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christian_n church_n member_n universal_a 2,996 5 9.5905 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61546 A discourse concerning the power of excommunication in a Christian church, by way of appendix to the Irenicum by Edward Stillingfleet ... Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.; Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. Irenicum. 1662 (1662) Wing S5583; ESTC R38297 24,655 38

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their_o power_n i._n e._n their_o right_n of_o govern_v this_o society_n not_o mere_o from_o consent_n and_o confederation_n of_o party_n but_o from_o that_o divine_a institution_n on_o which_o the_o society_n depend_v the_o want_n of_o understand_v the_o right_a notion_n of_o power_n in_o the_o sense_n here_o set_v down_o be_v certainiy_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o erastianisme_n and_o that_o which_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o so_o many_o to_o question_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o power_n in_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o the_o more_o zealous_a than_o judicious_a defender_n of_o it_o have_v rather_o choose_v to_o hang_v it_o upon_o some_o doubtful_a place_n of_o scripture_n then_o on_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o a_o society_n institute_v by_o jesus_n christ._n this_o be_v then_o the_o nature_n of_o power_n in_o general_n it_o be_v i_o suppose_v clear_a 7._o that_o a_o outward_a coactive_a force_n be_v not_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o it_o for_o if_o some_o may_v have_v a_o right_a to_o govern_v and_o other_o may_v be_v oblige_v to_o obedience_n to_o those_o person_n antecedent_o to_o any_o civil_a constitution_n then_o such_o person_n have_v a_o just_a power_n to_o inflict_v censure_n upon_o such_o as_o transgress_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o society_n without_o any_o outward_a force_n it_o be_v here_o very_o impertinent_a to_o dispute_v what_o effect_n such_o censure_n can_v have_v upon_o wilful_a person_n without_o a_o coactive_a power_n if_o i_o can_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o right_a to_o inflict_v they_o in_o church_n officer_n and_o a_o obligation_n to_o submit_v to_o they_o in_o all_o offender_n i_o be_o not_o to_o trouble_v myself_o with_o the_o event_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o depend_v upon_o divine_a institution_n i_o know_v it_o be_v the_o great_a objection_n of_o the_o follower_n of_o erastus_n that_o church_n censure_n be_v inflict_v upon_o person_n unwilling_a to_o receive_v they_o and_o therefore_o must_v imply_v external_a and_o coactive_a force_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o church_n but_o this_o admit_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n here_o establish_v of_o a_o very_a easy_a solution_n for_o i_o deny_v not_o that_o churchpower_v go_v upon_o consent_n but_o then_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a here_o be_v a_o antecedent_n consent_n to_o submit_v to_o censure_n in_o the_o very_a entrance_n into_o this_o society_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o denominate_v it_o a_o voluntary_a act_n of_o the_o person_n undergo_a it_n and_o my_o reason_n be_v this_o every_o person_n enter_v into_o a_o society_n part_n with_o his_o own_o freedom_n and_o liberty_n as_o to_o matter_n concern_v the_o govern_n of_o it_o and_o profess_v submission_n to_o the_o rule_n and_o order_n of_o it_o now_o a_o man_n have_v part_v with_o his_o freedom_n already_o can_v reassume_v it_o when_o he_o please_v for_o than_o he_o be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o stand_v to_o the_o covenant_n make_v at_o his_o entrance_n and_o consequent_o his_o undergo_n what_o shall_v be_v lay_v upon_o he_o by_o the_o law_n of_o this_o society_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v voluntary_a as_o depend_v upon_o his_o consent_n at_o first_o entrance_n which_o in_o all_o society_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o hold_v still_o else_o there_o will_v follow_v nothing_o but_o confusion_n in_o all_o society_n in_o the_o world_n if_o every_o man_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o break_v his_o covenant_n when_o any_o thing_n come_v to_o lie_v upon_o he_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o society_n which_o he_o out_o of_o some_o private_a design_n will_v be_v unwilling_a to_o undergo_v thus_o much_o may_v serve_v to_o settle_v aright_o the_o notion_n of_o power_n the_o want_n of_o understanding_n which_o have_v cause_v all_o the_o confusion_n of_o this_o controversy_n the_o next_o thing_n be_v 8._o in_o what_o notion_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o church_n which_o be_v make_v the_o subject_n of_o this_o power_n as_o to_o which_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v this_o power_n either_o as_o to_o it_o be_v right_a or_o in_o actu_fw-la primo_fw-la or_o as_o to_o its_o exercise_n or_o in_o actu_fw-la secundo_fw-la now_o if_o we_o take_v this_o power_n as_o to_o the_o fundamental_a right_n of_o it_o than_o it_o belong_v to_o that_o universal_a church_n of_o christ_n which_o subsist_v as_o a_o visible_a society_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o law_n of_o christ_n which_o make_v a_o own_n the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n the_o duty_n of_o all_o church_n member_n if_o we_o consider_v this_o power_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o then_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o universal_a church_n shall_v perform_v the_o executive_a part_n of_o this_o power_n relate_v to_o offence_n i_o suppose_v it_o lodge_v in_o that_o particular_a society_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v unite_v together_o in_o one_o body_n in_o the_o community_n of_o the_o same_o government_n but_o yet_o so_o as_o that_o the_o administration_n of_o this_o power_n do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o society_n consider_v complex_o but_o to_o those_o officer_n in_o it_o who_o care_n and_o charge_v it_o be_v to_o have_v a_o peculiar_a oversight_n and_o inspection_n over_o the_o church_n and_o to_o redress_v all_o disorder_n in_o it_o thus_o the_o visive_a faculty_n be_v fundamental_o lodge_v in_o the_o soul_n yet_o all_o exterior_a act_n of_o sight_n be_v perform_v by_o the_o eye_n which_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d overseer_n of_o the_o body_n as_o the_o other_o be_v of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o exercise_n and_o administration_n of_o this_o power_n belong_v to_o the_o special_a officer_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n none_o else_o be_v capable_a of_o exercise_v this_o power_n of_o the_o church_n as_o such_o but_o they_o on_o who_o it_o be_v settle_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v self_n 9_o this_o society_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v again_o consider_v either_o as_o subsist_v without_o any_o influence_n from_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o as_o it_o be_v own_v by_o and_o incorporate_v into_o a_o christian_a state_n i_o therefore_o demand_v whether_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o subsistence_n of_o this_o christian_a society_n to_o be_v uphold_v by_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o no_o and_o certain_o none_o who_o consider_v the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n can_v give_v any_o entertainment_n to_o the_o affirmative_a because_o then_o the_o church_n flourish_v in_o its_o great_a purity_n not_o only_o when_o not_o uphold_v but_o when_o most_o violent_o oppose_v by_o the_o civil_a power_n if_o so_o then_o it_o be_v be_v unite_v with_o the_o civil_a state_n be_v only_o accidental_a as_o to_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o church_n and_o if_o this_o be_v only_o accidental_a than_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v furnish_v with_o every_o thing_n requisite_a to_o it_o be_v well_o order_v antecedenty_n to_o any_o such_o union_n and_o abstract_o from_o it_o for_o can_v we_o imagine_v our_o bless_a saviour_n shall_v institute_v a_o society_n and_o leave_v it_o destitute_a of_o mean_n to_o uphold_v its_o self_n unless_o it_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o that_o he_o leave_v every_o thing_n tend_v thereto_o mere_o to_o prudence_n and_o the_o arbritrary_a constitution_n of_o the_o person_n join_v together_o in_o this_o society_n do_v our_o saviour_n take_v care_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o society_n and_o not_o provide_v for_o mean_n to_o uphold_v it_o nay_o it_o be_v evident_a he_o not_o only_o appoint_v a_o society_n but_o officer_n to_o rule_v it_o have_v those_o officer_n than_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v it_o or_o no_o by_o virtue_n of_o christ_n institution_n of_o they_o if_o not_o they_o be_v rather_o bibuli_fw-la than_o caesares_fw-la cipher_n than_o consul_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n if_o they_o have_v a_o power_n to_o govern_v do_v not_o that_o necessary_o imply_v a_o right_a to_o inflict_v censure_n on_o offender_n unless_o 〈◊〉_d will_v suppose_v that_o either_o there_o can_v be_v no_o offender_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n or_o that_o those_o offender_n do_v not_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n or_o there_o be_v some_o prohibition_n for_o they_o to_o exercise_v their_o power_n over_o they_o which_o be_v to_o give_v power_n with_o one_o hand_n and_o take_v it_o away_o with_o the_o other_o or_o that_o this_o power_n can_v extend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o exclude_v any_o from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v discuss_v have_v thus_o clear_v our_o way_n 10._o i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o resolution_n of_o the_o question_n its_o self_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v with_o what_o evidence_n
shall_v think_v as_o much_o of_o call_v any_o thing_n a_o law_n but_o what_o have_v a_o civil_a sanction_n but_o i_o suppose_v all_o those_o who_o dare_v free_o own_o a_o supreme_a and_o infinite_a essence_n to_o have_v be_v the_o creator_n and_o to_o be_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o world_n will_v acknowledge_v his_o power_n to_o oblige_v conscience_n without_o be_v behold_v to_o his_o own_o creature_n to_o enact_v his_o law_n that_o man_n may_v be_v bind_v to_o obey_v they_o be_v the_o great_a god_n fain_o to_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o civil_a authority_n he_o have_v over_o the_o jewish_a commonwealth_n their_o government_n be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o make_v his_o law_n obligatory_a to_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o jew_n what_o have_v not_o they_o their_o being_n from_o god_n and_o can_v there_o be_v any_o great_a ground_n of_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n than_o from_o thence_o whence_o come_v civil_a power_n to_o have_v any_o right_a to_o oblige_v man_n more_o than_o god_n consider_v as_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n can_v have_v can_v there_o be_v indeed_o no_o other_o law_n according_a to_o the_o leviathan_n hypothesis_n but_o only_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o civil_a law_n but_o i_o pray_v whence_o come_v the_o obligation_n to_o either_o of_o these_o that_o these_o be_v not_o as_o arbitrary_a as_o all_o other_o agreement_n be_v and_o be_v it_o not_o as_o strong_a a_o dictate_v of_o nature_n as_o any_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o a_o creature_n which_o receive_v its_o be_v from_o another_o shall_v be_v bind_v to_o obey_v he_o not_o only_o in_o the_o resultancy_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n but_o with_o the_o arbitrary_a constitution_n of_o his_o will_n be_v adam_n bind_v to_o obey_v god_n or_o no_o as_o to_o that_o positive_a precept_n of_o eat_v the_o forbid_v fruit_n if_o no_o civil_a sanction_n have_v be_v add_v to_o that_o law_n the_o truth_n be_v such_o hypothesis_n as_o these_o be_v when_o they_o be_v follow_v close_o home_o will_v be_v find_v to_o kennel_n in_o that_o black_a den_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o be_v think_v to_o have_v proceed_v 15._o and_o now_o suppose_v that_o every_o full_a declaration_n of_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o any_o positive_a institution_n have_v the_o force_n and_o power_n of_o a_o law_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o to_o who_o it_o be_v sufficient_o propose_v i_o proceed_v to_o make_v appear_v that_o such_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n there_o be_v for_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o church_n as_o a_o visible_a body_n and_o society_n in_o the_o world_n by_o which_o i_o be_o far_o from_o mean_v such_o a_o conspicuous_a society_n that_o must_v continue_v in_o a_o perpetual_a visibility_n in_o the_o same_o place_n i_o find_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n in_o scripture_n but_o that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v some_o where_o or_o other_o in_o the_o world_n a_o society_n own_v and_o 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and_o not_o subsist_v by_o virtue_n of_o any_o charter_n from_o christ_n or_o some_o positive_a law_n require_v all_o christian_n to_o join_v in_o church_n society_n together_o but_o if_o now_o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v as_o certain_o it_o can_v but_o appear_v that_o this_o society_n of_o the_o church_n do_v subsist_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a positive_a law_n 16._o than_o it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v distinct_a from_o any_o civil_a society_n and_o that_o on_o these_o account_n first_o because_o there_o be_v a_o antecedent_n obligation_n on_o conscience_n to_o associate_v on_o the_o account_n of_o christianity_n whether_o humane_a law_n prohibit_v or_o command_v it_o from_o whence_o of_o necessity_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v real_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n because_o whether_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v for_o or_o against_o this_o society_n all_o that_o own_o it_o be_v bind_v to_o profess_v it_o open_o and_o declare_v themselves_o member_n of_o it_o whereas_o be_v the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n real_o and_o formal_o the_o same_o all_o obligation_n to_o church_n society_n will_v arise_v mere_o from_o the_o legislative_a power_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o now_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a law_n bind_v in_o conscience_n who_o obligation_n can_v be_v supersede_v by_o any_o humane_a law_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a where_o be_v such_o vast_o different_a obligation_n there_o be_v different_a power_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n i_o know_v no_o incongruity_n in_o admit_v imperium_fw-la in_o imperio_fw-la if_o by_o it_o we_o understand_v no_o external_a coactive_a power_n but_o a_o internal_a power_n lay_v obligation_n on_o conscience_n distinct_a from_o the_o power_n lodge_v in_o a_o commonwealth_n consider_v as_o such_o a_o outward_a coactive_a power_n be_v always_o disow_v by_o christ_n but_o certain_o not_o a_o internal_a power_n over_o conscience_n to_o oblige_v all_o his_o disciple_n to_o what_o duty_n he_o think_v fit_a second_o i_o argue_v from_o those_o officer_n who_o right_n to_o govern_v this_o society_n be_v found_v on_o that_o charter_n whereby_o the_o society_n its_o self_n subsist_v now_o i_o will_v willing_o know_v why_o when_o our_o saviour_n disow_v all_o outward_a power_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o he_o shall_v constitute_v a_o society_n and_o appoint_v officer_n in_o it_o do_v he_o not_o intend_v a_o peculiar_a distinct_a society_n from_o the_o other_o society_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o the_o argument_n frequent_o use_v against_o church-power_n because_o it_o have_v no_o outward_a force_n with_o it_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o strong_a argument_n to_o i_o of_o the_o peculiarity_n of_o a_o christian_a society_n from_o a_o commonwealth_n because_o christ_n so_o institute_v it_o as_o not_o to_o have_v it_o rule_v at_o
2._o i_o prove_v the_o divine_a original_n of_o this_o power_n from_o the_o special_a appointment_n and_o designation_n of_o particular_a officer_n by_o jesus_n christ_n for_o the_o roll_a this_o society_n now_o i_o say_v that_o law_n which_o provide_v there_o shall_v be_v officer_n to_o govern_v do_v give_v they_o power_n to_o govern_v suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o society_n either_o than_o you_o must_v deny_v that_o christ_n have_v by_o a_o unalterable_a institution_n appoint_v a_o gospel_n ministry_n or_o that_o this_o ministry_n have_v no_o power_n in_o the_o church_n or_o that_o their_o power_n extend_v not_o to_o excommunication_n the_o first_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v the_o second_o follow_v from_o their_o appointment_n for_o by_o all_o the_o title_n give_v to_o church_n officer_n in_o scripture_n it_o appear_v they_o have_v a_o power_n over_o the_o church_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o which_o as_o you_o well_o know_v do_v import_v a_o right_a to_o govern_v the_o society_n over_o which_o they_o be_v set_v and_o that_o this_o power_n shall_v not_o extend_v to_o a_o power_n to_o exclude_v convict_v offender_n seem_v very_o strange_a when_o no_o other_o punishment_n can_v be_v more_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o society_n than_o this_o be_v which_o be_v a_o debar_v he_o from_o the_o privilege_n of_o that_o society_n which_o the_o offender_n have_v so_o much_o dishonour_v can_v there_o be_v any_o punishment_n less_o imagine_v towards_o contumacious_a offender_n than_o this_o be_v or_o that_o carry_v in_o it_o less_o of_o outward_a and_o coactive_a force_n it_o imply_v nothing_o but_o what_o the_o offender_n himself_o free_o yield_v to_o at_o his_o entrance_n into_o this_o society_n all_o that_o i_o can_v find_v reply_v by_o any_o of_o the_o adversary_n of_o the_o opinion_n i_o here_o assert_v 18._o to_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o institution_n and_o title_n of_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v that_o all_o those_o title_n which_o be_v give_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o do_v import_n rule_v and_o government_n be_v all_o to_o be_v take_v in_o a_o spiritual_a sense_n as_o they_o be_v christ_n minister_n and_o ambassador_n to_o preach_v his_o word_n and_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o his_o church_n so_o that_o all_o power_n such_o person_n conceive_v to_o lie_v in_o those_o title_n be_v only_o doctrinal_a and_o declarative_a but_o how_o true_a that_o be_v let_v any_o one_o judge_n that_o consider_v these_o thing_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v certain_o a_o power_n of_o discipline_n then_o in_o the_o church_n constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v most_o evident_a not_o only_o from_o the_o passage_n relate_v to_o offender_n in_o saint_n paul_n epistle_n especial_o to_o the_o corinthian_n and_o thessalonian_n but_o from_o the_o continue_a practice_n of_o succeed_a age_n manifest_v by_o tertullian_n cyprian_n and_o many_o other_o there_o be_v then_o a_o power_n of_o discipline_n in_o apostolical_a church_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n it_o shall_v be_v administer_v by_o some_o person_n who_o have_v the_o care_n of_o those_o church_n and_o who_o be_v they_o but_o the_o several_a pastor_n of_o they_o it_o be_v then_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o power_n do_v it_o not_o stand_v to_o common_a sense_n it_o shall_v be_v employ_v in_o such_o title_n which_o in_o their_o natural_a importance_n do_v signify_v a_o right_a to_o govern_v as_o the_o name_n of_o pastor_n and_o ruler_n do_v 2._o there_o be_v a_o diversity_n in_o scripture_n make_v between_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n ephes._n 4.11_o though_o this_o may_v not_o as_o it_o do_v not_o imply_v a_o necessity_n of_o two_o distinct_a office_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o do_v a_o different_a respect_n and_o connotation_n in_o the_o same_o person_n and_o so_o import_v that_o roll_a carry_v in_o it_o somewhat_o more_o than_o mere_a teach_n and_o so_o the_o power_n employ_v in_o pastor_n to_o be_v more_o then_o mere_o doctrinal_a which_o be_v all_o i_o contend_v for_o viz._n a_o right_a to_o govern_v the_o flock_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n 3._o what_o possible_a difference_n can_v be_v assign_v between_o the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o and_o those_o which_o labour_n in_o word_n and_o doctrine_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o if_o all_o their_o rule_n be_v mere_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n and_o all_o their_o govern_n nothing_o but_o teach_v i_o intend_v not_o to_o prove_v a_o office_n of_o ruler_n distinct_a from_o teacher_n from_o hence_o which_o i_o know_v neither_o this_o place_n nor_o any_o other_o will_v do_v but_o that_o the_o formal_a conception_n of_o rule_v be_v different_a from_o that_o of_o teach_v 4._o i_o argue_v from_o the_o analogy_n between_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o synagogue_n that_o as_o many_o of_o the_o name_n be_v take_v from_o thence_o where_o they_o carry_v a_o power_n of_o discipline_n with_o they_o so_o they_o must_v do_v in_o some_o proportion_n in_o the_o church_n or_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a understanding_n they_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o synagogue_n have_v a_o power_n of_o rule_v and_o can_v you_o conceive_v the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n have_v none_o when_o the_o society_n be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o constitution_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o one_o be_v transcribe_v from_o the_o other_o as_o have_v be_v already_o large_o prove_v 5._o the_o act_n attribute_v to_o pastor_n in_o scripture_n imply_v a_o power_n of_o govern_v distinct_a from_o mere_a teach_v such_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d use_v for_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v matth._n 2.6_o revel_v 12.5_o 19.15_o which_o word_n be_v attribute_v to_o pastor_n of_o church_n in_o reference_n to_o their_o flock_n act_n 20.28_o 1_o pet._n 5.2_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v apply_v to_o minister_n when_o they_o be_v so_o frequent_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o note_v praesidentiam_fw-la eum_fw-la potestate_fw-la for_o hesychius_n render_v be_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n have_v certain_o a_o power_n of_o government_n in_o they_o 6._o the_o very_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v attribute_v to_o those_o who_o have_v oversight_n of_o church_n 1_o cor._n 12.8_o by_o which_o it_o be_v certain_o evident_a that_o a_o power_n more_o than_o doctrinal_a be_v understand_v as_o that_o it_o can_v not_o then_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o power_n mere_o civil_a and_o this_o i_o suppose_v may_v suffice_v to_o vindicate_v this_o argument_n from_o the_o title_n of_o church-officer_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o they_o be_v not_o insignificant_a thing_n but_o the_o person_n who_o enjoy_v they_o have_v a_o right_a to_o govern_v the_o society_n over_o which_o the_o holy-ghost_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n 19_o 3._o i_o argue_v that_o church_n power_n arise_v not_o mere_o from_o consent_n because_o the_o church_n may_v exercise_v her_o power_n on_o such_o who_o have_v not_o actual_o confederated_a with_o she_o which_o be_v in_o admit_v member_n into_o the_o church_n for_o if_o the_o church-officer_n have_v power_n to_o judge_v whether_o person_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v they_o have_v power_n to_o exclude_v from_o admission_n such_o who_o they_o judge_v unfit_a and_o so_o their_o power_n be_v exercise_v on_o those_o who_o be_v not_o confederated_a to_o this_o it_o may_v be_v answer_v that_o the_o consent_n to_o be_v judge_v give_v the_o church_n power_n over_o the_o person_n sue_v for_o admission_n i_o grant_v it_o do_v as_o to_o that_o particular_a person_n but_o the_o right_n in_o general_n of_o judge_v concern_v admission_n do_v argue_v a_o antecedent_n power_n to_o a_o actual_a confederation_n for_o i_o will_v suppose_v that_o christ_n shall_v now_o appoint_v some_o officer_n to_o found_v a_o church_n and_o gather_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n together_o where_o there_o have_v be_v none_o before_o i_o now_o ask_v whether_o these_o officer_n have_v power_n to_o admit_v any_o into_o the_o church_n or_o no_o this_o i_o suppose_v can_v be_v deny_v for_o to_o what_o end_n else_o be_v they_o appoint_v if_o it_o be_v grant_v they_o have_v power_n to_o admit_v person_n and_o thereby_o make_v a_o church_n than_o they_o have_v power_n antecedent_o to_o any_o confederation_n for_o the_o confederation_n be_v subsequent_a to_o their_o admission_n and_o therefore_o they_o who_o have_v power_n to_o admit_v can_v not_o derive_v their_o power_n from_o confederation_n this_o argument_n to_o i_o put_v the_o case_n out_o of_o dispute_n that_o all_o church-power_n can_v arise_v from_o mere_a confederation_n and_o that_o which_o further_o evidence_v that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o
2._o i_o grant_v the_o jew_n have_v very_o many_o privilege_n above_o other_o nation_n nay_o so_o far_o that_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o god_n choose_v and_o peculiar_a and_o holy_a people_n and_o from_o thence_o i_o just_o infer_v that_o whatever_o exclusion_n be_v among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o their_o society_n will_v far_o better_a hold_n as_o a_o argument_n for_o excommunication_n under_o the_o christian_a church_n then_o if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a debar_v from_o their_o levitical_a worship_n and_o that_o i_o shall_v far_o soon_o insist_v upon_o from_o the_o reason_n assign_v as_o the_o ground_n of_o excommunication_n than_o the_o other_o infirm_a and_o profligate_v argument_n and_o so_o the_o exclusion_n out_o of_o the_o camp_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o cerith_n among_o the_o jew_n whatever_o we_o understand_v by_o it_o may_v à_fw-la pari_fw-la hold_v to_o a_o ground_n of_o exclusion_n from_o the_o christian_a society_n in_o imitation_n of_o which_o i_o rather_o suppose_v that_o exclusion_n out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n be_v after_o take_v up_o rather_o than_o as_o a_o mere_a out-lawry_a when_o they_o be_v deprive_v of_o civil_a power_n the_o question_n then_o be_v thus_o clear_o state_v it_o amount_v to_o this_o whether_o under_o the_o gospel_n 22._o there_o be_v any_o power_n in_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n by_o virtue_n of_o divine_a institution_n to_o exclude_v any_o offender_n out_o of_o the_o christian_a society_n for_o transgress_v the_o law_n of_o it_o and_o according_a to_o our_o former_a proposition_n i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o power_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n if_o i_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v fundamental_o and_o intrinsical_o resident_a in_o the_o society_n its_o self_n for_o what_o ever_o do_v immediate_o result_v from_o the_o society_n itself_o must_v have_v the_o same_o original_n which_o the_o subject_n have_v because_o this_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o inseparable_a property_n result_v from_o its_o constitution_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o my_o thought_n of_o it_o as_o clear_o and_o methodical_o as_o i_o can_v and_o that_o in_o these_o follow_a hypothesis_n 1._o where_o there_o be_v a_o power_n of_o declare_v any_o person_n to_o be_v no_o true_a member_n of_o the_o society_n he_o be_v in_o there_o be_v a_o formal_a power_n of_o excommunication_n for_o this_o be_v all_o which_o i_o intend_v by_o it_o viz._n a_o authoritative_a pronounce_v virtute_fw-la officii_fw-la any_o convict_v offender_n to_o have_v forfeit_v his_o interest_n in_o the_o church_n as_o a_o christian_a society_n and_o to_o lose_v all_o the_o privilege_n of_o i●_n so_o that_o if_o this_o power_n be_v lodge_v in_o any_o church_n officer_n than_o he_o have_v power_n formal_o to_o excommunicate_v 2._o where_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o a_o society_n be_v not_o absolute_a and_o necessary_a but_o depend_v upon_o condition_n to_o be_v perform_v by_o every_o member_n of_o which_o the_o society_n be_v judge_n there_o be_v a_o power_n in_o the_o ruler_n of_o that_o society_n to_o debarr_v any_o person_n from_o such_o privilege_n upon_o non-performance_n of_o the_o condition_n as_o suppose_v the_o jus_o civitatis_fw-la to_o depend_v upon_o defend_v the_o right_n of_o the_o city_n upon_o a_o fail_n in_o referente_fw-la to_o this_o in_o any_o person_n admit_v to_o citizen-ship_n the_o ruler_n of_o the_o city_n have_v the_o same_o power_n to_o take_v that_o right_a away_o which_o they_o have_v at_o first_o to_o give_v it_o because_o that_o right_o be_v never_o absolute_o give_v but_o upon_o supposition_n that_o the_o person_n do_v not_o overthrow_v the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v bestow_v upon_o he_o 3._o the_o church_n be_v such_o a_o society_n in_o which_o communion_n be_v not_o absolute_a and_o necessary_a but_o it_o do_v depend_v on_o the_o performance_n of_o some_o condition_n of_o which_o the_o governor_n of_o it_o be_v the_o competent_a judge_n and_o that_o appear_v 1._o because_o the_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n depend_v upon_o condition_n to_o be_v judge_v by_o pastor_n as_o in_o case_n of_o adult_n person_n require_v baptism_n and_o the_o child_n of_o infidel_n be_v baptize_v in_o both_o which_o case_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o condition_n be_v prerequisite_a of_o which_o the_o pastor_n be_v judge_n 2._o because_o the_o privilege_n of_o this_o society_n do_v require_v a_o separation_n from_o other_o society_n in_o the_o world_n and_o call_v for_o great_a holiness_n and_o purity_n of_o life_n and_o those_o very_a privilege_n be_v pledge_n of_o great_a benefit_n which_o belong_v only_o to_o person_n qualify_v with_o suitable_a condition_n it_o will_v therefore_o be_v a_o very_a great_a dishonour_n to_o this_o society_n if_o it_o lay_v as_o common_a and_o open_a as_o other_o society_n in_o the_o world_n do_v and_o no_o more_o qualification_n require_v from_o the_o member_n of_o it_o 3._o we_o have_v instance_n in_o the_o sacred_a record_n of_o apostolical_a time_n of_o such_o scandal_n which_o have_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o exclusion_n of_o the_o person_n guilty_a of_o they_o from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o christian_a society_n and_o here_o i_o suppose_v we_o may_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o little_a evasion_n which_o have_v be_v find_v out_o fix_v on_o the_o incestuous_a person_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n as_o to_o which_o i_o lay_v not_o the_o force_n of_o the_o argument_n upon_o the_o manner_n of_o execution_n of_o the_o censure_n then_o viz._n by_o delegation_n from_o a_o apostle_n or_o the_o apostolical_a rod_n or_o deliver_v to_o satan_n for_o i_o free_o grant_v that_o these_o do_v then_o import_v a_o extraordinary_a power_n in_o the_o apostle_n over_o offender_n but_o i_o say_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n in_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n at_o that_o time_n do_v still_o continue_v although_o not_o in_o that_o visible_a extraordinary_a effect_n which_o it_o then_o have_v and_o whatever_o practice_n be_v found_v upon_o ground_n perpetual_a and_o common_a that_o practice_n must_v continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o do_v and_o the_o church_n capacity_n will_v admit_v which_o hypothesis_n be_v the_o only_a rational_a foundation_n on_o which_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n do_v stand_v firm_a and_o unshaken_a and_o which_o in_o the_o former_a discourse_n i_o be_o far_o from_o undermine_v of_o as_o any_o intelligent_a reader_n may_v perceive_v now_o i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o apostle_n censure_v of_o that_o person_n be_v not_o fetch_v from_o the_o want_n of_o christian_a magistrate_n but_o from_o such_o thing_n which_o will_v hold_v as_o long_o as_o any_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v the_o dishonour_n of_o the_o society_n 1_o corinth_n 5_o 1._o the_o spread_a of_o such_o corruption_n further_o if_o they_o pass_v uncensured_a 1_o corinth_n 5.6_o and_o amendment_n of_o the_o person_n 1_o cor._n 5.5_o upon_o these_o pillar_n the_o power_n of_o censure_n rest_v itself_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o main_a ground_n of_o penalty_n in_o all_o society_n whatsoever_o viz._n the_o preservation_n of_o the_o honour_n of_o they_o and_o prevent_v of_o further_a mischief_n and_o do_v good_a to_o the_o offend_a party_n and_o that_o which_o seem_v to_o add_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o weight_n to_o this_o instance_n be_v that_o the_o apostle_n check_v the_o corinthian_n that_o before_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o apostolical_a rod_n they_o be_v not_o of_o themselves_o sensible_a of_o so_o great_a a_o dishonour_n to_o the_o church_n as_o that_o be_v and_o have_v not_o use_v some_o mean_n for_o the_o remove_n such_o a_o person_n from_o their_o society_n and_o you_o be_v puff_v up_o and_o have_v not_o rather_o mourn_v that_o he_o that_o have_v do_v this_o deed_n may_v be_v take_v away_o from_o among_o you_o 1_o corinth_n 5.2_o therein_o imply_v that_o whether_o there_o have_v be_v such_o a_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n or_o no_o as_o the_o apostolical_a rod_n it_o have_v be_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_a society_n to_o have_v do_v their_o endeavour_n in_o order_n to_o the_o remove_v such_o a_o person_n from_o their_o number_n but_o further_a i_o can_v understand_v how_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o duty_n in_o christian_n to_o withdraw_v from_o every_o brother_n who_o walk_v disorderly_a 3.14_o and_o church-officer_n not_o to_o have_v power_n to_o pronounce_v such_o a_o person_n to_o be_v withdraw_v from_o which_o amount_v to_o excommunication_n it_o be_v not_o to_o i_o at_o all_o material_a whether_o they_o do_v immediate_o relate_v to_o civil_a or_o sacred_a converse_n concern_v which_o there_o be_v so_o much_o dispute_n for_o in_o which_o