place_n for_o it_o be_v say_v that_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v dismiss_v from_o the_o council_n with_o threaten_n they_o go_v unto_o their_o own_o company_n and_o report_v what_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n have_v say_v unto_o they_o vers._n 23._o and_o when_o they_o hear_v that_o they_o lift_v up_o their_o voice_n in_o prayer_n to_o god_n with_o one_o accord_n vers._n 24._o and_o when_o they_o have_v pray_v the_o place_n be_v shake_v where_o they_o be_v assemble_v together_o vers._n 31._o by_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o all_o this_o company_n whether_o they_o be_v in_o all_o 5000._o or_o if_o you_o will_v have_v it_o so_o 5000._o beside_o the_o former_a number_n and_o so_o in_o all_o 8120._o yet_o still_o they_o be_v all_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n and_o when_o after_o this_o believer_n be_v more_o add_v to_o the_o lord_n multitude_n both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n act_n 5._o 14._o yet_o all_o that_o time_n they_o be_v all_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o salomon_n porch_n vers._n 12._o which_o show_v they_o be_v not_o yet_o so_o many_o but_o all_o do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n furthermore_o when_o after_o this_o the_o number_n of_o disciple_n in_o jerusalem_n be_v more_o multiply_v act_n 6._o 1._o yet_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o multitude_n of_o they_o together_o to_o propose_v unto_o they_o the_o choice_n of_o deacon_n vers._n 2._o and_o the_o matter_n be_v commend_v to_o they_o by_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v say_v the_o say_v please_v the_o whole_a multitude_n and_o they_o choose_v seven_o who_o be_v there_o name_v vers._n 5._o which_o show_v that_o the_o whole_a multitude_n be_v not_o so_o many_o but_o they_o may_v assemble_v and_o come_v together_o in_o one_o place_n to_o hear_v matter_n propose_v and_o to_o make_v election_n of_o officer_n after_o this_o indeed_o this_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v all_o scatter_a by_o persecution_n except_o the_o apostle_n act_n 8._o 1._o but_o when_o a_o church_n be_v gather_v again_o by_o the_o apostle_n ministry_n that_o church_n even_o all_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n do_v all_o assemble_v and_o meet_v together_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o congregation_n about_o the_o business_n of_o the_o controversy_n that_o arise_v at_o antioch_n so_o it_o be_v plain_o say_v act_n 15._o that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n come_v from_o antioch_n be_v receive_v of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n vers._n 4._o and_o it_o please_v the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n with_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o send_v messenger_n to_o antioch_n vers._n 22._o and_o to_o that_o church_n letter_n be_v write_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o brethren_n vers._n 23._o be_v all_o assemble_v with_o one_o accord_n verse_n 25._o which_o plain_o show_v that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n at_o this_o time_n do_v not_o consist_v of_o apostle_n and_o elder_n alone_o as_o a_o representative_a church_n but_o of_o other_o also_o who_o be_v express_o distinguish_v from_o those_o officer_n and_o yet_o all_o this_o church_n do_v assemble_v with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o place_n last_o for_o that_o place_n 21._o where_o you_o say_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o when_o the_o church_n meet_v collective_o it_o be_v in_o the_o presbyter_n and_o elder_n and_o that_o in_o this_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o collective_a meeting_n be_v representative_a in_o their_o elder_n the_o answer_n be_v that_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o elder_n may_v meet_v apart_o from_o the_o multitude_n if_o there_o be_v occasion_n and_o so_o much_o may_v be_v prove_v from_o verse_n 18._o where_o it_o be_v say_v paul_n go_v in_o unto_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a but_o this_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o all_o the_o member_n can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o but_o in_o several_a congregation_n nay_o that_o very_a place_n though_o it_o speak_v of_o many_o thousand_o jew_n that_o do_v believe_v verse_n 20._o yet_o as_o it_o do_v not_o say_v that_o all_o these_o be_v of_o that_o one_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n so_o there_o be_v good_a divine_n that_o do_v think_v they_o be_v not_o but_o if_o they_o be_v it_o nothing_o prejudice_v our_o cause_n in_o this_o matter_n for_o when_o james_n and_o the_o elder_n speak_v to_o paul_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v tell_v he_o the_o multitude_n must_v needs_o come_v together_o for_o they_o will_v hear_v that_o thou_o be_v come_v verse_n 22._o it_o appear_v thereby_o that_o their_o multitude_n be_v not_o such_o but_o they_o may_v all_o assemble_v and_o come_v together_o if_o any_o say_v how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v that_o so_o many_o thousand_o as_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n shall_v all_o yet_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n beside_o what_o have_v be_v say_v to_o show_v that_o thus_o it_o be_v such_o a_o one_o may_v consider_v further_o that_o many_o thousand_o yea_o miriads_o be_v gather_v together_o luke_n 12._o 12._o and_o christ_n speak_v unto_o they_o all_o though_o unto_o his_o disciple_n first_o verse_n 1_o 14_o 15_o 54._o and_o that_o parish_n in_o england_n in_fw-la or_o about_o london_n and_o elsewhere_o as_o stepney_n giles_n sepulcher_n and_o other_o have_v many_o thousand_o inhabitant_n in_o they_o all_o member_n of_o one_o parishional_a church_n and_o yet_o all_o but_o one_o congregation_n and_o that_o of_o chrysostome_n on_o matth._n 24._o who_o as_o mr._n bayn_n report_v dioe_fw-la trial_n pag._n 16._o do_v esteem_v the_o company_n that_o hear_v his_o voice_n in_o one_o congregation_n to_o be_v about_o 5000._o person_n and_o that_o by_o mean_n of_o scaffold_n and_o gallery_n a_o man_n lift_v up_o his_o voice_n may_v so_o speak_v as_o to_o be_v hear_v of_o thousand_o at_o a_o time_n all_o which_o be_v consider_v do_v make_v it_o less_o incredible_a that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n consist_v of_o such_o a_o great_a multitude_n yet_o for_o all_o that_o may_v be_v no_o more_o but_o one_o ordinary_a congregation_n next_o for_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n style_v everywhere_o in_o that_o epistle_n by_o the_o name_n of_o church_n not_o church_n pag._n 13._o answ._n we_o suppose_v it_o be_v a_o plain_a mistake_n that_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n be_v everywhere_o in_o that_o epistle_n style_v by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n for_o aught_o we_o remember_v in_o that_o epistle_n it_o be_v never_o so_o style_v at_o all_o and_o yet_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o it_o be_v a_o church_n and_o one_o church_n but_o say_v you_o can_v it_o be_v think_v that_o the_o faith_n and_o obedience_n of_o a_o church_n in_o such_o a_o city_n can_v be_v famous_a throughout_o all_o the_o world_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v rom._n 1._o 8._o and_o 16._o 19_o and_o yet_o but_o one_o single_a independent_a congregation_n answ._n we_o know_v nothing_o to_o the_o contrary_a but_o it_o may_v be_v so_o for_o the_o church_n at_o thessalonica_n be_v but_o one_o congregation_n and_o yet_o from_o they_o sound_v out_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n not_o only_o in_o macedonia_n and_o achaia_n but_o also_o in_o every_o place_n their_o faith_n to_o godward_o be_v spread_v abroad_o 1_o thess._n 1._o 8._o and_o there_o may_v be_v other_o mean_n to_o make_v their_o faith_n famous_a as_o well_o as_o plurality_n of_o congregation_n as_o the_o resort_n and_o confluence_n of_o people_n of_o all_o sort_n and_o nation_n to_o the_o place_n where_o this_o church_n dwell_v rome_n be_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o the_o lady_n of_o kingdom_n at_o that_o time_n also_o the_o good_a will_n of_o the_o godly_a the_o malice_n of_o the_o wicked_a the_o newfangledness_n of_o most_o will_v open_v the_o mouth_n of_o many_o to_o talk_v of_o the_o faith_n and_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a roman_n though_o they_o be_v no_o more_o but_o one_o congregation_n those_o very_a person_n and_o family_n name_v in_o the_o apostle_n salutation_n of_o that_o church_n even_o those_o choice_a family_n be_v able_a to_o fill_v several_a congregation_n answ._n we_o dare_v not_o say_v so_o for_o there_o be_v not_o name_v above_o 30._o in_o all_o sure_o if_o 30._o family_n fill_v several_a congregation_n than_o those_o congregation_n must_v be_v very_o small_a one_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o his_o time_n the_o city_n be_v at_o least_o half_a christian_a and_o cornelius_n tell_v we_o that_o beside_o himself_o there_o be_v in_o that_o church_n 45._o presbyter_n answ._n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o many_o congregation_n be_v frequent_o call_v in_o scripture_n by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n these_o testimony_n be_v not_o from_o scripture_n do_v not_o suit_v the_o
own_o it_o may_v do_v well_o to_o crave_v the_o approbation_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o neighbour_a congregation_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o first_o and_o three_o of_o these_o proposition_n have_v be_v declare_v already_o and_o for_o the_o second_o we_o thus_o argue_v arg._n 1._o if_o such_o a_o church_n may_v elect_v and_o choose_v officer_n to_o itself_o without_o any_o necessary_a dependence_n upon_o synod_n then_o they_o may_v ordain_v they_o also_o have_v so_o fit_a instrument_n as_o elder_n of_o their_o own_o to_o do_v it_o by_o but_o the_o first_o be_v true_a as_o we_o have_v elsewhere_o show_v in_o this_o answer_n of_o we_o therefore_o the_o second_o be_v true_a also_o the_o consequence_n of_o the_o major_n be_v clear_a by_o this_o reason_n that_o they_o which_o can_v do_v the_o great_a can_v do_v the_o lesser_a also_o if_o it_o be_v of_o the_o same_o kind_n arg._n 2._o if_o such_o a_o church_n as_o we_o here_o speak_v of_o may_v not_o ordain_v their_o officer_n without_o dependence_n on_o a_o synod_n or_o a_o classis_fw-la then_o neither_o may_v they_o administer_v seal_n without_o such_o dependence_n for_o the_o word_n make_v such_o dependence_n no_o more_o requisite_a in_o the_o one_o case_n then_o in_o the_o other_o arg._n 3._o if_o it_o be_v not_o thus_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o synod_n or_o classis_fw-la upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o what_o be_v a_o classis_fw-la or_o a_o synod_n but_o a_o company_n of_o minister_n or_o elder_n of_o several_a congregation_n assemble_v together_o to_o consider_v of_o thing_n concerning_o themselves_o and_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n special_o such_o church_n whereto_o they_o do_v peculiar_o belong_v now_o this_o assemble_n of_o elder_n into_o a_o classis_fw-la or_o synod_n do_v imply_v that_o there_o be_v elder_n before_o there_o be_v any_o classis_fw-la or_o synod_n and_o if_o so_o then_o certain_o there_o be_v no_o concurrence_n of_o the_o classis_fw-la or_o synod_n in_o the_o ordination_n of_o those_o elder_n sith_o they_o be_v elder_n before_o that_o synod_n have_v any_o be_v which_o do_v sufficient_o show_v that_o the_o concurrence_n of_o a_o synod_n be_v not_o always_o require_v in_o the_o ordain_n of_o elder_n obj._n if_o it_o be_v say_v the_o synod_n do_v ordain_v timothy_n a_o evangelist_n a_o officer_n of_o many_o church_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o and_o therefore_o much_o more_o must_v ordain_v officer_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n the_o answer_n be_v first_o that_o the_o consequence_n be_v not_o strong_a because_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v have_v authority_n sufficient_a to_o ordain_v by_o their_o eldership_n the_o officer_n of_o their_o particular_a church_n only_o and_o not_o sufficient_a to_o ordain_v such_o as_o must_v be_v officer_n in_o all_o church_n whatsoever_o the_o help_n of_o a_o classis_fw-la or_o synod_n where_o be_v a_o combination_n or_o consociation_n of_o elder_n of_o many_o church_n may_v be_v requisite_a for_o ordain_v a_o officer_n of_o many_o church_n and_o yet_o the_o eldership_n of_o our_o particular_a church_n may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o ordain_v such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v to_o be_v officer_o to_o no_o more_o but_o only_o to_o that_o particular_a church_n second_o the_o ground_n hence_o be_v not_o certain_a for_o though_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n and_o so_o to_o travel_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o yet_o the_o presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o that_o lay_v hand_n on_o he_o may_v be_v the_o presbytery_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n and_o not_o any_o synod_n or_o classis_fw-la for_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n be_v apostle_n act._n 14._o 4._o and_o 14._o gal._n 2._o 9_o and_o yet_o they_o be_v ordain_v not_o by_o any_o classis_fw-la or_o presbytery_n of_o many_o church_n but_o by_o the_o presbytery_n of_o one_o church_n the_o church_n at_o antioch_n act._n 13._o 1_o 2_o 3._o those_o say_v they_o that_o can_v do_v the_o great_a that_o be_v to_o say_v make_v a_o church_n can_v do_v the_o less_o make_v pastor_n of_o that_o church_n ans._n we_o will_v rather_o argue_v thus_o those_o that_o have_v power_n of_o elect_a officer_n they_o have_v power_n of_o ordain_v officer_n but_o the_o people_n that_o have_v no_o officer_n have_v the_o former_a therefore_o they_o have_v power_n to_o do_v the_o latter_a the_o consequence_n be_v prove_v because_o elect_v be_v great_a than_o ordain_v and_o great_a not_o in_o another_o kind_n but_o in_o the_o same_o viz._n about_o the_o place_n of_o a_o minister_n or_o the_o design_n of_o a_o person_n to_o the_o office_n of_o ministry_n now_o a_o argument_n from_o the_o great_a to_o the_o less_o in_o the_o same_o kind_n you_o confess_v will_v hold_v which_o visible_a ministry_n where_o it_o be_v this_o property_n or_o proper_a power_n of_o ordain_v officer_n be_v a_o necessary_a and_o immediate_a ordinary_a concomitant_a thereof_o pag._n 31._o answ._n if_o this_o be_v so_o than_o there_o may_v be_v officer_n ordain_v and_o not_o by_o a_o synod_n even_o in_o a_o particular_a congregation_n because_o in_o such_o a_o one_o there_o may_v be_v a_o visible_a ministry_n although_o that_o which_o you_o have_v say_v in_o this_o argument_n be_v not_o express_o against_o the_o congregation_n elect_v their_o officer_n but_o only_o against_o their_o ordain_n of_o they_o by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n yet_o in_o asmuch_o as_o sundry_a passage_n in_o your_o book_n and_o in_o this_o argument_n especial_o do_v seem_v to_o make_v as_o much_o against_o the_o one_o as_o the_o other_o therefore_o as_o we_o have_v already_o speak_v to_o the_o point_n of_o ordination_n so_o we_o will_v also_o for_o the_o reader_n further_a direction_n give_v some_o ground_n for_o confirmation_n of_o this_o position_n about_o election_n viz._n election_n of_o ordinary_a officer_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n whereof_o the_o party_n be_v to_o be_v a_o officer_n so_o that_o they_o proceed_v in_o this_o election_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n both_o choose_v a_o man_n fit_v by_o god_n for_o the_o office_n unto_o which_o they_o choose_v he_o and_o carry_v their_o choice_n in_o a_o orderly_a manner_n reason_n 1_o it_o be_v thus_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o therefore_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o now_o the_o antecedent_n be_v clear_a from_o act._n 1._o where_o in_o the_o very_a choice_n of_o a_o apostle_n the_o church_n be_v not_o whole_o exclude_v for_o though_o the_o office_n of_o a_o apostle_n be_v extraordinary_a the_o express_a design_n of_o the_o particular_a person_n be_v determine_v by_o god_n by_o lot_n yet_o the_o church_n appoint_v two_o that_o one_o of_o they_o may_v be_v single_v out_o v._n 23._o and_o when_o the_o lot_n have_v fall_v upon_o mathias_n it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v number_v with_o the_o eleven_o apostle_n v._n 26._o that_o be_v he_o be_v by_o common_a suffrage_n of_o the_o churchchosen_a to_o be_v of_o that_o number_n for_o so_o do_v the_o word_n signify_v that_o be_v use_v {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v translate_v by_o scapula_n omnium_fw-la calculis_fw-la allectus_fw-la and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o though_o the_o office_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o though_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v extraordinary_a officer_n and_o have_v receive_v their_o call_n and_o extraordinary_a authority_n from_o christ_n himself_o immediate_o be_v now_o present_a yet_o for_o all_o this_o the_o church_n have_v a_o stroke_n in_o this_o matter_n both_o first_o appoint_v two_o and_o then_o approve_v by_o their_o common_a suffrage_n or_o consent_v he_o of_o the_o two_o on_o who_o the_o lot_n have_v fall_v to_o be_v for_o instruction_n unto_o we_o in_o after_o time_n that_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o ordinary_a officer_n it_o shall_v be_v far_o from_o any_o of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n to_o exclude_v the_o people_n of_o god_n from_o their_o right_n and_o interest_n therein_o for_o if_o they_o have_v a_o stroke_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o apostle_n how_o much_o more_o shall_v they_o have_v the_o like_a in_o the_o choice_n of_o ordinary_a officer_n and_o if_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v present_a will_v not_o abridge_v the_o people_n of_o this_o liberty_n much_o less_o may_v other_o do_v it_o doubtless_o they_o that_o engross_v the_o authority_n of_o choose_v minister_n into_o their_o own_o hand_n exclude_v the_o people_n they_o arrogate_v more_o unto_o themselves_o then_o the_o apostle_n ever_o do_v so_o likewise_o in_o act._n 6._o when_o deacon_n be_v to_o be_v appoint_v the_o apostle_n do_v not_o take_v all_o the_o business_n into_o their_o own_o hand_n as_o if_o election_n of_o such_o officer_n appertain_v only_o to_o themselves_o and_o not_o at_o all_o unto_o the_o people_n but_o they_o call_v the_o whole_a multitude_n unto_o they_o ver._n
2._o and_o bid_v they_o choose_v out_o seven_o man_n fit_o qualify_v for_o the_o office_n ver._n 3._o and_o according_o the_o saying_n please_v the_o whole_a multitude_n and_o they_o choose_v seven_o that_o be_v there_o name_v ver._n 5._o and_o have_v so_o do_v they_o set_v they_o before_o the_o apostle_n that_o they_o may_v ordain_v they_o by_o lay_v their_o hand_n on_o they_o ver._n 6._o and_o in_o act._n 14._o 23._o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v elder_n by_o election_n or_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n for_o so_o do_v {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o signify_v in_o every_o church_n obj._n the_o word_n signify_v nothing_o else_o but_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n which_o be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n alone_o and_o not_o of_o the_o people_n ans._n the_o word_n be_v never_o use_v for_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n in_o all_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o word_n use_v for_o that_o be_v {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o 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a_o modest_a and_o brotherly_a answer_n to_o mr._n charles_n herle_n his_o book_n against_o the_o independency_n of_o church_n wherein_o his_o four_o argument_n for_o the_o government_n of_o synod_n over_o particular_a congregation_n be_v friendly_o examine_v and_o clear_o answer_v together_o with_o christian_a and_o love_a animadversion_n upon_o sundry_a other_o observable_a passage_n in_o the_o say_a book_n all_o tend_v to_o declare_v the_o true_a use_n of_o synod_n and_o the_o power_n of_o congregational_a church_n in_o the_o point_n of_o elect_v and_o ordain_v their_o own_o officer_n and_o censure_v their_o offender_n by_o richard_n mather_z teacher_n of_o the_o church_n at_o dorchester_n and_o william_n tompson_n pastor_n of_o the_o church_n at_o braintree_n in_o new-england_n send_v from_o thence_o after_o the_o assembly_n of_o elder_n be_v dissolve_v that_o last_o meet_v at_o cambridg_n to_o debate_v matter_n about_o church-government_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n overton_n 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p._n 2._o if_o any_o hold_v so_o small_a a_o number_n as_o 2_o or_o 3_o to_o be_v a_o church_n so_o complete_a as_o to_o have_v power_n of_o excommunication_n ordination_n and_o whatever_o censure_n they_o may_v if_o they_o see_v cause_n declare_v their_o ground_n for_o so_o hold_v but_o for_o our_o part_n for_o aught_o we_o yet_o see_v a_o church_n that_o have_v such_o power_n as_o be_v here_o speak_v of_o have_v need_n to_o be_v a_o great_a number_n than_o two_o or_o three_o even_o so_o many_o as_o shall_v be_v necessary_a and_o requisite_a for_o the_o carry_n on_o of_o church-work_n in_o admonition_n and_o reprehension_n of_o one_o another_o as_o there_o shall_v be_v cause_n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v need_n to_o be_v seven_o or_o more_o for_o a_o brother_n that_o sin_v must_v so_o be_v deal_v withal_o for_o his_o recovery_n that_o if_o he_o remain_v impenitent_a the_o proceed_n against_o he_o be_v still_o to_o go_v on_o by_o degree_n till_o at_o last_o the_o matter_n be_v bring_v unto_o the_o church_n mat._n 18._o 15_o 16_o 17._o but_o in_o all_o the_o degree_n of_o proceed_v against_o he_o the_o person_n before_o who_o he_o be_v call_v be_v in_o every_o latter_a step_n and_o degree_n more_o in_o number_n than_o they_o be_v in_o the_o former_a and_o so_o the_o church_n be_v the_o last_o be_v the_o great_a number_n of_o all_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v three_o at_o the_o least_o that_o must_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o matter_n before_o it_o must_v be_v bring_v unto_o the_o church_n viz._n the_o brother_n offend_v the_o brother_n offend_v and_o one_o witness_n at_o the_o least_o so_o that_o the_o church_n consist_v of_o those_o three_o or_o four_o that_o deal_n in_o the_o matter_n before_o it_o come_v into_o the_o church_n and_o of_o another_o number_n great_a than_o they_o and_o distinct_a from_o they_o to_o who_o the_o matter_n be_v bring_v
their_o sore_n but_o so_o many_o sinner_n must_v be_v leave_v lawless_a and_o their_o offence_n remediless_a god_n forbid_v the_o lord_n have_v provide_v good_a store_n of_o help_n for_o all_o these_o but_o every_o salve_n be_v not_o for_o every_o sore_a such_o person_n as_o be_v in_o the_o church_n all_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n administer_v therein_o so_o that_o if_o need_v so_o require_v they_o may_v be_v excommunicate_v and_o cast_v out_o whole_a church_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o wholesome_a advice_n and_o counsel_n of_o other_o church_n and_o so_o far_o as_o the_o same_o shall_v be_v according_a to_o god_n they_o ought_v to_o harken_v thereunto_o and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o they_o may_v lawful_o be_v renounce_v by_o other_o church_n from_o all_o church-communion_n with_o they_o and_o as_o for_o indian_n or_o other_o that_o be_v no_o church_n nor_o member_n of_o church_n though_o our_o saviour_n rule_n of_o tell_v the_o church_n be_v not_o intend_v for_o they_o yet_o both_o they_o and_o christian_a church_n likewise_o and_o the_o member_n of_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o high_a power_n who_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o be_v keeper_n of_o both_o table_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o to_o do_v their_o endeavour_n that_o all_o the_o subject_n may_v lead_v a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a life_n in_o all_o godliness_n and_o honesty_n rom._n 13._o 1._o 1_o tim._n 2._o 2._o but_o say_v you_o a_o offence_n may_v be_v so_o general_a as_o to_o defile_v and_o make_v guilty_a a_o whole_a land_n and_o why_o not_o then_o the_o remedy_n as_o large_a as_o it_o tell_v the_o church_n pag._n 11._o ans._n in_o such_o case_n of_o general_a and_o national_a defilement_n the_o remedy_n be_v general_a and_o national_a repentance_n whereto_o all_o the_o people_n must_v be_v provoke_v and_o exhort_v by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n in_o their_o several_a congregation_n and_o when_o the_o high_a power_n do_v give_v example_n thereof_o in_o their_o own_o person_n and_o by_o some_o act_n of_o their_o authority_n do_v call_v upon_o all_o the_o people_n for_o the_o same_o this_o be_v a_o notable_a remedy_n through_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n against_o the_o defilement_n of_o national_a sin_n and_o the_o danger_n that_o may_v come_v thereby_o which_o as_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o asa_n hezekiah_n josiah_n and_o the_o state_n of_o judah_n in_o their_o time_n so_o we_o have_v cause_n with_o all_o humble_a thankfulness_n to_o bless_v the_o lord_n that_o put_v the_o like_a care_n into_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o commons_o assemble_v in_o parliament_n in_o our_o dear_a native_a country_n who_o by_o a_o ordinance_n of_o both_o house_n think_v it_o meet_v to_o exhort_v all_o the_o subject_n of_o england_n and_o wales_n to_o the_o duty_n of_o repentance_n both_o for_o personal_a and_o national_a sin_n but_o suppose_v the_o magistrate_n be_v a_o enemy_n to_o religion_n and_o the_o land_n or_o whole_a church_n therein_o have_v occasion_n to_o make_v a_o solemn_a renewal_n of_o their_o covenant_n with_o god_n shall_v not_o this_o whole_a church_n or_o number_n in_o their_o collective_a body_n have_v power_n to_o enjoin_v it_o ans._n if_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n be_v a_o enemy_n to_o religion_n it_o be_v not_o like_o but_o most_o or_o many_o of_o the_o people_n will_v be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n regis_fw-la ad_fw-la exemplum_fw-la totus_fw-la as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n in_o france_n and_o spain_n and_o be_v in_o england_n in_o the_o day_n of_o queen_n mary_n and_o other_o popish_a prince_n and_o than_o the_o believer_n in_o the_o land_n will_v not_o be_v so_o many_o as_o to_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o land_n or_o nation_n but_o of_o a_o small_a part_n thereof_o and_o so_o at_o that_o time_n it_o will_v not_o be_v require_v of_o they_o to_o make_v any_o national_a covenant_n or_o to_o enjoin_v the_o same_o nor_o can_v it_o well_o be_v conceive_v how_o they_o shall_v assemble_v in_o a_o national_a synod_n for_o that_o or_o any_o other_o purpose_n when_o the_o magistrate_n be_v a_o profess_a enemy_n to_o their_o religion_n at_o such_o time_n it_o be_v more_o like_o their_o meeting_n in_o small_a congregation_n will_v be_v full_a of_o danger_n rather_o than_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v liberty_n safe_o and_o free_o to_o meet_v in_o such_o great_a assembly_n as_o national_a synod_n and_o though_o for_o lack_n of_o such_o a_o national_a covenant_n the_o remedy_n be_v not_o equal_a to_o the_o offence_n or_o need_n yet_o at_o such_o time_n that_o remedy_n be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o such_o believer_n as_o be_v in_o the_o land_n it_o be_v not_o require_v at_o their_o hand_n if_o a_o whole_a congregation_n great_a or_o small_a play_v the_o fox_n and_o spoil_v the_o vineyard_n why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v take_v and_o restrain_v pa._n 11._o ans._n no_o doubt_n but_o it_o may_v but_o ever_o in_o the_o way_n and_o by_o the_o mean_n which_o christ_n have_v appoint_v if_o those_o fox_n be_v particular_a member_n of_o the_o church_n they_o may_v be_v restrain_v by_o doctrine_n by_o discipline_n and_o by_o the_o magistrate_n authority_n if_o they_o be_v whole_a church_n they_o may_v be_v restrain_v by_o doctrine_n and_o by_o the_o advice_n and_o counsel_n of_o other_o church_n and_o also_o by_o the_o magistrate_n but_o if_o they_o be_v not_o member_n of_o the_o church_n they_o can_v not_o be_v restrain_v by_o church_n discipline_n but_o only_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n to_o this_o argument_n the_o independent_a party_n reply_n or_o rather_o labour_v to_o obtain_v out_o of_o the_o text_n three_o thing_n first_o that_o our_o saviour_n speak_v here_o of_o a_o single_a church_n or_o congregation_n second_o to_o this_o single_a church_n and_o to_o all_o this_o church_n entire_o not_o distinguish_v between_o elder_n and_o member_n he_o give_v the_o key_n of_o excommunication_n and_o absolution_n three_o over_o this_o church_n to_o assume_v a_o church_n power_n of_o judicature_n be_v a_o lording_n it_o over_o christ_n heritage_n to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o exception_n we_o answer_v that_o it_o no_o way_n appear_v that_o our_o saviour_n in_o this_o place_n or_o that_o the_o scripture_n elsewhere_o usual_o mean_v a_o single_a congregation_n by_o the_o word_n church_n but_o that_o the_o contrary_a rather_o be_v easy_o evincible_a first_o that_o he_o here_o speak_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o jewish_a church_n which_o way_n no_o single_a congregation_n have_v above_o sufficient_o appear_v pag._n 11._o ans._n but_o how_o in_o reference_n if_o you_o mean_v in_o this_o sense_n that_o what_o ever_o be_v use_v in_o that_o church_n must_v be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a or_o that_o as_o that_o church_n be_v national_a so_o christian_a church_n must_v be_v the_o like_a than_o we_o may_v say_v no_o such_o thing_n have_v appear_v at_o all_o nor_o have_v be_v so_o much_o as_o undertake_v to_o be_v prove_v if_o you_o mean_v only_o thus_o that_o there_o be_v such_o gradual_a proceed_n in_o that_o church_n as_o christ_n in_o this_o place_n require_v or_o that_o the_o word_n church_n may_v signify_v the_o elder_n or_o ruler_n than_o we_o may_v say_v neither_o of_o these_o have_v sufficient_o appear_v by_o any_o proof_n that_o you_o have_v bring_v and_o if_o they_o be_v both_o grant_v they_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o matter_n now_o in_o question_n viz._n that_o the_o word_n church_n do_v not_o signify_v one_o single_a congregation_n for_o both_o these_o particular_n may_v be_v find_v and_o make_v use_n of_o in_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v of_o no_o large_a extent_n next_o that_o he_o have_v reference_n herein_o to_o that_o of_o deut._n 19_o 15._o appear_v by_o his_o citation_n of_o the_o very_a word_n of_o that_o text_n that_o in_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n every_o word_n may_v be_v establish_v now_o there_o the_o witness_n and_o offender_n be_v by_o way_n of_o further_a appeal_n to_o stand_v before_o the_o lord_n before_o the_o priest_n for_o judgement_n vers._n 17._o pag._n 12._o answ._n the_o word_n be_v not_o as_o you_o cite_v they_o before_o the_o priest_n for_o judgement_n but_o before_o the_o priest_n and_o judge_n which_o shall_v be_v in_o those_o day_n and_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o punishment_n which_o these_o judge_n must_v inflict_v upon_o the_o guilty_a person_n there_o speak_v of_o life_n for_o life_n eye_n for_o eye_n tooth_n for_o tooth_n etc._n etc._n v._n 21._o that_o if_o our_o saviour_n refer_v his_o church_n to_o do_v like_o unto_o that_o judicatory_n which_o you_o say_v he_o have_v
argue_v not_o any_o want_n at_o all_o of_o authority_n or_o right_n in_o which_o respect_n they_o may_v be_v independent_a notwithstanding_o their_o imperfection_n in_o the_o other_o regard_n suppose_v a_o father_n of_o child_n or_o master_n of_o a_o family_n through_o want_n of_o wisdom_n or_o courage_n be_v not_o able_a to_o rule_v his_o own_o child_n and_o household_n as_o eli_n or_o suppose_v a_o king_n that_o be_v a_o child_n as_o solomon_n speak_v eccles._n 10._o or_o prince_n that_o be_v babe_n as_o the_o prophet_n term_v they_o isai._n 3._o be_v not_o able_a to_o govern_v their_o own_o subject_n as_o rehoboam_n 2_o king_n 12._o will_v you_o think_v this_o want_n of_o sufficient_a ability_n a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o such_o a_o father_n or_o master_n have_v no_o authority_n or_o right_a to_o rule_v his_o own_o child_n or_o household_n nor_o such_o a_o prince_n any_o right_a to_o rule_v his_o subject_n but_o that_o the_o family_n of_o the_o one_o must_v depend_v upon_o other_o family_n and_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o other_o upon_o other_o commonwealth_n we_o suppose_v you_o will_v not_o say_v so_o and_o yet_o you_o may_v as_o well_o say_v it_o as_o say_v as_o here_o you_o do_v that_o if_o church_n have_v be_v independent_a antioch_n have_v be_v able_a herself_n sufficient_o to_o have_v end_v the_o cause_n antioch_n find_v herself_o not_o able_a may_v send_v to_o jerulem_fw-la for_o help_n and_o yet_o this_o send_v neither_o prove_v right_a of_o jurisdiction_n in_o they_o of_o jerusalem_n who_o be_v send_v unto_o nor_o want_v of_o jurisdiction_n in_o they_o of_o antioch_n who_o so_o do_v send_v yes_o say_v you_o an_fw-mi oblige_v the_o church_n by_o decree_n lay_v on_o they_o as_o a_o burden_n be_v a_o use_n of_o the_o key_n in_o which_o use_n of_o they_o ephesus_n be_v commend_v pergamus_n and_o thyatyra_n reprove_v pag._n 25._o answ._n but_o if_o this_o be_v a_o use_n of_o the_o key_n may_v it_o not_o be_v of_o the_o key_n of_o doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o the_o key_n of_o discipline_n sith_o the_o burden_n lay_v on_o they_o be_v not_o burden_n of_o penalty_n but_o burden_n of_o duty_n not_o punishment_n to_o be_v suffer_v for_o offence_n give_v but_o rule_n of_o practice_n to_o be_v observe_v lest_o offence_n shall_v be_v take_v as_o be_v plain_a if_o the_o particular_n be_v consider_v pag._n 29._o and_o therefore_o it_o seem_v the_o impose_v these_o burden_n be_v not_o so_o proper_o a_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o discipline_n as_o a_o act_n of_o doctrine_n as_o for_o ephesus_n the_o use_n of_o the_o key_n for_o which_o they_o be_v commend_v be_v not_o as_o you_o affirm_v for_o impose_v decree_n as_o burden_n upon_o one_o another_o nor_o be_v pergamus_n or_o thyatyra_n reprove_v for_o neglect_v of_o so_o do_v but_o try_v and_o detect_v counterfeit_a apostle_n which_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o bear_v with_o they_o that_o be_v evil_a which_o be_v matter_n of_o discipline_n be_v the_o thing_n for_o which_o ephesus_n be_v commend_v and_o suffer_v they_o which_o be_v evil_a which_o be_v a_o neglect_n of_o discipline_n be_v that_o for_o which_o the_o other_o be_v reprove_v rev._n 2._o 2._o 14._o 20._o but_o neither_o be_v the_o one_o commend_v for_o impose_v decree_n nor_o the_o other_o reprove_v for_o neglect_v so_o to_o do_v but_o you_o will_v prove_v that_o the_o synod_n have_v jurisdiction_n and_o power_n of_o the_o key_n of_o discipline_n because_o say_v you_o this_o decree_n be_v itself_o a_o rule_n give_v wherein_o and_o whereby_o to_o use_v the_o key_n upon_o such_o as_o shall_v prove_v stubborn_a in_o defend_v the_o contrary_a of_o what_o be_v here_o decree_v and_o that_o authority_n which_o can_v give_v the_o rule_n can_v a_o fortiori_fw-la back_o and_o punish_v its_o breach_n p._n 25._o ans._n but_o be_v this_o certain_a and_o clear_a that_o whoever_o have_v authority_n by_o way_n of_o doctrine_n to_o impose_v a_o rule_n have_v also_o authority_n by_o way_n of_o discipline_n to_o punish_v its_o breach_n we_o propose_v to_o consideration_n these_o instance_n for_o the_o contrary_a first_o of_o all_o the_o prophet_n in_o israel_n isaiah_n joel_n amos_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v authority_n by_o way_n of_o doctrine_n as_o be_v send_v of_o god_n for_o that_o purpose_n to_o deliver_v the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v observe_v not_o only_o by_o all_o the_o prince_n and_o people_n but_o even_o by_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n also_o for_o so_o we_o read_v they_o many_o time_n do_v and_o yet_o not_o be_v priest_n themselves_o nor_o levite_n they_o have_v not_o authority_n to_o punish_v by_o way_n of_o discipline_n such_o as_o disobey_v their_o doctrine_n and_o those_o holy_a rule_n which_o they_o deliver_v from_o the_o lord_n next_o any_o one_o minister_n who_o be_v true_o send_v of_o god_n may_v in_o his_o doctrine_n deliver_v the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n to_o the_o people_n he_o be_v send_v unto_o and_o impose_v those_o rule_n as_o burden_n and_o necessary_a thing_n to_o be_v observe_v and_o yet_o one_o minister_n alone_o can_v punish_v the_o breach_n of_o those_o rule_n in_o a_o way_n of_o discipline_n because_o church-discipline_n be_v to_o be_v dispense_v by_o a_o church_n matth._n 18._o 17._o and_o one_o man_n alone_o we_o be_v persuade_v you_o will_v not_o say_v can_v be_v a_o church_n further_o any_o minister_n or_o minister_n of_o one_o church_n be_v it_o congregational_a or_o national_a may_v upon_o occasion_n be_v desire_v thereto_o preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o another_o the_o like_a church_n and_o so_o impose_v burden_n of_o christian_a duty_n to_o be_v observe_v by_o they_o that_o they_o thus_o occasional_o preach_v unto_o yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v they_o may_v by_o discipline_n punish_v such_o as_o shall_v walk_v contrary_a to_o those_o rule_n because_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n which_o they_o have_v when_o they_o be_v at_o home_n in_o their_o own_o church_n do_v not_o reach_v so_o far_o as_o unto_o that_o other_o church_n where_o now_o they_o be_v call_v to_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o word_n last_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o any_o minister_n or_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o occasion_n serve_v thereunto_o may_v by_o way_n of_o doctrine_n deliver_v rule_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n unto_o pagan_n and_o such_o as_o be_v no_o member_n of_o any_o christian_a church_n at_o all_o and_o may_v command_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o observe_v those_o rule_n and_o yet_o it_o will_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o they_o may_v punish_v those_o pagan_n in_o a_o way_n of_o discipline_n for_o the_o breach_n of_o those_o rule_n because_o the_o apostle_n say_v plain_o what_o have_v i_o to_o do_v to_o judge_v they_o that_o be_v without_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 12._o yea_o there_o be_v sundry_a good_a writer_n in_o reform_a church_n who_o do_v hold_v that_o doctor_n in_o the_o church_n have_v authority_n by_o their_o office_n to_o deliver_v sound_a wholesome_a doctrine_n from_o the_o scripture_n and_o yet_o may_v not_o meddle_v with_o dispensation_n of_o sacrament_n nor_o discipline_n see_v among_o other_o for_o this_o calvine_v instit._n lib._n 4._o ch._n 3._o sect._n 4._o and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o this_o may_v be_v another_o instance_n for_o the_o same_o purpose_n as_o the_o rest_n and_o by_o all_o this_o we_o suppose_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o some_o man_n may_v have_v authority_n by_o way_n of_o doctrine_n to_o impose_v rule_n that_o must_v be_v observe_v as_o necessary_a thing_n and_o yet_o not_o have_v authority_n by_o way_n of_o discipline_n to_o punish_v those_o that_o shall_v disobey_v those_o rule_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v grant_v to_o be_v within_o the_o power_n of_o a_o synod_n yet_o that_o they_o have_v power_n to_o do_v the_o other_o also_o be_v not_o prove_v thereby_o chap._n v._o contain_v a_o answer_n to_o your_o four_o argument_n take_v from_o 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o lay_v on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n hence_o i_o argue_v thus_o such_o as_o be_v for_o independency_n admit_v of_o no_o other_o rule_n in_o church-government_n but_o the_o scripture_n practice_n or_o institution_n but_o where_o in_o all_o the_o scripture_n read_v we_o of_o any_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n but_o by_o presbyter_n timothy_n be_v ordain_v by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n titus_n be_v for_o this_o very_a cause_n leave_v at_o crete_n that_o he_o shall_v ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n pag._n 26_o 27._o answ._n all_o that_o be_v here_o say_a be_v only_o about_o ordination_n of_o officer_n which_o at_o the_o most_o be_v but_o one_o part_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n or_o jurisdiction_n and_o