the_o difference_n which_o they_o like_v best_a and_o hence_o arise_v contest_v jangle_n and_o matter_n of_o rent_v the_o church_n now_o there_o be_v no_o way_n in_o independency_n leave_v for_o prevent_v of_o this_o five_o the_o way_n of_o independency_n leave_v no_o remedy_n to_o a_o congregation_n want_v a_o minister_n for_o trial_n of_o the_o next_o that_o come_v who_o trial_n be_v leave_v whole_o to_o the_o people_n by_o this_o way_n of_o they_o how_o slight_a that_o trial_n will_v be_v any_o may_v judge_v how_o few_o parish_n can_v try_v a_o minister_n in_o his_o ability_n if_o he_o be_v apt_a to_o preach_v convince_v gainsayer_n watch_v against_o raven_a wolf_n etc._n etc._n now_o this_o be_v remee_v in_o the_o way_n of_o presbytery_n according_a to_o paul_n rule_n 1_o tim_n 4._o 14._o that_o minister_n be_v ordain_v with_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n this_o for_o the_o first_o argument_n from_o five_o great_a defect_n in_o the_o independent_a 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they_o by_o christ_n a_o promise_n of_o who_o presence_n they_o have_v with_o they_o in_o their_o ministry_n and_o if_o so_o than_o their_o practice_n must_v be_v a_o rule_n to_o generation_n follow_v 1_o cor_n 11._o 1._o be_v you_o follower_n of_o i_o etc._n etc._n 3._o we_o make_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n then_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n for_o we_o in_o other_o thing_n as_o from_o their_o practice_n in_o give_v the_o people_n liberty_n in_o choise_v their_o own_o deacon_n act._n 7._o we_o argue_v that_o the_o people_n may_v choice_n their_o own_o officer_n yet_o and_o from_o their_o practice_n in_o have_v rule_v elder_n in_o the_o church_n 1_o tim_n 5._o 15._o we_o argue_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v rule_v elder_n yet_o so_o from_o their_o practice_n in_o have_v the_o office_n of_o deacon_n we_o argue_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v they_o yet_o and_o from_o their_o practice_n in_o celebrate_v the_o lord_n supper_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n act_n 27._o we_o argue_v therefore_o we_o shall_v celebrate_v it_o on_o that_o day_n yet_o now_o if_o so_o be_v that_o their_o practice_n shall_v be_v a_o rule_n to_o we_o in_o other_o thing_n why_o not_o also_o in_o church_n government_n by_o presbytry_n and_o synod_n especial_o see_v that_o we_o have_v make_v out_o that_o their_o practice_n be_v as_o clear_v in_o this_o as_o in_o other_o matter_n a_o four_o consideration_n to_o strengthen_v this_o argument_n be_v this_o that_o the_o church_n now_o have_v these_o same_o reason_n to_o move_v they_o to_o submit_v to_o that_o government_n which_o the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n have_v and_o a_o law_n or_o practice_n be_v still_o bind_v so_o long_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n remain_v now_o the_o reason_n that_o move_v the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n to_o submit_v to_o presbyterial_a government_n be_v first_o because_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n of_o common_a concernment_n to_o all_o the_o congregation_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v govern_v by_o one_o presbytry_n as_o say_v be_v so_o there_o be_v many_o business_n of_o common_a concernment_n to_o many_o particular_a congregation_n now_o and_o therefore_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o yet_o second_o in_o act_n 15._o there_o arise_v a_o controversy_n in_o antioch_n and_o because_o the_o controversy_n can_v be_v compose_v in_o the_o presbyterial_a church_n of_o antioch_n therefore_o it_o be_v refer_v unto_o a_o synod_n make_v up_o of_o many_o presbytry_n all_o concern_v in_o it_o so_o there_o be_v business_n of_o common_a concernment_n to_o many_o presbytry_n yet_o and_o some_o that_o can_v be_v end_v in_o one_o presbytry_n and_o therefore_o there_o shall_v be_v synod_n for_o compose_v of_o these_o thing_n yet_o and_o see_v the_o apostle_n extraordinarly_a assist_v one_o whereof_o may_v have_v compose_v the_o controversy_n will_v nevertheless_o have_v a_o synodical_a convention_n for_o end_v controversy_n much_o more_o ought_v we_o to_o do_v it_o who_o gift_n be_v far_o inferior_a to_o they_o by_o all_o which_o it_o remain_v clear_a that_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n then_o in_o that_o point_n be_v bind_v to_o we_o now_o argument_n four_o there_o be_v no_o pattern_n of_o such_o a_o independent_a congregation_n by_o precept_n or_o practice_n in_o the_o whole_a scripture_n where_o one_o particular_a congregation_n with_o one_o pastor_n and_o their_o eldership_n do_v exercise_n or_o may_v exercise_v all_o church_n government_n in_o all_o its_o act_n and_o that_o independent_o therefore_o etc._n etc._n the_o antecedent_n be_v true_a first_o a_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o ordination_n of_o minister_n by_o one_o congregation_n second_o by_o precept_n and_o practice_n ordination_n be_v to_o be_v by_o more_o pastor_n than_o one_o as_o act_n 1._o 13._o act._n 6._o 2._o act_n 13._o 13._o 1_o tim_n 4._o 14._o so_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o it_o be_v by_o pastor_n and_o many_o pastor_n and_o so_o can_v be_v by_o a_o single_a congregation_n where_o there_o be_v require_v and_o shall_v be_v say_v they_o but_o one_o pastor_n as_o to_o what_o they_o say_v of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n excommunicate_v the_o incestous_a man_n we_o answer_v corinth_n be_v a_o presbyterial_a church_n and_o second_o it_o prove_v not_o that_o they_o may_v excommunicate_v independent_o for_o if_o a_o controversy_n have_v arisen_a about_o it_o which_o they_o can_v not_o have_v end_v among_o themselves_o they_o be_v to_o have_v their_o recourse_n to_o a_o synod_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o which_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n have_v act_v 15._o argument_n five_o if_o so_o be_v that_o congregation_n be_v independent_a and_o no_o benefit_n of_o appeal_n allow_v to_o the_o party_n grieve_v then_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v in_o great_a slavery_n than_o the_o jewish_a but_o
the_o lord_n table_n profess_v you_o have_v do_v your_o duty_n now_o be_v with_o purpose_n of_o heart_n to_o cleave_v unto_o the_o lord_n i_o shall_v not_o run_v far_o back_o for_o find_v out_o the_o connexion_n of_o this_o purpose_n with_o that_o which_o go_v before_o only_o you_o may_v observe_v that_o luke_n the_o penman_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o this_o history_n of_o the_o act_n do_v show_v from_o verse_n 19_o of_o this_o same_o chapter_n how_o that_o through_o occasion_n of_o that_o persecution_n which_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n meet_v with_o after_o steven_n death_n mention_v chap._n 8_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v by_o those_o who_o be_v force_v to_o fly_v for_o their_o life_n do_v wonderful_o spread_v as_o far_o as_o phanâ—ce_n &_o cyprus_n and_o antioch_n and_o many_o in_o these_o region_n and_o kingdom_n be_v take_v with_o it_o for_o verse_n 21_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v with_o they_o and_o a_o great_a number_n believe_v and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n whereupon_o as_o be_v show_v v_o 22._o when_o these_o tiding_n come_v to_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n they_o send_v forth_o barnabas_n a_o man_n of_o extraordinary_a part_n and_o call_v for_o he_o be_v a_o apostle_n as_o be_v clear_a from_o act_n 14._o 14._o i_o say_v the_o church_n send_v he_o as_o far_o as_o antioch_n for_o help_v forward_o the_o work_n and_o in_o this_o verse_n we_o have_v barnabas_n his_o come_n to_o they_o and_o what_o he_o do_v when_o he_o come_v who_o when_o he_o come_v and_o have_v see_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v glad_a and_o exhort_v they_o all_o that_o with_o purpose_n of_o heart_n they_o will_v cleave_v unto_o the_o lord_n in_o which_o word_n we_o have_v these_o thing_n consideraable_a 1._o barnabas_n his_o come_n to_o antioch_n 2._o we_o have_v what_o he_o see_v when_o he_o come_v he_o see_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o wit_n the_o wonderful_a effect_n of_o god_n grace_n in_o bring_v so_o many_o to_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n 3._o we_o have_v what_o this_o sight_n do_v work_v upon_o he_o 1._o it_o make_v he_o glad_a 2._o it_o bring_v a_o pithy_a needful_a exhortation_n from_o he_o to_o these_o new_a convert_v the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v here_o set_v down_o that_o with_o purpose_n of_o heart_n they_o will_v cleave_v unto_o the_o lord._n what_o explication_n be_v needful_a i_o shall_v insist_v on_o as_o i_o go_v through_o the_o particular_n first_o it_o be_v mention_v he_o come_v to_o antioch_n but_o we_o hear_v nothing_o of_o any_o great_a train_n he_o carry_v along_o with_o he_o or_o any_o great_a solemnity_n at_o his_o reception_n though_o he_o be_v a_o apostle_n the_o high_a office-bearer_n in_o the_o church_n but_o only_o that_o he_o come_v doubtless_o in_o a_o sober_a way_n as_o become_v a_o minister_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n then_o unknown_a in_o the_o world_n for_o churchman_n to_o go_v accompany_v with_o train_n like_o prince_n and_o that_o whole_a country_n side_n and_o great_a personage_n in_o they_o behoove_v to_o wait_v upon_o their_o grandeur_n it_o never_o be_v well_o with_o the_o church_n of_o god_n since_o churchman_n begin_v to_o overtop_v peer_n and_o noble_n but_o the_o thing_n i_o mark_v from_o this_o be_v that_o barnabas_n though_o a_o extraordinary_a office-bearer_n in_o the_o church_n and_o a_o apostle_n do_v nevertheless_o obey_v the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n for_o it_o be_v mention_v v._n 22._o that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n send_v he_o forth_o and_o here_o that_o he_o do_v come_v according_o now_o what_o this_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v to_o who_o direction_n he_o subject_v himself_o be_v clear_a from_o act._n 21._o 18._o it_o be_v the_o church_n of_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n even_o a_o presbytry_n as_o have_v be_v make_v out_o convince_o these_o year_n bypass_a against_o the_o independent_n to_o the_o direction_n of_o which_o elder_n the_o apostle_n paul_n do_v submit_v himself_o there_o as_o barnabas_n do_v here_o from_o which_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o even_o the_o apostle_n and_o extraordinary_a office-bearer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o respective_a and_o tender_a of_o that_o authority_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v to_o his_o church_n and_o the_o judicatories_n thereof_o this_o appear_v chief_o in_o two_o thing_n first_o when_o there_o be_v church_n constitute_v and_o church_n judicatories_n erect_v to_o manage_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o exercise_v power_n of_o jurisdiction_n over_o these_o church_n by_o themselves_o alone_o neither_o in_o the_o ordination_n of_o minister_n nor_o in_o the_o censure_v or_o excommunicate_v of_o scandalous_a offender_n but_o though_o they_o be_v without_o doubt_n universal_a pastor_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n yet_o they_o do_v remit_v the_o same_o to_o ordinary_a church_n judicatories_n thus_o paul_n do_v not_o ordain_v timothy_n to_o be_v a_o minister_n alone_o but_o admit_v the_o ordinary_a presbytery_n to_o do_v it_o 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o neglect_v not_o the_o gift_n that_o be_v in_o thou_o which_o be_v give_v thou_o by_o prophesy_v with_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o 1_o cor._n 5._o he_o clear_o speak_v of_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n as_o reside_v in_o the_o church_n judicatory_a at_o corinth_n and_o reprove_v they_o for_o their_o not_o make_v use_n of_o that_o power_n in_o excommunicate_v the_o incestuous_a person_n and_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o their_o duty_n v._o 4_o 5._o that_o in_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n when_o you_o be_v gather_v together_o and_o my_o spirit_n with_o the_o power_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n v._o 5._o to_o deliver_v such_o a_o one_o unto_o satan_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n that_o the_o spirit_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n a_o second_o thing_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n do_v show_v their_o respect_n to_o church_n judicatories_n be_v this_o which_o be_v here_o mention_v in_o the_o text_n that_o in_o many_o thing_n they_o be_v order_v by_o and_o subject_a to_o their_o direction_n thus_o in_o the_o place_n cite_v act_n 21._o 20._o the_o church_n of_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n at_o jerusalem_n give_v their_o injunction_n to_o paul_n that_o for_o removal_n of_o a_o offence_n that_o many_o thousand_o of_o jew_n have_v take_v against_o he_o he_o shall_v public_o practice_v some_o of_o the_o jewish_a ceremony_n in_o purify_n himself_o and_o shave_v his_o head_n which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n thing_n indifferent_a and_o according_o its_o mention_a v_o 26._o that_o paul_n do_v follow_v their_o direction_n all_o which_o show_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o church_n judicatories_n be_v very_o much_o tender_v even_o by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o the_o bishop_n do_v indeed_o boast_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o apostle_n successor_n and_o their_o only_a successor_n i_o shall_v not_o stand_v upon_o this_o it_o be_v make_v very_o clear_a by_o protestant_a writer_n against_o the_o papist_n in_o the_o controversy_n about_o the_o pope_n that_o the_o apostle_n have_v no_o successor_n as_o to_o what_o be_v extraordinary_a in_o their_o office_n and_o as_o to_o that_o which_o be_v ordinary_a in_o it_o as_o to_o preach_v the_o word_n dispense_v the_o sacrament_n and_o exercise_v church_n discipline_n over_o particular_a church_n that_o they_o have_v in_o these_o all_o minister_n for_o their_o successor_n but_o pass_v that_o what_o i_o be_o now_o on_o be_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o these_o latter_a time_n have_v encroach_v more_o upon_o the_o power_n and_o privilege_n leave_v by_o christ_n unto_o his_o church_n and_o church_n judicatories_n than_o ever_o the_o apostle_n them-themselves_a who_o successor_n they_o give_v themselves_o out_o for_o do_v for_o as_o i_o have_v clear_v from_o the_o present_a doctrine_n the_o apostle_n do_v leave_v the_o matter_n of_o ordinary_a jurisdiction_n to_o be_v manage_v by_o ordinary_a church_n judicatory_n but_o so_o do_v not_o they_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christ_n minister_n within_o a_o church_n though_o they_o be_v all_o gather_v together_o may_v neither_o ordain_v a_o minister_n nor_o excommunicate_v a_o scandalous_a offender_n but_o this_o must_v be_v do_v only_o by_o the_o bishop_n and_o such_o as_o â—e_n do_v substitute_n under_o he_o for_o it_o again_o the_o apostle_n be_v in_o some_o thing_n at_o least_o subject_a and_o order_v by_o the_o direction_n of_o church_n judicatories_n but_o so_o be_v not_o they_o such_o a_o condiscendance_n can_v not_o stand_v with_o their_o honour_n and_o dignity_n second_o we_o have_v in_o the_o text_n what_o barnabas_n see_v among_o they_o when_o he_o come_v and_o this_o be_v call_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n the_o meaning_n whereof_o be_v not_o as_o if_o all_o of_o they_o
labour_v to_o bear_v down_o he_o that_o speak_v it_o so_o heretic_n be_v call_v murmurer_n complainer_n judas_n verse_n 16._o so_o a_o minister_n in_o reprove_v error_n will_v guard_n against_o this_o danger_n lest_o he_o do_v more_o hurt_n than_o profit_n and_o all_o the_o issue_n of_o his_o pain_n be_v to_o work_v a_o prejudice_n against_o himself_o and_o second_o this_o argument_n will_v be_v the_o more_o strong_a consider_v the_o evil_a that_o come_v by_o prejudice_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o make_v people_n run_v fast_o headlong_o into_o error_n than_o prejudice_n against_o faithful_a pastor_n therefore_o this_o have_v be_v the_o devil_n method_n first_o to_o bear_v down_o the_o ministry_n by_o make_v the_o people_n first_o cast_v at_o one_o then_o at_o another_o and_o so_o at_o all_o that_o their_o ear_n be_v once_o stop_v with_o prejudice_n at_o what_o minister_n say_v their_o ear_n may_v be_v bore_v to_o let_v in_o any_o error_n that_o the_o devil_n or_o his_o instrument_n 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their_o very_a face_n so_o the_o averrer_n of_o circumcision_n justification_n by_o work_n denier_n of_o the_o resurrection_n etc._n etc._n reas_n 1._o the_o reason_n be_v first_o because_o the_o spirit_n of_o error_n be_v shameless_a it_o will_v affront_v the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n for_o it_o be_v nature_n brood_n and_o credit_n be_v so_o engage_v in_o it_o that_o it_o trample_v upon_o all_o that_o will_v bear_v it_o under_o if_o a_o apostle_n be_v speak_v a_o sectarian_n spirit_n will_v outdare_v he_o it_o be_v a_o affront_v and_o malapert_a spirit_n second_o the_o lord_n see_v it_o fit_v that_o in_o the_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o church_n his_o people_n shall_v be_v try_v by_o err_a spirit_n and_o therefore_o he_o will_v have_v the_o primitive_a time_n trouble_v with_o they_o also_o that_o we_o may_v be_v the_o less_o trouble_v see_v that_o even_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v not_o free_v from_o such_o like_a perplexity_n as_o to_o have_v to_o do_v with_o spirit_n of_o 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light_n break_v out_o to_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o truth_n these_o be_v reason_n why_o heretic_n must_v be_v use_v the_o use_n be_v see_v the_o spirit_n of_o error_n begin_v so_o early_o to_o trouble_v the_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n that_o be_v guide_v with_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n than_o you_o be_v not_o to_o wonder_v that_o error_n shall_v trouble_v the_o church_n now_o when_o there_o be_v not_o such_o infallible_a light_n as_o these_o the_o spirit_n of_o error_n be_v a_o bold_a dare_v spirit_n it_o will_v dare_v to_o contradict_v god_n himself_o and_o find_v out_o some_o shift_n to_o cast_v at_o that_o which_o god_n himself_o say_v as_o may_v be_v see_v gen_n 3._o the_o lord_n say_v the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v die_v and_o satan_n contradict_v it_o thou_o shall_v not_o sure_o die_v and_o so_o no_o wonder_n there_o be_v such_o impudence_n see_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o error_n now_o as_o to_o cast_v at_o any_o thing_n which_o god_n servant_n say_v 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you_o will_v know_v also_o that_o these_o time_n will_v be_v discover_v time_n they_o will_v discover_v many_o a_o corrupt_a heart_n many_o unstable_a heart_n and_o light_a head_n many_o proud_a spirit_n and_o many_o that_o have_v lust_n lurk_v within_o they_o so_o that_o many_o will_v choose_v that_o religion_n that_o will_v gratify_v their_o lust_n most_o for_o there_o be_v not_o a_o error_n that_o satan_n hatch_n but_o there_o be_v one_o lust_n or_o other_o within_o people_n that_o speak_v for_o it_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o ready_a to_o make_v people_n take_v in_o error_n than_o their_o harbour_v of_o unmortified_a lusts._n so_o in_o 2_o timoth_n cap._n 3._o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o those_o who_o shall_v be_v carry_v away_o with_o false_a teacher_n say_v in_o the_o 6._o v_o for_o of_o this_o sort_n be_v they_o which_o creep_v into_o house_n and_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n lade_v with_o sin_n lead_v away_o with_o diverse_a lust_n unmortified_a lust_n be_v as_o 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abiram_n error_n whereby_o they_o rise_v up_o against_o the_o magistracy_n of_o moses_n and_o preist-hood_n of_o aaron_n have_v a_o fair_a pretence_n for_o it_o you_o take_v too_o much_o upon_o you_o moses_n and_o aaron_n be_v not_o all_o the_o lord_n people_n holy_a and_o jeroboam'_v error_n his_o idolatry_n in_o set_v up_o the_o calf_n at_o dan_n and_o bethel_n have_v a_o fair_a pretence_n 1_o king_n 12._o it_o be_v too_o fair_a for_o you_o etc._n etc._n the_o people_n ease_n and_o the_o public_a good_a be_v the_o thing_n he_o pretend_v though_o his_o design_n be_v far_o otherwise_o and_o so_o these_o that_o urge_v justification_n by_o work_n and_o oppose_v the_o way_n of_o free_a grace_n and_o be_v justify_v by_o faith_n they_o have_v their_o fair_a pretence_n o_o say_v they_o to_o cast_v off_o work_v from_o justification_n will_v make_v people_n secure_a we_o may_v sin_v that_o grace_n may_v abound_v very_o take_v pretence_n all_o of_o they_o and_o as_o take_v as_o any_o that_o 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it_o suppose_v that_o the_o spreader_n of_o that_o error_n have_v all_o these_o three_o pretence_n firstâ—_o they_o pretend_v the_o spirit_n that_o it_o be_v a_o doctrine_n teach_v they_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n accompany_v by_o his_o presence_n in_o their_o spirit_n with_o more_o than_o ordinary_a flash_n and_o rapture_n and_o in-bearings_a of_o the_o spirit_n of_o light_n and_o second_o that_o they_o have_v the_o word_n or_o scripture_n to_o allege_v for_o it_o and_o three_o they_o pick_v somewhat_o out_o of_o paul_n letter_n for_o they_o so_o will_v they_o say_v in_o speak_v against_o we_o he_o contradict_v himself_o these_o be_v fair_a pretence_n and_o yet_o say_v paul_n be_v not_o shake_v in_o mind_n with_o they_o so_o say_v i_o you_o will_v guard_v yourself_o against_o the_o fair_a pretence_n which_o error_n may_v have_v and_o look_v not_o only_o to_o the_o out_o side_n but_o to_o the_o inside_n of_o they_o and_o then_o you_o will_v find_v most_o bitter_a serpent_n lurk_v under_o fair_a flower_n as_o for_o example_n the_o mother_n of_o all_o error_n toleration_n have_v a_o fair_a pretence_n for_o it_o viz._n that_o good_a man_n may_v err_v and_o so_o in_o suppress_v error_n you_o may_v suppress_v piety_n a_o fair_a pretence_n but_o it_o have_v afoul_a end_n for_o by_o this_o mean_n blasphemer_n denyer_n of_o god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n must_v have_v liberty_n to_o vent_v their_o damnable_a error_n if_o so_o be_v that_o they_o can_v but_o pretend_v conscience_n and_o so_o stable_a room_n must_v be_v give_v in_o christ_n church_n to_o every_o unclean_a beast_n that_o ever_o be_v hatch_v in_o hell_n the_o antinomian_a error_n again_o have_v a_o fair_a pretence_n o_o say_v they_o christ_n have_v become_v sin_n for_o we_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v take_v off_o from_o we_o so_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o repent_v for_o it_o for_o to_o say_v that_o we_o be_v to_o repent_v be_v to_o take_v the_o burden_n off_o from_o christ_n back_n and_o to_o put_v it_o on_o our_o own_o these_o be_v specious_a word_n without_o solidity_n but_o they_o contradict_v scripture_n truth_n where_o they_o be_v narrow_o look_v to_o peter_n be_v a_o justify_v person_n and_o yet_o when_o christ_n look_v on_o he_o he_o weep_v bitter_o david_n sin_n be_v pardon_v and_o christ_n have_v take_v the_o burden_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o david_n be_v to_o repent_v of_o it_o and_o to_o be_v correct_v for_o it_o and_o so_o the_o lord_n tell_v he_o that_o the_o sword_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o his_o house_n because_o he_o have_v make_v the_o enemy_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o blaspheme_n and_o yet_o sin_n be_v not_o lay_v upon_o david_n to_o satisfy_v divine_a justice_n for_o it_o only_o he_o must_v get_v
trust_n act_n 17._o 11._o these_o be_v more_o noble_a than_o those_o in_o thessalonica_n in_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o all_o readiness_n of_o mind_n and_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whither_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o they_o will_v not_o take_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n on_o trust_n and_o this_o be_v a_o command_n give_v by_o paul_n write_v to_o the_o thess_n 1_o epistle_n ch_z 5._o v._n 21._o prove_v all_o thing_n after_o he_o have_v say_v despise_v not_o prophecying_n so_o that_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v bring_v to_o a_o trial_n whatever_o be_v their_o fair_a pretence_n reas_n the_o reason_n be_v first_o because_o foul_a error_n may_v be_v colour_v over_o with_o fair_a pretence_n and_o second_o the_o scripture_n say_v all_o man_n be_v liar_n that_o be_v to_o say_v all_o man_n may_v err_v and_o therefore_o word_n can_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o divine_a faith_n for_o faith_n must_v have_v a_o infallible_a ground_n as_o ephes_n 2._o 20._o and_o be_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n i._n e._n the_o word_n preach_v by_o they_o and_o dictate_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n use_v this_o doctrine_n reprove_v first_o the_o papist_n that_o will_v have_v nothing_o try_v that_o come_v from_o the_o church_n but_o all_o take_v upon_o trust_n hence_o be_v it_o that_o many_o swallow_v such_o monster_n of_o absurdity_n as_o the_o error_n of_o transubstantiation_n purgatory_n merit_n male_a and_o such_o like_a for_o which_o they_o have_v no_o other_o ground_n but_o because_o their_o church_n say_v so_o but_o this_o doctrine_n hold_v out_o another_o duty_n that_o who_o ever_o hear_v any_o doctrine_n propon_v by_o one_o or_o other_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o pass_v their_o judgement_n on_o it_o try_v the_o spirit_n now_o that_o we_o may_v walk_v betwixt_o extreme_n the_o papist_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n who_o set_v up_o tyranny_n and_o these_o sectary_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n who_o set_v up_o confusion_n we_o will_v know_v there_o be_v a_o twofold_a judgement_n to_o be_v pass_v on_o doctrine_n public_a judgement_n and_o private_a judgement_n public_a judgement_n again_o be_v either_o peremptory_o absolute_a or_o limit_v a_o public_a peremptory_a judgement_n be_v that_o which_o bind_v the_o conscience_n to_o obey_v simple_o that_o which_o be_v speak_v and_o none_o have_v this_o judgement_n but_o god_n himself_o second_o there_o be_v a_o public_a judgement_n which_o be_v limit_v and_o this_o be_v a_o public_a declare_v and_o hold_v out_o that_o which_o be_v find_v to_o be_v god_n mind_n in_o his_o word_n which_o do_v not_o bind_v absolute_o but_o in_o so_o far_o as_o it_o agree_v with_o the_o word_n and_o this_o judgement_n belong_v to_o public_a church_n judicatories_n meet_v together_o in_o christ_n name_n they_o be_v like_o the_o lyon-herauld_n set_v forth_o to_o proclaim_v the_o royal_a act_n if_o he_o proclaim_v that_o which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o principal_a act_n it_o bind_v but_o if_o he_o add_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o own_o it_o bind_v not_o next_o there_o be_v a_o private_a judgement_n of_o discretion_n and_o this_o belong_v to_o every_o christian_a every_o man_n in_o relation_n to_o his_o own_o practice_n be_v bind_v to_o pass_v sentence_n on_o what_o be_v hold_v out_o to_o he_o by_o other_o that_o if_o it_o be_v right_a he_o may_v embrace_v it_o but_o if_o wrong_a he_o may_v reject_v it_o but_o his_o private_a judgement_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o other_o now_o this_o private_a judgement_n or_o this_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n be_v necessary_a because_o all_o man_n may_v err_v council_n may_v err_v synod_n etc._n etc._n and_o second_o their_o error_n will_v not_o excuse_v private_a christian_n to_o follow_v they_o in_o their_o error_n say_v christ_n when_o the_o blind_a lead_v the_o blind_a both_o fall_n into_o the_o ditch_n and_o therefore_o there_o must_v be_v a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n in_o private_a person_n to_o try_v what_o they_o hear_v and_o this_o much_o for_o guard_v against_o the_o popish_a tyranny_n but_o least_o this_o doctrine_n be_v abuse_v to_o cast_v at_o all_o public_a church_n judicatory_n we_o shall_v next_o speak_v somewhat_o to_o guard_v against_o sectarian_n confusion_n first_o although_o public_a church_n judicatory_n have_v not_o power_n to_o bind_v conscience_n yet_o when_o man_n be_v in_o a_o doubt_n concern_v a_o point_n of_o truth_n their_o judgement_n ought_v to_o have_v more_o weight_n than_o the_o judgement_n of_o private_a man_n and_o that_o not_o only_o because_o there_o be_v more_o gift_n exercise_v together_o but_o main_o because_o there_o be_v a_o promise_n annex_v to_o the_o commission_n give_v by_o christ_n to_o public_a church_n judicatory_n matth._n 18._o 20._o where_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o my_o name_n there_o be_o i_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o and_o second_o from_o this_o it_o follow_v that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o loathness_n to_o differ_v from_o public_a church_n judicatory_n a_o man_n ground_n will_v be_v well_o examine_v lâ—st_v if_o differ_v from_o these_o judicatories_n they_o also_o differ_v from_o truth_n and_o three_o when_o they_o differ_v they_o be_v to_o bear_v they_o at_o reverence_n although_o in_o such_o a_o point_n they_o shall_v err_v yet_o for_o their_o authority_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reverence_v this_o much_o be_v grant_v by_o we_o to_o church_n judicatories_n but_o no_o further_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v make_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n use_v 2._o it_o reprove_v those_o who_o be_v lazy_a and_o can_v endure_v the_o trouble_n of_o try_v what_o they_o hear_v but_o take_v thing_n on_o trust_n and_o have_v no_o more_o but_o such_o a_o man_n authority_n he_o be_v of_o that_o way_n and_o opinion_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v fire_n and_o flint_n tooth_n and_o nail_n for_o it_o as_o much_o as_o if_o they_o have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o it_o we_o have_v see_v much_o of_o this_o in_o the_o unhappy_a difference_n that_o have_v fall_v out_o in_o our_o time_n which_o i_o have_v no_o pleasure_n to_o speak_v much_o of_o and_o therefore_o we_o proceed_v to_o another_o doctrine_n doct._n x._o the_o next_o thing_n then_o that_o we_o observe_v be_v from_o what_o he_o say_v try_v etc._n etc._n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o trial_n the_o doctrine_n be_v this_o that_o the_o right_a trial_n of_o doctrine_n be_v to_o try_v whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n or_o not_o and_o this_o point_n put_v we_o to_o give_v mark_n whereby_o it_o shall_v be_v know_v what_o doctrine_n be_v of_o god_n and_o what_o doctrine_n be_v not_o of_o god_n and_o here_o we_o shall_v speak_v to_o two_o thing_n first_o we_o shall_v show_v what_o be_v the_o mark_n that_o necessary_o infer_v a_o doctrine_n to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o second_o we_o shall_v speak_v of_o other_o thing_n that_o do_v not_o infer_v necessary_o a_o doctrine_n to_o be_v of_o god_n but_o for_o the_o most_o part_n follow_v upon_o such_o a_o doctrine_n for_o the_o first_o that_o which_o make_v doctrine_n necessary_o to_o be_v of_o god_n be_v if_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n so_o when_o the_o berean_o be_v commend_v act_n 17._o the_o rule_n they_o go_v by_o in_o the_o trial_n of_o paul_n doctrine_n be_v the_o scripture_n and_o this_o be_v isaâ—a's_n rule_n chap._n 8._o ver_fw-la 20._o to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n etc._n etc._n he_o will_v have_v all_o doctrine_n try_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n so_o the_o word_n be_v the_o rule_n and_o that_o doctrine_n which_o have_v the_o word_n for_o it_o be_v of_o god_n and_o whatever_o doctrine_n have_v not_o the_o word_n for_o it_o be_v not_o of_o god_n all_o spirit_n even_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n himself_o must_v be_v try_v that_o way_n and_o that_o because_o the_o word_n be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n i_o give_v only_o two_o place_n of_o scripture_n to_o clear_v the_o perfection_n of_o this_o rule_n first_o the_o heavy_a plague_n pronounce_v against_o those_o who_o add_v to_o this_o rule_n the_o word_n be_v so_o perfect_a that_o if_o a_o angel_n shall_v come_v and_o pretend_v a_o pure_a rule_n let_v he_o be_v say_v paul_n anathema_n gal._n 1._o 8._o there_o be_v another_o place_n which_o prove_v the_o perfection_n of_o this_o rule_n according_a to_o this_o point_n in_o hand_n 2_o timoth._n 3._o 16_o 17._o all_o scripture_n be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n and_o be_v profitable_a for_o doctrine_n for_o reproof_n for_o correction_n for_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v perfect_a etc._n etc._n so_o there_o be_v as_o much_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o may_v make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a and_o this_o in_o relation_n
suppress_v sin_n as_o well_o as_o then_o be_v not_o christ_n perfect_a in_o all_o his_o house_n as_o well_o as_o moses_n yea_o in_o a_o word_n there_o can_v nothing_o be_v allege_v for_o a_o necessity_n to_o have_v a_o church_n government_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o the_o same_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o it_o under_o the_o new_a the_o second_o argument_n we_o bring_v to_o prove_v this_o point_n be_v take_v from_o the_o native_a end_n of_o church_n government_n which_o be_v spiritual_a to_o wit_n for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n ephes_n 4._o 12._o to_o gain_v the_o soul_n of_o our_o offend_a brother_n to_o repentance_n matth_n 18._o 15._o it_o be_v that_o the_o spirit_n may_v be_v save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n 1_o corinth_n 5_o 5._o so_o the_o end_n of_o the_o church_n government_n be_v a_o spiritual_a end_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v have_v a_o divine_a original_a church_n government_n who_o end_n be_v spiritual_a can_v be_v no_o humane_a ordinance_n for_o such_o produce_v no_o supernatural_a effect_n therefore_o it_o must_v have_v a_o high_a warrant_n for_o it_o than_o that_o of_o the_o magistrate_n our_o three_o argument_n be_v take_v from_o this_o that_o all_o the_o substantial_o of_o church_n government_n be_v set_v down_o express_o in_o scripture_n from_o which_o we_o make_v this_o argument_n that_o government_n who_o substantial_a part_n be_v all_o set_v down_o express_o in_o scripture_n the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o alter_v it_o or_o put_v a_o other_o in_o its_o place_n but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o all_o the_o substantial_a part_n of_o church_n government_n be_v set_v down_o express_o in_o scripture_n therefore_o the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o alter_v it_o the_o thing_n we_o have_v to_o make_v out_o in_o this_o argument_n be_v this_o that_o all_o the_o substantial_o of_o church_n government_n be_v set_v down_o in_o scripture_n and_o to_o clear_v this_o we_o shall_v reckon_v up_o five_o thing_n first_o that_o church_n officer_n have_v their_o warrant_n from_o scripture_n thess_n 5_o 12._o 1_o tim_n 5._o 17._o let_v the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n especial_o they_o who_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n there_o be_v a_o ruler_n or_o a_o officer_n with_o power_n to_o rule_v establish_v in_o god_n house_n what_o they_o say_v that_o by_o rule_v there_o be_v mean_v preach_v because_o minister_n guide_v people_n by_o preach_v be_v a_o frivolous_a exception_n and_o that_o because_o of_o what_o be_v in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o verse_n especial_o they_o who_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n so_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o rule_v be_v another_o thing_n and_o not_o one_o and_o the_o same_o as_o their_o exception_n affirm_v but_o we_o shall_v find_v a_o more_o clear_a place_n for_o it_o in_o heb._n 13._o 17._o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o and_o submit_v yourselves_o there_o be_v officer_n establish_v with_o power_n to_o rule_n and_o the_o people_n be_v command_v to_o submit_v and_o give_v obedience_n to_o they_o and_o so_o there_o be_v ruler_n officer_n establish_v in_o god_n church_n second_o the_o court_n and_o judicatories_n of_o the_o church_n have_v a_o warrant_n in_o god_n word_n and_o for_o this_o see_v matth_n 18._o 17_o 18._o and_o if_o he_o shall_v neglect_v to_o hear_v they_o tell_v it_o unto_o the_o church_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n the_o adversary_n be_v so_o shamless_a that_o they_o say_v by_o the_o church_n be_v here_o mean_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o that_o the_o complaint_n shall_v be_v make_v to_o they_o but_o it_o be_v sure_a the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v not_o here_o mean_v and_o to_o prove_v it_o the_o judicatory_a here_o mean_v be_v that_o whereof_o the_o apostle_n shall_v be_v member_n and_o therefore_o in_o five_o 16._o it_o be_v say_v whatever_o you_o to_o wit_v the_o apostle_n shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n etc._n etc._n now_o sure_o it_o be_v jesus_n christ_n give_v no_o power_n to_o his_o minister_n to_o sit_v in_o civil_a court_n and_o to_o judge_v of_o civil_a business_n the_o three_o substantial_a of_o church_n government_n that_o have_v warrant_n in_o the_o word_n be_v the_o subordination_n of_o lesser_a judicatory_n to_o great_a and_o this_o be_v warrant_v in_o act_n 15_o 2._o where_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n come_v up_o from_o antioch_n to_o a_o general_n council_n at_o jerusalem_n because_o the_o controversy_n in_o hand_n can_v not_o be_v end_v at_o antioch_n where_o there_o be_v a_o court_n with_o power_n they_o determine_v the_o question_n censure_v the_o schismatic_n give_v they_o the_o name_n of_o liar_n v._n 24._o the_o four_o substantial_a of_o this_o government_n set_v down_o in_o scripture_n be_v the_o order_n of_o proceed_v in_o relation_n to_o censure_n 1._o by_o private_a admonition_n then_o more_o public_a matth_n 18._o 15._o the_o five_o thing_n be_v the_o nature_n and_o kind_n of_o their_o censure_n which_o be_v not_o bodily_a as_o take_v way_n the_o life_n but_o spiritual_a to_o wit_n admonition_n reproof_n cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n matth_n 18_o 17_o let_v he_o he_o unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n now_o from_o all_o this_o it_o evident_o appear_v that_o christ_n have_v set_v down_o all_o the_o substantial_o of_o church_n government_n in_o his_o word_n and_o see_v he_o have_v do_v so_o what_o man_n dare_v alter_v it_o take_v any_o prudential_a way_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n at_o his_o pleasure_n yea_o there_o be_v a_o charge_n give_v to_o preserve_v all_o these_o inviolable_a till_o christ_n come_v 1_o tim_n 5._o 21._o i_o charge_v thou_o before_o god_n and_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o elect_a angel_n that_o thou_o observe_v these_o thing_n without_o prefer_v one_o before_o another_o do_v nothing_o by_o partiality_n so_o that_o which_o christ_n have_v set_v down_o concern_v the_o government_n of_o his_o house_n be_v unalterable_a by_o any_o person_n whatsoever_o till_o the_o come_n of_o jesus_n christ._n so_o much_o for_o the_o three_o argument_n there_o be_v a_o four_o and_o it_o shall_v be_v our_o last_o which_o be_v this_o if_o so_o be_v that_o christ_n have_v leave_v his_o house_n without_o any_o particular_a government_n only_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o civil_a state_n to_o appoint_v what_o government_n they_o please_v it_o will_v reflect_v much_o on_o the_o wisdom_n of_o jesus_n christ_n for_o the_o church_n visible_a be_v his_o kingdom_n his_o house_n his_o vinyard_n his_o garden_n and_o shall_v we_o say_v that_o he_o have_v appoint_v no_o law_n to_o govern_v no_o court_n to_o guide_v this_o kingdom_n but_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o appoint_v by_o who_o and_o how_o it_o please_v he_o best_o a_o king_n of_o clay_n will_v not_o do_v so_o with_o his_o kingdom_n much_o less_o he_o who_o be_v the_o king_n of_o glory_n this_o for_o the_o argument_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n we_o shall_v in_o the_o next_o place_n answer_v their_o objection_n iii_o the_o first_o be_v say_v they_o from_o 2_o tim_n 3_o 16._o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o man_n perfect_a and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o government_n we_o answer_v this_o same_o argument_n may_v as_o well_o strict_a against_o magistracy_n but_o second_o we_o say_v which_o we_o make_v already_o appear_v that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v ground_v on_o the_o word_n hence_o their_o argument_n prove_v not_o because_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o word_n and_o be_v command_v by_o it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v not_o a_o add_v to_o it_o but_o if_o they_o say_v the_o bare_a preach_v of_o the_o word_n be_v enough_o we_o answer_v not_o to_o detract_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o word_n preach_v which_o be_v the_o mean_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o save_v soul_n yet_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n be_v necessary_a also_o it_o be_v necessary_a we_o say_v for_o three_o reason_n 1._o to_o keep_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n from_o be_v pollute_v by_o the_o rush_a foreward_n of_o dog_n and_o scandalous_a person_n all_o the_o preach_a that_o can_v be_v to_o bid_v scandalous_a man_n keep_v back_o will_v not_o do_v then_o 2._o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o keep_v the_o church_n from_o be_v infect_v by_o the_o contagion_n of_o scandalous_a man_n hence_o say_v the_o apostle_n paul_n a_o little_a leaven_n leaven_v the_o whole_a lump_n therefore_o put_v the_o incestous_a man_n from_o among_o you_o 3._o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o soul_n
that_o be_v censure_v so_o in_o the_o 2_o thess_n 3._o 14_o note_n that_o man_n and_o have_v no_o company_n with_o he_o that_o he_o may_v be_v ashamed_a and_o 1_o cor_n 5._o 5._o excommunication_n serve_v for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n that_o be_v to_o tame_v and_o mortify_v its_o lust_n and_o so_o although_o the_o word_n be_v only_o the_o necessary_a mean_n for_o the_o convert_n of_o soul_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v not_o be_v exercise_v to_o wit_n that_o the_o word_n may_v work_v the_o better_a the_o second_o objection_n be_v this_o that_o all_o the_o argument_n we_o have_v to_o establish_v a_o church_n government_n by_o divine_a right_n be_v take_v from_o the_o church_n practice_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o command_v give_v they_o but_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o what_o be_v then_o shall_v be_v a_o rule_n now_o and_o they_o give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n because_o the_o magistrate_n be_v then_o a_o pagan_a and_o so_o will_v not_o meddle_v with_o these_o thing_n but_o the_o case_n be_v now_o otherwise_o when_o the_o magistrate_n be_v turn_v christian._n we_o answer_v first_o by_o this_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o church_n government_n be_v a_o institution_n of_o christ_n at_o least_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n now_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o every_o thing_n institute_v by_o christ_n lay_v on_o a_o perpetual_a obligation_n except_o christ_n in_o his_o word_n have_v set_v a_o period_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v only_o so_o long_o so_o if_o this_o argument_n of_o they_o have_v any_o force_n they_o must_v show_v from_o scripture_n that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v this_o period_n for_o church_n government_n so_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v only_o in_o force_n under_o a_o idolatrous_a pagan_a magistrate_n and_o that_o the_o power_n of_o it_o shall_v cease_v under_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n but_o no_o place_n of_o god_n word_n can_v be_v give_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o tâ—is_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o command_n be_v give_v that_o which_o christ_n deliver_v to_o the_o apostle_n 1_o timoth._n 6._o 14_o shall_v be_v keep_v to_o his_o second_o come_v and_o therefore_o it_o remain_v a_o perpetual_a ordinance_n second_o we_o answer_v that_o if_o this_o be_v true_a than_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v worse_o under_o the_o christian_n than_o the_o pagan_a magistrate_n if_o so_o be_v that_o under_o the_o one_o they_o have_v a_o intrinsical_a power_n to_o purge_v and_o keep_v his_o church_n free_a from_o scandal_n but_o not_o under_o the_o other_o will_v not_o this_o be_v hard_o three_o we_o answer_v that_o the_o reason_n for_o which_o the_o church_n do_v exercise_v government_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v take_v from_o common_a equity_n and_o so_o be_v bind_v to_o the_o church_n at_o all_o time_n we_o find_v this_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 5._o where_o a_o command_n be_v give_v to_o exercise_v discipline_n by_o excommunicate_v of_o the_o incestuous_a person_n the_o reason_n give_v be_v first_o the_o good_a of_o the_o man_n soul_n verse_n 5._o second_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v keep_v from_o infection_n vers_fw-la 6._o now_o the_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o see_v to_o these_o at_o all_o time_n we_o come_v to_o the_o four_o thing_n which_o be_v a_o word_n of_o use_n and_o it_o serve_v 1._o to_o reprove_v those_o who_o think_v debate_n about_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n useless_a and_o of_o no_o value_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o say_v they_o what_o be_v the_o government_n and_o who_o govern_v if_o sin_n be_v punish_v and_o the_o word_n preach_v i_o answer_v '_o it_o be_v of_o much_o moment_n for_o from_o what_o be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o church_n government_n be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n a_o part_n of_o his_o word_n and_o they_o who_o evert_v it_o or_o give_v way_n to_o the_o evert_n of_o it_o give_v way_n to_o evert_v a_o part_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n yea_o to_o the_o bring_v down_o of_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n own_o house_n it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o truth_n that_o concern_v no_o less_o than_o the_o royal_a diadem_n of_o christ_n and_o all_o who_o have_v get_v good_a of_o truth_n be_v bind_v to_o stand_v for_o it_o yea_o it_o be_v more_o than_o a_o ordinary_a truth_n the_o question_n be_v concern_v châ—ists_n kingdom_n if_o he_o have_v a_o kingdom_n of_o his_o own_o distinct_a from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n if_o he_o shall_v have_v â—is_n own_o law_n office-bearer_n court_n censure_n according_a to_o his_o will_n in_o his_o word_n or_o if_o all_o he_o have_v leave_v to_o that_o purpose_n be_v to_o scraâ—ched_a out_o and_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o appoint_v what_o law_n rule_n court_n he_o please_v in_o christ_n house_n so_o it_o be_v a_o point_n relate_v to_o his_o kingdom_n a_o doctrine_n to_o be_v avow_v and_o a_o point_n of_o truth_n worth_a the_o suster_n for_o and_o which_o some_o have_v suffer_v for_o and_o boast_v in_o it_o yea_o it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o truth_n that_o have_v this_o advantage_n beyond_o other_o truth_n that_o christ_n have_v suffer_v for_o it_o himself_o in_o his_o own_o person_n for_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o this_o be_v the_o only_a point_n he_o be_v accuse_v on_o by_o pâ—late_n and_o he_o avow_v it_o luke_n 23._o 3._o that_o he_o have_v a_o kingdom_n though_o not_o of_o the_o world_n yet_o in_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o this_o point_n be_v chief_o lay_v to_o christ_n charge_n in_o john_n 18._o 33._o 34_o 35_o 36_o 37._o and_o this_o be_v the_o pâ—int_n that_o be_v drive_v home_o by_o the_o jew_n 〈◊〉_d christ_n john_n 19_o it_o be_v his_o 〈◊〉_d on_o the_o cross_n jesus_n christ_n of_o nazareth_n king_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o this_o be_v the_o point_n that_o straighten_a pilate_n most_o and_o put_v he_o to_o it_o to_o make_v christ_n suffer_v joh._n 19_o so_o this_o point_n have_v this_o advantage_n that_o in_o a_o special_a manner_n christ_n suffer_v as_o a_o martyr_n for_o it_o shall_v any_o then_o think_v it_o a_o little_a thing_n to_o suffer_v for_o god_n forbid_v yea_o we_o may_v think_v it_o a_o honour_n the_o second_o use_n if_o so_o be_v that_o church_n government_n be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n than_o those_o entrust_v with_o it_o such_o as_o minister_n and_o elder_n will_v discharge_v it_o as_o service_n to_o god_n so_o as_o to_o be_v countable_a to_o he_o tâ—ere_o shall_v be_v a_o other_o frame_n of_o spirit_n when_o man_n be_v in_o church_n judicatories_n than_o when_o they_o be_v in_o civil_a judicatories_n these_o be_v ordinance_n of_o man_n their_o of_o god_n and_o require_v more_o than_o a_o common_a frame_n of_o spirit_n alas_o we_o may_v say_v for_o the_o unministerial_a like_o carriage_n of_o minister_n and_o elder_n may_v just_o provoke_v god_n to_o through_o us_o out_o altogether_o a_o three_o use_v of_o this_o point_n be_v that_o see_v church_n government_n be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o jesus_n christ_n than_o you_o that_o be_v people_n shall_v obey_v and_o submit_v to_o those_o that_o be_v over_o you_o in_o the_o lord_n otherwise_o if_o it_o be_v not_o tâ—us_o look_v on_o it_o may_v provoke_v the_o lord_n to_o remove_v the_o hedge_n from_o we_o and_o if_o this_o be_v god_n know_v what_o we_o will_v be_v we_o be_v evil_a now_o but_o if_o people_n get_v leave_v to_o do_v every_o thing_n that_o seem_v good_a in_o their_o own_o eye_n we_o can_v not_o but_o be_v much_o worse_o you_o see_v what_o you_o be_v with_o it_o but_o know_v not_o what_o you_o will_v be_v without_o it_o and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o first_o head_n of_o erastian_n doctrine_n head_n ii_o the_o power_n of_o church_n government_n belong_v not_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n the_o second_o head_n of_o erastian_n doctrine_n which_o we_o be_v to_o prove_v not_o to_o be_v of_o god_n be_v that_o whereby_o they_o affirm_v that_o all_o the_o power_n of_o church_n government_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o here_o there_o be_v some_o difference_n among_o themselves_o some_o give_v he_o all_o power_n to_o dispense_v all_o church_n ordinance_n and_o this_o as_o a_o magistrate_n without_o a_o call_v from_o the_o church_n and_o so_o to_o preach_v and_o to_o administrate_n the_o sacrament_n other_o again_o content_v themselves_o to_o ascribe_v to_o he_o only_o a_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n to_o make_v church_n law_n to_o inflict_v church_n censure_n and_o herein_o they_o also_o differ_v some_o put_v this_o power_n whole_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n other_o conjunct_o with_o the_o minister_n a_o three_o place_v it_o in_o he_o as_o the_o fountain_n and_o in_o churchman_n but_o as_o
the_o magistrate_n have_v much_o power_n about_o church_n matter_n but_o he_o have_v no_o church-power_n proper_o so_o call_v that_o belong_v only_o to_o christ_n own_o officer_n second_o for_o clear_v of_o the_o question_n take_v this_o assertion_n what_o we_o deny_v to_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n in_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n we_o deny_v it_o to_o he_o only_o as_o a_o magistrate_n for_o so_o we_o lay_v it_o down_o in_o the_o conclusion_n to_o be_v prove_v a_o magistrate_n as_o a_o magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n in_o govern_v the_o church_n otherwise_o if_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n be_v choose_v a_o elder_a he_o have_v power_n of_o church_n government_n be_v join_v with_o the_o rest_n only_o we_o say_v as_o a_o magistrate_n he_o have_v no_o power_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n ii_o we_o come_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n which_o be_v our_o argument_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n and_o the_o first_o argument_n be_v this_o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v no_o warrant_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n and_o therefore_o he_o have_v no_o right_a to_o it_o 1_o we_o say_v that_o christ_n in_o his_o word_n have_v give_v no_o warrant_n to_o the_o magistrate_n for_o govern_v his_o church_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v from_o all_o these_o place_n where_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o any_o warrant_v give_v to_o any_o of_o church_n government_n there_o be_v no_o word_n of_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n in_o any_o of_o they_o only_a mention_n be_v make_v of_o apostle_n minister_n and_o elder_n so_o in_o matth_n 16._o 19_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n to_o bind_v and_o loose_v be_v give_v to_o peter_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o no_o word_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o matth_n 18._o 17._o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n and_o if_o he_o shall_v neglect_v to_o hear_v they_o 〈…〉_z be_v etc._n etc._n the_o church_n of_o minister_n and_o elder_n have_v the_o power_n but_o no_o word_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o so_o in_o timoth_n and_o titus_n the_o scope_n of_o which_o epistle_n be_v to_o instruct_v minister_n concern_v the_o right_a way_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n what_o be_v speak_v there_o be_v speak_v to_o they_o and_o to_o minister_n succeed_v to_o they_o but_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v conclude_v he_o have_v no_o right_a from_o jesus_n christ_n for_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o what_o he_o will_v challenge_v of_o that_o kind_n be_v but_o a_o usurpation_n and_o intrude_a unto_o that_o to_o which_o he_o have_v no_o right_a our_o second_o argument_n be_v if_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n government_n belong_v to_o a_o magistrate_n as_o a_o magistrate_n than_o it_o belong_v to_o every_o magistrate_n but_o this_o be_v absurd_a we_o say_v if_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n do_v belong_v to_o a_o magistrate_n as_o a_o magistrate_n then_o it_o shall_v belong_v to_o every_o magistrate_n for_o whatever_o belong_v to_o one_o as_o such_o belong_v to_o all_o such_o now_o this_o have_v many_o absurdity_n follow_v on_o it_o for_o by_o this_o rule_n heathen_a magistrate_n may_v have_v power_n of_o church_n government_n and_o be_v church_n governor_n which_o be_v absurd_a for_o they_o be_v not_o church_n member_n then_o second_o woman_n may_v be_v church_n governor_n for_o they_o may_v be_v magistrate_n in_o some_o case_n and_o yet_o they_o may_v not_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n yea_o three_o by_o this_o it_o shall_v follow_v that_o child_n not_o come_v to_o age_n may_v have_v the_o power_n of_o church_n government_n for_o they_o may_v be_v magistrate_n when_o magistracy_n go_v by_o succession_n now_o child_n can_v have_v the_o power_n of_o church_n government_n for_o that_o power_n be_v not_o to_o be_v exercise_v by_o deputy_n but_o by_o the_o person_n themselves_o who_o be_v entrust_v with_o it_o a_o three_o argument_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n be_v this_o that_o magistrate_n as_o magistrate_n be_v not_o church_n officer_n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n the_o consequence_n be_v clear_a for_o if_o magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n than_o they_o must_v be_v church_n officer_n if_o any_o thing_n make_v a_o man_n a_o church_n officer_n than_o power_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n will_v do_v it_o for_o state_n government_n and_o state_n officer_n be_v relata_fw-la and_o have_v a_o mutual_a relation_n one_o to_o another_o and_o so_o must_v church_n government_n and_o church_n officer_n have_v a_o mutual_a relation_n one_o to_o another_o but_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o magistrate_n as_o a_o magistrate_n be_v no_o church_n officer_n and_o that_o because_o among_o all_o that_o roll_n set_v down_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n wherein_o christ_n reckon_v up_o his_o officer_n there_o be_v no_o mention_n make_v of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n ephes_n 4._o there_o be_v a_o roll_n verse_n 11._o and_o he_o give_v some_o apostle_n and_o some_o prophet_n and_o some_o evangelist_n and_o some_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n but_o no_o word_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o in_o rome_n 12_o 6_o 7._o there_o be_v a_o other_o roll_n of_o church_n officer_n but_o no_o word_n of_o of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n whether_o prophecy_n let_v we_o prophecy_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o faith_n or_o ministry_n let_v we_o wait_v on_o our_o minister_a or_o he_o that_o teach_v on_o teach_v etc._n etc._n but_o neither_o in_o this_o place_n or_o any_o other_o be_v there_o any_o mention_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n only_o some_o of_o our_o adversary_n mutter_v somewhat_o of_o 1_o cor_n 12._o 28._o that_o by_o government_n there_o mention_v be_v mean_v the_o christian_a magistrate_n but_o it_o be_v easy_o refute_v for_o the_o text_n speak_v evident_o of_o such_o governor_n as_o the_o church_n have_v at_o that_o time_n and_o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n now_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n have_v no_o christian_a magistrate_n nor_o for_o above_o 200_o year_n after_o so_o by_o government_n can_v be_v mean_v the_o christian_a magistrate_n but_o the_o rule_v elder_a who_o be_v often_o speak_v of_o in_o other_o place_n our_o four_o argument_n to_o prove_v this_o point_n be_v that_o the_o church_n do_v enjoy_v full_a power_n of_o government_n within_o herself_o and_o according_o do_v exercise_v it_o near_o 300_o year_n before_o any_o magistrate_n be_v a_o christian_a and_o so_o the_o church_n have_v this_o power_n within_o herself_o yet_o for_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n it_o be_v evident_a if_o we_o consider_v first_o that_o which_o be_v not_o controvert_v to_o wit_n that_o in_o the_o space_n of_o 300_o year_n after_o christ_n there_o be_v not_o a_o magistrate_n a_o christian_a if_o we_o 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etc._n four_o they_o have_v synod_n meet_v together_o make_v bind_a canon_n to_o guide_v the_o church_n act_n 15._o the_o synod_n of_o apostle_n elder_n and_o brethren_n meet_v together_o determine_v a_o controversy_n and_o censure_v those_o who_o have_v trouble_v the_o church_n thus_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v make_v out_o to_o wit_n that_o the_o church_n do_v enjoy_v full_a power_n of_o discipline_n within_o herself_o long_o before_o any_o magistrate_n become_v christian_n and_o therefore_o it_o follow_v that_o this_o power_n be_v yet_o in_o the_o church_n hand_n and_o not_o in_o the_o magistrate_n and_o that_o because_o if_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n have_v right_a to_o dispense_v this_o power_n as_o undoubted_o she_o have_v than_o they_o must_v make_v it_o appear_v how_o christ_n take_v this_o right_n from_o she_o and_o
infer_v any_o church_n power_n which_o we_o clear_v in_o both_o first_o the_o people_n power_n in_o elect_v their_o minister_n do_v not_o infer_v any_o power_n of_o church_n government_n in_o they_o and_o that_o because_o it_o be_v not_o the_o people_n election_n or_o their_o choice_n that_o make_v the_o minister_n to_o be_v a_o minister_n or_o give_v he_o authority_n to_o exercise_n the_o ministerial_a call_n but_o it_o be_v the_o act_n of_o ordination_n by_o imposition_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o who_o be_v church_n officer_n that_o make_v the_o man_n the_o minister_n and_o give_v he_o authority_n we_o shall_v find_v this_o act_v 6_o 3._o where_o the_o people_n election_n and_o ordination_n by_o church_n officer_n be_v clear_o distinguish_v wherefore_o brethren_n say_v the_o apostle_n look_v you_o out_o among_o you_o seven_o man_n of_o honest_a report_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o wisdom_n there_o be_v the_o people_n election_n who_o we_o may_v appoint_v over_o this_o 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church_n be_v give_v to_o private_a believer_n yet_o we_o grant_v it_o be_v give_v for_o they_o so_o all_o ordinance_n be_v give_v for_o the_o good_a of_o believer_n as_o it_o be_v ephes_n 4._o 11._o and_o he_o give_v some_o apostle_n and_o some_o prophet_n and_o some_o evangilist_n and_o some_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n for_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o saint_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o this_o respect_n 1_o cor_n 3._o 21_o 22._o all_o be_v say_v to_o be_v they_o for_o all_o thing_n be_v you_o whether_o paul_n or_o apollos_n or_o cephas_n or_o the_o world_n or_o life_n or_o death_n or_o thing_n present_a or_o thing_n to_o come_v all_o be_v you_o i._n e._n give_v for_o their_o good_a but_o hence_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o because_o church_n discipline_n be_v give_v for_o they_o that_o therefore_o they_o have_v the_o power_n of_o it_o for_o in_o this_o respect_n paul_n be_v give_v to_o every_o particular_a believe_a woman_n and_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o woman_n have_v paul_n authority_n and_o so_o the_o body_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n have_v not_o this_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n although_o the_o power_n be_v give_v for_o their_o good_a a_o three_o thing_n for_o understand_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n we_o do_v willing_o grant_v to_o private_a christian_n power_n to_o admonish_v exhort_v in_o the_o lord_n out_o of_o charity_n and_o this_o they_o may_v extend_v even_o to_o minister_n say_v to_o archippus_n take_v heed_n to_o thy_o ministry_n but_o this_o liberty_n to_o admonish_v by_o way_n of_o charity_n do_v not_o import_v any_o church_n power_n in_o they_o over_o those_o who_o they_o rebuke_v no_o more_o than_o paul_n rebuke_v of_o peter_n gal_n 2._o 14._o do_v infer_v a_o power_n in_o paul_n above_o peter_n so_o you_o see_v what_o we_o do_v grant_v to_o private_a christian_n and_o what_o we_o deny_v the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v this_o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v not_o give_v they_o any_o power_n of_o church_n government_n or_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n but_o have_v entrust_v it_o whole_o to_o his_o own_o officer_n minister_n and_o elder_n this_o for_o clear_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n ii_o we_o come_v now_o to_o argument_n for_o clear_v the_o truth_n and_o the_o first_o be_v this_o that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v no_o warrant_n to_o private_a christian_n for_o govern_v his_o house_n or_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o government_n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v no_o right_a to_o it_o the_o consequence_n must_v be_v clear_a for_o none_o have_v right_a to_o play_v the_o part_n of_o a_o governor_n in_o christ_n church_n except_o those_o who_o have_v a_o warrant_n in_o his_o word_n for_o it_o now_o that_o private_a christian_n have_v no_o warrant_n in_o his_o word_n for_o govern_v the_o church_n either_o express_o or_o by_o good_a consequence_n either_o by_o precept_n or_o promise_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o this_o that_o in_o several_a place_n of_o the_o word_n this_o power_n be_v deny_v unto_o they_o so_o rome_n 10._o they_o must_v not_o exercise_v the_o power_n of_o preach_v for_o how_o shall_v they_o preach_v except_o they_o â—e_v send_v v_o 15._o now_o the_o whole_a community_n of_o believer_n can_v be_v send_v beside_o they_o have_v no_o ability_n to_o discharge_v this_o office_n there_o be_v but_o one_o of_o a_o thousand_o that_o can_v convince_v gainsayer_n be_v apt_a to_o teach_v that_o be_v able_a to_o cut_v and_o divide_v the_o word_n aright_o and_o so_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o preach_v and_o second_o from_o this_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o administrate_n the_o sacrament_n for_o christ_n jesus_n have_v join_v both_o these_o power_n in_o one_o commission_n he_o give_v no_o power_n to_o any_o to_o aministrate_n the_o sacrament_n but_o those_o to_o who_o he_o give_v power_n also_o to_o preach_v matth_n 28_o 19_o go_v you_o therefore_o and_o teach_v all_o nation_n baptise_v them-&c_a them-&c_a them-&c_a power_n of_o preach_v and_o administrate_v the_o sacrament_n go_v together_o and_o so_o see_v the_o one_o power_n be_v deny_v to_o they_o the_o other_o must_v be_v deny_v also_o three_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o ordain_v minister_n or_o to_o execute_v any_o other_o act_n of_o church_n jurisdiction_n for_o they_o have_v no_o ability_n to_o try_v minister_n gift_n there_o be_v no_o precept_n command_v they_o to_o do_v it_o there_o be_v no_o practice_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n prove_v that_o ever_o they_o do_v it_o as_o shall_v be_v more_o full_o clear_v in_o answer_v the_o argument_n they_o bring_v for_o it_o and_o so_o they_o have_v no_o right_a to_o govern_v the_o church_n the_o second_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n be_v this_o that_o this_o doctrine_n of_o they_o whereby_o they_o give_v the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n to_o private_a christian_n do_v overturn_v the_o order_n establish_v by_o jesus_n christ_n in_o his_o house_n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v no_o right_a to_o it_o the_o consequence_n none_o may_v doubt_v of_o for_o nothing_o appoint_v by_o god_n do_v evert_v the_o order_n establish_v by_o himself_o now_o that_o this_o doctrine_n of_o they_o whereby_o they_o put_v the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o people_n do_v evert_v the_o order_n appoint_v by_o christ_n be_v clear_a because_o his_o order_n be_v that_o some_o be_v watchman_n some_o watch_v over_o some_o ruler_n some_o to_o submit_v some_o governor_n some_o to_o be_v govern_v some_o shepherd_n some_o the_o flock_n but_o if_o so_o be_v that_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n have_v the_o power_n of_o govern_v in_o their_o hand_n than_o all_o shall_v be_v overseer_n watchman_n ruler_n governor_n and_o none_o more_o than_o another_o if_o so_o be_v that_o power_n to_o govern_v shall_v flow_v from_o this_o that_o they_o be_v church_n member_n for_o all_o be_v so_o alike_o the_o three_o 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of_o god_n to_o commit_v the_o great_a affair_n of_o his_o house_n to_o those_o who_o he_o have_v not_o qualify_v to_o that_o purpose_n beside_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v that_o ever_o he_o trust_v any_o with_o those_o thing_n but_o he_o promise_v they_o furniture_n and_o in_o some_o measure_n enable_v they_o according_o so_o when_o he_o send_v forth_o moses_n jeremiah_n isaiah_n etc._n etc._n he_o give_v they_o furniture_n and_o when_o he_o send_v out_o the_o apostle_n he_o furnish_v they_o for_o that_o end_n so_o john_n 20._o 21_o then_o say_v jesus_n to_o they_o again_o peace_n be_v unto_o you_o as_o my_o father_n send_v i_o even_o so_o send_v i_o you_o there_o be_v the_o commission_n give_v they_o and_o upon_o the_o back_n of_o this_o in_o v_o 22._o and_o when_o he_o have_v say_v this_o he_o breathe_v on_o they_o etc._n etc._n there_o be_v the_o furniture_n and_o so_o do_v he_o to_o minister_n who_o he_o entrust_v with_o this_o power_n he_o promise_v they_o furniture_n matth_n 28_o 20_o and_o lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o always_o even_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n there_o a_o promise_n make_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o they_o to_o the_o minister_n as_o appear_v from_o these_o follow_a word_n even_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o these_o promise_n can_v not_o be_v full_o verify_v in_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v to_o die_v within_o a_o little_a but_o in_o minister_n their_o successor_n to_o the_o world_n end_n now_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a he_o have_v neither_o make_v such_o promise_n to_o every_o particular_a believer_n for_o govern_v the_o church_n neither_o do_v he_o perform_v they_o unto_o they_o what_o be_v every_o believer_n furnish_v with_o that_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n prudence_n and_o wisdom_n that_o be_v require_v for_o the_o right_a manage_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o church_n government_n yea_o god_n do_v not_o require_v it_o of_o they_o and_o so_o certain_o it_o stand_v not_o with_o his_o wisdom_n to_o have_v commit_v the_o power_n of_o church_n government_n to_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o believer_n this_o for_o ouâ—_n three_o argument_n our_o four_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n be_v if_o so_o be_v that_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n belong_v to_o church_n member_n than_o it_o belong_v to_o they_o either_o as_o they_o be_v gift_v for_o it_o and_o choose_v out_o for_o that_o purpose_n and_o if_o so_o than_o we_o have_v our_o intent_n for_o then_o all_o be_v not_o church_n governor_n but_o only_o those_o who_o be_v gift_v and_o choose_v and_o so_o church_n officer_n or_o it_o belong_v to_o they_o as_o believer_n or_o church_n member_n and_o if_o so_o than_o it_o belong_v to_o all_o for_o every_o one_o be_v a_o church_n member_n as_o well_o as_o another_o and_o every_o one_o that_o have_v faith_n be_v a_o believer_n as_o well_o as_o another_o and_o whatever_o privilege_n flow_v from_o faith_n belong_v to_o every_o believer_n the_o mean_a as_o well_o as_o the_o great_a so_o if_o the_o right_n of_o church_n government_n be_v ground_v on_o faith_n and_o grace_n than_o every_o believer_n and_o none_o but_o believer_n shall_v have_v the_o right_n of_o it_o from_o whence_o shall_v follow_v many_o absurdity_n as_o that_o child_n as_o well_o as_o parent_n the_o simple_a as_o well_o as_o the_o wise_a woman_n as_o well_o as_o man_n may_v preach_v administrate_n the_o sacrament_n lay_v on_o hand_n in_o ordain_v the_o minister_n sit_v in_o session_n inflict_v censure_n excommunicate_a and_o what_o not_o second_o then_o none_o but_o believer_n shall_v have_v right_a to_o church_n government_n so_o none_o have_v power_n to_o baptise_v censure_n etc._n etc._n but_o they_o that_o have_v grace_n and_o upon_o this_o people_n shall_v have_v reason_n to_o doubt_v whether_o they_o be_v right_o baptize_v or_o not_o because_o they_o know_v not_o if_o the_o minister_n who_o baptize_v they_o have_v grace_n or_o not_o and_o if_o he_o want_v grace_n he_o have_v no_o power_n of_o church_n government_n by_o this_o doctrine_n and_o so_o no_o power_n to_o baptise_v we_o bring_v a_o five_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o it_o be_v this_o private_a christian_n be_v in_o no_o place_n of_o scripture_n acknowledge_v to_o be_v church_n governor_n there_o be_v no_o name_n nor_o title_n give_v to_o they_o import_v this_o power_n to_o be_v in_o they_o as_o be_v give_v to_o church_n officer_n 1_o tim_n 5._o 17._o let_v the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n and_o 1_o corinth_n 12._o 28._o and_o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n first_o apostle_n second_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n etc._n etc._n but_o no_o title_n of_o that_o kind_n be_v give_v to_o private_a christian_n yea_o they_o be_v set_v down_o plain_o under_o name_n in_o opposition_n to_o governor_n as_o the_o flock_n to_o overseer_n act_n 20._o 28._o take_v heed_n tberefore_o unto_o yourselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o the_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n etc._n etc._n yea_o and_o be_v command_v to_o honour_n obey_v submit_v to_o their_o governor_n set_v over_o they_o and_o distinct_a from_o they_o hebr_n 13._o 17._o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o and_o submit_v yourselves_o etc._n etc._n now_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o imagine_v that_o christ_n shall_v have_v entrust_v they_o with_o high_a power_n of_o government_n and_o yet_o in_o all_o the_o style_v he_o give_v they_o there_o be_v nothing_o import_v of_o that_o power_n but_o much_o of_o their_o subjection_n sure_o he_o have_v not_o do_v so_o with_o officer_n as_o we_o have_v show_v and_o let_v any_o discover_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n a_o six_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n be_v this_o if_o so_o be_v that_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n be_v give_v but_o only_o to_o some_o than_o it_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o all_o but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n be_v only_o give_v to_o some_o therefore_o not_o to_o all_o church_n member_n the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o argument_n can_v be_v deny_v for_o the_o second_o that_o it_o be_v only_o give_v to_o some_o see_v those_o proof_n that_o limit_v this_o power_n only_o to_o some_o as_o ephes_n 4._o 11._o and_o he_o give_v some_o apostle_n and_o some_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n some_o and_o therefore_o not_o all_o 1_o cor_n 12._o 28._o which_o we_o cite_v before_o and_o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n first_o apostle_n second_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n there_o be_v but_o some_o that_o he_o have_v set_v for_o govern_v his_o house_n and_o therefore_o not_o all_o and_o heb_n 13_o 17._o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o and_o submit_v yourselves_o etc._n etc._n tim_n 5._o 17._o as_o be_v likewise_o before_o cite_v there_o be_v some_o then_o that_o rule_n to_o who_o the_o rest_n ought_v to_o submit_v and_o so_o all_o be_v not_o ruler_n there_o be_v a_o 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so_o through_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o he_o have_v set_v down_o no_o rule_n to_o order_v church_n government_n by_o in_o the_o hand_n particular_a believer_n for_o in_o no_o place_n of_o the_o word_n will_v such_o rule_n be_v find_v you_o that_o be_v the_o flock_n govern_v the_o pastor_n and_o feed_v they_o watch_v over_o the_o people_n of_o god_n lay_v hand_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n i_o say_v there_o be_v no_o such_o direction_n give_v to_o private_a christian_n and_o therefore_o this_o pretend_a power_n be_v not_o of_o god_n our_o last_o argument_n for_o the_o truth_n be_v if_o so_o be_v the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n do_v belong_v to_o every_o
not_o have_v salute_v every_o one_o man_n by_o man_n and_o therefore_o certain_o it_o must_v be_v the_o prime_a man_n of_o the_o church_n but_o second_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o usua_o give_v to_o ruler_n and_o judge_n whether_o ecclesiastic_a or_o civil_a without_o the_o people_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o psalm_n 82_o 1._o god_n stand_v in_o the_o congation_n of_o the_o mighty_a the_o same_o word_n render_v there_o congregation_n be_v render_v the_o church_n elsewhere_o and_o by_o the_o congregation_n there_o be_v mean_v the_o judge_n and_o not_o the_o people_n so_o we_o find_v it_o take_v for_o the_o ruler_n by_o compare_v exod_a 20._o 18._o 19_o with_o deut_n 5._o 23._o 2_o chron_n 1._o 3._o where_o solomon_n take_v up_o the_o whole_a congregation_n with_o he_o and_o yet_o that_o congregation_n be_v expon_v v._n 2._o to_o have_v be_v chief-man_n and_o ruler_n so_o that_o usualy_a in_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o word_n church_n be_v take_v from_o 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power_n not_o for_o destruction_n but_o for_o edification_n and_o this_o be_v all_o we_o do_v teach_v it_o be_v true_a church_n officer_n may_v abuse_v their_o power_n but_o there_o be_v no_o power_n be_v it_o never_o so_o good_a but_o come_v in_o man_n hand_n may_v be_v wrong_o use_v but_o second_o there_o be_v as_o great_a danger_n of_o tyranny_n in_o the_o independent_a way_n and_o more_o also_o than_o in_o this_o for_o if_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o congregation_n shall_v enact_v what_o be_v wrong_a and_o press_v it_o on_o the_o few_o and_o better_a part_n will_v not_o that_o be_v tyranny_n and_o sure_o there_o be_v as_o great_a liklyhood_n of_o this_o as_o of_o what_o they_o say_v that_o the_o eldership_n may_v press_v unjust_a act_n upon_o the_o congregation_n and_o as_o it_o be_v as_o lik_o so_o it_o be_v more_o remeedless_a for_o though_o a_o congregation_n or_o any_o in_o it_o be_v wrong_v by_o the_o elerdership_n they_o have_v a_o superior_a judicatory_a to_o complean_a 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whereby_o they_o labour_v to_o prove_v this_o consequence_n the_o first_o be_v this_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n build_v on_o the_o rock_n whereof_o christ_n speak_v in_o the_o precede_a 18_o v._n but_o sure_o it_o be_v all_o that_o be_v believer_n be_v build_v on_o this_o rock_n therefore_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v unto_o they_o we_o answer_v what_o they_o say_v that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n build_v on_o the_o rock_n be_v say_v without_o a_o ground_n for_o he_o do_v not_o say_v unto_o this_o church_n build_v on_o a_o rock_n do_v i_o give_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o i_o give_v it_o to_o thou_o peter_n sure_a none_o needs_o to_o learn_v our_o lord_n to_o speak_v and_o this_o change_n of_o person_n be_v not_o without_o a_o reason_n in_o the_o precede_a verse_n he_o say_v upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n now_o if_o christ_n have_v mean_v to_o have_v establish_v the_o government_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n he_o may_v have_v as_o easy_o say_v unto_o this_o church_n will_v i_o give_v the_o key_n etc._n etc._n but_o he_o say_v not_o so_o but_o change_v the_o person_n unto_o thou_o to_o wit_n peter_n will_v i_o give_v the_o key_n beside_o this_o also_o every_o believe_a woman_n be_v a_o part_n of_o this_o church_n build_v on_o the_o rock_n and_o yet_o according_a to_o their_o own_o grant_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v not_o give_v unto_o they_o the_o second_o argument_n they_o bring_v from_o this_o place_n be_v this_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o those_o who_o peter_n do_v represent_v but_o peter_n do_v represent_v all_o believer_n the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v unto_o they_o for_o answer_v to_o this_o we_o deny_v what_o be_v affirm_v that_o peter_n in_o this_o place_n do_v represent_v all_o believer_n he_o do_v but_o represent_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o those_o who_o be_v to_o succeed_v to_o the_o aposte_n in_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o administrate_v the_o sacrament_n and_o this_o we_o shall_v make_v good_a from_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n wherein_o the_o grant_n of_o this_o power_n be_v renew_v and_o confirm_v the_o first_o place_n be_v john_n 20._o 21._o then_o say_v jesus_n to_o they_o again_o peace_n be_v unto_o you_o as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o even_o so_o send_v i_o you_o and_o five_o 23_o whosoever_n sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v unto_o they_o etc._n etc._n where_o it_o be_v clear_v the_o above_o mention_v grant_n be_v renew_v and_o renew_v to_o the_o apostle_n second_o he_o do_v not_o only_o represent_v the_o apostle_n but_o all_o minister_n who_o succeed_v to_o the_o apostle_n in_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o administrate_v the_o sacrament_n as_o in_o plain_a also_o from_o matth_n 28._o 19_o 20._o where_o you_o will_v find_v these_o thing_n clear_a 1._o that_o there_o be_v a_o grant_n of_o power_n by_o jesus_n christ_n unto_o the_o apostle_n 2_o that_o this_o grant_n be_v make_v there_o not_o only_o to_o the_o apostle_n but_o to_o these_o who_o shall_v succeed_v to_o they_o in_o preach_v and_o baptise_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v say_v lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o always_o even_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o from_o this_o we_o retort_v the_o argument_n on_o themselves_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o these_o who_o peter_n do_v represent_v but_o so_o it_o be_v peter_n do_v represent_v the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n who_o be_v to_o succeed_v to_o they_o in_o preach_v the_o word_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v unto_o they_o they_o argue_v three_o from_o this_o place_n that_o the_o grant_v of_o the_o key_n be_v of_o as_o large_a extent_n as_o peter_n confession_n v._n 16_o thou_o be_v christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n now_o this_o confession_n belong_v to_o all_o believer_n and_o so_o also_o must_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n we_o answer_v 1._o that_o the_o grant_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n do_v belong_v to_o all_o who_o hold_v out_o peter_n confession_n have_v no_o ground_n but_o their_o own_o assertion_n and_o 2._o we_o say_v it_o be_v false_a for_o this_o confession_n belong_v to_o all_o faithful_a woman_n and_o child_n as_o well_o as_o man_n who_o yet_o by_o our_o opposite_n own_o concession_n have_v not_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n their_o last_o objection_n be_v take_v from_o 1_o cor_fw-la 5._o 5._o where_o the_o apostle_n command_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o
in_o the_o mind_n of_o many_o if_o it_o be_v but_o for_o this_o one_o reason_n that_o they_o who_o be_v entrust_v with_o it_o do_v not_o labour_v to_o beautify_v it_o it_o be_v look_v on_o by_o many_o as_o a_o place_n of_o respect_n and_o not_o of_o office_n if_o a_o man_n be_v rich_a than_o his_o neighbour_n he_o think_v he_o be_v not_o respect_v if_o he_o be_v not_o a_o elder_a and_o have_v goten_a the_o name_n he_o care_v for_o no_o more_o now_o be_v that_o the_o way_n either_o to_o make_v people_n respect_v thy_o person_n or_o thy_o office_n let_v i_o obtest_v and_o charge_v all_o of_o you_o who_o have_v take_v on_o this_o heavenly_a call_v as_o you_o will_v answer_v on_o your_o hazard_n to_o jesus_n christ_n the_o chief_a shepherd_n that_o you_o will_v study_v by_o all_o mean_n so_o to_o walk_v in_o it_o as_o to_o beautify_v it_o and_o that_o so_o much_o the_o more_o as_o the_o devil_n be_v labour_v to_o disgrace_v it_o and_o this_o now_o for_o the_o first_o head_n of_o independency_n head_n ii_o the_o high_a power_n of_o church_n government_n be_v not_o in_o church-session_n or_o congregational_a eldership_n we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o head_n and_o it_o be_v that_o for_o which_o main_o they_o be_v call_v independent_o the_o point_n they_o affirm_v be_v this_o that_o every_o particular_a church_n session_n or_o congregational_a eldership_n be_v instruct_v with_o the_o high_a power_n of_o church_n government_n on_o earth_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o power_n in_o the_o church_n above_o they_o to_o call_v they_o to_o a_o account_n when_o they_o go_v wrong_v to_o rescind_v any_o act_n once_o conclude_v though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o unjust_a they_o grant_v that_o a_o synod_n of_o minister_n and_o elder_n may_v meet_v to_o consult_v about_o matter_n but_o withal_o affirm_v that_o they_o have_v no_o ecclesiastical_a power_n to_o command_v in_o the_o lord_n any_o congregation_n whatsoever_o so_o that_o if_o a_o man_n be_v wrong_v by_o a_o session_n as_o for_o instance_n if_o he_o be_v unjust_o censure_v as_o it_o may_v very_o ready_o fall_v out_o he_o must_v sit_v with_o his_o wrong_n there_o be_v no_o power_n to_o right_v it_o till_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o cloud_n or_o if_o a_o particular_a congregation_n divide_v turn_v heretic_n run_v wrong_n as_o many_o of_o the_o independent_a congregation_n do_v there_o be_v no_o church_n power_n to_o heal_v the_o breach_n unless_o it_o be_v by_o give_v a_o advice_n which_o they_o may_v either_o follow_v or_o not_o follow_v as_o like_v they_o best_o we_o again_o grant_v that_o particular_a eldership_n have_v a_o power_n from_o jesus_n christ_n to_o exercise_n discipline_n in_o these_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o congregation_n in_o particular_a but_o as_o for_o other_o thing_n of_o more_o public_a concernment_n that_o be_v to_o say_v thing_n that_o concern_v other_o congregation_n as_o well_o as_o they_o these_o aught_o to_o be_v handle_v by_o a_o superior_a judicatory_a and_o that_o even_o in_o those_o thing_n of_o particular_a concernment_n they_o be_v liable_a to_o appeal_n and_o the_o inspection_n of_o the_o superior_a judicatory_a so_o that_o wherein_o they_o shall_v be_v find_v wrong_n partial_a or_o erroneous_a they_o may_v be_v call_v to_o a_o account_n for_o show_v the_o fashood_n of_o this_o error_n as_o also_o for_o the_o vindicate_a of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n that_o be_v now_o so_o much_o speak_v against_o we_o shall_v labour_v to_o make_v out_o with_o the_o lord_n assistance_n these_o three_o truth_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o first_o it_o this_o that_o beside_o the_o power_n of_o church_n government_n that_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o particular_a eldership_n there_o be_v also_o hold_v forth_o in_o his_o word_n a_o platform_n or_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o government_n of_o many_o congregation_n by_o one_o presbytry_n over_o they_o all_o in_o common_a the_o second_o truth_n that_o we_o shall_v make_v out_o be_v this_o that_o beside_o the_o church_n government_n that_o christ_n have_v establish_v by_o presbytry_n there_o be_v also_o hold_v out_o in_o the_o word_n great_a church_n judicatory_n to_o wit_n synod_n make_v up_o of_o commissioner_n from_o several_a presbytry_n instruct_v with_o power_n of_o church_n government_n from_o christ_n also_o and_o three_o we_o shall_v labour_v to_o make_v out_o this_o truth_n that_o the_o inferior_a judicatories_n be_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o superior_a as_o session_n to_o presbytry_n presbytry_n to_o synod_n synod_n to_o general_n assembly_n so_o that_o the_o superior_a judicatories_n have_v power_n over_o the_o inferior_a in_o the_o lord_n to_o receive_v appeal_n from_o they_o and_o complaint_n 〈◊〉_d they_o to_o censure_v they_o for_o miscarry_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o to_o enact_v church_n canon_n or_o conclusion_n bind_v to_o they_o which_o inferior_a judicatories_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v in_o the_o lord_n 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ephesus_n thessalonica_n corinth_n and_o of_o rome_n we_o may_v easy_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o those_o church_n be_v not_o single_a congregation_n but_o presbyterial_a church_n under_o one_o common_a government_n but_o in_o stead_n of_o spend_v of_o time_n in_o point_v out_o this_o in_o all_o these_o church_n we_o shall_v instance_n it_o only_o in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o by_o this_o one_o you_o may_v know_v what_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o rest_n and_o first_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n we_o shall_v labour_v to_o make_v out_o their_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o in_o that_o one_o church_n there_o be_v many_o particular_a congregation_n and_o 2._o that_o all_o these_o particular_a congregation_n make_v up_o but_o one_o church_n and_o be_v guide_v by_o one_o common_a presbytry_n and_o judicatory_a set_v over_o they_o all_o in_o common_a which_o two_o be_v make_v out_o the_o point_n we_o intend_v will_v appear_v evident_o to_o wit_n that_o there_o be_v here_o a_o government_n set_v over_o many_o congregation_n in_o one_o common_a judicatory_a such_o as_o our_o presbytry_n be_v over_o all_o the_o particular_a church-session_n in_o the_o bound_n the_o first_o thing_n we_o shall_v make_v out_o be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v more_o congregation_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n than_o one_o and_o this_o from_o four_o ground_n first_o from_o the_o multitude_n of_o church_n member_n that_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n second_o from_o the_o multitude_n of_o pastor_n teacher_n and_o elder_n that_o be_v there_o more_o than_o can_v get_v work_n in_o one_o single_a congregation_n three_o from_o the_o diversity_n of_o language_n that_o be_v among_o the_o people_n of_o that_o church_n and_o four_o from_o the_o way_n of_o their_o meeting_n and_o the_o place_n they_o resort_v to_o for_o god_n service_n and_o first_o for_o the_o multitude_n of_o church_n member_n that_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n if_o we_o compare_v place_n with_o place_n we_o will_v find_v that_o they_o amount_v to_o many_o thousand_o and_o so_o behoove_v to_o be_v more_o than_o one_o single_a congregation_n take_v a_o view_n of_o some_o of_o these_o place_n act_n 1._o 15._o they_o be_v number_v to_o be_v about_o one_fw-mi hundred_o and_o twenty_o and_o act._n 2._o 41._o there_o be_v add_v unto_o they_o about_o three_o thousand_o soul_n and_o then_o in_o v_o 47._o there_o be_v daily_a addition_n of_o more_o and_o more_o the_o lord_n add_v unto_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v act._n 4._o 4._o we_o see_v yet_o a_o great_a increase_n there_o be_v about_o five_o thousand_o and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o man_n be_v about_o five_o thousand_o concern_v which_o five_o thousand_o it_o be_v necessary_o to_o be_v understand_v that_o they_o be_v add_v present_o exclude_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o number_n before_o
speak_v of_o for_o the_o last_o part_n of_o the_o verse_n must_v be_v expon_v according_a to_o the_o first_o part_n howbeit_o many_o of_o they_o which_o hear_v the_o word_n believe_v now_o certain_o that_o be_v mean_v of_o other_o beside_o those_o that_o be_v before_o add_v and_o so_o this_o five_o thousand_o must_v be_v a_o new_a number_n five_o in_o act_n 5._o 14._o beside_o all_o these_o it_o be_v say_v and_o believer_n be_v the_o more_o add_v to_o the_o lord_n multitudes_z both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n and_o six_o in_o act._n 6._o 7._o and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n increase_v and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o disciple_n multiply_v in_o jerusalem_n great_o and_o a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v obedient_a to_o the_o faith_n they_o multiply_v and_o multiply_v great_o and_o these_o be_v not_o only_o the_o common_a people_n but_o the_o leader_n and_o priest_n also_o who_o doubtless_o will_v bring_v multitude_n with_o they_o by_o their_o example_n now_o all_o these_o be_v consider_v any_o understand_a man_n may_v easy_o conceive_v that_o so_o many_o thousand_o as_o these_o will_v amount_v to_o behoove_v to_o be_v cast_v in_o more_o congregation_n than_o one_o and_o can_v not_o be_v one_o single_a congregation_n before_o we_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o ground_n of_o our_o proof_n we_o shall_v show_v you_o first_o what_o they_o say_v against_o this_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n main_o they_o object_n and_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o most_o part_n of_o those_o who_o be_v convert_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v stranger_n who_o have_v not_o their_o dwell_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o so_o do_v not_o remain_v member_n of_o that_o church_n and_o for_o this_o they_o cite_v act_n 2._o 8_o 9_o where_o it_o be_v reckon_v that_o among_o the_o number_n of_o the_o hearer_n there_o be_v parthian_n and_o mede_n and_o elamit_n and_o the_o dweller_n in_o mesopotamia_n etc._n etc._n to_o this_o we_o answer_v that_o though_o those_o man_n come_v out_o of_o those_o far_a country_n be_v godly_a man_n who_o come_v in_o expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n his_o come_n who_o be_v then_o expect_v yet_o they_o be_v dweller_n in_o jerusalem_n for_o that_o time_n and_o for_o this_o see_v act_n 2._o 5._o and_o there_o be_v dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n jew_n devout_a man_n out_o of_o every_o nation_n under_o heaven_n so_o they_o have_v take_v up_o house_n and_o be_v dwell_v there_o and_o in_o five_o 14._o where_o peter_n begin_v his_o preach_a he_o say_v you_o man_n of_o judea_n and_o all_o you_o that_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n be_v this_o know_v unto_o you_o etc._n etc._n second_o we_o answer_v dwell_v where_o they_o please_v they_o be_v member_n of_o this_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o this_o appear_v from_o several_a thing_n that_o be_v ascribe_v to_o they_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o can_v be_v speak_v of_o any_o but_o member_n of_o that_o church_n so_o in_o verse_n 47._o it_o be_v say_v and_o the_o lord_n add_v they_o unto_o the_o church_n daily_o second_o in_o verse_n 46._o they_o continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o break_v bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n etc._n etc._n three_o in_o verse_n 45._o they_o sell_v their_o possession_n and_o give_v their_o good_n into_o the_o church_n treasury_n for_o the_o help_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o four_o we_o find_v in_o act._n 6._o 5._o that_o they_o all_o join_v in_o choose_v the_o deacon_n and_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n now_o sure_a these_o be_v action_n that_o belong_v to_o none_o but_o church-member_n this_o for_o their_o first_o objection_n their_o second_o objection_n be_v this_o say_v they_o the_o holy_a ghost_n say_v express_o that_o they_o do_v meet_v all_o at_o one_o place_n as_o if_o it_o be_v on_o purpose_n to_o evince_v our_o argument_n and_o that_o the_o whole_a multitude_n do_v come_v together_o as_o for_o instance_n act._n 2._o 1._o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v all_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o place_n and_o in_o the_o same_o chapter_n verse_n 46._o they_o continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n etc._n etc._n and_o it_o be_v also_o say_v act._n 6._o 2._o then_o the_o twelve_o call_v the_o multitude_n of_o the_o disciple_n unto_o they_o etc._n etc._n and_o verse_n 5._o and_o the_o say_v please_v the_o whole_a multitude_n now_o to_o take_v off_o this_o exception_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o most_o plausible_a of_o their_o objection_n first_o consider_v what_o we_o speak_v from_o the_o scripture_n of_o their_o number_n and_o what_o thousand_o be_v in_o this_o church_n and_o let_v any_o reasonable_a man_n conceive_v how_o it_o can_v be_v possible_a that_o all_o those_o shall_v meet_v in_o one_o place_n and_o therefore_o that_o meeting_n in_o one_o place_n must_v be_v take_v in_o another_o sense_n it_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o learned_a that_o the_o word_n here_o turn_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o always_o signify_v a_o meeting_n together_o in_o one_o room_n but_o the_o agree_n of_o the_o affection_n and_o judgement_n in_o one_o thing_n and_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o they_o cite_v act._n 4._o 25_o 26_o why_o do_v the_o heathen_a rage_n and_o the_o people_n imagine_v vain_a thing_n the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n stand_v up_o and_o the_o ruler_n be_v gather_v together_o against_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n now_o it_o be_v the_o same_o word_n that_o be_v there_o turn_v in_o one_o place_n which_o be_v here_o turn_v gather_v together_o and_o certain_o no_o place_n of_o scripture_n will_v prove_v that_o herod_n pontius_n pilate_n jew_n and_o gentile_n do_v all_o meet_a in_o one_o place_n to_o consult_v about_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n but_o only_o they_o agree_v in_o one_o judgement_n and_o hearty_a affection_n about_o it_o and_o so_o the_o meaning_n may_v well_o be_v take_v thus_o in_o tâ—is_n other_o place_n but_o yet_o to_o speak_v to_o these_o place_n further_a for_o act._n 2._o 1._o that_o they_o be_v all_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o place_n it_o make_v nothing_o against_o our_o argument_n for_o the_o number_n be_v not_o then_o so_o great_a as_o we_o show_v it_o grow_v afterward_o and_o so_o they_o may_v well_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n the_o same_o answer_n we_o give_v to_o that_o in_o verse_n 46._o they_o continue_v daily_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o the_o temple_n they_o be_v not_o then_o come_v to_o the_o full_a number_n that_o afterward_o they_o come_v to_o so_o that_o although_o they_o may_v all_o have_v continue_v in_o the_o temple_n at_o that_o time_n yet_o afterward_o they_o can_v not_o and_o second_o we_o answer_v it_o do_v not_o prove_v the_o point_n they_o bring_v it_o for_o it_o be_v only_o mention_v they_o come_v to_o the_o temple_n to_o hear_v the_o word_n but_o not_o that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o one_o congregation_n partake_v of_o all_o ordinance_n in_o one_o place_n for_o it_o be_v say_v afterward_o they_o break_v bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n mean_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o they_o do_v partake_v of_o from_o house_n to_o house_n in_o their_o particular_a congregation_n so_o that_o place_n make_v more_o against_o our_o opposite_n than_o against_o we_o for_o the_o other_o place_n in_o act._n 6._o 5._o when_o the_o apostle_n and_o believer_n be_v come_v to_o a_o great_a extent_n yet_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o whole_a multitude_n to_o they_o and_o it_o be_v say_v the_o say_v please_v the_o whole_a multitude_n to_o this_o we_o answer_v by_o the_o whole_a multitude_n can_v be_v mean_v all_o before_o speak_v of_o and_o therefore_o we_o say_v by_o the_o whole_a multitude_n be_v mean_v a_o great_a multitude_n as_o in_o that_o of_o luke_n 8._o 37._o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o country_n of_o the_o gadarens_n round_o about_o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o man_n and_o mother-son_n or_o every_o individual_a person_n come_v out_o to_o meet_v christ_n but_o only_o a_o great_a multitude_n or_o otherwise_o the_o whole_a multitude_n may_v be_v take_v for_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o those_o that_o be_v present_a as_o luke_n 1._o 10._o and_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o people_n be_v pray_v without_o when_o zacharias_n be_v offer_v incense_n now_o this_o must_v not_o be_v understand_v that_o all_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v there_o but_o only_o of_o the_o whole_a multitude_n that_o be_v present_a this_o for_o their_o second_o objection_n their_o three_o objection_n be_v this_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n be_v such_o before_o the_o persecution_n that_o fall_v out_o act._n 8_o 1._o yet_o when_o that_o persecution_n come_v there_o
be_v no_o more_o leave_v than_o may_v meet_v in_o a_o single_a congregation_n for_o the_o text_n faith_n they_o be_v all_o scatter_a abroad_o throughout_o the_o region_n of_o judea_n and_o samaria_n except_o the_o apostle_n to_o this_o we_o answer_v that_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v more_o congregation_n before_o this_o persecution_n than_o it_o make_v out_o the_o point_n we_o be_v to_o prove_v but_o second_o neither_o do_v we_o yield_v that_o which_o they_o affirm_v that_o by_o the_o persecution_n mention_v act._n 8._o 1._o the_o multitude_n be_v bring_v to_o such_o a_o few_o number_n as_o they_o can_v make_v up_o but_o one_o congregation_n it_o be_v say_v indeed_o they_o be_v all_o scatter_a except_o the_o apostle_n but_o by_o this_o all_z be_v not_o mean_v all_o the_o professor_n but_o all_o the_o preacher_n and_o there_o be_v several_a reason_n to_o prove_v it_o for_o it_o be_v say_v saul_n make_v havoc_n of_o the_o church_n verse_n 3_o now_o if_o he_o have_v mean_v that_o all_o the_o professor_n be_v scatter_v where_o shall_v saul_n have_v get_v man_n and_o woman_n to_o hail_n to_o prison_n and_o that_o this_o be_v do_v in_o jerusalem_n paul_n himself_o acknowledge_v act._n 26._o 10._o a_o second_o thing_n to_o prove_v that_o this_o all_z that_o be_v scatter_v be_v the_o all_z of_o the_o preacher_n and_o not_o of_o the_o professor_n be_v that_o in_o verse_n 4._o where_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v scatter_v abroad_o every_o where_o preach_v the_o word_n so_o that_o it_o astrict_v the_o scatter_v main_o to_o those_o who_o be_v preacher_n for_o certain_o the_o whole_a multitude_n can_v not_o have_v go_v to_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o three_o the_o apostle_n remain_v still_o at_o jerusalem_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o first_o verse_n now_o to_o what_o end_n and_o purpose_n shall_v the_o apostle_n have_v stay_v there_o behind_o the_o rest_n except_o there_o have_v be_v several_a flock_n there_o with_o who_o they_o stay_v with_o the_o hazard_n of_o their_o life_n to_o comfort_n they_o against_o the_o persecution_n which_o have_v drive_v their_o preacher_n from_o they_o but_o a_o second_o answer_n be_v that_o however_o they_o have_v be_v so_o scatter_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o persecution_n that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o of_o they_o than_o make_v up_o a_o single_a congregation_n yet_o in_o process_n of_o time_n they_o so_o multiply_v that_o they_o behoove_v to_o make_v up_o many_o congregation_n and_o for_o this_o you_o may_v find_v out_o several_a place_n as_o act._n 9_o 31._o they_o be_v multiply_v and_o act._n 12._o 24._o speak_v of_o jerusalem_n the_o word_n of_o god_n grow_v and_o multiply_v but_o we_o shall_v take_v one_o place_n for_o all_o in_o act._n 21._o 20._o where_o the_o elder_n relate_v to_o paul_n the_o exception_n that_o the_o people_n have_v take_v at_o he_o for_o his_o go_v to_o the_o gentile_n thou_o see_v brother_n how_o many_o thousand_o of_o jew_n there_o be_v which_o believe_v etc._n etc._n now_o the_o word_n render_v thousand_o in_o the_o greek_a be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v ten_o thousand_o so_o there_o be_v not_o only_o thousand_o but_o ten_o thousand_o yea_o and_o many_o ten_o thousand_o there_o and_o so_o more_o than_o can_v be_v edify_v in_o one_o single_a congregation_n and_o that_o these_o be_v of_o jerusalem_n be_v clear_a from_o verse_n 21._o they_o be_v inform_v of_o thou_o etc._n etc._n and_o from_o verse_n 22._o the_o multitude_n must_v needs_o come_v together_o etc._n etc._n now_o this_o be_v from_o the_o first_o ground_n of_o our_o proof_n 2._o the_o second_o ground_n from_o whence_o we_o be_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v more_o congregation_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n than_o one_o be_v take_v from_o the_o multitude_n of_o christ_n officer_n that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o that_o it_o have_v be_v a_o shame_n for_o they_o all_o to_o wait_v upon_o one_o flock_n we_o find_v the_o apostle_n be_v there_o as_o in_o act._n 6._o 15._o about_o the_o choose_n of_o the_o deacon_n we_o find_v they_o be_v also_o there_o in_o act_n 15._o v_o 6._o now_o beside_o the_o apostle_n we_o find_v there_o be_v other_o church-officer_n in_o jerusalem_n as_o in_o act_n 11._o verse_n last_o there_o be_v elder_n there_o where_o he_o be_v speak_v of_o jerusalem_n as_o it_o appear_v in_o verse_n 27._o beside_o there_o be_v prophet_n in_o it_o as_o in_o verse_n 27._o of_o the_o same_o chapter_n and_o in_o these_o aaye_n come_v prophet_n from_o jerusalem_n unto_o antioch_n and_o it_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o several_a interpreter_n that_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n who_o christ_n send_v out_o to_o preach_v be_v still_o at_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o these_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o mention_v act._n 1._o 15._o now_o let_v any_o man_n consider_v if_o it_o be_v likely_a especial_o when_o the_o harvest_n be_v so_o great_a that_o so_o many_o of_o the_o apostle_n shall_v be_v ordinary_a hearer_n of_o the_o word_n and_o only_o one_o but_o to_o speak_v especial_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o when_o christ_n send_v out_o the_o twelve_o disciple_n only_o he_o send_v they_o not_o out_o all_o together_o but_o two_o by_o two_o and_o so_o certain_o a_o wise_a man_n may_v well_o conclude_v that_o there_o behoove_v to_o be_v more_o congregation_n there_o than_o one_o yea_o many_o congregation_n this_o be_v for_o the_o second_o ground_n of_o our_o proof_n the_o three_o ground_n be_v take_v from_o the_o multitude_n of_o language_n that_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n act._n 2._o 5_o 8_o 9_o 10._o 11._o and_o act._n 6._o which_o diversity_n do_v necessitate_v they_o to_o enjoy_v the_o ordinance_n in_o divers_a distinct_a congregation_n in_o their_o own_o language_n and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v so_o the_o spirit_n furnish_v the_o apostle_n with_o diversity_n of_o language_n the_o four_o ground_n to_o prove_v this_o point_n be_v take_v from_o the_o way_n of_o their_o meeting_n which_o be_v not_o in_o void_a capacious_a room_n build_v for_o the_o purpose_n as_o we_o now_o have_v for_o they_o have_v not_o then_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o they_o to_o allow_v place_n of_o meeting_n for_o the_o purpose_n but_o only_o in_o private_a house_n upper_a chamber_n house_n allow_v to_o they_o by_o private_a christian_n as_o act_n 2._o 46._o and_o sure_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o their_o house_n can_v contain_v so_o many_o thousand_o and_o therefore_o of_o necessity_n they_o can_v not_o meet_v all_o in_o one_o congregation_n thus_o we_o have_v make_v out_o the_o first_o point_n that_o there_o be_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o in_o jerusalem_n we_o may_v prove_v the_o like_a in_o the_o other_o church_n of_o ephesus_n antioch_n corinth_n rome_n thessalonica_n that_o there_o be_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o there_o also_o and_o that_o from_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o multitude_n of_o preacher_n diversity_n of_o language_n but_o for_o brevity_n cause_n we_o pass_v to_o the_o other_o point_n which_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n we_o have_v to_o make_v out_o and_o it_o be_v this_o ii_o that_o all_o these_o congregation_n in_o jerusalem_n be_v under_o one_o government_n there_o be_v one_o common_a judicatory_a that_o rule_v they_o all_o in_o common_a as_o our_o presbytry_n be_v over_o all_o the_o congregation_n within_o its_o bound_n and_o for_o clear_v of_o this_o we_o lie_v down_o three_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v that_o although_o there_o be_v many_o particular_a congregation_n at_o jerusalem_n yet_o they_o be_v call_v but_o one_o church_n so_o in_o several_a place_n they_o be_v call_v the_o church_n act_n 8._o 1._o 15._o 4._o etc._n etc._n and_o by_o the_o way_n this_o refute_v one_o of_o the_o independent_a tenet_n whereby_o they_o affirm_v that_o the_o name_n of_o church_n be_v never_o give_v under_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o to_o those_o who_o meet_v ordinary_o in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o discharge_n of_o all_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n but_o to_o the_o argument_n for_o what_o reason_n can_v they_o be_v call_v one_o church_n not_o because_o they_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o ministration_n of_o the_o word_n sacrament_n and_o prayer_n for_o those_o be_v dispense_v to_o they_o in_o their_o singular_a congregation_n several_o and_o so_o certain_o they_o be_v call_v one_o church_n because_o they_o be_v under_o one_o government_n one_o eldership_n above_o they_o to_o govern_v they_o as_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v call_v one_o church_n because_o all_o her_o congregation_n be_v govern_v by_o one_o general_n assembly_n second_o we_o add_v to_o the_o former_a in_o this_o one_o church_n make_v up_o of_o many_o church_n we_o find_v there_o be_v rule_v elder_n so_o we_o
find_v in_o act_n 15._o 4._o and_o act_n 21._o 15_o 18._o and_o when_o they_o be_v come_v to_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v receive_v of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n etc._n etc._n now_o they_o be_v not_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o a_o particular_a flock_n at_o jerusalem_n but_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o do_v meet_v in_o one_o common_a judicatory_a the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n can_v be_v speak_v against_o by_o our_o opposite_n who_o prove_v their_o particular_a eldership_n from_o the_o same_o ground_n as_o in_o act_n 20._o 28._o mention_v of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n from_o whence_o they_o reason_v thus_o ephesus_n be_v a_o particular_a congregation_n we_o read_v there_o be_v elder_n in_o this_o church_n therefore_o there_o be_v a_o eldership_n who_o meet_v together_o for_o govern_v that_o church_n in_o common_a they_o must_v give_v we_o liberty_n to_o reason_n that_o same_o way_n thus_o we_o find_v at_o jerusalem_n be_v a_o church_n make_v up_o of_o many_o particular_a church_n we_o find_v elder_n in_o this_o church_n therefore_o there_o be_v a_o eldership_n who_o meet_v together_o for_o govern_v of_o this_o church_n or_o these_o church_n in_o common_a but_o three_o to_o make_v this_o argument_n yet_o strong_a not_o only_o there_o be_v elder_n in_o this_o church_n but_o we_o find_v they_o meet_v together_o for_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n belong_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o common_a for_o proof_n of_o this_o see_v act_n 11_o 30._o the_o contribution_n that_o be_v gather_v for_o supply_v of_o the_o saint_n be_v send_v to_o the_o elder_n now_o what_o the_o elder_n shall_v do_v with_o it_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o a_o place_n like_o it_o act_n 4._o 35._o 37._o where_o it_o be_v say_v they_o sell_v their_o possession_n and_o lay_v down_o the_o price_n at_o the_o apostle_n foot_n and_o distribution_n be_v make_v unto_o every_o man_n according_a as_o he_o have_v need_v so_o doubtless_o the_o contribution_n be_v give_v to_o the_o elder_n for_o this_o end_n that_o they_o may_v have_v distribute_v the_o same_o to_o the_o poor_a in_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o so_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o government_n tend_v to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n further_o we_o find_v this_o more_o clear_a act_n 21._o 18._o they_o meet_v together_o and_o judicial_o set_v down_o a_o way_n to_o paul_n for_o remove_v of_o a_o church_n scandal_n by_o satisfy_v the_o offend_a and_o purify_n himself_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o five_o 23._o do_v therefore_o this_o etc._n etc._n so_o we_o see_v their_o elderships_n meeting_n together_o for_o remove_v a_o scandal_n we_o find_v a_o three_o place_n to_o confirm_v this_o act._n 15._o 2._o 4_o we_o shall_v afterward_o make_v use_n of_o the_o whole_a chapter_n to_o prove_v the_o power_n of_o synod_n only_o this_o much_o at_o present_a to_o the_o purpose_n in_o hand_n we_o find_v the_o elder_n meet_v and_o make_v bind_v act_n to_o the_o church_n under_o they_o so_o we_o have_v make_v out_o the_o first_o point_n that_o there_o be_v a_o government_n of_o many_o congregation_n under_o one_o presbytry_n hold_v out_o in_o the_o word_n the_o main_a thing_n our_o opposite_n flee_v to_o at_o the_o last_o be_v this_o that_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v many_o congregation_n in_o jerusalem_n before_o the_o persecution_n in_o act_n 8._o and_o that_o they_o have_v one_o government_n above_o they_o yet_o that_o do_v not_o infer_v a_o government_n by_o presbytry_n for_o they_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o apostle_n we_o read_v not_o of_o any_o elder_n in_o that_o church_n before_o the_o dispersion_n at_o which_o time_n they_o be_v bring_v to_o so_o few_o a_o number_n that_o they_o may_v all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n so_o that_o though_o there_o be_v one_o common_a government_n then_o by_o elder_n it_o infer_v not_o a_o presbytry_n but_o a_o congregational_a eldership_n only_o this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v to_o this_o for_o answer_v they_o grant_v to_o we_o that_o after_o the_o persecution_n there_o be_v a_o common_a eldership_n over_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o second_o we_o have_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o there_o even_o after_o the_o dispersion_n and_o we_o have_v also_o prove_v that_o they_o have_v elder_n over_o they_o in_o common_a so_o that_o whatever_o be_v before_o the_o dispersion_n yet_o even_o from_o their_o own_o concession_n it_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v a_o presbyterial_a government_n in_o jerusalem_n after_o the_o dispersion_n second_o we_o answer_v they_o can_v hardly_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o elder_n in_o jerusalem_n before_o the_o dispersion_n it_o be_v true_a we_o read_v not_o of_o elder_n until_o act._n 11._o but_o when_o they_o be_v first_o institute_v we_o read_v not_o three_o we_o answer_v that_o though_o there_o be_v not_o elder_n to_o govern_v they_o in_o common_a yet_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v govern_v they_o in_o common_a for_o they_o be_v also_o elder_n so_o they_o call_v themselves_o 2_o john_n ver_fw-la 1._o 1_o peter_n 5._o 1._o but_o second_o as_o they_o be_v elder_n so_o what_o they_o do_v in_o these_o act_n of_o government_n they_o do_v it_o as_o elder_n for_o what_o they_o do_v as_o apostles_n be_v not_o imitable_a now_o but_o what_o they_o do_v in_o govern_v the_o church_n be_v imitable_a such_o as_o ordain_v of_o officer_n distribute_v of_o alms._n again_o what_o they_o do_v as_o apostle_n one_o of_o they_o may_v do_v it_o alone_o but_o here_o they_o do_v it_o in_o collegio_fw-la act._n 6._o and_o reserve_v the_o people_n part_n of_o election_n to_o they_o now_o they_o never_o meet_v together_o to_o write_v scripture_n nor_o seek_v the_o people_n concurrence_n for_o any_o act_n mere_o apostolic_a so_o it_o be_v clear_v the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o they_o as_o elder_n and_o so_o the_o church_n even_o then_o be_v under_o one_o common_a eldership_n and_o this_o now_o for_o the_o first_o thing_n we_o promise_v to_o make_v out_o to_o wit_n that_o the_o scripture_n hold_v out_o a_o pattern_n of_o the_o government_n of_o many_o congregation_n by_o one_o common_a presbytery_n ¶_o ii_o there_o be_v a_o platform_n of_o government_n by_o synod_n over_o many_o particular_a presbytery_n hold_v forth_o in_o scripture_n the_o second_o thing_n we_o promise_v to_o make_v out_o be_v this_o that_o as_o the_o scripture_n hold_v forth_o the_o power_n of_o presbytery_n so_o also_o the_o power_n of_o a_o synod_n by_o which_o we_o mean_v church_n judicatories_n above_o presbytery_n as_o they_o be_v above_o session_n or_o congregational_a eldership_n i._o for_o understand_v the_o question_n these_o synod_n or_o great_a meeting_n of_o church_n officer_n be_v of_o three_o sort_n some_o make_v up_o of_o several_a presbytery_n and_o these_o be_v provincial_a synod_n such_o as_o common_o we_o have_v twice_o a_o year_n or_o they_o be_v make_v up_o of_o several_a synod_n within_o a_o nation_n and_o these_o be_v general_a assembly_n or_o three_o they_o be_v make_v up_o of_o several_a church_n of_o several_a nation_n or_o commissioner_n from_o they_o and_o these_o be_v call_v universal_a council_n or_o general_a synod_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n now_o all_o these_o differ_v from_o presbytery_n not_o only_o in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v more_o ample_a but_o also_o in_o this_o that_o the_o government_n by_o presbytery_n be_v the_o common_a ordinary_a way_n of_o government_n hold_v out_o in_o scripture_n but_o synod_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v more_o rare_a and_o upon_o particular_a emergent_a as_o act._n 15._o that_o synod_n be_v call_v upon_o a_o occasion_n of_o division_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n which_o trouble_v other_o church_n about_o second_o all_o these_o kind_n of_o great_a synod_n the_o provincial_a synod_n and_o the_o synod_n of_o a_o nation_n and_o the_o universal_a council_n do_v not_o differ_v in_o nature_n and_o kind_n but_o only_o in_o less_o and_o more_o wherefore_o it_o be_v not_o needful_a that_o we_o hold_v out_o every_o one_o of_o they_o from_o scripture_n it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o we_o hold_v out_o the_o power_n of_o synod_n in_o the_o general_n which_o be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o every_o kind_n in_o particular_a for_o so_o we_o find_v it_o in_o scripture_n in_o other_o thing_n particular_n be_v infinite_a and_o therefore_o in_o thing_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o kind_a general_n rule_n be_v sufficient_a or_o a_o rule_n for_o one_o particular_a which_o keep_v the_o just_a proportion_n be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o other_o particular_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n as_o matth_n 18._o christ_n set_v down_o the_o way_n of_o walk_v in_o private_a scandal_n speak_v
nothing_o of_o public_a scandal_n not_o as_o if_o jesus_n christ_n do_v mean_v that_o public_a scandal_n shall_v be_v pass_v over_o but_o that_o the_o same_o rule_n may_v serve_v for_o these_o keep_v the_o just_a proportion_n even_o so_o be_v it_o here_o if_o the_o nature_n of_o synod_n be_v hold_v out_o in_o the_o word_n that_o be_v enough_o though_o it_o speak_v nothing_o of_o the_o bound_n to_o which_o they_o shall_v extend_v whether_o of_o one_o province_n or_o of_o all_o the_o province_n of_o a_o nation_n no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v particular_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n what_o shall_v be_v the_o number_n and_o bound_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n there_o be_v a_o three_o thing_n for_o clear_v of_o this_o question_n the_o independent_o and_o we_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o the_o word_n give_v ground_n for_o meet_v of_o synod_n only_o we_o differ_v about_o their_o power_n they_o grant_v that_o in_o case_n of_o division_n or_o scandal_n synod_n may_v meet_v and_o give_v their_o advice_n in_o matter_n doubtful_a only_o they_o say_v that_o synod_n have_v no_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n to_o command_v other_o in_o the_o lord_n to_o embrace_v their_o determination_n we_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n maintain_v that_o they_o have_v this_o power_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n hold_v out_o such_o a_o power_n belong_v to_o they_o ii_o we_o may_v instance_n this_o in_o act_n 1_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o mathias_n which_o be_v do_v by_o no_o particular_a church_n for_o here_o be_v the_o apostle_n who_o paroch-church_n be_v the_o whole_a world_n here_o be_v the_o brethren_n of_o christ_n from_o galilie_o v_a 14._o some_o from_o jerusalem_n v._n 15._o this_o meeting_n do_v a_o church_n business_n of_o common_a concernment_n to_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n and_o so_o behoove_v to_o be_v do_v by_o those_o who_o do_v represent_v they_o and_o therefore_o this_o behoove_v to_o be_v a_o general_n council_n but_o to_o clear_v the_o point_n more_o full_o we_o shall_v take_v act_n 15._o where_o this_o synod_n we_o plead_v for_o be_v hold_v forth_o clear_o the_o history_n be_v plain_a a_o difference_n arise_v in_o antioch_n about_o circumcision_n this_o can_v be_v compose_v in_o antioch_n itself_o so_o they_o send_v up_o commissioner_n to_o jerusalem_n to_o determine_v this_o matter_n where_o there_o be_v a_o synod_n of_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o they_o determine_v the_o question_n now_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v the_o synod_n we_o plead_v for_o be_v here_o consider_v first_o that_o there_o be_v a_o church_n meeting_n or_o judicatory_a here_o none_o may_v doubt_v of_o this_o as_o be_v clear_a v_o 6._o second_o consider_v that_o this_o judicatory_a be_v make_v up_o of_o commissioner_n from_o the_o several_a presbytery_n we_o see_v that_o commissioner_n from_o the_o presbytry_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v there_o v_a 6._o and_o commissioner_n from_o the_o presbytry_n of_o antioch_n act_n 15._o 2_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n and_o other_o now_o that_o these_o be_v commissioner_n and_o have_v voice_n appear_v from_o act_n 16._o 4._o where_o the_o decree_n that_o be_v then_o make_v be_v ascrive_v to_o all_o the_o elder_n who_o be_v present_a it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o there_o be_v other_o commissioner_n there_o also_o from_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n for_o they_o be_v join_v with_o antioch_n in_o the_o letter_n v._n 23._o for_o what_o other_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v except_o that_o as_o they_o be_v alike_o trouble_v with_o the_o heresy_n as_o antioch_n be_v so_o they_o have_v their_o commissioner_n there_o as_o antioch_n have_v and_o therefore_o these_o act_n be_v bind_v to_o they_o in_o a_o special_a manner_n however_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o there_o be_v commissioner_n from_o the_o presbytry_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o antioch_n so_o the_o meeting_n be_v make_v up_o of_o two_o presbytry_n and_o by_o the_o same_o rule_n it_o may_v be_v make_v up_o of_o more_o three_o we_o will_v consider_v that_o this_o meeting_n make_v up_o of_o commissioner_n from_o several_a presbytry_n make_v bind_v act_n unto_o other_o absent_a church_n who_o be_v present_a only_o in_o their_o commissioner_n and_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n to_o clear_v this_o first_o they_o determine_v the_o question_n in_o five_o 19_o 20_o second_o they_o impose_v their_o determination_n on_o the_o church_n to_o be_v keep_v by_o they_o so_o in_o the_o letter_n they_o write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n v_o 28._o the_o word_n that_o be_v turn_v there_o a_o burden_n signify_v a_o law_n or_o a_o decree_n and_o so_o we_o find_v it_o in_o act_n 16._o 4._o there_o their_o conclusion_n be_v call_v decree_n which_o be_v ordain_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elâ—ers_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o which_o be_v to_o be_v keep_v from_o all_o which_o it_o be_v clear_a they_o do_v make_v act_n bind_v other_o congregation_n three_o we_o find_v they_o put_v forth_o a_o act_n of_o censure_n on_o the_o false_a prophet_n five_o 24._o they_o call_v they_o liar_n a_o brand_n of_o infamy_n it_o be_v true_a they_o censure_v they_o not_o with_o excommunication_n for_o it_o be_v time_n enough_o to_o do_v that_o when_o they_o know_v they_o be_v become_v incorrigible_o obstinate_a according_a to_o the_o common_a rule_n a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n reject_v by_o this_o i_o hope_v you_o perceive_v clear_o a_o pattern_n for_o great_a synod_n a_o judicatory_a make_v up_o of_o commissioner_n from_o several_a presbytry_n and_o these_o make_n bind_a law_n to_o other_o church_n who_o be_v absent_a in_o their_o person_n and_o only_o present_a in_o their_o commissioner_n iii_o their_o main_a objection_n against_o this_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v here_o who_o be_v guide_v with_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n to_o determine_v and_o so_o this_o can_v be_v no_o rule_n for_o our_o synod_n make_v up_o of_o man_n want_v that_o assistance_n to_o this_o we_o answer_v that_o this_o if_o it_o prove_v any_o thing_n will_v make_v against_o our_o opposite_n themselves_o as_o well_o as_o against_o we_o for_o they_o hold_v that_o here_o be_v a_o pattern_n of_o a_o synod_n for_o advice_n so_o if_o their_o argument_n hold_v against_o we_o in_o the_o one_o it_o must_v hold_v also_o against_o they_o in_o the_o other_o second_o we_o show_v before_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v also_o elder_n and_o sometime_o act_v as_o elder_n now_o if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o they_o act_v as_o elder_n here_o it_o break_v the_o strength_n of_o their_o objection_n but_o this_o be_v clear_a first_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n be_v send_v by_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n they_o willing_o submit_v act_n 15._o 4_o now_o in_o their_o apostolic_a office_n they_o be_v not_o direct_v by_o meâ—_n and_o so_o sure_o here_o they_o act_v not_o as_o apostle_n second_o the_o apostle_n all_o along_o go_v not_o on_o that_o way_n as_o when_o guide_v by_o a_o infallible_a apostolic_a spirit_n for_o they_o state_n the_o question_n and_o debate_v it_o in_o five_o 7._o now_o when_o they_o write_v scripture_n they_o do_v not_o use_v advice_n nor_o do_v they_o debate_v what_o they_o shall_v conclude_v but_o speak_v all_o as_o immediate_o inspire_v but_o here_o they_o debate_n and_o â—aving_a find_v truth_n by_o force_n of_o reason_n they_o conclude_v as_o any_o other_o assembly_n upon_o like_a assurance_n of_o scripture_n warrant_v may_v do_v it_o seem_v good_a unto_o we_o be_v assemble_v with_o one_o accord_n etc._n etc._n in_o five_o 25._o three_o when_o the_o apostle_n do_v determine_v any_o thing_n as_o apostle_n and_o be_v guide_v by_o the_o immediate_o inspire_v spirit_n of_o god_n than_o they_o do_v determine_v the_o question_n full_o that_o nothing_o need_v to_o be_v add_v but_o so_o it_o be_v not_o here_o for_o peter_n v_o 6_o give_v his_o judgement_n that_o believer_n be_v free_v from_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n what_o he_o say_v be_v true_a indeed_o yet_o it_o speak_v not_o full_o to_o the_o point_n until_o james_n add_v somewhat_o to_o wit_n that_o however_o the_o gentile_n be_v free_v from_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n yet_o to_o eschew_v the_o scandal_n of_o the_o weak_a jew_n they_o be_v to_o abstain_v from_o thing_n strangle_v &c_n &c_n v_a 20._o and_o therefore_o they_o act_v not_o as_o apostle_n except_o we_o will_v say_v that_o peter_n as_o a_o apostle_n intend_v to_o determine_v a_o controversy_n yet_o do_v not_o speak_v full_o to_o the_o point_n which_o be_v a_o injury_n to_o that_o immediate_o inspire_v spirit_n by_o which_o they_o be_v act_v in_o pen_v scripture_n four_o because_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o synod_n be_v put_v forth_o in_o the_o name_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n not_o only_o of_o the_o apostle_n but_o elder_n also_o act_n 15._o 22._o 23._o act._n 16._o 4._o act._n 21._o 25._o now_o
sure_o ordinary_a elder_n do_v never_o concur_v with_o the_o apostle_n in_o act_n of_o their_o apostolic_a office_n as_o pen_v scripture_n etc._n etc._n from_o all_o that_o be_v say_v it_o be_v most_o clear_a that_o the_o apostle_n here_o act_v as_o elder_n leave_v a_o pattern_n for_o such_o like_a judicatory_n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o second_o point_n ¶_o iii_o inferior_a church_n judicatory_n be_v subject_a to_o superior_a the_o three_o point_n we_o have_v to_o make_v out_o be_v this_o that_o inferior_a church_n judicatory_n be_v subordinate_a to_o the_o superior_a as_o session_n or_o congregational_a eldership_n to_o presbytry_n presbytry_n to_o synod_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o the_o great_a have_v power_n of_o government_n over_o the_o lesser_a for_o receive_v appeal_n from_o they_o complaint_n of_o they_o enact_v of_o church_n canon_n unto_o which_o the_o inferior_a aught_o to_o be_v subject_a in_o the_o lord_n the_o point_n in_o short_a be_v that_o particular_a eldership_n be_v not_o independent_a so_o as_o to_o do_v what_o they_o please_v without_o be_v accountable_a to_o any_o judicatory_a above_o they_o but_o presbytery_n be_v over_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n we_o shall_v follow_v the_o former_a order_n first_o to_o clear_v the_o question_n second_o to_o bring_v argument_n for_o the_o truth_n three_o to_o answer_v argument_n against_o the_o truth_n four_o to_o apply_v it_o to_o use._n i._o for_o the_o first_o we_o allow_v unto_o particular_a congregation_n a_o eldership_n and_o power_n of_o discipline_n within_o themselves_o to_o judge_v of_o these_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o their_o particular_a concernment_n but_o as_o for_o thing_n wherein_o other_o congregation_n be_v concern_v with_o they_o we_o hold_v that_o such_o do_v belong_v to_o superior_a judicatory_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n what_o belong_v unto_o all_o shall_v be_v handle_v by_o all_o second_o we_o do_v not_o give_v power_n to_o any_o one_o single_a congregation_n above_o another_o we_o say_v that_o all_o congregation_n the_o least_o as_o well_o as_o the_o great_a be_v equal_a in_o power_n this_o way_n be_v the_o bishop_n tyranny_n that_o make_v all_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o diocese_n subject_n to_o the_o cathedral_n church_n the_o parish_n where_o the_o bishop_n live_v so_o that_o all_o other_o be_v to_o subject_v themselves_o to_o it_o and_o the_o great_a lord_n bishop_n law_n which_o he_o give_v out_o in_o it_o we_o do_v only_o say_v that_o all_o particular_a congregation_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o a_o presbytery_n make_v up_o of_o elder_n take_v from_o among_o themselves_o wherein_o no_o congregation_n can_v challenge_v power_n more_o than_o another_o the_o mean_a have_v as_o great_a power_n in_o they_o as_o the_o great_a three_o we_o do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o power_n of_o presbytery_n or_o synod_n be_v absolute_a so_o that_o whatever_o they_o conclude_v shall_v stand_v for_o a_o law_n or_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v obey_v in_o every_o thing_n we_o affirm_v their_o power_n be_v a_o limit_a and_o ministerial_a power_n it_o be_v a_o power_n in_o the_o lord_n so_o that_o put_v the_o case_n if_o a_o presbytery_n or_o synod_n shall_v conclude_v a_o thing_n that_o be_v wrong_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v follow_v blind_o we_o allow_v to_o every_o particular_a christian_a a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n whereby_o they_o shall_v compare_v the_o act_n of_o church_n judicatories_n with_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n and_o according_o either_o to_o choice_n or_o refuse_v only_o herein_o we_o say_v first_o that_o particular_a christian_n shall_v have_v a_o kind_n of_o loathness_n to_o differ_v from_o the_o judicatories_n of_o the_o church_n arise_v from_o a_o secret_a kind_n of_o diffidence_n and_o distrust_n of_o their_o own_o light_n and_o understanding_n so_o that_o although_o they_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v other_o blind_o yet_o they_o be_v to_o suspect_v themselves_o rather_o than_o they_o we_o mean_v when_o the_o matter_n be_v dubious_a second_o we_o say_v that_o when_o the_o case_n come_v that_o it_o be_v evident_o see_v that_o superior_a judicatories_n have_v go_v wrong_a private_a christian_n be_v to_o differ_v from_o they_o indeed_o yet_o so_o as_o to_o give_v great_a reverence_n and_o respect_n to_o the_o judicatory_a even_o when_o they_o be_v necessitate_v to_o dissent_v from_o their_o act_n lest_o by_o their_o furious_a zeal_n they_o cast_v all_o loose_a and_o into_o confusion_n but_o to_o come_v to_o the_o point_n the_o question_n be_v whether_o all_o the_o power_n of_o church_n government_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o particular_a eldership_n and_o so_o if_o particular_a eldership_n be_v independent_a or_o if_o jesus_n christ_n have_v warrant_v presbytery_n to_o be_v above_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n we_o maintain_v the_o last_o and_o we_o clear_v our_o part_n the_o controversy_n from_o several_a argument_n ii_o the_o first_o argument_n be_v take_v from_o the_o many_o defect_n that_o be_v in_o this_o way_n of_o independency_n where_o the_o whole_a power_n be_v put_v in_o one_o congregation_n so_o as_o to_o be_v countable_a to_o none_o we_o shall_v reckon_v four_o or_o five_o of_o these_o defect_n and_o indeed_o very_o great_a defect_n first_o according_a to_o this_o way_n of_o they_o there_o be_v no_o authoritative_a way_n in_o christ_n church_n to_o right_v a_o man_n that_o be_v wrong_v by_o a_o particular_a congregation_n as_o put_v the_o case_n that_o a_o eldership_n shall_v wrong_v a_o man_n by_o censure_v he_o unjust_o according_a to_o their_o way_n he_o must_v sit_v with_o the_o wrong_n there_o be_v no_o remedy_n to_o he_o till_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o cloud_n there_o be_v a_o second_o defect_n according_a to_o this_o independent_a way_n of_o they_o there_o be_v no_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n to_o heal_v breach_n in_o a_o congregation_n put_v the_o case_n that_o a_o people_n shall_v divide_v from_o the_o elder_n or_o the_o elder_n among_o themselves_o or_o that_o one_o congregation_n may_v have_v a_o contest_v with_o another_o now_o in_o these_o case_n suppose_v both_o these_o party_n to_o be_v wilful_a as_o too_o usual_o it_o fall_v out_o so_o as_o they_o will_v not_o yield_v to_o any_o advice_n without_o authority_n to_o back_o it_o now_o what_o remedy_n be_v leave_v in_o such_o case_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o a_o presbytery_n that_o have_v power_n over_o both_o party_n to_o command_v they_o in_o the_o lord_n to_o do_v what_o be_v right_a and_o can_v we_o think_v that_o christ_n have_v leave_v no_o remedy_n in_o his_o house_n for_o such_o evil_n as_o may_v so_o frequent_o fall_v out_o three_o the_o independent_a way_n leave_v no_o authoritative_a mean_n for_o hold_v down_o plurality_n of_o religion_n for_o if_o so_o then_o let_v a_o particular_a congregation_n set_v up_o what_o religion_n they_o please_v suppose_v it_o be_v popery_n there_o be_v no_o authoritative_a mean_n to_o hinder_v it_o but_o in_o the_o way_n of_o presbytery_n it_o be_v otherwise_o presbytery_n be_v christ_n weeding-hook_n to_o weed_v out_o heresy_n so_o we_o observe_v wherever_o it_o be_v set_v up_o it_o bear_v heresy_n down_o and_o no_o wonder_n for_o judicatories_n be_v so_o subordinate_a one_o to_o another_o that_o what_o be_v oversee_v in_o the_o one_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o other_o four_o by_o this_o way_n of_o they_o there_o be_v no_o authoritative_a mean_n for_o unity_n and_o uniformity_n in_o the_o public_a service_n of_o god_n among_o congregation_n but_o every_o one_o be_v leave_v to_o themselves_o will_v take_v a_o way_n of_o their_o own_o this_o congregation_n one_o way_n and_o that_o congregation_n another_o way_n which_o doubtless_o will_v prove_v a_o great_a stumble_a block_n to_o the_o weak_a not_o know_v unto_o what_o congregation_n to_o join_v because_o of_o the_o great_a diversity_n among_o all_o put_v the_o case_n to_o clear_v it_o in_o some_o thing_n whereby_o you_o may_v guess_v at_o other_o that_o in_o one_o congregation_n they_o will_v both_o read_v and_o expound_v in_o another_o they_o will_v only_o read_v in_o other_o the_o line_n be_v not_o read_v for_o sing_v and_o in_o another_o it_o be_v read_v in_o some_o congregation_n child_n be_v not_o baptise_a but_o in_o time_n of_o sermon_n in_o other_o that_o baptism_n be_v administrate_n at_o other_o time_n also_o in_o some_o congregation_n two_o prayer_n before_o a_o sermon_n in_o another_o but_o one_o in_o another_o the_o conclusion_n sing_v in_o another_o not_o now_o though_o the_o strong_a will_v not_o stumble_v at_o these_o thing_n know_v that_o such_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n at_o least_o indifferent_a yet_o to_o the_o weak_a christian_a they_o may_v prove_v a_o ground_n of_o stumble_v for_o usual_o such_o present_o stamp_n conscience_n on_o that_o part_n of_o
this_o be_v absurd_a for_o christian_n be_v in_o a_o estate_n of_o great_a liberty_n as_o appear_v from_o galat._n 4._o 1._o therefore_o etc._n etc._n for_o clear_v the_o first_o proposition_n we_o lie_v down_o these_o thing_n first_o there_o be_v a_o subordination_n of_o judicatories_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o may_v be_v make_v out_o from_o several_a place_n we_o take_v one_o 2_o chron_n 19_o 8._o where_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a judicatory_a v_o 10._o the_o matter_n they_o handle_v come_v to_o they_o from_o other_o judicatories_n and_o deut_n 17._o 8._o show_v the_o matter_n to_o be_v handle_v by_o the_o supreme_a judicatory_a be_v such_o as_o have_v be_v before_o the_o inferior_a court_n but_o find_v too_o hard_o to_o be_v judge_v there_o so_o that_o here_o be_v a_o refuge_n for_o the_o party_n wrong_v by_o the_o inferior_a court_n now_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o refuge_n leave_v to_o christian_n we_o may_v certain_o say_v the_o state_n of_o christiansis_n most_o hard_o be_v leave_v under_o the_o tyrannical_a sentence_n of_o the_o unjust_a eldership_n and_o no_o power_n to_o right_v they_o when_o the_o oppress_a jew_n may_v appeal_v to_o the_o superior_a judicatory_a we_o may_v further_o argue_v from_o this_o whatever_o be_v in_o the_o jewish_a government_n that_o be_v neither_o ceremonial_a nor_o judicial_a but_o moral_a that_o be_v bind_v to_o we_o for_o the_o moral_a law_n bind_v all_o alike_o and_o be_v not_o abrogate_v but_o this_o that_o there_o be_v subordination_n of_o judicatories_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o the_o grieve_a party_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v moral_a not_o ceremonial_a nor_o judicial_a it_o be_v true_a that_o all_o thing_n be_v determine_v by_o a_o high_a priest_n among_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v typical_a of_o christ_n and_o of_o his_o supremacy_n in_o judgement_n so_o the_o papist_n argue_v ill_a from_o the_o high_a priest_n to_o the_o pope_n but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o the_o subordination_n of_o judicatories_n for_o thing_n of_o hard_a knowledge_n and_o relief_n of_o the_o oppress_a party_n be_v typical_a of_o nothing_o but_o moral_a and_o of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o forbid_v party_n to_o be_v judge_n which_o will_v natural_o follow_v if_o there_o be_v not_o subordination_n of_o court_n yea_o further_o we_o shall_v not_o find_v that_o this_o law_n be_v give_v to_o moses_n in_o the_o pattern_n upon_o the_o mount_n but_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n to_o jethro_n and_o by_o he_o give_v to_o moses_n exod._n 18._o 22._o it_o shall_v be_v that_o every_o great_a matter_n they_o shall_v bring_v unto_o thou_o &c_n &c_n iii_o we_o come_v now_o to_o answer_v their_o objection_n many_o whereof_o we_o have_v take_v off_o in_o the_o first_o two_o head_n as_o for_o the_o rest_n we_o shall_v not_o trouble_v you_o with_o those_o that_o be_v frivolous_a as_o indeed_o the_o most_o part_n be_v we_o shall_v only_o pitch_v on_o these_o that_o â—eem_v to_o carry_v some_o show_n of_o reason_n and_o whereof_o they_o boast_v most_o their_o first_o objection_n be_v from_o matth_n 18._o 17._o this_o church_n say_v they_o be_v a_o parochial_a church_n and_o christ_n mind_n be_v that_o the_o business_n shall_v be_v here_o end_v without_o any_o appeal_n from_o it_o answer_v christ_n mean_v not_o only_o a_o particular_a singular_a congregation_n but_o also_o if_o not_o main_o a_o presbyterial_a church_n for_o first_o the_o particular_a church_n can_v sometime_o heal_v the_o distemper_n as_o when_o it_o be_v divide_v or_o when_o the_o church_n itself_o be_v scandalous_a as_o oft_o may_v fall_v out_o by_o give_v a_o wrong_a sentence_n so_o that_o if_o christ_n have_v mean_v only_o a_o particular_a church_n shall_v be_v complean_v to_o and_o in_o no_o case_n a_o judicatory_a above_o they_o than_o his_o remedy_n shall_v have_v come_v short_a in_o cure_v the_o disease_n for_o which_o he_o intend_v it_o which_o to_o say_v be_v no_o small_a imputation_n to_o jesus_n christ._n second_o christ_n here_o allude_v to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o obstinate_a to_o be_v repute_v as_o a_o heathen_a the_o same_o which_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o from_o the_o plainness_n of_o the_o speech_n tell_v the_o church_n which_o can_v not_o be_v otherwise_o understand_v if_o he_o have_v not_o allude_v to_o the_o jewish_a judicatory_a beside_o which_o they_o know_v no_o judicatory_a for_o such_o offence_n as_o christ_n speak_v of_o to_o they_o there_o be_v as_o yet_o no_o particular_a church_n which_o have_v give_v its_o name_n to_o christ._n now_o as_o we_o clear_v before_o the_o judicatories_n among_o the_o jew_n which_o be_v to_o be_v complain_v to_o for_o scandal_n be_v not_o only_o these_o who_o be_v in_o their_o single_a synagogue_n or_o congregation_n but_o also_o superior_a court_n to_o which_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o appeal_v from_o the_o lesser_a court_n three_o christ_n mean_v here_o of_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n antioch_n etc._n etc._n but_o these_o as_o we_o have_v already_o clear_v be_v presbyterial_a church_n or_o judicatories_n have_v the_o oversight_n of_o many_o congregation_n now_o sure_a these_o be_v the_o first_o church_n institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n must_v not_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o power_n of_o government_n give_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o church_n in_o that_o place_n their_o second_o objection_n be_v this_o that_o the_o dependency_n of_o church_n upon_o presbytry_n lay_v on_o a_o yoke_n of_o tyranny_n and_o subjection_n upon_o particular_a congregation_n equal_a to_o the_o tyranny_n of_o bishop_n and_o if_o the_o church_n must_v be_v in_o bondage_n it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v subject_a to_o one_o lord_n bishop_n than_o under_o a_o number_n of_o minister_n and_o elder_n in_o presbytry_n or_o synod_n for_o answer_v we_o make_v no_o other_o subjection_n here_o than_o what_o the_o independent_o themselves_o make_v for_o they_o make_v ten_o in_o a_o congregation_n subject_a to_o five_o hundred_o and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o five_o hundred_o to_o be_v bind_v to_o the_o ten_o so_o make_v we_o many_o church_n to_o be_v subject_a in_o the_o lord_n to_o all_o their_o own_o pastor_n and_o elder_n convene_v in_o a_o presbytry_n what_o more_o subjection_n be_v there_o in_o the_o one_o than_o in_o the_o other_o second_o it_o be_v a_o unjust_a comparison_n to_o compare_v bishop_n tyranny_n with_o presbytry_n for_o 1._o the_o government_n by_o bishop_n be_v humane_a this_o be_v divine_a 2._o the_o bishop_n be_v but_o one_o man_n do_v by_o himself_o alone_o govern_v and_o that_o ad_fw-la arbitratum_fw-la nor_o have_v he_o any_o to_o answer_v to_o but_o here_o more_o pastor_n and_o elder_n be_v join_v together_o who_o be_v by_o mutual_a advice_n to_o rule_n god_n people_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n 3._o the_o government_n by_o the_o bishop_n be_v altogether_o extrinsical_a to_o or_o without_o the_o particular_a church_n for_o the_o bishop_n be_v none_o of_o their_o member_n nor_o yet_o choose_v by_o they_o but_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n be_v not_o so_o they_o be_v whole_o make_v up_o of_o member_n and_o commissioner_n from_o those_o same_o very_a church_n where_o they_o govern_v and_o so_o it_o be_v whole_o intrinsical_v 4._o we_o say_v government_n by_o presbytery_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n tyrannical_a as_o that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a remedy_n against_o church_n tyranny_n because_o it_o be_v a_o city_n of_o refuge_n for_o all_o these_o who_o be_v oppress_v in_o their_o particular_a congregation_n for_o if_o in_o the_o independent_a government_n one_o be_v wrong_v he_o must_v sit_v with_o it_o till_o christ_n come_v and_o right_v he_o neighbour_n church_n may_v advise_v and_o request_v but_o the_o congregation_n advise_v be_v not_o bind_v to_o follow_v it_o but_o hâ—â—e_v when_o the_o eldership_n do_v wrong_a there_o be_v a_o refuge_n to_o a_o presbytery_n and_o above_o they_o to_o a_o synod_n etc._n etc._n object_n 3._o government_n by_o presbytery_n lay_v upon_o minister_n and_o elder_n the_o charge_n of_o other_o flock_n than_o these_o of_o who_o the_o lord_n make_v they_o overseer_n to_o wit_n the_o charge_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o presbytery_n they_o be_v elder_n to_o all_o these_o church_n because_o they_o govern_v they_o answer_v it_o follow_v not_o that_o they_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o all_o these_o congregation_n in_o particular_a and_o in_o every_o thing_n that_o concern_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o elder_a so_o that_o they_o be_v bind_v particular_o to_o catechise_v to_o visit_v etc._n etc._n only_o they_o be_v elder_n to_o they_o in_o thing_n common_a to_o all_o and_o as_o they_o be_v join_v in_o the_o court_n with_o other_o and_o this_o be_v
right_a of_o membership_n in_o the_o church_n visible_a we_o find_v this_o from_o the_o apostle_n practise_v act_n 2._o 41._o where_o the_o way_n be_v how_o they_o receive_v man_n to_o be_v church_n member_n it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v baptise_a etc._n etc._n and_o those_o who_o be_v baptise_a be_v say_v to_o be_v add_v to_o they_o and_o add_v to_o the_o church_n v_o last_o so_o in_o act._n 8_o 38._o the_o eunuch_n be_v receive_v by_o baptism_n to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n so_o saul_n act_n 9_o 18._o and_o lydia_n act._n 16_o 15._o second_o circumcision_n be_v a_o seal_n of_o the_o jew_n right_a of_o membership_n in_o the_o visible_a church_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o therefore_o baptism_n be_v a_o seal_n of_o our_o right_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n under_o the_o new_a for_o baptism_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v come_v in_o the_o same_o place_n with_o circumcision_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n this_o be_v for_o our_o first_o argument_n the_o second_o argument_n be_v take_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v this_o the_o apostle_n go_v not_o by_o that_o method_n of_o our_o opposite_n in_o admit_v member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n this_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n they_o follow_v therefore_o it_o be_v not_o the_o right_a one_o we_o clear_v this_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n which_o they_o follow_v from_o act._n 2._o 41._o where_o in_o one_o day_n there_o be_v three_o thousand_o add_v to_o the_o church_n now_o sure_o none_o can_v imagine_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o three_o thousand_o can_v be_v persuade_v in_o conscience_n of_o the_o regeneration_n of_o one_o another_o it_o be_v true_a peter_n bind_v on_o they_o to_o repent_v but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o on_o their_o desire_n to_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o some_o evidence_n of_o their_o conviction_n he_o receive_v they_o although_o there_o be_v many_o of_o they_o do_v not_o even_o this_o much_o in_o sincerity_n for_o anamas_n and_o saphira_n be_v but_o hypocrite_n so_o no_o more_o be_v require_v of_o simon_n magus_n act._n 8._o 13._o and_o so_o of_o demas_n who_o afterward_o forsake_v paul_n yea_o if_o we_o look_v to_o the_o rule_n which_o christ_n walk_v by_o he_o seek_v no_o more_o but_o a_o profession_n to_o follow_v he_o and_o he_o seek_v no_o more_o of_o judas_n to_o make_v he_o not_o only_o a_o member_n of_o his_o society_n but_o a_o apostle_n and_o minister_n christ_n know_v he_o well_o enough_o to_o be_v a_o hypocrite_n and_o yet_o upon_o his_o profess_a desire_n to_o follow_v he_o admit_v he_o to_o his_o company_n yea_o make_v he_o a_o minister_n so_o that_o this_o rule_n which_o separatist_n so_o much_o cry_v up_o be_v neither_o follow_v by_o jesus_n christ_n nor_o his_o apostle_n the_o three_o argument_n we_o bring_v be_v this_o there_o be_v never_o a_o church_n before_o or_o since_o christ_n day_n who_o member_n all_o of_o they_o can_v give_v evident_a sign_n of_o grace_n to_o each_o other_o and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v a_o rule_n of_o god_n appoint_v that_o the_o church_n visible_a must_v be_v make_v up_o of_o only_a such_o we_o prove_v the_o antecedent_n sure_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n in_o moses_n time_n be_v not_o such_o every_o member_n be_v not_o such_o a_o visible_a saint_n so_o as_o he_o be_v know_v to_o be_v gracious_a for_o say_v moses_n deut._n 29._o 4._o yet_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o give_v you_o a_o heart_n to_o perceive_v etc._n etc._n and_o ofttimes_o they_o be_v upbraid_v as_o stiff-necked_a second_o we_o must_v suppose_v the_o pure_a church_n come_v near_a the_o rule_n to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o yet_o the_o member_n of_o those_o church_n be_v not_o of_o this_o kind_n so_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v a_o church_n that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o plant_v and_o preach_v to_o and_o yet_o we_o shall_v find_v many_o in_o this_o church_n who_o be_v so_o far_o from_o give_v evident_a sign_n of_o grace_n one_o to_o another_o that_o there_o be_v many_o there_o schismatic_n 1_o cor_n 6._o many_o there_o fornicator_n that_o paul_n write_v against_o there_o be_v many_o there_o drunkard_n yea_o and_o drink_v about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o those_o he_o reprove_v 1_o cor_n 11._o yea_o there_o be_v some_o there_o who_o deny_v some_o of_o the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o the_o resurrection_n as_o appear_v from_o chap_n 15._o so_o this_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v not_o such_o second_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n speak_v of_o revel_n 2._o 3._o be_v church_n that_o have_v the_o candlestick_n among_o they_o church_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n hand_n that_o he_o take_v a_o care_n of_o and_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o such_o as_o every_o member_n of_o those_o church_n have_v real_a sign_n of_o grace_n otherwise_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n will_v not_o have_v say_v so_o often_o if_o any_o man_n have_v ear_n to_o hear_v etc._n etc._n if_o he_o have_v not_o suppose_v that_o there_o have_v be_v in_o they_o blind_a obdurate_a carnal_a hearer_n three_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n galatia_n thessalonica_n and_o of_o all_o the_o church_n that_o ever_o we_o hear_v or_o read_v of_o since_o christ_n day_n never_o one_o of_o they_o be_v such_o and_o therefore_o we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o this_o rule_n of_o they_o can_v be_v right_o see_v neither_o christ_n nor_o his_o apostle_n nor_o the_o church_n in_o any_o age_n do_v follow_v it_o we_o bring_v a_o four_o argument_n and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o can_v be_v a_o right_a rule_n of_o gather_v church_n that_o will_v hold_v out_o a_o number_n of_o gracious_a soul_n from_o be_v member_n but_o this_o rule_n of_o they_o will_v do_v so_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v the_o right_a rule_n for_o the_o first_o part_n of_o our_o argument_n none_o will_v doubt_v of_o it_o and_o second_o that_o this_o rule_n of_o they_o will_v hold_v out_o many_o true_o gracious_a we_o prove_v it_o for_o first_o there_o be_v many_o that_o have_v grace_n that_o for_o want_v of_o part_n they_o can_v express_v the_o thing_n they_o have_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o give_v evidence_n of_o grace_n to_o other_o that_o they_o can_v satisfy_v themselves_o some_o so_o proud_a some_o so_o passionate_a so_o worldly_a so_o talkative_a so_o imprudent_a that_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a for_o any_o to_o satisfy_v themselves_o that_o there_o be_v grace_n in_o they_o three_o the_o way_n of_o some_o be_v so_o hide_v or_o rather_o god_n way_n in_o they_o so_o hide_v that_o for_o any_o thing_n people_n can_v see_v in_o they_o they_o be_v nothing_o different_a from_o natural_a civilian_n and_o yet_o many_o of_o such_o will_v make_v clear_a and_o satisfy_a discovery_n of_o god_n grace_n in_o they_o at_o their_o death_n the_o work_n of_o grace_n then_o appear_v that_o be_v long_o under_o ground_n and_o now_o according_a to_o this_o rule_n of_o they_o these_o be_v all_o to_o be_v hold_v out_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o put_v in_o the_o place_n of_o pagan_n and_o so_o that_o can_v be_v christ_n rule_n our_o five_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o point_n be_v this_o that_o can_v be_v a_o rule_n of_o admit_v member_n to_o the_o church_n visible_a which_o put_v the_o church_n in_o perpetual_a danger_n of_o rent_v but_o this_o rule_n of_o they_o put_v the_o church_n in_o a_o perpetual_a danger_n of_o be_v rend_v therefore_o it_o can_v be_v the_o right_a rule_n we_o shall_v clear_v that_o this_o rule_n of_o they_o put_v the_o church_n in_o a_o perpetual_a hazard_n of_o be_v rend_v for_o there_o be_v some_o more_o easy_a to_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o sign_n of_o grace_n than_o other_o so_o that_o which_o will_v be_v a_o lawful_a church_n to_o one_o will_v not_o be_v so_o to_o other_o second_o there_o be_v some_o that_o in_o progress_n of_o time_n will_v grow_v more_o strict_a in_o search_v hence_o that_o which_o be_v a_o true_a church_n to_o he_o the_o last_o year_n will_v be_v no_o church_n to_o he_o this_o and_o so_o this_o rule_n of_o they_o keep_v the_o church_n in_o a_o continual_a hazard_n of_o be_v rend_v of_o separate_v after_o separate_n while_o they_o cast_v off_o all_o this_o have_v make_v the_o most_o part_n of_o all_o their_o church_n rend_v and_o one_o part_n to_o excommunicate_v another_o yea_o hence_o many_o of_o that_o way_n cast_v off_o all_o church_n at_o last_o and_o turn_v seeker_n cast_v off_o all_o serve_a god_n with_o other_o all_o use_n of_o public_a mean_n only_o serve_v god_n apart_o and_o by_o themselves_o
somewhat_o against_o thou_o because_o thou_o have_v leave_v thy_o first_o love_n remember_v therefore_o from_o whence_o thou_o be_v fall_v and_o repent_v and_o and_o do_v the_o first_o work_n or_o else_o i_o will_v come_v unto_o thou_o quick_o and_o will_v remove_v thy_o candelstick_n out_o of_o his_o place_n etc._n etc._n from_o whence_o they_o argue_v thus_o none_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o church_n who_o will_v ruin_v the_o church_n but_o all_o those_o who_o can_v convince_o prove_v their_o regeneration_n will_v ruin_v the_o church_n therefore_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v we_o answer_v that_o the_o last_o part_n of_o their_o argument_n be_v false_a for_o there_o be_v many_o gracious_a person_n keep_v their_o first_o love_n who_o yet_o can_v neither_o satisfy_v themselves_o nor_o other_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o regeneration_n and_o that_o will_v not_o ruin_v the_o church_n second_o we_o answer_v to_o the_o first_o part_n of_o their_o argument_n where_o 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opposite_n hold_v in_o this_o point_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o small_a moment_n neither_o ought_v you_o to_o suffer_v yourselves_o to_o be_v deceive_v with_o the_o pretence_n of_o strictness_n with_o which_o they_o cover_v it_o it_o be_v a_o doctrine_n that_o have_v fearful_a consequence_n for_o by_o this_o the_o three_o part_n of_o the_o best_a church_n that_o ever_o be_v shall_v be_v put_v in_o no_o better_a case_n than_o pagan_n themselves_o to_o live_v without_o all_o ordinance_n their_o child_n without_o baptism_n and_o this_o will_v hold_v off_o many_o who_o have_v true_a grace_n for_o how_o many_o be_v there_o even_o of_o those_o who_o can_v give_v convince_a sign_n of_o grace_n either_o to_o themselves_o or_o other_o by_o this_o rule_n man_n conscience_n shall_v still_o be_v hold_v in_o a_o uncertainty_n whether_o they_o may_v stay_v member_n of_o such_o a_o church_n or_o not_o because_o they_o can_v hardly_o be_v satisfy_v whether_o all_o in_o it_o have_v convince_a sign_n of_o 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as_o great_a looseness_n in_o their_o own_o church_n as_o in_o any_o other_o for_o they_o make_v no_o scruple_n to_o admit_v heretic_n covetous_a vain_a proud_a boaster_n almost_o of_o all_o sort_n if_o so_o be_v they_o agree_v with_o they_o in_o principle_n against_o presbyterian_o this_o rule_n put_v man_n in_o a_o overween_a conceit_n of_o themselves_o other_o be_v nothing_o to_o they_o all_o be_v unclean_a or_o at_o best_o but_o civil_a natural_a moral_a man_n but_o they_o be_v the_o godly_a saint_n and_o what_o not_o now_o that_o doctrine_n which_o in_o its_o natural_a consequence_n put_v people_n to_o overvalue_v themselves_o and_o undervalue_v other_o be_v certain_o not_o of_o god_n this_o rule_n of_o they_o make_v way_n for_o infinite_a jangle_n and_o carry_v on_o of_o self_n interest_n under_o pretence_n of_o holiness_n for_o when_o the_o rule_n be_v that_o which_o every_o particular_a man_n think_v sign_n of_o grace_n such_o be_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o best_a that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v apply_v to_o all_o alike_o to_o some_o they_o will_v be_v too_o strict_a to_o other_o more_o lax_n as_o affection_n carry_v until_o at_o last_o they_o think_v all_o good_a enough_o who_o be_v for_o their_o way_n and_o all_o other_o but_o natural_a worldly_a and_o carnal_a who_o be_v not_o so_o i_o may_v say_v that_o this_o have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o unhappy_a doctrine_n that_o ever_o the_o devil_n hatch_v for_o it_o be_v that_o whereby_o satan_n have_v carry_v on_o his_o design_n main_o these_o year_n by_o past_a many_o such_o deceiver_n cry_v up_o strictness_n whereby_o they_o have_v make_v themselves_o to_o be_v respect_v by_o some_o and_o terrible_a to_o other_o while_o under_o this_o pretence_n they_o have_v bear_v down_o christ_n truth_n and_o holiness_n i_o speak_v not_o this_o to_o countenance_v looseness_n nor_o to_o give_v a_o dash_n to_o holy_a strictness_n it_o be_v our_o sin_n and_o we_o be_v plague_v for_o it_o that_o we_o have_v not_o walk_v according_a to_o our_o rule_n yet_o i_o love_v no_o further_o strictness_n than_o what_o christ_n command_v let_v we_o stretch_v out_o our_o arm_n to_o invite_v sinner_n to_o give_v outward_a obedience_n and_o then_o when_o they_o be_v in_o let_v we_o hew_v they_o with_o the_o word_n and_o discipline_n this_o be_v christ_n way_n and_o his_o apostle_n way_n as_o we_o have_v prove_v so_o when_o separatist_n say_v to_o you_o that_o there_o be_v such_o sinful_a mixture_n in_o your_o church_n that_o a_o honest_a man_n be_v pollute_v to_o come_v among_o they_o and_o so_o it_o be_v better_a to_o stay_v in_o your_o chamber_n with_o a_o few_o of_o a_o gracious_a temper_n and_o let_v the_o rest_v run_v to_o the_o devil_n tell_v they_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n make_v no_o such_o separation_n and_o you_o desire_v to_o be_v no_o strict_a than_o they_o be_v only_o this_o be_v not_o to_o plead_v for_o our_o come_n short_a of_o christ_n rule_n in_o our_o practice_n that_o scandal_n be_v too_o easy_o pass_v that_o so_o many_o ignorant_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n be_v our_o sin_n and_o so_o not_o to_o be_v plead_v for_o this_o for_o the_o first_o head_n of_o separation_n head_n ii_o no_o separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n or_o god_n worship_n in_o the_o church_n because_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o fellow-worshiper_n we_o be_v now_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o second_o head_n concern_v separation_n from_o true_a church_n and_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n in_o they_o because_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o fellow-worshiper_n i._o that_o which_o our_o adversary_n hold_v concern_v this_o be_v that_o the_o presence_n of_o wicked_a man_n at_o ordinance_n do_v defile_v the_o ordinance_n to_o the_o godly_a therefore_o say_v they_o where_o ever_o there_o be_v any_o corruption_n in_o a_o church_n
among_o they_o but_o after_o all_o the_o apostle_n though_o he_o reprove_v they_o very_o sharp_o yet_o he_o no_o where_o say_v you_o that_o be_v godly_a stay_n away_o from_o join_v in_o worship_n because_o of_o such_o man_n join_n but_o on_o the_o contrair_a he_o approve_v their_o come_n together_o to_o go_v about_o the_o ordinance_n only_o reprove_v the_o wrong_a way_n they_o come_v in_o so_o chap_n 11._o five_o 18._o first_o of_o all_o when_o you_o come_v together_o in_o the_o church_n i_o hear_v there_o be_v division_n among_o you_o and_o five_o 20._o when_o you_o come_v together_o therefore_o unto_o one_o place_n etc._n etc._n he_o do_v not_o reprove_v their_o come_n together_o but_o suppones_fw-la it_o as_o a_o thing_n lawful_a only_o he_o reprove_v they_o for_o their_o division_n so_o in_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n there_o be_v much_o corruption_n among_o they_o they_o be_v bewitch_v with_o heretical_a doctrine_n o_o foolish_a galatian_n who_o have_v bewitch_v you_o etc._n etc._n cap_n 3._o five_o 1_o they_o have_v begin_v in_o the_o spirit_n but_o be_v like_a to_o end_v in_o the_o flesh_n v_o 3._o in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v many_o who_o have_v fall_v away_o from_o their_o first_o love_n revel_v 2_o 1._o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n revel_v 3_o 1._o do_v tolerate_v profane_a person_n such_o as_o defile_v their_o garment_n and_o yet_o we_o never_o read_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n command_v to_o separate_a from_o worship_n because_o of_o they_o indeed_o he_o reprove_v they_o sharp_o for_o their_o corruption_n for_o their_o fall_v away_o from_o their_o first_o love_n for_o their_o tollerate_n profane_a wicked_a man_n but_o he_o say_v not_o all_o you_o that_o be_v godly_a turn_n your_o back_n upon_o that_o church_n make_v up_o a_o new_a church_n of_o your_o own_o but_o direct_o approve_v their_o join_v together_o in_o what_o be_v right_a so_o it_o be_v clear_v that_o separation_n from_o the_o ordinance_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v tolerate_v under_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o it_o be_v under_o the_o old_a arg_n iu._n our_o four_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o point_n be_v this_o the_o sin_n of_o wicked_a man_n only_o defile_v the_o worship_n to_o themselves_o therefore_o not_o to_o other_o we_o shall_v find_v for_o this_o two_o place_n of_o scripture_n matth._n 22._o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o guest_n come_v into_o the_o king_n supper_n there_o be_v one_o that_o want_v a_o wedding_n garmant_n verse_n 12._o the_o master_n of_o the_o feast_n find_v he_o out_o and_o say_v friend_n how_o come_v thou_o hither_o and_o he_o be_v find_v speechless_a the_o master_n of_o the_o feast_n say_v not_o all_o you_o guest_n be_v defile_v because_o this_o man_n sit_v with_o you_o as_o shall_v have_v be_v say_v if_o his_o presence_n have_v defile_v the_o worship_n to_o they_o but_o only_o he_o reprove_v the_o man_n himself_o the_o sin_n be_v thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v bear_v the_o blame_n of_o it_o the_o second_o place_n be_v 1_o cor._n 11._o 29._o he_o that_o eat_v and_o drink_v unworthy_o eat_v and_o drink_v damnation_n to_o himself_o he_o say_v not_o he_o eat_v and_o drink_v damnation_n to_o all_o but_o to_o himself_o it_o will_v necessary_o follow_v according_a to_o this_o doctrine_n that_o he_o do_v eat_v judgement_n to_o all_o if_o so_o be_v the_o presence_n of_o the_o wicked_a man_n do_v defile_v the_o ordinance_n or_o make_v it_o sinful_a to_o the_o rest_n that_o communicate_v with_o he_o and_o therefore_o in_o the_o preceee_a word_n it_o be_v say_v let_v a_o man_n examine_v himself_o etc._n etc._n he_o say_v not_o when_o you_o be_v come_v to_o the_o table_n let_v everyone_o of_o you_o examine_v your_o neighbour_n which_o will_v necessary_o follow_v if_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o wicked_a man_n do_v defile_v the_o ordinance_n to_o the_o rest_n but_o all_o he_o say_v be_v let_v every_o one_o examine_v himself_o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v true_a the_o permit_v of_o a_o wicked_a person_n to_o come_v to_o the_o communion_n be_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o church_n guide_v but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o sin_n of_o fellow_n communicant_n see_v he_o be_v admit_v to_o communicate_v with_o they_o for_o he_o only_o defile_v the_o worship_n to_o himself_o arg._n v._o our_o last_o argument_n to_o prove_v this_o point_n be_v that_o from_o this_o doctrine_n of_o our_o opposite_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o the_o dignity_n and_o worth_n of_o ordinance_n do_v depend_v on_o instrument_n or_o upon_o those_o that_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o ordinance_n if_o so_o be_v that_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o instrument_n or_o of_o fellow-worshiper_n do_v defile_v the_o worship_n now_o this_o be_v most_o absurd_a the_o dignity_n of_o ordinance_n depend_v on_o he_o who_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n however_o preach_v be_v his_o word_n it_o be_v true_a we_o be_v ready_a to_o cast_v at_o the_o word_n because_o of_o instrument_n but_o whoever_o he_o be_v that_o preach_v the_o word_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o worthy_a to_o be_v receive_v and_o so_o the_o sacrament_n whoever_o they_o be_v that_o join_v with_o i_o in_o they_o lose_v not_o their_o worth_n and_o efficacy_n to_o i_o who_o be_o seek_v christ_n in_o they_o though_o worthless_a man_n have_v their_o hand_n at_o they_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v i_o do_v not_o communicate_v with_o they_o in_o what_o they_o do_v wrong_v let_v god_n and_o they_o reckon_v for_o that_o the_o root_n of_o my_o communion_n be_v christ_n in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o lay_v hold_v on_o christ_n i_o communicate_v with_o they_o in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o do_v otherwise_o i_o do_v not_o the_o wicked_a man_n profess_v communion_n with_o christ_n and_o seal_v up_o a_o outward_a fellowship_n with_o the_o visible_a church_n i_o communicate_v with_o he_o in_o that_o but_o in_o so_o far_o as_o he_o do_v this_o hypocritical_o i_o do_v in_o as_o far_o separate_v from_o he_o and_o this_o much_o for_o the_o argument_n confirm_v the_o truth_n that_o the_o presence_n of_o wicked_a man_n do_v desile_a the_o ordinance_n to_o none_o but_o to_o themselves_o iii_o in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o come_v to_o bring_v to_o the_o touchstone_n the_o argument_n they_o use_v against_o the_o truth_n we_o shall_v short_o propound_v the_o most_o plausible_a of_o they_o and_o take_v they_o off_o obj_fw-la 1_n the_o first_o objection_n be_v ground_v on_o the_o 2_o cor._n 6_o 17._o wherefore_o come_v out_o from_o among_o they_o and_o be_v you_o separate_v etc._n etc._n this_o be_v the_o stong_a of_o their_o argument_n the_o lord_n command_v the_o corinthian_n to_o come_v from_o among_o they_o and_o separate_a and_o therefore_o say_v they_o when_o there_o be_v wicked_a man_n come_v together_o with_o the_o godly_a the_o godly_a aught_o to_o separate_v from_o they_o but_o to_o show_v you_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o argument_n we_o shall_v answer_v it_o by_o read_v out_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o verse_n for_o it_o be_v clear_v what_o the_o apostle_n aim_v at_o be_v you_o separate_v say_v the_o lord_n and_o touch_v not_o the_o unclean_a thing_n etc._n etc._n he_o bid_v they_o only_o separate_a from_o sinful_a action_n and_o not_o from_o lawful_a duty_n that_o you_o may_v see_v yet_o further_o the_o vanity_n of_o this_o reason_n know_v it_o be_v the_o custom_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 10._o when_o idolater_n will_v invite_v some_o of_o their_o christian_a neighbour_n they_o will_v go_v with_o they_o and_o eat_v with_o they_o at_o their_o idol_n feast_n and_o they_o think_v they_o may_v lawful_o do_v it_o because_o they_o know_v their_o idol_n be_v not_o true_a god_n and_o so_o by_o their_o eat_n they_o intend_v no_o worship_n to_o the_o idol_n as_o these_o idolater_n do_v who_o do_v eat_v with_o they_o but_o do_v it_o only_o to_o satisfy_v their_o hunger_n and_o keep_v up_o common_a friendship_n now_o paul_n discharge_v they_o from_o this_o kind_n of_o communion_n and_o this_o be_v it_o he_o point_v at_o here_o be_v separate_v do_v not_o meddle_v with_o their_o idol_n feast_n because_o it_o be_v indeed_o communion_n with_o they_o in_o their_o idolatry_n and_o so_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v because_o paul_n bid_v the_o corinthian_n be_v separate_v from_o heathen_n in_o do_v a_o thing_n sinful_a that_o therefore_o he_o forbid_v christian_n to_o join_v in_o a_o lawful_a worship_n with_o the_o church_n of_o christ._n obj._n ii_o their_o second_o objection_n be_v take_v from_o rev_n 18_o 4._o and_o i_o hear_v another_o voice_n from_o heaven_n say_v come_v out_o of_o she_o my_o people_n that_o you_o be_v not_o partaker_n of_o her_o sin_n and_o that_o you_o receive_v not_o of_o her_o plague_n but_o this_o place_n be_v pitiful_o misapply_v to_o the_o purpose_n for_o its_o evident_a
that_o the_o apostle_n john_n be_v there_o speak_v of_o whorish_a rome_n and_o be_v command_v all_o god_n people_n to_o separate_a from_o the_o antichristian_a church_n now_o let_v any_o judge_n if_o that_o be_v not_o loose_a reason_v we_o be_v command_v to_o separate_a from_o rome_n who_o have_v overturn_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n worship_n the_o creature_n instead_o of_o the_o creator_n therefore_o we_o be_v to_o separate_a from_o christ_n true_a and_o pure_a church_n and_o god_n worship_n in_o they_o if_o so_o be_v profane_a man_n be_v keep_v in_o they_o it_o be_v a_o senseless_a consequence_n obj._n iii_o their_o three_o objection_n against_o the_o truth_n be_v take_v from_o 1_o cor_fw-la â—_o 11._o but_o now_o i_o have_v write_v unto_o you_o not_o to_o keep_v company_n etc._n etc._n say_v they_o we_o be_v forbid_v to_o eat_v our_o ordinary_a meat_n with_o wicked_a man_n and_o far_o more_o we_o be_v forbid_v to_o eat_v at_o the_o lord_n table_n with_o they_o to_o this_o we_o answer_v that_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o shame_n of_o christian_a church_n and_o our_o sin_n that_o scandalous_a and_o ignorant_a person_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n but_o when_o they_o be_v admit_v partly_o through_o the_o neglect_n of_o minister_n and_o partly_o through_o abound_a corruption_n it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o every_o private_a christian_a be_v to_o cast_v himself_o out_o of_o the_o church_n because_o wicked_a man_n be_v admit_v as_o to_o this_o place_n here_o speak_v of_o it_o be_v true_a every_o tender_a christian_n be_v forbid_v to_o use_v familiar_a society_n with_o fornicator_n but_o it_o be_v not_o simple_o forbid_v as_o if_o it_o be_v unlawful_a at_o all_o time_n to_o eat_v with_o they_o for_o even_o paul_n himself_o eat_v with_o heathen_n act_n 27._o 35._o so_o the_o thing_n here_o forbid_v be_v that_o the_o lord_n people_n shall_v not_o use_v intimate_fw-la society_n with_o wicked_a man_n yet_o so_o as_o when_o they_o can_v get_v it_o eschew_v it_o be_v lawful_a both_o to_o eat_v and_o drink_v with_o they_o as_o put_v the_o case_n we_o can_v not_o get_v it_o otherwise_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o we_o to_o eat_v with_o they_o follow_v paul_n practice_n and_o so_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o lord_n table_n if_o it_o be_v in_o minister_n power_n to_o hold_v they_o back_o if_o they_o do_v it_o it_o be_v well_o if_o not_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o private_a christian_n who_o have_v no_o power_n to_o debarr_v they_o and_o so_o can_v get_v eat_v with_o they_o eschew_v without_o neglect_v of_o a_o duty_n be_v bind_v to_o separate_a obj._n iu._n their_o four_o objection_n be_v from_o 1_o cor_fw-la 5._o 6_o know_v you_o not_o that_o a_o little_a leaven_n leaven_v the_o whole_a lump_n scandalous_a man_n infect_v the_o church_n and_o the_o church_n be_v infect_v infect_v the_o worship_n and_o so_o if_o i_o come_v to_o the_o worship_n it_o be_v infect_v to_o i_o and_o i_o do_v sin_n now_o this_o be_v a_o consequence_n far_o from_o paul_n word_n a_o little_a leaven_n say_v he_o leaven_v etc._n etc._n therefore_o cast_v out_o the_o incestous_a man_n but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v if_o he_o be_v not_o put_v out_o cast_v out_o yourselves_o as_o for_o that_o they_o say_v that_o profane_a man_n infect_v the_o worship_n it_o be_v without_o ground_n it_o be_v true_a profane_a man_n ofttimes_o infect_v these_o among_o who_o they_o live_v but_o they_o do_v not_o infect_v the_o worship_n for_o the_o way_n that_o profane_a man_n infect_v these_o among_o who_o they_o live_v be_v not_o physical_a as_o the_o pest_n infect_v every_o thing_n it_o touch_v but_o they_o infect_v by_o their_o evil_a example_n and_o so_o a_o profane_a man_n may_v infect_v another_o man_n but_o by_o his_o evil_a example_n can_v infect_v the_o worship_n because_o the_o worship_n be_v not_o carry_v away_o with_o evil_a example_n as_o a_o man_n be_v and_o so_o if_o i_o can_v keep_v myself_o from_o follow_v their_o example_n the_o 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this_o have_v be_v the_o method_n they_o use_v to_o walk_v in_o to_o cry_v up_o holiness_n in_o themselves_o and_o to_o cry_v down_o all_o who_o differ_v from_o they_o as_o untender_a that_o so_o they_o may_v carry_v all_o with_o they_o at_o last_o at_o least_o to_o rent_n and_o divide_v the_o church_n to_o such_o we_o will_v say_v nothing_o but_o christ_n curse_n and_o the_o church_n for_o rent_v her_o bowel_n will_v fall_v on_o them_o but_o unto_o the_o other_o we_o will_v speak_v something_o that_o be_v to_o those_o who_o be_v pious_o strict_a and_o real_o loath_a at_o the_o good_a service_n of_o god_n because_o such_o person_n be_v at_o it_o who_o shall_v not_o be_v there_o to_o those_o i_o shall_v say_v first_o know_v what_o it_o your_o duty_n and_o second_o what_o be_v not_o your_o duty_n in_o reference_n to_o profane_a man_n ofttime_n we_o mistake_v our_o duty_n and_o leap_v over_o it_o to_o what_o be_v not_o our_o duty_n now_o your_o duty_n in_o reference_n to_o profane_a man_n 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a_o good_a which_o they_o be_v to_o follow_n the_o evil_a to_o be_v eschew_v be_v in_o the_o second_o sentence_n to_o wit_n that_o there_o be_v no_o division_n or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o original_a schism'_v among_o you_o i_o shall_v not_o enter_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o schism_n or_o how_o it_o differ_v from_o heresy_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o open_n up_o of_o the_o text_n to_o know_v what_o division_n or_o schism_n the_o apostle_n mean_v by_o here_o and_o that_o be_v know_v from_o the_o follow_a verse_n to_o wit_n their_o factious_a siding_n in_o extol_v one_o minister_n and_o debase_v another_o with_o many_o fruitless_a jangle_n and_o other_o bad_a consequence_n follow_v thereupon_o whereof_o doubtless_o this_o be_v one_o the_o engage_v of_o the_o minister_n themselves_o in_o party_n for_o uphold_v their_o dependent_n so_o verse_n 12._o every_o one_o of_o you_o say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o i_o of_o apollo_n and_o i_o of_o cephas_n one_o say_v paul_n 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that_o through_o occasion_n of_o the_o schism_n they_o be_v put_v all_o out_o of_o joint_n all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v dislocate_v and_o therefore_o unfit_a so_o long_o as_o they_o remain_v in_o that_o case_n for_o do_v of_o any_o good_a office_n to_o the_o body_n 2._o it_o import_v that_o their_o follow_v of_o his_o advice_n for_o remove_v of_o the_o schism_n will_v set_v every_o member_n of_o the_o body_n in_o its_o own_o place_n and_o so_o enable_v the_o body_n for_o go_v about_o action_n profitable_a unto_o itself_o which_o now_o the_o whole_a member_n be_v out_o of_o joint_n it_o can_v not_o do_v this_o this_o much_o for_o open_v up_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n divers_a point_n of_o truth_n arise_v from_o the_o several_a branch_n of_o the_o text_n may_v here_o be_v handle_v but_o i_o intend_v to_o insist_v upon_o one_o arise_v from_o the_o scope_n which_o will_v comprehend_v the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o rest_n it_o be_v this_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v a_o thing_n much_o to_o be_v labour_v for_o and_o seek_v after_o and_o division_n and_o schism_n in_o a_o church_n be_v much_o to_o be_v eschew_v in_o prosecute_a this_o doctrine_n i_o shall_v first_o distinguish_v union_n that_o we_o may_v know_v what_o union_n be_v mean_v 2._o i_o shall_v confirm_v the_o point_n 1._o by_o scripture_n 2._o by_o reason_n 3._o i_o shall_v apply_v the_o doctrine_n for_o our_o use_n first_o then_o to_o know_v what_o union_n the_o text_n and_o doctrine_n speak_v of_o it_o be_v fit_a you_o know_v that_o there_o be_v several_a sort_n of_o union_n 1._o there_o be_v a_o union_n of_o the_o church_n invisible_a the_o tie_n and_o bond_n whereof_o be_v inward_a grace_n all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n invisible_a be_v unite_v to_o christ_n the_o head_n by_o faith_n and_o one_o to_o another_o by_o love_n this_o be_v not_o the_o union_n here_o mean_v the_o text_n speak_v of_o a_o visible_a union_n of_o the_o church_n visible_a in_o opposition_n to_o a_o visible_a rent_n and_o schism_n second_o there_o be_v a_o union_n of_o the_o church_n visible_a and_o of_o its_o member_n among_o themselves_o this_o again_o be_v twofold_a the_o first_o be_v that_o union_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n and_o the_o be_v of_o a_o member_n so_o that_o a_o church_n can_v be_v a_o church_n nor_o a_o man_n a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n without_o it_o wherein_o this_o union_n consist_v be_v controvert_v betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o independent_n but_o the_o doctrine_n mean_v not_o of_o this_o union_n either_o so_o we_o insist_v not_o on_o it_o the_o union_n press_v in_o the_o text_n be_v such_o that_o the_o church_n at_o corinth_n for_o the_o time_n do_v want_v and_o yet_o remain_v a_o church_n the_o union_n therefore_o here_o mean_v be_v a_o second_o sort_n of_o union_n belong_v to_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o wit_n that_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o well-being_a of_o a_o church_n without_o the_o which_o though_o a_o church_n remain_v a_o church_n yet_o she_o loss_v much_o of_o her_o outward_a beauty_n her_o authority_n be_v much_o weaken_v her_o great_a work_n which_o be_v the_o edification_n of_o herself_o in_o love_n eph._n 4._o 13._o be_v much_o retard_v she_o remain_v a_o church_n but_o not_o such_o a_o church_n as_o be_v describe_v cant._n 6._o 10._o who_o be_v she_o that_o look_v forth_o as_o the_o morning_n fair_a as_o the_o moon_n clear_a as_o the_o sun_n and_o terrible_a as_o a_o army_n with_o banner_n a_o divide_a church_n be_v not_o such_o a_o church_n but_o for_o further_a understanding_n of_o the_o union_n here_o press_v you_o will_v know_v that_o this_o union_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o well-being_a of_o a_o church_n be_v threefold_a 1._o
there_o be_v a_o union_n in_o judgement_n when_o there_o be_v no_o considerable_a difference_n among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o opinion_n when_o all_o think_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o this_o be_v here_o press_v be_v prefect_o join_v in_o one_o judgement_n 2._o there_o be_v a_o union_n in_o heart_n and_o affection_n speak_v of_o act._n 4._o 32._o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o of_o one_o soul_n and_o this_o union_n be_v also_o here_o press_v be_v perfect_o join_v together_o in_o the_o same_o mind_n or_o in_o love_n and_o affection_n as_o we_o show_v in_o the_o open_n up_o of_o the_o word_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o union_n in_o practice_n and_o that_o be_v when_o whatever_o difference_n there_o be_v in_o judgement_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o open_o proclaim_v public_a contradiction_n and_o eristick_a debate_n be_v eschew_v and_o a_o unanimous_a joint_a practice_n in_o these_o thing_n wherein_o there_o be_v agreement_n be_v follow_v and_o this_o union_n be_v also_o press_v in_o the_o text_n i_o beseech_v you_o that_o you_o all_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n so_o it_o be_v clear_a the_o text_n mean_v all_o these_o three_o sort_n of_o union_n the_o doctrine_n intend_v they_o all_o and_o as_o may_v be_v make_v evident_a other_o scripture_n press_v they_o all_o only_a this_o we_o will_v know_v the_o order_n wherein_o they_o be_v press_v to_o wit_n so_o as_o every_o breach_n in_o the_o former_a be_v not_o to_o make_v a_o breach_n in_o the_o latter_a every_o difference_n in_o judgement_n be_v not_o to_o make_v a_o rent_n in_o heart_n or_o affection_n nor_o though_o a_o rent_n be_v in_o both_o do_v it_o infer_v necessary_o a_o divide_a practice_n at_o least_o in_o these_o thing_n wherein_o there_o be_v agreement_n and_o for_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a especial_o philipp_n 3._o 15_o 16_o where_o v._n 15_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v difference_n of_o judgement_n among_o the_o philippian_n as_o to_o the_o point_n he_o be_v there_o speak_v of_o and_o subjoin_v for_o matter_n of_o practice_n v_o 16._o nevertheless_o whereunto_o we_o have_v already_o attain_v let_v we_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n that_o be_v to_o say_v though_o we_o can_v agree_v in_o all_o thing_n yet_o let_v we_o eschew_v the_o prolaim_n of_o our_o difference_n by_o our_o contrary_a practice_n this_o much_o for_o the_o first_o thing_n to_o wit_n what_o union_n the_o doctrine_n press_v it_o be_v a_o union_n necessary_a to_o the_o well-being_a of_o the_o visible_a church_n particular_o a_o union_n in_o judgement_n a_o union_n in_o affection_n a_o union_n in_o practice_n a_o union_n all_o these_o way_n be_v to_o be_v seek_v for_o and_o labour_v after_o yet_o so_o as_o if_o we_o can_v attain_v to_o union_n in_o the_o former_a we_o be_v yet_o still_o to_o endeavour_v it_o in_o the_o latter_a for_o confirmation_n of_o this_o truth_n we_o may_v cite_v several_a scripture_n 1._o these_o wherein_o this_o union_n be_v promise_v to_o the_o church_n and_o that_o as_o a_o rich_a covenant_n blessing_n such_o as_o jer._n 32._o 39_o i_o will_v give_v they_o one_o heart_n and_o one_o way_n that_o they_o may_v fear_v i_o for_o ever_o the_o like_a be_v in_o ezek._n 37._o 22._o 2._o these_o scripture_n wherein_o this_o union_n be_v high_o commend_v especial_o ps._n 133._o 1._o behold_v how_o good_a and_o how_o pleasant_a it_o be_v for_o brethren_n to_o dwell_v together_o in_o unity_n and_o so_o through_o the_o whole_a 3._o these_o scripture_n which_o hold_v out_o the_o mediator_n prayer_n to_o the_o father_n for_o this_o union_n joh._n 17._o 21._o that_o they_o all_o may_v be_v one_o as_o thou_o father_n be_v in_o i_o and_o i_o in_o thou_o that_o they_o also_o may_v be_v one_o in_o we_o and_o so_o v_o 23._o 4._o those_o scripture_n where_o this_o union_n be_v express_o enjoin_v and_o press_v whereof_o there_o be_v many_o such_o as_o philipp_n 2._o 1_o 2_o 3._o if_o there_o be_v any_o consolation_n in_o christ_n if_o any_o comfort_n of_o love_n if_o any_o fellowship_n of_o the_o spirit_n if_o any_o bowel_n and_o mercy_n fulfil_v you_o my_o joy_n that_o you_o be_v like_o mind_a have_v the_o same_o love_n be_v of_o one_o accord_n of_o one_o mind_n and_o 2_o cor._n 13._o 11._o final_o brethren_n farewell_o be_v of_o one_o mind_n live_v in_o peace_n and_o last_o these_o scripture_n where_o division_n contrary_a to_o unity_n be_v condemn_v as_o rom._n 16._o 17._o i_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n mark_v they_o which_o cause_n division_n and_o offence_n and_o avoid_v they_o but_o for_o further_a confirmation_n of_o this_o truth_n we_o shall_v in_o the_o next_o place_n bring_v forward_o some_o reason_n conclude_v the_o equity_n and_o necessity_n of_o seek_v after_o and_o entertain_v of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n which_o shall_v also_o serve_v as_o motive_n to_o the_o duty_n reason_n 1._o union_n further_v edification_n so_o eph._n 4._o 3._o union_n be_v press_v and_o one_o fruit_n among_o many_o to_o be_v reap_v hereby_o be_v v._n 12._o the_o edify_a of_o the_o body_n of_o christ._n and_o as_o unity_n further_v edification_n so_o division_n mar_v it_o division_n in_o a_o church_n though_o about_o small_a thing_n yet_o if_o stiff_o maintain_v prove_v a_o great_a stumble_a block_n to_o the_o weak_a they_o be_v put_v to_o doubt_v all_o truth_n because_o man_n gracious_a and_o learned_a doubt_n of_o some_o so_o division_n not_o only_o mar_v progress_n in_o the_o build_n but_o strike_v at_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o what_o be_v already_o build_v reas._n 2._o division_n in_o a_o church_n make_v the_o minister_n contemptible_a of_o all_o man_n minister_n suffer_v most_o this_o way_n because_o usual_o they_o be_v most_o active_a in_o beginning_n and_o uphold_v the_o division_n and_o usual_o even_o these_o who_o have_v truth_n for_o they_o suffer_v much_o if_o not_o most_o this_o way_n paul_n though_o a_o apostle_n and_o a_o man_n for_o truth_n yet_o 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