Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	angel_n	bishop_n	ephesus_n	3,413	5	11.4256	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A10834	A iust and necessarie apologie of certain Christians, no lesse contumeliously then commonly called Brownists or Barrowists. By Mr. Iohn Robinson, pastor of the English Church at Leyden, first published in Latin in his and the churches name over which he was set, after translated into English by himself, and now republished for the speciall and common good of our own countrimen; Apologia justa et necessaria quorundum Christianorum, aeque contumeliose ac communiter, dictorum Brownistarum sive Barrowistarum. English	Robinson, John, 1575?-1625.	1625 (1625)	STC 21108; ESTC S102955	59,722	74

or_o sea_n diverse_o call_v according_a to_o the_o divers_a region_n by_o who_o shore_n it_o pass_v and_o that_o therefore_o this_o matter_n be_v not_o worth_a labour_n spend_v about_o it_o answ._n i_o answer_v first_o that_o the_o catholic_n church_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v call_v visible_a since_o only_a thing_n singular_a be_v visible_a and_o discern_v by_o sense_n whereas_o universals_z or_o thing_n catholic_a be_v either_o only_a in_o the_o understanding_n ●07_n as_o some_o be_v of_o mind_n or_o as_o other_o think_v better_a be_v make_v such_o to_o wit_n universals_z by_o the_o understanding_n abstract_v from_o they_o all_o circumstanstiall_a accident_n consider_v that_o the_o kind_n intelligible_a have_v their_o existence_n in_o nature_n that_o be_v in_o the_o individual_n 2._o the_o catholic_n church_n with_o due_a reverence_n unto_o learned_a ned_a man_n be_v it_o speak_v be_v very_o unskilful_o say_v to_o be_v one_o as_o the_o sea_n be_v one_o for_o first_o it_o be_v express_o say_v gen._n 1_o 9_o 10._o that_o the_o water_n which_o be_v under_o the_o heaven_n be_v gather_v into_o one_o place_n or_o conceptacle_n which_o god_n call_v sea_n or_o sea_n but_o the_o catholic_n church_n which_o be_v say_v to_o comprehend_v all_o particular_a congregation_n in_o her_o bosom_n be_v not_o gather_v together_o into_o one_o place_n nor_o ever_o shall_v be_v before_o the_o glorious_a come_n of_o christ._n 2._o the_o ocean_n be_v a_o body_n so_o continue_v as_o that_o all_o and_o every_o part_n thereof_o be_v continual_o fluent_a so_o as_o the_o self_n same_o water_n which_o in_o their_o flux_n do_v make_v one_o sea_n do_v in_o their_o reflux_n by_o contrary_a wind_n make_v another_o and_o so_o contrariwise_o but_o thus_o to_o affirm_v of_o particular_a church_n and_o their_o material_a constitutive_a cause_n be_v most_o absurd_a 3._o if_o some_o one_o particular_a sea_n be_v draw_v dry_a or_o shall_v fail_v his_o course_n a_o disturbance_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n will_v necessary_o follow_v but_o and_o if_o the_o sea_n shall_v in_o divers_a place_n at_o once_o happen_v to_o be_v exhaust_v or_o draw_v dry_a there_o will_v then_o be_v a_o fail_v of_o the_o ocean_n neither_o be_v the_o water_n now_o gather_v into_o one_o place_n neither_o make_v they_o one_o sea_n and_o body_n of_o water_n either_o continue_v or_o conjoin_v but_o now_o on_o the_o other_o side_n upon_o the_o defection_n or_o dissipation_n of_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a church_n no_o such_o impediment_n shall_v come_v in_o the_o way_n but_o that_o the_o rest_n may_v hold_v their_o full_a course_n as_o before_z yea_o i_o add_v moreover_o if_o all_o and_o every_o particular_a assembly_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v languish_v and_o fall_v away_o one_o only_o except_v that_o only_o one_o do_v still_o remain_v the_o true_a &_o entire_a church_n of_o christ_n without_o any_o either_o subordination_n or_o coordination_n or_o dependencie_n spiritual_a save_v unto_o christ_n alone_o the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o this_o singular_a and_o sole_a assembly_n may_v under_o christ_n the_o head_n use_v and_o enjoy_v every_o one_o of_o his_o institution_n the_o communion_n of_o saint_n combine_v together_o in_o solemn_a and_o sacred_a covenant_n the_o word_n of_o god_n sacrament_n censure_n and_o ministration_n whatsoever_o by_o christ_n appoint_v and_o therewith_o the_o same_o christ_n most_o gracious_a presence_n and_o upon_o this_o ground_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n paul_n do_v entitle_v the_o particular_a congregation_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n and_o which_o proper_o and_o immediate_o he_o do_v instruct_v and_o admonish_v 2._o to_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n the_o temple_n of_o god_n and_o one_o virgin_n espouse_v to_o one_o husband_n christ._n we_o may_v not_o therefore_o under_o pretence_n of_o antiquity_n unity_n human_a prudence_n or_o any_o colour_n whatsoever_o remove_v the_o ancient_a bound_n of_o the_o visible_a and_o ministerial_a church_n which_o our_o right_a father_n to_o wit_n the_o apostle_n have_v set_v in_o compar●son_n of_o who_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o those_o which_o be_v so_o call_v be_v but_o infant_n prov._n and_o beardless_a as_o one_o true_o and_o witty_o say_v there_o be_v indeed_o one_o church_n and_o as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v one_o body_n as_o one_o spirit_n one_o hope_n of_o our_o call_n one_o say_v one_o baptism_n 5._o that_o be_v of_o one_o kind_n and_o nature_n not_o one_o in_o number_n as_o one_o ocean_n neither_o be_v the_o church_n at_o rome_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n more_o one_o with_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n then_o be_v the_o baptism_n of_o peter_n one_o with_o paul_n baptism_n or_o then_o peter_n and_o paul_n be_v one_o neither_o be_v peter_n or_o paul_n more_o one_o whole_a entire_a and_o perfect_a man_n consist_v of_o their_o part_n essential_a and_o integrall_a without_o relation_n unto_o other_o man_n then_o be_v a_o particular_a congregation_n right_o institute_v and_o order_v a_o whole_a entire_a and_o perfect_a church_n immediate_o and_o independent_o in_o respect_n of_o other_o church_n under_o christ._n to_o conclude_v since_o the_o pastor_n be_v not_o a_o minister_n of_o some_o part_n of_o a_o church_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a particular_a church_n act._n 20_o 28._o attend_v to_o the_o whole_a flock_n or_o church_n whereof_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n if_o the_o minister_n office_n be_v to_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o circle_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n than_o also_o the_o ministerial_a church_n itself_o now_o the_o pastor_n office_n be_v either_o circumscribe_v within_o these_o bound_n or_o else_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v also_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o s●●rna_n and_o so_o the_o pastor_n of_o this_o church_n be_v also_o the_o pastor_n of_o that_o and_o by_o consequence_n of_o all_o that_o be_v every_o pastor_n be_v a_o universal_a bishop_n or_o pope_n by_o office_n if_o not_o for_o execution_n yet_o for_o power_n according_a to_o which_o power_n we_o be_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o office_n what_o then_o will_v some_o man_n say_v be_v it_o not_o lawful_a for_o a_o pastor_n to_o execute_v his_o pastoral_a office_n but_o in_o the_o congregation_n over_o which_o he_o be_v set_v i_o answer_v with_o the_o apostle_n no_o man_n take_v this_o honour_n unto_o himself_o but_o he_o thate_o be_v call_v of_o god_n as_o aaron_n hebr._n 5_o 3_o 4._o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o thou_o reverend_a brother_n to_o do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o pastor_n where_o thou_o be_v no_o pastor_n lest_o thou_o arrogate_v to_o thyself_o that_o honour_n which_o apperteyn_n not_o unto_o thou_o thou_o be_v call_v that_o be_v elect_v and_o ordain_v a_o pastor_n of_o some_o particular_a church_n and_o not_o of_o all_o church_n it_o be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o requisite_a that_o the_o pastor_n of_o one_o church_n or_o ●aither_o he_o that_o be_v the_o pastor_n and_o so_o any_o other_o member_n impart_v the_o gift_n either_o spiritual_a or_o bodily_a which_o he_o have_v receive_v to_o other_o church_n out_o of_o the_o common_a bond_n of_o charity_n in_o which_o he_o be_v oblige_v not_o so_o to_o execute_v a_o public_a office_n over_o they_o by_o the_o prerogative_n of_o authority_n which_o he_o have_v not_o but_o only_o over_o his_o own_o we_o will_v illustrate_v this_o by_o a_o similitude_n any_o citizen_n of_o leyd●n_n may_v enjoy_v certain_a privilege_n in_o the_o city_n of_o delft_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o politic_a combination_n of_o the_o unite_a province_n and_o city_n under_o the_o supreme_a head_n thereof_o the_o state_n general_a which_o he_o be_v bind_v also_o to_o help_v and_o assist_v with_o all_o his_o power_n if_o necessity_n require_v but_o that_o the_o ordinary_a magistrate_n of_o leyden_n shall_v presume_v to_o execute_v his_o public_a office_n in_o the_o city_n of_o delft_n be_v a_o insolent_a and_o unheard_a of_o usurpation_n the_o very_a same_o and_o not_o otherwise_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o pastor_n and_o particular_a church_n in_o respect_n of_o that_o spiritual_a combination_n mutual_a under_o their_o chief_n and_o sole_a lord_n jesus_n christ._n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o administration_n of_o baptism_n the_o dutch_a reform_a church_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o their_o practice_n compare_v with_o then_o profession_n be_v neither_o so_o true_a unto_o their_o own_o ground_n etc._n as_o they_o ought_v neither_o do_v they_o so_o well_o provide_v for_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o thing_n whilst_o they_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n to_o the_o infant_n of_o such_o as_o be_v not_o within_o the_o covenant_n nor_o have_v either_o parent_n a_o member_n of_o any_o church_n because_o 1._o baptism_n now_o as_o circumcision_n of_o old_a be_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o god_n with_o the_o faithful_a and_o their_o seed_n

public_o in_o the_o church_n or_o private_o in_o the_o family_n we_o refuse_v not_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n bestow_v upon_o frayl_n creature_n labour_v of_o the_o same_o human_a infirmity_n with_o other_o man_n the_o search_n and_o censure_n of_o our_o most_o bitter_a adversary_n if_o not_o destitute_a of_o all_o both_o honesty_n and_o wisdom_n touch_v the_o reform_a church_n what_o more_o shall_v i_o say_v we_o account_v they_o the_o true_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o both_o profess_v &_o practice_v communion_n with_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a thing_n of_o god_n what_o in_o we_o lie_v their_o sermon_n such_o of_o we_o frequent_v as_o understand_v the_o dutch_a tongue_n the_o sacrament_n we_o do_v administer_v unto_o their_o know_a member_n if_o by_o occasion_n any_o of_o they_o be_v present_a with_o we_o their_o distraction_n and_o other_o evil_n we_o do_v serious_o bewayl_v and_o do_v desire_n from_o the_o lord_n their_o holy_a and_o firm_a peace_n but_o happy_o it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o we_o be_v not_o like-mynded_n with_o they_o in_o all_o thing_n nor_o do_v approve_v of_o sundry_a practice_n in_o use_n among_o they_o if_o not_o by_o public_a institution_n which_o it_o seem_v they_o want_v yet_o by_o almost_o universal_a consent_n and_o uniform_a custom_n i_o grant_v it_o neither_o doubt_n i_o but_o that_o there_o be_v many_o godly_a and_o prudent_a man_n in_o the_o same_o church_n who_o also_o dislike_n in_o effect_n the_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v and_o among_o other_o thing_n this_o mal●part_n and_o unbridled_a boldness_n of_o unskilful_a man_n who_o make_v it_o a_o very_a may-game_n to_o pass_v most_o rash_a censure_n upon_o the_o faith_n and_o so_o by_o consequence_n upon_o the_o eternal_a salvation_n of_o their_o brethren_n and_o to_o impeach_v their_o credit_n who_o they_o neither_o do_v nor_o perhaps_o willing_o will_v know_v lest_o that_o which_o they_o lust_n to_o condemn_v unknown_a they_o shall_v be_v constrain_v to_o allow_v if_o they_o once_o know_v it_o and_o withal_o to_o disallow_v that_o into_o which_o they_o themselves_o have_v be_v lead_v former_o by_o common_a error_n of_o the_o time_n which_o malady_n be_v also_o so_o frequent_a and_o ordinary_a as_o that_o it_o may_v true_o be_v say_v of_o many_o that_o they_o then_o think_v themselves_o most_o acceptable_a unto_o god_n when_o they_o can_v make_v their_o brethren_n differ_v from_o they_o in_o some_o small_a matter_n most_o odious_a unto_o man_n this_o rage_a plague_n except_o the_o lord_n god_n in_o mercy_n assuage_v and_o bend_v the_o mind_n of_o godly_a and_o modest_a man_n the_o minister_n of_o his_o word_n to_o put_v to_o their_o help_a hand_n that_o way_n it_o wi●_n without_o all_o doubt_n come_v to_o pass_v which_o god_n forbid_v that_o the_o multitude_n of_o christian_n will_v come_v to_o judge_n of_o their_o estate_n with_o the_o lo●●_n not_o so_o much_o by_o the_o christian_n virtue_n which_o themselves_o indeed_o have_v as_o which_o they_o imagine_v other_o want_v but_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v unto_o thou_o christian_n reader_n wherein_o 〈◊〉_d do_v dissent_n from_o the_o dutch_a reform_a church_n and_o upon_o wha●_n ground_n and_o that_o none_o may_v take_v occasion_n of_o suspicion_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v either_o great_a or_o more_o absurd_a for_o which_o those_o hateful_a brownist_n be_v have_v by_o many_o in_o such_o detestation_n than_o indeed_o an●_n truth_n they_o be_v i_o will_v brief_o as_o i_o can_v present_v unto_o thy_o christian_n vei●_n either_o all_o or_o the_o most_o &_o our_o great_a difference_n with_o the_o ground●_n thereof_o chap._n i._o of_o the_o largeness_n of_o church_n and_o first_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o most_o especial_o cittie-churche_n be_v so_o great_a and_o populous_a as_o that_o two_o or_o three_o dive●_n temple_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o one_o and_o the_o same_o church_n to_o meet●_n at_o once_o we_o on_o the_o contrary_a so_o judge_v that_o no_o particular_a church_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n aught_o to_o consist_v of_o more_o member_n the●_n can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n because_o 1._o the_o holy_a scripture_n speak_v definite_o of_o the_o political_a or_o ministerial_a common_o call_v visible_a church_n institute_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n by_o his_o power_n understand_v none_o other_o than_o on●_n congregation_n convening_n and_o come_v together_o ordinary_a at_o least_o in_o one_o place_n math._n 18_o 17_o 20._o gather_v together_o in_o my_o name_n wi●●_n 1_o corinth_n 5_o 4._o when_o you_o be_v come_v together_o act._n 2_o 44._o al●_n that_o believe_v be_v together_o and_o chap._n 5_o 12._o they_o be_v all_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o salomon_n porch_n also_o chap._n 6_o 2_o 5._o and_o chap._n 13_o 1_o 2._o with_o ●4_n 27._o and_o 14_o 23._o with_o tit._n 1_o 5._o act._n 15_o 4_o 22_o 25._o and_o 21_o 22._o so_o 1_o corinth_n 11_o 20._o when_o you_o therefore_o come_v together_o in_o one_o to_o wit_n place_n not_o mind_n as_o some_o conceit_n for_o from_o that_o the_o corinthian_n be_v to_o far_o and_o last_o chap._n 14_o 23._o if_o the_o whole_a church_n come_v together_o into_o some_o place_n 2._o there_o be_v then_o have_v the_o most_o full_a and_o perfect_a communion_n of_o the_o body_n in_o the_o holy_a thing_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o next_o and_o immediate_a end_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n 42._o when_o all_o the_o member_n thereof_o do_v convene_v and_o assemble_v together_o in_o some_o one_o place_n and_o if_o nature_n 25._o as_o philosopher_n teach_v ever_o intend_v that_o which_o be_v most_o perfect_a much_o more_o grace_n now_o that_o the_o church_n common_o call_v visible_a be_v then_o most_o true_o visible_a indeed_o when_o it_o be_v assemble_v in_o one_o place_n and_o the_o communion_n thereof_o then_o most_o full_a and_o entire_a when_o all_o its_o member_n inspire_v as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o same_o presence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v from_o the_o same_o pastor_n rec●av_v the_o same_o provocation_n of_o grace_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o in_o the_o same_o place_n when_o they_o all_o by_o the_o same_o voice_n band_v as_o it_o be_v together_o do_v with_o one_o accord_n pour_v out_o their_o prayer_n unto_o god_n 37._o when_o they_o all_o participate_v of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o holy_a bread_n and_o last_o when_o they_o all_o together_o consent_v unanimous_o 17_o either_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o same_o officer_n or_o censure_v of_o the_o same_o offender_n no_o man_n admit_v a_o due_a thought_n of_o thing_n can_v make_v doubt_n of_o 3._o we_o have_v the_o apostle_n paul_n give_v it_o in_o charge_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n as_o be_v that_o of_o ephesus_n that_o they_o take_v heed_n unto_o all_o the_o flock_n whereof_o the_o holy_a ghost_n make_v they_o bishop_n 28._o or_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 but_o sure_o as_o that_o flock_n be_v very_o inordinate_a if_o not_o monstrous_a which_o for_o the_o largeness_n thereof_o neither_o ever_o do_v nor_o possible_o can_v feed_v together_o so_o that_o shepherd_n of_o the_o lord_n flock_n seem_v not_o aright_o and_o as_o he_o ought_v to_o fulfil_v his_o charge_n which_o do_v not_o at_o the_o least_o every_o lord_n day_n minister_v unto_o the_o same_o the_o wholesome_a food_n of_o god_n word_n ad_fw-la hereunto_o that_o in_o these_o huge_a and_o vast_a flock_n the_o governor_n can_v take_v knowledge_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o people_n private_a or_o public_a no_o nor_o so_o much_o as_o of_o their_o presence_n at_o or_o absence_n from_o the_o church_n assembly_n whereby_o what_o damage_n come_v unto_o true_a piety_n any_o man_n may_v easy_o conjecture_v and_o miserable_a experience_n make_v too_o too_o manifest_a in_o the_o reform_a church_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o since_o as_o junius_n say_v it_o concern_v the_o pastor_n thorough_o to_o know_v the_o church_n commit_v unto_o he_o the_o person_n their_o work_n and_o course_n 2._o without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o thing_n he_o shall_v profit_v they_o no_o more_o than_o a_o tink_v cymbal_n etc._n etc._n that_o it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o good_a provision_n both_o for_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o officer_n and_o edification_n of_o the_o people_n that_o a_o division_n be_v make_v of_o the_o cittie-churche_n which_o by_o continual_a accession_n of_o member_n be_v thus_o grow_v out_o of_o kind_n into_o different_a and_o distinct_a congregation_n under_o their_o certain_a and_o distinct_a pastor_n and_o elder_n if_o any_o object_n that_o there_o be_v one_o visible_a and_o catholic_a church_n comprehend_v as_o the_o part_n thereof_o object_n all_o the_o particular_a church_n and_o several_a congregation_n of_o divers_a place_n as_o there_o be_v one_o ocean_n

a_o prayer_n according_a to_o the_o church_n present_a occasion_n and_o necessity_n by_o the_o read_n of_o this_o prescript_n form_n that_o true_o excellent_a gift_n give_v of_o god_n for_o this_o end_n be_v make_v void_a and_o of_o none_o use_v and_o the_o spirit_n contrary_a to_o that_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v extinguish_v 19_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o spirit_n say_v the_o apostle_n be_v give_v to_o every_o one_o especial_o to_o every_o pastor_n to_o profit_v withal_o 7._o but_o he_o who_o read_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n conceive_v and_o consign_v by_o another_o do_v not_o manifest_v the_o pastoral_a gift_n for_o of_o the_o internal_a affection_n our_o question_n be_v not_o of_o the_o spirit_n give_v to_o he_o to_o profit_v withal_o but_o to_o that_o other_o by_o who_o the_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v indict_v 4._o if_o to_o read_v such_o a_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v to_o pray_v aright_o and_o pastor_n like_o no_o probable_a reason_n can_v be_v render_v wherefore_o to_o read_v a_o sermon_n or_o homily_n be_v not_o as_o well_o to_o preach_v aright_o and_o as_o be_v require_v of_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o so_o be_v small_a reason_n have_v the_o apostle_n 6._o treat_v of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n which_o principal_o consist_v in_o these_o two_o exercise_n 16._o to_o cry_v out_o as_o he_o do_v who_o be_v sufficient_a for_o these_o thing_n for_o who_o be_v not_o sufficient_a even_o of_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n who_o can_v not_o read_v a_o liturgy_n and_o a_o homily_n 5._o the_o spirit_n say_v the_o same_o apostle_n 26._o speak_v of_o all_o christian_n help_v our_o infirmity_n for_o we_o know_v not_o what_o to_o pray_v as_o we_o ought_v yes_o paul_n with_o your_o leave_n right_o well_o for_o we_o have_v in_o our_o prayer-book_n what_o we_o ought_v to_o pray_v word_n for_o word_n whether_o the_o spirit_n be_v present_a or_o not_o what_o then_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o this_o business_n that_o which_o tertullian_n say_v the_o christian_n of_o his_o time_n do_v gentle_n we_o pray_v say_v he_o without_o any_o to_o prompt_v we_o because_o we_o pray_v from_o the_o heart_n but_o he_o who_o read_v his_o prayer_n or_o rather_o the_o prayer_n of_o he_o that_o p●nned_v they_o and_o his_o lesson_n out_o of_o a_o book_n have_v one_o that_o prompt_v he_o and_o that_o diligent_o both_o what_o and_o how_o much_o and_o after_o what_o manner_n and_o with_o what_o word_n and_o syllable_n he_o ought_v to_o pray_v last_o if_o it_o will_v be_v just_a matter_n of_o shame_n to_o any_o earthly_a father_n that_o his_o child_n who_o desire_v of_o he_o bread_n fish_n or_o a_o egg_n shall_v need_v to_o read_v out_o of_o a_o book_n or_o paper_n father_n pray_v you_o give_v i_o bread_n fish_n or_o egg_n how_o much_o more_o contumelious_a be_v it_o to_o our_o heavenly_a father_n and_o his_o holy_a spirit_n 15._o wherewith_o he_o furnish_v all_o his_o child_n special_o his_o minister_n according_a to_o their_o place_n that_o a_o help_v so_o unworthy_a and_o more_o than_o babe●sh_v and_o indeed_o the_o instrument_n of_o a_o foolish_a shepherd_n namely_o a_o bare_a reader_n with_o which_o kind_n of_o vermin_n rome_n and_o england_n be_v pester_v shall_v be_v use_v by_o such_o godly_a &_o learned_a pastor_n as_o wherewith_o the_o reform_a church_n be_v furnish_v chap._n four_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a presbytery_n we_o do_v so_o acknowledge_v and_o approve_v of_o as_o divine_o institute_v the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n as_o with_o all_o we_o judge_v they_o sundry_a wai●es_n defective_a as_o first_o we_o require_v that_o all_o receive_v into_o the_o college_n 9_o and_o company_n of_o elder_n even_o those_o which_o be_v call_v governor_n shall_v be_v apt_a to_o teach_v and_o able_a to_o exhort_v with_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o convince_v gainsayer_n and_o that_o not_o only_o private_o or_o in_o the_o consistory_n but_o in_o the_o public_a assembly_n also_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o public_a office_n require_v i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a what_o that_o learned_a man_n gersom_n bucer_n in_o his_o late_a treatise_n have_v publish_v about_o this_o matter_n 44._o neither_o do_v i_o unwilling_o assent_v thereunto_o provide_v only_o that_o what_o he_o require_v in_o those_o elder_n that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o perform_v public_o and_o in_o the_o church_n assembly_n if_o not_o exact_o yet_o competent_o a_o second_o defect_n which_o we_o wish_v supply_v be_v that_o of_o annual_a o●_n tryennuall_a or_o temporary_a they_o may_v be_v perpetual_a and_o for_o l●fe_n except_o by_o some_o casualty_n or_o occurrence_n they_o be_v disable_v as_o the_o pastor_n themselves_o this_o term_n of_o year_n for_o the_o elder_n administration_n in_o the_o reform_a church_n 36._o the_o forename_a author_n in_o the_o same_o place_n do_v not_o so_o much_o defend_v as_o excuse_v but_o it_o seem_v raithe●_n needful_a to_o have_v it_o reform_v which_o be_v also_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o say_v learned_a man_n and_o that_o for_o these_o reason_n 1._o the_o apostle_n paul_n call_v unto_o he_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o m●letum_n 28._o do_v pronounce_v of_o they_o all_o as_o well_o the_o governor_n as_o those_o that_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n that_o they_o be_v make_v bishop_n or_o overseer_n of_o the_o same_o church_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n now_o the_o authority_n of_o that_o the_o appointer_v aught_o to_o work_v in_o the_o appoint_a great_a conscience_n not_o light_o to_o relinquish_v that_o charge_n which_o by_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n they_o have_v take_v upon_o they_o 2._o the_o same_o apostle_n do_v in_o the_o same_o place_n admonish_v 31._o and_o exhort_v the_o same_o elder_n that_o they_o shall_v take_v heed_n unto_o themselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o fl●●k_n lest_o the_o same_o after_o his_o departure_n shall_v unhappy_o be_v damnify_v either_o by_o wolf_n enter_v in_o among_o they_o or_o such_o as_o shall_v rise_v up_o from_o themselves_o speak_v perverse_a thing_n now_o if_o the_o date_n of_o their_o eldership_n &_o charge_n be_v short_o to_o be_v out_o they_o may_v well_o think_v with_o themselves_o that_o the_o apostle_n admonition_n for_o after_o time_n do_v not_o much_o concern_v they_o who_o term_n of_o office_n shall_v so_o short_o be_v expire_v and_o be_v perhaps_o to_o follow_v the_o apostle_n departure_n at_o the_o heel_n 3._o it_o be_v sacrilege_n for_o the_o levite_n be_v consecrate_v to_o the_o lord_n for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o temple_n to_o retire_v from_o the_o office_n undertake_v by_o they_o although_o age_n grow_v upon_o they_o they_o be_v exempt_v from_o some_o the_o more_o laborious_a work_n of_o that_o ministration_n 8._o how_o then_o be_v it_o lawful_a for_o the_o elder_n or_o deacon_n be_v now_o no_o more_o at_o their_o own_o dispose_n but_o as_o the_o levite_n of_o old_a the_o lord_n sacred_a and_o consecrate_a one_o to_o withdraw_v so_o light_o from_o his_o special_a service_n no_o man_n under_o the_o law_n may_v change_v a_o beast_n 10._o if_o clean_o no_o not_o a_o better_a for_o a_o worse_o if_o once_o hallow_v to_o the_o lord_n how_o much_o less_o may_v the_o church_n then_o discharge_v her_o officer_n or_o they_o themselves_o minister_a faithful_o and_o as_o they_o ought_v last_o ●2_n the_o apostle_n paul_n instruct_v the_o church_n in_o timothy_n to_o keep_v the_o commandment_n of_o christ_n unrebukeable_a until_o that_o his_o glorious_a appear_v do_v not_o permit_v no_o not_o to_o the_o widow_n &_o d●aconesses_n to_o relinquish_v the_o office_n once_o take_v upon_o they_o unto_o who_o for_o that_o very_a cause_n he_o forbid_v marriage_n itself_o otherwise_o permit_v to_o all_o and_o to_o some_o enjoin_v how_o much_o less_o lawful_a be_v it_o for_o the_o elder_n or_o deacon_n of_o the_o church_n who_o both_o condition_n and_o ministry_n be_v far_o more_o excellent_a for_o far_o light_a cause_n to_o look_v back_o and_o relinquish_v their_o vocation_n wherein_o christ_n have_v in_o such_o sort_n place_v they_o a_o three_o thing_n there_o be_v and_o that_o of_o most_o moment_n viz._n that_o the_o elder_n do_v not_o administer_v their_o public_a office_n public_o as_o they_o shall_v but_o only_o in_o their_o private_a consistory_n and_o first_o the_o administrat_fw-la on_o of_o every_o office_n do_v ●n_o right_o follow_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o same_o whether_o domestical_a in_o the_o family_n or_o civil_a in_o the_o common_a wealth_n or_o spiritual_a in_o the_o church_n the_o elder_n office_n then_o be_v public_a require_v answerable_a and_o public_a administrat_fw-la on_o not_o that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o the_o elder_n to_o convene_v and_o meet_v apart_o from_o the_o body_n and_o to_o deliberate_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o concern_v the_o same_o and_o