polycrates_n egesippus_fw-la clemens_n eusebius_n jerome_n instance_n in_o those_o person_n who_o succeed_v each_o other_o in_o those_o first_o see_v if_o you_o tell_v i_o of_o the_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o episcopacy_n of_o those_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o of_o the_o present_a time_n i_o do_v willing_o yield_v it_o but_o withal_o i_o must_v add_v that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o any_o thing_n essential_a to_o the_o call_n but_o in_o matter_n outward_a and_o mere_o adventitious_a the_o abatement_n whereof_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v find_v needful_a diminish_v nothing_o from_o the_o substance_n of_o that_o holy_a institution_n what_o can_v be_v more_o express_a than_o in_o the_o ancient_a of_o they_o the_o bless_a martyr_n ignatius_n the_o mention_n of_o the_o three_o distinct_a degree_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n deacon_n encharged_a with_o their_o several_a duty_n which_o be_v yet_o never_o intermit_v and_o let_v fall_v to_o this_o present_a day_n how_o frequent_o 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a_o modest_a offer_n of_o some_o meet_a consideration_n tender_v to_o the_o learned_a prolocutor_n and_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n meet_v at_o westminster_n 1644._o concern_v a_o form_n of_o church-government_n by_o jos_n hall_n d._n d._n late_a bishop_n of_o norwich_n london_n reprint_v and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o tho._n basset_n in_o st._n dunstan_n churchyard_n in_o fleetstreet_n 1660._o a_o modest_a offer_n of_o some_o meet_a consideration_n tender_v to_o the_o learned_a prolocutor_n and_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n meet_v at_o westminster_n learned_a and_o reverend_a brethren_n if_o you_o be_v now_o as_o be_v suppose_v upon_o the_o advice_n of_o a_o form_n of_o church-government_n i_o beseech_v you_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n set_v aside_o all_o prejudice_n to_o take_v into_o your_o sad_a thought_n these_o consideration_n follow_v it_o be_v i_o perceive_v a_o usual_a prayer_n of_o many_o preacher_n well_o affect_v to_o 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happy_a reformation_n of_o what_o ever_o have_v be_v or_o be_v amiss_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o this_o i_o offer_v to_o your_o serious_a consideration_n whether_o episcopacy_n strip_v of_o all_o circumstance_n that_o may_v be_v just_o except_v against_o and_o reduce_v to_o the_o primitive_a estate_n may_v not_o be_v think_v a_o form_n both_o better_a in_o itself_o and_o more_o fit_a for_o this_o kingdom_n and_o church_n than_o either_o of_o the_o other_o how_o ancient_a it_o be_v i_o need_v not_o appeal_v to_o any_o but_o yourselves_o who_o do_v well_o know_v that_o there_o be_v never_o yet_o any_o history_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o there_o be_v not_o full_a mention_n make_v of_o bishop_n as_o the_o only_a governor_n thereof_o neither_o can_v any_o learned_a adversary_n deny_v that_o they_o have_v continue_v with_o the_o general_a allowance_n of_o god_n church_n from_o the_o very_a apostolic_a time_n until_o this_o present_a age_n and_o whether_o it_o can_v be_v safe_a 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be_v not_o intend_v to_o be_v leave_v as_o a_o perfect_a pattern_n to_o succession_n the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n shall_v have_v be_v leave_v in_o the_o dark_a without_o any_o direction_n for_o the_o succeed_a administration_n thereof_o those_o charge_n be_v plain_o give_v not_o to_o many_o but_o to_o one_o and_o do_v most_o manifest_o imply_v not_o a_o parity_n but_o preeminence_n and_o power_n and_o if_o the_o example_n of_o the_o best_a church_n must_v carry_v it_o what_o church_n can_v be_v more_o pure_a and_o more_o fit_a for_o our_o imitation_n than_o the_o primitive_a and_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o immediate_o follow_v the_o apostle_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n jesus_n christ_n and_o do_v not_o you_o full_a well_o know_v that_o our_o history_n and_o unquestionable_a author_n name_n the_o man_n who_o those_o apostle_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n ordain_v to_o this_o function_n do_v not_o ignatius_n irenaeus_n tertullian_n
every_o aberration_n of_o they_o either_o in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n or_o practice_n and_o lest_o any_o error_n or_o heresy_n may_v seize_v upon_o the_o pastor_n they_o have_v their_o presbytery_n consist_v of_o several_a shrivalty_n which_o meet_v together_o in_o the_o chief_a town_n or_o city_n next_o to_o they_o every_o week_n also_o once_o and_o have_v there_o their_o exercise_n of_o prophesy_v after_o which_o the_o moderator_n of_o the_o say_a meeting_n ask_v and_o gather_v the_o judgement_n of_o all_o the_o say_a pastor_n concern_v the_o doctrine_n then_o deliver_v or_o of_o any_o other_o doubtful_a point_n that_o be_v then_o and_o there_o propound_v and_o if_o the_o say_a presbyter_n be_v divide_v in_o their_o opinion_n than_o the_o question_n be_v under_o a_o enjoin_v silence_n put_v over_o to_o the_o next_o synod_n which_o be_v hold_v twice_o a_o year_n unto_o that_o all_o the_o pastor_n of_o that_o quarter_n or_o province_n due_o resort_v accompany_v with_o their_o elder_n the_o moderator_n of_o the_o former_a synod_n begin_v the_o action_n then_o a_o new_a moderator_n be_v choose_v for_o the_o present_a or_o as_o it_o seldom_o fall_v out_o the_o last_o moderator_n by_o voice_n continue_v any_o question_n of_o doubt_n be_v propose_v be_v either_o decide_v by_o that_o meeting_n or_o if_o it_o can_v be_v so_o do_v be_v with_o charge_n of_o silence_n reserve_v till_o the_o national_a synod_n or_o general_n assembly_n which_o they_o hold_v every_o year_n once_o whither_o come_v not_o the_o pastor_n only_o but_o the_o king_n himself_o or_o his_o commissioner_n and_o some_o of_o all_o order_n and_o degree_n sufficient_o authorize_v for_o the_o determine_n of_o any_o controversy_n that_o shall_v arise_v among_o they_o thus_o he_o and_o certain_o this_o bear_v the_o face_n of_o a_o very_a fair_a and_o laudable_a course_n and_o such_o as_o deserve_v the_o approbation_n of_o all_o the_o well-willer_n to_o that_o discipline_n but_o let_v i_o add_v that_o we_o 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among_o they_o and_o may_v well_o be_v enjoin_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o such_o abuse_n and_o misdemeanour_n as_o be_v incident_a in_o their_o parish_n for_o their_o speedy_a reformation_n within_o the_o verge_n of_o their_o own_o power_n in_o stead_n of_o their_o presbytery_n consist_v of_o several_a pastor_n we_o have_v our_o number_n and_o combination_n of_o minister_n in_o the_o division_n of_o our_o several_a deanery_n under_o which_o be_v range_v all_o the_o minister_n within_o that_o circuit_n over_o who_o the_o rural_a dean_n as_o he_o be_v call_v be_v every_o year_n choose_v by_o the_o say_a minister_n of_o that_o division_n as_o their_o moderator_n for_o the_o year_n ensue_v who_o office_n if_o it_o be_v careful_o look_v unto_o and_o reduce_v to_o the_o original_a institution_n may_v be_v of_o singular_a use_n to_o god_n church_n this_o deanery_n or_o presbytery_n consist_v of_o several_a pastor_n may_v be_v enjoin_v to_o meet_v together_o every_o month_n or_o often_o if_o 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clergy_n hold_v twice_o a_o year_n under_o the_o moderation_n hitherto_o of_o the_o archdeacon_n and_o if_o there_o the_o question_n fail_v of_o a_o full_a determination_n it_o be_v or_o may_v be_v refer_v with_o like_a silence_n and_o peace_n to_o a_o diocesan_n synod_n which_o may_v be_v hold_v every_o year_n once_o under_o the_o presidency_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o if_o yet_o the_o decision_n come_v not_o home_o it_o may_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o determine_n of_o a_o provincial_a synod_n or_o yet_o high_o to_o a_o nationall_n so_o as_o in_o these_o case_n of_o doubt_n or_o error_n if_o man_n will_v not_o be_v want_v to_o themselves_o nothing_o needs_o be_v want_v in_o the_o state_n we_o now_o stand_v in_o to_o the_o safety_n and_o happiness_n of_o our_o church_n for_o matter_n of_o ordination_n of_o minister_n the_o former_a constitution_n of_o our_o church_n have_v deep_o enjoin_v the_o presence_n and_o assistance_n of_o those_o who_o by_o their_o original_a institution_n be_v the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o bishop_n at_z and_z in_o the_o examination_n and_o allowance_n of_o the_o person_n to_o be_v ordain_v requite_v also_o the_o joynt-imposition_n of_o those_o hand_n which_o attest_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o say_v examinate_v not_o without_o a_o severe_a sanction_n of_o two_o year_n suspension_n or_o the_o act_n of_o ordain_v to_o pass_v upon_o any_o bishop_n or_o suffragan_n that_o shall_v be_v find_v fail_v in_o any_o of_o the_o particular_n the_o qualification_n of_o those_o that_o be_v to_o be_v ordain_v be_v in_o our_o canon_n already_o set_v forth_o with_o much_o caution_n for_o their_o age_n their_o degree_n their_o ability_n the_o testimony_n of_o their_o holy_a conversation_n neither_o need_v i_o doubt_v to_o affirm_v that_o he_o who_o beside_o all_o other_o circumstance_n of_o education_n be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o good_a account_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o latin_a according_a to_o the_o receive_a article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o to_o confirm_v the_o same_o by_o sufficient_a testimony_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n may_v be_v think_v competent_o sit_v for_o matter_n of_o knowledge_n to_o enter_v upon_o the_o first_o step_n of_o deacon_n ship_n which_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o church_n have_v according_a to_o the_o apostle_n rule_n appoint_v not_o without_o a_o sufficient_a distance_n of_o time_n in_o way_n of_o probation_n to_o the_o high_a order_n of_o ministry_n forbid_v to_o give_v both_o order_n at_o once_o and_o requite_v that_o he_o who_o be_v ordain_v deacon_n shall_v continue_v a_o whole_a year_n at_o least_o in_o that_o station_n except_o upon_o some_o weighty_a reason_n it_o shall_v seem_v fit_a to_o the_o bishop_n to_o contract_v the_o time_n limit_v and_o lest_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o subreption_n in_o this_o sacred_a business_n it_o be_v order_v that_o these_o ordination_n shall_v be_v no_o other_o than_o solemn_a both_o in_o respect_n of_o time_n and_o place_n neither_o ought_v they_o to_o be_v nor_o in_o some_o place_n be_v without_o a_o public_a preconization_n of_o lawful_a warning_n affix_v upon_o the_o cathedral_n church_n door_n where_o the_o say_a ordination_n shall_v be_v celebrate_v and_o over_o and_o beside_o the_o charge_n that_o none_o shall_v be_v admit_v to_o be_v a_o candidate_n of_o holy_a order_n but_o he_o who_o bring_v sufficient_a testimonial_n of_o his_o good_a life_n and_o conversation_n under_o the_o seal_n of_o some_o college_n in_o cambridg_n or_o oxford_n or_o of_o three_o or_o four_o grave_a minister_n together_o with_o the_o subscription_n and_o testimony_n of_o other_o credible_a person_n who_o have_v know_v his_o life_n and_o behaviour_n by_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n next_o before_o it_o be_v well_o know_v to_o you_o that_o before_o the_o act_n of_o ordination_n there_o be_v public_a proclamation_n make_v to_o the_o whole_a assembly_n that_o if_o any_o man_n know_v any_o crime_n
or_o impediment_n in_o any_o of_o the_o person_n present_v for_o which_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v ordain_v that_o he_o shall_v come_v forth_o and_o declare_v it_o before_o any_o hand_n be_v lay_v upon_o his_o head_n for_o his_o full_a admission_n notwithstanding_o all_o which_o care_n of_o our_o dear_a mother_n the_o church_n of_o england_n if_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v meet_v that_o any_o further_a act_n of_o trial_n shall_v pass_v upon_o those_o which_o be_v suitor_n for_o ordination_n how_o easy_o may_v it_o be_v order_v that_o at_o the_o monthly_a or_o if_o need_v be_v more_o frequent_a meet_v of_o the_o minister_n within_o the_o same_o presbytery_n or_o deanrie_n they_o may_v be_v appoint_v to_o make_v trial_n of_o their_o gift_n and_o undergo_v such_o further_a examination_n of_o their_o ability_n as_o shall_v be_v think_v requisite_a ere_o they_o shall_v be_v present_v and_o admit_v by_o the_o bishop_n and_o his_o presbytery_n to_o that_o holy_a function_n and_o whereas_o it_o be_v much_o stand_v upon_o that_o it_o be_v meet_v the_o people_n who_o soul_n must_v have_v right_a in_o he_o to_o who_o trust_n they_o be_v commit_v shall_v have_v some_o hand_n in_o their_o consent_n to_o that_o pastor_n by_o who_o they_o must_v be_v feed_v it_o must_v be_v say_v that_o beside_o their_o devolution_n of_o their_o right_n to_o the_o patron_n who_o as_o their_o trustee_n present_v a_o minister_n for_o they_o it_o may_v be_v no_o prejudice_n at_o all_o to_o the_o power_n which_o by_o law_n and_o inheritance_n be_v settle_v upon_o the_o patron_n that_o the_o person_n who_o his_o choice_n pitch_v upon_o be_v appoint_v beforehand_o to_o preach_v for_o a_o trial_n to_o that_o congregation_n to_o which_o he_o be_v so_o design_v and_o if_o either_o for_o his_o voice_n or_o other_o just_a exception_n he_o be_v find_v unmeet_a for_o they_o that_o another_o more_o fit_a may_v be_v recommend_v by_o the_o say_a patron_n to_o the_o place_n but_o if_o through_o faction_n or_o self-will_n or_o partiality_n the_o multitude_n shall_v prove_v peevish_a and_o fastidious_a they_o may_v in_o such_o a_o case_n be_v overrule_v by_o just_a authority_n as_o for_o matter_n of_o censure_n it_o may_v not_o be_v deny_v that_o there_o have_v be_v great_a abuse_n in_o the_o manage_n of_o they_o both_o upon_o ecclesiastical_a person_n and_o other_o suspension_n of_o minister_n upon_o flight_n and_o insufficient_a cause_n both_o ab_fw-la officio_fw-la and_o beneficio_fw-la have_v be_v too_o rife_o in_o some_o place_n of_o latter_a time_n and_o the_o dreadful_a sentence_n of_o excommunication_n have_v too_o frequent_o and_o familiar_o pass_v upon_o light_n and_o trivial_a matter_n how_o happy_a be_v it_o if_o a_o speedy_a course_n may_v be_v take_v for_o the_o prevention_n of_o this_o evil_a in_o the_o conference_n at_o hampton-court_n a_o motion_n be_v strong_o make_v to_o this_o purpose_n but_o without_o effect_n if_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o present_a parliament_n shall_v settle_v some_o other_o way_n for_o the_o curb_v of_o contumacious_a offence_n against_o church-authority_n it_o will_v be_v a_o act_n worthy_a of_o their_o care_n and_o justice_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n as_o for_o this_o and_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a proceed_n it_o may_v with_o much_o facility_n and_o willing_a consent_n of_o all_o part_n be_v order_v that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v not_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o inflict_v either_o this_o or_o any_o other_o important_a censure_n without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o his_o presbytery_n which_o shall_v be_v a_o mean_n in_o all_o likelihood_n to_o prevent_v any_o inconvenience_n that_o may_v arise_v from_o the_o wont_a way_n of_o judicature_n as_o for_o the_o co-assession_a of_o a_o lay-presbyterie_n in_o sway_v these_o affair_n of_o church-government_n you_o well_o know_v how_o new_a it_o be_v some_o of_o you_o may_v have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o man_n that_o bring_v it_o first_o into_o any_o part_n of_o this_o island_n and_o what_o ground_n there_o be_v for_o it_o either_o in_o scripture_n or_o antiquity_n i_o appeal_v to_o your_o judgement_n sure_o the_o late_a learned_a author_n of_o the_o counsel_n for_o the_o reform_v the_o church_n of_o england_n although_o otherwise_o a_o vehement_a assertor_n of_o the_o french_a discipline_n ingenuous_o confess_v that_o however_o those_o protestant_n which_o live_v under_o popish_a governor_n have_v do_v wise_o in_o depute_v some_o choice_a man_n select_v out_o of_o their_o congregation_n who_o they_o call_v elder_n to_o share_v with_o their_o pastor_n in_o the_o care_n and_o management_n of_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n yet_o those_o protestant_a church_n which_o live_v under_o the_o government_n of_o protestant_a prince_n may_v with_o the_o safety_n of_o those_o respect_n which_o mutual_o intercede_v betwixt_o pastor_n and_o people_n forbear_v any_o such_o deputation_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n transfer_v for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o himself_o that_o which_o be_v the_o wont_a charge_n of_o those_o depute_a elder_n conclude_v that_o those_o man_n do_v mere_o lose_v their_o labour_n who_o so_o busy_o endeavour_v on_o the_o one_o side_n to_o disprove_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o lay-eldership_n and_o on_o the_o other_o by_o weak_a proof_n to_o maintain_v clean_a contrary_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o the_o text_n of_o saint_n paul_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o pastor_n and_o lay-elders_a thus_o he_o with_o what_o fair_a probability_n i_o leave_v to_o your_o judgement_n neither_o be_v it_o any_o intention_n of_o i_o to_o meddle_v with_o any_o piece_n of_o that_o government_n which_o obtain_v in_o other_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o only_o to_o contribute_v my_o poor_a opinion_n concern_v the_o now-to-be-setled_n affair_n of_o our_o own_o what_o shall_v i_o need_v to_o suggest_v unto_o you_o the_o dangerous_a underwork_n of_o other_o sect_n secret_o endeavour_v to_o spring_v their_o hide_a mine_n to_o the_o overthrow_n both_o of_o the_o one_o government_n and_o the_o other_o whereof_o without_o speedy_a remedy_n perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v too_o late_o to_o complain_v no_o doubt_n the_o wisdom_n and_o authority_n of_o that_o great_a senate_n who_o you_o also_o serve_v to_o advise_v will_v forthwith_o interpose_v itself_o to_o the_o prevention_n of_o those_o mischief_n which_o the_o variety_n of_o these_o heresy_n and_o sect_n though_o some_o of_o they_o cloak_v with_o the_o fair_a pretence_n threaten_v to_o this_o poor_a church_n it_o be_v no_o boot_n for_o i_o to_o tell_v you_o that_o the_o less_o disunion_n there_o be_v the_o more_o ground_n of_o safety_n and_o that_o where_o the_o holy_a purpose_n of_o reformation_n may_v be_v effect_v with_o the_o least_o change_n there_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o most_o hope_n of_o accordance_n the_o rest_n to_o the_o wise_a application_n of_o the_o powerful_a and_o judicious_a it_o be_v enough_o for_o i_o to_o have_v thus_o bold_o shoot_v my_o bolt_n among_o you_o and_o to_o have_v thus_o free_o discover_v my_o honest_a and_o well-meant_a thought_n to_o so_o able_a judgement_n what_o i_o want_v in_o my_o poor_a endeavour_n shall_v be_v supply_v with_o my_o prayer_n that_o god_n will_v be_v please_v to_o compose_v all_o our_o miserable_a distraction_n and_o to_o put_v a_o happy_a issue_n to_o the_o long_a and_o perilous_a agitation_n of_o this_o woeful_o totter_a and_o bleed_a church_n and_o kingdom_n which_o the_o good_a god_n of_o heaven_n vouchsafe_v to_o grant_v for_o his_o great_a mercy_n sake_n and_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o dear_a son_n of_o his_o love_n jesus_n christ_n the_o just_a amen_n sept._n 12._o 1644._o finis_fw-la