become_v unfit_a to_o live_v among_o they_o the_o two_o great_a part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o in_o heaven_n and_o this_o on_o earth_n have_v a_o communion_n in_o that_o they_o be_v both_o unite_v to_o christ_n both_o worship_n and_o serve_v he_o in_o those_o particular_a way_n that_o be_v proper_a for_o the_o state_n they_o be_v in_o and_o both_o wait_n for_o that_o complete_a salvation_n which_o they_o shall_v have_v at_o their_o general_a meeting_n beside_o this_o we_o know_v of_o no_o communion_n betwixt_o they_o viz_o that_o either_o part_n can_v be_v serviceable_a to_o each_o other_o at_o present_a only_o we_o that_o live_v on_o earth_n enjoy_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o prayer_n and_o example_n which_o they_o leave_v we_o who_o be_v now_o in_o heaven_n and_o of_o their_o endeavour_n to_o continue_v the_o gospel_n to_o we_o and_o so_o we_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o same_o office_n and_o endeavour_v to_o transmit_v the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n his_o gospel_n and_o ordinance_n to_o those_o that_o shall_v succeed_v we_o nor_o can_v here_o be_v any_o separation_n of_o one_o of_o these_o part_n from_o another_o without_o break_v of_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o they_o that_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o if_o any_o on_o earth_n thus_o separate_v it_o be_v to_o their_o own_o damnation_n the_o catholic_n militant_a church_n on_o earth_n have_v a_o communion_n in_o some_o more_o particular_n for_o beside_o their_o common_a acknowledgement_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o gospel_n and_o the_o common_a love_n they_o be_v to_o bear_v to_o all_o christian_n on_o earth_n as_o their_o brethren_n they_o be_v to_o perform_v all_o office_n of_o love_n which_o in_o this_o their_o imperfect_a militant_a state_n they_o be_v able_a and_o may_v need_v from_o one_o another_o such_o as_o to_o pray_v for_o all_o to_o rejoice_v in_o each_o other_o welfare_n to_o sympathize_v in_o each_o other_o affliction_n to_o assist_v by_o council_n charitable_a relief_n hospitality_n etc._n etc._n and_o when_o ever_o there_o be_v occasion_n to_o receive_v each_o other_o to_o their_o worship_n as_o brethren_n leave_v to_o every_o one_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o particular_a rite_n or_o opinion_n and_o this_o be_v so_o indispensable_a a_o duty_n that_o no_o separation_n can_v be_v lawful_a or_o tolerable_a in_o those_o who_o separate_v from_o the_o catholic_n church_n who_o relinquish_v the_o profession_n of_o christ_n or_o cast_v of_o all_o love_n to_o their_o brethren_n or_o that_o will_v not_o join_v with_o they_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n or_o concern_v themselves_o in_o their_o common_a concern_v now_o for_o organise_v church_n that_o be_v associate_v for_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o their_o edification_n under_o government_n o_o pastor_n and_o guide_n their_o communion_n must_v be_v that_o the_o member_n of_o every_o such_o church_n join_v with_o each_o other_o ordinary_o and_o peaceable_o in_o the_o same_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o perform_v all_o office_n of_o love_n to_o each_o other_o in_o some_o tolerable_a measure_n that_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o governor_n and_o that_o their_o governor_n do_v conscionable_o endeavour_v the_o edification_n of_o the_o people_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o general_a rule_n of_o these_o society_n and_o according_a to_o any_o other_o particular_a rule_n which_o they_o shall_v agree_v on_o among_o themselves_o for_o their_o own_o edification_n as_o circumstance_n may_v require_v and_o so_o that_o both_o part_n governor_n and_o govern_v do_v joint_o promote_v the_o edification_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n in_o holiness_n and_o peace_n separation_n therefore_o from_o these_o organise_v church_n be_v a_o breach_n of_o this_o political_a communion_n and_o order_n among_o themselves_o which_o be_v do_v either_o by_o break_v off_o from_o the_o body_n to_o which_o they_o belong_v as_o member_n which_o be_v separation_n proper_o so_o call_v or_o by_o disturb_v the_o communion_n of_o it_o or_o withdraw_v from_o some_o part_n or_o act_n of_o that_o communion_n though_o they_o do_v not_o whole_o break_v off_o from_o the_o body_n such_o separation_n be_v in_o many_o case_n lawful_a in_o some_o necessary_a and_o a_o duty_n and_o therefore_o must_v not_o be_v universal_o condemn_v but_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o be_v inquire_v into_o for_o though_o all_o christian_n must_v be_v member_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n under_o he_o for_o the_o general_a end_n of_o their_o salvation_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v yet_o that_o they_o must_v be_v member_n of_o the_o same_o organise_v society_n or_o that_o they_o may_v not_o upon_o just_a occasion_n leave_v those_o society_n they_o be_v join_v with_o and_o go_v to_o other_o already_o in_o be_v or_o constitute_v new_a one_o for_o their_o own_o edification_n even_o as_o in_o civil_a government_n man_n may_v not_o only_o compose_v divers_a polity_n or_o commonwealth_n but_o may_v also_o make_v new_a confederacy_n or_o divide_v their_o polity_n into_o lesser_a and_o particular_a person_n may_v depart_v from_o they_o to_o other_o or_o constitute_v new_a one_o yea_o may_v deny_v their_o concurrence_n with_o many_o thing_n do_v in_o the_o society_n they_o join_v with_o and_o all_o this_o without_o the_o crime_n of_o sedition_n or_o defection_n till_o the_o cause_n and_o end_n of_o such_o practice_n prove_v it_o so_o now_o to_o descend_v to_o the_o particular_a form_n of_o organise_v church_n by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v we_o may_v easy_o judge_v of_o their_o communion_n and_o separation_n from_o they_o and_o first_o for_o the_o ecumenical_a church_n the_o political_a communion_n thereof_o must_v be_v that_o all_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o same_o governor_n under_o christ_n and_o live_v as_o member_n of_o the_o same_o individual_a society_n either_o as_o a_o single_a congregation_n or_o as_o of_o many_o unite_a into_o one_o separation_n from_o this_o communion_n must_v therefore_o be_v either_o to_o interrupt_v the_o peace_n and_o order_n of_o this_o communion_n or_o whole_o to_o forbear_v join_v with_o they_o but_o such_o a_o catholic_n unity_n of_o the_o church_n under_o one_o government_n be_v impracticable_a and_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n since_o it_o be_v enlarge_v and_o disperse_v throughout_o the_o world_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o dispute_v about_o communion_n with_o it_o or_o separation_n from_o it_o all_o other_o church_n that_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o single_a congregation_n and_o must_v be_v constitute_v of_o many_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o ecumenical_a church_n though_o not_o of_o the_o same_o latitude_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o communion_n which_o must_v therefore_o consist_v in_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o office_n mutual_o betwixt_o governor_n and_o govern_v as_o member_n of_o the_o same_o society_n whether_o it_o consist_v of_o several_a nation_n as_o patriarchial_a church_n or_o of_o the_o people_n of_o one_o nation_n as_o national_a church_n or_o of_o the_o people_n of_o one_o province_n one_o diocese_n or_o classis_fw-la as_o provincial_a diocesan_n or_o classical_a church_n separation_n here_o must_v be_v either_o a_o disturb_v of_o the_o peace_n and_o order_n of_o these_o church_n or_o a_o withdraw_n from_o they_o as_o to_o the_o political_a duty_n due_a to_o they_o such_o separation_n must_v often_o be_v lawful_a and_o warrantable_a see_v no_o command_n of_o christ_n bind_v man_n to_o particular_a province_n or_o diocese_n nor_o always_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o final_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o parish_n or_o congregation_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o pastor_n and_o people_n mutual_o perform_v their_o respective_a duty_n to_o each_o other_o and_o among_o themselves_o for_o their_o daily_a edification_n separation_n from_o such_o congregation_n be_v either_o to_o interrupt_v their_o government_n or_o concord_n or_o to_o withdraw_v from_o they_o now_o see_v no_o man_n be_v immutable_o bind_v to_o one_o congregation_n nor_o any_o congregation_n to_o one_o diocese_n or_o any_o large_a combination_n and_o all_o these_o church_n be_v subject_a to_o corruption_n which_o the_o member_n must_v oppose_v and_o contend_v against_o separation_n from_o they_o must_v not_o be_v censure_v till_o it_o be_v know_v whether_o the_o cause_n be_v just_a or_o unjust_a and_o thus_o we_o be_v come_v at_o the_o last_o to_o inquire_v what_o be_v just_a cause_n of_o separation_n whereby_o we_o may_v judge_v also_o what_o be_v not_o and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o speak_v too_o general_o and_o confuse_o we_o distinguish_v betwixt_o separation_n of_o one_o church_n from_o another_o and_o of_o particular_a member_n from_o that_o church_n whereto_o they_o do_v belong_v as_o all_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o communion_n among_o themselves_o be_v all_o member_n of_o the_o
and_o holiness_n elsewhere_o then_o forego_v our_o edification_n to_o keep_v peace_n with_o the_o church_n the_o dr_n hint_n at_o general_a inconvenience_n that_o will_v follow_v if_o people_n find_v fault_n with_o their_o governor_n and_o withdraw_v from_o they_o and_o to_o such_o inconvenience_n all_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n be_v subject_a and_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o great_a care_n to_o prevent_v they_o but_o must_v people_n bear_v always_o still_o there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v but_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n and_o their_o communion_n with_o that_o be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o their_o communion_n with_o christ_n beside_o nothing_o will_v more_o awe_v both_o pastor_n and_o people_n to_o their_o duty_n then_o if_o they_o know_v that_o the_o sober_a and_o most_o careful_a christian_n of_o their_o own_o salvation_n will_v leave_v their_o company_n if_o they_o will_v not_o mend_v their_o manner_n and_o this_o will_v be_v a_o more_o universal_a benefit_n to_o the_o church_n than_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o now_o and_o then_o one_o unreasonable_o withdraw_v out_o of_o prejudice_n or_o find_v too_o much_o fault_n can_v do_v hurt_v to_o any_o congregation_n 4._o when_o a_o church_n have_v neither_o the_o exercise_n nor_o power_n of_o government_n the_o catholic_n church_n be_v a_o society_n under_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n by_o his_o spirit_n and_o every_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o chatholick_n gather_v into_o a_o political_a body_n that_o it_o may_v edify_v and_o preserve_v itself_o which_o be_v do_v by_o government_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n as_o well_o as_o by_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n and_o indeed_o the_o latter_a will_v be_v as_o ineffectual_a without_o the_o former_a as_o a_o charge_n at_o a_o assize_n or_o session_n wherein_o the_o law_n be_v recite_v will_v be_v if_o there_o be_v neither_o presentment_n nor_o punishment_n of_o offender_n a_o church_n without_o power_n of_o government_n be_v no_o church_n but_o a_o company_n of_o neighbour_n that_o meet_v sometime_o to_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n together_o which_o member_n of_o several_a congregation_n may_v do_v for_o power_n of_o government_n be_v the_o form_n of_o a_o church_n as_o of_o a_o civil_a polity_n by_o which_o only_o it_o differ_v from_o a_o confuse_a accidental_a convent_v or_o cohabitation_n of_o person_n now_o it_o be_v no_o sin_n to_o separate_v from_o that_o which_o be_v no_o church_n but_o a_o duty_n as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v for_o every_o one_o to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o some_o visible_a church_n this_o case_n be_v too_o common_a with_o we_o where_o minister_n of_o parish_n be_v sometime_o deacon_n at_o least_o for_o a_o while_n who_o have_v no_o ministerial_a power_n at_o all_o and_o if_o presbyter_n yet_o such_o as_o pretend_v to_o no_o more_o than_o to_o preach_v and_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n all_o power_n of_o government_n as_o they_o say_v belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n and_o whatever_o their_o private_a judgement_n may_v be_v of_o their_o power_n of_o government_n we_o know_v they_o neither_o do_v nor_o dare_v exercise_v any_o solemn_a admonition_n or_o suspension_n from_o the_o sacrament_n much_o less_o excommunication_n or_o absolution_n when_o this_o be_v the_o case_n that_o the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o govern_v herself_o have_v long_o lose_v it_o and_o be_v out_o of_o hope_n to_o recover_v it_o nothing_o can_v oblige_v man_n to_o live_v member_n of_o it_o though_o there_o may_v be_v reason_n why_o we_o shall_v hear_v and_o receive_v with_o they_o occasional_o as_o with_o brethren_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o bishop_n have_v a_o power_n of_o government_n over_o all_o his_o diocese_n i_o answer_v this_o shut_v out_o all_o the_o parish_n minister_n from_o government_n and_o make_v they_o but_o the_o bishop_n curate_n and_o make_v all_o the_o parish_n cease_v to_o be_v distinct_a church_n and_o to_o become_v one_o general_a church_n under_o a_o bishop_n who_o be_v utter_o uncapable_a to_o manage_v the_o charge_n of_o such_o a_o congregation_n be_v it_o only_o to_o govern_v and_o not_o to_o preach_v as_o some_o man_n will_v have_v it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v still_o destructive_a of_o the_o end_n of_o a_o church_n viz_o self-edification_n and_o preservation_n but_o moreover_o the_o bishop_n himself_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o metropolitan_a and_o all_o cause_n in_o his_o diocese_n admit_v of_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o arch-bishop_n court_n so_o that_o neither_o have_v the_o bishop_n supreme_a and_o full_a power_n of_o govern_v his_o church_n and_o therefore_o neither_o be_v the_o diocese_n a_o church_n but_o a_o part_n of_o the_o whole_a province_n all_o under_o the_o government_n of_o the_o archbishop_n alone_o the_o bishop_n be_v but_o his_o deputy_n and_o this_o still_o make_v the_o government_n more_o impossible_a and_o separation_n more_o necessary_a 5._o a_o 5_o just_a eause_n of_o separation_n be_v when_o man_n be_v certain_o and_o constant_o debar_v of_o some_o principal_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n necessary_a to_o their_o edification_n and_o communion_n with_o christ_n the_o end_n of_o a_o church_n be_v the_o joint_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o law_n and_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n in_o their_o proper_a season_n it_o be_v possible_a there_o may_v not_o be_v occasion_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o some_o of_o they_o as_o church_n censure_v for_o a_o considerable_a time_n and_o it_o be_v possible_a some_o ordinance_n may_v be_v careless_o neglect_v or_o for_o some_o reason_n for_o a_o time_n omit_v as_o the_o lord_n supper_n this_o be_v no_o cause_n of_o withdraw_a at_o least_o not_o proper_o but_o if_o there_o be_v constant_a bar_n put_v that_o any_o of_o these_o ordinance_n shall_v be_v exclude_v the_o church_n as_o the_o sacrament_n be_v with_o many_o sectary_n or_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v make_v unaccessable_a by_o sinful_a or_o unnecessary_a addition_n alteration_n interpolation_n or_o any_o other_o corruption_n so_o that_o the_o most_o conscientious_a christian_n can_v communicate_v in_o they_o this_o after_o a_o convenient_a wait_a and_o seek_v for_o redress_n will_v justify_v separation_n for_o the_o people_n may_v not_o be_v content_v with_o one_o part_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o their_o salvation_n this_o be_v to_o betray_v the_o gospel_n and_o their_o own_o soul_n nor_o have_v church_n governors_n power_n to_o add_v any_o thing_n either_o essential_a or_o circumstantial_a to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n that_o may_v hinder_v the_o people_n from_o communicate_v in_o they_o and_o if_o they_o have_v no_o such_o authority_n to_o enjoin_v such_o thing_n there_o be_v no_o obligation_n upon_o the_o people_n either_o to_o comply_v with_o they_o in_o obedience_n or_o to_o bear_v their_o usurpation_n by_o continue_v in_o union_n with_o they_o if_o it_o be_v plead_v that_o the_o jew_n never_o separate_v from_o their_o church_n when_o they_o can_v not_o communicate_v in_o the_o sacrifice_n at_o the_o temple_n under_o idolatrous_a king_n or_o when_o the_o passover_n or_o other_o ordinance_n be_v whole_o neglect_v or_o little_o use_v i_o answer_v this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o christian_a church_n the_o jew_n be_v one_o single_a though_o large_a congregation_n institute_v by_o moses_n to_o continue_v till_o christ_n shall_v come_v who_o shall_v have_v power_n to_o new_a moddle_n the_o church_n as_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a they_o be_v all_o tie_v to_o one_o altar_n and_o one_o temple_n and_o may_v sacrifice_v no_o where_o else_o they_o be_v also_o oblige_v to_o one_o priesthood_n the_o house_n of_o aaron_n and_o therefore_o in_o what-place-soev_a they_o be_v they_o must_v hold_v communion_n with_o this_o people_n and_o priesthood_n at_o this_o altar_n and_o if_o public_a worship_n be_v neglect_v or_o corrupt_v they_o can_v in_o no_o case_n separate_v or_o gather_v new_a congregation_n or_o choose_v new_a priest_n or_o build_v new_a altar_n but_o must_v be_v content_a with_o private_a help_n till_o thing_n be_v reform_v but_o christian_n though_o of_o one_o nation_n or_o city_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o one_o congregation_n indispensable_o for_o then_o man_n may_v not_o move_v to_o other_o parish_n nor_o to_o one_o place_n of_o public_a worship_n nor_o to_o one_o minister_n or_o company_n of_o minister_n the_o christian_n church_n be_v tie_v to_o no_o country_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v nor_o to_o any_o particular_a people_n nor_o kindred_n nor_o have_v any_o promise_n to_o be_v continue_v to_o the_o end_n in_o any_o one_o place_n or_o among_o any_o one_o people_n it_o have_v therefore_o power_n to_o distribute_v itself_o into_o diverse_a congregation_n and_o consequent_o again_o to_o withdraw_v from_o any_o one_o of_o they_o when_o there_o be_v need_n 6._o gross_a infringement_n of_o christian_a liberty_n we_o be_v command_v
sure_o one_o company_n or_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o family_n have_v full_a authority_n to_o remove_v and_o plant_v colony_n where_o they_o please_v as_o well_o as_o another_o yea_o we_o see_v god_n compel_v they_o to_o it_o by_o confound_v their_o language_n at_o babel_n and_o far_o when_o one_o colony_n remove_v into_o another_o country_n be_v they_o bind_v still_o to_o adhere_v to_o those_o they_o depart_v from_o as_o a_o part_n of_o their_o society_n if_o so_o then_o all_o nation_n must_v still_o have_v be_v part_n of_o that_o society_n from_o which_o they_o first_o descend_v and_o so_o at_o length_n the_o whole_a world_n must_v have_v be_v but_o one_o commonwealth_n under_o one_o government_n which_o be_v impossible_a and_o will_v overthrow_v all_o the_o end_n of_o government_n if_o then_o the_o race_n of_o mankind_n which_o be_v one_o body_n in_o some_o sense_n more_o than_o the_o church_n be_v viz_o link_v by_o the_o indissoluble_a bond_n of_o nature_n whereas_o the_o church_n be_v unite_v by_o free_a consent_n i_o say_v if_o they_o have_v the_o general_a gift_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o all_o that_o be_v in_o it_o to_o possess_v have_v free_a liberty_n and_o authority_n to_o share_v the_o world_n among_o they_o to_o constitute_v various_a society_n great_a or_o small_a as_o they_o please_v for_o the_o end_n of_o civil_a life_n provide_v they_o wrong_v not_o one_o another_o and_o so_o hinder_v the_o end_n of_o civil_a government_n why_o may_v not_o the_o church_n though_o it_o be_v one_o body_n as_o unite_z to_o christ_n it_o be_v too_o great_a to_o live_v in_o one_o society_n multiply_v itself_o into_o so_o many_o as_o be_v for_o it_o be_v own_o edification_n and_o the_o end_v it_o be_v make_v for_o and_o not_o be_v oblige_v still_o to_o adhere_v as_o part_n to_o those_o first_o congregation_n that_o be_v plant_v in_o every_o country_n as_o it_o be_v the_o first_o family_n till_o they_o be_v a_o burden_n to_o themselves_o till_o their_o very_a society_n make_v they_o a_o disorderly_a confuse_a multitude_n and_o their_o government_n degenerate_v into_o anarchy_n especial_o when_o we_o have_v neither_o command_n or_o scripture_n example_n to_o the_o contrary_a by_o this_o we_o may_v answer_v the_o dr_n question_n viz_o what_o necessity_n there_o be_v to_o reduce_v church_n to_o several_a parish_n or_o congregation_n any_o more_o than_o to_o reduce_v kingdom_n to_o the_o several_a family_n of_o which_o they_o be_v at_o first_o make_v up_o answ_n because_o congregation_n have_v a_o original_a right_n of_o govern_v and_o preserve_v themselves_o even_o as_o family_n have_v a_o natural_a and_o unalterable_a right_n of_o government_n within_o themselves_o which_o he_o that_o take_v from_o they_o make_v they_o slave_n and_o deprive_v they_o of_o their_o birthright_n he_o himself_o say_v upon_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n the_o nation_n that_o before_o compose_v it_o resume_v their_o ancient_a right_n and_o form_v themselves_o into_o several_a kingdom_n and_o commonwealth_n yea_o and_o as_o he_o will_v have_v it_o into_o national_a church_n also_o grant_v this_o have_v nation_n such_o a_o immutable_a right_n to_o their_o civil_a liberty_n and_o government_n that_o they_o may_v lawful_o resume_v they_o when_o they_o have_v opportunity_n without_o the_o guilt_n of_o rebellion_n why_o then_o may_v not_o parish_n resume_v their_o right_n of_o government_n within_o themselves_o for_o their_o own_o edification_n when_o they_o have_v opportunity_n or_o necessity_n call_v they_o to_o it_o also_o want_v the_o benefit_n of_o protection_n and_o government_n from_o they_o that_o undertake_v they_o why_o shall_v this_o be_v schism_n in_o they_o more_o than_o rebellion_n in_o the_o other_o and_o that_o self_n government_n be_v the_o right_n of_o every_o parish_n or_o congregation_n he_o confess_v when_o he_o say_v that_o ancient_o a_o church_n and_o diocese_n be_v all_o one_o under_o one_o bishop_n and_o a_o company_n of_o presbyter_n for_o those_o do_v officiate_v in_o common_a among_o the_o whole_a people_n and_o when_o by_o reason_n of_o multitude_n they_o begin_v to_o divide_v they_o into_o several_a company_n for_o meet_v together_o at_o the_o ordinary_a time_n of_o worship_n nevertheless_o they_o all_o meet_v together_o at_o the_o same_o sacrament_n and_o all_o make_v use_v of_o the_o same_o minister_n as_o occasion_n serve_v they_o be_v not_o tie_v to_o any_o one_o or_o any_o one_o to_o they_o so_o that_o this_o diocese_n be_v but_o a_o great_a parish_n or_o congregation_n and_o if_o the_o original_a right_n of_o government_n be_v in_o these_o it_o be_v so_o still_o in_o our_o lesser_a congregation_n and_o to_o resume_v this_o right_n be_v no_o sinful_a separation_n nevertheless_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o the_o congregation_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o unite_v for_o their_o mutual_a help_n and_o defence_n especial_o in_o time_n of_o peace_n even_o as_o civil_a state_n combine_v for_o mutual_a defence_n and_o commerce_n but_o then_o this_o must_v be_v voluntary_a and_o not_o to_o impose_v a_o yoke_n on_o the_o several_a congregation_n by_o take_v away_o their_o several_a liberty_n or_o bring_v they_o all_o to_o the_o same_o liturgy_n or_o ceremony_n for_o this_o be_v all_o one_o as_o if_o confederate_a nation_n or_o state_n must_v therefore_o oblige_v each_o other_o to_o the_o same_o form_n of_o government_n and_o the_o same_o right_n and_o custom_n of_o live_a and_o why_o may_v not_o all_o the_o parish_n in_o one_o county_n with_o we_o combine_v for_o their_o mutual_a help_n and_o edification_n in_o certain_a time_n of_o meet_v each_o other_o by_o their_o minister_n or_o delegate_n yet_o every_o one_o reserve_v to_o themselves_o the_o government_n of_o themselves_o in_o their_o own_o custom_n and_o usage_n according_a as_o they_o find_v most_o meet_a for_o themselves_o as_o well_o as_o the_o same_o county_n have_v their_o quarter-session_n for_o civil_a affair_n wherein_o the_o governor_n and_o country_n concern_v have_v a_o general_a meeting_n and_o yet_o every_o town_n have_v its_o own_o supreme_a officer_n with_o several_a rite_n and_o custom_n without_o any_o breach_n of_o peace_n or_o good_a neighbourhood_n among_o they_o chap._n ii_o of_o church_n communion_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o separation_n we_o be_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o consider_v what_o communion_n the_o church_n be_v oblige_v to_o betwixt_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o and_o what_o separation_n be_v contrary_a to_o that_o communion_n and_o what_o be_v not_o for_o the_o first_o the_o church_n be_v a_o sacred_a commonwealth_n unite_v to_o christ_n now_o the_o end_n of_o every_o commonwealth_n or_o polity_n be_v common_a good_a that_o they_o all_o promote_v the_o good_a and_o welfare_n of_o that_o body_n and_o every_o member_n of_o it_o of_o which_o they_o be_v part_n viz_o that_o particular_a good_a in_o those_o particular_a case_n and_o thing_n for_o which_o they_o do_v combine_v together_o this_o be_v mean_v by_o communion_n for_o hereby_o all_o the_o action_n and_o design_n of_o that_o body_n be_v common_a i._n e._n for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o the_o communion_n then_o of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v associate_v only_o for_o spiritual_a end_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o all_o design_n and_o endeavour_v the_o common_a good_a and_o welfare_n of_o all_o christian_n in_o general_a and_o of_o themselves_o in_o particular_a in_o further_a the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n the_o service_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o use_n of_o those_o help_n or_o mean_n which_o christ_n have_v appoint_v to_o these_o end_n this_o communion_n have_v diverse_a degree_n and_o do_v exercise_v itself_o several_a way_n according_a to_o the_o several_a consideration_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o relation_n christian_n have_v to_o each_o other_o more_o general_n or_o remote_a or_o more_o particular_a and_o near_a the_o communion_n therefore_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v that_o they_o all_o hold_v the_o same_o head_n jesus_n christ_n and_o own_o each_o other_o as_o brethren_n in_o he_o that_o they_o love_v each_o other_o and_o all_o pursue_v and_o wait_v for_o that_o universal_a perfection_n which_o they_o shall_v all_o have_v when_o they_o be_v all_o gather_v to_o christ_n at_o the_o last_o day_n this_o communion_n can_v be_v break_v without_o renounce_v the_o head_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o love_n to_o each_o other_o which_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o bond_n of_o this_o union_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o separation_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o what_o be_v not_o only_o sinful_a but_o damnable_a as_o he_o that_o renounce_v the_o common_a bond_n of_o humane_a society_n justice_n love_n and_o all_o moral_a honesty_n and_o only_o please_v himself_o without_o regard_v the_o good_a of_o any_o other_o he_o do_v hereby_o break_v the_o communion_n of_o mankind_n and_o
catholic_n church_n of_o christ_n though_o gather_v into_o small_a body_n for_o their_o own_o conveniency_n and_o this_o communion_n consist_v in_o acknowledge_v each_o other_o as_o brethren_n in_o perform_v brotherly_a office_n of_o love_n and_o kindness_n and_o especial_o in_o admit_v each_o other_o to_o their_o worship_n upon_o occasion_n so_o sepetation_n betwixt_o church_n be_v a_o breach_n of_o this_o communion_n when_o one_o church_n disow_v another_o to_o be_v a_o church_n of_o christ_n exclude_v they_o from_o her_o ordinance_n and_o from_o all_o office_n of_o christian_a love_n this_o be_v just_a when_o it_o be_v upon_o great_a and_o just_a cause_n such_o whereupon_o we_o refuse_v communion_n with_o the_o papist_n and_o socinian_o if_o upon_o light_a cause_n it_o be_v unlawful_a and_o a_o great_a breach_n of_o charity_n yet_o not_o to_o be_v aggravate_v as_o a_o unpardonable_a sin_n or_o as_o that_o which_o deserve_v more_o animadversion_n than_o those_o sin_n which_o destroy_v all_o religion_n and_o humane_a society_n see_v man_n may_v be_v good_a christian_n in_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n good_a subject_n and_o good_a neighbour_n though_o they_o conceive_v such_o a_o mistake_a opinion_n concern_v another_o church_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o separation_n i_o shall_v insist_v on_o the_o cause_n that_o make_v this_o just_a will_v make_v the_o other_o just_a also_o but_o all_o the_o cause_n that_o make_v separation_n from_o a_o particular_a congregation_n just_a will_v not_o reach_v our_o comunion_n with_o other_o church_n or_o concern_v our_o separation_n from_o they_o we_o shall_v therefore_o inquire_v for_o what_o cause_v member_n of_o a_o church_n may_v lawful_o separate_v from_o it_o i._n e._n contend_v for_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o they_o can_v attain_v it_o withdraw_z from_z and_o either_o join_v to_o other_o church_n or_o make_v new_a one_o themselves_o and_o to_o clear_v this_o point_n let_v we_o always_o remember_v that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o commonwealth_n unite_v to_o christ_n as_o the_o head_n first_o and_o but_o secondary_o to_o each_o other_o faith_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n in_o christ_n with_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n be_v the_o end_n why_o man_n become_v christian_n and_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o christ_n and_o next_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o the_o church_n as_o a_o society_n that_o profess_v to_o design_n the_o same_o end_n and_o to_o have_v give_v up_o themselves_o to_o the_o same_o lord_n and_o therefore_o they_o hope_v and_o intend_v by_o the_o friendship_n of_o this_o church_n to_o be_v assist_v and_o further_v towards_o the_o attain_n of_o their_o great_a end_n if_o therefore_o the_o church_n prove_v otherwise_o i._n e._n to_o be_v no_o help_n but_o a_o hindrance_n to_o their_o serve_v of_o christ_n and_o further_a their_o salvation_n separation_n from_o it_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o their_o obligation_n as_o christian_n they_o be_v still_o member_n of_o christ_n yea_o may_n and_o aught_o to_o seek_v another_o society_n wherein_o they_o may_v attain_v those_o great_a end_n it_o be_v true_a man_n be_v bind_v to_o bear_v with_o many_o thing_n amiss_o in_o a_o church_n because_o there_o will_v be_v always_o some_o thing_n amiss_o in_o one_o kind_n or_o other_o and_o also_o for_o public_a peace_n lest_o by_o unseasonable_a reform_v some_o lesser_a thing_n amiss_o or_o withdraw_v from_o the_o church_n while_o there_o be_v any_o reasonable_a hope_n of_o amendment_n they_o shall_v make_v thing_n worse_o yet_o when_o they_o can_v worship_v christ_n aright_o or_o can_v have_v no_o tolerable_a edification_n in_o the_o church_n the_o end_n of_o the_o church_n society_n be_v destroy_v and_o separation_n from_o it_o become_v necessary_a and_o the_o peace_n of_o a_o church_n be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o great_a end_n of_o a_o church_n viz_o that_o religion_n may_v be_v preserve_v and_o promote_v among_o they_o but_o when_o this_o be_v not_o intend_v but_o betray_v peace_n then_o be_v no_o duty_n but_o a_o conspiracy_n against_o christ_n and_o the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n even_o as_o in_o civil_a government_n the_o end_n be_v the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a society_n so_o long_o as_o that_o end_n be_v tolerable_o pursue_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o public_a justice_n and_o honesty_n many_o thing_n must_v be_v bear_v with_o rather_o than_o to_o endanger_v the_o whole_a by_o unseasonable_a endeavour_n to_o mend_v lesser_a thing_n but_o when_o the_o public_a good_a be_v not_o mind_v or_o those_o condition_n break_v upon_o which_o man_n do_v associate_v and_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o redress_n in_o this_o case_n peace_n and_o quietness_n be_v to_o betray_v the_o government_n the_o cause_n therefore_o which_o make_v separation_n lawful_a be_v in_o general_a when_o man_n can_v worship_v christ_n aright_o in_o the_o chief_a part_n of_o his_o worship_n or_o edify_v their_o own_o soul_n in_o the_o church_n whereto_o they_o be_v join_v and_o when_o there_o be_v no_o reasonable_a hope_n of_o the_o redress_n of_o these_o thing_n particular_a cause_n be_v such_o as_o these_o 1._o when_o a_o church_n be_v idolatrous_a for_o now_o it_o forsake_v christ_n the_o head_n for_o who_o sake_n and_o service_n we_o become_v member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o must_v now_o forsake_v it_o for_o he_o what_o agreement_n have_v the_o temple_n of_o god_n with_o idol_n 2_o cor._n 6.16_o you_o be_v the_o temple_n of_o the_o live_a god_n etc._n etc._n ver_fw-la 17._o wherefore_o come_v out_o from_o among_o they_o and_o be_v you_o separate_v say_v the_o lord_n and_o touch_v not_o the_o unclean_a thing_n etc._n etc._n 2._o when_o any_o know_a sin_n be_v make_v the_o condition_n of_o communion_n i._n e._n when_o a_o man_n shall_v not_o be_v admit_v or_o continue_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o he_o approve_v some_o error_n in_o doctrine_n corruption_n in_o worship_n or_o himself_o commit_v some_o sin_n in_o practice_n or_o at_o least_o consent_n to_o it_o in_o the_o church_n for_o also_o this_o destroy_v the_o end_n of_o a_o church_n which_o be_v to_o edify_v we_o in_o faith_n and_o obedience_n whereas_o here_o something_o against_o faith_n or_o obedience_n be_v to_o be_v the_o very_a entrance_n into_o the_o church_n upon_o these_o 2_o case_n all_o agree_v that_o separation_n be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a and_o they_o both_o hold_v strong_o against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o she_o be_v manifest_o idolatrous_a and_o impose_v both_o false_a doctrine_n superstitious_a worship_n and_o wicked_a practice_n upon_o all_o her_o member_n nor_o will_v it_o serve_v to_o say_v that_o that_o church_n deny_v her_o worship_n to_o be_v idolatrous_a or_o the_o term_n of_o her_o communion_n to_o be_v sinful_a but_o she_o must_v clear_o prove_v it_o from_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o law_n of_o a_o church_n and_o that_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o every_o christian_a concern_v for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o reasonable_a ground_n to_o suspect_v the_o term_n impose_v to_o be_v unlawful_a a_o christian_a can_v with_o safe_a conscience_n submit_v to_o they_o till_o he_o be_v satisfy_v to_o the_o contrary_a and_o the_o church_n have_v no_o authority_n from_o christ_n to_o impose_v any_o doubtful_a much_o less_o sinful_a term_n of_o communion_n in_o this_o case_n the_o church_n be_v guilty_a of_o the_o breach_n and_o not_o those_o who_o refuse_v to_o join_v with_o she_o or_o withdraw_v from_o she_o 3._o when_o there_o be_v no_o tolerable_a mean_n of_o edification_n in_o the_o church_n though_o no_o evil_n be_v impose_v upon_o the_o member_n as_o when_o the_o teacher_n be_v heretical_a in_o the_o chief_a point_n that_o concern_v our_o salvation_n or_o so_o contentious_a and_o such_o railer_n at_o any_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o that_o they_o can_v be_v hear_v with_o peace_n and_o composure_n for_o this_o cause_n the_o dutch_a both_o minister_n and_o people_n and_o the_o than_o prince_n of_o orange_n also_o forsake_v their_o parish_n because_o their_o arminian_n preacher_n spend_v so_o much_o time_n rail_v on_o the_o calvinist_n that_o they_o can_v neither_o hear_v they_o with_o profit_n nor_o bear_v they_o with_o patience_n also_o when_o minister_n be_v gross_o ignorant_a and_o unable_a to_o explain_v the_o necessary_a doctrine_n of_o salvation_n to_o the_o people_n or_o when_o they_o do_v not_o or_o will_v not_o ordinary_o preach_v to_o they_o or_o endeavour_v their_o instruction_n or_o when_o their_o life_n be_v great_o contrary_a to_o religion_n and_o godliness_n or_o when_o the_o people_n be_v almost_o all_o corrupt_a in_o doctrine_n or_o wicked_a manner_n and_o will_v not_o be_v reform_v for_o all_o these_o case_n be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o end_n of_o a_o church_n and_o we_o must_v rather_o forsake_v the_o church_n that_o we_o may_v be_v edify_v in_o faith_n
not_o in_o the_o passover_n or_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v their_o sacrament_n and_o the_o great_a tie_n of_o their_o society_n and_o all_o this_o only_a for_o their_o civil_a convenience_n because_o they_o be_v seat_v in_o other_o country_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o trade_n or_o other_o occasion_n be_v loath_a to_o remove_v to_o jewry_n if_o this_o will_v excuse_v they_o why_o may_v not_o other_o case_n arise_v where_o one_o part_n of_o a_o people_n may_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o break_v off_o from_o a_o church_n whole_o and_o yet_o not_o be_v bind_v to_o all_o act_n of_o communion_n or_o worship_n with_o it_o and_o such_o a_o case_n we_o have_v frequent_o in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n when_o the_o people_n of_o some_o great_a city_n as_o rome_n antioch_n alexandria_n etc._n etc._n differ_v about_o choose_v a_o bishop_n suppose_v the_o better_a and_o sound_a part_n choose_v a_o fit_a and_o worthy_a person_n and_o the_o big_a and_o worse_a part_n choose_v a_o person_n unsound_a in_o doctrine_n or_o scandalon_n in_o life_n and_o he_o they_o will_v have_v thrust_v out_o the_o fite_a person_n and_o his_o people_n also_o if_o they_o will_v adhere_v to_o he_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n i_o know_v it_o be_v usual_a neither_o to_o pray_v nor_o hear_v together_o though_o some_o of_o they_o may_v happen_v to_o be_v in_o the_o same_o prison_n and_o in_o the_o same_o room_n but_o this_o without_o doubt_n be_v schism_n on_o both_o side_n shall_v the_o better_o yield_v to_o the_o worse_o and_o quit_v their_o election_n so_o they_o shall_v betray_v religion_n and_o their_o own_o soul_n shall_v they_o quite_o break_v off_o and_o forsake_v the_o other_o resolve_v never_o to_o have_v more_o to_o do_v with_o they_o so_o they_o shall_v betray_v the_o other_o to_o utter_v ruin_n and_o the_o church_n by_o degree_n to_o destruction_n the_o good_a wheat_n continually-leaving_a the_o tare_n among_o who_o yet_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a some_o good_a wheat_n may_v be_v scatter_v it_o remain_v then_o that_o they_o keep_v to_o their_o privilege_n and_o adhere_v to_o he_o who_o they_o have_v choose_v and_o yet_o not_o dissert_v they_o who_o will_v cast_v they_o out_o but_o communicate_v with_o they_o as_o brethren_n especial_o in_o such_o common_a duty_n as_o do_v not_o contain_v a_o plain_a acknowledgement_n of_o their_o undue_a and_o schismatical_a practice_n and_o so_o wait_v till_o providence_n may_v find_v mean_n to_o make_v up_o the_o breach_n that_o this_o be_v our_o case_n shall_v be_v show_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n the_o dr_n other_o reason_n be_v ground_v from_o phil._n 3.16_o the_o sum_n of_o his_o argue_v from_o that_o text_n be_v this_o man_n be_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n lawful_a to_o maintain_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n where_o they_o live_v therefore_o whatsoever_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o to_o communicate_v in_o sometime_o they_o must_v do_v it_o always_o answ_n lawful_a be_v either_o simple_o and_o absolute_o so_o or_o lawful_a in_o those_o circumstannce_n as_o the_o apostle_n distinguish_v betwixt_o lawful_a and_o expedient_a 1_o cor._n 6.12_o i_o e._n lawful_a in_o itself_o or_o lawful_a in_o this_o or_o that_o case_n if_o every_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v all_o that_o be_v simple_o and_o absolute_o lawful_a to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n than_o he_o may_v be_v many_o time_n bind_v to_o yield_v to_o turbulent_a and_o irregular_a person_n in_o unreasonable_a demand_n and_o imposition_n but_o if_o a_o man_n be_v bind_v only_o to_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v lawful_a in_o the_o present_a circumstance_n than_o the_o argument_n be_v of_o no_o force_n for_o it_o will_v be_v say_v they_o that_o hold_v but_o occasional_a and_o partial_a communion_n go_v as_o far_o as_o they_o judge_v lawful_a i_o e._n expedient_a and_o fit_a in_o their_o case_n and_o circumstance_n and_o so_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v bind_v to_o constant_a and_o full_a communion_n 2._o the_o great_a sin_n and_o mischief_n of_o separation_n lie_v in_o judge_v and_o condemn_v other_o as_o no_o church_n have_v no_o ministry_n no_o sacrament_n and_o so_o not_o be_v in_o the_o ordinary_a way_n of_o salvation_n not_o have_v christ_n presence_n among_o they_o this_o indeed_o deserve_v all_o the_o aggravation_n which_o the_o dr._n cite_v out_o of_o mr._n b._n sect._n 24._o and_o i_o be_o persuade_v he_o intend_v no_o more_o and_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o old_a non_fw-fr conformist_n severe_a reprehension_n of_o the_o brownist_n viz._n that_o they_o dishonour_v christ_n reproach_v his_o servant_n his_o gift_n and_o grace_n in_o they_o and_o slander_v the_o footstep_n of_o his_o anointed_n this_o indeed_o tend_v to_o the_o subversion_n of_o the_o church_n to_o expose_v it_o to_o the_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n destroy_v all_o charity_n and_o brotherly_a communion_n and_o be_v a_o great_a presumption_n for_o who_o shall_v dare_v to_o judge_v when_o christ_n have_v forsake_v a_o people_n who_o shall_v profess_v his_o name_n and_o keep_v up_o his_o worship_n for_o substance_n according_a to_o his_o word_n though_o they_o do_v or_o be_v suppose_v to_o fail_v in_o circumstance_n or_o lesser_a part_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o if_o the_o father_n mention_v by_o the_o dr._n intend_v any_o other_o separation_n by_o their_o high_a invective_n against_o it_o as_o it_o be_v probable_a they_o do_v not_o at_o least_o those_o pious_a peaceable_a man_n cyprian_a and_o augustine_n when_o they_o say_v schism_n be_v as_o bad_a as_o idolatry_n etc._n etc._n we_o may_v say_v by_o their_o leave_n that_o they_o show_v more_o zeal_n for_o themselves_o and_o their_o own_o interest_n then_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o his_o church_n mr._n hales_n tract_n of_o schism_n say_v heresy_n and_o schism_n be_v the_o theological_a scare-crow_n wherewith_o man_n fright_v child_n and_o man_n common_o use_v against_o all_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o when_o they_o can_v prove_v such_o a_o crime_n against_o they_o and_o again_o he_o say_v the_o donatist_n may_v have_v be_v in_o the_o right_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o augustine_n say_v against_o they_o and_o if_o he_o have_v extend_v it_o to_o cyprian_a and_o cornelius_n writing_n against_o the_o navatians_n he_o may_v perhaps_o not_o have_v exceed_v the_o truth_n we_o do_v acknowledge_v all_o un-necessary_a separation_n from_o a_o church_n be_v a_o sin_n let_v the_o ground_n be_v what_o it_o will_v the_o error_n of_o conscience_n in_o he_o who_o think_v it_o a_o duty_n will_v not_o make_v it_o a_o duty_n it_o do_v impair_v love_n it_o lay_v the_o church_n open_a to_o her_o enemy_n reproach_n and_o to_o endless_a contention_n within_o herself_o but_o it_o be_v not_o such_o a_o sin_n as_o some_o man_n labour_v to_o make_v it_o to_o maintain_v their_o own_o greatness_n as_o if_o it_o will_v excuse_v man_n for_o the_o neglect_n of_o their_o salvation_n or_o make_v they_o amends_o for_o the_o loss_n of_o heaven_n that_o they_o have_v be_v scrupelous_o fearful_a of_o run_v into_o schism_n let_v the_o church_n take_v care_n as_o mr._n hales_n advise_v that_o the_o term_n of_o her_o communion_n be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o scripture_n will_v justify_v and_o do_v concern_v all_o christian_n and_o if_o any_o other_o be_v add_v let_v they_o be_v temporary_a and_o remove_v when_o inconvenience_n arise_v great_a than_o the_o reason_n for_o impose_v they_o or_o equal_a to_o they_o let_v the_o minister_n labour_n in_o public_a and_o private_a with_o soft_a word_n and_o good_a reason_n to_o satisfy_v the_o people_n in_o all_o their_o doubt_n about_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o church_n and_o if_o after_o all_o this_o some_o few_o as_o they_o will_v not_o be_v many_o be_v so_o far_o dissatisfy_v as_o that_o they_o they_o think_v they_o ought_v to_o withdraw_v let_v they_o withdraw_v provide_v they_o do_v not_o reproach_n and_o condemn_v the_o church_n they_o depart_v from_o and_o let_v they_o nevertheless_o be_v own_v as_o brethren_n this_o certain_o become_v the_o gospel_n and_o will_v make_v more_o for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o send_v more_o towards_o reduce_v of_o those_o that_o separate_v than_o all_o correction_n and_o hard_a word_n against_o schism_n and_o thus_o do_v the_o primitive_a christian_n towards_o the_o novatian_o for_o though_o some_o zealous_a of_o their_o own_o authority_n speak_v sharp_o against_o they_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o trouble_v in_o constantine_n time_n the_o bishop_n of_o they_o sit_v in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a they_o have_v their_o public_a church_n one_o in_o constantinople_n when_o it_o be_v the_o imperial_a seat_n to_o which_o the_o people_n general_o resort_v when_o macedonius_n be_v bishop_n and_o when_o their_o church_n be_v command_v to_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o they_o not_o to_o
the_o world_n to_o come_v leave_v the_o management_n of_o worldly_a thing_n to_o other_o society_n or_o combination_n of_o man_n under_o other_o governor_n and_o other_o law_n the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n i._n e._n as_o mediator_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n this_o kingdom_n come_v not_o with_o observation_n but_o be_v within_o we_o luke_n 17.20_o 21._o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o christ_n do_v not_o can_v delegate_v this_o power_n to_o any_o other_o neither_o in_o whole_a nor_o in_o part_n and_o who_o shall_v presume_v without_o his_o appointment_n to_o usurp_v hâ—s_a dominion_n he_o call_v the_o church_n to_o himself_o immediate_o and_o not_o to_o man_n and_o they_o give_v themselves_o immiedate_o to_o he_o and_o not_o to_o deputy_n they_o first_o give_v themselves_o to_o the_o hlord_n and_o unto_o we_o by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n 2_o cor._n 8._o ver_fw-la 5._o and_o as_o christ_n be_v the_o only_a head_n of_o the_o church_n so_o he_o only_o give_v law_n to_o it_o whereby_o it_o shall_v be_v govern_v and_o by_o his_o spirit_n procure_v and_o maintain_v love_n and_o obedience_n to_o himself_o and_o to_o his_o law_n it_o follow_v also_o that_o all_o other_o government_n and_o their_o law_n with_o the_o design_n and_o end_n of_o they_o be_v extrinsical_a to_o the_o church_n as_o such_o and_o must_v not_o intermeddle_v in_o the_o spiritual_a peculiar_a end_n and_o government_n thereof_o they_o may_v join_v their_o person_n to_o the_o church_n by_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o christ_n the_o king_n thereof_o for_o the_o spiritual_a end_n of_o his_o kingdom_n but_o they_o may_v not_o mix_v or_o interweave_v the_o interest_n and_o end_n of_o their_o kingdom_n or_o government_n with_o those_o of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n for_o so_o it_o will_v become_v a_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o this_o world_n will_v great_o hinder_v if_o not_o swallow_v up_o those_o of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v which_o the_o church_n be_v design_v for_o moreover_o the_o church_n consist_v of_o member_n call_v indifferent_o out_o of_o all_o nation_n kindred_n sex_n age_n diversity_n of_o worldly_a interest_n through_o the_o succession_n of_o all_o generation_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n whereof_o one_o part_n be_v in_o heaven_n already_o the_o church_n of_o the_o first_o bear_v which_o be_v write_v in_o heaven_n heb._n 12.23_o for_o they_o yet_o wait_v for_o the_o come_n up_o of_o their_o brethren_n till_o when_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v the_o complete_a benefit_n of_o their_o association_n and_o union_n to_o christ_n and_o each_o other_o the_o other_o part_n be_v yet_o on_o earth_n pursue_v the_o same_o general_a design_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n the_o glory_n of_o their_o king_n and_o their_o own_o happiness_n yea_o among_o these_o some_o be_v yet_o infaunt_v and_o child_n capable_a only_o of_o the_o immediate_a influence_n government_n and_o protection_n of_o their_o heavenly_a king_n without_o be_v able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n for_o themselves_o and_o other_o there_o be_v yet_o unborn_a who_o though_o they_o be_v not_o actual_a member_n of_o this_o society_n yet_o be_v know_v to_o the_o king_n of_o it_o and_o their_o name_n contain_v in_o his_o role_n and_o he_o will_v not_o reckon_v his_o kingdom_n complete_a or_o the_o end_n of_o it_o accomplish_v till_o these_o also_o be_v bring_v into_o it_o even_o to_o the_o last_o man_n john_n 10.16_o what_o then_o be_v the_o interest_n and_o design_n of_o this_o world_n or_o the_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n or_o the_o law_n method_n and_o instrument_n by_o which_o they_o pursue_v those_o design_n to_o this_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v diverse_a in_o every_o age_n this_o be_v one_o throughout_o all_o age_n they_o be_v contrary_a to_o and_o do_v subvert_v each_o other_o and_o one_o succeed_v another_o this_o be_v one_o uniform_a most_o consistant_fw-la government_n they_o be_v temporary_a but_o for_o the_o present_a for_o the_o short_a life_n of_o governor_n or_o for_o the_o uncertain_a continuance_n of_o their_o family_n and_o then_o they_o pass_v to_o other_o perhaps_o their_o enemy_n but_o the_o dominion_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o everlasting_a dominion_n and_o his_o kingdom_n a_o overlasting_a kingdom_n dan._n 2.24_o thus_o we_o have_v the_o true_a definition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v but_o one_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n disperse_v throughout_o all_o country_n and_o age_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n rule_v by_o his_o law_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n influence_v by_o his_o spirit_n according_a to_o those_o law_n and_o protect_v by_o his_o power_n against_o all_o their_o enemy_n to_o this_o we_o must_v reduce_v all_o discourse_n and_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n and_o examine_v they_o by_o it_o as_o by_o the_o first_o truth_n in_o that_o kind_n the_o rule_n and_o standard_n of_o the_o rest_n we_o be_v next_o to_o consider_v the_o distribution_n or_o several_a sort_n of_o church_n and_o first_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v into_o triumphant_a and_o militant_a as_o a_o whole_a into_o integral_a part_n the_o church_n triumphant_a be_v that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v already_o in_o heaven_n have_v get_v the_o victory_n over_o sin_n and_o satan_n yet_o not_o full_o triumphant_a because_o it_o wait_v for_o deliverance_n from_o death_n or_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o body_n the_o church_n militant_a be_v that_o other_o part_n which_o be_v yet_o on_o earth_n contest_v with_o all_o her_o spiritual_a enemy_n both_o these_o make_v up_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o we_o profess_v in_o the_o creed_n and_o be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o christ_n and_o immediate_o govern_v by_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n and_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o as_o member_n of_o this_o church_n be_v equal_a none_o have_v authority_n over_o other_o be_v all_o equal_o and_o immediate_o unite_v to_o christ_n and_o guide_v by_o he_o to_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o this_o society_n second_o the_o church_n militant_a be_v universal_a or_o catholic_n on_o earth_n sc_n all_o the_o christian_a member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o live_v on_o earth_n disperse_v through_o all_o country_n mix_v with_o all_o society_n of_o civil_a government_n with_o who_o also_o be_v mix_v many_o person_n who_o profess_v christ_n but_o be_v not_o real_o unite_v to_o he_o by_o consent_n and_o real_a subjection_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o live_v member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o accidental_a accession_n to_o it_o as_o foreigner_n that_o live_v in_o any_o state_n or_o commonwealth_n in_o some_o general_a thing_n conformable_a to_o their_o law_n seem_v to_o be_v member_n of_o that_o society_n but_o indeed_o have_v their_o relation_n and_o union_n to_o another_o or_o else_o this_o church_n be_v particular_a as_o it_o be_v distribute_v into_o several_a lesser_a society_n for_o their_o convenience_n and_o edification_n now_o these_o be_v not_o distinct_a church_n but_o distinct_a consideration_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n either_o as_o collective_o consider_v as_o one_o company_n unite_v by_o the_o same_o bond_n to_o christ_n the_o governor_n of_o all_o though_o divide_v and_o disperse_v in_o place_n or_o distributive_o in_o respect_n of_o place_n only_o be_v divide_v into_o several_a lesser_a company_n these_o also_o thus_o consider_v have_v all_o a_o equal_a relation_n to_o christ_n as_o their_o governor_n to_o his_o law_n as_o their_o rule_n to_o his_o spirit_n as_o there_o internal_a live_a guide_n and_o to_o each_o other_o as_o brethren_n without_o any_o authority_n over_o each_o other_o three_o these_o particular_a church_n if_o they_o be_v consider_v only_o in_o respect_n of_o place_n and_o vicinity_n may_v be_v and_o be_v by_o some_o distinguish_v into_o national_a viz_o all_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o one_o nation_n or_o under_o one_o constitution_n or_o form_n of_o civil_a government_n or_o provincial_a viz_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o one_o province_n or_o county_n or_o city_n church_n those_o that_o live_v in_o one_o city_n or_o parish_n church_n viz_o the_o christian_n that_o live_v in_o a_o lesser_a neighbourhood_n yea_o thus_o church_n may_v be_v distinguish_v or_o divide_v into_o as_o many_o sort_n as_o there_o be_v society_n of_o man_n any_o way_n divide_v or_o distinguish_v from_o each_o other_o but_o all_o these_o division_n be_v but_o accidental_a and_o extrinsecall_v difference_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o same_o church_n thus_o divide_v into_o diverse_a lesser_a part_n which_o be_v all_o equal_o church_n and_o that_o upon_o no_o other_o account_n then_o their_o relation_n to_o christ_n and_o to_o the_o universal_a commonwealth_n to_o which_o he_o be_v head_n from_o hence_o we_o infer_v 3_o
thing_n 1._o all_o particular_a church_n be_v but_o integral_a homogenous_a or_o equal_a part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o have_v all_o a_o equal_a intrinsical_a power_n of_o form_v themselves_o into_o congregation_n or_o lesser_a body_n for_o their_o own_o spiritual_a edification_n according_a to_o the_o law_n which_o christ_n have_v prescribe_v to_o that_o purpose_n for_o be_v all_o brethren_n equal_o and_o immediate_o relate_v to_o christ_n and_o the_o division_n betwixt_o they_o be_v mere_o accidental_a and_o external_a from_o the_o place_n of_o their_o dwell_n or_o other_o circumstance_n they_o must_v all_o have_v a_o equal_a right_n to_o all_o the_o ordinance_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o church_n and_o equal_a authority_n to_o dispose_v of_o themselves_o for_o their_o own_o good_a 2._o that_o the_o only_a end_n of_o christian_n combine_v into_o several_a lesser_a society_n be_v that_o they_o may_v serve_v christ_n together_o and_o help_v each_o other_o in_o their_o spiritual_a concern_v for_o they_o be_v a_o spiritual_a commonwealth_n associate_v for_o spiritual_a end_n only_o when_o they_o be_v consider_v as_o one_o body_n under_o christ_n therefore_o if_o they_o divide_v themselves_o into_o lesser_a body_n it_o must_v be_v only_o that_o they_o may_v more_o easy_o and_o convenient_o attain_v the_o end_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n and_o general_a association_n 3._o and_o that_o the_o design_n of_o civil_a governor_n law_n and_o interest_n with_o the_o conveniance_n of_o civil_a body_n great_a or_o small_a aught_o to_o have_v no_o influence_n or_o concern_v upon_o the_o constitution_n of_o these_o particular_a church_n for_o if_o they_o imbody_n themselves_o in_o lesser_a company_n only_o to_o serve_v christ_n and_o edify_v each_o other_o with_o the_o best_a advantage_n to_o their_o soul_n than_o they_o be_v still_o in_o such_o incorporate_n only_o to_o respect_v the_o honour_n of_o christ_n their_o own_o edification_n and_o the_o best_a execution_n of_o christ_n law_n among_o they_o leave_v other_o governor_n to_o prosecute_v the_o end_n of_o their_o law_n and_o government_n in_o way_n proper_a to_o themselves_o and_o distinct_a from_o they_o and_o therefore_o if_o civil_a governors_n model_n these_o church_n in_o subserviency_n to_o their_o civil_a end_n they_o do_v real_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o church_n and_o take_v they_o out_o of_o their_o immediate_a subordination_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o spiritual_a government_n or_o else_o they_o make_v christ_n and_o his_o government_n and_o commonwealth_n subservient_fw-fr to_o they_o and_o the_o concern_v of_o man_n soul_n to_o be_v not_o other_o way_n regard_v then_o as_o they_o may_v promote_v worldly_a and_o temporary_a design_n but_o further_a that_o part_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v on_o earth_n be_v absent_a from_o their_o king_n and_o lord_n and_o in_o a_o state_n of_o imperfection_n have_v therefore_o need_v of_o guide_n and_o help_n that_o it_o may_v understand_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n and_o yield_v obedience_n to_o it_o though_o all_o be_v equal_o member_n of_o christ_n yet_o all_o be_v not_o able_a to_o guide_v and_o help_v themselves_o from_o whence_o arise_v the_o necessity_n of_o guide_n and_o governor_n in_o the_o church_n whence_o it_o be_v call_v a_o organical_a church_n as_o a_o body_n consist_v of_o different_a organ_n for_o different_a use_n thus_o the_o church_n be_v make_v up_o of_o governor_n and_o govern_v but_o it_o be_v still_o the_o same_o church_n under_o the_o same_o head_n christ_n and_o his_o word_n as_o its_o law_n only_o the_o interpretation_n and_o application_n of_o this_o law_n of_o christ_n be_v commit_v to_o some_o for_o the_o better_a edification_n of_o all_o viz_o the_o preserve_n and_o perfect_v those_o that_o be_v present_a member_n and_o the_o continue_n of_o the_o church_n by_o bring_v in_o more_o that_o shall_v be_v save_v church_n governor_n therefore_o be_v in_o no_o wise_a supreme_a christ_n be_v still_o the_o immediate_a head_n both_o of_o power_n and_o influence_n both_o to_o make_v law_n and_o to_o make_v they_o effectual_a upon_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n they_o be_v appoint_v only_o to_o expound_v and_o apply_v christ_n law_n for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o people_n for_o his_o glory_n only_o and_o to_o leave_v both_o the_o success_n and_o the_o account_n to_o christ_n of_o themselves_o and_o of_o the_o people_n hence_o arise_v a_o four_o division_n of_o the_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o government_n and_o order_n of_o it_o into_o ecumenical_a national_a provincial_a diocesan_n classical_a parochial_a or_o congregational_a but_o all_o these_o and_o each_o one_o alike_o be_v take_v in_o a_o double_a sense_n singular_o or_o collective_o singular_o for_o one_o individual_a church_n or_o body_n under_o one_o government_n whether_o of_o one_o or_o more_o person_n and_o thus_o the_o ecumenical_a or_o universal_a church_n on_o earth_n must_v be_v but_o one_o great_a body_n of_o christian_n associate_v with_o the_o same_o governor_n for_o the_o edification_n of_o each_o other_o as_o israel_n of_o old_a be_v one_o family_n multiply_v into_o a_o people_n and_o these_o gather_v into_o a_o great_a assembly_n at_o mount_n sinai_n be_v there_o frame_v into_o one_o spiritual_a society_n under_o the_o guidance_n and_o government_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n so_o that_o when_o they_o be_v afterward_o disperse_v over_o all_o canaan_n they_o be_v yet_o but_o one_o polity_n and_o according_o thrice_o a_o year_n at_o least_o all_o meet_v to_o worship_n god_n together_o to_o testify_v their_o unity_n this_o the_o pope_n claim_v viz_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v one_o congregation_n commit_v to_o he_o as_o the_o only_a pastor_n or_o head_n of_o all_o in_o like_a manner_n a_o national_a church_n thus_o singular_o understand_v be_v all_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o nation_n make_v up_o but_o one_o congregation_n and_o polity_n all_o immediate_o under_o the_o same_o governor_n also_o the_o provincial_a church_n be_v all_o the_o christian_n of_o one_o province_n the_o diocesan_n of_o one_o diocese_n or_o small_a circuit_n and_o the_o parochial_a or_o congregational_a the_o christian_n of_o one_o small_a neighbourhood_n or_o that_o without_o respect_n of_o neighbourhood_n voluntary_o gather_v into_o one_o small_a assembly_n under_o the_o same_o guide_n or_o governor_n respective_o the_o church_n collective_o take_v if_o ecumenical_a be_v the_o association_n of_o all_o church_n in_o all_o nation_n under_o one_o general_a head_n and_o government_n the_o national_a church_n be_v make_v by_o the_o union_n of_o all_o the_o church_n of_o several_a lesser_a division_n under_o the_o general_a national_a officer_n the_o diocesan_n be_v all_o the_o church_n of_o a_o diocese_n or_o small_a circuit_n as_o the_o provincial_n be_v those_o of_o a_o large_a circuit_n under_o one_o common_a head_n or_o bishop_n a_o classis_fw-la be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o a_o diocese_n save_v that_o by_o common_a use_n the_o diocese_n be_v appropriate_v to_o one_o head_n or_o bishop_n and_o a_o classis_fw-la to_o those_o church_n that_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a consent_n and_o council_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o several_a congregation_n and_o a_o parochial_a or_o congregationall_a church_n be_v a_o society_n of_o so_o many_o christian_n as_o live_v in_o one_o neighbourhood_n or_o in_o some_o convenient_a nearness_n may_v ordinary_o meet_v together_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o all_o other_o office_n of_o a_o church_n here_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o if_o the_o church_n be_v take_v for_o one_o individual_a congregation_n immediate_o under_o the_o same_o governor_n then_o 1._o the_o ecumenical_a church_n be_v never_o institute_v by_o christ_n he_o never_o gather_v they_o into_o one_o congregation_n as_o he_o do_v israel_n nor_o ever_o appoint_v one_o governor_n or_o college_n of_o governor_n over_o they_o for_o see_v the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v call_v and_o gather_v out_o of_o all_o nation_n and_o that_o successive_o some_o at_o one_o time_n and_o in_o one_o place_n and_o some_o at_o another_o one_o college_n of_o governor_n much_o less_o one_o single_a person_n can_v not_o take_v charge_n of_o it_o to_o teach_v it_o or_o rule_v it_o nor_o can_v christian_n so_o disperse_v perform_v the_o duty_n of_o fellow_n member_n to_o each_o other_o 2._o nor_o do_v christ_n ever_o constitute_v a_o national_a or_o provincial_a church_n henever_n call_v a_o nation_n or_o province_n at_o one_o time_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o his_o gospel_n nor_o can_v one_o person_n or_o society_n of_o governor_n teach_v such_o a_o body_n or_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n to_o they_o or_o know_v their_o case_n nor_o can_v the_o people_n know_v and_o help_v one_o another_o or_o come_v to_o their_o governor_n upon_o every_o necessary_a occasion_n especial_o not_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n have_v be_v the_o lot_n of_o
the_o christian_a church_n and_o shall_v such_o a_o thing_n be_v necessary_a our_o bondage_n will_v be_v great_a and_o mean_n of_o edification_n much_o less_o than_o they_o be_v to_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v confine_v to_o a_o little_a country_n and_o be_v a_o entire_a people_n among_o themselves_o and_o all_o tie_v to_o each_o other_o by_o the_o bond_n of_o nature_n as_o one_o great_a family_n descend_v natural_o from_o one_o man_n and_o woman_n 3._o nor_o do_v christ_n institute_v diocesan_n church_n viz_o that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o some_o considerable_a circuit_n less_o than_o a_o nation_n or_o great_a province_n shall_v be_v one_o congregation_n rule_v by_o one_o or_o more_o governor_n immediate_o there_o be_v no_o such_o company_n or_o association_n of_o man_n call_v convert_v or_o form_v into_o church_n by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n but_o the_o first_o believer_n be_v scatter_v and_o independent_a person_n call_v as_o god_n please_v beside_o such_o a_o flock_n can_v ordinary_o meet_v together_o know_v and_o help_v each_o other_o or_o repair_v to_o their_o governor_n or_o be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o as_o they_o ought_v nor_o can_v the_o governor_n know_v teach_v and_o feed_v they_o and_o when_o we_o have_v once_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o regular_a assembly_n to_o make_v up_o one_o church_n of_o many_o town_n of_o a_o whole_a county_n or_o more_o we_o may_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n extend_v it_o without_o end_n to_o a_o whole_a province_n a_o whole_a nation_n or_o empire_n and_o so_o make_v the_o duty_n of_o pastor_n and_o people_n impossible_a and_o the_o end_n of_o the_o church_n impossible_a to_o be_v attain_v which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o 4._o a_o parochial_a or_o congregational_a church_n be_v the_o only_a organical_a church_n direct_o and_o immediate_o appoint_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n for_o thus_o the_o apostle_n collect_v the_o believer_n in_o every_o city_n and_o place_n where_o they_o have_v preach_v into_o one_o church_n or_o society_n ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n act_v 14._o ver_fw-la 23._o if_o these_o church_n be_v company_n of_o believer_n in_o several_a city_n and_o town_n as_o the_o history_n in_o the_o 13_o and_o 14_o chap._n show_v and_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n than_o they_o do_v constitute_v they_o several_a congregation_n and_o no_o common_a governor_n over_o they_o all_o nor_o have_v we_o any_o command_n to_o do_v so_o when_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v increase_v into_o multitude_n of_o member_n it_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v one_o commonwealth_n because_o of_o its_o union_n to_o christ_n and_o the_o same_o general_a end_n of_o that_o union_n in_o like_a manner_n every_o particular_a church_n be_v but_o a_o part_n of_o the_o whole_a must_v unite_v only_o to_o attain_v the_o special_a end_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n with_o more_o ease_n and_o convenience_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o same_o governor_n may_v exercise_v a_o true_a pastoral_a care_n over_o and_o as_o may_v perform_v the_o office_n of_o brethren_n ordinary_o to_o each_o other_o and_o also_o may_v assemble_v together_o in_o one_o place_n ordinary_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o their_o mutual_a edification_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n or_o society_n to_o serve_v christ_n together_o and_o edify_v each_o other_o when_o the_o person_n be_v so_o numerous_a or_o so_o distant_a that_o they_o can_v possible_o perform_v these_o office_n such_o combination_n be_v useless_a yea_o burden_n and_o snare_n even_o our_o opposite_n confess_v this_o viz_o that_o the_o first_o church_n and_o those_o for_o 200_o year_n after_o christ_n at_o least_o be_v but_o several_a congregation_n which_o when_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n be_v multiply_v they_o say_v be_v call_v diocese_n be_v it_o so_o yet_o what_o warrant_n have_v they_o to_o keep_v the_o christian_n of_o one_o city_n or_o place_n to_o one_o congregation_n and_o one_o pastor_n personal_a or_o collective_a when_o the_o number_n be_v so_o increase_v that_o the_o end_n of_o that_o society_n can_v not_o be_v attain_v it_o be_v the_o best_a construction_n we_o can_v make_v of_o the_o proceed_n of_o those_o ancient_a church_n in_o this_o ease_n that_o out_o of_o desire_n to_o keep_v up_o the_o unity_n of_o those_o congregation_n which_o the_o apostle_n plant_v in_o great_a city_n they_o still_o oblige_v all_o that_o be_v afterward_o convert_v in_o those_o city_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o same_o congregation_n and_o then_o the_o convert_v in_o the_o village_n about_o and_o last_o all_o the_o christian_n that_o be_v within_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o those_o city_n whether_o it_o be_v lesser_a or_o great_a province_n or_o whole_a country_n till_o they_o make_v government_n impossible_a to_o themselves_o and_o to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o people_n and_o make_v way_n at_o last_o for_o primate_fw-la patriarch_n and_o the_o pope_n and_o turn_v the_o spiritual_a government_n of_o christ_n by_o his_o minister_n and_o word_n into_o a_o civil_a government_n of_o their_o own_o maintain_v what_o they_o have_v get_v by_o their_o own_o cannon_n and_o the_o law_n of_o prince_n and_o why_o must_v we_o not_o take_v warning_n by_o they_o now_o if_o the_o church_n appoint_v by_o christ_n be_v only_o the_o congregation_n of_o such_o christian_n that_o can_v ordinary_o meet_v together_o and_o with_o their_o pastor_n for_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o a_o church_n it_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v judge_v for_o themselves_o what_o congregation_n and_o how_o large_a or_o small_a be_v for_o their_o own_o edification_n it_o be_v their_o own_o choice_n and_o consent_n that_o make_v they_o member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o this_o congregation_n be_v but_o a_o part_n of_o that_o to_o prosecute_v the_o same_o end_n therefore_o it_o be_v their_o business_n and_o concern_v to_o frame_v their_o own_o society_n also_o these_o congregation_n have_v the_o sole_a right_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o pastor_n admit_v their_o own_o member_n and_o altogether_o of_o govern_v themselves_o else_o they_o have_v not_o the_o power_n of_o a_o church_n but_o be_v a_o company_n of_o christian_n subject_n by_o right_n or_o wrong_n to_o those_o that_o exercise_v this_o power_n over_o and_o among_o they_o it_o also_o follow_v that_o congregation_n can_v be_v just_o compel_v to_o combine_v or_o unite_v into_o large_a association_n as_o diocese_n province_n nation_n or_o the_o like_a for_o the_o end_n of_o civil_a governor_n for_o this_o alter_v the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o a_o church_n and_o be_v a_o great_a dishonour_n to_o christ_n that_o he_o must_v not_o reign_v among_o his_o people_n but_o as_o man_n please_v but_o if_o several_a congregation_n do_v associate_v for_o mutual_a help_n and_o strength_n into_o small_a or_o great_a congregation_n as_o class_n diocese_n province_n or_o even_o all_o that_o be_v of_o one_o nation_n yet_o they_o must_v unite_v but_o as_o former_o the_o city_n of_o achajah_n or_o at_o present_a the_o unite_a netherlands_o for_o great_a and_o common_a case_n and_o for_o general_a defence_n leave_v the_o self_n preserve_v and_o govern_v power_n entire_a to_o every_o congregation_n and_o they_o also_o be_v to_o be_v judge_n how_o far_o it_o be_v for_o the_o good_a and_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n to_o enlarge_v or_o contract_v such_o association_n how_o long_o to_o continue_v they_o and_o when_o to_o break_v they_o off_o for_o those_o associate_v assembly_n govern_v only_o by_o assent_n and_o have_v not_o other_o authority_n over_o particular_a congregation_n far_o than_o as_o they_o approve_v of_o it_o we_o may_v illustrate_v this_o by_o the_o civil_a government_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v at_o first_o but_o one_o family_n and_o but_o a_o small_a one_o all_o mankind_n be_v make_v of_o one_o blood_n to_o dwell_v on_o all_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n act_v 17._o ver_fw-la 26._o be_v there_o any_o obligation_n when_o they_o be_v multiply_v that_o they_o shall_v still_o continue_v in_o one_o family_n or_o be_v it_o consistent_a with_o the_o end_n of_o family_n government_n other_o family_n have_v the_o same_o entire_a authority_n within_o themselves_o as_o the_o first_o have_v and_o authority_n to_o sever_v themselves_o from_o the_o first_o when_o that_o be_v too_o numerous_a and_o they_o a_o sufficient_a number_n to_o make_v distinct_a family_n again_o when_o family_n be_v multiply_v be_v they_o oblige_v to_o live_v all_o in_o one_o country_n and_o to_o continue_v in_o one_o civil_a society_n what_o then_o must_v have_v become_v of_o all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o they_o be_v command_v to_o replenish_v and_o possess_v gen._n 1.28_o
a_o better_a and_o public_o authorize_v translation_n they_o judge_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o no_o small_a offence_n 7._o the_o read_n of_o the_o apocryphal_a scripture_n as_o part_n of_o the_o public_a worship_n and_o that_o without_o any_o distinction_n from_o the_o canonical_a they_o account_v it_o a_o intolerable_a thing_n that_o fable_n and_o fiction_n shall_v be_v solemn_o read_v to_o the_o people_n with_o the_o same_o reverence_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o such_o be_v many_o of_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v only_o of_o humane_a authority_n the_o read_n of_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v make_v a_o solemn_a part_n of_o divine_a worship_n the_o conformist_n say_v that_o read_v the_o scripture_n be_v preach_v and_o the_o nonconformist_n say_v it_o be_v not_o fit_a mere_a humane_a or_o fabulous_a writing_n shall_v be_v preach_v to_o god_n people_n when_o they_o meet_v to_o worship_v he_o by_o hear_v his_o word_n above_o all_o they_o be_v offend_v that_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v leave_v out_o of_o the_o liturgy_n and_o so_o never_o to_o be_v read_v in_o the_o congregation_n and_o apocryphal_a chapter_n put_v in_o their_o room_n 8._o holiday_n or_o festival_n in_o the_o honour_n of_o saint_n they_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o if_o the_o church_n think_v fit_a they_o may_v observe_v the_o day_n of_o our_o saviour_n nativity_n passion_n resurrection_n ascension_n and_o send_v the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o other_o protestant_a church_n do_v provide_v they_o may_v be_v keep_v serious_o and_o not_o make_v of_o the_o same_o necessity_n with_o the_o sabbath_n but_o when_o all_o divine_a worship_n of_o the_o creature_n be_v idolatrous_a and_o the_o keep_n of_o day_n in_o honour_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o building_n temple_n to_o they_o be_v ever_o reckon_v a_o part_n of_o divine_a honour_n and_o to_o be_v sure_o be_v more_o honour_n than_o ever_o god_n command_v or_o allow_v to_o any_o of_o his_o servant_n they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o excuse_v this_o practice_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o part_n of_o a_o church_n liturgy_n 9_o nor_o can_v they_o approve_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o certain_a regeneration_n of_o all_o in_o baptism_n and_o that_o infant_n die_v after_o baptism_n before_o the_o commission_n of_o actual_a sin_n be_v undoubted_o save_v which_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o liturgy_n as_o undoubted_a article_n of_o faith_n whereas_o there_o be_v no_o scripture_n that_o clear_o prove_v either_o of_o they_o and_o at_o best_o they_o be_v point_v dispute_v on_o by_o learned_a man_n on_o both_o side_n nor_o can_v they_o excuse_v the_o practice_n of_o refuse_v parent_n to_o promise_v for_o their_o own_o child_n in_o baptism_n see_v it_o be_v upon_o their_o account_n only_o and_o god_n covenant_n with_o they_o that_o the_o child_n be_v admit_v to_o be_v baptise_a and_o they_o be_v thereby_o engage_v to_o breed_v they_o up_o in_o faith_n and_o obedience_n much_o less_o that_o stranger_n shall_v receive_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o baptise_a who_o have_v no_o authority_n over_o they_o who_o neither_o care_n what_o they_o promise_v nor_o be_v ever_o call_v to_o account_v how_o they_o perform_v their_o promise_n for_o if_o they_o shall_v few_o will_v undertake_v the_o charge_n and_o so_o this_o custom_n will_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n 10._o they_o except_v against_o the_o ordination_n of_o deacon_n to_o read_v divine_a service_n baptise_v and_o bury_v and_o to_o preach_v with_o special_a licence_n this_o they_o say_v be_v to_o create_v a_o new_a fort_n of_o office_n in_o the_o church_n which_o christ_n never_o appoint_v nor_o give_v his_o minister_n authority_n to_o appoint_v it_o deacon_n be_v to_o look_v after_o the_o poor_a and_o that_o be_v all_o their_o work_n and_o though_o the_o primitive_a christian_n sometime_o use_v they_o to_o read_v the_o scripture_n in_o the_o congregation_n yet_o they_o never_o ordain_v they_o to_o this_o as_o a_o office_n yea_o though_o they_o shall_v be_v admit_v to_o read_v prayer_n to_o marry_v or_o bury_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o sacred_a office_n appoint_v by_o christ_n that_o shall_v constitute_v a_o distinct_a order_n of_o minister_n and_o if_o as_o grave_a and_o prudent_a person_n they_o may_v be_v admit_v to_o do_v these_o office_n either_o for_o want_v of_o minister_n or_o to_o assist_v they_o yet_o may_v they_o by_o no_o mean_n be_v suffer_v to_o baptise_v it_o be_v as_o peculiar_a to_o the_o ministry_n as_o to_o administer_v the_o lord_n supper_n and_o the_o admission_n of_o member_n into_o the_o church_n as_o sacred_a and_o solemn_a a_o work_n as_o to_o confirm_v and_o build_v up_o the_o member_n of_o it_o these_o be_v the_o principal_a objection_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n against_o the_o liturgy_n which_o be_v some_o of_o they_o at_o least_o exemplify_v and_o confirm_v by_o many_o particular_n of_o lesser_a moment_n in_o themselves_o but_o all_o tend_v to_o make_v their_o desire_n of_o a_o reformation_n of_o the_o service_n book_n to_o seem_v reasonable_a and_o the_o work_n necessary_a rea._n 2._o the_o second_o thing_n the_o old_a nonconformist_n dislike_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v the_o government_n of_o it_o by_o prelate_n i._n e._n bishop_n with_o sole_a power_n of_o jurisdiction_n many_o of_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n thought_n episcopacy_n utter_o unlawful_a and_o a_o usurpation_n not_o to_o be_v bear_v but_o the_o rest_n who_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o humane_a constitution_n as_o our_o law_n do_v think_v it_o lawful_a and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v submit_v to_o do_v yet_o dislike_v our_o episcopacy_n partly_o because_o of_o the_o secular_a grandure_fw-fr power_n and_o employment_n our_o bishop_n be_v invest_v with_o which_o make_v they_o unable_a and_o unwilling_a to_o discharge_v the_o office_n of_o a_o pastor_n in_o the_o church_n partly_o because_o the_o church_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v in_o their_o election_n except_o a_o empty_a show_n and_o therefore_o person_n be_v most_o common_o prefer_v not_o for_o true_a episcopal_a qualification_n but_o because_o they_o can_v make_v interest_n with_o superior_n but_o principal_o because_o the_o bishop_n arrogate_a to_o themselves_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o exclude_v all_o the_o minister_n from_o any_o share_n therein_o a_o thing_n most_o unexcusable_a in_o they_o who_o acknowledge_v themselves_o to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o presbyter_n and_o only_o in_o a_o degree_n of_o honour_n above_o they_o and_o that_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n whereas_o even_o those_o that_o with_o any_o probability_n or_o sobriety_n maintain_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n do_v nevertheless_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o may_v neither_o ordain_v nor_o govern_v without_o the_o advice_n and_o consent_n of_o his_o presbyter_n this_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o intolerable_a that_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n which_o be_v commit_v by_o christ_n to_o all_o his_o minister_n shall_v be_v wrest_v from_o they_o general_o by_o a_o few_o of_o their_o brethren_n and_o that_o they_o who_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o dispense_v the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n the_o chief_n key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n whereby_o man_n be_v bring_v to_o the_o faith_n admit_v into_o the_o church_n and_o bnilt_n up_o in_o it_o shall_v not_o have_v power_n to_o censure_v offender_n and_o to_o receive_v the_o penitent_a again_o to_o communion_n which_o be_v thing_n of_o lesser_a moment_n and_o depend_v on_o the_o former_a and_o yet_o without_o which_o the_o former_a can_v not_o be_v manage_v in_o a_o fit_a manner_n for_o edification_n by_o this_o mean_n minister_n be_v deprive_v of_o one_o half_a of_o their_o office_n and_o power_n and_o be_v both_o discourage_v and_o hinder_v in_o the_o other_o half_a for_o who_o will_v regard_v their_o preach_a who_o have_v not_o liberty_n to_o judge_v what_o person_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n or_o who_o in_o it_o deserve_v censure_v or_o to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o and_o the_o bishop_n themselves_o in_o undertake_v the_o whole_a work_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n take_v that_o upon_o they_o which_o they_o never_o can_v nor_o do_v manage_n for_o the_o church_n edification_n r._n 3d._n the_o nonconformist_n be_v much_o dissatisfy_v about_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o it_o and_o the_o officer_n that_o manage_v it_o the_o rule_n they_o say_v be_v not_o take_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n and_o law_n of_o christ_n church_n but_o it_o be_v the_o roman_a civil_a and_o canon_n law_n which_o at_o best_o be_v suit_v to_o their_o own_o time_n and_o people_n in_o many_o thing_n very_o defective_a and_o in_o other_o erroneous_a and_o superstitious_a there_o
of_o man_n appoint_v by_o david_n by_o divine_a inspiration_n for_o this_o work_n and_o so_o the_o manner_n and_o method_n also_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o art_n and_o rule_n of_o music_n be_v then_o acceptable_a and_o part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a worship_n but_o there_o be_v such_o office_n nor_o such_o service_n appoint_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o be_v no_o warrant_n for_o our_o response_n neither_o do_v the_o scripture_n give_v any_o warrant_n or_o example_n for_o observe_v day_n as_o sacred_a in_o the_o honour_n of_o saint_n or_o of_o institute_v new_a office_n in_o the_o church_n or_o new_a ceremony_n of_o worship_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a our_o saviour_n declare_v that_o man_n worship_v in_o vain_a that_o teach_v for_o doctriens_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n matth._n 15.9_o it_o seem_v then_o that_o decency_n and_o order_n which_o man_n purposely_o devise_v to_o add_v significancy_n or_o comeliness_n to_o god_n worship_n be_v abominable_a in_o his_o sight_n he_o have_v no_o need_n of_o man_n service_n and_o therefore_o will_v accept_v of_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v appoint_v and_o carry_v on_o by_o his_o own_o spirit_n neither_o do_v the_o scripture_n appoint_v or_o warrant_v any_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n above_o ordinary_a minister_n at_o least_o not_o such_o as_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v sole_a power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n the_o high_a priest_n of_o old_a have_v no_o such_o power_n of_o the_o priest_n as_o this_o learned_a doctor_n have_v prove_v in_o his_o irenicum_fw-la they_o have_v some_o peculiar_a thing_n appropriate_v to_o their_o office_n but_o be_v themselves_o subject_a to_o the_o sanhedrim_n the_o apostle_n be_v all_o of_o one_o order_n and_o have_v no_o authority_n over_o each_o other_o and_o govern_v the_o church_n only_o by_o consent_n gal._n 2.9_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o distinction_n make_v betwixt_o ordinary_a minister_n except_o what_o they_o see_v needful_a to_o make_v among_o themselves_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n this_o all_o our_o old_a bishop_n acknowledge_v and_o therefore_o plead_v for_o episcopacy_n only_o as_o a_o humane_a constitution_n and_o those_o who_o of_o late_o write_v for_o its_o divine-right_a do_v yet_o the_o most_o learned_a of_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v from_o scripture_n unless_o perhaps_o from_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n which_o this_o dr._n have_v solid_o confute_v it_o be_v always_o object_v to_o the_o nonconformist_n that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o forbid_v those_o thing_n though_o they_o do_v not_o command_v they_o but_o they_o reply_v that_o the_o non-command_a of_o any_o thing_n in_o god_n worship_n and_o church_n be_v a_o prohibition_n except_o of_o those_o thing_n only_o that_o occasional_o become_v necessary_a or_o that_o be_v natural_o necessary_a circumstance_n of_o such_o action_n as_o be_v command_v for_o it_o will_v argue_v great_a imperfection_n in_o the_o law_n if_o it_o shall_v omit_v thing_n that_o be_v constant_o or_o general_o necessary_a for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o moses_n close_v his_o law_n with_o this_o command_n that_o none_o shall_v add_v or_o diminish_v it_o so_o christ_n have_v give_v his_o law_n to_o his_o church_n and_o appoint_v officer_n with_o power_n to_o make_v govern_z and_o cast_v member_n out_o of_o it_o as_o there_o be_v need_v without_o give_v they_o liberty_n to_o add_v or_o alter_v he_o also_o do_v virtual_o prohibit_v such_o addition_n or_o alteration_n till_o he_o shall_v come_v again_o and_o their_o commission_n be_v only_o to_o teach_v baptize_v and_o to_o teach_v all_o that_o christ_n command_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n mat._n 28.18.19_o this_o do_v sufficient_o restrain_v they_o from_o make_v or_o teach_v cammand_n of_o their_o own_o all_o their_o authority_n be_v ground_v on_o that_o commission_n 2._o from_o antiquity_n the_o nonconformist_n allege_v that_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o many_o hundred_o year_n have_v not_o state_v liturgy_n prescribe_v the_o word_n as_o well_o as_o method_n of_o worship_n justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o second_o apoligy_n design_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o christian_a worship_n viz_o the_o order_n and_o method_n of_o pray_v preach_v admit_v of_o member_n administer_a both_o sacrament_n but_o have_v no_o word_n of_o a_o prescribe_a form_n but_o he_o say_v the_o minister_n pray_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o he_o be_v able_a tertullian_n give_v the_o same_o account_n in_o his_o apol._n cap._n 39_o say_v likewise_o sine_fw-la monitore_fw-la quia_fw-la de_fw-la pectore_fw-la oramus_fw-la they_o pray_v by_o heart_n and_o therefore_o have_v no_o prompter_n much_o less_o a_o book_n we_o read_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a 19.20_o euseb_n de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr constant_a l._n 4._o cap_n 19.20_o have_v abolish_v idolatry_n compose_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n for_o his_o heathen_a soldier_n wherein_o it_o hey_n shall_v pray_v to_o one_o god_n the_o creator_n of_o all_o thing_n but_o we_o read_v of_o no_o form_n impose_v on_o christian_n there_o be_v indeed_o liturgy_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o apostle_n james_n basil_n chrysostome_n and_o ambrose_n but_o they_o convince_v themselves_o to_o be_v forge_v by_o late_a man_n and_o so_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n but_o when_o the_o church_n be_v overrun_v with_o error_n and_o superstition_n it_o be_v appoint_v in_o africa_n that_o the_o minister_n shall_v either_o receive_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n from_o their_o bishop_n 12._o cansil_n milevet_fw-la 2_o dum_fw-la can._n 12._o or_o show_v their_o own_o prayer_n to_o they_o for_o their_o approbation_n but_o this_o be_v above_o 400_o year_n after_o christ_n the_o usurpation_n of_o bishop_n lazine_n and_o ambition_n of_o minister_n ignorance_n and_o superstition_n in_o the_o people_n breed_v liturgy_n and_o they_o grow_v up_o together_o nor_o be_v their_o any_o mention_n of_o response_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n a_o superstition_n story_n of_o a_o vision_n of_o angel_n sing_v a_o hymn_n in_o that_o manner_n by_o turn_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v see_v by_o ignatius_n dead_a long_o before_o nor_o have_v the_o ancient_a church_n day_n holy_a to_o saint_n for_o 300_o year_n and_o upward_a we_o find_v only_a mention_n among_o they_o of_o easter-day_n and_o yet_o that_o cause_v such_o division_n and_o contention_n that_o it_o may_v have_v be_v a_o warning_n to_o after_o age_n for_o contend_v about_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v not_o command_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n be_v indeed_o read_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n very_o ancient_o though_o they_o never_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n but_o it_o be_v more_o excusable_a in_o they_o then_o in_o we_o because_o it_o be_v long_o ere_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n especial_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v gather_v into_o one_o volumn_n or_o it_o be_v agree_v among_o the_o church_n which_o be_v canonical_a and_o which_o apocryphal_a for_o some_o of_o the_o apocryphal_a be_v read_v in_o some_o church_n as_o canonical_a and_o some_o of_o the_o canonical_a be_v by_o some_o church_n reject_v the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n be_v so_o long_o unknown_a to_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o say_v when_o it_o come_v in_o though_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n be_v common_o use_v among_o they_o upon_o their_o clothes_n in_o their_o hat_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o heathen_n and_o as_o a_o token_n that_o they_o be_v christian_n the_o montanist_n begin_v to_o make_v a_o superstititious_a use_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o so_o do_v many_o other_o soon_o after_o constantine_n himself_o can_v scarce_o be_v excuse_v if_o eusebius_n be_v credit_v but_o that_o it_o be_v annex_v to_o baptism_n and_o make_v a_o symbol_n of_o man_n embrace_v christianity_n there_o be_v no_o record_n kneel_v at_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v not_o enjoin_v till_o transubstantion_n be_v establish_v above_o 1200_o year_n after_o christ_n nor_o be_v any_o general_a example_n for_o it_o pretnede_v in_o former_a age_n the_o surplice_n be_v much_o elder_a than_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n or_o kneel_v at_o the_o supper_n yet_o for_o 200_o year_n and_o upward_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o know_v when_o or_o how_o it_o come_v in_o many_o rite_n custom_n and_o ceremony_n be_v use_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n some_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o jew_n some_o from_o the_o heathen_n by_o the_o convert_v of_o both_o sort_n yet_o not_o impose_v upon_o other_o the_o apostle_n rule_v be_v yet_o observe_v that_o no_o man_n shall_v judge_v another_o in_o meat_n or_o drink_n 14._o col._n 2.16_o rom._n 14._o or_o in_o respect_n of_o a_o holy_a day_n i._n e._n the_o jewish_a festival_n which_o be_v once_o of_o divine_a institution_n nor_o do_v the_o
disown_n and_o disparage_v that_o reformation_n which_o they_o have_v be_v engage_v in_o for_o twenty_o year_n and_o to_o make_v themselves_o transgressor_n to_o reproach_v their_o brethren_n that_o be_v dead_a to_o disparage_v all_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o their_o behalf_n and_o to_o vilify_v the_o success_n of_o their_o own_o ministry_n and_o the_o growth_n of_o religion_n and_o sobriety_n in_o the_o nation_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o be_v instrument_n of_o and_o moreover_o to_o engage_v they_o against_o all_o endeavour_n of_o reformation_n for_o the_o future_a and_o all_o those_o principle_n which_o their_o pious_a predecessor_n have_v deliver_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o think_v he_o that_o can_v do_v this_o be_v a_o servant_n of_o man_n and_o not_o of_o christ_n they_o do_v not_o justify_v all_o proceed_n in_o the_o endeavour_n for_o reformation_n never_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v attempt_v without_o many_o infirmity_n in_o the_o best_a and_o transvers_a design_n in_o selfish_a man_n there_o be_v never_o more_o heresy_n schism_n and_o superstition_n in_o the_o church_n than_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o those_o that_o immediate_o succeed_v proportionable_a to_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n the_o gospel_n be_v then_o but_o set_v up_o in_o the_o world_n but_o the_o reformation_n itself_o be_v good_a and_o necessary_a and_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o as_o to_o religion_n manifest_a they_o can_v revile_v or_o renounce_v without_o condemn_v those_o principle_n which_o animate_v they_o to_o bring_v in_o the_o king_n without_o regard_n of_o their_o own_o peersonal_a peace_n or_o interest_n it_o be_v say_v that_o reformation_n want_v authority_n it_o do_v so_o such_o as_o shall_v make_v it_o national_a but_o self_n and_o ruler_n ought_v to_o protect_v they_o in_o it_o and_o not_o to_o trouble_v they_o for_o it_o or_o force_v they_o from_o it_o chap._n vi_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o present_a nonconformist_n concern_v communion_n with_o and_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v give_v the_o principle_n reason_n why_o many_o minister_n both_o former_o and_o in_o this_o present_a age_n can_v conform_v i._n e._n approve_v and_o subscribe_v to_o the_o lyttergy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o it_o contain_v all_o thing_n belong_v to_o public_a worship_n it_o be_v needful_a that_o we_o set_v down_o what_o be_v their_o thought_n concern_v their_o present_a case_n and_o what_o their_o practice_n ought_v to_o be_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o their_o friend_n may_v not_o mistake_v and_o think_v they_o maintain_v principle_n of_o anarchy_n and_o confusion_n which_o if_o they_o do_v they_o will_v long_o since_o have_v come_v to_o nought_o and_o that_o their_o ill-willer_n may_v not_o have_v opportunity_n to_o slander_v they_o by_o misrepresent_v they_o as_o enemy_n to_o all_o government_n and_o as_o inconsistent_a with_o themselves_o as_o this_o dr._n have_v do_v therefore_o 1._o the_o non_fw-fr conformist_n conceive_v the_o case_n betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o conformist_n clergy_n to_o be_v much_o the_o same_o as_o betwixt_o the_o lutheran_n and_o calvinist_n in_o germany_n or_o betwixt_o the_o papist_n and_o protestant_n since_o the_o council_n of_o ptrent_n i._n e._n difference_n be_v come_v to_o the_o high_a extremity_n under_o blood_n and_o that_o only_a because_o it_o be_v not_o in_o clergy_n man_n power_n and_o be_v utter_o irreconcilable_a the_o lutheran_n former_o have_v some_o man_n among_o they_o of_o some_o moderation_n and_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o calvinist_n be_v dispute_v and_o debate_v and_o man_n leave_v to_o their_o liberty_n both_o in_o judgement_n and_o practice_n but_o when_o they_o get_v strength_n enough_o than_o they_o impose_v their_o subscription_n depose_v and_o imprisson_v the_o calvinist_n enveigh_v against_o they_o with_o all_o bitterness_n will_v admit_v of_o no_o treaty_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o final_o be_v so_o obstinate_o fix_v in_o their_o own_o way_n as_o that_o they_o will_v much_o rather_o go_v three_o step_n backward_o to_o rome_n then_o come_v one_o forward_o towards_o the_o calvinist_n the_o papist_n also_o though_o they_o earnest_o oppose_v the_o reformation_n yet_o they_o maintain_v dispute_n and_o debate_n hold_v conference_n and_o consultation_n with_o our_o first_o reformer_n and_o forbear_v violence_n at_o least_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o prince_n a_o good_a while_n so_o that_o there_o be_v hope_n the_o church_n may_v have_v be_v reform_v without_o any_o fatal_a breach_n hcharles_n 5_o then_o emperor_n and_o francis_n the_o one_a k._n of_o france_n and_o other_o carnest_o endeavour_v to_o bring_v it_o about_o but_o when_o after_o all_o the_o council_n that_o have_v be_v desire_v on_o both_o side_n meet_v at_o trent_n and_o exclude_v the_o protestant_n from_o vote_v among_o they_o and_o establish_v all_o the_o error_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o the_o protestant_n condemn_v and_o curse_v all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o protestant_n point_n by_o point_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v hear_v and_o examine_v and_o final_o order_v all_o that_o shall_v be_v ordain_v to_o the_o ministry_n to_o subscribe_v to_o this_o council_n there_o be_v now_o no_o more_o hope_n of_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o pacification_n betwixt_o dissent_v party_n thus_o the_o nonconformist_a be_v of_o the_o same_o date_n with_o the_o conformist_n bishop_n hooper_n bish_n coverdale_n mr._n rogers_n mr._n bradford_n with_o other_o of_o the_o first_o reformer_n be_v dissatisfy_v with_o the_o establish_a lyturgy_n and_o still_o more_o and_o more_o successive_o in_o after_o age_n be_v at_o first_o treat_v like_o brethren_n and_o though_o the_o lyturgy_n be_v establish_v by_o law_n by_o k._n edw._n and_o q._n eliz._n yet_o they_o require_v not_o subcription_n to_o sit_v or_o approbation_n of_o it_o be_v content_a with_o a_o silent_a practice_n of_o what_o be_v enjoin_v and_o very_o frequent_o pass_v over_o with_o silence_n the_o omission_n or_o non-practise_a of_o the_o ceremony_n and_o other_o thing_n enjoin_v till_o archbishop_n whitgift_n day_n all_o which_o time_n the_o noncomformists_a have_v still_o hope_n thing_n may_v have_v be_v accommodate_v and_o they_o appply_v themselves_o to_o prince_n and_o parliament_n to_o that_o end_n at_o length_n the_o canon_n in_o 1605_o make_v by_o the_o whole_a convocation_n but_o with_o as_o fair_a play_n as_o those_o at_o trent_n and_o ratify_v by_o the_o king_n establish_v all_o thing_n that_o the_o noncomformists_a complain_v of_o and_o that_o not_o in_o the_o gross_a but_o point_n by_o point_n and_o fortify_v they_o with_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n against_o all_o dissenter_n and_o final_o require_v all_o minister_n to_o approve_v the_o lyturgy_n by_o subscription_n whereupon_o many_o werer_n turn_v out_o at_o present_a and_o many_o keep_v from_o the_o ministry_n nevertheless_o these_o subscription_n be_v private_a before_o the_o bishop_n and_o ordinary_n who_o may_v and_o do_v frequent_o either_o omit_v the_o subscription_n or_o qualify_v it_o with_o such_o interpretation_n that_o many_o who_o be_v in_o their_o judgement_n nonconformist_n can_v and_o do_v still_o get_v into_o and_o continue_v in_o place_n and_o those_o who_o be_v drive_v out_o of_o one_o diocese_n be_v frequent_o suffer_v to_o preach_v in_o another_o and_o they_o who_o can_v not_o be_v ordain_v by_o bishop_n will_v procure_v ordination_n in_o other_o protestant_a country_n so_o that_o here_o be_v a_o little_a alleviation_n there_o be_v also_o one_o ground_n of_o hope_n elft_v viz._n these_o canon_n be_v not_o law_n another_o king_n yea_o the_o same_o that_o approve_a they_o may_v have_v alter_v they_o and_o therefore_o the_o nonconformist_n stretch_v their_o patience_n to_o the_o utmost_a hope_v that_o at_o last_o their_o affliction_n may_v be_v look_v on_o by_o they_o that_o have_v power_n to_o remedy_v they_o and_o some_o appearance_n of_o it_o there_o be_v under_o the_o long_a parliament_n especial_o when_o the_o king_n and_o they_o be_v upon_o term_n of_o pacification_n but_o behold_v the_o conclusion_n we_o have_v at_o length_n the_o private_a subscription_n to_o the_o common_a prayer_n book_n turn_v into_o a_o public_a solemn_a declaration_n in_o the_o congregation_n and_o that_o in_o prescript_n form_n of_o word_n that_o there_o may_v be_v no_o moderation_n and_o this_o to_o extend_v to_o the_o unfeigned_a approbation_n of_o the_o use_n of_o every_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n and_o these_o episcopal_a canon_n turn_v into_o a_o stand_a law_n which_o equal_o extend_v to_o all_o part_n of_o the_o realm_n and_o to_o all_o time_n and_o age_n successive_o as_o much_o as_o man_n can_v oblige_v they_o so_o that_o there_o can_v easy_o be_v no_o alteration_n and_o beside_o all_o this_o they_o must_v not_o only_o
just_a liberty_n be_v on_o the_o nonconformist_n side_n in_o these_o point_n 3._o whether_o the_o nonconformist_n both_o minister_n and_o people_n be_v not_o great_o strengthen_v both_o in_o their_o nonconformity_n to_o the_o lyturgy_n and_o also_o in_o their_o practice_n of_o hold_v communion_n together_o for_o self_n preservation_n by_o what_o have_v follow_v in_o a_o uninterrupted_n course_n ever_o since_o the_o ejection_n of_o minister_n viz_o the_o horrible_a and_o general_a contempt_n of_o religion_n general_a corruption_n of_o manner_n great_a neglect_n of_o preach_v to_o the_o people_n most_o dignitary_n have_v many_o parish_n in_o their_o hand_n which_o they_o supply_v by_o ignorant_a boy_n the_o great_a growth_n of_o popery_n with_o a_o certain_a and_o manifest_a design_n of_o bring_v it_o into_o the_o land_n again_o if_o his_o majesty_n who_o now_o let_v be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o way_n the_o great_a corruption_n of_o doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o manner_n in_o our_o own_o clergy_n neither_o of_o which_o be_v mind_v by_o the_o ruler_n of_o our_o church_n so_o as_o man_n be_v conformable_a that_o it_o be_v now_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o in_o that_o of_o rome_n man_n may_v be_v of_o any_o opinion_n live_v in_o any_o vice_n or_o be_v of_o no_o religion_n so_o they_o own_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o church_n and_o be_v no_o protestant_n so_o here_o man_n may_v be_v arminian_n socinian_n papist_n atheist_n and_o what_o they_o will_v so_o they_o external_o conform_v to_o the_o lyturgy_n and_o be_v no_o presbyterian_o so_o that_o it_o be_v now_o manifest_a that_o nothing_o be_v intend_v by_o the_o contriver_n of_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n but_o to_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o ministry_n those_o who_o they_o know_v can_v not_o then_o conform_v and_o for_o ever_o to_o keep_v out_o and_o entangle_v the_o most_o understanding_n and_o conscientious_a man_n and_o to_o let_v none_o into_o the_o church_n who_o shall_v scruple_n any_o of_o her_o command_n or_o practice_n be_v such_o thing_n any_o motive_n to_o the_o nonconformist_n after_o 18_o year_n suffer_v all_o the_o indignity_n and_o injury_n that_o julian_n wit_n and_o malice_n think_v fit_a to_o lay_v upon_o the_o christian_n of_o his_o time_n and_o suppose_v they_o more_o intolerable_a to_o they_o then_o present_a death_n which_o will_v have_v be_v both_o honourable_a and_o a_o end_n of_o their_o misery_n i_o say_v be_v these_o thing_n motive_n that_o at_o last_o they_o shall_v condemn_v their_o former_a practice_n and_o without_o any_o relaxation_n quiet_o take_v all_o the_o burden_n on_o their_o shoulder_n no_o they_o be_v satisfy_v that_o whereas_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v give_v herself_o a_o mortal_a wound_n by_o her_o act_n of_o uniformity_n and_o have_v lie_v bleed_v of_o it_o ever_o since_o almost_o to_o death_n that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o hasten_v her_o death_n by_o put_v their_o hand_n and_o add_v their_o help_n to_o it_o 5._o the_o dr._n think_v that_o minister_n be_v not_o now_o so_o indispensible_o bind_v preach_v as_o the_o aposte_n be_v who_o be_v immediate_o send_v by_o god_n and_o authorize_v by_o miracle_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v cease_v preach_v if_o forbid_v by_o the_o magistrate_n just_o or_o unjust_o answ_n there_o be_v the_o same_o necessity_n of_o the_o ministry_n to_o preserve_v build_v up_o and_o continue_v the_o church_n by_o add_v new_a member_n through_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n as_o there_o be_v of_o the_o apostle_n to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o there_o lay_n the_o same_o necessity_n upon_o every_o minister_n to_o preach_v to_o his_o flock_n within_o his_o compass_n as_o do_v on_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o compass_n may_v civil_a magistrate_n be_v resist_v or_o depose_v by_o the_o people_n upon_o any_o pretence_n and_o they_o not_o seek_v redress_n because_o they_o be_v not_o anoint_v and_o immediate_o send_v by_o god_n as_o saul_n and_o david_n etc._n etc._n be_v if_o the_o stand_a order_n of_o magistracy_n have_v its_o immutable_a warrant_n and_o unalterable_a privilege_n to_o enable_v it_o for_o the_o the_o discharge_n of_o that_o office_n sure_o the_o stand_n and_o ordinary_a ministry_n have_v as_o much_o warrant_n and_o provision_n for_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n without_o expect_v miracle_n to_o give_v they_o new_a authority_n serm._n p._n 36._o 6._o the_o dr._n say_v the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n give_v many_o weighty_a reason_n against_o toleration_n and_o be_v for_o uniformity_n as_o much_o as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o that_o that_o church_n be_v justify_v by_o they_o from_o all_o tyranny_n in_o exact_v uniformity_n and_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o uiniformity_n but_o who_o shall_v have_v the_o order_n of_o it_o answ_n the_o present_a nonconformist_n have_v oppose_v toleration_n of_o all_o sect_n and_o opinion_n as_o much_o as_o the_o assembly_n but_o this_o charge_n be_v a_o great_a injury_n both_o to_o the_o assembly_n and_o to_o the_o nonconformist_n now_o live_v for_o the_o assembly_n never_o desire_v uniformity_n in_o the_o same_o word_n of_o prayer_n and_o all_o divine_a office_n or_o in_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n devise_v by_o man_n that_o may_v occasion_v scruple_n to_o any_o nor_o do_v their_o reason_n tend_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n but_o only_o that_o man_n shall_v not_o have_v liberty_n to_o withdraw_v from_o their_o parish_n upon_o every_o pretence_n and_o to_o constitute_v new_a congregation_n the_o present_a nonconformist_n desire_n no_o uniformity_n but_o in_o doctrine_n and_o the_o substantial_o of_o worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n leave_v the_o word_v and_o methode_v of_o worship_n to_o particular_a man_n prudence_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o people_n and_o leave_v all_o congregation_n to_o their_o liberty_n in_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n not_o institute_v by_o christ_n suppose_v that_o physician_n may_v as_o well_o be_v tie_v to_o the_o same_o rule_n in_o administer_a physic_n to_o all_o body_n as_o minister_n and_o people_n be_v oblige_v to_o the_o same_o word_n and_o thing_n universal_o for_o their_o soul_n let_v the_o late_a act_n of_o uniformity_n be_v abolish_v the_o apocryphal_a book_n and_o holiday_n be_v leave_v out_o of_o the_o lyturgy_n and_o the_o psalm_n read_v in_o the_o new_a translation_n let_v the_o cross_n and_o surplice_n be_v take_v away_o and_z kneeling_z at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v leave_v indifferent_a according_a to_o the_o discretion_n of_o minister_n and_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o people_n also_o let_v parent_n stipulate_v for_o their_o own_o child_n and_o some_o few_o thing_n in_o the_o prayer_n be_v alter_v or_o so_o explain_v that_o they_o may_v give_v no_o offence_n let_v the_o book_n of_o consecration_n of_o bishop_n &c_n &c_n be_v restore_v as_o it_o be_v in_o queen_n elizabeth_n day_n and_o minister_n be_v bind_v only_o in_o general_a word_n to_o a_o peaceable_a submission_n to_o the_o lyturgy_n &_o let_v they_o subscribe_v to_o the_o 39_o article_n only_o in_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o sacrament_n according_a to_o the_o statute_n eliz._n 13._o and_o this_o will_v make_v much_o more_o for_o union_n then_o any_o thing_n the_o dr._n or_o his_o brethren_n have_v yet_o say_v serm._n p._n 11_o 12._o but_o the_o dr._n say_v phil._n 3.16_o command_v all_o to_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n viz._n the_o rule_n of_o uniformity_n former_o give_v they_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v with_o they_o as_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o do_v in_o all_o the_o church_n be_v it_o so_o but_o do_v the_o apostle_n intend_v any_o more_o than_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v content_a with_o the_o same_o substantial_o of_o worship_n which_o be_v for_o common_a edification_n wherein_o all_o might_n and_o ought_v to_o agree_v without_o contend_v about_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o law_n or_o particular_a opinion_n which_o some_o out_o of_o weakness_n may_v be_v zealous_a for_o and_o other_o that_o be_v more_o perfect_a know_v be_v abolish_v this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o plain_a meaning_n of_o the_o text_n for_o both_o the_o perfect_a and_o the_o imperfect_a and_o otherwise_o mind_v be_v all_o to_o agree_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o rule_n which_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v the_o imposition_n or_o limitation_n of_o disputable_a doctrine_n or_o questionable_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n but_o he_o will_v prove_v that_o this_o uniformity_n be_v in_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n from_o 1_o cor._n 7.17_o because_o some_o thing_n the_o apostle_n ordain_v in_o all_o church_n but_o the_o text_n speak_v only_o of_o the_o co-habitation_n of_o husband_n and_o wife_n when_o one_o be_v a_o infidel_n ver_fw-la 15_o 16._o be_v this_o a_o ceremony_n in_o 1_o cor._n 11.34_o the_o apostle_n abolish_v the_o custom_n of_o love-feast_n before_o the_o lord_n supper_n because_o it_o be_v
of_o the_o parish_n any_o more_o than_o the_o non-residents_a may_v plead_v that_o they_o can_v reside_v with_o their_o own_o people_n or_o perform_v ministerial_a duty_n to_o they_o because_o they_o must_v hold_v communion_n with_o they_o among_o who_o they_o dwell_v thus_o the_o dr_n in_o all_o his_o book_n have_v say_v nothing_o direct_o to_o the_o question_n in_o hand_n but_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n he_o say_v be_v the_o same_o now_o as_o at_o the_o first_o reformation_n but_o as_o to_o the_o minister_n this_o be_v apparent_o otherwise_o such_o subscription_n and_o declaration_n be_v require_v of_o they_o as_o no_o history_n can_v match_v except_o those_o impose_v on_o the_o jansenist_n in_o france_n of_o which_o we_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o imitation_n the_o contriver_n of_o our_o imposition_n be_v then_o in_o france_n when_o the_o jansenist_n be_v remove_v from_o all_o ecclesiastical_a place_n by_o a_o like_a artifice_n as_o we_o afterward_o be_v if_o he_o mean_v the_o term_n of_o communion_n that_o concern_v the_o people_n as_o he_o elsewhere_o express_v himself_o and_o restrain_v they_o to_o the_o term_n impose_v by_o law_n this_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o the_o minister_n though_o they_o shall_v submit_v to_o those_o term_n when_o they_o act_v as_o private_a man_n may_v nevertheless_o be_v bind_v not_o to_o for_o sake_n the_o exercise_n of_o their_o ministry_n beside_o there_o be_v a_o fallacy_n in_o restrain_v the_o term_n to_o those_o enjoin_v by_o law_n what_o if_o neither_o minister_n nor_o people_n can_v enjoy_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o law_n but_o new_a term_n be_v impose_v on_o they_o without_o law_n as_o be_v the_o subscription_n to_o the_o service_n book_n can._n 36._o whereby_o so_o many_o worthy_a minister_n be_v turn_v out_o in_o k._n jame_n time_n the_o read_n of_o the_o book_n for_o soort_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o the_o read_n of_o the_o prayer_n against_o the_o scot_n and_o the_o order_n for_o preach_v but_o once_o a_o sabbath_n and_o then_o not_o to_o exceed_v a_o hour_n for_o disobey_v which_o more_o be_v reject_v in_o the_o late_a king_n time_n and_o many_o such_o be_v still_o continue_v viz_o the_o constant_a read_n of_o the_o communion_n service_n though_o there_o be_v no_o sacrament_n which_o make_v the_o prayer_n more_o tedious_a and_o full_a of_o repition_n than_o they_o need_v to_o be_v and_o also_o straitn_v the_o preacher_n if_o it_o do_v not_o hinder_v the_o sermon_n the_o place_v the_o communion_n table_n and_o rail_a it_o like_o a_o altar_n and_o compel_v the_o communicant_n to_o come_v up_o by_o parcel_n to_o kneel_v before_o it_o contrary_a to_o q._n eliz._n injunction_n must_v the_o people_n submit_v still_o because_o these_o thing_n be_v impose_v by_o law_n do_v not_o innovation_n and_o corruption_n come_v into_o the_o church_n by_o degree_n and_o by_o connivance_n at_o first_o and_o afterward_o when_o their_o author_n be_v strong_a enough_o they_o be_v then_o establish_v by_o law_n and_o canon_n and_o yet_o the_o argument_n hold_v not_o the_o thing_n impose_v may_v be_v submit_v to_o at_o the_o first_o reformation_n ergo_fw-la they_o must_v be_v so_o still_o the_o jewish_a ceremony_n be_v tolerate_v and_o practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n paul_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o yet_o when_o false_a teacher_n and_o other_o peevish_a or_o timorous_a man_n contend_v for_o the_o observation_n of_o they_o still_o when_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o viz_o not_o offend_v the_o jew_n be_v cease_v and_o they_o be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o the_o gospel_n than_o the_o same_o apostle_n will_v not_o give_v place_n to_o they_o no_o not_o for_o a_o hour_n though_o peter_n and_o barnabas_n join_v with_o they_o gal._n 2.3.4.5_o and_o ver_fw-la 11._o to_o the_o 18._o nor_o do_v our_o practice_n reflect_v on_o our_o first_o reformer_n unless_o they_o have_v be_v extraordinary_o inspire_v to_o that_o work_n than_o indeed_o to_o vary_v from_o they_o or_o endeavour_v to_o correct_v they_o will_v be_v to_o reproach_v the_o spirit_n by_o who_o they_o act_v but_o if_o they_o make_v that_o reformation_n only_o as_o good_a and_o wise_a man_n act_v according_a to_o principle_n of_o piety_n and_o prudence_n as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v in_o their_o circumstance_n it_o be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o they_o if_o other_o vary_v from_o they_o according_a to_o the_o time_n and_o circumstanee_n they_o live_v in_o my_o l._n bacon_n observe_v that_o in_o civil_a matter_n our_o parliament_n do_v daily_o alter_v our_o law_n essay_n bacon_n be_v essay_n and_o suit_v they_o to_o the_o present_a time_n and_o case_n of_o the_o people_n yet_o this_o be_v think_v no_o disparagement_n to_o the_o wisdom_n or_o justice_n of_o their_o ancestor_n in_o former_a parliament_n but_o the_o church_n â—â—eth_v almost_o bury_v in_o the_o rubbish_n of_o time_n and_o this_o must_v not_o be_v remove_v out_o of_o veneration_n forsooth_o to_o antiquity_n the_o best_a man_n not_o inspire_v can_v but_o do_v what_o be_v best_a for_o their_o own_o time_n we_o shall_v therefore_o inquire_v not_o only_o whether_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n be_v the_o same_o now_o that_o they_o be_v at_o the_o first_o reformation_n but_o also_o whether_o those_o term_n be_v as_o necessary_a as_o tolerable_a and_o as_o fit_a to_o be_v submit_v to_o now_o as_o they_o wre_v then_o nor_o do_v our_o reformer_n expect_v that_o their_o endeavour_n shall_v be_v make_v a_o unalterable_a standard_n to_o all_o posterity_n the_o express_v in_o their_o preface_n to_o the_o common-prayer_n book_n their_o mind_n this_o purpose_n viz._n that_o they_o have_v do_v what_o they_o can_v in_o reform_v the_o church_n and_o the_o liturgy_n according_a to_o their_o light_n and_o as_o their_o time_n will_v bear_v and_o that_o they_o hope_v those_o that_o come_v after_o will_v be_v able_a to_o do_v more_o and_o go_v further_o this_o i_o have_v hear_v from_o divers_a ancient_n and_o credible_a person_n who_o remember_v they_o have_v read_v this_o passage_n in_o the_o say_a preface_n though_o it_o be_v now_o leave_v out_o and_o it_o be_v the_o more_o unreasonable_a to_o urge_v the_o platform_n of_o the_o first_o reformation_n as_o a_o rule_n not_o to_o be_v alter_v though_o in_o disputable_a and_o mutable_a thing_n because_o some_o of_o these_o reformer_n both_o minister_n and_o people_n of_o that_o time_n dislike_v some_o thing_n that_o be_v impose_v and_o because_o they_o be_v yoke_v with_o some_o papist_n who_o dissemble_v their_o religion_n that_o they_o may_v both_o keep_v their_o place_n and_o more_o effectual_o hinder_v the_o reformation_n as_o bishop_n cranmer_n be_v say_v to_o have_v complain_v how_o ever_o the_o thing_n be_v a_o unquestionable_a truth_n nor_o be_v it_o altogether_o true_a which_o he_o say_v that_o the_o dislike_n of_o our_o liturgy_n or_o ceremony_n be_v whole_o bring_v from_o abroad_o by_o hooper_n rogers_n etc._n etc._n such_o as_o have_v travel_v in_o germany_n and_o helvetia_n where_o cranmer_n himself_o have_v also_o be_v a_o considerable_a time_n but_o it_o spring_v up_o at_o home_n also_o together_o with_o the_o first_o seed_n of_o the_o reformation_n almongst_a wicklif_n opinion_n recite_v by_o mr._n fox_n and_o charge_v on_o he_o by_o his_o adversary_n there_o by_o many_o piece_n of_o the_o present_a non-con-formity_n relate_v to_o discipline_n and_o ceremony_n cont._n *_o church_n hist_n cont._n and_o dr._n fuller_n report_v that_o in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o k._n henry_n 8_o many_o article_n be_v complain_v of_o in_o the_o convocation_n as_o be_v now_o common_a among_o the_o people_n as_o against_o lent_n most_o of_o the_o ceremony_n and_o such_o like_a it_o be_v natural_a for_o christian_n not_o only_o to_o desire_v to_o hear_v true_a doctrine_n and_o to_o have_v true_a worship_n but_o to_o have_v that_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n maintain_v by_o such_o discipline_n and_o express_v by_o such_o ceremony_n or_o circumstance_n as_o be_v allow_v by_o it_o and_o agreeable_a to_o it_o and_o not_o by_o exotic_a thing_n of_o man_n device_n and_o humour_n it_o be_v true_a then_o conformity_n and_o nonconformity_n be_v twin_n conceive_v and_o bear_v together_o in_o the_o womb_n of_o our_o church_n and_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o nonconformity_n put_v forth_o its_o hand_n first_o though_o conformity_n have_v the_o hap_n first_o to_o break_v and_o to_o be_v midwife_v into_o into_o the_o world_n by_o law_n but_o indeed_o be_v it_o a_o reflection_n on_o our_o first_o reformer_n to_o desire_v to_o mend_v what_o they_o be_v not_o peremptory_a in_o and_o some_o of_o they_o dislike_v and_o be_v it_o no_o dishonour_n to_o they_o to_o change_v the_o doctrine_n then_o establish_v in_o chief_a article_n of_o faith_n viz._n the_o pelagian_a and_o arminian_n point_n which_o have_v so_o long_o reign_v among_o we_o and_o
concern_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n which_o they_o so_o express_o disavow_v both_o in_o their_o print_a book_n and_o in_o the_o manuscript_n of_o divers_a question_n decide_v by_o they_o the_o account_n whereof_o we_o owe_v to_o this_o learned_a man_n last_o irenic_n p._n 2._o and_o last_o all_o this_o therefore_o from_o the_o honour_n of_o our_o reformer_n be_v but_o a_o flourish_n but_o now_o sect._n 3_o we_o have_v three_o reason_n give_v why_o our_o reformer_n leave_v such_o ceremony_n in_o the_o church_n 1._o he_o say_v it_o be_v out_o of_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n they_o be_v of_o use_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n long_o before_o popery_n and_o yet_o three_o of_o the_o chief_a man_n peter_z martyr_n martin_n bucer_n paulus_n fagius_n who_o be_v send_v from_o beyond_o sea_n to_o assist_v in_o the_o reformation_n promote_v no_o such_o continuance_n of_o these_o venerable_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n abroad_o where_o they_o have_v be_v make_v use_n of_o before_o to_o help_v to_o reform_v and_o how_o ancient_n be_v these_o ceremony_n why_o the_o surplice_n he_o say_v be_v use_v in_o augustine_n and_o hieroms_n time_n that_o be_v 400_o year_n after_o christ_n and_o superstition_n come_v in_o apace_o image_n in_o church_n and_o pray_v for_o and_o to_o the_o dead_a and_o such_o like_a and_o ceremony_n be_v so_o many_o that_o augustine_n complain_v of_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o time_n in_o that_o regard_n be_v worse_o then_o that_o of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o law_n the_o sacrament_n he_o say_v be_v receive_v about_o constantine_n time_n in_o a_o posture_n of_o adoration_n that_o be_v standing_z sc._n from_o the_o time_n of_o easter_n to_o whitsuntide_n as_o all_o other_o public_a worship_n be_v then_o perform_v in_o remembrance_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n but_o do_v they_o kneel_v the_o dr._n will_v not_o say_v so_o nor_o can_v he_o produce_v any_o evidence_n that_o kneel_v at_o the_o communion_n be_v common_o use_v till_o divers_a hundred_o year_n after_o popery_n have_v defile_v the_o western_a church_n the_o cross_n he_o say_v be_v much_o ancient_a and_o use_v with_o much_o superstition_n even_o in_o tertullian_n be_v time_n but_o the_o dr._n say_v not_o it_o be_v use_v in_o baptism_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o that_o be_v only_o to_o our_o case_n when_o he_o plead_v that_o we_o need_v not_o reform_v beyond_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n viz_o those_o soon_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o say_v it_o give_v great_a advantage_n to_o the_o papist_n to_o to_o reject_v the_o custom_n of_o those_o time_n upon_o pretence_n that_o the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n be_v work_v even_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v where_o we_o shall_v stop_v and_o what_o church_n shall_v we_o take_v for_o our_o pattern_n do_v all_o do_v any_o of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n use_v our_o ceremony_n in_o their_o public_a church_n service_n or_o if_o they_o do_v be_v not_o other_o also_o use_v in_o many_o church_n now_o general_o disallow_v by_o papist_n and_o protestant_n as_o give_v the_o communion_n to_o infant_n send_v the_o eulogy_n or_o consecrate_a bread_n to_o those_o that_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o like_a mr._n mead_n no_o nonconformist_a have_v prove_v that_o saint_n and_o image_n worship_n in_o remote_a and_o small_a degree_n begin_v very_o early_o in_o the_o church_n among_o which_o he_o reckon_v the_o most_o ancient_a use_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o tertullian_n time_n with_o which_o they_o use_v to_o fortify_v themselves_o against_o the_o devil_n and_o all_o evil_a accident_n there_o be_v never_o more_o heresy_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n time_n apost_n of_o the_o latter_a time_n then_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n yea_o before_o the_o apostle_n be_v dead_a there_o have_v be_v no_o error_n or_o corruption_n since_o but_o the_o like_a be_v then_o and_o must_v we_o not_o go_v beyond_o or_o pass_v by_o all_o these_o time_n and_o appeal_v only_o to_o scripture_n as_o the_o only_a rule_n for_o constiture_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n do_v the_o judge_n or_o king_n of_o judah_n that_o reform_v their_o church_n before_o the_o captivity_n or_o zerubbabel_n and_o nehemiah_n after_o it_o ever_o make_v former_a time_n their_o precedent_n do_v they_o not_o always_o appeal_v to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n if_o we_o must_v suppose_v the_o time_n next_o the_o apostle_n have_v their_o custom_n and_o ceremony_n from_o the_o apostle_n because_o they_o live_v so_o near_o they_o this_o open_v a_o door_n to_o all_o popish_a tradition_n and_o overthrow_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o scripture_n or_o if_o we_o suppose_v the_o present_a church_n in_o every_o age_n have_v not_o as_o much_o power_n of_o self-government_n as_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v or_o to_o appoint_v and_o alter_v their_o own_o custom_n and_o ceremony_n we_o shall_v contradict_v our_o 20_o artic._n and_o bring_v ourselves_o into_o unsupportable_a slavery_n to_o all_o the_o cannon_n and_o custom_n of_o all_o former_a time_n and_o so_o the_o christian_n as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n will_v need_v a_o talmud_n beside_o their_o bible_n it_o be_v probable_a our_o first_o reformer_n see_v they_o must_v retain_v some_o ceremony_n retain_v those_o they_o think_v most_o ancient_a and_o least_o offensive_a and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o they_o be_v retain_v and_o not_o lay_v aside_o 2._o the_o dr._n say_v these_o ceremony_n be_v retain_v for_o fear_n of_o the_o popish_a bishop_n who_o be_v some_o of_o they_o learned_a man_n lest_o they_o shall_v reproach_v the_o reformer_n with_o innovation_n against_o the_o primitive_a as_o well_o as_o the_o popish_a church_n answ_n this_o be_v indeed_o the_o true_a and_o chief_a reason_n why_o our_o reformation_n be_v no_o more_o complete_a because_o the_o popish_a bishop_n that_o be_v join_v with_o the_o reformer_n hinder_v they_o and_o the_o popish_a people_n will_v not_o endure_v a_o through_o reformation_n mr._n john_n elliot_n a_o worthy_a gentleman_n in_o the_o parliament_n ann._n 3._o car._n 1._o say_v that_o he_o have_v see_v in_o a_o diary_n write_v with_o k._n edw._n 6_o own_o hand_n 661._o rushw_o colec_n part_n 1._o pag._n 661._o these_o word_n that_o the_o bishop_n at_o that_o time_n some_o for_o ignorance_n some_o for_o sloth_n some_o for_o pride_n and_o luxury_n and_o some_o for_o popery_n be_v unfit_a for_o discipline_n to_o which_o we_o must_v add_v that_o some_o of_o the_o good_a bishop_n bishop_n ridley_n in_o particular_a be_v but_o late_o convert_v from_o popery_n have_v yet_o a_o zeal_n for_o the_o old_a custom_n and_o ceremony_n those_o that_o can_v be_v retain_v without_o manifest_a superstition_n and_o so_o much_o they_o themselves_o acknowledge_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o service_n book_n before_o cite_v now_o what_o obligation_n be_v this_o upon_o we_o not_o to_o endeavour_v a_o further_a reformation_n 3._o he_o say_v they_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o lutheran_n church_n who_o retain_v the_o same_o and_o more_o ceremony_n answ_n they_o may_v consider_v that_o see_v they_o must_v retain_v some_o of_o the_o old_a custom_n it_o will_v be_v more_o excusable_a to_o retain_v these_o because_o some_o other_o protestant_a church_n do_v retain_v they_o but_o that_o they_o do_v it_o in_o imitation_n of_o those_o church_n there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o believe_v see_v till_o now_o our_o church_n be_v always_o charge_v to_o be_v too_o much_o addict_v to_o calvin_n and_o influence_v by_o he_o and_o beza_n both_o in_o k._n edw._n and_o queen_n eliz._n time_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n why_o the_o lutheran_n themselves_o retain_v so_o much_o many_o popish_a ceremony_n but_o because_o luther_n be_v almost_o whole_o intent_n upon_o reform_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n neglect_a matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o ceremony_n which_o his_o follower_n interpret_v his_o judgement_n so_o hard_o be_v it_o to_o make_v any_o progress_n in_o any_o good_a design_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n beyond_o the_o first_o effort_n when_o man_n first_o affection_n and_o zeal_n be_v cool_v and_o the_o world_n with_o carnal_a self_n do_v afterward_o entangle_v their_o mind_n it_o be_v strange_a overlash_n when_o the_o dr._n say_v that_o our_o first_o reformer_n die_v martyr_n for_o our_o church_n they_o die_v indeed_o for_o the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n of_o our_o church_n as_o it_o be_v common_a to_o all_o church_n and_o ground_v on_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o idolatrv_n and_o superstition_n of_o rome_n and_o particular_o that_o idol_n of_o the_o mass_n but_o the_o disputable_a thing_n of_o our_o lyturgy_n as_o to_o government_n rite_n and_o ceremony_n be_v never_o in_o question_n then_o nor_o do_v
their_o judge_n who_o be_v their_o profess_a enemy_n and_o tell_v the_o king_n that_o so_o long_o as_o it_o shall_v please_v the_o king_n and_o civil_a state_n to_o maintain_v in_o this_o kingdom_n the_o state_n hierarchy_n or_o prelacy_n we_o can_v in_o honour_n to_o his_o majesty_n and_o the_o state_n and_o in_o desire_n of_o peace_n be_v content_a without_o envy_n to_o suffer_v they_o to_o enjoy_v their_o state_n and_o dignity_n and_o to_o live_v as_o brethren_n among_o those_o minister_n that_o shall_v acknowledge_v spiritual_a homage_n unto_o their_o spiritual_a lordship_n pay_v unto_o they_o all_o temporal_a duty_n of_o tenthes_o and_o such_o like_a yea_o and_o join_n with_o they_o in_o the_o service_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n so_o far_o as_o we_o may_v do_v it_o without_o our_o own_o particular_a communicate_v with_o they_o in_o those_o humane_a tradition_n and_o rite_n that_o in_o our_o conscience_n we_o judge_v to_o be_v unlawful_a thus_o we_o see_v it_o be_v only_o for_o respect_n to_o the_o state_n and_o for_o peace_n sake_n that_o they_o can_v give_v the_o bishop_n any_o acknowledgement_n or_o reverence_n and_o that_o though_o they_o do_v acknowledge_v other_o minister_n for_o their_o brethren_n who_o do_v in_o conscience_n ascribe_v spiritual_a authority_n to_o the_o bishop_n yet_o they_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o bishop_n as_o such_o neither_o for_o father_n nor_o brethren_n mr._n robert_n parker_n write_v in_o latin_a de_fw-la ecclesiastica_fw-la politia_fw-la wherein_o he_o prove_v presbyter_n to_o be_v the_o only_a minister_n and_o answer_v mr._n hooker_n and_o bishop_n bilson_n where_o they_o maintain_v or_o excuse_v bishop_n or_o a_o power_n of_o impose_v what_o government_n the_o magistrate_n please_v upon_o the_o church_n 2._o they_o hold_v congregation_n or_o church_n several_o to_o be_v the_o only_a gospel_n church_n and_o each_o one_o to_o have_v full_a power_n and_o jurisdiction_n within_o itself_o without_o be_v subject_n to_o any_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n but_o their_o own_o but_o all_o to_o be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o his_o inspection_n this_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o mr._n baine_n diocesan_n trial_n of_o dr._n ames_n in_o his_o medulla_n theol._n cap._n 32._o part._n 1._o and_o thus_o they_o joint_o declare_v 1._o engl._n puritan_n chap._n 3._o part_n 1._o they_o hold_v that_o the_o pastor_n of_o particular_a congregation_n be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o high_a spiritual_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n over_o who_o by_o any_o divine_a ordinance_n there_o be_v no_o superior_a pastor_n but_o only_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o they_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o antichrist_n that_o arrogate_v or_o take_v upon_o themselves_o to_o be_v pastor_n of_o pastor_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n position_n 2._o before_o cite_v and_o position_n 3_o they_o hold_v that_o if_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a national_a or_o ecclesiastical_a minister_n or_o pastor_n that_o shall_v be_v the_o prince_n of_o many_o thousand_o pastor_n that_o then_o also_o christ_n as_o he_o do_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n will_v have_v appoint_v a_o solemn_a national_a or_o provincial_a lyturgy_n or_o worship_n unto_o which_o at_o sometime_o of_o the_o year_n the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n shall_v ascend_v and_o that_o unto_o the_o metropolitan_a city_n as_o unto_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o he_o will_v as_o he_o do_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n more_o precise_o and_o particular_o have_v set_v down_o the_o manner_n of_o solemnisation_n thereof_o then_o of_o his_o parochial_a worship_n for_o as_o much_o therefore_o as_o they_o can_v read_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o any_o high_a or_o more_o solemn_a worship_n then_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o a_o particular_a congregation_n they_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o god_n have_v appoint_v any_o high_a minister_n of_o his_o service_n and_o worship_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o the_o elect_a minister_n of_o particular_a congregation_n see_v position_n four_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o protestation_n position_n 24_o we_o confine_v and_o bound_v all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n within_o the_o limit_n only_o of_o one_o particular_a congregation_n hold_v that_o the_o great_a ecclesiastical_a power_n ought_v not_o to_o stretch_v beyond_o the_o same_o and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o arrogate_a of_o princely_a supremacy_n for_o any_o ecclesiastical_a person_n or_o person_n whatsoever_o to_o take_v upon_o themselves_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n over_o many_o church_n much_o more_o over_o whole_a kingdom_n and_o province_n of_o christian_n 3._o they_o hold_v that_o the_o officer_n of_o every_o church_n or_o congregation_n be_v pastor_n teacher_n and_o elder_n choose_v out_o of_o the_o people_n and_o herein_o they_o agree_v with_o all_o the_o protestant_a church_n beside_o the_o lutheran_n 13._o engl._n purit_fw-la ch_n 3._o p._n 13._o they_o hold_v that_o by_o god_n ordinance_n there_o shall_v be_v in_o every_o church_n a_o doctor_n who_o special_a office_n shall_v be_v to_o instruct_v by_o way_n of_o catechise_v the_o ignorant_a of_o the_o congregation_n and_o that_o particular_o in_o the_o main_a ground_n and_o principle_n of_o religion_n chap._n 4._o position_n 1._o they_o hold_v that_o by_o god_n ordinance_n the_o congregation_n shall_v make_v choice_n of_o other_o officer_n as_o assistant_n unto_o the_o minister_n in_o the_o spiritual_a regiment_n of_o the_o congregation_n who_o be_v by_o office_n joint_o with_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n to_o be_v as_o monitor_n and_o overseer_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o conversation_n of_o all_o the_o congregation_n and_o one_o of_o another_o that_o so_o every_o one_o may_v be_v more_o wary_a of_o their_o way_n and_o that_o the_o pastor_n and_o doctor_n may_v better_o attend_v prayer_n and_o doctrine_n and_o by_o their_o mean_n may_v be_v make_v better_o acquaint_v with_o the_o state_n of_o the_o people_n when_o other_o eye_n beside_o their_o own_o shall_v wake_v and_o watch_v over_o they_o protestation_n position_n 25._o we_o hold_v it_o utter_o unlawful_a for_o any_o one_o minister_n to_o take_v upon_o himself_o or_o accept_v of_o a_o sole_a ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n over_o so_o much_o as_o one_o congregation_n and_o therefore_o we_o hold_v that_o some_o of_o the_o sufficient_a and_o most_o honest_a and_o godly_a man_n in_o the_o congregation_n ought_v to_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o head_n of_o family_n to_o be_v adjoin_v in_o commission_n as_o assistant_n to_o the_o minister_n in_o the_o spiritual_a regiment_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o that_o congregation_n of_o which_o he_o be_v the_o pastor_n 4._o they_o hold_v that_o every_o church_n have_v power_n to_o elect_a she_o own_o officer_n &_o to_o censure_v or_o depose_v they_o as_o they_o shall_v deserve_v and_o that_o this_o power_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v take_v from_o they_o though_o they_o grant_v also_o that_o the_o king_n or_o supreme_a magistrate_n have_v authority_n to_o command_v and_o by_o civil_a mulct_n to_o compel_v they_o to_o make_v due_a election_n to_o amend_v undue_a one_o and_o so_o to_o cause_v they_o to_o restore_v such_o officer_n 5._o engl._n purit_fw-la ch_n 2._o pag._n 5._o as_o may_v be_v unjust_o reject_v by_o they_o etc._n etc._n they_o hold_v that_o every_o establish_a church_n ought_v as_o a_o special_a prerogative_n by_o which_o she_o be_v endow_v by_o christ_n to_o have_v power_n and_o liberty_n to_o elect_v and_o choose_v their_o own_o spiritual_a and_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a wrong_v to_o have_v any_o force_v upon_o they_o against_o their_o will_n then_o if_o they_o shall_v force_v upon_o they_o wife_n and_o upon_o woman_n husband_n against_o their_o will_n and_o like_n and_o position_n 6._o they_o hold_v that_o if_o in_o this_o choice_n any_o particular_a church_n shall_v err_v that_o none_o upon_o earth_n but_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o control_v or_o correct_v they_o for_o it_o and_o that_o though_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o he_o to_o take_v away_o this_o power_n from_o they_o yet_o when_o they_o or_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v apparent_o abuse_v the_o same_o he_o stand_v bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o office_n ground_v upon_o the_o same_o to_o punish_v they_o severe_o for_o it_o and_o to_o force_v they_o under_o civil_a mulst_n to_o make_v better_a choice_n protest_v pos_fw-gr 26._o we_o hold_v that_o these_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n be_v so_o choose_v by_o the_o church_n or_o congregation_n be_v to_o exercise_v over_o the_o say_a congregation_n only_o a_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n and_o power_n etc._n etc._n then_o they_o show_v the_o manner_n of_o proceed_v in_o censure_v private_a member_n when_o they_o offend_v and_o then_o add_v if_o any_o one_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n themselves_o shall_v sin_v he_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o censure_n of_o
of_o peace_n which_o the_o dr._n now_o magnify_v after_o their_o death_n but_o be_v in_o their_o life_n time_n as_o little_o account_v of_o as_o we_o at_o this_o day_n they_o be_v always_o charge_v with_o break_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n i_o say_v all_o their_o desire_n of_o peace_n do_v not_o oblige_v they_o to_o comply_v with_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o think_v unlawful_a either_o in_o themselves_o or_o at_o least_o in_o their_o time_n and_o circumstance_n 3._o i_o infer_v that_o when_o they_o be_v reject_v for_o nonconformity_n they_o still_o reckon_v themselves_o the_o rightful_a pastor_n of_o their_o congregation_n and_o that_o their_o right_n or_o relation_n be_v not_o take_v away_o only_o that_o they_o be_v forcible_o keep_v from_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o their_o right_n and_o the_o discharge_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o relation_n and_o thus_o much_o appear_v from_o mr._n bradshaw_n letter_n cite_v by_o the_o dr._n give_v the_o reason_n why_o they_o must_v leave_v their_o people_n and_o not_o preach_v to_o they_o when_o deprive_v because_o this_o be_v to_o run_v upon_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n who_o will_v not_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v so_o despise_v as_o that_o they_o who_o he_o command_v to_o be_v silent_a shall_v yet_o public_o preach_v in_o contradiction_n to_o his_o command_n there_o be_v nothing_o of_o fear_n of_o schism_n in_o the_o case_n but_o a_o prudent_a yield_n to_o the_o time_n and_o of_o two_o evil_n choose_v the_o less_o i._n e._n to_o do_v what_o good_a they_o can_v private_o to_o their_o people_n and_o neighbour_n as_o their_o own_o word_n cite_v do_v show_v rather_o than_o by_o preach_v public_o to_o hazard_v the_o bring_v a_o open_a persecution_n upon_o themselves_o and_o their_o people_n 17._o p._n 1._o sec._n sect._n 16_o 17._o all_o that_o the_o dr._n have_v quote_v let_v it_o be_v consider_v it_o prove_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o prudence_n in_o their_o time_n and_o circumstance_n to_o preach_v public_o when_o silence_v for_o fear_n of_o provoke_v the_o magistrate_n against_o they_o and_z giving_z occasion_n to_o those_o that_o use_v to_o slander_v they_o especial_o to_o king_n james_n as_o enemy_n to_o the_o king_n supremacy_n they_o also_o modest_o add_v that_o the_o word_n may_v be_v preach_v as_o well_o yea_o perhaps_o better_a by_o other_o then_o by_o they_o though_o their_o parish_n seldom_o find_v it_o so_o all_o this_o be_v but_o a_o prudential_a reason_n prove_v no_o difference_n betwixt_o their_o principle_n and_o we_o let_v we_o next_o consider_v their_o practice_n the_o dr._n tell_v we_o ibid._n ibid._n that_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n thought_n it_o unlawful_a for_o private_a person_n to_o endeavour_v reformation_n of_o the_o church_n contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n this_o he_o think_v condemn_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o present_a nonconformist_n but_o bishop_n bancroft_n give_v another_o account_n of_o this_o matter_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v resolve_v among_o the_o nonconformist_n after_o many_o year_n wait_v 8._o dang_n posit_a book_n 3._o chap._n 3._o and_o chap._n 8._o and_o when_o they_o see_v their_o admonition_n to_o the_o parliament_n 1570_o have_v no_o effect_n that_o then_o they_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o reform_v each_o one_o in_o their_o own_o place_n yet_o so_o as_o by_o all_o mean_n to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o according_o they_o do_v pursue_v in_o their_o several_a synod_n classical_a provincial_a and_o national_a from_o the_o year_n 1572_o and_o forward_o have_v at_o length_n compose_v a_o book_n of_o discipline_n ann._n 1583_o which_o be_v revise_v by_o several_a synod_n and_o at_o length_n perfect_v and_o according_a to_o it_o they_o do_v order_v themselves_o and_o frame_v their_o congregation_n till_o all_o be_v discover_v and_o stop_v by_o arch_a bishop_n whitgift_n let_v we_o hear_v their_o own_o word_n 30._o protest_v pos_fw-gr 30._o we_o hold_v it_o utter_o unlawful_a for_o any_o christian_a church_n whatsoever_o by_o any_o arm_a force_n or_o power_n against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o civil_a magistracy_n and_o state_n under_o which_o they_o live_v to_o erect_v and_o set_v up_o in_o public_a the_o true_a worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n or_o to_o beat_v down_o or_o suppress_v any_o superstition_n or_o idolatry_n that_o shall_v be_v countenance_v or_o maintain_v by_o the_o same_o only_o every_o man_n be_v to_o look_v to_o himself_o that_o he_o communicate_v not_o with_o the_o evil_n of_o the_o time_n endure_v what_o it_o shall_v please_v the_o state_n to_o inflict_v and_o seek_v by_o all_o honest_a and_o peaceable_a mean_n all_o reformation_n of_o public_a abuse_n only_o at_o the_o hand_n of_o civil_a public_a person_n 10._o vid._n 3b_n ch_n 1._o chap._n 10._o and_o all_o practice_n contrary_a to_o these_o we_o condemn_v as_o seditious_a and_o sinful_a bishop_n bancroft_n make_v it_o the_o design_n of_o his_o whole_a 3d._n book_n to_o show_v that_o the_o english_a nonconformist_a do_v after_o the_o example_n of_o the_o scot_n endeavour_v reformation_n contrary_a to_o or_o without_o the_o will_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n by_o this_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o attempt_n for_o reformation_n which_o they_o condemn_v be_v 1_o such_o as_o be_v by_o force_n and_o arm_n do_v we_o defend_v any_o such_o the_o gospel_n be_v plant_v and_o must_v be_v propagate_v by_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o bear_v the_o cross_n 2._o attempt_v for_o public_a reformation_n either_o throughout_o the_o nation_n or_o in_o other_o church_n beside_o their_o own_o or_o to_o bring_v their_o practice_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n into_o the_o public_a view_n contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o the_o magistrate_n especial_o if_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n under_o heathen_a emperor_n do_v prove_v for_o they_o do_v keep_v their_o assembly_n and_o worship_n in_o private_a and_o maintain_v they_o to_o the_o death_n against_o the_o law_n and_o will_n of_o those_o prince_n but_o they_o do_v not_o ordinary_o bring_v they_o into_o public_a to_o affront_v the_o magistrate_n to_o their_o face_n yet_o when_o they_o live_v under_o mild_a prince_n and_o have_v a_o kind_n of_o tacit_a connivance_n they_o meet_v public_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o question_n bring_v to_o alexander_n severus_n by_o the_o cook_n in_o rome_n who_o lay_v claim_v to_o a_o public_a hall_n which_o the_o christian_n use_v for_o their_o worship_n and_o the_o mild_a emperor_n assign_v it_o to_o the_o christian_n say_v it_o be_v better_a that_o any_o god_n shall_v be_v worship_v there_o then_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o place_n devote_v to_o excess_n and_o riot_n 1.2_o euseb_n eccl_n hist_o lib._n 1._o cap._n 1.2_o and_o by_o degree_n the_o christian_n have_v many_o beautiful_a church_n which_o dioclesian_n cause_v to_o be_v demolish_v and_o the_o christian_n much_o bewail_v it_o yea_o mr._n mead_n contend_v that_o even_a from_o nero_n time_n the_o christian_n have_v church_n or_o public_a place_n appoint_v for_o their_o worship_n and_o mr._n nich._n fuller_n maintain_v the_o same_o opinion_n in_o his_o miscellany_n ground_v it_o on_o the_o forequote_v place_n of_o eusebius_n 22._o tract_n a_o 1_o cor._n ch._n 11._o ver_fw-la 22._o they_o who_o maintain_v every_o congregation_n to_o be_v a_o distinct_a church_n have_v full_a power_n within_o themselves_o and_o their_o minister_n to_o be_v complete_a pastor_n must_v needs_o allow_v that_o every_o congregation_n must_v have_v a_o intrinsic_a power_n of_o reform_v and_o regulate_v themselves_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v manage_v with_o all_o reverence_n and_o respect_n to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o public_a order_n but_o the_o nonconformist_n judgement_n in_o this_o will_v better_o appear_v by_o their_o practice_n under_o the_o restraint_n that_o be_v lay_v upon_o they_o by_o law_n and_o canon_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o q._n eliz._n about_o 5_o year_n conformity_n be_v not_o press_v the_o liturgy_n seem_v to_o be_v put_v as_o a_o bind_v to_o extravagant_a humour_n as_o many_o civil_a law_n be_v but_o not_o as_o a_o snare_n to_o the_o conscientious_a but_o when_o it_o be_v perceive_v that_o the_o nonconformist_n increase_v in_o number_n and_o power_n with_o the_o people_n subscription_n to_o the_o 39_o artic._n without_o any_o limitation_n be_v urge_v 1562_o and_o many_o who_o have_v be_v sufferer_n and_o exile_n in_o q._n mary_n day_n refuse_v to_o subscribe_v among_o who_o be_v the_o pious_a mr._n fox_n as_o say_v dr._n fuller_n and_o from_o this_o time_n mr._n ball_n date_n the_o misery_n of_o our_o church_n can._n ball_n agst_fw-ge can._n say_v whilst_o they_o walk_v in_o peace_n god_n bless_v they_o with_o peace_n there_o be_v no_o division_n papist_n come_v to_o our_o
help_v their_o people_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n popery_n arminianism_n atheism_n and_o profaneness_n break_v in_o like_o a_o torrent_n now_o whether_o there_o be_v as_o much_o reason_n that_o the_o present_a nonconformist_n shall_v keep_v as_o private_a as_o the_o former_a do_v the_o reader_n must_v judge_v obj._n but_o the_o dr._n say_v the_o old_a nonconformist_n earnest_o oppose_v the_o brownist_n answ_n and_o so_o do_v many_o of_o the_o present_a nonconformist_n also_o the_o brownist_n have_v two_o dangerous_a position_n or_o principles_n peculiar_a to_o themselves_o 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o true_a church_n in_o england_n nor_o indeed_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n but_o that_o all_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o doctrine_n worship_n ceremony_n constitution_n and_o order_n or_o some_o of_o these_o be_v idolatrous_a and_o antichristian_a and_o that_o therefore_o no_o man_n that_o mind_v his_o salvation_n ought_v to_o continue_v a_o member_n of_o they_o or_o to_o hold_v communion_n with_o they_o as_o church_n though_o they_o may_v communicate_v with_o particular_a member_n or_o with_o the_o society_n as_o a_o company_n of_o private_a man_n pray_v or_o otherwise_o worship_v god_n together_o provide_v nothing_o be_v then_o use_v or_o do_v which_o they_o dislike_v 2._o the_o brownist_n teach_v that_o the_o people_n have_v the_o whole_a power_n of_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o minister_n be_v but_o the_o people_n deputy_n in_o preach_v the_o word_n administer_a the_o sacrament_n or_o exercise_v of_o discipline_n and_o must_v be_v accountable_a to_o they_o these_o principle_n destructive_a of_o all_o church_n the_o nonconformist_n earnest_o oppose_v especial_o the_o first_o sc_fw-mi separation_n from_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n as_o antichristian_a for_o by_o prevent_v of_o this_o they_o will_v prevent_v the_o other_o mischief_n but_o in_o maintain_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v true_a church_n do_v they_o the_o prelatical_a nationall_n church_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o establish_v constitution_n which_o themselves_o have_v so_o often_o call_v antichristian_a it_o be_v manifest_a by_o their_o book_n and_o what_o be_v forequote_v of_o their_o opinion_n that_o they_o mean_v it_o of_o the_o several_a parish_n or_o congregation_n in_o england_n that_o they_o be_v true_a church_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o constitution_n and_o also_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n and_o that_o there_o be_v in_o they_o no_o such_o intolerable_a corruption_n as_o that_o all_o christian_n shall_v fly_v from_o they_o nevertheless_o when_o the_o minister_n in_o particular_a parish_n be_v more_o than_o ordinary_a defective_a and_o unprofitable_a they_o allow_v and_o encourage_v the_o people_n to_o resort_v to_o neighbour_n parish_n for_o better_a mean_n of_o edification_n which_o mr._n hildersham_n defend_v to_o be_v lawful_a lect._n upon_o john_n page_n 227._o all_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o present_a nonconformist_n and_o i_o do_v very_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o more_o brownist_n among_o the_o present_a nonconformist_n minister_n than_o there_o be_v among_o they_o in_o those_o day_n for_o some_o there_o be_v then_o that_o go_v further_a than_o the_o rest_n in_o principle_n of_o separation_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o all_o time_n and_o all_o matter_n of_o controversy_n and_o what_o considerable_a difference_n be_v there_o betwixt_o their_o allow_a people_n to_o go_v to_o other_o parish_n or_o gentleman_n chapel_n and_o our_o allow_v they_o to_o go_v to_o private_a meeting_n see_v one_o take_v they_o off_o from_o their_o own_o pastor_n and_o church_n as_o much_o as_o the_o other_o the_o dr._n say_v they_o still_o keep_v the_o same_o liturgy_n and_o so_o they_o hold_v communion_n with_o the_o national_a church_n nay_o but_o many_o time_n they_o do_v not_o that_o for_o some_o the_o old_a puritan_n preacher_n use_v it_o not_o in_o their_o parish_n or_o chapel_n other_o but_o little_a of_o it_o other_o will_v baptise_v without_o the_o cross_n give_v the_o sacrament_n without_o kneel_v marry_o without_o the_o ring_n etc._n etc._n which_o make_v people_n resort_v to_o they_o who_o can_v not_o have_v such_o liberty_n at_o home_n and_o so_o they_o varify_v from_o if_o not_o omit_v the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n but_o can_v a_o man_n be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o national_a church_n of_o england_n and_o hold_v communion_n with_o it_o without_o be_v a_o member_n of_o a_o particular_a parish_n and_o if_o they_o be_v allow_v to_o continue_v member_n of_o their_o own_o parish_n and_o not_o to_o make_v a_o schism_n who_o do_v in_o case_n of_o necessity_n and_o pro_fw-la tempore_fw-la most_o communicate_v with_o neighbour_n parish_n why_o may_v not_o the_o same_o be_v say_v now_o yea_o it_o be_v say_v and_o believe_v by_o most_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n that_o the_o parish_n be_v true_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o they_o do_v not_o separate_v from_o they_o or_o break_v off_o membership_n though_o pro_fw-la tempere_fw-la and_o for_o the_o present_a necessity_n they_o do_v ordinary_o communicate_v in_o private_a meeting_n where_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n be_v use_v only_o some_o circumstance_n and_o ceremony_n omit_v but_o no_o contrary_a or_o new_a one_o use_v in_o their_o room_n or_o in_o opposition_n to_o those_o in_o the_o parish_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o old_a nonconformist_n from_o who_o i_o do_v not_o conceive_v those_o that_o be_v now_o live_v do_v considerable_o differ_v in_o judgement_n or_o practice_n but_o only_o as_o time_n and_o circumstance_n do_v direct_v they_o only_o they_o that_o be_v dead_a be_v out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o so_o best_a speak_v of_o and_o they_o that_o be_v live_v cross_v the_o humour_n or_o interest_n of_o their_o opposite_n be_v always_o ill_o speak_v of_o obj._n 2._o the_o dr._n next_o object_n that_o we_o contradict_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n who_o do_v disapprove_v and_o give_v reason_n against_o the_o toleration_n desire_v by_o the_o congregational_a brethren_n as_o tend_v to_o endless_a separation_n answ_n the_o toleration_n desire_v be_v that_o all_o man_n shall_v have_v liberty_n to_o join_v with_o what_o congregation_n and_o pastor_n they_o please_v without_o respect_n to_o parish_n or_o place_n of_o abode_n or_o any_o other_o civil_a distribution_n or_o settlement_n of_o man_n among_o we_o their_o chief_a reason_n be_v that_o christian_n be_v not_o original_o bind_v to_o nation_n place_n or_o any_o other_o civil_a distribution_n but_o leave_v free_a to_o join_v with_o those_o congregation_n that_o they_o shall_v find_v most_o convenient_a and_o edify_a and_o now_o episcopal_a government_n in_o england_n be_v dissolve_v and_o no_o other_o set_v up_o in_o its_o room_n the_o people_n be_v again_o free_a and_o therefore_o may_v make_v what_o congregation_n or_o society_n they_o find_v most_o for_o their_o own_o edification_n see_v dr._n owen_n of_o schism_n this_o the_o assembly_n think_v not_o reasonable_a that_o thing_n shall_v be_v unravel_v into_o their_o first_o principle_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v begin_v to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o church_n again_o see_v our_o parish_n at_o least_o those_o that_o have_v good_a minister_n have_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o a_o church_n and_o it_o be_v most_o convenient_a for_o christian_n live_v in_o a_o vicinity_n and_o under_o the_o same_o civil_a officer_n to_o make_v the_o same_o congregation_n for_o worship_n nor_o do_v they_o think_v the_o former_a relation_n of_o parish_n to_o be_v dissolve_v by_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o hierarchy_n who_o be_v no_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o parish_n but_o general_a supervisor_n or_o visitor_n over_o they_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n be_v the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n still_o and_o all_o the_o congregational_a man_n go_v not_o that_o way_n some_o allow_v all_o those_o parish_n that_o have_v good_a minister_n and_o some_o christian_n fit_a for_o all_o act_n of_o church_n communion_n to_o be_v true_a church_n mr._n cotten_n add_v way_n of_o the_o church_n of_o new-england_n that_o it_o be_v great_a presumption_n to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v faulty_a in_o its_o first_o constitution_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v pull_v to_o piece_n and_o new-built_a see_v all_o history_n agree_v that_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a man_n be_v the_o first_o planter_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o england_n who_o do_v certain_o constitute_v the_o church_n in_o a_o right_a manner_n but_o where_o be_v the_o consequence_n to_o our_o purpose_n that_o because_o the_o assembly_n and_o we_o as_o well_o as_o they_o maintain_v that_o the_o parish_n of_o england_n be_v true_a church_n and_o not_o to_o be_v subvert_v therefore_o when_o thousand_o of_o their_o minister_n be_v violent_o thrust_v out_o from_o they_o without_o any_o cause_n give_v and_o if_o they_o have_v
meet_v within_o the_o city_n the_o people_n assist_v in_o carry_v the_o material_n and_o set_v up_o the_o church_n in_o the_o suburb_n yea_o say_v socrates_n the_o people_n will_v have_v be_v admit_v into_o their_o communion_n if_o the_o novatian_o have_v be_v willing_a and_o we_o may_v observe_v in_o history_n the_o novatian_o never_o cease_v till_o the_o clamour_n against_o they_o as_o dangerous_a and_o intolerable_a person_n be_v at_o end_n and_o little_a or_o no_o notice_n be_v take_v of_o they_o indeed_o can_v it_o be_v prove_v that_o any_o particular_a church_n under_o the_o gospel_n whether_o national_a diocesan_n or_o parochial_a be_v of_o the_o same_o constitution_n with_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o be_v member_n of_o it_o or_o all_o that_o live_v within_o their_o precinct_n or_o at_o least_o all_o that_o once_o have_v be_v member_n be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o continue_v so_o than_o it_o be_v a_o damn_v sin_n to_o separate_v from_o they_o but_o when_o it_o be_v original_o as_o free_a for_o every_o christian_n to_o choose_v his_o church_n as_o to_o choose_v the_o place_n of_o his_o abode_n and_o nothing_o but_o the_o convenience_n of_o his_o own_o edification_n in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o next_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o neighbourhood_n oblige_v he_o to_o join_v with_o and_o to_o continue_v in_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n it_o can_v be_v no_o sin_n of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n though_o it_o be_v blame-worthy_a for_o he_o to_o withdraw_v without_o just_a reason_n 3._o say_v that_o all_o separation_n be_v as_o great_a a_o sin_n as_o our_o author_n will_v insinuate_v what_o mean_n do_v he_o prescribe_v to_o prevent_v it_o why_o he_o say_v all_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v and_o submit_v to_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v lawful_a to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o divide_n of_o the_o church_n true_a all_o thing_n that_o be_v real_o lawful_a but_o not_o to_o all_o that_o the_o imposer_n say_v be_v lawful_a if_o man_n must_v judge_v for_o themselves_o what_o be_v lawful_a absolute_o and_o what_o not_o and_o what_o be_v lawful_a or_o not_o in_o their_o circumstance_n will_v not_o this_o open_a a_o door_n for_o separation_n as_o much_o as_o any_o thing_n his_o opposite_n have_v say_v he_o blame_v they_o for_o allow_v people_n to_o separate_v upon_o pretence_n of_o their_o minister_n insufficiency_n or_o scandal_n or_o interruption_n on_o they_o againist_n their_o will_n for_o doubtful_a ceremony_n for_o mode_n of_o worship_n for_o want_v of_o discipline_n or_o right_a constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o say_v which_o be_v his_o most_o plausible_a argument_n that_o some_o of_o these_o the_o papist_n may_v have_v retort_v upon_o our_o first_o reformer_n and_o all_o such_o pretence_n will_v justify_v the_o ancient_a schism_n and_o make_v way_n to_o endless_a separation_n for_o the_o future_a but_o he_o wrong_v these_o author_n which_o be_v a_o common_a shift_n almost_o to_o all_o that_o write_v on_o this_o subject_n when_o he_o intimate_v that_o they_o allow_v separation_n upon_o any_o pretence_n of_o such_o cause_n be_v there_o no_o difference_n betwixt_o pretend_v and_o real_o prove_v the_o gross_a insufficiency_n error_n or_o scandal_n of_o a_o minister_n or_o gross_a usurpation_n over_o man_n conscience_n and_o liberty_n do_v any_o prudent_a man_n allow_v separation_n without_o good_a cause_n full_a proof_n all_o endeavour_n of_o amendment_n patient_a wait_a and_o mature_a advice_n and_o consideration_n of_o all_o circumstance_n what_o then_o be_v there_o no_o prevent_v endless_a separation_n but_o tyranny_n over_o man_n conscience_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v compel_v to_o approve_v and_o do_v whatsoever_o their_o ruler_n please_v as_o the_o papist_n teach_v yes_o the_o dr_n final_a determination_n be_v page_n 208._o a_o prudent_a and_o due_a submission_n in_o lawful_a thing_n be_v a_o medium_n betwixt_o tyranny_n over_o man_n conscience_n and_o endless_a separation_n what_o be_v here_o more_o than_o any_o brownist_n will_v grant_v that_o understand_v himself_o viz._n that_o as_o ruler_n must_v not_o tyrannize_v over_o man_n conscience_n so_o the_o people_n must_v not_o be_v give_v to_o endless_a separation_n and_o that_o the_o way_n to_o prevent_v both_o be_v that_o the_o ruler_n rule_v with_o due_a and_o prudent_a discipline_n and_o that_o the_o people_n yield_v prudent_a and_o due_a submission_n and_o that_o this_o government_n and_o submission_n be_v exercise_v only_o in_o lawful_a thing_n but_o still_o must_v not_o the_o people_n in_o submit_v as_o well_o as_o the_o governor_n in_o rule_v judge_v whether_o thing_n be_v lawful_a or_o not_o whether_o submission_n be_v due_a and_o how_o far_o and_o in_o what_o case_n it_o be_v prudent_a to_o yield_v or_o to_o deny_v it_o if_o the_o people_n must_v not_o judge_v than_o you_o establish_v a_o tyranny_n over_o their_o conscience_n that_o they_o must_v approve_v what_o ever_o their_o ruler_n command_v or_o hobbisme_n that_o they_o must_v do_v what_o ever_o their_o ruler_n command_v though_o they_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v sinful_a or_o inconvenient_a if_o the_o people_n must_v judge_v for_o themselves_o in_o the_o thing_n that_o concern_v they_o than_o they_o must_v judge_v of_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o their_o minister_n the_o legallity_n of_o his_o call_n and_o the_o like_a but_o how_o then_o have_v the_o dr._n put_v a_o stop_n to_o separation_n more_o than_o they_o may_v not_o man_n pretend_v thing_n require_v to_o be_v unlawful_a submission_n not_o to_o be_v due_a nor_o prudent_a and_o so_o without_o end_n their_o argument_n therefore_o be_v but_o sophism_n like_o those_o that_o plead_v against_o all_o certainty_n of_o sense_n or_o reason_n because_o many_o man_n be_v certain_a i._n e._n confident_a when_o they_o be_v mistake_v that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a he_o see_v hear_v or_o feel_v because_o he_o have_v many_o time_n think_v he_o do_v so_o in_o his_o dream_n when_o it_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a way_n of_o prove_v that_o man_n be_v awake_a and_o use_v their_o sense_n so_o there_o be_v as_o certain_a a_o way_n to_o prove_v by_o plain_a scripture_n when_o minister_n be_v insufficient_a when_o imposition_n be_v unlawful_a when_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o withstand_v usurpation_n on_o the_o church_n privilege_n etc._n etc._n what_o ever_o sophister_n will_v cavil_v against_o it_o and_o if_o man_n will_v pretend_v cause_n of_o separation_n when_o there_o be_v none_o or_o manifest_o insufficient_a or_o but_o dubious_a they_o may_v be_v convict_v and_o if_o they_o separate_v bear_v their_o blame_n but_o whilst_o man_n be_v subject_a to_o mistake_v to_o passion_n and_o partiality_n which_o will_v be_v till_o our_o lord_n come_v what_o shall_v put_v a_o stop_n to_o separation_n but_o necessary_a moderation_n in_o ruler_n in_o impose_v one_o reverence_n in_o the_o people_n in_o submit_v and_o meekness_n towards_o those_o who_o notwithstanding_o all_o care_n weak_o or_o peevish_o may_v dissent_v in_o thing_n that_o be_v tolerable_a this_o learned_a man_n have_v not_o show_v we_o nor_o the_o experience_n of_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n the_o popish_a cruelty_n can_v not_o prevent_v separation_n episcopal_a authority_n can_v not_o prevent_v they_o the_o donatist_n and_o novatian_n have_v their_o bishop_n impose_v uniformity_n in_o ceremony_n can_v not_o the_o first_o division_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n rise_v about_o the_o keep_n of_o easter-day_n if_o people_n offend_v against_o the_o plain_a rule_n of_o scripture_n or_o the_o plain_a rule_n of_o good_a government_n and_o order_n let_v they_o be_v punish_v according_a to_o their_o offence_n but_o not_o for_o thing_n doubtful_a in_o scripture_n or_o burdensome_a in_o government_n if_o man_n offend_v in_o lesser_a matter_n and_o can_v be_v convince_v let_v they_o be_v bear_v with_o till_o inconvenience_n be_v see_v to_o arise_v from_o such_o clemency_n and_o then_o it_o be_v time_n enough_o to_o retract_v or_o retrench_v it_o if_o this_o be_v not_o daily_o do_v in_o nation_n and_o family_n no_o civil_a society_n can_v stand_v how_o then_o shall_v the_o contrary_a severity_n establish_v the_o church_n obj_fw-la the_o dr._n object_n the_o reformer_n teach_v that_o where_o there_o be_v soundness_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n people_n ought_v not_o to_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n for_o lesser_a defect_n real_a or_o apparent_a and_o that_o they_o insist_v on_o the_o corruption_n of_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n as_o the_o only_a cause_n of_o their_o separation_n from_o rome_n answ_n 1._o doctrine_n and_o worship_n be_v indeed_o the_o chief_a thing_n in_o a_o church_n for_o if_o god_n be_v true_o worship_v and_o his_o knowledge_n be_v true_o teach_v man_n life_n will_v be_v better_v and_o their_o soul_n save_v by_o it_o but_o than_o it_o must_v not_o
preferment_n that_o be_v not_o episcopal_o ordain_v beside_o all_o other_o subscription_n now_o the_o communion_n of_o church_n lie_v in_o admit_v of_o minister_n to_o officiate_v in_o each_o other_o church_n sometime_o as_o well_o as_o in_o admit_v the_o people_n to_o lay-communion_n as_o in_o the_o famous_a instance_n of_o victor_n and_o polycarpus_n at_o rome_n celebrate_v the_o sacrament_n together_o let_v we_o unite_v at_o home_n and_o then_o there_o may_v be_v hope_n we_o shall_v unite_v with_o our_o neighbour_n chap._n iu._n the_o ground_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n present_a practice_n the_o dr._n spend_v the_o whole_a 3d._a part_n of_o his_o book_n in_o confute_v the_o plea_n for_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o gather_v new_a church_n which_o i_o shall_v leave_v to_o those_o who_o it_o concern_v and_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o all_o these_o dispute_n do_v real_o increase_v and_o not_o hinder_v separation_n by_o lay_v open_a the_o first_o principle_n of_o government_n to_o the_o people_n and_o fill_v their_o head_n with_o notion_n and_o dispute_n about_o thing_n whereof_o they_o be_v not_o competent_a judge_n moderation_n in_o govern_v and_o not_o dispute_v about_o government_n do_v most_o dispose_n the_o people_n to_o obedience_n and_o quiet_a submission_n and_o as_o in_o commonwealth_n when_o people_n have_v not_o the_o protection_n of_o their_o governor_n or_o the_o benefit_n of_o their_o law_n and_o just_a privilege_n rigorous_a proceed_n dispose_v they_o to_o defection_n and_o to_o study_v argument_n to_o defend_v it_o from_o the_o natural_a principle_n of_o self-preservation_n and_o the_o people_n interest_n in_o all_o government_n by_o their_o primitive_a consent_n to_o it_o and_o their_o successive_a approbation_n of_o it_o so_o rigorous_a imposition_n in_o the_o church_n without_o any_o condescension_n in_o governor_n upon_o just_a complaint_n will_v at_o last_o make_v the_o people_n weary_a of_o forbear_v and_o search_v for_o all_o plea_n whereby_o they_o may_v defend_v themselves_o in_o shake_v off_o the_o yoke_n and_o than_o it_o will_v little_o avail_v their_o ruler_n either_o to_o their_o profit_n honour_n or_o peace_n of_o their_o conscience_n to_o cry_v out_o upon_o rebellion_n or_o schism_n when_o they_o have_v lose_v the_o people_n our_o present_a practice_n in_o preach_v though_o eject_v and_o forbid_v be_v not_o ground_v on_o nor_o need_v be_v support_v by_o these_o or_o any_o other_o plea_n for_o separation_n the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n both_o minister_n and_o people_n leave_v to_o particular_a person_n their_o particular_a sentiment_n as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n also_o do_v to_o many_o of_o her_o member_n be_v this_o 1._o that_o the_o parish_n of_o england_n general_o be_v true_a church_n both_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o the_o people_n be_v christian_n and_o not_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o church-communion_n and_o as_o to_o the_o form_n of_o they_o their_o minister_n be_v true_a minister_n such_o as_o for_o their_o doctrine_n or_o manner_n do_v not_o deserve_v to_o be_v degrade_v 2._o that_o the_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o sacrament_n in_o these_o parish_n be_v for_o substance_n sound_a and_o wholesome_a though_o there_o be_v some_o offensive_a thing_n mix_v in_o they_o and_o annex_v to_o they_o 3._o that_o they_o be_v still_o member_n of_o these_o parish_n the_o people_n of_o those_o where_o they_o live_v and_o the_o minister_n so_o far_o as_o not_o to_o be_v oblige_v to_o set_v up_o distinct_a and_o permanent_a church_n nevertheless_o they_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o join_v together_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n according_a to_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o public_a allowance_n for_o some_o year_n past_a desire_v and_o wait_v for_o a_o opportunity_n to_o return_v full_o to_o the_o parish-communion_n when_o ever_o it_o shall_v please_v their_o ruler_n to_o condescend_v to_o their_o reasonable_a request_n in_o relax_v or_o remove_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v so_o offensive_a to_o they_o and_o in_o this_o their_o practice_n they_o judge_v they_o do_v no_o more_o than_o the_o primitive_a church_n often_o do_v when_o erroneous_a or_o otherwise_o unfit_a pastor_n be_v obtrude_v on_o they_o or_o other_o difference_n arise_v among_o they_o whereupon_o the_o congregation_n be_v often_o divide_v as_o in_o rome_n antioch_n alexandria_n and_o constantinople_n with_o divers_a other_o place_n and_o then_o when_o those_o offence_n and_o difference_n be_v remove_v they_o return_v to_o full_a eommunion_n again_o or_o as_o do_v the_o church_n of_o israel_n when_o by_o jeroboam'_v apostasy_n they_o can_v not_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n with_o safety_n or_o other_o time_n can_v not_o communicate_v there_o because_o of_o corruption_n under_o some_o king_n of_o judah_n who_o then_o hold_v private_a assembly_n for_o the_o present_a necessity_n and_o when_o all_o obstacle_n be_v remove_v again_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n even_o many_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n in_o hezekiah_n and_o josiah_n time_n when_o their_o own_o idolatrous_a prince_n be_v remove_v and_o they_o can_v do_v it_o without_o danger_n though_o they_o be_v still_o subject_a to_o idolatrous_a conqueror_n but_o such_o who_o live_v remote_a and_o give_v they_o more_o liberty_n of_o religion_n than_o their_o own_o prince_n do_v we_o judge_v our_o case_n to_o be_v like_o a_o case_n of_o necessary_a self_n defence_n where_o present_a necessity_n be_v the_o guide_n and_o lawgiver_n and_o ordinary_a law_n and_o order_n which_o be_v proper_a for_o time_n of_o peace_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n supersedent_n when_o a_o kingdom_n be_v invade_v or_o divide_v within_o itself_o all_o thing_n threaten_v ruin_n it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o people_n to_o gather_v into_o several_a body_n to_o possess_v garrison_n to_o choose_v they_o leader_n and_o for_o fit_a man_n to_o undertake_v their_o conduct_n though_o without_o though_o contrary_a to_o some_o present_a command_n that_o may_v be_v undue_o obtain_v and_o give_v yet_o they_o shall_v incur_v no_o guilt_n of_o sedition_n nor_o rebellion_n so_o long_o as_o they_o design_v nothing_o but_o the_o preservation_n of_o themselves_o and_o the_o whole_a as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v and_o be_v ready_a to_o return_v to_o their_o own_o place_n so_o soon_o as_o peace_n shall_v give_v they_o leave_v when_o a_o army_n be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v betray_v by_o the_o falsehood_n or_o division_n of_o the_o principal_a officer_n or_o when_o it_o have_v lose_v its_o general_n in_o some_o defeat_n it_o will_v not_o be_v account_v mutiny_n for_o the_o soldier_n to_o run_v together_o as_o they_o can_v and_o with_o the_o help_n of_o inferior_a officer_n to_o preserve_v themselves_o from_o be_v sell_v or_o destroy_v provide_v they_o still_o retain_v a_o resolution_n of_o return_v to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o army_n when_o they_o may_v with_o safety_n to_o the_o whole_a and_o to_o themselves_o thus_o the_o nonconformist_n lie_n under_o such_o a_o necessity_n they_o conceive_v for_o the_o reason_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o former_a part_n ch_z 6_o and_o 7._o which_o it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o for_o a_o conclusion_n brief_o to_o sum_n up_o 1._o there_o be_v now_o no_o reason_n to_o be_v pretend_v for_o the_o impose_v conformity_n in_o k._n edw._n day_n the_o bishop_n their_o clergy_n and_o people_n make_v it_o necessary_a to_o retain_v what_o be_v then_o retain_v now_o it_o be_v not_o so_o general_o desire_v in_o queen_n elizabeth_n day_n there_o be_v hope_n of_o win_n of_o the_o papist_n by_o our_o moderation_n now_o there_o be_v none_o but_o more_o danger_n of_o their_o encroach_a upon_o we_o by_o it_o 2._o the_o dissenter_n from_o this_o conformity_n be_v heretofore_o but_o few_o now_o they_o be_v a_o very_a considerable_a part_n of_o the_o church_n i_o will_v make_v no_o comparison_n former_o the_o minister_n be_v general_o censure_v as_o puritan_n and_o be_v but_o few_o the_o people_n likewise_o but_o two_o or_o three_o in_o a_o great_a town_n now_o they_o be_v multitude_n and_o those_o who_o be_v zealous_a for_o conformity_n appear_v few_o than_o those_o who_o will_v be_v glad_a to_o have_v it_o reprove_v at_o least_o in_o all_o place_n that_o be_v most_o civilise_a 3._o conformity_n have_v occasion_v a_o woeful_a division_n and_o scandal_n in_o our_o church_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o after_o so_o much_o experience_n of_o the_o evil_a of_o it_o and_o also_o after_o plain_a evidence_n of_o benefit_n and_o advantage_n to_o religion_n by_o the_o removal_n of_o it_o for_o some_o year_n to_o have_v be_v again_o so_o rigorous_o enjoin_v 4._o the_o thing_n in_o question_n though_o not_o of_o the_o high_a nature_n in_o themselves_o yet_o by_o occasion_n of_o the_o division_n they_o cause_n at_o home_n and_o the_o advantage_n the_o papist_n make_v of_o it_o have_v endanger_v our_o