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christian_n church_n city_n congregation_n 1,450 5 9.5387 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A84425 An end to the controversie between the Church of England, and dissenters In which all their pleas for separation from the Church of England are proved to be insufficient, from the writings of the most eminent among the dissenters themselves. And their separation condemn'd by the reformed churches. 1697 (1697) Wing E725B; ESTC R224499 64,815 158

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particular_a congregation_n to_o which_o he_o give_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o govern_v themselves_o distinct_o and_o independent_a of_o all_o other_o church_n but_o where_o have_v they_o authority_n for_o this_o opinion_n where_o do_v they_o find_v that_o church_n be_v limit_v to_o particular_a congregation_n not_o in_o scripture_n for_o there_o be_v no_o tolerable_a proof_n that_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v possible_a at_o first_o there_o may_v have_v be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n than_o may_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_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 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 dr._n stillingfleet_n say_v he_o be_v 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 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comprehend_v many_o congregation_n or_o parish_n see_v canon_n nicen._n 6_o 15_o 16._o constant_n c._n 6._o chalcedon_n 17._o 20._o 26._o antioch_n c._n 2._o 5._o codex_fw-la eccles_n africa_n c._n 53._o 55._o council_n gangrae_fw-la c._n 6._o council_n carthag_n c._n 10_o 11._o and_o thus_o much_o as_o to_o the_o first_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n as_o differ_v from_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o therefore_o not_o of_o christ_n institution_n the_o second_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v that_o our_o diocesan_n church_n and_o bishop_n be_v unlawful_a for_o say_v they_o it_o be_v make_v a_o new_a species_n of_o church_n and_o church-government_n without_o god_n appointment_n for_o say_v mr._n baxter_n according_a to_o christ_n institution_n no_o church_n must_v be_v big_a than_o that_o the_o same_o bishop_n may_v perform_v the_o pastoral_n office_n to_o they_o in_o present_a communion_n and_o 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one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n the_o two_o great_a schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n in_o africa_n and_o the_o novatian_a at_o rome_n may_v have_v be_v avoid_v but_o instead_o hereof_o see_v how_o st._n cyprian_n among_o other_o aggravate_v the_o schism_n of_o novatius_fw-la for_o be_v choose_v bishop_n in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o cornelius_n be_v choose_v before_o for_o say_v he_o since_o there_o can_v be_v a_o second_o after_o the_o first_o whosoever_o be_v make_v bishop_n where_o one_o be_v make_v already_o be_v not_o another_o bishop_n but_o none_o at_o all_o cypr._n epist_n 52._o n._n 4._o and_o the_o same_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o epistle_n 55._o n._n 6._o 9_o declare_v that_o to_o have_v only_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o prevent_v schism_n see_v st._n cypr._n de_fw-fr unitate_fw-la eccles_n n._n 3_o 4._o and_o st._n augustine_n in_o his_o epistle_n 162._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n but_o now_o that_o it_o be_v so_o plain_o prove_v that_o 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that_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n clarkson_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v no_o way_n to_o answer_v it_o but_o first_o that_o it_o come_v from_o the_o vatican_n library_n which_o objection_n be_v full_o remove_v by_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 256._o and_o by_o dr._n maur._n def._n of_o dioc._n episc_n p._n 396._o and_o this_o epist_n of_o theod._n prove_v to_o be_v his_o own_o by_o compare_v it_o with_o his_o other_o write_n and_o also_o by_o the_o clear_a testimony_n of_o liberatus_n who_o infallible_o know_v theodoret_n style_n and_o write_n neither_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o it_o come_v from_o the_o vatican_n library_n therefore_o it_o must_v not_o be_v authentic_a but_o when_o people_n be_v drown_v rather_o than_o sink_v they_o will_v catch_v hold_n of_o a_o bulrush_n the_o other_o exception_n they_o take_v to_o this_o testimony_n of_o theodoret_n be_v that_o he_o be_v not_o bishop_n of_o a_o single_a diocese_n but_o of_o a_o province_n and_o that_o theodoret_n be_v a_o archbishop_n but_o that_o cyprus_n of_o which_o he_o be_v then_o bishop_n be_v no_o metropolis_n at_o that_o time_n nor_o theodoret_n primate_n of_o a_o province_n but_o under_o a_o metropolitan_a appear_v by_o his_o 16_o ep._n and_o by_o his_o 81_o 82_o 34_o 94_o and_o 161._o alexander_n be_v then_o his_o metropolitan_a but_o theodoret_n be_v not_o the_o only_a bishop_n that_o have_v such_o a_o large_a diocese_n for_o st._n chrysostom_n have_v one_o full_a as_o large_a and_o which_o contain_v as_o many_o parish_n he_o be_v bishop_n of_o constantinople_n and_o all_o the_o territory_n thereto_o belong_v and_o do_v not_o think_v it_o in_o his_o conscience_n too_o large_a for_o if_o he_o do_v so_o good_a a_o man_n as_o he_o will_v either_o have_v divide_v or_o quit_v it_o and_o athanasius_n be_v bishop_n
of_o alexandria_n and_o the_o territory_n belong_v to_o it_o for_o he_o say_v ap._n p._n 781_o 802._o maoretis_fw-la be_v a_o region_n belong_v to_o alexandria_n and_o all_o the_o church_n there_o be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n but_o because_o dr._n owen_n mr._n baxter_n mr._n cotton_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v make_v choice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n in_o africa_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n to_o make_v their_o appeal_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n to_o avoid_v all_o cavil_n as_o he_o tell_v we_o have_v choose_v that_o very_a church_n to_o be_v decide_v by_o as_o to_o the_o episcopal_a government_n now_o in_o dispute_n between_o we_o and_o therefore_o first_o he_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o not_o likely_a to_o be_v one_o single_a congregation_n and_o this_o he_o prove_v out_o of_o st._n cyprian_n own_v epistle_n in_o his_o banishment_n particular_o in_o his_o 5_o book_n ep._n 28._o he_o complain_v that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o his_o clergy_n be_v absent_a and_o the_o few_o that_o remain_v be_v hardly_o sufficient_a for_o their_o work_n and_o that_o these_o presbyter_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v under_o the_o particular_a care_n and_o government_n of_o st._n cyprian_n as_o their_o bishop_n appear_v by_o his_o own_o word_n lib._n 3._o ep._n 10_o and_o 12._o to_o the_o people_n of_o carthage_n he_o complain_v to_o they_o of_o his_o presbyter_n that_o they_o do_v not_o reserve_v to_o their_o bishop_n that_o honour_n due_a to_o his_o place_n for_o that_o they_o receive_v penitent_n to_o communion_n without_o imposition_n of_o hand_n by_o the_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o his_o epist_n 28._o he_o threaten_v to_o excommunicate_v those_o presbyter_n that_o shall_v do_v so_o for_o the_o future_a and_o all_o the_o other_o bishop_n give_v their_o approbation_n to_o st._n cyprian_n for_o so_o do_v and_o the_o same_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o 3_o book_n ep._n 65._o tell_v they_o that_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o place_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o disobedience_n to_o he_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o schism_n and_o disorder_n see_v more_o full_o concern_v this_o matter_n in_o dr._n stillingfleet_n mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 228_o 229._o etc._n etc._n and_o now_o since_o dr._n owen_n mr._n baxter_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v agree_v to_o appeal_v to_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n we_o must_v suppose_v they_o allow_v no_o deviation_n in_o that_o church_n from_o the_o primitive_a institution_n and_o what_o that_o be_v then_o any_o one_o may_v judge_v and_o st._n augustine_n be_v another_o bishop_n in_o the_o african_a church_n he_o be_v bishop_n of_o hippo_n regia_n the_o diocese_n of_o which_o extend_v at_o least_o forty_o mile_n as_o appear_v by_o st._n augustine_n own_a epist_n 262._o it_o be_v true_a the_o african_a church_n come_v most_o near_o the_o congregational_a way_n of_o any_o other_o the_o diocese_n be_v small_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o sectary_n there_o the_o donatist_n and_o many_o other_o and_o that_o be_v the_o reason_n mr._n baxter_n and_o the_o rest_n express_v so_o great_a a_o esteem_n for_o it_o but_o that_o their_o bishopric_n be_v much_o too_o large_a to_o serve_v either_o the_o presbyterian_o or_o independent_o turn_v and_o that_o they_o never_o allow_v more_o than_o one_o bishop_n in_o the_o large_a city_n sufficient_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v and_o in_o the_o african_a code_n there_o be_v a_o canon_n that_o say_v express_o no_o bishop_n shall_v leave_v his_o cathedral_n church_n and_o go_v to_o any_o other_o church_n in_o his_o diocese_n to_o reside_v there_o see_v codex_fw-la eccl._n africa_n c._n 71._o which_o show_v that_o the_o bishop_n territory_n and_o jurisdiction_n extend_v into_o distant_a place_n from_o the_o city_n as_o well_o in_o the_o african_a church_n as_o in_o other_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v to_o this_o that_o calvin_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n out_o of_o dispute_n among_o learned_a man_n that_o a_o church_n do_v not_o only_o take_v in_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n but_o of_o the_o adjacent_a country_n also_o see_v calv._n instit_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 4._o n._n 2._o but_o though_o there_o be_v never_o more_o than_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n 1._o church_n v._o conc._n eph._n part_n 2._o act._n 1._o yet_o some_o bishop_n have_v have_v two_o or_o more_o city_n in_o their_o diocese_n timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o farmissus_n and_o eudocias_n athanasius_n be_v bishop_n of_o diveltus_n and_o sozopolis_n and_o there_o have_v be_v some_o bishopric_n that_o have_v have_v no_o city_n at_o all_o in_o they_o but_o only_a village_n for_o there_o be_v some_o country_n that_o have_v no_o city_n in_o they_o so_o have_v we_o at_o this_o day_n bishop_n in_o ireland_n and_o wales_n that_o have_v no_o city_n in_o their_o diocese_n but_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o extent_n of_o his_o diocese_n be_v confine_v to_o any_o single_a village_n so_o far_o from_o that_o that_o by_o the_o canon_n of_o sardica_n vi_o all_o the_o bishop_n assemble_v at_o sardica_n agree_v that_o it_o shall_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v lawful_a to_o ordain_v any_o bishop_n in_o village_n or_o small_a city_n that_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o bishop_n may_v not_o be_v contemptible_a from_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o place_n but_o say_v mr._n clarkson_n and_o the_o rest_n the_o apostle_n ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o then_o mr._n clarkson_n name_v the_o place_n to_o wit_n antioch_n iconium_n lystra_n and_o other_o village_n and_o these_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n they_o will_v have_v bishop_n but_o first_o i_o say_v that_o during_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v common_o use_v the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o but_o not_o after_o as_o shall_v be_v show_v hereafter_o and_o therefore_o these_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n here_o speak_v of_o may_v be_v as_o well_o take_v for_o ordinary_a presbyter_n or_o priest_n as_o for_o bishop_n but_o allow_v these_o presbyter_n be_v bishop_n what_o advantage_n will_v it_o be_v to_o they_o for_o first_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n confine_v their_o authority_n to_o those_o place_n but_o the_o contrary_n be_v evident_a and_o unless_o they_o can_v prove_v this_o it_o will_v not_o serve_v their_o turn_n but_o second_o these_o city_n over_o which_o the_o apostle_n appoint_v elder_n be_v large_a city_n at_o that_o time_n by_o much_o too_o great_a to_o come_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n iconium_n be_v then_o a_o metropolitan_a and_o have_v many_o other_o city_n under_o it_o and_o the_o rest_n be_v all_o large_a city_n but_o before_o i_o conclude_v this_o point_n i_o must_v make_v one_o observation_n and_o that_o be_v that_o mr._n clarkson_n to_o prove_v that_o a_o bishop_n of_o a_o city_n have_v no_o more_o but_o one_o congregation_n undertake_v to_o show_v how_o small_a some_o city_n be_v but_o it_o be_v remarkable_a he_o quote_v for_o his_o authority_n some_o author_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o long_o before_o there_o be_v any_o bishop_n and_o because_o they_o may_v have_v be_v small_a place_n then_o will_v needs_o have_v they_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v very_o ridiculous_a for_o under_o the_o roman_a emperor_n both_o the_o roman_a and_o the_o grecian_a city_n be_v at_o their_o height_n and_o do_v very_o much_o surpass_v both_o for_o their_o magnificence_n and_o number_n of_o people_n any_o that_o have_v be_v before_o or_o since_o nor_o be_v this_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o since_o our_o city_n do_v now_o stand_v upon_o much_o narrow_a foundation_n as_o to_o their_o constitution_n our_o city_n have_v seldom_o any_o liberty_n half_a a_o mile_n beyond_o their_o wall_n and_o be_v general_o but_o a_o assembly_n of_o tradesman_n whereas_o the_o roman_a city_n have_v each_o a_o territory_n as_o it_o be_v a_o county_n belong_v to_o it_o which_o be_v under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o city_n magistrate_n and_o the_o citizen_n be_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o adjacent_a country_n i_o have_v now_o show_v that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o holy_a father_n of_o it_o and_o that_o their_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v as_o absolute_a and_o extend_v as_o far_o or_o far_o than_o any_o bishop_n this_o day_n in_o england_n i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o that_o episcopal_a government_n as_o now_o settle_v in_o england_n have_v
a_o end_n to_o the_o controversy_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o dissenter_n in_o which_o all_o their_o plea_n for_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v insufficient_a from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a among_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o and_o their_o separation_n condemn_v by_o the_o reform_a church_n london_n print_v for_o richard_n wellington_n at_o the_o lute_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1697._o to_o the_o reader_n there_o be_v some_o it_o be_v like_a who_o may_v think_v it_o a_o vseless_a and_o impertinent_a piece_n of_o work_n to_o write_v a_o book_n on_o this_o subject_a that_o have_v be_v late_o so_o ingenious_o handle_v by_o such_o eminent_a and_o learned_a man_n as_o the_o bishop_n of_o worcester_n dr._n comber_n dr._n maurice_n etc._n etc._n but_o though_o no_o man_n that_o i_o know_v will_v pretend_v to_o write_v better_a than_o they_o have_v do_v yet_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n in_o this_o book_n that_o have_v not_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o any_o who_o have_v yet_o write_v on_o this_o subject_a and_o since_o man_n notion_n and_o apprehension_n be_v so_o different_a it_o be_v like_o some_o may_v be_v move_v with_o one_o argument_n some_o with_o another_o according_a as_o it_o suit_v their_o several_a judgement_n and_o capacity_n but_o beside_o there_o be_v several_a person_n who_o desire_v to_o be_v satisfy_v concern_v the_o matter_n in_o controversy_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o dissenter_n but_o be_v unwilling_a to_o bestow_v the_o time_n or_o pain_n to_o read_v over_o all_o the_o book_n at_o large_a that_o have_v be_v write_v on_o this_o subject_a for_o the_o satisfaction_n chief_o of_o these_o sort_n of_o man_n i_o have_v here_o as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v set_v down_o the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o and_o the_o argument_n use_v on_o both_o side_n by_o the_o most_o eminent_a man_n that_o have_v write_v on_o this_o subject_a from_o all_o which_o it_o do_v appear_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v as_o true_a a_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o any_o this_o day_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o all_o the_o objection_n which_o the_o dissenter_n make_v to_o she_o do_v arise_v from_o ignorance_n and_o mistake_v notion_n that_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n do_v own_o she_o as_o a_o true_a reform_a church_n and_o do_v high_o condemn_v all_o those_o who_o separate_a from_o she_o and_o declare_v they_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o downright_a schism_n and_o that_o the_o dissenter_n in_o condemn_v the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v condemn_v all_o the_o reform_a church_n as_o well_o as_o this_o church_n i_o can_v have_v bring_v many_o more_o authority_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o all_o this_o matter_n but_o i_o purposely_o omit_v they_o because_o these_o which_o i_o have_v bring_v be_v sufficient_a and_o be_v such_o as_o the_o dissenter_n never_o do_v nor_o i_o think_v never_o will_v pretend_v to_o answer_n another_o reason_n why_o i_o omit_v they_o be_v in_o hope_n that_o the_o smallness_n of_o the_o book_n may_v invite_v some_o to_o the_o read_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v like_a might_n be_v discourage_v at_o a_o large_a volume_n a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o dissenter_n when_o god_n almighty_a first_o create_v man_n he_o give_v he_o no_o other_o law_n to_o walk_v by_o but_o that_o of_o nature_n or_o reason_n under_o which_o alone_o he_o live_v for_o the_o first_o 2000_o year_n but_o at_o last_o this_o law_n of_o reason_n be_v great_o let_v and_o blind_v by_o evil_a custom_n it_o become_v necessary_a to_o give_v man_n more_o positive_a law_n and_o rule_n to_o walk_v by_o therefore_o god_n almighty_a command_v moses_n to_o write_v a_o law_n for_o his_o people_n which_o we_o call_v the_o moysaicall_a law_n and_o sometime_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o this_o law_n god_n almighty_a reveal_v to_o man_n by_o the_o mediation_n of_o a_o angel_n but_o it_o be_v for_o a_o great_a part_n typical_a and_o ceremonial_a and_o therefore_o not_o so_o plain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v as_o that_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n god_n do_v then_o often_o appear_v to_o his_o people_n himself_n and_o teach_v they_o more_o immediate_o what_o he_o will_v have_v they_o do_v what_o not_o and_o under_o this_o law_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n superad_v to_o the_o law_n of_o reason_n or_o nature_n which_o be_v the_o same_o in_o reasonable_a creature_n man_n live_v till_o god_n be_v please_v to_o reveal_v his_o will_n to_o we_o after_o a_o more_o full_a and_o excellent_a manner_n by_o the_o mediation_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o this_o law_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v that_o under_o which_o we_o live_v at_o this_o day_n a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o old_a be_v hereby_o abolish_v see_v galat._n 4._o and_o as_o this_o law_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v reveal_v to_o we_o after_o a_o more_o excellent_a manner_n than_o that_o of_o the_o old_a so_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v most_o extraordinary_a contain_v nothing_o in_o it_o superfluous_a nor_o want_v any_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o direct_v all_o man_n to_o heaven_n on_o very_o easy_a term_n it_o be_v so_o adapt_v and_o fit_v to_o all_o condition_n of_o man_n that_o the_o very_o mean_a capacity_n may_v easy_o understand_v every_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o salvation_n and_o this_o evangelical_n law_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v leave_v as_o a_o rule_n for_o all_o succeed_a age_n to_o walk_v by_o but_o notwithstanding_o that_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v leave_v the_o world_n such_o plain_a and_o positive_a rule_n to_o walk_v by_o that_o none_o that_o be_v not_o wilful_o so_o can_v be_v mistake_v in_o they_o yet_o such_o have_v be_v the_o unhappiness_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o it_o never_o want_v some_o within_o it_o of_o such_o restless_a and_o peevish_a spirit_n as_o to_o disturb_v its_o peace_n and_o quiet_n by_o make_v division_n and_o schism_n in_o it_o which_o st._n paul_n foresee_v when_o he_o tell_v the_o elder_n act_n 20._o 30._o also_o of_o yourselves_o shall_v man_n arise_v speak_v perverse_a thing_n to_o draw_v disciple_n after_o they_o but_o though_o there_o have_v be_v always_o some_o division_n in_o the_o church_n ever_o since_o the_o first_o plant_v of_o it_o yet_o for_o the_o first_o three_o or_o four_o hundred_o year_n they_o be_v much_o few_o than_o what_o have_v be_v since_o and_o those_o that_o be_v be_v much_o more_o discountenance_a and_o oppose_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n than_o they_o be_v afterward_o in_o the_o church_n of_o africa_n a_o little_a before_o st._n augustine_n day_n there_o arise_v the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n who_o separate_v upon_o the_o account_n that_o the_o bishopric_n be_v too_o large_a and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n too_o great_a and_o because_o the_o minister_n be_v not_o so_o able_a and_o holy_a man_n as_o they_o shall_v be_v and_o because_o they_o dislike_v the_o liturgy_n and_o public_a prayer_n of_o the_o church_n and_o for_o suchlike_a reason_n and_o a_o little_a before_o in_o the_o three_o century_n begin_v the_o novatian_a schism_n at_o rome_n for_o that_o novatus_n think_v the_o bishopric_n too_o large_a will_v needs_o be_v choose_v bishop_n in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o cornelius_n be_v choose_v before_o but_o both_o these_o schism_n be_v condemn_v this_o by_o the_o council_n of_o carth._n and_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n and_o by_o st._n cyprian_n ep._n 52._o n._n 4_o etc._n etc._n and_o that_o of_o the_o donatist_n by_o all_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n at_o the_o conference_n at_o carth._n see_v conference_n of_o the_o third_z day_n chap._n 4._o and_o by_o st._n augustine_n in_o his_o book_n against_o permenian_a petilian_a and_o the_o other_o donatist_n bishop_n but_o not_o long_o after_o about_o the_o five_o and_o six_o century_n the_o error_n and_o corruption_n in_o the_o church_n begin_v to_o increase_v more_o abundant_o and_o appear_v more_o barefaced_a and_o open_o than_o former_o they_o have_v do_v for_o that_o as_o the_o roman_a empire_n begin_v to_o decline_v there_o follow_v a_o general_a decay_n of_o learning_n and_o gross_a ignorance_n have_v overspread_v the_o earth_n insomuch_o that_o many_o of_o the_o priest_n themselves_o can_v not_o read_v latin_a and_o than_o it_o be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o bring_v in_o what_o heresy_n and_o schism_n man_n will_v and_o this_o be_v the_o time_n that_o most_o of_o the_o error_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o
and_o recommend_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o the_o new_a and_o that_o both_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o liturgy_n be_v compose_v by_o the_o father_n and_o appoint_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n ever_o since_o christ_n day_n and_o that_o even_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o our_o own_o nonconformist_n have_v heretofore_o declare_v their_o like_n thereto_o and_o that_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n do_v use_v and_o approve_v of_o prescribe_a form_n in_o their_o public_a worship_n at_o this_o day_n and_o last_o i_o will_v show_v that_o our_o english_a common-prayer_n book_n have_v be_v particular_o commend_v and_o approve_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o eminent_a man_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n and_o when_o this_o be_v do_v if_o any_o will_v be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o affirm_v that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v so_o sinful_a as_o to_o cause_v a_o necessity_n of_o separation_n he_o be_v incorrigible_a and_o not_o to_o be_v convince_v by_o reason_n first_o then_o form_n of_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n be_v use_v by_o god_n people_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o lord_n prescribe_v a_o form_n of_o blessing_n to_o aaron_n say_v on_o this_o wise_a you_o shall_v bless_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n say_v etc._n etc._n numb_a vi_fw-la 23._o and_o again_o deut._n xxvi_o he_o prescribe_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n which_o he_o command_v the_o people_n to_o use_v and_o the_o xxij_o psalm_n be_v a_o prayer_n which_o the_o people_n be_v command_v to_o sing_v or_o say_v every_o morning_n so_o be_v several_a of_o the_o other_o psalm_n form_n of_o prayer_n as_o lxxxvi_o xc_o cij_o etc._n etc._n see_v origen_n cint_n cell_n l._n 4._o p._n 178._o and_o here_o observe_v that_o the_o dissenter_n will_v allow_v these_o psalm_n to_o be_v prayer_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v sing_v to_o god_n yet_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o a_o man_n shall_v pray_v sing_v for_o say_v they_o when_o they_o be_v sing_v they_o be_v not_o prayer_n see_v now_o what_o a_o absurdity_n they_o will_v run_v into_o rather_o than_o forsake_v their_o own_o opinion_n for_o here_o they_o affirm_v that_o a_o man_n may_v say_v the_o word_n of_o prayer_n to_o god_n devout_o and_o yet_o not_o pray_v second_o christ_n himself_o use_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n though_o doubtless_o he_o have_v a_o power_n of_o pray_v extempore_o much_o beyond_o what_o our_o dissenter_n or_o any_o that_o ever_o be_v on_o earth_n can_v pretend_v to_o when_o he_o be_v in_o the_o garden_n a_o little_a before_o his_o suffer_v he_o pray_v twice_o or_o thrice_o in_o the_o same_o word_n matth._n xxvi_o 44._o mark_v fourteen_o 39_o and_o that_o too_o at_o a_o time_n when_o he_o be_v in_o so_o great_a extremity_n and_o sorrow_n that_o he_o sweat_v drop_n of_o blood_n and_o at_o such_o a_o time_n one_o usual_o pray_v after_o the_o most_o prevail_a and_o fervent_a manner_n and_o to_o assure_v we_o that_o our_o saviour_n think_v form_n of_o prayer_n very_o necessary_a to_o help_v our_o infirmity_n we_o have_v not_o only_o his_o example_n but_o his_o precept_n for_o it_o too_o for_o our_o saviour_n teach_v his_o disciple_n a_o form_n of_o prayer_n matth._n vi_fw-la 9_o and_o bid_v they_o use_v it_o and_o the_o occasion_n of_o our_o saviour_n give_v his_o disciple_n this_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v to_o obviate_v the_o inconvenience_n which_o he_o see_v do_v usual_o attend_v extempore_o prayer_n to_o wit_n the_o use_v vain_a repetition_n etc._n etc._n which_o he_o tell_v they_o be_v not_o please_v to_o god_n and_o therefore_o he_o first_o bid_v they_o beware_v of_o that_o and_o then_o immediate_o after_o he_o give_v they_o a_o short_a and_o perfect_a form_n of_o prayer_n as_o the_o best_a way_n to_o prevent_v that_o evil_n whether_o our_o dissenter_n have_v not_o as_o much_o reason_n to_o use_v form_n of_o prayer_n for_o that_o very_a reason_n as_o christ_n disciple_n have_v let_v the_o world_n judge_v that_o hear_v their_o tedious_a extempore_o prayer_n fill_v with_o as_o many_o vain_a repetition_n and_o bald_a and_o sometime_o senseless_a expression_n as_o any_o of_o they_o but_o say_v the_o dissenter_n when_o our_o saviour_n teach_v his_o disciple_n to_o pray_v he_o do_v not_o design_n that_o they_o shall_v use_v any_o certain_a form_n of_o prayer_n for_o he_o bid_v they_o luke_n 11._o 2._o when_o you_o pray_v say_v thus_o and_o thus_o be_v a_o adverb_n of_o similitude_n do_v show_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o intend_v they_o shall_v use_v the_o same_o word_n but_o some_o other_o such_o like_a to_o this_o i_o answer_v in_o the_o 3d._n chap._n of_o exod._n v._o 14_o 15._o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o moses_n thus_o shall_v thou_o say_v to_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n eheie_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o and_o again_o the_o god_n of_o your_o father_n the_o god_n of_o abraham_n the_o god_n of_o isaac_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o here_o moses_n by_o this_o rule_n must_v not_o say_v these_o word_n not_o eheie_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o not_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n the_o god_n of_o isaac_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o but_o the_o like_a and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o very_a word_n of_o god_n but_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n for_o all_o along_o when_o the_o prophet_n say_v thus_o say_v the_o lord_n they_o do_v not_o tell_v the_o very_a word_n of_o god_n but_o the_o like_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o have_v scripture_n on_o our_o side_n both_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n for_o use_v prescribe_v form_n of_o prayer_n we_o will_v in_o the_o next_o place_n inquire_v what_o authority_n we_o have_v for_o it_o in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n first_o then_o that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o century_n i_o gather_v from_o ignatius_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n anno_fw-la dom._n 99_o in_o his_o epist_n to_o those_o at_o magnesia_n he_o bid_v they_o do_v nothing_o without_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n nor_o to_o make_v trial_n of_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o their_o own_o private_a fancy_n p._n 34._o and_o socrates_n in_o his_o history_n l._n 6._o c._n 8._o say_v that_o ignatius_n first_o bring_v the_o usage_n of_o sing_v alternate_o as_o we_o use_v in_o our_o choir_n into_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n photius_n affirm_v the_o same_o of_o he_o and_o theodoret_n say_v hist_o lib._n 2._o c._n 24._o that_o this_o custom_n of_o sing_v alternate_o begin_v at_o antioch_n and_o be_v soon_o receive_v all_o the_o world_n over_o in_o the_o second_o century_n tertull._n de_fw-fr orat._n c._n 1._o and_o c._n 9_o tell_v we_o they_o use_v form_n of_o prayer_n then_o in_o the_o african_a church_n he_o call_v the_o lord_n prayer_n the_o lawful_a and_o ordinary_a prayer_n and_o that_o the_o christian_n daily_o repeat_v that_o very_a form_n and_o he_o show_v they_o sing_v hymn_n etc._n etc._n then_o in_o the_o church_n alternate_o as_o we_o do_v now_o tertull._n ad_fw-la vxor_fw-la l._n 2._o p._n 172._o and_o calvin_n in_o his_o instit_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 1._o affirm_v the_o same_o that_o the_o christian_n do_v use_v to_o repeat_v the_o lord_n prayer_n daily_o and_o that_o they_o do_v it_o by_o christ_n command_n how_o will_v our_o dissenter_n reconcile_v this_o to_o their_o seldom_o or_o never_o use_v of_o it_o even_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n every_o young_a preacher_n yea_o and_o every_o perhaps_o drunken_a cobbler_n prefer_v their_o own_o rash_a and_o indeliberate_a prayer_n before_o it_o in_o the_o three_o century_n st._n cyprian_n who_o live_v then_o affirm_v the_o same_o that_o the_o lord_n prayer_n be_v use_v daily_o for_o say_v he_o the_o father_n will_v know_v the_o word_n of_o his_o own_o son_n see_v cypr._n de_fw-fr orat._n dom._n p._n 309._o and_o the_o same_o cyprian_a in_o his_o ep._n 8._o ad_fw-la cler._n &_o pleb_n p._n 24._o say_v christ_n command_v we_o to_o pray_v for_o all_o man_n in_o a_o common_a prayer_n wherein_o all_o agree_v it_o appear_v also_o that_o the_o priest_n and_o people_n pray_v by_o way_n of_o response_n as_o when_o the_o priest_n say_v lift_v up_o your_o heart_n the_o people_n answer_v we_o lift_v they_o up_o unto_o the_o lord_n see_v cypr._n de_fw-fr orat._n dom._n §_o 22._o see_v more_o for_o this_o interchangable_a way_n of_o pray_v between_o priest_n and_o people_n b._n bill_n of_o christian_a subjection_n part_v 4._o p._n 435._o in_o the_o same_o century_n origen_n say_v they_o who_o serve_v god_n through_o jesus_n in_o the_o christian_a way_n use_v frequent_o night_n and_o day_n the_o enjoined_a prayer_n see_v orig._n in_o
church_n by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n and_o ibid._n sect._n 10._o he_o say_v that_o the_o lord_n esteem_v he_o a_o renegade_n and_o forsaker_v of_o religion_n whosoever_o he_o be_v that_o separate_v froward_o from_o any_o christian_a society_n which_o embrace_v but_o the_o true_a ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n and_o ibid._n sect._n 12._o he_o say_v that_o though_o something_o that_o be_v faulty_a may_v creep_v in_o either_o in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o word_n or_o of_o the_o sacrament_n yet_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o separate_v we_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n for_o say_v he_o there_o be_v principle_n of_o religion_n without_o which_o we_o can_v be_v save_v and_o there_o be_v other_o point_n in_o which_o man_n may_v differ_v and_o yet_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n be_v keep_v and_o ibid._n sect._n 13._o he_o say_v it_o be_v not_o for_o every_o private_a man_n to_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o church_n though_o faulty_a in_o some_o thing_n etc._n etc._n beza_n in_o his_o epist_n 24._o p._n 148._o agree_v herein_o so_o do_v mounseur_fw-fr daille_n and_o several_a other_o of_o the_o foreign_a divine_n see_v dr._n still_o misch_n of_o separ_fw-la 23._o and_o 97._o so_o do_v the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n as_o i_o have_v just_a now_o show_v and_o paper_n for_o accommodation_n p._n 52._o they_o declare_v far_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n though_o something_n may_v be_v amiss_o in_o it_o not_o as_o a_o sin_n of_o mere_a humane_a infirmity_n but_o as_o a_o wilful_a and_o dangerous_a sin_n and_o mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 347._o tell_v we_o many_o church_n be_v blame_v in_o scripture_n but_o none_o be_v require_v to_o separate_a from_o they_o see_v the_o answer_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n sermon_n by_o several_a nonconformist_n where_o they_o all_o acknowledge_v our_o worship_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o to_o be_v intrinsical_o good_a and_o a_o total_a separation_n from_o it_o sinful_a ibid._n p._n 31._o so_o than_o it_o seem_v so_o long_o as_o a_o church_n retain_v the_o mark_n and_o sign_n of_o a_o true_a church_n though_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n amiss_o in_o such_o a_o church_n separation_n from_o it_o be_v sinful_a but_o what_o if_o open_a sinner_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o communion_n before_o they_o have_v make_v public_a confession_n of_o their_o fault_n as_o be_v too_o frequent_a in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n must_v i_o be_v oblige_v to_o communicate_v with_o such_o may_v i_o not_o separate_a in_o such_o case_n the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 5._o 11_o 12_o 13._o bid_v we_o if_o any_o that_o be_v call_v a_o brother_n be_v a_o fornicator_n a_o idolater_n or_o covetous_a etc._n etc._n with_o such_o see_v that_o you_o eat_v not_o i_o answer_v that_o this_o very_a reason_n do_v the_o donatist_n in_o st._n augustine_n day_n give_v among_o other_o for_o their_o separation_n and_o quote_v the_o same_o text_n of_o scripture_n but_o they_o be_v condemn_v for_o schismatic_n as_o i_o show_v before_o and_o st._n augustine_n and_o all_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n do_v then_o agree_v that_o these_o text_n be_v mean_v only_o of_o separation_n in_o heart_n not_o in_o body_n and_o therefore_o they_o say_v when_o such_o a_o multitude_n offend_v as_o that_o the_o cast_n of_o they_o out_o will_v be_v in_o danger_n to_o cause_v a_o schism_n there_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v tolerate_v lest_o while_o you_o go_v about_o to_o pull_v up_o the_o tare_n you_o pull_v up_o the_o wheat_n also_o therefore_o let_v they_o both_o grow_v together_o say_v they_o till_o the_o harvest_n but_o when_o only_o a_o few_o be_v guilty_a of_o scandalous_a sin_n there_o they_o say_v let_v not_o the_o severity_n of_o discipline_n cease_v but_o it_o must_v not_o be_v so_o severe_a as_o to_o root_v up_o but_o to_o amend_v see_v aug._n lib._n 3._o against_o permenian_n a_o donatist_n bishop_n ch_z 3._o lib._n 2._o c._n 18._o and_o herewith_o agree_v calv._n lib._n 4._o instit_fw-la c._n 1._o sect_n 13._o where_o he_o say_v that_o though_o sinner_n be_v admit_v to_o communion_n we_o ought_v to_o keep_v ourselves_o from_o their_o followship_n but_o not_o to_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n mr._n baxter_n say_v the_o same_o in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 347._o and_o vine_n on_o the_o sacrament_n p._n 39_o but_o suppose_v the_o parson_n of_o the_o parish_n be_v weak_a or_o a_o man_n of_o a_o loose_a conversation_n and_o i_o can_v hear_v a_o better_a preacher_n elsewhere_o and_o a_o man_n of_o a_o more_o exemplary_a holy_a life_n and_o conversation_n may_v not_o i_o go_v to_o that_o church_n or_o meet_v where_o i_o find_v most_o edification_n no_o for_o this_o still_o make_v way_n for_o schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o be_v never_o allow_v in_o any_o regular_a church_n provide_v the_o parson_n of_o the_o parish_n be_v tolerable_a the_o follower_n of_o estathius-sebastenus_a who_o separate_v upon_o this_o account_n in_o paphlagonia_n be_v condemn_v of_o schism_n by_o the_o council_n at_o gangrae_n and_o see_v calvin_n instit_fw-la lib._n 4._o c._n 1._o sect_n 13._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a that_o so_o ignorant_a and_o proud_a unpeaceable_a sort_n of_o people_n as_o mr._n baxter_n himself_o in_o his_o sacraleg_n disert_fw-la p._n 102._o etc._n etc._n confess_v the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o zealous_a professor_n of_o religion_n to_o be_v shall_v be_v at_o liberty_n to_o rend_v and_o tear_v a_o church_n to_o piece_n out_o of_o a_o conceit_n of_o a_o puere_a way_n of_o worship_n as_o if_o they_o know_v what_o be_v better_a for_o their_o edification_n than_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n in_o parliament_n and_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n do_v the_o pretence_n of_o great_a edification_n be_v never_o allow_v by_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o heretofore_o as_o a_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o separation_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o paper_n for_o accommodation_n and_o the_o grand_a debate_n both_o print_v when_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n sit_v at_o westminster_n nor_o do_v mr._n baxter_n ever_o allow_v of_o this_o to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o separation_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o cure_n of_o division_n p._n 393._o where_o he_o set_v forth_o the_o pernicious_a consequence_n of_o comply_v with_o the_o ungovernable_a and_o factious_a humour_n of_o the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o people_n who_o be_v ever_o apt_a to_o revile_v the_o best_a and_o grave_a minister_n and_o follow_v the_o more_o conceit_a and_o such_o as_o be_v of_o most_o fierce_a and_o bitter_a spirit_n and_o in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 280._o he_o say_v for_o want_v of_o understand_v the_o right_a term_n of_o church_n communion_n how_o woeful_a be_v our_o division_n you_o must_v have_v union_n and_o communion_n in_o faith_n and_o love_n with_o all_o 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archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n and_o the_o other_o bishop_n for_o which_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o tower_n and_o see_v the_o article_n recommend_v by_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n to_o all_o the_o bishop_n within_o his_o province_n and_o dr._n stillingfleet_n preface_n to_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n by_o all_o which_o it_o sufficient_o appear_v how_o desirous_a they_o be_v for_o a_o reconciliation_n but_o instead_o of_o listen_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n do_v our_o dissenter_n break_v forth_o into_o open_a act_n of_o hostility_n and_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o we_o be_v actual_o treat_v of_o accommodation_n with_o they_o do_v they_o publish_v several_a of_o their_o book_n one_o upon_o the_o back_n of_o another_o in_o which_o they_o endeavour_v nothing_o less_o than_o the_o total_a overthrow_n of_o our_o church_n by_o pretend_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v new_a and_o unlawful_a and_o that_o our_o worship_n be_v 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