with_o the_o dispenser_n of_o the_o word_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o title_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d governor_n ruler_n pastor_n all_o which_o necessary_o imply_v a_o 11._o govern_n power_n which_o have_v be_v large_o prove_v by_o other_o and_o yield_v by_o i_o i_o pass_v over_o chap._n iii_o the_o question_n full_o state_v not_o what_o form_n of_o government_n come_v the_o near_a to_o the_o primitive_a practice_n but_o whether_o any_o be_v absolute_o determine_v several_a thing_n propound_v for_o resolve_v the_o question_n what_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n be_v under_o the_o law_n how_o far_a christian_n be_v bind_v to_o observe_v that_o neither_o the_o necessity_n of_o superiority_n nor_o the_o unlawfulnesse_n can_v be_v prove_v thence_o and_o now_o i_o come_v to_o the_o main_a subject_n of_o the_o present_a controversy_n 1._o which_o be_v acknowledge_v a_o form_n of_o government_n necessary_a and_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n perpetual_a whether_o the_o particular_a form_n whereby_o the_o church_n must_v be_v govern_v be_v determine_v by_o any_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n which_o unalterable_o bind_v all_o christian_n to_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o by_o church_n here_o i_o mean_v not_o a_o particular_a congregation_n but_o such_o a_o society_n which_o comprehend_v in_o it_o many_o of_o these_o lesser_a congregation_n unite_v together_o in_o one_o body_n under_o a_o form_n of_o government_n the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o controversy_n the_o question_n be_v thus_o state_v be_v only_o these_o two_o the_o particular_a officer_n of_o several_a church_n act_v in_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n which_o be_v common_o call_v a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n or_o a_o superior_a order_n above_o the_o stand_a ministry_n have_v the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o ordination_n belong_v to_o it_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a institution_n which_o order_n be_v by_o a_o antonomasia_fw-la call_v episcopacy_n the_o question_n now_o be_v not_o which_o of_o these_o two_o do_v come_v the_o near_a to_o apostolical_a practice_n and_o the_o first_o institution_n which_o have_v hitherto_o be_v the_o controversy_n so_o hot_o debate_v among_o we_o but_o whether_o either_o of_o these_o two_o form_n be_v so_o settle_v by_o a_o jus_o divinum_fw-la that_o be_v be_v so_o determine_v by_o a_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n that_o all_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v bind_v to_o observe_v that_o one_o form_n so_o determine_v without_o variation_n from_o it_o or_o whether_o christ_n have_v not_o in_o settle_v of_o his_o church_n provide_v there_o be_v some_o form_n of_o government_n and_o a_o settle_a ministry_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o prudence_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n consist_v of_o many_o congregation_n to_o agree_v upon_o its_o own_o form_n which_o it_o judgd_v most_o conduce_v to_o the_o end_n of_o government_n in_o that_o particular_a church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o now_o we_o fix_v ourselves_o and_o the_o first_o thing_n we_o do_v be_v to_o agree_v upon_o our_o way_n of_o resolution_n of_o this_o question_n whereby_o to_o come_v to_o a_o end_n of_o this_o debate_n and_o the_o most_o probable_a way_n to_o come_v to_o a_o issue_n in_o it_o be_v to_o go_v through_o all_o the_o way_n whereon_o man_n do_v fix_v a_o unalterable_a divine_a right_n and_o to_o see_v whether_o any_o of_o these_o do_v evince_v a_o divine_a right_o settle_v upon_o a_o positive_a law_n or_o no_o for_o one_o of_o these_o form_n the_o plea_n then_o for_o such_o a_o divine_a right_n be_v these_o either_o some_o formal_a law_n stand_v in_o force_n under_o the_o gospel_n or_o some_o plain_a institution_n of_o a_o new_a law_n by_o christ_n in_o form_v his_o church_n or_o the_o obligatory_a nature_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n or_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n to_o which_o we_o shall_v add_v by_o way_n of_o appendix_n the_o judgement_n of_o the_o chief_a divine_n and_o church_n since_o the_o reformation_n if_o we_o go_v happy_o through_o these_o we_o may_v content_v ourselves_o with_o have_v obtain_v the_o thing_n we_o aim_v at_o the_o first_o inquiry_n than_o be_v whether_o any_o formal_a law_n of_o god_n 2._o concern_v a_o form_n of_o government_n for_o his_o church_n either_o by_o person_n act_v in_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n or_o subordination_n of_o one_o order_n to_o another_o under_o the_o gospel_n do_v remain_v in_o force_n or_o no_o bind_v christian_n to_o the_o observe_v of_o it_o the_o reason_n why_o i_o begin_v with_o this_o be_v because_o i_o observe_v the_o disputant_n on_o both_o side_n make_v use_v of_o the_o pattern_n under_o the_o law_n to_o establish_v their_o form_n by_o episc._n those_o who_o be_v for_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o another_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n derive_v common_o their_o first_o argument_n from_o the_o pattern_n under_o the_o law_n omnes_fw-la those_o who_o be_v for_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n in_o the_o person_n act_v in_o government_n yet_o be_v for_o a_o subordination_n of_o court_n they_o bring_v their_o first_o argument_n for_o that_o from_o the_o jewish_a pattern_n so_o that_o these_o latter_a be_v bind_v by_o their_o own_o argument_n though_o use_v in_o another_o case_n to_o be_v rule_v in_o this_o controversy_n by_o the_o jewish_a pattern_n for_o why_o shall_v it_o be_v more_o obligatory_a as_o to_o subordination_n of_o court_n then_o as_o to_o the_o superiority_n of_o order_n if_o it_o hold_v in_o one_o case_n it_o must_v in_o the_o other_o and_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o law_n for_o superiority_n stand_v unrepealed_a there_o need_v no_o new_a law_n to_o enforce_v it_o under_o the_o gospel_n we_o shall_v therefore_o first_o inquire_v what_o foundation_n there_o be_v for_o either_o form_n in_o that_o pattern_n and_o how_o far_o the_o argument_n draw_v from_o thence_o be_v obligatory_a to_o we_o now_o for_o the_o practice_n then_o in_o the_o jewish_a church_n that_o there_o be_v no_o universal_a equality_n in_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n which_o god_n single_v out_o from_o the_o rest_n for_o his_o own_o service_n be_v obvious_a in_o scripture_n for_o there_o we_o find_v priest_n above_o the_o levite_n the_o family_n of_o aaron_n be_v choose_v out_o from_o the_o other_o family_n of_o cohath_n one_o of_o the_o three_o son_n of_o levi_n to_o be_v employ_v in_o a_o near_a attendance_n upon_o god_n service_n then_o any_o of_o the_o other_o family_n and_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o among_o both_o priest_n and_o levite_n there_o be_v a_o superiority_n for_o god_n place_v eleazar_n over_o the_o priest_n 35._o elizaphan_n over_o the_o cohathite_n eliasaph_n over_o the_o gershonite_n zuriel_n over_o the_o merarite_n and_o these_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o ruler_n over_o their_o several_a family_n for_o it_o be_v say_v of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o be_v ruler_n over_o the_o house_n of_o his_o father_n neither_o be_v these_o equal_a for_o over_o 19_o eliasaph_n and_o zuriel_n god_n place_v ithamar_n over_o elisaphan_n and_o his_o own_o family_n god_n set_v eleazar_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o authority_n over_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o ruler_n of_o the_o ruler_n of_o levi_n and_o beside_o these_o there_o be_v under_o these_o ruler_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o chief_a father_n of_o the_o several_a distinct_a family_n as_o they_o be_v call_v exodus_fw-la 6._o 25._o thus_o we_o brief_o see_v the_o subordination_n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n the_o levite_n first_o over_o they_o the_o head_n of_o the_o family_n over_o they_o the_o ruler_n or_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o head_n over_o they_o ithamar_n over_o both_o priest_n and_o levite_n eleazar_n over_o all_o aaron_n the_o high_a priest_n there_o be_v then_o so_o manifest_a a_o inequality_n among_o they_o 3._o proceed_v we_o to_o show_v how_o obligatory_a this_o be_v under_o the_o gospel_n for_o that_o end_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o consider_v whether_o this_o imparity_n and_o superiority_n be_v peculiar_o appoint_v by_o god_n for_o the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n as_o it_o consist_v of_o person_n to_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n or_o it_o be_v only_o such_o a_o inequality_n and_o superiority_n as_o be_v in_o any_o other_o tribe_n if_o only_o common_a with_o other_o tribe_n nothing_o can_v be_v infer_v from_o thence_o peculiar_a to_o ecclesiastical_a government_n under_o the_o gospel_n any_o more_o than_o from_o the_o government_n of_o other_o tribe_n to_o the_o same_o kind_n of_o government_n in_o all_o civil_a state_n we_o must_v then_o take_v notice_n that_o levi_n be_v a_o particular_a distinct_a tribe_n of_o itself_o and_o
coactive_a nor_o mere_o arbitrary_a viz._n such_o a_o one_o as_o immediate_o result_v from_o divine_a institution_n and_o do_v suppose_v consent_n to_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o a_o necessary_a duty_n in_o all_o the_o member_n of_o this_o society_n this_o power_n it_o be_v evident_a be_v not_o mere_o arbitrary_a either_o in_o 6._o the_o governor_n or_o member_n for_o the_o governor_n derive_v their_o power_n or_o right_n of_o govern_v from_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o his_o law_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o and_o the_o member_n though_o their_o consent_n be_v necessary_o suppose_v yet_o that_o consent_n be_v a_o duty_n in_o they_o and_o that_o duty_n do_v imply_v their_o submission_n to_o the_o ruler_n of_o this_o society_n neither_o can_v this_o power_n be_v call_v coactive_a in_o the_o â—ense_n it_o be_v common_o take_v for_o coactive_a power_n and_o external_a force_n be_v necessary_a correlate_n to_o each_o other_o but_o we_o suppose_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o power_n of_o outward_a force_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o church_n as_o such_o for_o that_o proper_o belong_v to_o a_o commonwealth_n but_o the_o power_n which_o i_o suppose_v to_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o church_n be_v such_o a_o power_n as_o depend_v upon_o a_o law_n of_o a_o superior_a give_v right_a to_o govern_v to_o particular_a person_n over_o such_o a_o society_n and_o make_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o member_n of_o it_o to_o submit_v unto_o it_o upon_o no_o other_o penalty_n than_o the_o exclusion_n of_o they_o from_o the_o privilege_n which_o that_o society_n enjoy_v so_o that_o suppose_v such_o a_o society_n as_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v officer_n to_o rule_v it_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o those_o officer_n must_v derive_v their_o power_n i._n e._n their_o right_n of_o govern_v this_o society_n not_o mere_o from_o consent_n and_o confederation_n of_o party_n but_o from_o that_o divine_a institution_n on_o which_o the_o society_n depend_v the_o â—â—ht_n of_o understand_v the_o right_a notion_n of_o power_n in_o the_o sense_n here_o â—â—â—_o down_o be_v certain_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o erastianism_n and_o that_o which_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o so_o many_o to_o question_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o power_n in_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o the_o more_o zealous_a than_o judicious_a defender_n of_o it_o have_v rather_o choose_v to_o hang_v it_o upon_o some_o doubtful_a place_n of_o scripture_n then_o on_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o a_o society_n institute_v by_o jesus_n christ._n 7._o this_o be_v then_o the_o nature_n of_o power_n in_o general_n it_o be_v i_o suppose_v clear_a that_o a_o outward_a coactive_a force_n be_v not_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o it_o for_o if_o some_o may_v have_v a_o right_a to_o govern_v and_o other_o may_v be_v oblige_v to_o obedience_n to_o those_o person_n antecedent_o to_o any_o civil_a constitution_n then_o such_o person_n have_v a_o just_a power_n to_o inflict_v censure_n upon_o such_o as_o transgress_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o society_n without_o any_o outward_a force_n it_o be_v here_o very_o impertinent_a to_o dispute_v what_o effect_n such_o censure_n can_v have_v upon_o wilful_a person_n without_o a_o coactive_a power_n if_o i_o can_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o right_a to_o inflict_v they_o in_o church-officer_n and_o a_o obligation_n to_o submit_v to_o they_o in_o all_o offender_n i_o be_o not_o to_o trouble_v myself_o with_o the_o event_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o depend_v upon_o divine_a institution_n i_o know_v it_o be_v the_o great_a objection_n of_o the_o follower_n of_o erastus_n that_o church_n censure_n be_v inflict_v upon_o person_n unwilling_a to_o receive_v they_o and_o therefore_o must_v imply_v external_a and_o coactive_a force_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o church_n but_o this_o admit_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n here_o establish_v of_o a_o very_a easy_a solution_n for_o i_o deny_v not_o that_o church_n power_n go_v upon_o consent_n but_o then_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a here_o be_v a_o antecedent_n consent_n to_o submit_v to_o censure_n in_o the_o very_a entrance_n into_o this_o society_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o denominate_v it_o a_o voluntary_a act_n of_o the_o person_n undergo_a it_n and_o my_o reason_n be_v this_o every_o person_n enter_v into_o a_o society_n part_n with_o his_o own_o freedom_n and_o liberty_n as_o to_o matter_n concern_v the_o govern_n of_o it_o and_o profess_v submission_n to_o the_o rule_n and_o order_n of_o it_o now_o a_o man_n have_v part_v with_o his_o freedom_n already_o can_v reassume_v it_o when_o he_o please_v for_o then_o he_o be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o stand_v to_o the_o covenant_n make_v at_o his_o entrance_n and_o consequent_o his_o undergo_n what_o shall_v be_v lay_v upon_o he_o by_o the_o law_n of_o this_o society_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v voluntary_a as_o depend_v upon_o his_o consent_n at_o first_o entrance_n which_o in_o all_o society_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o hold_v still_o else_o there_o will_v follow_v nothing_o but_o confusion_n in_o all_o society_n in_o the_o world_n if_o every_o man_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o break_v his_o covenant_n when_o any_o thing_n come_v to_o lie_v upon_o he_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o society_n which_o he_o out_o of_o some_o private_a design_n will_v be_v unwilling_a to_o undergo_v thus_o much_o may_v serve_v to_o settle_v aright_o the_o notion_n of_o power_n the_o want_n of_o understanding_n which_o have_v cause_v all_o the_o confusion_n of_o this_o controversy_n the_o next_o thing_n be_v in_o what_o notion_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o 8._o church_n which_o be_v make_v the_o subject_n of_o this_o power_n as_o to_o which_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v this_o power_n either_o as_o to_o its_o right_n or_o in_o actu_fw-la primo_fw-la or_o as_o to_o its_o exercise_n or_o in_o actu_fw-la secundo_fw-la now_o if_o we_o take_v this_o power_n as_o to_o the_o fundamental_a right_n of_o it_o than_o it_o belong_v to_o that_o universal_a church_n of_o christ_n which_o subsist_v as_o a_o visible_a society_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o law_n of_o christ_n which_o make_v a_o own_n the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n the_o duty_n of_o all_o church_n member_n if_o we_o consider_v this_o power_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o than_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o universal_a church_n shall_v perform_v the_o executive_a part_n of_o this_o power_n relate_v to_o offence_n i_o suppose_v it_o lodge_v in_o that_o particular_a society_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v unite_v together_o in_o one_o body_n in_o the_o community_n of_o the_o sâ—me_a government_n but_o yet_o so_o as_o that_o the_o administration_n of_o this_o power_n do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o society_n consider_v complex_o but_o to_o those_o officer_n in_o it_o who_o care_n and_o charge_v it_o be_v to_o have_v a_o peculiar_a oversight_n and_o inspection_n over_o the_o church_n and_o to_o redress_v all_o disorder_n in_o it_o thus_o the_o visive_a faculty_n be_v fundamental_o lodge_v in_o the_o soul_n yet_o all_o exterior_a act_n of_o sight_n be_v perform_v by_o the_o eye_n which_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d overseer_n of_o the_o body_n as_o the_o other_o be_v of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o exercise_n and_o administration_n of_o this_o power_n belong_v to_o the_o special_a officer_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n none_o else_o be_v capable_a of_o exercise_v this_o power_n of_o the_o church_n as_o such_o but_o they_o on_o who_o it_o be_v settle_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v self_n this_o society_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v again_o consider_v either_o 9_o as_o subsist_v without_o any_o influence_n from_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o as_o it_o be_v own_v by_o and_o incorporate_v into_o a_o christian_a state_n i_o therefore_o demand_v whether_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o subsistence_n of_o this_o christian_a society_n to_o be_v uphold_v by_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o no_o and_o certain_o none_o who_o consider_v the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n can_v give_v any_o entertainment_n to_o the_o affirmative_a because_o then_o the_o church_n flourish_v in_o its_o great_a purity_n not_o only_o when_o not_o uphold_v but_o when_o most_o violent_o oppose_v by_o the_o civil_a power_n if_o so_o then_o it_o be_v be_v unite_v with_o the_o civil_a state_n be_v only_o accidental_a as_o to_o the_o constitution_n a_o church_n and_o if_o this_o be_v only_o accidental_a than_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v furnish_v with_o every_o thing_n requisite_a to_o it_o be_v well_o order_v accidental_o to_o
foreign_a church_n calvin_n and_o beza_n both_o approve_v episcopacy_n and_o diocesan_n church_n salmatius_n etc._n etc._n 3_o those_o who_o judge_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v the_o primitive_a form_n yet_o look_v not_o on_o it_o as_o necessary_a bishop_n jewel_n fulk_n field_n bishop_n downam_n bishop_n bancroft_n bishop_n morton_n bishop_n andrews_n saravia_n francis_n mason_n and_o other_o the_o conclusion_n hence_o lay_v in_o order_n to_o peace_n principle_n conduce_v thereto_o 1._o prudence_n must_v be_v use_v in_o church-government_n at_o last_o confess_v by_o all_o party_n independent_o in_o elective_a synod_n and_o church_n covenant_n admission_n of_o member_n number_n in_o congregation_n presbyterian_o in_o class_n and_o synod_n lay-elder_n etc._n etc._n episcopal_a in_o diocese_n cause_n rite_n etc._n etc._n 2._o that_o prudence_n best_o which_o come_v near_a primitive_a practice_n a_o presidency_n for_o life_n over_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n show_v to_o be_v that_o form_n in_o order_n to_o it_o presbytery_n to_o be_v restore_v diocese_n lessen_v provincial_n synod_n keep_v twice_o a_o year_n the_o reasonableness_n and_o easiness_n of_o accommodation_n show_v the_o whole_a conclude_v p._n 383._o 384._o a_o weapon-salve_n for_o the_o church_n wound_n or_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n discuss_v and_o examine_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o reform_a divine_n part_n i._n chap._n i._n thing_n necessary_a for_o the_o church_n peace_n must_v be_v clear_o reveal_v the_o form_n of_o church-government_n not_o so_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o remain_a controversy_n about_o it_o a_o evidence_n thence_o that_o christ_n never_o intend_v any_o one_o form_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n to_o peace_n in_o the_o church_n the_o nature_n of_o a_o divine_a right_o discuss_v right_o in_o general_a either_o make_v thing_n lawful_a or_o else_o due_a for_o the_o former_a a_o non-prohibition_n sufficient_a the_o late_a a_o express_a command_n duty_n suppose_v legislation_n and_o promulgation_n the_o question_n state_v nothing_o bind_v unalterable_o but_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o stand_a law_n and_o that_o twofold_a the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n three_o way_n to_o know_v when_o positive_a law_n be_v unalterable_a the_o divine_a right_o arise_v from_o scripture-example_n divine_a act_n and_o divine_a approbation_n consider_v he_o that_o impose_v any_o matter_n of_o opinion_n upon_o the_o 1._o belief_n of_o other_o without_o give_v evidence_n of_o reason_n for_o it_o proportionable_a to_o the_o confidence_n of_o his_o assertion_n must_v either_o suppose_v the_o thing_n propound_v to_o carry_v such_o unquestionable_a credential_n of_o truth_n and_o reason_n with_o it_o that_o none_o who_o know_v what_o they_o mean_v can_v deny_v it_o entertainment_n or_o else_o that_o his_o own_o understanding_n have_v attain_v to_o so_o great_a perfection_n as_o to_o have_v authority_n sufficient_a to_o oblige_v all_o other_o to_o follow_v it_o this_o latter_a can_v be_v presume_v among_o any_o who_o have_v assert_v the_o freedom_n of_o their_o own_o understanding_n from_o the_o dictate_v of_o a_o infallible_a chair_n but_o if_o any_o shall_v forget_v themselves_o so_o far_o as_o to_o think_v so_o there_o need_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o prove_v they_o not_o to_o be_v infallible_a in_o their_o assertion_n than_o this_o one_o assertion_n that_o they_o be_v infallible_a it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v actual_o deceive_v who_o know_v so_o little_a the_o measure_n of_o their_o own_o understanding_n the_o former_a can_v never_o be_v pretend_v in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o controversy_n among_o man_n who_o have_v not_o whole_o forget_v they_o be_v reasonable_a creature_n by_o their_o bring_v probable_a argument_n for_o the_o maintain_v one_o part_n of_o a_o opinion_n as_o well_o as_o another_o in_o which_o case_n though_o the_o argument_n bring_v be_v not_o convince_a for_o the_o necessary_a entertain_v either_o part_n to_o a_o unbiased_a understanding_n yet_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o opinion_n be_v argument_n sufficient_a that_o the_o thing_n contend_v for_o be_v not_o so_o clear_a as_o both_o party_n will_v make_v it_o to_o be_v on_o their_o own_o side_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n of_o necessity_n to_o salvation_n it_o give_v man_n ground_n to_o think_v that_o a_o final_a decision_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o controversy_n be_v never_o intend_v as_o a_o necessary_a mean_n for_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n for_o we_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n imagine_v that_o our_o supreme_a law_n giver_n and_o saviour_n who_o have_v make_v it_o a_o necessary_a duty_n in_o all_o true_a member_n of_o his_o church_n to_o endeavour_v after_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o it_o shall_v suspend_v the_o performance_n of_o that_o duty_n upon_o a_o matter_n of_o opinion_n which_o when_o man_n have_v use_v their_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o satisfy_v themselves_o about_o they_o yet_o find_v that_o those_o very_a ground_n which_o they_o be_v most_o inclinable_a to_o build_v their_o judgement_n upon_o be_v either_o whole_o reject_v by_o other_o as_o wise_a and_o able_a as_o themselves_o or_o else_o it_o may_v be_v they_o erect_v a_o far_o different_a fabric_n upon_o the_o very_a same_o foundation_n it_o be_v no_o way_n consistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n in_o sound_v his_o church_n and_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o to_o leave_v it_o at_o the_o mercy_n of_o man_n private_a judgement_n and_o apprehension_n of_o thing_n than_o which_o nothing_o more_o uncertain_a and_o thereby_o make_v it_o to_o depend_v upon_o a_o condition_n never_o like_v to_o be_v attain_v in_o this_o world_n which_o be_v the_o agreement_n and_o uniformity_n of_o man_n opinion_n for_o as_o long_o as_o man_n face_n differ_v their_o judgement_n will_n and_o until_o there_o be_v a_o intellectus_fw-la averroisticus_fw-la the_o same_o understanding_n in_o all_o person_n we_o have_v little_a ground_n to_o hope_v for_o such_o a_o universal_a harmony_n in_o the_o intellectual_a world_n and_o yet_o even_o then_o the_o soul_n may_v pass_v a_o different_a judgement_n upon_o the_o colour_n of_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o different_a tincture_n of_o the_o several_a optick-glass_n in_o particular_a body_n which_o it_o take_v a_o prospect_n of_o thing_n through_o reason_n and_o experience_n then_o give_v we_o little_a hope_n of_o any_o peace_n in_o the_o church_n if_o the_o unity_n of_o man_n judgement_n be_v suppose_v the_o condition_n of_o it_o the_o next_o inquiry_n than_o be_v how_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v attain_v or_o preserve_v when_o man_n be_v under_o such_o different_a persuasion_n especial_o if_o they_o respect_v the_o mean_n in_o order_n to_o a_o peace_n and_o settlement_n for_o the_o way_n to_o peace_n like_o the_o fertile_a soil_n of_o greece_n have_v be_v ofttimes_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o great_a quarrel_n and_o no_o sickness_n be_v so_o dangerous_a as_o that_o when_o man_n be_v sick_a of_o their_o remedy_n and_o nauseate_a that_o most_o which_o tend_v to_o their_o recovery_n but_o while_o physician_n quarrel_n about_o the_o method_n of_o cure_n the_o patient_n languish_v under_o their_o hand_n and_o when_o man_n increase_v contention_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o peace_n while_o they_o seem_v to_o court_v it_o they_o destroy_v it_o the_o only_a way_n leave_v for_o the_o church_n settlement_n and_o peace_n under_o such_o variety_n of_o apprehension_n concern_v the_o mean_n and_o method_n in_o order_n to_o it_o be_v to_o pitch_v upon_o such_o a_o foundation_n if_o possible_a to_o be_v find_v out_o whereon_o the_o different_a party_n retain_v their_o private_a apprehension_n may_v yet_o be_v agree_v to_o carry_v on_o the_o same_o work_n in_o common_a in_o order_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o can_v be_v by_o leave_v all_o absolute_o to_o follow_v their_o own_o way_n for_o that_o be_v to_o build_v a_o babel_n instead_o of_o salem_n confusion_n instead_o of_o peace_n it_o must_v be_v then_o by_o convince_a man_n that_o neither_o of_o those_o way_n to_o peace_n and_o order_n which_o they_o contend_v about_o be_v necessary_a by_o way_n of_o divine_a command_n though_o some_o be_v as_o a_o mean_n to_o a_o end_n but_o which_o particular_a way_n or_o form_v it_o must_v be_v be_v whole_o leave_v to_o the_o prudence_n of_o those_o in_o who_o power_n and_o trust_v it_o be_v to_o see_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n be_v secure_v on_o last_a foundation_n how_o near_o this_o concern_v the_o present_a debate_n about_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n any_o one_o
divide_v and_o separate_v from_o church-society_n so_o it_o be_v a_o offence_n on_o the_o other_o side_n to_o continue_v communion_n when_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n to_o withdraw_v it_o for_o the_o resolve_v this_o knotty_a and_o intricate_a question_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o some_o thing_n by_o way_n of_o premisall_n and_o come_v close_o to_o the_o resolution_n of_o it_o first_o every_o christian_n be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o join_v in_o church-society_n with_o other_o because_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o profess_v himself_o a_o christian_n and_o to_o own_o his_o religion_n public_o and_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o ordinance_n and_o sacrament_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o can_v be_v without_o society_n with_o some_o church_n or_o other_o every_o christian_a as_o such_o be_v bind_v to_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o the_o member_n of_o a_o body_n viz._n the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o can_v he_o be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o member_n who_o be_v not_o unite_v with_o other_o part_n of_o the_o body_n there_o be_v then_o a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o christianâ—_n to_o engage_v in_o a_o religious_a society_n with_o other_o for_o partake_v of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o have_v be_v a_o case_n dispute_v by_o some_o particular_o by_o grotius_n the_o suppose_a author_n of_o a_o little_a tract_n a_o semper_fw-la sit_fw-la communicandum_fw-la per_fw-la symbolu_fw-la when_o he_o design_v the_o syncretism_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n whether_o in_o a_o time_n when_o church_n be_v divide_v it_o be_v a_o christian_n duty_n to_o communicate_v with_o any_o of_o those_o party_n which_o divide_v the_o church_n and_o not_o rather_o to_o suspend_v communion_n from_o all_o of_o they_o a_o case_n not_o hard_a to_o be_v decide_v for_o either_o the_o person_n question_v it_o do_v suppose_v the_o church_n divide_v to_o remain_v true_a church_n but_o some_o to_o be_v more_o pure_a than_o other_o in_o which_o case_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o general_a obligation_n to_o communion_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o adhere_v to_o that_o church_n which_o appear_v most_o to_o retain_v its_o evangelicall_n purity_n or_o else_o he_o must_v suppose_v one_o to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o the_o other_o not_o in_o which_o the_o case_n be_v clear_a that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o communicate_v with_o the_o true_a church_n or_o he_o must_v judge_v they_o alike_o impure_a which_o be_v a_o case_n hard_a to_o be_v find_v but_o suppose_v it_o be_v so_o either_o he_o have_v join_v former_o with_o one_o of_o they_o or_o he_o be_v now_o to_o choose_v which_o to_o join_v with_o if_o he_o be_v join_v already_o with_o that_o church_n and_o see_v no_o other_o but_o as_o impure_a as_o that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o declare_v against_o the_o impurity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o continue_v his_o communion_n with_o it_o if_o he_o be_v to_o choose_v communion_n he_o may_v so_o long_o suspend_v till_o he_o be_v satisfy_v which_o church_n come_v near_a to_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n and_o no_o long_o and_o therefore_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o chrysostom_n act_n be_v to_o be_v commend_v who_o after_o be_v make_v a_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n by_o meletius_n upon_o his_o death_n because_o flavianus_n come_v in_o irregular_o as_o bishop_n of_o the_o 3._o church_n will_v neither_o communicate_v with_o he_o nor_o with_o paulinus_n another_o bishop_n at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o city_n nor_o with_o the_o meletian_o but_o for_o three_o year_n time_n withdraw_v himself_o from_o communion_n with_o any_o of_o they_o much_o less_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o haesitantes_fw-la as_o the_o latin_n call_v they_o to_o be_v commend_v who_o after_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedou_n against_o entyches_n because_o of_o great_a difference_n remain_v 4_o in_o egypt_n and_o the_o eastern_a church_n follow_v zenoes_n henoticum_fw-la and_o will_v communicate_v neither_o with_o the_o orthodox_n church_n nor_o eutychian_o but_o i_o see_v not_o what_o censure_n jâ—â—ome_v can_v in_o â—urr_n who_o go_v into_o the_o diocese_n of_o antioeh_n and_o find_v the_o church_n there_o under_o great_a division_n there_o be_v beside_o the_o arian_n bishop_n three_z other_o in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n meletius_n paulinus_n and_o vitalis_n do_v so_o long_o suspend_v communion_n with_o any_o of_o they_o till_o he_o have_v satisfy_v himself_o about_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o schism_n and_o the_o innocency_n of_o the_o person_n and_o church_n engage_v in_o it_o but_o if_o he_o have_v withdraw_v long_o he_o have_v offend_v against_o his_o obligation_n to_o join_v in_o church-society_n with_o other_o for_o participation_n of_o gospel-ordinance_n which_o be_v the_o necessary_a duty_n of_o every_o christian._n second_o every_o christian_a actual_o join_v in_o church-society_n 4._o with_o other_o be_v so_o long_o bind_v to_o maintain_v society_n with_o they_o till_o his_o communion_n with_o they_o become_v sin_n for_o nothing_o else_o can_v justify_v withdraw_v from_o such_o a_o society_n but_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o continue_v any_o long_o in_o it_o suppose_v a_o church_n then_o to_o remain_v true_a as_o to_o its_o constitution_n and_o essential_o but_o there_o be_v many_o corruption_n creep_v into_o that_o church_n whether_o be_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_n to_o withdraw_v from_o that_o church_n because_o of_o those_o corruption_n and_o to_o gather_v new_a church_n only_o for_o pure_a administration_n or_o to_o join_v with_o they_o only_o for_o that_o end_n this_o as_o far_o as_o i_o understand_v it_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o our_o parochial_a church_n and_o the_o congregationall_a the_o resolution_n of_o this_o great_a question_n must_v depend_v on_o this_o whether_o be_v it_o a_o sin_n to_o communicate_v with_o church_n true_a as_o to_o essentials_n but_o suppose_v corrupt_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n for_o parochial_a church_n be_v not_o deny_v to_o have_v the_o essentials_n of_o true_a church_n by_o any_o sober_a congregational_a man_n for_o there_o be_v in_o they_o the_o true_a word_n of_o god_n preach_v the_o true_a sacrament_n administer_v and_o a_o implicit_a covenant_n between_o pastor_n and_o people_n in_o their_o join_v together_o all_o that_o be_v plead_v then_o be_v corruption_n and_o defect_n in_o the_o exercise_n and_o administration_n of_o church_n order_n and_o discipline_n now_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o christian_n to_o join_v with_o church_n so_o defective_a be_v not_o only_o acknowledge_v by_o reverend_a mr._n norton_n in_o his_o answer_n to_o apollius_n but_o large_o and_o full_o prove_v for_o 16._o which_o he_o lay_v down_o five_o proposition_n which_o deserve_v to_o be_v serious_o consider_v by_o all_o which_o make_v that_o a_o plea_n for_o withdraw_v from_o society_n with_o other_o church_n first_o a_o believer_n may_v lawful_o join_v himself_o in_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n where_o he_o can_v enjoy_v all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n aâ—_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n which_o refuse_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n and_o yet_o our_o saviour_n bid_v we_o hear_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n sit_v in_o moses_n chair_n which_o hear_v say_v he_o do_v imply_v conjunctionem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la judaicae_n a_o join_n with_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o so_o with_o church_n reject_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n in_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n the_o doctrine_n of_o ju_n 〈…〉_z ion_n by_o faith_n but_o the_o apostle_n nowhere_o require_v separation_n on_o that_o account_n from_o they_o second_o a_o believer_n may_v lawful_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n in_o which_o some_o corruption_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v tolerate_v without_o reformation_n as_o the_o offering_n on_o high-place_n from_o solomon_n to_o hezâ—kiah_n in_o the_o church_n of_o juda_n observation_n of_o circumcision_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o keep_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o galaâ—ia_n three_o a_o believer_n may_v lawful_o join_v himself_o in_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n in_o which_o such_o be_v admit_v to_o sacrament_n who_o give_v no_o evident_a sign_n of_o grace_n but_o seem_v to_o be_v lover_n of_o this_o world_n which_o he_o prove_v because_o it_o be_v every_o one_o main_a duty_n to_o examine_v himself_o and_o because_o another_o sin_n be_v no_o hurt_n to_o he_o and_o therefore_o can_v keep_v he_o from_o his_o duty_n and_o then_o by_o man_n come_v unworthy_o non_fw-la polluitur_fw-la communio_fw-la licet_fw-la minuitur_fw-la consolatio_fw-la the_o communion_n iâ—_n not_o defile_v though_o the_o comfort_n of_o it_o be_v diminish_v he_o bring_v instance_n from_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n among_o who_o be_v many_o
and_o do_v bestow_v his_o entertainment_n upon_o they_o all_o as_o consider_v together_o but_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a multitude_n of_o they_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v all_o be_v feast_v together_o in_o the_o same_o room_n and_o therefore_o for_o more_o convenient_a participation_n of_o the_o king_n bounty_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o divide_v themselves_o into_o particular_a company_n and_o to_o associate_v as_o many_o as_o convenient_o can_v in_o order_n to_o that_o end_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n christ_n in_o donation_n of_o privilege_n equal_o respect_v the_o whole_a church_n but_o because_o man_n can_v all_o meet_v together_o to_o participate_v of_o these_o privilege_n a_o more_o particular_a distribution_n be_v necessary_a for_o that_o end_n but_o a_o clear_a example_n of_o this_o kind_n we_o have_v yet_o in_o scripture_n which_o be_v mark_n 6._o 39_o in_o our_o saviour_n feed_v the_o multitude_n with_o five_o loaf_n and_o two_o fish_n where_o we_o see_v our_o saviour_n primary_n intention_n be_v to_o feed_v the_o whole_a multitude_n but_o for_o their_o more_o convenient_a partake_n of_o this_o food_n our_o saviour_n command_v they_o to_o sit_v down_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o hebraism_n of_o ingeminate_v the_o word_n to_o note_v the_o distribution_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o vulg._n lat._n render_v it_o secundum_fw-la contubernia_fw-la that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o camerarius_fw-la expound_v it_o according_a to_o so_o many_o company_n and_o division_n as_o may_v convenient_o sit_v together_o as_o at_o a_o table_n where_o we_o plain_o see_v this_o distribution_n be_v only_o accidental_a as_o to_o christ_n primary_n intention_n of_o feed_v the_o multitude_n but_o be_v only_o necessary_a for_o their_o own_o conveniency_n thus_o the_o case_n be_v evident_a as_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n it_o be_v our_o necessity_n and_o conveniency_n which_o make_v several_a congregation_n of_o the_o catholic_a visible_a church_n and_o not_o god_n primary_n intention_n when_o he_o bestow_v such_o privilege_n upon_o the_o church_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v understand_v of_o particular_a congregation_n if_o then_o particular_a congregation_n be_v only_o accidental_a for_o our_o 5._o conveniency_n it_o evident_o follow_v that_o the_o primary_n notion_n of_o a_o church_n do_v not_o belong_v to_o these_o nor_o that_o these_o be_v the_o first_o subject_n of_o government_n which_o belong_v to_o a_o church_n as_o such_o and_o not_o as_o crumble_v into_o particular_a congregation_n although_o the_o actual_a exercise_n of_o government_n be_v most_o visible_a and_o discernible_a there_o because_o the_o join_n together_o for_o participation_n of_o gospel-ordinance_n must_v be_v in_o some_o particular_a company_n or_o other_o associate_v together_o for_o that_o end_n where_o ever_o then_o we_o find_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n particular_a there_o must_v be_v government_n in_o that_o church_n and_o why_o a_o national_a society_n incorporate_v into_o one_o civil_a government_n join_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n and_o have_v a_o right_a thereby_o to_o participate_v of_o gospel-ordinance_n in_o the_o convenient_a distribution_n of_o they_o in_o particular_a congregation_n shall_v not_o be_v call_v a_o church_n i_o confess_v i_o can_v see_v no_o reason_n the_o main_a thing_n object_v against_o it_o be_v that_o a_o church_n imply_v a_o actual_a join_v together_o for_o participation_n of_o all_o gospel-ordinance_n but_o as_o this_o as_o i_o say_v before_o be_v only_o a_o beg_v the_o question_n so_o i_o say_v now_o that_o actual_a communion_n with_o any_o particular_a congregation_n be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o a_o member_n of_o a_o church_n for_o suppose_v one_o baptize_v at_o sea_n where_o no_o settle_a congregation_n be_v nor_o any_o more_o society_n then_o that_o which_o aristotle_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yet_o such_o a_o one_o be_v thereby_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n though_o not_o of_o any_o congregation_n so_o likewise_o a_o church_n then_o may_v consist_v of_o such_o as_o have_v a_o right_n to_o ordinance_n without_o the_o insert_v their_o actual_a participation_n of_o they_o in_o fix_a congregation_n a_o particular_a church_n than_o i_o will_v describe_v thus_o that_o it_o be_v a_o society_n of_o man_n join_v together_o in_o the_o visible_a profession_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n have_v a_o right_a to_o and_o enjoy_v among_o they_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o a_o whole_a nation_n profess_v christianity_n in_o which_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v due_o administer_v in_o particular_a congregation_n be_v such_o a_o society_n be_v plain_a and_o evident_a a_o clear_a instance_n of_o such_o a_o national_a constitution_n of_o a_o church_n under_o the_o gospel_n we_o have_v in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o conversion_n of_o egypt_n and_o assyria_n in_o gospel-time_n isaiah_n 19_o 19_o 21_o 24_o 25._o we_o have_v egypt_n profess_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o enjoy_v gospel_n ordinance_n vers_fw-la 19_o 21._o which_o according_a to_o the_o prophetical_a stile_n be_v set_v down_o under_o the_o representation_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v then_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n by_o a_o altar_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o land_n ver_fw-la 19_o the_o altar_n note_v the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o land_n the_o universal_a own_n of_o this_o worship_n by_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n god_n own_v they_o for_o a_o church_n v_o 25._o who_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n shall_v bless_v say_v bless_a be_v egypt_n my_o people_n the_o very_a name_n whereby_o israel_n be_v call_v while_o it_o be_v a_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hosea_n 2._o 1._o and_o when_o god_n unchurch_v they_o it_o be_v under_o this_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o be_v not_o my_o people_n as_o much_o then_o as_o israel_n be_v a_o church_n when_o god_n own_v it_o for_o his_o people_n so_o shall_v egypt_n be_v upon_o their_o conversion_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v do_v upon_o mark_n preach_v at_o alexandria_n not_o long_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ._n this_o than_o we_o have_v now_o brief_o clear_v that_o a_o nation_n join_v 6._o in_o profession_n of_o christianity_n be_v a_o true_a church_n of_o god_n whence_o it_o evident_o follow_v that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o form_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n over_o a_o nation_n as_o a_o church_n as_o well_o as_o of_o civil_a government_n over_o it_o as_o a_o society_n govern_v by_o the_o same_o law_n therefore_o some_o make_v this_o necessary_a to_o a_o national_n 3._o church_n national_a union_n in_o one_o ecclesiastical_a body_n in_o the_o same_o community_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n for_o every_o society_n must_v have_v its_o government_n belong_v to_o it_o as_o such_o a_o society_n and_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o make_v government_n necessary_a in_o any_o particular_a congregation_n will_v make_v it_o necessary_a for_o all_o the_o particular_a congregation_n join_v together_o in_o one_o visible_a society_n as_o a_o particular_a national_a church_n for_o the_o unity_n and_o peace_n of_o that_o church_n ought_v much_o more_o to_o be_v look_v after_o then_o of_o any_o one_o particular_a congregation_n in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o peace_n of_o all_o the_o particular_a combination_n of_o man_n for_o participation_n of_o ordinance_n do_v depend_v upon_o and_o be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o whole_a but_o though_o i_o say_v from_o hence_o that_o some_o form_n of_o public_a government_n by_o the_o subordination_n of_o particular_a assembly_n to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o they_o be_v necessary_a yet_o i_o be_o far_o from_o assert_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n of_o that_o government_n much_o more_o from_o say_v that_o no_o national_n church_n can_v subsist_v without_o one_o national_n officer_n as_o the_o highpriest_n under_o the_o law_n or_o one_o national_n place_n of_o worship_n as_o the_o temple_n be_v the_o want_n of_o consider_v of_o which_o viz_o that_o national_n church_n may_v subsist_v without_o that_o form_n of_o they_o under_o the_o jew_n be_v doubtless_o the_o great_a ground_n of_o man_n quarrel_v against_o they_o but_o with_o what_o reason_n let_v man_n impartial_o judge_v this_o than_o we_o agree_v that_o some_o from_o of_o government_n be_v necessary_a in_o every_o particular_a church_n and_o so_o that_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o divine_a and_o unalterable_a right_n and_o that_o not_o only_o of_o particular_a congregation_n but_o of_o all_o society_n which_o may_v be_v call_v church_n whether_o provincial_n or_o national_n chap._n ii_o the_o second_o concession_n be_v that_o church-government_n formal_o consider_v must_v be_v administer_v by_o officer_n of_o divine_a appointment_n to_o that_o end_n
i_o come_v to_o examine_v the_o argument_n from_o apostolical_a succession_n thus_o we_o see_v then_o that_o neither_o the_o qualification_n of_o the_o person_n nor_o the_o command_n for_o a_o right_a exercise_n of_o the_o office_n commit_v to_o they_o nor_o the_o whole_a epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n do_v determine_v any_o one_o form_n of_o government_n to_o be_v necessary_a in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n three_o let_v we_o see_v whether_o the_o general_a rule_n do_v require_v 7._o any_o one_o form_n which_o rule_v in_o that_o they_o be_v general_a can_v determine_v nothing_o of_o the_o authority_n itself_o as_o to_o its_o particular_a mode_n be_v intend_v only_o for_o the_o regulation_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o authority_n in_o which_o man_n be_v place_v and_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n that_o nothing_o be_v particular_o determine_v in_o this_o case_n when_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n only_o lay_v down_o such_o rule_n for_o government_n which_o be_v applyable_a to_o distinct_a form_n otherwise_o certain_o some_o rule_n will_v have_v be_v lay_v down_o which_o can_v 14._o have_v be_v apply_v to_o nothing_o but_o to_o that_o one_o form_n that_o none_o take_v the_o office_n of_o preach_v without_o a_o call_v nor_o go_v without_o send_v will_v equal_o hold_v whether_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n lie_v in_o a_o bishop_n with_o presbyter_n or_o in_o presbyter_n act_v with_o equality_n of_o power_n that_o offender_n be_v censure_v and_o complaint_n make_v to_o the_o church_n in_o case_n of_o scandal_n determine_v nothing_o to_o who_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n do_v sole_o belong_v nor_o what_o that_o church_n be_v which_o must_v receive_v these_o complaint_n that_o all_o thing_n be_v do_v with_o decency_n and_o order_n do_v prescribe_v nothing_o wherein_o that_o decency_n lie_v nor_o how_o far_o that_o order_n may_v extend_v nor_o yet_o who_o must_v be_v the_o judge_n of_o that_o decency_n and_o order_n that_o all_o be_v do_v for_o edification_n and_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o the_o church_n do_v no_o way_n restrain_v his_o church_n freedom_n in_o dispose_v of_o its_o self_n as_o to_o the_o form_n of_o its_o government_n so_o the_o aim_n of_o the_o church_n be_v for_o the_o better_a edification_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o promote_v the_o benefit_n of_o it_o but_o methinks_v these_o general_a order_n and_o rule_n for_o discipline_n do_v imply_v the_o particular_a manner_n of_o government_n to_o be_v leave_v at_o liberty_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n so_o that_o in_o all_o the_o several_a form_n these_o general_a rule_n be_v observe_v whereas_o have_v christ_n appoint_v a_o superior_a order_n to_o govern_v other_o subordinate_a officer_n and_o the_o church_n together_o christ_n command_n for_o govern_v the_o church_n will_v have_v be_v particular_o address_v to_o they_o and_o again_o have_v it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o superior_a order_n above_o the_o pastor_n of_o particular_a church_n there_o will_v have_v be_v some_o express_a and_o direct_a prohibition_n of_o it_o which_o because_o we_o no_o where_o read_v it_o seem_v evident_a that_o christ_n have_v leave_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o to_o the_o freedom_n and_o liberty_n of_o his_o church_n so_o much_o shall_v serve_v in_o this_o place_n to_o show_v how_o improbable_a it_o be_v that_o christ_n do_v ever_o prescribe_v any_o one_o form_n of_o government_n in_o his_o church_n since_o he_o have_v only_o lay_v down_o general_a rule_n for_o the_o management_n of_o church_n government_n but_o this_o will_v not_o yet_o suffice_v those_o who_o plead_v that_o christ_n 8._o must_v determine_v one_o immutable_a form_n of_o government_n in_o his_o church_n but_o although_o it_o be_v a_o high_a presumption_n to_o determine_v first_o what_o christ_n must_v do_v before_o we_o examine_v what_o he_o have_v do_v yet_o we_o shall_v still_o proceed_v and_o examine_v all_o the_o pretence_n that_o be_v bring_v for_o this_o opinion_n the_o next_o thing_n then_o which_o be_v general_o urge_v for_o it_o be_v the_o equal_a necessity_n of_o christ_n institute_v a_o certain_a form_n as_o for_o any_o other_o legislator_n who_o model_n a_o commonwealth_n now_o for_o answer_v to_o this_o i_o say_v first_o that_o christ_n have_v institute_v such_o a_o immutable_a government_n in_o his_o church_n as_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o succession_n and_o continuance_n of_o it_o which_o be_v all_o which_o founder_n of_o commonwealth_n do_v look_v after_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o order_n and_o distinction_n of_o person_n and_o subordination_n of_o one_o to_o the_o other_o that_o a_o society_n may_v still_o be_v preserve_v among_o they_o now_o this_o be_v sufficient_o provide_v for_o by_o christ_n appoint_v officer_n continual_o to_o rule_v his_o church_n and_o establish_v law_n for_o the_o perpetuate_n of_o such_o officer_n so_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o the_o general_a end_n of_o government_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v appoint_v by_o jesus_n christ._n until_o then_o that_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o one_o form_n of_o government_n be_v in_o itself_o absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n this_o argument_n can_v prove_v nothing_o for_o what_o be_v draw_v from_o necessity_n will_v prove_v nothing_o but_o in_o a_o case_n of_o necessity_n second_o i_o answer_v that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n be_v leave_v to_o christ_n liberty_n whether_o he_o will_v determine_v they_o or_o no_o and_o be_v no_o further_o to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o necessary_a then_o as_o he_o have_v determine_v by_o his_o law_n whether_o they_o shall_v be_v or_o no_o in_o his_o church_n the_o thing_n will_v be_v thus_o clear_v when_o i_o read_v that_o zaleucus_n lycurgus_n or_o numa_n do_v form_v a_o commonwealth_n and_o make_v law_n for_o it_o i_o present_o conclude_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o order_n or_o distinction_n of_o person_n in_o this_o common_a wealth_n and_o some_o rule_n whereby_o person_n must_v be_v govern_v and_o whereby_o other_o must_v rule_v but_o i_o can_v hence_o infer_v that_o zaleucus_n or_o lycurgus_n do_v institute_v monarchical_a aristocratical_a or_o democratical_a government_n because_o any_o of_o these_o form_n may_v be_v agreeable_a to_o their_o design_n and_o therefore_o what_o kind_n of_o government_n they_o do_v appoint_v can_v no_o otherwise_o be_v know_v then_o by_o take_v a_o view_n of_o the_o law_n which_o they_o make_v in_o order_n thereto_o so_o it_o be_v in_o reference_n to_o christ_n when_o we_o read_v that_o christ_n have_v institute_v a_o church_n always_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o world_n we_o present_o apprehend_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o power_n and_o order_n in_o the_o member_n of_o that_o society_n and_o law_n for_o the_o govern_v it_o but_o we_o can_v hence_o gather_v that_o he_o have_v bind_v up_o his_o officer_n to_o act_v in_o any_o one_o form_n because_o several_a form_n may_v in_o themselves_o equal_o tend_v to_o the_o promote_a the_o end_n of_o government_n in_o his_o church_n and_o therefore_o what_o christ_n have_v express_o determine_v in_o his_o positive_a law_n must_v be_v our_o rule_n of_o judge_v in_o this_o case_n and_o not_o any_o presumption_n of_o our_o own_o that_o such_o a_o form_n be_v necessary_a and_o therefore_o christ_n must_v institute_v and_o 11._o appoint_v it_o which_o be_v full_o express_v by_o judicious_a mr._n hooker_n who_o word_n will_v serve_v as_o a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o this_o objection_n as_o for_o those_o marvellous_a discourse_n whereby_o they_o adventure_v to_o argue_v that_o god_n must_v needs_o have_v do_v the_o thing_n which_o they_o imagine_v be_v to_o be_v do_v i_o must_v confess_v i_o have_v often_o wonder_v at_o their_o exceed_a boldness_n herein_o when_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o god_n have_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n as_o they_o affirm_v he_o have_v a_o complete_a particular_a immutable_a form_n of_o church-polity_n why_o take_v they_o that_o other_o both_o presumptuous_a and_o superfluous_a labour_n to_o prove_v he_o shall_v have_v do_v it_o there_o be_v no_o way_n in_o this_o case_n to_o prove_v the_o deed_n of_o god_n save_v only_o by_o produce_v that_o evidence_n wherein_o he_o have_v do_v it_o but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n apparent_a upon_o record_n they_o do_v as_o if_o one_o shall_v demand_v a_o legacy_n by_o force_n and_o virtue_n of_o some_o write_a testament_n wherein_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n specify_v he_o plead_v that_o there_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v and_o bring_v argument_n from_o the_o love_n and_o good_a will_n which_o always_o the_o testator_n bear_v imagine_v that_o these_o or_o the_o like_a proof_n will_v convict_v a_o testament_n to_o have_v that_o in_o it_o which_o other_o man_n can_v no_o
where_o by_o read_v find_v in_o matter_n which_o concern_v the_o action_n of_o god_n the_o most_o dutiful_a way_n on_o our_o part_n be_v to_o search_v what_o god_n have_v do_v and_o with_o meekness_n to_o admire_v that_o rather_o than_o to_o dispute_v what_o he_o in_o congruity_n of_o reason_n ought_v to_o do_v thus_o he_o with_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n the_o sum_n then_o of_o the_o answer_n to_o this_o argument_n be_v this_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v infer_v of_o what_o christ_n must_v do_v from_o his_o relation_n to_o his_o church_n but_o what_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o it_o as_o for_o all_o other_o thing_n they_o be_v arbitrary_a constitution_n we_o can_v judge_v no_o more_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o they_o then_o as_o we_o find_v they_o clear_o reveal_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o the_o plea_n must_v be_v remove_v from_o what_o christ_n must_v do_v to_o what_o he_o have_v do_v in_o order_n to_o the_o determine_v the_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n in_o his_o church_n but_o still_o it_o be_v argue_v for_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o particular_a form_n 9_o of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n from_o the_o similitude_n the_o church_n be_v set_v out_o by_o in_o scripture_n it_o be_v call_v a_o vine_n and_o therefore_o 40._o must_v have_v keeper_n a_o house_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v government_n a_o city_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v a_o polity_n a_o body_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v part_n i_o answer_v first_o all_z these_o similitude_n prove_v only_o that_o which_o none_o deny_v that_o there_o must_v be_v order_n power_n and_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n we_o take_v not_o away_o the_o keeper_n from_o the_o vine_n nor_o the_o government_n from_o the_o house_n nor_o polity_n from_o the_o city_n nor_o distinction_n of_o part_n from_o the_o body_n we_o assert_v all_o these_o thing_n as_o necessary_a in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o keeper_n of_o the_o vine_n to_o defend_v and_o prune_v it_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o house_n to_o rule_v and_o order_v it_o the_o polity_n of_o the_o city_n to_o guide_v and_o direct_v it_o the_o part_n of_o the_o body_n to_o complete_a and_o adorn_v it_o but_o second_o none_o of_o these_o similitude_n prove_v what_o they_o be_v bring_v for_o viz._n that_o any_o one_o immutable_a form_n of_o government_n be_v determine_v for_o may_v not_o the_o keeper_n of_o the_o vine_n use_v their_o own_o discretion_n in_o look_v to_o it_o so_o the_o flourish_a of_o the_o vine_n be_v that_o they_o aim_n at_o and_o if_o there_o be_v many_o of_o they_o may_v there_o not_o be_v different_a order_n among_o they_o and_o some_o as_o supervisor_n of_o the_o other_o work_n the_o house_n must_v have_v governor_n but_o those_o that_o be_v so_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o power_n of_o order_v thing_n in_o the_o house_n according_a to_o their_o own_o discretion_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o multitude_n be_v there_o not_o diversity_n of_o office_n among_o they_o and_o be_v it_o necessary_a that_o every_o house_n must_v have_v office_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n in_o great_a and_o large_a family_n there_o must_v be_v more_o particular_a distinct_a order_n and_o office_n than_o in_o a_o small_a and_o little_a one_o the_o city_n must_v have_v its_o polity_n but_o all_o city_n have_v not_o the_o like_a some_o have_v one_o form_n and_o some_o another_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o city_n still_o and_o a_o polity_n too_o a_o body_n must_v have_v all_o its_o part_n but_o be_v all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o body_n equal_a one_o to_o another_o it_o suffice_v that_o there_o be_v a_o proportion_n though_o not_o equality_n in_o they_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o body_n have_v their_o several_a office_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v the_o head_n be_v superintendent_n over_o they_o all_o and_o thus_o if_o we_o make_v every_o particular_a church_n a_o body_n yet_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o the_o form_n of_o clothing_n that_o body_n must_v always_o be_v the_o same_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o government_n be_v rather_o the_o clothing_n to_o the_o body_n than_o the_o part_n of_o it_o the_o governor_n indeed_o be_v part_n of_o the_o body_n but_o their_o manner_n of_o govern_v be_v not_o that_o may_v alter_v according_a to_o the_o proportion_n and_o growth_n of_o the_o body_n and_o its_o fashion_n change_n for_o better_a conveniency_n but_o if_o these_o similitude_n prove_v nothing_o yet_o certain_o say_v 10._o they_o the_o difference_n as_o to_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a government_n will_v for_o though_o there_o may_v be_v different_a form_n in_o civil_a government_n which_o be_v therefore_o call_v a_o ordinance_n of_o man_n yet_o there_o must_v be_v but_o one_o in_o church-government_n which_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n 13._o and_o christ_n have_v appoint_v officer_n to_o rule_v it_o i_o answer_v first_o we_o grant_v and_o acknowledge_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o church_n and_o the_o commonwealth_n they_o be_v constitute_v for_o other_o end_n the_o one_o political_n the_o other_o spiritual_a one_o temporal_a the_o other_o eternal_a they_o subsist_v by_o different_a charter_n the_o one_o give_v to_o man_n as_o man_n the_o other_o to_o man_n as_o christian_n they_o act_v upon_o different_a principle_n the_o one_o to_o preserve_v civil_a right_n the_o other_o to_o promote_v a_o eternal_a interest_n nay_o their_o formal_a constitution_n be_v different_a for_o a_o man_n by_o be_v a_o member_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n do_v not_o become_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o be_v excommunicate_v out_o of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n the_o officer_n of_o the_o one_o be_v clear_o distinct_a from_o the_o other_o the_o one_o derive_v their_o power_n from_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n the_o other_o from_o god_n general_a providence_n the_o magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o excommunicate_v formal_o out_o of_o the_o church_n any_o more_o than_o to_o admit_v into_o it_o nor_o have_v the_o church-officer_n any_o power_n to_o cast_v man_n out_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n we_o see_v then_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a government_n but_o then_o i_o answer_v second_o the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v not_o therefore_o call_v a_o ordinance_n of_o man_n because_o of_o the_o mutability_n of_o its_o form_n and_o as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n for_o first_o the_o apostle_n speak_v not_o of_o the_o form_n of_o government_n but_o of_o the_o power_n submit_v to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n etc._n etc._n the_o ground_n of_o submission_n be_v not_o the_o form_n but_o the_o power_n of_o civil_a government_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o opposition_n express_v here_o between_o the_o form_n of_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a government_n but_o if_o any_o such_o opposition_n be_v it_o must_v be_v between_o the_o power_n and_o if_o this_o be_v say_v as_o to_o civils_n that_o the_o power_n be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o man_n in_o that_o sense_n whereas_o paul_n say_v it_o be_v of_o god_n yet_o as_o to_o the_o church_n it_o be_v free_o acknowledge_v 1_o that_o the_o power_n be_v derive_v from_o god_n second_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v not_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o it_o be_v a_o creature_n of_o man_n make_v and_o so_o subject_a to_o man_n power_n but_o the_o ground_n of_o that_o speech_n be_v because_o all_o civil_a power_n respect_v man_n as_o man_n without_o any_o further_a connotation_n humana_fw-la dicitur_fw-la non_fw-la quod_fw-la ab_fw-la hominibus_fw-la sit_fw-la excogitata_fw-la sed_fw-la quod_fw-la hominum_fw-la sit_fw-la propria_fw-la say_v beza_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n calvin_n humana_fw-la dicitur_fw-la ordinatio_fw-la non_fw-la quod_fw-la humanitùs_fw-la inuenta_fw-la fuerit_fw-la sed_fw-la quod_fw-la propria_fw-la hominum_fw-la est_fw-la digesta_fw-la &_o ordinata_fw-la vivendi_fw-la ratio_fw-la piscator_fw-la humanam_fw-la appellat_fw-la non_fw-la quod_fw-la magistratus_fw-la homines_fw-la authores_fw-la habeat_fw-la sed_fw-la quod_fw-la homines_fw-la eam_fw-la gerant_fw-la so_o then_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v not_o call_v a_o ordinance_n of_o man_n as_o it_o be_v of_o man_n set_v up_o but_o as_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o man_n and_o so_o if_o there_o be_v any_o opposition_n between_o the_o civil_a and_o church_n power_n it_o be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o one_o belong_v to_o man_n as_o man_n the_o other_o to_o man_n as_o christian_n three_o although_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v and_o set_v up_o his_o own_o officer_n in_o his_o church_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o thence_o follow_v that_o he_o have_v determine_v in_o what_o manner_n they_o shall_v rule_v his_o church_n it_o be_v true_a christ_n have_v set_v up_o in_o his_o church_n some_o apostle_n some_o
evangelist_n and_o 12._o some_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n but_o it_o do_v not_o thence_o follow_v that_o christ_n have_v determine_v whether_o the_o power_n of_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n shall_v continue_v in_o his_o church_n or_o no_o as_o it_o imply_v superiority_n over_o the_o ordinary_a pastor_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o whether_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v act_v in_o a_o equality_n in_o their_o govern_v church_n i_o grant_v that_o all_o church-government_n must_v be_v perform_v by_o officer_n of_o christ_n appoint_v but_o that_o which_o i_o say_v be_v not_o determine_v in_o scripture_n be_v the_o way_n and_o manner_n whereby_o they_o shall_v govern_v church_n in_o common_a it_o be_v yet_o further_o argue_v that_o if_o the_o form_n of_o church_n government_n 11._o be_v not_o immutable_o determine_v in_o scripture_n than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o c._n church_n power_n to_o make_v new_a officer_n which_o christ_n never_o make_v which_o must_v be_v a_o plain_a addition_n to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n and_o must_v argue_v the_o scripture_n of_o imperfection_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a argument_n i_o have_v reserve_v it_o to_o the_o place_n of_o the_o triarii_n and_o shall_v now_o examine_v what_o strength_n there_o lie_v in_o it_o to_o this_o therefore_o i_o answer_v first_o those_o officer_n be_v only_o say_v to_o be_v new_a which_o be_v never_o appoint_v by_o christ_n and_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o first_o appointment_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o regulate_v of_o his_o church_n such_o it_o be_v grant_v the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o institute_v but_o if_o by_o new_a officer_n be_v mean_v only_o such_o as_o have_v a_o charge_v over_o more_o than_o one_o particular_a congregation_n by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o pastor_n themselves_o than_o it_o be_v evident_a such_o a_o office_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v new_a for_o beside_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n from_o the_o first_o primitive_a time_n which_o have_v all_o consent_v in_o the_o use_n of_o such_o officer_n we_o find_v the_o foundation_n of_o this_o power_n lay_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o the_o power_n which_o the_o apostle_n be_v invest_v in_o which_o be_v extend_v over_o many_o both_o church_n and_o pastor_n but_o if_o it_o be_v say_v the_o apostolical_a power_n be_v extraordinary_a must_v cease_v with_o the_o person_n which_o enjoy_v it_o i_o answer_v first_o what_o be_v extraordinary_a do_v cease_v but_o all_o the_o dispute_n be_v what_o be_v extraordinary_a and_o what_o not_o some_o thing_n be_v ordinary_a in_o they_o as_o preach_v baptise_v ordain_v rule_v church_n some_o thing_n be_v again_o extraordinary_a as_o immediate_a mission_n from_o christ_n the_o main_a distinguish_a note_n of_o a_o apostle_n a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o preach_v now_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o power_n which_o they_o enjoy_v over_o presbyter_n and_o church_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o first_o or_o the_o second_o number_n it_o must_v therefore_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v extraordinary_a before_o it_o can_v be_v say_v to_o cease_v with_o they_o and_o that_o must_v be_v do_v by_o some_o argument_n proper_a to_o their_o person_n for_o if_o the_o argument_n bring_v be_v of_o a_o common_a and_o moral_a nature_n it_o will_v prove_v the_o office_n to_o be_v so_o too_o second_o by_o cease_v may_v be_v mean_v either_o cease_n as_o to_o its_o necessity_n or_o cease_v as_o to_o its_o lawfulness_n i_o say_v not_o but_o that_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o office_n as_o in_o their_o person_n for_o the_o first_o preach_v and_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n do_v cease_v with_o they_o but_o that_o after_o their_o death_n it_o become_v unlawful_a for_o any_o particular_a person_n to_o take_v the_o care_n and_o charge_n of_o diocesan_n church_n i_o deny_v for_o to_o make_v a_o thing_n unlawful_a which_o be_v before_o lawful_a there_o must_v be_v some_o express_a prohibition_n forbid_v any_o further_a use_n of_o such_o a_o power_n which_o i_o suppose_v man_n will_v not_o easy_o produce_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n i_o answer_v therefore_o second_o that_o the_o extend_v of_o any_o 12._o ministerial_a power_n be_v not_o the_o appoint_v of_o any_o new_a office_n because_o every_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v a_o relation_n in_o actu_fw-la primo_fw-la to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o god_n the_o restraint_n and_o enlargement_n of_o which_o power_n be_v subject_a to_o positive_a determination_n of_o prudence_n and_o conveniency_n in_o actu_fw-la secundo_fw-la and_o therefore_o if_o the_o church_n see_v it_o fit_a for_o some_o man_n to_o have_v this_o power_n enlarge_v for_o better_a government_n in_o some_o and_o restrain_v in_o other_o that_o enlargement_n be_v the_o appoint_v no_o new_a office_n but_o the_o make_v use_n of_o a_o power_n already_o enjoy_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n this_o be_v a_o foundation_n tend_v so_o full_o to_o clear_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o that_o government_n in_o the_o church_n which_o imply_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n to_o one_o another_o and_o the_o church_n use_v her_o prudence_n in_o order_v the_o bound_n of_o her_o officer_n i_o shall_v do_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o show_v that_o the_o power_n of_o every_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v primary_o and_o habitual_o respect_v the_o church_n in_o common_a second_o that_o the_o church_n may_v in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n single_a out_o some_o of_o its_o officer_n for_o the_o due_a administration_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n first_o that_o every_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v a_o power_n respect_v the_o church_n in_o common_a this_o i_o find_v full_o and_o large_o prove_v by_o those_o who_o assert_v the_o equality_n of_o the_o power_n of_o minister_n first_o from_o christ_n bestow_v the_o several_a office_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n ephesian_n 4._o 12_o 13._o christ_n have_v set_v apostle_n etc._n etc._n pastor_n and_o teacher_n in_o his_o church_n now_o this_o church_n must_v needs_o be_v 29._o the_o catholic_a visible_a church_n because_o indisputable_o the_o apostle_n office_n do_v relate_v thereto_o and_o consequent_o so_o must_v that_o of_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n too_o again_o the_o end_n of_o these_o office_n be_v the_o build_n up_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o can_v otherwise_o be_v understand_v then_o of_o his_o whole_a church_n else_o christ_n must_v have_v as_o many_o body_n as_o the_o church_n have_v partiticular_a congregation_n which_o be_v a_o new_a way_n of_o consubstantiation_n second_o the_o ministerial_a office_n be_v in_o be_v before_o any_o particular_a congregation_n be_v gather_v for_o christ_n upon_o his_o ascension_n to_o glory_n give_v these_o gift_n to_o man_n and_o the_o apostle_n 8._o be_v impower_v by_o christ_n before_o his_o ascension_n either_o then_o 19_o they_o be_v no_o church_n officer_n or_o if_o they_o be_v so_o they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o correlate_n but_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n then_o lie_v under_o the_o power_n of_o darkness_n a_o few_o person_n except_v three_o because_o the_o main_a design_n of_o appoint_v a_o gospel_n ministry_n be_v the_o conversion_n of_o heathen_n and_o infidel_n and_o if_o these_o be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o the_o ministerial_a function_n than_o the_o office_n must_v have_v reference_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n else_o there_o can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o that_o office_n perform_v towards_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o convert_v four_o else_o a_o minister_n can_v perform_v no_o office_n belong_v to_o he_o as_o such_o beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o particular_a congregation_n and_o so_o can_v neither_o preach_v nor_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n to_o any_o other_o but_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o own_o particular_a place_n and_o people_n five_o because_o minister_n by_o baptise_v do_v admit_v man_n into_o the_o catholic_a visible_a church_n else_o a_o man_n must_v be_v baptize_v again_o every_o time_n he_o remove_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o and_o none_o can_v admit_v beyond_o what_o their_o office_n do_v extend_v to_o therefore_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o every_o particular_a pastor_n of_o a_o church_n have_v a_o relation_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o which_o purpose_n our_o former_a observation_n be_v of_o great_a use_n viz._n that_o particular_a congregation_n be_v not_o of_o god_n primary_n intention_n but_o for_o man_n conveniency_n and_o so_o consequent_o be_v the_o fixedness_n of_o particular_a pastor_n to_o their_o several_a place_n for_o the_o great_a conveniency_n of_o the_o church_n every_o pastor_n of_o a_o church_n then_o have_v a_o relation_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o that_o which_o hinder_v he_o from_o the_o
understanding_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o christian_a religion_n for_o when_o once_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o rational_a man_n be_v so_o far_o wrought_v upon_o by_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n as_o to_o discover_v the_o most_o rational_a and_o undoubted_a evidence_n which_o there_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n he_o be_v present_o oblige_v to_o profess_v christ_n open_o to_o worship_v he_o solemn_o to_o assemble_v with_o other_o for_o instruction_n and_o participation_n of_o gospel_n ordinance_n and_o thence_o it_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v a_o antecedent_n obligation_n upon_o conscience_n to_o associate_v with_o other_o and_o consequent_o to_o consent_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o society_n which_o he_o enter_v into_o so_o that_o this_o submission_n to_o the_o power_n of_o church_n officer_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n upon_o offender_n be_v employ_v in_o the_o very_a condition_n of_o christianity_n and_o the_o solemn_a profess_v and_o undertake_n of_o it_o 2._o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o society_n shall_v be_v uphold_v if_o it_o be_v not_o lay_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o the_o society_n as_o the_o necessary_a duty_n of_o all_o member_n to_o undergo_v the_o penalty_n which_o shall_v be_v inflict_v by_o those_o who_o have_v the_o care_n of_o govern_v that_o society_n so_o they_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o it_o else_o there_o will_v be_v no_o provision_n make_v for_o prevent_a division_n and_o confusion_n which_o will_v happen_v upon_o any_o breach_n make_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n now_o this_o obligation_n to_o submission_n to_o censure_n do_v speak_v something_o antecedentaly_a to_o the_o confederation_n although_o the_o expression_n of_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o confederation_n its_o self_n by_o this_o i_o hope_v we_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o mistake_n in_o those_o otherwise_o learned_a person_n who_o make_v the_o power_n of_o censure_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o lex_fw-la confederata_fw-la disciplinae_fw-la whereas_o this_o power_n have_v be_v make_v appear_v to_o be_v derive_v from_o a_o high_a original_a than_o the_o mere_a arbitrary_a consent_n of_o the_o several_a member_n of_o the_o church_n associate_a together_o and_o how_o far_o the_o example_n of_o the_o synagogue_n under_o the_o law_n be_v from_o reach_v that_o of_o christian_a church_n in_o reference_n to_o this_o because_o in_o these_o the_o power_n be_v convey_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o the_o society_n and_o not_o leave_v to_o any_o arbitrary_a constitution_n as_o it_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o synagogue_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o consent_n be_v suppose_v and_o confederation_n necessary_a in_o order_n to_o church_n power_n but_o that_o be_v rather_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o exercise_n than_o the_o original_n of_o it_o for_o although_o i_o affirm_v the_o original_n of_o thiâ—_n power_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n yet_o in_o order_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o in_o reference_n to_o particular_a person_n who_o be_v not_o mention_v in_o the_o charter_n of_o the_o power_n its_o self_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o person_n on_o who_o it_o be_v exert_v shall_v declare_v their_o consent_n and_o submission_n either_o by_o word_n or_o action_n to_o the_o rule_n and_o order_n of_o this_o society_n have_v now_o prove_v that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o 21._o arise_v from_o mere_a consent_n of_o party_n the_o next_o grand_a inquiry_n be_v concern_v the_o extent_n of_o this_o power_n whether_o it_o do_v reach_v so_o far_o as_o to_o excommunication_n for_o some_o man_n who_o will_v not_o seem_v whole_o to_o deny_v all_o power_n in_o the_o church_n over_o offender_n nor_o that_o the_o church_n do_v subsist_v by_o divine_a institution_n yet_o do_v whole_o deny_v any_o such_o power_n as_o that_o of_o excommunication_n and_o seem_v rather_o to_o say_v that_o church-officer_n may_v far_o more_o congruous_o to_o their_o office_n inflict_v any_o other_o mulct_n upon_o offender_n then_o exclude_v they_o from_o participation_n of_o communion_n with_o other_o in_o the_o ordinance_n and_o sacrament_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o order_n therefore_o to_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o i_o come_v to_o the_o three_o proposition_n that_o the_o power_n which_o christ_n have_v give_v to_o the_o officer_n of_o his_o church_n do_v extend_v to_o the_o exclusion_n of_o contumacious_a offender_n from_o the_o privilege_n which_o this_o society_n enjoy_v in_o these_o term_n i_o rather_o choose_v to_o fix_v it_o then_o in_o those_o crude_a expression_n wherein_o erastus_n and_o some_o of_o his_o follower_n will_v state_n the_o question_n and_o some_o of_o their_o imprudent_a adversary_n have_v accept_v it_o viz._n whether_o church_n officer_n have_v power_n to_o exclude_v any_o from_o the_o eucharist_n ob_fw-la moralem_fw-la impuritatem_fw-la and_o the_o reason_n why_o i_o wave_v those_o term_n be_v 1._o i_o must_v confess_v myself_o yet_o unsatisfied_a as_o to_o any_o convince_a 1._o argument_n whereby_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o any_o be_v deny_v admission_n to_o the_o lord_n supper_n who_o be_v admit_v to_o all_o other_o part_n of_o church-society_n and_o own_a as_o member_n in_o they_o i_o can_v yet_o see_v any_o particular_a reason_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o lords-supper_n above_o all_o other_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o shall_v confine_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n mere_o to_o that_o ordinance_n and_o so_o to_o make_v the_o eucharist_n bear_v the_o same_o office_n in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n which_o our_o new_a anatomist_n tell_v we_o the_o parenchyme_n of_o the_o liver_n do_v in_o the_o natural_a body_n viz._n to_o be_v colâ—â—â—_n sanguinis_fw-la to_o serve_v as_o a_o kind_n of_o strainer_n to_o separate_v the_o more_o gross_a and_o feculent_a part_n of_o the_o blood_n from_o the_o more_o pure_a and_o spirituous_a so_o the_o lord_n supper_n to_o strain_v out_o the_o more_o impure_a member_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o more_o holy_a and_o spiritual_a my_o judgement_n then_o be_v that_o excommunication_n relate_v immediate_o to_o the_o cut_v a_o person_n off_o from_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n visible_a society_n constitute_v upon_o the_o end_v it_o be_v but_o because_o communion_n iâ—_n not_o visible_o discern_v but_o in_o administration_n and_o participation_n of_o gospel_n ordinance_n therefore_o exclusion_n do_v chief_o refer_v to_o these_o and_o because_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v one_o of_o the_o high_a privilledge_n which_o the_o church_n enjoy_v therefore_o it_o stand_v to_o reason_v that_o censure_n shall_v begin_v there_o and_o in_o that_o sense_n suspension_n from_o the_o lord_n supper_n of_o person_n apparent_o unworthy_a may_v be_v embrace_v as_o a_o prudent_a lawful_a and_o convenient_a abatement_n of_o the_o great_a penalty_n of_o excommunication_n and_o so_o to_o stand_v on_o the_o same_o general_a ground_n that_o the_o other_o do_v for_o qui_fw-la pâ—test_fw-la majus_fw-la potest_fw-la etiam_fw-la minus_fw-la which_o will_v hold_v as_o well_o in_o moral_a as_o natural_a power_n iâ—_n there_o be_v no_o prohibition_n to_o the_o contrary_a nor_o peculiar_a reason_n as_o to_o the_o one_o more_o than_o to_o the_o oâ—her_n 2._o i_o dislike_v the_o term_n ob_fw-la moralem_fw-la impuritatem_fw-la on_o this_o 2._o account_n because_o i_o suppose_v they_o be_v take_v up_o by_o erastus_n and_o from_o he_o by_o other_o as_o the_o controversy_n be_v manage_v concern_v excommunication_n among_o the_o iâ—wes_n viz._n whether_o it_o be_v â—meerly_o because_o of_o ceremonial_a or_o else_o likewise_o because_o of_o moral_a impurity_n as_o to_o which_o i_o must_v ingenuous_o acknowledge_v erastus_n have_v very_o much_o the_o advantage_n of_o his_o adversary_n clear_o prove_v that_o no_o person_n under_o the_o law_n be_v exclude_v the_o temple_n worship_n because_o of_o moral_a impurity_n but_o then_o withal_o i_o think_v he_o have_v gain_v little_a advantage_n to_o his_o cause_n by_o the_o great_a and_o successful_a pain_n he_o have_v take_v in_o the_o prove_v of_o that_o my_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o temple-worship_n or_o the_o sacrifice_n under_o the_o law_n be_v in_o some_o sense_n propitiatory_a as_o they_o be_v the_o adumbration_n of_o that_o grand_a sacrifice_n which_o be_v to_o be_v offer_v up_o for_o the_o appease_n of_o god_n wrath_n viz._n the_o blood_n of_o christ_n therefore_o to_o have_v exclude_v any_o from_o participation_n of_o they_o have_v be_v to_o exclude_v they_o from_o the_o visible_a way_n of_o obtain_v pardon_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v have_v without_o shed_v of_o blood_n as_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o and_o from_o testify_v their_o faith_n towards_o god_n and_o repentance_n 23._o from_o dead_a work_n but_o now_o under_o the_o gospel_n those_o
thing_n in_o reference_n to_o religious_a society_n which_o 1._o nature_n dictate_v be_v that_o all_o thing_n either_o pertain_v to_o the_o immediate_a worship_n of_o god_n or_o belong_v to_o the_o government_n of_o that_o society_n be_v perform_v with_o the_o great_a solemnity_n and_o decency_n that_o may_v be_v which_o dictate_v arise_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o which_o be_v most_o grave_a and_o serious_a do_v require_v the_o great_a gravity_n and_o seriousness_n in_o the_o do_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o any_o ceremony_n action_n or_o gesture_n which_o tend_v to_o the_o discompose_v man_n spirit_n be_v upon_o that_o account_n to_o be_v explode_v out_o of_o any_o religious_a society_n as_o be_v so_o direct_o repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n design_n and_o performance_n of_o religious_a duty_n wherefore_o that_o be_v the_o stand_a rule_n of_o all_o institute_v ceremony_n by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n that_o they_o be_v such_o as_o tend_v immediate_o to_o the_o advance_v the_o serenity_n tranquillity_n and_o composure_n of_o their_o mind_n who_o observe_v they_o and_o not_o such_o which_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n or_o by_o continual_a custom_n of_o the_o user_n of_o they_o do_v either_o rarify_v man_n spirit_n too_o much_o into_o a_o superficial_a lightness_n and_o vanity_n of_o spirit_n or_o elâ—e_v sink_v they_o too_o much_o below_o the_o command_n of_o reason_n into_o the_o power_n of_o unruly_a passion_n a_o clear_a and_o compose_a spirit_n be_v only_o fit_a for_o converse_v with_o thing_n of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n that_o region_n which_o be_v near_a heaven_n be_v the_o free_a from_o cloud_n and_o vapour_n as_o well_o as_o those_o dance_a meteor_n which_o hover_v about_o in_o a_o light_n uncertain_a motion_n it_o strange_o unbecome_v the_o majesty_n of_o religious_a worship_n to_o have_v any_o thing_n vulgar_a trivial_a much_o more_o ridiculous_a in_o it_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o rational_a 1._o worship_n as_o well_o in_o regard_n of_o that_o real_a on_o which_o shall_v moderate_v and_o govern_v the_o manner_n of_o service_n as_o in_o regard_n of_o those_o faculty_n which_o shall_v be_v most_o â—mployed_v in_o it_o or_o the_o foundation_n which_o the_o service_n have_v upon_o the_o dictate_v of_o man_n natural_a reason_n and_o as_o nature_n tell_v we_o there_o shall_v be_v nothing_o too_o light_a or_o 2._o superficial_a so_o neither_o any_o thing_n whereby_o man_n be_v carry_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n for_o what_o man_n do_v at_o such_o a_o time_n be_v not_o their_o own_o proper_a act_n but_o be_v more_o proper_o to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o power_n strength_n and_o excess_n of_o a_o melancholy_a fancy_n or_o else_o to_o a_o high_a enthusiasticall_a spirit_n which_o then_o actuate_v and_o inform_v their_o sancy_n and_o therefore_o it_o have_v be_v well_o observe_v as_o a_o characteristical_a difference_n between_o the_o true_a prophetical_a spirit_n and_o the_o false_a and_o counterfeit_a that_o the_o one_o leave_v man_n in_o the_o free_a use_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o faculty_n the_o other_o alienates_v they_o by_o panic_n fear_n tremble_n and_o consternation_n both_o of_o body_n and_o mind_n to_o which_o purpose_n many_o evidence_n be_v bring_v by_o a_o late_a learned_a 4._o writer_n in_o his_o discourse_n of_o prophecy_n out_o of_o the_o heathen_a and_o christian_a author_n these_o latter_a discover_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o montanisticall_a spirit_n by_o this_o one_o observation_n which_o beside_o the_o author_n there_o cite_v viz._n clemens_n alexandrinus_n 14._o miltiades_n in_o eusebius_n jerom_n and_o chrysostome_n may_v appear_v from_o epiphanius_n who_o large_o and_o excellent_o discourse_v on_o this_o subject_a when_o he_o discover_v the_o folly_n of_o montanus_n and_o his_o follower_n and_o give_v this_o reason_n why_o they_o can_v be_v no_o true_a prophet_n for_o those_o that_o be_v so_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o great_a consistency_n of_o sense_n reason_n and_o discourse_n and_o instance_v in_o isaiah_n and_o ezekiel_n for_o say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o true_a prophet_n have_v always_o the_o free_a use_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o faculty_n and_o speak_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n with_o consistency_n and_o coherence_n of_o discourse_n but_o it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o with_o the_o mâ—ntanists_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v always_o tremble_v both_o in_o body_n and_o mind_n use_v no_o consequence_n of_o reason_n in_o discourse_n their_o word_n have_v no_o proper_a sense_n but_o be_v all_o dark_a intricate_a and_o obscure_a a_o exact_a description_n of_o a_o late_a prevail_a sect_n among_o we_o who_o have_v their_o name_n from_o those_o consternation_n they_o be_v wont_a to_o fall_v into_o and_o who_o language_n carry_v as_o much_o obscurity_n with_o it_o as_o any_o of_o the_o follower_n of_o montanus_n can_v wrap_v up_o they_o into_o only_o instead_o of_o montanus_n his_o paraclete_n they_o tell_v we_o of_o a_o light_n within_o who_o office_n be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o other_o and_o one_o of_o the_o great_a error_n of_o montanus_n be_v the_o adhere_n to_o enthusiasm_n and_o revelation_n beyond_o and_o beside_o the_o write_a word_n which_o be_v the_o helena_n of_o our_o late_a opinionist_n because_o it_o give_v a_o liberty_n for_o vent_v any_o conception_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n under_o the_o pretence_n and_o disguise_n of_o a_o light_n within_o but_o we_o see_v hence_o how_o far_o such_o tremble_n and_o consternation_n of_o body_n and_o mind_n be_v from_o a_o true_a sober_a prophetic_a spirit_n and_o how_o those_o christian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n when_o the_o spirit_n of_o propheâ—y_n have_v not_o yet_o leave_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o appear_v by_o origen_n tertullian_n and_o other_o 9_o yet_o they_o always_o look_v upon_o any_o violent_a ecstasy_n or_o fury_n as_o a_o evidence_n of_o a_o false_a prophet_n and_o therefore_o tertullian_n when_o grow_v a_o proselyte_n of_o montanus_n endeavour_n strong_o to_o remove_v that_o apprehension_n of_o the_o exstaticall_a fury_n of_o montanus_n and_o prisca_n and_o maximilla_n grant_v if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o it_o be_v a_o mark_n of_o a_o false_a and_o counterfeit_a prophetical_a spirit_n the_o true_a prophet_n i_o grant_v of_o old_a be_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o impression_n of_o their_o vision_n upon_o their_o animal_n spirit_n sometime_o throw_v into_o a_o fit_a of_o tremble_a but_o than_o it_o be_v not_o continual_o so_o and_o when_o it_o be_v it_o may_v be_v rather_o a_o prefent_a astonishment_n from_o so_o strange_a and_o unwonted_a sight_n as_o be_v meursii_n common_a in_o such_o case_n or_o else_o from_o the_o strong_a apprehension_n they_o have_v of_o the_o dismal_a judgement_n god_n threaten_v to_o the_o people_n but_o however_o it_o never_o take_v from_o they_o the_o free_a use_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o faculty_n which_o be_v always_o conversant_a about_o the_o matter_n revease_v unto_o they_o but_o as_o prooâ—pius_n gazâ—â—â—_n observe_v of_o the_o false_a prophet_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v act_v like_o mad_a mâ—â—_n which_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o upon_o occasion_n oâ—_n saâ—â—â—_n prophesy_v when_o the_o evil_a spirit_n come_v upon_o he_o and_o interpret_v with_o the_o jewish_a writer_n of_o a_o madness_n rather_o than_o true_a prophecy_n such_o as_o that_o of_o cassandra_n when_o she_o be_v bring_v in_o by_o lycophron_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d utt'r_v a_o strange_a confuse_a noise_n much_o like_o unto_o black_a sphinx_n voice_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v tzâ—tzes_n that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v full_o describe_v by_o lucan_n of_o one_o pretend_v enthusiasm_n sub_fw-la pectore_fw-la ficta_fw-la quiâ—to_fw-la verba_fw-la refert_fw-la nullo_n confus_fw-la a_o murmur_n vociâ—_n instinctam_fw-la sacro_fw-la mentem_fw-la testata_fw-la furore_fw-la and_o soon_o after_o non_fw-la rupta_fw-la trementi_fw-la verba_fw-la sono_fw-la nec_fw-la vox_fw-la antri_fw-la complere_fw-la capacis_fw-la sufficiens_fw-la spatium_fw-la whereby_o he_o discover_v she_o not_o to_o be_v a_o true_a enthusiast_n because_o she_o use_v not_o such_o a_o strange_a confuse_a voice_n and_o tremble_n as_o they_o do_v who_o be_v their_o proper_a enthusiast_n as_o the_o sibyl_n and_o the_o pythian_a prophetess_n by_o this_o we_o see_v that_o these_o earthquake_n of_o violent_a passion_n be_v cause_v by_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o air_n and_o not_o by_o the_o gentle_a breathe_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n that_o these_o convulsion_n of_o man_n spirit_n be_v not_o the_o consequent_n of_o the_o inhabitation_n of_o the_o good_a spirit_n but_o of_o the_o violent_a intrusion_n of_o the_o evil_a one_o that_o that_o temper_n
will_v be_v with_o his_o disciple_n to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o we_o take_v it_o for_o a_o state_n of_o thing_n or_o the_o gospel-dispensation_n that_o be_v as_o long_o as_o the_o evangelical_n church_n shall_v continue_v for_o that_o in_o scripture_n be_v sometime_o call_v the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o that_o 5._o phrase_n among_o the_o jew_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n to_o come_v be_v set_v to_o express_v the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o apostle_n may_v refer_v to_o this_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o apostale_n taste_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v the_o force_n and_o energy_n of_o the_o gospel_n preach_v whence_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v say_v to_o be_v not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o in_o word_n but_o in_o power_n which_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d speak_v of_o by_o the_o apostle_n elsewhere_o 20._o the_o powerful_a demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n accompany_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n when_o christ_n be_v call_v by_o the_o prophet_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o everlasting_a father_n the_o septuagint_n render_v it_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o the_o vulgar_a latin_n 24._o pater_fw-la futuri_fw-la saeculi_fw-la the_o father_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v that_o be_v the_o gospel_n state_n and_o to_o this_o sense_n christ_n be_v say_v to_o be_v 11._o make_v a_o high_a priest_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o law_n to_o be_v a_o shadow_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o good_a thing_n which_o shall_v be_v under_o the_o new_a state_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o which_o be_v more_o plain_a to_o the_o 1._o purpose_n the_o apostle_n express_v what_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o 7._o the_o day_n of_o the_o gospel_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o age_n to_o come_v where_o the_o very_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v use_v to_o this_o sense_n and_o 32._o according_a to_o this_o importance_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o very_o probable_o interpret_v that_o place_n of_o our_o saviour_n concern_v the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v forgive_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d neither_o in_o the_o present_a 3._o state_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n wherein_o there_o be_v no_o sacrifice_n of_o expiation_n for_o contumacious_a sinner_n but_o they_o that_o despise_a moses_n law_n die_v without_o mercy_n so_o neither_o shall_v there_o be_v any_o under_o the_o world_n to_o come_v that_o be_v the_o dispensation_n of_o gospel_n grace_n any_o pardon_n 28._o proclaim_v to_o any_o such_o sinner_n who_o â—â—ample_n under_o foot_n the_o blood_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o offer_v despite_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n thus_o we_o see_v how_o proper_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v agree_v here_o to_o the_o gospel-state_n and_o so_o christ_n promise_n of_o his_o presence_n do_v imply_v the_o perpetuity_n of_o that_o office_n as_o long_o as_o the_o evangelical_n state_n shall_v remain_v which_o will_v be_v to_o the_o world_n end_n the_o three_o thing_n whereby_o to_o know_v when_o positive_a institution_n 8._o be_v unalterable_a be_v when_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v succession_n and_o continuance_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n now_o this_o yield_v a_o further_a evidence_n of_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n see_v the_o church_n its_o self_n can_v be_v preserve_v without_o the_o government_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o government_n without_o some_o to_o rule_v the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o to_o take_v care_n for_o a_o due_a administration_n of_o church-priviledge_n and_o to_o inflict_v censure_n upon_o offender_n which_o be_v the_o power_n they_o be_v invest_v in_o by_o the_o same_o authority_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o institution_n at_o first_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a how_o any_o society_n as_o the_o church_n be_v can_v be_v preserve_v without_o the_o continuance_n of_o church-officer_n among_o they_o as_o long_o as_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n must_v be_v edify_v there_o must_v be_v some_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d fit_v for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n which_o be_v appoint_v in_o order_n to_o that_o end_n for_o that_o i_o suppose_v be_v the_o apostle_n meaning_n in_o ephes._n 4._o 12._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d follow_v the_o complutensian_a copy_n leave_v out_o the_o comma_n between_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o make_v as_o though_o it_o be_v a_o distinct_a thing_n from_o the_o former_a whereas_o the_o original_a carry_v the_o sense_n on_o for_o otherwise_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n and_o those_o who_o follow_v the_o ordinary_a read_n be_v much_o at_o a_o loss_n how_o to_o explain_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d come_v in_o so_o in_o the_o midst_n without_o dependence_n upon_o the_o former_a therefore_o the_o vulg_n latin_n best_o render_v it_o ad_fw-la consummationem_fw-la sanctorum_fw-la ad_fw-la opus_fw-la ministerii_fw-la for_o the_o complete_n of_o the_o saint_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o order_n to_o the_o build_n up_o of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n musculus_fw-la inform_v we_o the_o german_a version_n render_v it_o and_o so_o we_o understand_v the_o enumeration_n in_o the_o verse_n before_o of_o apostle_n prophet_n evangelist_n 11_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n not_o for_o the_o person_n themselves_o but_o for_o the_o gift_n of_o those_o person_n the_o office_n of_o apostle_n evangelist_n pastor_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o eight_o verse_n he_o give_v gift_n to_o man_n now_o these_o gift_n say_v he_o christ_n give_v to_o man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o fit_v the_o saint_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n not_o as_o a_o late_a democratical_a writer_n will_v persuade_v we_o as_o though_o all_o the_o saint_n be_v thereby_o fit_v for_o this_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n for_o that_o the_o apostle_n exclude_v by_o the_o former_a enumeration_n for_o be_v all_o the_o saint_n fit_v for_o apostle_n be_v all_o prophet_n be_v all_o evangelist_n be_v all_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n as_o the_o apostle_n 11._o himself_o elsewhere_o argue_v and_o in_o the_o 8_o v_o of_o that_o chapter_n he_o particular_o mention_n the_o several_a gift_n qualify_a man_n for_o several_a useful_a employment_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o spirit_n divide_v to_o every_o man_n several_o as_o he_o will_n therefore_o it_o can_v be_v that_o all_o the_o saint_n be_v hereby_o fit_v for_o this_o work_n but_o god_n have_v scatter_v these_o gift_n among_o the_o saint_n that_o those_o who_o have_v they_o may_v be_v fit_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o god_n will_v not_o leave_v his_o church_n without_o person_n qualify_v for_o the_o service_n of_o himself_o in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o order_n to_o the_o build_n up_o of_o the_o body_n of_o christ._n and_o by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o may_v be_v mean_v no_o other_o than_o those_o he_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o chapter_n before_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o revelation_n make_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 5._o to_o his_o holy_a apostle_n and_o prophet_n and_o so_o god_n give_v these_o gift_n for_o the_o fiit_v the_o holy_a apostle_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n it_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o all_o so_o as_o to_o destroy_v a_o peculiar_a function_n of_o the_o ministry_n for_o god_n very_o give_v these_o gift_n to_o some_o and_o not_o to_o other_o be_v a_o evidence_n that_o the_o function_n be_v peculiar_a for_o else_o have_v the_o gift_n be_v common_a to_o all_o every_o saint_n have_v be_v a_o apostle_n every_o believer_n a_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n and_o then_o where_o have_v the_o people_n be_v that_o must_v have_v be_v rule_v and_o govern_v so_o that_o this_o very_a place_n do_v strong_o assert_v both_o the_o peculiarity_n of_o the_o function_n from_o the_o peculiarity_n of_o gift_n in_o order_n to_o fit_a man_n for_o it_o and_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o function_n from_o the_o end_n of_o it_o the_o build_n up_o of_o the_o body_n of_o christ._n thus_o i_o have_v now_o assert_v the_o perpetual_a divine_a right_n of_o a_o gospel-ministry_n not_o only_o for_o teach_v the_o word_n but_o administration_n of_o ordinance_n and_o govern_v the_o church_n as_o a_o society_n which_o work_n belong_v to_o none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v appoint_v for_o it_o who_o be_v the_o same_o
toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la decretum_fw-la ut_fw-la unus_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la electus_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la caeteris_fw-la quomodo_fw-la enim_fw-la say_v a_o learned_a man_n fieri_fw-la poâ—uit_fw-la ut_fw-la toto_fw-la hoc_fw-la orbe_fw-la decerneretur_fw-la nullo_n jam_fw-la oecumenico_fw-la concilio_n ad_fw-la illud_fw-la decernendum_fw-la congregaâ—o_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n ipsis_fw-la fidem_fw-la toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la promulgantibiss_fw-la &_o cum_fw-la fide_fw-la hanc_fw-la regendi_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la formam_fw-la constituentibus_fw-la factum_fw-la sit_fw-la so_o that_o he_o conceive_v so_o general_a a_o order_n can_v not_o be_v make_v unless_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o at_o that_o time_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o but_o first_o jeroms_n in_o toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la dicretâ—m_fw-la est_fw-la relate_v not_o to_o a_o antecedent_n order_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o episcopacy_n but_o to_o the_o universal_a establishment_n of_o that_o order_n which_o come_v up_o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o so_o many_o schism_n it_o be_v something_o therefore_o consequent_a upon_o the_o first_o set_v up_o episcopacy_n which_o be_v the_o general_a obtain_n of_o it_o in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n when_o they_o see_v its_o usefulness_n in_o order_n to_o the_o church_n peace_n therefore_o the_o emphasis_n lie_v not_o in_o decretum_fw-la est_fw-la but_o in_o toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la note_v how_o sudden_o this_o order_n meet_v with_o universal_a acceptance_n when_o it_o first_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o church_n after_o the_o apostle_n death_n which_o that_o it_o be_v jeroms_n meaning_n appear_v by_o what_o he_o say_v after_o paulatim_fw-la verò_fw-la ut_fw-la dissensionum_fw-la plantaria_fw-la evellerentur_fw-la ad_fw-la unum_fw-la omnem_fw-la solicitudinem_fw-la esse_fw-la delatam_fw-la where_o he_o note_v the_o gradual_a obtain_n of_o it_o which_o i_o suppose_v be_v thus_o according_a to_o his_o opinion_n first_o in_o the_o college_n of_o presbyter_n appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o order_n there_o be_v a_o precedent_n among_o they_o who_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o senate_n i._n e._n do_v moderate_a the_o affair_n of_o the_o assembly_n by_o propose_v matter_n to_o it_o gather_v voice_n be_v the_o first_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o concernment_n but_o he_o have_v not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o casaubon_n very_o well_o distinguish_v they_o i._n e._n have_v no_o power_n 12._o over_o his_o fellow-presbyter_n but_o that_o still_o reside_v in_o the_o college_n or_o body_n of_o they_o after_o this_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o way_n who_o keep_v the_o main_a power_n in_o their_o own_o hand_n of_o rule_v the_o several_a presbytery_n or_o delegated_a some_o to_o do_v it_o who_o have_v a_o main_a hand_n in_o the_o plant_n church_n with_o the_o apostle_n and_o thence_o be_v call_v in_o scripture_n sometime_o fellow-labourer_n in_o the_o lord_n and_o sometime_o evangelist_n and_o by_o theodoret_n apostle_n but_o of_o a_o second_o order_n after_o i_o say_v these_o be_v decease_v and_o the_o main_a power_n leave_v in_o the_o presbytery_n the_o several_a presbyter_n enjoy_v a_o equal_a power_n among_o themselves_o especial_o be_v many_o in_o one_o city_n thereby_o great_a occasion_n be_v give_v to_o many_o schism_n partly_o by_o the_o bandy_n of_o the_o presbyter_n one_o against_o another_o partly_o by_o the_o siding_n of_o the_o people_n with_o some_o against_o the_o rest_n partly_o by_o the_o too_o common_a use_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n in_o presbyter_n by_o which_o they_o be_v more_o able_a to_o increase_v their_o own_o party_n by_o ordain_v those_o who_o will_v join_v with_o they_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n to_o perpetuate_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n upon_o this_o when_o the_o wise_a and_o grave_a sort_n consider_v the_o abuse_n follow_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o this_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o withal_o have_v in_o their_o mind_n the_o excellent_a frame_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n and_o for_o prevent_v of_o future_a schism_n and_o division_n among_o themselves_o they_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o number_n who_o be_v best_a qualify_v for_o the_o management_n of_o so_o great_a a_o trust_n and_o to_o devolve_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o he_o yet_o so_o as_o that_o he_o â—ct_v nothing_o of_o importance_n without_o the_o consent_n and_o concurrence_n of_o the_o presbyter_n who_o be_v still_o to_o be_v as_o the_o common_a council_n to_o the_o bishop_n this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a and_o just_a account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n according_a to_o jerome_n which_o model_n of_o government_n thus_o contrive_v and_o frame_v set_v forth_o to_o we_o a_o most_o lively_a character_n of_o that_o great_a wisdom_n and_o moderation_n which_o then_o rule_v the_o head_n and_o heart_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o which_o when_o man_n have_v search_v and_o study_v all_o other_o way_n the_o abuse_n incident_a to_o this_o government_n through_o the_o corruption_n of_o man_n and_o time_n be_v retrench_v will_v be_v find_v the_o most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o primitive_a form_n both_o as_o assert_v the_o due_a interest_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o allow_v the_o due_a honour_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o by_o the_o joint_a harmony_n of_o both_o carry_v on_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n with_o the_o great_a unity_n concord_n and_o peace_n which_o form_n of_o government_n i_o can_v see_v how_o any_o possible_a reason_n can_v be_v produce_v by_o either_o party_n why_o they_o may_v not_o with_o cheerfulness_n embrace_v it_o second_o another_o evidence_n that_o jerome_n by_o decretum_fw-la est_fw-la do_v not_o mean_v a_o order_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v by_o the_o word_n which_o follow_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o decree_n viz._n ut_fw-la unus_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la electus_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la caeteris_fw-la one_o choose_a not_o only_o out_o of_o but_o by_o the_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v set_v above_o the_o rest_n for_o so_o jerome_n must_v be_v understand_v for_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o themselves_o choose_v out_o of_o all_o presbytery_n one_o person_n to_o be_v set_v above_o the_o rest_n and_o withal_o the_o instance_n bring_v of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n make_v it_o evident_a to_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o choose_n by_o the_o presbyter_n and_o not_o by_o the_o apostle_n beside_o do_v jerome_n mean_a choose_n by_o the_o apostle_n he_o will_v have_v give_v some_o intimation_n of_o the_o hand_n the_o apostle_n have_v in_o it_o which_o we_o see_v not_o in_o he_o the_o least_o ground_n for_o and_o as_o for_o that_o pretence_n that_o ecclesiae_fw-la consuetudo_fw-la be_v apostolica_fw-la traditio_fw-la i_o have_v already_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o apostolica_fw-la traditio_fw-la in_o jerome_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o consuetudo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la which_o i_o shall_v now_o confirm_v by_o a_o pregnant_a and_o unanswerable_a testimony_n out_o of_o jerome_n himself_o unaquaeque_fw-la provincia_fw-la abundet_fw-la in_o sensu_fw-la svo_fw-la &_o praecepta_fw-la lucinum_n majorum_fw-la leges_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la arbitretur_fw-la let_v every_o province_n abound_v in_o its_o own_o sense_n and_o account_v of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o their_o ancestor_n as_o of_o apostolical_a law_n nothing_o can_v have_v be_v speak_v more_o full_o to_o open_v to_o we_o what_o jerome_n mean_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n viz_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o former_a age_n though_o not_o come_v from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o thus_o we_o have_v once_o more_o clear_v jerome_n and_o the_o truth_n together_o i_o only_o wish_v all_o that_o be_v of_o his_o judgement_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v of_o his_o temper_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o own_o and_o while_o they_o own_v not_o episcopacy_n as_o necessary_a by_o a_o divine_a right_n yet_o be_v due_o moderate_v and_o join_v with_o presbytery_n they_o may_v embrace_v it_o as_o not_o only_o a_o lawful_a but_o very_o useful_a constitution_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n by_o which_o we_o may_v see_v what_o a_o excellent_a temper_n may_v be_v find_v out_o most_o full_o consonant_a to_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o the_o management_n of_o ordination_n and_o church_n power_n viz._n by_o the_o presidency_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o presbytery_n for_o the_o top-gallant_n of_o episcopacy_n can_v never_o be_v so_o well_o manage_v for_o the_o right_n steer_v the_o ship_n of_o the_o church_n as_o when_o it_o be_v join_v with_o the_o under-sail_n of_o a_o moderate_a presbytery_n so_o much_o shall_v suffice_v to_o speak_v here_o as_o to_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n which_o we_o have_v find_v to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o synagogue_n and_o the_o custom_n observe_v in_o
of_o the_o assembly_n of_o presbyter_n may_v be_v so_o call_v what_o superiority_n can_v be_v deduce_v thence_o any_o more_o than_o such_o a_o one_o enjoy_v nay_o if_o in_o the_o prophetical_a style_n a_o unity_n may_v be_v set_v down_o by_o way_n of_o representation_n of_o a_o multitude_n what_o evidence_n can_v be_v bring_v from_o the_o name_n that_o by_o it_o some_o one_o particular_a person_n must_v be_v understand_v and_o by_o this_o mean_v 4._o timothy_n may_v avoid_v be_v charge_v with_o leave_v his_o first_o love_n which_o he_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v by_o those_o that_o make_v he_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n at_o the_o time_n of_o write_v these_o epistle_n neither_o be_v this_o any_o way_n solve_v by_o the_o answer_v give_v that_o the_o name_n angel_n be_v representative_a of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n the_o angel_n shall_v be_v personal_o guilty_a of_o it_o for_o first_o it_o seem_v strange_a that_o the_o whole_a diffusive_a body_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v charge_v with_o a_o crime_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o angel_n and_o he_o that_o be_v particular_o mean_v by_o that_o name_n shall_v be_v free_a from_o it_o as_o if_o a_o prince_n shall_v charge_v the_o mayor_n of_o a_o corporation_n as_o guilty_a of_o rebellion_n and_o by_o it_o shall_v only_o mean_v that_o the_o corporation_n be_v guilty_a but_o the_o mayor_n be_v innocent_a himself_n second_o if_o mady_a thing_n in_o the_o epistle_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o angel_n but_o yet_o so_o as_o to_o concern_v the_o whole_a body_n then_o of_o necessity_n the_o angel_n must_v be_v take_v as_o representative_a of_o the_o body_n and_o then_o why_o may_v not_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v take_v only_o by_o way_n of_o representation_n of_o the_o body_n its_o self_n either_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n or_o which_o be_v far_o more_o probable_a of_o the_o consessus_fw-la or_o order_n of_o presbyter_n in_o that_o church_n we_o see_v what_o miserable_o unconcluding_a argument_n those_o be_v which_o be_v bring_v for_o any_o form_n of_o government_n from_o metaphorical_a or_o ambiguous_a expression_n or_o name_n promiscuous_o use_v which_o may_v be_v interpret_v to_o different_a sense_n what_o certainty_n then_o can_v any_o rational_a man_n find_v what_o the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n when_o only_o those_o argument_n be_v use_v which_o may_v be_v equal_o accommodate_v to_o different_a form_n and_o without_o such_o a_o certainty_n with_o what_o confidence_n can_v man_n speak_v of_o a_o divine_a right_n of_o any_o one_o particular_a form_n second_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o primitive_a form_n be_v argue_v from_o the_o place_n most_o in_o controversy_n about_o the_o form_n of_o government_n because_o that_o without_o any_o apparent_a incongruity_n they_o may_v be_v understand_v of_o either_o of_o the_o different_a form_n which_o i_o shall_v make_v out_o by_o go_v through_o the_o several_a place_n the_o controversy_n then_o on_o foot_n be_v this_o as_o it_o be_v of_o late_o state_v whether_o the_o church_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o bishop_n only_o and_o deacon_n or_o by_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n act_v in_o a_o parity_n of_o power_n the_o place_n insist_v on_o on_o both_o side_n be_v these_o act_v 11._o 30._o act_n 14._o 23._o act_n 28._o 17_o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1._o titus_n 1._o 5._o the_o thing_n in_o controversy_n be_v whether_o bishop_n with_o deacon_n or_o presbyter_n in_o a_o parity_n of_o power_n be_v understand_v in_o these_o place_n i_o begin_v then_o in_o order_n with_o act_n 11._o 30._o the_o first_o place_n wherein_o the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d occurr_n as_o apply_v to_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n those_o that_o be_v for_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n understand_v by_o these_o elder_n those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o do_v govern_v the_o affair_n of_o that_o church_n those_o that_o be_v for_o a_o solitary_a episcopacy_n by_o these_o elder_n understand_v not_o the_o local_a elder_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o the_o several_a bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n let_v we_o now_o see_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o evidence_n from_o the_o place_n to_o determine_v which_o of_o these_o two_o must_v necessary_o be_v understand_v there_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o mention_v in_o the_o place_n but_o only_o that_o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o famine_n they_o send_v relief_n to_o the_o brethren_n of_o judea_n and_o send_v it_o to_o the_o elder_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n which_o may_v either_o be_v to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o be_v distribute_v to_o the_o several_a church_n of_o judea_n or_o else_o to_o the_o several_a pastor_n of_o those_o church_n either_o collective_o as_o meet_v together_o at_o jerusalem_n to_o receive_v this_o contribution_n or_o distributive_o as_o they_o be_v in_o their_o several_a church_n the_o relief_n may_v be_v send_v to_o all_o the_o brethren_n of_o judea_n and_o yet_o either_o be_v convey_v to_o the_o particular_a elder_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o send_v it_o abroad_o or_o to_o the_o several_a elder_n of_o the_o church_n within_o the_o circuit_n of_o judea_n but_o other_o place_n be_v bring_v by_o both_o party_n for_o their_o particular_a sense_n in_o this_o as_o act_n 15._o 6._o here_o indeed_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n together_o at_o jerusalem_n but_o nothing_o express_v whereby_o we_o may_v know_v whether_o the_o fix_a elder_n of_o that_o church_n or_o else_o the_o elder_n of_o all_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n assemble_v upon_o this_o solemn_a occasion_n of_o the_o council_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o so_o act_v 21._o 11._o when_o paul_n go_v in_o to_o james_n it_o be_v say_v that_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a no_o more_o certainty_n here_o neither_o for_o either_o they_o may_v be_v the_o fix_a officer_n of_o that_o church_n meet_v with_o james_n upon_o paul_n come_v or_o else_o they_o may_v be_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o several_a church_n of_o judea_n meet_v together_o not_o to_o take_v account_n of_o paul_n ministry_n as_o some_o improbable_o conjecture_n but_o assemble_v together_o there_o at_o the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n at_o which_o paul_n come_v to_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v more_o probable_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o what_o we_o read_v v_o 20._o of_o the_o many_o thousand_o believe_a jew_n than_o at_o jerusalem_n who_o be_v zealous_a of_o the_o law_n who_o in_o all_o probability_n be_v the_o believe_a jew_n of_o judea_n who_o do_v yet_o observe_v the_o annual_a festival_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o so_o most_o likely_a their_o several_a elder_n may_v go_v up_o together_o with_o they_o and_o there_o be_v with_o james_n at_o paul_n come_v in_o to_o he_o no_o certainty_n then_o of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n how_o that_o be_v govern_v whether_o by_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o other_o unfixed_a elder_n or_o only_o by_o james_n who_o exercise_v his_o apostleship_n most_o there_o and_o thence_o afterwards_o call_v the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o proceed_v therefore_o to_o the_o government_n of_o other_o church_n and_o the_o next_o place_n be_v act_v 14._o 23._o and_o when_o they_o have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n here_o some_o plead_v for_o a_o plurality_n of_o elder_n as_o fix_v in_o every_o church_n but_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o word_n hold_v true_a if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o in_o each_o church_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d titus_n 1._o 5._o for_o both_o place_n will_v admit_v of_o the_o same_o answer_n do_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o oppidatim_o or_o ecclesiatim_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gradatim_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d viritim_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d particulatim_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vicatim_fw-la no_o more_o than_o be_v import_v than_o that_o elder_n be_v ordain_v city_n by_o city_n or_o church_n by_o church_n as_o we_o will_v render_v iâ—_n and_o thereby_o nothing_o be_v express_v but_o that_o no_o church_n want_v a_o elder_a but_o not_o that_o every_o church_n have_v more_o elder_n than_o one_o but_o the_o place_n most_o controvert_v be_v act_v 20._o 17._o and_o from_o miletus_n paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n those_o that_o say_v these_o elder_n be_v those_o only_o of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n seem_v to_o be_v most_o favour_v by_o the_o article_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o seem_v to_o apply_v it_o to_o that_o particular_a church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o by_o the_o syriack_n version_n which_o render_v it_o venire_fw-la fecit_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ephesi_n to_o the_o same_o
propound_a method_n to_o examine_v what_o light_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o age_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n will_v cast_v upon_o the_o controversy_n we_o be_v upon_o for_o although_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n establish_v and_o â—aid_v down_o by_o we_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o settle_v as_o a_o universal_a law_n for_o the_o church_n but_o what_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n yet_o because_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n be_v conceive_v to_o be_v of_o â—o_o great_a use_n for_o understanding_n what_o the_o apostle_n intention_n as_o well_o as_o action_n be_v we_o shall_v cheerful_o pass_v over_o this_o rubicon_n because_o not_o with_o a_o intent_n to_o increase_v division_n but_o to_o find_v out_o some_o further_a evidence_n of_o a_o way_n to_o compose_v they_o our_o inquiry_n then_o be_v whether_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v conceive_v its_o self_n oblige_v to_o observe_v unalterable_o one_o individual_a form_n of_o government_n as_o deliver_v down_o to_o they_o either_o by_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n or_o a_o universal_a constitution_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o else_o do_v only_o settle_v and_o order_v thing_n for_o church-government_n according_a as_o it_o judge_v they_o tend_v most_o to_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n without_o any_o antecedent_n obligation_n as_o necessary_o bind_v to_o observe_v only_o one_o course_n this_o latter_a i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o to_o have_v be_v the_o only_a rule_n and_o law_n which_o the_o primitive_a church_n observe_v as_o to_o church-government_n viz._n the_o tendency_n of_o its_o constitution_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o any_o bind_a law_n or_o practice_n of_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n for_o the_o demonstrate_v of_o which_o i_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o such_o argument_n as_o most_o immediate_o teâ—d_v to_o the_o prove_v of_o it_o for_o if_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n and_o its_o officer_n do_v increase_v mere_o from_o the_o enlargement_n of_o the_o bound_n of_o church_n if_o no_o one_o certain_a form_n be_v observe_v in_o all_o church_n but_o great_a variety_n as_o to_o officer_n and_o diocese_n if_o the_o course_n use_v in_o settle_v the_o power_n of_o the_o chief_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v from_o agreement_n with_o the_o civil_a government_n if_o notwithstanding_o the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n the_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n be_v own_v as_o valid_a if_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n concern_v the_o church_n polity_n the_o church_n prudence_n be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o establish_v thing_n then_o we_o may_v with_o reason_n conciude_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v infer_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n demonstrative_a of_o any_o one_o fix_a form_n of_o church-government_n deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n â—o_o they_o have_v thus_o by_o a_o lâ—ght_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d draw_v ouâ—_n the_o several_a line_n of_o the_o portraiture_n of_o the_o polity_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n we_o now_o proceed_v to_o fill_v they_o up_o though_o not_o with_o that_o life_n which_o it_o deserve_v yet_o so_o far_o as_o the_o model_n of_o this_o discourse_n will_v permit_v our_o first_o argument_n than_o be_v from_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o power_n of_o church-governor_n which_o i_o assert_v not_o to_o have_v be_v from_o any_o order_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o from_o the_o gradual_a increase_n of_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n this_o will_v be_v best_a do_v by_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o growth_n of_o church_n and_o how_o proportionable_o the_o power_n of_o the_o governor_n do_v increase_v with_o it_o as_o to_o that_o there_o â—re_n four_o observable_a step_n or_o period_n as_o so_o many_o age_n of_o growth_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n first_o when_o church_n and_o city_n be_v of_o the_o same_o extent_n second_o when_o church_n take_v in_o the_o adjoin_a territory_n with_o the_o village_n belong_v to_o the_o city_n three_o when_o several_a city_n with_o their_o village_n do_v associate_v for_o church-government_n in_o the_o same_o province_n four_o when_o several_a province_n do_v associate_v for_o government_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n of_o these_o in_o their_o order_n the_o first_o period_n of_o church_n government_n observable_a in_o the_o 2._o primitive_a church_n be_v when_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o christian_n in_o whole_a city_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v first_o show_v that_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o church_n be_v in_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o same_o city_n second_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o government_n then_o observe_v among_o they_o three_o consider_v what_o relation_n the_o several_a church_n in_o city_n have_v to_o one_o another_o first_o that_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v christian_n of_o whole_a city_n it_o be_v but_o a_o late_a and_o novel_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n church_n whereby_o it_o be_v take_v for_o state_v fix_a congregation_n for_o public_a worship_n and_o doubtless_o the_o original_n of_o it_o be_v only_o from_o the_o distinction_n of_o church_n in_o great_a city_n into_o their_o several_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o public_a place_n for_o meeting_n whence_o the_o scotch_a kirk_n and_o our_o english_a church_n so_o that_o from_o call_v the_o place_n church_n they_o proceed_v to_o call_v the_o person_n there_o meet_v by_o that_o name_n and_o thence_o some_o think_v the_o name_n of_o church_n so_o appropriate_v to_o such_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n as_o may_v meet_v at_o such_o a_o place_n that_o they_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o religion_n not_o to_o call_v those_o place_n church_n from_o whence_o original_o the_o very_a name_n as_o we_o use_v it_o be_v derive_v but_o this_o may_v be_v pardon_v among_o other_o the_o religious_a weakness_n of_o well_o meaning_n but_o less_o know_v people_n a_o church_n in_o its_o primary_n sense_n as_o it_o answer_v to_o the_o greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d apply_v to_o christian_n be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n live_v together_o in_o one_o city_n whether_o meet_v together_o in_o many_o congregation_n or_o one_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a because_o they_o be_v not_o call_v a_o church_n as_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n but_o as_o they_o be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n inhabit_v together_o in_o such_o a_o city_n not_o but_o that_o i_o think_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n may_v be_v call_v a_o church_n wherever_o they_o be_v whether_o in_o a_o city_n or_o country_n but_o because_o the_o first_o and_o chief_a mention_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o scripture_n of_o church_n be_v of_o such_o as_o do_v dwell_v together_o in_o the_o same_o city_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o many_o pregnant_a place_n of_o scripture_n to_o this_o purpose_n as_o act_v 14._o 23._o compare_v with_o titus_n 1._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o one_o place_n be_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o other_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n which_o imply_v that_o by_o church_n then_o be_v mean_v the_o body_n of_o christian_n reside_v in_o the_o city_n over_o which_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v elder_n to_o rule_v they_o so_o act_v 16._o 4._o 5._o as_o they_o go_v through_o the_o city_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o be_v the_o church_n establish_v in_o the_o faith_n the_o church_n here_o be_v the_o christian_n of_o those_o city_n which_o they_o go_v through_o so_o act_v 20._o 17._o he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n if_o by_o the_o elder_n we_o mean_v as_o all_o those_o do_v we_o now_o deal_v with_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n than_o it_o be_v here_o evident_a that_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o city_n be_v all_o one_o but_o what_o be_v more_o observable_a ver_fw-la 28._o he_o call_v the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d take_v heed_n to_o yourselves_o and_o to_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n where_o several_a thing_n be_v observable_a to_o our_o purpose_n first_o that_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n in_o ephesus_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o flock_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o the_o several_a flock_n and_o church_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v you_o bishop_n second_o that_o all_o these_o speak_v to_o be_v such_o as_o have_v a_o pastoral_a charge_n of_o this_o one_o flock_n paul_n call_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o charge_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o pastor_n towards_o it_o so_o
themselves_o as_o one_o body_n and_o meet_v together_o as_o occasion_n serve_v they_o where_o either_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o justin_n martyr_n language_n do_v perform_v the_o solemn_a part_n of_o divine_a worship_n or_o some_o other_o of_o the_o elder_n that_o be_v present_a with_o they_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a for_o man_n to_o dream_v of_o set-time_n and_o canonical_a hour_n and_o public_a place_n of_o assembly_n at_o that_o time_n when_o their_o chief_a time_n of_o meeting_n be_v in_o the_o night_n or_o very_o early_a 10._o in_o the_o morning_n which_o pliny_n call_v conventus_fw-la antelucanus_fw-la whence_o they_o be_v call_v latebrosa_fw-la &_o lucifugax_fw-la natio_fw-la and_o samas_n be_v fain_o to_o make_v use_n of_o wax-light_n which_o from_o that_o custom_n the_o papist_n continue_v still_o in_o their_o taper_n always_o burn_v upon_o the_o altar_n from_o what_o reason_n i_o know_v not_o unless_o to_o show_v the_o darkness_n of_o error_n and_o superstition_n which_o that_o church_n lie_v under_o still_o and_o the_o place_n of_o the_o christian_n meeting_n be_v general_o either_o some_o private_a room_n or_o some_o grott_n or_o cryptae_n vault_n under_o ground_n where_o they_o may_v be_v least_o discern_v or_o take_v notice_n of_o or_o in_o the_o coemeteria_fw-la the_o martyrum_fw-la memoriae_fw-la as_o they_o call_v they_o where_o their_o common_a assembly_n be_v thence_o pontius_n paulinus_n speak_v of_o the_o edict_n of_o valerian_n against_o the_o christian_n jussum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la nulla_fw-la conciliabula_fw-la faciant_fw-la neque_fw-la coemeteria_fw-la ingrediantur_fw-la indeed_o when_o they_o have_v any_o public_a liberty_n grant_v they_o they_o be_v so_o mindful_a of_o their_o duty_n of_o public_a profession_n of_o the_o faith_n as_o to_o make_v use_n of_o public_a place_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n as_o appear_v by_o lampridius_n in_o the_o life_n of_o alexander_n sâ—verus_n quum_fw-la christiani_n quendam_fw-la locum_fw-la qui_fw-la publicus_fw-la fuerat_fw-la occupassent_fw-la contrà _fw-la popinarii_fw-la dicerent_fw-la sibi_fw-la cum_fw-la deberi_fw-la rescripsit_fw-la melius_fw-la esse_fw-la ut_fw-la quomâ—docunque_fw-la illic_fw-la deus_fw-la colatur_fw-la quam_fw-la popinariis_fw-la dedatur_fw-la but_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n it_o be_v most_o improbable_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o fix_a congregation_n and_o place_n when_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o much_o hunt_v after_o and_o inquire_v for_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o former_a epistle_n of_o pliny_n and_o the_o know_a rescript_n 2._o of_o trajan_n upon_o it_o so_o much_o exagitated_a by_o tertullian_n they_o do_v meet_v often_o it_o be_v certain_a ad_fw-la confaederandum_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la at_o which_o meeting_n tertullian_n tell_v we_o president_n probati_fw-la quique_fw-la seniores_fw-la which_o he_o elsewhere_o explain_v by_o consessus_fw-la ordiâ—is_fw-la the_o bench_n of_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n which_o do_v in_o common_a consult_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n without_o any_o cantonize_a the_o christian_n into_o several_a distinct_a and_o fix_a congregation_n but_o after_o that_o believer_n be_v much_o increase_v and_o any_o peace_n or_o liberty_n obtain_v they_o then_o begin_v to_o contrive_v the_o distribution_n of_o the_o work_n among_o the_o several_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o settle_v the_o several_a bound_n over_o which_o every_o presbyter_n be_v to_o take_v his_o charge_n but_o yet_o so_o as_o that_o every_o presbyter_n retain_v a_o double_a aspect_n of_o his_o office_n the_o one_o particular_a to_o his_o charge_n the_o other_o general_a respect_v the_o church_n in_o common_a for_o it_o be_v but_o a_o weak_a conceit_n to_o imagine_v that_o after_o the_o settle_n of_o congregation_n every_o one_o have_v a_o distinct_a presbytery_n to_o rule_v it_o which_o we_o find_v not_o any_o obseure_fw-fr footstep_n of_o in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a church_n but_o there_o be_v still_o one_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n which_o rule_v all_o the_o several_a congregation_n of_o those_o city_n in_o common_a of_o which_o the_o several_a presbyter_n of_o the_o congregation_n be_v member_n and_o in_o which_o the_o bishop_n act_v as_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o senate_n for_o the_o better_a govern_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n and_o thus_o we_o find_v cornelius_n at_o rome_n sit_v there_o cum_fw-la florentissimo_fw-la clero_fw-la thus_o cyprian_n at_o carthage_n 21._o one_o who_o plead_v as_o much_o as_o any_o for_o obedience_n to_o bishop_n and_o yet_o none_o more_o evident_a for_o the_o presence_n and_o joint_a concurrence_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o clergy_n at_o all_o church_n debate_v who_o resolution_n from_o his_o first_o entrance_n into_o his_o bishopric_n be_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n communi_fw-la concilio_fw-la clericorum_fw-la with_o the_o common-council_n 32._o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o say_v they_o be_v cum_fw-la episcopo_fw-la sacerdotali_fw-la honore_fw-la conjuncti_fw-la victor_n at_o rome_n decree_v easter_n to_o be_v keep_v on_o the_o lord_n day_n collatione_fw-la facta_fw-la cum_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la &_o diaconibus_fw-la according_a to_o the_o latin_a of_o that_o age_n as_o damasus_n 91._o the_o suppose_a author_n of_o the_o life_n of_o the_o pope_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o proceed_n against_o novatus_n at_o rome_n we_o have_v a_o clear_a testimony_n of_o the_o concurrence_n of_o presbyter_n where_o a_o great_a synod_n be_v call_v as_o eâ—sebius_n express_v it_o of_o sixty_o bishop_n but_o 43._o more_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o what_o be_v more_o full_a to_o our_o purpose_n not_o only_o the_o several_a presbyter_n of_o the_o city_n but_o the_o country_n pastor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v likewise_o give_v their_o advice_n about_o that_o business_n at_o this_o time_n cornelius_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v forty_o six_o presbyter_n in_o that_o one_o city_n of_o rome_n who_o concur_v with_o he_o in_o condemn_v novatus_n 30._o so_o at_o antioch_n in_o the_o case_n of_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la we_o find_v a_o synod_n gather_v consist_v of_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o in_o their_o name_n the_o synodal_n epistle_n be_v pen_v and_o direct_v to_o the_o same_o in_o all_o the_o catholic_n church_n at_o the_o council_n of_o eliberis_n in_o spain_n be_v present_a but_o ninteen_o bishop_n and_o twenty_o six_o presbyter_n the_o case_n between_o sylvanus_n consul_n bishop_n of_o cirta_n in_o africa_n and_o nundinaris_n the_o deacon_n be_v refer_v by_o purpuriuâ—_n to_o the_o clergy_n to_o decide_v it_o for_o the_o presence_n of_o presbyter_n at_o synod_n instance_n be_v bring_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o blondel_n in_o his_o apology_n and_o that_o they_o concur_v 200._o in_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o not_o only_o by_o their_o counsel_n but_o authority_n appear_v from_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n even_o when_o episcopacy_n be_v at_o the_o high_a nazianzen_n speak_v of_o the_o office_n of_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o he_o know_v not_o whither_o to_o call_v it_o ministry_n or_o superintendency_n and_o those_o who_o be_v make_v presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o be_v rule_v they_o ascend_v to_o be_v ruler_n themselves_o and_o their_o power_n by_o he_o be_v in_o several_a 11._o place_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v call_v by_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrysostome_n give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o paul_n pass_v over_o from_o bishop_n to_o deacon_n without_o name_v presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o there_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n of_o difference_n between_o a_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n for_o these_o likewise_o have_v the_o instruction_n and_o charge_n of_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o they_o which_o word_n theophylact_fw-mi chrysostom_n echo_n repeat_v after_o he_o 1._o which_o the_o council_n of_o aquen_n thus_o express_v presbyterorum_fw-la verô_o qui_fw-la praesunt_fw-la ecclesiâ—_n christi_fw-la ministerium_fw-la esse_fw-la videtur_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o doctrina_fw-la praesint_fw-la populis_fw-la &_o in_fw-la officio_fw-la praedicandi_fw-la nec_fw-la in_o aliquo_fw-la desides_fw-la inuâ—nti_fw-la appareant_fw-la clemens_n alexandrinus_n before_o all_o these_o speak_v of_o himself_o and_o his_o fellow-presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o be_v pastor_n 6._o and_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o proper_a act_n of_o discipline_n be_v perform_v by_o they_o appear_v both_o by_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n about_o their_o preserve_a discipline_n to_o cyprian_a and_o likewise_o by_o the_o act_n of_o that_o clergy_n in_o exclude_v martion_n from_o communion_n with_o they_o so_o the_o presbyter_n 4â—_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n excommunicate_v noetus_n for_o after_o they_o have_v cite_v he_o before_o they_o and_o find_v he_o obstinate_a in_o his_o heresy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o put_v both_o he_o and_o his_o disciple_n 1._o out_o of_o the_o church_n together_o thus_o we_o see_v what_o the_o
manner_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v now_o the_o bishop_n sit_v as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o sanhedrin_n and_o the_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o ignatius_n express_v it_o act_v as_o the_o common-council_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o bishop_n the_o bishop_n be_v as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d answer_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o presbytery_n as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d answer_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 129._o as_o origen_n compare_v they_o whereby_o he_o full_o describe_v the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o his_o time_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v by_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n and_o a_o precedent_n in_o it_o rule_v the_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o every_o city_n so_o that_o the_o presbytery_n of_o a_o great_a city_n join_v together_o for_o government_n be_v never_o account_v a_o provincial_a assembly_n but_o only_o the_o senate_n for_o government_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o whole_a city_n the_o erect_v presbytery_n for_o every_o particular_a congregation_n in_o a_o city_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o the_o ancient_a constitution_n of_o church_n and_o have_v give_v the_o great_a rise_n to_o the_o independency_n of_o particular_a congregation_n for_o if_o every_o particular_a congregation_n be_v furnish_v with_o a_o government_n within_o its_o self_n than_o man_n be_v apt_a present_o to_o think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o subordination_n of_o it_o to_o any_o high_a church-power_n whereas_o if_o that_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o church_n be_v hold_v that_o they_o be_v society_n of_o christian_n under_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n in_o a_o city_n then_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o congregation_n must_v truckle_n under_o the_o great_a body_n as_o receive_v their_o government_n by_o and_o their_o officer_n from_o that_o senate_n of_o the_o church_n which_o superintend_v and_o order_n the_o affair_n of_o that_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_n reside_v in_o such_o a_o place_n and_o this_o crumble_a of_o church-power_n into_o every_o congregation_n be_v a_o thing_n absolute_o disow_v by_o the_o great_a and_o most_o learned_a patron_n of_o presbytery_n beyond_o the_o sea_n as_o may_v be_v see_v both_o in_o calvin_n bâ—za_n salmasius_n blondel_n gersome_n bucer_n and_o other_o it_o be_v much_o dispute_v when_o the_o first_o division_n of_o parochial_a congregation_n in_o city_n begin_v platina_n attribute_n it_o to_o evaristus_n and_o so_o do_v damasus_n hic_fw-la titulos_fw-la in_o urbe_fw-la roma_fw-it divisit_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la he_o divide_v the_o several_a parish_n church_n to_o the_o presbyter_n these_o be_v call_v then_o tituli_fw-la baronius_n give_v a_o double_a reason_n 6._o of_o the_o name_n either_o from_o good_n belong_v to_o the_o prince_n exchequer_n which_o have_v some_o sign_n imprint_v upon_o they_o that_o it_o may_v be_v know_v who_o they_o be_v so_o say_v he_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n be_v put_v upon_o the_o church_n to_o make_v it_o know_v that_o they_o be_v devote_v to_o god_n service_n or_o else_o they_o be_v call_v tituli_fw-la because_o the_o several_a presbyter_n do_v receive_v their_o title_n from_o they_o but_o by_o the_o leave_n of_o the_o great_a cardinal_n another_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o name_n more_o proper_a then_o either_o of_o these_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o learned_a man_n that_o the_o general_a meeting_n of_o the_o christian_n be_v in_o the_o coemeteria_fw-la or_o dormitory_n of_o christian_n so_o they_o call_v the_o sepulcher_n then_o which_o be_v great_a and_o capacious_a vault_n fit_a to_o receive_v many_o people_n in_o they_o two_o chief_a ground_n of_o the_o christian_n meet_v in_o those_o place_n the_o first_o be_v their_o own_o security_n because_o the_o heathen_n look_v on_o it_o as_o a_o matter_n of_o religion_n manes_fw-la temerare_fw-la sepultos_fw-la to_o disturb_v the_o ash_n of_o the_o dead_a but_o the_o chief_a reason_n be_v to_o encourage_v themselves_o to_o suffeâ—_n martyrdom_n by_o the_o example_n of_o those_o who_o have_v go_v before_o they_o and_o lay_v bury_v there_o thence_o they_o be_v call_v martyrum_fw-la memoriae_fw-la because_o they_o do_v call_v to_o mind_v their_o action_n and_o constancy_n in_o the_o faith_n now_o from_o these_o coemeteria_fw-la be_v afterward_o the_o original_n of_o church_n whence_o person_n most_o reverence_v for_o piety_n be_v wont_n still_o to_o be_v bury_v in_o church_n not_o for_o any_o holiness_n of_o the_o place_n but_o because_o in_o such_o place_n the_o martyr_n lay_v bury_v the_o church_n be_v raise_v over_o the_o vault_n wherein_o the_o martyra_n lie_v entomb_v now_o church_n be_v raise_v from_o these_o coemetery_n which_o be_v call_v memoriae_fw-la martyrum_fw-la that_o they_o may_v still_o retain_v somewhat_o intimate_v their_o former_a use_n be_v call_v tituli_fw-la for_o 15._o titulus_fw-la as_o santius_n observe_v be_v signum_fw-la aliquod_fw-la aut_fw-la monumentum_fw-la quod_fw-la docet_fw-la ibi_fw-la latere_fw-la aliquid_fw-la aut_fw-la accidisse_fw-la cujus_fw-la nolumus_fw-la perire_fw-la memoriam_fw-la thence_o statue_n be_v call_v tituli_fw-la so_o gen._n 35._o 20._o erexit_fw-la jacob_n titulum_fw-la super_fw-la sepulchrum_n as_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a render_v it_o and_o gen._n 28._o 18._o surgens_fw-la ergo_fw-la jacob_n mane_n tulit_fw-la lapidem_fw-la quem_fw-la suâ—posuerat_fw-la capiti_fw-la svo_fw-la &_o erexit_fw-la in_o titulum_fw-la so_o absalon_n 2_o sam._n 18._o 18._o erexit_fw-la sibi_fw-la titulum_fw-la so_o that_o what_o be_v erect_v to_o maintain_v and_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v call_v titulus_fw-la and_o thence_o the_o church_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o coemitery_n of_o the_o martyr_n be_v on_o that_o account_n call_v tituli_fw-la because_o intend_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o memory_n this_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o name_n i_o leave_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o learned_a man_n but_o to_o proceed_v i_o confess_v it_o seem_v not_o probable_a to_o i_o that_o these_o tituli_fw-la be_v so_o soon_o divide_v as_o the_o time_n of_o evaristus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o trajan_n when_o the_o persecution_n be_v hot_a against_o the_o christian_n but_o damasus_n seem_v not_o to_o believe_v himself_o for_o in_o the_o life_n of_o dionysius_n â—e_n say_v hic_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la divisit_fw-la coemeteria_fw-la paroecias_fw-la &_o dioeceses_fw-la instituit_fw-la but_o most_o probable_o it_o begin_v assoon_o as_o the_o church_n enjoy_v any_o ease_n and_o peace_n it_o be_v so_o necessary_a for_o the_o convenient_a meeting_n of_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n as_o there_o be_v then_o in_o the_o life_n of_o marcellus_n about_o forty_o year_n after_o dionysius_n we_o read_v of_o twenty_o five_o title_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o which_o number_n what_o use_n be_v make_v for_o interpret_n the_o number_n 666._o may_v be_v see_v in_o mr._n potter_n ingenuous_a tract_n on_o that_o subject_a but_o when_o afterward_o these_o title_n be_v much_o increase_v those_o presbyter_n that_o be_v place_v in_o the_o ancient_a title_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a among_o they_o be_v call_v cardinals_z presbyteri_fw-la cardinalium_fw-la which_o be_v then_o look_v on_o as_o chief_a of_o the_o clergy_n and_o therefore_o be_v the_o chief_a member_n of_o the_o council_n of_o presbyter_n to_o the_o bishop_n so_o that_o at_o this_o day_n the_o conclave_n at_o rome_n and_o the_o pope_n consistory_n be_v a_o evident_a argument_n in_o this_o great_a degeneracy_n of_o it_o of_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n there_o by_o a_o bishop_n act_v with_o his_o college_n of_o presbyter_n neither_o be_v this_o proper_a to_o rome_n alone_o but_o to_o all_o other_o great_a city_n which_o when_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n be_v grow_v so_o great_a that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v and_o join_v with_o the_o bishop_n for_o order_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v some_o as_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o choose_v out_o from_o the_o rest_n to_o be_v as_o the_o bishop_n council_n and_o these_o in_o many_o place_n as_o at_o milan_n ravenna_n naples_n etc._n etc._n be_v call_v cardinals_z presbyteri_fw-la as_o well_o as_o at_o rome_n which_o be_v abrogate_a by_o pius_n quintus_fw-la 1568_o but_o the_o memory_n of_o they_o be_v preserve_v still_o in_o cathedral_n church_n in_o the_o chapter_n there_o where_o the_o dean_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o archipresbytâ—r_n and_o both_o dean_n and_o prebendary_n be_v to_o be_v assistant_n to_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o regulate_v the_o church-affair_n belong_v to_o the_o city_n while_o the_o church_n be_v contain_v therein_o so_o much_o shall_v suffice_v for_o the_o model_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n while_o they_o be_v contain_v within_o the_o same_o precinct_n with_o the_o city_n its_o self_n we_o come_v in_o the_o
any_o such_o union_n and_o abstract_o from_o it_o for_o can_v we_o imagine_v our_o blessed_a saviour_n shall_v institute_v a_o society_n and_o leave_v it_o destitute_a of_o mean_n to_o uphold_v its_o self_n unless_o it_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n or_o that_o he_o leave_v every_o thing_n tend_v thereto_o mere_o to_o prudence_n and_o the_o arbitrary_a constitution_n of_o the_o person_n join_v together_o in_o this_o society_n do_v our_o saviour_n take_v care_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o society_n and_o not_o provide_v for_o mean_n to_o uphold_v it_o nay_o it_o be_v evident_a he_o not_o only_o appoint_v a_o society_n but_o officer_n to_o rule_v it_o have_v those_o officer_n than_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v it_o or_o no_o by_o virtue_n of_o christ_n institution_n of_o they_o if_o not_o they_o be_v rather_o bibuli_fw-la than_o caesares_fw-la cipher_n than_o consul_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n if_o they_o have_v a_o power_n to_o govern_v do_v not_o that_o necessary_o imply_v a_o right_a to_o inflict_v censure_n on_o offender_n unless_o we_o will_v suppose_v that_o either_o there_o can_v be_v no_o offender_n in_o a_o christian_a church_n or_o that_o those_o offender_n do_v not_o uâ—olate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n or_o there_o be_v some_o prohibition_n for_o they_o to_o exercise_v their_o power_n over_o they_o which_o be_v to_o give_v power_n with_o one_o hand_n and_o take_v it_o away_o with_o the_o other_o or_o that_o this_o power_n can_v extend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o exclude_v any_o from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v discuss_v have_v thus_o clear_v our_o way_n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o resolution_n 10._o of_o the_o question_n its_o self_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v with_o what_o evidence_n the_o subject_n be_v capable_a of_o these_o follow_a thing_n first_o that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o peculiar_a society_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o the_o commonwealth_n second_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n over_o its_o member_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o mere_a confederation_n or_o consent_n of_o party_n three_o that_o this_o power_n of_o the_o church_n do_v extend_v to_o the_o exclusion_n of_o offender_n from_o the_o privilege_n of_o it_o four_o that_o the_o fundamental_a right_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o escheat_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n upon_o their_o being_n unite_v in_o a_o christian_a state_n if_o these_o principle_n be_v establish_v the_o church_n power_n will_v stand_v upon_o they_o as_o on_o a_o firm_a and_o unmoveable_a basis._n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o peculiar_a society_n 11._o in_o its_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o the_o commonwealth_n which_o i_o prove_v by_o these_o argument_n 1._o those_o society_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o subsist_v apart_o from_o each_o other_o be_v real_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o one_o another_o but_o so_o it_o be_v with_o the_o church_n and_o common_a wealth_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a evidence_n of_o a_o real_a distinction_n than_o mutual_a separation_n and_o i_o think_v the_o prove_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o soul_n exist_v separate_a from_o the_o body_n be_v one_o of_o the_o strong_a argument_n to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v a_o substance_n real_o distinct_a from_o the_o body_n to_o which_o it_o be_v unite_v although_o we_o be_v often_o fain_o to_o go_v the_o other_o way_n to_o work_v and_o to_o prove_v possibility_n of_o separation_n from_o other_o argument_n evince_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v a_o distinct_a substance_n but_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o be_v for_o want_v of_o evidence_n as_o to_o the_o state_n of_o separate_a soul_n and_o theiâ—_n visible_a existence_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o immateriality_n of_o their_o nature_n but_o now_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n we_o have_v all_o evidence_n desirable_a for_o we_o be_v not_o put_v to_o prove_v possibility_n of_o separation_n mere_o from_o the_o different_a constitution_n of_o the_o thing_n unite_v but_o we_o have_v evidence_n to_o sense_n of_o it_o that_o the_o church_n have_v subsist_v when_o it_o have_v be_v not_o only_o separate_v from_o but_o persecute_v by_o all_o civil_a power_n it_o be_v with_o many_o man_n as_o to_o the_o union_n of_o church_n and_o state_n as_o it_o be_v with_o other_o as_o to_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n when_o they_o observe_v how_o close_o the_o union_n be_v and_o how_o much_o the_o soul_n make_v use_v of_o the_o animal_n spirit_n in_o most_o of_o its_o operation_n and_o how_o great_a a_o sympathy_n there_o be_v between_o they_o that_o like_o hypocrates_n his_o twin_n they_o laugh_v and_o weep_v together_o they_o be_v shrewd_o put_v to_o it_o how_o to_o fancy_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v any_o thing_n else_o than_o a_o more_o vigorous_a mode_n of_o matter_n so_o these_o observe_v how_o close_o a_o union_n and_o dependence_n there_o be_v between_o the_o church_n and_o state_n in_o a_o christian_a commonwealth_n and_o how_o much_o the_o church_n be_v behold_v to_o the_o civil_a power_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o its_o function_n be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o the_o church_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o high_a mode_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n consider_v as_o christian._n but_o when_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o the_o church_n have_v and_o may_v subsist_v suppose_v it_o abstract_v from_o all_o civil_a power_n it_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n that_o however_o near_o they_o may_v be_v when_o unite_a yet_o they_o be_v real_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n distinct_a from_o each_o other_o which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v prove_v 2._o those_o be_v distinct_a society_n which_o have_v every_o thing_n distinct_a 1_o in_o their_o nature_n from_o each_o other_o which_o belong_v to_o the_o constitution_n or_o government_n of_o they_o but_o this_o be_v evident_a as_o to_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n which_o will_v appear_v because_o their_o charter_n be_v distinct_a or_o that_o which_o give_v they_o their_o be_v as_o a_o society_n civil_a society_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o necessity_n of_o particular_a man_n part_v with_o their_o peculiar_a right_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o themselves_o which_o be_v the_o impulsive_a cause_n of_o their_o enter_v into_o society_n but_o that_o which_o actual_o speak_v they_o to_o be_v a_o society_n be_v the_o mutual_a consent_n of_o the_o several_a party_n join_v together_o whereby_o they_o make_v themselves_o to_o be_v one_o body_n and_o to_o have_v one_o common_a interest_n so_o cicero_n de_fw-fr repub._n define_v 21._o populus_fw-la to_o be_v coe'us_fw-la multitudinis_fw-la juris_fw-la consensu_fw-la &_o utilitatis_fw-la communione_fw-la sociatus_fw-la there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o god_n general_a providence_n be_v as_o evident_o see_v in_o bring_v the_o world_n into_o society_n and_o make_v they_o live_v under_o government_n as_o in_o dispose_v all_o particular_a event_n which_o happen_v in_o those_o society_n but_o yet_o the_o way_n which_o providence_n use_v in_o the_o constitution_n of_o these_o society_n be_v by_o incline_v man_n to_o consent_v to_o associate_v for_o their_o mutual_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n so_o that_o natural_a reason_n consult_v for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n as_o to_o those_o right_n which_o man_n enjoy_v in_o common_a with_o each_o other_o be_v the_o main_a foundation_n upon_o which_o all_o civil_a society_n be_v erect_v we_o find_v no_o positive_a law_n enact_v the_o be_v of_o civil_a society_n because_o nature_n its_o self_n will_v prompt_v man_n for_o their_o own_o conveniency_n to_o enter_v into_o they_o but_o the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o that_o society_n which_o we_o call_v a_o church_n be_v a_o matter_n which_o natural_a reason_n and_o common_a notion_n can_v never_o reach_v to_o and_o therefore_o a_o associate_a for_o the_o preserve_n of_o such_o may_v be_v a_o philosophical_a society_n but_o a_o christian_a it_o can_v be_v and_o they_o that_o will_v make_v a_o christian_a church_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o society_n of_o essen_n or_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o pythagorean_n do_v either_o not_o understand_v or_o not_o consider_v whereon_o this_o christian_a society_n be_v found_v for_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o look_v on_o it_o as_o a_o mere_o voluntary_a thing_n that_o be_v not_o at_o all_o settle_a by_o any_o divine_a positive_a law_n the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v no_o principle_n more_o consistent_a with_o the_o 13._o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o deny_v any_o church_n power_n in_o a_o christian_a state_n than_o this_o be_v and_o it_o be_v that_o which_o every_o one_o who_o will_v make_v good_a his_o ground_n must_v be_v drive_v to_o for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o matter_n mere_o voluntary_a and_o depend_v
ordinance_n which_o suppose_v admission_n into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n do_v thereby_o suppose_v a_o all-sufficient_a sacrifice_n offer_v for_o the_o expiation_n of_o sin_n and_o consequent_o â—he_n subsequent_a privilege_n do_v not_o immediate_o relate_v to_o the_o obtain_n of_o that_o but_o a_o grateful_a commemoration_n of_o the_o deatâ—_n of_o christ_n and_o a_o celebration_n of_o the_o infinite_a mercy_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o the_o way_n of_o redemption_n find_v out_o by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n and_o therefore_o it_o stand_v to_o great_a reason_n that_o such_o person_n who_o by_o their_o profane_a and_o unworthy_a life_n dishonour_v so_o holy_a a_o profession_n shall_v not_o be_v own_v to_o be_v as_o good_a and_o sound_a member_n of_o the_o society_n â—ounded_v on_o so_o sacred_a a_o foundation_n as_o the_o most_o christian_n and_o religious_a person_n to_o this_o i_o know_v nothing_o can_v be_v object_v but_o that_o first_o the_o passover_n be_v commemorative_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o second_o that_o the_o privilege_n of_o that_o people_n be_v then_o very_o great_a above_o other_o people_n and_o therefore_o if_o god_n have_v intend_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o excommunication_n among_o his_o peoplè_fw-la it_o will_v have_v be_v in_o use_n then_o to_o these_o i_o answer_v 1._o i_o grant_v the_o passeover_n be_v commemorative_n as_o to_o the_o occasion_n of_o its_o institution_n but_o than_o it_o be_v withal_o typical_a and_o annunciative_a of_o that_o lamb_n of_o god_n who_o be_v to_o take_v away_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o no_o person_n who_o desire_v expiation_n of_o sin_n be_v to_o be_v debar_v from_o it_o but_o the_o lords-supper_n under_o the_o gospel_n have_v nothing_o in_o it_o propitiatory_a but_o be_v intend_v as_o a_o feast_n upon_o a_o sacrifice_n and_o a_o federal_n rite_n as_o have_v be_v full_o clear_v by_o a_o very_a learned_a person_n in_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n 2._o i_o grant_v the_o jew_n have_v very_o many_o privilege_n above_o other_o nation_n nay_o so_o far_o that_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o god_n choose_v and_o peculiar_a and_o holy_a people_n and_o from_o thence_o i_o just_o infer_v that_o whatever_o exclusion_n be_v among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n from_o their_o society_n will_v far_o better_a hold_n as_o a_o argument_n for_o excommunication_n under_o the_o christian_a church_n than_o if_o it_o have_v be_v a_o mere_a debar_v from_o their_o levitical_a worship_n and_o that_o i_o shall_v far_o soon_o insist_v upon_o from_o the_o reason_n assign_v as_o the_o ground_n of_o excommunication_n than_o the_o other_o infirm_a and_o profligate_v argument_n and_o so_o the_o exclusion_n out_o of_o the_o camp_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o cerith_n among_o the_o jew_n whatever_o we_o understand_v by_o it_o may_v à _fw-la pari_fw-la hold_v to_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o exclusion_n from_o the_o christian_a society_n in_o imitation_n of_o which_o i_o rather_o suppose_v that_o exclusion_n out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n be_v after_o take_v up_o rather_o than_o as_o a_o mere_a out_o lawry_n when_o they_o be_v deprive_v of_o civil_a power_n the_o question_n then_o be_v thus_o clear_o state_v it_o amount_v to_o 22._o this_o whether_o under_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v any_o power_n in_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n by_o virtue_n of_o divine_a institution_n to_o exclude_v any_o offender_n out_o of_o the_o christian_a society_n for_o transgress_v the_o law_n of_o it_o and_o according_a to_o our_o former_a proposition_n i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o power_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n if_o i_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v fundamental_o and_o intrinsical_o resident_a in_o the_o society_n its_o self_n for_o whatever_o do_v immediate_o result_v from_o the_o society_n its_o self_n must_v have_v the_o same_o original_a which_o the_o subject_n have_v because_o this_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o inseparable_a property_n result_v from_o its_o constitution_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o my_o thought_n of_o it_o as_o clear_o and_o methodical_o as_o i_o can_v and_o that_o in_o these_o follow_a hypothesis_n 1._o where_o there_o be_v a_o power_n of_o declare_v any_o person_n to_o be_v no_o true_a member_n of_o the_o society_n he_o be_v in_o there_o be_v a_o formal_a power_n of_o excommunication_n for_o this_o be_v all_o which_o i_o intend_v by_o it_o viz._n a_o authoritative_a pronounce_v virtute_fw-la officii_fw-la any_o convict_v offender_n to_o have_v forfeit_v his_o interest_n in_o the_o church_n as_o a_o christian_a society_n and_o to_o lose_v all_o the_o privilege_n of_o it_o so_o that_o if_o this_o power_n be_v lodge_v in_o any_o church_n officer_n than_o he_o have_v power_n formal_o to_o excommunicate_v 2._o where_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o a_o society_n be_v not_o absolute_a and_o necessary_a but_o depend_v upon_o condition_n to_o be_v perform_v by_o every_o member_n of_o which_o the_o society_n be_v judge_n there_o be_v a_o power_n in_o the_o ruler_n of_o that_o society_n to_o debar_v any_o person_n from_o such_o privilege_n upon_o non-performance_n of_o the_o condition_n as_o suppose_v the_o jus_o civitatis_fw-la to_o depend_v upon_o defend_v the_o right_n of_o the_o city_n upon_o a_o fail_n in_o reference_n to_o this_o in_o any_o person_n admit_v to_o citizen-ship_n the_o ruler_n of_o the_o city_n have_v the_o same_o power_n to_o take_v that_o right_o away_o which_o they_o have_v at_o first_o to_o give_v iâ—_n because_o that_o right_o be_v never_o absolute_o give_v but_o upon_o supposition_n that_o the_o person_n do_v not_o overthrow_v the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v bestow_v upon_o he_o 3._o the_o church_n be_v such_o a_o society_n in_o which_o communion_n be_v not_o absolute_a and_o necessary_a but_o it_o do_v depend_v upon_o the_o performance_n of_o some_o condition_n of_o which_o the_o governor_n of_o it_o be_v the_o competent_a judge_n and_o that_o appear_v 1._o because_o the_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n depend_v upon_o condition_n to_o be_v judge_v by_o pastor_n as_o in_o case_n of_o adult_n person_n require_v baptism_n and_o the_o child_n of_o infidel_n be_v baptise_a in_o both_o which_o case_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o condition_n be_v pre-requisite_a of_o which_o the_o pastor_n be_v judge_n 2._o because_o the_o privilege_n of_o this_o society_n do_v require_v a_o separation_n from_o other_o society_n in_o the_o world_n and_o call_v for_o great_a holiness_n and_o purity_n of_o life_n and_o those_o very_a privilege_n be_v pledge_n of_o great_a benefit_n which_o belong_v only_o to_o person_n qualify_v with_o suitable_a condition_n it_o will_v therefore_o be_v a_o very_a great_a dishonour_n to_o this_o society_n if_o it_o lay_v as_o common_a and_o open_a as_o other_o society_n in_o the_o world_n do_v and_o no_o more_o qualification_n require_v from_o the_o member_n of_o it_o 3._o we_o have_v instance_n in_o the_o sacred_a record_n of_o apostolical_a time_n of_o such_o scandal_n which_o have_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o exclusion_n of_o the_o person_n guilty_a of_o they_o from_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o christian_a society_n and_o here_o i_o suppose_v we_o may_v notwithstanding_o all_o the_o little_a evasion_n which_o have_v be_v find_v out_o â—ix_v on_o the_o incestuous_a person_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n as_o to_o which_o i_o lay_v not_o the_o force_n of_o the_o argument_n upon_o the_o manner_n of_o execution_n of_o the_o censure_n then_o viz._n by_o delegation_n from_o a_o apostle_n or_o the_o apostolical_a rod_n or_o deliver_v to_o satan_n for_o i_o free_o grant_v that_o these_o do_v then_o import_v a_o extraordinary_a power_n in_o the_o apostle_n over_o offender_n but_o i_o say_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n in_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n at_o that_o time_n do_v still_o continue_v although_o not_o in_o that_o visible_a extraordinary_a effect_n which_o it_o then_o have_v and_o whatever_o practice_n be_v found_v upon_o ground_n perpetual_a and_o common_a that_o practice_n must_v continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o do_v and_o the_o church_n capacity_n w_o 〈…〉_z dmit_v which_o hypothesis_n be_v the_o only_a rational_a foundation_n on_o which_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n do_v stand_v firm_a and_o unshaken_a and_o which_o in_o the_o former_a discourse_n i_o be_o far_o from_o undermine_v of_o as_o a_o intelligent_a reader_n may_v perceive_v now_o i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o apostle_n censure_v of_o that_o person_n be_v not_o fetch_v from_o the_o want_n of_o christian_a magistrate_n but_o from_o such_o thing_n which_o will_v hold_v as_o long_o as_o any_o christian_a church_n
most_o eager_a disputer_n of_o the_o controversy_n about_o church-government_n but_o how_o necessary_a they_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v before_o any_o form_n of_o government_n be_v assert_v so_o necessary_a that_o without_o it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a church_n any_o weak_a understanding_n may_v discern_v second_o suppose_v that_o apostolical_a practice_n be_v sufficient_o attest_v by_o the_o follow_a age_n yet_o unless_o it_o be_v clear_v from_o scripture_n that_o it_o be_v god_n intention_n that_o the_o apostle_n action_n shall_v continual_o bind_v the_o church_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o infer_v that_o do_v concern_v we_o in_o point_n of_o conscience_n i_o say_v that_o though_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v evidence_v by_o posterity_n yet_o the_o obligatory_a nature_n of_o that_o fact_n must_v depend_v on_o scripture_n and_o the_o apostle_n intention_n must_v not_o be_v build_v upon_o man_n bare_a surmise_n nor_o upon_o after-practice_n especial_o if_o different_a from_o the_o constitution_n of_o thing_n during_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o here_o those_o have_v somewhat_o whereon_o to_o exercise_v their_o understanding_n who_o assert_v a_o obligation_n upon_o man_n to_o any_o form_n of_o government_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o must_v of_o necessity_n suppose_v a_o different_a state_n of_o thing_n from_o what_o they_o be_v when_o the_o apostle_n first_o establish_v governor_n over_o church_n as_o how_o those_o who_o be_v appoint_v governor_n over_o particular_a congregation_n by_o the_o apostle_n come_v to_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o that_o ordination_n governor_n over_o many_o congregation_n of_o like_a nature_n and_o extent_n with_o that_o over_o which_o they_o be_v set_v and_o whither_o if_o it_o be_v the_o apostle_n intention_n that_o such_o governor_n shall_v be_v always_o in_o the_o church_n be_v it_o not_o necessary_a that_o that_o intention_n of_o they_o be_v declare_v by_o a_o stand_a law_n that_o such_o there_o must_v be_v for_o here_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o practice_n can_v be_v no_o evidence_n when_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v different_a from_o the_o constitution_n of_o church_n afterward_o but_o of_o this_o more_o hereafter_o three_o suppose_v any_o form_n of_o government_n in_o its_o self_n necessary_a and_o that_o necessity_n not_o determine_v by_o a_o law_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n be_v thereby_o apparent_o argue_v to_o be_v insufficient_a for_o its_o end_n for_o than_o deficit_fw-la in_o necessariis_fw-la some_o thing_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o the_o scripture_n be_v whole_o silent_a in_o i_o say_v not_o that_o every_o thing_n about_o church-government_n must_v be_v write_v in_o scripture_n but_o suppose_v any_o one_o form_n necessary_a it_o must_v be_v there_o command_v or_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o imperfect_a rule_n which_o contain_v not_o all_o thing_n necessary_a by_o way_n of_o precept_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o necessity_n universal_a but_o either_o by_o way_n of_o mean_n to_o a_o end_n or_o by_o way_n of_o divine_a command_n i_o know_v none_o will_v say_v that_o any_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n be_v necessary_a absolute_o by_o way_n of_o mean_n to_o a_o end_n for_o certain_o suppose_v no_o obligation_n from_o scripture_n government_n by_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n in_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n or_o by_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o another_o be_v indifferent_a in_o order_n to_o the_o general_a end_n of_o government_n and_o one_o not_o more_o necessary_a than_o the_o other_o if_o any_o one_o form_n than_o be_v necessary_a it_o must_v be_v by_o that_o of_o command_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o command_n universal_o bind_v who_o footstep_n can_v be_v trace_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n how_o can_v the_o scripture_n be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n if_o it_o fail_v in_o determine_v bind_a law_n so_o that_o we_o must_v if_o we_o own_o the_o scripture_n sufficiency_n as_o a_o bind_a rule_n appeal_v to_o that_o about_o any_o thing_n plead_v as_o necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o any_o divine_a command_n and_o if_o such_o a_o law_n can_v be_v meet_v with_o in_o scripture_n which_o determine_v the_o case_n in_o hand_n one_o way_n or_o other_o by_o way_n of_o necessary_a obligation_n i_o have_v ground_n to_o look_v upon_o that_o which_o be_v thus_o leave_v undetermined_a by_o god_n positive_a law_n to_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o christian-liberty_n and_o that_o neither_o part_n be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o necessary_a for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n as_o exclusive_a of_o the_o other_o this_o i_o suppose_v be_v the_o case_n as_o to_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n 3._o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o that_o i_o may_v not_o only_o suppose_v but_o prove_v it_o i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o state_v of_o the_o question_n which_o if_o ever_o necessary_a to_o be_v do_v any_o where_o it_o be_v in_o the_o controversy_n of_o church-government_n the_o most_o of_o man_n heat_n in_o this_o matter_n arise_v from_o want_n of_o right_a understanding_n the_o thing_n in_o question_n between_o they_o in_o the_o state_v the_o question_n i_o shall_v proceed_v by_o degree_n and_o show_v how_o far_o we_o acknowledge_v any_o thing_n belong_v to_o government_n in_o the_o church_n to_o be_v of_o a_o unalterable_a divine_a right_n first_o that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v necessary_a by_o virtue_n not_o only_o of_o that_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o provide_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o society_n but_o likewise_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o divine_a law_n which_o take_v care_n for_o the_o church_n preservation_n in_o peace_n and_o unity_n i_o engage_v not_o here_o in_o the_o controversy_n whether_o a_o particular_a congregation_n be_v the_o first_o political_a church_n or_o no_o it_o suffice_v for_o my_o purpose_n that_o there_o be_v other_o church_n beside_o particular_a congregation_n i_o mean_v not_o only_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n which_o be_v the_o first_o not_o only_o in_o order_n of_o consideration_n but_o nature_n too_o as_o a_o totum_fw-la integrale_fw-la before_o the_o similar_v part_n of_o it_o but_o in_o respect_n of_o all_o other_o accidental_a modification_n of_o church_n from_o the_o several_a way_n of_o their_o combination_n together_o they_o who_o define_v a_o church_n by_o state_v worship_v congregation_n do_v handsome_o beg_v the_o thing_n they_o desire_v by_o place_v that_o in_o their_o definition_n of_o a_o church_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n in_o question_n which_o be_v whether_o there_o be_v no_o other_o church_n but_o such_o particular_a congregation_n which_o be_v as_o if_o one_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o civil_a society_n but_o in_o particular_a corporation_n and_o to_o prove_v it_o shall_v give_v such_o a_o definition_n of_o civil_a society_n that_o it_o be_v a_o company_n of_o man_n join_v together_o in_o a_o corporation_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o right_n and_o privilege_n under_o the_o governor_n of_o such_o a_o place_n it_o must_v be_v first_o prove_v that_o no_o other_o company_n of_o man_n can_v be_v call_v a_o civil_a society_n beside_o a_o corporation_n and_o so_o that_o no_o other_o society_n of_o man_n join_v together_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n can_v be_v call_v a_o church_n but_o such_o as_o join_v in_o particular_a congregation_n to_o which_o purpose_n it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o particular_a 4._o congregation_n be_v not_o the_o primariâ_fw-la intention_n divinâ_fw-la for_o if_o the_o whole_a world_n can_v join_v together_o in_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n no_o doubt_n that_o will_v be_v most_o proper_o a_o church_n but_o particular_a congregation_n be_v only_o accidental_a in_o reference_n to_o god_n intention_n of_o have_v a_o church_n because_o of_o the_o impossibility_n of_o all_o man_n join_v together_o for_o the_o convenient_a distribution_n of_o church-priviledge_n and_o administration_n of_o gospel-ordinance_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o privilege_n and_o ordinance_n do_v immediate_o and_o primary_o belong_v to_o the_o catholic_n visible_a church_n in_o which_o christ_n to_o that_o end_n have_v set_v officer_n as_o the_o apostle_n clear_o express_v 1_o corinth_n 12._o 28._o for_o how_o apostle_n shall_v be_v set_v as_o officer_n over_o particular_a congregation_n who_o commission_n extend_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v i_o think_v somewhat_o hard_o to_o understand_v but_o for_o the_o more_o convenient_a participation_n of_o privilege_n and_o ordinance_n particular_a congregation_n be_v necessary_a this_o will_v be_v best_a illustrate_v by_o example_n we_o read_v that_o esther_n 1._o 3._o king_n ahashuerus_n make_v a_o feast_n for_o all_o his_o prince_n and_o servant_n doubtless_o the_o king_n do_v equal_o respect_v they_o all_o as_o a_o body_n in_o the_o feast_n of_o they_o
that_o either_o there_o must_v be_v several_a pastor_n take_v the_o pastoral_a charge_n of_o one_o congregation_n which_o be_v not_o very_o suitable_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o i_o now_o dispute_v against_o or_o else_o many_o congregation_n in_o one_o city_n be_v all_o call_v but_o one_o church_n and_o one_o flock_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o plead_v for_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o observation_n of_o good_a use_n to_o the_o purpose_n in_o hand_n that_o the_o new_a testament_n speak_v of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o province_n always_o speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n as_o the_o church_n of_o judaea_n gal._n 1._o 22_o 1_o thes._n 2_o 14._o the_o church_n of_o samaâ—iâ—_n and_o galilee_n act_v 9_o 31._o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o câ—icia_n act_v 15._o 41._o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 1._o gal_n 1._o 1_o 2._o the_o church_n of_o asia_n rom._n 16._o 16._o rev._n 1._o 11._o but_o when_o it_o speak_v of_o any_o particular_a city_n than_o it_o be_v always_o use_v in_o the_o singular_a number_n as_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n act_v 8._o 1._o 15_o 4_o 22._o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n act_v 11._o 26_o 13._o 1._o the_o church_n at_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 2._o 2_o cor._n 1._o 1â—_n and_o so_o of_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n smyrna_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o we_o can_v find_v in_o scripture_n the_o least_o footstep_n of_o any_o difference_n between_o a_o church_n and_o the_o christian_n of_o such_o a_o city_n whereas_o have_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v restrain_v to_o a_o particular_a congregation_n doubtless_o we_o shall_v have_v find_v some_o difference_n as_o to_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o several_a place_n for_o it_o be_v scarce_o imaginable_a that_o in_o all_o those_o city_n speak_v of_o as_o for_o example_n ephesus_n where_o paul_n be_v for_o above_o two_o year_n together_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o convert_n than_o will_v make_v one_o congregation_n according_o in_o the_o time_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n the_o same_o language_n and_o custom_n continue_v still_o so_o clement_n inscribe_v his_o epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o rome_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n so_o by_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o all_o the_o believer_n at_o that_o time_n in_o rome_n make_v up_o but_o one_o church_n as_o likewise_o do_v they_o at_o corinth_n sâ—_n polycarp_n in_o the_o epistle_n write_v by_o he_o from_o the_o church_n at_o smyrna_n to_o the_o church_n at_o phylomilium_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o in_o his_o epistle_n 13._o to_o the_o philippian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d polycarp_n and_o the_o elder_n with_o he_o to_o the_o church_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n origen_n compare_v the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o athens_n corinth_n alexandria_n and_o oâ—her_a place_n with_o the_o people_n of_o those_o several_a city_n and_o so_o the_o etc._n church_n senate_n with_o the_o people_n and_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v his_o word_n chief_a ruler_n with_o the_o mayor_n of_o those_o city_n imply_v thereby_o that_o as_o there_o be_v one_o civil_a society_n in_o such_o place_n to_o make_v a_o city_n so_o there_o be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n incorporate_v together_o to_o make_v a_o church_n so_o that_o a_o church_n settle_v with_o a_o full_a power_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o exerc_n sing_v all_o act_n of_o church-discipline_n within_o its_o self_n be_v ancient_o the_o same_o with_o the_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n not_o but_o that_o the_o name_n church_n be_v attribute_v sometime_o to_o family_n in_o which_o sense_n tertullian_n speak_v ubi_fw-la duo_fw-la aut_fw-la tres_fw-la sunt_fw-la ibi_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la est_fw-la cust_z licet_fw-la laici_fw-la and_o may_v on_o the_o same_o account_n be_v attribute_v to_o a_o small_a place_n such_o as_o many_o imagine_v the_o church_n of_o cenchrea_n to_o be_v it_o be_v a_o port_n to_o corinth_n on_o the_o sinus_n sarònicus_n but_o stephanus_n byzantinus_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d suidas_n urbibus_fw-la say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o then_o that_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d strabo_n and_o pausanias_n only_o speak_v of_o the_o situation_n of_o it_o as_o one_o of_o the_o poâ—ts_n of_o corinth_n lie_v in_o the_o way_n from_o tegaea_n to_o argos_n nor_o be_v 4._o any_o more_o say_v of_o it_o by_o pliny_n then_o that_o it_o answer_v to_o lechaeum_n the_o port_n on_o the_o other_o side_n upon_o the_o sinus_n corinthiacus_n ubbo_n emmius_n in_o his_o description_n of_o old_a greece_n call_v both_o of_o they_o oppidula_fw-la duo_fw-la cum_fw-la duobus_fw-la praeclaris_fw-la portubus_fw-la in_o ora_fw-la utriusq_fw-la maris_fw-la but_o withal_o add_v that_o they_o be_v duo_fw-la vrbis_fw-la emporia_fw-la the_o two_o mart_n of_o corinth_n therefore_o in_o probability_n because_o 2._o of_o the_o great_a merchandise_n of_o that_o city_n they_o be_v much_o frequent_v cenchrea_fw-mi be_v about_o twelve_o furlong_n distance_n from_o corinth_n where_o pareus_n conjecture_n the_o place_n of_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v because_o of_o the_o trouble_v they_o 1._o meet_v with_o in_o the_o city_n and_o therefore_o they_o retire_v thither_o for_o great_a conveniency_n and_o privacy_n which_o conjecture_n will_v appear_v not_o to_o be_v altogether_o improbable_a when_o we_o consider_v the_o furious_a opposition_n make_v by_o the_o jew_n against_o the_o christian_n at_o corinth_n act_v 18._o 12._o and_o withal_o how_o usual_a it_o be_v both_o for_o jew_n and_o christian_n to_o have_v their_o place_n of_o meeting_n at_o a_o distance_n from_o the_o city_n as_o act_v 16._o 13._o they_o go_v out_o from_o philippi_n to_o the_o river_n side_n where_o there_o be_v a_o proseucha_fw-la or_o a_o place_n of_o 10._o prayer_n where_o the_o jew_n of_o philippi_n accustom_v to_o meet_v according_a to_o this_o interpretation_n the_o church_n at_o cenchrea_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n there_o assemble_v as_o the_o reform_a church_n at_o paris_n have_v their_o meeting_n place_n at_o charenton_n which_o may_v be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o charenton_n from_o their_o public_a assembly_n there_o but_o the_o church_n of_o paris_n from_o the_o residence_n of_o the_o chief_a officer_n and_o people_n in_o that_o city_n so_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n may_v be_v call_v the_o church_n at_o cenchrea_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n there_o be_v no_o evidence_n at_o all_o of_o any_o settle_a government_n there_o at_o cenchrea_fw-mi distinct_a from_o that_o at_o corinth_n so_o that_o this_o place_n which_o be_v the_o only_a one_o bring_v against_o that_o position_n i_o have_v lay_v down_o have_v no_o force_n at_o all_o against_o it_o i_o conclude_v then_o that_o church_n and_o city_n be_v original_o of_o equal_a extent_n and_o that_o the_o formal_a constitution_n of_o a_o church_n lie_v not_o in_o their_o capacity_n of_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n but_o act_v as_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n embody_v together_o in_o one_o city_n have_v officer_n and_o ruler_n among_o themselves_o equal_o respect_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o believer_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n the_o way_n and_o manner_n then_o use_v for_o the_o model_a the_o government_n of_o these_o church_n which_o may_v be_v consider_v in_o a_o double_a period_n of_o time_n either_o before_o several_a congregation_n in_o church_n be_v settle_v or_o after_o those_o we_o now_o call_v parish_n be_v divide_v first_o before_o distinct_a congregation_n be_v settle_v and_o this_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v be_v not_o only_o during_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o for_o a_o competent_a time_n after_o general_o during_o the_o persecution_n of_o church_n for_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o such_o a_o number_n of_o believer_n as_o can_v not_o convenient_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n and_o the_o distribute_v of_o believer_n into_o their_o several_a distinct_a congregation_n i_o can_v see_v any_o reason_n but_o to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o great_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n antioch_n ephesus_n and_o the_o like_a there_o be_v more_o believer_n than_o can_v well_o meet_v together_o consider_v the_o state_n of_o those_o time_n but_o that_o they_o be_v then_o distribute_v into_o their_o several_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o century_n as_o the_o athenian_n and_o roman_n divide_v their_o people_n i._n e._n into_o several_a worship_a congregation_n with_o peculiar_a officer_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o for_o it_o they_o have_v no_o such_o convenience_n then_o of_o settle_v several_a congregation_n under_o their_o particular_a pastor_n but_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n look_v upon_o