evangelist_n 4._o pastor_n and_o teacher_n ephes._n 4._o 11._o elsewhere_o we_o find_v other_o name_n of_o gift_n and_o office_n as_o worker_n of_o miracle_n gift_n of_o heal_n help_v governor_n diversity_n of_o tongue_n interpreter_n of_o tongue_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 28_o 29_o 30._o item_n deacon_n exhorter_n ruler_n rom._n 12._o 7_o 8._o and_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 1_o 8._o and_o 5._o 17_o 18_o 19_o from_o whence_o i_o make_v these_o inference_n 1._o if_o these_o officer_n appoint_v for_o the_o first_o building_n of_o christ_n church_n be_v by_o degree_n set_v in_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n one_o above_o another_o than_o i_o may_v conceive_v that_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o spiritual_a officer_n be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n church_n but_o these_o officer_n be_v so_o set_v in_o relation_n of_o degree_n one_o above_o another_o therefore_o i_o may_v conceive_v that_o such_o a_o gradation_n of_o spiritual_a officer_n be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n church_n 2._o if_o there_o be_v no_o independent_a parity_n in_o the_o first_o officer_n institute_v in_o christ_n church_n than_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o conceive_v that_o a_o independent_a parity_n be_v not_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n in_o institute_v officer_n in_o his_o church_n but_o there_o be_v no_o independent_a parity_n in_o these_o first_o officer_n institute_v in_o the_o church_n therefore_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o conceive_v that_o a_o independent_a parity_n be_v not_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n here_o two_o thing_n may_v be_v object_v or_o except_v against_o this_o rule_n of_o decision_n first_o that_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v christ_n first_o officer_n be_v equal_a one_o to_o another_o and_o independent_a one_o from_o another_o but_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o i_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o officer_n appoint_v before_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n but_o of_o those_o that_o be_v name_v express_o to_o bear_v office_n in_o the_o church_n already_o constitute_v second_o if_o then_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o inequality_n of_o these_o first_o office-bearer_n do_v proceed_v from_o the_o difference_n of_o extraordinary_a and_o ordinary_a officer_n then_o requisite_a at_o the_o first_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o now_o requisite_a after_o it_o be_v once_o constitute_v then_o i_o answer_v that_o here_o i_o neither_o intend_v nor_o have_v need_n to_o consider_v which_o officer_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o which_o ordinary_a because_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o only_o at_o this_o time_n as_o they_o be_v officer_n extant_a at_o first_o to_o build_v up_o the_o church_n and_o my_o inference_n go_v no_o further_a as_o yet_o nor_o must_v i_o come_v to_o admit_v of_o that_o distinction_n in_o my_o thought_n till_o the_o matter_n itself_o carry_v i_o to_o it_o four_o i_o find_v the_o several_a charge_n and_o duty_n of_o these_o officer_n to_o be_v these_o 1._o christ_n send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n appoint_v they_o to_o be_v his_o witness_n unto_o the_o utmost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n of_o that_o which_o he_o have_v do_v for_o our_o salvation_n act_n 1._o 8._o also_o he_o give_v they_o charge_n to_o teach_v all_o man_n to_o observe_v whatsoever_o he_o have_v command_v they_o and_o to_o baptise_v those_o that_o receive_v their_o doctrine_n matth._n 28._o 19_o 20._o this_o they_o do_v and_o so_o gather_v a_o church_n together_o wherein_o at_o first_o the_o faithful_a have_v all_o thing_n common_a bring_v their_o good_n to_o the_o apostle_n foot_n make_v they_o distributer_n thereof_o unto_o such_o as_o have_v need_v but_o the_o apostle_n find_v this_o charge_n impose_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v too_o troublesome_a and_o not_o proper_a unto_o their_o spiritual_a call_n therefore_o they_o betake_v themselves_o unto_o their_o own_o peculiar_a charge_n which_o be_v to_o attend_v unto_o prayer_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n act_n 6._o 4._o and_o give_v advice_n that_o deacon_n shall_v be_v choose_v who_o peculiar_a charge_n at_o their_o first_o institution_n be_v to_o serve_v the_o table_n ibid._n verse_n 2_o 3._o yet_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o also_o preach_v the_o word_n and_o bear_v witness_n of_o christ_n ib._n verse_n 9_o 10._o and_o cap._n 8._o verse_n 5._o and_o baptise_v the_o believer_n ib._n chap._n 8._o vers._n 12._o 38._o beside_o these_o deacon_n we_o find_v that_o the_o church_n be_v constitute_v other_o officer_n in_o it_o be_v name_v and_o say_v to_o be_v different_a in_o charge_n as_o the_o charge_n of_o prophet_n be_v to_o prophesy_v according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n of_o deacon_n to_o attend_v their_o deaconship_n of_o teacher_n to_o attend_v teach_v of_o exhorter_n to_o attend_v exhort_v of_o distributer_n to_o distribute_v of_o ruler_n to_o rule_v with_o diligence_n rom._n 12._o 6._o 7._o 8._o of_o speaker_n with_o tongue_n to_o speak_v and_o of_o interpreter_n to_o interpret_v 1_o cor._n 14._o 27._o beside_o these_o duty_n thus_o general_o mention_v we_o find_v more_o particular_a charge_n mention_v as_o first_o concerning_o the_o duty_n of_o prophet_n how_o they_o ought_v to_o prophesy_v and_o of_o speaker_n with_o tongue_n how_o they_o ought_v to_o speak_v unto_o edification_n in_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14._o 26_o 27_o 28_o 29_o 30_o 31_o 32_o 33._o second_o concerning_o ruler_n where_o we_o find_v the_o charge_n give_v to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n either_o as_o evangelist_n or_o as_o ordinary_a bishop_n and_o overseer_n of_o the_o church_n next_o unto_o the_o apostle_n their_o charge_n be_v to_o set_v in_o order_n thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n leave_v undo_v for_o the_o constitute_n of_o the_o church_n among_o which_o the_o ordain_n of_o elder_n and_o deacon_n in_o every_o church_n be_v a_o chief_a duty_n belong_v to_o they_o 1_o tim._n 1._o 3._o tit._n 1._o 5._o item_n to_o repress_v and_o inhibit_v false_a doctrine_n 1._o tim._n 1._o 3._o tit._n 1._o 10._o 11._o item_n to_o settle_v a_o course_n of_o prayer_n in_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n 2._o 1._o item_n to_o appoint_v due_a maintenance_n for_o widow_n and_o elder_n 1_o tim._n 5._o 9_o 17._o 18._o item_n to_o be_v judge_n in_o matter_n of_o accusation_n against_o elder_n ibid._n verse_n 19_o and_o to_o give_v imposition_n of_o hand_n to_o those_o that_o be_v approve_v and_o fit_a for_o the_o ministry_n ibid_n verse_n 22._o item_n to_o maintain_v their_o authority_n and_o not_o to_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v despise_v therein_o 1_o tim._n 4._o 12._o tit._n 2._o 15._o and_o last_o to_o commit_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v of_o the_o apostle_n unto_o faithful_a man_n able_a to_o teach_v other_o who_o shall_v be_v successor_n in_o that_o place_n 2_o tim._n 2._o 2._o as_o for_o other_o ruler_n in_o the_o pastoral_a charge_n their_o duty_n be_v specify_v to_o be_v a_o watch_n over_o the_o soul_n of_o their_o flock_n as_o those_o which_o must_v give_v a_o account_n heb._n 13._o 17._o and_o in_o do_v this_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o call_v their_o sheep_n by_o name_n to_o lead_v they_o out_o and_o to_o go_v before_o they_o ioh._n 10._o 3._o 4._o item_n to_o defend_v they_o against_o the_o wolf_n though_o they_o hazard_v their_o life_n in_o so_o do_v ib._n verse_n 11._o item_n to_o visit_v the_o sick_a and_o pray_v for_o they_o iam._n 5._o 14._o item_n to_o keep_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n to_o shut_v it_o and_o open_v it_o as_o occasion_n shall_v require_v matth._n 16._o 19_o and_o 18._o 17_o 18._o and_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 4._o 5._o and_o then_o the_o general_a duty_n of_o all_o officer_n be_v that_o as_o every_o one_o have_v receive_v the_o gift_n so_o he_o shall_v minister_v the_o same_o to_o other_o as_o a_o good_a steward_n of_o the_o manifold_a grace_n of_o god_n 1_o pet._n 4._o 10._o from_o all_o this_o i_o make_v these_o inference_n 1._o if_o all_o these_o charge_n and_o duty_n be_v different_a and_o yet_o shall_v be_v administer_v joint_o as_o by_o several_a member_n of_o one_o body_n than_o it_o seem_v such_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n in_o some_o and_o subordination_n in_o other_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v as_o be_v in_o the_o member_n of_o a_o natural_a body_n one_o in_o respect_n of_o another_o but_o all_o these_o charge_n be_v different_a and_o yet_o so_o to_o be_v administer_v as_o be_v mention_v 1_o cor._n 12._o 4_o 5._o and_o till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n therefore_o it_o seem_v such_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n in_o some_o and_o subordination_n in_o other_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v 2._o if_o these_o charge_n in_o their_o natural_a property_n as_o they_o stand_v in_o relation_n one_o to_o another_o be_v repugnant_a to_o a_o independent_a parity_n than_o
the_o way_n towards_o the_o find_n of_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o chief_a controversy_n now_o debate_v concerning_o church_n government_n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1641._o the_o way_n towards_o the_o find_n of_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o chief_a controversy_n now_o debate_v concerning_o church-government_n first_o i_o presuppose_v i_o be_o to_o speak_v to_o man_n that_o make_v conscience_n of_o their_o way_n and_o consequent_o study_v to_o walk_v by_o a_o rule_n i_o presuppose_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o they_o desire_v to_o walk_v be_v chief_o the_o clear_a word_n of_o god_n but_o where_o this_o can_v be_v have_v that_o the_o principle_n and_o inditement_n of_o sound_a reason_n they_o will_v not_o reject_v and_o last_o when_o reason_n may_v be_v doubtful_a that_o they_o will_v neither_o be_v singular_a and_o wilful_a in_o their_o own_o sense_n but_o incline_v to_o hear_v the_o judgement_n of_o other_o nor_o unwilling_a to_o yield_v unto_o that_o wherein_o all_o such_o as_o be_v esteem_v to_o be_v most_o rational_a do_v agree_v with_o such_o man_n i_o desire_v to_o speak_v and_o will_v tell_v they_o that_o i_o find_v in_o the_o controversy_n of_o this_o time_n divers_a little_a treaty_n put_v forth_o many_o bitter_o and_o indiscreet_o some_o modest_o and_o wise_o write_v some_o for_o and_o some_o against_o episcopacy_n all_o of_o they_o stand_v for_o particular_a tenet_n labour_v to_o uphold_v their_o own_o form_n of_o government_n as_o the_o best_a and_o only_o lawful_a ordinance_n of_o god_n none_o that_o i_o have_v meet_v withal_o do_v look_n upon_o the_o matter_n without_o partiality_n to_o seek_v concerning_o the_o point_n chief_o to_o be_v question_v a_o decision_n which_o i_o think_v may_v be_v take_v from_o undoubted_a ground_n and_o undeniable_a principle_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o put_v something_o to_o paper_n also_o in_o this_o kind_n as_o it_o be_v to_o make_v a_o trial_n whether_o or_o no_o the_o way_n to_o decide_v this_o great_a controversy_n may_v not_o be_v find_v out_o so_o as_o to_o give_v present_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o more_o simple_a and_o scrupulous_a and_o to_o show_v to_o the_o more_o learned_a and_o judicious_a who_o doubt_n lie_v deep_a a_o method_n whereby_o to_o resolve_v themselves_o if_o they_o will_v follow_v the_o same_o without_o prejudice_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o do_v i_o take_v then_o the_o matter_n chief_o questionable_a though_o not_o hitherto_o main_o and_o express_o question_v to_o be_v this_o whether_o or_o no_o christ_n have_v not_o for_o the_o unite_n and_o build_n up_o of_o his_o church_n institute_v some_o overseer_n or_o bishop_n for_o i_o use_v these_o name_n indifferent_o to_o be_v before_o and_o above_o other_o in_o church_n government_n or_o whether_o for_o the_o unite_n and_o build_n up_o of_o his_o church_n he_o have_v make_v all_o overseer_n to_o be_v equal_a and_o independent_a one_o from_o another_o if_o the_o first_o be_v affirm_v than_o the_o question_n must_v be_v what_o that_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v which_o christ_n have_v allow_v of_o and_o how_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v exercise_v above_o other_o but_o if_o the_o last_o be_v maintain_v than_o we_o must_v be_v teach_v what_o that_o prime_a and_o unsubordinate_a authority_n of_o every_o overseer_n be_v in_o his_o peculiar_a charge_n and_o how_o he_o shall_v exercise_v it_o now_o to_o find_v a_o way_n to_o decide_v these_o question_n i_o be_o as_o one_o who_o be_v doubtful_a that_o i_o may_v bear_v a_o part_n of_o the_o burden_n of_o those_o who_o be_v in_o doubt_n therefore_o to_o be_v able_a to_o resolve_v myself_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o lay_v some_o ground_n from_o whence_o inference_n may_v be_v make_v appliable_a to_o the_o question_n now_o in_o hand_n the_o ground_n must_v be_v clear_a doctrine_n of_o holy_a scripture_n concerning_o the_o matter_n which_o be_v fundamental_a in_o the_o question_n the_o inference_n must_v be_v rule_n take_v from_o those_o doctrine_n whereby_o my_o understanding_n may_v be_v direct_v to_o go_v the_o straight_a way_n towards_o a_o decision_n of_o the_o question_n and_o the_o application_n must_v be_v a_o consideration_n of_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o thing_n now_o debate_v so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v determinable_a by_o the_o rule_n which_o may_v be_v find_v out_o thus_o then_o to_o find_v ground_n of_o decision_n i_o must_v take_v notice_n first_o of_o thing_n fundamental_a to_o the_o question_n which_o i_o suppose_v be_v these_o 1._o to_o what_o end_n christ_n have_v gather_v together_o and_o compact_v into_o one_o body_n several_a believer_n which_o be_v call_v his_o church_n 2._o what_o it_o be_v proper_o to_o build_v up_o his_o church_n 3._o what_o officer_n be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n to_o be_v the_o builder_n of_o his_o church_n 4._o what_o their_o several_a charge_n and_o duty_n be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o how_o they_o be_v to_o administrate_v the_o same_o every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o gift_n and_o place_n 5._o how_o these_o that_o be_v commit_v to_o their_o charge_n be_v to_o behave_v themselves_o towards_o they_o 6._o how_o according_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o rule_n proceed_v from_o his_o spirit_n the_o chief_a builder_n his_o immediate_a follower_n the_o apostle_n do_v put_v all_o in_o execution_n here_o then_o their_o practice_n in_o the_o way_n of_o government_n be_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o if_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v find_v clear_o in_o scripture_n i_o hope_v they_o will_v afford_v i_o some_o light_n to_o satisfy_v the_o doubt_n of_o my_o weak_a conscience_n which_o now_o must_v be_v full_a of_o scruple_n for_o other_o man_n sake_n but_o when_o i_o shall_v have_v gather_v all_o that_o from_o clear_a scripture_n can_v be_v gather_v in_o these_o matter_n if_o yet_o something_o shall_v be_v find_v obscure_a and_o doubtful_a concerning_o particular_n now_o agitate_a whereof_o perhaps_o no_o clear_a precept_n be_v extant_a in_o scripture_n from_o whence_o i_o may_v be_v able_a to_o gather_v such_o inference_n as_o may_v settle_v my_o conscience_n and_o put_v it_o out_o of_o doubt_n concerning_o some_o question_n in_o government_n as_o whether_o this_o or_o that_o in_o such_o or_o such_o a_o case_n ought_v either_o to_o be_v or_o not_o to_o be_v do_v then_o i_o think_v i_o shall_v do_v well_o to_o look_v first_o upon_o the_o apostle_n practice_n in_o like_o case_n or_o if_o that_o be_v perhaps_o also_o either_o unknown_a or_o not_o well_o know_v as_o not_o record_v in_o the_o word_n than_o i_o suppose_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o consider_v the_o laudable_a practice_n of_o other_o time_n and_o chief_o those_o who_o most_o immediate_o follow_v the_o apostolical_a age_n take_v notice_n of_o that_o which_o they_o do_v in_o such_o like_a case_n that_o if_o perhaps_o in_o all_o church_n of_o all_o age_n and_o place_n i_o find_v some_o undoubted_a token_n of_o universal_a consent_n i_o may_v be_v willing_a to_o rest_v in_o it_o and_o not_o affect_v singularity_n chief_o if_o i_o shall_v also_o find_v that_o all_o the_o church_n of_o this_o present_a age_n do_v either_o consent_n full_o thereunto_o or_o at_o least_o do_v not_o so_o far_o dissent_v from_o the_o same_o as_o to_o condemn_v other_o who_o follow_v not_o their_o different_a practice_n in_o such_o case_n in_o all_o which_o church_n i_o say_v i_o ought_v to_o take_v notice_n in_o those_o case_n which_o shall_v be_v thus_o doubtful_a of_o their_o form_n of_o government_n so_o far_o as_o i_o shall_v find_v the_o same_o subordinate_a unto_o the_o main_a end_n for_o which_o christ_n gather_v his_o church_n and_o not_o repugnant_a but_o consonant_n unto_o the_o rule_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v clear_o record_v for_o i_o conceive_v that_o if_o it_o can_v be_v make_v apparent_a that_o either_o the_o end_n for_o which_o christ_n gather_v a_o church_n or_o the_o mean_n of_o build_v it_o up_o appoint_v by_o he_o or_o the_o rule_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v to_o the_o builder_n which_o be_v to_o be_v their_o follower_n or_o their_o own_o practice_n in_o govern_v the_o church_n according_a to_o god_n will_n be_v repugnant_a to_o all_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o one_o pastor_n above_o another_o than_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o no_o such_o government_n ought_v to_o be_v admit_v but_o if_o this_o not_o only_o can_v be_v make_v apparent_a but_o rather_o the_o contrary_n namely_o that_o both_o the_o aim_n of_o christ_n in_o compact_v his_o church_n into_o one_o body_n and_o the_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v build_v up_o and_o the_o rule_n give_v to_o the_o builder_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o chief_a master_n builder_n who_o
unto_o the_o deacon_n may_v in_o like_o case_n be_v exercise_v in_o these_o time_n and_o this_o may_v suffice_v also_o concerning_o this_o matter_n to_o give_v yet_o a_o further_a entry_n towards_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n then_o the_o ground_n next_o precedent_n be_v the_o distinction_n of_o officer_n first_o institute_v in_o the_o church_n from_o which_o i_o do_v infer_v that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o independent_a parity_n but_o a_o superior_a priority_n among_o they_o that_o then_o a_o superior_a priority_n be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v repugnant_a to_o christ_n intention_n in_o build_v up_o his_o church_n which_o be_v grant_v i_o now_o proceed_v further_a to_o gather_v this_o that_o if_o the_o superior_a parity_n be_v not_o ground_n upon_o the_o person_n of_o the_o officer_n but_o upon_o the_o office_n commit_v unto_o they_o which_o in_o some_o respect_n be_v to_o be_v perpetual_a in_o the_o church_n then_o i_o may_v infer_v that_o as_o the_o perpetual_a office_n be_v in_o priority_n and_o superiority_n one_o above_o another_o so_o the_o officer_n must_v be_v distinguish_v by_o their_o degree_n and_o therefore_o to_o find_v out_o the_o degree_n of_o subordination_n in_o the_o officer_n we_o must_v reflect_v upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o office_n as_o they_o stand_v in_o relation_n one_o to_o another_o and_o this_o also_o may_v suffice_v at_o this_o time_n towards_o a_o further_a determination_n of_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n and_o then_o the_o ground_n that_o go_v before_o this_o be_v that_o which_o concern_v the_o build_n up_o of_o the_o church_n from_o whence_o as_o heretofore_o it_o have_v be_v describe_v i_o infer_v this_o that_o such_o a_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o spiritual_a officer_n one_o above_o another_o as_o be_v most_o fit_a 1._o to_o unite_v all_o saint_n into_o one_o perfect_a man_n till_o they_o come_v to_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o christ_n 2._o to_o free_v they_o from_o the_o divers_a wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o deceit_n of_o seducer_n 3._o to_o make_v they_o able_a to_o supply_v spiritual_a gift_n one_o to_o another_o for_o their_o mutual_a edification_n be_v that_o priority_n and_o superiority_n which_o christ_n do_v allow_v of_o if_o therefore_o we_o can_v observe_v what_o kind_n of_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v best_a able_a to_o work_v the_o effect_n or_o if_o it_o be_v find_v that_o they_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v except_o several_a congregation_n become_v as_o one_o body_n under_o one_o watch_v superiority_n which_o may_v have_v a_o eye_n unto_o they_o all_o alike_o than_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a yet_o more_o full_o to_o determine_v this_o point_n in_o hand_n and_o then_o the_o first_o ground_n of_o all_o be_v that_o which_o describe_v the_o end_n wherefore_o christ_n will_v have_v all_o believer_n unite_v to_o one_o body_n from_o whence_o i_o gather_v this_o that_o the_o priority_n and_o superiority_n of_o officer_n in_o spiritual_a government_n which_o be_v most_o fit_a to_o make_v the_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n apparent_a unto_o the_o world_n to_o build_v up_o the_o believer_n among_o themselves_o to_o preserve_v they_o from_o all_o adversary_n and_o to_o uphold_v the_o credit_n of_o god_n kingdom_n be_v most_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n and_o therefore_o to_o know_v what_o that_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v the_o property_n which_o can_v reach_v these_o end_n must_v be_v find_v in_o it_o which_o property_n if_o they_o be_v not_o repugnant_a but_o rather_o consonant_a to_o that_o inspection_n which_o one_o overseer_n may_v have_v over_o other_o in_o many_o congregation_n then_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o such_o a_o inspection_n be_v not_o repugnant_a but_o rather_o consonant_a to_o christ_n intention_n and_o so_o i_o think_v i_o have_v find_v matter_n enough_o whereby_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o priority_n and_o superiority_n which_o be_v to_o be_v define_v may_v be_v know_v if_o we_o will_v meditate_v now_o full_o upon_o these_o head_n and_o discuss_v more_o distinct_o the_o particular_n contain_v under_o the_o same_o which_o in_o due_a time_n may_v be_v do_v by_o god_n assistance_n thus_o i_o have_v lay_v ground_n and_o gather_a rule_n to_o resolve_v my_o doubt_n first_o whether_o yea_o or_o no_o a_o superior_a priority_n be_v more_o answerable_a to_o christ_n intention_n than_o a_o independent_a parity_n in_o the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n second_o what_o that_o priority_n and_o superiority_n be_v now_o i_o must_v come_v to_o the_o consequent_a of_o this_o second_o question_n viz._n how_o this_o priority_n and_o superiority_n ought_v to_o be_v exercise_v towards_o other_o and_o to_o determine_v this_o we_o may_v gather_v rule_n from_o three_o ground_n which_o clear_a scripture_n do_v yield_v unto_o we_o the_o first_o ground_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o duty_n express_v in_o the_o peculiar_a name_n wherein_o the_o singular_a property_n of_o the_o charge_n be_v denote_v the_o second_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o special_a commandment_n give_v to_o the_o chief_a watchman_n according_a to_o which_o they_o be_v to_o behave_v themselves_o in_o their_o charge_n of_o superiority_n above_o other_o the_o three_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o example_n and_o practice_n of_o those_o that_o commendable_o and_o lawful_o exercise_v their_o authority_n over_o other_o or_o in_o the_o discommendable_a practice_n of_o those_o that_o vary_v from_o the_o rule_n to_o touch_v these_o thing_n but_o in_o a_o word_n at_o this_o time_n i_o observe_v from_o the_o chief_a name_n viz._n of_o shepherd_n of_o ruler_n of_o watchman_n and_o of_o bishop_n or_o overseer_n that_o the_o property_n of_o superiority_n stand_v chief_o in_o the_o relation_n which_o he_o that_o be_v set_v over_o other_o have_v unto_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n who_o in_o comparison_n of_o he_o be_v like_o a_o flock_n of_o sheep_n or_o like_o a_o commonwealth_n and_o company_n of_o man_n subject_a to_o certain_a law_n and_o constitution_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v direct_v in_o their_o joint_a course_n and_o way_n of_o life_n and_o lest_o they_o shall_v fall_v into_o some_o danger_n by_o transgress_v the_o same_o the_o inspection_n to_o be_v have_v over_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o his_o charge_n so_o that_o if_o we_o take_v notice_n what_o the_o true_a essential_a property_n of_o a_o shepherd_n be_v in_o his_o lead_a superiority_n or_o of_o a_o watchman_n set_v in_o the_o tower_n of_o a_o city_n or_o of_o a_o overseer_n set_v to_o look_v to_o a_o family_n in_o a_o house_n the_o same_o priority_n and_o superiority_n may_v be_v atribute_v unto_o the_o chief_a officer_n which_o christ_n have_v appoint_v for_o his_o church_n from_o whence_o again_o i_o infer_v that_o according_a as_o the_o flock_n be_v small_a or_o great_a the_o watchtower_n high_a or_o low_o in_o a_o big_a or_o little_a city_n the_o company_n less_o or_o more_o so_o the_o superiority_n in_o the_o charge_n may_v be_v difference_v and_o by_o degree_n extend_v or_o contract_v the_o name_n of_o steward_n also_o be_v attribute_v unto_o the_o chief_a officer_n but_o not_o unto_o he_o alone_o yet_o it_o employ_v a_o power_n of_o dispense_v these_o thing_n which_o the_o m._n of_o the_o house_n have_v appoint_v to_o be_v give_v unto_o his_o household_n therefore_o as_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v dispense_v be_v different_a and_o either_o more_o or_o less_o universal_o to_o be_v administer_v so_o the_o difference_n of_o superiority_n may_v be_v observe_v in_o the_o stewardship_n the_o name_n of_o a_o husbandman_n be_v somewhat_o of_o a_o other_o kind_n for_o it_o employ_v a_o property_n rather_o of_o painfulness_n then_o of_o power_n and_o authority_n wherein_o we_o conceive_v that_o according_a to_o the_o intent_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o soil_n so_o the_o husbandry_n must_v be_v for_o as_o the_o soil_n may_v be_v large_a or_o lesser_a so_o the_o charge_n in_o the_o husbandry_n thereof_o may_v be_v difference_v in_o like_a manner_n the_o name_n of_o builder_n may_v be_v difference_v according_a to_o the_o largeness_n of_o the_o house_n and_o different_a duty_n in_o the_o build_n thereof_o last_o the_o name_n of_o angel_n be_v give_v to_o the_o chief_a officer_n in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n as_o denote_v a_o superiority_n of_o message_n wherein_o he_o be_v employ_v by_o god_n towards_o other_o to_o declare_v his_o will_n and_o see_v it_o execute_v in_o his_o kingdom_n for_o he_o be_v the_o ambassador_n of_o god_n unto_o his_o people_n and_o have_v the_o beam_n of_o his_o authority_n confer_v upon_o he_o thus_o than_o i_o gather_v that_o all_o these_o name_n of_o shepherd_n ruler_n watchman_n overseer_n steward_n husbandman_n builder_n and_o angel_n denote_v clear_o a_o superiority_n of_o office_n over_o and_o towards_o the_o person_n unto_o