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church_n canon_n council_n nice_a 2,852 5 10.4936 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A30350 Four discourses delivered to the clergy of the Diocess of Sarum ... by the Right Reverend Father in God, Gilbert, Lord Bishop of Sarum. Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715. 1694 (1694) Wing B5793; ESTC R202023 160,531 125

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consent_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a yet_o whatever_o may_v be_v do_v in_o subaltern_a body_n where_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v amiss_o may_v be_v rectify_v by_o appeal_n the_o supreme_a and_o last_o resort_v must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o full_a freedom_n in_o which_o christ_n have_v constitute_v his_o church_n it_o must_v be_v further_o consider_v that_o infallibility_n be_v not_o like_o ordinary_a jurisdiction_n or_o legislation_n which_o may_v be_v mould_v according_a to_o the_o convenience_n of_o society_n it_o be_v a_o privilege_n which_o if_o the_o church_n have_v it_o at_o all_o she_o have_v it_o by_o a_o immediate_a grant_n from_o heaven_n and_o so_o she_o must_v enjoy_v and_o apply_v it_o according_a to_o the_o ten_o or_o of_o that_o grant_v and_o she_o can_v expect_v to_o have_v it_o continue_v to_o she_o but_o as_o she_o observe_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o grant_n indeed_o if_o it_o be_v give_v she_o at_o large_a to_o be_v model_v and_o lodge_v as_o she_o please_v there_o 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it_o be_v not_o very_o likely_a that_o christ_n shall_v have_v leave_v so_o great_a and_o so_o necessary_a a_o power_n to_o his_o church_n by_o which_o all_o controversy_n must_v be_v judge_v which_o yet_o must_v be_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o so_o many_o accident_n before_o it_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o work_v and_o that_o the_o bringue_v together_o of_o those_o council_n shall_v depend_v so_o entire_o upon_o they_o against_o who_o pretension_n or_o usurpation_n it_o seem_v to_o be_v most_o necessary_a but_o to_o go_v more_o close_o to_o this_o opinion_n if_o the_o infallibility_n lie_v in_o a_o general_n council_n it_o be_v first_o necessary_a that_o we_o know_v who_o be_v the_o member_n that_o must_v constitute_v this_o council_n whether_o the_o laity_n have_v a_o right_a to_o be_v in_o it_o and_o to_o judge_n or_o not_o we_o find_v the_o brethren_n as_o well_o as_o the_o elder_n join_v with_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o first_o council_n to_o which_o all_o subsequent_a council_n pretend_v they_o have_v succeed_v and_o who_o style_n it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o 30._o be_v one_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o authority_n why_o then_o be_v the_o brethren_n or_o the_o whole_a church_n that_o be_v lay_v christian_n who_o even_o the_o apostle_n though_o inspire_a take_v to_o consult_v and_o judge_v with_o they_o why_o i_o say_v be_v they_o now_o exclude_v it_o be_v also_o probable_a that_o by_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n be_v to_o be_v mean_v those_o to_o who_o that_o name_n be_v afterward_o appropriate_v why_o then_o be_v they_o shut_v out_o in_o a_o word_n if_o by_o a_o divine_a grant_v infallibility_n belong_v to_o a_o general_n council_n we_o have_v a_o just_a right_o to_o ask_v for_o a_o definition_n of_o the_o council_n by_o the_o same_o authority_n otherwise_o we_o may_v ascribe_v infallibility_n to_o those_o to_o who_o god_n never_o mean_v to_o give_v it_o must_v this_o council_n consist_v of_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o though_o this_o be_v both_o unreasonable_a and_o scarce_o possible_a yet_o if_o the_o infallibility_n be_v give_v in_o common_a to_o the_o pastor_n and_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n than_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o shut_v out_o any_o from_o it_o if_o because_o of_o their_o distance_n their_o age_n or_o their_o poverty_n they_o can_v come_v to_o it_o and_o if_o though_o a_o general_a summons_n be_v pretend_v to_o give_v all_o man_n a_o right_a to_o come_v yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o only_o a_o few_o of_o those_o who_o have_v live_v at_o a_o distance_n have_v come_v even_o in_o the_o best_a age_n those_o few_o will_v either_o be_v man_n of_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o wealth_n of_o heat_n or_o of_o health_n and_o will_v be_v probable_o man_n pick_v out_o
be_v urge_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v of_o use_n to_o we_o if_o there_o be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n a_o live_a speak_a judge_n to_o declare_v their_o true_a sense_n now_o this_o be_v rather_o more_o necessary_a with_o relation_n to_o the_o decree_n of_o council_n which_o as_o they_o be_v write_n as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n so_o they_o be_v much_o more_o voluminous_a and_o more_o artificial_o contrive_v and_o couch_v need_v a_o commentary_n much_o more_o than_o a_o few_o plain_a and_o simple_a write_n which_o make_v up_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o then_o the_o council_n must_v be_v expound_v there_o must_v be_v according_a to_o their_o main_a reason_n a_o infallibility_n lodge_v somewere_v else_o to_o give_v their_o sense_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o this_o have_v appear_v evident_o since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n for_o both_o upon_o the_o article_n of_o divine_a grace_n and_o upon_o their_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n 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which_o the_o whole_a order_n of_o the_o church_n be_v total_o reverse_v all_o these_o be_v such_o lawful_a and_o violent_a prejudices_fw-la against_o they_o that_o they_o must_v needs_o fortify_v a_o man_n in_o opposition_n to_o any_o such_o pretension_n till_o it_o be_v very_o plain_o prove_v these_o character_n agree_v so_o very_o ill_o with_o infallibility_n that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o believe_v they_o can_v be_v together_o since_o for_o above_o 800_o year_n together_o the_o papacy_n as_o it_o be_v represent_v by_o their_o own_o writer_n be_v perhaps_o the_o worst_a succession_n of_o man_n that_o can_v be_v find_v in_o any_o history_n and_o it_o will_v seem_v strange_a if_o god_n have_v lodge_v such_o wonderful_a power_n with_o such_o a_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o yet_o have_v take_v so_o little_a care_n of_o they_o to_o make_v they_o look_v like_o the_o proper_a subject_n of_o that_o authority_n we_o do_v plain_o see_v that_o the_o primitive_a church_n even_o when_o they_o enlarge_v their_o papal_a authority_n as_o to_o government_n do_v it_o what_o out_o of_o a_o respect_n to_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n who_o they_o believe_v found_v that_o church_n and_o suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o it_o and_o what_o or_o most_o chief_o out_o of_o their_o regard_n to_o the_o dignity_n of_o that_o city_n it_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o empire_n under_o which_o they_o live_v and_o this_o appear_v by_o their_o give_v the_o same_o privilege_n to_o constantinople_n when_o it_o become_v the_o imperial_a city_n which_o be_v make_v second_o to_o the_o other_o and_o equal_a to_o it_o except_o only_o in_o order_n and_o rank_n but_o as_o for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n though_o still_o the_o regard_n to_o st._n peter_n go_v far_o yet_o when_o liberius_n subscribe_v to_o semiarianism_n it_o be_v never_o pretend_v that_o his_o authority_n have_v in_o any_o thing_n alter_v the_o case_n which_o must_v have_v be_v urge_v if_o he_o have_v be_v believe_v infallible_a the_o case_n of_o honorius_n do_v full_o discover_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o six_o century_n concern_v their_o infallibility_n he_o be_v condemn_v as_o a_o monothelite_n by_o a_o general_n council_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o several_a pope_n who_o do_v by_o name_n condemn_v he_o now_o we_o be_v not_o a_o whit_n concern_v in_o his_o cause_n and_o condemnation_n whether_o it_o be_v just_a or_o not_o and_o whether_o it_o be_v upon_o a_o due_a examination_n or_o not_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o that_o a_o general_n council_n as_o well_o as_o several_a pope_n in_o that_o age_n have_v never_o dream_v of_o infallibility_n otherwise_o they_o can_v not_o have_v condemn_v he_o or_o believe_v he_o capable_a of_o heresy_n this_o may_v be_v bring_v down_o to_o many_o late_a instance_n in_o which_o several_a pope_n have_v be_v charge_v with_o heresy_n one_o shall_v suffice_v they_o have_v pretend_v to_o a_o authority_n from_o christ_n to_o depose_v king_n and_o to_o transfer_v their_o dominion_n to_o other_o this_o they_o have_v not_o only_o do_v by_o force_n and_o violence_n but_o by_o many_o solemn_a decision_n in_o which_o this_o authority_n have_v be_v claim_v as_o found_v on_o several_a passage_n of_o scripture_n not_o forget_v those_o in_o the_o beginning_n not_o in_o the_o beginning_n do_v god_n create_v and_o the_o great_a light_n that_o rule_v the_o day_n these_o with_o many_o more_o they_o have_v urge_v both_o from_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n this_o they_o do_v with_o the_o utmost_a pomp_n of_o solemn_a declaration_n and_o upon_o this_o head_n they_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o war_n some_o few_o writ_n against_o these_o pretension_n but_o the_o pope_n stand_v to_o they_o and_o carry_v they_o on_o in_o a_o course_n of_o five_o or_o six_o century_n with_o all_o possible_a vigour_n and_o during_o those_o age_n this_o doctrine_n grow_v to_o be_v universal_o receive_v by_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a by_o all_o the_o university_n all_o the_o divine_n canonist_n and_o casuist_n not_o one_o single_a person_n dare_v to_o oppose_v so_o strong_a a_o current_n so_o that_o cardinal_n perron_n be_v in_o the_o right_n when_o he_o affirm_v that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n universal_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o last_o six_o century_n without_o contradiction_n before_o calvin_n day_n and_o those_o few_o that_o seem_v to_o write_v against_o it_o dare_v only_o oppose_v the_o pope_n direct_a power_n in_o temporal_n as_o the_o superior_a lord_n to_o who_o king_n be_v but_o vassal_n but_o dare_v not_o contradict_v his_o authority_n over_o they_o in_o case_n of_o heresy_n this_o then_o be_v so_o public_a and_o uncontested_a a_o point_n as_o it_o shake_v the_o authority_n of_o oral_a tradition_n and_o show_v how_o doctrine_n even_o in_o point_n in_o which_o man_n interest_n do_v strong_o oppose_v they_o can_v get_v into_o the_o church_n though_o not_o derive_v down_o from_o the_o apostle_n so_o it_o total_o destroy_v the_o pope_n pretension_n to_o infallibility_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o such_o as_o think_v this_o to_o be_v simple_o unlawful_a and_o that_o it_o subvert_v the_o order_n which_o god_n have_v settle_v in_o the_o world_n for_o there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o fact_n in_o history_n that_o can_v be_v less_o contest_v than_o that_o the_o pope_n have_v assume_v this_o authority_n and_o that_o they_o have_v vouch_v divine_a warrant_n for_o it_o to_o this_o also_o we_o may_v well_o add_v another_o train_n of_o difficulty_n about_o the_o right_a to_o choose_v this_o pope_n in_o who_o it_o be_v vest_v what_o number_n be_v necessary_a for_o a_o canonical_a election_n and_o how_o far_o simony_n void_v it_o and_o who_o be_v the_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o simony_n or_o in_o the_o case_n of_o different_a election_n who_o shall_v judge_v which_o of_o
all_o the_o great_a body_n of_o those_o who_o divide_v from_o our_o constitution_n have_v some_o ritual_n of_o their_o own_o so_o the_o dispute_n in_o this_o must_v only_o be_v concern_v the_o degree_n and_o extent_n of_o this_o power_n for_o if_o any_o authority_n be_v allow_v it_o will_v not_o be_v easy_a to_o fix_v any_o other_o bound_n to_o it_o but_o this_o that_o it_o must_v not_o invade_v the_o divine_a authority_n nor_o do_v any_o thing_n beyond_o the_o rule_n and_o limit_n set_v in_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o there_o be_v the_o least_o degree_n of_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n the_o ground_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v found_v must_v carry_v it_o to_o every_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v unlawful_a bare_a unfitness_n though_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o consideration_n of_o great_a weight_n when_o such_o thing_n be_v deliberate_v about_o yet_o when_o they_o be_v once_o conclude_v can_v be_v no_o reason_n for_o disobey_v they_o since_o the_o fitness_n of_o order_n and_o the_o decency_n of_o unity_n and_o obedience_n be_v certain_o of_o much_o more_o value_n than_o any_o special_a unfitness_n that_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o any_o particular_a instance_n so_o that_o one_o of_o these_o two_o must_v be_v admit_v either_o that_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v no_o sort_n of_o authority_n even_o in_o the_o small_a circumstance_n but_o be_v limit_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o can_v only_o execute_v they_o strict_o and_o not_o go_v beyond_o they_o in_o a_o title_n or_o this_o authority_n must_v go_v to_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v lawful_a on_o that_o i_o will_v dwell_v no_o long_o here_o the_o full_a discussion_n of_o this_o matter_n belong_v to_o another_o discourse_n it_o be_v a_o natural_a consequence_n of_o the_o authority_n give_v to_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o have_v declare_v and_o fix_v their_o doctrine_n and_o have_v settle_v rule_n for_o their_o ritual_n may_v excommunicate_v such_o as_o either_o do_v not_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o religion_n which_o be_v a_o main_a part_n of_o their_o doctrine_n or_o do_v not_o obey_v the_o constitution_n of_o their_o society_n excommunication_n in_o the_o strictness_n of_o thing_n be_v only_o the_o church_n refuse_v to_o receive_v a_o person_n into_o her_o communion_n now_o as_o every_o private_a man_n be_v the_o master_n of_o his_o own_o action_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o every_o body_n of_o man_n must_v also_o be_v the_o master_n of_o they_o and_o thus_o though_o excommunication_n in_o some_o respect_n be_v declaratory_a it_o be_v a_o solemn_a denunciation_n of_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n against_o person_n who_o live_v in_o a_o open_a violation_n of_o some_o one_o or_o more_o of_o its_o law_n so_o it_o be_v also_o a_o authoritative_a act_n by_o which_o a_o church_n refuse_v to_o communicate_v with_o such_o a_o person_n in_o this_o it_o be_v true_a church_n ought_v to_o make_v the_o term_n of_o communion_n with_o they_o as_o large_a and_o extensive_a as_o may_v consist_v with_o the_o rule_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o order_n but_o after_o all_o they_o have_v a_o power_n over_o themselves_o and_o their_o own_o action_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v likewise_o clothe_v with_o a_o power_n to_o communicate_v with_o other_o person_n or_o not_o to_o do_v it_o as_o they_o shall_v see_v cause_n in_o which_o great_a difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o this_o power_n in_o itself_o and_o the_o use_n and_o management_n of_o it_o for_o any_o abuse_n whether_o true_a or_o only_o pretend_v though_o they_o may_v well_o be_v urge_v to_o procure_v a_o proper_a reformation_n of_o they_o yet_o can_v be_v allege_v against_o the_o power_n itself_o which_o be_v both_o just_a and_o necessary_a it_o be_v not_o so_o very_o clear_a to_o state_n the_o subordination_n in_o which_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v put_v under_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o how_o far_o all_o act_n of_o church_n power_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o law_n and_o policy_n of_o those_o state_n to_o which_o the_o several_a church_n do_v belong_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o magistrate_n be_v a_o christian_a or_o not_o do_v not_o at_o all_o alter_v the_o case_n that_o have_v only_o a_o relation_n to_o his_o own_o salvation_n for_o his_o authority_n be_v the_o same_o whatever_o his_o belief_n may_v be_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n his_o design_n to_o protect_v or_o to_o destroy_v religion_n alter_v the_o case_n more_o sensible_o for_o the_o regard_v to_o that_o protection_n and_o to_o the_o peace_n and_o order_n that_o follow_v upon_o it_o together_o with_o the_o breach_n and_o disorder_n that_o may_v follow_v upon_o a_o ill_a understanding_n between_o church_n and_o state_n be_v matter_n of_o such_o consequence_n that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o mere_a prudence_n which_o may_v give_v perhaps_o too_o strong_a a_o bias_n to_o carnal_a fear_n and_o policy_n but_o the_o rule_n of_o religion_n which_o oblige_v the_o church_n to_o study_v to_o preserve_v that_o order_n and_o protection_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a blessing_n of_o the_o society_n and_o a_o main_a instrument_n of_o do_v much_o good_a great_a difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o a_o authority_n that_o act_n with_o a_o visible_a design_n to_o destroy_v religion_n and_o another_o that_o intend_v to_o protect_v it_o but_o that_o err_v in_o its_o conduct_n and_o do_v often_o restrain_v the_o rule_n of_o order_n and_o impose_v hard_a and_o uneasy_a thing_n certain_o in_o the_o latter_a much_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v with_o that_o may_v be_v otherwise_o uneasy_a because_o the_o main_n be_v still_o safe_a and_o private_a slip_n when_o endure_v and_o submit_v to_o can_v never_o be_v compare_v to_o those_o public_a disorder_n that_o a_o rigid_a maintain_n of_o that_o which_o be_v perhaps_o in_o itself_o good_a must_v occasion_n but_o when_o the_o design_n be_v plain_a and_o that_o the_o conduct_v of_o the_o civil_a power_n go_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o any_o main_a article_n of_o it_o than_o the_o body_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o state_n ought_v to_o fortify_v themselves_o by_o maintain_v their_o order_n and_o their_o other_o rule_n in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o preservation_n upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o church_n have_v any_o authority_n to_o act_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o state_n but_o mere_o in_o those_o thing_n in_o which_o the_o religion_n that_o she_o profess_v be_v plain_a and_o positive_a so_o that_o the_o question_n come_v to_o be_v real_o this_o whether_o be_v it_o better_a to_o obey_v god_n than_o man_n there_o the_o rule_n be_v clear_a and_o the_o decision_n be_v soon_o make_v so_o when_o the_o church_n act_v mere_o in_o obedience_n to_o rule_n and_o law_n lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n such_o as_o in_o declare_v the_o doctrine_n in_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n and_o maintain_v the_o settle_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n she_o be_v upon_o a_o sure_a bottom_n and_o must_v cast_v herself_o upon_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n whatever_o may_v happen_v and_o still_o obey_v god_n but_o in_o all_o thing_n that_o have_v arisen_a out_o of_o ancient_a custom_n and_o canon_n in_o every_o thing_n where_o she_o have_v not_o a_o law_n of_o god_n to_o support_v she_o i_o do_v not_o see_v any_o power_n she_o have_v to_o act_v in_o opposition_n to_o law_n and_o to_o the_o supreme_a civil_a authority_n in_o this_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v no_o small_a argument_n who_o be_v sanhedrin_n that_o be_v a_o civil_a court_n and_o the_o head_n of_o their_o state_n do_v give_v rule_n and_o order_n which_o their_o priest_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v when_o not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n we_o be_v sure_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o it_o be_v never_o censure_v nor_o reprove_v by_o he_o nor_o by_o the_o apostle_n the_o argument_n be_v also_o strong_a that_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o time_n that_o she_o first_o have_v the_o protection_n of_o the_o civil_a authority_n till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o papal_a domination_n in_o which_o we_o find_v the_o emperor_n all_o along_o make_v law_n concern_v all_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o church_n we_o find_v they_o receive_v appeal_n in_o all_o church_n matter_n which_o they_o appoint_v such_o bishop_n as_o happen_v to_o be_v about_o their_o court_n to_o examine_v this_o be_v like_o our_o court_n of_o delegate_n for_o the_o bishop_n who_o judge_v those_o matter_n do_v not_o act_v according_a to_o canon_n or_o by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a
authority_n which_o have_v put_v the_o church_n in_o a_o state_v line_n of_o subordination_n according_a to_o the_o division_n of_o the_o province_n of_o the_o empire_n they_o act_v only_o by_o a_o imperial_a authority_n so_o that_o though_o they_o be_v bishop_n they_o act_v by_o the_o emperor_n commission_n such_o authority_n as_o these_o draw_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o jewish_a and_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v at_o least_o strong_a inducement_n to_o believe_v this_o to_o be_v true_a but_o the_o argument_n that_o seem_v to_o determine_v it_o be_v that_o man_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o obey_v two_o different_a authority_n that_o may_v happen_v to_o contradict_v one_o another_o this_o be_v a_o strange_a distraction_n in_o man_n thought_n and_o conscience_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o god_n have_v put_v they_o under_o such_o a_o divide_a authority_n for_o all_o temporal_n will_v easy_o be_v fetch_v within_o a_o in_o ordine_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la since_o then_o every_o soul_n be_v bind_v under_o the_o hazard_n of_o damnation_n to_o obey_v the_o supreme_a power_n we_o must_v be_v bind_v to_o obey_v their_o law_n in_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o only_a limitation_n that_o this_o can_v admit_v of_o that_o settle_v this_o whole_a matter_n which_o otherwise_o must_v be_v ravel_v out_o into_o vast_a intricacy_n and_o yet_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v for_o certain_a that_o the_o rule_n for_o man_n obedience_n must_v be_v distinct_a and_o fix_a to_o conclude_v this_o whole_a matter_n the_o best_a and_o sure_a way_n for_o preserve_v the_o order_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o its_o peace_n and_o prosperity_n be_v for_o the_o clergy_n to_o live_v and_o labour_v so_o to_o be_v so_o humble_a and_o modest_a so_o self-denied_n and_o heavenly-minded_n that_o from_o thence_o the_o laity_n may_v be_v bring_v to_o see_v that_o 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among_o who_o we_o live_v the_o extreme_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v dangerous_a on_o both_o hand_n a_o lazy_a compliance_n with_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v uppermost_a because_o of_o the_o law_n and_o advantage_n that_o may_v be_v on_o its_o side_n and_o a_o implicit_a believe_v and_o receive_v of_o every_o thing_n that_o happen_v to_o be_v propose_v to_o we_o do_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n depress_v our_o faculty_n render_v we_o so_o easy_a to_o every_o form_n in_o religion_n that_o we_o become_v at_o last_o indifferent_a to_o all_o and_o concern_v in_o none_o it_o make_v way_n for_o tyranny_n in_o those_o that_o govern_v and_o sink_v those_o that_o be_v govern_v into_o a_o sottish_a stupidity_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n a_o wanton_a cavil_v at_o every_o thing_n thebreaking_a of_o a_o establish_v order_n the_o make_v division_n and_o the_o draw_v of_o party_n the_o quarrel_v about_o nice_a point_n of_o speculation_n or_o some_o lesser_a matter_n in_o ritual_n do_v occasion_n much_o passion_n and_o animosity_n they_o take_v man_n much_o off_o from_o the_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n they_o divide_v christian_n from_o one_o another_o and_o sharpen_v they_o against_o one_o another_o all_o which_o be_v evil_n of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n in_o themselves_o and_o in_o their_o consequence_n that_o it_o will_v be_v of_o great_a advantage_n to_o find_v so_o true_a a_o mean_a in_o this_o matter_n that_o in_o it_o we_o may_v avoid_v the_o mischief_n of_o both_o extreme_n the_o foundation_n then_o to_o be_v lay_v here_o be_v first_o to_o consider_v the_o natural_a obligation_n that_o all_o man_n who_o be_v unite_v by_o any_o common_a bond_n come_v under_o to_o maintain_v a_o cordial_a affection_n and_o a_o mutual_a good_a understanding_n among_o themselves_o both_o as_o it_o be_v a_o instrument_n to_o preserve_v and_o strengthen_v their_o body_n and_o as_o it_o make_v such_o a_o body_n of_o man_n easy_a and_o happy_a but_o this_o that_o be_v a_o consideration_n common_a to_o all_o joint_a body_n of_o man_n become_v much_o strong_a in_o the_o christian_a religion_n one_o of_o its_o main_a design_n be_v to_o knit_v man_n heart_n to_o one_o another_o by_o a_o tenderness_n of_o brotherly_a kindness_n and_o charity_n our_o saviour_n have_v make_v this_o the_o distinction_n 35._o by_o which_o all_o the_o world_n may_v know_v who_o be_v his_o disciple_n and_o who_o be_v not_o so_o and_o all_o his_o apostle_n have_v in_o every_o one_o of_o their_o epistle_n not_o except_v the_o short_a press_v this_o in_o such_o a_o variety_n of_o copious_a and_o most_o earnest_a direction_n that_o whosoever_o read_v the_o new_a testament_n careful_o must_v see_v that_o this_o be_v enlarge_v on_o beyond_o all_o the_o other_o duty_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o press_v in_o the_o most_o comprehensive_a word_n and_o with_o the_o most_o enforce_v consideration_n possible_a the_o chief_a of_o all_o be_v the_o love_n which_o our_o saviour_n himself_o bear_v to_o we_o in_o imitation_n of_o which_o he_o have_v require_v we_o to_o love_v one_o another_o to_o love_v enemy_n to_o pass_v by_o and_o to_o forgive_v injury_n do_v good_a for_o evil_n to_o relieve_v the_o necessitous_a and_o have_v bowel_n of_o compassion_n for_o all_o man_n this_o be_v a_o main_a part_n of_o the_o glory_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o religion_n to_o advance_v this_o and_o to_o endear_v we_o to_o one_o another_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o pray_v with_o and_o for_o one_o another_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o assemble_v ourselves_o together_o that_o by_o our_o see_v of_o one_o another_o and_o meet_v in_o the_o same_o act_n and_o duty_n of_o religion_n our_o love_n and_o union_n may_v become_v strong_a and_o more_o firm_o cement_v sacrament_n be_v sacred_a rite_n institute_v not_o only_o to_o maintain_v our_o devotion_n towards_o god_n as_o act_n of_o homage_n and_o solemn_a vow_n make_v to_o he_o but_o likewise_o as_o bond_n to_o knit_v we_o together_o as_o well_o as_o to_o unite_v we_o to_o our_o head_n and_o it_o be_v no_o small_a confirmation_n of_o all_o this_o that_o our_o saviour_n in_o his_o last_o and_o long_a prayer_n to_o the_o father_n when_o he_o be_v intercede_v for_o his_o church_n have_v repeat_v this_o prayer_n so_o often_o no_o less_o than_o five_o time_n 23._o in_o no_o very_a long_a prayer_n that_o they_o may_v be_v one_o and_o be_v keep_v and_o make_v perfect_a in_o one_o and_o the_o unity_n pray_v for_o be_v so_o sublime_a that_o it_o be_v compare_v to_o that_o unconceivable_a unity_n or_o union_n that_o be_v between_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n and_o by_o this_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o religion_n 23._o that_o the_o world_n may_v believe_v that_o the_o father_n have_v send_v he_o more_o need_v not_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o head_n to_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v of_o the_o great_a importance_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o maintain_v a_o entire_a union_n among_o its_o member_n and_o that_o the_o chief_a mean_a of_o do_v this_o be_v their_o unite_n themselves_o in_o the_o same_o act_n of_o worship_n now_o the_o only_a question_n that_o will_v remain_v will_v be_v how_o far_o must_v this_o go_v and_o the_o only_a answer_n that_o can_v be_v make_v to_o it_o be_v that_o it_o must_v go_v till_o the_o body_n in_o which_o we_o happen_v to_o be_v engage_v impose_v unlawful_a term_n of_o communion_n on_o its_o member_n in_o that_o case_n we_o must_v remember_v that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o obey_v god_n than_o man_n and_o that_o we_o must_v seek_v peace_n and_o truth_n since_o a_o union_n on_o unlawful_a term_n be_v a_o combination_n against_o god_n and_o his_o truth_n and_o be_v no_o piece_n of_o christian_a charity_n this_o will_v be_v agree_v to_o on_o all_o hand_n in_o the_o general_a so_o i_o will_v go_v