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be_v ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o act._n 20.28_o but_o this_o be_v no_o part_n of_o my_o purpose_n only_o lay_v in_o the_o way_n to_o prove_v our_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n plant_v here_o some_o say_v by_o paul_n but_o certain_a by_o philip_n and_o by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o after_o time_n which_o then_o be_v a_o true_a church_n much_o pâ—â—â—â—â—â—ted_a i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n to_o vindicate_v episcopacy_n i_o be_o too_o weak_a a_o prop_n to_o uphold_v such_o a_o totter_a and_o reel_a fabric_n yet_o arm_v inward_o with_o truth_n outward_o with_o argument_n i_o will_v bold_o tell_v you_o reader_n i_o care_v not_o who_o wonder_n at_o i_o let_v they_o be_v wonder_v still_o and_o in_o their_o wonder_n snarl_v at_o i_o i_o will_v rather_o be_v subject_a to_o moderate_a episcopacy_n than_o our_o classical_a presbytery_n such_o episcopacy_n as_o shall_v not_o lord_n it_o over_o god_n heritage_n for_o we_o know_v our_o saviour_n rebuke_v james_n and_o john_n mar._n 10.42_o luke_n 22.25_o when_o the_o one_o desire_v to_o sit_v to_o his_o right_a hand_n the_o other_o on_o his_o left_a in_o his_o kingdom_n say_v the_o king_n of_o the_o gentile_n bear_v rule_v over_o they_o and_o their_o great_a one_o exercise_v authority_n upon_o they_o but_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o among_o you_o such_o episcopacy_n as_o shall_v have_v no_o temporal_a honour_n or_o office_n to_o withdraw_v they_o from_o their_o spiritual_a function_n there_o be_v appoint_v in_o every_o county_n one_o superintendent_n or_o bishop_n who_o with_o his_o assembly_n of_o divine_n of_o that_o county_n shall_v govern_v the_o church_n and_o decree_v ecclesiastical_a cause_n i_o say_v such_o episcopacy_n i_o will_v rather_o embrace_v and_o submit_v unto_o it_o than_o a_o company_n of_o ignorant_a elder_n for_o better_a it_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v with_o prudence_n and_o knowledge_n then_o with_o pride_n and_o ignorance_n two_o thing_n incident_a to_o our_o
consideration_n of_o our_o wise_a parliament_n in_o hope_n their_o wisdom_n will_v take_v due_a care_n to_o prevent_v the_o impend_a misery_n of_o our_o nation_n for_o very_o many_o thousand_o will_n rather_o have_v moderate_a episcopacy_n up_o than_o this_o senseless_a government_n of_o lay-elders_a which_o be_v indeed_o no_o ruler_n but_o mere_a stalk_a horse_n or_o ass_n or_o a_o disguise_n wherein_o the_o presbyter_n may_v plunder_v the_o people_n of_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n pretend_v it_o be_v not_o the_o art_n of_o clergy_n only_o pretty_a judgle_n but_o no_o more_o of_o this_o stultum_fw-la est_fw-la obsurdas_fw-la opiniones_fw-la accuratius_fw-la refellere_fw-la i_o will_v proceed_v to_o treat_v of_o that_o part_n or_o division_n of_o this_o work_n lie_v next_o in_o order_n to_o wit_n of_o spiritual_a elder_n in_o general_a and_o that_o our_o lay-elders_a may_v not_o right_o be_v take_v for_o such_o every_o bishop_n presbyter_n pastor_n or_o other_o grave_n and_o reverend_a divine_a be_v right_o and_o true_o call_v a_o spiritual_a elder_n and_o to_o prove_v this_o my_o assertion_n i_o need_v not_o wander_v far_o to_o fetch_v authority_n from_o rare_a author_n the_o apostle_n themselves_o have_v save_v i_o a_o labour_n as_o peter_n the_o 1.5.1_o the_o elder_n which_o be_v among_o you_o i_o exhort_v who_o be_o also_o a_o elder_a etc._n etc._n john_n in_o his_o 2._o and_o 3._o epistle_n style_v himself_o and_o elder_a in_o the_o second_o thus_o the_o elder_a unto_o the_o elect_a lady_n in_o the_o three_o the_o elder_a unto_o the_o well-beloved_a gain_n and_o we_o may_v read_v act_n 6.6_o because_o the_o word_n of_o god_n shall_v not_o be_v leave_v and_o the_o people_n to_o serve_v table_n wherefore_o the_o apostle_n desire_v the_o people_n to_o look_v out_o among_o themselves_o 7_o man_n of_o honest_a report_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o of_o wisdom_n who_o they_o admit_v into_o holy_a order_n by_o pray_v and_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n who_o be_v call_v elder_n so_o paul_n act_v 14.23_o when_o he_o pass_v through_o several_a country_n upon_o his_o be_v stone_v at_o lystra_n in_o licaonia_n ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n elder_n in_o that_o place_n by_o all_o translator_n be_v render_v presbyter_n or_o bishop_n man_n of_o holy_a order_n to_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n who_o be_v thereunto_o thus_o lawful_o call_v have_v god_n promise_v to_o let_v his_o holy_a spirit_n rest_n upon_o they_o even_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n math._n 28.20_o it_o be_v promise_v to_o such_o as_o teach_v his_o people_n to_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o i_o have_v command_v you_o even_o to_o such_o who_o have_v commission_n to_o teach_v all_o nation_n baptise_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n we_o may_v read_v likewise_o jame_v 5.14_o if_o any_o be_v sick_a among_o you_o let_v he_o send_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o let_v he_o pray_v over_o he_o anoint_v he_o with_o oil_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o word_n elder_a be_v there_o translate_v presbyter_n which_o be_v of_o the_o same_o signification_n with_o we_o as_o sacerdos_n be_v under_o the_o law_n there_o be_v many_o more_o place_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v spiritual_a elder_n in_o the_o church_n but_o i_o will_v brief_o shut_v up_o this_o point_n with_o the_o 20_o of_o the_o act_n where_o it_o appear_v how_o paul_n at_o melitum_fw-la call_v the_o elder_n from_o ephesus_n verse_n the_o 27._o and_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o must_v see_v his_o face_n no_o more_o he_o charge_v they_o verse_n the_o 28._o that_o they_o shall_v take_v heed_n unto_o themselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o bishop_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n by_o all_o which_o and_o other_o text_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o word_n elder_a general_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n signify_v feed_v and_o pray_v minister_n not_o loiter_v lazy_a lay-elders_a officer_n no_o more_o requisite_a in_o a_o church_n than_o a_o company_n of_o drone_n be_v useful_a in_o a_o hive_n of_o bee_n unnecessary_a evil_n mere_a horseleech_n to_o suck_v the_o people_n blood_n who_o have_v no_o need_n of_o phlebotomy_n but_o i_o leave_v the_o jewish_a laiety_n which_o i_o hope_v will_v no_o way_n arrogate_v this_o office_n unto_o themselves_o though_o their_o holy_a father_n their_o high_a priest_n endue_v with_o great_a store_n of_o impudence_n and_o ignorance_n tell_v they_o they_o be_v instate_v into_o holy_a order_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d when_o with_o hand_n lift_v up_o at_o their_o election_n they_o take_v the_o covenant_n by_o which_o covenant_n i_o will_v have_v they_o to_o understand_v they_o be_v to_o degrade_v themselves_o from_o their_o office_n for_o it_o be_v on_o foot_n in_o scotland_n be_v no_o warrant_n for_o they_o to_o continue_v it_o here_o in_o england_n the_o word_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n according_a to_o god_n holy_a word_n and_o i_o can_v find_v one_o text_n in_o scripture_n to_o warrant_v their_o call_n in_o the_o church_n they_o be_v layman_n nor_o will_v that_o argument_n which_o some_o frame_n from_o the_o levite_n have_v several_a place_n of_o trust_n about_o the_o temple_n serve_v to_o prove_v their_o office_n and_o government_n it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o moses_n time_n gershon_n cohath_n and_o merari_fw-la levy_n his_o three_o son_n have_v the_o office_n to_o pitch_v to_o take_v down_o and_o to_o bear_v up_o and_o down_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o the_o vessel_n thereof_o the_o gershovite_n charge_n be_v to_o carry_v the_o cover_n and_o hang_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n the_o cohathite_n the_o chief_a thing_n within_o the_o sanctuary_n and_o the_o merarite_n have_v charge_n of_o the_o wood-worke_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o instrument_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n this_o be_v their_o office_n during_o their_o abode_n in_o the_o wilderness_n whilst_o they_o be_v on_o their_o journey_n but_o afterward_o when_o they_o be_v settle_v in_o the_o promise_a land_n david_n change_v their_o office_n some_o be_v appoint_v to_o have_v charge_n of_o the_o treasure_n of_o the_o temple_n 1_o chron._n 26.20_o other_o to_o be_v overseer_n and_o judge_n other_o to_o be_v porter_n and_o singer_n 1_o chron._n 23.4_o the_o singer_n be_v to_o be_v clad_v in_o linen_n robe_n 2_o chron._n 5.12_o hence_o do_v some_o argue_v that_o the_o government_n by_o elder_n be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o be_v in_o david_n time_n when_o the_o levite_n be_v the_o levite_n be_v judge_n and_o overseer_n to_o which_o objection_n i_o give_v this_o answer_n god_n by_o his_o divine_a and_o eternal_a decree_n have_v appoint_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n to_o serve_v at_o his_o altar_n and_o minister_v unto_o the_o people_n as_o we_o find_v it_o record_v in_o the_o 10_o of_o deut._n verse_n 8._o god_n separate_v the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n to_o bear_v the_o ark_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o stand_v before_o the_o lord_n to_o minister_v unto_o he_o and_o to_o bless_v in_o his_o name_n even_o to_o this_o day_n and_o deut._n 11._o and_o the_o 5._o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n have_v choose_v he_o out_o of_o all_o thy_o tribe_n to_o stand_v and_o minister_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n him_z and_o his_o son_n for_o ever_o and_o moses_n in_o the_o 33_o of_o deut._n verse_n 8._o prey_n that_o the_o urim_n and_o thummim_v of_o the_o lord_n be_v with_o thy_o holy_a one_o mean_v in_o that_o place_n one_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n who_o verse_n the_o 10_o shall_v teach_v jacob_n thy_o judgement_n and_o israel_n thy_o law_n they_o shall_v put_v insense_n before_o thy_o face_n and_o burn_v offering_n upon_o thy_o altar_n it_o be_v manifest_a by_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o it_o be_v god_n holy_a will_n that_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n shall_v serve_v at_o his_o altar_n all_o of_o they_o be_v instate_v in_o holy_a order_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n and_o although_o among_o they_o there_o be_v certain_a degree_n according_a to_o which_o paul_n write_v in_o the_o 1_o to_o tim._n 3.13_o that_o they_o that_o have_v minister_v well_o get_v themselves_o a_o good_a degree_n as_o godwyn_n in_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n fol._n 22_o observe_n as_o when_o they_o have_v be_v a_o month_n initiate_v they_o be_v to_o be_v present_v unto_o god_n numb_a 3.15_o and_o they_o be_v consecrate_v by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n at_o 25_o year_n old_a num._n 8.24_o and_o they_o be_v to_o carry_v the_o tabernacle_n up_o &_o down_o from_o 30_o to_o 50_o and_o afterward_o they_o be_v to_o oversee_v and_o
levites_n only_o sit_v with_o they_o because_o they_o be_v learn_v in_o the_o talmud_n not_o that_o of_o right_n it_o belong_v unto_o they_o to_o sit_v there_o goodwin_n in_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n fol._n 199._o and_o 198._o he_o say_v how_o jehosophat_n appoint_v in_o every_o wall_a city_n secular_a judge_n which_o be_v their_o elder_n to_o determine_v criminal_a offence_n i_o wonder_v that_o our_o presbyterian_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o braze_v with_o ignorance_n as_o not_o to_o blush_v to_o urge_v this_o portion_n of_o scripture_n for_o a_o warrant_n for_o their_o court_n of_o elder_n to_o be_v set_v up_o here_o in_o england_n when_o as_o it_o fail_v in_o every_o particular_a to_o be_v any_o wise_a applicable_a to_o we_o for_o first_o the_o jew_n be_v govern_v by_o 70_o elder_n before_o so_o be_v never_o england_n secon_o moses_n be_v both_o king_n and_o priest_n among_o they_o he_o be_v their_o priest_n and_o take_v great_a pain_n in_o his_o holy_a function_n with_o they_o whereby_o he_o become_v less_o fit_v to_o manage_v their_o civil_a affair_n and_o we_o may_v likewise_o read_v deut._n 33.5_o moses_n be_v among_o the_o righteous_a as_o king_n i_o never_o know_v that_o our_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n ever_o exercise_v any_o kingly_a office_n in_o england_n nor_o have_v it_o ever_o be_v unless_o in_o these_o four_o year_n last_o pass_v whenas_o charles_n stewart_n be_v go_v from_o his_o parliament_n and_o be_v denudate_v of_o his_o kingly_a power_n which_o power_n in_o conceit_n fall_v into_o the_o lap_n of_o our_o assembly_n who_o thereupon_o enthusiastical_o by_o imaginary_a revelation_n publish_v they_o must_v take_v to_o themselves_o elder_n of_o the_o people_n to_o bear_v part_n of_o the_o burden_n with_o they_o three_o that_o be_v god_n own_o immediate_a act_n and_o he_o put_v his_o spirit_n upon_o they_o and_o they_o prophesy_v verse_n the_o 25_o but_o this_o be_v a_o mere_a humane_a institution_n not_o warrant_v by_o any_o mean_n unless_o by_o such_o imaginary_a revelation_n and_o strange_a oracle_n which_o thing_n since_o christ_n himself_o come_v in_o the_o flesh_n have_v cease_v and_o why_o shall_v we_o now_o credit_v they_o i_o believe_v our_o elder_n be_v not_o by_o their_o office_n make_v wise_a or_o endow_v with_o any_o supernatural_a gift_n at_o all_o but_o continue_v still_o though_o mr._n elder_n yet_o as_o arrant_a blockhead_n as_o they_o be_v before_o so_o that_o a_o man_n may_v say_v of_o they_o as_o one_o say_v of_o a_o ignorant_a judge_n sit_v in_o his_o robe_n upon_o the_o bench_n yonder_o judge_n be_v make_v fine_a by_o his_o place_n his_o place_n not_o beautify_v he_o nor_o for_o my_o part_n will_v i_o believe_v any_o thing_n they_o can_v prophesy_v unless_o they_o tell_v i_o they_o will_v be_v kick_v out_o of_o their_o office_n four_o that_o government_n cease_v when_o israel_n obtain_v a_o king_n and_o now_o that_o england_n have_v and_o ever_o have_v a_o king_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v with_o this_o inconsistent_a government_n unless_o to_o fit_v ourselves_o to_o entertain_v the_o eldership_n we_o cast_v off_o monarchical_a government_n and_o introduce_v a_o government_n by_o state_n for_o my_o part_n i_o wish_v that_o hand_n to_o wither_v that_o shall_v attempt_v to_o lop_v off_o the_o royal_a branch_n of_o our_o land_n who_o right_a to_o the_o crown_n and_o kingly_a prerogative_n be_v equal_o just_a to_o any_o subject_a his_o possess_n what_o he_o have_v nor_o be_v there_o any_o understanding_n christian_n reproachful_o call_v independent_a of_o any_o other_o opinion_n so_o he_o may_v enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n without_o civil_a coercion_n in_o point_n of_o religion_n he_o be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n to_o god_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n and_o every_o one_o be_v to_o bear_v his_o own_o burden_n the_o father_n not_o be_v to_o answer_v for_o the_o son_n nor_o the_o son_n for_o the_o father_n gal._n 6.5_o ezek._n 18.20_o but_o in_o civil_a and_o temporal_a matter_n be_v ready_a to_o subject_v himself_o with_o the_o most_o submissive_a to_o kingly_a authority_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o nation_n where_o he_o live_v and_o may_v those_o curse_a soul_n who_o contrive_v the_o obliterate_n of_o the_o glorious_a being_n of_o our_o king_n here_o be_v sudden_o snach_v hence_o by_o a_o hand_n unlooked_a for_o and_o yet_o i_o wish_v king_n charles_n his_o return_v to_o his_o parliament_n and_o harken_v to_o their_o wholesome_a counsel_n for_o therein_o i_o conceive_v his_o flourish_a and_o happiness_n will_v most_o consist_v that_o there_o be_v and_o have_v be_v civil_a elder_n here_o and_o elsewhere_o no_o man_n needs_o to_o doubt_v it_o be_v obvious_a enough_o and_o manifest_a to_o each_o capacity_n our_o judge_n at_o westminster_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o in_o this_o sense_n elder_n and_o judge_n to_o sit_v in_o counsel_n to_o determine_v and_o judge_v of_o criminal_a and_o other_o civil_a affair_n which_o we_o continue_v still_o to_o this_o day_n therefore_o be_v our_o new_a lay-elders_a in_o this_o sense_n useless_a and_o if_o we_o must_v for_o other_o end_n erect_v jewish_a sanhedrin_n in_o england_n i_o have_v show_v you_o it_o be_v not_o warrantable_a for_o we_o so_o to_o do_v because_o moses_n by_o god_n special_a appointment_n assemble_v 70._o elder_n to_o bear_v part_n of_o the_o government_n with_o he_o although_o it_o be_v urge_v with_o all_o the_o wit_n zeal_n and_o fervency_n it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o country_n presbyter_n to_o palliate_v his_o people_n from_o his_o pulpit_n with_o yet_o his_o labour_n be_v all_o in_o vain_a and_o he_o but_o endeavour_n to_o justify_v unwarrantable_a thing_n when_o as_o the_o unskilful_a sophister_n can_v set_v a_o specious_a gloss_n on_o a_o good_a matter_n but_o perhaps_o he_o have_v learn_v his_o lesson_n so_o far_o by_o rote_n as_o to_o tell_v the_o people_n it_o be_v in_o europe_n first_o set_v up_o at_o geneva_n by_o reverend_a mr._n 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instruct_v the_o young_a levites_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o bishop_n but_o they_o be_v from_o the_o first_o to_o be_v instate_v in_o holy_a order_n and_o then_o capable_a to_o be_v overseer_n or_o bishop_n as_o they_o labour_v to_o get_v a_o good_a degree_n now_o i_o presume_v none_o will_v be_v so_o silly_a as_o to_o follow_v our_o new_a presbyterian_a doctrine_n which_o persuade_v that_o our_o government_n in_o church_n by_o lay-elders_a be_v no_o more_o but_o this_o which_o our_o high_o benefice_a brethren_n cry_v aloud_o in_o their_o pulpit_n for_o know_v reader_n there_o be_v no_o analogy_n betwixt_o the_o levite_n and_o lay-elders_a for_o first_o god_n appoint_v the_o one_o to_o serve_v at_o his_o altar_n but_o the_o other_o have_v no_o call_n thereunto_o and_o whereas_o god_n appoint_v moses_n to_o assemble_v 70_o elaer_n to_o bear_v part_n of_o the_o government_n with_o he_o that_o be_v only_o in_o temporal_a affair_n not_o in_o church_n matter_n moses_n be_v overburthen_v 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spiritual_a elder_n but_o the_o civil_a elder_n be_v not_o to_o meddle_v and_o join_v with_o spiritual_a in_o church_n affair_n which_o be_v the_o next_o thing_n in_o order_n i_o be_o to_o treat_v of_o there_o be_v in_o israel_n say_v mr._n godwine_n in_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n fol._n 197._o two_o consistory_n or_o court_n of_o justice_n the_o one_o chief_o for_o church_n business_n the_o other_o for_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n the_o spiritual_a consistory_n term_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o synagogue_n the_o secular_a consistory_n term_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o counsel_n and_o this_o civil_a court_n consist_v of_o 71_o the_o odd_a one_o be_v to_o supply_v the_o room_n of_o moses_n over_o the_o first_o 70._o mr._n purchas_n in_o his_o pilgrimage_n 112_o and_o galatinus_n conjecture_n that_o in_o the_o counsel_n that_o condemn_v christ_n there_o be_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o 71._o and_o as_o these_o two_o court_n be_v several_a in_o their_o place_n remote_a each_o from_o other_o so_o be_v the_o matter_n discussable_a before_o they_o of_o several_a and_o distinct_a nature_n and_o quality_n as_o we_o may_v read_v in_o the_o 2_o of_o chron._n chapter_n 19_o to_o the_o spiritual_a court_n belong_v matter_n spiritual_a or_o ceremonial_a to_o the_o secular_a consistory_n matter_n civil_a or_o criminal_a &_o so_o jehoshaphat_n reform_v many_o abuse_n in_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n first_o appoint_v throughout_o all_o the_o fence_a city_n of_o judah_n secular_a judge_n to_o determine_v criminal_a cause_n and_o at_o jerusalem_n he_o appoint_v a_o spiritual_a court_n consist_v of_o levites_n priest_n and_o the_o chief_a father_n of_o israel_n amazia_n the_o high_a priest_n be_v chief_a in_o cause_n spiritual_a for_o the_o lord_n and_o zobediah_n in_o cause_n criminal_a for_o the_o king_n and_o this_o spiritual_a court_n be_v say_v mr._n godwin_n the_o representative_a church_n and_o have_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n hence_o 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