church_n to_o the_o which_o christ_n commit_v the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v be_v a_o company_n of_o such_o as_o whereof_o peter_n be_v one_o believer_n profess_v that_o faith_n on_o christ_n whereon_o as_o on_o a_o rock_n the_o church_n be_v build_v mat._n 16.18_o 19_o and_o such_o as_o unto_o who_o peter_n or_o any_o brother_n offend_v may_v in_o due_a order_n tell_v the_o offence_n which_o any_o brother_n have_v give_v he_o &_o persist_v in_o mat._n 18.17_o and_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o which_o the_o apostle_n commend_v the_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a 1_o cor._n 5._o be_v such_o a_o church_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n say_v they_o be_v saint_n by_o calling_n sanctify_v by_o jesus_n christ_n 1_o cor._n 1.2_o and_o all_o of_o they_o even_o the_o whole_a church_n do_v meet_v together_o every_o lord_n day_n in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o holy_a ordinance_n of_o god_n to_o public_a edification_n 1_o cor._n 14.23_o &_o 16.1.2_o which_o frequent_a meeting_n every_o lord_n day_n in_o one_o place_n to_o such_o end_n can_v possible_o be_v compatible_a to_o any_o diocesan_n provincial_n or_o nationall_n assembly_n propos_fw-fr 2._o it_o be_v the_o part_n of_o all_o christian_n who_o look_v for_o salvation_n by_o christ_n jesus_n to_o join_v themselves_o if_o god_n give_v they_o opportunity_n to_o some_o one_o or_o other_o such_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n of_o christ_n for_o of_o such_o a_o church_n as_o continue_v in_o such_o church-fellowship_n act._n 2.42_o it_o be_v write_v the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v act._n 2.47_o and_o see_v there_o be_v no_o holy_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n but_o every_o christian_a stand_v in_o need_n thereof_o for_o his_o spiritual_a edification_n in_o holy_a fellowship_n with_o christ_n jesus_n or_o else_o christ_n ordain_v they_o in_o vain_a and_o see_v withal_o christ_n have_v commit_v all_o his_o public_a holy_a ordinance_n to_o his_o church_n it_o will_v be_v needful_a for_o every_o good_a christian_a to_o who_o god_n give_v opportunity_n to_o join_v himself_o to_o some_o one_o or_o other_o church_n of_o christ_n that_o so_o he_o may_v not_o deprive_v himself_o of_o the_o benefit_n and_o comfort_n of_o any_o of_o god_n holy_a ordinance_n propos_fw-fr 3._o for_o the_o join_n of_o faithful_a christian_n into_o the_o fellowship_n and_o estate_n of_o a_o church_n we_o find_v not_o in_o scripture_n that_o god_n have_v do_v it_o any_o other_o way_n then_o by_o enter_v all_o of_o they_o together_o as_o one_o man_n into_o a_o holy_a covenant_n with_o himself_o to_o take_v the_o lord_n as_o the_o head_n of_o his_o church_n for_o their_o god_n and_o to_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o he_o to_o be_v his_o church_n and_o people_n which_o impli_v their_o submit_v of_o themselves_o to_o he_o and_o one_o to_o another_o in_o his_o fear_n and_o their_o walk_n in_o profess_a subjection_n to_o all_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n their_o cleave_v one_o to_o another_o as_o fellow-member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n in_o brotherly_a love_n and_o holy_a watchfulness_n unto_o mutual_a edification_n in_o christ_n jesus_n for_o thus_o the_o lord_n accept_v and_o enter_v abraham_n family_n into_o church_n estate_n by_o receive_v they_o and_o their_o child_n into_o such_o a_o covenant_n with_o himself_o though_o in_o general_a term_n yet_o such_o as_o imply_v the_o substance_n both_o of_o christian_n and_o church_n duty_n gen._n 17.7_o and_o after_o that_o when_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n have_v violate_v this_o covenant_n in_o egypt_n the_o lord_n again_o make_v another_o covenant_n with_o they_o whereby_o he_o take_v they_o to_o be_v a_o peculiar_a people_n unto_o himself_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o mount_n of_o sinai_n exod._n 19.1.5_o whence_o they_o be_v call_v the_o church_n in_o the_o wilderness_n act._n 7.38_o and_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o covenant_n god_n call_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o that_o people_n as_o his_o own_o spouse_n i_o enter_v say_v he_o speak_v of_o that_o time_n into_o a_o covenant_n with_o thou_o and_o thou_o become_v my_o ezek._n 16.8_o moreover_o the_o next_o generation_n after_o they_o he_o establish_v they_o to_o be_v his_o church_n and_o people_n by_o enter_v they_o again_o into_o a_o covenant_n according_a to_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n deut._n 29.10_o to_o 13._o by_o virtue_n of_o which_o covenant_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o former_a they_o be_v join_v not_o only_o to_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o the_o officer_n the_o priest_n and_o levite_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o deut._n 12.19_o but_o also_o to_o mutual_a watchfulness_n over_o one_o another_o levit._n 19.17_o deut._n 29.18_o in_o so_o much_o that_o through_o their_o neglect_n thereof_o the_o sin_n of_o one_o achan_n be_v the_o sin_n of_o all_o israel_n josh_n 7.11_o which_o kind_n of_o covenant_v with_o god_n we_o find_v diverse_o translate_v in_o scripture_n and_o every_o way_n sufficient_a for_o the_o constitute_n of_o a_o godly_a society_n or_o company_n to_o become_v a_o church_n unto_o god_n sometime_o god_n or_o his_o messenger_n in_o his_o stead_n propound_v and_o give_v a_o covenant_n unto_o a_o people_n and_o they_o accept_v it_o though_o not_o in_o express_a word_n yet_o by_o silent_a consent_n gen._n 17.7_o deut._n 29.10_o to_o the_o end_n of_o chap._n 30._o sometime_o the_o people_n declare_v their_o consent_n and_o restipulation_n by_o express_a word_n exod._n 19.8_o deut._n 5.27_o and_o josh_n 24.16_o 17_o 18.21_o 22_o 24_o 25._o sometime_o they_o write_v and_o seal_v neh._n 9.38_o in_o all_o which_o covenant_n sometime_o they_o make_v no_o express_a term_n of_o cleave_v to_o their_o brethren_n but_o only_o in_o general_a term_n submit_v themselves_o to_o every_o ordinance_n and_o covenant_n of_o god_n as_o in_o the_o place_n allege_v sometime_o they_o express_o declare_v their_o steadfast_a cleave_v to_o their_o brethren_n also_o and_o to_o their_o officer_n neh._n 10.28_o 29._o &_o ver_fw-la 35._o to_o the_o end_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n every_o one_o may_v have_v knowledge_n they_o cleave_v to_o their_o brethren_n and_o enter_v into_o a_o oath_n etc._n etc._n in_o some_o we_o account_v it_o all_o one_o and_o of_o like_a value_n when_o a_o covenant_n of_o god_n be_v propound_v and_o give_v on_o god_n part_n to_o a_o people_n whether_o they_o receive_v it_o by_o silent_a consent_n or_o by_o express_a term_n either_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n or_o by_o writing_n and_o seal_n and_o whether_o their_o cleave_v to_o their_o brethren_n and_o officer_n and_o mutual_a watchfulness_n over_o one_o another_o be_v express_o mention_v or_o include_v only_o in_o their_o general_a profession_n of_o subjection_n to_o all_o god_n holy_a ordinance_n and_o covenant_n for_o we_o see_v it_o evident_a by_o compare_v the_o former_a scripture_n that_o by_o any_o one_o of_o these_o way_n a_o people_n be_v receive_v and_o establish_v to_o be_v a_o peculiar_a people_n and_o church_n unto_o the_o lord_n and_o each_o of_o they_o lie_v hold_v of_o the_o same_o spiritual_a privilege_n and_o hold_v forth_o the_o same_o holy_a duty_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o colour_n to_o conceive_v this_o way_n of_o enter_v into_o church_n estate_n by_o covenant_n to_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o pedagogy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n that_o all_o civil_a relation_n be_v found_v in_o covenant_n for_o to_o pass_v by_o natural_a relation_n between_o parent_n and_o child_n and_o violent_a relation_n between_o conqueror_n and_o captive_n there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n give_v whereby_o a_o people_n svi_fw-la juris_fw-la free_a from_o natural_a and_o compulsory_a engagement_n can_v be_v unite_v or_o combine_v together_o into_o one_o visible_a body_n to_o stand_v by_o mutual_a relation_n fellow-member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n but_o only_o by_o mutual_a covenant_n as_o appear_v between_o husband_n and_o wife_n in_o the_o family_n magistrate_n and_o subject_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n fellow_n citizen_n in_o the_o same_o city_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n when_o a_o people_n who_o the_o apostle_n by_o their_o ministry_n have_v convert_v be_v to_o be_v gather_v by_o they_o into_o a_o church_n estate_n what_o do_v the_o apostle_n else_o but_o combine_v they_o into_o one_o body_n as_o one_o chaste_a virgin_n and_o spouse_n unto_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 11.2_o and_o how_o can_v that_o not_o universal_a but_o particular_a church_n of_o corinth_n be_v offer_v up_o in_o one_o body_n not_o as_o many_o spouse_n as_o all_o the_o particular_a member_n of_o that_o church_n be_v by_o their_o conversion_n but_o as_o one_o spouse_n unto-christ_n but_o only_o by_o join_v all_o together_o in_o one_o covenant_n or_o espousage_n to_o
difference_n of_o those_o action_n do_v not_o argue_v a_o diversity_n of_o function_n but_o both_o teach_n and_o exhort_v be_v co-incident_a to_o one_o and_o the_o same_o office_n as_o be_v several_a action_n of_o several_a gift_n not_o of_o several_a officer_n answ_n the_o contrary_n be_v evident_a from_o the_o text_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o three_o several_a reason_n from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text._n reas_n 1._o from_o the_o word_n which_o the_o apostle_n use_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o do_v not_o distribute_v several_a gift_n only_o but_o several_a person_n to_o who_o those_o several_a gift_n be_v several_o commit_v according_a as_o the_o same_o apostle_n distribute_v the_o same_o divers_a sort_n of_o gift_n to_o the_o same_o divers_a sort_n of_o person_n 1_o cor._n 12.8_o to_o one_o say_v he_o be_v give_v a_o word_n of_o wisdom_n to_o wit_n for_o direction_n of_o practice_n whereto_o the_o pastor_n attend_v to_o another_o the_o word_n of_o knowledge_n to_o wit_n for_o direction_n of_o the_o judgement_n whereto_o the_o teacher_n attend_v and_o both_o by_o the_o same_o spirit_n who_o distribute_v to_o every_o man_n several_o ver_fw-la 11._o reas_n 2._o though_o office_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o gift_n to_o discharge_v a_o office_n another_o and_o the_o action_n or_o exercise_n of_o every_o several_a gift_n do_v not_o always_o argue_v a_o several_a office_n yet_o in_o this_o place_n it_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o express_v the_o different_a office_n or_o function_n of_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n by_o their_o different_a and_o proper_a act_n for_o here_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o divers_a member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o of_o divers_a member_n of_o the_o natural_a body_n who_o have_v divers_a office_n or_o function_n in_o the_o body_n be_v to_o perform_v different_a proper_a action_n according_a to_o their_o different_a function_n as_o we_o have_v many_o member_n say_v he_o in_o one_o body_n ver_fw-la 4_o 5._o and_o all_o the_o member_n have_v not_o one_o office_n as_o the_o translator_n turn_v it_o when_o the_o original_a say_v have_v not_o one_o action_n or_o practice_v but_o both_o express_v the_o same_o meaning_n so_o we_o be_v many_o be_v one_o body_n in_o christ_n and_o every_o one_o member_n one_o of_o another_o have_v then_o say_v he_o ver_fw-la 6._o different_a gift_n gift_n comprehend_v both_o office_n and_o grace_n whether_o prophecy_n let_v we_o prophecy_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o faith_n or_o ministry_n let_v we_o wait_v on_o our_o ministry_n whether_o he_o that_o teach_v on_o teach_v or_o he_o that_o exhort_v on_o exhortation_n and_o look_v then_o as_o in_o the_o natural_a body_n it_o be_v the_o action_n of_o the_o tongue_n to_o speak_v it_o be_v his_o function_n and_o office_n to_o speak_v and_o not_o to_o see_v and_o it_o be_v the_o action_n of_o the_o eye_n to_o see_v it_o be_v his_o function_n to_o see_v and_o not_o to_o hear_v so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v the_o action_n of_o the_o teacher_n to_o teach_v he_o be_v to_o attend_v unto_o teach_v not_o unto_o exhortation_n and_o it_o be_v the_o action_n of_o the_o pastor_n or_o exhortor_fw-la to_o exhort_v he_o be_v to_o attend_v on_o exhortation_n not_o on_o teach_v reas_n 3._o if_o the_o apostle_n speak_v here_o only_o of_o several_a action_n or_o exercise_n of_o several_a gift_n but_o both_o co-incident_a to_o the_o same_o person_n and_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n why_o then_o do_v he_o command_v the_o teacher_n to_o wait_v on_o teach_v and_o the_o exhorte_a to_o wait_v on_o exhortation_n for_o he_o that_o perform_v a_o action_n according_a to_o this_o gift_n which_o be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o his_o office_n but_o common_a to_o he_o with_o man_n of_o other_o office_n be_v never_o command_v nor_o be_v it_o his_o duty_n to_o attend_v or_o wait_v on_o such_o a_o action_n as_o if_o a_o man_n have_v a_o gift_n of_o love_n or_o mercy_n or_o liberality_n and_o according_a to_o that_o gift_n be_v fit_a to_o perform_v a_o action_n of_o give_v alm_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o command_v to_o attend_v or_o wait_v upon_o almesgiving_n unless_o it_o be_v his_o office_n as_o well_o as_o his_o gift_n object_n attend_v or_o wait_v be_v not_o express_v in_o the_o original_a but_o in_o the_o translation_n only_o answ_n though_o it_o be_v not_o express_v in_o the_o original_a it_o be_v necessary_o intend_v for_o either_o such_o a_o word_n as_o express_v wait_v or_o at_o least_o the_o verb_n substantive_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d must_v needs_o be_v understand_v which_o hold_v forth_o the_o same_o sense_n he_o that_o teach_v let_v he_o be_v teach_v he_o that_o exhort_v let_v he_o be_v in_o exhortation_n which_o be_v all_o one_o as_o let_v he_o attend_v to_o it_o let_v he_o make_v it_o his_o proper_a and_o constant_a work_n so_o a_o like_a example_n in_o 1_o tim._n 4.15_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v the_o same_o phrase_n and_o which_o be_v fit_o translate_v give_v thyself_o whole_o to_o they_o the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ver_fw-la 16._o continue_v or_o dwell_v in_o they_o and_o indeed_o experience_n show_v that_o teach_v and_o exhort_v be_v so_o far_o different_a one_o from_o another_o and_o flow_v from_o such_o different_a gift_n that_o they_o be_v seldom_o find_v at_o least_o in_o any_o eminency_n both_o of_o they_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o person_n and_o therefore_o require_v several_a officer_n for_o the_o dispense_n of_o they_o you_o have_v many_o man_n of_o eminent_a dexterity_n for_o clear_a open_n of_o a_o text_n for_o judicious_a gather_n and_o handle_v sound_a doctrine_n from_o it_o and_o also_o acute_a and_o strong_a for_o conviction_n of_o a_o contrary_a error_n and_o heresy_n who_o yet_o be_v very_o cold_a in_o exhortation_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n you_o have_v some_o very_a fervent_a in_o exhortation_n who_o be_v very_o confuse_v and_o general_a and_o common_a in_o teach_v but_o beside_o this_o the_o need_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o weight_n of_o both_o the_o work_n of_o teach_v and_o exhort_v call_v for_o several_a officer_n to_o attend_v to_o both_o the_o explication_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o the_o principle_n and_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n solid_o and_o distinct_o with_o the_o discussion_n of_o controversy_n which_o be_v include_v in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d doctrine_n and_o reproof_n two_o tim._n 3.16_o well_o attend_v too_o will_v take_v up_o the_o whole_a time_n and_o talent_n of_o a_o most_o judicious_a divine_a and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o direction_n and_o instruction_n of_o the_o people_n in_o matter_n of_o practice_n the_o reformation_n of_o their_o manner_n both_o in_o their_o private_a carriage_n and_o in_o their_o family_n as_o also_o in_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n and_o the_o stir_v up_o of_o man_n thereto_o with_o the_o reproof_n of_o all_o disorder_n and_o abuse_n in_o life_n and_o conversation_n which_o be_v include_v in_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d instruction_n and_o correction_n 2_o tim._n 3.16_o these_o well_o attend_v to_o will_v take_v up_o the_o vigour_n and_o strength_n of_o the_o most_o prudent_a and_o vigilant_a pastor_n of_o any_o congregation_n all_o which_o thing_n consider_v we_o have_v think_v it_o needful_a to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o bounty_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n to_o finish_v our_o church_n as_o we_o bless_v his_o name_n most_o of_o they_o be_v with_o both_o these_o sort_n of_o preach_v elder_n pastor_n and_o teacher_n nevertheless_o he_o that_o be_v gift_v for_o both_o these_o in_o any_o good_a measure_n let_v he_o use_v both_o yet_o attend_v principal_o on_o that_o to_o which_o he_o be_v most_o eminent_o gift_v and_o call_v sect_n ii_o as_o for_o rule_v elder_n the_o same_o text_n of_o scirpture_n rom._n 12.8_o speak_v as_o express_o for_o their_o distinct_a office_n also_o for_o there_o speak_v of_o the_o several_a member_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v his_o church_n he_o direct_v they_o to_o attend_v to_o their_o proper_a work_n as_o the_o teacher_n to_o teach_v the_o pastor_n to_o exhortation_n the_o deacon_n to_o give_v with_o simplicity_n he_o direct_v also_o the_o ruler_n to_o rule_v with_o diligence_n and_o who_o be_v that_o ruler_n in_o the_o church_n but_o the_o roll_a elder_n of_o who_o the_o apostle_n say_v to_o timothy_n the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o but_o as_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n be_v enmity_n to_o god_n so_o the_o wisdom_n and_o wit_n of_o man_n have_v find_v out_o many_o invention_n and_o exception_n against_o every_o scripture_n that_o hold_v forth_o this_o ordinance_n object_n 1._o the_o elder_n the_o apostle_n here_o
speak_v of_o may_v be_v ruler_n in_o the_o family_n as_o parent_n be_v ruler_n to_o child_n husband_n to_o wife_n master_n to_o servant_n answ_n the_o church_n and_o family_n be_v two_o distinct_a body_n the_o apostle_n speak_v here_o not_o of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o family_n as_o such_o nor_o of_o the_o function_n and_o duty_n of_o family-member_n but_o of_o the_o family_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o their_o function_n and_o duty_n one_o towards_o another_o his_o word_n be_v plain_a vers_n 4_o 5._o as_o we_o say_v he_o have_v many_o member_n in_o one_o body_n and_o all_o the_o member_n have_v not_o the_o same_o office_n so_o we_o be_v many_o be_v one_o body_n in_o christ_n and_o every_o one_o member_n one_o of_o another_o one_o body_n in_o christ_n be_v not_o one_o family_n in_o scripture_n phrase_n but_o one_o church_n and_o of_o this_o body_n of_o the_o church_n the_o member_n they_o be_v who_o paul_n direct_v to_o the_o due_a dispense_n of_o their_o several_a function_n and_o gift_n namely_o the_o public_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n teacher_n pastor_n deacon_n and_o elder_n to_o attend_v upon_o their_o proper_a work_n teach_v exhort_v give_v roll_a vers_fw-la 6_o 7_o 8._o and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o member_n to_o walk_v in_o such_o duty_n of_o love_n and_o pureness_n brotherly_a kindness_n and_o modesty_n diligence_n and_o fervency_n etc._n etc._n as_o be_v requisite_a for_o every_o christian_a vers_fw-la 9_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n object_n 2._o but_o paul_n speak_v not_o of_o lay_v elder_n rule_v in_o the_o church_n but_o of_o ruler_n answ_n neither_o do_v we_o acknowledge_v rule_v elder_n in_o the_o church_n to_o be_v lay_v elder_n proper_o for_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o distinction_n between_o the_o clergy_n and_o laity_n which_o be_v of_o a_o late_a edition_n than_o apostolic_a time_n the_o roll_a elder_n be_v ordain_v to_o the_o office_n by_o the_o election_n of_o the_o people_n and_o imposition_n of_o hand_n as_o well_o as_o the_o preach_a elder_n they_o be_v no_o more_o lay_v man_n or_o private_a christian_n than_o the_o teacher_n or_o pastor_n be_v lay_v minister_n and_o though_o the_o pastor_n &_o teacher_n be_v either_o of_o they_o church-ruler_n yet_o the_o ruler_n be_v here_o distinguish_v from_o they_o as_o a_o distinct_a member_n attend_v to_o his_o action_n of_o rule_n as_o his_o proper_a function_n object_n 3._o paul_n speak_v of_o several_a gift_n not_o of_o public_a office_n in_o the_o church_n for_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o several_a power_n and_o action_n of_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n now_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n they_o alone_o be_v not_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n but_o all_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n which_o of_o all_o these_o gift_n in_o those_o time_n be_v not_o common_a as_o well_o to_o the_o people_n as_o to_o the_o minister_n and_o to_o woman_n as_o well_o as_o to_o man_n answ_n 1._o paul_n speak_v as_o well_o of_o public_a officer_n as_o of_o particular_a gift_n as_o have_v be_v show_v by_o three_o reason_n above_o out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text._n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o he_o speak_v of_o particular_a gift_n also_o not_o peculiar_a to_o any_o office_n but_o common_a to_o all_o believer_n from_o verse_n 9_o to_o the_o end_n but_o gift_n be_v not_o the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n but_o the_o person_n endue_v with_o those_o spiritual_a gift_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n have_v all_o these_o gift_n without_o manifest_a contradiction_n to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n for_o then_o all_o the_o member_n have_v the_o same_o power_n to_o do_v all_o of_o they_o the_o same_o action_n which_o the_o apostle_n express_o deni_v vers_fw-la 4._o all_o the_o member_n say_v he_o have_v not_o the_o same_o action_n which_o be_v translate_v office_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o different_a office_n he_o divide_v they_o by_o particle_n of_o partition_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vers_fw-la 7_o 8._o and_o he_o injoyn_v each_o office_n to_o attend_v his_o own_o function_n but_o when_o he_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o private_a member_n and_o of_o the_o gift_n common_a to_o they_o all_o he_o neither_o make_v any_o partition_n of_o they_o into_o several_a sort_n nor_o bind_v they_o to_o attendance_n on_o the_o employment_n or_o exercise_n of_o any_o special_a gift_n as_o he_o do_v the_o former_a but_o that_o as_o every_o truth_n so_o every_o ordinance_n of_o god_n may_v be_v confirm_v by_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n there_o be_v other_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o bear_v witness_v to_o for_o rule_v elder_n in_o 1_o cor._n 12.28_o the_o apostle_n tell_v the_o corinthian_n that_o god_n have_v set_v in_o his_o church_n several_a member_n as_o first_o apostle_n second_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n after_o that_o miracle_n than_o gift_n of_o heal_a help_n government_n diversity_n of_o tongue_n where_o government_n be_v express_o reckon_v among_o these_o office_n which_o god_n have_v set_v in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o government_n thereof_o long_o before_o it_o enjoy_v civil_a magistracy_n and_o therefore_o he_o mean_v spiritual_a government_n or_o church_n ruler_n object_n 1._o but_o these_o government_n be_v spiritual_a gift_n not_o spiritual_a office_n or_o administration_n answ_n that_o they_o be_v gift_n we_o willing_o acknowledge_v because_o all_o the_o office_n and_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o the_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o grace_n whereby_o they_o do_v execute_v those_o office_n for_o so_o say_v the_o apostle_n when_o christ_n ascend_v up_o on_o high_a he_o give_v gift_n to_o man_n what_o gift_n some_o to_o be_v apostle_n some_o prophet_n some_o evangelist_n some_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n eph._n 4.8.11_o but_o yet_o government_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n there_o mention_v be_v spiritual_a office_n as_o well_o as_o spiritual_a gift_n as_o will_v appear_v from_o the_o context_n for_o the_o apostle_n in_o this_o chapter_n put_v a_o manifest_a difference_n between_o spiritual_a 1._o gift_n and_o grace_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d make_v the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o giver_n of_o they_o vers_n 6._o 2._o administration_n or_o minister_n or_o officer_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d make_v the_o lord_n jesus_n the_o giver_n and_o institutor_n of_o they_o vers_n 5._o as_o he_o do_v also_o ephes_n 4.8.11_o 3._o operation_n efficacy_n or_o successee_n of_o their_o administration_n make_v the_o father_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o power_n the_o giver_n of_o they_o vers_n 6._o now_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o end_n for_o which_o spiritual_a gift_n be_v give_v vers_fw-la 7._o he_o reckon_v up_o nine_o of_o those_o several_a spiritual_a gift_n vers_fw-la 8_o 9_o 10._o he_o declare_v they_o to_o be_v give_v to_o several_a member_n of_o the_o church_n not_o all_o to_o any_o one_o that_o so_o every_o member_n may_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o the_o help_n and_o gift_n one_o of_o another_o and_o thus_o have_v discourse_v of_o the_o variety_n of_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o their_o use_n he_o come_v in_o vers_fw-la 28._o to_o 31._o to_o declare_v the_o variety_n of_o spiritual_a administration_n that_o be_v ministery_n or_o office_n which_o god_n have_v set_v in_o his_o church_n and_o reckon_v up_o eight_o first_o apostles_n secondary_o prophet_n under_o who_o your_o evangelist_n be_v comprehend_v as_o be_v of_o equal_a rank_n with_o they_o three_o teacher_n under_o who_o he_o include_v pastor_n also_o the_o office_n of_o both_o who_o be_v to_o teach_v or_o practice_v in_o the_o church_n after_o that_o miracle_n or_o as_o the_o word_n in_o the_o original_n be_v power_n to_o wit_n to_o cast_v out_o devil_n or_o to_o do_v the_o like_a work_n then_o gift_n of_o heal_a help_n opitulation_n that_o be_v deacon_n government_n who_o else_o can_v they_o be_v but_o govern_v elder_n for_o we_o hear_v of_o teach_v elder_n before_o last_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n true_a it_o be_v indeed_o the_o apostle_n reckon_v up_o three_o of_o these_o before_o for_o spiritual_a gift_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vers_fw-la 9_o 10._o miracle_n or_o power_n gift_n of_o heal_a kind_n of_o tongue_n but_o here_o he_o reckon_v they_o not_o as_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o grace_n for_o that_o be_v a_o tautology_n and_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o method_n of_o his_o discourse_n but_o speak_v of_o they_o as_o several_a function_n or_o office_n wherein_o these_o gift_n be_v exercise_v object_n 2._o but_o if_o these_o government_n be_v officer_n or_o function_n they_o be_v extraordinary_a and_o so_o be_v now_o cease_v as_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o heal_v and_o miracle_n be_v answ_n not_o so_o for_o no_o office_n be_v
the_o ten_o epistle_n of_o his_o four_o book_n that_o he_o ordain_v numiditus_n a_o confessor_n to_o be_v a_o presbyter_n of_o his_o church_n who_o be_v not_o at_o first_o call_v to_o be_v a_o preacher_n ambrose_n though_o he_o outlive_v those_o time_n of_o pure_a government_n yet_o bear_v full_a witness_n to_o the_o honourable_a use_n of_o rule_v elder_n in_o the_o church_n before_o his_o time_n for_o in_o his_o comment_n on_o 1_o tim._n 15.1_o give_v a_o reason_n why_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v elder_n in_o year_n honour_v even_o in_o the_o heal_n of_o their_o fault_n he_o urge_v the_o honour_n of_o old_a age_n in_o all_o nation_n whence_o say_v he_o it_o be_v that_o the_o synagogue_n and_o afterward_o the_o church_n have_v elder_n without_o who_o counsel_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n which_o by_o what_o negligence_n be_v grow_v out_o of_o use_n in_o the_o church_n i_o know_v not_o unless_o by_o the_o sloth_n of_o teacher_n or_o rather_o pride_n while_o they_o only_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v somewhat_o against_o this_o testimony_n because_o it_o be_v pregnant_a sundry_a exception_n or_o rather_o evasion_n be_v take_v as_o 1._o that_o the_o author_n of_o this_o testimony_n be_v not_o that_o ancient_a ambrose_n the_o famous_a bishop_n of_o milan_n but_o some_o other_o late_a of_o that_o name_n ans_fw-fr and_o what_o though_o yet_o all_o man_n acknowledge_v this_o other_o ambrose_n who_o testimony_n this_o be_v to_o be_v a_o ancient_a learned_a writer_n and_o therefore_o his_o testimony_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o rule_v elder_n be_v sufficient_a to_o silence_v that_o charge_n and_o brave_a flourish_n that_o rule_v elder_n be_v utter_o unknown_a and_o unheard_a of_o from_o all_o antiquity_n for_o 1500._o year_n a_o second_o exception_n they_o give_v be_v that_o ambrose_n speak_v not_o of_o elder_n in_o office_n but_o in_o year_n without_o who_o counsel_n not_o without_o who_o authority_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n answ_n 1._o it_o be_v evident_a he_o speak_v of_o the_o elder_n in_o the_o church_n as_o in_o the_o synagogue_n now_o the_o elder_n be_v ruler_n in_o the_o synagogue_n as_o appear_v by_o sundry_a place_n in_o the_o gospel_n 2._o that_o nothing_o be_v do_v without_o their_o counsel_n impli_v that_o nothing_o be_v do_v without_o their_o authority_n as_o the_o same_o phrase_n of_o other_o ancient_n imply_v when_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o council_n of_o presbyter_n in_o church-government_n for_o in_o that_o sense_n speak_v cyprian_a to_o his_o presbyter_n epistolarum_n lib._n 3._o epist_n 10._o a_o primordio_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la mei_fw-la i_o determine_v with_o myself_o nihil_fw-la sine_fw-la consilio_fw-la vestro_fw-la &_o sine_fw-la consensu_fw-la plebis_fw-la meâ_fw-la privatim_fw-la sententiâ_fw-la gerere_fw-la and_o that_o not_o out_o of_o courtesy_n but_o as_o the_o word_n in_o the_o next_o sentence_n imply_v sicuti_fw-la honour_n mutuus_fw-la poscit_fw-la and_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n jeromes_n word_n to_o the_o like_a purpose_n imply_v authority_n in_o such_o counsel_n whereby_o the_o presbyter_n of_o each_o church_n govern_v their_o own_o church_n though_o otherwise_o in_o govern_v other_o church_n they_o imply_v rather_o advice_n than_o authority_n his_o word_n be_v before_o faction_n and_o schism_n grow_v in_o the_o church_n communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernabantur_fw-la hierome_n in_o the_o 2._o tom_n of_o his_o work_n and_o upon_o titus_n a_o three_o exception_n they_o give_v be_v that_o by_o elder_n be_v mean_v preach_v elder_n who_o the_o bishop_n be_v wont_a to_o consult_v withal_o in_o government_n but_o now_o have_v leave_v it_o off_o either_o by_o the_o idleness_n of_o the_o learned_a teacher_n who_o for_o their_o own_o ease_n give_v over_o meddle_v with_o matter_n pertain_v to_o government_n or_o by_o the_o pride_n of_o the_o learned_a bishop_n who_o take_v all_o upon_o themselves_o that_o they_o alone_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v somewhat_o for_o if_o you_o expound_v pastorum_fw-la for_o the_o teacher_n or_o pastor_n of_o parish_n only_o as_o the_o presbyterian_o do_v or_o for_o bishop_n alone_o as_o other_o do_v i_o can_v see_v say_v dr._n downham_n how_o the_o exclude_v of_o senior_n and_o take_v the_o whole_a burden_n and_o employment_n upon_o themselves_o can_v by_o ambrose_n be_v impute_v as_o a_o matter_n of_o sloth_n and_o idleness_n either_o in_o the_o pastor_n to_o exclude_v lay_a elder_n or_o in_o bishop_n to_o exclude_v learned_a presbyter_n ans_fw-fr 1._o the_o word_n of_o ambrose_n do_v plain_o imply_v not_o only_o that_o consult_v with_o elder_n be_v grow_v out_o of_o use_n but_o that_o the_o elder_n themselves_o who_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v consult_v with_o be_v grow_v out_o of_o use_n also_o for_o his_o word_n be_v the_o synagogue_n and_o afterward_o the_o church_n have_v elder_n without_o who_o counsel_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n which_o plain_o intimate_v the_o church_n former_o have_v such_o but_o then_o have_v they_o not_o they_o be_v obsolete_a and_o according_o consult_v with_o they_o be_v obsolete_a also_o 2._o it_o be_v plain_a these_o elder_n be_v opposite_a to_o doctor_n or_o teacher_n or_o if_o you_o will_v so_o construe_v they_o learned_a man_n and_o therefore_o these_o elder_n be_v neither_o doctor_n nor_o teacher_n nor_o learned_a man_n but_o to_o appropriate_v the_o name_n of_o doctor_n or_o teacher_n or_o learned_a man_n to_o bishop_n only_o be_v too_o great_a a_o arrogancy_n in_o bishop_n and_o too_o great_a a_o injury_n to_o the_o learned_a pastor_n and_o teacher_n in_o every_o age_n till_o antichrist_n his_o darkness_n overwhelm_v all_o in_o ignorance_n as_o well_o bishop_n as_o pastor_n 3._o it_o may_v be_v marvel_v why_o those_o learned_a opposite_n that_o make_v this_o exception_n shall_v understand_v ambrose_n to_o attribute_v it_o to_o the_o idleness_n of_o the_o teacher_n that_o for_o their_o own_o ease_n they_o give_v over_o meddle_v in_o matter_n appertain_v to_o government_n when_o as_o rather_o it_o be_v the_o bishop_n and_o their_o party_n idleness_n that_o they_o give_v over_o labour_v in_o word_n and_o doctrine_n and_o their_o pride_n that_o they_o ingross_v all_o rule_n and_o government_n into_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o therefore_o when_o they_o say_v they_o can_v see_v how_o the_o exclude_v of_o senior_n and_o the_o take_n of_o the_o whole_a burden_n of_o government_n upon_o themselves_o can_v by_o ambrose_n be_v impute_v as_o a_o matter_n of_o sloth_n and_o idleness_n either_o in_o the_o pastor_n or_o bishop_n sure_o if_o man_n do_v not_o willing_o shut_v their_o eye_n they_o may_v see_v and_o daily_a experience_n make_v it_o palpable_o evident_a that_o they_o who_o be_v most_o idle_a in_o teach_v be_v most_o busy_a and_o proud_a in_o government_n so_o that_o the_o doctorum_fw-la desidia_fw-la aut_fw-la magis_fw-la superbia_fw-la which_o ambrose_n make_v to_o be_v the_o two_o cause_n why_o senior_n in_o the_o church_n and_o consult_v with_o they_o be_v then_o both_o of_o they_o grow_v out_o of_o use_n need_v no_o comment_n to_o expound_v the_o same_o but_o the_o perpetual_a practice_n of_o those_o person_n who_o have_v from_o the_o former_a age_n to_o this_o very_a day_n usurp_v all_o church-government_n into_o their_o own_o hand_n if_o any_o man_n say_v as_o some_o have_v do_v that_o whatsoever_o this_o ambrose_n say_v yet_o that_o famous_a bishop_n ambrose_n do_v utter_o disclaim_v it_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o valentinian_n that_o any_o lay_v ruler_n shall_v be_v judge_n of_o church-office_n and_o cause_n let_v he_o take_v for_o a_o answer_n that_o which_o have_v be_v often_o give_v that_o we_o utter_o deny_v those_o roll_a elder_n to_o be_v layman_n or_o lie_v judge_n but_o part_n of_o that_o church_n body_n which_o those_o ancient_a time_n call_v clerus_fw-la if_o it_o be_v say_v again_o as_o also_o it_o be_v that_o ambrose_n call_v his_o presbyter_n antistites_fw-la and_o vicar_n of_o god_n and_o such_o like_a style_n of_o high_a honour_n let_v they_o understand_v that_o the_o least_o office_n of_o rule_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o a_o spiritual_a eye_n will_v easy_o and_o safe_o admit_v as_o great_a acknowledgement_n as_o these_o be_v only_o to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n nothing_o seem_v divine_a and_o high_a but_o secular_a pomp_n and_o worldly_a glory_n have_v thus_o rescue_v the_o testimony_n of_o ambrose_n unto_o rule_v elder_n from_o all_o exception_n of_o any_o colourable_a weight_n make_v against_o it_o let_v we_o add_v only_o one_o observation_n out_o of_o antiquity_n which_o may_v give_v some_o further_a light_n to_o the_o cause_n in_o hand_n it_o be_v well_o know_v to_o all_o such_o as_o be_v studious_a of_o antiquity_n that_o it_o be_v count_v a_o rare_a and_o insolent_a matter_n for_o a_o elder_a to_o preach_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o
presbytery_n of_o any_o one_o church_n yet_o that_o only_o reach_v to_o make_v their_o counsel_n the_o more_o weighty_a and_o acceptable_a but_o not_o to_o invest_v they_o with_o more_o rule_n or_o more_o authority_n three_o if_o a_o church_n shall_v send_v to_o the_o presbyter_n of_o another_o church_n for_o ordination_n of_o their_o elder_n they_o may_v as_o well_o repair_v and_o submit_v to_o they_o for_o censure_v of_o their_o offender_n and_o will_v not_o that_o be_v a_o manifest_a transgression_n of_o the_o royal_a law_n of_o church-government_n matth._n 18.15_o 16_o 17_o 18._o if_o a_o brother_n see_v his_o brother_n fall_v into_o a_o scandal_n and_o after_o deal_v with_o he_o first_o himself_o alone_a and_o then_o with_o the_o conviction_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n find_v he_o to_o give_v no_o satisfaction_n at_o all_o whither_o shall_v the_o offend_a brother_n repair_v if_o to_o the_o church_n whereof_o the_o brother_n offend_v be_v a_o member_n that_o be_v indeed_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n but_o what_o need_n be_v there_o then_o or_o what_o ground_n of_o repair_v to_o the_o presbyter_n of_o other_o church_n by_o what_o authority_n shall_v they_o proceed_v to_o censure_v the_o offender_n that_o be_v a_o member_n of_o another_o church_n indeed_o if_o a_o brother_n offend_v shall_v complain_v to_o the_o church_n whereof_o the_o offend_a brother_n be_v a_o member_n and_o the_o church_n neglect_v to_o do_v their_o duty_n through_o prejudice_n or_o partiality_n or_o other_o remissness_n it_o may_v then_o be_v lawful_a to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o brotherly_a love_n and_o brotherly_a communion_n which_o one_o church_n owe_v and_o bear_v to_o another_o the_o brother_n offend_v and_o not_o satisfy_v with_o the_o proceed_n of_o his_o own_o church_n against_o the_o offence_n may_v then_o repair_v to_o the_o elder_n of_o other_o church_n and_o crave_v their_o judgement_n and_o counsel_n in_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o approve_v upon_o good_a inquiry_n the_o proceed_n of_o their_o sister-church_n they_o may_v admonish_v the_o elder_n of_o that_o church_n touch_v what_o they_o judge_v amiss_o but_o if_o the_o elder_n harken_v not_o unto_o they_o the_o elder_n who_o admonish_v they_o be_v unsatisfied_a may_v acquaint_v their_o own_o church_n with_o the_o offence_n of_o their_o neighbour_n church_n and_o then_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o of_o their_o own_o church_n they_o may_v admonish_v they_o thereof_o by_o letter_n and_o messenger_n send_v to_o they_o to_o that_o purpose_n if_o yet_o the_o church_n admonish_v harken_v not_o unto_o they_o the_o church_n offend_v may_n and_o aught_o to_o acquaint_v their_o neighbour_n church_n therewithal_o who_o may_v join_v with_o they_o either_o in_o convince_a the_o offend_a church_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o so_o prevail_v with_o they_o unto_o reformation_n or_o else_o if_o they_o persist_v in_o obstinacy_n they_o may_v from_o thenceforth_o withdraw_v all_o continuance_n of_o brotherly_a communion_n with_o they_o till_o they_o acknowledge_v their_o transgression_n which_o be_v as_o far_o as_o church_n may_v go_v in_o a_o churchway_n in_o case_n of_o obstinacy_n of_o a_o neighbour-church_n in_o any_o offence_n and_o so_o far_o they_o may_v go_v according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o rule_n mat._n 18.15_o 16_o 17._o look_v what_o rule_n a_o brother_n be_v to_o attend_v unto_o in_o seek_v to_o heal_v the_o offence_n of_o a_o brother_n the_o same_o rule_n may_v and_o aught_o a_o sister-church_n to_o attend_v unto_o in_o seek_v to_o heal_v a_o offend_a sister-church_n and_o look_v as_o paul_n who_o have_v receive_v the_o same_o equal_a power_n of_o the_o key_n with_o peter_z reprove_v peter_n open_o when_o he_o be_v to_o be_v blame_v gal._n 2.11_o so_o one_o church_n who_o have_v receive_v the_o same_o equal_a power_n of_o the_o key_n with_o another_o may_v reprove_v another_o church_n open_o when_o they_o be_v to_o be_v blame_v and_o look_v by_o what_o power_n they_o may_v reprove_v they_o by_o the_o same_o they_o may_v proceed_v to_o withdraw_v from_o they_o if_o they_o harken_v not_o to_o their_o reproof_n according_a to_o god_n but_o all_o this_o notwithstanding_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v a_o brother_n offend_v to_o complain_v to_o the_o presbyter_n of_o another_o church_n till_o he_o see_v no_o hope_n of_o removal_n of_o the_o offence_n by_o his_o own_o church_n at_o home_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o addition_n of_o member_n to_o the_o church_n sect_n i._o the_o church_n be_v thus_o gather_v and_o furnish_v with_o such_o officer_n in_o such_o manner_n as_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v look_v as_o in_o the_o first_o primitive_a church_n the_o lord_n add_v to_o they_o daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v act_v 2.47_o so_o do_v we_o admit_v and_o receive_v from_o the_o lord_n such_o as_o he_o send_v and_o add_v to_o we_o the_o first_o and_o low_a number_n of_o a_o church_n to_o which_o the_o other_o member_n be_v add_v be_v not_o express_o limit_v in_o the_o word_n only_o it_o be_v not_o so_o low_a as_o some_o have_v conceive_v to_o consist_v only_o of_o two_o or_o three_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n of_o that_o place_n mat._n 18.20_o where_o a_o promise_n of_o christ_n presence_n be_v make_v to_o two_o or_o three_o to_o conceive_v it_o make_v to_o the_o low_a number_n of_o a_o church-body_n for_o those_o two_o or_o three_o be_v not_o consider_v there_o as_o a_o church-body_n but_o as_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o witness_n to_o join_v with_o a_o brother_n offend_v in_o convince_a and_o admonish_v the_o brother_n that_o give_v the_o offence_n against_o who_o if_o he_o do_v not_o hearken_v to_o they_o they_o be_v then_o further_o to_o proceed_v and_o to_o tell_v the_o church_n which_o argue_v that_o they_o themselves_o be_v not_o a_o church_n but_o a_o small_a company_n agree_v in_o a_o duty_n of_o brotherly_a love_n either_o to_o heal_v a_o offend_a brother_n by_o their_o own_o admonition_n or_o to_o witness_v against_o he_o before_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o they_o have_v a_o special_a promise_n of_o christ_n presence_n with_o they_o in_o the_o duty_n lest_o they_o may_v think_v such_o a_o labour_n of_o love_n undertake_v in_o vain_a but_o the_o church_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o great_a number_n than_o two_o or_o three_o see_v these_o two_o or_o three_o be_v to_o refer_v the_o person_n and_o the_o cause_n to_o a_o great_a body_n than_o themselves_o for_o though_o there_o may_v be_v a_o domestical_a church_n in_o adam_n and_o eve_n at_o the_o beginning_n yet_o such_o a_o church_n which_o christ_n have_v institute_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n consist_v of_o a_o great_a number_n the_o very_a officer_n of_o a_o church_n complete_o furnish_v be_v no_o less_o than_o four_o a_o pastor_n a_o teacher_n a_o elder_a a_o deacon_n and_o therefore_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n have_v need_v to_o be_v of_o a_o great_a number_n than_o so_o and_o though_o the_o essence_n of_o a_o church_n may_v consist_v without_o the_o integrity_n of_o all_o his_o member_n as_o a_o lame_a man_n that_o want_v some_o of_o his_o member_n may_v have_v the_o essence_n of_o a_o man_n yet_o under_o seven_o a_o church_n can_v hardly_o consist_v of_o so_o many_o member_n as_o do_v perform_v any_o part_n of_o a_o church-body_n to_o such_o a_o body_n how_o many_o member_n may_v be_v add_v be_v not_o limit_v express_o in_o the_o word_n only_o it_o be_v provide_v in_o the_o word_n that_o they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o that_o all_o may_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n that_o all_o may_v hear_v and_o all_o may_v be_v edify_v for_o as_o have_v be_v note_v above_o the_o apostle_n so_o describe_v the_o whole_a church_n as_o meeting_n in_o one_o place_n 1_o cor._n 14.23_o but_o if_o all_o can_v hear_v all_o can_v be_v edify_v beside_o the_o apostle_n require_v that_o when_o the_o church_n meet_v together_o for_o the_o celebrate_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n they_o shall_v tarry_v one_o for_o another_o 1_o cor._n 11.33_o which_o argue_v the_o church_n endue_v with_o only_a ordinary_a officer_n shall_v consist_v of_o no_o great_a number_n than_o that_o all_o may_v partake_v together_o of_o the_o lord_n supper_n in_o one_o congregation_n and_o therefore_o such_o parish_n as_o consist_v of_o 15000._o though_o they_o be_v all_o fit_a material_n for_o church-fellowship_n yet_o aught_o to_o be_v divide_v into_o many_o church_n as_o too_o large_a for_o one_o when_o the_o hive_n be_v too_o full_a bee_n swarm_v into_o a_o new_a hive_n so_o shall_v such_o excessive_a number_n of_o christian_n issue_n forth_o into_o more_o church_n whence_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o error_n to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o limitation_n or_o distinction_n of_o parish_n mean_v of_o church_n jure_fw-la divino_fw-la for_o though_o
weak_a believer_n because_o the_o lord_n have_v receive_v he_o rom._n 14.1_o 2_o 3._o three_o the_o lord_n jesus_n make_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o his_o name_n and_o such_o a_o profession_n as_o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v to_o a_o man_n but_o his_o heavenly_a father_n to_o be_v the_o rock_n on_o which_o his_o visible_a church_n be_v build_v for_o he_o speak_v of_o such_o a_o church_n whereunto_o he_o commit_v the_o key_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o that_o be_v the_o visible_a church_n mat._n 16.16_o to_o 19_o now_o if_o such_o a_o profession_n be_v the_o rock_n and_o foundation_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n than_o we_o shall_v build_v a_o church_n without_o a_o foundation_n if_o we_o receive_v such_o member_n into_o the_o church_n as_o do_v not_o hold_v forth_o such_o a_o profession_n but_o either_o through_o ignorance_n make_v no_o profession_n at_o all_o or_o such_o a_o verbal_a profession_n as_o savour_v not_o of_o any_o bless_a work_n of_o the_o father_n by_o his_o spirit_n upon_o their_o heart_n and_o do_v not_o the_o lord_n expostulate_v with_o such_o a_o guest_n as_o come_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o his_o church_n even_o unto_o his_o table_n not_o have_v a_o wedding_n garment_n mat._n 22.12_o and_o do_v not_o expostulation_n intimate_v a_o taxation_n also_o of_o they_o by_o who_o connivance_n he_o come_v in_o where_o he_o say_v how_o come_v thou_o in_o hither_o and_o do_v not_o christ_n in_o the_o parable_n impute_v it_o to_o the_o sleepiness_n that_o be_v to_o the_o remissness_n and_o negligence_n of_o his_o servant_n that_o tare_n be_v sow_v in_o his_o field_n among_o the_o wheat_n mat._n 13.25.38.39_o four_o such_o as_o have_v only_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n and_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o it_o we_o be_v forbid_v to_o join_v with_o and_o command_v to_o turn_v from_o they_o 2_o tim._n 3.5_o five_o can_v any_o man_n judge_v such_o person_n fit_a material_n for_o the_o constitute_n and_o edify_v of_o a_o church_n who_o be_v more_o fit_a for_o the_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o leave_v their_o first_o love_n as_o all_o hypocrite_n will_v at_o length_n they_o procure_v the_o removal_n of_o the_o candlestick_n rev._n 2.4_o we_o pass_v by_o the_o type_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o without_o their_o due_a weight_n it_o be_v touch_v above_o that_o rough_a stone_n be_v not_o lay_v in_o the_o build_n of_o solomon_n temple_n till_o they_o be_v hew_v and_o prepare_v before_o 1_o king_n 6.7_o and_o behold_v a_o great_a than_o solomon_n be_v here_o and_o a_o great_a temple_n then_o that_o of_o solomon_n the_o attendance_n and_o watchfulness_n of_o the_o porter_n suffer_v none_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n that_o be_v unclean_a in_o any_o thing_n 2_o chro._n 23.19_o do_v it_o not_o evident_o type_n forth_o the_o watchfulness_n of_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o suffer_v none_o unclean_a unclean_a in_o estate_n or_o course_n of_o life_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o communion_n of_o saint_n well_o then_o if_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v saint_n by_o calling_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n it_o can_v be_v think_v a_o unseasonable_a curiosity_n but_o rather_o hold_v a_o due_a and_o faithful_a watchfulness_n in_o the_o officer_n and_o body_n of_o every_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o take_v a_o due_a trial_n of_o man_n by_o a_o confession_n of_o sin_n as_o john_n baptist_n do_v mat._n 3.6_o and_o by_o a_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n as_o philip_n do_v act._n 8.37_o before_o they_o receive_v they_o into_o the_o church_n as_o member_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n neither_o be_v it_o a_o excessive_a austerity_n in_o john_n but_o a_o holy_a faithfulness_n and_o godly_a zeal_n not_o only_o to_o repulse_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n mat._n 3.7_o but_o the_o profane_a people_n also_o from_o his_o baptism_n luk._n 3.7_o as_o those_o who_o be_v a_o generation_n of_o viper_n and_o have_v not_o yet_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n meet_v for_o repentance_n ver_fw-la 7_o 8._o and_o therefore_o themselves_o be_v not_o meet_v for_o his_o baptism_n which_o be_v a_o baptism_n of_o repentance_n luk._n 2.3_o nevertheless_o in_o this_o trial_n we_o do_v not_o exact_v eminent_a measure_n either_o of_o knowledge_n or_o holiness_n but_o do_v willing_o stretch_v out_o our_o hand_n to_o receive_v the_o weak_a in_o faith_n such_o in_o who_o spirit_n we_o can_v discern_v the_o least_o measure_n of_o breathe_v and_o pant_v after_o christ_n in_o their_o sensible_a feel_n of_o a_o lose_a estate_n ☞_o ☞_o for_o we_o have_v rather_o 99_o hypocrite_n shall_v perish_v through_o presumption_n than_o one_o humble_a soul_n belong_v to_o christ_n shall_v sink_v under_o discouragement_n or_o despair_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o these_o hypocrite_n receive_v into_o the_o church_n it_o be_v that_o the_o church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v in_o it_o good_a and_o bad_a wheat_n and_o tare_n for_o tare_n as_o hierome_n say_v be_v like_a to_o wheat_n sect_n iv_o come_v we_o now_o to_o give_v account_n of_o the_o second_o point_n why_o we_o receive_v such_o into_o the_o church_n by_o way_n of_o covenant_n 1._o meet_v it_o be_v that_o as_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v receive_v as_o one_o body_n unto_o christ_n by_o profess_v their_o entrance_n into_o covenant_n with_o god_n as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o in_o the_o three_o proposition_n of_o the_o five_o part_n so_o every_o member_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o same_o fellowship_n by_o profession_n of_o their_o take_a hold_n of_o the_o same_o covenant_n eadem_fw-la estratio_fw-la partium_fw-la &_o totius_fw-la there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o of_o the_o part_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o concern_v the_o common_a nature_n of_o both_o and_o as_o all_o relative_n do_v they_o mutual_o argue_v one_o another_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o when_o godly_a stranger_n who_o have_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n to_o wit_n by_o faith_n to_o serve_v he_o to_o love_v his_o name_n and_o keep_v his_o sabbath_n be_v to_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n they_o add_v this_o duty_n over_o and_o above_o the_o former_a they_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o lord_n isa_n 56.3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7._o sure_o not_o by_o faith_n only_o for_o their_o personal_a salvation_n for_o so_o they_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n before_o when_o they_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n ver_fw-la 3._o but_o by_o their_o profession_n of_o their_o acceptance_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o subjection_n to_o it_o which_o the_o lord_n make_v with_o his_o church_n and_o people_n who_o he_o cause_v to_o pass_v into_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n ezek._n 20.37_o object_n it_o be_v object_v first_o that_o the_o place_n in_o isaiah_n speak_v of_o such_o stranger_n as_o be_v proselyte_n who_o in_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n be_v therein_o also_o join_v unto_o the_o church_n for_o so_o join_v to_o the_o lord_n impli_v join_v to_o the_o church_n jer._n 50.5_o zech._n 2.11_o ans_fw-fr 1._o they_o that_o join_v to_o the_o lord_n in_o those_o text_n of_o jeremy_n and_o zachary_n do_v indeed_o in_o so_o do_v join_v in_o a_o church-body_n also_o for_o they_o who_o be_v there_o speak_v of_o be_v a_o multitude_n concur_v and_o consent_v in_o the_o same_o covenant_n to_o join_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o become_v his_o people_n but_o here_o in_o isaiah_n the_o eunuch_n and_o stranger_n be_v say_v to_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n who_o yet_o be_v not_o join_v to_o the_o church_n but_o ready_a to_o complain_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v utter_o deprive_v they_o of_o that_o liberty_n of_o join_v to_o the_o church_n and_o have_v utter_o separate_v they_o from_o his_o people_n ver_fw-la 3._o as_o indeed_o he_o have_v by_o express_a law_n separate_v they_o that_o be_v prohibit_v they_o from_o enter_v into_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o ever_o deut._n 23.1_o 2_o 3._o against_o which_o law_n the_o lord_n comfort_v they_o with_o this_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n neither_o their_o eunuchicall_a estate_n nor_o the_o alienation_n or_o strangernesse_n of_o any_o nation_n shall_v be_v a_o impediment_n unto_o their_o entrance_n into_o the_o lord_n house_n which_o be_v the_o church_n the_o join_v there_o speak_v of_o be_v not_o their_o join_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n as_o proselyte_n of_o the_o church_n for_o though_o they_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n yet_o they_o complain_v of_o their_o disjoyn_v and_o separate_n from_o the_o lord_n people_n but_o the_o lord_n
comfort_v they_o with_o this_o promise_n that_o such_o as_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n he_o will_v hereafter_o bring_v they_o to_o his_o house_n no_o bodily_a infirmity_n as_o that_o of_o the_o eunuch_n nor_o national_a pollution_n as_o that_o of_o some_o stranger_n shall_v hinder_v their_o admittance_n into_o his_o church_n only_o this_o the_o lord_n require_v both_o of_o the_o eunuch_n ver_fw-la 4._o and_o of_o the_o stranger_n ver_fw-la 6._o who_o have_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n before_o that_o they_o do_v also_o take_v hold_n of_o his_o covenant_n as_o antecedent_n to_o their_o entrance_n into_o church-fellowship_n to_o wit_n take_v hold_v of_o it_o by_o solemn_a profession_n of_o their_o acceptance_n of_o it_o and_o of_o their_o subjection_n to_o it_o object_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o credible_a that_o the_o lord_n will_v ever_o separate_v or_o debar_v such_o from_o church-fellowship_n as_o be_v join_v to_o himself_o by_o faith_n who_o can_v think_v it_o what_o reason_n can_v you_o give_v for_o it_o answ_n the_o text_n be_v plain_a that_o eunuch_n moabite_n and_o ammonite_n be_v separate_v from_o the_o church_n or_o congregation_n of_o israel_n for_o ever_o without_o exception_n of_o godliness_n or_o ungodliness_n some_o indeed_o make_v a_o doubt_n whether_o the_o law_n against_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n reach_v to_o the_o woman_n of_o those_o nation_n but_o against_o man_n the_o law_n be_v clear_a but_o if_o the_o law_n have_v exclude_v they_o only_o upon_o point_n of_o their_o own_o ungodliness_n that_o be_v no_o singular_a curse_n to_o they_o no_o nation_n under_o heaven_n can_v expect_v admission_n into_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n unless_o they_o believe_v in_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n what_o reason_n god_n may_v have_v for_o exclude_v the_o eunuch_n we_o leave_v to_o his_o sovereign_a wisdom_n but_o yet_o himself_o give_v a_o plain_a reason_n for_o it_o against_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n take_v from_o their_o malignant_a enmity_n against_o god_n people_n deut._n 23.4_o 5_o 6._o against_o the_o eunuch_n he_o give_v no_o express_a reason_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n be_v reason_n sufficient_a who_o can_v tell_v whether_o god_n will_v not_o thereby_o type_n out_o the_o debar_v of_o barren_a christian_n from_o church-fellowship_n object_n 3._o the_o word_n separation_n impli_v they_o have_v be_v sometime_o of_o the_o church_n for_o it_o can_v be_v say_v in_o common_a sense_n that_o any_o can_v be_v separate_v from_o that_o society_n of_o which_o they_o never_o be_v answ_n why_o not_o what_o be_v separate_v but_o sever_v may_v not_o england_n be_v sever_v from_o scotland_n by_o the_o river_n of_o tweed_n and_o from_o france_n and_o germany_n and_o holland_n by_o the_o sea_n though_o they_o be_v never_o join_v to_o any_o of_o those_o nation_n do_v not_o god_n make_v the_o star_n to_o separate_v between_o the_o day_n and_o the_o night_n for_o it_o be_v the_o same_o word_n in_o the_o original_a gen._n 1.14_o and_o yet_o day_n and_o night_n be_v never_o join_v in_o one_o society_n so_o that_o from_o the_o place_n in_o isaiah_n we_o have_v two_o passage_n of_o our_o practice_n in_o admit_v church-member_n witness_v unto_o and_o confirm_v by_o the_o lord_n 1._o that_o those_o who_o the_o lord_n join_v to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v such_o as_o have_v be_v join_v to_o himself_o to_o love_v he_o and_o to_o serve_v he_o and_o keep_v his_o sabbath_n 2._o that_o they_o do_v also_o take_v hold_n of_o his_o covenant_n with_o his_o church_n before_o he_o bring_v they_o into_o his_o holy_a mountain_n which_o be_v his_o church_n both_o which_o be_v the_o more_o to_o be_v observe_v in_o this_o place_n because_o the_o place_n be_v a_o pprophecy_n of_o what_o the_o lord_n will_v do_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o wit_n when_o his_o house_n shall_v be_v call_v a_o house_n of_o prayer_n unto_o all_o nation_n ver_fw-la 9_o which_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n object_n 4._o but_o the_o covenant_n here_o speak_v of_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o the_o church_n covenant_n for_o the_o covenant_n be_v the_o lord_n between_o he_o and_o his_o people_n but_o the_o church_n covenant_n be_v between_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n one_o towards_o another_o answ_n this_o objection_n be_v prevent_v before_o in_o the_o first_o point_n for_o when_o the_o lord_n enter_v into_o covenant_n with_o his_o people_n that_o be_v with_o his_o church_n his_o church_n either_o express_o or_o by_o silent_a consent_n covenant_v with_o he_o and_o also_o one_o with_o another_o to_o yield_v profess_v subjection_n to_o he_o as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o but_o though_o this_o place_n prophesy_v of_o the_o day_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n speak_v express_o of_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n before_o enter_v into_o the_o church_n yet_o let_v no_o man_n wonder_v why_o there_o be_v so_o little_a express_a mention_n of_o the_o poeple_n take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n when_o this_o promise_n come_v to_o be_v accomplish_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n where_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n grow_v up_o together_o in_o divine_a institution_n and_o administration_n there_o be_v express_a mention_n of_o this_o covenant_n and_o the_o church_n be_v national_a and_o all_o the_o magistrate_n be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o it_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o lord_n with_o his_o church_n be_v not_o at_o all_o suspicious_a to_o they_o who_o be_v party_n to_o it_o themselves_o but_o very_o acceptable_a but_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o magistrate_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v alien_n and_o enemy_n to_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n think_v it_o meet_v to_o speak_v of_o this_o covenant_n not_o plain_o but_o as_o it_o be_v in_o parable_n and_o similitude_n as_o know_v the_o name_n of_o covenant_n and_o covenanter_n may_v breed_v no_o small_a jealousy_n in_o civil_a state_n as_o seem_v most_o dangerous_a to_o civil_a peace_n but_o yet_o in_o apt_a similitude_n they_o so_o describe_v the_o estate_n of_o church_n as_o do_v necessary_o imply_v a_o joint_a covenant_n both_o between_o the_o lord_n and_z they_o i_o with_o another_o which_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o second_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o point_n in_o hand_n the_o receive_n of_o member_n by_o way_n of_o covenant_n for_o 1._o they_o so_o describe_v every_o church_n of_o god_n as_o a_o city_n of_o god_n as_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n as_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o their_o first_o conversion_n be_v style_v rev._n 21.4_o and_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n though_o it_o may_v be_v a_o more_o glorious_a church_n than_o any_o of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n yet_o it_o partake_v in_o the_o common_a nature_n of_o they_o all_o every_o true_a church_n be_v as_o well_o a_o city_n of_o god_n as_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o hence_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v call_v fellow-citizen_n with_o the_o saint_n as_o be_v of_o the_o household_n or_o church_n of_o god_n eph._n 2.19_o now_o every_o city_n be_v found_v in_o some_o confederacy_n by_o oath_n or_o such_o like_a bond_n and_o every_o citizen_n be_v receive_v into_o the_o same_o city_n by_o take_v the_o same_o oath_n or_o enter_v into_o the_o same_o bond_n wherein_o the_o whole_a city_n stand_v engage_v which_o hold_v forth_o to_o a_o intelligent_a heart_n that_o if_o every_o church_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v a_o city_n and_o the_o member_n thereof_o fellow-citizen_n then_o as_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v plant_v and_o found_v in_o some_o covenant_n or_o confederacy_n so_o every_o member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v implant_v and_o receive_v into_o the_o same_o body_n by_o take_v hold_n of_o the_o same_o covenant_n and_o profess_v subjection_n thereunto_o again_o when_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o the_o plant_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n call_v it_o espouse_v of_o it_o as_o a_o chaste_a virgin_n unto_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 11.2_o it_o impli_v plain_o that_o he_o draw_v they_o all_o as_o one_o body_n to_o profess_v their_o acceptance_n of_o christ_n as_o a_o husband_n to_o they_o all_o and_o of_o one_o another_o as_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n if_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o his_o conversion_n of_o their_o particular_a soul_n unto_o christ_n he_o will_v not_o have_v speak_v of_o they_o as_o one_o virgin_n but_o so_o many_o soul_n so_o many_o virgin_n but_o now_o speak_v of_o they_o all_o as_o one_o virgin_n it_o plain_o argue_v he_o join_v they_o all_o as_o one_o virgin_n into_o one_o body_n and_o that_o one_o body_n into_o a_o covenant_n of_o espousal_n with_o christ_n jesus_n for_o there_o be_v no_o
espousal_n without_o a_o covenant_n and_o therefore_o they_o that_o will_v take_v hold_n of_o their_o espousage_n must_v take_v hold_v of_o their_o covenant_n 3._o the_o mutual_a relation_n wherein_o all_o the_o member_n in_o the_o church_n stand_v one_o to_o another_o member_n to_o member_n and_o all_o of_o they_o to_o their_o officer_n and_o their_o officer_n to_o they_o together_o with_o their_o mutual_a interest_n one_o in_o another_o and_o mutual_a power_n one_o over_o another_o do_v all_o of_o they_o necessary_o imply_v a_o mutual_a confederacy_n one_o with_o another_o and_o that_o whosoever_o will_v partake_v herein_o must_v partake_v in_o their_o confederacy_n suppose_v a_o godly_a christian_a come_v over_o into_o these_o part_n as_o every_o year_n some_o or_o other_o do_v there_o be_v not_o any_o minister_n of_o any_o of_o our_o church_n can_v usurp_v pastoral_a authority_n over_o he_o unless_o that_o christian_a call_v he_o thereunto_o or_o profess_v his_o subjection_n to_o his_o ministration_n according_a to_o god_n nor_o can_v such_o a_o man_n expect_v any_o minister_n watchfulness_n over_o he_o as_o his_o minister_n unless_o the_o minister_n see_v just_a cause_n to_o accept_v such_o a_o charge_n and_o profess_v so_o much_o no_o church_n in_o the_o country_n nor_o all_o the_o member_n of_o any_o church_n can_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o censure_v any_o stranger_n though_o a_o inhabitant_n among_o they_o unless_o he_o give_v up_o himself_o to_o they_o and_o profess_v his_o subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n among_o they_o nor_o can_v he_o challenge_v such_o watchfulness_n from_o they_o unless_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o just_a call_v to_o take_v upon_o they_o that_o care_v over_o he_o that_o christian_a liberty_n which_o the_o lord_n jesus_n by_o his_o blood_n have_v purchase_v for_o his_o church_n and_o for_o all_o his_o child_n give_v they_o all_o liberty_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n and_o their_o own_o fellow-member_n unto_o who_o to_o commit_v the_o care_n of_o their_o soul_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o speak_v not_o of_o infant_n who_o make_v choice_n in_o their_o parent_n but_o of_o such_o who_o know_v their_o liberty_n and_o be_v call_v to_o stand_v fast_o in_o it_o till_o than_o that_o a_o man_n tender_a and_o offer_v himself_o to_o the_o church_n to_o the_o officer_n and_o member_n of_o it_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o receive_v he_o for_o the_o church_n receive_v a_o believer_n which_o be_v the_o apostle_n word_n rom._n 14.1_o impli_v and_o presuppose_v his_o offering_n and_o give_v up_o of_o himself_o unto_o they_o in_o a_o profess_a subjection_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o unto_o they_o according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o their_o receive_n of_o he_o impli_v and_o hold_v forth_o no_o less_o than_o their_o profess_a acceptance_n of_o he_o unto_o all_o those_o holy_a liberty_n with_o they_o and_o performance_n of_o all_o such_o spiritual_a duty_n to_o he_o which_o belong_v to_o all_o the_o fellow-member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n and_o let_v man_n call_v this_o expression_n of_o mutual_a agreement_n by_o what_o name_n they_o please_v this_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o we_o call_v church-covenant_n sect_n v._o let_v we_o proceed_v then_o to_o give_v account_n of_o the_o three_o point_n why_o we_o communicate_v so_o much_o power_n to_o the_o people_n as_o to_o propound_v receive_v of_o member_n unto_o their_o approbation_n and_o consent_n our_o reason_n be_v these_o 1._o from_o the_o like_a power_n give_v unto_o they_o by_o christ_n for_o the_o cast_v out_o of_o scandalous_a and_o corrupt_a member_n matth._n 18.17_o 1_o cor._n 5.5_o if_o the_o church_n must_v be_v tell_v of_o every_o member_n that_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o and_o when_o he_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o they_o be_v to_o deliver_v he_o to_o satan_n then_o the_o church_n must_v be_v tell_v of_o every_o member_n that_o be_v receive_v and_o when_o he_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v they_o be_v to_o receive_v he_o into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o of_o his_o church_n but_o the_o former_a be_v clear_a from_o those_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o the_o latter_a it_o be_v a_o receive_a maxim_n ejusdem_fw-la est_fw-la potestatis_fw-la aperire_fw-la &_o claudere_fw-la instituere_fw-la &_o destituere_fw-la as_o they_o call_v it_o they_o that_o have_v power_n to_o shut_v the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n by_o excommunication_n they_o have_v power_n to_o open_v the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n by_o admit_v to_o communion_n 2._o from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n act._n 9.26_o who_o when_o paul_n assay_v to_o join_v himself_o unto_o they_o do_v not_o at_o first_o receive_v he_o because_o the_o disciple_n be_v not_o satisfy_v in_o his_o spiritual_a good_a estate_n until_o barnabas_n by_o his_o testimony_n of_o he_o have_v remove_v their_o scruple_n which_o argue_v the_o private_a brethren_n in_o a_o church_n as_o well_o as_o public_a officer_n must_v be_v satisfy_v in_o he_o who_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o communion_n with_o they_o 3._o from_o the_o church_n power_n in_o elect_v and_o call_v minister_n to_o office_n it_o have_v be_v show_v above_o that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o people_n the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n to_o choose_v and_o call_v their_o own_o officer_n according_a to_o the_o speech_n of_o cyprian_a lib._n 1._o epist_n 41._o plebs_fw-la maxim_n potestatem_fw-la habet_fw-la vel_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la dignos_fw-la eligendi_fw-la velindignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la and_o if_o they_o have_v such_o power_n of_o choose_v worthy_a minister_n and_o refuse_v the_o unworthy_a how_o much_o more_o of_o receive_v worthy_a christian_n and_o refuse_v of_o unworthy_a yea_o in_o the_o epistle_n go_v before_o he_o speak_v express_o he_o have_v much_o ado_n to_o persuade_v the_o people_n to_o receive_v some_o who_o repentance_n be_v not_o so_o clear_a to_o they_o which_o argue_v evident_o their_o power_n in_o receive_v member_n chap._n iu._n concern_v our_o order_n and_o form_n in_o administration_n of_o god_n public_a worship_n sect_n i._o the_o church_n be_v gather_v and_o furnish_v with_o able_a help_n officer_n and_o brethren_n they_o proceed_v to_o the_o administration_n of_o all_o the_o public_a ordinance_n in_o public_a assembly_n especial_o on_o every_o lord_n day_n wherein_o our_o principal_a care_n and_o desire_n be_v to_o administer_v and_o partake_v in_o all_o and_o no_o more_o than_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o in_o all_o those_o so_o far_o as_o the_o lord_n have_v lend_v we_o light_n in_o their_o native_a purity_n and_o simplicity_n without_o any_o dress_n or_o paint_v of_o humane_a invention_n for_o as_o the_o first_o commandment_n require_v we_o to_o worship_v he_o with_o his_o own_o only_a true_a worship_n as_o he_o have_v appoint_v in_o his_o word_n without_o add_v aught_o thereto_o or_o take_v aught_o therefrom_o isa_n 29.13_o deut._n 12.32_o so_o we_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v unlawful_a for_o any_o church_n to_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o observe_v much_o less_o for_o the_o officer_n of_o their_o own_o or_o other_o church_n to_o impose_v upon_o they_o any_o institution_n of_o their_o own_o whether_o in_o doctrine_n or_o worship_n or_o government_n but_o what_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v in_o his_o word_n our_o reason_n hereof_o one_o in_o stead_n of_o many_o be_v take_v from_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n give_v to_o his_o apostle_n which_o be_v as_o large_a as_o ever_o be_v give_v to_o any_o church-governors_n and_o yet_o reach_v no_o further_a than_o to_o teach_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o i_o have_v command_v you_o mat._n 28.20_o if_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o teach_v the_o church_n to_o observe_v more_o than_o he_o have_v command_v they_o they_o go_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o commission_n the_o apostle_n in_o the_o synod_n in_o jerusalem_n lay_v upon_o the_o church_n no_o other_o burden_n then_o necessary_a thing_n act_n 15.29_o necessary_a they_o be_v some_o of_o they_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n other_o for_o the_o present_a estate_n of_o thing_n to_o avoid_v offence_n and_o when_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v offensive_a the_o prohibition_n of_o they_o cease_v to_o bind_v object_n if_o any_o shall_v say_v the_o apostle_n commission_n reach_v only_o to_o matter_n of_o substance_n not_o circumstance_n of_o worship_n and_o form_n of_o necessity_n not_o indifferency_n we_o answer_v let_v they_o show_v we_o another_o commission_n to_o authorise_v they_o to_o put_v law_n upon_o the_o church_n for_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n of_o form_n and_o of_o indifferency_n and_o we_o shall_v submit_v but_o the_o scripture_n hold_v forth_o no_o such_o commission_n give_v to_o any_o of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n since_o the_o world_n begin_v that_o much_o urge_a place_n 1_o
be_v true_o ingraff_v into_o christ_n jesus_n yet_o for_o the_o present_n have_v no_o lively_a sense_n of_o the_o power_n and_o virtue_n of_o christ_n these_o be_v like_a to_o a_o leg_n or_o arm_n to_o a_o man_n that_o have_v a_o dead_a palsy_n which_o though_o it_o remain_v for_o a_o time_n without_o feeling_n and_o nourishment_n yet_o be_v join_v to_o the_o body_n it_o may_v be_v recover_v by_o the_o virtue_n of_o some_o strong_a medicine_n and_o make_v whole_a as_o the_o other_o of_o this_o sort_n be_v excommunicate_v person_n for_o in_o regard_n of_o their_o engraff_n they_o be_v true_a member_n and_o can_v be_v quite_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n joh._n 10.18_o and_o though_o they_o be_v hold_v as_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o holy_a communion_n of_o the_o faithful_a by_o the_o church_n censure_n as_o also_o because_o christ_n ratifi_v in_o heaven_n what_o the_o church_n have_v do_v on_o earth_n and_o likewise_o because_o in_o themselves_o they_o want_v the_o free_a passage_n of_o the_o life_n and_o virtue_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n till_o they_o be_v touch_v with_o repentance_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o whole_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o society_n of_o the_o faithful_a because_o the_o seed_n of_o faith_n remain_v in_o they_o and_o that_o knit_v the_o bond_n of_o conjunction_n with_o christ_n answ_n those_o godly_a learned_a divine_n who_o do_v thus_o argue_v we_o do_v so_o high_o esteem_v and_o so_o deep_o reverence_v in_o the_o lord_n that_o be_v the_o cause_n our_o own_o and_o not_o the_o lord_n we_o shall_v rather_o let_v it_o fall_v then_o defend_v it_o by_o opposition_n to_o the_o grave_a judgement_n of_o such_o holy_a saint_n but_o because_o we_o may_v not_o accept_v person_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o christ_n we_o be_v force_v to_o excuse_v ourselves_o from_o submit_v to_o their_o judgement_n in_o this_o cause_n which_o yet_o general_o in_o other_o we_o yield_v unto_o they_o our_o answer_n therefore_o be_v that_o howsoever_o such_o excommunicate_a person_n as_o be_v true_o faithful_a notwithstanding_o the_o censure_n of_o excommunication_n because_o the_o seed_n of_o faith_n remain_v in_o they_o yet_o to_o the_o society_n of_o the_o faithful_a join_v in_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n they_o be_v not_o knit_v but_o whole_o cut_v off_o from_o their_o communion_n for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o seed_n of_o faith_n nor_o faith_n itself_o that_o knit_v a_o man_n to_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a visible_a church_n but_o a_o holy_a profession_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o profess_a subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n in_o their_o communion_n which_o profession_n when_o a_o faithful_a man_n have_v violate_v by_o some_o notorious_a scandalous_a crime_n or_o by_o wilful_a obstinacy_n in_o stand_v out_o in_o any_o offence_n against_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n he_o be_v now_o deliver_v unto_o satan_n and_o therefore_o whole_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o consequent_o from_o the_o seal_v thereof_o himself_o from_o the_o lord_n table_n his_o seed_n which_o be_v his_o member_n from_o baptism_n he_o be_v not_o now_o as_o a_o dead_a palsy_n member_n cut_v off_o from_o the_o body_n ne_fw-fr pars_fw-la sincera_fw-la trahatur_fw-la the_o lord_n jesus_n may_v still_o lay_v hold_n upon_o he_o by_o his_o spirit_n when_o yet_o he_o can_v in_o any_o lively_a manner_n for_o the_o time_n lie_v hold_v upon_o christ_n and_o so_o he_o may_v still_o remain_v a_o member_n of_o the_o invisible_a church_n of_o the_o firstborn_a when_o yet_o he_o have_v neither_o part_n nor_o portion_n nor_o fellowship_n in_o the_o particular_a flock_n and_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n jesus_n but_o be_v as_o a_o heathen_a or_o a_o publican_n now_o because_o the_o sacrament_n be_v not_o give_v to_o the_o invisible_a church_n nor_o to_o the_o member_n thereof_o as_o such_o but_o to_o the_o visible_a particular_a church_n of_o christ_n jesus_n and_o to_o the_o member_n thereof_o such_o therefore_o as_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o their_o memberlike_a communion_n with_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v cut_v off_o also_o from_o the_o seal_n of_o that_o communion_n baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n as_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o receive_v a_o heathen_a to_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o supper_n nor_o their_o seed_n to_o baptism_n so_o neither_o dare_v we_o receive_v a_o excommunicate_a person_n who_o be_v to_o we_o as_o a_o heathen_a unto_o the_o lord_n supper_n nor_o his_o child_n to_o baptism_n object_n it_o be_v object_v again_o in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o child_n of_o excommunicate_a person_n that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o cut_v they_o off_o from_o christ_n though_o they_o be_v excommunicate_v the_o personal_a sin_n of_o the_o parent_n may_v not_o keep_v the_o blessing_n from_o the_o child_n and_o therefore_o not_o deprive_v it_o of_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n answ_n the_o same_o power_n of_o christ_n that_o ratifi_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n against_o the_o excommunicate_a parent_n though_o it_o do_v not_o cut_v off_o the_o child_n from_o christ_n no_o more_o than_o the_o father_n yet_o it_o cut_v he_o off_o from_o the_o outward_a fruition_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o christ_n with_o his_o church_n and_o from_o the_o seal_v thereof_o for_o as_o christ_n give_v the_o child_n no_o right_n unto_o baptism_n but_o by_o the_o father_n right_a unto_o the_o coverant_a and_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n so_o if_o he_o take_v away_o the_o father_n right_a from_o the_o covenant_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n he_o take_v away_o the_o child_n right_n also_o the_o personal_a sin_n of_o the_o parent_n be_v not_o in_o this_o case_n a_o mere_a private_a or_o personal_a sin_n but_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o public_a person_n of_o his_o family_n for_o as_o the_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n at_o his_o receive_n into_o the_o church_n be_v as_o the_o profession_n of_o a_o public_a person_n for_o receive_v he_o and_o his_o child_n who_o can_v make_v no_o profession_n but_o by_o his_o mouth_n into_o the_o church_n so_o his_o violation_n of_o his_o profession_n by_o a_o scandalous_a crime_n be_v as_o a_o public_a violation_n thereof_o for_o himself_o and_o his_o seed_n who_o stand_v and_o fall_v before_o the_o church_n in_o his_o name_n and_o person_n object_n it_o be_v yet_o further_o object_v we_o must_v always_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o person_n excommunicate_a which_o do_v not_o make_v separation_n from_o the_o church_n though_o they_o be_v grievous_a offender_n and_o open_a apostate_n which_o join_v themselves_o with_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o ruin_n and_o overthrow_v of_o the_o gospel_n and_o between_o turk_n and_o infidel_n that_o be_v forth_o of_o the_o covenant_n and_o never_o belong_v to_o christ_n answ_n we_o willing_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o excommunicate_a person_n and_o apostate_n and_o turk_n to_o wit_n in_o such_o thing_n wherein_o they_o differ_v excommunicate_a person_n be_v near_a to_o help_v and_o mean_n of_o conversion_n than_o turk_n for_o excommunication_n itself_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o salvation_n 1_o cor._n 5.5_o and_o turk_n be_v near_o than_o apostate_n for_o better_v it_o be_v never_o to_o have_v know_v the_o way_n of_o righteousness_n then_o after_o they_o have_v know_v it_o to_o turn_v away_o from_o the_o holy_a commandment_n give_v unto_o they_o 2_o pet._n 2.21_o but_o yet_o in_o this_o they_o all_o agree_v they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o as_o heathen_n mat._n 18.17_o and_o therefore_o neither_o the_o parent_n to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n nor_o their_o child_n to_o baptism_n object_n moreover_o it_o be_v still_o further_o object_v in_o behalf_n of_o infant_n command_v 2_o if_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n enlarge_v itself_o to_o thousand_o why_o shall_v man_n question_v whether_o such_o infant_n belong_v to_o the_o covenant_n and_o so_o keep_v they_o from_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n which_o be_v due_a to_o they_o by_o the_o right_n of_o their_o ancestor_n answ_n 1._o if_o the_o extension_n of_o god_n mercy_n to_o thousand_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o extend_v baptism_n to_o the_o child_n of_o excommunicate_a person_n in_o the_o right_n of_o their_o ancestor_n it_o may_v suffice_v as_o well_o to_o extend_v it_o to_o the_o child_n of_o turk_n and_o infidel_n and_o apostate_n and_o so_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o urge_v in_o the_o last_o argument_n will_v be_v take_v away_o for_o it_o be_v not_o above_o 66._o generation_n from_o noah_n to_o christ_n as_o be_v plain_a in_o the_o genealogy_n luk._n 3.23_o to_o 38._o and_o there_o have_v not_o pass_v as_o many_o more_o generation_n from_o christ_n time_n to_o the_o turk_n and_o infidel_n of_o this_o present_a age_n
demerit_n as_o expose_v he_o to_o the_o just_a censure_n of_o excommunication_n but_o if_o a_o member_n be_v importunate_o desirous_a to_o remove_v whole_o from_o the_o church_n where_o he_o be_v unto_o another_o and_o yet_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o removal_n favour_n of_o nothing_o but_o levity_n or_o covetousness_n or_o schism_n or_o the_o like_a according_a to_o their_o covenant_n of_o brotherly_a love_n and_o faithfulness_n the_o brethren_n of_o his_o own_o church_n labour_v to_o convince_v he_o of_o his_o sinful_a weakness_n herein_o to_o dissuade_v he_o from_o his_o purpose_n to_o which_o counsel_n god_n usual_o tow_v his_o heart_n to_o stoop_v and_o submit_v but_o if_o after_o all_o their_o dissuasion_n they_o shall_v see_v the_o bent_n of_o his_o spirit_n unremovable_o set_v upon_o removal_n in_o such_o a_o case_n if_o his_o sin_n be_v not_o apparent_a and_o his_o danger_n imminent_a they_o use_v indulgence_n towards_o he_o as_o not_o willing_a to_o make_v the_o church_n of_o god_n a_o prison_n to_o any_o man_n but_o when_o man_n thus_o depart_v god_n usual_o follow_v they_o with_o a_o bitter_a curse_n either_o take_v away_o their_o life_n from_o they_o or_o blast_v they_o with_o poverty_n or_o expose_v they_o to_o scandal_n where_o they_o come_v or_o in_o entertain_v they_o with_o such_o restless_a agitation_n that_o they_o be_v drive_v to_o repent_v of_o their_o former_a rashness_n and_o many_o time_n to_o desire_v to_o return_v to_o the_o church_n from_o which_o they_o have_v break_v away_o sect_n iii_o our_o three_o way_n of_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n be_v by_o way_n of_o consultation_n whereof_o we_o have_v give_v some_o touch_n before_o as_o 1._o in_o time_n of_o the_o gather_n of_o a_o church_n the_o brethren_n who_o desire_v to_o enter_v into_o church-estate_n do_v give_v notice_n to_o all_o the_o church_n about_o they_o and_o desire_v the_o presence_n of_o their_o elder_n and_o of_o such_o other_o brethren_n as_o they_o shall_v see_v meet_a to_o send_v to_o help_v they_o with_o their_o counsel_n in_o discover_v the_o spirit_n and_o competent_a gift_n of_o such_o member_n as_o shall_v join_v with_o they_o in_o that_o work_n and_o further_o to_o give_v counsel_n and_o direction_n in_o the_o order_n of_o that_o day_n as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o 2._o in_o the_o choice_n and_o ordination_n of_o officer_n one_o church_n be_v wont_a to_o send_v to_o all_o the_o rest_n about_o they_o for_o such_o elder_n and_o brethren_n as_o may_v give_v counsel_n and_o direction_n to_o their_o proceed_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o same_o as_o the_o matter_n shall_v require_v as_o have_v be_v former_o deliver_v 3._o in_o case_n of_o difference_n of_o judgement_n among_o the_o brethren_n of_o a_o church_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o church-censure_n and_o the_o like_a to_o prevent_v all_o suspicion_n of_o partiality_n or_o prejudice_n the_o church_n be_v sometime_o occasion_v to_o send_v to_o the_o neighbour-churche_n one_o or_o more_o for_o the_o assistance_n of_o some_o of_o their_o elder_n and_o brethren_n to_o help_v they_o with_o their_o counsel_n in_o discover_v and_o judge_v of_o the_o cause_n depend_v among_o they_o who_o give_v advice_n according_a to_o the_o word_n do_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o christ_n heal_v jealousy_n and_o compose_v difference_n and_o settle_v peace_n and_o love_n among_o they_o and_o this_o also_o have_v be_v mention_v before_o 4._o in_o doubtful_a case_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n whether_o of_o judgement_n or_o practice_n where_o yet_o no_o difference_n have_v rise_v but_o all_o or_o most_o be_v uncertain_a what_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v as_o whether_o a_o child_n may_v be_v baptize_v by_o right_a of_o his_o grandfather_n covenant_n or_o the_o like_a the_o church_n do_v sometime_o send_v letter_n or_o messenger_n to_o crave_v the_o counsel_n of_o other_o church_n who_o deliberate_a by_o consider_v and_o argue_v the_o matter_n and_o agree_v upon_o what_o they_o conceive_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n each_o church_n send_v their_o judgement_n and_o their_o reason_n either_o by_o elder_n or_o by_o messenger_n to_o the_o church_n that_o send_v to_o they_o sect_n iv_o a_o four_o way_n of_o our_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n be_v by_o way_n of_o congregation_n or_o gather_v together_o many_o church_n or_o the_o messenger_n of_o many_o church_n to_o examine_v and_o discuss_v either_o some_o corrupt_a opinion_n or_o suspicious_a practice_n which_o be_v scatter_v and_o find_v in_o many_o church_n at_o once_o can_v well_o be_v heal_v in_o any_o one_o alone_a in_o which_o case_n the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n desirous_a to_o maintain_v verity_n and_o unity_n of_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o integrity_n of_o life_n throughout_o all_o the_o church_n do_v both_o acquaint_v our_o magistrate_n be_v nurse_n father_n to_o the_o church_n with_o the_o necessary_a occasion_n and_o end_n of_o a_o general_a and_o a_o solemn_a assembly_n and_o do_v also_o solicit_v the_o church_n to_o send_v some_o fit_a person_n at_o such_o a_o time_n to_o such_o a_o church_n where_o the_o assembly_n be_v most_o seasonable_o hold_v to_o consider_v and_o discern_v of_o the_o matter_n in_o question_n and_o agitation_n the_o assembly_n be_v meet_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o presence_n call_v for_o by_o humble_a and_o earnest_a prayer_n the_o matter_n to_o be_v discuss_v and_o clear_v be_v propound_v by_o some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o that_o church_n where_o we_o meet_v or_o by_o some_o other_o appoint_v by_o they_o and_o consent_v to_o by_o the_o assembly_n when_o the_o matter_n be_v propound_v the_o elder_n do_v declare_v their_o judgement_n of_o the_o point_n in_o order_n one_o after_o another_o together_o with_o their_o reason_n from_o the_o word_n at_o which_o time_n it_o be_v free_a for_o any_o man_n present_a and_o all_o may_v be_v present_a if_o they_o will_v as_o well_o the_o messenger_n of_o the_o church_n as_o other_o after_o leave_v orderly_o crave_v or_o obtain_v to_o propound_v their_o doubt_n without_o offence_n whence_o disputation_n do_v arise_v as_o in_o act._n 15.7_o till_o all_o party_n be_v either_o satisfy_v or_o convince_v and_o so_o the_o matter_n in_o controversy_n be_v clear_v and_o this_o course_n be_v take_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o all_o the_o point_n remain_v which_o may_v seem_v to_o some_o not_o so_o full_o clear_v and_o agree_v upon_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o such_o as_o may_v admit_v further_a discussion_n yea_o and_o difference_n of_o apprehension_n without_o disunion_n of_o affection_n or_o disturbance_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n yet_o for_o satisfaction_n of_o god_n people_n the_o mean_a while_n in_o such_o thing_n each_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o his_o christian_a liberty_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v all_o come_v they_o judge_v and_o mind_n one_o thing_n if_o any_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v who_o in_o simplicity_n of_o heart_n seek_v the_o truth_n and_o in_o meekness_n of_o wisdom_n and_o love_n hold_v forth_o the_o same_o we_o hope_v god_n will_v in_o time_n reveal_v the_o same_o unto_o he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n all_o agree_v in_o this_o one_o not_o to_o condemn_v nor_o to_o despise_v one_o another_o in_o difference_n of_o weakness_n according_a to_o the_o apostle_n rule_v rom._n 14.2_o 3_o 4._o sect_n v._o a_o five_o way_n of_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n be_v by_o contribution_n or_o communication_n in_o yield_a supply_n to_o one_o another_o want_n for_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a precedent_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n if_o any_o of_o our_o brethren_n shall_v fall_v into_o such_o decay_n as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o supply_v their_o onw_n necessity_n in_o outward_a thing_n among_o themselves_o we_o shall_v take_v it_o our_o bind_a duty_n to_o minister_v to_o their_o want_n according_a to_o our_o ability_n act._n 11.29_o 30._o rom._n 15.25_o 26._o hitherto_o the_o lord_n have_v be_v please_v out_o of_o his_o all-sufficient_a goodness_n so_o to_o supply_v we_o all_o each_o church_n within_o itself_o as_o that_o we_o have_v have_v scarce_o any_o occasion_n never_o but_o once_o to_o exercise_v our_o mutual_a love_n and_o liberality_n to_o one_o another_o in_o this_o kind_n but_o if_o need_n shall_v require_v we_o consider_v aforehand_o what_o mutual_a help_n god_n require_v of_o we_o from_o one_o towards_o another_o in_o such_o a_o case_n also_o if_o any_o of_o our_o church_n do_v want_v some_o fit_a member_n to_o employ_v in_o some_o public_a office_n among_o they_o and_o shall_v make_v know_v their_o want_n to_o some_o other_o church_n who_o may_v abound_v in_o such_o blessing_n as_o sometime_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n have_v four_o or_o five_o prophet_n among_o they_o act._n 13.1_o when_o other_o want_v the_o church_n that_o abound_v in_o such_o help_n
the_o whole_a body_n of_o they_o can_v not_o do_v but_o by_o depute_v some_o eminent_a person_n among_o they_o to_o the_o performance_n thereof_o but_o after_o they_o be_v furnish_v with_o elder_n a_o presbytery_n of_o their_o own_o let_v imposition_n of_o hand_n be_v give_v by_o they_o according_a to_o 1_o tim._n 4.14_o to_o such_o as_o for_o the_o future_a shall_v be_v ordain_v 6._o for_o the_o make_n up_o of_o a_o presbytery_n in_o stead_n of_o parson_n and_o vicar_n wherewith_o some_o congregation_n be_v endow_v let_v they_o choose_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n and_o rule_v elder_n in_o stead_n of_o those_o who_o creep_v into_o their_o room_n viz._n the_o churchwarden_n and_o sidesman_n but_o let_v they_o choose_v and_o ordain_v they_o in_o a_o day_n of_o humiliation_n according_a to_o act_n 14.23_o and_o not_o for_o a_o year_n only_o but_o during_o life_n and_o let_v the_o presbytery_n of_o all_o neighbour_n church_n take_v all_o opportunity_n to_o make_v use_n one_o of_o another_o for_o brotherly_a consultation_n but_o not_o for_o jurisdiction_n and_o authority_n one_o over_o another_o and_o in_o stead_n of_o collector_n or_o overseer_n for_o the_o poor_a who_o creep_v into_o the_o room_n of_o deacon_n let_v deacon_n be_v choose_v as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o but_o not_o as_o member_n of_o the_o presbytery_n 7._o for_o set_v form_n of_o prayer_n or_o prescript_n liturgy_n let_v they_o not_o be_v enjoin_v unto_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n but_o let_v the_o minister_n as_o well_o give_v up_o themselves_o whole_o unto_o prayer_n as_o to_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n act._n 6.4_o 8._o baptism_n may_v orderly_o be_v administer_v to_o the_o child_n of_o such_o parent_n as_o have_v profess_v their_o faith_n and_o repentance_n before_o the_o church_n as_o above_o or_o where_o either_o of_o the_o parent_n have_v make_v such_o profession_n or_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v also_o whether_o the_o child_n may_v not_o be_v baptize_v where_o either_o the_o grandfather_n or_o grandmother_n have_v make_v such_o profession_n and_o be_v still_o live_v to_o undertake_v for_o the_o christian_a education_n of_o the_o child_n for_o it_o may_v be_v conceive_v where_o there_o be_v a_o stipulation_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o god_n part_n and_o a_o restistipulation_n on_o man_n part_n there_o may_v be_v a_o obligation_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o both_o part_n gen._n 17.7_o or_o if_o these_o fail_v what_o hinder_v but_o that_o if_o the_o parent_n will_v resign_v their_o infant_n to_o be_v educate_v in_o the_o house_n of_o any_o godly_a member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o child_n may_v be_v lawful_o baptize_v in_o the_o right_n of_o its_o household_n governor_n according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o law_n gen._n 17.12_o 13._o 9_o let_v the_o lord_n supper_n be_v administer_v only_o to_o such_o as_o have_v so_o profess_v their_o faith_n and_o repentance_n public_o and_o be_v receive_v &_o approve_a member_n of_o the_o church_n endue_v with_o sufficient_a knowledge_n to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o to_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n free_a from_o scandal_n and_o of_o good_a conversation_n 10._o let_v officer_n in_o the_o church_n be_v redress_v and_o remove_v not_o by_o presentment_n to_o officer_n of_o other_o church_n but_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n describe_v above_o chap._n 5._o sect_n 1_o 2_o 3._o 11._o where_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o congregation_n be_v ignorant_a or_o scandalous_a meet_v it_o be_v that_o they_o be_v remove_v and_o better_o choose_v in_o their_o room_n by_o the_o people_n according_a to_o the_o counsel_n &_o direction_n of_o the_o godly_a minister_n and_o brethren_n of_o neighbour_n church_n hos_n 4.6_o 12._o where_o the_o people_n in_o a_o congregation_n be_v general_o ignorant_a and_o profane_a it_o be_v necessary_a godly_a preacher_n be_v send_v forth_o with_o countenance_n from_o the_o king_n and_o state_n to_o preach_v unto_o they_o till_o they_o be_v bring_v on_o to_o knowledge_n and_o to_o some_o measure_n of_o gracious_a reformation_n thus_o jehosaphat_n send_v forth_o priest_n and_o levite_n to_o teach_v in_o the_o city_n of_o judah_n and_o certain_a prince_n and_o noble_n with_o they_o to_o countenance_v the_o good_a work_n in_o their_o hand_n 2_o chron._n 17.7_o 8_o 9_o 13._o till_o the_o people_n be_v in_o some_o sort_n due_o prepare_v and_o grow_v up_o to_o some_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o grace_n it_o be_v neither_o meet_a to_o receive_v they_o to_o a_o renew_n of_o their_o covenant_n former_o make_v at_o their_o baptism_n or_o to_o the_o seal_n of_o it_o but_o after_o they_o have_v be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n to_o lament_v after_o the_o lord_n as_o the_o israelite_n do_v when_o the_o ark_n have_v be_v long_o absent_a from_o they_o 1_o sam._n 7.29_o then_o let_v they_o proceed_v as_o other_o godly_a christian_n be_v direct_v to_o do_v propos_fw-fr 2_o 3_o etc._n etc._n for_o renew_v of_o their_o covenant_n for_o choice_n of_o their_o minister_n and_o officer_n and_o for_o communication_n in_o all_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n 14._o for_o the_o help_n of_o the_o university_n of_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n and_o of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o it_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o some_o experience_a godly_a learned_a noble_n and_o minister_n be_v depute_v to_o visit_v and_o reform_v the_o university_n that_o subscription_n to_o ceremony_n and_o prescript_n liturgy_n be_v remove_v that_o degree_n in_o divinity_n be_v not_o abuse_v unto_o qualification_n for_o plurality_n and_o nonresidency_a nor_o allow_v in_o the_o minister_n of_o church_n to_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o brethren_n of_o the_o same_o call_n whence_o christ_n have_v remove_v it_o mat._n 23.8_o 9_o 10._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o mention_v be_v not_o to_o be_v translate_v master_n for_o it_o be_v a_o title_n common_a to_o all_o minister_n but_o doctor_n and_o the_o academical_a title_n of_o doctor_n be_v fit_a for_o master_n of_o college_n &_o reader_n in_o the_o school_n then_o for_o church-officer_n here_o also_o special_a care_n will_v be_v take_v for_o set_v up_o of_o such_o preacher_n in_o both_o the_o university_n as_o who_o spirit_n and_o gift_n and_o ministry_n may_v be_v exemplary_a pattern_n to_o young_a student_n 15._o for_o the_o effectual_a and_o orderly_a expedition_n and_o transaction_n of_o all_o these_o thing_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o as_o king_n jehosaphat_n do_v so_o the_o king_n and_o state_n shall_v depute_v some_o choice_a person_n to_o do_v the_o same_o to_o wit_n to_o go_v throughout_o all_o the_o kingdom_n to_o see_v the_o people_n return_v and_o all_o the_o church_n restore_v to_o a_o true_a state_n and_o course_n of_o reformation_n 2_o chron._n 19.4_o all_o which_o thing_n be_v humble_o present_v by_o we_o not_o as_o if_o we_o will_v undertake_v to_o give_v counsel_n to_o they_o that_o be_v wise_a than_o ourselves_o much_o less_o injunction_n but_o as_o subject_n who_o desire_v to_o approve_v our_o faithful_a service_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o our_o king_n and_o country_n hold_v they_o forth_o as_o true_a consectary_n from_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o shall_v rule_v we_o all_o finis_fw-la a_o alphabetical_a table_n contain_v the_o principal_a thing_n handle_v in_o this_o treatise_n a_o of_o addition_n of_o member_n to_o the_o church_n page_n 52._o chap._n 3._o sect._n 1_o sect._n 2._o of_o communion_n of_o church_n by_o way_n of_o admonition_n pag._n 108._o sect._n 6._o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o church_n way_n intimate_v in_o the_o bishop_n common-prayer_n book_n p._n 12_o of_o disclaim_v advocation_n by_o patron_n to_o live_n p._n 113._o sect._n 2._o b_o whether_o all_o baptise_a be_v fit_a for_o church-fellowship_n p._n 9_o why_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o believer_n child_n circumcise_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o passeover_n now_o they_o be_v baptize_v may_v not_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n p._n 9_o all_o baptise_a by_o virtue_n thereof_o be_v not_o member_n of_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n p._n 9_o no_o place_n in_o scripture_n for_o succession_n of_o diocesan_n bishop_n after_o the_o apostle_n p._n 46._o sect._n 8._o p._n 49._o sect._n 9_o whether_o unbeliever_n give_v up_o their_o infant_n to_o be_v educate_v in_o the_o house_n of_o a_o godly_a member_n of_o a_o church_n it_o may_v not_o according_a to_o gen._n 17.12_o 13._o by_o baptise_a in_o the_o right_n of_o that_o household_n p._n 115_o c._n the_o part_n of_o all_o true_a christian_n to_o join_v themselves_o into_o some_o particular_a visible_a church_n p._n 2._o join_v into_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n can_v be_v but_o by_o covenant_n p._n 2._o 3._o 4_o etc._n etc._n particular_a visible_a church_n to_o be_v gather_v must_v have_v the_o concurrence_n of_o
of_o fellowship_n and_o so_o receive_v they_o to_o all_o brotherly_a communion_n in_o the_o lord_n among_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o agree_v with_o the_o last_o part_n of_o the_o five_o proposition_n so_o when_o the_o day_n appoint_v for_o the_o church-gathering_a be_v come_v the_o person_n depute_v from_o the_o neighbour_a church_n be_v present_a who_o common_o be_v the_o teach_n and_o rule_v elder_n and_o as_o many_o also_o of_o all_o sort_n as_o be_v willing_a to_o partake_v with_o they_o at_o that_o time_n the_o whole_a day_n be_v keep_v as_o a_o day_n of_o humiliation_n especial_o the_o former_a part_n of_o it_o in_o seek_v the_o face_n of_o god_n in_o prayer_n and_o preach_v the_o word_n according_a to_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o five_o proposition_n the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v gather_v select_v some_o chief_a one_o among_o themselves_o to_o be_v their_o mouth_n for_o those_o service_n which_o do_v then_o on_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o the_o day_n one_o of_o they_o appoint_v and_o choose_v by_o themselves_o to_o order_v the_o work_n of_o the_o day_n stand_v up_o and_o address_v himself_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o brethren_n to_o make_v profession_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o repentance_n before_o the_o lord_n and_o before_o the_o whole_a assembly_n according_a to_o the_o four_o proposition_n this_o do_v with_o the_o silent_a approbation_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n he_o propound_v the_o covenant_n of_o promise_n eph._n 2.12_o deny_v also_o any_o sufficiency_n in_o themselves_o to_o keep_v covenant_n with_o god_n as_o have_v be_v transgressor_n from_o their_o youth_n up_o they_o profess_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n their_o acceptance_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o their_o god_n and_o the_o lord_n jesus_n the_o head_n and_o saviour_n of_o his_o church_n to_o be_v their_o king_n priest_n and_o prophet_n and_o give_v up_o themselves_o in_o profess_a subjection_n unto_o all_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n withal_o they_o profess_v their_o full_a purpose_n of_o heart_n to_o cleave_v one_o to_o another_o in_o brotherly_a love_n and_o mutual_a subjection_n according_a to_o god_n not_o forsake_v their_o assembly_n but_o as_o the_o lord_n shall_v call_v and_o minister_a one_o to_o another_o as_o become_v good_a steward_n of_o the_o manifold_a grace_n of_o god_n till_o they_o all_o grow_v up_o to_o a_o perfect_a man_n in_o christ_n jesus_n have_v thus_o or_o to_o the_o like_a purpose_n propound_v the_o covenant_n himself_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n who_o be_v to_o join_v in_o church-estate_n they_o all_o declare_v their_o joint_a consent_n in_o this_o covenant_n either_o by_o silence_n or_o word_n of_o mouth_n or_o write_v then_o the_o brethren_n of_o other_o church_n find_v the_o presence_n of_o god_n accept_v they_o by_o the_o heavenly_a fire_n of_o his_o spirit_n come_v down_o among_o they_o in_o their_o performance_n of_o their_o holy_a duty_n they_o appoint_v some_o from_o among_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o church_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v to_o reach_v forth_o unto_o they_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n testify_v their_o proceed_n to_o have_v be_v according_a to_o god_n and_o the_o church_n acceptance_n of_o they_o into_o brotherly_a fellowship_n and_o exhort_v they_o to_o stand_v steadfast_a in_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o grow_v up_o in_o holy_a fellowship_n with_o he_o and_o one_o with_o another_o and_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n of_o all_o the_o church_n according_a to_o these_o beginning_n and_o so_o prayer_n be_v make_v unto_o god_n for_o the_o pardon_v and_o acceptance_n of_o this_o people_n and_o of_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o day_n as_o also_o for_o his_o blessing_n upon_o themselves_o and_o all_o the_o church_n both_o in_o this_o country_n and_o throughout_o the_o world_n especial_o in_o england_n a_o psalm_n of_o praise_n be_v sing_v quest_n what_o can_v be_v do_v more_o if_o a_o church_n be_v to_o be_v gather_v out_o of_o infidel_n answ_n 1._o if_o a_o church_n be_v to_o be_v gather_v out_o of_o infidel_n they_o be_v first_o to_o be_v convert_v that_o they_o may_v become_v believer_n and_o so_o fit_a material_n for_o church-fellowship_n before_o any_o of_o these_o can_v be_v do_v by_o they_o whereas_o these_o here_o speak_v of_o be_v person_n convert_v already_o if_o it_o be_v say_v again_o but_o be_v not_o all_o baptise_a person_n fit_a for_o church-fellowship_n as_o all_o circumcise_a person_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o passeover_n answ_n there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o passeover_n whereto_o all_o jew_n be_v admit_v young_a and_o old_a unless_o defile_v with_o some_o pollution_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n whereto_o person_n of_o grown_a year_n and_o fit_a to_o examine_v themselves_o be_v invite_v and_o therefore_o neither_o child_n nor_o ignorant_a person_n nor_o profane_a nor_o scandalous_a person_n be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n nor_o into_o church-fellowship_n if_o it_o again_o be_v object_v but_o be_v not_o all_o baptise_a person_n church-member_n already_o by_o their_o baptism_n answ_n no._n 1._o papist_n and_o other_o notorious_a heretic_n be_v baptise_a 2._o and_o many_o in_o other_o church_n have_v cut_v themselves_o off_o from_o the_o covenant_n by_o their_o notorious_a wickedness_n and_o profaneness_n psal_n 50.16_o 3._o a_o church_n relapse_v with_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o before_o they_o can_v be_v accept_v with_o god_n in_o their_o church-fellowship_n be_v bind_v to_o renew_v their_o covenant_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o new_a enter_v into_o covenant_n the_o same_o which_o in_o effect_n be_v do_v with_o we_o 4._o though_o godly_a man_n baptise_a member_n of_o a_o pure_a church_n be_v to_o be_v account_v church-member_n as_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v their_o habitation_n and_o election_n to_o that_o church_n yet_o several_a baptise_a person_n break_v off_o from_o their_o several_a church_n to_o which_o sometime_o they_o do_v belong_v and_o now_o meet_v accidental_o in_o one_o place_n be_v not_o therefore_o one_o church_n anew_o among_o themselves_o unless_o they_o will_v imagine_v that_o chimaera_n of_o a_o universal_a visible_a church_n chap._n ii_o touch_v church-officer_n with_o their_o election_n and_o ordination_n sect_n i._o the_o church_n be_v thus_o gather_v as_o have_v be_v describe_v our_o next_o care_n be_v that_o it_o may_v be_v supply_v with_o all_o those_o officer_n and_o member_n which_o christ_n have_v ordain_v to_o continue_v in_o his_o church_n until_o his_o second_o come_v for_o they_o be_v all_o give_v for_o the_o edify_a and_o perfect_v of_o his_o body_n until_o we_o all_o grow_v unto_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n eph._n 4.11_o 12_o 13._o the_o apostle_n prophet_n and_o evangelist_n they_o still_o continue_v in_o their_o writing_n to_o be_v master-builder_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n be_v say_v to_o be_v build_v upon_o their_o foundation_n that_o be_v upon_o the_o foundation_n which_o they_o by_o their_o writing_n have_v lay_v eph._n 2.20_o but_o in_o their_o successor_n in_o the_o same_o eminent_a calling_n they_o continue_v not_o whence_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o himself_o and_o barnabas_n as_o the_o last_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 4.9_o and_o when_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n come_v to_o be_v plant_v it_o be_v not_o say_v to_o be_v plant_v by_o new_a apostle_n but_o by_o the_o former_a twelve_o apostle_n of_o the_o lamb_n rev._n 21.19_o to_o wit_n by_o they_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o doctrine_n still_o leave_v behind_o they_o in_o their_o writing_n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o the_o ordinary_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n jesus_n be_v either_o elder_n who_o the_o apostle_n call_v also_o bishop_n tit._n 1.5.7_o act._n 20.17.28_o or_o deacon_n of_o elder_n he_o make_v two_o sort_n one_o sort_n he_o call_v they_o that_o rule_n the_o other_o they_o that_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n whether_o of_o exhortation_n as_o the_o pastor_n or_o of_o doctrine_n as_o the_o teacher_n 2_o tim._n 5.17_o for_o the_o two_o sort_n of_o ordinary_a preach_a elder_n the_o apostle_n call_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n eph._n 4.11_o and_o such_o several_a kind_n of_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n by_o the_o one_o in_o a_o word_n of_o exhortation_n by_o the_o other_o in_o a_o word_n of_o doctrine_n the_o apostle_n express_o hold_v forth_o rom._n 12.7_o 8._o he_o that_o teach_v say_v he_o let_v he_o wait_v on_o teach_v and_o he_o that_o exhort_v on_o exhortation_n which_o argue_v a_o difference_n of_o their_o function_n by_o the_o distinction_n of_o their_o proper_a or_o especial_a action_n if_o it_o be_v say_v the_o
layman_n but_o our_o roll_a elder_n we_o utter_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v layman_n as_o the_o word_n be_v common_o mean_v in_o this_o controversy_n but_o church-officer_n set_v apart_o to_o their_o office_n by_o the_o election_n of_o the_o people_n and_o by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n but_o if_o they_o be_v layman_n which_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o you_o see_v it_o be_v no_o strange_a or_o unheard_a of_o matter_n that_o church_n shall_v be_v bountiful_a to_o the_o maintenance_n of_o sundry_a sort_n of_o church_n ruler_n who_o be_v mere_o layman_n as_o their_o adversary_n misconceive_v these_o to_o be_v yea_o what_o be_v the_o many_o cloister_n of_o munks_n and_o friar_n and_o nun_n in_o the_o time_n of_o popery_n be_v they_o preacher_n of_o the_o word_n be_v they_o not_o layman_n &_o woman_n and_o yet_o do_v the_o church_n of_o those_o time_n grudge_v they_o their_o maintenance_n upon_o pretence_n of_o their_o laity_n but_o the_o world_n will_v love_v his_o own_o be_v there_o never_o so_o many_o idle_a drone_n or_o stately_a ruler_n of_o man_n own_o devise_v the_o church_n must_v supply_v they_o not_o only_o with_o maintenance_n but_o with_o magnificence_n but_o let_v the_o lord_n appoint_v roll_a elder_n according_a to_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o assist_v his_o minister_n in_o the_o work_n of_o government_n that_o they_o may_v attend_v the_o more_o to_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n if_o they_o shall_v expect_v from_o the_o church_n any_o maintenance_n for_o their_o work_n sake_n oh_o that_o seem_v a_o strange_a matter_n and_o unheard_a of_o from_o all_o antiquity_n till_o this_o present_a age_n the_o second_o reason_n why_o lie_v elder_n as_o they_o miscall_v they_o rule_v elder_n as_o we_o with_o paul_n call_v they_o be_v not_o mean_v in_o paul_n text_n be_v because_o paul_n mention_v the_o presbyter_n but_o once_o in_o all_o his_o epistle_n exclude_v all_o lay_v elder_n from_o that_o presbytery_n neglect_v not_o say_v he_o the_o grace_n which_o be_v in_o thou_o which_o be_v give_v thou_o by_o prophecy_n with_o imposition_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n 2_o tim._n 4.14_o this_o christian_a presbytery_n give_v imposition_n of_o hand_n to_o ordain_v minister_n but_o lay_v elder_n have_v no_o right_a to_o impose_v hand_n to_o that_o purpose_n therefore_o layman_n be_v none_o of_o this_o presbytery_n for_o if_o the_o presbytery_n be_v take_v for_o the_o company_n of_o elder_n none_o be_v of_o that_o company_n but_o such_o as_o may_v give_v imposition_n of_o hand_n or_o if_o presbytery_n be_v take_v for_o the_o office_n of_o a_o elder_a than_o none_o may_v take_v that_o function_n on_o he_o but_o must_v receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n as_o timothy_n do_v than_o layman_n which_o neither_o give_v nor_o receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n be_v whole_o debar_v both_o from_o the_o degree_n and_o from_o the_o society_n of_o the_o presbytery_n that_o be_v in_o paul_n time_n our_o answer_n consist_v of_o three_o point_n first_o lay_v elder_n we_o disclaim_v but_o rule_v elder_n though_o not_o attend_v to_o preach_v as_o they_o have_v their_o election_n from_o the_o people_n who_o be_v the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n so_o be_v they_o ordain_v &_o set_v apart_o from_o among_o the_o people_n by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n of_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v the_o presbytery_n the_o company_n of_o elder_n for_o by_o presbytery_n we_o conceive_v can_v be_v there_o mean_v the_o office_n of_o a_o elder_a for_o he_o speak_v of_o such_o a_o presbytery_n as_o lay_v on_o hand_n now_o it_o be_v not_o the_o office_n of_o a_o elder_a but_o the_o company_n of_o elder_n that_o lie_v on_o hand_n answ_n 2._o when_o it_o be_v say_v no_o man_n can_v give_v what_o he_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n do_v all_o of_o they_o make_v a_o ready_a answer_n for_o we_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o they_o that_o give_v shall_v always_o formal_o have_v beforehand_o receive_v that_o power_n which_o they_o give_v it_o be_v enough_o if_o they_o have_v receive_v it_o virtual_o for_o instance_n a_o multitude_n of_o free_a people_n may_v elect_v and_o ordain_v a_o king_n over_o they_o and_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o have_v before_o hand_n receive_v kingly_a power_n it_o be_v enough_o they_o have_v a_o virtual_a power_n to_o set_v up_o and_o to_o submit_v unto_o any_o lawful_a form_n of_o government_n which_o they_o see_v good_a for_o themselves_o in_o the_o land_n the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o wit_n some_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o rest_n for_o all_o can_v not_o at_o once_o impose_v their_o hand_n upon_o the_o levite_n numb_a 8.10_o and_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o levites_n themselves_o nor_o have_v receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n themselves_o and_o yet_o may_v nevertheless_o impose_v hand_n upon_o other_o in_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n to_o peter_n not_o as_o a_o apostle_n nor_o as_o a_o elder_a but_o as_o a_o profess_a believer_n in_o the_o name_n of_o believer_n and_o upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n mat._n 16.16_o to_o 19_o whereupon_o the_o bind_n and_o lose_v which_o be_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v attribute_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n mat._n 18.17_o 18._o if_o then_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n which_o be_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o church-power_n be_v give_v to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o their_o power_n to_o exercise_v their_o pastoral_a preach_v of_o the_o word_n and_o administer_a of_o the_o sacrament_n yet_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o elect_v such_o who_o god_n have_v furnish_v with_o gift_n among_o they_o unto_o such_o office_n as_o may_v dispense_v all_o the_o holy_a thing_n of_o god_n to_o they_o and_o by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n to_o dedicate_v they_o to_o god_n and_o to_o the_o public_a service_n of_o his_o church_n now_o if_o the_o whole_a church_n have_v this_o power_n to_o impose_v hand_n upon_o their_o officer_n in_o their_o first_o ordination_n how_o can_v it_o seem_v a_o strange_a and_o unheard_a of_o thing_n or_o a_o absurd_a matter_n that_o roll_a elder_n shall_v together_o with_o the_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n all_o of_o they_o make_v up_o the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o church_n impose_v hand_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o ordain_v answ_n 3._o beside_o there_o be_v that_o conceive_v and_o that_o not_o improbable_o that_o in_o ancient_a time_n the_o child_n baptize_v in_o the_o church_n be_v not_o receive_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n nor_o into_o the_o full_a fruition_n of_o all_o church_n liberty_n until_o that_o they_o be_v grow_v up_o to_o year_n do_v public_o before_o the_o church_n profess_v their_o faith_n and_o ratify_v the_o covenant_n make_v for_o they_o in_o baptism_n and_o so_o be_v confirm_v as_o they_o which_o be_v but_o a_o small_a remnant_n in_o comparison_n 300._o year_n be_v spend_v in_o the_o primitive_a persecution_n whereof_o we_o have_v few_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n extant_a write_v in_o that_o time_n those_o we_o have_v speak_v so_o of_o elder_n as_o do_v indifferent_o comprise_v as_o well_o rule_v elder_a as_o teach_v elder_n ignatius_n his_o presbyter_n who_o he_o style_v the_o court_n of_o god_n the_o combination_n of_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n the_o holy_a assembly_n and_o counsellor_n and_o assessor_n of_o the_o bishop_n with_o all_o these_o epithet_n may_v as_o well_o agree_v to_o rule_v elder_n as_o to_o preacher_n the_o scripture_n do_v not_o disdain_v to_o admit_v civil_a magistrate_n into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o god_n tabernacle_n psal_n 82.1_o and_o why_o not_o then_o the_o ruler_n of_o his_o church_n for_o tertullian_n his_o elder_n who_o be_v precedent_n over_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o attain_v that_o honour_n not_o by_o bribe_n but_o by_o approve_a testimony_n apologetic_n chap._n 29._o what_o be_v there_o in_o his_o whole_a description_n of_o they_o but_o be_v compatible_a to_o rule_v elder_n as_o well_o as_o to_o preach_v yea_o cyprian_n who_o live_v in_o those_o ancient_a bloody_a but_o zealous_a time_n do_v express_o acknowledge_v elder_n that_o be_v not_o preacher_n for_o it_o evident_o appear_v in_o the_o five_o epistle_n of_o his_o four_o book_n that_o he_o ordain_v calinus_fw-la and_o ancellus_n to_o be_v presbyter_n of_o his_o church_n who_o be_v no_o preacher_n but_o reader_n only_o and_o yet_o be_v to_o be_v maintain_v sportulis_fw-la communibus_fw-la that_o be_v at_o the_o common_a charge_n of_o the_o church_n with_o the_o presbyter_n and_o to_o sit_v with_o himself_o in_o their_o grow_a year_n it_o appear_v also_o in_o
bishop_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o the_o good_a old_a bishop_n valerius_n be_v hardly_o speak_v of_o for_o suffer_v augustine_n a_o presbyter_n though_o a_o learned_a presbyter_n to_o preach_v before_o he_o which_o be_v say_v never_o any_o african_a bishop_n have_v allow_v before_o he_o now_o whence_o shall_v such_o a_o offence_n as_o be_v take_v against_o valerius_n arise_v but_o from_o translate_n the_o silence_n of_o rule_v elder_n from_o preach_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n unto_o those_o presbyter_n also_o who_o be_v call_v oft_o to_o preach_v the_o word_n free_o and_o diligent_o as_o well_o as_o the_o bishop_n themselves_o but_o when_o through_o corruption_n of_o time_n bishop_n claim_v to_o themselves_o the_o principal_n pastoral_a cure_n of_o soul_n than_o it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o offensive_a matter_n that_o teach_v elder_n shall_v preach_v before_o they_o as_o before_o it_o be_v unwonted_a for_o rule_v elder_n to_o preach_v before_o the_o teach_v ordinary_o object_n but_o there_o remain_v one_o objection_n or_o two_o which_o some_o learned_a and_o prudent_a man_n have_v make_v against_o the_o office_n of_o rule_v elder_n object_n 1._o it_o be_v not_o credible_a that_o the_o office_n of_o ruling_n elder_n shall_v be_v of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n and_o no_o footstep_n leave_v of_o it_o in_o any_o church_n of_o christ_n for_o these_o many_o hundred_o year_n popery_n itself_o though_o it_o corrupt_v all_o ordinance_n yet_o retain_v some_o footstep_n of_o every_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n though_o much_o pervert_v from_o the_o first_o institution_n but_o there_o be_v no_o footstep_n at_o all_o of_o those_o rule_v elder_n extant_a in_o any_o church_n but_o those_o of_o genevah_n and_o such_o as_o have_v follow_v their_o pattern_n for_o though_o some_o tell_v we_o of_o churchwarden_n and_o vestry_n man_n in_o the_o parish_n church_n of_o england_n who_o assist_v the_o preacher_n in_o the_o govern_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n between_o they_o and_o rule_v elder_n for_o these_o churchwarden_n and_o vestry_n man_n be_v appoint_v not_o for_o assistance_n to_o the_o minister_n in_o govern_v the_o church_n but_o for_o other_o purpose_n as_o churchwarden_n for_o keep_v the_o church_n stock_n and_o lay_v it_o out_o upon_o necessary_a repair_v of_o the_o place_n of_o god_n worship_n call_v the_o church_n and_o the_o vestry_n be_v a_o company_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o rich_a parishioner_n that_o have_v be_v or_o be_v to_o be_v churchwarden_n be_v exercise_v in_o audit_v the_o account_n of_o the_o churchwarden_n and_o collector_n for_o the_o poor_a and_o though_o now_o and_o then_o they_o be_v take_v up_o in_o admonish_v a_o unruly_a neighbour_n yet_o they_o do_v it_o not_o by_o authority_n as_o ruler_n but_o by_o christian_a discretion_n and_o charity_n answ_n we_o do_v not_o say_v that_o churchwarden_n and_o vestry_n man_n be_v the_o same_o with_o rule_v elder_n for_o though_o they_o be_v both_o choose_v by_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o in_o the_o choice_n the_o qualification_n of_o rule_v elder_n be_v not_o attend_v to_o nor_o be_v they_o so_o ordain_v either_o with_o the_o like_a holy_a solemnity_n or_o invest_v with_o the_o same_o measure_n of_o spiritual_a power_n nor_o allow_v to_o continue_v for_o life_n as_o rule_v elder_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v but_o yet_o such_o as_o they_o be_v we_o may_v see_v in_o they_o some_o footstep_n and_o remnant_n and_o as_o it_o be_v rudera_fw-la of_o that_o holy_a and_o ancient_a ordinance_n so_o much_o as_o be_v escape_v out_o of_o the_o ruin_n of_o antichristian_a apostasy_n for_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o chancellor_n commissary_n and_o official_o who_o be_v mere_a lay_v elder_n and_o yet_o administer_v church-government_n not_o in_o one_o church_n only_o but_o in_o many_o score_n of_o church_n what_o other_o thing_n sound_v the_o very_a name_n of_o churchwarden_n guardiani_n ecclesiae_fw-la but_o church-guardian_n or_o church-ruler_n and_o what_o be_v the_o company_n of_o vestryman_n but_o a_o kind_n of_o a_o consistory_n second_o though_o by_o the_o sophistry_n of_o satan_n and_o of_o his_o vicar_n the_o man_n of_o sin_n a_o great_a part_n of_o this_o care_n be_v transform_v from_o order_v the_o spiritual_a body_n of_o the_o church_n to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o material_a church_n or_o temple_n yet_o what_o power_n of_o government_n be_v leave_v in_o any_o congregation_n beside_o preach_v the_o word_n the_o churchwarden_n and_o vestery_n man_n do_v assist_v the_o minister_n in_o manage_v the_o same_o they_o observe_v all_o scandalous_a disorder_n that_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o church-minister_n or_o people_n they_o admonish_v the_o offender_n and_o though_o they_o be_v over-ruler_n to_o present_v all_o disorder_n to_o the_o cathedral_n church_n and_o the_o officer_n thereof_o which_o of_o right_n they_o shall_v complain_v of_o when_o the_o offender_n be_v incorrigible_a only_o to_o their_o own_o congregation_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o usual_a thing_n for_o the_o bishop_n and_o his_o officer_n to_o return_v such_o offender_n have_v first_o pay_v they_o their_o fee_n to_o the_o minister_n and_o churchwarden_n to_o make_v acknowledgement_n of_o their_o offence_n before_o they_o and_o to_o profess_v their_o amendment_n of_o which_o also_o they_o must_v bring_v a_o certificate_n under_o the_o minister_n and_o churchwarden_n hand_n yea_o of_o our_o knowledge_n there_o be_v some_o peculiar_a privilege_a church_n in_o england_n exempt_v from_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o his_o officer_n where_o the_o churchwarden_n and_o minister_n either_o by_o themselves_o or_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o congregation_n do_v transact_v all_o that_o government_n which_o in_o other_o church_n the_o bishop_n and_o his_o officer_n do_v invade_v and_o usurp_v as_o to_o admonish_v offender_n to_o enjoin_v acknowledgement_n of_o scandalous_a offence_n and_o to_o debar_v from_o the_o sacrament_n etc._n etc._n and_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o repress_v idleness_n drunkenness_n swear_v sabbath-breaking_a and_o the_o like_a disorder_n with_o better_a success_n than_o other_o town_n can_v do_v who_o have_v the_o help_n of_o major_n and_o justice_n but_o not_o so_o much_o spiritual_a power_n in_o the_o church_n but_o by_o that_o power_n which_o be_v still_o leave_v in_o some_o church_n unto_o their_o minister_n and_o guardian_n or_o ruler_n it_o may_v not_o obscure_o appear_v that_o ancient_o they_o do_v enjoy_v it_o among_o themselves_o before_o one_o church_n begin_v to_o lord_n it_o over_o another_o object_n the_o other_o objection_n which_o be_v make_v against_o rule_v elder_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o perilous_a consequence_n to_o set_v up_o ruler_n in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o by_o authority_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n when_o yet_o the_o word_n have_v no_o where_o set_v forth_o the_o limit_n and_o bound_n of_o their_o authority_n answ_n the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v clear_o enough_o limit_v the_o bound_n of_o a_o ruling_n elder_n call_v and_o the_o work_n of_o his_o rule_n for_o since_o all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n be_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n not_o of_o the_o sword_n matth._n 16.19_o and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n joh._n 18.36_o it_o be_v plain_a no_o church-governour_n may_v take_v up_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n to_o wit_n civil_a jurisdiction_n without_o usurpation_n the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n be_v princely_a lordly_a but_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v only_o stewardly_a and_o ministerial_a for_o so_o it_o be_v say_v the_o key_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n to_o eliakim_n isa_n 22.22_o and_o he_o be_v over_o the_o house_n ver._n 15._o which_o phrase_n of_o be_v over_o the_o house_n be_v translate_v proper_o gen._n 43.19_o steward_z of_o the_o house_n see_v then_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v spiritnall_a and_o not_o worldly_a and_o the_o government_n of_o his_o kingdom_n be_v not_o lordly_a but_o steward_o and_o ministerial_a evident_a it_o be_v that_o these_o rule_v elder_n in_o the_o church_n may_v only_o attend_v to_o work_n of_o spiritual_a and_o ministerial_a rule_n and_o further_o because_o such_o act_n of_o spiritual_a rule_n as_o be_v dispense_v in_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n the_o rule_v elder_n be_v not_o call_v to_o attend_v unto_o but_o that_o work_n be_v leave_v unto_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n therefore_o plain_a it_o be_v that_o what_o act_v soever_o of_o spiritual_a rule_n and_o government_n christ_n have_v commit_v to_o his_o church_n over_o and_o above_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n all_o such_o act_n of_o rule_n be_v commit_v to_o the_o rule_v elder_n and_o none_o but_o such_o to_o instance_n then_o in_o the_o particular_a duty_n of_o the_o rule_v elder_n office_n
the_o direction_n of_o the_o word_n elder_n according_a to_o 1_o tim._n 3.2_o to_o 7._o tit._n 1.6_o to_o 9_o deacon_n according_a to_o act_n 6.3_o 1_o tim._n 3.8_o to_o 12._o for_o the_o church_n have_v not_o absolute_a power_n to_o choose_v who_o they_o listen_v but_o ministerial_a power_n only_o to_o choose_v who_o christ_n have_v choose_v have_v gift_v and_o fit_v for_o they_o if_o the_o church_n can_v find_v out_o none_o such_o in_o their_o own_o body_n they_o send_v to_o any_o other_o church_n for_o fit_a supply_n and_o each_o church_n look_v at_o it_o as_o their_o duty_n to_o be_v mutual_o helpful_a one_o to_o another_o in_o yield_v what_o supply_n they_o may_v without_o too_o much_o prejudice_n to_o themselves_o according_a to_o cant._n 8.8_o 9_o such_o be_v recommend_v to_o they_o for_o such_o a_o work_n they_o take_v some_o time_n of_o trial_n of_o they_o partly_o by_o their_o own_o observation_n and_o communion_n with_o they_o partly_o by_o consultation_n with_o the_o elder_n of_o other_o church_n continue_v there_o in_o so_o great_a a_o work_n to_o fulfil_v the_o command_n of_o the_o apostle_n lay_v hand_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n 1_o tim._n 3.22_o for_o every_o man_n of_o good_a gift_n be_v not_o always_o endow_v with_o a_o honest_a and_o good_a heart_n and_o every_o good_a heart_n be_v not_o fit_v to_o close_v so_o full_o as_o be_v meet_v with_o every_o good_a people_n every_o key_n be_v not_o fit_a to_o open_v every_o lock_n nor_o every_o good_a man_n gift_n fit_a to_o edify_v every_o people_n but_o when_o upon_o trial_n the_o church_n do_v find_v every_o man_n spirit_n among_o they_o desirous_a of_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o man_n and_o his_o gift_n then_o they_o agree_v among_o themselves_o upon_o a_o certain_a day_n wherein_o in_o a_o solemn_a manner_n they_o intend_v to_o elect_a he_o to_o office_n among_o themselves_o of_o this_o they_o give_v notice_n to_o all_o the_o near_a adjoin_a church_n who_o and_o when_o and_o to_o what_o office_n they_o intend_v to_o choose_v such_o a_o man_n who_o they_o nominate_v to_o they_o entreat_v their_o presence_n and_o brotherly_a counsel_n and_o assistance_n at_o the_o day_n appoint_v they_o give_v notice_n also_o thereof_o unto_o the_o governor_n and_o such_o other_o of_o the_o magistrate_n as_o be_v near_o to_o they_o that_o the_o person_n to_o be_v choose_v meeting_n with_o no_o just_a exception_n from_o any_o may_v find_v the_o great_a encouragement_n and_o acceptance_n from_o all_o when_o the_o day_n be_v come_v it_o be_v keep_v as_o a_o day_n of_o humiliation_n with_o fast_v pray_v and_o preach_v the_o word_n according_a to_o the_o pattern_n act._n 14.23_o &_o 13.1_o 2_o 3._o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o day_n one_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n if_o they_o have_v any_o if_o not_o one_o of_o the_o grave_a brethren_n of_o the_o church_n appoint_v by_o themselves_o to_o order_v the_o work_n of_o the_o day_n stand_v up_o and_o inquire_v of_o the_o church_n if_o now_o after_o this_o solemn_a seek_v of_o god_n for_o his_o counsel_n and_o direction_n in_o this_o weighty_a work_n they_o still_o continue_v in_o their_o purpose_n to_o elect_v such_o a_o one_o for_o their_o own_o pastor_n or_o teacher_n or_o rule_v elder_a who_o before_o they_o agree_v upon_o then_o have_v take_v their_o silence_n for_o a_o consent_n to_o their_o purpose_n he_o proceed_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o approbation_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o assembly_n not_o only_o the_o messenger_n and_o brethren_n of_o other_o church_n present_a but_o of_o all_o that_o stand_v by_o because_o and_o elder_n be_v to_o be_v a_o man_n of_o good_a report_n of_o they_o that_o be_v without_o 1_o tim._n 3.7_o how_o much_o more_o well_o approve_v of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n he_o demand_v therefore_o of_o the_o church_n first_o and_o then_o of_o the_o rest_n whether_o any_o of_o they_o have_v know_v of_o any_o evil_n in_o the_o man_n present_v before_o they_o either_o in_o judgement_n or_o practice_n which_o may_v give_v they_o just_a cause_n to_o forbear_v his_o election_n if_o all_o keep_v silence_n as_o usual_o they_o do_v for_o if_o any_o have_v any_o just_a exception_n against_o the_o man_n he_o be_v wont_a to_o acquaint_v some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o church_n with_o it_o before_o the_o day_n he_o turn_v himself_o to_o the_o church_n again_o now_o see_v all_o be_v clear_a for_o their_o free_a election_n of_o he_o to_o such_o a_o office_n he_o desire_v all_o the_o brethren_n of_o that_o church_n to_o declare_v their_o election_n of_o he_o with_o one_o accord_n by_o lift_v up_o their_o hand_n which_o be_v do_v he_o desire_v to_o know_v of_o the_o party_n choose_v whether_o he_o do_v accept_v of_o that_o call_n which_o the_o church_n have_v give_v he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n unto_o that_o office_n he_o have_v express_v his_o acceptance_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o wherein_o he_o have_v chief_o see_v the_o hand_n of_o god_n lead_v he_o thereunto_o the_o elder_a do_v then_o admonish_v the_o church_n what_o duty_n the_o lord_n require_v of_o they_o all_o in_o his_o word_n towards_o he_o who_o they_o have_v thus_o choose_v and_o afterward_o advertise_v he_o what_o duty_n the_o lord_n require_v of_o he_o in_o that_o place_n towards_o the_o church_n and_o have_v take_v the_o acknowledgement_n of_o they_o both_o of_o their_o mutual_a duty_n towards_o one_o another_o he_o then_o with_o the_o presbytery_n of_o that_o church_n if_o they_o have_v any_o if_o not_o two_o or_o three_o other_o of_o the_o grave_a christian_n among_o the_o brethren_n of_o that_o church_n be_v depute_v by_o the_o body_n do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n ordain_v he_o unto_o that_o office_n with_o imposition_n of_o hand_n call_v upon_o the_o lord_n who_o have_v furnish_v he_o with_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o bow_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o church_n to_o call_v he_o to_o that_o office_n to_o accept_v and_o own_v he_o therein_o to_o enlarge_v his_o heart_n and_o spirit_n according_a to_o all_o the_o duty_n thereof_o to_o breath_n in_o all_o his_o administration_n and_o to_o guide_v and_o bless_v all_o his_o go_v out_o and_o come_n in_o before_o they_o and_o so_o turn_v his_o speech_n upon_o the_o person_n on_o who_o their_o hand_n be_v impose_v he_o as_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o presbytery_n express_v their_o ordination_n of_o he_o to_o that_o office_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o put_v a_o solemn_a charge_n upon_o he_o to_o look_v well_o to_o himself_o and_o to_o the_o whole_a flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v he_o a_o overseer_n as_o one_o that_o must_v give_v account_n of_o all_o their_o soul_n unto_o the_o great_a shepherd_n of_o the_o sheep_n at_o the_o day_n of_o his_o appear_v after_o this_o the_o elder_n of_o their_o church_n present_a observe_v the_o presence_n of_o god_n both_o in_o the_o duty_n of_o that_o day_n perform_v by_o the_o officer_n then_o choose_v and_o ordain_v and_o in_o the_o orderly_a proceed_n of_o the_o church_n to_o his_o election_n and_o ordination_n one_o of_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n do_v give_v unto_o he_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o assembly_n testify_v their_o brotherly_a acceptance_n of_o he_o and_o their_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n for_o his_o gracious_a gift_n bestow_v on_o he_o and_o do_v exhort_v he_o in_o the_o lord_n to_o fulfil_v the_o ministry_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v of_o the_o lord_n and_o so_o after_o public_a praise_n give_v to_o god_n by_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n he_o dissolve_v the_o assembly_n with_o a_o blessing_n sect_n v._o for_o our_o call_n of_o deacon_n we_o hold_v it_o not_o necessary_a to_o ordain_v they_o with_o like_a solemnity_n of_o fast_v and_o prayer_n as_o be_v use_v in_o the_o ordination_n of_o elder_n because_o we_o do_v not_o read_v the_o apostle_n give_v any_o precedent_n thereof_o in_o the_o ordination_n of_o the_o first_o deacon_n at_o jerusalem_n act._n 6._o but_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n have_v look_v out_o among_o themselves_o man_n fit_o qualify_v for_o that_o call_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n former_o mention_v and_o have_v make_v some_o proof_n of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n 1_o tim._n 3.10_o the_o elder_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o some_o lord_n day_n or_o other_o public_a holy_a meeting_n do_v ordain_v they_o to_o the_o office_n and_o appoint_v they_o over_o that_o business_n with_o prayer_n and_o imposition_n of_o hand_n sect_n vi_o object_n two_o thing_n be_v here_o demand_v first_o by_o what_o warrant_v the_o people_n choose_v their_o officer_n answ_n from_o the_o precedent_n
of_o the_o apostolical_a church_n in_o the_o choose_n of_o a_o apostle_n the_o voice_n of_o people_n go_v as_o far_o as_o any_o humane_a suffrage_n can_v go_v of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o they_o choose_v two_o and_o present_v they_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o because_o and_o apostle_n be_v immediate_o to_o be_v call_v of_o god_n out_o of_o those_o two_o god_n choose_v one_o act._n 1.15.23.26_o act._n 14.23_o the_o apostle_n be_v say_v to_o have_v ordain_v elder_n by_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n to_o wit_n of_o the_o people_n as_o the_o original_a word_n impli_v and_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o disciple_n be_v direct_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o look_v out_o and_o choose_v seven_o deacon_n act._n 6.3.15_o the_o practice_n of_o succeed_a church_n for_o many_o year_n after_o be_v plain_a from_o cyprian_n word_n lib._n 1._o epist_n 4._o plebs_fw-la maxim_n potestatem_fw-la habet_fw-la vel_fw-la dignos_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la eligendi_fw-la vel_fw-la indignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la object_n 2._o it_o be_v also_o demand_v by_o what_o warrant_n do_v a_o particular_a church_n depute_v such_o who_o be_v not_o presbyter_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o presbyter_n be_v it_o not_o more_o regular_a and_o orderly_a to_o repair_v to_o some_o bishop_n to_o receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o he_o or_o as_o the_o presbyter_n in_o every_o church_n in_o crete_n receive_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o titus_n who_o be_v leave_v in_o crete_n with_o episcopal_a authority_n for_o that_o very_a end_n tit._n 1.5_o or_o rather_o than_o take_v imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o lay-man_n as_o they_o be_v call_v why_o do_v not_o the_o church_n rather_o entreat_v the_o elder_n of_o other_o church_n to_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o their_o own_o presbytery_n by_o the_o presbyter_n of_o other_o church_n ans_fw-fr the_o warrant_n by_o which_o each_o particular_a church_n do_v depute_v some_o of_o their_o own_o body_n though_o not_o presbyter_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o those_o who_o they_o have_v choose_v to_o be_v their_o presbyter_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n which_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o receive_v all_o fullness_n of_o power_n from_o the_o father_n have_v give_v to_o the_o church_n for_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n be_v the_o power_n of_o open_v and_o shut_v bind_v and_o lose_v matth._n 16.19_o and_o this_o be_v give_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n meet_v together_o in_o his_o name_n mat._n 18.18_o whatsoever_o say_v christ_n speak_v of_o the_o church_n you_o shall_v bind_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v bind_v in_o heaven_n and_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v loose_v on_o earth_n shall_v be_v loose_v in_o heaven_n which_o be_v the_o whole_a ministerial_a power_n of_o the_o key_n sect_n vii_o object_n 1._o the_o church_n be_v not_o the_o first_o subject_n and_o receptacle_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a power_n for_o though_o the_o church_n elect_v a_o pastor_n or_o other_o elder_a yet_o the_o office_n of_o a_o pastor_n be_v from_o christ_n eph._n 4.8_o and_o so_o be_v his_o authority_n from_o christ_n also_o and_o if_o he_o have_v neither_o his_o office_n nor_o his_o authority_n from_o the_o church_n how_o can_v he_o be_v ordain_v by_o the_o imposition_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o church_n answ_n 1._o though_o the_o office_n of_o a_o pastor_n in_o general_n be_v immediate_o from_o christ_n and_o the_o authority_n from_o he_o also_o yet_o the_o application_n of_o this_o office_n and_o of_o this_o authority_n to_o this_o elect_a person_n be_v by_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n have_v sufficient_a and_o just_a warrant_n as_o to_o elect_v and_o call_v a_o presbyter_n unto_o office_n so_o to_o ordain_v he_o to_o it_o by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n they_o that_o have_v power_n to_o elect_v a_o king_n have_v power_n also_o to_o depute_v some_o in_o their_o name_n to_o set_v the_o crown_n upon_o his_o head_n answ_n 2._o as_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o other_o elder_n be_v not_o from_o the_o church_n but_o from_o christ_n so_o neither_o be_v their_o office_n and_o authority_n from_o the_o bishop_n nor_o from_o the_o presbytery_n nor_o from_o the_o classis_fw-la of_o presbytery_n if_o therefore_o that_o be_v a_o just_a impediment_n why_o the_o church_n shall_v not_o lay_v hand_n upon_o their_o elect_a pastor_n or_o elder_n because_o neither_o their_o office_n nor_o their_o authority_n be_v from_o the_o church_n than_o neither_o may_v the_o bishop_n nor_o the_o presbytery_n nor_o the_o classis_fw-la lie_v their_o hand_n upon_o they_o because_o their_o office_n and_o authority_n be_v no_o more_o nor_o so_o much_o from_o they_o as_o from_o the_o church_n nor_o by_o this_o argument_n may_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o if_o they_o be_v present_a ordain_v officer_n because_o neither_o the_o office_n nor_o the_o authority_n be_v from_o the_o apostle_n but_o from_o christ_n only_o neither_o will_v it_o follow_v from_o hence_o as_o some_o object_n that_o if_o the_o elder_n receive_v their_o ordination_n from_o the_o church_n than_o they_o shall_v execute_v their_o office_n in_o the_o church_n name_n or_o that_o then_o they_o may_v be_v more_o or_o less_o diligent_a in_o their_o office_n at_o the_o church_n appointment_n or_o that_o then_o the_o church_n have_v a_o lordlike_o power_n over_o they_o or_o that_o then_o the_o elder_n must_v receive_v their_o errand_n from_o the_o church_n as_o a_o ambassador_n do_v from_o he_o from_o who_o he_o receive_v his_o commission_n or_o that_o then_o the_o church_n in_o defect_n of_o all_o officer_n may_v perform_v all_o duty_n of_o their_o officer_n as_o to_o administer_v sacrament_n and_o the_o like_a none_o of_o all_o these_o thing_n will_v follow_v for_o 1._o most_o of_o these_o objection_n do_v strike_v as_o much_o against_o imposition_n of_o hand_n by_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n 2._o though_o the_o elder_n do_v receive_v the_o application_n of_o their_o office_n and_o of_o their_o power_n by_o the_o church_n yet_o not_o from_o the_o church_n or_o if_o from_o the_o church_n ministerial_o only_a as_o instrument_n unto_o christ_n so_o that_o they_o can_v choose_v or_o ordain_v who_o they_o please_v to_o what_o office_n they_o please_v but_o who_o they_o see_v the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v prepare_v and_o fit_v for_o they_o and_o as_o it_o be_v choose_v and_o ordain_v to_o their_o hand_n nor_o may_v they_o enlarge_v or_o straiten_v the_o limit_n of_o his_o office_n who_o they_o do_v elect_v or_o ordain_v but_o as_o the_o lord_n have_v prescribe_v nor_o can_v they_o give_v he_o any_o errand_n but_o only_o a_o charge_n to_o look_v to_o the_o ministry_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o lord_n nor_o have_v they_o any_o more_o lordly_a power_n over_o he_o than_o he_o over_o they_o but_o both_o ministerial_a as_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o lord_n neither_o may_v they_o administer_v sacrament_n in_o defect_n of_o all_o officer_n because_o that_o by_o appointment_n from_o christ_n pertain_v only_o to_o such_o as_o be_v call_v by_o office_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n mat._n 28.19_o 20._o as_o for_o mutual_a instruction_n and_o admission_n election_n and_o ordination_n of_o officer_n open_v of_o the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n by_o admission_n of_o member_n and_o shut_v the_o same_o by_o church-censure_n these_o thing_n they_o may_v do_v if_o need_v be_v without_o officer_n yea_o and_o if_o all_o their_o officer_n be_v find_v culpable_a either_o in_o heretical_a doctrine_n or_o scandalous_a crime_n yet_o the_o church_n have_v lawful_a authority_n to_o proceed_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o they_o all_o for_o they_o that_o as_o a_o church_n may_v admonish_v archippus_n col._n 4.17_o may_v in_o case_n he_o have_v not_o hearken_v to_o their_o admonition_n have_v proceed_v against_o he_o to_o excommunication_n and_o they_o that_o may_v so_o proceed_v against_o one_o of_o their_o officer_n may_v in_o like_a sort_n upon_o like_a ground_n proceed_v against_o they_o all_o which_o they_o can_v not_o do_v if_o the_o church_n do_v receive_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n not_o immediate_o from_o christ_n but_o from_o the_o presbyter_n and_o yet_o in_o such_o case_n our_o church_n be_v never_o wont_a to_o proceed_v but_o in_o the_o presence_n and_o with_o the_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o other_o church_n as_o know_v that_o in_o such_o weighty_a case_n in_o the_o multitude_n of_o counsellor_n there_o be_v safety_n and_o as_o the_o church_n do_v not_o choose_v any_o elder_n but_o in_o the_o presence_n and_o with_o the_o approbation_n of_o other_o church_n so_o neither_o do_v it_o proceed_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o they_o but_o with_o the_o like_a grave_n and_o solemn_a assistance_n object_n 2._o the_o apostle_n receive_v the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n immediate_o from_o christ_n joh._n 20.23_o and_o therefore_o the_o church_n
a_o precise_a quotient_n a_o number_n of_o hundred_o and_o thousand_o be_v not_o limit_v to_o every_o church_n yet_o such_o a_o number_n be_v limit_v as_o fall_v not_o below_o seven_o nor_o rise_v above_o the_o bulk_n of_o one_o congregation_n and_o such_o a_o congregation_n wherein_o all_o may_v meet_v and_o all_o may_v hear_v and_o all_o may_v partake_v and_o all_o may_v be_v edify_v together_o sect_n ii_o they_o that_o desire_v to_o be_v add_v &_o join_v to_o such_o a_o body_n they_o first_o make_v know_v their_o desire_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n who_o take_v trial_n of_o their_o knowledge_n in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n &_o of_o their_o experience_n in_o the_o way_n of_o grace_n and_o of_o their_o godly_a conversation_n among_o man_n that_o if_o any_o of_o they_o be_v find_v ignorant_a and_o graceless_a or_o scandalous_a he_o may_v not_o be_v present_o present_v to_o the_o church_n till_o these_o evil_n be_v remove_v the_o stone_n that_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v in_o solomon_n temple_n be_v square_v and_o make_v ready_a before_o they_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o build_n neither_o iron_n nor_o axe_n nor_o any_o iron_n tool_n be_v hear_v in_o the_o house_n while_o it_o be_v a_o building_n 1_o king_n 6.7_o and_o wherefore_o so_o if_o not_o to_o hold_v forth_o that_o no_o member_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o such_o as_o be_v rough-hewen_a and_o square_v and_o fit_v to_o lie_v close_o and_o level_v to_o christ_n and_o to_o his_o member_n but_o when_o such_o as_o offer_v themselves_o be_v approve_v of_o the_o elder_n they_o be_v propound_v by_o one_o of_o the_o rule_v elder_n to_o the_o church_n with_o a_o motion_n to_o the_o brethren_n to_o make_v inquiry_n after_o they_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v hear_v of_o any_o just_a exception_n against_o they_o to_o give_v notice_n of_o it_o to_o one_o of_o the_o elder_n but_o if_o no_o exception_n be_v hear_v of_o they_o be_v call_v forth_o before_o the_o church_n after_o other_o holy_a duty_n be_v perform_v and_o each_o one_o make_v confession_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o confession_n of_o his_o sin_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o be_v a_o penitent_a confession_n he_o declare_v also_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o his_o soul_n draw_v he_o out_o of_o his_o sinful_a estate_n into_o fellowship_n with_o christ_n in_o the_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n he_o declare_v not_o only_o his_o good_a knowledge_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n but_o also_o his_o profess_a subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n with_o his_o desire_n of_o walk_v therein_o with_o the_o fellowship_n of_o that_o church_n now_o before_o or_o after_o such_o his_o profession_n or_o confession_n those_o of_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v of_o his_o acquaintance_n do_v give_v some_o good_a testimony_n if_o need_v be_v of_o his_o life_n and_o conversation_n either_o according_a to_o their_o own_o knowledge_n of_o he_o or_o according_a to_o the_o credible_a report_n or_o letter_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v concern_v he_o which_o do_v the_o rule_v elder_a or_o one_o of_o the_o preach_a elder_n propound_v it_o to_o the_o church_n whether_o from_o all_o that_o they_o have_v hear_v and_o see_v they_o find_v any_o just_a exception_n against_o he_o if_o so_o it_o be_v clear_v and_o remove_v before_o any_o further_a proceed_n if_o no_o just_a exception_n appear_v the_o rule_v elder_a then_o move_v the_o church_n to_o express_v their_o acceptance_n of_o he_o into_o fellowship_n with_o they_o by_o lift_v up_o their_o hand_n which_o do_v and_o the_o like_a course_n take_v with_o two_o or_o three_o more_o as_o the_o time_n will_v permit_v the_o elder_a propound_v to_o they_o the_o head_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v make_v with_o his_o church_n what_o promise_v of_o grace_n he_o have_v make_v to_o they_o as_o also_o what_o duty_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n he_o do_v require_v of_o they_o as_o to_o take_v the_o lord_n jesus_n for_o their_o only_a priest_n and_o atonement_n their_o only_a prophet_n and_o guide_n their_o only_a king_n and_o lawgiver_n and_o to_o walk_v in_o profess_a subjection_n unto_o all_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n as_o also_o to_o walk_v in_o brotherly_a love_n with_o the_o brethren_n of_o this_o church_n unto_o mutual_a edification_n and_o succour_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o new_a receive_v member_n acknowledge_v this_o to_o be_v their_o duty_n and_o profess_v their_o consent_n unto_o it_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n the_o elder_n do_v further_a acquaint_v they_o with_o what_o duty_n of_o holy_a watchfulness_n over_o they_o they_o may_v expect_v from_o the_o church_n and_o so_o shut_v up_o his_o work_n with_o some_o short_a prayer_n unto_o the_o lord_n who_o keep_v covenant_n and_o mercy_n with_o thousand_o of_o his_o people_n to_o make_v we_o all_o faithful_a to_o he_o and_o one_o to_o another_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o holy_a gospel_n in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o mediator_n and_o surety_n of_o his_o covenant_n between_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n sect_n iii_o now_o what_o offence_n be_v there_o in_o all_o this_o or_o what_o scruple_n may_v arise_v in_o a_o godly_a mind_n against_o these_o thing_n two_o or_o three_o thing_n seem_v herein_o offensive_a but_o be_v not_o first_o that_o we_o require_v gracious_a qualification_n in_o such_o as_o we_o receive_v to_o church-fellowship_n whereas_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v say_v to_o consist_v of_o all_o sort_n good_a and_o bad_a and_o to_o be_v a_o garner_n contain_v chaff_n and_o wheat_n as_o a_o field_n wherein_o wheat_n and_o tare_n grow_v up_o together_o second_o that_o we_o receive_v such_o into_o the_o church_n by_o a_o covenant_n three_o that_o we_o communicate_v too_o much_o power_n unto_o the_o people_n and_o do_v not_o rather_o refer_v all_o power_n in_o this_o case_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o elder_n to_o give_v therefore_o some_o account_n of_o these_o as_o the_o lord_n shall_v assist_v for_o the_o first_o though_o we_o willing_o admit_v all_o comer_n to_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o word_n with_o we_o as_o the_o corinthian_n admit_v infidel_n 1_o cor._n 14.24_o 25._o yet_o we_o receive_v none_o as_o member_n into_o the_o church_n but_o such_o as_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o charitable_a christian_n may_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v receive_v of_o god_n into_o fellowship_n with_o christ_n the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n our_o reason_n be_v first_o from_o the_o near_a relation_n between_o christ_n jesus_n and_o the_o church_n as_o also_o between_o the_o church_n and_o the_o other_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n even_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n jesus_n 1_o cor._n 12.27_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o habitation_n of_o god_n by_o the_o spirit_n eph._n 2.22_o to_o be_v the_o temple_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o dwell_v in_o they_o 1_o cor._n 3.16_o 17._o to_o be_v espouse_v to_o christ_n as_o a_o chaste_a virgin_n 2_o cor._n 11.2_o the_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o son_n and_o daughter_n of_o the_o lord_n god_n almighty_a 2_o cor._n 6.18_o and_o be_v exhort_v to_o be_v follower_n of_o he_o as_o dear_a child_n eph._n 4.1_o now_o how_o can_v the_o visible_a church_n be_v the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n or_o the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n or_o the_o temple_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o the_o son_n and_o daughter_n of_o the_o heavenly_a father_n except_o the_o member_n in_o charitable_a discretion_n be_v as_o indeed_o the_o holy_a ghost_n describe_v they_o to_o be_v saint_n by_o calling_n 1_o cor._n 1.2_o and_o faithful_a brethren_n gal._n 1.2_o and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o external_a profession_n for_o these_o be_v too_o high_a style_n for_o hypocrite_n but_o in_o some_o measure_n of_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n second_o we_o read_v act._n 2.47_o that_o the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o how_o then_o shall_v we_o add_v to_o the_o church_n such_o as_o god_n add_v not_o such_o as_o have_v no_o show_n of_o any_o save_a work_n upon_o they_o to_o any_o spiritual_a discern_v aught_o not_o the_o lord_n steward_n to_o be_v faithful_a in_o god_n house_n and_o to_o do_v nothing_o therein_o but_o as_o they_o see_v the_o lord_n go_v before_o they_o receive_n who_o he_o receive_v and_o refuse_v who_o he_o refuse_v cast_v out_o who_o he_o cast_v out_o do_v not_o the_o apostle_n paul_n upon_o this_o ground_n direct_v the_o roman_n to_o receive_v a_o
some_o public_a offence_n which_o they_o lie_v under_o as_o have_v be_v already_o open_v sure_o though_o this_o three_o reason_n reach_v not_o infant_n yet_o the_o two_o former_a do_v and_o prevent_v as_o their_o parent_n of_o just_a claim_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n so_o they_o of_o due_a right_n of_o baptism_n with_o we_o for_o neither_o have_v we_o power_n over_o they_o neither_o have_v they_o communion_n with_o any_o particular_a church_n be_v dismiss_v from_o the_o church_n where_o they_o be_v baptize_v and_o recommend_v to_o none_o against_o this_o sundry_a thing_n be_v object_v and_o such_o as_o seem_v of_o much_o weight_n as_o 1._o that_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n have_v be_v administer_v to_o some_o who_o be_v no_o member_n of_o any_o visible_a church_n and_o therefore_o why_o not_o to_o the_o child_n of_o non-member_n as_o philip_n baptize_v the_o eunuch_n act_v 8.37_o 38._o and_o peter_n baptize_v cornelius_n and_o his_o household_n act_v 10.47_o 48._o paul_n baptize_v lydia_n and_o her_o household_n the_o gaoler_n and_o his_o household_n act_v 16.15.33_o to_o which_o we_o answer_v three_o thing_n *_o *_o first_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o unlimited_a power_n and_o may_v baptize_v believer_n profess_v the_o faith_n and_o their_o seed_n wheresoever_o they_o come_v but_o the_o power_n of_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n be_v limit_v to_o their_o own_o particular_a visible_a church_n which_o have_v call_v they_o to_o minister_v unto_o they_o *_o *_o second_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n baptize_v any_o but_o such_o as_o either_o be_v member_n of_o some_o visible_a church_n before_o they_o preach_v to_o they_o or_o else_o they_o gather_v they_o into_o a_o visible_a church_n estate_n before_o they_o baptize_v they_o *_o *_o the_o eunuch_n in_o act_n 8._o be_v a_o proselyte_n to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o the_o text_n say_v he_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n for_o to_o worship_n act_v 8.27_o neither_o let_v any_o man_n object_n that_o his_o membership_n at_o jerusalem_n will_v not_o entitle_v he_o to_o baptism_n see_v baptism_n be_v a_o sacrament_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n not_o of_o the_o jewish_a *_o *_o for_o whatsoever_o member_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n as_o believe_v in_o christ_n as_o the_o messiah_n and_o profess_v that_o faith_n he_o be_v capable_a of_o baptism_n for_o such_o they_o be_v who_o john_n baptize_v mat._n 3.6_o and_o christ_n disciple_n joh._n 4.2_o yea_o all_o the_o israelite_n be_v baptize_v in_o the_o cloud_n and_o in_o the_o sea_n in_o the_o day_n of_o moses_n 1_o cor._n 10.2_o *_o *_o as_o for_o lydia_n and_o the_o gaoler_n and_o both_o their_o family_n they_o live_v together_o in_o the_o same_o city_n of_o philippi_n act._n 16.12_o where_o be_v a_o company_n also_o of_o other_o brethren_n ver_fw-la 4._o and_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o doubtless_o be_v when_o he_o preach_v to_o they_o act_v 16._o he_o speak_v of_o they_o as_o a_o church_n know_v you_o philippian_n say_v he_o that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o gospel_n no_o church_n communicate_v with_o i_o as_o concern_v give_v and_o receive_v but_o you_o only_o phil._n 4.15_o which_o evident_o hold_v they_o forth_o as_o a_o church_n at_o that_o time_n and_o that_o paul_n do_v first_o gather_v the_o brethren_n there_o into_o a_o church_n when_o he_o baptize_v lydia_n and_o the_o gaoler_n and_o other_o there_o and_o indeed_o the_o commission_n which_o christ_n give_v his_o apostle_n hold_v it_o forth_o that_o they_o be_v by_o preach_v to_o make_v disciple_n before_o they_o baptize_v they_o and_o their_o child_n mat._n 28.19_o now_o a_o disciple_n as_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n impli_v be_v a_o scholar_n in_o christ_n school_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v direct_v to_o make_v disciple_n before_o they_o do_v baptize_v they_o they_o be_v not_o only_o to_o convert_v they_o to_o the_o faith_n but_o also_o to_o gather_v they_o as_o disciple_n or_o scholar_n into_o a_o school_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o school_n of_o christ_n be_v every_o particular_a visible_a christian_a church_n wherein_o some_o be_v teacher_n some_o be_v disciple_n or_o scholar_n and_o his_o discipline_n be_v exercise_v among_o they_o neither_o be_v it_o credible_a that_o the_o apostle_n will_v baptize_v any_o that_o be_v apply_v to_o they_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n give_v unto_o the_o church_n before_o they_o have_v teach_v they_o the_o covenant_n itself_o and_o enter_v they_o into_o it_o in_o which_o regard_n we_o can_v easy_o think_v that_o when_o peter_n baptize_v cornelius_n and_o his_o family_n he_o do_v only_o perceive_v they_o have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o evident_o profess_v the_o same_o in_o new_a tongue_n act_n 10.45_o 46_o 47._o but_o that_o he_o do_v also_o gather_v they_o into_o one_o body_n direct_v they_o to_o the_o spiritual_a use_n of_o the_o new_o receive_v gift_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n and_o baptize_v they_o into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o of_o one_o another_o in_o his_o name_n three_o we_o answer_v as_o the_o apostle_n be_v transcendent_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n so_o they_o receive_v transcendent_a power_n to_o administer_v their_o work_n as_o the_o father_n send_v christ_n so_o christ_n send_v they_o job_n 20.21_o to_o wit_n cum_fw-la amplitudine_fw-la &_o plenitudine_fw-la potestatis_fw-la with_o all_o fullness_n of_o power_n so_o that_o any_o one_o apostle_n receive_v both_o the_o gift_n and_o power_n of_o all_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n any_o apostle_n may_v do_v the_o work_n not_o only_o of_o a_o apostle_n but_o of_o a_o prophet_n of_o a_o evangelist_n of_o a_o pastor_n of_o a_o teacher_n of_o a_o deacon_n 1.1_o rev._n 1.1_o they_o do_v foretell_v as_o prophet_n thing_n to_o come_v act_v 27.22_o they_o travel_v up_o and_o down_o not_o only_o to_o plant_v church_n but_o to_o water_v church_n as_o evangelist_n act_n 15.41_o they_o as_o pastor_n feed_v the_o flock_n of_o christ_n with_o wholesome_a word_n of_o exhortation_n 2.7_o 1_o tim._n 2.7_o joh._n 21.25_o they_o as_o teacher_n of_o the_o gentile_n as_o paul_n speak_v of_o himself_o teach_v they_o in_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n they_o as_o elder_n rule_v the_o church_n not_o as_o lord_n but_o as_o example_n to_o the_o flock_n and_o as_o deacon_n they_o receive_v the_o oblation_n of_o the_o church_n and_o distribute_v the_o same_o according_a to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o saint_n yea_o 4.35_o act_n 4.35_o though_o when_o the_o apostle_n come_v where_o church_n be_v plant_v they_o do_v put_v forth_o no_o act_n of_o transcendent_a authority_n but_o do_v all_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o in_o the_o absence_n of_o the_o church_n they_o may_v do_v any_o act_n which_o any_o church_n and_o all_o the_o officer_n thereof_o may_v do_v together_o as_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v they_o may_v in_o such_o a_o case_n impose_v hand_n alone_o so_o paul_n may_v set_v apart_o timothy_n to_o some_o special_a office_n 2_o tim._n 1.6_o they_o may_v alone_o deliver_v unto_o satan_n 1_o tim._n 1.20_o they_o alone_o may_v baptize_v in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o presence_n and_o the_o power_n and_o fellowship_n of_o any_o one_o of_o they_o do_v comprehend_v as_o much_o as_o the_o presence_n and_o power_n and_o fellowship_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n together_o *_o *_o their_o act_n therefore_o in_o such_o transcendent_a case_n be_v not_o pattern_n nor_o precedent_n for_o we_o but_o according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o gift_n of_o christ_n we_o be_v to_o move_v in_o our_o own_o line_n and_o to_o act_v only_o as_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n in_o the_o presence_n and_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n 2._o it_o be_v object_v again_o that_o child_n of_o excommunicate_v person_n such_o as_o be_v cast_v out_o be_v not_o hold_v as_o member_n of_o the_o church_n have_v yet_o right_a unto_o baptism_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o well_o do_v of_o we_o to_o deny_v the_o baptism_n of_o the_o child_n of_o such_o as_o be_v not_o member_n that_o child_n of_o excommunicate_v person_n have_v right_a to_o baptism_n they_o prove_v by_o sundry_a argument_n 1._o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o divers_a sort_n of_o member_n some_o be_v member_n not_o actual_o but_o in_o the_o eternal_a counsel_n of_o god_n as_o paul_n before_o his_o conversion_n 2._o some_o be_v member_n only_o in_o show_n and_o appearance_n as_o hypocrite_n which_o be_v as_o wooden_a leg_n fasten_v to_o the_o body_n 3._o some_o be_v lively_a member_n knit_v to_o christ_n by_o faith_n to_o the_o brethren_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o love_n 4._o some_o be_v decay_v member_n which_o though_o they_o belong_v to_o god_n election_n &_o
as_o cyprian_n say_v lib._n 1._o ep._n 4._o maximè_fw-la potestatem_fw-la habet_fw-la dignos_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la eligendi_fw-la then_o as_o he_o say_v there_o also_o potestatem_fw-la etiam_fw-la babet_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la indignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la &_o abdicandi_fw-la on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o elder_n have_v rule_v over_o the_o church_n and_o do_v express_v it_o in_o sundry_a act_n of_o authority_n as_o 1._o in_o call_v the_o church_n together_o upon_o any_o weighty_a occasion_n act_v 6.2_o 2._o in_o open_v the_o door_n of_o speech_n and_o silence_n to_o any_o of_o the_o assembly_n act_v 13.15_o unless_o it_o be_v where_o the_o elder_n themselves_o lie_v under_o offence_n or_o suspicion_n of_o offence_n and_o the_o offend_a party_n may_v begin_v with_o they_o act_v 11.2_o yet_o with_o due_a reverence_n observe_v as_o to_o their_o year_n so_o to_o their_o place_n 1_o tim._n 5.1_o 3._o in_o preach_v the_o word_n the_o elder_n have_v power_n to_o teach_v and_o exhort_v to_o charge_v command_n to_o reprove_v and_o rebuke_v with_o all_o authority_n 1_o tim._n 5.7_o &_o 6.17_o 2_o thes_n 3.6_o tit._n 2.15_o 4._o in_o dispense_n all_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o cause_n for_o though_o they_o take_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n in_o dispense_n a_o censure_n yet_o they_o set_v it_o on_o with_o great_a authority_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n yea_o it_o be_v no_o small_a power_n they_o put_v forth_o in_o direct_v the_o church_n what_o censure_n be_v due_a according_a to_o the_o word_n as_o in_o our_o native_a country_n though_o the_o judge_n dispense_v no_o sentence_n but_o according_a to_o the_o verdict_n of_o the_o jury_n yet_o his_o authority_n be_v great_a both_o in_o direct_v the_o jury_n to_o give_v in_o their_o verdict_n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o in_o pronounce_v sentence_n with_o power_n and_o terror_n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o their_o verdict_n the_o like_a do_v the_o elder_n in_o dispense_n church-censure_n 5._o the_o elder_n have_v power_n to_o dismiss_v the_o church_n and_o that_o with_o a_o blessing_n numb_a 6.23_o to_o 26._o which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o superiority_n heb._n 7.7_o 6._o in_o case_n of_o the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o other_o notorious_a scandal_n commit_v by_o they_o and_o their_o obstinacy_n therein_o the_o elder_n have_v power_n to_o denounce_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n against_o the_o church_n and_o to_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o it_o as_o upon_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o israelite_n moses_n take_v the_o tabernacle_n and_o pitch_v it_o without_o the_o camp_n exod._n 33.7_o and_o paul_n with_o barnabas_n reject_v the_o jew_n for_o their_o blaspemy_n and_o turn_v to_o the_o gentile_n act._n 13.45_o 46._o chapter_n vi._n sect_n i._o we_o come_v now_o to_o that_o last_o part_n of_o our_o order_n which_o stand_v in_o our_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n among_o ourselves_o though_o one_o church_n claim_v no_o power_n either_o of_o ordination_n or_o jurisdiction_n over_o another_o for_o we_o know_v of_o none_o such_o give_v we_o by_o christ_n yet_o we_o maintain_v brotherly_a communion_n one_o with_o another_o so_o far_o as_o we_o may_v also_o help_v forward_o our_o mutual_a communion_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n the_o communion_n of_o saint_n be_v account_v a_o article_n of_o the_o creed_n and_o communion_n of_o church_n be_v but_o a_o branch_n thereof_o seven_o way_n there_o be_v wherein_o we_o exercise_v holy_a communion_n one_o with_o another_o which_o for_o distinction_n and_o memory_n sake_n we_o may_v sum_n up_o in_o so_o many_o short_a name_n first_o by_o way_n of_o participation_n second_o of_o recommendation_n three_o of_o consultation_n fourthly_a of_o congregation_n five_o of_o contribution_n sixthly_a of_o admonition_n seventh_o of_o propagation_n or_o multiplication_n of_o church_n 1._o for_o participation_n we_o have_v occasional_o speak_v of_o it_o before_o it_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o our_o church_n that_o when_o the_o member_n of_o any_o other_o church_n be_v occasion_v to_o rest_n with_o we_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n when_o the_o supper_n come_v to_o be_v administer_v and_o neither_o the_o person_n themselves_o nor_o the_o church_n they_o come_v from_o lie_v under_o any_o public_a offence_n we_o do_v admit_v they_o to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n table_n with_o we_o for_o we_o look_v at_o the_o lord_n supper_n not_o only_o as_o a_o seal_n of_o our_o communion_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n but_o also_o of_o our_o communion_n with_o his_o member_n and_o that_o not_o only_o with_o the_o member_n of_o our_o own_o church_n but_o of_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n sect_n ii_o by_o way_n of_o recommendation_n we_o communicate_v one_o with_o another_o in_o this_o wise_a when_o any_o of_o our_o member_n by_o occasion_n of_o business_n be_v call_v to_o reside_v and_o continue_v for_o any_o time_n in_o another_o town_n we_o give_v he_o letter_n of_o recommendation_n unto_o the_o church_n in_o that_o place_n giving_z testimony_n of_o he_o as_o of_o a_o brother_n approve_v and_o entreat_v they_o to_o receive_v he_o in_o the_o lord_n as_o become_v saint_n unto_o holy_a communion_n with_o they_o and_o to_o watch_v over_o he_o in_o brotherly_a love_n to_o his_o build_n up_o in_o fellowship_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n the_o pattern_n whereof_o we_o take_v from_o paul_n recommendation_n of_o phebe_n a_o deaconesse_n of_o the_o church_n of_o cenchrea_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n rom._n 16.1_o 2._o of_o which_o letter_n he_o make_v mention_n also_o to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n though_o not_o as_o needful_a for_o himself_o but_o for_o other_o 2_o cor._n 3.1_o but_o if_o a_o brother_n have_v necessary_a occasion_n to_o remove_v himself_o and_o his_o family_n for_o all_o together_o unto_o another_o church_n and_o there_o to_o take_v up_o his_o settle_a habitation_n for_o the_o necessary_a employment_n of_o his_o call_n or_o for_o other_o just_a end_n he_o acquaint_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o some_o of_o his_o intimate_a friend_n and_o brethren_n and_o it_o may_v be_v if_o conveniency_n permit_v the_o whole_a church_n with_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o removal_n which_o if_o they_o do_v appear_v to_o they_o to_o be_v just_a and_o weighty_a they_o then_o write_v more_o ample_a letter_n of_o recommendation_n unto_o that_o church_n in_o his_o behalf_n wherein_o they_o do_v recommend_v he_o whole_o to_o their_o charge_n now_o not_o as_o one_o of_o themselves_o but_o as_o one_o of_o they_o to_o who_o they_o do_v resign_v he_o and_o entreat_v they_o to_o receive_v he_o as_o a_o brother_n belove_v in_o the_o lord_n unto_o all_o those_o christian_a liberty_n and_o holy_a duty_n wherein_o they_o be_v wont_v to_o communicate_v with_o their_o own_o member_n unto_o all_o spiritual_a growth_n in_o christ_n jesus_n which_o letter_n because_o they_o do_v so_o full_o recommend_v a_o brother_n unto_o another_o church_n be_v to_o dismiss_v he_o from_o his_o own_o we_o therefore_o for_o distinction_n sake_n call_v they_o letter_n of_o dismission_n which_o indeed_o do_v not_o differ_v from_o the_o other_o but_o that_o the_o former_a recommend_v he_o to_o another_o church_n for_o a_o time_n these_o for_o ever_o the_o brother_n thus_o dismiss_v to_o another_o church_n bring_v his_o letter_n to_o the_o elder_a of_o that_o church_n who_o read_v they_o before_o the_o church_n demand_v the_o church_n consent_n for_o his_o acceptance_n if_o he_o be_v well_o know_v and_o approve_v of_o they_o they_o express_v their_o consent_n either_o by_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n or_o by_o silence_n but_o if_o the_o man_n be_v whole_o unknown_a and_o doubt_v of_o by_o they_o though_o they_o reserve_v due_a honour_n to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n which_o send_v they_o yet_o for_o as_o much_o as_o church_n may_v err_v sometime_o as_o well_o in_o judgement_n of_o person_n as_o of_o doctrine_n hanc_fw-la veniam_fw-la perimusque_fw-la damusque_fw-la vicissim_fw-la we_o take_v liberty_n to_o take_v some_o trial_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o gift_n and_o then_o either_o upon_o his_o just_a approbation_n of_o he_o we_o receive_v he_o or_o if_o we_o see_v just_a occasion_n of_o offence_n in_o he_o we_o return_v he_o with_o the_o cause_n back_o again_o to_o his_o own_o church_n who_o receive_v he_o again_o into_o her_o own_o fellowship_n and_o take_v care_n for_o his_o heal_n for_o we_o look_v at_o our_o church-covenant_n as_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n jer._n 50.51_o and_o therefore_o though_o it_o may_v be_v translate_v or_o resign_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o as_o god_n hand_n shall_v direct_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v reject_v or_o violate_v by_o we_o but_o only_o by_o the_o member_n cut_v off_o himself_o from_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n by_o such_o