a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o consecration_n of_o the_o honourable_a dr._n henry_n compton_n lord_n bishop_n of_o oxford_n in_o lambeth-chappel_n on_o sunday_n december_n 6._o 1674._o by_o william_n jane_n b.d._n student_n of_o christ-church_n and_o chaplain_n to_o his_o lordship_n london_n print_v by_o w._n godbid_v and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o r._n littlebury_n at_o the_o kings-arm_n in_o little-britain_n 1675._o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n henry_n lord_z bishop_n of_o oxford_z my_o lord_n although_o i_o be_o too_o conscious_a of_o the_o manifold_a defect_n of_o this_o poor_a discourse_n to_o lay_v any_o claim_n to_o your_o lordship_n acceptance_n as_o the_o encouragement_n of_o its_o publication_n yet_o i_o have_v have_v such_o great_a experience_n of_o your_o lordship_n favour_n as_o to_o conceive_v some_o hope_n that_o it_o may_v find_v the_o same_o shelter_n with_o its_o author_n under_o your_o lordship_n patronage_n and_o protection_n when_o i_o first_o receive_v your_o lordship_n command_n which_o engage_v i_o upon_o this_o duty_n i_o esteem_v it_o a_o great_a honour_n than_o my_o own_o ambition_n can_v ever_o have_v aspire_v to_o it_o be_v happiness_n enough_o for_o i_o to_o bear_v any_o part_n how_o inconsiderable_a soever_o in_o that_o day_n solemnity_n which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o who_o have_v a_o real_a kindness_n for_o the_o church_n be_v so_o signal_n a_o argument_n of_o god_n care_n and_o providence_n over_o it_o but_o since_o by_o my_o entire_a resignation_n of_o this_o weak_a performance_n as_o i_o be_v in_o duty_n bind_v to_o your_o lordship_n judgement_n it_o be_v no_o long_o at_o my_o own_o disposal_n and_o that_o which_o i_o think_v too_o mean_a to_o attend_v your_o lordship_n consecration_n have_v be_v think_v fit_a to_o live_v with_o the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o i_o have_v this_o further_a favour_n to_o request_v for_o it_o that_o i_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o thrust_v it_o forth_o into_o the_o world_n under_o your_o lordship_n name_n i_o shall_v only_o add_v my_o unfeigned_a desire_n to_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n that_o as_o he_o have_v be_v please_v in_o this_o decline_a age_n to_o raise_v up_o to_o his_o people_n such_o a_o able_a instrument_n of_o his_o glory_n so_o he_o will_v go_v on_o to_o give_v success_n to_o your_o lordship_n design_n answerable_a to_o the_o expectation_n of_o your_o country_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o his_o church_n which_o shall_v ever_o be_v the_o daily_a prayer_n of_o my_o lord_n your_o lordship_n most_o humble_o devote_a chaplain_n william_n jane_n act_n 20.28_o take_v heed_n therefore_o unto_o yourselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o the_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n we_o read_v in_o the_o 17_o vers_fw-la of_o this_o chap._n that_o st._n paul_n send_v from_o miletas_n to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o vers_n which_o contain_v a_o considerable_a part_n of_o his_o visitation_n sermon_n he_o tell_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o bishop_n this_o seem_a confusion_n of_o name_n in_o this_o and_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n indiscriminate_o apply_v to_o the_o pastor_n and_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o pretence_n of_o aerius_n though_o pride_n and_o ambition_n be_v the_o reason_n to_o infer_v a_o like_a communion_n in_o the_o dignity_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o a_o total_a parity_n in_o their_o office_n and_o though_o this_o be_v sure_o a_o very_a slender_a argument_n to_o any_o consider_v man_n to_o violate_v the_o unity_n of_o christian_n and_o to_o cashier_v that_o form_n of_o government_n which_o add_v be_v receive_v universal_o in_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n unto_o their_o own_o upon_o a_o pretence_n that_o antichrist_n begin_v betimes_o yet_o neither_o be_v it_o so_o slight_a and_o despicable_a but_o that_o it_o have_v exercise_v the_o great_a wit_n in_o all_o age_n even_o those_o in_o which_o it_o can_v be_v pretend_v that_o truth_n be_v twist_v with_o design_n in_o endeavour_v a_o probable_a solution_n of_o it_o for_o to_o omit_v the_o interpretation_n of_o some_o that_o such_o as_o be_v presbyter_n when_o st._n paul_n send_v for_o they_o he_o here_o consecrate_v bishop_n by_o tell_v they_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o so_o as_o be_v a_o groundless_a and_o arbitrary_a conjecture_n if_o we_o consult_v those_o opinion_n which_o carry_v the_o great_a vogue_n and_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v scarce_o find_v one_o in_o which_o two_o have_v consent_v when_o we_o have_v exclude_v those_o from_o the_o number_n who_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o deliver_v their_o own_o sense_n but_o profess_o transcribe_v from_o other_o the_o immediate_a question_n wherein_o 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when_o upon_o the_o increase_n of_o their_o charge_n by_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o proselyte_n inferior_a presbyter_n be_v universal_o admit_v in_o some_o measure_n to_o ease_v they_o of_o the_o burden_n a_o opinion_n with_o infinite_a accuracy_n and_o variety_n of_o learning_n first_o clear_v and_o defend_v by_o the_o reverend_n dr._n hammond_n they_o who_o have_v pitch_v upon_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o main_a question_n that_o both_o order_n be_v coaeval_n and_o distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o by_o their_o author_n at_o the_o primitive_a institution_n of_o they_o be_v yet_o more_o divide_v in_o their_o explication_n for_o some_o tell_v we_o which_o dr._n hammond_n admit_v for_o probable_a that_o the_o world_n presbyter_n be_v the_o scripture_n appellative_a of_o the_o inferior_a order_n of_o the_o clergy_n whereas_o both_o be_v common_a to_o the_o bishop_n in_o as_o much_o as_o both_o office_n design_v by_o they_o be_v eminent_o vest_v in_o 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they_o all_o and_o first_o our_o assertor_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a hierarchy_n may_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v who_o cause_n it_o be_v which_o be_v with_o so_o great_a eagerness_n maintain_v by_o they_o no_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n or_o of_o his_o church_n but_o of_o a_o note_a heretic_n infamous_a upon_o the_o record_n of_o epithanius_fw-la st._n austin_n philastrius_n and_o other_o father_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o point_n in_o question_n and_o consequent_o brand_v for_o the_o same_o by_o the_o church_n itself_o who_o judgement_n those_o father_n express_o testify_v he_o who_o be_v notorious_a in_o his_o own_o time_n for_o the_o great_a disturber_n of_o the_o word_n be_v now_o set_v up_o by_o our_o pretend_a disciplinarian_n for_o the_o great_a champion_n of_o truth_n nor_o do_v they_o so_o much_o help_v themselves_o by_o say_v that_o arrianism_n be_v aerius_n his_o heresy_n and_o indeed_o epiphanius_n call_v he_o a_o arrian_n altogether_o
as_o give_v we_o occasion_n further_o to_o observe_v the_o secret_a and_o mystical_a connexion_n between_o arrius_n his_o doctrine_n and_o aerius_n his_o discipline_n i_o do_v not_o assert_v that_o st._n ignatius_n be_v prophetical_a in_o afford_v the_o church_n throughout_o his_o epistle_n such_o signal_n testimony_n against_o both_o yet_o sure_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v well_o weight_v by_o those_o learned_a man_n who_o have_v reject_v the_o work_n of_o that_o renown_a father_n before_o they_o choose_v rather_o than_o part_v with_o a_o creature_n of_o their_o own_o interest_n and_o fancy_n to_o quit_v the_o advantage_n of_o those_o pregnant_a authority_n against_o the_o socinian_o incomparable_o clear_a than_o all_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n put_v together_o for_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o lay_v the_o heresy_n of_o arrius_n to_o the_o charge_n of_o aerius_n his_o follower_n or_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o causal_a influence_n of_o the_o one_o upon_o the_o other_o but_o methinks_v this_o one_o reflection_n how_o much_o socinianism_n which_o be_v but_o arrianism_n improve_v have_v thrive_v and_o prosper_v under_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o presbytery_n in_o our_o neighbour_n nation_n and_o as_o it_o be_v great_o to_o be_v suspect_v in_o our_o own_o may_v prove_v a_o motive_n sufficient_a to_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n to_o consider_v that_o heresy_n and_o schism_n go_v usual_o together_o and_o to_o renounce_v that_o schismatical_a discipline_n which_o we_o have_v see_v by_o woeful_a experience_n so_o notorious_o to_o shelter_v a_o heretical_a doctrine_n 2._o we_o may_v observe_v that_o however_o learned_a man_n have_v dissent_v as_o to_o the_o particular_a period_n of_o the_o commencement_n of_o either_o order_n yet_o in_o this_o they_o all_o agree_v that_o a_o superiority_n of_o the_o one_o above_o the_o other_o be_v of_o apostolical_a institution_n which_o observation_n if_o any_o man_n think_v to_o elude_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o ignatius_n irenaeus_n origen_n st._n ambrose_n or_o st._n austin_n i_o desire_v he_o only_o to_o read_v the_o learned_a spalatensis_n his_o examen_fw-la of_o their_o testimony_n to_o make_v he_o for_o ever_o ashamed_a of_o obtrude_a they_o any_o more_o nay_o so_o evident_a be_v this_o in_o the_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o church_n that_o the_o reverend_a bishop_n bilson_n out_o of_o eusebius_n hegesippas_n socrates_n st._n jerome_n epiphanius_n and_o other_o have_v give_v we_o as_o exact_v a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n from_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o four_o apostolical_a see_v till_o the_o first_o council_n of_o nice_a as_o ever_o the_o roman_a archive_v can_v at_o any_o time_n give_v of_o their_o consul_n or_o our_o common_a chronicler_n of_o our_o king_n since_o the_o conquest_n from_o which_o consideration_n we_o have_v ground_n for_o a_o answer_n to_o a_o twofold_a pretence_n of_o the_o advocate_n of_o presbytery_n the_o one_o in_o take_v from_o we_o the_o testimony_n of_o ignatius_n the_o other_o in_o urge_v against_o we_o the_o authority_n of_o st._n jerome_n as_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o it_o be_v monsieur_n dailles_n principal_a argument_n from_o the_o phrase_n that_o that_o bless_a martyr_n always_o make_v a_o distinction_n in_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n which_o the_o apostolical_a writing_n do_v so_o confess_o confound_v with_o one_o another_o but_o if_o this_o be_v his_o high_a evidence_n as_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o his_o writing_n that_o it_o be_v it_o be_v but_o a_o small_a advantage_n to_o his_o cause_n and_o can_v possible_o support_v itself_o against_o any_o one_o of_o those_o various_a hypothesis_n which_o we_o just_a now_o mention_v for_o a_o solution_n of_o the_o doubt_n for_o first_o those_o who_o think_v that_o the_o christian_a priesthood_n be_v original_o preserve_v in_o one_o order_n and_o at_o length_n by_o the_o apostle_n distinguish_v into_o two_o 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character_n that_o hold_v in_o common_a to_o they_o both_o or_o the_o subject_a matter_n determine_v the_o signification_n yet_o when_o in_o the_o same_o proposition_n they_o be_v both_o to_o be_v represent_v in_o their_o proper_a and_o distinct_a idea_n according_a to_o all_o the_o law_n of_o speak_v or_o write_v they_o will_v necessary_o require_v distinct_a and_o proper_a appellation_n for_o how_o improper_a have_v it_o be_v to_o have_v express_v the_o peculiarity_n of_o several_a dignity_n in_o the_o same_o style_n and_o character_n and_o to_o make_v a_o difference_n without_o a_o distinction_n how_o incongruous_a to_o common_a sense_n to_o specify_v three_o distinct_a ecclesiastical_a order_n under_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o in_o enforce_v the_o subjection_n of_o the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o bid_v presbyter_n be_v subject_a to_o presbyter_n so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a the_o great_a quarrel_n of_o our_o adversary_n against_o ignatius_n be_v this_o that_o his_o language_n be_v not_o like_o their_o opinion_n irrational_a and_o absurd_a as_o to_o their_o second_o refuge_n to_o wit_n the_o authority_n of_o st._n jerome_n i_o shall_v not_o interpose_v dogmatical_o in_o a_o controversy_n in_o which_o the_o most_o able_a schoolman_n and_o other_o learned_a writer_n be_v so_o much_o divide_v it_o be_v the_o confident_a asseveration_n of_o medina_n that_o st._n jerome_n and_o other_o of_o the_o father_n agree_v in_o the_o heresy_n of_o aerius_n but_o that_o the_o church_n prudent_o tolerate_v that_o in_o the_o one_o which_o for_o different_a reason_n it_o condemn_v in_o the_o other_o but_o upon_o this_o principle_n he_o will_v hardly_o be_v able_a to_o secure_v himself_o against_o the_o force_n of_o bellarmine_n reply_n how_o the_o church_n then_o continue_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n while_o she_o forsted_n heretic_n in_o her_o bosom_n and_o how_o we_o can_v produce_v the_o catholic_n father_n as_o testifier_n to_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n who_o in_o any_o one_o point_n of_o it_o symbolise_v with_o heretic_n desert_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n and_o turn_v aside_o to_o the_o flock_n of_o the_o companion_n and_o sure_o though_o st._n i_o may_v differ_v from_o other_o as_o a_o private_a divine_a in_o some_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n yet_o he_o so_o long_o keep_v himself_o sound_a as_o a_o catholic_n christian_n while_o he_o do_v not_o obtrude_v any_o of_o they_o against_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o though_o i_o do_v not_o agree_v in_o his_o particular_a opinion_n as_o hold_v church_n government_n settle_v by_o our_o savour_n himself_o in_o a_o clear_a and_o manifest_a subordination_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o desire_v among_o all_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n a_o more_o pregnant_a testimony_n than_o st._n i_o will_v afford_v we_o for_o a_o like_a imparity_n of_o church_n officer_n by_o apostolical_a institution_n for_o it_o be_v he_o who_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o evagrius_n express_o call_v it_o a_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o found_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o whatsoever_o privilege_n aaron_n and_o his_o son_n and_o the_o levite_n enjoy_v in_o the_o temple_n bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n may_v just_o challenge_v in_o the_o church_n it_o be_v he_o who_o inform_v we_o on_o the_o 23_o of_o st._n matthew_n of_o the_o apostle_n practice_n of_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o several_a province_n where_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n it_o be_v he_o who_o style_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o respective_a church_n the_o contemporary_n of_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n as_o mark_z of_o alexandria_n linus_n cletus_n and_o clemens_n of_o rome_n james_n of_o jerusalem_n ignatius_n of_o antioch_n and_o policarp_n of_o smyrna_n and_o though_o his_o opinion_n be_v that_o bishop_n be_v postnate_a to_o presbyter_n as_o institute_v for_o the_o prevention_n of_o schism_n yet_o i_o appeal_v to_o himself_o
spiritus_fw-la be_v not_o say_v in_o vain_a at_o this_o great_a solemnity_n nor_o can_v we_o possible_o overlook_v that_o visible_a instance_n of_o his_o peculiar_a presence_n in_o the_o consecration_n of_o this_o day_n for_o though_o we_o live_v in_o a_o age_n wherein_o not_o only_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v become_v the_o derision_n of_o fool_n but_o even_o wise_a man_n pretend_v to_o discern_v the_o dreadful_a symptom_n of_o a_o depart_a candlestick_n and_o a_o totter_a church_n yet_o it_o have_v please_v he_o who_o perfect_v strength_n in_o weakness_n and_o be_v near_a at_o hand_n in_o the_o great_a exigent_n to_o raise_v up_o the_o son_n of_o noble_n to_o become_v the_o prince_n of_o his_o people_n to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o one_o and_o to_o refute_v the_o prognostic_n of_o the_o other_o he_o places_z over_o we_o in_o the_o same_o person_n both_o a_o glory_n and_o a_o defence_n by_o the_o one_o to_o take_v off_o scandal_n by_o the_o other_o to_o strengthen_v the_o church_n bless_a therefore_o be_v the_o name_n of_o our_o great_a god_n in_o who_o hand_n be_v the_o heart_n of_o king_n that_o have_v stir_v up_o the_o heart_n of_o we_o to_o make_v this_o close_a connexion_n between_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a interest_n and_o in_o the_o same_o choice_n effectual_o to_o provide_v for_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o for_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o throne_n we_o have_v thus_o see_v that_o god_n have_v not_o fail_v hitherto_o to_o make_v good_a his_o promise_n to_o his_o church_n that_o the_o comforter_n shall_v abide_v with_o it_o for_o ever_o but_o since_o these_o instance_n have_v not_o prove_v so_o successful_a as_o to_o silence_v the_o contradiction_n of_o foolish_a and_o unreasonable_a man_n i_o shall_v brief_o consider_v some_o of_o the_o most_o plausible_a pretence_n that_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o shake_v the_o stability_n of_o the_o church_n and_o turn_v the_o holy_a ghost_n out_o of_o his_o office_n first_o then_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o not_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n it_o be_v a_o objection_n of_o the_o romanist_n against_o the_o english_a reformation_n that_o the_o power_n of_o order_n have_v cease_v in_o our_o church_n ever_o since_o the_o departure_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o be_v now_o utter_o dissolve_v into_o the_o king_n deputation_n of_o commissioner_n for_o the_o administration_n of_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n and_o though_o the_o scandal_n be_v abundant_o refute_v by_o the_o sacred_a rite_n and_o solemnity_n of_o this_o day_n yet_o we_o have_v have_v those_o among_o ourselves_o who_o in_o stead_n of_o deny_v the_o charge_n as_o they_o just_o may_v have_v pretend_v to_o justify_v the_o church_n by_o own_v the_o accusation_n for_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o the_o disputer_n of_o this_o world_n that_o the_o church_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o christian_a commonwealth_n and_o that_o all_o pretence_n of_o divine_a authority_n and_o obligation_n upon_o conscience_n abstract_v from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n be_v a_o mere_a imposture_n and_o destructive_a to_o the_o state_n thus_o by_o the_o old_a stratagem_n of_o the_o enemy_n of_o mankind_n be_v the_o church_n as_o be_v once_o its_o author_n traduce_v as_o a_o enemy_n to_o caesar_n though_o i_o hope_v the_o case_n may_v be_v so_o plain_o state_v between_o both_o as_o to_o vindicate_v the_o right_n of_o the_o one_o without_o incur_v the_o jealousy_n of_o the_o other_o the_o contrary_a assertion_n to_o what_o we_o have_v lay_v down_o can_v be_v maintain_v only_o upon_o one_o of_o these_o three_o ground_n first_o that_o there_o be_v no_o right_a for_o christian_n to_o associate_v together_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n antecedent_n to_o the_o command_n or_o allowance_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o second_o suppose_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n that_o there_o be_v no_o right_a of_o rule_n or_o government_n vest_v in_o the_o officer_n and_o pastor_n of_o it_o or_o three_o suppose_v a_o church_n power_n that_o it_o escheat_v to_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n when_o the_o church_n become_v incorporate_a into_o the_o civil_a state_n the_o first_o of_o these_o though_o perhaps_o the_o ultimate_a resolution_n of_o the_o other_o two_o resolve_v itself_o into_o blasphemy_n beyond_o the_o confutation_n of_o the_o pulpit_n we_o must_v thence_o pronounce_v all_o the_o convention_n of_o christian_n even_o those_o assembling_n of_o themselves_o together_o which_o the_o apostle_n command_v his_o hebrew_n not_o to_o forsake_v to_o be_v so_o many_o unlawful_a conventicle_n and_o not_o exempt_v the_o first_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n from_o the_o accusation_n which_o we_o be_v sure_o be_v manage_v by_o the_o preside_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n we_o must_v affix_v the_o black_a note_n of_o infamy_n upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o ascribe_v a_o right_n to_o the_o heathen_a magistrate_n which_o shall_v justify_v the_o persecution_n of_o christianity_n we_o must_v arraign_v the_o noble_a army_n of_o martyr_n who_o heroical_a courage_n we_o hitherto_o solemnize_v of_o foul_a self-murder_n as_o well_o as_o folly_n in_o be_v prodigal_a of_o their_o blood_n to_o no_o purpose_n run_v upon_o the_o sword_n without_o a_o warrant_n and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o a_o proposition_n when_o they_o have_v no_o obligation_n to_o profess_v it_o and_o so_o execute_v their_o name_n and_o memory_n as_o the_o heathen_a do_v their_o person_n by_o own_v that_o they_o suffer_v deserve_o but_o sure_o if_o we_o have_v not_o forfeit_v our_o faith_n as_o well_o as_o our_o charity_n we_o may_v conclude_v they_o have_v hard_a measure_n enough_o at_o their_o persecutor_n tribunal_n and_o therefore_o may_v be_v dismiss_v from_o we_o the_o second_o pretence_n be_v somewhat_o more_o plausible_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o society_n as_o a_o church_n and_o officer_n place_v in_o it_o but_o such_o who_o only_a business_n it_o be_v to_o teach_v and_o to_o declare_v the_o will_n of_o god_n without_o any_o rule_n or_o authority_n commit_v to_o they_o over_o those_o who_o shal1_n receive_v it_o against_o which_o we_o may_v reason_v with_o the_o learned_a grotius_n upon_o luke_n 6.22_o that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o assign_v a_o positive_a and_o express_a precept_n in_o holy_a scripture_n for_o grant_v the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n establish_v by_o god_n all_o those_o thing_n be_v virtual_o command_v in_o it_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o preserve_v it_o in_o its_o purity_n and_o its_o be_v such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o society_n in_o general_a and_o the_o peculiar_a nature_n of_o this_o but_o not_o content_v ourselves_o toargue_v mere_o from_o natural_a reason_n in_o a_o positive_a institution_n of_o this_o kind_n as_o transcend_v the_o sublimest_n disquisition_n and_o close_a deduction_n of_o it_o if_o we_o consult_v the_o pattern_n in_o the_o mount_n or_o the_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o contain_v the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n whereupon_o it_o be_v found_v we_o shall_v find_v in_o the_o church_n as_o in_o the_o ark_n which_o be_v the_o type_n of_o it_o the_o rod_n of_o aaron_n as_o well_o as_o the_o table_n of_o the_o law_n and_o discover_v in_o it_o the_o manifest_a trace_n of_o a_o paternal_a and_o imperative_fw-it though_o no_o coercive_a jurisdiction_n we_o shall_v there_o find_v the_o enact_v of_o law_n as_o in_o the_o first_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n a_o promulgation_n of_o the_o decree_n that_o be_v make_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n which_o be_v do_v by_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n through_o the_o city_n act_n 16.4_o a_o judiciary_n process_n against_o offender_n i._n tim._n 5.19_o a_o punishment_n of_o the_o guilty_a as_o appear_v in_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a and_o in_o the_o same_o instance_n the_o absolution_n of_o the_o penitent_a and_o relaxation_n of_o the_o censure_n we_o shall_v find_v there_o the_o person_n with_o who_o the_o management_n of_o these_o great_a affair_n be_v entrust_v dignify_v and_o distinguish_v by_o the_o title_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o which_o import_n rule_n and_o authority_n whereto_o they_o be_v solemn_o sanctify_v and_o set_v apart_o by_o a_o visible_a and_o sacred_a rite_n of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n all_o which_o if_o they_o be_v due_o and_o impartial_o consider_v will_v sufficient_o evidence_n that_o these_o thing_n be_v something_o more_o than_o pageantry_n and_o show_n that_o there_o be_v a_o government_n in_o the_o world_n subsist_v upon_o a_o different_a claim_n from_o that_o of_o the_o roman_a empire_n that_o christ_n send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n not_o only_o as_o sheep_n among_o wolf_n but_o
as_o pastor_n among_o sheep_n and_o that_o he_o have_v a_o kingdom_n though_o not_o of_o this_o world_n three_o therefore_o that_o this_o spiritual_a authority_n be_v dissolve_v and_o melt_v down_o into_o the_o civil_a when_o the_o world_n come_v into_o the_o church_n and_o the_o empire_n become_v christian_n must_v be_v make_v out_o one_o of_o these_o three_o way_n either_o from_o the_o original_a right_n of_o the_o empire_n the_o revelation_n of_o god_n or_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n the_o right_a of_o the_o empire_n stand_v upon_o this_o basis_n that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n depend_v upon_o the_o confederation_n and_o consent_n of_o christian_n which_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n may_v at_o his_o pleasure_n draw_v back_o and_o resume_v into_o himself_o but_o first_o against_o this_o pretend_a agreement_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n we_o may_v argue_v from_o all_o those_o instance_n of_o the_o agency_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o constitute_v church_n officer_n which_o we_o have_v mention_v already_o all_o which_o bear_v evident_a testimony_n to_o a_o positive_a institution_n and_o a_o divine_a authority_n but_o second_o suppose_v it_o for_o the_o present_a i_o demand_v whether_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v a_o right_a to_o enter_v into_o those_o confederacy_n antecedent_n to_o the_o command_n or_o allowance_n of_o the_o empire_n or_o no_o if_o not_o we_o be_v bring_v back_o again_o to_o the_o apostate_n principle_n of_o the_o leviathan_n and_o though_o i_o shall_v grant_v mr._n selden_n that_o christian_n after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o lord_n have_v the_o allowance_n of_o the_o state_n by_o that_o act_n of_o the_o empire_n which_o tolerate_v the_o jew_n yet_o to_o say_v that_o the_o society_n be_v legal_o dissolve_v when_o they_o come_v more_o narrow_o to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v to_o take_v off_o the_o glory_n of_o martyrdom_n from_o those_o who_o notwithstanding_o the_o edict_n of_o the_o empire_n keep_v on_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o brand_n of_o apostasy_n from_o other_o who_o plead_v for_o themselves_o that_o they_o have_v leave_v they_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n have_v this_o right_n of_o mutual_a confederation_n the_o case_n be_v just_a where_o it_o be_v for_o whether_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n subsist_v immediate_o by_o divine_a right_n or_o no_o yet_o if_o the_o church_n as_o a_o society_n for_o the_o better_a maintain_v of_o christianity_n by_o divine_a right_n be_v enable_v to_o appoint_v they_o obedience_n be_v just_o due_a to_o they_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o christianity_n independent_a upon_o the_o power_n of_o this_o world_n and_o sure_o water_n will_v rise_v no_o high_o than_o the_o place_n from_o whence_o it_o descend_v nor_o can_v the_o empire_n ever_o come_v to_o challenge_v the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v antecedent_n to_o any_o act_n of_o it_o unless_o it_o have_v please_v the_o great_a sovereign_n of_o both_o to_o declare_v his_o pleasure_n for_o transfer_v they_o for_o if_o the_o church_n be_v a_o society_n immediate_o constitute_v by_o god_n then_o can_v it_o not_o be_v dissolve_v in_o time_n but_o by_o the_o same_o power_n which_o establish_v it_o at_o the_o beginning_n but_o where_o be_v there_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n any_o shadow_n of_o a_o ordinance_n for_o this_o temporary_a condition_n of_o the_o church_n sure_o all_o thing_n there_o seem_v to_o run_v in_o another_o strain_n if_o timothy_n be_v instruct_v by_o st._n paul_n how_o to_o behave_v himself_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n he_o be_v forthwith_o charge_v to_o keep_v the_o commandment_n unblameable_a until_o the_o appear_a of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n if_o the_o angel_n of_o thyatira_n be_v reprehend_v for_o the_o remiss_a exercise_n of_o his_o authority_n he_o have_v likewise_o a_o command_n from_o our_o saviour_n to_o hold_v it_o fast_o and_o maintain_v it_o till_o his_o come_n christ_n do_v not_o appoint_v pastor_n in_o his_o church_n only_o till_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n but_o till_o we_o all_o come_v in_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o a_o perfect_a man_n which_o woeful_a experience_n will_v assure_v we_o be_v not_o effect_v in_o constantine_n day_n nor_o will_v it_o ever_o be_v till_o the_o consummation_n of_o all_o thing_n the_o darkness_n which_o over-spreads_a our_o understanding_n can_v never_o be_v dispel_v but_o by_o the_o light_n of_o glory_n nor_o can_v our_o heart_n be_v entire_o reunite_v but_o by_o that_o charity_n which_o never_o fail_v there_o remain_v therefore_o only_a the_o last_o way_n of_o argue_v and_o that_o be_v from_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o thus_o it_o be_v plead_v that_o unless_o both_o power_n reside_v entire_o in_o the_o same_o person_n they_o must_v both_o expect_v the_o same_o fate_n which_o attend_v a_o kingdom_n divide_v against_o itself_o by_o reason_n of_o daily_a and_o vexatious_a contention_n between_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n the_o sword_n of_o justice_n and_o the_o shield_n of_o faith_n and_o which_o be_v more_o than_o this_o in_o the_o breast_n of_o every_o christian_a between_o the_o christian_a and_o the_o man._n thus_o what_o we_o deny_v to_o nature_n shall_v be_v effect_v by_o grace_n the_o gospel_n of_o peace_n shall_v retrieve_v a_o state_n of_o war_n and_o this_o pretend_a order_n and_o government_n become_v but_o another_o name_n for_o confusion_n and_o though_o i_o have_v before_o bar_v this_o method_n of_o reason_v by_o suppose_v christianity_n to_o be_v a_o positive_a constitution_n of_o divine_a grace_n albeit_o religion_n in_o general_n be_v a_o moral_a virtue_n yet_o because_o the_o charge_n be_v of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n as_o if_o the_o church_n claim_v of_o power_n from_o god_n render_v it_o uncapable_a of_o the_o protection_n of_o his_o vicegerent_n and_o christ_n come_v to_o fit_a inhabitant_n for_o another_o world_n be_v a_o mean_n to_o dis-people_n this_o i_o be_o oblige_v for_o the_o removal_n of_o suspicion_n to_o propose_v these_o follow_a consideration_n first_o therefore_o though_o other_o religion_n may_v be_v just_o presume_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o public_a peace_n in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o devil_n who_o be_v the_o inventor_n of_o they_o be_v withal_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n yet_o such_o be_v the_o peculiar_a genius_n of_o christianity_n that_o where-event_n be_v either_o preach_v or_o receive_v it_o can_v create_v no_o jealousy_n in_o in_o the_o state_n the_o ground_n upon_o which_o this_o assertion_n stand_v be_v this_o that_o it_o disclaim_v all_o title_n to_o the_o sword_n but_o leave_v he_o that_o take_v it_o to_o perish_v with_o it_o though_o it_o be_v draw_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o christ_n himself_o sure_o he_o that_o have_v legion_n of_o angel_n at_o his_o command_n in_o stead_n of_o send_v forth_o apostle_n to_o convert_n man_n to_o the_o faith_n may_v have_v commissioned_n general_n to_o destroy_v the_o unbeliever_n but_o this_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o infinite_a wisdom_n be_v judge_v more_o military_a than_o religious_a and_o the_o way_n of_o propagate_a his_o gospel_n have_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o design_n of_o it_o this_o therefore_o be_v suppose_v that_o christianity_n leave_v the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n in_o those_o hand_n in_o which_o it_o find_v it_o how_o can_v it_o possible_o make_v any_o alteration_n as_o to_o any_o temporal_a condition_n uhich_v be_v profess_o maintain_v by_o it_o and_o therefore_o that_o great_a bugbear_n of_o imperium_fw-la in_o imperio_fw-la need_v not_o be_v so_o terrible_a as_o man_n will_v make_v it_o as_o long_o as_o their_o object_n end_n and_o office_n stand_v as_o real_o distinguish_v as_o their_o obligation_n and_o these_o be_v the_o thought_n that_o christian_n have_v of_o their_o religion_n as_o long_o as_o christianity_n be_v understand_v in_o the_o church_n then_o as_o of_o old_a in_o israel_n there_o be_v no_o smith_n to_o provide_v sword_n and_o spear_n though_o against_o their_o persecute_v philistine_n and_o though_o this_o entire_a renunciation_n of_o all_o claim_n to_o any_o thing_n wherein_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v concern_v prove_v unable_a to_o protect_v they_o either_o from_o slander_n or_o persecution_n yet_o that_o which_o exit_v the_o rage_n and_o fury_n of_o their_o enemy_n be_v rather_o a_o averseness_n to_o the_o christian_n doctrine_n than_o any_o jealous_a concern_v for_o their_o own_o safety_n it_o be_v abundant_o evince_v by_o the_o ancient_a apology_n of_o the_o church_n writer_n against_o the_o gentile_n that_o though_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v the_o christian_a faith_n they_o can_v not_o in_o civil_a justice_n persecute_v a_o christian_a no_o their_o life_n then_o be_v a_o transcript_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o their_o obedience_n be_v