particular_a congregation_n to_o which_o he_o give_v full_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o govern_v themselves_o distinct_o and_o independent_a of_o all_o other_o church_n but_o where_o have_v they_o authority_n for_o this_o opinion_n where_o do_v they_o find_v that_o church_n be_v limit_v to_o particular_a congregation_n not_o in_o scripture_n for_o there_o be_v no_o tolerable_a proof_n that_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v possible_a at_o first_o there_o may_v have_v be_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n than_o may_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n but_o where_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o when_o they_o multiply_v into_o more_o congregation_n they_o make_v new_a and_o distinct_a church_n under_o new_a officer_n with_o a_o separate_a power_n of_o government_n of_o this_o dr._n stillingfleet_n say_v he_o be_v well_o assure_v there_o be_v no_o mark_n or_o footstep_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o the_o whole_a history_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o they_o will_v follow_v the_o plain_a instance_n of_o scripture_n they_o may_v better_o limit_v church_n to_o private_a family_n than_o to_o particular_a congregation_n for_o of_o that_o we_o have_v a_o plain_a instance_n in_o scripture_n rom._n 16._o 3._o 5._o col._n 4._o 15._o in_o the_o house_n of_o priscilla_n and_o aquilla_n but_o not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o other_o and_o if_o they_o will_v keep_v to_o these_o plain_a instance_n of_o scripture_n they_o may_v full_o enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o avoid_v the_o scandal_n of_o break_v the_o law_n but_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v every_o congregation_n a_o independent_a church_n that_o it_o plain_o show_v we_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v then_o the_o same_o with_o a_o diocese_n or_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n which_o be_v under_o the_o inspection_n of_o one_o bishop_n for_o if_o we_o observe_v the_o language_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o shall_v find_v this_o observation_n not_o once_o to_o fail_v that_o when_o church_n be_v speak_v of_o they_o be_v the_o church_n of_o a_o province_n as_o the_o church_n of_o judaea_n 1_o thess_n 2._o 14._o the_o church_n of_o asia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 19_o of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n act_v 15._o 41._o church_n of_o galatia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 1._o gal._n 1._o 2._o church_n of_o macedonia_n 2_o cor._n 8._o 1._o but_o when_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n be_v speak_v of_o it_o be_v still_o call_v the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n as_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n the_o church_n at_o corinth_n the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o seem_v plain_a from_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n that_o church_n be_v not_o limit_v to_o particular_a congregation_n unless_o they_o will_v say_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o large_a of_o these_o city_n mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n which_o shall_v be_v show_v to_o be_v otherwise_o hereafter_o but_o suppose_v we_o shall_v grant_v that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n be_v congregational_a as_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v not_o what_o then_o that_o may_v have_v be_v from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n or_o small_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o day_n must_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v always_o continue_v so_o why_o do_v they_o not_o wash_v one_o another_o foot_n as_o christ_n do_v and_o command_v his_o apostle_n to_o do_v the_o same_o 12._o same_o and_o if_o they_o must_v keep_v so_o precise_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o day_n why_o do_v any_o of_o their_o minister_n marry_v a_o second_o wife_n for_o st._n paul_n say_v plain_o let_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o husband_n of_o one_o wife_n 1_o tim._n 3._o v._n 2._o &_o 12._o so_o the_o first_o civil_a government_n be_v by_o god_n own_o institution_n over_o family_n they_o may_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o overthrow_v kingdom_n to_o bring_v thing_n back_o to_o god_n first_o institution_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v how_o ridiculous_a that_o fancy_n of_o they_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o all_o thing_n pertain_v to_o discipline_n and_o worship_n and_o that_o we_o must_v stick_v so_o precise_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o and_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o day_n as_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o vary_v from_o it_o in_o any_o little_a indifferent_a circumstance_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o public_a order_n or_o conveniency_n but_o as_o this_o notion_n of_o congregational_a church_n do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o neither_o do_v it_o with_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o by_o the_o ancient_a canon_n of_o the_o church_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o a_o diocese_n which_o comprehend_v many_o congregation_n or_o parish_n see_v canon_n nicen._n 6_o 15_o 16._o constant_n c._n 6._o chalcedon_n 17._o 20._o 26._o antioch_n c._n 2._o 5._o codex_fw-la eccles_n africa_n c._n 53._o 55._o council_n gangrae_fw-la c._n 6._o council_n carthag_n c._n 10_o 11._o and_o thus_o much_o as_o to_o the_o first_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n as_o differ_v from_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o therefore_o not_o of_o christ_n institution_n the_o second_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v that_o our_o diocesan_n church_n and_o bishop_n be_v unlawful_a for_o say_v they_o it_o be_v make_v a_o new_a species_n of_o church_n and_o church-government_n without_o god_n appointment_n for_o say_v mr._n baxter_n according_a to_o christ_n institution_n no_o church_n must_v be_v big_a than_o that_o the_o same_o bishop_n may_v perform_v the_o pastoral_n office_n to_o they_o in_o present_a communion_n and_o so_o he_o will_v have_v threâ—_n sort_n of_o bishop_n by_o divine_a right_n first_o general_n bishop_n that_o in_o every_o nation_n be_v over_o many_o church_n second_o episcopâ—_n gregis_fw-la or_o rule_v pastor_n of_o single_a congregation_n which_o be_v all_o true_a presbyter_n three_o episcopi_fw-la praesides_fw-la which_o be_v the_o precedent_n of_o the_o presbyter_n in_o particular_a church_n this_o be_v mr._n baxter_n notion_n of_o bishop_n but_o other_o be_v not_o of_o his_o mind_n and_o will_v allow_v of_o but_o one_o kind_n of_o bishop_n and_o such_o they_o make_v the_o pastor_n of_o every_o congregation_n but_o that_o both_o these_o notion_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v false_a will_v appear_v for_o that_o first_o it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o large_a for_o our_o saviour_n have_v leave_v no_o rule_n about_o limit_n the_o apostle_n follow_v the_o form_n of_o the_o empire_n plant_v in_o every_o city_n a_o complete_a and_o entire_a church_n who_o bishop_n as_o to_o his_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n resemble_v that_o of_o the_o chief_a magistrate_n of_o the_o city_n the_o presbyter_n that_o of_o the_o senate_n and_o the_o several_a church_n the_o several_a corporation_n so_o say_v dr._n still_o in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 237._o and_o quote_v origen_n c._n cell_n l._n 3._o and_o dr._n maurice_n in_o his_o def._n of_o diocese_n episcopacy_n p._n 377_o etc._n etc._n affirm_v the_o same_o and_o prove_v it_o at_o large_a and_o as_o far_o as_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o city_n extend_v itself_o so_o far_o do_v the_o diocese_n of_o the_o bishop_n extend_v for_o the_o church_n and_o the_o city_n have_v but_o one_o territory_n but_o though_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n agree_v upon_o by_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o persuasion_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n yet_o because_o some_o may_v be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o deny_v this_o i_o will_v appeal_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o african_a church_n for_o which_o mr._n baxter_n dr._n owen_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o dissenter_n express_v a_o esteem_n above_o all_o other_o church_n it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n among_o the_o african_a church_n that_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n though_o never_o so_o large_a and_o populous_a see_v cod._n eccl._n africa_n c._n 71._o and_o at_o the_o famous_a conference_n at_o carthage_n between_o the_o catholic_n and_o donatist_n bishop_n by_o the_o command_n of_o constantine_n the_o emperor_n who_o be_v become_v christian_a the_o rule_n on_o both_o side_n agree_v be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n or_o diocese_n see_v conference_n of_o the_o first_o day_n and_o if_o there_o can_v have_v be_v more_o than_o
of_o alexandria_n and_o the_o territory_n belong_v to_o it_o for_o he_o say_v ap._n p._n 781_o 802._o maoretis_fw-la be_v a_o region_n belong_v to_o alexandria_n and_o all_o the_o church_n there_o be_v immediate_o subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n but_o because_o dr._n owen_n mr._n baxter_n mr._n cotton_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v make_v choice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n in_o africa_n in_o st._n cyprian_n time_n to_o make_v their_o appeal_n to_o dr._n stillingfleet_n to_o avoid_v all_o cavil_n as_o he_o tell_v we_o have_v choose_v that_o very_a church_n to_o be_v decide_v by_o as_o to_o the_o episcopal_a government_n now_o in_o dispute_n between_o we_o and_o therefore_o first_o he_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o not_o likely_a to_o be_v one_o single_a congregation_n and_o this_o he_o prove_v out_o of_o st._n cyprian_n own_v epistle_n in_o his_o banishment_n particular_o in_o his_o 5_o book_n ep._n 28._o he_o complain_v that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o his_o clergy_n be_v absent_a and_o the_o few_o that_o remain_v be_v hardly_o sufficient_a for_o their_o work_n and_o that_o these_o presbyter_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v under_o the_o particular_a care_n and_o government_n of_o st._n cyprian_n as_o their_o bishop_n appear_v by_o his_o own_o word_n lib._n 3._o ep._n 10_o and_o 12._o to_o the_o people_n of_o carthage_n he_o complain_v to_o they_o of_o his_o presbyter_n that_o they_o do_v not_o reserve_v to_o their_o bishop_n that_o honour_n due_a to_o his_o place_n for_o that_o they_o receive_v penitent_n to_o communion_n without_o imposition_n of_o hand_n by_o the_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o his_o epist_n 28._o he_o threaten_v to_o excommunicate_v those_o presbyter_n that_o shall_v do_v so_o for_o the_o future_a and_o all_o the_o other_o bishop_n give_v their_o approbation_n to_o st._n cyprian_n for_o so_o do_v and_o the_o same_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o 3_o book_n ep._n 65._o tell_v they_o that_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o place_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o disobedience_n to_o he_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o schism_n and_o disorder_n see_v more_o full_o concern_v this_o matter_n in_o dr._n stillingfleet_n mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 228_o 229._o etc._n etc._n and_o now_o since_o dr._n owen_n mr._n baxter_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v agree_v to_o appeal_v to_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n we_o must_v suppose_v they_o allow_v no_o deviation_n in_o that_o church_n from_o the_o primitive_a institution_n and_o what_o that_o be_v then_o any_o one_o may_v judge_v and_o st._n augustine_n be_v another_o bishop_n in_o the_o african_a church_n he_o be_v bishop_n of_o hippo_n regia_n the_o diocese_n of_o which_o extend_v at_o least_o forty_o mile_n as_o appear_v by_o st._n augustine_n own_a epist_n 262._o it_o be_v true_a the_o african_a church_n come_v most_o near_o the_o congregational_a way_n of_o any_o other_o the_o diocese_n be_v small_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o sectary_n there_o the_o donatist_n and_o many_o other_o and_o that_o be_v the_o reason_n mr._n baxter_n and_o the_o rest_n express_v so_o great_a a_o esteem_n for_o it_o but_o that_o their_o bishopric_n be_v much_o too_o large_a to_o serve_v either_o the_o presbyterian_o or_o independent_o turn_v and_o that_o they_o never_o allow_v more_o than_o one_o bishop_n in_o the_o large_a city_n sufficient_o appear_v by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v and_o in_o the_o african_a code_n there_o be_v a_o canon_n that_o say_v express_o no_o bishop_n shall_v leave_v his_o cathedral_n church_n and_o go_v to_o any_o other_o church_n in_o his_o diocese_n to_o reside_v there_o see_v codex_fw-la eccl._n africa_n c._n 71._o which_o show_v that_o the_o bishop_n territory_n and_o jurisdiction_n extend_v into_o distant_a place_n from_o the_o city_n as_o well_o in_o the_o african_a church_n as_o in_o other_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v to_o this_o that_o calvin_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n out_o of_o dispute_n among_o learned_a man_n that_o a_o church_n do_v not_o only_o take_v in_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n but_o of_o the_o adjacent_a country_n also_o see_v calv._n instit_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 4._o n._n 2._o but_o though_o there_o be_v never_o more_o than_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n 1._o church_n v._o conc._n eph._n part_n 2._o act._n 1._o yet_o some_o bishop_n have_v have_v two_o or_o more_o city_n in_o their_o diocese_n timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o farmissus_n and_o eudocias_n athanasius_n be_v bishop_n of_o diveltus_n and_o sozopolis_n and_o there_o have_v be_v some_o bishopric_n that_o have_v have_v no_o city_n at_o all_o in_o they_o but_o only_a village_n for_o there_o be_v some_o country_n that_o have_v no_o city_n in_o they_o so_o have_v we_o at_o this_o day_n bishop_n in_o ireland_n and_o wales_n that_o have_v no_o city_n in_o their_o diocese_n but_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o extent_n of_o his_o diocese_n be_v confine_v to_o any_o single_a village_n so_o far_o from_o that_o that_o by_o the_o canon_n of_o sardica_n vi_o all_o the_o bishop_n assemble_v at_o sardica_n agree_v that_o it_o shall_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v lawful_a to_o ordain_v any_o bishop_n in_o village_n or_o small_a city_n that_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o bishop_n may_v not_o be_v contemptible_a from_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o place_n but_o say_v mr._n clarkson_n and_o the_o rest_n the_o apostle_n ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o then_o mr._n clarkson_n name_v the_o place_n to_o wit_n antioch_n iconium_n lystra_n and_o other_o village_n and_o these_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n they_o will_v have_v bishop_n but_o first_o i_o say_v that_o during_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v common_o use_v the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o but_o not_o after_o as_o shall_v be_v show_v hereafter_o and_o therefore_o these_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n here_o speak_v of_o may_v be_v as_o well_o take_v for_o ordinary_a presbyter_n or_o priest_n as_o for_o bishop_n but_o allow_v these_o presbyter_n be_v bishop_n what_o advantage_n will_v it_o be_v to_o they_o for_o first_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n confine_v their_o authority_n to_o those_o place_n but_o the_o contrary_n be_v evident_a and_o unless_o they_o can_v prove_v this_o it_o will_v not_o serve_v their_o turn_n but_o second_o these_o city_n over_o which_o the_o apostle_n appoint_v elder_n be_v large_a city_n at_o that_o time_n by_o much_o too_o great_a to_o come_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n iconium_n be_v then_o a_o metropolitan_a and_o have_v many_o other_o city_n under_o it_o and_o the_o rest_n be_v all_o large_a city_n but_o before_o i_o conclude_v this_o point_n i_o must_v make_v one_o observation_n and_o that_o be_v that_o mr._n clarkson_n to_o prove_v that_o a_o bishop_n of_o a_o city_n have_v no_o more_o but_o one_o congregation_n undertake_v to_o show_v how_o small_a some_o city_n be_v but_o it_o be_v remarkable_a he_o quote_v for_o his_o authority_n some_o author_n who_o speak_v of_o they_o long_o before_o there_o be_v any_o bishop_n and_o because_o they_o may_v have_v be_v small_a place_n then_o will_v needs_o have_v they_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v very_o ridiculous_a for_o under_o the_o roman_a emperor_n both_o the_o roman_a and_o the_o grecian_a city_n be_v at_o their_o height_n and_o do_v very_o much_o surpass_v both_o for_o their_o magnificence_n and_o number_n of_o people_n any_o that_o have_v be_v before_o or_o since_o nor_o be_v this_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o since_o our_o city_n do_v now_o stand_v upon_o much_o narrow_a foundation_n as_o to_o their_o constitution_n our_o city_n have_v seldom_o any_o liberty_n half_a a_o mile_n beyond_o their_o wall_n and_o be_v general_o but_o a_o assembly_n of_o tradesman_n whereas_o the_o roman_a city_n have_v each_o a_o territory_n as_o it_o be_v a_o county_n belong_v to_o it_o which_o be_v under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o city_n magistrate_n and_o the_o citizen_n be_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o adjacent_a country_n i_o have_v now_o show_v that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o holy_a father_n of_o it_o and_o that_o their_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v as_o absolute_a and_o extend_v as_o far_o or_o far_o than_o any_o bishop_n this_o day_n in_o england_n i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o that_o episcopal_a government_n as_o now_o settle_v in_o england_n have_v
switzerland_n during_o the_o persecution_n of_o queen_n mary_n by_o which_o letter_n it_o appear_v that_o several_a of_o the_o clergy_n who_o have_v be_v beyond_o sea_n upon_o their_o return_n home_o do_v endeavour_v to_o persuade_v queen_n elizabeth_n to_o let_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o habit_n for_o the_o clergy_n etc._n etc._n fall_n particular_o sand_n afterward_o archbishop_n of_o york_n horn_n afterward_o bishop_n of_o winchester_n jewel_n and_o grindal_n but_o grindal_n in_o one_o of_o his_o letter_n to_o bullinger_n say_v they_o be_v all_o resolve_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o wait_v for_o a_o fit_a opportunity_n to_o reverse_v they_o and_o he_o lament_v the_o ill_a effect_n of_o the_o opposition_n that_o some_o have_v make_v to_o they_o he_o also_o thank_v bullinger_n for_o the_o letter_n he_o write_v to_o justify_v the_o lawful_a use_n of_o the_o habit_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o fine_a they_o all_o allow_v the_o lawfulness_n but_o not_o the_o fitness_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o law_n till_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o reverse_v it_o lawful_o see_v burnet_n travel_n p._n 51_o 52._o but_o though_o the_o wise_a sort_n among_o they_o do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o proceed_v to_o actual_a separation_n from_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o those_o indifferent_a thing_n yet_o some_o there_o be_v of_o a_o more_o fierce_a and_o turbulent_a spirit_n who_o have_v not_o patience_n to_o wait_v god_n leisure_n but_o either_o a_o reformation_n must_v be_v make_v present_o according_a to_o their_o wild_a notion_n and_o the_o queen_n and_o parliament_n must_v tack_n about_o immediate_o to_o their_o pleasure_n or_o else_o to_o your_o tent_n o_o israel_n they_o will_v set_v up_o church_n of_o their_o own_o and_o forsake_v we_o utter_o as_o a_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a church_n not_o fit_a to_o be_v communicate_v with_o and_o thus_o begin_v our_o unhappy_a division_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v myself_o to_o trace_v this_o matter_n through_o the_o reign_v of_o queen_n elizabeth_n king_n james_z the_o first_o and_z king_n charles_n the_o first_o nor_o to_o show_v how_o they_o daily_o increase_v and_o grow_v wide_o nor_o the_o many_o sub-division_n and_o scandalous_a breach_n that_o be_v daily_o make_v among_o themselves_o ever_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o separation_n as_o between_o brown_n and_o barrow_n brown_n and_o harrison_n barrow_n and_o johnson_n johnson_n and_o ainsworth_n who_o all_o left_a england_n to_o gather_v separate_a church_n to_o themselves_o in_o the_o low-countries_n but_o scarce_o have_v be_v well_o there_o till_o they_o fall_v out_o all_o among_o themselves_o one_o man_n and_o his_o company_n be_v accurse_v and_o avoid_v by_o the_o other_o and_o his_o follower_n and_o the_o one_o church_n receive_v the_o person_n excommunicate_v by_o the_o other_o till_o they_o become_v ridiculous_a to_o spectator_n and_o at_o last_o some_o of_o they_o be_v glad_a to_o return_v into_o england_n this_o matter_n have_v be_v so_o full_o relate_v by_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 51_o 52_o etc._n etc._n that_o it_o be_v needless_a here_o to_o repeat_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o take_v notice_n that_o ever_o since_o king_n james_n the_o second_v accession_n to_o the_o crown_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v lay_v aside_o all_o thought_n of_o controversy_n with_o the_o dissenter_n in_o hope_n that_o they_o will_v have_v join_v for_o their_o common_a safety_n with_o they_o in_o stop_v the_o inundation_n of_o popery_n that_o be_v ready_a to_o break_v in_o upon_o these_o nation_n and_o swallow_v they_o both_o up_o but_o while_o most_o of_o our_o eminent_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o dr._n tillotson_n dr._n stillingfleet_n dr._n burnet_n dr._n comber_n dr._n sherlock_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v employ_v in_o write_v against_o the_o incendiary_n of_o rome_n the_o dissenter_n our_o brethren_n instead_o of_o assist_v we_o be_v make_v themselves_o ready_a for_o war_n with_o we_o as_o appear_v soon_o after_o for_o when_o god_n almighty_n have_v happy_o place_v king_n william_n in_o the_o throne_n a_o convocation_n be_v immediate_o call_v in_o hope_n that_o some_o term_n of_o accommodation_n may_v have_v be_v agree_v upon_o between_o we_o and_o which_o in_o all_o probability_n will_v have_v take_v effect_n if_o the_o dissent_v minister_n have_v be_v as_o forward_o as_o we_o for_o how_o much_o incline_v our_o clergy_n be_v to_o a_o reconciliation_n notwithstanding_o the_o aspersion_n lay_v on_o they_o by_o the_o dissenter_n of_o their_o have_a no_o such_o design_n do_v sufficient_o appear_v by_o several_a of_o their_o write_n see_v dr._n tillotson_n sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o yorkshire_n feast_n anno_fw-la 1679._o pag._n 28._o and_o dr._n sherlock_n sermon_n before_o the_o lord_n mayor_n nou._n 1688._o see_v likewise_o the_o petition_n of_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n and_o the_o other_o bishop_n for_o which_o they_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o tower_n and_o see_v the_o article_n recommend_v by_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n to_o all_o the_o bishop_n within_o his_o province_n and_o dr._n stillingfleet_n preface_n to_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n by_o all_o which_o it_o sufficient_o appear_v how_o desirous_a they_o be_v for_o a_o reconciliation_n but_o instead_o of_o listen_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n do_v our_o dissenter_n break_v forth_o into_o open_a act_n of_o hostility_n and_o at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o we_o be_v actual_o treat_v of_o accommodation_n with_o they_o do_v they_o publish_v several_a of_o their_o book_n one_o upon_o the_o back_n of_o another_o in_o which_o they_o endeavour_v nothing_o less_o than_o the_o total_a overthrow_n of_o our_o church_n by_o pretend_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v new_a and_o unlawful_a and_o that_o our_o worship_n be_v idolatrous_a and_o sinful_a have_v this_o be_v at_o a_o time_n when_o their_o way_n of_o worship_n be_v not_o tolerate_v or_o we_o impose_v on_o they_o with_o penalty_n they_o have_v be_v the_o more_o excusable_a or_o have_v we_o begin_v to_o expose_v their_o extempore_o way_n of_o pray_v as_o we_o may_v easy_o have_v do_v but_o at_o such_o a_o time_n as_o that_o be_v to_o become_v the_o aggressor_n be_v ungrateful_a as_o well_o as_o unseasonable_a but_o now_o since_o the_o dissenter_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o revive_v the_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o hope_v they_o can_v take_v it_o unkind_o of_o we_o if_o we_o endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v our_o church_n and_o to_o remove_v those_o aspersion_n that_o they_o have_v groundless_o cast_v upon_o she_o but_o this_o have_v be_v do_v so_o learned_o and_o full_o by_o so_o many_o of_o our_o learned_a divine_n already_o that_o i_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o do_v it_o better_o or_o to_o say_v much_o more_o than_o what_o they_o have_v say_v before_o i_o i_o shall_v only_o here_o lie_v down_o brief_o the_o substance_n of_o what_o i_o have_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o best_a author_n on_o both_o side_n that_o have_v write_v late_o on_o this_o subject_a for_o there_o may_v be_v some_o who_o will_v be_v willing_a to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o yet_o can_v neither_o bestow_v the_o time_n nor_o pain_n to_o read_v all_o the_o book_n of_o controversy_n over_o which_o have_v be_v write_v on_o this_o subject_a first_o then_o we_o will_v examine_v the_o plea_n which_o the_o dissenter_n use_v for_o separation_n and_o show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o justify_v separation_n according_a to_o their_o own_o principle_n all_o the_o plea_n at_o this_o time_n make_v use_v of_o for_o separation_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n first_o such_o as_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n second_o to_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n with_o it_o three_o to_o the_o conscience_n of_o dissenter_n as_o to_o the_o first_o to_o wit_n such_o as_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n they_o say_v first_o that_o our_o parochial_a church_n be_v not_o according_a to_o christ_n institution_n as_o be_v different_a from_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n second_o that_o our_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v unlawful_a three_o that_o our_o national_a church_n have_v no_o foundation_n and_o want_v discipline_n all_o be_v swallow_v up_o in_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o pastor_n of_o every_o parish_n who_o ought_v to_o have_v full_a power_n to_o execute_v every_o part_n of_o it_o be_v deprive_v thereof_o and_o four_o that_o the_o people_n be_v deprive_v of_o their_o right_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o pastor_n first_o say_v they_o our_o parochial_a church_n be_v not_o according_a to_o christ_n institution_n for_o christ_n they_o say_v institute_v no_o other_o kind_n of_o church_n than_o
be_v and_o be_v at_o this_o day_n commend_v and_o approve_v of_o by_o all_o the_o most_o eminent_a divine_n beyond_o sea_n perhaps_o some_o may_v say_v if_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v so_o agreeable_a to_o that_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o approve_v of_o by_o other_o reform_a church_n as_o we_o pretend_v it_o be_v how_o come_v it_o that_o they_o all_o do_v not_o follow_v the_o pattern_n of_o england_n and_o become_v all_o diocesan_n church_n i_o answer_v they_o may_v as_o well_o ask_v we_o why_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o roman_a emperor_n do_v not_o upon_o the_o decay_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n when_o they_o resume_v their_o just_a right_n of_o government_n to_o themselves_o become_v all_o monarchy_n according_a to_o the_o pattern_n of_o england_n some_o nation_n beside_o england_n ireland_n and_o scotland_n do_v assume_v episcopal_a government_n as_o denmark_n sweden_n etc._n etc._n but_o perhaps_o it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o present_a circumstance_n or_o politic_a constitution_n of_o all_o place_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n to_o set_v up_o episcopal_a government_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o and_o therefore_o since_o neither_o episcopal_a nor_o any_o other_o particular_a kind_n of_o government_n be_v so_o essential_a to_o a_o church_n as_o that_o a_o true_a church_n may_v not_o be_v without_o it_o in_o case_n of_o indispensible_a necessity_n they_o put_v themselves_o some_o under_o one_o form_n of_o government_n some_o under_o another_o as_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o their_o present_a constitution_n but_o with_o this_o caution_n every_o where_o that_o all_o protestant_n of_o every_o whole_a church_n be_v the_o government_n what_o it_o will_v shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o conform_v to_o the_o establish_v church_n in_o which_o they_o live_v for_o though_o every_o national_a or_o whole_a church_n have_v a_o power_n to_o choose_v what_o kind_n of_o government_n they_o please_v for_o themselves_o yet_o it_o be_v never_o allow_v that_o particular_a scrupulous_a people_n among_o themselves_o have_v power_n to_o do_v so_o too_o this_o power_n of_o subdivide_v be_v never_o pretend_v to_o nor_o practise_v in_o any_o other_o nation_n since_o the_o reformation_n but_o in_o england_n so_o that_o though_o they_o do_v all_o allow_v the_o antiquity_n and_o usefulness_n of_o episcopal_a government_n yet_o since_o it_o be_v not_o essential_a to_o a_o true_a church_n no_o more_o than_o that_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a nor_o convenient_a at_o this_o time_n for_o all_o place_n some_o may_v refuse_v it_o and_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o we_o in_o england_n shall_v do_v so_o since_o it_o be_v convenient_a for_o we_o and_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n and_o constitution_n of_o these_o kingdom_n and_o come_v by_o much_o near_a the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n than_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o but_o they_o say_v we_o make_v episcopal_a government_n essential_a to_o a_o true_a church_n for_o that_o we_o will_v suffer_v none_o to_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n here_o in_o england_n unless_o they_o be_v ordain_v by_o a_o bishop_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v plain_a we_o do_v not_o make_v episcopal_a government_n essential_a to_o a_o true_a church_n for_o we_o allow_v all_o the_o reform_a church_n to_o be_v true_a church_n and_o communicate_v with_o they_o and_o yet_o some_o of_o they_o have_v no_o diocesan_n bishop_n it_o be_v true_a by_o the_o law_n of_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n none_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n in_o any_o cathedral_n or_o parish_n church_n or_o chapel_n nor_o to_o hold_v any_o ecclesiastical_a benefice_n within_o these_o kingdom_n but_o such_o as_o be_v willing_a to_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o this_o church_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o therefore_o since_o both_o the_o law_n of_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n do_v require_v that_o all_o minister_n who_o desire_v to_o serve_v in_o this_o church_n shall_v declare_v public_o that_o they_o assent_n to_o and_o approve_v of_o our_o form_n 〈◊〉_d worship_n etc._n etc._n and_o be_v willing_a to_o use_v the_o same_o as_o the_o church_n appoint_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v receive_v their_o ordination_n and_o licence_n to_o execute_v their_o office_n from_o the_o bishop_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o such_o as_o want_v these_o qualification_n shall_v be_v refuse_v the_o liberty_n of_o execute_v their_o office_n in_o these_o kingdom_n ordination_n kingdom_n the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v not_o say_v absolute_o that_o all_o those_o minister_n who_o want_v episcopal_a ordination_n be_v no_o true_a minister_n but_o only_o that_o none_o shall_v be_v account_v a_o lawful_a bishop_n priest_n or_o deacon_n so_o as_o to_o execute_v their_o function_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n unless_o they_o be_v once_o ordain_v by_o a_o bishop_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o ordination_n but_o the_o reason_n we_o refuse_v they_o be_v not_o so_o much_o because_o that_o presbyterian_a ordination_n do_v not_o make_v they_o true_a minister_n according_a to_o god_n law_n as_o though_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o ordination_n without_o a_o bishop_n in_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n but_o all_o to_o the_o contrary_a because_o they_o stubborn_o refuse_v to_o submit_v to_o our_o law_n and_o constitution_n and_o contemn_v the_o lawful_a authority_n under_o which_o god_n have_v place_v they_o and_o command_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v obey_v and_o this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o statute_n of_o 14_o car._n 2._o in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a proviso_n that_o all_o minister_n of_o foreign_a reform_a church_n who_o come_v into_o this_o kingdom_n by_o the_o king_n permission_n be_v to_o be_v except_v out_o of_o and_o excuse_v from_o the_o penalty_n of_o that_o act._n and_o this_o custom_n of_o require_v conformity_n and_o subscription_n from_o all_o who_o desire_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o every_o settle_a church_n that_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o christ_n day_n as_o will_v appear_v hereafter_o the_o 3d._a objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n be_v that_o our_o state_n our_o by_o national_a church_n be_v mean_v the_o whole_a church_n of_o such_o nation_n as_o upon_o the_o decay_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n resume_v their_o just_a right_n of_o government_n to_o themselves_o both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n national_a church_n which_o we_o call_v the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v no_o foundation_n and_o want_v discipline_n all_o be_v encroach_v and_o swallow_v up_o in_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o pastor_n of_o every_o parish_n who_o ought_v to_o have_v full_a power_n to_o execute_v every_o part_n of_o it_o be_v deprive_v thereof_o but_o this_o be_v false_a for_o the_o presbyter_n in_o our_o church_n have_v as_o great_a power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n as_o ever_o they_o have_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n what_o power_n be_v they_o deprive_v of_o by_o the_o bishop_n that_o they_o have_v then_o by_o the_o law_n of_o our_o church_n no_o rule_n of_o discipline_n no_o article_n of_o doctrine_n no_o form_n of_o worship_n can_v be_v introduce_v by_o the_o bishop_n or_o impose_v upon_o any_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n of_o the_o nation_n in_o convocation_n who_o appear_v either_o in_o person_n or_o by_o proxy_n the_o only_a authority_n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v above_o the_o presbyter_n be_v government_n ordination_n and_o censure_n which_o be_v all_o appropriate_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n st._n cyprian_n assure_v we_o it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o african_a church_n in_o his_o three_o book_n ep._n 10._o &_o 12._o 28._o 27._o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o st._n augustine_n time_n see_v cod._n eccl._n afr._n c._n 6_o 7_o 9_o etc._n etc._n but_o say_v they_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n be_v take_v away_o from_o the_o presbyter_n and_o lodge_v sole_o in_o the_o bishop_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a say_v they_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o presbyter_n do_v ordain_v for_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v by_o lay_v on_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o but_o dr._n hammond_n in_o his_o paraphrase_n on_o this_o text_n say_v that_o these_o presbyter_n here_o speak_v of_o who_o ordain_v timothy_n be_v apostle_n that_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v by_o st._n paul_n be_v most_o evident_a for_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n ch_n 1._o v._n 6._o say_v i_o put_v thou_o in_o mind_n that_o thou_o stir_v up_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o thou_o by_o the_o
lay_n on_o of_o my_o hand_n and_o the_o apostle_n may_v then_o have_v be_v likely_a enough_o call_v presbyter_n for_o that_o during_o the_o apostle_n time_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o and_o sometime_o use_v the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o as_o appear_v plain_o by_o compare_v 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o with_o 2_o tim._n 1._o 6._o in_o the_o former_a verse_n st._n paul_n bid_v timothy_n neglect_v not_o the_o gift_n that_o be_v in_o he_o by_o lay_v on_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o in_o the_o latter_a he_o bid_v he_o stir_v up_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o you_o by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o my_o hand_n for_o while_o the_o apostle_n live_v they_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v few_o or_o no_o bishop_n in_o their_o day_n but_o as_o they_o withdraw_v they_o commit_v the_o care_n and_o government_n of_o church_n to_o such_o person_n as_o they_o appoint_v thereto_o of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o uncontrollable_a evidence_n in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n so_o that_o although_o the_o apostle_n leave_v no_o successor_n in_o eodem_fw-la gradu_fw-la as_o to_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v extraordinary_a in_o they_o as_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o writing_n new_a gospel_n the_o extent_n of_o their_o power_n etc._n etc._n yet_o to_o other_o part_n of_o their_o apostolic_a office_n they_o have_v successor_n as_o in_o teach_v and_o govern_v and_o such_o like_a thing_n that_o be_v not_o extraordinary_a which_o power_n of_o govern_v ordain_v etc._n etc._n be_v give_v to_o such_o particular_a presbyter_n as_o the_o apostle_n think_v fit_a for_o it_o be_v proper_o the_o episcopal_a power_n and_o thus_o these_o who_o be_v but_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o the_o accession_n of_o this_o govern_n and_o ordain_v power_n become_v bishop_n after_o their_o decease_n or_o departure_n and_o thus_o will_v all_o those_o seem_a difference_n between_o the_o word_n presbyter_n and_o bishop_n speak_v of_o in_o antiquity_n be_v reconcile_v and_o herewith_o agree_v the_o opinion_n of_o archbishop_n whitgift_n and_o bishop_n bilson_n and_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 270._o and_o many_o other_o see_v king_n charles_n i._o his_o debate_n about_o episcopacy_n more_o full_o concern_v this_o matter_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o since_o the_o apostle_n day_n presbyter_n be_v not_o bishop_n but_o a_o distinct_a order_n from_o they_o and_o this_o be_v agree_v by_o most_o ancient_a and_o modern_a writer_n see_v among_o other_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n ad_fw-la trall_n where_o he_o say_v that_o without_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n it_o can_v be_v call_v a_o church_n and_o aerius_n who_o declare_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n be_v represent_v by_o epiphanius_n as_o a_o prodigy_n and_o his_o opinion_n madness_n see_v epiph._n haer._n 74._o n._n 1._o 3_o so_o ischyrus_n pretend_v to_o be_v a_o presbyter_n because_o coluthus_n have_v ordain_v he_o but_o athanasius_n represent_v it_o as_o a_o monster_n that_o one_o shall_v esteem_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o one_o who_o die_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n see_v dr._n maur._n defence_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n p._n 451._o and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o a_o bishop_n himself_o do_v ordain_v any_o one_o against_o the_o canon_n and_o establish_v discipline_n of_o the_o church_n they_o do_v not_o stick_v at_o declare_v such_o ordination_n void_a and_o in_o some_o case_n to_o re-ordain_a see_v can._n nicen._n 9_o 10._o 16._o 19_o and_o can._n antioch_n 73._o 10_o etc._n etc._n what_o sentence_n shall_v we_o think_v than_o they_o will_v have_v pronounce_v against_o our_o presbyterian_a ordination_n as_o practise_v here_o in_o england_n contrary_a both_o to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n too_o but_o beside_o all_o this_o the_o plea_n which_o our_o dissenter_n make_v for_o separation_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o presbyter_n be_v total_o deprive_v of_o their_o power_n of_o ordain_v be_v false_a for_o by_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n four_o presbyter_n be_v to_o assist_v the_o bishop_n in_o give_v order_n and_o after_o examination_n to_o join_v in_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n on_o the_o person_n ordain_v see_v can._n 31._o and_o 35._o but_o another_o objection_n which_o they_o make_v to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o want_v of_o discipline_n be_v for_o that_o the_o power_n of_o excommunicate_v notorious_a offender_n be_v take_v away_o from_o the_o parochial_a minister_n and_o lodge_v only_o in_o the_o bishop_n but_o sure_o they_o who_o make_v this_o objection_n never_o read_v the_o 26_o canon_n which_o be_v one_o of_o they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o authentic_a church_n canon_n for_o that_o canon_n say_v express_o that_o no_o minister_n shall_v admit_v any_o of_o his_o flock_n to_o the_o lord_n supper_n who_o be_v know_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o any_o scandalous_a sin_n until_o he_o have_v open_o declare_v that_o he_o have_v true_o repent_v and_o in_o case_n the_o offender_n continue_v obstinate_a he_o must_v give_v a_o account_n to_o the_o ordinary_n within_o 14_o day_n who_o be_v then_o to_o proceed_v to_o great_a excommunication_n for_o the_o other_o be_v call_v a_o penitential_a excommunication_n so_o than_o it_o seem_v the_o pastor_n be_v not_o total_o deprive_v of_o the_o power_n of_o censure_v for_o scandalous_a offence_n nay_o they_o have_v a_o great_a and_o more_o absolute_a power_n than_o be_v allow_v they_o in_o many_o other_o reform_a church_n for_o indeed_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n be_v a_o work_n of_o so_o much_o prudence_n and_o difficulty_n that_o the_o great_a zealot_n for_o it_o have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o trust_v it_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o parochial_a minister_n and_o his_o particular_a congregation_n calvin_n himself_o say_v to_o do_v so_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o apostolic_a practice_n see_v calv._n ep._n 136._o and_o beza_n speak_v of_o the_o discipline_n of_o geneva_n in_o his_o ep._n 20._o say_v the_o parochial_a minister_n proceed_v no_o far_o than_o admonition_n but_o in_o case_n of_o contumacy_n they_o certify_v the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o city_n who_o sit_v at_o certain_a time_n to_o hear_v all_o censure_n relate_v to_o discipline_n but_o allow_v a_o church_n want_v true_a discipline_n do_v it_o therefore_o lose_v its_o be_v or_o justify_v separation_n no_o sure_a if_o so_o there_o be_v few_o presbyterian_a church_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o late_a time_n many_o of_o they_o have_v no_o discipline_n at_o all_o among_o they_o for_o many_o year_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o the_o lord_n supper_n administer_v in_o some_o part_n of_o this_o kingdom_n for_o ten_o or_o a_o dozen_o year_n together_o but_o now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o four_o objection_n against_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n which_o be_v that_o the_o people_n be_v deprive_v of_o their_o right_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n pray_v let_v i_o ask_v they_o how_o this_o original_a and_o inherent_a right_n as_o mr._n baxter_n call_v it_o of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n come_v to_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o people_n be_v there_o not_o a_o church_n to_o be_v form_v in_o the_o beginning_n do_v not_o christ_n appoint_v apostle_n and_o give_v they_o authority_n for_o that_o end_n where_o be_v the_o church_n power_n then_o lodge_v be_v it_o not_o in_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o they_o in_o all_o place_n as_o they_o plant_v church_n appoint_v officer_n to_o teach_v and_o govern_v they_o and_o be_v not_o then_o the_o pastor_n invest_v with_o a_o power_n superior_a to_o that_o of_o the_o people_n how_o come_v they_o then_o to_o lose_v it_o or_o how_o come_v the_o people_n to_o pretend_v a_o original_n right_o thereto_o beside_o how_o can_v the_o people_n make_v choice_n of_o man_n for_o their_o fitness_n and_o ability_n when_o at_o that_o time_n their_o ability_n depend_v so_o much_o on_o the_o apostle_n lay_v on_o of_o their_o hand_n for_o then_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v give_v to_o they_o it_o seem_v then_o that_o this_o original_a and_o inherent_a right_n be_v not_o in_o the_o people_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n nor_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o it_o have_v st._n clement_n st._n cyprian_n st._n chrysostom_n etc._n etc._n can_v not_o have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o st._n clement_n say_v in_o his_o ep._n 54_o 55_o 56_o 57_o the_o apostle_n think_v fit_a to_o reserve_v this_o power_n of_o appoint_v officer_n in_o the_o church_n to_o themselves_o to_o prevent_v the_o contention_n that_o may_v happen_v about_o it_o and_o that_o all_o the_o people_n have_v to_o do_v be_v to_o give_v
fair_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o a_o certain_a letter_n p._n 18._o where_o he_o say_v he_o have_v seldom_o hear_v any_o but_o very_o good_a and_o well_o study_v sermon_n in_o our_o church_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n complain_v public_o of_o the_o weakness_n and_o injudiciousness_n and_o self-conceitedness_n of_o too_o many_o of_o the_o nonconformist_a preacher_n in_o his_o sacral_n desert_n p._n 86._o yet_o they_o will_v tell_v we_o they_o deceive_v the_o people_n and_o keep_v they_o all_o in_o ignorance_n for_o their_o own_o interest_n lest_o they_o shall_v lose_v their_o church_n preferment_n this_o be_v a_o very_a severe_a censure_n to_o say_v that_o so_o many_o thousand_o godly_a minister_n as_o have_v be_v of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n since_o the_o reformation_n and_o who_o have_v many_o of_o they_o die_v martyr_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v such_o villain_n as_o to_o deceive_v the_o people_n and_o damn_v their_o own_o soul_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o church_n preferment_n but_o how_o can_v self-interest_n oblige_v the_o clergy_n to_o defend_v the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o now_o establish_v if_o they_o think_v it_o not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o must_v be_v either_o pride_n or_o covetousness_n that_o must_v move_v they_o to_o it_o if_o it_o be_v pride_n doubtless_o the_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a way_n will_v answer_v that_o end_n much_o better_o for_o whereas_o now_o the_o parson_n vicar_n and_o curate_n of_o all_o the_o parish_n in_o england_n be_v subject_a to_o their_o respective_a bishop_n etc._n etc._n and_o can_v do_v nothing_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o discipline_n or_o government_n etc._n etc._n not_o even_o in_o their_o own_o parish_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n change_v to_o that_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a way_n every_o pastor_n will_v become_v a_o absolute_a bishop_n and_o accountable_a to_o none_o for_o what_o he_o do_v if_o it_o be_v covetousness_n that_o move_v they_o to_o it_o i_o suppose_v that_o be_v all_o the_o parson_n of_o every_o parish_n in_o england_n make_v the_o pastor_n of_o that_o church_n or_o parish_n according_a to_o the_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a notion_n of_o a_o pastor_n and_o all_o the_o diocesan_n and_o metropolitan_a bishopric_n and_o their_o dean_n and_o chapter_n dissolve_v and_o their_o revenue_n superadd_v to_o the_o present_a income_n of_o every_o parish_n minister_n or_o pastor_n their_o church_n live_n will_v be_v no_o less_o but_o more_o valuable_a than_o now_o they_o be_v why_o do_v they_o not_o then_o set_v about_o this_o change_n of_o church_n government_n as_o fast_o as_o they_o can_v if_o they_o think_v in_o their_o conscience_n be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o god_n will_v so_o to_o do_v it_o be_v plain_a it_o will_v better_v answer_v their_o covetousness_n and_o ambition_n to_o pull_v down_o episcopacy_n than_o to_o live_v in_o this_o poor_a subjection_n that_o now_o they_o do_v here_o they_o will_v tell_v we_o the_o reason_n be_v plain_a because_o the_o bishop_n who_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n will_v not_o let_v they_o they_o know_v the_o sweet_a of_o a_o fat_a bishopric_n too_o well_o to_o part_v with_o it_o i_o warrant_v they_o but_o the_o thousand_o part_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o england_n be_v not_o bishop_n nor_o perhaps_o never_o think_v to_o be_v so_o every_o one_o of_o these_o have_v a_o vote_n in_o the_o convocation_n and_o doubtless_o may_v carry_v it_o against_o so_o small_a a_o number_n of_o bishop_n as_o 27._o be_v they_o not_o persuade_v in_o their_o conscience_n that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o now_o establish_v be_v as_o agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o therefore_o since_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v more_o numerous_a and_o general_o more_o learned_a and_o can_v have_v no_o design_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o self-interest_n to_o deceive_v the_o people_n it_o be_v safe_a sure_o in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n to_o take_v their_o word_n and_o trust_v to_o their_o judgement_n than_o to_o those_o among_o the_o dissenter_n who_o interest_n it_o be_v to_o deceive_v the_o people_n and_o make_v the_o breach_n between_o we_o as_o wide_a as_o they_o can_v many_o of_o they_o be_v man_n of_o no_o fortune_n and_o such_o as_o have_v no_o other_o way_n to_o get_v a_o live_n and_o man_n who_o must_v needs_o be_v loser_n by_o a_o union_n between_o we_o be_v the_o conformity_n of_o which_o side_n it_o will_v whether_o they_o conform_v to_o we_o or_o we_o to_o they_o for_o be_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n either_o episcopal_a or_o presbyterian_a or_o independent_a it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o the_o minister_n who_o be_v lawful_o put_v into_o the_o cure_n shall_v continue_v therein_o still_o as_o pastor_n of_o their_o own_o church_n so_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o nonconformist_a preacher_n must_v be_v lay_v aside_o for_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a that_o other_o who_o be_v as_o deserve_v as_o they_o and_o lawful_o settle_v in_o their_o cure_n shall_v be_v turn_v out_o to_o make_v room_n for_o they_o nor_o that_o parish_n shall_v be_v divide_v all_o over_o the_o kingdom_n to_o furnish_v they_o with_o church_n it_o be_v likely_a that_o some_o of_o the_o nonconformist_a minister_n who_o be_v better_a qualify_v than_o ordinary_a may_v be_v provide_v for_o shall_v it_o please_v god_n that_o there_o be_v a_o union_n between_o we_o but_o many_o of_o they_o i_o doubt_v can_v not_o so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a their_o interest_n oblige_v the_o most_o of_o they_o to_o deceive_v the_o people_n and_o keep_v open_a the_o breach_n as_o wide_o as_o they_o can_v and_o that_o they_o real_o do_v so_o be_v plain_a by_o their_o make_v the_o difference_n between_o we_o seem_v great_a than_o real_o they_o be_v and_o than_o they_o themselves_o have_v own_a they_o to_o be_v in_o their_o write_n as_o i_o have_v all_o along_o show_v and_o also_o by_o their_o pretend_v to_o quote_v authority_n for_o what_o they_o say_v and_o either_o not_o mention_v the_o chapter_n or_o page_n where_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v find_v or_o else_o alter_v the_o very_a word_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o author_n to_o serve_v their_o turn_n if_o any_o one_o think_v i_o do_v they_o wrong_n let_v they_o look_v into_o dr._n maurice_n his_o defence_n of_o diocesan_n episc_n p._n 237._o 335._o 353._o 377._o 396._o 442._o 444._o how_o mr._n clarkson_n to_o prove_v episcopacy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n to_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o congregational_a or_o independent_a way_n have_v misrepresent_v the_o very_a word_n and_o sense_n of_o his_o author_n you_o may_v find_v more_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n in_o the_o preface_n to_o dr._n comber_n defence_n of_o liturgy_n one_a part_n and_o see_v how_o false_o mr._n baxter_n have_v translate_v theodoret_n epistle_n to_o serve_v his_o hypothesis_n dr._n stillingfleet_n his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 261._o and_o how_o he_o have_v misrepresent_v the_o doctor_n be_v own_o word_n ib._n 131._o 132_o and_o 126._o many_o more_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n may_v be_v give_v be_v it_o necessary_a but_o what_o have_v be_v say_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n where_o the_o case_n seem_v doubtful_a and_o all_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n agree_v on_o one_o side_n and_o the_o nonconformist_n only_o on_o the_o other_o it_o be_v much_o safe_a to_o take_v the_o opinion_n of_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n than_o of_o the_o other_o because_o they_o be_v more_o numerous_a and_o general_o more_o learned_a and_o seem_v to_o have_v less_o reason_n to_o deceive_v we_o to_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v i_o shall_v only_o add_v this_o that_o i_o have_v take_v all_o the_o pain_n that_o possible_o i_o can_v to_o inform_v myself_o 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vent_v than_o ever_o before_o or_o since_o this_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o see_v a_o book_n call_v gangrena_fw-la part_n one_a p._n 175._o writ_n about_o the_o year_n 1646._o where_o many_o of_o they_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o we_o say_v they_o in_o these_o four_o last_o year_n for_o so_o long_o have_v presbytery_n be_v uppermost_a have_v overpass_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o prelate_n in_o who_o time_n never_o so_o great_a nor_o so_o many_o error_n be_v hear_v of_o much_o less_o such_o blasphemy_n and_o confusion_n we_o have_v worse_a thing_n among_o we_o more_o corrupt_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n than_o in_o 80._o year_n before_o etc._n etc._n so_o that_o if_o nothing_o must_v purchase_v peace_n between_o we_o but_o the_o part_n with_o our_o religion_n and_o overthrow_v our_o whole_a constitution_n to_o set_v up_o another_o which_o experience_n have_v teach_v we_o be_v neither_o so_o consistent_a with_o god_n glory_n nor_o the_o peace_n of_o these_o nation_n they_o must_v excuse_v we_o beside_o let_v i_o tell_v they_o their_o late_a carriage_n in_o scotland_n have_v give_v we_o great_a reason_n to_o fear_v that_o the_o religion_n they_o so_o much_o boast_v of_o and_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n endeavour_v to_o set_v up_o in_o this_o nation_n in_o the_o place_n of_o that_o which_o by_o god_n good_a providence_n be_v now_o establish_v be_v not_o the_o true_a religion_n of_o christ_n for_o that_o never_o teach_v any_o to_o affront_n and_o revile_v his_o lawful_a minister_n and_o to_o burn_v the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o they_o have_v do_v now_o more_o than_o once_o i_o pray_v god_n open_v their_o eye_n and_o soften_v their_o heart_n and_o give_v they_o grace_n to_o repent_v finis_fw-la
a_o end_n to_o the_o controversy_n between_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o dissenter_n in_o which_o all_o their_o plea_n for_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v insufficient_a from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a among_o the_o dissenter_n themselves_o and_o their_o separation_n condemn_v by_o the_o reform_a church_n london_n print_v for_o richard_n wellington_n at_o the_o lute_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1697._o to_o the_o reader_n there_o be_v some_o it_o be_v like_a who_o may_v think_v it_o a_o vseless_a and_o impertinent_a piece_n of_o work_n to_o write_v a_o book_n on_o this_o subject_a that_o have_v be_v late_o so_o ingenious_o handle_v by_o such_o eminent_a and_o learned_a man_n as_o the_o bishop_n of_o worcester_n dr._n comber_n dr._n maurice_n etc._n etc._n but_o though_o no_o man_n that_o i_o know_v will_v pretend_v to_o write_v better_a than_o they_o have_v do_v yet_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n in_o this_o 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be_v hereby_o abolish_v see_v galat._n 4._o and_o as_o this_o law_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v reveal_v to_o we_o after_o a_o more_o excellent_a manner_n than_o that_o of_o the_o old_a so_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v most_o extraordinary_a contain_v nothing_o in_o it_o superfluous_a nor_o want_v any_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o direct_v all_o man_n to_o heaven_n on_o very_o easy_a term_n it_o be_v so_o adapt_v and_o fit_v to_o all_o condition_n of_o man_n that_o the_o very_o mean_a capacity_n may_v easy_o understand_v every_o thing_n contain_v in_o it_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o salvation_n and_o this_o evangelical_n law_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v leave_v as_o a_o rule_n for_o all_o succeed_a age_n to_o walk_v by_o but_o notwithstanding_o that_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v leave_v the_o world_n such_o plain_a and_o positive_a rule_n to_o walk_v by_o that_o none_o that_o be_v not_o wilful_o so_o can_v be_v mistake_v in_o they_o yet_o such_o have_v be_v the_o unhappiness_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o it_o never_o want_v some_o within_o it_o of_o such_o restless_a and_o peevish_a spirit_n as_o to_o disturb_v its_o peace_n and_o quiet_n by_o make_v division_n and_o schism_n in_o it_o which_o st._n paul_n foresee_v when_o he_o tell_v the_o elder_n act_n 20._o 30._o also_o of_o yourselves_o shall_v man_n arise_v speak_v perverse_a thing_n to_o draw_v disciple_n after_o they_o but_o though_o there_o have_v be_v always_o some_o division_n in_o the_o church_n ever_o since_o the_o first_o plant_v of_o it_o yet_o for_o the_o first_o three_o or_o four_o hundred_o year_n they_o be_v much_o few_o than_o what_o have_v be_v since_o and_o those_o that_o be_v be_v much_o more_o discountenance_a and_o oppose_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n than_o they_o be_v afterward_o in_o the_o church_n of_o africa_n a_o little_a before_o st._n augustine_n day_n there_o arise_v the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n who_o separate_v upon_o the_o account_n that_o the_o bishopric_n be_v too_o large_a and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n too_o great_a and_o because_o the_o minister_n be_v not_o so_o able_a and_o holy_a man_n as_o they_o shall_v be_v and_o because_o they_o dislike_v the_o liturgy_n and_o public_a prayer_n of_o the_o church_n and_o for_o suchlike_a reason_n and_o a_o little_a before_o in_o the_o three_o century_n begin_v the_o novatian_a schism_n at_o rome_n for_o that_o novatus_n think_v the_o bishopric_n too_o large_a will_v needs_o be_v choose_v bishop_n in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o cornelius_n be_v choose_v before_o but_o both_o these_o schism_n be_v condemn_v this_o by_o the_o council_n of_o carth._n and_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n and_o by_o st._n cyprian_n ep._n 52._o n._n 4_o etc._n etc._n and_o that_o of_o the_o donatist_n by_o all_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n at_o the_o conference_n at_o carth._n see_v conference_n of_o the_o third_z day_n chap._n 4._o and_o by_o st._n augustine_n in_o his_o book_n against_o permenian_a petilian_a and_o the_o other_o donatist_n bishop_n but_o not_o long_o after_o about_o the_o five_o and_o six_o century_n the_o error_n and_o corruption_n in_o the_o church_n begin_v to_o increase_v more_o abundant_o and_o appear_v more_o barefaced_a and_o open_o than_o former_o they_o have_v do_v for_o that_o as_o the_o roman_a empire_n begin_v to_o decline_v there_o follow_v a_o general_a decay_n of_o learning_n and_o gross_a ignorance_n have_v overspread_v the_o earth_n insomuch_o that_o many_o of_o the_o priest_n themselves_o can_v not_o read_v latin_a and_o than_o it_o be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o bring_v in_o what_o heresy_n and_o schism_n man_n will_v and_o this_o be_v the_o time_n that_o most_o of_o the_o error_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o
one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n the_o two_o great_a schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n in_o africa_n and_o the_o novatian_a at_o rome_n may_v have_v be_v avoid_v but_o instead_o hereof_o see_v how_o st._n cyprian_n among_o other_o aggravate_v the_o schism_n of_o novatius_fw-la for_o be_v choose_v bishop_n in_o the_o same_o city_n where_o cornelius_n be_v choose_v before_o for_o say_v he_o since_o there_o can_v be_v a_o second_o after_o the_o first_o whosoever_o be_v make_v bishop_n where_o one_o be_v make_v already_o be_v not_o another_o bishop_n but_o none_o at_o all_o cypr._n epist_n 52._o n._n 4._o and_o the_o same_o st._n cyprian_n in_o his_o epistle_n 55._o n._n 6._o 9_o declare_v that_o to_o have_v only_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o prevent_v schism_n see_v st._n cypr._n de_fw-fr unitate_fw-la eccles_n n._n 3_o 4._o and_o st._n augustine_n in_o his_o epistle_n 162._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n but_o now_o that_o it_o be_v so_o plain_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v never_o allow_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o reconcile_v this_o to_o their_o hypothesis_n but_o by_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o either_o the_o city_n be_v very_o small_a in_o those_o day_n or_o else_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o they_o be_v so_o few_o as_o that_o they_o may_v all_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n and_o this_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v to_o do_v in_o the_o ordinary_a city_n which_o mr._n clarkson_n in_o his_o book_n of_o primitive_a episcopacy_n affirm_v be_v no_o large_a than_o our_o ordinary_a market-town_n in_o england_n but_o even_o in_o the_o very_o large_a and_o most_o populous_a city_n they_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o there_o be_v more_o christian_n than_o can_v convenient_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o church_n to_o serve_v god_n as_o in_o rome_n alexandria_n constantinople_n carthage_n and_o the_o rest_n all_o which_o far_o exceed_v any_o now_o in_o the_o world_n both_o for_o largeness_n and_o number_n of_o people_n this_o seem_v to_o be_v very_o strange_a old_a rome_n be_v at_o that_o time_n a_o city_n so_o large_a and_o populous_a that_o it_o excel_v london_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n as_o far_o as_o london_n now_o do_v new_a rome_n and_o have_v by_o computation_n at_o that_o time_n above_o 1000000_o inhabitant_n as_o dr._n maurice_n show_v in_o his_o defence_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n p._n 340._o and_o seem_v indeed_o to_o be_v very_o probable_a if_o one_o consider_v those_o vast_a and_o mighty_a piece_n of_o workmanship_n that_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v do_v there_o the_o ruin_n of_o which_o be_v to_o be_v see_v at_o this_o day_n as_o dr._n burnet_n in_o his_o travel_n tell_v we_o who_o gather_v from_o thence_o that_o that_o city_n must_v have_v be_v vast_o populous_a about_o that_o time_n and_o it_o be_v in_o aurclius_n his_o day_n 50_o mile_n in_o circumference_n dr._n m._n p._n 212._o and_o yet_o will_v mr._n clarkson_n allow_v no_o more_o christian_n in_o this_o great_a city_n than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n so_o of_o alexandria_n which_o be_v 1â—_n miles_n in_o circumference_n according_a to_o pliny_n l._n 5._o 9_o and_o the_o rest_n all_o great_a far_o than_o london_n now_o be_v but_o to_o serve_v their_o turn_n they_o will_v reduce_v they_o all_o to_o the_o narrow_a limit_n of_o a_o single_a congregation_n and_o by_o consequence_n give_v all_o the_o rest_n to_o the_o devil_n by_o make_v they_o unchristian_a heretic_n schismatic_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v strange_a that_o christianity_n shall_v make_v no_o better_o a_o progress_n consider_v the_o largeness_n of_o the_o city_n and_o multitude_n of_o people_n in_o they_o and_o consider_v the_o care_n and_o industry_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o learned_a father_n of_o those_o age_n and_o their_o extraordinary_a gift_n that_o in_o so_o large_a and_o populous_a a_o city_n as_o rome_n christianity_n shall_v gain_v no_o more_o proselyte_n in_o 300_o year_n than_o can_v meet_v all_o in_o one_o church_n notwithstanding_o st._n paul_n himself_o have_v preach_v there_o for_o many_o year_n the_o very_a quaker_n in_o london_n which_o be_v not_o comparable_a to_o old_a rome_n have_v make_v more_o proselyte_n already_o than_o the_o apostle_n in_o much_o long_a time_n for_o be_v all_o the_o quaker_n in_o london_n assemble_v in_o one_o congregation_n i_o doubt_v that_o never_o a_o church_n in_o the_o kingdom_n will_v be_v find_v large_a enough_o to_o contain_v they_o but_o beside_o if_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n be_v so_o few_o as_o these_o dissenter_n will_v make_v they_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o whole_a roman_a empire_n in_o less_o than_o 300_o year_n they_o have_v no_o interest_n at_o court_n nor_o in_o the_o army_n but_o be_v persecute_v by_o the_o emperor_n all_o that_o time_n unless_o in_o two_o reign_n so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o human_a cause_n assign_v for_o it_o but_o their_o great_a number_n but_o far_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v some_o great_a city_n entire_o christian_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n as_o cesaria_n and_o lydda_n act_v 9_o 35._o and_o other_o so_o that_o in_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n whole_a city_n and_o country_n be_v become_v christian_a as_o eusebius_n affirm_v praep._n evang._n l._n 1._o p._n 12_o 13._o '_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o single_a congregation_n to_o contain_v a_o quarter_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n much_o less_o of_o a_o whole_a diocese_n for_o beside_o the_o large_a and_o populous_a city_n every_o bishop_n have_v a_o territory_n within_o his_o diocese_n which_o extend_v itself_o for_o several_a mile_n round_o the_o city_n for_o every_o city_n have_v a_o large_a territory_n as_o it_o be_v a_o county_n round_o about_o it_o which_o be_v under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n who_o govern_v the_o city_n and_o as_o far_o as_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o magistrate_n reach_v in_o civil_a matter_n so_o far_o do_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n reach_v in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n see_v can._n apostolic_a 34._o by_o which_o a_o bishop_n be_v forbid_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o metropolitan_a or_o archbishop_n but_o what_o relate_v to_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o the_o territory_n under_o it_o and_o see_v can._n antioch_n 9_o &_o 10._o but_o that_o the_o bishop_n territory_n and_o jurisdiction_n extend_v far_o beyond_o the_o wall_n or_o bound_n of_o the_o city_n be_v most_o evident_a for_o theodoret_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o cyrus_n have_v a_o diocese_n 40_o mile_n square_a and_o yet_o he_o reckon_v his_o episcopacy_n of_o divine_a institution_n see_v his_o epist_n 42._o and_o he_o have_v within_o his_o diocese_n 800_o parish_n church_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o epist_n 113._o to_o leo._n this_o be_v a_o instance_n so_o clear_a against_o our_o dissenter_n that_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n clarkson_n and_o the_o rest_n have_v no_o way_n to_o answer_v it_o but_o first_o that_o it_o come_v from_o the_o vatican_n library_n which_o objection_n be_v full_o remove_v by_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o mischief_n of_o separation_n p._n 256._o and_o by_o dr._n maur._n def._n of_o dioc._n episc_n p._n 396._o and_o this_o epist_n of_o theod._n prove_v to_o be_v his_o own_o by_o compare_v it_o with_o his_o other_o write_n and_o also_o by_o the_o clear_a testimony_n of_o liberatus_n who_o infallible_o know_v theodoret_n style_n and_o write_n neither_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o it_o come_v from_o the_o vatican_n library_n therefore_o it_o must_v not_o be_v authentic_a but_o when_o people_n be_v drown_v rather_o than_o sink_v they_o will_v catch_v hold_n of_o a_o bulrush_n the_o other_o exception_n they_o take_v to_o this_o testimony_n of_o theodoret_n be_v that_o he_o be_v not_o bishop_n of_o a_o single_a diocese_n but_o of_o a_o province_n and_o that_o theodoret_n be_v a_o archbishop_n but_o that_o cyprus_n of_o which_o he_o be_v then_o bishop_n be_v no_o metropolis_n at_o that_o time_n nor_o theodoret_n primate_n of_o a_o province_n but_o under_o a_o metropolitan_a appear_v by_o his_o 16_o ep._n and_o by_o his_o 81_o 82_o 34_o 94_o and_o 161._o alexander_n be_v then_o his_o metropolitan_a but_o theodoret_n be_v not_o the_o only_a bishop_n that_o have_v such_o a_o large_a diocese_n for_o st._n chrysostom_n have_v one_o full_a as_o large_a and_o which_o contain_v as_o many_o parish_n he_o be_v bishop_n of_o constantinople_n and_o all_o the_o territory_n thereto_o belong_v and_o do_v not_o think_v it_o in_o his_o conscience_n too_o large_a for_o if_o he_o do_v so_o good_a a_o man_n as_o he_o will_v either_o have_v divide_v or_o quit_v it_o and_o athanasius_n be_v bishop_n
testimony_n of_o the_o person_n choose_v and_o to_o that_o end_n it_o be_v true_a the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o nomination_n of_o a_o new_a bishop_n for_o since_o they_o be_v to_o be_v man_n blameless_a and_o of_o good_a report_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a that_o the_o people_n that_o best_o know_v his_o life_n and_o conversation_n shall_v be_v present_a to_o testify_v the_o same_o and_o herewith_o agree_v st._n cyprian_n ep._n 68_o who_o mr._n baxter_n vouch_v for_o the_o contrary_a say_v he_o the_o bishop_n shall_v be_v choose_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o people_n that_o by_o their_o presence_n their_o fault_n may_v be_v publish_v or_o their_o good_a action_n commend_v but_o say_v not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o people_n power_n of_o elect_v he_o prayer_n all_o our_o ordination_n must_v be_v do_v in_o the_o public_a view_n of_o the_o people_n who_o be_v demand_v of_o the_o bishop_n whether_o any_o of_o they_o can_v or_o will_v except_v against_o the_o person_n to_o be_v admit_v see_v the_o form_n of_o ordination_n in_o the_o book_n of_o common_a prayer_n as_o to_o the_o election_n of_o deacon_n it_o be_v to_o be_v note_v that_o it_o be_v proper_o no_o church_n power_n which_o they_o have_v but_o they_o be_v steward_n of_o the_o common_a stock_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a the_o community_n shall_v be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o they_o st._n chrysostom_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr sacerdotio_fw-la complain_v much_o of_o the_o unfitness_n of_o the_o people_n to_o judge_v in_o such_o matter_n so_o do_v st._n augustine_n ep._n 110._o and_o indeed_o be_v there_o no_o other_o reason_n against_o the_o people_n choose_v their_o own_o minister_n but_o the_o mischief_n that_o will_v necessary_o attend_v it_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o when_o ever_o the_o people_n assume_v this_o power_n of_o choose_v it_o cause_v so_o great_a disturbance_n in_o the_o church_n that_o at_o antioch_n the_o division_n of_o the_o people_n about_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n have_v kindle_v such_o a_o flame_n as_o have_v almost_o destroy_v both_o church_n and_o city_n the_o like_a at_o rome_n upon_o the_o choice_n of_o damascus_n and_o if_o the_o people_n have_v the_o power_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n what_o shall_v hinder_v but_o there_o may_v be_v a_o presbyterian_a independent_a anabaptist_n quaker_n and_o papist_n teacher_n all_o in_o one_o parish_n and_o so_o this_o will_v set_v open_a a_o door_n to_o infinite_a division_n and_o therefore_o to_o avoid_v the_o great_a evil_n and_o inconvenience_n of_o popular_a election_n the_o power_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n be_v take_v away_o from_o the_o people_n by_o several_a council_n as_o 12._o and_o 13._o can._n conc._n laodicea_n conc._n antioch_n c._n 18._o etc._n etc._n conc._n 2d_o of_o nice_a c._n 3._o the_o reason_n that_o first_o give_v layman_n a_o title_n to_o the_o nomination_n of_o minister_n be_v when_o christian_a prince_n and_o other_o have_v give_v large_a endowment_n to_o the_o church_n it_o be_v think_v but_o just_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v the_o nomination_n of_o the_o minister_n for_o those_o church_n that_o they_o have_v build_v and_o endow_v and_o this_o be_v a_o prerogative_n in_o the_o king_n of_o england_n ever_o since_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n here_o and_o long_o before_o any_o freedom_n of_o election_n be_v pretend_v to_o see_v stat._n 25._o edw._n 3._o and_o the_o case_n of_o the_o king_n be_v ecclesiastical_a power_n in_o lord_n cook_n be_v 8_o rep._n and_o the_o case_n of_o praemunire_n in_o sir_n john_n davenant_n report_n case_n ult_n and_o this_o title_n of_o patronage_n have_v be_v confirm_v to_o layman_n by_o several_a council_n as_o one_a coun._n of_o orange_n anno_fw-la dom._n 441._o 2d_o counc_fw-la of_o arles_n anno_fw-la 452._o 9th_o counc_fw-la of_o toledo_n etc._n etc._n and_o this_o right_n of_o presentation_n be_v not_o only_o use_v in_o england_n but_o in_o other_o reform_a church_n in_o denmark_n the_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n be_v appoint_v by_o the_o king_n so_o they_o be_v in_o swedeland_n so_o in_o other_o lutheran_n church_n the_o superintendant_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o several_a prince_n and_o the_o patron_n present_v before_o ordination_n the_o synod_n of_o dort_n have_v a_o salvo_n for_o the_o right_n of_o patronage_n in_o france_n the_o minister_n be_v choose_v by_o minister_n at_o geneva_n by_o the_o council_n of_o state_n who_o have_v power_n likewise_o to_o depose_v they_o and_o beza_n in_o his_o ep._n 83._o declare_v against_o the_o people_n choose_v their_o minister_n as_o a_o thing_n without_o any_o ground_n in_o scripture_n grotius_n ep._n ad_fw-la boatslaer_n ep._n 62._o p._n 21._o agree_v herein_o how_o come_v then_o our_o english_a dissenter_n to_o make_v this_o a_o ground_n of_o separation_n to_o wit_n the_o deprive_v the_o people_n of_o their_o right_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n when_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o never_o have_v any_o such_o right_n but_o when_o they_o get_v it_o by_o usurpation_n and_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o even_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n at_o this_o day_n but_o beside_o the_o unwarrantableness_n of_o the_o people_n choose_v their_o minister_n and_o the_o great_a mischief_n that_o attend_v it_o by_o make_v the_o people_n run_v into_o division_n and_o faction_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o unreasonable_a in_o itself_o that_o such_o a_o ignorant_a proud_a unpeaceable_a sort_n of_o people_n as_o mr._n baxter_n himself_o confess_v in_o his_o sacrilegiae_fw-la dissert_n p._n 102._o etc._n etc._n the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o christian_n to_o be_v shall_v be_v make_v judge_n of_o their_o minister_n ability_n and_o soundness_n of_o doctrine_n who_o be_v most_o apt_a to_o revile_v the_o best_a and_o grave_a minister_n as_o the_o same_o mr._n baxter_n say_v himself_o in_o his_o cure_n of_o divis_n p._n 393._o sure_o it_o be_v more_o likely_a that_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n and_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v provide_v able_a and_o fit_a minister_n for_o we_o than_o such_o sort_n of_o people_n as_o these_o unless_o any_o will_v be_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o magistrate_n and_o clergy_n be_v all_o bad_a man_n and_o the_o ignorant_a common_a people_n the_o only_a incourager_n of_o virtue_n they_o may_v say_v it_o be_v as_o unreasonable_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o all_o the_o people_n of_o a_o parish_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o take_v a_o minister_n put_v into_o the_o cure_n by_o some_o young_a raw_a extravagant_a heir_n that_o have_v the_o good_a fortune_n to_o be_v bear_v to_o a_o estate_n to_o which_o the_o advowson_n do_v belong_v but_o perhaps_o be_v as_o ignorant_a and_o unfit_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o ability_n of_o a_o minister_n as_o the_o mean_a in_o the_o parish_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o such_o ignorant_a person_n may_v sometime_o have_v the_o right_n of_o presentation_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o the_o power_n of_o put_v into_o the_o cure_n any_o minister_n they_o please_v for_o the_o patron_n have_v only_o the_o right_n of_o present_v his_o clerk_n who_o must_v be_v admit_v and_o institute_v by_o the_o bishop_n before_o the_o cure_n be_v say_v to_o be_v full_a and_o if_o the_o bishop_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o clergy_n after_o examination_n have_v etc._n etc._n do_v think_v he_o any_o way_n unqualify_v for_o the_o cure_n of_o soul_n he_o may_v reject_v he_o and_o put_v the_o patron_n to_o present_v another_o qualify_v for_o the_o office_n which_o if_o he_o neglect_v to_o do_v within_o six_o month_n from_o the_o time_n the_o church_n become_v void_a he_o shall_v lose_v his_o presentation_n for_o that_o turn_n and_o the_o bishop_n shall_v present_v so_o that_o the_o patron_n it_o seem_v can_v put_v who_o he_o will_v on_o the_o people_n for_o their_o pastor_n but_o be_v bind_v to_o find_v personam_fw-la idoneam_fw-la a_o fit_a person_n and_o now_o before_o we_o pass_v from_o this_o matter_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o silence_n minister_n or_o not_o doubtless_o he_o have_v otherwise_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o kingdom_n shall_v be_v safe_a for_o since_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n be_v so_o apt_a to_o be_v lead_v by_o their_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o take_v their_o notion_n of_o loyalty_n and_o obedience_n from_o they_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o imagine_v that_o minister_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o preach_v up_o sedition_n heresy_n or_o what_o doctrine_n they_o please_v and_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n to_o silence_v they_o but_o say_v our_o dissenter_n we_o be_v
therefore_o they_o who_o differ_v in_o these_o circumstance_n do_v not_o differ_v in_o the_o act_n of_o worship_n but_o in_o the_o manner_n see_v the_o harmony_n of_o confession_n where_o you_o will_v find_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n be_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n and_o usefulness_n of_o ceremony_n the_o latter_a helvetian_a confession_n say_v that_o there_o be_v different_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n find_v in_o the_o church_n let_v no_o man_n judge_v hereby_o that_o the_o church_n dissent_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o bohemia_n have_v wherefore_o those_o rite_n and_o those_o good_a ceremony_n ought_v only_o to_o be_v keep_v which_o among_o the_o people_n of_o christ_n do_v edify_v therefore_o whether_o they_o be_v extent_n or_o bring_v in_o by_o the_o bishop_n or_o by_o the_o council_n ecclesiastical_a or_o by_o other_o author_n whatsoever_o the_o simple_a sort_n be_v not_o to_o trouble_v themselves_o about_o that_o but_o must_v use_v they_o to_o that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o a_o little_a after_o although_o our_o man_n do_v not_o equal_o observe_v all_o ceremony_n with_o other_o church_n which_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v do_v yet_o be_v they_o not_o so_o mind_v as_o to_o move_v any_o dissension_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o ceremony_n although_o they_o be_v not_o judge_v to_o be_v altogether_o necessary_a so_o that_o they_o be_v not_o find_v contrary_a to_o god_n word_n and_o the_o augustine_n confession_n have_v some_o man_n than_o may_v ask_v whether_o we_o will_v have_v this_o life_n of_o man_n to_o be_v without_o order_n without_o ceremony_n in_o no_o wise_a but_o we_o teach_v that_o the_o true_a pastor_n in_o their_o church_n may_v ordain_v public_a rite_n or_o ceremony_n and_o beza_n in_o his_o 24_o epist_n agree_v herein_o as_o have_v be_v say_v before_o and_o calvin_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o true_a way_n of_o reformation_n ch._n 16._o say_v he_o will_v not_o contend_v about_o ceremony_n not_o only_o those_o which_o be_v for_o decency_n but_o those_o which_o be_v symbolical_a let_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n say_v the_o scripture_n and_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 1_o cor._n 14._o 33._o god_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n but_o of_o peace_n as_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n but_o to_o come_v home_o to_o our_o dissenter_n mr._n baxter_n in_o his_o poor_a man_n family_n book_n p._n 337._o speak_v of_o our_o public_a worship_n in_o our_o parish_n church_n say_v in_o all_o the_o lawful_a order_n gesture_n and_o manner_n of_o behaviour_n in_o god_n worship_n affect_v not_o to_o differ_v from_o the_o rest_n but_o conform_v yourself_o to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n for_o in_o the_o church_n singularity_n be_v a_o discord_n etc._n etc._n see_v vine_n on_o the_o sacrament_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n p._n 39_o and_o many_o more_o instance_n of_o this_o kind_n may_v be_v give_v but_o what_o have_v be_v say_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o such_o ceremony_n as_o serve_v for_o order_n or_o edification_n and_o be_v not_o direct_o contrary_a to_o god_n law_n be_v to_o be_v use_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o most_o eminent_a man_n both_o at_o home_n and_o abroad_o now_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v what_o ceremony_n be_v lawful_a and_o what_o not_o it_o be_v to_o be_v note_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o ceremony_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o doctrine_n which_o go_v along_o with_o it_o and_o may_v be_v lawful_a and_o not_o lawful_a as_o that_o be_v if_o a_o ceremony_n be_v make_v a_o substantial_a part_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o unalterable_a or_o be_v suppose_v so_o necessary_a as_o that_o the_o do_v of_o it_o will_v be_v a_o thing_n meritorious_a or_o please_a to_o god_n and_o the_o not_o do_v of_o it_o sinful_a though_o there_o be_v no_o human_a law_n which_o require_v the_o do_v of_o it_o then_o it_o become_v sinful_a because_o it_o make_v the_o scripture_n insufficient_a and_o this_o it_o be_v that_o make_v the_o jewish_a ceremony_n of_o wash_v before_o meat_n sinful_a and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o many_o of_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o when_o ceremony_n be_v enjoin_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o order_n and_o uniformity_n in_o god_n worship_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o prevent_v the_o great_a mischief_n which_o we_o shall_v inevitable_o fall_v into_o if_o every_o pastor_n and_o people_n be_v suffer_v to_o follow_v their_o several_a different_a judgement_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n worship_n than_o they_o be_v lawful_a and_o good_a but_o say_v they_o if_o these_o ceremony_n do_v not_o bind_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n why_o do_v the_o discipline_n and_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n force_n man_n to_o use_v they_o i_o answer_v the_o church_n do_v not_o oblige_v man_n to_o the_o observance_n of_o these_o ceremony_n as_o thing_n that_o bound_v the_o conscience_n or_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o do_v in_o themselves_o but_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n be_v force_v to_o observe_v they_o and_o punish_v if_o they_o refuse_v be_v because_o they_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o church_n and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o church_n or_o state_n make_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v sinful_a rom._n 13._o 5._o and_o 2._o and_o for_o this_o they_o be_v punish_v and_o also_o for_o disturb_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o thus_o we_o justify_v our_o bow_n at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n at_o seasonable_a time_n and_o all_o our_o ceremony_n since_o the_o church_n have_v appoint_v they_o we_o ought_v to_o obey_v unless_o we_o can_v prove_v they_o to_o be_v sinful_a which_o no_o man_n can_v do_v so_o long_o as_o the_o worship_n be_v direct_v to_o a_o true_a object_n to_o wit_n the_o person_n of_o christ_n as_o for_o the_o ceremony_n of_o bow_v towards_o the_o altar_n note_v the_o canon_n that_o appoint_v it_o do_v not_o oblige_v any_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o it_o but_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o liberty_n as_o to_o the_o posture_n appoint_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o receive_v the_o lord_n supper_n to_o wit_n kneel_v it_o be_v a_o circumstance_n which_o may_v be_v vary_v according_a to_o the_o discretion_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n it_o be_v always_o take_v in_o the_o posture_n of_o adoration_n which_o posture_n vary_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o country_n now_o kneel_v be_v the_o posture_n of_o adoration_n in_o these_o kingdom_n the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v therefore_o appoint_v that_o it_o be_v take_v kneel_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o very_o reasonable_a that_o so_o sacred_a a_o ordinance_n and_o so_o great_a a_o benefit_n shall_v be_v receive_v in_o the_o most_o thankful_a and_o humble_a posture_n that_o may_v be_v and_o that_o sure_o be_v on_o our_o knee_n which_o be_v also_o the_o fit_a posture_n for_o those_o high_a strain_n of_o devotion_n with_o which_o so_o sacred_a a_o work_n ought_v to_o be_v attend_v at_o the_o very_a instant_n of_o take_v it_o the_o only_a objection_n that_o i_o know_v be_v make_v against_o this_o posture_n of_o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n be_v because_o it_o be_v idolatrous_a and_o contrary_a to_o christ_n own_o practice_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o they_o will_v make_v we_o and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n all_o idolater_n whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o do_v not_o our_o book_n of_o common_a prayer_n at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o communion_n service_n tell_v they_o as_o plain_a as_o word_n can_v express_v it_o that_o we_o pay_v no_o adoration_n to_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o sacrament_n but_o christ_n himself_o which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o yet_o will_v they_o make_v we_o idolater_n for_o all_o this_o have_v any_o of_o they_o ever_o write_v so_o strong_a against_o idolize_v the_o element_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o our_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v do_v and_o yet_o will_v they_o persuade_v we_o we_o be_v idolater_n they_o may_v as_o well_o believe_v that_o we_o worship_v the_o stone_n in_o the_o church-wall_n when_o we_o kneel_v down_o to_o pray_v in_o they_o and_o true_o i_o fear_v many_o of_o they_o do_v so_o which_o make_v they_o use_v that_o posture_n so_o seldom_o in_o their_o public_a meeting_n for_o you_o shall_v seldom_o see_v in_o any_o of_o their_o meeting_n scarce_o one_o of_o the_o whole_a congregation_n on_o their_o knee_n not_o even_o at_o repeat_v the_o lord_n prayer_n if_o it_o happen_v to_o be_v say_v which_o be_v not_o often_o their_o usual_a posture_n of_o pray_v in_o their_o public_a congregation_n be_v either_o
and_o recommend_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o the_o new_a and_o that_o both_o form_n of_o prayer_n and_o liturgy_n be_v compose_v by_o the_o father_n and_o appoint_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n ever_o since_o christ_n day_n and_o that_o even_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o our_o own_o nonconformist_n have_v heretofore_o declare_v their_o like_n thereto_o and_o that_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n do_v use_v and_o approve_v of_o prescribe_a form_n in_o their_o public_a worship_n at_o this_o day_n and_o last_o i_o will_v show_v that_o our_o english_a common-prayer_n book_n have_v be_v particular_o commend_v and_o approve_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o eminent_a man_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n and_o when_o this_o be_v do_v if_o any_o will_v be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o affirm_v that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v so_o sinful_a as_o to_o cause_v a_o necessity_n of_o separation_n he_o be_v incorrigible_a and_o not_o to_o be_v convince_v by_o reason_n first_o then_o form_n of_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n be_v use_v by_o god_n people_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o lord_n prescribe_v a_o form_n of_o blessing_n to_o aaron_n say_v on_o this_o wise_a you_o shall_v bless_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n say_v etc._n etc._n numb_a vi_fw-la 23._o and_o again_o deut._n xxvi_o he_o prescribe_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n which_o he_o command_v the_o people_n to_o use_v and_o the_o xxij_o psalm_n be_v a_o prayer_n which_o the_o people_n be_v command_v to_o sing_v or_o say_v every_o morning_n so_o be_v several_a of_o the_o other_o psalm_n form_n of_o prayer_n as_o lxxxvi_o xc_o cij_o etc._n etc._n see_v origen_n cint_n cell_n l._n 4._o p._n 178._o and_o here_o observe_v that_o the_o dissenter_n will_v allow_v these_o psalm_n to_o be_v prayer_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v sing_v to_o god_n yet_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o a_o man_n shall_v pray_v sing_v for_o say_v they_o when_o they_o be_v sing_v they_o be_v not_o prayer_n see_v now_o what_o a_o absurdity_n they_o will_v run_v into_o rather_o than_o forsake_v their_o own_o opinion_n for_o here_o they_o affirm_v that_o a_o man_n may_v say_v the_o word_n of_o prayer_n to_o god_n devout_o and_o yet_o not_o pray_v second_o christ_n himself_o use_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n though_o doubtless_o he_o have_v a_o power_n of_o pray_v extempore_o much_o beyond_o what_o our_o dissenter_n or_o any_o that_o ever_o be_v on_o earth_n can_v pretend_v to_o when_o he_o be_v in_o the_o garden_n a_o little_a before_o his_o suffer_v he_o pray_v twice_o or_o thrice_o in_o the_o same_o word_n matth._n xxvi_o 44._o mark_v fourteen_o 39_o and_o that_o too_o at_o a_o time_n when_o he_o be_v in_o so_o great_a extremity_n and_o sorrow_n that_o he_o sweat_v drop_n of_o blood_n and_o at_o such_o a_o time_n one_o usual_o pray_v after_o the_o most_o prevail_a and_o fervent_a manner_n and_o to_o assure_v we_o that_o our_o saviour_n think_v form_n of_o prayer_n very_o necessary_a to_o help_v our_o infirmity_n we_o have_v not_o only_o his_o example_n but_o his_o precept_n for_o it_o too_o for_o our_o saviour_n teach_v his_o disciple_n a_o form_n of_o prayer_n matth._n vi_fw-la 9_o and_o bid_v they_o use_v it_o and_o the_o occasion_n of_o our_o saviour_n give_v his_o disciple_n this_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v to_o obviate_v the_o inconvenience_n which_o he_o see_v do_v usual_o attend_v extempore_o prayer_n to_o wit_n the_o use_v vain_a repetition_n etc._n etc._n which_o he_o tell_v they_o be_v not_o please_v to_o god_n and_o therefore_o he_o first_o bid_v they_o beware_v of_o that_o and_o then_o immediate_o after_o he_o give_v they_o a_o short_a and_o perfect_a form_n of_o prayer_n as_o the_o best_a way_n to_o prevent_v that_o evil_n whether_o our_o dissenter_n have_v not_o as_o much_o reason_n to_o use_v form_n of_o prayer_n for_o that_o very_a reason_n as_o christ_n disciple_n have_v let_v the_o world_n judge_v that_o hear_v their_o tedious_a extempore_o prayer_n fill_v with_o as_o many_o vain_a repetition_n and_o bald_a and_o sometime_o senseless_a expression_n as_o any_o of_o they_o but_o say_v the_o dissenter_n when_o our_o saviour_n teach_v his_o disciple_n to_o pray_v he_o do_v not_o design_n that_o they_o shall_v use_v any_o certain_a form_n of_o prayer_n for_o he_o bid_v they_o luke_n 11._o 2._o when_o you_o pray_v say_v thus_o and_o thus_o be_v a_o adverb_n of_o similitude_n do_v show_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o intend_v they_o shall_v use_v the_o same_o word_n but_o some_o other_o such_o like_a to_o this_o i_o answer_v in_o the_o 3d._n chap._n of_o exod._n v._o 14_o 15._o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o moses_n thus_o shall_v thou_o say_v to_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n eheie_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o and_o again_o the_o god_n of_o your_o father_n the_o god_n of_o abraham_n the_o god_n of_o isaac_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o here_o moses_n by_o this_o rule_n must_v not_o say_v these_o word_n not_o eheie_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o not_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n the_o god_n of_o isaac_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o but_o the_o like_a and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o very_a word_n of_o god_n but_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n for_o all_o along_o when_o the_o prophet_n say_v thus_o say_v the_o lord_n they_o do_v not_o tell_v the_o very_a word_n of_o god_n but_o the_o like_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o have_v scripture_n on_o our_o side_n both_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n for_o use_v prescribe_v form_n of_o prayer_n we_o will_v in_o the_o next_o place_n inquire_v what_o authority_n we_o have_v for_o it_o in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n first_o then_o that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o century_n i_o gather_v from_o ignatius_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n anno_fw-la dom._n 99_o in_o his_o epist_n to_o those_o at_o magnesia_n he_o bid_v they_o do_v nothing_o without_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n nor_o to_o make_v trial_n of_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o their_o own_o private_a fancy_n p._n 34._o and_o socrates_n in_o his_o history_n l._n 6._o c._n 8._o say_v that_o ignatius_n first_o bring_v the_o usage_n of_o sing_v alternate_o as_o we_o use_v in_o our_o choir_n into_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n photius_n affirm_v the_o same_o of_o he_o and_o theodoret_n say_v hist_o lib._n 2._o c._n 24._o that_o this_o custom_n of_o sing_v alternate_o begin_v at_o antioch_n and_o be_v soon_o receive_v all_o the_o world_n over_o in_o the_o second_o century_n tertull._n de_fw-fr orat._n c._n 1._o and_o c._n 9_o tell_v we_o they_o use_v form_n of_o prayer_n then_o in_o the_o african_a church_n he_o call_v the_o lord_n prayer_n the_o lawful_a and_o ordinary_a prayer_n and_o that_o the_o christian_n daily_o repeat_v that_o very_a form_n and_o he_o show_v they_o sing_v hymn_n etc._n etc._n then_o in_o the_o church_n alternate_o as_o we_o do_v now_o tertull._n ad_fw-la vxor_fw-la l._n 2._o p._n 172._o and_o calvin_n in_o his_o instit_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 1._o affirm_v the_o same_o that_o the_o christian_n do_v use_v to_o repeat_v the_o lord_n prayer_n daily_o and_o that_o they_o do_v it_o by_o christ_n command_n how_o will_v our_o dissenter_n reconcile_v this_o to_o their_o seldom_o or_o never_o use_v of_o it_o even_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n every_o young_a preacher_n yea_o and_o every_o perhaps_o drunken_a cobbler_n prefer_v their_o own_o rash_a and_o indeliberate_a prayer_n before_o it_o in_o the_o three_o century_n st._n cyprian_n who_o live_v then_o affirm_v the_o same_o that_o the_o lord_n prayer_n be_v use_v daily_o for_o say_v he_o the_o father_n will_v know_v the_o word_n of_o his_o own_o son_n see_v cypr._n de_fw-fr orat._n dom._n p._n 309._o and_o the_o same_o cyprian_a in_o his_o ep._n 8._o ad_fw-la cler._n &_o pleb_n p._n 24._o say_v christ_n command_v we_o to_o pray_v for_o all_o man_n in_o a_o common_a prayer_n wherein_o all_o agree_v it_o appear_v also_o that_o the_o priest_n and_o people_n pray_v by_o way_n of_o response_n as_o when_o the_o priest_n say_v lift_v up_o your_o heart_n the_o people_n answer_v we_o lift_v they_o up_o unto_o the_o lord_n see_v cypr._n de_fw-fr orat._n dom._n §_o 22._o see_v more_o for_o this_o interchangable_a way_n of_o pray_v between_o priest_n and_o people_n b._n bill_n of_o christian_a subjection_n part_v 4._o p._n 435._o in_o the_o same_o century_n origen_n say_v they_o who_o serve_v god_n through_o jesus_n in_o the_o christian_a way_n use_v frequent_o night_n and_o day_n the_o enjoined_a prayer_n see_v orig._n in_o
cell_n l._n 6_o p._n 302._o and_o st._n basil_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr spirit_n sanct._n c._n 29._o p._n 221._o tell_v we_o that_o gregory_n thaumaturgus_n who_o be_v his_o predecessor_n in_o the_o bishopric_n of_o neocaesarea_n and_o cotemporary_a with_o st._n cyprian_n compose_v a_o liturgy_n and_o appoint_v ceremony_n for_o that_o church_n and_o that_o too_o in_o a_o age_n when_o miraculous_a gift_n last_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o century_n ann._n dom._n 312._o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n constantine_n as_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o life_n of_o constantine_n lib._n 4._o c._n 17._o p._n 395._o order_v his_o palace_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o a_o church_n and_o will_v take_v the_o book_n himself_o into_o his_o hand_n either_o for_o explain_v the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o repeat_v the_o prescribe_v prayer_n in_o his_o royal_a family_n in_o the_o same_o century_n athanasius_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n show_v we_o that_o the_o priest_n and_o people_n pray_v by_o way_n of_o response_n in_o that_o church_n for_o in_o his_o epist_n to_o solitar_n p._n 239._o he_o say_v the_o people_n mourn_v and_o groan_v to_o god_n in_o the_o church_n all_o of_o they_o cry_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o say_v spare_v thy_o people_n good_a lord_n spare_v they_o etc._n etc._n by_o which_o it_o seem_v the_o church_n do_v not_o think_v it_o enough_o then_o for_o the_o people_n to_o say_v amen_o but_o appoint_v they_o distinct_a and_o intelligent_a answer_n in_o the_o same_o century_n the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n can._n 15._o bev._n tom._n 1._o p._n 459._o appoint_v canonical_a singer_n who_o sing_v out_o of_o book_n and_o none_o but_o they_o be_v allow_v to_o begin_v the_o hymn_n and_o the_o same_o council_n can._n 18._o bev._n tom._n 1._o p._n 461._o ordain_v that_o the_o very_a same_o liturgy_n of_o prayer_n shall_v be_v use_v always_o both_o at_o three_o in_o the_o afternoon_n and_o in_o the_o evening_n and_o now_o because_o this_o council_n be_v so_o plain_a evidence_n against_o the_o dissenter_n that_o they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o answer_v it_o they_o fly_v again_o to_o their_o last_o refuge_n which_o be_v to_o deny_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o council_n for_o they_o say_v this_o council_n of_o laodicea_n be_v but_o a_o provincial_a synod_n or_o council_n but_o though_o we_o grant_v it_o be_v no_o more_o but_o a_o provincial_a synod_n yet_o i_o hope_v a_o provincial_a council_n of_o orthodox_n bishop_n be_v good_a authority_n but_o beside_o this_o very_a canon_n concern_v liturgy_n be_v take_v into_o the_o code_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o confirm_v by_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n which_o be_v a_o general_a council_n and_o that_o they_o use_v form_n of_o prayer_n and_o response_n and_o alternate_a way_n of_o sing_v in_o the_o african_a church_n appear_v by_o st._n cyprian_n before_o and_o by_o optatus_n malevianus_n l._n 2._o p._n 47._o for_o there_o he_o blame_v the_o donatist_n for_o shut_v the_o mouth_n of_o all_o the_o people_n and_o force_v they_o to_o be_v silent_a see_v also_o st._n augustine_n do_v eccles_n dog_n c._n 30._o tom._n 3._o p._n 46._o many_o more_o instance_n and_o authority_n may_v be_v give_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n as_o st._n basil_n ep._n 63._o p._n 843._o and_o ep._n 68_o p._n 856._o where_o he_o say_v that_o a_o prayer_n wherein_o there_o be_v not_o conjoin_v voice_n be_v not_o half_a so_o strong_a as_o otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v conc._n carthag_a can._n 106._o bev._n tom._n 1._o p._n 640._o but_o i_o will_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o dr._n comber_n of_o liturgy_n and_o dr._n falkner_n his_o defence_n of_o liturgy_n our_o dissenter_n object_n against_o our_o alternate_a way_n of_o pray_v as_o in_o our_o litany_n where_o the_o priest_n say_v half_o the_o sentence_n and_o the_o people_n the_o rest_n for_o that_o neither_o priest_n nor_o people_n speak_v a_o complete_a sentence_n and_o therefore_o our_o prayer_n be_v imperfect_a and_o we_o do_v but_o mock_v god_n but_o by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o this_o pray_v by_o way_n of_o response_n be_v use_v in_o the_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o the_o holy_a men._n but_o pray_v why_o may_v not_o the_o word_n make_v as_o perfect_v a_o prayer_n when_o they_o be_v pronounce_v by_o two_o mouth_n as_o when_o only_o by_o one_o prayer_n be_v not_o the_o pronounce_v of_o word_n but_o the_o join_v the_o desire_n and_o consent_v thereto_o and_o this_o they_o may_v do_v as_o well_o when_o they_o be_v pronounce_v by_o several_a mouth_n as_o by_o one_o they_o may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o when_o a_o tune_n be_v play_v by_o a_o consort_n of_o music_n and_o the_o treble_n rest_n and_o let_v the_o tenor_n and_o base_n go_v on_o as_o sometime_o they_o do_v that_o the_o tune_n be_v not_o a_o complete_a and_o perfect_a tune_n for_o if_o you_o take_v either_o part_n single_o it_o be_v not_o but_o altogether_o it_o be_v too_o great_a advantage_n the_o advantage_n of_o this_o way_n of_o pray_v by_o response_n be_v that_o we_o can_v give_v our_o hearty_a consent_n to_o each_o petition_n after_o a_o more_o lively_a manner_n than_o by_o bare_o say_v amen_n and_o also_o by_o our_o frequent_a answer_v of_o whole_a sentence_n our_o fancy_n be_v the_o more_o stir_v up_o and_o enliven_v by_o shake_v off_o that_o dulness_n and_o drowsiness_n that_o otherwise_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o seize_v upon_o our_o spirit_n in_o bare_o listen_v to_o one_o long_o continue_a prayer_n and_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o have_v certain_a prayer_n for_o certain_a time_n and_o occasion_n as_o easter-eve_n etc._n etc._n see_v leo_n in_o vit._n chrysost_n tom._n 8._o p._n 288._o etc._n etc._n thus_o much_o for_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n now_o let_v we_o come_v a_o little_a near_o our_o own_o time_n and_o see_v what_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n be_v concern_v prescribe_v form_n of_o prayer_n and_o liturgy_n and_o this_o we_o do_v the_o rather_o because_o the_o dissenter_n be_v perpetual_o call_v upon_o we_o to_o reform_v ourselves_o to_o the_o example_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n though_o i_o think_v under_o favour_n we_o of_o england_n have_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o follow_v the_o pattern_n of_o other_o nation_n as_o to_o the_o reform_v and_o govern_v of_o our_o church_n than_o we_o have_v to_o do_v so_o in_o matter_n of_o state_n since_o we_o have_v as_o absolute_a and_o independent_a power_n of_o reform_v ourselves_o as_o any_o of_o they_o and_o god_n be_v thank_v as_o able_a and_o godly_a minister_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n to_o direct_v we_o therein_o they_o may_v as_o well_o quarrel_n with_o we_o because_o we_o do_v not_o depose_v our_o king_n and_o reduce_v our_o government_n from_o that_o of_o a_o limit_a and_o mix_v monarchy_n to_o a_o commonwealth_n like_o that_o of_o geneva_n but_o since_o they_o insist_v so_o must_v upon_o this_o i_o will_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n come_v near_a to_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o use_v prescribe_v form_n of_o prayer_n than_o the_o dissenter_n do_v in_o reject_v they_o i_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o lutheran_n church_n which_o i_o show_v before_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v true_a church_n and_o which_o far_o exceed_v in_o number_n the_o church_n that_o follow_v calvin_n method_n luther_n himself_o compose_v a_o form_n of_o common-prayer_n for_o the_o church_n of_o wittemburg_n take_v out_o of_o the_o mass_n book_n see_v luther_n epist_n tom._n 2._o p._n 384._o and_o all_o the_o church_n of_o his_o communion_n at_o this_o day_n do_v use_v a_o liturgy_n contain_v collect_v epistle_n gospel_n for_o every_o sunday_n prayer_n and_o litany_n together_o with_o all_o other_o part_n of_o ecclesiastical_a ministration_n as_o our_o common-prayer_n book_n do_v and_o which_o agree_v with_o we_o almost_o verbatim_o especial_o in_o the_o litany_n and_o these_o be_v impose_v on_o the_o church_n as_o particular_o the_o church_n of_o denmark_n and_o the_o church_n in_o upper_a hungary_n which_o be_v all_o lutheran_n and_o the_o lutheran_n church_n do_v chant_v their_o public_a prayer_n as_o we_o do_v in_o our_o cathedral_n and_o they_o observe_v holy_a day_n see_v all_o this_o prove_v at_o large_a from_o their_o own_o writer_n by_o dr._n comber_n his_o defence_n of_o liturgy_n second_o part_n p._n 305_o etc._n etc._n next_o for_o the_o church_n of_o poland_n and_o lithuania_n in_o 2_o synod_n hold_v there_o ann._n dom._n 1633._o and_o 1634._o one_o certain_a liturgy_n be_v enjoin_v to_o be_v use_v in_o all_o those_o dominion_n certain_a prescribe_v liturgy_n be_v also_o use_v in_o transilvania_n hungary_n bohemia_n etc._n etc._n see_v at_o large_a dr._n comb._n ubi_fw-la
supra_fw-la and_o mounseur_fw-fr durell_n his_o view_n of_o the_o government_n and_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n in_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n print_v london_n 1662._o now_o for_o the_o church_n reform_v by_o calvin_n and_o other_o as_o geneva_n france_n helvetia_n holland_n etc._n etc._n calvin_n compose_v a_o form_n of_o divine_a service_n which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n and_o those_o of_o france_n at_o this_o day_n and_o their_o minister_n be_v bind_v to_o use_v they_o and_o see_v calvin_n letter_n to_o the_o protector_n of_o england_n during_o the_o minority_n of_o king_n ed._n 6._o the_o protector_n at_o that_o time_n when_o the_o common-prayer_n book_n be_v to_o be_v settle_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n think_v fit_a first_o to_o advice_n with_o so_o eminent_a a_o man_n as_o calvin_n be_v about_o it_o he_o write_v to_o calvin_n to_o know_v his_o opinion_n therein_o calvin_n return_v he_o this_o answer_n for_o so_o much_o as_o concern_v the_o prayer_n and_o ecclesiastical_a rite_n i_o much_o approve_v that_o they_o be_v determine_v so_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o minister_n to_o very_a from_o it_o that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o help_n to_o the_o weakness_n of_o some_o that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n consent_n and_o that_o it_o may_v put_v a_o stop_n to_o the_o levity_n of_o such_o as_o be_v for_o new_a thing_n see_v calv._n ep._n p._n 165._o ep._n 87._o to_o the_o protector_n and_o see_v his_o letter_n to_o cox_n a_o church_n of_o england_n divine_a upon_o his_o arrival_n at_o frankford_n among_o his_o epistle_n 164_o 165._o see_v beza_n his_o approbation_n of_o form_n of_o prayer_n tom._n 2._o p._n 229._o in_o the_o french_a church_n mornay_n lord_n du-plessis_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o mass_n allow_v of_o the_o use_n and_o antiquity_n of_o prescribe_a form_n see_v at_o large_a dr._n comber_n of_o liturgy_n second_o part_n p._n 313._o and_o see_v there_o the_o famous_a mounseur_fw-fr daille_n agree_v herewith_o in_o the_o church_n of_o helvetia_n bullinger_n tell_v we_o they_o use_v prescribe_v form_n keep_v fast_n and_o holiday_n etc._n etc._n bull_v decod_n 2._o serm._n 1._o p._n 38._o the_o church_n of_o holland_n use_v form_n of_o prayer_n for_o baptism_n the_o lord_n supper_n and_o all_o occasional_a office_n and_o also_o liturgy_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v all_o put_v into_o a_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n and_o even_o in_o scotland_n they_o have_v have_v a_o common-prayer_n book_n for_o there_o be_v some_o of_o they_o now_o extant_a which_o be_v print_v ann._n 1594._o suppose_v to_o be_v write_v by_o mr._n knox_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n see_v the_o latter_a end_n of_o dr._n comber_n his_o defence_n of_o liturgy_n 2d_o part._n and_o the_o leyden_n professor_n say_v that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o very_o advantageous_a because_o every_o christian_n can_v fit_o conceive_v new_a prayer_n and_o the_o attention_n of_o auditor_n be_v not_o a_o little_a help_v in_o great_a assembly_n by_o usual_a form_n see_v dr._n falkner_n his_o libertas_n ecclesiastica_fw-la p._n 121._o thus_o much_o for_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o general_a but_o some_o perhaps_o may_v object_v against_o our_o common-prayer_n in_o particular_a to_o clear_v that_o i_o think_v it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o have_v be_v approve_v of_o by_o all_o the_o learned_a and_o godly_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n and_o confirm_v by_o several_a parliament_n and_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suppose_v that_o god_n almighty_n shall_v conceal_v his_o will_n from_o the_o great_a number_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a pious_a and_o judicious_a people_n of_o a_o nation_n notwithstanding_o their_o frequent_a prayer_n to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v direct_v they_o and_o their_o great_a care_n and_o study_v which_o they_o take_v to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o reveal_v it_o only_o to_o a_o few_o and_o those_o of_o the_o raw_a injudicious_a sort_n who_o have_v have_v least_o time_n and_o study_v and_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o great_a knowledge_n such_o as_o our_o dissenter_n general_o be_v this_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o recommend_v our_o particular_a common-prayer_n but_o since_o our_o dissenter_n will_v not_o allow_v so_o many_o several_a parliament_n and_o so_o many_o succession_n of_o learned_a divine_n to_o be_v competent_a judge_n in_o this_o matter_n we_o be_v willing_a to_o stand_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o our_o neighbour_n church_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n concern_v our_o common-prayer_n and_o the_o other_o matter_n in_o controversy_n between_o we_o in_o king_n edward_n 6_o his_o day_n archbishop_n cranmer_n do_v request_v the_o famous_a bucer_n to_o peruse_v the_o whole_a book_n of_o common-prayer_n in_o order_n to_o his_o censure_v what_o he_o think_v be_v to_o be_v amend_v bucer_n according_o do_v so_o and_o declare_v his_o judgement_n of_o it_o thus_o in_o the_o prescript_n form_n for_o the_o communion_n and_o the_o daily_a prayer_n i_o see_v nothing_o write_v in_o this_o book_n which_o be_v not_o take_v out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o not_o in_o express_a word_n as_o the_o psalm_n and_o lesson_n yet_o in_o sense_n as_o the_o collect_v and_o also_o the_o order_n of_o these_o lesson_n and_o prayer_n and_o the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v to_o be_v use_v be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n see_v bucer_n censure_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n c._n 1._o p._n 457._o and_o note_v this_o be_v before_o the_o common-prayer_n be_v amend_v as_o now_o it_o be_v some_o thing_n it_o be_v true_a bucer_n do_v wish_v to_o be_v amend_v which_o have_v be_v since_o do_v and_o most_o of_o they_o according_a to_o his_o advice_n there_o next_o the_o archbishop_n of_o spalleto_n in_o his_o book_n against_o suarez_n p._n 340._o say_v that_o the_o english_a liturgy_n contain_v nothing_o in_o it_o which_o be_v not_o holy_a which_o be_v not_o pious_a and_o true_o christian_n as_o well_o as_o catholic_n causabon_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o king_n james_n the_o first_o affirm_v the_o same_o and_o say_v far_a that_o none_o at_o this_o day_n come_v near_o the_o form_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n follow_v a_o middle_a way_n between_o those_o who_o have_v offend_v both_o in_o excess_n and_o defect_n the_o next_o authority_n for_o we_o be_v the_o learned_a grotius_n who_o it_o be_v certain_a have_v no_o obligation_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o rather_o the_o contrary_n he_o say_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o english_a liturgy_n the_o rite_n of_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n on_o child_n in_o memory_n of_o baptism_n the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n of_o synod_n consit_v of_o none_o but_o the_o clergy_n etc._n etc._n do_v sufficient_o agree_v to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n from_o which_o we_o can_v deny_v but_o we_o have_v depart_v both_o in_o france_n and_o holland_n see_v grotius_n ad_fw-la boatslaer_n ep._n 62._o p._n 21._o the_o next_o be_v the_o famous_a lud._n capellus_n who_o be_v a_o famous_a french_a divine_a of_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o divinity_n professor_n in_o a_o famous_a protestant_a university_n this_o man_n live_v to_o hear_v of_o our_o independent_a sect_n in_o england_n and_o write_v most_o learned_o against_o '_o they_o say_v he_o when_o miraculous_a gift_n cease_v there_o be_v a_o necessity_n for_o liturgy_n which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o first_o iu_o age_n uncorrupted_a but_o afterward_o corruption_n be_v introduce_v by_o the_o follow_a pope_n but_o upon_o the_o reformation_n the_o liturgy_n be_v purge_v from_o all_o its_o corruption_n and_o have_v be_v happy_o use_v in_o the_o several_a reform_a church_n and_o with_o good_a success_n until_o very_o late_o say_v he_o there_o arise_v a_o sort_n of_o morose_n scrupulous_a not_o to_o say_v downright_o superstitious_a man_n who_o for_o many_o trifle_a reason_n of_o no_o moment_n not_o only_o dislike_v the_o liturgy_n hitherto_o use_v in_o that_o church_n but_o will_v have_v both_o it_o and_o the_o whole_a order_n of_o bishop_n to_o be_v utter_o abolish_v in_o place_n whereof_o they_o will_v substitute_v that_o which_o they_o call_v their_o directory_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o go_v on_o and_o then_o he_o prove_v at_o large_a that_o form_n of_o prayer_n be_v not_o only_o necessary_a for_o the_o unlearned_a but_o the_o learned_a also_o and_o show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o their_o directory_n and_o how_o ridiculous_a it_o be_v to_o suppose_v that_o we_o have_v that_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o prayer_n that_o they_o have_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o some_o little_a time_n after_o it_o be_v too_o long_o to_o put_v it_o all_o down_o here_o
so_o clear_a i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o there_o lie_v no_o obligation_n upon_o any_o nonconformist_a minister_n to_o preach_v in_o england_n and_o consequent_o there_o can_v be_v no_o necessity_n for_o the_o people_n to_o hear_v they_o the_o oath_n and_o subscription_n be_v require_v only_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o other_o reform_a church_n require_v of_o all_o they_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o french_a church_n every_o minister_n that_o will_v not_o subscribe_v to_o the_o order_n among_o they_o be_v to_o be_v declare_v a_o schismatic_a and_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o geneva_n any_o minister_n that_o contemn_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n or_o by_o his_o obstinacy_n disturb_v the_o order_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v first_o summon_v before_o the_o magistrate_n and_o if_o that_o will_v not_o do_v he_o shall_v be_v excommunicate_v but_o no_o separation_n allow_v and_o calvin_n say_v ep._n olevian_n pag._n 311_o &_o 122._o let_v he_o that_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n of_o a_o society_n be_v cast_v out_o our_o dissenter_n themselves_o do_v oblige_v all_o to_o swear_v solemn_o to_o their_o covenant_n under_o pain_n of_o sequestration_n but_o say_v the_o dissenter_n what_o if_o the_o church_n of_o england_n excommunicate_v we_o may_v we_o not_o then_o lawful_o separate_a and_o set_v up_o meeting_n of_o our_o own_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v true_a the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n do_v say_v that_o in_o some_o case_n man_n be_v excommunicate_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la yet_o this_o do_v not_o oblige_v any_o to_o separate_v from_o communion_n till_o sentence_n be_v due_o and_o judicial_o pronounce_v in_o a_o church_n for_o by_o the_o civil_a law_n notwithstanding_o excommunication_n ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la a_o declaratory_a sentence_n of_o the_o judge_n be_v necessary_a before_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v deny_v the_o benefit_n of_o communion_n and_o the_o say_v a_o man_n be_v excommunicate_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la signify_v no_o more_o than_o that_o the_o judge_n may_v give_v sentence_n without_o any_o new_a judicial_a process_n but_o though_o our_o dissenter_n be_v actual_o excommunicate_v for_o their_o disobedience_n this_o this_o will_v not_o excuse_v they_o from_o schism_n as_o dr._n stillingfleet_n have_v prove_v at_o large_a misch_n of_o separ_fw-la p._n 370._o thus_o i_o have_v show_v that_o none_o of_o those_o plea_n which_o be_v common_o use_v by_o the_o dissenter_n for_o their_o separation_n from_o we_o be_v sufficient_a to_o justify_v separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n now_o if_o i_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o true_a reform_a church_n they_o must_v either_o renounce_v their_o principle_n of_o separation_n or_o their_o reason_n the_o only_a argument_n i_o shall_v here_o make_v use_n of_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o true_a reform_a church_n be_v that_o it_o be_v so_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n who_o do_v all_o own_v she_o as_o a_o sister_n and_o also_o by_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o our_o own_o dissenter_n themselves_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n beyond_o sea_n do_v own_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o a_o true_a reform_a church_n and_o yet_o they_o know_v what_o her_o fault_n be_v in_o her_o assembly_n in_o her_o worship_n in_o her_o ministry_n and_o government_n and_o this_o appear_v by_o the_o harmony_n of_o confession_n of_o the_o church_n collect_v and_o set_v forth_o by_o the_o church_n of_o france_n and_o of_o the_o low-countries_n they_o do_v receive_v and_o approve_v of_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o call_v it_o one_o of_o the_o true_a reform_a church_n calvin_n have_v acknowledge_v the_o same_o in_o his_o writing_n against_o the_o brownist_n and_o condemn_v they_o for_o schismatic_n for_o separate_v from_o it_o see_v his_o instit_fw-la lib._n 4._o c._n 1._o and_o the_o famous_a causabon_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o king_n james_n i._o declare_v plain_o that_o none_o at_o this_o day_n come_v near_o the_o form_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n than_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v grotius_n ad_fw-la boatslaer_n ep._n 62._o acknowledge_v the_o same_o to_o which_o i_o shall_v add_v the_o opinion_n of_o two_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a reform_a divine_n at_o this_o day_n beyond_o sea_n the_o one_o be_v mounseur_fw-fr l'moyn_n professor_n of_o divinity_n at_o leyden_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n anno_fw-la dom._n 1680._o who_o write_v to_o he_o to_o know_v his_o judgement_n concern_v our_o present_a division_n in_o england_n l'moyn_n write_v he_o a_o long_a letter_n which_o you_o may_v see_v at_o large_a at_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o dr._n stillingfleet_n mischief_n of_o separation_n i_o shall_v only_o repeat_v some_o of_o it_o where_o be_v it_o ever_o see_v say_v he_o after_o he_o have_v be_v high_o condemn_v our_o dissenter_n for_o separation_n that_o 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the_o bishop_n of_o london_n write_v about_o the_o same_o time_n desire_v his_o opinion_n as_o aforesaid_a mounseur_fw-fr claud_n return_v he_o this_o answer_n all_o reform_a church_n do_v acknowledge_v the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o a_o true_a church_n and_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v afraid_a to_o give_v that_o name_n to_o the_o hold_v of_o assembly_n apart_o and_o separate_v from_o the_o public_a assembly_n and_o withdraw_a themselves_o from_o under_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v real_a schism_n we_o do_v not_o enter_v into_o a_o comparison_n of_o your_o order_n with_o that_o under_o which_o we_o live_v all_o be_v subject_a to_o inconvenience_n we_o have_v she_o as_o well_o as_o you_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o to_o know_v that_o the_o same_o divine_a providence_n which_o by_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n and_o by_o conjuncture_n of_o affair_n do_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o
separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n to_o be_v sinful_a who_o can_v help_v that_o the_o great_a number_n that_o have_v live_v and_o die_v in_o that_o opinion_n do_v not_o make_v the_o thing_n less_o sinful_a the_o donatist_n in_o the_o african_a church_n be_v more_o numerous_a that_o our_o english_a dissenter_n be_v and_o have_v it_o be_v likely_a as_o many_o sober_a and_o learned_a divine_n among_o '_o they_o for_o at_o the_o conference_n at_o carthage_n they_o have_v 400_o bishop_n yet_o these_o be_v condemn_v for_o schismatic_n by_o st._n austin_n and_o all_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o these_o donatist_n separate_v from_o the_o church_n for_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o very_a same_o that_o our_o present_a dissenter_n make_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n they_o think_v the_o bishopric_n too_o large_a and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n too_o great_a they_o refuse_v to_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o catholic_n because_o sinner_n be_v admit_v there_o they_o forsake_v the_o minister_n because_o they_o be_v not_o so_o agreeable_a to_o their_o humour_n as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o 47._o they_o optatus_n malevianus_n lib._n 2._o p._n 47._o they_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n but_o the_o minister_n and_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o all_o the_o people_n they_o hold_v that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o reform_v the_o church_n they_o make_v a_o show_n of_o great_a zeal_n for_o the_o purity_n of_o religion_n than_o other_o people_n and_o by_o their_o stiff_a rigorous_a severity_n which_o they_o show_v and_o the_o vehement_a outcries_a which_o they_o make_v that_o discipline_n be_v not_o due_o execute_v many_o of_o the_o people_n not_o well_o ground_v in_o the_o truth_n be_v terrify_v and_o turn_v unto_o they_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v the_o most_o zealous_a holy_a man_n and_o the_o only_a true_a church_n in_o the_o world_n final_o they_o condemn_v all_o other_o church_n as_o not_o true_a church_n see_v all_o this_o in_o gifford_n a_o nonconformist_a minister_n his_o book_n against_o the_o brownist_n 2._o part_n these_o be_v the_o very_a pretence_n that_o our_o present_a dissenter_n make_v for_o their_o separate_n from_o this_o church_n our_o bishopric_n be_v too_o large_a our_o church_n not_o according_a to_o christ_n institution_n our_o minister_n unable_a and_o ungodly_a our_o way_n of_o worship_n false_a our_o magistrate_n assume_v a_o unwarrant_v power_n in_o church_n matter_n yea_o and_o in_o their_o over_o pretend_v to_o purity_n and_o godliness_n they_o be_v exact_a donatist_n and_o by_o that_o very_a mean_n do_v draw_v the_o more_o ignorant_a and_o zealous_a sort_n of_o people_n to_o they_o as_o the_o brownist_n do_v no_o people_n pretend_v so_o much_o to_o purity_n and_o religion_n as_o they_o do_v in_o all_o place_n where_o they_o have_v their_o public_a meeting_n they_o be_v sure_a 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of_o such_o who_o run_v into_o party_n by_o division_n say_v he_o those_o injudicious_a sort_n of_o christian_n have_v a_o over_o high_a esteem_n of_o their_o own_o understanding_n and_o godliness_n and_o desire_v to_o be_v make_v conspicuous_a for_o their_o godliness_n in_o the_o world_n separate_v from_o ordinary_a christian_n as_o below_o they_o and_o unworthy_a of_o their_o communion_n these_o sect_n have_v ever_o be_v the_o nest_n of_o error_n and_o again_o ib._n p._n 331._o he_o bid_v we_o beware_v of_o join_v ourselves_o to_o separate_a meeting_n who_o pretend_v to_o strict_a discipline_n and_o great_a purity_n who_o set_v themselves_o up_o factious_o and_o contentious_o against_o the_o concordant_a church_n on_o pretence_n of_o great_a purity_n who_o meeting_n be_v employ_v in_o revile_v other_o and_o condemn_v other_o church_n and_o puff_v themselves_o up_o with_o pride_n as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o only_a church_n of_o christ_n but_o our_o dissenter_n will_v say_v this_o be_v a_o scandalous_a abuse_n to_o say_v that_o they_o condemn_v all_o other_o reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n but_o i_o doubt_v they_o agree_v with_o the_o donatist_n even_o in_o this_o for_o i_o suppose_v they_o will_v condemn_v all_o those_o that_o account_v they_o schismatic_n and_o this_o do_v all_o the_o reform_a church_n for_o they_o all_o hold_v that_o separation_n from_o a_o true_a church_n be_v schism_n and_o own_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o a_o true_a church_n and_o consequent_o make_v they_o schismatic_n and_o so_o have_v express_o declare_v they_o as_o appear_v before_o again_o i_o suppose_v they_o will_v condemn_v all_o church_n that_o communicate_v with_o a_o idolatrous_a antichristian_a church_n know_v her_o fault_n some_o of_o they_o declare_v the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v such_o a_o church_n and_o then_o they_o must_v condemn_v all_o the_o reform_a church_n which_o communicate_v with_o she_o well_o say_v the_o dissenter_n you_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n to_o say_v for_o yourselves_o and_o if_o all_o be_v true_a that_o you_o have_v tell_v we_o our_o separation_n from_o you_o be_v sinful_a and_o unreasonable_a but_o what_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v you_o we_o have_v a_o great_a many_o able_a and_o godly_a minister_n of_o our_o own_o who_o tell_v we_o the_o quite_o contrary_a it_o be_v certain_a they_o can_v both_o be_v in_o the_o right_n why_o may_v we_o not_o then_o believe_v your_o minister_n may_v be_v deceive_v as_o well_o as_o we_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v not_o so_o likely_a that_o all_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o have_v be_v since_o the_o reformation_n shall_v be_v deceive_v in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n as_o that_o those_o of_o the_o nonconformist_n shall_v first_o because_o they_o be_v much_o more_o numerous_a and_o it_o be_v not_o so_o likely_a that_o a_o great_a many_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v deceive_v as_o a_o few_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n 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