under_o he_o and_o give_v the_o key_n of_o his_o kingdom_n into_o their_o hand_n what_o can_v that_o possible_o signify_v but_o their_o power_n of_o government_n in_o and_o over_o the_o society_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v so_o familiar_a a_o thing_n in_o scripture_n to_o express_v power_n by_o key_n and_o our_o author_n himself_o have_v observe_v it_o and_o prove_v it_o by_o a_o multitude_n of_o instance_n but_o than_o say_v he_o this_o power_n of_o open_v and_o 237._o shut_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v exercise_v by_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n by_o admit_v fit_a person_n into_o it_o by_o baptism_n and_o by_o not_o admit_v such_o as_o be_v unfit_a and_o by_o retain_v such_o as_o be_v already_o admit_v that_o be_v to_o say_v our_o author_n will_v allow_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n all_o other_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o only_o this_o one_o of_o excommunication_n notwithstanding_o that_o it_o be_v evident_o employ_v in_o they_o all_o thus_o if_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v entrust_v with_o a_o power_n of_o judge_v what_o person_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v then_o certain_o if_o they_o perform_v not_o those_o condition_n upon_o which_o alone_o they_o be_v admit_v it_o must_v be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o those_o who_o let_v they_o in_o to_o turn_v they_o out_o so_o plain_o do_v the_o power_n of_o baptism_n infer_v that_o of_o excommunication_n and_o the_o power_n of_o judge_v who_o be_v fit_a member_n of_o the_o church_n infer_v both_o so_o that_o the_o gentleman_n of_o the_o erastian_n persuasion_n will_v have_v be_v much_o more_o consistent_a with_o themselves_o when_o they_o will_v not_o give_v the_o church_n all_o the_o act_n of_o power_n if_o they_o will_v have_v give_v it_o none_o at_o all_o for_o they_o be_v inseparable_a and_o therefore_o the_o learned_a and_o pious_a mr._n thorndike_n have_v very_o judicious_o observe_v that_o the_o 12._o leviathan_n have_v do_v like_o a_o philosopher_n in_o make_v the_o question_n general_a that_o be_v general_a indeed_o though_o by_o so_o free_o and_o generous_o declare_v himself_o he_o have_v make_v his_o resolution_n more_o subject_a to_o be_v contradict_v but_o yet_o they_o that_o only_o dispute_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n so_o be_v they_o press_v with_o great_a difficulty_n only_o they_o express_v not_o so_o much_o of_o their_o meaning_n for_o they_o be_v nevertheless_o to_o give_v a_o account_n what_o right_o the_o secular_a power_n can_v have_v to_o appoint_v the_o person_n that_o shall_v either_o determine_v or_o execute_v matter_n of_o religion_n to_o decide_v controversy_n of_o faith_n to_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n than_o if_o they_o resolve_v and_o maintain_v all_o this_o as_o express_o as_o the_o leviathan_n have_v do_v and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n do_v the_o follow_a text_n explain_v itself_o if_o he_o hear_v not_o the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v to_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n if_o we_o will_v observe_v upon_o what_o subject_n our_o saviour_n be_v then_o discourse_v for_o though_o our_o author_n to_o make_v the_o matter_n appear_v the_o more_o ambiguous_a have_v give_v we_o a_o large_a critical_a account_n of_o the_o word_n that_o signify_v church_n in_o all_o language_n if_o instead_o of_o that_o he_o have_v only_o mind_v our_o saviour_n discourse_n he_o must_v have_v see_v that_o by_o the_o church_n here_o can_v be_v understand_v nothing_o but_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o law_n whereby_o he_o will_v have_v the_o subject_n of_o his_o kingdom_n to_o be_v govern_v but_o our_o author_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v not_o then_o understand_v it_o be_v a_o thing_n to_o come_v and_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o our_o saviour_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o familiar_a and_o daily_a use_n shall_v direct_v they_o to_o such_o a_o mean_n as_o no_o mortal_a man_n can_v possible_o understand_v to_o which_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o answer_v that_o all_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n proceed_v upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o be_v of_o his_o 17._o church_n he_o begin_v at_o preach_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o all_o his_o sermon_n and_o instruction_n after_o that_o be_v but_o so_o many_o law_n and_o institution_n for_o its_o government_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n word_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v doubtful_a or_o obscure_a that_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v apply_v to_o any_o other_o society_n than_o that_o which_o he_o be_v now_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v the_o vulgar_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n ecclesia_fw-la yet_o when_o use_v by_o our_o saviour_n it_o can_v be_v apply_v to_o no_o other_o company_n of_o man_n but_o that_o of_o his_o church_n and_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v then_o a_o new_a word_n or_o a_o new_a notion_n to_o the_o apostle_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v sometime_o before_o use_v the_o same_o expression_n to_o st._n peter_n upon_o this_o rock_n i_o will_v build_v my_o church_n which_o he_o promise_v he_o as_o a_o peculiar_a reward_n of_o his_o forward_a faith_n now_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v make_v his_o promise_n to_o his_o friend_n and_o servant_n in_o unintelligible_a language_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o intelligible_a thing_n but_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v our_o author_n proceed_v that_o this_o text_n give_v no_o jurisdiction_n to_o the_o church_n but_o only_o direct_v private_a christian_n how_o they_o shall_v behave_v themselves_o towards_o offender_n as_o if_o the_o emperor_n shall_v have_v make_v a_o edict_n that_o if_o any_o subject_n shall_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o decree_n of_o his_o perfect_a he_o shall_v be_v account_v by_o his_o fellow_n subject_n as_o no_o member_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n this_o give_v the_o perfect_a no_o new_a power_n but_o only_o concern_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o people_n very_o true_a but_o it_o suppose_v his_o old_a power_n and_o so_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v antecedent_o vest_v his_o church_n with_o this_o power_n this_o be_v no_o new_a grant_n but_o only_o a_o supposition_n of_o a_o former_a one_o if_o he_o have_v not_o than_o this_o be_v their_o patent_n when_o he_o refer_v his_o subject_n to_o their_o judicature_n but_o whatever_o may_v be_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o church_n what_o be_v there_o say_v our_o author_n in_o the_o follow_a word_n let_v he_o be_v to_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n that_o sound_v like_o excommunication_n either_o in_o the_o jewish_a or_o christian_a use_n of_o it_o nothing_o at_o all_o in_o the_o jewish_a for_o heathen_n be_v never_o excommunicate_a as_o have_v never_o be_v of_o the_o society_n neither_o be_v publican_n put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o be_v publican_n but_o though_o heathen_n be_v not_o excommunicate_a person_n yet_o excommunicate_a person_n be_v as_o heathen_n and_o that_o be_v so_o plain_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n that_o nothing_o but_o mere_a peevishness_n can_v have_v make_v the_o exception_n and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o as_o if_o our_o saviour_n shall_v have_v say_v of_o a_o apostate_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o infidel_n and_o our_o author_n shall_v have_v reply_v upon_o he_o how_o can_v that_o be_v when_o a_o infidel_n be_v one_o that_o be_v never_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o a_o apostate_n once_o be_v and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o publican_n though_o they_o dare_v not_o at_o that_o time_n excommunicate_v they_o for_o that_o reason_n for_o fear_v of_o the_o roman_n yet_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o they_o think_v they_o worthy_a of_o it_o and_o that_o they_o be_v esteem_v as_o no_o better_a than_o scandalous_a sinner_n heathen_n and_o idolater_n but_o this_o suppose_a too_o it_o be_v no_o act_n say_v he_o of_o the_o church_n but_o every_o private_a man_n who_o be_v hereby_o permit_v to_o treat_v the_o offender_n as_o a_o vile_a person_n but_o this_o act_n of_o his_o suppose_n the_o power_n of_o judicature_n in_o the_o church_n for_o this_o advice_n relate_v to_o the_o know_a power_n of_o the_o sanhedrin_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o excommunicate_v refractory_a offender_n and_o thereby_o to_o put_v they_o into_o the_o state_n of_o heathen_a man_n and_o such_o it_o seem_v be_v to_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o great_a sanhedrin_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o plain_a design_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n when_o he_o refer_v all_o christian_n to_o their_o judicature_n and_o command_v they_o that_o if_o any_o man_n be_v
whatever_o first_o engage_v he_o to_o undertake_v the_o argument_n and_o it_o be_v usual_o report_v that_o the_o provocation_n be_v so_o very_o slight_a that_o i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o beneath_o the_o spirit_n of_o so_o great_a a_o man_n he_o have_v prosecute_v it_o with_o great_a zeal_n and_o keenness_n than_o he_o express_v in_o other_o write_n nay_o he_o can_v forbear_v upon_o all_o occasion_n digress_v into_o this_o subject_n insomuch_o that_o this_o be_v the_o main_a matter_n of_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr anno_fw-la civili_fw-la the_o subject_a whereof_o one_o will_v think_v be_v remote_a enough_o from_o this_o argument_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o his_o expense_n of_o pain_n and_o learning_n he_o have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o serve_v the_o purpose_n of_o his_o design_n that_o he_o have_v direct_o oppose_v it_o and_o if_o he_o have_v only_o study_v to_o furnish_v the_o church_n with_o argument_n to_o justify_v her_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n he_o can_v not_o have_v do_v she_o more_o service_n than_o he_o have_v do_v by_o this_o violent_a attempt_n upon_o it_o this_o i_o know_v can_v but_o seem_v a_o very_a strange_a charge_n against_o a_o person_n of_o his_o part_n and_o learning_n but_o therein_o i_o say_v appear_v the_o strength_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n that_o it_o put_v man_n beside_o the_o use_n of_o their_o natural_a understanding_n and_o hire_v they_o to_o set_v their_o wit_n on_o work_n only_o to_o serve_v a_o cause_n or_o gratify_v a_o passion_n and_o when_o once_o a_o man_n have_v take_v up_o a_o falsehood_n to_o defend_v the_o more_o skill_n and_o learning_n he_o spend_v upon_o it_o the_o worse_a it_o be_v for_o when_o a_o error_n be_v but_o slight_o maintain_v the_o mistake_n may_v proceed_v from_o inadvertency_n but_o when_o it_o be_v assert_v with_o great_a industry_n and_o long_a study_n that_o discover_v the_o man_n to_o be_v under_o a_o settle_a and_o habitual_a misunderstanding_n and_o when_o all_o be_v do_v every_o thing_n will_v be_v true_a or_o false_a as_o it_o be_v whether_o we_o will_v or_o no._n and_o if_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n be_v settle_v upon_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v not_o all_o the_o wit_n nor_o all_o the_o eloquence_n nor_o all_o the_o learning_n in_o the_o world_n that_o can_v unsettle_v it_o the_o wind_n may_v blow_v and_o the_o wave_n may_v beat_v but_o they_o can_v never_o shake_v it_o because_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o rock_n for_o a_o proof_n hereof_o i_o shall_v first_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o this_o learned_a author_n method_n of_o discourse_n and_o then_o second_o in_o the_o same_o way_n of_o argue_v by_o which_o he_o endeavour_v to_o destroy_v the_o original_a power_n of_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o make_v out_o a_o demonstrative_a proof_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n only_o i_o must_v premise_v that_o whereas_o he_o treat_v only_o of_o the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n that_o dispute_n must_v involve_v in_o it_o all_o other_o act_n of_o government_n in_o that_o they_o be_v all_o suppose_a by_o the_o power_n of_o inflict_a punishment_n now_o mr._n selden'_v account_n of_o the_o rise_n of_o excommunication_n be_v brief_o this_o that_o it_o be_v never_o establish_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n by_o any_o divine_a command_n that_o there_o be_v no_o use_n of_o it_o whilst_o they_o enjoy_v the_o civil_a power_n among_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o that_o we_o meet_v with_o no_o footstep_n of_o it_o till_o after_o the_o babylonian_a captivity_n and_o that_o then_o and_o there_o it_o be_v first_o take_v up_o among_o the_o jew_n by_o confederacy_n and_o mutual_a compact_n for_o be_v then_o deprive_v of_o all_o judicial_a power_n and_o zealous_a for_o the_o honour_n of_o their_o nation_n they_o covenant_v among_o themselves_o to_o punish_v all_o contumacious_a offender_n against_o their_o law_n and_o custom_n by_o excommunication_n which_o consist_v of_o two_o thing_n first_o solemn_a imprecation_n of_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n second_o separation_n from_o their_o converse_n that_o partly_o by_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n and_o partly_o by_o shame_n and_o modesty_n they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o repentance_n which_o as_o it_o be_v no_o proper_a jurisdiction_n so_o it_o can_v take_v no_o effect_n not_o only_o against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n but_o of_o every_o refractory_a offender_n that_o may_v if_o he_o please_v despise_v their_o sentence_n and_o in_o spite_n of_o it_o enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o his_o own_o conversation_n and_o therefore_o to_o make_v the_o sentence_n appear_v more_o terrible_a to_o the_o people_n they_o express_v it_o in_o the_o same_o form_n of_o speech_n in_o which_o moses_n express_v capital_a punishment_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o give_v the_o occasion_n to_o learned_a man_n of_o mistake_v as_o if_o the_o same_o phrase_n have_v signify_v the_o same_o thing_n from_o the_o beginning_n though_o the_o only_a intention_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v thereby_o to_o declare_v that_o they_o will_v no_o more_o own_o excommunicate_a person_n to_o be_v member_n of_o their_o society_n than_o if_o they_o have_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o it_o by_o a_o sentence_n of_o death_n and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n they_o will_v not_o spare_v to_o do_v it_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o this_o sentence_n relate_v only_o to_o their_o civil_a liberty_n and_o be_v no_o abridgement_n of_o their_o freedom_n as_o to_o public_a worship_n and_o though_o the_o offender_n upon_o who_o it_o pass_v be_v say_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o their_o synagogue_n yet_o that_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o it_o be_v their_o court_n of_o judicature_n not_o their_o place_n of_o worship_n and_o so_o signify_v civil_a out-lawry_a not_o ecclesiastical_a excommunication_n but_o though_o this_o device_n be_v at_o first_o make_v use_v of_o in_o this_o case_n of_o necessity_n for_o want_n of_o more_o effectual_a government_n yet_o have_v once_o obtain_v the_o power_n of_o custom_n among_o they_o when_o they_o be_v restore_v to_o their_o country_n and_o civil_a state_n they_o reserve_v it_o among_o their_o civil_a penalty_n and_o use_v or_o omit_v alter_v or_o abate_v its_o exercise_n according_a to_o discretion_n as_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v do_v in_o all_o other_o act_n of_o humane_a judicature_n that_o this_o be_v the_o state_n and_o notion_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o take_v it_o up_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o express_v it_o by_o the_o same_o form_n of_o speech_n so_o that_o in_o their_o discourse_n it_o signify_v no_o other_o separation_n than_o what_o it_o do_v among_o the_o jew_n that_o thus_o the_o use_n of_o it_o continue_v till_o the_o open_a breach_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n and_o then_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v whole_o separate_v from_o the_o jewish_a into_o a_o society_n by_o itself_o they_o enter_v into_o such_o a_o confederacy_n among_o themselves_o as_o the_o jew_n do_v in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n of_o inflict_a censure_n upon_o such_o as_o by_o their_o unchristian_a practice_n shall_v bring_v scandal_n upon_o the_o church_n that_o this_o power_n at_o first_o reside_v in_o the_o whole_a congregation_n not_o in_o any_o particular_a officer_n and_o that_o thus_o it_o continue_v till_o the_o ambition_n of_o the_o bishop_n wrest_v it_o into_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o for_o it_o pretend_v the_o authority_n of_o our_o saviour_n commission_n and_o so_o they_o enjoy_v it_o till_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a who_o take_v the_o church_n into_o his_o care_n and_o government_n reassume_v this_o power_n to_o himself_o as_o a_o natural_a right_n of_o the_o sovereign_a prerogative_n and_o so_o it_o descend_v to_o all_o his_o successor_n in_o the_o empire_n who_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o record_n of_o every_o age_n vary_v its_o use_n and_o exercise_v at_o their_o own_o pleasure_n and_o as_o prince_n come_v into_o the_o church_n this_o right_n of_o course_n escheat_v to_o they_o and_o be_v according_o challenge_v by_o they_o as_o be_v large_o prove_v by_o the_o history_n of_o europe_n and_o particular_o of_o our_o own_o nation_n this_o be_v the_o short_a account_n of_o his_o long_a performance_n the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v that_o excommunication_n have_v no_o divine_a but_o mere_o a_o humane_a original_a and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o ecclesiastical_a but_o a_o civil_a punishment_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o appertain_v not_o to_o the_o church_n but_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n now_o to_o answer_n or_o rather_o confute_v all_o this_o i_o need_v only_o to_o represent_v that_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o society_n found_v upon_o the_o immediate_a charter_n and_o command_n of_o our_o saviour_n
the_o opposition_n of_o the_o time_n the_o worse_a they_o be_v the_o more_o they_o require_v our_o zeal_n to_o oppose_v and_o to_o reform_v they_o and_o it_o be_v never_o more_o seasonable_a to_o assert_v the_o right_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n than_o when_o they_o be_v most_o disow_v let_v we_o but_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o god_n will_v do_v his_o work_n and_o let_v we_o not_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o trick_n and_o shift_n upon_o any_o pretence_n if_o any_o such_o there_o be_v of_o loss_n or_o danger_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n subsist_v upon_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o courage_n and_o integrity_n let_v we_o then_o be_v true_a to_o those_o two_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n and_o our_o saviour_n have_v undertake_v for_o the_o event_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n much_o less_o rome_n or_o geneva_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o it_o postscript_n i_o have_v thus_o far_o adventure_v to_o state_n the_o case_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n thereby_o to_o declare_v what_o it_o be_v that_o we_o contend_v for_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o recusant_n and_o dissenter_n for_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a what_o we_o oppose_v but_o what_o we_o assert_v and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o harm_n in_o error_n be_v it_o not_o for_o its_o contrariety_n to_o truth_n so_o that_o before_o we_o defend_v the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o define_v the_o true_a state_n of_o its_o cause_n otherwise_o we_o contend_v about_o we_o know_v not_o what_o for_o as_o for_o the_o general_a term_n of_o protestancy_n it_o be_v a_o indefinite_a thing_n so_o that_o if_o all_o the_o man_n in_o england_n that_o be_v enemy_n or_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n may_v be_v list_v under_o that_o name_n we_o have_v some_o protestant_n that_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o some_o that_o believe_v there_o be_v none_o some_o that_o believe_v they_o have_v a_o saviour_n and_o a_o soul_n to_o save_v and_o some_o that_o laugh_v at_o both_o there_o be_v hobbian_a protestant_n muggletonian_a protestant_n socinian_n protestant_n quaker_n protestant_n rebel_n protestant_n protestant_n of_o 41_o and_o protestant_n of_o 48._o all_o or_o most_o of_o which_o be_v as_o different_a as_o popery_n itself_o from_o the_o true_a protestancy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o stick_v close_o to_o that_o both_o as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o limit_v it_o to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n we_o may_v in_o time_n have_v a_o church_n consist_v of_o nothing_o but_o protestant_n dissent_v from_o the_o establish_a religion_n that_o be_v a_o church_n not_o only_o without_o but_o against_o itself_o and_o unless_o we_o derive_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o be_v by_o law_n establish_v from_o the_o antecedent_n law_n of_o christ_n we_o may_v quick_o be_v as_o we_o be_v in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o be_v a_o reform_a church_n of_o protestant_a atheist_n that_o be_v a_o church_n without_o religion_n and_o therefore_o all_o must_v be_v build_v upon_o this_o one_o boâ—â—om_n that_o the_o church_n own_v by_o the_o law_n of_o england_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n be_v original_o settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n with_o divine_a authority_n we_o deny_v his_o supremacy_n over_o his_o own_o church_n and_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o supreme_a government_n of_o the_o kingdom_n have_v power_n to_o abett_v and_o ratify_v our_o saviour_n establishment_n by_o civil_a law_n we_o deny_v his_o majesty_n supremacy_n over_o his_o christian_a subject_n and_o therefore_o both_o together_o must_v be_v take_v in_o to_o the_o right_a state_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o do_v what_o we_o can_v will_v involve_v the_o leader_n of_o our_o present_a separation_n in_o the_o guilt_n both_o of_o schism_n and_o sedition_n of_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o they_o withdraw_v themselves_o and_o their_o obedience_n from_o those_o who_o be_v vest_v with_o a_o power_n to_o command_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n of_o sedition_n in_o the_o state_n in_o that_o they_o needless_o and_o without_o any_o justifiable_a pretence_n violate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n though_o the_o truth_n be_v their_o dissension_n be_v somewhat_o worse_o for_o as_o they_o manage_v it_o it_o be_v not_o only_a sedition_n but_o rebellion_n in_o that_o they_o do_v not_o only_o disobey_v the_o law_n but_o disavow_v their_o obligation_n stand_v resolute_o upon_o that_o one_o principle_n that_o no_o magistrate_n whatsoever_o have_v any_o power_n of_o establish_v any_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n so_o that_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n be_v not_o so_o much_o faulty_a for_o the_o particular_a matter_n contain_v in_o it_o as_o for_o the_o unlawful_a and_o usurp_a authority_n of_o it_o and_o when_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n enjoin_v the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n to_o be_v use_v in_o all_o church_n they_o challenge_v a_o power_n to_o which_o they_o have_v no_o right_n and_o invade_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n himself_o this_o be_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o separation_n as_o it_o be_v state_v by_o the_o chief_a ringleader_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a renunciation_n of_o their_o allegiance_n as_o well_o as_o conformity_n i_o can_v with_o all_o the_o streining_n of_o charity_n make_v no_o better_o of_o it_o and_o shall_v be_v hearty_o glad_a if_o i_o can_v see_v they_o without_o shuffle_n and_o prevarication_n clear_v themselves_o of_o so_o pernicious_a a_o principle_n to_o conclude_v methinks_v religion_n have_v be_v long_o enough_o trifle_v with_o in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o after_o so_o long_a and_o so_o sad_a experience_n of_o our_o folly_n it_o be_v time_n to_o return_v to_o some_o sense_n of_o discretion_n and_o sobriety_n before_o the_o late_a barbarous_a war_n we_o have_v the_o sceptre_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o presbytery_n to_o advance_v but_o now_o after_o the_o murder_n of_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n that_o cause_o have_v prove_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o that_o it_o be_v grow_v ashamed_a of_o itself_o however_o the_o pretence_n be_v great_a and_o solemn_a but_o at_o this_o time_n the_o people_n be_v drive_v into_o the_o same_o excess_n against_o the_o church_n no_o body_n know_v for_o what_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o some_o man_n among_o we_o be_v too_o proud_a or_o too_o peevish_a to_o recant_v their_o folly_n and_o therefore_o i_o conjure_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o their_o heart_n and_o without_o passion_n serious_o to_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v for_o which_o they_o renounce_v the_o church_n in_o which_o they_o be_v baptize_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n tear_n and_o rend_v it_o into_o numberless_a piece_n and_o faction_n scare_v multitude_n of_o silly_a and_o well-meaning_a people_n out_o of_o it_o as_o they_o tender_v the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o put_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n into_o perpetual_a tumult_n and_o combustion_n about_o religion_n and_o when_o they_o have_v consider_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o bind_v it_o upon_o their_o conscience_n so_o to_o answer_v it_o to_o themselves_o now_o as_o they_o hope_v to_o answer_v it_o to_o their_o saviour_n at_o the_o last_o day_n as_o for_o the_o foreign_a reform_a church_n i_o have_v say_v nothing_o of_o they_o because_o they_o be_v altogether_o out_o of_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o argument_n which_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o four_o sea_n and_o concern_v only_o those_o that_o either_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o if_o in_o any_o thing_n any_o other_o church_n deviate_v from_o the_o primitive_a institution_n they_o must_v stand_v and_o fall_v to_o their_o own_o master_n and_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v be_v so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o un-church_n they_o or_o renounce_v brotherly_a communion_n with_o they_o or_o to_o think_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n shall_v withdraw_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o protection_n from_o they_o for_o if_o every_o defect_n from_o his_o institution_n shall_v forfeit_v the_o right_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n there_o never_o be_v as_o we_o may_v find_v by_o the_o apostle_n account_v of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n nor_o ever_o will_v be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o any_o thing_n