian_o have_v distinct_a church_n which_o they_o call_v the_o church_n of_o the_o martyr_n this_o schism_n grow_v to_o that_o height_n that_o they_o will_v not_o pray_v together_o in_o prison_n nor_o in_o the_o quarry_n whither_o they_o be_v send_v meletius_n be_v a_o bishop_n be_v depose_v by_o peter_n of_o alexandria_n 9_o but_o he_o go_v on_o still_o to_o promote_v the_o course_n of_o separation_n in_o thebais_n and_o other_o part_n of_o egypt_n upon_o which_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a in_o their_o synodical_a epistle_n deprive_v he_o of_o all_o episcopal_a power_n and_o the_o people_n that_o adhere_v to_o he_o of_o the_o power_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o pastor_n or_o rather_o of_o propose_v the_o name_n of_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v ordain_v and_o so_o according_a to_o dr._n o._n they_o have_v just_a cause_n to_o continue_v their_o separation_n still_o although_o it_o be_v condemn_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a audaeus_n begin_v his_o schism_n out_o of_o a_o mighty_a zeal_n for_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n 70._o and_o a_o great_a freedom_n which_o he_o use_v in_o reprove_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n but_o meet_v with_o ill_a usage_n he_o withdraw_v from_o the_o church_n communion_n with_o his_o disciple_n although_o he_o still_o retain_v the_o same_o faith_n and_o agree_v in_o the_o substantial_o of_o religion_n with_o the_o best_a christian_n 15._o but_o forbear_v all_o communion_n with_o they_o which_o epiphanius_n account_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o most_o dreadful_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o upon_o dr._n oh_o principles_n of_o separation_n they_o do_v a_o very_a commendable_a thing_n as_o long_o as_o their_o design_n be_v to_o restore_v the_o church_n discipline_n and_o to_o consult_v their_o own_o great_a edification_n the_o follower_n of_o eustathius_n sebastenus_n be_v on_o this_o account_n likewise_o excuse_v who_o withdraw_v from_o the_o public_a congregation_n on_o a_o pretence_n of_o great_a sanctity_n and_o purity_n in_o paphlagonia_n and_o stand_v condemn_v in_o several_a canon_n of_o the_o council_n at_o gangrae_n so_o be_v those_o mention_v and_o condemn_v in_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n and_o carthage_n and_o the_o separation_n of_o felicissimus_n and_o his_o brethren_n from_o st._n cyprian_n all_o which_o be_v set_v down_o together_o in_o my_o sermon_n but_o be_v gentle_o pass_v over_o by_o dr._n o._n and_o mr._n b._n and_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o adversary_n only_o one_o say_v 42._o that_o the_o error_n of_o the_o follower_n of_o eustathius_n sebastenus_n both_o in_o opinion_n and_o practice_n be_v very_o gross_a which_o the_o council_n take_v notice_n of_o and_o condemn_v yet_o as_o gross_a as_o they_o be_v there_o be_v a_o pretence_n of_o great_a sanctity_n and_o purity_n in_o they_o for_o their_o abstain_v from_o marriage_n and_o peculiarity_n of_o habit_n and_o separate_a meeting_n be_v all_o carry_v on_o with_o the_o same_o pretence_n to_o proceed_v then_o on_o the_o same_o account_v the_o donatist_n will_v be_v vindicate_v in_o the_o main_a ground_n of_o their_o schism_n although_o they_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v coecilian_n for_o their_o great_a pretence_n be_v to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o church_n discipline_n as_o may_v at_o large_a be_v see_v in_o optatus_n and_o st._n augustin_n and_o yet_o they_o frequent_o and_o deliberate_o call_v it_o a_o most_o damnable_a and_o sacrilegious_a schism_n the_o luciferian_o pretend_v such_o a_o zeal_n for_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n that_o the_o only_a pretence_n for_o their_o schism_n be_v that_o they_o can_v not_o communicate_v with_o those_o who_o have_v subscribe_v to_o arianism_n or_o receive_v ordination_n from_o ari●n_n bishop_n as_o may_v be_v see_v at_o large_a in_o the_o book_n of_o marcellinus_n and_o faustinus_n and_o they_o join_v with_o the_o party_n of_o vrsinus_n at_o rome_n against_o that_o of_o damasus_n and_o complain_v they_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o liberty_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o pastor_n so_o that_o upon_o these_o ground_n there_o have_v scarce_o be_v any_o considerable_a schism_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o may_v be_v justify_v upon_o dr._n owen_n reason_n for_o separation_n from_o our_o church_n sect._n 26._o 4._o another_o argument_n against_o this_o course_n of_o separation_n be_v that_o these_o ground_n will_v make_v separation_n endless_a which_o be_v to_o suppose_v all_o the_o exhortation_n of_o scripture_n to_o peace_n and_o unity_n among_o christian_n to_o signify_v nothing_o for_o nothing_o be_v more_o contrary_a to_o unity_n than_o division_n and_o separation_n if_o there_o be_v no_o bound_n set_v but_o what_o the_o fancy_n of_o man_n dictate_v to_o they_o be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o justify_v division_n and_o separation_n any_o people_n may_v break_v communion_n with_o a_o church_n and_o set_v up_o a_o new_a one_o when_o they_o think_v fit_a which_o will_v leave_v the_o christian_a church_n in_o a_o remediless_a condition_n against_o those_o who_o break_v its_o peace_n and_o communion_n 121._o it_o be_v a_o true_a say_n of_o mr._n cotton_v of_o new-england_n that_o they_o that_o separate_v from_o their_o brethren_n far_o than_o they_o have_v just_a cause_n shall_v at_o length_n

submit_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o after_o to_o other_o pastor_n but_o justice_n hobart_n can_v not_o be_v such_o a_o stranger_n to_o antiquity_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n amount_v but_o to_o one_o congregation_n in_o a_o city_n and_o therefore_o if_o he_o consult_v justice_n hobart_n be_v honour_n or_o his_o own_o i_o advise_v he_o to_o let_v it_o alone_o for_o the_o future_a as_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o father_n paul_n it_o only_o concern_v the_o democratical_a government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o i_o wonder_v how_o it_o come_v into_o this_o place_n i_o shall_v therefore_o consider_v it_o in_o its_o due_a season_n sect._n 3_o i_o come_v therefore_o to_o consider_v now_o the_o evidence_n for_o the_o institution_n of_o congregational_a church_n concern_v which_o 26._o these_o be_v my_o word_n it_o be_v possible_a at_o first_o there_o may_v be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o one_o city_n than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n for_o worship_n but_o where_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o when_o they_o multiply_v into_o more_o congregation_n they_o do_v make_v new_a and_o distinct_a church_n under_o new_a officer_n with_o a_o separate_a power_n of_o government_n of_o this_o i_o be_o well_o assure_v there_o be_v no_o mark_n or_o footstep_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o will_v appear_v credible_a to_o any_o considerate_a man_n that_o the_o 5000_o christian_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n make_v one_o state_v and_o fix_v congregation_n for_o divine_a worship_n not_o if_o we_o make_v all_o the_o allowance_n for_o stranger_n which_o can_v be_v desire_v but_o if_o this_o be_v grant_v where_o be_v the_o unalterable_a rule_n that_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o company_n become_v too_o great_a for_o one_o particular_a assembly_n they_o must_v become_v a_o new_a church_n under_o peculiar_a officer_n and_o a_o independent_a authority_n to_o this_o dr._n o._n answer_n in_o four_o particular_n 1._o that_o a_o account_n may_v ever_o long_o be_v give_v of_o the_o insensible_a deviation_n of_o the_o first_o church_n after_o the_o decease_n of_o the_o apostle_n from_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o first_o institution_n which_o although_o at_o first_o it_o begin_v in_o matter_n of_o small_a moment_n yet_o still_o they_o increase_v until_o they_o issue_v in_o a_o fatal_a apostasy_n or_o as_o he_o after_o express_v it_o leave_v their_o infant_n state_n by_o degree_n they_o at_o last_o bring_v forth_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n but_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o this_o at_o all_o answer_v the_o former_a paragraph_n of_o my_o sermon_n concern_v the_o first_o institution_n of_o church_n but_o be_v i_o suppose_v intend_v for_o a_o reason_n why_o he_o do_v not_o afterward_o answer_v to_o the_o evidence_n out_o of_o antiquity_n i_o shall_v not_o only_o so_o far_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o as_o to_o let_v he_o know_v that_o when_o that_o be_v do_v i_o do_v not_o question_v but_o the_o primitive_a church_n will_v find_v sufficient_a advocate_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o i_o desire_v that_o undertaker_n to_o consider_v what_o a_o blot_n and_o dishonour_v it_o will_v be_v to_o christian_a religion_n if_o the_o primitive_a church_n can_v not_o hold_v to_o their_o first_o institution_n not_o for_o one_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n i_o know_v what_o abominable_a heresy_n there_o be_v soon_o after_o if_o not_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n but_o the_o question_n be_v not_o concern_v these_o but_o the_o pure_a and_o best_a church_n and_o about_o they_o not_o whether_o some_o trifle_a controversy_n may_v not_o arise_v and_o humane_a infirmity_n be_v discover_v but_o whether_o they_o do_v deviate_v from_o the_o plain_a institution_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o unalterable_a rule_n of_o government_n which_o he_o have_v fix_v in_o his_o church_n this_o seem_v utter_o incredible_a to_o i_o upon_o this_o consideration_n among_o many_o other_o that_o government_n be_v so_o nice_a and_o tender_a a_o thing_n that_o every_o one_o be_v so_o much_o concern_v for_o his_o share_n in_o it_o that_o man_n be_v not_o easy_o induce_v to_o part_v with_o it_o let_v we_o suppose_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v be_v democratical_a at_o first_o as_o dr._n o._n seem_v to_o do_v be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o people_n will_v have_v be_v wheadle_v out_o of_o the_o sweetness_n of_o government_n so_o soon_o and_o make_v no_o noise_n about_o it_o yea_o dr._n o._n tell_v we_o that_o in_o cyprian_n time_n it_o continue_v at_o carthage_n 41._o and_o other_o say_v a_o great_a deal_n long_o there_o be_v then_o no_o such_o change_n as_o to_o this_o part_n of_o the_o government_n so_o soon_o after_o and_o why_o shall_v we_o imagine_v it_o otherwise_o as_o to_o extent_n of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n suppose_v christ_n have_v limit_v the_o power_n of_o a_o church_n to_o one_o congregation_n the_o pastor_n of_o that_o church_n can_v have_v no_o more_o pretence_n over_o any_o other_o congregation_n than_o dr._n o._n by_o be_v pastor_n over_o one_o congregation_n in_o london_n can_v challenge_v a_o right_a to_o govern_v all_o the_o independent_a congregation_n in_o london_n or_o about_o it_o and_o appoint_v their_o several_a teacher_n and_o call_v they_o to_o a_o account_n for_o their_o proceed_n i_o appeal_v now_o to_o any_o man_n of_o consideration_n whether_o there_o be_v the_o least_o probability_n that_o such_o a_o alteration_n can_v be_v make_v without_o great_a noise_n and_o disturbance_n will_v not_o mr._n g._n mr._n b._n mr._n c._n and_o many_o more_o think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o stand_v up_o for_o their_o own_o right_n and_o if_o they_o can_v be_v draw_v into_o the_o design_n will_v the_o people_n submit_v let_v we_o put_v the_o case_n as_o to_o new-england_n suppose_v the_o apostle_n a_o age_n or_o two_o since_o have_v plant_v such_o congregational_a church_n there_o as_o have_v be_v form_v within_o these_o last_o 50_o year_n at_o plymouth_n boston_n hereford_n newhaven_n etc._n etc._n and_o have_v invest_v every_o congregation_n with_o the_o full_a power_n of_o the_o key_n the_o execution_n whereof_o they_o have_v entrust_v with_o the_o several_a eldership_n within_o their_o own_o congregation_n but_o so_o as_o not_o to_o have_v any_o power_n or_o authority_n over_o the_o elder_n or_o member_n of_o any_o other_o congregation_n let_v we_o then_o suppose_v that_o after_o the_o decease_n of_o the_o apostle_n these_o church_n gradual_o decline_v so_o far_o that_o in_o this_o age_n mr._n cotton_n at_o boston_n shall_v take_v upon_o he_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o appoint_v pastor_n over_o other_o congregation_n and_o keep_v a_o great_a number_n of_o elder_n under_o he_o and_o challenge_v the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n over_o the_o whole_a colony_n of_o massachuset_n of_o which_o boston_n be_v the_o chief_a town_n and_o so_o three_o other_o do_v the_o same_o at_o the_o chief_a place_n of_o the_o other_o colony_n will_v not_o this_o be_v a_o wonderful_a alteration_n of_o the_o church_n government_n and_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o conceive_v such_o a_o change_n shall_v be_v bring_v about_o insensible_o without_o any_o complaint_n of_o the_o subordinate_a elder_n or_o the_o member_n of_o the_o congregation_n who_o be_v rob_v of_o their_o inherent_a right_n by_o a_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o so_o late_a a_o establishment_n by_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n may_v be_v insensible_o change_v by_o continue_v the_o name_n and_o alter_a opinion_n through_o the_o carelessness_n and_o unskilfulness_n of_o people_n but_o in_o matter_n of_o government_n the_o mean_a people_n be_v sensible_a and_o look_v big_a with_o a_o opinion_n of_o it_o if_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a in_o this_o case_n the_o government_n shall_v be_v thus_o change_v from_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n let_v the_o same_o consideration_n be_v apply_v to_o the_o age_n which_o real_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n sect._n 4._o i_o shall_v to_o prevent_v all_o cavil_n choose_v that_o very_a church_n which_o dr._n o._n mention_n and_o i_o find_v mr._n cotton_n and_o other_o make_v their_o appeal_n to_o and_o that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o carthage_n in_o saint_n cyprian_n time_n here_o dr._n o._n find_v the_o community_n of_o member_n determine_v church_n affair_n 99_o but_o mr._n cotton_n have_v further_a discover_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o elder_n the_o vote_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o neighbour_n minister_n in_o short_a he_o have_v find_v there_o the_o express_a and_o lively_a lineament_n of_o the_o very_a body_n of_o congregational_a discipline_n and_o the_o same_o for_o substance_n wherein_o they_o walk_v as_o he_o call_v it_o at_o this_o day_n hitherto_o

14._o 22._o which_o be_v again_o a_o argument_n on_o our_o side_n for_o if_o we_o compare_v act._n 14._o 22._o with_o titus_n 1._o 5._o we_o shall_v find_v that_o ordain_v elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v the_o same_o importance_n with_o ordain_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o that_o by_o the_o church_n be_v understand_v the_o body_n of_o christian_n inhabit_v in_o one_o city_n as_o the_o '_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n be_v the_o whole_a corporation_n here_o and_o particular_a congregation_n be_v but_o like_o the_o several_a company_n all_o which_o together_o make_v up_o but_o one_o city_n sect._n 6._o 3._o dr._n o._n say_v that_o the_o christian_n of_o one_o city_n may_v not_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n or_o congregation_n although_o they_o have_v a_o multiplication_n of_o bishop_n or_o elder_n in_o they_o and_o occasional_a distinct_a assembly_n for_o some_o act_n of_o divine_a worship_n then_o say_v i_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v not_o limit_v in_o scripture_n to_o a_o single_a congregation_n for_o if_o occasional_a assembly_n be_v allow_v for_o some_o act_n of_o worship_n why_o not_o for_o other_o if_o the_o number_n of_o elder_n be_v unlimited_a than_o every_o one_o of_o these_o may_v attend_v the_o occasional_a distinct_a assembly_n for_o worship_n and_o yet_o all_o together_o make_v up_o the_o body_n of_o one_o church_n to_o which_o if_o he_o have_v but_o allow_v a_o single_a bishop_n over_o these_o he_o have_v make_v up_o that_o representation_n of_o a_o church_n which_o we_o have_v from_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a antiquity_n 3._o and_o so_o origen_n compare_v the_o church_n of_o athens_n corinth_n and_o alexandria_n with_o the_o corporation_n in_o those_o city_n the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n with_o the_o senate_n of_o the_o city_n and_o at_o last_o the_o bishop_n with_o the_o magistrate_n but_o dr._n o._n add_v that_o when_o they_o do_v begin_v to_o exceed_v in_o number_n beyond_o a_o just_a proportion_n for_o edification_n they_o do_v immediate_o erect_v other_o church_n among_o they_o or_o near_o they_o name_v any_o one_o new_a church_n erect_v in_o the_o same_o city_n and_o i_o yield_v and_o what_o need_v a_o new_a church_n when_o himself_o allow_v occasional_a distinct_a assembly_n for_o great_a edification_n but_o he_o name_v the_o church_n at_o cenchrea_n which_o be_v a_o port_n to_o the_o city_n of_o corinth_n because_o of_o the_o mighty_a increase_n of_o believer_n at_o corinth_n act._n 18._o 10._o with_o rom._n 16._o 1._o i_o answer_v 1._o it_o seem_v then_o there_o be_v such_o a_o increase_n at_o corinth_n as_o make_v they_o plant_v a_o distinct_a church_n and_o yet_o at_o ephesus_n where_o saint_n paul_n use_v extraordinary_a diligence_n and_o have_v great_a success_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o new_a and_o distinct_a church_n and_o at_o corinth_n he_o stay_v but_o a_o year_n and_o six_o month_n 11._o but_o at_o ephesus_n three_o year_n 31._o as_o the_o time_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o acts._n do_v not_o this_o look_n very_o improbable_o 2._o stephanus_n byzant_n reckon_v cenchrea_n as_o a_o city_n distinct_a from_o corinth_n 8._o and_o so_o do_v strabo_n who_o place_v it_o in_o the_o way_n from_o tegea_n to_o argos_n through_o the_o parthenian_a mountain_n and_o it_o be_v several_a time_n mention_v by_o thucydides_n as_o distinct_a from_o corinth_n 8._o and_o so_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a be_v a_o church_n original_o plant_v there_o and_o not_o form_v from_o the_o too_o great_a fullness_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n as_o to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n 41._o he_o say_v that_o the_o 5000_o convert_v be_v so_o dispose_v of_o or_o so_o disperse_v that_o some_o year_n after_o there_o be_v such_o a_o church_n there_o as_o do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n as_o occasion_n do_v require_v even_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o brethren_n nor_o be_v their_o number_n great_a when_o they_o go_v unto_o pella_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o the_o force_n of_o the_o argument_n lie_v in_o the_o 5000_o be_v say_v to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n 4._o before_o any_o dispersion_n or_o persecution_n in_o which_o time_n we_o must_v suppose_v a_o true_a church_n to_o be_v form_v and_o the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n perform_v the_o act_n of_o church-communion_n the_o question_n than_o be_v whether_o it_o be_v in_o the_o least_o probable_a that_o 5000_o person_n shall_v at_o that_o time_n make_v one_o state_v and_o fix_v congregation_n for_o divine_a worship_n and_o all_o the_o act_n of_o church-communion_n what_o place_n be_v there_o large_a enough_o to_o receive_v they_o when_o they_o meet_v for_o prayer_n and_o sacrament_n dr._n o._n be_v sensible_a of_o this_o inconvenience_n and_o therefore_o only_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n when_o these_o be_v disperse_v but_o my_o question_n be_v about_o they_o while_o they_o be_v together_o be_v they_o not_o a_o church_n then_o do_v they_o not_o continue_v in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o fellowship_n and_o break_n of_o bread_n and_o prayer_n but_o how_o can_v 5000_o then_o do_v all_o this_o together_o therefore_o a_o church_n according_a to_o its_o first_o institution_n be_v not_o limit_v to_o a_o single_a congregation_n 2._o a_o church_n consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n may_v upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n assemble_v together_o as_o the_o several_a company_n in_o a_o common-hall_n for_o matter_n of_o general_a concernment_n which_o yet_o manage_v their_o particular_a interest_n apart_o so_o for_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o christian_a communion_n particular_a congregation_n may_v meet_v by_o themselves_o but_o when_o any_o thing_n happen_v of_o great_a concernment_n they_o may_v occasional_o assemble_v together_o ●_o as_o in_o the_o two_o debate_n mention_v act._n 15._o 4._o and_o 21._o 22._o so_o the_o several_a tribe_n in_o athens_n do_v 5._o at_o their_o general_a assembly_n which_o strabo_n and_o eustathius_n say_v be_v 174._o 3._o there_o be_v no_o number_n mention_v of_o the_o christian_n that_o go_v to_o pella_n 29._o neither_o by_o eusebius_n nor_o epiphanius_n who_o relate_v the_o story_n so_o that_o nothing_o can_v thence_o be_v conclude_v but_o if_o the_o force_n lie_v in_o his_o calling_n pella_n a_o village_n i_o be_o sure_a eusebius_n call_v it_o a_o city_n of_o peraea_n beyond_o jordan_n and_o epiphanius_n add_v that_o they_o spread_v themselves_o from_o thence_o to_o coelesyria_n and_o decapolis_n and_o basanitis_fw-la so_o that_o all_o this_o put_v together_o make_v no_o proof_n at_o all_o that_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o their_o first_o institution_n be_v limit_v to_o single_a congregation_n sect._n 7._o 4._o he_o answer_v that_o he_o can_v discern_v the_o least_o necessity_n of_o any_o positive_a rule_n or_o direction_n in_o this_o matter_n 42._o since_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o man_n do_v indispensable_o require_v it_o but_o be_v it_o not_o dr._n o._n that_o say_v that_o the_o institution_n of_o church_n and_o the_o rule_n for_o their_o disposal_n and_o government_n throughout_o the_o world_n 59_o be_v the_o same_o stable_a and_o unalterable_a be_v all_o these_o rule_n now_o come_v to_o nothing_o but_o what_o follow_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v it_o not_o dr._n o._n that_o say_v that_o no_o religious_a union_n or_o order_n among_o christian_n be_v of_o spiritual_a use_n and_o advantage_n to_o they_o 65._o but_o what_o be_v appoint_v and_o design_v for_o they_o by_o jesus_n christ_n do_v not_o this_o overthrow_n any_o other_o order_n or_o union_n among_o christian_n but_o what_o christ_n have_v institute_v and_o appoint_v for_o they_o the_o question_n be_v not_o about_o such_o a_o constitution_n of_o church_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o religious_a worship_n for_o all_o party_n be_v agree_v therein_o but_o whether_o church-power_n be_v limit_v to_o these_o exclusive_o to_o all_o other_o union_n of_o christian_n whether_o every_o single_a congregation_n have_v all_o church-power_n whole_o in_o itself_o and_o unaccountable_o as_o to_o subordination_n to_o any_o other_o how_o do_v this_o appear_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o necessary_a duty_n of_o christian_n i_o grant_v the_o institution_n of_o church_n be_v for_o edification_n and_o i_o think_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o that_o edification_n lie_v in_o the_o orderly_a disposal_n of_o thing_n whatever_o tend_v to_o peace_n and_o unity_n among_o christian_n in_o my_o judgement_n tend_v to_o edification_n now_o i_o can_v apprehend_v how_o a_o sole_a power_n of_o government_n in_o every_o congregation_n tend_v to_o the_o preserve_v this_o peace_n and_o unity_n among_o christian_n much_o less_o how_o it_o follow_v so_o clear_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o to_o take_v away_o